I'm a good pastor's kid: cradle roll, Sunday school, Vacation Bible school, the whole nine yards. I never went crazy or rebelled. I grew up in a well-adjusted home and didn't get tripped up by the land mines that can wreak havoc on so many lives. I was a good church kid who hung around with other good church kids. Life was good. I spent my first decade of ministry in churches full of "good church people." It was easy and comfortable. It was what I knew.

I've never had a problem with getting out in the world. I've just never had a compelling invitation to interact with those on the margins. That was before I discovered Recovery House, a local in-treatment facility for women overcoming drug and alcohol addictions. I was invited to go once a month and spend a few hours with the women there. They come to our worship services every week and sit on the second row. Long story short, these women have blown up my world in a beautiful way. Here are six truths I've ...