A few weeks ago in my Behavioral Addictions class we studied the definition of addiction. Perhaps the most simple yet descriptive definition is to "lose control." When we lose control to the impulses that drive us toward unwanted behaviors we have came under the control of addiction.
Proverbs 25:28 says, "A person without self control is like a city with broken-down walls." (NLT). In biblical times cities were constructed with walls for protection, to prevent being attacked and overtaken by the enemy.    1 Peter 5:8 tells us that we have an enemy an "adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (KJV) When we lack self control our walls are broken down and we are vulnerable to the enemy's attacks.
If we are not in control then who is? If our walls have been broken down by our lack of self control then the enemy has crept in and taken us captive. We are no longer in control, be instead have been made slaves to sin. Romans 6:16 says "Do you not know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves of that one you obey- either sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?" (HCSB) 
But there is good news, there is freedom from the bondage of sin! Romans 6:18 tells us that if we are in Christ we have "been liberated [freed] from sin" and have "become enslaved to righteousness."  When we allow Jesus to control our lives. He becomes our Master and we are slaves to Him and His righteousness and no longer held captive by addictions that control our lives.


I want you to challenge you today to ask yourself this question; who is in control of your life?


In His service,
Rev. Donald A. Floyes, Jr.

Hello all,
As many of you know I am a graduate student at Summit University pursuing my M.A. in counseling. It is my desire to provide sound Biblical counseling to those whom are hurting. Most recently, I have been taking a course in Behavioral Addictions. Addictions recovery is something I feel very passionate about. I have in the past struggled with my own addictions. I feel that because of my own struggles, God has given me a compassionate heart towards those whom are struggling with addictions and has equipped me with the ability to empathize with them.

Having said all that. I know that there are people in our community who are struggling with addictions, wither it be substance related (drugs and alcohol) or behavioral such as eating, gambling, and pornography. In recent years, studies have discovered that all addictions have the same biology. Addictions are driven by chemical impulses in the rewards system in the middle brain. When someone is an addict, they are addicted to the euphoria that comes from the release of neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin) which act as chemical messengers in the brain.

By understanding the biology of addiction, we can understand why the Twelve Step approach to addictions recovery is the most effective method to date. By admitting that we are powerless to change ourselves, we can redirect our thinking and rely on a power greater than ourselves (GOD) to change us. And working through the twelve steps allows us to grow while fellowshipping with others who are struggling.

With that being said, to date I know of no Twelve Step support groups in our area. God has shown me this need and I feel that He is calling me to do something about it. I have a vision to start a Christ-centered Twelve Step support group in the South Mobile County area in the near future. This group would be a free service and open to anyone who would like to attend.

If you or a loved one would like more information about being a part of this group please comment or use the contact page to send me a confidential email. We will also be looking for local churches who would like to donate the use of their facilities (fellowship halls) to hold these meetings. As well as people who would like to make monetary donations to help with books and supplies in order to keep this service free. If you or your church would like to be a part of this ministry, please feel free to contact me.

In His Service,

Rev. Donald A. Floyes, Jr.

Hello friends! As many of you may know Jeremy and Julie Collier along with their 3 children lost their home to a fire on Monday. We have been working desperately to help meet their needs. Through the generous donations of others we have been able to get all of the kids school supplies and uniforms so they could start school today. They have been temporarily housed at the Guest House Inn in Bayou La Batre. Irvington Assembly of God generously supplied them with two nights stay as well as the Guest House has donated two additional nights. Joy Unspeakable Ministries has raise enough money through a "Go fund me" internet account to keep them housed through the weekend, and then they will move to the Red Roof Inn for a two night stay that has been supplied by the American Red Cross.

As we are not certain what the days ahead have in store for the Collier family, we know one thing is for certain, God is in control! I have been in contact with several organizations today, and have been unable to find more permanent housing for them. But I am praying and believing God for them that something will open up. I spoke with the Mobile Housing Board and section 8 is not currently accepting applications and most income based housing in the area are working off a waiting list. Please agree in prayer with us about finding this family a home. The funds that they currently have are depleting and five people living in a single motel room is surely rough. If you are reading this and know of some available housing please let me know, or if you would like to make a donation to help them out you can contact me direct, or click donate on our contacts page, or by way of the go fund me account that is circulating on Facebook. Please remember this family in your prayers




God Bless,

Rev. Donald A. Floyes, Jr.

     Joy Unspeakable Ministries is currently attempting to raise funds to help a local family meet there needs. We have been able to help this family locate much needed food resources and are now trying our best to raise $275 to help them with their Alabama Power bill which is now past due. The husband is a life long shipyard worker who has had a decline in health which resulted in him having to have a pace maker put in to regulate his heart along with a host of other medical problems. He is now unable to work because the doctor's will not release him to return, and relies on a very small disability check to meet their needs.

     We are trying to do all we can to help this family, and are prayerfully asking for your help, regardless of the amount! God can take a little and do a lot! Jesus fed the multitudes with just a little fish and bread. God formed man using just a handful of dirt, and He can take a small and seemingly insignificant amount and multiply it and use it for His glory. With God all things are possible! Please pray about it and consider helping us meet this need. Donations can be made by clicking DONATE on our contacts page, or by calling me at (251) 404-5917. All charitable gifts are tax deductible non-profit donations.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, be blessed,

Rev. Donald A. Floyes, Jr.

This week I have been working hard to collect funds to help a local family in need. They live solely on an SSI check which amounts to $721 a month, with three children we all know that doesn't go far! They fell behind on their power bill and got so far behind that they have been disconnected. They have been making due with an extension chord that their neighbors have been allowing them to use and washing and bathing at another neighbor's house. I have been taking up money to make payments to Alabama Power on their behalf. A few local churches have chipped in to help meet our goal of $1,500, which is the amount that Alabama Power Company wants before they will restore service. We now have that amount down to around a $1,000, thanks to generous people in the community, but we still have a ways yet to go.

 I am praying that we can collect all the funds needed and get this family's power on because the summer heat is gaining on us fast and these children are living without A/C or warm water in their home. God has placed this burden on my heart and I don't believe I am going to get a good nights sleep until our goal is met! Please pray about helping us to minister to this family's need. No amount is too small or insignificant, God can take a little and make a lot, He fed multitudes with just a little fish and bread! I will not give up until our goal is met. If you do not have the resources to give please pray, prayer changes things and faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains!

In His Service,

Rev. Donald A. Floyes, Jr.

As 2013 comes to a close and we ring in 2014 I would like to tell everyone Happy New Years from Joy Unspeakable Ministries. As the New Year approaches and we hear people talk of new starts, and make resolutions, and plans for the new year; a certain verse of scripture comes to mind. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." -2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV). What a wonderful promise from the Word of God! We can have a fresh start, a new beginning simply by putting our trust in Jesus Christ. This new start can bring us joy in the New Year. So let this New Year be Christ centered and resolve to follow Him. I promise that you will have joy unspeakable and peace that passes all understanding!

    As 2012 comes to a close and we ring in 2013 I would like to tell everyone Happy New Years from Joy Unspeakable Ministries. As the New Year approaches and we hear people talk of new starts, and make resolutions, and plans for the new year; a certain verse of scripture comes to mind. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." -2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV). What a wonderful promise from the Word of God! We can have a fresh start, a new beginning simply by putting our trust in Jesus Christ. I personally have made my resolutions to: pray more, read at least three chapters of scripture a day, and eat healthier. I hope whatever resolutions you have made, you have chosen to include Him in them. 
    Most New Years resolutions never last more than three weeks, so here is one you may beable to keep. There are 21 chapters in the Gospel according to John. If you read 1 chapter a day you will have completed it in three weeks and I am sure you would be blessed! Or could you devote just ten minutes a day to prayer? The greatest thing we can do for those we love is to mention them in our prayers. You see when we pray we talk to God, when we read our Bibles He talks to us. I hope whatever your plans are for this New Year, they include Him.

In His Service,
Rev. D. A. Floyes, Jr.

    As we greive another yet tragic shooting this year we raise questions, we may ask God "why?" Or "where is God?" But we must first remember that God is not the author of sin. (James 1:13) tells us "for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man." Sin entered the world because of mans disobedience in the garden of Eden, so we should never foolishly blame God for the evils in the world. Romans 5:12 tells us that death entered the world because of sin. We can't possibly blame God for the evils done by man!
    And secondly to answer the question; "where is God?" He is still on the throne and still in control, if we humble ourselves and allow Him to intercede. (2 Chronicles 7:14) says "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
    Let us pray in the midst of this tragedy, and seek Gods face. Let us turn from our wicked ways, lets stop feeding on the violence on T.V. and start focusing on LOVE. The Bible says "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." (1 John 4:7-8). Our two greatest commandments given to us by our Lord is to "love God" and "love one another." I feel that America has forgotten this, the pulpits have stopped preaching this, and people have stopped doing this!
    I humbly pray for all those affected by the tragedies that have taken place recently esspecially in the wake of the horrible shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Remember evil happens because the hearts of man is evil. (Jeremiah 17:9) says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and despreratly wicked: who can know it? Only when we can begin to change peoples hearts will evil be diminished. Jesus said "...out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,..." (Mark 7:21). I hope that you will take the time to pray, but also I hope you will take the time to let someone know; you love them, and God loves them too! Let us bind together and pray for our society which has waxed cold and becoming increasingly wicked.

In His Service,
Rev. D. A. Floyes, Jr.

    Hello Friends, As we all know Christmas is coming soon. And so we get busy decorating, planning, and shopping for the perfect gift for those we love. But what exactly are we celebrating? We are celebrating the greatest gift God has given to mankind, His Son! As we just celebrated the first Sunday of the Advent season, let us remember that Jesus is the reason for it all! Two thousand years ago, God took on the form of a man, He lowered His standards to meet us at our level. Mankind could not come to God, mankind could not redeem himself from the damage that was done in the garden of Eden. So God came in the flesh, and dwelt among us for thirty three years. And what did we do? We crucified Him! 
    Jesus dying on the Cross did not prove that He was God, His resurrection did. Because God chose to raise Him from the dead for all the world to see. And we can now be reconciled to Him by faith in His Son! Remember as you light your trees that He is the Light of the World. Remember as you exchange your gifts that the greatest gift of all was not given under the tree, He was hung on the tree! Remember Jesus is the reason we celebrate! I hope everyone has a very merry, blessed, and safe Christmas.
 
In His Service,
Rev. D.A. Floyes, Jr.

    As we celebrate the Thanksgiving season we should take time to be thankful to God for His bountiful harvest of blessings in our lives. In 1 Thess. 5:18 Paul tells us "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." If we read into that verse we find that it is God's will to be thankful to Him. Psalm 100:4 says to "enter His courts with thanksgiving and praise" and to "be thankful" and "bless His name." God desires our praise and thankfulness to Him. I believe I can say without fear of contradiction that no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we can always find something to be thankful for. We can always be thankful for His goodness and mercy, His grace, and our salvation. 
    As we near the Advent season we can remember to be thankful that God sent His Son to ransom us from our sins.  If we never receive another blessing from the LORD, we know we have one in His Son Jesus. He is the source of our every blessing, He can supply our every need, if we just call on Him. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 that if you "Ask, and it shall be given to you." But we should take time from asking things of the LORD to simply give thanks for the things we have. Remember "in everything give thanks. Thanks for reading be Blessed!