Going The Speed Limit

I have a confession to share. It's one of the many reasons I attend Celebrate Recovery and just about every week I need a new blue chip for it. Hi, my name is Gabby, I'm a grateful believer in Jesus and I struggle with impatiently driving behind old ladies in the fast lane and navigating through a school zone while running behind.

Yes, I like to pretend that I am Jeff Gordon while on the road, so sue me. Just kidding, please don't, unless I accidentally sideswiped your car, then I'm sorry. I'm only saying that when I am unable to go the speed that I WANT to go I get upset.

If the German Autobahn allows people to go as fast as they like, then why should I have to slow down? Captain Barbossa from Pirates of the Caribbean best summarizes speed limits when he described the Pirate’s Code, "They're more like guidelines anyway." Daily I like to believe that I can go as fast as I please, but with the Lord and Celebrate Recovery I am reminded that sometimes I need to slow down.

I remember when I first started coming to Celebrate Recovery; I had just ended an addicting and abusive relationship and needed some guidance. Immediately I joined a step study and began to work the steps of recovery. I knew that step studies took over nine months to complete but by month two I was wondering why I wasn't "healing" and "letting go" of my past hurts sooner.

Recently I have been reflecting on the importance of having an accountability team and have found what huge role they play in my own recovery. My support team is like the speed limit signs that are found on the streets. With assistance from my sponsor and accountability partner, I was able to adapt to my own pace and make progress within my recovery.

Whenever I'm trying to speed down the recovery highway, my sponsor will pull me over and remind me that there is not a quick fix. When I am drifting away, paralyzed from fear, or just stagnant in my recovery, my accountability partner will come up and honk her horn (in a loving way, not the mean tailgating nonsense) reminding me that I need to pick up the pace. Either way, having a support team is essential for me to continue taking one step at a time.

Grateful Believer,

Gabby

Made to Heal

I am not a confident cook. On the other hand, my husband gets gourmet-rock-star treatment whenever he enters a kitchen. It's a little intimidating.

So, when he's out of town, as he was a few days ago, I have a couple of choices: To cook, or feel a little guilty, throwing a fast-food bag on the table. This time, I chose to balance a pinch of cooking with a smattering of guilt. 

Somehow, in just slicing up hotdogs for a cooking experiment  (photo of which will not be shared here), I sliced open the palm of my hand.

It wasn't a deep cut, but I watched it closely. I was amazed the next day how the cut was already closing up a little. Now, several days later, it's almost back to normal. 

God made my hand to heal itself. I'm no biologist, but it's clear that as soon as I've been injured, my body goes to work to set things right.

God made our hearts like that too. Even my negative habits are a result of my trying to cope, deal with pain, and heal. God created that desire in us - to seek relief and set things right. Jesus is waiting for us to turn to him to heal our hurts, our habits, our hangups. 

- Grateful Believer, 

Angi

Why Am I Not "Recovered" Yet?

Hello!  I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ who struggles with lust, overeating, and am recovering from divorce.  My name is Bryant.

 

I came across these words of encouragement from the Celebrate Recovery Texas State Rep, Paul Schnee and wanted to share them with you. 
If you are new to CR and wondering why some people have been in the program for so long, you need to read this.  If you are a CR veteran and have felt discouraged about continuing to "be in recovery", you need to read this.  If you have never attended CR yourself, but you have a friend or family member who has been in CR for a while, you need to read this.  If you have clicked the link and are on this webpage, then you're on it for a reason -- you need to read this.

 

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Not long ago someone asked me why I wasn't recovered yet. They were judging me as weak because I continue in Celebrate Recovery. CR happens to be one of the greatest spiritual growth and discipleship ministries available to the modern church. But it is a process.

And I am weak. Seriously, can I earn my way into God's favor? Can I use my own strength to recover? Will I stop learning and growing this side of God's kingdom?

 

I'm a work in progress on the road to sanctification (recovery). Only Christ can finish what he has started:)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)

...let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance... (Proverbs 1:5)

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)

 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God's Got This!

All of my life, I have had a paralyzing fear of public speaking. In fact, I have avoided things that I desperately wanted to do, when I discovered that public speaking would be involved. So, it is not surprising that up until about 6 months ago, I would have sworn that I would NEVER give my testimony. I specifically asked people on multiple occasions, to stop asking me to do so, because it was never going to happen. But something happened last August that began changing my heart.

I had the privilege of attending the annual Celebrate Recovery Summit in California. One of the very first speakers stood up, and started describing his journey into becoming an inspirational speaker. Now, let me just say, that I have ALWAYS believed that God speaks to me through others. So, this gentleman starts talking about how he went into the radio-industry, because he never had to talk in front of a visible audience. He too was deathly afraid of public speaking. And then he said something I will never forget. He said, "God uses people too" and began describing that God will place people and situations in your life, in order for you to receive a specific message. God put someone special in his life, that started his journey from overcoming his intense fear, to traveling around the country and using his story to inspire others. THAT day, God placed THAT man in my life, to tell me that it was time to share my story. And for the first time, I literally felt God breathing into me, the words that I needed to say.

That very day, I made the commitment to share my testimony, and I trusted God to deliver the message that He wanted, and not that I wanted. This isn't to say that I was suddenly relieved of fear, because I definitely wasn't. But God always placed the perfect people in my life to encourage me at just the right time, and to help relieve any insecurity or fear that I was feeling. One of my step-study sisters sent me a simple text almost everyday that said "God's Got This." This reminded me on a daily basis, to let go of my control and fear. I was also reminded on several occasions, that this was not MY story to tell, it was GOD'S. I was merely a vessel. Lastly, I was assured that any insecurity or fear that I was feeling, was not from God. Satan did not want me to share this story, and he was prepared to throw anything in my path, that would've kept me from doing so.

Two weeks ago, I finally did it!! I stood in front of a large group of people, and shared my story. My ugly, dirty, sad, redemptive, joyful, and beautiful story. And something incredible happened! People still loved me! I could not believe the out-pouring of love that I felt. Somehow, I pictured that I would feel ashamed after sharing the darkness of my past. To be honest, I have never felt as secure in who I am, as I felt that night. Since then, I have received countless phone-calls, text-messages, and emails, thanking me for sharing my story. I have been blessed by hearing how my testimony has touched other people's lives. God has truly taken my mess, and made it His message! And I hate that I kept that message to myself for so long!

If you've never given your testimony, PLEASE consider doing so! No matter what your hurt, habit, or hang-up, there will always be someone that God puts in your path who NEEDS to hear your story! And stop worrying...God's Got This!!

Grateful Believer,
Amy

CR@OC

Memorial Road has always had a tight bond with the neighboring university, Oklahoma Christian.  As a matter of fact, when Memorial Road opened its doors in the 60’s, it was actually known as the College Church, not MRCC.   This week our Celebrate Recovery ministry is front and center at OC – literally front and center!  Five Celebrate Recovery participants are sharing a mini-testimony each day this week in chapel!   God is good!

Two members of our CR team have been instrumental in getting things kicked off at OC.  Sheldon Adkins & Jen Escobar have worked hard to make sure this week would happen.  This is the 2^nd year that Sheldon worked with OC administration to get CR testimonies in chapel.  It’s amazing - CR introductions can quiet 1000 college students down pretty quickly!   But, CR introductions usually are attention getting, they do get people to stop and listen.  Why?  Because CR introductions are honest and transparent – and most people aren’t used to hearing such honesty.

Jen had an idea this past summer to see if OC would work with our CR group and offer the bible study Life’s Healing Choices on campus.   Life's Healing Choices offers freedom from our hurts, hang-ups, and habits through eight healing choices that promise true happiness and life transformation. Using the Beatitudes of Jesus as a foundation, Rick Warren and John Baker, developed the eight choices shared in this book.   OC was happy to offer the group study to their students and those groups will be beginning this coming Monday night! God is good!  Two men from our CR group will lead the guys group study, and two women from our group will lead the gals group study.  What a great way for our program to give back  by reaching out to these young men and women.  

I asked Sheldon to sum up what our goal is this week at OC’s chapel and I loved his response, “ It’s a great opportunity to share the redemptive power of Christ with students who sit where we sat.  I pray that our stories will let other see God’s love for every person – no matter how broken!”  That’s powerful. 

Most students probably won’t  jump up this week and say, “I need recovery!”  Our prayer is that we have planted a seed - that Christ has planted a seed.  A seed that someday, when that student is ready, or has hit rock bottom,  they remember the words of hope that they heard this week – and Christ will lead them to find healing through Him.

Please be in prayer this week that hearts are touched this week!

Grateful Believer,

Karyn

I celebrate the testimony of my Lord...

My fierce brothers and sisters who are battling on the road to recovery, listen and soak in God’s Word for you today:  “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of God, and the authority of his Christ.  For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.  They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Rev. 12:10-11)  Did you catch it?  We have overcome our accuser by two things: 1) the blood of Jesus! 2) by the word of our testimony.  What is your testimony of the Lord in your life?  Are you using it to defeat your accuser and encourage others to follow Him? 

I celebrate the testimony of my Lord and the testimony of others who have overcome!  This past weekend I attended an intense, rich weekend away with a group of men.  It was not a retreat!  It was 48 hours of wrestling with God and seeking hard after His heart.  Philippians 2:12-13 talks about the hard work to grow and mature in our salvation while at the same time God is working in us to bring about His good will and purpose for our lives.  That is good stuff!  During this weekend event, there were hours alone with God reading Scripture, reflecting on it, praying it and then listening for what God wanted to teach me through that time.  There were also times of deep, healing confessionals and testimonies.

Through this time of sharing and listening to others, God began to uncover within my heart areas of sin that I had justified.  I got caught in the comparison trap. I would say things like, “Well, at least, I’m not doing that.  My issue is not as serious or hurtful as that, so I’m good.”  That comparison trap has a name.  At Celebrate Recovery, we call that denial!  And I was neck deep in it…barely breathing. 

God is faithful and good!  Through the power of these men’s testimonies, the Spirit of God lit a fire within me and I found the courage to share.  And it is through that confession and testimony that the process of healing has begun and I feel the freedom to live in Jesus today!  Remember, these two Scriptures that have set us free:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

“Therefore, there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

We are not only set free from our sin because of Christ; but, we are set free to live in freedom in Christ.  This is where we continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling…not with a big stick that we beat ourselves down with, but with a spirit of freedom in Jesus.  There is no condemnation, but freedom for those that follow Jesus. 

I’m thankful for Jesus today, and I celebrate the testimony that he has given to me and you.  Run hard after Him today my friends.  I love you all.

Grateful believer,

Micah

Experiencing God.

Experiencing God.  What comes to your mind when you read those words.  I would challenge you to think about this:  there is a world of difference between knowing something to be true in your head (sheer facts) and experiencing the reality of that truth in your life.  As a seven year old I knew about the story of Noah and the ark.  I knew all the flannel graph facts.  I knew the ark was made of cypress wood and was 450 feet long.  I knew Noah was a righteous man and did everything just as God commanded him.  Animals two by two…forty days and forty nights…I knew about the story.  But in the fall of 1986 in Muskogee, OK I distinctly remember connecting the cognitive facts of this story to my heart when I experienced God for the first time.

It was described as a hundred year flood.  The little creek that ran through my neighborhood and directly behind my house slowly rose to the point that it looked like the Arkansas River.  Now, it did not rain for forty days and nights, but to me - as a seven year old – it felt like it.  It was a constant rain – at times torrential down pours – for three days.  The water level rose to the point that most homes on my block were under water and families were evacuating on National Guard rescue boats.  My family’s home sat on the highest elevation point on the street and when the rain stopped the water was ten feet from my front and back door.

To say that I was frightened would be an understatement.  I can remember my mind flipping through scenarios that included our home being swept away by the water; my family drowning in the flood; the National Guard boat not returning to rescue my family.  And then two amazing things happened simultaneously:  1) God spoke to me in my heart through His Holy Spirit, he said, “Do not fear.  I am with you.” 2) the largest, most radiant rainbow I’ve ever seen stretched across the sky.  And it was in that moment in time for me at seven years old that my knowledge about God became real for me.  I was personally experiencing God’s covenant that he made with Noah in Genesis 9.  I was experiencing God’s love and faithfulness firsthand.

                So, when is the last time you have experienced God?  When is the last time something you knew to be true cognitively became a living reality for you and your life?  Perhaps, after a job loss, God provided a source of income or a new job you were not expecting.  Maybe, after the loss of a loved one, he provided new life in the form of a new child, grandchild or new relationships.  For you, maybe God delivered you and redeemed you from a life of addiction.  Whatever that addiction was, Jesus snapped the chains of bondage and you are now free.   Perhaps, you have experienced God through forgiveness via your conversion story, a broken relationship, a survivor of abuse, the target of ridicule, whatever your specific situation, through Jesus you were able to extend or receive forgiveness and now you truly know the gravity of God’s amazing grace. 

                Be thankful for those moments when you have experienced God in a tangible way.  But remember this: the God who loves, lives inside of you in the person, the Holy Spirit.  Find time to be in step with the Spirit and realize that you are experiencing God every moment of every day.

Grateful believer,

Micah

Six Years.

Our God is the God who saves and restores.  Six years ago, January 13, 2006, we opened our doors at Celebrate Recovery at Memorial Road Church of Christ.  I vividly remember that it was a cool, but sunny winter day.  I had been very meticulous in setting everything up just right for all those that God had prepared to attend that first meeting.  I wanted everything to be just right.  Warm.  Welcoming.   Hospitable.  I did not want to give anyone an excuse to not come back.  Then, it happened.  The first participant at our Celebrate Recovery walked through the doors at a few minutes before six.  Mike had his head bowed low and was not sure why he was there; but, he knew he needed help and he was hungry.

Fast forward six years to January 13, 2012.  Mike walked through our doors – not alone this time – but with his wife.  God has not only saved and restored his life, but his marriage as well.  His head was not bowed low, but I could see his smile from ear to ear the moment he walked through the door.  This past Friday night at our 6^th Anniversary Service Mike and his wife, Kay, received their six year CR chip.  And that is just one of the dozens and dozens of stories that God has written through his grace, mercy, love and forgiveness over the past six years.  During Recovery Recognition, hands went flying up and people were shouting in joyful declaration, “Two years! Four years! Six years!  One year!”  Our huggers that passed out the chips could not keep up with all those celebrating what God has done in their lives.

After Recovery Recognition was over, I was speechless (this is a state of mind that is very difficult for me to obtain – I know this is hard for many of you to believe – but it’s true).  We were in the very presence of the Almighty Savior that had saved and restored so many lives, and we were His witnesses on Friday night.  That led us into an amazing time of worship and testimony time.  The testimony shared was our program’s first family testimony.  All five members of the Jason Hosch family shared from their recovery journey through CR and the Landing.  It was very inspirational to all in attendance and shows the power of God working not only in individual lives, but in families as well. 

God has been so good to all of us, and Friday night we had a powerful reminder of his goodness and love.  My prayer is that He will continue to do this good work among us.  May we never grow tired of being the witnesses of changed lives through the power of Jesus Christ at Celebrate Recovery!    

Grateful Believer,

Micah