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Showing posts from October, 2013

Keep Crowing for Jesus

Someone once said, " The young bird does not crow until it hears the old ones." I was thinking about this in the context of our small groups in CR. It is tempting at times for me to think, "I don't need to be in a small group anymore. I got this all figured out." The truth is, the minute I start thinking I have arrived is when I should be the most on guard.  It is the being a part of small groups that keeps me sharp and on my toes. My sharing of past victories, current struggles and fears, can and will,  not only bring hope to the newcomers, but maybe give them the courage to share themselves. This old bird will never stop crowing in a small group setting.  There is nothing like sharing from my own experience and then seeing the light bulb of hope go on in someone else.  Then...to hear them share and find healing as a result...now that's something worth shouting about. Keep crowing for Christ friends, it makes a difference! Rodney H

Balancing the System

When I worked in business we would frequently take an inventory of our stock. One of the purposes of this counting process was to ensure our stock was balanced with what the main system showed and to see if theft was taking place. If the counts didn't match up, we would evaluate our receiving  (how things came in the door) and shipping (how things went out the door) and correct the issues. In recovery, my taking of a moral inventory helps me keep things balanced and matching up with His plan for my life.  Keeping my side of the street clean helps me to receive and give much better fruit that honors The Lord. Is anything stealing your joy, peace, patience, kindness, or affecting the way you love others?  Trust me, it's worth the time and effort to stop and take an inventory. It gives us a blueprint for life change. "Happy are the pure in heart" Rodney Holmstrom

He Gives Me The Strength

We all face disappointments in  our life. It can be painful and even seem hopeless at times. If you are in the middle of one right now, remember this... God has the power to take our disappointments and strengthen us toward a better plan and life.  “Disappointments are Gods way of saying “I’ve got something better." Live life.. be patient, have faith.”  #celebraterecovery 

Keeping My Amends List Short

I can't worry about yesterday's or tomorrow's but, is there fruit in my life today?  Did I show love to others? Did I choose joy? Did i have peace sitting in traffic yesterday? Did i show patience with my family and friends? Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?Gal 5:22-23 is a great guide for my daily inventory. Not to shame or guilt myself but to point me to Christ with taking another step closer to Him. Have you done you daily inventory? It's gonna be a good day.

His Vision

Have you ever tried driving down the road only looking in the rear view mirror? Eventually, we will drive off the road cause we are focused on the wrong things. In the same way, my life can take my focus on the past rather that what is in front of me, my future. "Where there is no vision (revelation), the people (perish) cast off restraint." Proverbs 29:18 In recovery, the enemy is so diligent of trying to get me to look in the rear view mirror and wallow in my stuff. Christ tells us to look out the windshield with a vision of a renewed life and hope. How is your vision today friend? Are you looking in the rear view mirror or in front of you with great anticipation for a vision of new life? Let's keep our eyes forward and up toward the Father. He has a plan for you and I and it is good. Rodney Holmstrom

Any Excuse Will Do

Any excuse will do....  One thing I have learned about excuses is that they are like Lay's Potato chips, I can never just eat just one. The root of this kind of thinking is fear and doubt. At some point I had to stop and say "enough excuses" and step away.....from the bag of excuses.  I had to replace my doubt and fear with courage and belief that He could change me. For me I am grateful that while I still fall on my face making mistakes, The Lord is replacing "I can't because..."  with "But now...I don't have to live enslaved to addictions, I don't have to live in fear any longer. I don't have to be frozen in my muck anymore!" It takes courage to step out and believe He has the power to help us recover.  Is there an excuse keeping you stuck in the starters box? No more excuses, doubt or fear. Change begins now but you have to step toward Him. "Come near to God and He will come near to you." James 4:8 Rodne