Dedication = Celebrate Recovery

Hello my name is Travis, I am a grateful believer in Jesus, and I struggle with gambling and control.  Have you ever trained for anything?  Maybe it is training for a long run, dieting, or just training your body how to move in a better way because of injury.  During that training, I am sure you did not wake up one day and say to yourself, “I am going to lose 20 pounds today” – because we all know that is not possible.  But, maybe you have thought that and let me be the first to tell you - that will not happen. 

I have been training for a half marathon and it takes a lot of time, dedication, and mental toughness to do that.  Sure, do I want to sleep in some mornings when I know I should be up running, working out, or just being active to build that endurance?  The answer to that is yes; however, I know that I have to get up because on race day I will not be in shape to complete the race.  My body will not have the endurance to reach the finish line if I do not train. 

I need to think of Celebrate Recovery in that same context.  What are the goals I am trying to achieve in my recovery journey?  Is it to wake up one day and say “ I am going to be free of all my hurts, habits, and hang-ups?”  NO!  Again, that is impossible.  I have to train my mind, body, and spirit to look to God to heal me.  I have to rely on others to help me through the journey. 

So the real question here is, “When will I know that race day is here for Celebrate Recovery?”.  Is the race ever over?  That is a question I have been asked so many times.  “Travis you have been coming to Celebrate Recovery for almost 6 years - when are you going to be done?”  Well, I have to answer that with, “Never!”  Every day I still must get up and choose to commit my life and will to God.  It would be very easy to sleep in or do what I wanted that day; however, I know that would not be the best training I could do in my walk with the Almighty Father. 

Grateful Believer,

Travis

It's all about me...

I started the year off with a one year reading plan from www.youversion.com I would like to say that I am doing awesome with it and that I am right on track.  I'm not a big fan of lying though, so I guess I'll just admit my plan didn't last very long.

I wonder why they call it YOUversion?  I guess because YOU (I) get to pick whatever Bible reading plan I want, but I've allowed it to be too much about me and not at all about Him.  I need the HIMversion. 

Principle Seven states, Reserve a daily time with God for self examination, Bible readings and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. It is not easy to daily engage in this principle.

His plan for me wouldn't be that I would skip days of reading His Word, let alone spending time WITH HIM.  I do both.  I like to rationalize it.  I'm too busy.  My son needs me right now, my daughter needs me, my Mom needs me...  No, the truth is that I need God.  I need to admit that I haven't been living in a solid relationship with Him and make a change.  I need to remember the cross.  He came back on the 3rd day for ME.  He gives me grace.  As I work my recovery and make this a daily process, I realize I might need to ask some accountability partners to check on me to make sure I’m in HIS word!  (That’s the beauty of CR accountability partners!)

Let the Word be thorough in your life. "All Scripture is God‑breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."2 Timothy 3:16, 17 

I’m working my recovery so I’m equipped to be used for HIS good works…

Grateful Believer,

Jennifer

A Message from the TEAM

Well if you weren’t at CR Friday you missed a great night of praise and worship, and you also missed a bitter-sweet announcement.  Micah announced a wonderful opportunity for him and his family – as he’s accepted the pulpit minster position at the Altamesa Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas.   He and his family will make this move June 1^st, 2012.

As Micah addressed everyone after large group, he said, “Some of you may wonder what will happen to CR at MRCC if I’m not here leading it?” Then he followed with, “I WAS NEVER LEADING THIS SHIP!  GOD IS THE CAPTAIN AND WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD AND GUIDE THIS PROGRAM!”  We all understand God’s been working in this program from day one, but Micah has worked very hard with the eldership and his TEAM’s over the years to make sure this program follows the Celebrate Recovery guidelines that Saddleback has put in place.

Micah then introduced the current TEAM to everyone, and shared some less-than flattering pictures of some of us.  (I’m sure we will pay him back at some point!  Just you wait, Mr. Hobbs.)  He talked about the roles that each TEAM member plays and he wanted to reiterate and reassure everyone that CR will continue to “roll on” just as it has.

As a TEAM we’d like you to know that even though we’re sad to see him go, we support Micah in this decision and we are very proud of him!   We meet together as a TEAM to pray for this program often, and we work together to make Celebrate Recovery at MRCC a place where God gets the glory, and you are blessed each week as you work your recovery!

Grateful Believers,

Sheldon & Christi {T’s}

Andrew & Jen {E’s}

Nate & Karyn {A’s}

Travis & Angi {M’s}