The Red Letter Disciple Episode 21

021: David Douglas on How He Went From Mailman to Addiction Recovery Director

David Douglas has had more than one radical 180 degree change in his life. From living as a mailman and choosing to be an addiction recovery director to DNA testing revealing an entire family and seven siblings to this adopted child. Through all of the changes, Jesus has been faithful.

Every pastor knows small groups are important, yet a lot aren’t too happy with where their small groups are right now. You can grow your small groups right now. That’s right. We have helped more than 800 churches grow their small groups, and it’s not as hard as you think. Our super-simple, easily-doable 5-step guide to grow your small group strategy is found by clicking on this link. 

Red Letter Living Logo

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Hand in Hand, Lake Country, FL

When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself by Steven Corbett and Brian Fikkert

Gritfest

GRIT 4 LIFE: God, Relationships, Integrity, and Truth by David Douglas

Addictionhelp.solutions

Key insights from the episode:

David Douglas

Most people look at the symptoms, but they are just symptoms of an underlying problem. – David Douglas

What the devil meant to destroy, God is using for good in your life. – Zach Zehnder

Each addiction has an underlying problem. – David Douglas

There is a high amount of addition is found in postal workers, firefighters, policemen, and EMTs. – Dave Douglas

Let’s not be so worried about all the things an addict did. Let’s talk about what they are going to do. –David Douglas

When you start your search into your past [as an adopted child], make sure you know who you are. – David Douglas

David Douglas’s Challenge: Tackle an issue you don’t like in your life by self-reflecting instead of self-condemnation. (Bonus challenge: treat your postal worker!)

Lead yourself (and your church) to find freedom in forgiveness. 

As David was talking in this interview, it showed me the power of God’s freedom that comes through forgiveness.

We’d love to help you and your church discover what freedom in forgiveness feels like by exploring the powerful forgiveness that Jesus offers to each and every one of us.

We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Forgiving Challenge.

The Forgiving Challenge takes you on a life-changing journey to experience the gift of God’s grace so that you can share it with others. It also helps you identify and walk through the five phases leading to freedom. 

You can learn more about the challenge here!

Not-so-key insights:

Dave absolutely did not deliver someone’s mail because of a dog. 

The greatest gift David ever received as a mailman was chocolate chip cookies. 

Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season two of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here!

Leave a Reply

Share This:

Launch Red Letter Advent in 2024!

Red Letter Advent Books In Stock and Ready to Ship: Buy for Your Church, Your Small Group, or Your Family Now for a Powerful Month of December