Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Prayer Closet Devotional: One Hundred Days of Prayer available on Amazon!

Prayer Closet Devotional Daniel 3:18 Excerpt

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Daniel 3:18 RSV

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The only posture that will bring true power into our lives is the posture of prayer. I always begin my prayers by confessing this posture. It involves a humble heart on bended knee at the foot of the Cross. This is a posture of humility. We humble ourselves before God as a way of acknowledging our need for His strength to become active in our lives.

Much Agape ev'body,

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Prayer Closet Devotional: One Hundred Days of Prayer available on Amazon!

Spiritual Strength Training Ephesians 4:15

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Spiritual Strength Training requires more than just sitting in a pew on Sunday. It requires us to speak Truth in Love to each other.

Much Agape ev'body,

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Whatever you do, please share the Gospel! You never know when God is going to use you to be an angel to someone else in the middle of their valley.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Tetelestai on Good Friday

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 12:20:12 -0400

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In this life, when you follow God, people will throw negativity at you. It is ok. God did not ask them or consult with them about your Kingdom purpose. Keep proclaiming Yahweh!

Much Agape ev'body!

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 21:22:34 -0500

Lent is quickly approaching. It is a time of deep self-reflection. I challenge you to dive deeper into Scriptures and read each day. I have shared a list of daily Scriptures you can read or you can read 3 or 4 chapters of Psalms each day.

Much Agape ev'body!

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 19:17:55 -0400

Scripture reminds us that if we do not forgive then God will not forgive us. Do not become a slave to bitterness, rage, anger, or any other emotion. Forgiveness is a game changer decision for our eternal future.

7 Stages of Loving Someone in Addiction - Stage 2

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:00:00 -0400

Often times, the people trying to love someone who is in active addiction will feel isolated and alone. They may not know which way to turn for help because they are too busy trying to help the addicted loved one. This can and will bring someone to their breaking point physically, mentally, emotionally, and Spiritually.

Over the next few videos, we will explore the 7 Stages of Loving Someone in Addiction by looking at one stage per video. This is not the result of some clinical study. It is a video series inspired by a parent asking how do I love my child who is in addiction. I posted a question on my personal Facebook page asking what is the hardest part about loving someone in addiction and this video series is the result of your answers, comments, inbox messages, and emails.

If you need to talk with someone or need resources, please feel free to email me at pastor.shankay@gmail.com and I will give you names of people/resources who are willing to help you through this battle. All archived videos can be found on the Recovery Pastor YouTube channel.

Much Agape ev'body!
Shan

7 Stages of Loving Someone in Addiction - Stage 1

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 18:00:00 -0400

7 Stages of Loving Someone in Addiction Often times, the people trying to love someone who is in active addiction will feel isolated and alone. They may not know which way to turn for help because they are too busy trying to help the addicted loved one. This can and will bring someone to their breaking point physically, mentally, emotionally, and Spiritually. Over the next few videos, we will explore the 7 Stages of Loving Someone in Addiction by looking at one stage per video. This is not the result of some clinical study. It is a video series inspired by a parent asking how do I love my child who is in addiction. I posted a question on my personal Facebook page asking what is the hardest part about loving someone in addiction and this video series is the result of your answers, comments, inbox messages, and emails. If you need to talk with someone or need resources, please feel free to email me at pastor.shankay@gmail.com and I will give you names of people/resources who are willing to help you through this battle. All archived videos can be found on the Recovery Pastor YouTube channel. Much Agape ev'body! Shan

7 Stages of Loving Someone in Addiction - Intro to Series

Self-care is a regular and intentional process of devoting time to yourself to protect and sustain your all-round well being. We must take time daily, weekly, and monthly to check on our well being as it applies to ourselves, our families, and our community.

Special thank you to Steve Strange, the Senior Pastor at Trussville First UMC, and David Teal, the Executive Pastor at Trussville First UMC, for offering insight on today's topic.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Managing Disruptions - Boundaries and Crisis Situations

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Disruptions occur all around us. Some we see quickly. Some we notice after it has happened. Some we never see. In crisis situations, we must manage our disruptions and boundaries while heading toward a positive outcome in our lives and recovery.

Special thank you to Steve Strange, the Senior Pastor at Trussville First UMC, and David Teal, the Executive Pastor at Trussville First UMC, for offering insight on today's topic.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

You asked... Why start a podcast?

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 17:52:07 -0400

Thank you for the encouraging words as they related to the different episodes. Thank you for your topic suggestions. Thank you for reaching out with this question. Why start a podcast? You asked so here goes.

If you have a question or topic suggestion, please send your email to pastor.shankay@gmail.com or you can go to recoverypastorpodcast.com and submit your question there. Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you!

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Amends is not a quick "I'm sorry"

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0400

What is amends? How do we make amends? Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words. Actions speak straight from the heart. Actions are the words of our heart motives. Completing the amends step is a process. It is not like dropping a quick "I'm sorry" as if it was a "get out of jail free" card in the game of Monopoly. Amends is a process of things you can and cannot do. It should be guided by your Sponsor or 12 step leader. We do not get to decide how the amends process will go because the process takes two people to complete. It takes the one who hurt others and the ones who were hurt. Be patient!

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

What does it look like to have a Balanced Life?

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 10:41:29 -0400

Along life's highway, sometimes our vessels go fast, go slow, and fishtail. This journey is full of the good, the bad, and the sideways. What does it mean to have a balanced life Spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically? You might experience a dry season, waiting season, grinding season, a season to say yes, a season to say no, test and trial season, Spiritual warfare season, or the season of joy and happiness. We need to embrace the different season to allow God to grow us, prune us, and network us with others who can help us along this journey.

Even Jesus went through test and trials. He stood on Truth when the enemy tried to test Him by offering to give Him the world if Jesus would bow down to the enemy. We must know who we are because of Whose we are and each of us are precious children of the one true God! We are all Kingdom Warriors. We must vow to leave no man behind in this battle. We must support each other and stand firm against the enemy. The victory has already been won! No matter which season I might find myself, I will praise the Lord because He has brought me too far to leave me now.

Special thank you to Steve Strange, the Senior Pastor at Trussville First UMC, and David Teal, the Executive Pastor at Trussville First UMC, for offering insight on today's topic.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Recovery & TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Part 2

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0400

We continue talking about TBI as it plays a role in the recovery process of those in addiction. Pat describes the addiction disorder treatment plan for TBI survivors. This includes 6 key components for success. The treatment plan for TBI survivors has their own 12 steps of recovery that were adapted from the AA 12 steps for recovery. For more information about TBI, please visit www.ahif.org to contact the Alabama Head Injury Foundation.

Special thank you to Pat Motley, Social Worker and Certified Brain Injury Specialist with the Alabama Head Injury Foundation, for offering insight on today's topic.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Recovery & TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Part 1

Sat, 06 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Today we are talking about TBI as it plays a role in the recovery process of those in addiction. Pat is describing the different causes of TBI, the changes following a TBI, and the importance of getting an assessment in addiction recovery for a previous TBI. For more information about TBI, please visit www.ahif.org to contact the Alabama Head Injury Foundation.

Special thank you to Pat Motley, Social Worker and Certified Brain Injury Specialist with the Alabama Head Injury Foundation, for offering insight on today's topic.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Grace Like Rain

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0400

If you have not met me yet, I am a very visual person. When I see clouds moving across the sky, I think about the hand of God moving from house to house as people pray and ask for God's help. When I see rain pouring out over a section or a community, I think of prayers going up and God pouring our mercy and grace. It is His grace that washes away the stains of this world. I hope you never look at a rain cloud the same ever again.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Never Alone

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 15:11:12 -0400

We may feel like we are physically, mentally, emotionally, or Spiritually alone. We may walk, live, journey, or feel alone. Hebrews 13:5 says keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, "Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you." When the Light is invited into the dark places of our lives, it floods our lives so no shadow can hide.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Blind Spots on Life's Highway

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 17:26:23 -0400

A question was asked by a pastor to his congregation. What is something that everyone has that we are able to clearly see in others yet rarely in ourselves? The answer is blind spots. Blind spots are anything that makes a negative impact on us or anyone around us. Our Spiritual blind spots are our sin. Our blind spots in our recovery are our character defects. These include being stubborn, resentment, denial, arrogance, selfish motives, detachment, isolation, and ignorance. Do you feel like you have been in a Spiritual wreck? I know a great repair shop!

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Motivation In Recovery

Sun, 31 May 2020 20:31:13 -0400

Recovery is a lifestyle. Changes need to be made at each level of recovery in order to maintain our motivation in recovery. Here is the check list of things to watch out for as we keep striving to survive.

1. Acknowledge unhealthy patterns

2. Stay connected to your recovery support community

3. It is ok to seek mental health support

4. Give yourself some grace

5. Learn new coping skills

6. Take one day and one step at a time

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Hymnal Talk - Were You There

Thu, 28 May 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Shan and Sammy talk about the emotions that our favorite hymnals can invoke. Today they are talking about the hymnal called Were You There.

From the time of Moses when the blood of a lamb was placed on the doorpost and lintel of the house for the Lord's passover through Egypt to the Lamb of God offered as a sacrifice for our sins, Holy Week invoke strong emotions as a time of remembrace, praise, and hymns that recorded the emotional events.

Special thank you to Sammy Hodges, the Senior Pastor at Ashville UMC and Evergreen UMC, for offering insight on today's topic.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Moment in Time

Wed, 27 May 2020 10:12:54 -0400

It only takes a split second for something to happen. If we multiply the seconds x minutes x hours x days x weeks of each year, we have 31,449,600 seconds to impact the world around us. Please do not waste a single second of opportunity to cause a positive ripple effect in our communities.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

KnowYourRole - Sponsors and Accountability

Tue, 26 May 2020 22:42:22 -0400

In this game called life, we must learn from our recovery play book and our faith play book so we can reach the goal line with the help of our Sponsors and Accountability partners.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Park Bench and Pardons

Sun, 24 May 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Life is busy. We need to slow down. We need to take the time to sit with Jesus. He will lend a shoulder for us to lean on. He wants to carry our burdens. Psalms 46:10 tells us to be still and know. We must know Jesus in our hearts and our minds and He will give us rest. I want to encourage you to sit down on the next park bench you see and talk to Jesus. He is always ready to listen.

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor

Tue, 19 May 2020 15:37:27 -0400

Shan is joined by Steve and David as they talk about a solid support system. Stressors in life can set the ball rolling down the hill toward a relapse. We need a strong and solid support system to help us see how our past actions brought us to our current situation and where it can lead in the future. For a successful journey down life's highway, where stressors can be like landmines, we need a solid support system made up of our Sponsors, Accountability Partners, and Spiritual Family.

Special thank you to Steve Strange, the Senior Pastor at Trussville First UMC, and David Teal, the Executive Pastor at Trussville First UMC, for offering insight on today's topic!

Much Agape ev'body!

Shan, the Recovery Pastor