I celebrate ______________

My name is Nate. I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ and I celebrate CONTINUED GROWTH.

It feels like I’ve been in recovery for a long time… it’s been five and a half years to be exact. In a lot of ways it feels like I should have a Master’s Degree in recovery by now. I’ve been through Advanced Leadership Training 2 or 3 times, to the Celebrate Recovery Summit in California 2 times, served as TEAM Trainer and now serve as the TEAM Assimilation Coach, whatever that means. I’ve been a part of 4 Step-Studies and even “included outside counseling when I was ready.”

It’s been a good journey. But… for someone who struggles with spiritual pride, (meaning I often believe that I’ve got this ‘Christian-thing’ figured out) life can get discouraging when I feel like I’ve got all the head-knowledge and insight I need, but still struggle to make it all come together when it’s time to put that knowledge into action.

That’s why I’m celebrating CONTINUED GROWTH.

I recently joined my 5^th Step Study…and even though we are only 4 short lessons into the Steps, I am already amazed and excited about what God is teaching me. I just ‘thought’ I had it all figure out.  It has been a true blessing to see how God is continuing to use the ‘same-old-questions’ from the Step Study Participants Guides to teach me more about myself than I had ever been willing to see.

I am so grateful that God knows me better than I know myself and that he continues to ‘Peel the Onion’ of my hurts hang-ups and habits despite my prideful attitudes and beliefs.

Ephesians 1:17

 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Grateful Believer,

Nate

I Celebrate….being a NEW creation!

Tell me once again who I am to You, that I belong to You . . . 

A song that has been touching my heart lately is "Remind Me Who I Am" by Jason Gray.  One of the great things I have learned through Celebrate Recovery is that I am no longer the person I used to be.  Jesus says I am a new creation!  Where the world has labeled me, criticized me, and condemned me . . . Jesus has loved me, accepted me, and changed me!

The world calls us, "addict," "alcoholic," "co-dependent," "victim," etc. . . Jesus calls us, "children," "beloved," "chosen people."

The world tells us we are guilty . . . Jesus tells us we are forgiven!

The world tells us to get even, hold grudges, and refuse to forgive . . . Jesus tells us that He will help us to forgive others.

The world says, "You're gonna pay for that!" . . . Jesus says, "I already did."

The world looks at us with hatred, contempt, and condemnation . . . Jesus looks at us with love, grace, and compassion.

Too often we can get caught up in how the world sees us and what the world tells us.  If we have turned our lives and wills over to God, all we need to be concerned with is how He sees us and what He tells us!

~Fellow Grateful Believer

(Borrowed from the Heartland Vineyard Celebrate Recovery blog)

I Celebrate ……BEING WORTHY!

For many years of my life I did not feel like I was worthy to serve God.  I did not feel that I could do anything right in God’s eyes.  I felt like I was a sinner that didn’t know anything about the bible.  I felt like I was just a guy that went to church and could never say a prayer, read scripture, or teach a lesson.   I was not born with a bible in my hand, and didn't feel worthy because I didn't grow up in the church.

Today I am here, and I'm WORTHY!  Through the principles and steps of Celebrate Recovery I feel worthy to serve God.  I now feel that God has offered me grace and forgiveness over my unworthiness.  I feel that He has given me trials in my life to lead me to become the person I am today.  Today I look forward to saying a prayer, reading scripture, and teaching a lesson. 

Last week I was honored to go into a college classroom and speak about Celebrate Recovery in front of 32 college students.  I felt worthy to do this.  I feel like God has prepared me to be a minister and serve Him in this way. 

Worthiness only comes from God.  I truly believe that God has delivered me from the past and will continue to lead me in the future.  I now realize that I don’t have to know everything in the bible and I don’t have to know everything about life.  All I have to do is look towards God and he will get me through. 

So, do you feel worthy to serve our God?

Grateful Believer,

Travis

I Celebrate... BALANCE!

Before recovery, I was a person of extremes! My eating habits, my control issues, my spending habits, and most of all my emotions were all over the place. I was either being restrictive and extremely strict or I was indulging and out of control. When something bad happened, it was truly like the end of the world. If someone hurt me, I just completely cut them out of my life. In a few years, I found myself alone. I wanted to live in a black and white world.  I have just recently been able to admit that I felt more comfortable in chaos then when things seemed to be going good. I could not enjoy life when it was good because then I was just in constant anticipation of what bad was coming next. Living in this constant turmoil not only had an effect on my relationships but it also took its toll on my health.

Since I began seeing a counselor almost 9 years ago and then attending Celebrate Recovery now for 4 years this September, I feel like I become more balanced in all areas of life. I am able to truly experience happiness without anxiety. I am a much more present mom physically and emotionally. I am more patient in all areas of my life. I do not feel like I am on the defensive and being attacked personally whenever there is a form of conflict in my life. I am able to truly listen to someone without the intent of fixing or advising.  I have become more comfortable with the gray areas that life truly resides in. My perfectionism is something I feel I will always struggle with but now I see it as a warning sign when it comes up. When I notice I am participating in perfectionistic tendencies I ask myself  "What am I really trying to control?" I think there are many things that have helped me to have more emotional balance. I think my sponsor, my accountability partners, attending CR, and my quiet time each day with God have helped me keep my frame of reality in check and switch my thinking in extremes (ALWAYS, NEVER, EVER) to a one-day-at-a-time mentality. So with that said, today I celebrate.... BALANCE!

 

Grateful Believer,

Jen 

 



I CELEBRATE...taking off my mask!

I can't believe it's been a little over 8.5 years since my husband and I got married. That is a LONG time and yet it seems like just a couple of years ago. Maybe it's because I've been in an autopilot coma for many stretches of it! It's definitely been a roller-coaster. Honestly, it's a miracle I'm even able to blog about this. In March, on our 8th year anniversary, we were not even living together. We had a settlement we both agreed to and in June, I had finally felt at peace with the decision to go our separate ways. We even had a counseling session over how to tell the kids, which turned into something much different.

 I really can't even remember what particular thing happened that changed our marriage, I just know we took a different path...and I'm very glad we did!

These 8 years have definitely not been a Cinderella story. There needs to be a sequel where Cinderella and Prince Charming get beat up with sicknesses, have a couple demanding jobs, several sad family situations, painful events, and bad coping skills...yet still make it through alive. That is what Happily Ever After really means!!

I don't have a sappy ending that says our life is perfect now, but we are probably more open and closer than we ever have been. I do believe there is always hope for a marriage when both are committed and have positive encouraging support.

As for just life, there's been another hurtful event this year and I've never been one to stay in the victim mentality very long. It's completely counterproductive, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm currently there. I've always liked to think there is a reason for everything, a blessing in every storm, a silver lining. At the same time, I think it is totally OK to be sick and tired of finding the silver lining. Sometimes things are hard and I don't care that there will be a blessing later on, I just want to punch something and scream “it's not fair!!” It's a normal place to be, but dangerous when I’m there alone. I've struggled spiritually, emotionally, and physically many times in my life, but especially this year. Thankfully, through Celebrate Recovery and other small groups and prayer groups at church, I've found great friends that are willing to listen. Friends who will pray for me when I can't. 

If you are struggling, reach out. If I didn't have some of the friends I have, this story most likely would have been a lot different. 

Masks are stupid. Reality is more effective.

Grateful Believer,

KT

The Journey

The idea of recovery being a journey is something I have come to appreciate. It has been easier to appreciate parts of the journey more than others. I know for me, some days the victories are easier to count. When I look back at what my life was like before recovery I feel like I was just existing. Today I feel like most days are filled with "purpose-filled" living.  I still get discouraged some days, but there is a verse I like to go to when those days come:

"So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion." Hebrews 10:35 (The Message)

I know that without the recovery journey I would not be the grateful believer in Jesus I am today and that is the biggest reason I Celebrate Recovery.

Grateful Believer,
Jen

What To Expect At Your First CR Meeting

Each year our Celebrate Recovery ministry is blessed by growing numbers in the Fall!  School is back in session, people aren’t traveling as much, and our Divorce Care for Kids ministry starts back up – all of these things mean we have more folks on Friday nights at CR!  We love it!

 If you are new to recovery or to Celebrate Recovery, we understand that attending your first meeting can be intimidating (it was for us too!). Here's what you can expect the first time you attend our group at MRCC.

 {Before I do a breakdown of Friday nights, you should know we have CR each and every Friday night.  Rain or Shine. Christmas Eve, New Year Day, Day after Thanksgiving – it doesn’t matter, we’re always there!}

DINNER 6 pm 

This week we will move back to Fellowship Central until next Summer.  Yay!  (If you don't know where Fellowship Central is - enter MRCC on the south side of the building under the awning, it's large room when you walk through the doors!  You can't miss us.) We eat dinner in fellowship central, and the food is always awesome!  Dinner is FREE your first week, but after that it’s only $3 per person OR $5 for a family!  (Best deal in town!) You do not have to come to dinner to come to Celebrate Recovery, it’s optional.

 (At this point, ALL children attend FREE childcare that is provided. If it’s your first time, we will help you find where your kiddos need to go.)

LARGE GROUP: 7pm - 8pm

1.       Welcome & Worship - Both men and women gather in Fellowship Central to start the meeting. We like to get our hearts ready by singing a few worship songs together.  The leader will welcome the group as we get started for the evening.

 2.       8 Biblical Principles Read Aloud - An important part of the Celebrate Recovery program is learning and understanding the 12 Steps and 8 Principles. Two participants from our CR group will introduce themselves and read the 8 Principles aloud to the group.

 3.       Announcements – We have several different male CR participants that do announcements each week.  They will talk about our Newcomers 101 Class as well as talk about any other announcements that need to be made.

 4.       Recovery Recognition – We pass out recovery recognition chips (small coins that represent time in recovery, 24 hours, 1 month, 6 months etc) to those that are celebrating recovery in different areas of their lives.  A male and female CR participant will come to the front of the room and they hand out chips to those that raise their hands requesting one.  Don’t worry, you only get a chip if you raise your hand.  ; )

 5.       Lesson or Personal Testimony - Each Friday night we rotate between a lesson on one of the 12 Steps, or personal testimony. During the  lesson night the speaker will focus on one step as it relates to recovery. During a personal testimony, we invite our Celebrate Recovery participants (or guest speakers from other CR ministries) to share his/her personal story with us. Testimony nights can often be powerful and emotional, but may help you relate to others in recovery.

 6.       Serenity Prayer - Before breaking into open share groups, we will say the Serenity Prayer aloud together.

OPEN SHARE GROUPS: 8pm - 9pm

After the large group format, men and women separate into smaller groups to share on a more intimate level.

 For your first meeting, you will attend our Newcomers 101 Class with any other newcomers. Two CR leaders will explain the Celebrate Recovery program in more depth and answer any questions you may have. Men and women within the 101 class will then be separated into two groups and the leader of your group may ask you additional questions.

COMMON GROUNDS: 9pm

Fellowship is an important part of recovery, so after the open share groups we gather in Fellowship Central for snacks and to spend time getting to know one another. This is a great time to ask more questions and get to know others in your recovery group.

Obviously those of us that attend CR on a regular basis usually stay for each minute, from 6PM-10PM because we love it!  BUT some of us didn’t start out like that...LIKE ME!!  When I started coming, I came to large group and then jumped in my car and took off.   That’s okay, if that’s where you need to start.   It wasn’t until I started coming for a while that I realized I was seeing changes and if I stayed in open share, and got to know people….it was helping!  God was using this place on Friday nights to change me.  GO at your own pace!

If you’ve never been to Celebrate Recovery before we hope you’ll join us.  The hardest part is walking across the parking lot!   If you’ve been before, and you’re a regular who’s personally SEEN how God has used this program to change your life – who have you told lately?!?!  Tell someone about Him, and about how Friday nights has changed your life.

Grateful Believer,

Karyn