Forgiveness Is A Promise

9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 NKJV

Here are some ENCOURAGING points to grab from this verse…

#1 God is FAITHFUL
#2 God FORGIVES
#3 God makes us NEW & IMPROVED

Someone just read that and asked, “New and improved? It doesn’t say that!” Right. It doesn’t. It says He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. What does that mean? What does it mean to CLEANSE something?

I think of my car. I drive it every day. It carries me. It carries my three kids. It occasionally carries my dog. And in the midst of all the travel and traffic and mud and dirt and dog hair… it gets DIRTY… REALLY dirty! I don’t like it. It bugs me. It irritates me. So I clean it. I WASH it. I scrub and wipe and vacuum and scrub and wipe and vacuum until it’s CLEAN. The outcome? It’s NEW & IMPROVED.

It’s changed.
It’s like a NEW car.
That’s you.
That’s me.
God changes us.
He makes us NEW.

How do we get that? Reread the first portion of the verse (I love how John writes it so plainly)…

If we CONFESS our sins

All I need to do to receive forgiveness and be made new is CONFESS my junk. That’s it. That’s all I gotta do. That’s pretty freakin’ simple and amazingly AWESOME! I don’t want to be that dirty car. I don’t want to be covered in mud and stained by juice boxes. I want to be NEW & IMPROVED!

God is not a liar. If He says He’ll do it, He’ll do it. If He promises forgiveness, He’ll give it. If He promises to make you clean, He’ll do it. God is a PROMISE MAKER and a PROMISE KEEPER. I dare you to test Him in that one.

Reflect:

• Even the slightest drive results in bugs and dirty and nastiness landing on your vehicle; what are the things in your life that need to be cleaned out and scrubbed off?
• Often times we struggle to accept God’s forgiveness because we are struggling to forgive someone else; who do you need to forgive?
• God is a promise maker and promise keeper; why is this sometimes hard to believe?

I Am A Fan Of Pope Francis

“Who am I to judge?”

Pope Francis seems to be taking the world by storm. He’s shaking things up. He’s stirring up some much needed conversations in the Catholic church and I LOVE it! In fact, he’s causing a stir among MORE than just the church. He’s grabbed the attention of the ENTIRE world with his SIMPLE approach to ministry (i.e. being the pope).

The quote above was taken from a recent interview with Francis when asked about his position on gay priests. His response…

“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord
and has good will, who am I to judge?”

I find this statement incredibly encouraging. It’s a message of LOVE, not condemnation. Now, I’m sure there are people who will read this and think Francis is skirting around the issue or he didn’t really address it or he’s homophobic or he’s old… however, I would like to suggest his response has BIGGER and GREATER ramifications than we could possibly fathom at this time.

The Church, yes the big “C” universal Church, has been known to be a tad judgmental and condemning and closed-doored when it comes to people who are NOT LIKE US.

You’re not dressed right.

You don’t pray right.

You don’t talk like we do.

You don’t look like we do.

You don’t act like we do.

You’re not supposed to open your eyes while praying.

You were on your phone.

You’re wearing dirty clothes.

You look like you’re homeless.

You’re divorced.

You’re an addict.

You’re black.

You’re gay.

The list goes on and on and on and on. We point our fingers and send people away. We run and hide so as not to get our hands dirty when it was Jesus who knelt down and cleaned the feet of his disciples (feet dude… feet).

I think Francis sees the bigger picture. It’s not about the LABELS you've been given and what you’ve DONE, it’s about who you KNOW and who you’re LIVING FOR. Everyone struggles. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E. Even Francis in all his pope-ness struggles (he’s just a man).

Condemnation has a tendency to PUSH PEOPLE AWAY.

Love has a tendency to BRING PEOPLE IN.

Jesus said, “follow me” not “get away you’re not like me.”

Reflect:

• Who are the people in your life that you’ve pushed away or turned your back on simply because they’re different?
• What relationships have been damaged by misplaced judgment and condemnation?
• What would happen if church people stopped JUDGING and started LOVING people?

How Bad Choices Block Out God's Plans

13Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
Acts 9:13-14 NKJV

One of the many things I LOVE about God is that His plans DO NOT need to make sense. They just don’t. I’ve tried to figure them out and I can’t. And just when I think I’ve done it, He shows me just how limited my vision is. Here we read Ananias having one of these moments.

God has just asked him to go and find this dude named Saul, a dude that’s been PERSECUTING all the Jesus people (the Church), and HELP him. Ananias’ response?

“Are you smoking crack?!? Ain’t nobody got time for that!”

Well, maybe that’s not exactly how he responded, maybe that’s how I would’ve responded, however, Ananias still responded with fear and doubt. He knew of Saul’s reputation. He knew what Saul had been doing. He knew about Saul’s past. He knew that he wanted nothing to do with this guy because it most likely wouldn't end well for him. Again, God’s plans don’t HAVE TO make sense.

15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Acts 9:15-16 NKJV

I’m not a fan of the word BUT. To me, it removes anything said before it…

I’m sorry, but…
You were great today, but…
I love you, but…

God does that very thing right here. He opens up with a BUT. He takes all of Ananias’ fear, doubts, and worries and says, “It’s ok. I got this.” God assures Ananias that this is all part of HIS plan and HIS plans are greater. In spite of his apprehension Ananias listened to God, went against his better judgment, and went after Saul.

It didn’t make sense, but it didn’t matter. God spoke. Ananias obeyed. The end.

Reflect:

• What is it about your past that leaves you doubting God could or would ever use you to do something awesome?
• Who have you recently judged because they LOOKED different or TALKED different?
• Who do you know that’s desperately in need of a second chance?
• What has God been trying to do in your life that fear, doubt, and worry have blocked out?

God's Plans Are Greater, Even If I Don't Believe It

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NIV

I’m sure I’ve read this verse before. I have a tendency to read and not retain, well, at least not EVERYTHING I read. Then, when I go back and reread it, it’s like I’ve read it for the first time! Anyways…

The I in VICTORY stands for “Identify Character Defects.” Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

I imagine one of the first things you thought of doing this morning was some good ole fashioned SELF EXAMINATION! Not.

It’s not fun. It’s necessary, but it’s not fun. There’s nothing exciting about admitting a struggle or getting honest about a hurt. Not at first. Talking about this stuff, admitting it, confessing it (however you want to say it) is what eventually leads to discovering freedom FROM it. THAT part is fun and exciting! So, back to the verse above…

Each and every one of us has a plan for our own life. We’ve got plans and dreams and aspirations—things we’d like to do and see and accomplish in this life. There shouldn’t be much argument there. What I’d like to suggest is that where we tend to disagree with one another is (insert drum roll here), our plans, this includes you and I, usually aren’t that great. In fact, I’d like to suggest our plans typically lead to bad decisions, broken relationships, and counseling. Just sayin’.

In his heart a man plans his course…

Determined to reach the END, we’ll justify some nasty MEANS. Mine is probably not yours and yours is probably not mine, but let’s agree they aren’t good. What IS good, are GOD’s PLANS for our lives.

…but the LORD determines his steps.

God’s plans NEVER change! From the day you were born…wait, NO… BEFORE you were born, God had plans for you to be a catalyst for change in this world! You and I have plans, maybe even GOOD plans, but God’s plans are GREATER! We plot and plan and scheme in our hearts, but God has already laid the path before us to reach the BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME in our lives!

What does all this have to do with identifying character defects?
You and I will NEVER experience God’s BEST without first getting rid of our WORST.

What’ll it be?

Reflect:

• What secret have you been holding on to?
• What character defect(s) is holding you back?
• What steps can you take today to get rid of your junk?
• Who can you call and trust to hold you accountable?

It's Time For The Church To Simplify

38Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 NKJV

Simplify.

Jesus smashed any notion of IMPOSSIBLE when he updated his status with, “I’m back.”

What Is A Sponsor?

You can’t do life alone.

I’ve probably said this phrase a million times… well maybe not a MILLION times (because that’s seriously a LOT), but I’ve said it a bunch of times.

You can’t do life alone.

Don’t try.

Don’t bother.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 4 years at Celebrate Recovery, it’s that I NEED people. And this is a far cry from what I thought, felt, and believed before. I was convinced I was better alone. I wanted to be the Lone Ranger (minus Tonto). I wanted to stand on the mountaintop all by myself, looking around, and celebrating everything I had accomplished ON MY OWN!

Then I realized on my own I have a crazy tendency to slip up, trip up, and fall down. That’s when I discovered my need for OTHER PEOPLE in my life. I can’t express in words (though I’m about to try) the importance of hearing how others are struggling and experiencing victory, hearing others call me out and ask me how I’m doing, and just getting around people for help and encouragement.

At Celebrate Recovery we call these people Sponsors and Accountability Partners. I also call them necessary and crucial.

This Thursday (6-8:30p) at New Life Church (4102 Tabler Station Road, Inwood, WV 25428) I’m hosting SPONSOR TRAINING. That’s right. The purpose of this training is to teach you what to LOOK FOR in a Sponsor and equip you to BE a Sponsor.

I am OVER THE TOP EXCITED for this training! I believe this will take our Celebrate Recovery to the NEXT LEVEL!

Grab your friends. Grab your parents. Grab your neighbors. Grab your co-workers. Grab everyone and anyone you know to attend and participate in this training. It’s going to be an EYE-OPENING event!

Discover how God can transform the MESS of your past into a MESSAGE of hope!

Sponsor Training

Thursday, July 25 6-8:30p

New Life Church

4102 Tabler Station Road

Inwood, WV 25428

Reflect: 

• Is there anything in your life that you'd struggle to GIVE UP if asked?
• Are you currently struggling with a hurt, habits, or hang-up?
• What pain from your PAST continues to hurt your PRESENT?
• Are you ready to experience freedom and help others in the process?

2.5 Types of Legacies

Like it or not there are 2 different types of LEGACIES in this world.

There’s the legacy you and I INHERIT. This is the legacy our parents have handed down to us, which was probably handed down from our grandparents, which was probably handed down from their parents and so on and so forth (you get the idea… hopefully… maybe next time I’ll create a diagram).

Then there’s the legacy you and I will LEAVE BEHIND. This is the legacy we’ll hand down to the next generation, whether it’s our OWN kids or SOMEONE ELSE’S. This is a compilation of our values and beliefs and lifestyle all bundled up and packaged to be reproduced sometime further down the road.

I’d like to suggest there’s a third type of legacy, which could arguably be included in the second type, but just humor me and pretend it’s in a category all by itself.

#3 (or #2.5) the legacy you ESTABLISH—this is the legacy you CREATE. Your parents tried to pass down a legacy of hurts and addictions and pain and suffering and crap and you simply do NOT want to play a part in continuing the cycle of dysfunction; so, you decide to BREAK IT! This third type of legacy is a sum total of the CHOICES and DECISIONS you make in life that SHAPE who you are and who you pass down.

You don’t have to keep doing what’s always been done.
You don’t have to keep the cycle cycling.
You don’t have to remain stuck in the past mistakes of those who went before you.
You have a choice.
You can break free.
You can establish a path of freedom for future generations.

Reflect:

• What legacy did you INHERIT?
• What legacy will you/ have you ESTABLISHED?
• What legacy will you LEAVE BEHIND?
• What needs to change?

Tag Team Champions

There’s something happening, something going on in your life right now that you’d just like to see disappear, go away, be erased from memory. You see it or hear it or experience it every day and, chances are, people around you are as well. You can’t hide it. You can’t run from it. You can’t seem to escape it.

What do you do?
What can you do?
What should you do?

There’s a couple different things you can try…

#1 Tuck Your Tail Between Your Legs And Run—this is the typical response. Most people don’t want to confront the difficult situations. Most people don’t want to work through tough times. Most people see the mountain and ask for directions around it, not the best path over it. So, you can always choose this response…RUN. Don’t bother working through it, don’t bother overcoming it, don’t bother finding victory, just avoid it and hope it goes away. Chances are you’ll be able to push it aside or ignore it for a little while, but it’s going to rear its ugly head and bite you in a butt eventually. And when that happens it’ll probably take down some of the people closest to you as well.

#2 Get Your Gear On And Hit The Field—yes, I used a sports reference. It was too easy. This response is similar to the other in that you try to do it ON YOUR OWN. You’re not looking for people to help you. You’re not interested in a team effort. You’re not interested in someone knowing you can’t handle it on your own, but that’s not going to stop you! With this response we believe WILL POWER leads to victory! The only thing willpower WILL do, is lead to more heartache and pain. You can’t do life alone. Don’t try. How many 1-man football teams have you seen win the Super Bowl? None. It takes a team. You’re at YOUR best when you’re SURROUNDED BY the best.

#3 Let God Get In The Ring—it’s the tag team match-up of the century! God and you. You and God. Y’all are in this thing together. You’ve got your part. He’s got His part. When you grow tired and weary, don't give up; turn to God. When you feel like the world’s crashing down, don’t run away; run into His arms. God wants the very BEST for you in this life! God doesn’t want you stuck in your mess and He isn’t going to leave you there! He’s going to fight FOR you and fight WITH you. The question is: are you willing to tag Him into the ring?

Reflect:

• What’s your typical response? Are you a Lone Ranger? Do you run and hide? Or do you trust God?
• What situation in your life needs a good wrestling match?
• What can you do today to start the process of change?
• Who will you tell to keep you accountable?

This Recipe Calls For Confidence

Ever wake up feeling like, “IT’S ON!”

Whatever your “on” might be, I don’t know, but I can relate.

Maybe it’s a…

Job interview
Important meeting
Track meet
First date
Getting paid
Going on vacation
Visiting family
Watching a new movie
Last day of the workweek
Big test at school
Sharing your testimony at Celebrate Recovery
Cleaning your house
Swimming at the beach
Eating at your favorite restaurant

Whatever it is, there’s SOMETHING you’re about to do and you can’t help but feel like IT’S ON!

For some reason you woke up with an extra dose of confidence. You woke up believing you can and will conquer the world. You woke up knowing today would be a win, a victory, a day unlike any other day.

Capture this moment.
Embrace it.
Don’t let it go.

It’s my opinion that you and I should feel like this EVERY DAY. Yes, I believe we should wake up feeling triumphant EVERY SINGLE DAY of our lives. Well, with one condition… you and I have a relationship with Jesus.

He’s the game changer. He’s the reason I can stand victorious. He’s the reason I KNOW I can and WILL win.

In case you forgot or maybe never read these words before, I leave you with one of God’s promises:

13For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NLT

Reflect:

• When was the last time you woke up feeling victorious?
• What situation(s) in your life right now could use an extra dose of confidence?
• Do you believe you can and will overcome whatever situation comes your way?
• What keeps you from feeling like “IT’S ON!” every day of the week?

How Can I Release Control?

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 NIV

What does this verse say to you? If this was your prayer, what would it be in reference to? What’s going on in your life right now that you feel and believe you need guidance in? And, last but not least, do you believe God can and will lead you through whatever it is through His Spirit?

I don’t typically open up with a flurry of questions, but I couldn’t help myself. Well, that’s not entirely true, I COULD’VE waited until the end, but I simply didn’t want to.

This past week at Celebrate Recovery our Assimilation Coach, Janie, led us through a lesson titled READY. The R in READY is easily one of my FAVORITE points we cover all year long…

RELEASE control

2 words. Simple. Profound. So freakin’ hard to do!!!

Personally, I’m constantly trying to wrestle back control of my life. HELLO! I KNOW God’s plans are greater than anything I could possibly come up with, yet I still try to bargain with Him. What’s up with that? Why can’t I let go? Why can’t I RELEASE CONTROL? Umm… let’s see… I’m human? Selfish? Yes. Somewhere wrapped up in my humanness you and I will discover the answer to this question because I KNOW I’m not the ONLY one who struggles with this.

I would like to suggest this verse provides some answers for HOW and WHY we can and should RELEASE CONTROL.

#1 God Is God And He Knows Best—simple as that. He is God. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all that other stuff that involves the words all- and ever-. In Psalm 143:10 we ask God to TEACH US, or if we’re following Celebrate Recovery Guidelines and using “I” and “me” statements… teach ME to do your will. Part of learning to release control is discovering who God is and what He wants for our lives. He knows what’s best. He wants to give us what’s best. And to figure out what all that means we need to get in His face and ask Him, “What’s up? What do you want me to do? Where do you want me to go?” But here’s the deal, when he speaks, when he gives you direction, don’t keep asking; start MOVING!

#2 God Is Spirit And He Is With Me—God is not merely some old dude up in the clouds with a white beard long enough to wrap around the globe… NO!... he’s so much MORE! He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He’s here. He’s there. He’s everywhere. He’s WITH US… He’s with ME! He’s leading and guiding and shaping me, my life, who I am, who I’ll become. Referring back to #1, if I believe God knows BEST and wants the BEST for me, it just makes sense to FOLLOW HIS LEAD. It may seem simple, but remember, our brains are SICK and don’t necessarily exist in the realm of “making sense” so we gotta convince ourselves that it’s the best possible choice to make and DO IT! That’s releasing control!

Reflect:

• In what area(s) of your life do you need to release control?
• What do you think will happen if you release control?
• Why haven’t you released control yet?
• What are the pros of releasing control? Cons?

I Don't Have Time To Rest

You know that moment when you finally sit down after a long day or week or month or whatever stretch of time it might be… and you take a deep breath and relax for what seems like the first time in a long time?

I like that moment, but as much as I like it I don’t allow myself to experience it enough.

I have a tendency to get busy and stay busy.
I clog up my schedule.
I disconnect from people.
I go and go and go and forget about everyone and everything around me.

When will I finally stop?
When will I slow down?
When will I take a break?

I’m like an entirely different person when I’m tired. I’m not as productive. I’m quick-tempered. I’m forgetful. I’m unable to focus. I’m lethargic.

Rest is VITAL to a healthy life.
Rest is CRUCIAL to healthy relationships.

I know these things. HELLO! I just wrote them; yet I don’t apply them to my life. It’s insanity. This is why I know head knowledge is not enough, there has to be APPLICATION of that knowledge.

Reflect:

• How’s your schedule? Do you have time to breathe?
• If married, when was the last time you dated your spouse?
• If a parent, when was the last time you did something your kid(s) wanted to do?
• When was the last time you were able to just relax?
• Is there room for rest in your schedule?

I Need A Vacation From God... Did I Just Say That?

Who doesn’t like to take vacation?
 
It’s great to get away.
Relax.
Sleep.
Disconnect.
Get alone.

I couldn't agree more. I LOVE vacation or holiday or whatever you want to call it. I enjoy doing nothing. I really do.

Unfortunately, what CAN and DOES happen when we go on these trips is we get so wrapped up in the excitement of “taking a break” physically, mentally, and emotionally, we toss in a spiritual break as well.

We get a chance to sleep in.
We get busy sightseeing.
We hang on the beach all day.
We go out to eat.

We exchange one type of busyness for another more ENJOYABLE one. And in the process we forget WHO got us there, WHO to thank… WHO?

It’s summer. Chances are you have plans to go SOMEWHERE. When you get there don’t neglect your quiet time with God. He’s the God of your vacation as well as your busy life. Pray. Read. Get in His face. Get in His word.

Thank Him for providing you with some time away.

Reflect:

• What is it about vacation that makes connecting with God seem so difficult?
• Do you have an upcoming vacation planned? Is God listed anywhere in the itinerary?
• What can you do to ensure you don’t take a break from your relationship with God?

Quitting Before The Race Starts

1And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
Mark 2:1-4 NKJV

I believe we can learn a LOT from this story. I’d be willing to suggest we’ve all faced a similar situation in our lives. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure someone is facing this very circumstance right now.

Something’s wrong.
You’re trying to fix something.
You want to get better.
There’s a pressing matter.
You’re overwhelmed.
Under-appreciated.
Marriage, parenting, job, and church have become nothing but routine.
There’s a hurt.
There’s a habit.
There’s a hang-up.
You’re reaching for something.
There’s an obstacle.
Something’s blocking the way.
You can’t get around it.
You can’t climb over it.

At least that’s what you perceive. You’ve defeated yourself before trying. It was game over before the game started.

Yet, here’s these 4 guys carrying a paralytic. CARRYING him. He wasn’t in a wheelchair. It wasn’t comfortable. It wasn’t easy. These dudes were CARRYING him. Tired and sore, they didn’t give up when they saw the crowd, they didn’t turn away feeling defeated and let down. NO! They MADE A WAY! They got creative, climbed up the building, broke through the roof, and lowered the dude down that way. They didn’t give up. They didn’t back down. They didn’t turn away and here’s the result:

5When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
Mark 2:5 NKJV

Reflect:

• What have you given up on?
• What obstacle(s) has got in the way?
• How do you feel when you encounter obstacles?
• What if the blessing you desire is just around the corner? Are you ready to give it another try?

In The Aftermath of July 4th

I’m sitting here in the aftermath of July 4th and feel REALLY good!

There was a time, however, when I didn’t wake up...

Some time in the afternoon.
Hung over.
Sick.
Headache.
Body aches.
Unaware of the night before.
Questioning how I got home (if I was even AT home).
Checking for a stamp on my hand or receipt to trigger a memory.
Guilt.
Shame.
Fear.
Overwhelmed.

I’d say things like…

I’m never doing this again.
This is the last time.
I gotta stop.
I just need to stop hanging around so and so.
So and so always gets me to do something I don’t want to do.

Thank you, God that THAT was then and this is now.

This morning…

I woke up early.
Felt great (aside from a slight stomach ache due to eating a pulled pork BBQ sandwich at 11p).
Fully aware of where I was and what I did.
I knew where I was, where my car was, and where my keys were!

Such a difference.
Such a change.
I LOVE it.
I’m grateful I’m not who I once was, believing the lie that things can never and will never get BETTER.
I’m grateful God rescued me from a pattern of destruction that would’ve ultimately shattered my marriage and scarred my kids.

I AM NEW!
I AM FORGIVEN!
I AM BLESSED!

Woke up grateful this morning and wanted to share it. Thanks for letting me share.

Reflect:

• How’d you wake up this morning? Hung over? Feeling great?
• How do you NORMALLY wake up? Is there a pattern?
• Is there something about your life right now that you’d like to change? What is it?
• Have you tried to get over whatever it is on your own? How successful were you?

I Want To Be Healed, Just Don't Touch Me

Go read James 5:16.

Better yet, you might not even own a Bible or you might see James 5:16 and think, “What the heck is that?” So, I’ll type it out below (it’s a book in the Bible; search for it in the table of contents).

16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 NIV

This is one of my FAVORITE promises found in the Bible. In these words, written by James, the half-brother of Jesus (can you imagine how that was growing up?), God promises HEALING. You can say what you want… there’s no God… Jesus is a fairy-tale… science > faith… I don’t care what your view is, we can agree on one thing, we want to be HEALED.

If you’re thinking, “No I don’t.”
Next time you get sick don’t medicate.
Next time you get injured don't treat it.
Just get better.
Tough your way through it.

RIIIIIIIIGHT!

You want to be healed. I want to be healed. We ALL want to be HEALED from something or someone. We’ve all been injured or hurt in some way, whether mentally, physically, emotionally, verbally, or sexually. It’s happened. It’s there. You can’t escape it, BUT you CAN be HEALED FROM IT!

Now, you can try and just get over it on your own or you can turn to the God who created you and loves you and wants the best for you and ask Him to HEAL you. James 5:16 identifies 2 ways we can be healed (though I don’t think they are the ONLY 2 ways).

#1 Confess Your Sins—you’re only as sick as your secrets! Bottle it up and stay broken or confess it find healing. DISCLAIMER: if you’re a victim of abuse, it’s NOT YOUR FAULT. You are only responsible for your response. Have you clung to bitterness and resentment and unforgiveness? That’s a problem. You gotta let that stuff go. You gotta let go of the hurt and the pain so you can experience the freedom and joy God has waiting for you.

#2 Pray For Each Other—this is so good and so true! I don’t have what I’d refer to as “good social skills”. I’ve always had difficulty connecting with people or, probably better stated, WANTING to connect with others. That is, until I started PRAYING FOR OTHERS. Praying has this crazy way of softening a concrete heart and even resurrecting a dead heart. That was me. I was so consumed with anger and bitterness that I allowed my heart to turn cold towards others, but God CHANGED me! He’s helped me to learn how to LOVE people and that’s brought more HEALING to my life than I can explain. You know you’re in a good place when you can pray God blesses those who have harmed you.

Reflect:

• Is there something in your life that you’re ready to finally let go?
• What area(s) of your life are you ready to experience healing?
• Who do you know that you can trust with your secrets and struggles?
• Are you holding on to any resentment, bitterness, or unforgiveness? Who are you holding these feelings against?
• Who do you need to start praying for (if you answered the previous question, you’ve already started your list)?

A Letter To Celebrate Recovery

Hello, my name is Nick and I’m a grateful believer in Jesus who struggles with pride and anger.

LAST WEEK:
Why would I ever want to admit my wrongs? Admit my wrongdoings? Admit my struggles? Why would I ever want to share my deepest, darkest secrets, things I swore I’d take to the grave? Why? This is a sampling of the questions presented on Friday night. We all have hurts, habits, and hang-ups, so why do we try and keep it secret? Why do we hold this junk inside? Is it ALL denial? I don’t think so. I believe fear, guilt, and shame keep us all kinds of chained up in our struggles. You’re only as sick as your secrets…so why keep them as secrets? Why stay sick?

Here’s what God tells us we can have if and when we ADMIT this stuff…

#1 Healing
#2 Freedom
#3 Support

If at any point you decide you’d like to pass on any of these 3 things, please let me know and I’ll take your share. I’ll take all the healing, freedom, and support I can get!

THIS WEEK:
This week is a 1-2 punch of awesomeness… it’s TESTIMONY night and CHIP night all wrapped up into one. It will be one of those nights when there aren’t enough tissues in the room to wipe up the tears and not enough earplugs to quiet the CELEBRATING!! We will clap and cheer as men and women walk across the stage picking up sobriety chips for 24 hours, 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, 2 years and much MUCH more! Each step is a VICTORY! Cathy Jo will be sharing her story of hope and healing; how God took her biggest MESS and turned it into her greatest MESSAGE! Clear your calendar, drop yours kids off at Celebration Station and The Landing, and get your butt to Celebrate Recovery 7p.

NEWS & UPDATES:
Clean Up—y’all have been doing a GREAT job cleaning up after CR. Developing a team for clean up has almost been nearly as difficult as recruiting a team for Celebration Station (PreK5-5th)…which by the way currently has an AMAZING team!! I’d LOVE to see MORE people grabbing a broom, tearing down chairs, wiping off tables, mopping the floor, and whatever else needs to get done. The more people we have the less time it takes and the more laughter we share!

THE END:
9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 NKJV

There is POWER in confession, POWER in admitting our crap. Don’t run from it; work THROUGH IT!

3 Things I Want To Share With You

3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:3-8 NKJV

Here are a 3 things that jumped out at me this morning while reading...

#1 Deflate Your Inflated Ego—Paul warns us, “do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think.” In other words, slow your roll. American society has cultivated a sense of entitlement and consumerism and, unfortunately, this has made its way into the church. People show up week after week sitting in THEIR seat, crossing their arms unless it’s THEIR song, waiting for what THEY can get out of the message, and then going home. Church has become all about WHAT I want and HOW I want it. It’s not about you and what you GET; it’s about Jesus and what He GAVE (which happens to be something you can get…irony?). I would like to suggest that when we are looking out for what we can get, we settle for a GLIMPSE of the goodness offered to us, instead of experiencing it in its FULLNESS. Don’t think of yourself too highly or you just might miss out on what God’s really trying to do in your life.

#2 In A Family There’s Always Chores…I Mean Responsibilities—Paul says, “we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function.” This means WE’RE ALL FAMILY and I’m here to tell you in a family we got CHORES (notice I said ‘got’ not ‘have’..ya feel me?). I’m not talking about a couple tasks you perform for a weekly allowance, but maybe I am. It takes a LOT of work to run a church service and the right people for the work just so happens to be you and me and everyone else in the building or sleeping in at home. We get in there and get dirty. We SERVE others and are SERVED ourselves by others. The people, which means you and I, make it all happen. As for the ‘allowance’; I believe we are ‘paid’ in LIFE CHANGE. I don’t know about you, but I get excited to no end when I see someone make the decision to receive Christ. It’s the BEST! It’s a CELEBRATION! Money can’t buy that. In a family there’s always chores.

#3 I Got Mines, You Got Yours—Paul continues, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.” I’m not gifted like you. I don’t share the same passions as you. I’m not trying to go to the same places and do the same things as you. I’m not you. God created each and every one of us differently so TOGETHER we can reach MORE people! I can do some things. You can do some things. Separate that’s ALL we’ll ever do…SOME things. Together we can do SO MUCH MORE! When someone doesn’t do their part, that is, when someone’s NOT serving, someone MISSES OUT! We all want to see the miracle, but not everyone wants to work towards it. I don’t know about you, but I want to see it and experience it and I want you right there with me! I got mines, you got yours.

Reflect:

• In what ways do you think more highly of yourself than you should?
• Are there certain tasks or jobs you believe to be ‘below’ you?
• How has God grown you through serving in His church?
• What’s keeping your from doing your chores?
• Why are we better together?