tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68315528123149489422024-02-06T21:46:13.525-06:00God is moving in CRThis site serves as an opportunity for CR encouragement, shared changed life stories, resources, and mini-testimonies.CR @ Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032262534774907122noreply@blogger.comBlogger724125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-79186200018904144952021-12-08T13:16:00.001-06:002021-12-08T13:16:57.294-06:00Imago Dei<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Rogers CR Training Coach, 12/8/21</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.25px;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXpjLtKSvb1Df_GvBXrdmMLVgPPi0WZLul5d9u3x2C7e-OzsGMilTeFRbv5kYVVWDZHfLJv1lR1k1YH2o-DykXs2vWjI5cgbqxPPLobQioXVVojZMp6nQ6ZIJWx7SZJU2Z5LiQZyfiTn04Ynqdyo9p9kNNtgFd99y6-z6puJZAQWqAIrBJjjnAyFP2iA=s940" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXpjLtKSvb1Df_GvBXrdmMLVgPPi0WZLul5d9u3x2C7e-OzsGMilTeFRbv5kYVVWDZHfLJv1lR1k1YH2o-DykXs2vWjI5cgbqxPPLobQioXVVojZMp6nQ6ZIJWx7SZJU2Z5LiQZyfiTn04Ynqdyo9p9kNNtgFd99y6-z6puJZAQWqAIrBJjjnAyFP2iA=s320" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;">Recently my wife and I got up early, and we
saw the most amazing sunrise! Then, we went into town to get a cup of coffee
together. While we were driving to the coffee shop, we witnessed the most
beautifully colored trees! Did you know that there is no tree exactly the same?
There may be trees that are similar in height or size, but each tree is uniquely
made different. Just like you and me! Each of us are uniquely different and
special. There is a Latin word, Imago Dei, that means “Image of God.”
You and I were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and He does not make
junk! What’s incredible is that while we are made in His image, we are each
uniquely made special.</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><br /></span></span></span></p><span style="background-color: white;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Sometimes I can get discouraged as the enemy
points out what I consider to be flaws in my body or character. For instance, I
have a really loud voice. I have always had a loud voice, and it got me into
trouble multiple times while in school growing up. Sometimes people will ask me
to lower my voice because I am speaking too loudly. I also tend to lean forward
when I walk and run. When I was young, I remember some people nicknaming me
“Twinkle Toes.” It was meant fondly but sometimes it would hurt my feelings
because it wasn’t something I could change about myself. I was also born with
seven permanent teeth missing. When my permanent teeth came in, pushing my baby
teeth out, there were several baby teeth that were left in my mouth to this
day. Those teeth have changed color and don’t look right. This is embarrassing
to me and sometimes I wish I could afford to have this fixed.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;">The enemy loves to bring my attention to my flaws and uses them to discourage me. However, God loves me just the way I am.
Look at these passages:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;">Psalms 139:13-14 says, “For you created my
inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I
am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full
well.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Isaiah 64:8 says, “Yet you, Lord, are our
Father. We are the clay; you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;">Finally, in Ephesians 2:10 it says, “For we
are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the
good things he planned for us long ago.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;">So, when the enemy starts pointing out your
flaws and tries to discourage you, remember you are God’s masterpiece, and He
loves you just the way you are! I hope you are doing well my friend, and I pray
this word encourages you to continue to walk with Jesus. Have a blessed day!</span></p><br /></span><p></p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-36854046820523667422021-12-01T12:55:00.003-06:002021-12-01T12:55:58.075-06:00Share Your Story<p> By Carl Kimbro. Fellowship Bible Church Devotional Team, 12/1/2021</p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEv3t2IQ8ocXcA7vsT1iDF7K1_a912TBjvEaqD-koTn3Jt5n3jY0si2RGTDs-sT79_SMVj4pau8bwE2-Yd-zssqPhBQVLNF4OmdVsnNDfa8TsrDq1iOEyd8IDXvhlebfKXL5cA9uTBfhC25fhdLKWcA5wPNuDt_B7e9t9MU_BJKhyl9syCdOvTl4Ffyg=s940" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEv3t2IQ8ocXcA7vsT1iDF7K1_a912TBjvEaqD-koTn3Jt5n3jY0si2RGTDs-sT79_SMVj4pau8bwE2-Yd-zssqPhBQVLNF4OmdVsnNDfa8TsrDq1iOEyd8IDXvhlebfKXL5cA9uTBfhC25fhdLKWcA5wPNuDt_B7e9t9MU_BJKhyl9syCdOvTl4Ffyg=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">When we are struggling, we think about almost nothing else other than deliverance from our “hurts, habits & hang ups.” Often, we just want to give up and give in to the struggles we are facing. Attending Celebrate Recovery, we see people serving God and making a difference in the lives of others. We are thankful for them in our lives but in contrast, some of us have convinced ourselves that God could never use us like that.</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">God never lets a hurt go to waste. If we are willing to be used by Him,
He will make our imperfections the very thing that leads others to freedom in
Christ.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD,
because they have called you an outcast: “It is Zion, for whom no one seeks
after!” </span></span></u></i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah 30:17</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">For
several years myself and a friend named Don have been leading a version of
Life’s Healing Choices along with a small Bible Study group at Returning Home, a
re-entry house for men in Springdale. Every ten weeks we ask someone to come
and give their testimony. Recently, Derrick and LaNette from our CR family each
shared their stories with the men in our group. They brought to life their own
struggles with addiction, prison, lack of self-worth, and much more. Their
stories resonated with the group. Each time they shared a struggle a defeat or
a victory, you could see men nodding their heads. But more than that, you could
see that through their victories, the men found something they really needed,
and that was HOPE. Men who saw no end to their sins and struggles, suddenly saw
through Derrick and LaNette that victory was possible in a relationship with
Jesus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><i style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The
Harvest is great, but the workers are few.</span></u></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"> <b>Matthew 9:37</b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">What
did Derrick and LaNette have in common? Both never imagined they could be free from
their addictions. They never dreamed they would have something to offer fellow
strugglers. They never thought they would share their story in front of a group
of strangers. They never thought their story could lead anyone to Christ. Yet,
when they heard Jesus say: “the harvest is great, but the workers are few,” they
put aside their fears, and they went out to share the good news of their victory
in Jesus. And God used their stories in miraculous ways.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
have so many in our Celebrate Recovery family who, like Derrick and LaNette, share their lives and their stories with others. Perhaps you are not yet one of
them but would like to be. I encourage you to pray about it and consider how
your story can change the lives of others. Then look for opportunities to share
it. I promise you that you will both give and receive a blessing when you share
what Christ has done in your life. I look forward to hearing your story someday
soon.</span></p><br /><p></p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-62023919681572564252021-11-17T17:07:00.000-06:002021-11-17T17:07:30.435-06:00God's Perfect Peace<p> By Carl Kimbro, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team, 11/17/21</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYyoDjbbx4AOIUEsfjUch0bJifMQ9dOudJDBHrvzXfRlbr2FQe4b6av07tt5Iggc64YYbjl92oH_YfpQP8CoZG83wj88kUHYti-OMV7Bt1w0t_vOTv_8OyJzhQ-zEss0w3NU6WTGjehxvla_6cLDkLM0aR7mzytYRYkLuUUa2rK2V-mLBjlaUbuRTtOQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYyoDjbbx4AOIUEsfjUch0bJifMQ9dOudJDBHrvzXfRlbr2FQe4b6av07tt5Iggc64YYbjl92oH_YfpQP8CoZG83wj88kUHYti-OMV7Bt1w0t_vOTv_8OyJzhQ-zEss0w3NU6WTGjehxvla_6cLDkLM0aR7mzytYRYkLuUUa2rK2V-mLBjlaUbuRTtOQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Recently, the focus question for Friday night open share at Celebrate Recovery involved these words from the Serenity Prayer: “Accepting hardship as a pathway
to peace.” I spent many nights repeating those words over and over and asking
God to let that be true in my chaotic, stressful life where peace didn’t seem
to exist.<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">When I think of the word “peace,” I think of a relaxed
person in tune with both God and the world around them. A person at peace has a
mind that doesn’t feel mentally fatigued and is free from worry and stress. I view peace as something that comes from
turning our troubles, worries, fears and cares over to God. Doing this isn’t
always easy. For myself, I know the problem. It’s me not trusting Him to give
me peace. It’s me trying to find peace on my own apart from God.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>1 Peter 5:7</b> says,
<i><u>“Cast your anxiety on Him because He
cares for you”.</u></i> Peter is
explaining God’s expectations for behavior amongst His people. That this command
falls in the midst of struggles shows God expects trust to be a behavior and an
attitude. The behavior is a willingness to cast all our fears and worries on
Him. The attitude is expecting peace because God loves us and cares for us.
What peace would we have if we made it an automatic behavior of trust to cast our
anxiety on God, and believe He will give us rest from our worries? </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>God promises in <b>Isaiah
26:3</b> that if we trust Him; if our minds and thoughts are focused on Him,
then he will give us perfect peace. <i><u>“You will keep in perfect peace those whose
minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”</u></i> Knowing this, I can with absolute certainty
know God is with me every step of the way. His presence with me is the proof of
His peace in me. What an awesome truth – God loves us and he cares for us. He
imparts peace on us when we trust in Him to do so. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">One other proof for me of God giving us His peace is Friday
nights at Celebrate Recovery. There I see the miraculous healing power of God. I
see changed lives. I see hope where none existed before. I see people finding
the miracle they were looking for. It is a strong reminder that we are loved by
the all Powerful Creator of the universe. And if God is for us, how can
anxiety, fear and worry overcome us? The answer is it can’t if we turn our
worries over to Him and trust Him to take care of us.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-497143248717163172021-11-03T12:16:00.000-05:002021-11-03T12:16:31.240-05:00Fear of the Lord<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Rogers CR Training Coach, 11/3/21</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhR8HG0Y0JJma2p9fVBwVWsC0u3vuQwsofhPKu-AeulaiV5oaVvIJk3t3a5TH8XhbnQ6OJTyzV56t4FFzAoFci8c-gEh5RiLicURgANnsKJSE8AKzfi5LnxbTlLRKK4438apJ1N_j3QUUyyQ4vIhcW03o6L8ve-0MVh6R5fY-bD2Yb6mM1eyxgxYhyJ3g=s1880" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="1880" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhR8HG0Y0JJma2p9fVBwVWsC0u3vuQwsofhPKu-AeulaiV5oaVvIJk3t3a5TH8XhbnQ6OJTyzV56t4FFzAoFci8c-gEh5RiLicURgANnsKJSE8AKzfi5LnxbTlLRKK4438apJ1N_j3QUUyyQ4vIhcW03o6L8ve-0MVh6R5fY-bD2Yb6mM1eyxgxYhyJ3g=s320" width="320" /></a></div>What
do you think of when you hear the word fear? I immediately think of my
childhood worries. I was scared of the dark and would sometimes lay in bed
sweating in fear. I would worry that something was in my dark bedroom that
might hurt me. I was also scared of the ocean because I saw the movie Jaws when
I was 8 and was really afraid that a shark might eat me if I was to go into the
ocean. I remember being scared of a bully in my neighborhood who would get
physical if you didn’t do what he said. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
word <u>fear</u> seems to equate to being scared or really worried about
something. So, when the Bible says that I should <u>Fear</u> the Lord, I
immediately equate that to being scared of God.</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
Bible says in Proverbs 1:7, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“<i>The fear of the Lord is the
foundation of true knowledge</i>.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;">That’s
a huge claim and emphasizes the importance of fearing God. Proverbs
14:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape
from the snares of death.” That doesn’t sound like something I should be scared
of. Proverbs 19:23 says, “The fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security
and protection from harm.” These are positive attributes that make me question
my definition of fear. Take a look at Psalms 130:3-4, “Lord, if you kept a
record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness
that we might </span><b style="color: #222222;">learn to fear you</b><span style="color: #222222;">.” This verse gives me some insight
to fearing the Lord. How, do you feel when someone forgives you? I feel a
strong sense of gratefulness. Can fearing God make me feel grateful? Absolutely!
In 1 John chapter 4 it tells me that God is love and that His kind of love
expels all fear (1 John 4:18). So, if I’m not supposed to be afraid
of God then what does it mean to fear the Lord? The Hebrew word for fear is
Yirah which is translated as “Awe.” So, when the Bible says we are to fear the
Lord it means we are to revere Him, stand in awe of him, worship Him with
respect and wonder. This creates gratefulness in my heart and gives me the
right perspective in life. He is the creator God, worthy of my praise and
reverence. Another translation of Yirah is “Trembling.” However, this is NOT
trembling from being scared of something, but out of astonishment, admiration
and amazement!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;">Two
years ago my youngest daughter, Hadley, and I went to the highest peak in
Colorado. We climbed Mount Elbert. It was AMAZING! We were astonished as we
viewed God’s creation from the top of a mountain. As I fear God it leads me
into worship. This past summer I went to the Celebrate Recovery Summit in
Dallas. As I worshiped with 5,000 Christians, I cried tears of Joy that God had
saved me from my addiction and that he could use me in His service.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4472C4 1.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: .6in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4472C4 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10.0pt 0in 10.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in;">How about you? When was the last time you stopped to
fear God? I want to encourage you to do that right now. God is our Higher Power,
our Creator, and capable of a multitude of miracles in your life! I hope this devo finds
you in a good place but if not, take a moment to fear God and allow Him to
bring perspective to your life. May God bless you and your family this week!<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“And
they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to
receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and
blessing.” And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the
earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong
to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” And the
four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and
worshiped the Lamb.”</span></b><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Revelation 5:12-14 NLT</span></b></p><p></p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-24244861856948814542021-10-26T16:47:00.001-05:002021-10-26T16:47:10.568-05:00Used By God<p> By Carl Kimbro, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team, 10/27/21</p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPl9mWYemXOLhhfPnSGnKOJFB_foHajBgVw3O0H5TdjTOADEAA6D-K25XsUt1Nis5F5ip9AYe7vL22jWvIYxwGUfUneBo_lsVk9QWzz2O0D4QBC57501p-3eGDAtaTCGBUgBusBx5byN36BF-mC_2iYMtT8aShiZrj3g26O6H5lEMWsFYhSBz-FK90nw=s940" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPl9mWYemXOLhhfPnSGnKOJFB_foHajBgVw3O0H5TdjTOADEAA6D-K25XsUt1Nis5F5ip9AYe7vL22jWvIYxwGUfUneBo_lsVk9QWzz2O0D4QBC57501p-3eGDAtaTCGBUgBusBx5byN36BF-mC_2iYMtT8aShiZrj3g26O6H5lEMWsFYhSBz-FK90nw=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You probably have sat in Celebrate Recovery on a Friday night and heard a message </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">that touched you spiritually. You might have been impressed with the way a person </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">delivered the message. Maybe you thought: that was awesome, but I could never be </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">used like that. I could never stand up and talk from the stage because I would drop </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">dead from fright! You might be right. Maybe that’s not something you can do. But here is </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">the good news: you don’t have too. God may be calling you to be used in a different </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">way, one you are comfortable with, or one you haven’t even thought of yet. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Principle 8: </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>“Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>my example and my words.”</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Each of us has something to offer. Our hurts, habits, and hang ups have given us</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">unique experiences that God can use to be a witness to others. When our son went to</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">prison and his wife abandoned the girls with us, we thought we would die. We were</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">drowning in uncertainty, fear, and sorrow. The ship sunk, we were in a leaky lifeboat,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">and we only had one oar. Rowing to shore wasn’t an option. Only drowning in our</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">sorrows seemed like a sure thing. But God had other plans. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Christ.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">No one I know modeled Galatians 6:2 better than our fellow CR family members Wayne</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">and Vicki Kennedy. As we floated in that leaky lifeboat tossed about by the waves, they</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">threw us a lifeline and pulled us to shore. They had been through what were were/are</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">going through. Because of this, they started a care group at Fellowship called</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Grandparents as Parents, or GAP. We eagerly attended each meeting, soaking up their</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">love and mentoring. They lovingly poured into us and others in the group. They shared</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">in our victories and struggles equally. They never judged us, and led us with grace. It</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">took time, but slowly we began to heal from the hurt. And as the healing took place, they</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">encouraged us to take our hurts and use them to help others. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wayne and Vicki had a vision to take GAP to those in need. We saw the way they</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">modeled principal 8, and knew in our hearts God was calling us to do that too. They</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">began a new GAP group at Fellowship Fayetteville, and we began leading the group in</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rogers. Our desire is to model principle 8 for others the way they did for us. We had</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">good teachers, we trust in God’s guidance, and we are willing to go where God has led</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">us. We want to be Wayne and Vicki to others. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Has someone been Wayne and Vicki for you? Has their example touched your life? If</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">so, pray about how God can use you to live out principle 8 in your life. God will use your</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">experiences to change lives. The impact you have will be kingdom building and could</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">have an impact on generations to come. And I promise it will bless you too!</span></p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-49273503858692836832021-10-13T13:35:00.000-05:002021-10-13T13:35:40.690-05:00You Are Not Alone<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #37474f; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Rogers CR Training Coach, 10/13/21</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWuk80fCoir2Y_RGR3f2H8nVk6kSQeTUJOa0_qL2xyyBHJR_35ivCPNaisonldCTzhiQtTn4yAAl6sNvkj2JNElswHrHw_DBbqzbC9aO_Cu23gSq-pet-FkzDmDI9jq8Xeg77zRxoP3bO0CKo9dAZmsfZgkUcFbysFc0t2vqDyAIQ70Um24fLH-N5JEA=s1075" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1059" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWuk80fCoir2Y_RGR3f2H8nVk6kSQeTUJOa0_qL2xyyBHJR_35ivCPNaisonldCTzhiQtTn4yAAl6sNvkj2JNElswHrHw_DBbqzbC9aO_Cu23gSq-pet-FkzDmDI9jq8Xeg77zRxoP3bO0CKo9dAZmsfZgkUcFbysFc0t2vqDyAIQ70Um24fLH-N5JEA=s320" width="315" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’m living through a pretty good season of life right now. However, that wasn’t always the case. I recently was thinking back on a time that wasn’t so good. In December of 2008 things were not going well for my business and I felt very alone. Have you ever felt alone even though there were people all around you? I’ve noticed that when I’m going through trials the enemy comes in with the lie that I’m the only one who is experiencing hardship and that I am on my own. This simply is not true. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, there I was sitting at my office desk, preparing to leave work and head down to Texas with my family for Christmas with the in-laws. I was feeling depressed because my wife and I had recently went to our tax guy and he had informed us that we owed more taxes than we had the money to pay. This wasn’t a small amount of money and I had no idea how we were going to pay our taxes. Our national economy was falling quickly into a recession and since I’m in sales, the future looked bleak. I remember hearing a loud revving sound behind me out in the parking lot. Then, I hear squealing tires. Then, a car came crashing into my office sending me and my desk across the room! An elderly lady had just got her hair done, got into her car and was trying to leave. She was confused and thought her car was in gear, but it wasn’t. She pressed down hard on the accelerator and then reached down an put her car in gear. She thought she had put it in reverse but in actuality she put it in drive and shot forward like a rocket! Her car jumped the concrete lip on the sidewalk and came crashing into my office. Fortunately her back tires caught on the concrete lip and stopped her car from pushing me through the rest of the building. No one was hurt but it was a shock to say the least. I remember thinking, “Really God?” Things aren’t bad enough that you had to push an old lady through a building to hit me as well? But God was working and I didn’t know it. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I went to Texas with my family and I remember getting a call from my parents who told me that my Great Aunt’s house had burned to the ground. My Aunt was living with my parents and had her house rented out. No one got hurt but her house was completely destroyed. Again, I couldn’t understand why all these bad things were happening. Several weeks later, things were continuing to get worse financially for my business and I was quickly becoming worried about having to declare bankruptcy. Then, I got a call from the insurance company that represented the lady who crashed into my office. They said they wanted to compensate me for the damage to my office. They sent me a check for almost the exact amount I owed in taxes! My Great Aunt also got a large payment from the insurance company on her destroyed house and my parents gave me a portion of that money which helped to pay the bills for a few months. Wow! God provided in the midst of my troubles. There were several blessing from these events that I won’t go into details about but here’s the point. <b>I’m NEVER alone.</b> I may feel alone and things may look grim. But God is always working! Here are some verses to cling to if you are going through some troubles of your own:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="m_-2894051788384573029MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Psalms 34:18 - “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2894051788384573029MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Deuteronomy 31:8 - “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.”<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2894051788384573029MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Remember, the enemy wants you to believe you are the only one who is experiencing hardship and that you are alone in your struggles. This is a lie! Cling to God’s word which tells us the truth. You are NOT alone. I hope this message finds you in a good season of life. However, if you are struggling please reach out to your forever family who can support you during this tim</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">e.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Your higher power has not left you and is in fact working in the background. May God bless you and keep you.</span></p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-43270889722787404682021-10-07T09:34:00.000-05:002021-10-07T09:34:58.382-05:00Picking Fruit<p> By Sarah Bryant, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team, 10/7/21</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnp7r3AFiOpsAmqidpZsMsmx1XVm3b6lOLy4OgVKqviQUSJwt9SycmccqdCkco51o3hWm-_llVhFSh96p05r_UFe4Ew-1pab2uc8g9rO8tWcxfMWaQPEnV2F2vfLzZSMHCQ2sUek8LJbZ/s940/Colorful+Collage+Photo+Fruits+Food+Facebook+Post.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnp7r3AFiOpsAmqidpZsMsmx1XVm3b6lOLy4OgVKqviQUSJwt9SycmccqdCkco51o3hWm-_llVhFSh96p05r_UFe4Ew-1pab2uc8g9rO8tWcxfMWaQPEnV2F2vfLzZSMHCQ2sUek8LJbZ/s320/Colorful+Collage+Photo+Fruits+Food+Facebook+Post.png" width="320" /></a></div>I
don’t know about you but with all the craziness that’s been going on in the
world the last year or so I can get worn down, and it can be hard to exemplify
the fruit of the Spirit some days in the little things. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have to remind myself
that it’s not the “fruits” of the Spirit – plural, where I can just pick one
each day. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hold the door for an elderly lady (goodness), then tailgate someone
on the interstate who is driving too slow (neither kindness nor patience). No,
it’s the “fruit” of the Spirit – singular. One fruit. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like to think of it
like a pomegranate, one fruit with a lot of seeds. I actually read a commentary
the other day that said based on the original Greek it could actually be read
with a colon after “love.” “But the fruit of the Spirit is love: joy, peace,
patience…” Love being the fruit and the other eight items being the seeds. It’s
a whole package wrapped up in love.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">With
that thought in mind I took a lighthearted but honest inventory this morning of
some of the areas in my life where I’m currently struggling to live out the
fruit of the Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Love</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">…your neighbor no
matter how “woke” they think they are.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joy</b>…even when your favorite brand of peanut butter is out of stock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Be at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Peace</b>…even when your neighbor pushes his mower past your bedroom
window at <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>7am on a Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Patience</b>…even when your Amazon package delivery takes three days
longer now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Show <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kindness</b>…even when you get cut off on the interstate. Keep those
hand gestures <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>to a minimum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Goodness</b>…even when your co-worker is an LSU fan, still help him
with his expense <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>report.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Exhibit <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Faithfulness</b>…when you told someone you’d be there, but you really
just want to <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>sit on the couch
with your dog.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Show <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gentleness</b>…even on Black Friday. Thou shall not trample a brother
or sister over <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>a sale on Instant Pots.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And last but certainly not
least…have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Self Control</b>…even during
a Hogs game.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe
some of these resonate with you, or maybe you’ll take your own inventory. Because
in all seriousness, I can’t expect to show love in the bigger things in life
without practicing it in all the small day today situations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-72963650717667475642021-09-29T15:00:00.000-05:002021-09-29T15:00:52.189-05:00Don’t Let Your Past Haunt Your Present<p>By Carl Kimbro, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team writer, 9/29/21</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnxvp7Gxato_bWdGBgbmp3XENJ6QcLHdcmdFN7CEAA1uo-_fj0egC-Fla6ydKxix4WOlyoCgzWize49GN0Acqb2DsC8kGhbSJ_QfJ4aQLJIV_6WN7CNYQj2W55gGefaVUn6zocXSnvrOe/s1280/psalms7326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnxvp7Gxato_bWdGBgbmp3XENJ6QcLHdcmdFN7CEAA1uo-_fj0egC-Fla6ydKxix4WOlyoCgzWize49GN0Acqb2DsC8kGhbSJ_QfJ4aQLJIV_6WN7CNYQj2W55gGefaVUn6zocXSnvrOe/s320/psalms7326.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sometimes I wake up at night haunted by my past. The people I have hurt walk in my dreams single file in what seems like an unending parade. Past regrets flash before my eyes. Fear resurfaces and brings along its friend failure. Old habits and addictive sins call to me in an attempt to lure me back. They reach out with the promise that this time it will be better…this time I will find relief in my coping mechanisms…this time I can find true happiness in my addictive behaviors…this time I can believe the lies they tell me and everything will be alright. <p></p><p>My “night haunts” usually occur when I am struggling in life, when work is stressful, family relationships are hard, friends seem distant. When I am weakest they surface in my dreams, tempting me to return to my sinful past and destroy my walk with Jesus.</p><p>My night haunts also remind me that I need God. I can’t handle the disappointments in life my way, because my way leads to self-destruction. Relying on the promise of Nehemiah 8:10 is where I find freedom.</p><p style="text-align: center;">“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10.</p><p><br /></p><p>When my goal is a relationship with God, I want to live for Him. When I live for Him, joy itself is not my goal…living for God is my goal. And in doing that, he provides me with the gift of joy and peace in my life. That joy I find in living for Him in turn removes the night haunts that seek to make me give up and turn back to my sinful past. I find the freedom and the peace I desire so much in this simple truth: In living for God, the joy of the Lord really is my peace!</p><p>It took me a long time to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal this truth to me. The fact is, he was telling me this all the time. I just wasn’t listening. I was too busy trying to solve my own problems and failing miserably. But God, who is a God of joy, a God of hope, and a God of peace, patiently waited for me to listen to the Holy Spirit as He spoke to my heart. When I listened, when I trusted, and when I believed, I found the true freedom from my past I was seeking.</p><p>In closing, I ask that you let the words of Romans 15:13 fill your heart with joy, hope and peace. Cling to these words, trust these words, believe these words, and allow God to give you the freedom from the guilt of your past you are seeking. In them will be found the abundant life in God that brings true happiness.</p><p style="text-align: center;">“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13</p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-76541350415945528492021-09-22T13:50:00.000-05:002021-09-22T13:50:02.279-05:00You Are Loved!<p> By Kareena Holloway, Women's Encouragement Coach at CR Fellowship Bible Church</p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK89Fy0lYAtL75jNj39lax_pDaybB-zV1QOh1uMFWkv1FJoQjxf9crO4rBKqsXETUa2mWNnwzgnSt8OuAPhsCS13uR5Ql3FoPVDejn7uzUPvOe1kMCD6ZqZZqiedy7_O4tmCSO_f0Ec1j/s1280/IMG_20180808_162740_877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK89Fy0lYAtL75jNj39lax_pDaybB-zV1QOh1uMFWkv1FJoQjxf9crO4rBKqsXETUa2mWNnwzgnSt8OuAPhsCS13uR5Ql3FoPVDejn7uzUPvOe1kMCD6ZqZZqiedy7_O4tmCSO_f0Ec1j/s320/IMG_20180808_162740_877.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />As someone who has struggled with Love and Relationship Addiction </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">as well as Codependency</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">for years, the lines can sometimes become blurry when looking for signs that I am loved. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br /><p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I learned early on in life to do and say what I needed to in order to win the affections of those around me. I was a chameleon, changing who I was in order to feel loved and accepted. I see clearly now that for all of those years, what I really was doing was controlling and manipulating everyone around me so that <b>I</b> didn't have to feel the sting of rejection or abandonment from anyone. I just wanted to feel loved, accepted and adored, so that was how I coped.<br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Over the years </span><span style="background-color: white;">that </span><span style="background-color: white;">I've been at Celebrate Recovery, God has helped me to learn three very important </span><u>truths</u><span style="background-color: white;"> which I can use as tools in my recovery toolbox whenever the enemy whispers the lie that I am unloved.</span></span><br /><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1: <b>God has always loved me!</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> "<i>This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> into the world that we might live through him.<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> <b>This is love</b>: not that we loved God, but that he<b> </b>loved us<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> -1 John 4:9-10</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">"</span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /><div class="gmail_default" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">2: </span></span></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;">God </b><b style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;">has given me community to love on and to be loved by!</b></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"> "</span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">So Christ himself gave<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the apostles, <span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the prophets,<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the evangelists,<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the pastors and teachers,<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> <span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> may be built up<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> until we all reach unity<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and become mature,<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants,<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> tossed back and forth by the waves,<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.<span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Instead, speaking the truth in <b>love</b>,<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> that is, Christ.<span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and builds itself up<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in <b>l</b></span></i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b>ove</b>,<span style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"></span> as each part does its work. -Ephesians 4:11-16</span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /><div class="gmail_default" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">3</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">: </span><b style="background-color: white;">Jesus paid the ultimate price because he loves us!</b></span></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="gmail_default"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"> "</span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><i>For God loved the world <b>so much</b> that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">"</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /><div class="gmail_default" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Prior </span><span style="background-color: white;">to coming to Celebrate Recovery, I had heard these things before, but I didn't comprehend them, that they were meant for me! I kind of felt like it was for somebody else. I can't really explain it, but I do know that the enemy worked hard on convincing me in my heart that I was unwanted and unlovable. When I began to accept that these truths were also meant for </span><b style="background-color: white;">ME</b><span style="background-color: white;">, I began to see some beautiful truths. With those truths, I also needed to take responsibility for some actions, and that was when I came to realize that I had been trying to control the people in my life. When I let go of that control, I began to experience deeper, fuller, more authentic friendships with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I no longer made them responsible for my worth. I put my hope and trust in God to fulfill that, and He has done that! I now get to be my true self everywhere I go and experience true love and acceptance.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My prayer and encouragement for you is that if you do not yet see your worth in Christ, that you will meditate on the 3 above things and see yourself as the precious son or daughter of God, created for His glory alone. When you come to accept that fully in your heart, everything else just falls into place. :-) </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Please click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC0BALk9Lzc">HERE</a> to watch this video and listen to "I Am Loved" by Stephanie McKenna</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-23435757252535153822021-09-16T13:07:00.000-05:002021-09-16T13:07:23.062-05:00Bread Of Life<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #37474f; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Rogers CR Training Coach, 9/16/21</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEzwWc0Qj1Wc_fArMB2O2U7Wdq4Jlm-pe32glj7YFjBZNg19_5NpZsjXsMf7vu_6eWtQ5TYjeTfTQilcVn6U0yrey8p5FK4DgTTu9nuvBA1urpU02GtJ_GxHo9Sj5TctkoaNG4sVlxASu/s940/White+Divider+and+Text+on+Image+Beach+Facebook+Post.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEzwWc0Qj1Wc_fArMB2O2U7Wdq4Jlm-pe32glj7YFjBZNg19_5NpZsjXsMf7vu_6eWtQ5TYjeTfTQilcVn6U0yrey8p5FK4DgTTu9nuvBA1urpU02GtJ_GxHo9Sj5TctkoaNG4sVlxASu/s320/White+Divider+and+Text+on+Image+Beach+Facebook+Post.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p>One day I was walking through my kitchen and<div><br /></div><div> there were some muffins cooling on the kitchen</div><div><br /></div><div> countertop. They smelled incredible and I picked</div><div><br /></div><div> one up and took a bite. It was horrible! I can’t</div><div><br /></div><div> remember if my wife intentionally left out the</div><div><br /></div><div> sugar trying to make a healthy muffin or just</div><div><br /></div><div> forgot an ingredient, but it did not taste like I</div><div><br /></div><div> thought it was going to taste. The sweet smelling </div><div><br /></div><div>muffin was a deception and totally destroyed my expectations.</div><div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have you ever expected something to be really good but when it happened</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">it just didn’t meet expectations? This has happened to me a lot as I have lived my life. I</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">put a high expectations on something and it just doesn’t deliver. It could be a house, a</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">car, a family meeting that should’ve gone well, but didn’t or it could be that I thought</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">something would make me happy and whatever it was didn’t. In Real Estate we call this</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Buyer’s Remorse.” I have found that some times, people and things can bring me</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">temporary happiness but in the long run I always seem to get disappointed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let me ask </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">you this question:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">What are you seeking in life? Most would say happiness. But</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">happiness is relative, depending on who you talk to. Some would say, having enough</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">money to pay the bills or a lot more money to have physical possessions. Sometime we</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">base our happiness on other people and how they treat us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In John 6:35 Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus wasn’t talking about</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">physical bread or actual water to quench our thirst. He was talking about fulfillment in</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">life. He meant that He is the only thing that can actually satisfy your spiritual needs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing else completely satisfies like Jesus. Psalm 107:8-9 says, “Let them give thanks</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind for He satisfies</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have you been disappointed in people</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">in your life? Have you been searching for fulfillment in your job, money, material</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">possessions? Those things may bring temporary happiness but in the end it will leave a</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">bitter taste in your mouth like that muffin I ate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">things that are on earth.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, if you are tired of being let down by the people and things of this world, set your</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">sights on Jesus, our higher power. He will not disappoint! I love you friend. Have a great</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> week!</span></p></div>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-44027777046673239462021-09-08T14:04:00.003-05:002021-09-08T14:04:46.656-05:00The Non-Negotiables of Recovery<p class="MsoNoSpacing">By Carl Kimbro, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team writer, 9/8/21</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRnQTKFQMh7SvN3JsA_z_L87lfHC4Rb4loXTrSpFq_cdcB_JpvOY8agGIafnmHZycboVanvqKuzrTSPkZd4YhvG6dXuC_GOBSvWP65ZTWaC5ZiqHhb_TxiMUmoErkb040ajqiHPwot4Tp/s940/Most+of+the+important+things+in+the+world+have+been+accomplished+by+people+who+have+kept+on+trying+when+there+seemed+to+be+no+help+at+all..png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRnQTKFQMh7SvN3JsA_z_L87lfHC4Rb4loXTrSpFq_cdcB_JpvOY8agGIafnmHZycboVanvqKuzrTSPkZd4YhvG6dXuC_GOBSvWP65ZTWaC5ZiqHhb_TxiMUmoErkb040ajqiHPwot4Tp/s320/Most+of+the+important+things+in+the+world+have+been+accomplished+by+people+who+have+kept+on+trying+when+there+seemed+to+be+no+help+at+all..png" width="320" /></a></div>When I first began to attend Celebrate Recovery, I went
with my son. I did not believe I needed it because I did not have a problem.
Each week I saw the miracle of recovery lived out before my eyes. In my
“detached” point of view, I always got the impression that you attend CR and
open share, and you stayed sober as a result. But when I admitted my own
addiction, I found out quickly that this wasn’t even close to the truth. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">My first two weeks after picking up a blue chip were
awesome. I stayed close to God and stayed away from my problems. It seemed that
the “chip” was the answer. Week 3 however was not so good. I struggled with and
gave in to temptation. Suddenly, recovery wasn’t so easy! The harder I tried,
the worse it got. It seemed like failure was going to be the winner in this
fight. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>However, I did not give up!<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Fortunately, I sought advice with one of
the leaders and listened to it willingly. I learned important things such as:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>“<i>Trust in the LORD
with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” </i><u>Psalm 3:5</u></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>“<i>The Lord is my
rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” </i><u>Psalm 18:2</u></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">If recovery was going to work, I couldn't give up! I had to put my trust in
God’s provision and not my own abilities. My strength was not enough, my will power
was not enough. God has to be the center of my recovery. He has to be my
deliverer (Psalm 18:2) and I have to trust in Him (Psalm 3:5) </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>As part of my trusting and leaning on God, I developed
some guide posts in my life that are a “non-negotiable” part of my recovery. These
are the truths for me that help me keep God first. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Attend the service to learn and be
encouraged in my walk with God</i> <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The
lessons provide great examples of how to live recovery. The testimonies provide
proof that freedom for hurts, habits, and hang-ups is possible. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Participate in open share <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sharing
helps provide relief because it always helps to talk about my recovery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commit to daily bible reading <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The
best way for me keep God in my recovery is to keep Him in my life through daily
study of His word. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Take accountability seriously <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When
I struggle, it helps to share with my accountability partners. When I don’t, I
miss an opportunity to be blessed by relationships with fellow believers. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When able take part in step studies <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Step
studies are crucial because they contain all the elements of the above and so
much more that is important to my recovery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Share my story often <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->People
need to hear that freedom is possible. They hear it when I share. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>In sharing my non-negotiables, I hope you will find some
inspiration in my words, and will develop your own non-negotiables in your road
to recovery. And above all remember:
recovery is not to be walked alone. We need God and we need others to take the
journey with us. I promise you, that is the best part of the recovery journey
and what makes it work. “It works if you work it, and it won’t if you don’t”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-39685186581244780132021-09-01T13:11:00.004-05:002021-09-01T13:39:10.772-05:00Breaking News!<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #37474f; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Rogers CR Training Coach, 9/1/21</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXgm-PO5Gn0WYHCHcQUdU9kk38VfvS7Cxt_SqUuvuFodrnFZrA4XBmQYbS_hpK9xG2nN-r-89hjQltSEJiOuoGo9agQOTuoNaZy5F4MJugXhTZChsbuB5WRRoSYIygpJKFY7oVf8ssO_U/s940/%25E2%2580%259CI+have+told+you+these+things%252C+so+that+in+me+you+may+have+peace.+In+this+world+you+will+have+trouble.+I+have+overcome+the+world.%25E2%2580%259D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXgm-PO5Gn0WYHCHcQUdU9kk38VfvS7Cxt_SqUuvuFodrnFZrA4XBmQYbS_hpK9xG2nN-r-89hjQltSEJiOuoGo9agQOTuoNaZy5F4MJugXhTZChsbuB5WRRoSYIygpJKFY7oVf8ssO_U/s320/%25E2%2580%259CI+have+told+you+these+things%252C+so+that+in+me+you+may+have+peace.+In+this+world+you+will+have+trouble.+I+have+overcome+the+world.%25E2%2580%259D.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Where do you get
your “News?” I remember growing up and my mom and dad watching the news at
10:00 pm. I have never really watched the nightly news, but now I get the
news pumped right to my cell phone. It’s always alerting me of stuff
that’s going on locally and around the world. I have noticed that very
rarely is the news positive. For some reason it almost always has a
negative story to tell me. Maybe it’s because network ratings are higher
with negative news than positive news. Maybe it’s because there is more
negative news than positive news, but I doubt it. I think it’s because the
enemy wants to get into my mind and change the way I think. During the
pandemic my wife and I started watching more news. Then, I started
noticing my mind thinking about the negative news stories that I watched and
listened to. I didn’t like where it took my mind.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">How about you? Does
the news that you ingest make you think positive things or negative
things? Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is…”
So, if you have been receiving more negative news than positive then allow me
to encourage you with some GOOD NEWS to ingest.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This just in:</span></u></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For I’m not ashamed of
this <b>Good News</b> about Christ. It is the power of God at
work, saving everyone who believes…”(Romans 1:16) We have eternal life
through our higher power! That is GREAT News!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A cheerful look brings
joy to the heart; <b>Good News</b> makes for good
health.”(Proverbs 15:30) Did you know that good news can actually increase
your mental health?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How beautiful on the
mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the <b>Good
News</b> of peace and salvation, the news that God of Israel
reigns!”(Isaiah 52:7) Our higher power reigns over this world and our
universe! What incredible news for the outcome of this country and world.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Sing to the Lord; praise
His name. Each day proclaim the <b>Good News</b> that He
saves.”(Psalms 96:2) Our higher power can save us from our hurts, habits
and hang-ups. What fantastic news!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But the believers who
were scattered preached the <b>Good News</b> about Jesus
wherever they went.”(Acts 8:4) We need to spread the Good News of Jesus,
our higher power. Spreading that news creates more good things for others
and ourselves!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now, I know that
things aren’t all cake and cookies here on earth. There are definitely bad
things that happen. John 16:33 acknowledges that we are going to go through
trials and sorrows in this world. However, it goes on to say that our higher
power, Jesus Christ, has overcome the world. That is incredible news! I
don’t want to minimize anything that you might be currently going through. Life
can be hard at times. But we have a higher power who gives us purpose behind
the pain that we experience. We have a saying that is absolutely true; “God
never wastes a hurt.” Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything
to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to
His purpose for them.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Breaking News:</span></u></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> God has a
purpose for your life! Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have
for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give
you a future and a hope.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hope this email
find you in a good place. However, if you are struggling with negative thoughts
try turning your attention to some Good News. God has a purpose for your life,
and He loves you. That is phenomenal news! May God bless you my friend.</span></p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-84722672951633605162021-08-04T13:48:00.000-05:002021-08-04T13:48:23.503-05:00 What Were You Thinking About?<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #37474f; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Rogers CR Training Coach, 8/4/21</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0azKv1WW9N20HCmgcZfgD0SUJlYJRjUa5tJLdCBpRNEABn7STtpMWTGk830kq1N5AxhUCUZ3G4Z1cXr32pzHNTc-V0r3GQbcyiaiUbffpetCw0Jz53U3KkUPVp3Kefj8atNs4joKdwKR/s1280/captivethoughts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0azKv1WW9N20HCmgcZfgD0SUJlYJRjUa5tJLdCBpRNEABn7STtpMWTGk830kq1N5AxhUCUZ3G4Z1cXr32pzHNTc-V0r3GQbcyiaiUbffpetCw0Jz53U3KkUPVp3Kefj8atNs4joKdwKR/s320/captivethoughts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Have you ever been sitting with a friend or family member, and they are staring off in the distance? You<br />say, “What are you thinking?” Thoughts are interesting. Sometimes thoughts can randomly come in and out of my mind, and then other times I can’t quit thinking about something. Especially if there is a major event going on in my life. I can sometimes obsess about whatever that big event is. <br /><br />So, let me ask you a question. What are you thinking about? Is there anything dominating your <br />thoughts? Work? A relationship? Your children? An event that’s happened in your life? Maybe, you have been keeping a secret that only you know, and it’s become a burden. Take a minute and do a self-check, and determine if your thoughts have been positive or negative? I recently read that John Hopkins Medical School found that 70% of disease is psychosomatic. This is NOT to say that these diseases aren’t real, but their origin is not found in a physical cause. Wow! Another study by Stanford University found that over 2,000 different chemical secretions are being released into our bloodstream directly from the brain. Thoughts are extremely powerful! So, what is dominating your thought-life?<br /><br />Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is…” King David sometimes struggled with his thoughts. Psalms 55:2 says, “Hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me, and I am distraught.” Psalms 139:23 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” If King David, a huge man of faith, struggled with his thought-life then it makes sense I am also going to sometimes struggle with mine as well.<br /><br />So what can I do if I find my thoughts are staying in a bad place? Well, here are a few suggestions:<br /><br />1. Do a self-check and evaluate what your mind is focusing on. Sometimes we don’t even realize <br />that we are dwelling on something negative. Lamentations 3:40 says, “Let us examine our ways, <br />and test them and let us return to the Lord.” Principle 7 says, “Reserve a daily time with God for <br />self-examination…” If you have unconfessed sin, or if you are dealing with some kind of trauma, <br />then strong thoughts about these things are normal and need to be processed. You may need to <br />make amends, offer forgiveness, or work through an event with a professional. However, if your <br />thoughts are just negative and there is no action that you need to take then try the following.<br /><br />2. Use your sensory inputs. What’s that? Your eyes, your ears, your nose, your touch. These are all <br />gifts from God to help us enjoy life and focus our thoughts on God. Go to a park or trail and <br />notice the trees, flowers, and beauty all around. Put on some praise music which will help to <br />push your thoughts toward God. Notice the positive smells around you. If you can’t find any <br />then take a shower and use some sweet smelling soap. Hold someone close to you. If you have a <br />close friend or family member that you can hug or hold their hand, that will help you to be <br />thankful and focus your brain on positive thoughts.<br /><br />3. Last but not least, pray. Communicate with God. Allow God’s thoughts to become your <br />thoughts. Psalms 139: 17 says, “How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the <br />sum of them!”<br /><br />How important is it to keep our thoughts in check? HUGE! Thinking the wrong things can lead us into<br />relapse and depression. Paul said in Ephesians 4:23, “…we take captive every thought to make it <br />obedient to Christ.” Thinking the right things keeps me sober and healthy, both emotionally and <br />physically.<br /><br />So, do a self-check and evaluate your thoughts. Use the gifts God has given us to push your thoughts in a positive direction. I hope this message finds you thinking good thoughts but if not, take some time to<br />realign your thoughts with God and His spirit. I love you friend, have a blessed week!<br /><br />“So, letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your <br />mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6<br /><br />“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, <br />and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of <br />praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLTCR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-39464133629050014162021-07-28T13:12:00.000-05:002021-07-28T13:12:52.911-05:00What’s My Passcode??<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #37474f; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Rogers CR Training Coach, 7/28/21</span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvAE-hmjDSj36veHCuXovD-SYYMii31FornlIfVRs_P674rw4SwjkvFEBeyO65bE91ksYwhS6cpLfFsVydalW-WHhBwBpgSyJhcKf2ElWDGFsdI_WL2w28sSXw7eICtND2KqAcGz5G_mn/s1280/enterhisgaates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvAE-hmjDSj36veHCuXovD-SYYMii31FornlIfVRs_P674rw4SwjkvFEBeyO65bE91ksYwhS6cpLfFsVydalW-WHhBwBpgSyJhcKf2ElWDGFsdI_WL2w28sSXw7eICtND2KqAcGz5G_mn/s320/enterhisgaates.jpg" /></a></div>Have you ever forgotten your passcode to your<p></p><p> computer, phone, locker, safe, social media</p><p> website or maybe something really important like</p><p> an online banking account? It’s really frustrating</p><p> and sometimes a little scary. I have wasted much</p><p> time trying to figure out my passcode, and</p><p> sometimes I just have to reset it and then I have to</p><p> remember it all over again. Isn’t it awesome to</p><p> know that we don’t have to remember some kind</p><p> of passcode to gain access to our Higher Power</p><p> Jesus Christ? Once we have Jesus Christ living in our lives, we don’t have to remember a passcode to</p><p> have access to the greatest power in the universe?</p><p><br /></p><p>Romans 8:38-39 says, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.</p><p>Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries</p><p>about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the</p><p>sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us</p><p>from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”</p><p><br /></p><p>Wow! What an incredible comfort and assurance to know that God is always there, and that we</p><p>can step into his presence at any time. However, sometimes we can feel alone in our sin and</p><p>insecurities, can’t we? We are not alone but we can FEEL alone. In times like these I would like</p><p>to make a suggestion. Psalms 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with</p><p>praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”</p><p><br /></p><p>I remember back in college (a very long time ago) I woke up one night in a cold sweat. I had a</p><p>bad dream, and I felt a darkness that I have only felt a couple of times in my life. It was a little</p><p>scary and certainly disconcerting. I turned on the light, pulled out my guitar, and started singing</p><p>praises to God. It didn’t take long for the darkness to leave and a peace to fall like a blanket</p><p>over me and that little college dorm room. </p><p><br /></p><p>Have you ever felt alone, discouraged, or attacked? Take a moment and think about all the</p><p>things you have to be thankful for. Are you breathing? Can you see with your eyes, smell with</p><p>your nose or hear with your ears? Do you have shoes on your feet? Were you able to eat your</p><p>last meal? After finding some things to be thankful for, take a moment and praise God for these</p><p>things. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I think you will find God’s presence will be felt</p><p>and his light will chase away the darkness.</p><p><br /></p><p>I hope this finds you in a great place right now. However, if you are struggling, enter his gates</p><p>with thanksgiving in your heart and his courts with praise! I love you my friend, have a blessed</p><p>week!</p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-4117628854623375462021-07-14T13:19:00.002-05:002021-07-14T13:19:36.850-05:00Freedom from our Fears<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">By Carl Kimbro, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team, 7/14/21</span></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfX00fKZn9xElDuyqQULKkGhZ9ntf4lxqKf5rNv7UZKw96-sCS_ff4KP7-rguD6J8slS7cd2d5TbImzx3_p0HTDw1eo-KkTrbcx9rniwak5IRoDVfEjjzavdz9p18PYGxkRilGG0nSoWs/s940/%25E2%2580%259CFear+not%252C+for+I+am+with+you%253B+be+not+dismayed%253B+for+I+am+your+God%253B+I+will+strengthen+you%252C+I+will+help+you%252C+I+will+uphold+you+with+my+righteous+right+hand.%25E2%2580%259D+Isaiah+4110.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfX00fKZn9xElDuyqQULKkGhZ9ntf4lxqKf5rNv7UZKw96-sCS_ff4KP7-rguD6J8slS7cd2d5TbImzx3_p0HTDw1eo-KkTrbcx9rniwak5IRoDVfEjjzavdz9p18PYGxkRilGG0nSoWs/s320/%25E2%2580%259CFear+not%252C+for+I+am+with+you%253B+be+not+dismayed%253B+for+I+am+your+God%253B+I+will+strengthen+you%252C+I+will+help+you%252C+I+will+uphold+you+with+my+righteous+right+hand.%25E2%2580%259D+Isaiah+4110.png" width="320" /></a></div>Fear is a strong motivator for me. There are times when it’s a positive motivator that keeps me from doing something dangerous. But it has also caused me to do the wrong thing, like lie to hide sin. Or believe that I have to follow the crowd to avoid looking bad, even if it’s wrong or immoral! Worse yet, fear has often caused me to try to fix myself instead of turning it over to God.<p></p><p></p><p>My fears can take many forms:</p><p>· Fear of failure as a father to my adopted granddaughters.</p><p>· Fear of losing my job.</p><p>· Fear of people seeing me as I really am.</p><p></p><p>There are so many fears in my life, I can’t fit them here! If I am honest, most of my fears are unfounded. I often find I worried for nothing because my fears never came to life. But even when my fears turn out to be real, I still struggle because I often don’t put my trust in God. I try to fix it myself. I don’t include God in prayer, or ask my accountability partners to pray for me. I simply keep it a secret and move forward trying to show the world, “I got this, and it’s all good!”</p><p></p><p>“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed; for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10</p><p></p><p>Isaiah wrote 41:10 as part of a larger message of comfort to the people of Israel. They would be taken away into exile, and life would be anything but good. Yet in the midst of all of this, God promised his people redemption and freedom. Nowhere does it say that freedom would instantly happen. But if they placed their faith in God, and trusted in Him, they did not need to be downcast or depressed. God promised to strengthen them so they could endure the struggles. He promised to provide freedom from their affliction. He promised to comfort them by upholding them in His righteousness.</p><p></p><p>There was a lesson for me early on at Celebrate Recovery in Isaiah 41:10. I came looking for freedom from the bondage of sin and depression that surrounded me in my circumstances. When I trusted that Jesus could and would deliver me, I saw change begin to take place. My faith started small, but grew a little at a time. Saying no to sin and embracing Jesus brought lasting life change one step at a time. I was no longer desperate and searching for relief. God used CR to help me find freedom. Life is so much better now that I learned to trust God.</p><p></p><p>Are you tired from the struggle? Are you ready to give up the exhaustion that comes with fear? Are you ready to stop worrying? Embrace Isaiah 41:10 and put your trust in God, Let his strength provide you the freedom you need to live without fear. Lean on His strength and allow Him to lift you up in victory over fear.</p><p>Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0toEk0EYT04">HERE</a> to listen to "Stand In Your Love" by Josh Baldwin</p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-10174560362671999192021-06-23T12:28:00.000-05:002021-06-23T12:28:06.055-05:00Knock Knock!<span style="background-color: white; color: #37474f; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Rogers CR Training Coach, 6/23/21</span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #37474f; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhst95GZV7HSHpeVhlu8MPLU53FuuAOwF0lyCCfgLS_fqxPRfTn4wy9taHUSSloq_uwOFWyqhqcB4visIolJLozBeWFlA8ygGuTa2WcXwB1sA7jEklWA7jNoc8_8Mp2MskZd-gJC-6oDvJ7/s940/Here+I+am%2521+I+stand+at+the+door+and+knock.+If+anyone+hears+my+voice+and+opens+the+door%252C+I+will+come+in+and+eat+with+that+person%252C+and+they+with+me..png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhst95GZV7HSHpeVhlu8MPLU53FuuAOwF0lyCCfgLS_fqxPRfTn4wy9taHUSSloq_uwOFWyqhqcB4visIolJLozBeWFlA8ygGuTa2WcXwB1sA7jEklWA7jNoc8_8Mp2MskZd-gJC-6oDvJ7/s320/Here+I+am%2521+I+stand+at+the+door+and+knock.+If+anyone+hears+my+voice+and+opens+the+door%252C+I+will+come+in+and+eat+with+that+person%252C+and+they+with+me..png" width="320" /></a></div>I recently read Revelation 3:20, “Here I
am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the
door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me.” <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many ministers use this verse to evangelize or
share the gospel truth of salvation through Christ. While it is true that Jesus
is always inviting the lost to come to repentance through Him that is not what
this verse is talking about. This scripture was for the Church at
Laodicea. These were Christians that were riding the fence between living
for Christ and living for the world. Jesus called them lukewarm. Verse
20 is an incredible visual of Christ standing at the door of our heart, asking
to come in and fellowship with us. Let’s break it down. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Here I am!” I love these first three
words as they show the Creator of the universe giving me attention and desiring
my attention. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I stand at the door and knock.”
Wow! He is knocking. The powerful God of the universe is knocking on
my door! He could easily force me to worship Him and kick down my door
clean off its hinges. But He doesn’t. He knocks patiently, asking for
my permission to come in. If that’s not humbling, I don’t know what
is. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thirdly, he says, “If anyone hears my voice…”
He is not only knocking but He is speaking to me. My King Jesus is speaking to
me, calling for me to open the door. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Fourthly, he says that if I open the door He
will come in and eat with me. Isn’t it funny how many things in our
culture revolve around food? We just celebrated Memorial Day. This is a
day that is known for BBQ, hamburgers and hot dogs! People ask family and
friends over for lunch and dinner to celebrate. Christmas, Easter, and the
4<sup>th</sup> of July are all times for my family to gather around a
large table, eat and fellowship. Jesus desires to come in and fellowship
with me like I do with friends and family around a dinner table. Wow, what
an incredible picture!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, the point is simple. Jesus desires
to come into our lives and fellowship with us. What an incredible
opportunity and privilege. The BIG question is, will I answer the
door? How about you? Have you been ignoring that knocking? Have
you heard Jesus’ voice? I hope you are in a great place right now
spiritually. I hope you are in fellowship with Christ. However, if
you have strayed in your faith a little… Jesus is knocking. Will you
answer? I love you my friend and I hope you have a blessed week!<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #37474f; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"></span></div>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-68421055246685432042021-06-16T13:48:00.000-05:002021-06-16T13:48:13.855-05:00Thanking God for My Scars<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"> By Sarah Bryant, Fellowship Bible Church Rogers CR Devotional Team, 6/16/21</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 15px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFIpepdZxh3qMgZawHdz6tmW-JkXz1P0u3lS8OX6aSn3y0dFJxx4AcBZms6UcdQJj8F_W14JGskpNLPuBuatomcJbQPBvUskYrBEciTEJo7OSm-vU1cfCTBDzMtFl_pzC01X8W-a6ADju/s3264/05072018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFIpepdZxh3qMgZawHdz6tmW-JkXz1P0u3lS8OX6aSn3y0dFJxx4AcBZms6UcdQJj8F_W14JGskpNLPuBuatomcJbQPBvUskYrBEciTEJo7OSm-vU1cfCTBDzMtFl_pzC01X8W-a6ADju/s320/05072018.jpg" /></a></div>I remember way back in March 2020 when the pandemic started to disrupt our lives, and everyone was afraid of being <span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">quarantined for fourteen days? Back then, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">fourteen days seemed like an eternity, and I was concerned about what I would do if I were to be stuck in the house for that long. So I bought a book in case I needed to pass the time.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I have a hard time allowing myself to read fiction books, because I feel like I need to be “more productive” with my time. I guess it’s my perfectionism coming out, but I almost always seek out non-fiction, history books so I can still be learning something in my “off” time. So I bought a book on D-Day. It’s a great book, but as the pandemic progressed, along with everything else going on in the country, I decided a few days ago that I needed to read something a little more upbeat and fun. As I aimlessly wandered through the unfamiliar, non-fiction section I came upon <i>Harry Potter</i>. I know…I’m about 20 years late to the party, and yes, I also know these are children’s books. But I bought the first book in the series and was determined that I was going to relax and read it, and I wouldn’t have to do any deep thinking. Little did I know that I wouldn’t even make it out of the first chapter before the Lord put it on my heart to think deeply about myself and my recovery. Ha!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">As the story starts, Harry is only a baby and his parents have just been killed. He was rescued and taken to his aunt and uncle’s house. But just before the rescuers place him on the doorstep of his relatives they look down at him and see a scar on his forehead from a wound he got when the murderer tried to kill him too. One of them remarks, “He’ll have that scar forever,” then another asks, “Couldn’t you do something about it?” It’s the rescuer’s reply that made me stop and reflect. When asked if he could remove the scar the rescuer says, “Even if I could, I wouldn’t. Scars can come in handy.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">As I thought about that some more, I began to think about the difference between a wound and a scar. I couldn’t always clearly see it, but the difference is that the wound is what happened because of the damage or pain, but the forming of a scar is the process of healing from that wound. I would often hear people who had come through a struggle say that they wouldn’t change a thing. I always thought, “That’s crazy, surely if someone had the choice to avoid pain they would.” And I still think that’s true…no one would choose pain. But what I’ve come to learn is that I think what they’re really saying is not that they wouldn’t change the <i>wounding</i>, but that they wouldn’t change the <i>scaring</i>.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Wounds happen, both physically and mentally. The world is broken and hurt people, hurt people. But by God’s grace, wounds aren’t meant to stay wounds. God designed the human body to form scars – to heal. If scars don’t form the wounds fester, but a scar is evidence that healing is occurring. And scars do come in handy. They are reminders for me of what I’ve come through and what I continue to work on. They remind me of my strength and God’s strength, and they help me to relate better to and encourage others in their time of need. The process of moving from a wound to a scar can be painful and long, but the healing of the wounds and the forming of the scars has led me to people and places that have changed my life forever. Healing is still a process, but one that God graciously allows me go through. He loves me too much to let the open wounds fester, and I believe He has a plan to use the scars He’s forming to help others as well. Every struggle and every tear, every moment of joy and every victory, every caring person and every safe place, contribute to forming the scars in my life that heal the wounds. And I thank God for all of them.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Wherever you are in the process, whether you’ve got a fresh or festering wound or are years into the healing I hope this leaves you encouraged today, as I’m reminded that even Jesus has scars, and they sure did come in handy when Thomas needed a little faith.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“Now Thomas…was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he replied, ‘Unless I see the marks from the nails in his hand, and put my finger into the marks from the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe it!’ Eight days later the disciples were again together in the house, and Thomas was with them…Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.’ Thomas replied to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:24-28)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">How will your scars come in handy today?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDKkC-Qv4Mw" style="background: transparent; color: #2196f3; text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a> to listen to "Greater Things" by Mack Brock</span></p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-18617688670034305942021-06-10T09:14:00.000-05:002021-06-10T09:14:52.049-05:00Tell Your Story!<span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15px;">By Carl Kimbro, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team, 6/10/21</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8phsqbDFdD8IqcXFgsqDiAmJrcvQmTmT1SxKSeBelo6CcJ1H_-YtajmZnIukfRwhP-SgtCs-Gt4vF8rHyKry9Xs5CG6dgPFbOFHSYEuD1MfBArAhGjc_S18SN5Iv9M92sUkx4oQ22Z7F/s940/My+mouth+will+tell+of+your+righteous+deeds%252C+of+your+saving+acts+all+day+long%25E2%2580%2594+though+I+know+not+how+to+relate+them+all.+16+I+will+come+and+proclaim+your+mighty+acts%252C+Sovereign+Lord%253B+I+will+proclaim+your+righteous+d.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8phsqbDFdD8IqcXFgsqDiAmJrcvQmTmT1SxKSeBelo6CcJ1H_-YtajmZnIukfRwhP-SgtCs-Gt4vF8rHyKry9Xs5CG6dgPFbOFHSYEuD1MfBArAhGjc_S18SN5Iv9M92sUkx4oQ22Z7F/s320/My+mouth+will+tell+of+your+righteous+deeds%252C+of+your+saving+acts+all+day+long%25E2%2580%2594+though+I+know+not+how+to+relate+them+all.+16+I+will+come+and+proclaim+your+mighty+acts%252C+Sovereign+Lord%253B+I+will+proclaim+your+righteous+d.png" width="320" /></a></div>A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to the 7 year old daughter of someone who attends Celebrate Recovery. I asked her where her dad was, and she said: “Oh, he is probably sharing the Gospel with someone he just met.” She said it like it was such a common occurrence that he couldn’t possibly be doing anything else. I looked around for him, and he was doing just that! What a great example of principle 8 that man is to his daughter!<br /><br />Finding the strength and courage to share our faith is not easy. Often times fear gets in the way. We believe others who knew us before recovery will laugh. “Isn’t this the guy who was drunk all the time?” “Isn’t this the women who used drugs?” We may want to share our recovery story with others, but our shameful past can make us think we aren’t worthy to share the good news of Christ.<br /><br />If you are that person who struggles to share your story, I want to offer some encouragement to you. Your story can do more to help others than you know. There are people we come in contact with everyday who are struggling and feeling hopeless. They can’t imagine freedom from their pain. It doesn’t seem possible to them. But hearing your recovery story can bring them hope. The compassion in your voice as you listen to their struggles and share your own can often be the very thing that starts them on recovery. The past that brings you shame gives you credibility and highlights the power of Christ to change lives. Your story and words or encouragement can be just the thing they needed to start them down the path to recovery. You matter, your life matters, and God can use your story to change lives!<br /><br /> I encourage you to take time next week to share your story with others. Don’t worry about what you will say. Let God provide the words for you. Focus on the life change that has transformed who you are, and show your love and passion for Jesus. If they share their struggles with you as a result of your story, listen and respond with compassion and hope. Don’t try to fix them. But take the opportunity to invite them to Celebrate Recovery. Lean on the confidence that comes from your relationship with Christ (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13) God has used CR to prepare you to share your story. You matter and your story matters. You can and will be the difference in many lives if you are willing to share it. </span>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-23103840178180265002021-06-02T13:38:00.003-05:002021-06-02T13:45:37.676-05:00Thank You!!<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">By Kareena Holloway, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery TEAM Encourager Coach, 6/2/21</span><br /><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLb4ciXS2SM1JbWANka4rrMPwfTZ3dU8q7bXPVDRu0nrPj-lDWUwDSWPTU4nIU1ccnRjha8egi5uV0UcSKod2kmA9dDTvWfhiMiVv9Fn8o3TlXnRwTQ-MH2j2H14hXROttsvy0jW92q_4P/s750/YESlesson.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLb4ciXS2SM1JbWANka4rrMPwfTZ3dU8q7bXPVDRu0nrPj-lDWUwDSWPTU4nIU1ccnRjha8egi5uV0UcSKod2kmA9dDTvWfhiMiVv9Fn8o3TlXnRwTQ-MH2j2H14hXROttsvy0jW92q_4P/s320/YESlesson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>To every person who serves, we are extremely thankful for how you give back what you have freely received! 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 gets into talking about the importance of service. I've quoted it below for your reference. No matter how little, how big, how short, or how long your act of service is, it plays a very important part in what helps to spread the overall message that we are the body of Christ and that we are all doing our part.<br /><br />Please know that you each are so very important, that <u>you matter</u>, and that you are <u>precious</u>! If you or a loved one is in need of prayer this week let us know so we can lift you or them up!! If you're reading this in the Rogers, Fayetteville Arkansas area, we hope to see you Friday night at Celebrate Recovery!</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 Corinthians 12:12-27:</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><b><u>Unity and Diversity in the Body</u></b><br /><br />12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12-14#fen-NIV-28648c">c</a>] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.<br /><br />15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.<br /><br />21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.<br /><br />27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.<br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3rwHzWmt00">HERE</a> to listen to "Motion of Mercy" by Francesca Battistelli </span></div>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-39581687309779488002021-05-19T13:52:00.003-05:002021-05-19T13:52:39.168-05:00Trusting in God<span style="font-family: georgia;">By Carl Kimbro, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team, 5/19/21</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YzDZsP1LrBPmTPA64xCF1t5dKf3jyu6144XWCu2LrwKsm-x4-lghbeN6Fg9QRR3CVMrefm0ncBlDnpymEtIZ9d9FsTxQRJ1hYLxaYda8qpoiyERjRHi-K2H8-LiAXhuqszdXX7C6zXHn/s1280/psalms7326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YzDZsP1LrBPmTPA64xCF1t5dKf3jyu6144XWCu2LrwKsm-x4-lghbeN6Fg9QRR3CVMrefm0ncBlDnpymEtIZ9d9FsTxQRJ1hYLxaYda8qpoiyERjRHi-K2H8-LiAXhuqszdXX7C6zXHn/s320/psalms7326.jpg" /></a></div>Cheryl and I have raised 3 boys. While they were growing up, I took the boys to church and the church raised the boys to have a relationship with Jesus. I see now that I was too busy climbing the corporate ladder to have time for anything else at the time. I went through the motions of being a family man and an involved Christian, but later realized that I clearly wasn’t.<br /><br />We thought we had everything going in the right direction, but then things started to go south. One of our sons (Jason) had problems in school. Alcohol and pot took over his life, and he was expelled in the 12th grade. Over the next 4 years he went in and out of county jail and stopped going to church. During all of this we had our ups and downs, but we still continued to put our trust in God. <br /><br />Around 2011 Jason married Lauren, a woman with similar problems. About a year after one of our Granddaughter's, Regan, was born, things started to change. November 7, 2012 was Jason’s birthday. It was also a day of drunken fighting between him and Lauren. I called the police and he locked himself in the house with the girls. Eventually the police broke the door down and he went off to an 18 month stint in the state prisons. Lauren and the girls moved in with us and peace of any kind became a thing of the past. <br /><br />January 2013 Lauren left the girls with us and never came back. We felt alone, lost, and hopeless. Instead of trusting in God, I was working in exchange for Him giving me a favorable response. Soon I turned to an addiction that only made it worse. I hid it from everyone, continuing to try to white-knuckle it and fix things myself. It didn't work and soon our lives fell apart and we just couldn’t go on like that anymore. <br /><br />My life was out of control!! When we were at our darkest point, I began attending Celebrate Recovery. I turned all of it over to God and began the healing process. I spoke openly in Open Share Groups and found people who really cared about us. I found accountability partners and joined a Step Study. That’s when I finally felt God was with us in this situation and things began to change. <br /><br /> Isaiah 41:13 probably best describes the change in my life as it was the 1st time I felt God’s presence in all of this. The verse says<div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">For I am the </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">your God</span></div><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-41-13" style="position: relative;">who takes hold of your right hand</span></div></span><span class="text Isa-41-13" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">and says to you, Do not fear;</div></span><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-41-13" style="position: relative;">I will help you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Isa-41-13" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div>People came into our lives that had walked through what we were walking through and could mentor us. I backed off on work and stopped hiding at the office. We were able to see the good in having the our sweet Granddaughter's with us. Life change we never dreamed possible took place for us. At Celebrate Recovery you hear "Don't quit before your miracle happens" and now I personally know what that means!<br /><br />I hope this message encourages you to reach out. You don't have to overcome your struggles alone. God is ready and waiting for you. He will put the right people in your life. Life change is possible! Put your trust in God! Hope to see you soon at Celebrate Recovery!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdAWg8Kco4s">HERE</a> to listen to "Where Your Heart Is" by Lydia Laird</div><br />CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-51771902472387311352021-05-12T18:04:00.001-05:002021-05-12T18:04:05.889-05:00Be Aware!By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Rogers CR Training Coach<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztVmcGn_uR7EdHEpQl78TJRQ2Oy5Rh6CCiq5Yd3IBNc02iMLB2x-u0p21tvw-ONi0aNcTrwMSeF2JCCEtFZFt1f-dRnYsKCJ_kHGdbGzcJi_mRhcnjyZW_3TfiBnNEdJ1J5gcib4e3Bf7/s940/Blue+Skyscraper+Overlay+Photo+Facebook+Post.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztVmcGn_uR7EdHEpQl78TJRQ2Oy5Rh6CCiq5Yd3IBNc02iMLB2x-u0p21tvw-ONi0aNcTrwMSeF2JCCEtFZFt1f-dRnYsKCJ_kHGdbGzcJi_mRhcnjyZW_3TfiBnNEdJ1J5gcib4e3Bf7/s320/Blue+Skyscraper+Overlay+Photo+Facebook+Post.png" width="320" /></a></div>About five years ago my wife and I were down in my basement watching TV. We saw something slithering toward the TV through the carpet. My wife immediately stood up on top of the couch and started screaming! This was not helpful. HA! Anyway, I turned on the lights and discovered that there was not just one baby snake in our house but<br />four. I caught and assassinated three but the fourth snake went under one of our baseboards, and we had to go to bed knowing that there was a snake in the house. As we got up the next morning we were a little nervous walking around the house not knowing where the snake was hiding. We kept looking on the floor as we walked around. Well, I<br />got a handyman to fix the hole where the snakes got in and he found the forth snake. Whew!<div> <br /><br />How would your actions change if I told you there was a snake in your house? How would that knowledge change your actions? Would you be looking for it? I think you would. How about if I told you that there was definitely a million dollars cash hidden somewhere in your house. It might be in your walls, your attic, or it may just be under your sink. Would you do anything different when you got home? Of course you would! I would literally tear my house apart looking for that money if I really believed it existed somewhere in my home. Why, because that million dollars is worth a LOT more than any damage that I could do to my house looking for it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here’s the point. The Bible tells us that we have an enemy that is working against us. </div><div>Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our fight is NOT against flesh-and-blood enemies but <br />against an unseen enemy in the spiritual realm. Do you believe that? The Bible says it’s <br />true. How does that change your actions? John 10:10 says, “The thief comes to steal, kill <br />and destroy…” 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. <br />He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” If this is true, and <br />it is, shouldn’t I be watching and looking for where the enemy is attacking? Absolutely! I <br />need to be AWARE of the enemy and his tactics. He wants me to fail. He wants me to <br />be defeated. He is always looking for an opportunity to sneak into my life and cause <br />chaos. But let me give you something else to be AWARE of. </div><div><br />Principle two says, “Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to him, and that He <br />has the power to help me recover.” John 10:10 does say that the thief comes to steal, kill <br />and destroy, but then it turns right around and says that Jesus comes to give us the <br />abundant life. 1 John 4:4 says that the one that is in you is greater than the one who is in<br />the world. Psalms 139:7-10 says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee <br />from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the <br />depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the <br />sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” I love this <br />verse! This makes me AWARE that that God is ALWAYS with me. <br /><br />Let me conclude with one final verse of encouragement. In John 16:33, Jesus was telling <br />his disciples about some hard things to come. He said, “…Here on earth you will have <br />many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Are you <br />struggling with some hard things right now? Are you discouraged because of the state of<br />the world or your current circumstances? Be encouraged! Your higher power, Jesus <br />Christ, is not only with you but can give you the strength to overcome any struggle or <br />circumstance. I hope you are doing well friend but if not, be AWARE that Jesus Christ <br />is right next to you ready to take over anytime you are willing. Love you friends. Have a <br />blessed week!</div>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-24594569276671049352021-04-28T14:02:00.001-05:002021-04-28T14:20:56.549-05:00Planting Seeds<p> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">By Joe Holloway, Encourager Coach at The Landing, Celebrate Recovery, Fellowship Bible Church, Rogers 4/28/21</span></p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRVO5CFY66sL1BHFIdQAiKEiAh9-203iezfvKrYICFN8MPjhRbmXOnVUzqZesWrdLlUpE7swcxZ-lSwTtnVJowTNUNqZ7u_CrC3_qo1kGVgKvgkazq3V2Grg41eDdb2Al2yT0b2GPkRac/s940/Let+us+not+become+weary+in+doing+good%252C+for+at+the+proper+time+we+will+reap+a+harvest+if+we+do+not+give+up.+-Galations+69+NIV.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRVO5CFY66sL1BHFIdQAiKEiAh9-203iezfvKrYICFN8MPjhRbmXOnVUzqZesWrdLlUpE7swcxZ-lSwTtnVJowTNUNqZ7u_CrC3_qo1kGVgKvgkazq3V2Grg41eDdb2Al2yT0b2GPkRac/s320/Let+us+not+become+weary+in+doing+good%252C+for+at+the+proper+time+we+will+reap+a+harvest+if+we+do+not+give+up.+-Galations+69+NIV.png" width="320" /></a></div>There is a popular parable in Mark chapter 4 about the sower: </span><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty-fold and sixty-fold and a hundred-fold</i>.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As with most passages in the Bible, there is a lot packed into that little space! In my life, I was blessed that many people came to sow seeds.<br /><br />Early on in my life, some of those <i>seeds</i> clearly "fell along the path" and they were eaten up. For example, my senior year of high school, I went to youth group just about every Wednesday. Not on Sunday, just on Wednesday. Why? Well, that's where the cute girls were. I really didn't let anything I heard on Wednesday night penetrate my heart, that would have surely distracted me from the cute girls! A little later in my life, clearly some "fell among the thorns" and were choked by work, stress, distractions (maybe a video game or ten). I certainly didn't want the thorns choking out my walk, but really wasn't doing much to prevent that. About 10 years ago, I found myself in the "good soil". The "good soil" is so much better!<br /><br />I am so thankful that multiple people in my life took the time to scatter the seed. I wonder how some of them felt, pouring into some teenage boy who is.... let's just say not focused on the Word. As an aside, I fully expect at least one school teacher to be completely shocked to find me in heaven, maybe a couple. It can be frustrating to pour into someone's life and not see any harvest for the work at the time. What's that saying, "you can't want their recovery more than they do", yep that's it.<br /><br />Continuing on in the book of Mark, 4:26-27 says "<i>And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how</i>." <u>God's timing is not our timing,</u> we are to obediently spread His word and then sleep and rise the next day to do it again. Do you think those school teachers of mine will think of this verse when they see me? Or a paraphrase at least, "wow, that's Joe. The seed sprouted, how did that happen?"<br /><br />One of the reasons I volunteer in The Landing at Celebrate Recovery is because of all of those people that poured into my life when I was younger. There are some rough nights where at the end of the night I feel like none of the students were paying any attention and I may have just managed to barely keep them entertained for a couple hours, nothing more. Keeping my story in mind helps me remember that some nights I'm just planting seeds, the harvest comes later. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As you know, this isn't just in student ministry. Sometimes it happens in friendships, where a good friend has decided to make a bad choice and there's nothing you can do to talk them out of it. Maybe it's a sponsee that has decided to quit step study because that inventory thing is hard. Maybe it's an accountability partner who has had a relapse or setback and stops returning your calls and just drops off the map. In these situations, we need to remember that we are not called to do it all, we are just called to do our part. Love on them, spread God's truth, and then pray that some of it takes hold. It may take 20 years to sprout, but compared to eternity 20 years is really not that long!<br /><br />One of my favorite stories from the Landing was several years ago when a student started coming who was openly a non-believer. (He gave me permission to share the story, but I'm still going to leave out his name and details for anonymity). You see, the only reason he was coming is because it was something he was permitted to do, got him out of the house on a Friday night. His first night, in his introduction, he started with "I don't believe any of this, I hope that doesn't offend anyone" and almost glared at the rest of us in group, looking for someone to react. We didn't. He came back, in fact he came back just about every week for several months. After the first couple times, his introduction became less of a test of us, looking for us to react, and settled into him just stating that he didn't believe. He seemed to enjoy his time each Friday night and even started to participate really well in group. After about 4 months, his introduction changed to "I'm not sure what I believe", then "I'm trying to figure out this Jesus thing", and then one week (to my complete surprise) "I'm a brand new believer in Jesus Christ". I admit, I reacted a little to that. You see, he kept coming because he felt safe. We kept scattering seed and not getting discouraged when it didn't sprout 5 seconds later.<br /><br />We do our part, and let God do His. </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "<span class="text Gal-6-9" id="en-NIV-29198" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">Let us not become weary in doing good,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29198O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29198O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> for at the proper time </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Gal-6-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">" </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> -</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Galations 6:9 NIV</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have a great week forever family.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZu7mfYS_VY">HERE</a> to listen to "Well Done" by The Afters </span></div>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-46426680454713434982021-04-21T16:03:00.003-05:002021-04-21T16:04:44.208-05:00Falling Down<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">By Brookelynn Harper, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team, 4/21/21</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3ImuKIujqBcEk31boLVNqzpuxfbggmsF74UJOi4l90cL8zhUE9co9AFLrJQmV_77soPVB6ybAS7Pq8TIRKxSAt6_CBHVactHUKaCdxvr4vMscu-8nZ6IkitNDnPZDS-Qpgis5jtltfCT/s940/Photography_+Molly+Boyd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3ImuKIujqBcEk31boLVNqzpuxfbggmsF74UJOi4l90cL8zhUE9co9AFLrJQmV_77soPVB6ybAS7Pq8TIRKxSAt6_CBHVactHUKaCdxvr4vMscu-8nZ6IkitNDnPZDS-Qpgis5jtltfCT/s320/Photography_+Molly+Boyd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>One of the only things I can remember being taught in P.E. was how to fall. There are safe ways to fall, and dangerous ways to fall. In professional sports, athletes fall down all the time, but they twist their bodies so that the fall doesn’t hurt them. <br /><br />I never got the hang of it though. I’ve twisted my ankle just by taking the wrong step down a slope. <br /><br />There are also ways to be falling emotionally and spiritually. For me, it often comes when I feel like something is out of control. A plan doesn’t go the way I was hoping, or I am about to do something I’ve never done before. Maybe it’s just that I’m flat-out tired, or I’m re-running a conversation with someone that went poorly. Whatever the circumstance, the result is that I feel like I’m falling. <br /><br />I can never be prepared enough to avoid the feeling of falling. I can, however, decide how I land. <br /><br />Sometimes I try to brace myself. I do everything that I can to get things back into my control. But just like sticking out my arms when falling results in broken bones and twisted ankles, trying to gain control just makes me want to hide, lie, and manipulate my way back into a position that I like. This results in broken relationships and a twisted sense of shame. It doesn’t keep me from falling. <br /><br />I can go numb- just take the fall and pretend it doesn’t hurt. But when I do that spiritually, I find that it’s never a quick fall- it goes on and on, gaining momentum until when I do hit the ground, it hurts far too much for me to pretend everything’s fine. <br /><br />But there’s a third option: choosing to fall on something soft. You may say, “Yeah, well, sometimes there’s nothing soft nearby to fall on.” And while that’s true physically, it’s quite the opposite spiritually. We have a God who wants to be the one we depend on. And he’s always nearby. </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As Psalm 34 says, “<i>The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit</i>.” and “ <i>The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned</i>.” <br /><br />Right now, In a period of uncertainty, confusion, and loneliness, God has been using Celebrate Recovery to show me how sweet He can be. But He shows it when I stop trying to brace myself, and instead turn to Him to protect me from the hurt. <br /><br />He gives a cushion when I turn to my close circle, who keep me accountable. He turns lessons into nets that catch me as people share stories I can relate to so much. And He lifts me up and helps me stand again through the Bible, as I learn more about why He acts how He does. <br /><br />And the faster I give Him all of the worries and sadness that make me feel like I’m falling, the faster I begin to be grounded as I see what He has to say about me, my goals, and all the people that I care so much about. Until suddenly, I find myself grounded again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ifzzMD7zk">HERE</a> to listen to "All The People Said Amen" by Matt Maher</span></div>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-45418537802945475982021-04-14T14:50:00.003-05:002021-04-14T15:09:56.031-05:00Unpacking Boxes<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">By Kareena Holloway, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery TEAM Encourager Coach, 4/14/21</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjTiaCbUaJ2_Tw_AoE8IvyY2VPbvYqobdHeFjlAoyvp1AvPA3LxCWhuzaZBZF5VkhZqL80t7RgNJf_1TmYXCdvHyGq9DA1BlsL5P8Z0Fb6R1q5C4DV0KvKgv8nW_0QCjL9K9Q61T-Hegs/s940/Untitled+design.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjTiaCbUaJ2_Tw_AoE8IvyY2VPbvYqobdHeFjlAoyvp1AvPA3LxCWhuzaZBZF5VkhZqL80t7RgNJf_1TmYXCdvHyGq9DA1BlsL5P8Z0Fb6R1q5C4DV0KvKgv8nW_0QCjL9K9Q61T-Hegs/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you ever felt stuck? That you are somehow defined by your
past? Perhaps you’ve done things that you just feet that you can’t overcome. Do you feel like you "just can't win", or
maybe you’ve been hurt by a loved one, and you just feel like you can’t get
past it. Do you think that maybe you’ve put yourself in a “box?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">That might sound odd, but if you think about it that is what
we all can tend to do at times. We can set up camp on the idea that we are
defined by our past choices, or that we will “always be this way,” “always be
an addict,” “always be a victim,” “once a ____ always a ____,” etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So how do we get out of this negative thought-life? </span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>From his temple he heard my voice;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>my cry came before him, into his ears."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Psalm 18:6</i></div></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When I found myself stuck, I cried out to God for help! Now, I can tell you from my own personal experience that I made
many very bad choices prior to coming to God’s truth about who I am to Him. I
was lost in relationship addiction, codependency, and control. Because of my
past hurts, I had a distorted view on a lot of things. I thought I was happy in
my mess until it caught up with me. When I faced the reality of the people I
had hurt and the choices I had made, I was filled with guilt and shame. I had
put myself in a box that was labeled “Damaged Goods,” and I had put my past
abusers in a box that was labeled “Unforgiven.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Engaging in the Celebrate Recovery ministry helped me to
unpack those boxes one step at a time, bringing me to a place where I could lay
down my guilt, shame, and the unforgiveness I held so tightly. By no means am I
saying that I have it all together – but I am saying that I no longer have the
hurt and shame holding me back. Those boxes have been long-since unpacked and
broken down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So what “boxes” are you holding on to? Is there a hurt you’ve
experienced or a choice you made and you feel that you’re “stuck” with that
label? That isn’t God’s plan for you!</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"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."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jeremiah 29:11</span></i></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> I pray that as you read this, you will
begin to see that God has greater plans for you to prosper and that you will have hope in His truth! Hallelujah, love has won!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope to see you at Celebrate Recovery!</span></p>"Sometimes it feels like it's hopeless<div>It's a war just to hang by a thread<br />Sometimes on this side of heaven<br />Oh, it just doesn't make sense<br />And that's why He gave us this family<br />With a promise that nothing can break<br />That one day we'll all be together<br />And the devil can't take that away<br />Oh, so don't be afraid<br />He's already conquered the grave<br />So sing Hallelujah love has won"<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmr377R2NE4">HERE</a> to listen to "Love Has Won" by Citizen Way</span></p><br /><p></p><br /></div>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831552812314948942.post-82820187424886542492021-04-07T13:58:00.000-05:002021-04-07T13:58:06.283-05:00Trading My Sorrows<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;">By Carl Kimbro, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team, 4/7/21</span><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WUtsCl2BsT-6ugBzslf2Dg7Ovw3MVUOSP_e-GluP0dSvuWQygOcjHi4vTD_h0jIDQM2sdU1GOUhJDbcTujehQmOFREeyGkZji3qvdUlALAxbaKJVNfhkXkHAHofM5ux6j_jD8sdcYZ2_/s1280/1617821726332_1280x1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WUtsCl2BsT-6ugBzslf2Dg7Ovw3MVUOSP_e-GluP0dSvuWQygOcjHi4vTD_h0jIDQM2sdU1GOUhJDbcTujehQmOFREeyGkZji3qvdUlALAxbaKJVNfhkXkHAHofM5ux6j_jD8sdcYZ2_/s320/1617821726332_1280x1280.jpg" /></a></div><br />Cheryl and I like to call adopting our granddaughters “Parenting round 2.” Anyone who has had interruptions to their “rhythms of life” knows the unexpectedly sudden things like death, raising grandkids, taking care of an aging parent, or a host of other problems can be overwhelming. Some days I feel anger and resentment for a life that seems lost to me. Today as I write this could easily be one of those days.<p></p><p></p><p>One of my friends told me recently that he is beginning what is known to some as "empty nesters life" and planning the things they will do. Another friend is just enjoying time alone with his wife and getting to know her again like when they were first married.</p><p></p><p>These things remind me of the two years alone we had before we had to take custody of the girls. I am jealous and envious of my friends. I question why God allowed this to happen. It fuels my resentment again for son, the girl parents. I get mad, and I lash out at others around me. I know it’s unforgiving, and I know it doesn’t portray my life as a Christian to the girls or to those around me. That it turn causes me to spend the rest of my day confessing these sins to God. It's a trip into frustration that I hate. Fortunately, Celebrate Recovery has given me the tools to change the destination from frustration to joy.</p><p></p><p>When I feel stuck in my circumstances, or just plain miserable, Principle 2 reminds me of just how much I matter to God.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Principle 2</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">and that He has the power to help me recover.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;">“<i>Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted</i>.” Matthew 5:4</p><p></p><p>It’s <u>okay</u> to mourn. It’s a God given emotion, but mourning doesn’t feel good. In the past, I turned to sinful addictions to bring me comfort. But it was just an illusion that didn’t bring peace or happiness. Celebrate Recovery has taught me to turn to the Word of God for comfort and truth. In the scriptures I find a God who loves me and died for me that I might be free from sin to live with Him forever. I never lose my sense of awe that we have such an awesome God that He would do that for me. In scripture, I find many stories that show again and again how God comforted and brought peace to those who were hurting. My bible reading reminds me God will do this for me too!</p><p></p><p>Friendly words and prayer at just the right time are a blessing. My accountability partners are a life-line for me. Before I started to write this blog, I reached out to them. Immediately I received two texts offering brotherly love, prayer and concern. Just this encouragement alone changed my attitude quickly. I never had accountability brothers before. What a blessing! Because of CR, I have learned that leaning on others isn’t a weakness. It’s a lifesaver!</p><p></p><p>Are you hurting and mourning circumstances in your life? If so, I encourage you to turn to Principle 2 and remember that to God you matter!</p><p>Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n7Gayvt2eE">HERE</a> to listen to "Yes Lord (Trading My Sorrows)" by Jeremy Camp</p>CR Weekly Encouragementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659961401510477270noreply@blogger.com0