Bücher von Mike Duffy

Wars result in wounds. Associated with the wounds are colors, for example, the Purple Heart which is awarded to those wounded in combat. The author uses the color scheme to inform, inspire, and challenge the reader, and uses the paradox of the "colorless color" to draw attention to two significant health issues that go unnoticed by many, including mental health conditions of PTSD and the tragic reality of veteran suicide, and the long-term physical effects of chemical and toxic exposures, such as Agent Orange, on combat veterans.Every day that passes is "too late" for many. The author, a Vietnam combat veteran, offers a challenging perspective on the sacrifices and costs of a nation's freedom and the care of its wounded warriors. How long will a country allow those who have left the presence of their loved ones for extended periods of time, who have forfeited the safety and comfort of their home, and who lived in constant peril on a foreign battlefield, who have fought to preserve liberty, freedom, and safety for a nation, return to their homeland only to struggle, suffer, and die as the freedom-loving citizenry walks by or steps over them? Far too many veterans are cast to the gutter or the ditches of life, left to live a life of homelessness, despair, and squaller, unattended to and uncared for. Many look at them as though their alcoholism and addiction have caused their awful condition. Really? Are these tragic conditions the cause? Or are they the symptoms of the real cause? Have you ever considered their plight is the result of an attempt to mask the horrific pain and suffering of the wounds of war? As our free nation teeters on the brink of extinction, as a people, together we face a crisis of historical magnitude, and we need a new generation of patriots with the courage, strength, and resolve who will stand up and shout from the rooftops of America, "Never Again!" To quote President Abraham Lincoln, as he addressed the nation in a time of great crisis, he declared that America is the "last best hope on earth." "Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction." President Ronald Reagan

Are you watching the self-destruction of a loved one struggling with substance abuse, or are you the one addicted? Perhaps you are an observer standing outside the arena watching the chaos and asking yourself, "Why don't they just quit?" If you find yourself in one of these situations, this book is written with you in mind. By sharing our family's story of tragedy and triumph, we have an opportunity to encourage those whose life's pathways have taken them to some of the same dark places our family has been.If ever a story of miraculous recovery--from the agonizing valley of alcoholism and addiction to the mountaintop of recovery and service--should be told, it is the story of Gene Duffy, my dad. His journey took him from the gutters of Chicago's skid row, including a trip to the morgue to be prepped for burial, to the peace and serenity of California's beautiful Napa Valley, where he pioneered an amazing work and became one of the most prominent voices for recovery in his day.It is my hope and desire that this book, with my dad's life story serving as a platform for carrying the message of hope, and my sharing some lessons I learned along the way, may inspire someone who may be spiraling downward in cycles of misery and destruction to seek help. It may also encourage someone whose life has become difficult as they are being sorely impacted by another's deadly addiction. Let me assure you, there is hope! Although no one can go back and change their beginning, anybody can begin to change their ending! One does not have to live out the rest of their life captive to the misery and horrors of a difficult past; rather, they can begin today to embrace a happy and fruitful future.

Have you ever considered how God works in your life? Have you ever wondered why things have gone the way they have for you?In my life, I have experienced good times and tough times. I have lived in extreme poverty and with extraordinary wealth. I have seen some ugly parts of life and some beautiful parts too. I have lived through the horrors of war and the tragedies of death. I have suffered pain and loss, as well as healing and gain. I have experienced heartache and heartbreak, as well as joy and rejoicing that are beyond words. Some wonderful people have influenced me, and I have been able to influence others as well. I have started businesses and closed businesses. And the list could go on and on. The point is this: in spite of the difficulties, I consider myself to have lived a rich and full life!My desire in authoring this story is to share with my family--kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids--some of the events of my life that I believe have some relevance for them, particularly events about God's work in my life. Some of what I have to tell them now will be comforting or more precious to them later. The first section, "Grandpa Saw the Light," is about my conversion to Jesus Christ and the circumstances surrounding it. The second section, "Grandpa Shined the Light," is about my personal growth as a believer. And the third section, "Grandpa Shared the Light," is about my ministry and service for God.I also hope this book will be a source of encouragement to many, so they share their own story with others, particularly their loved ones. Everyone's life is a unique story, and it is meant to be shared with others. Some stories are more dramatic or sensational than others, but all are important.Your story is about God's work in your life and your response to Him. I hope this book is a source of blessing for you.