Pubdate: Sat, 24 Aug 2002
Source: Deseret News (UT)
Copyright: 2002 Deseret News Publishing Corp.
Contact:  http://www.desnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/124
Author: Pat Reavy, Deseret News staff writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?1043 (Christianity)

FAITH CONQUERS ADDICTIONS

Conversions Sober Some For Whom Nothing Else Works

Shane Dilley has strong faith in God. His dedication is apparent just in 
his physical appearance. On Dilley's left arm is a tattoo of Jesus Christ 
wearing a crown of thorns. On his right arm is a multicolored tattoo of 
Calvary Hill and the three crosses.

For the past several years, Dilley has played Jesus Christ in a play at the 
Salt Lake Christian Center.

But Dilley's life wasn't always dedicated to God. It used to be dedicated 
to cocaine. The tattoo on Dilley's right arm used to display a panther 
before a tattoo artist used a lot of ink and a lot of hours to cover it 
with Calvary.

Dilley is one of a number of people formerly addicted to drugs and alcohol 
who had tried nearly every rehab program available who say the only therapy 
that truly worked for them was finding God.

"I wouldn't be here today if not for God. I'm certain I'd be dead by now," 
Dilley said.

Adult Probation and Parole supervisor Bradley Bassi said he has seen it 
happen time and again: a parolee apparently destined to have a lifetime 
pass to the state prison suddenly goes clean almost overnight, using 
new-found faith in God to trade in the prison gates for hopes of the Pearly 
Gates.

Mike Hansen has been in and out of prison three times during his life. The 
former hard-core drug and alcohol user tried on several occasions and 
through several treatment centers to get sober but failed.

He said one of the big reasons he was able to straighten out his life for 
good was because he found Jesus Christ.

"I decided enough was enough. Every time I did something wrong I paid the 
price," Hansen said. "I wanted to be a man of honor. I put my faith in God."

Todd Hogan has a similar story. Hogan was raised in a very religious home 
but felt he couldn't "reach the standard that was set to earn God's love." 
Instead, Hogan turned to drugs, becoming addicted to crack cocaine. He said 
he also became an atheist.

"I had a lot of hate toward God. I felt if there was one I was going to get 
back at him. I felt he'd strike me dead at any time," Hogan said.

On Feb. 16, after a night of abuse and self-torment, Hogan said, he had had 
enough and cried out to God, "I can't do this anymore.

"I said, 'God, I'll give it all to you.' God has completely delivered me. 
Jesus Christ has set me free," Hogan said.

Although all three men have found God, none of them claim any specific 
religious affiliation.

"It wasn't religion. It was a personal relationship with Jesus Christ," 
Hogan said of the higher power that delivered him from self-destructive 
drug abuse.

Hansen said his father was an LDS bishop. But rather than practice LDS 
beliefs, he has a relationship with a spiritual God of his own 
understanding. Now, the former criminal says his mission is to love and 
serve and let God guide his life.

"You have to come to a point of complete surrender. I turned my back on God 
but he never turned his back on me," Hansen said.

Each man admits it's still a constant duel between letting God guide his 
way and letting old demons come back to haunt him. One thing that helps 
them stay on the straight and narrow path is prayer.

"I pray in the morning. I surrender my will, tell Him you are the director. 
I give it all to God," Hansen said. "When I try to take control back, 
that's when I fall apart."

Every year when Dilley's play runs at Christmas time he gives a testimony 
at the end of each performance saying how he used to be addicted to drugs 
and alcohol and now he's an example of how Christ saves.

"You don't have to go to God perfect. You go as you are," he said.

Hogan has gone from being a crackhead and an atheist to recently completing 
courses at Salt Lake Theological Seminary. He said he is now seeking 
ordination.

"My heart's desire it to tell the truth, to tell those caught in drug 
addictions and help them," he said. "People are hurting. Drug addictions hurt."

Dilley concurred, "When you're caught up in drugs you're escaping reality. 
The truth will set you free. We're all living evidence of that faith."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager