99 problems and a day off ain't one. Today Pastor Mike and Corey mark episode 99 with a ripple that connects three things that rarely get put in the same sentence: desires, perseverance, and hope. Mike opens up about a sermon series he's launching today on the book of Romans, and lands on Romans 5:4-5 — perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Which means hope isn't a starting point. It's what you arrive at after you've kept showing up long enough that God has had time to form something in you. Corey ties it to the seventh step prayer — My Creator — and page 62's line that the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so. That last part, he says, is probably the most important part. Also: Corey's Big Book notes may be coming to dailyripples.com soon. Stay tuned.

The stone for today: Desires are not wrong, but when they control me, they lead me away from what is good. Clarity comes when I see them honestly and bring them into balance.

Read today's full Daily Ripple at www.dailyripples.com — and we'd love to hear from you. Reach out any time at wave@dailyripples.com .

Daily Ripples is a daily devotional reflection connecting recovery principles with the life of faith. New episodes every day at dailyripples.com.