THIS GROUP NO LONGER MEETS
We held our final meeting at Park Community Church (formerly St. Louis Park Free Evangelical Church) on February 23, 2017. It was "Chip Nite," when people shared stories of recovery and victory and received anniversary chips ranging from 24 Hours to 8 Years. It was great to hear from several past members, who shared their thoughts and encouragement and recalled some of the group's history!
The Wayside Women plan to continue meeting at a different location with an existing group. The men's group members are exploring options with other groups. Although it was sad time, it was also an evening of Celebration - many people shared how they feel God is moving them forward to things that are new and exciting!
Many thanks to the church members, especially Arnie and the church's prayer team, who have supported Celebrate Recovery over the years.
Arnie kindly put together this list of all the current (as of February 23, 2017) Celebrate Recovery groups meeting in the greater Twin Cities area. You can download the PDF from the first link below. Remember that group lists will change over time, so you will want to call or email the contact person to make sure the group still meets (and if it meets that week) before going.
Local CR groups February 2017
You can also check the Celebrate recovery online "Find a Group" tool or contact the state CR representative.
CR Find a Group
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Chip Night!
You're invited to our final "Chip Nite" at Park Community Church on Thursday, February 23, 2017.
Join us at 6:00 p.m. for pizza and fellowship, then stay for our 6:30 meeting as people claim anniversary chips and share their victory stories. This will be the last meeting of Celebrate Recovery at this location.
Join us at 6:00 p.m. for pizza and fellowship, then stay for our 6:30 meeting as people claim anniversary chips and share their victory stories. This will be the last meeting of Celebrate Recovery at this location.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Evaluating Your Relationships - "Stupid Rubs Off!"
OK, so that's a rather direct title... well, yeah, but the picture struck me like a 2X4 to the forehead... How many times as a youth did I get myself into situations and just started to follow the crowd?
Even more, how many times as an Adult (and I use that term loosely sometimes) have I gotten myself into the same scenarios, by not listening to the Spirit within me as He whispered, "Do you really want to go there Dave? It's going to bring you trouble".
I'm reading "Simplify: Ten Practices to Unclutter Your Soul" by Bill Hybels and wanted to share this quote with you.
Even more, how many times as an Adult (and I use that term loosely sometimes) have I gotten myself into the same scenarios, by not listening to the Spirit within me as He whispered, "Do you really want to go there Dave? It's going to bring you trouble".
I'm reading "Simplify: Ten Practices to Unclutter Your Soul" by Bill Hybels and wanted to share this quote with you.
Evaluating Your Relationships
"Stupid Rubs Off "
When I was a boy, one of my good friends moved to the South, and I occasionally visited him for three or four days at a time. I always brought my mitt because we would play baseball at a park near his house every chance we got. Every time we left the house to go play ball, my friend’s dad would say in his deep Southern drawl, “Watch out who you hang with after the game, boys, because stupid rubs off.”
Stupid rubs off.
That was an expression I’d never heard up north, but I knew what he meant. He was warning us not to be influenced by other boys’ stupid decisions, things we knew better than to do.
Stupid rubs off in our grown-up world too. Perhaps you work in an environment where profanity flows like a polluted river all day, every day. Can profanity rub off?
Maybe you work in the financial services industry, where the whole game is making more money, no matter what it takes to get it. Can greed rub off?
At parties where the main event is alcohol consumption, can overdrinking rub off?
I went to a Blackhawks hockey game a few years back, and there were about a half-dozen fistfights during the game. Late in the third period, a bench-clearing brawl broke out. When the game ended, the crowd was all hyped-up. As everyone tried to exit, the normal jostling that happens when thousands of people exit a stadium soon turned into elbow throwing, shoving, and pushing.
I wondered, Can anger and violence rub off?
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, was so aware of this unalterable reality that he admonished us to choose our friends wisely: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”[69] "
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The point is..., we have to be careful as we walk our Roads to Recovery, who we walk with. Are they Wise - will they Lift you up? Or, are they the old crowd, who want your "old Self" to come back and party with them.
I can't count the # of times already, where I have heard other guys say " I was doing great in my Recovery and ran onto some old friends. They invited me along to to the Pub and I thought "Why not, I can handle it..." " Generally, those situations didn't end so well... What's Rubbing off on you today?
It's a New Year! A New Start. In Revelation Chapter 21, God had written:
" He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children."
Be New! Seek God!
May God Bless You and Keep you throughout this New Year - and beyond.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
This is a re-post from my Sponsor from 2011. It comes from an email blog he subscribed to from James MacDonald.
It has great application to our Recoverys as we are starting the next cycle of the 12 Steps. These Steps include DENIAL, POWERLESS, HOPE, SANITY, TURN, and ACTION - wow, that's alot to take on - even if I did have it all together!
So how do we get through all this - stick with God's plan!
It has great application to our Recoverys as we are starting the next cycle of the 12 Steps. These Steps include DENIAL, POWERLESS, HOPE, SANITY, TURN, and ACTION - wow, that's alot to take on - even if I did have it all together!
So how do we get through all this - stick with God's plan!
Getting Through Our Struggles
Greetings All,
In our struggles to live a somewhat "normal" life, to break through the pain and suffering of this world, sometimes we have more questions than answers and we don't understand the things that go on in our lives. Well, I got another email from James MacDonald that directly answers some questions we might have. The following is from him. It is my hope that this speaks clearly to all of us who are in the midst of the storm of life.
Will I Get Through This?
2 Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. — habakkuk 1:2-4
Many of the people in the pages of the Bible were as confused and filled with questions as we are today. One of the great things about God’s Word is that He decided to include a lot of their questions alongside the answers He gave them. Such is the case of Habakkuk, above. Don’t his questions sound familiar?
Like us, Habakkuk wondered if he would get through what he was facing. But in his third chapter, Habakkuk moves from questions to answers, and he models something for us that is incredible. In response to the question, “Will I get through this?”
Habakkuk prayed.
His survival strategy involved prayer. Chapter 3 begins, “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet…” When you think about difficulties, you’re like, “Prayer? That’s hard!” I know what you mean; sometimes prayer can be very difficult. Fortunately, Habakkuk has a few insights for us.
He began with reverence for God’s Word: “O Lord, I have heard the report of You, and Your work, O Lord, I do fear” (Habakkuk 3:2). Habakkuk is ridding his heart of all anxiety, and stress, and burden. He’s also praying to God as He has revealed Himself: a God who is to be feared. A God who is mighty —who can do anything. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7a).
Habbakuk also is remembering God’s mighty works on behalf of His people. This reverence for “Your work” is followed by reverence for God’s Word. And that’s why he prays, “In the midst of years revive it” (v.2). Verses 3-16 review God’s work in history.
After reverence for God’s Word and God’s work, a time of praise is in order. Habakkuk decided to rejoice in the Lord. In verse 17 he says, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines. . . ” God knows what the deepest valley will be for you. But to come to the place where you can say, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (v.18), you are no longer just getting through, you are overcoming!
And then Habakkuk finishes with this, a decision to rely on God’s strength. He says, “God, the Lord, is my strength” (v.19). What a great way to say, yes, I will get through this—God will get me through. — James MacDonald
Journal:
What place does prayer play in my survival plans?
How would adopting Habakkuk’s “get through this” prayer plan affect my prayer life?
Prayer:
Lord, when I pause long enough to pay attention, the power of Your Word, and the evidence of Your work, are always infinitely above what I’m facing. But it’s Your faithfulness that I want to stand on when all around me gives way. I know I won’t get through unless You are with me—that’s exactly what You’ve promised to do! Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In our struggles to live a somewhat "normal" life, to break through the pain and suffering of this world, sometimes we have more questions than answers and we don't understand the things that go on in our lives. Well, I got another email from James MacDonald that directly answers some questions we might have. The following is from him. It is my hope that this speaks clearly to all of us who are in the midst of the storm of life.
Will I Get Through This?
2 Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. — habakkuk 1:2-4
Many of the people in the pages of the Bible were as confused and filled with questions as we are today. One of the great things about God’s Word is that He decided to include a lot of their questions alongside the answers He gave them. Such is the case of Habakkuk, above. Don’t his questions sound familiar?
Like us, Habakkuk wondered if he would get through what he was facing. But in his third chapter, Habakkuk moves from questions to answers, and he models something for us that is incredible. In response to the question, “Will I get through this?”
Habakkuk prayed.
His survival strategy involved prayer. Chapter 3 begins, “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet…” When you think about difficulties, you’re like, “Prayer? That’s hard!” I know what you mean; sometimes prayer can be very difficult. Fortunately, Habakkuk has a few insights for us.
He began with reverence for God’s Word: “O Lord, I have heard the report of You, and Your work, O Lord, I do fear” (Habakkuk 3:2). Habakkuk is ridding his heart of all anxiety, and stress, and burden. He’s also praying to God as He has revealed Himself: a God who is to be feared. A God who is mighty —who can do anything. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7a).
Habbakuk also is remembering God’s mighty works on behalf of His people. This reverence for “Your work” is followed by reverence for God’s Word. And that’s why he prays, “In the midst of years revive it” (v.2). Verses 3-16 review God’s work in history.
After reverence for God’s Word and God’s work, a time of praise is in order. Habakkuk decided to rejoice in the Lord. In verse 17 he says, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines. . . ” God knows what the deepest valley will be for you. But to come to the place where you can say, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (v.18), you are no longer just getting through, you are overcoming!
And then Habakkuk finishes with this, a decision to rely on God’s strength. He says, “God, the Lord, is my strength” (v.19). What a great way to say, yes, I will get through this—God will get me through. — James MacDonald
Journal:
What place does prayer play in my survival plans?
How would adopting Habakkuk’s “get through this” prayer plan affect my prayer life?
Prayer:
Lord, when I pause long enough to pay attention, the power of Your Word, and the evidence of Your work, are always infinitely above what I’m facing. But it’s Your faithfulness that I want to stand on when all around me gives way. I know I won’t get through unless You are with me—that’s exactly what You’ve promised to do! Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, March 14, 2016
This is a re-post from an article posted by my Sponsor - Soon to Graduate from Asbury Theological Seminary as a Pastor! (Way to go Dean!)
The article is from 1-12-2012. The material is from a lesson by James MacDonald, on of his favorite teachers:
I thought since we've been talking some about forgiveness lately that it would be a good idea to talk about it here a little. If you are unsure about forgiveness, perhaps the following article from James MacDonald will provide some insight. I hope you find it informative and I pray that your walk with God is stronger for having read it and that your light might shine a little brighter by way of forgiveness. The following is all written by James MacDonald from Harvest Bible Chapel in Illinois, God bless:
"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony" - Colossians 3:12-14
Forgiveness is a decision. It's an act of will to release a person from the obligation that resulted when they injured you.
Unforgiveness sounds like this: "You owe me! I'm going to make you pay by hating you, by slandering you, by returning in kind, by recruiting other people to my bitterness. I'm holding this over you!"
Here's forgiveness: "You don't owe me. I'm not trying to get even. I'm not looking for a chance to pay you back. God didn't make me that way. I choose to forgive."
You say, "James, I can forgive today, but I know by Thursday I'll have that thing back on my back again." I understand that. Get this: forgiveness is a crisis and a process. The first thing you have to do is see your unforgiveness as sin. You have to acknowledge that God's not going to forgive you if you don't forgive others. You've got to have that crisis. You've got to stop explaining, defending, holding onto it, cherishing, and reviewing it. You've got to say, "I don't want this for my life."
The crisis means, "I choose to forgive. I'm letting it go." But the process means, when the painful matter comes into your mind again, you promise yourself to maintain the following process: "I won't bring it up to the person; I won't bring it up to other people;" and most hard by far, "I won't bring it up to myself anymore."
Someone said to me, "James, I can't help myself. As soon as I see the person, Bam! My mind goes right to that thing." That's why forgiveness is a crisis and a process. In the crisis you decide, in the process you live it out.
Now, here's a key: When you fail in the process you have to return to the crisis. When you find yourself flashing back to unforgiveness, realize you failed in the process. You've got to return to the crisis. You've got to get before the Lord and say, "God, forgive me. I want to be a forgiving person and here I'm holding this again, Lord. Help me again. I commit afresh to let it go."
Crisis/process. Over time you'll let it go and you'll be a lot happier because of it.
The article is from 1-12-2012. The material is from a lesson by James MacDonald, on of his favorite teachers:
I thought since we've been talking some about forgiveness lately that it would be a good idea to talk about it here a little. If you are unsure about forgiveness, perhaps the following article from James MacDonald will provide some insight. I hope you find it informative and I pray that your walk with God is stronger for having read it and that your light might shine a little brighter by way of forgiveness. The following is all written by James MacDonald from Harvest Bible Chapel in Illinois, God bless:
"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony" - Colossians 3:12-14
Forgiveness is a decision. It's an act of will to release a person from the obligation that resulted when they injured you.
Unforgiveness sounds like this: "You owe me! I'm going to make you pay by hating you, by slandering you, by returning in kind, by recruiting other people to my bitterness. I'm holding this over you!"
Here's forgiveness: "You don't owe me. I'm not trying to get even. I'm not looking for a chance to pay you back. God didn't make me that way. I choose to forgive."
You say, "James, I can forgive today, but I know by Thursday I'll have that thing back on my back again." I understand that. Get this: forgiveness is a crisis and a process. The first thing you have to do is see your unforgiveness as sin. You have to acknowledge that God's not going to forgive you if you don't forgive others. You've got to have that crisis. You've got to stop explaining, defending, holding onto it, cherishing, and reviewing it. You've got to say, "I don't want this for my life."
The crisis means, "I choose to forgive. I'm letting it go." But the process means, when the painful matter comes into your mind again, you promise yourself to maintain the following process: "I won't bring it up to the person; I won't bring it up to other people;" and most hard by far, "I won't bring it up to myself anymore."
Someone said to me, "James, I can't help myself. As soon as I see the person, Bam! My mind goes right to that thing." That's why forgiveness is a crisis and a process. In the crisis you decide, in the process you live it out.
Now, here's a key: When you fail in the process you have to return to the crisis. When you find yourself flashing back to unforgiveness, realize you failed in the process. You've got to return to the crisis. You've got to get before the Lord and say, "God, forgive me. I want to be a forgiving person and here I'm holding this again, Lord. Help me again. I commit afresh to let it go."
Crisis/process. Over time you'll let it go and you'll be a lot happier because of it.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
What is Christmas all about?
It's been harder, growing older. I miss the days of the simple life of Childhood (ok, there may be those that still say I can be Childish - that's not what I'm talking about.) ; )
I am so blessed to have a God who cares, helping and strengthening me to overcome my hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Still, remembering those days before brings a simple Joy to my heart.
As adults we make the holidays so complicated - complicated traditions, complicated schedules, complicated relationships.... That's not the way God wants me to come before Him, or you, I'm sure. This complicated life is nothing new, in fact, we're in good company, even Jesus's disciples struggled with how they or others to approach him.
I am so blessed to have a God who cares, helping and strengthening me to overcome my hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Still, remembering those days before brings a simple Joy to my heart.
As adults we make the holidays so complicated - complicated traditions, complicated schedules, complicated relationships.... That's not the way God wants me to come before Him, or you, I'm sure. This complicated life is nothing new, in fact, we're in good company, even Jesus's disciples struggled with how they or others to approach him.
Mark 10:13-16New International Version (NIV)
The Little Children and Jesus
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
God wants us to come before Him as we are - His children. Trusting, secure in His Love, and free. I was reminded of this in a reading from Our Daily Bread, a favorite devotional that often starts my day with gladness and hope. Here's a great one from this past week:
http://odb.org/2015/12/05/what-christmas-is-all-about/
Fifty years ago A Charlie Brown Christmas was first broadcast on American television. Some network executives thought it would be ignored, while others worried that quoting the Bible would offend viewers. Some wanted its creator, Charles Schulz, to omit the Christmas story, but Schulz insisted it stay in. The program was an immediate success and has been rebroadcast every year since 1965.
When Charlie Brown, the frustrated director of the children’s Christmas play, is discouraged by the commercial spirit of the holiday season, he asks if anyone can tell him the real meaning of Christmas. Linus recites Luke 2:8-14 including the words, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (vv. 11-14 kjv). Then Linus says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
During this season filled with our own doubts and dreams, it’s good to ponder afresh God’s great love expressed in the familiar story of Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, and the angels who announced the Savior’s birth.
That’s what Christmas is all about.
Father in heaven, as we approach Christmas, may we grasp in a deeper way Your amazing gift to us.
God broke into human history to offer us the gift of salvation!
INSIGHT:
Two angels are named in the Bible: archangels Michael (Dan. 10:13; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7) and Gabriel (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26). Angels appeared a number of times in connection with Christ's birth. Gabriel appeared to Zacharias (Luke 1:11–20) and then to Mary, announcing that she would become the mother of the Messiah (v. 26). An unnamed angel, which most scholars believe was Gabriel, appeared three times in dreams to Joseph (Matt. 1:20; 2:13, 19). Gabriel also announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds and, joined by a "multitude of the heavenly host," declared glory to God (2:8–14).
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Good Works in You
I am excited that we have Teri R coming back to SLP CR to share her testimony. I have had the blessing of hearing her testimony a couple times and it's awesome to see and hear God's work in her and her son.
With regard to that, I bring back a post (with minor updates) from 2013 that really fits...
I love the 2nd Thursdays of each Month at SLP Celebrate Recovery - why? Because we get to hear what God has accomplished in other people's battles over their Hurts, Habits, and Hang-ups. VICTORY!
This month Teri R, a Founding Member from our own SLP Free Celebrate Recovery group will share her testimony and tell us about the things she has been through and how God has given her hope and victory over her hurts, habits, or hang-ups.
These are the real life stories of real people. Are they always Roses and Teacups - no way. I have seen and heard some of the most painful things that I have ever heard of in my (relatively sheltered) life.
If fact God's been telling me that in the past weeks and showing me in His Word (the Bible). Right in front of me now is the verse from Isaiah 41 - my reminder each day not to let the world beat me:
AWESOME!
It's quite a coincidence too (wink-wink, I don't believe in coincidence, but i do believe in a God-incidence!) that my devotional in Our Daily Bread today covered just this same thing - imagine that!
The Apostle Paul summed it up well:
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It's absolutely amazing how God talks through our Lives - It's humbling, it's awesome, it's because we were MADE to have fellowship with the Creator of the Universe. He loves us, He cares for us.
With regard to that, I bring back a post (with minor updates) from 2013 that really fits...
I love the 2nd Thursdays of each Month at SLP Celebrate Recovery - why? Because we get to hear what God has accomplished in other people's battles over their Hurts, Habits, and Hang-ups. VICTORY!
This month Teri R, a Founding Member from our own SLP Free Celebrate Recovery group will share her testimony and tell us about the things she has been through and how God has given her hope and victory over her hurts, habits, or hang-ups.
These are the real life stories of real people. Are they always Roses and Teacups - no way. I have seen and heard some of the most painful things that I have ever heard of in my (relatively sheltered) life.
Life is hard - God is Good! it's not a cliche', it's truth!
When people share their battles and victories - well it's sometimes better than the best sermon's I've ever heard.If fact God's been telling me that in the past weeks and showing me in His Word (the Bible). Right in front of me now is the verse from Isaiah 41 - my reminder each day not to let the world beat me:
Isaiah 41: 9-13 NIV 1985
"I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
11 “All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you."
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you."
AWESOME!
It's quite a coincidence too (wink-wink, I don't believe in coincidence, but i do believe in a God-incidence!) that my devotional in Our Daily Bread today covered just this same thing - imagine that!
You can see this too at WWW.ODB.ORG
The Apostle Paul summed it up well:
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-6
I pray that you'll get a chance to see this for yourself - come, join us Thursdayat SLP Free! The address is just to the right on this page! If not tonight - the 2nd Thursday of any month. See you there!
God Bless your day!
Dave
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
An Attitude of Gratitude - Special Testimony!
Are you tired of letting fear and anxiety get the best of you?
Would you like to learn how to experience more of God’s unfathomable peace?
(Don’t we all!)
Join Celebrate Recovery, Thursday 4/9/15, where we will be welcoming back Jeff
Teresi. He is the author of Good News for a month, creator of cubed poetry, and
founder of Eternal Thanks.
Filled with gratitude for life, he hopes to bring that same
gratitude and joy to others by sharing his story!
His talk is titled:
Making the Most out of More of Your Moments
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
The voice of one calling in the wilderness...
Luke 1:39-45 (context - the beginning of the story of the birth of Jesus)
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
What a scene - 2 expectant women sharing the Joy of the Lord- 2 children, each a gift from God. Both Sent with Purpose. One, to point the way, the other was The Way.
John 1: 6-14 NIV
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
I was challenged by the Pastor's message this week - Do I live my life with purpose? Do I share and celebrate the Christmas Season with Purpose? Do I point the way?OR - do I follow the "p.c." way in enjoying the "Happy Holidays" and just share social greetings, safely and humbly.
John the Baptist was born with purpose - to point the way to the Messiah. To give a life changing message to the people. John the Baptist was sent as a Witness to the people.
He was a part of the Christmas story that I really hadn't given much thought to, yet he is exactly what we are about at Park Free Celebrate Recovery. Seeking to point the way to people with a Life changing message, a Christ Centered Program, that will bring them out of the darkness and into the Light!
We have Purpose - Celebrate Recovery is a Christ centered 12 step program for those who are ready to embark on a journey of real and lasting change.
Jeremiah spoke to God's people in the midst of exile, words that can apply to many of us today, as we seek the Lord and His strength on our Recovery:
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.
Jeremiah 29: 11-13 NIV
Are you ready for a Life with Purpose?
Join us this Thursday as we CELEBRATE RECOVERY!
We will be meeting UPSTAIRS this week, in the Tree House Ministry facilities, as there are other celebration going on at Park Free
.
Starting at 6PM, we will join in a little PIZZA POTLUCK - We'll provide the Pizza, you can bring anything else you'd like to share - Pop, cookies, snacks, or come and just share your Heart! We'd love to have you celebrate with us!
We'll start our Anniversary Celebration at 6:30 ( our normal meeting time ) and enjoy some worship time and opportunities to celebrate and share what God has been doing in our lives and our recovery!
Finally, at 7:30, we'll break into our small groups (men in one room, women in another) to continue sharing in a more personal setting, encouraging and uplifting one another.
It's a GREAT way to start a New Year!
Revelation 21:5-7;
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
(Please note that due to changes in staffing, Park Free CR does NOT have child care available during our 2015 meeting
times, at this point. We are working to resolve this and regret the inconvenience.)
Thursday, October 30, 2014
“Who’s your daddy?”
As we’ve starting through the first 3 Steps of Celebrate
Recovery, I’ve noted the frequent significance of The Father, in recovery. Who
He is, where He fits, what He can do… Does He care?
A key factor in our victory over our Hurts, Habits, and
Hang-ups can be who we see the Father as. Not only that but WHO the Father is… God, or the impression I have of my
biological Dad overlaid onto God.
Understanding WHO God is, who HE says He is, and what
He desires for our lives has such an impact on our Relationship, our Trust, our
Faith in our Creator – not the helps or hurts caused by our Dads.
This devotional lesson come from a Prayer Request we received
at SLP CR back in August. “I really want
to understand who God is as a Father and not confuse Him with bad memories of
my real father.”
Since that time, we heard Testimonies, lessons, and
sometimes just plain conversations about the impact of The Father and our
fathers… I pray that this helps your see the difference between the features
& flaws of the creation - Dad, and the Power, Majesty, & Love of your
heavenly Father
*** As with our Fearless Moral inventory (Step 4), we must keep a
balanced view of Man, as God created us with Free Will.
Each of us has the choice to come close to God, or seek relationship and satisfaction in our own ways (which brings many of us here tonight). God’s intention for Man, and Man’s choice can sometimes be 2 different things – a choice that Satan will exploit to destroy man and family, any time he can.
Each of us has the choice to come close to God, or seek relationship and satisfaction in our own ways (which brings many of us here tonight). God’s intention for Man, and Man’s choice can sometimes be 2 different things – a choice that Satan will exploit to destroy man and family, any time he can.
This is intended as a brief, balanced biblical view of who God created
our fathers to be and who they can chose to be.
THEN, who HE is...
Ask Him to reveal His desire for your
relationship with Him, as you read these verses.
The creation and the Creator – aka “Who’s your daddy?”
*God created Man for relationship with
Him – who is MAN…
Genesis
1:26
Then
God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and
let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over
the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on
the earth…
31 God saw all that he had made,i
and it was very good.j And there was evening, and there was morningk—the sixth day.
Genesis
2:7
Then
the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis
5:2
He
created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Man in the day
when they were created.
*God
created Man for relationship with Him – God gave Man Free will, to choose …
Genesis
3:7-11
“She also gave some to her husband,l who was with her, and he ate it.m 7 Then the eyes of both of them were
opened, and they realized they were naked;n…8Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walkingp in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hidq from the Lord
God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are
you?”r 10 He
answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraids because I was naked;t so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told
you that you were naked?u Have you eaten from the
tree that I commanded you not to?”
*Disobedience, Shame, Guilt, … Sin came by Man’s
choice. As did the consequences…
Genesis 3;22-23
22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become
like one of us,r
knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take
also from the tree of lifes and
eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Edent to
work the groundu from
which he had been taken.
This is not
a one time thing…We Are All Sinners…
- Isaiah 64:6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
- Psalm 58:3
- The wicked are estranged from the womb;
- Ephesians
2:3 - among whom we all
once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the
body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the
rest of mankind.
· Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
*But God’s plan
wasn’t done there… he has a long term plan…
Psalms 119:73
Your hands made me and fashioned me; Give me
understanding, that I may learn Your commandments
Psalms 138:8
Isaiah
17:7
(in
reference to the disobedience of His People in Damascus, God Sent Isaiah to
warn them) In
that day man will have regard for his Maker And his eyes will look to the Holy
One of Israel
John
3:16:
16 For
God so lovedw the world that he gavex his one and only Son,y
that whoever believesz in him shall not perish but have eternal
life.a 17 For God did not send his
Son into the worldb to condemn the world, but to save the world
through him.c
So that’s who God says MAN is – He’s a boyfriend, a brother, a
husband, a father, a grandfather – or he can be anyone of us…”Male &
female, He created them”
Who does God say HE is…
(this
comes from a reading we did at our Church, last Christmas, I apologize, I do
not know who the author is)
In
Exodus, He is the Redeemer.
In
Leviticus, He is your Sanctifier.
In
Numbers, He is your Guide.
In
Deuteronomy, He is your Teacher.
In
Joshua, He is the Mighty Conqueror.
In
Judges, He gives victory over enemies.
In
I Samuel, He is the Root of Jesse;
In
2 Samuel, He is the Son of David.
In
1ST and 2nd Kings, He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
In
1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your Intercessor, and High Priest.
In
Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship.
In
Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies.
In
Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.
In
Job, He is the Arbitrator who not only understands your struggles, but has the
power to do something about them.
In
Psalms, He is your Song - and your reason to sing.
In
Proverbs, He is your wisdom, helping you make sense of life and live it
successfully.
In
Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, delivering you from vanity.
In
the Song of Solomon, He is your Lover, your Rose of Sharon.
In
Isaiah, He is the Mighty Counselor, the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting
Father. In short, He's everything you need.
In
Jeremiah, He is your Balm in Gilead, the soothing salve for your sin-sick soul.
In
Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful One upon Whom you can depend.
In
Ezekiel, He is your Wheel in the middle of a wheel --the One who assures that
dry, dead bones will come alive again.
In
Daniel, He is the Ancient of Days, the everlasting God who never runs out of
time.
In
Hosea, He is your Faithful Lover, always beckoning you to come back - when you
have abandoned Him.
In
Joel, He is your Refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble.
In
Amos, He is the Husbandman, the One you can depend on to stay by your side.
In
Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom.
In
Jonah, He is your Salvation, bringing you back within His will.
In
Micah, He is Judge of the nation.
In
Nahum, He is the jealous God.
In
Habakkuk, He is the Holy One.
In
Zephaniah, He is the Witness.
In
Haggai, He overthrows the enemies.
In
Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts.
In
Malachi, He is Merciful.
In
Matthew, He is King of the Jews.
In
Mark, He is the Servant.
In
Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.
In
John, He is the Son of God.
In
Acts, He is the Savior of the world.
In
Romans, He is the righteousness of God.
In
I Corinthians, He is the Rock that followed Israel.
In
II Corinthians, He is the Triumphant One, giving victory.
In
Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.
In
Ephesians, He is Head of the Church.
In
Philippians, He is your joy.
In
Colossians, He is your completeness.
In
1st and 2nd Thessalonians, He is your hope.
In
I Timothy, He is your faith.
In
II Timothy, He is your stability.
In
Philemon, He is your Benefactor.
In
Titus, He is truth.
In
Hebrews, He is your perfection.
In
James, he is the Power behind your faith.
In
I Peter, He is your example.
In
II Peter, He is your purity.
In
I John, He is your life.
In
II John, He is your pattern.
In
III John, He is your motivation.
In
Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
In
Revelation, He is your coming King.
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