God is moving in CR

I Am In A Dark Place

2012-01-31T11:08:00.012-06:00

Have you ever walked into a room where there were no lights or electricity to speak of? I mean that dark room where you can't even see the front of your hand?
It can be a little uneasy, can’t it? Especially if I am the first one home at night after a long day and no one else is home yet. My dogs will start barking at me cause they don't know who has just walked into our home. It isn’t until I start talking and they hear the familiar voice of their master that they begin to come to me to greet me with warm love and lots of wet kisses. :)
If you were in a room of darkness and your kids or pets were in there and they could only rely on your voice to steer them toward you, would they recognize you over say a stranger’s voice?
Of course they would. Why? Because they know their mother or father's voice. All you would have to do it keep talking to them and letting them know you are "over here, keeping following my voice until you find me". Eventually, if they trust that voice, they will meet you for a welcomed reunion.
This got me to thinking about a passage in John Chapter 10. Verses 1-5 "Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he's up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won't follow a stranger's voice but will scatter because they aren't used to the sound of it." MSG

Did you catch that? "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out...they follow because they are familiar with his voice.... They won't follow a stranger's voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it"

The problem I have had in my life is I am way too familiar with stranger’s voice. The voice of the one who comes to kill steal and destroy. The one who calls out to me in those dark places in my life and attempts to lure me toward him instead of the One who comes to give me life in its fullest. Ever been in that dark place? That place where everything seems so dark and hopelessness begins to consume you? Yeah, me too.
There have been times in my life where I look back and wonder how I could be so deceived and even though my instincts told me otherwise, or even though the Holy Spirit was prompting me to choose a better voice, I chose the one that was a stranger to me. I chose the one who lead me astray. John 10:6-10 "...All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."

Here is the beautiful message of hope and restoration... 11-13"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary.
A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He's only in it for the money. The sheep don't matter to him. I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice."

The Father loves you and I so much that He will run to us as our Protector to rescue us in our darkness. The key part I play in this is staying close enough to the Father thru the reading of His Word and prayer to hear His voice and run to His voice and not the voice of the stranger, the deceiver, thief and destroyer. No, by knowing His voice, I can distinguish His voice and know when the enemy is speaking to me and when Truth is speaking to me. He will lead me to green pastures, where I can feed and drink off his nurtients found in His Word and in a relationship with Him.
I don't want a hired hand looking after me. I want the True Shepherd, Protector, Comforter, the Almighty as my Good Shepherd leading me to the Light.
I am so grateful that though I have listened to the strangers voice in the past, the Good Shepherd has always welcomed me back with grace and mercy with a free ticket to return to Him.

The next time you find yourself in a dark room like I have, cry out to the Father who wants to replace the lies with truth and ultimate freedom in your mind, heart and soul. Your Master is saying to you in those dark times, “I am over here son or daughter. Follow my voice and I will lead you back to Me. It’s gonna be ok beloved child”
Then, once we get to Him it is a much welcomed and needed reunion with our Father with lots of hugs and holy kisses. Yes, He loves you and me that much!
The key is, spend time with your Father so that “when” those dark times come cause we know if is not a matter of "if" but when, then you will clearly no the difference between the thief and sheep stealer and the One who brings life, the life giver!

Have a blessed week friend.
Rodney Holmstrom

If you would like to learn about Celebrate Recovery that can and will lead you back to Your Good Shepherd, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

He Will Never Give Me More Than I Can Handle

2012-01-25T16:04:00.006-06:00

If you look up “Hurting” in the dictionary, one definition you will find is: a blow that inflicts a wound; bodily injury or the cause of such injury. Injury, damage, or harm; the cause of mental pain or offense, as an insult.How are you today? Are you experiencing any part of that definition in your life right now? Have you received a recent blow that has caused you mental, physical or even spiritual injury? Have you received a painful offense or insult from someone close to you? Are you in the middle of a crazy storm in your life?No matter how much you are facing or have faced, we as believers can find hope in knowing He will never abandon us. Ps 9:9-10
Hope is coming my friend!
A good friend and pastor challenged me with a thought that I have had for some time. He said, Rodney, we hear people say all the time that “God will never give me more than I can handle”. Often I will use this when things seem to be falling apart in my life or one thing after another seems to be going wrong and crumbling in front of my eyes.
I will say, “Well at least I know God will never give me more than I can handle.” The truth of the matter though, as my friend was sharing with me, is that everything we face on a daily basis is more than we can handle on our own isn’t it? Without a reliance on God, I can do NOTHING.
That is so true isn’t it? I mean, isn’t that what principle one is all about? To come to that realization that we are powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives has become unmanageable. I am not able to handle life without God.
What a revelation this was for me. I had a great reminder that today, I am powerless and I cannot handle anything without complete reliance on Him, my strength, my Rock and shield in my life.
This is so much easier to face than the idea that whatever I am facing has to be dealt with by me and my own strength.God has lavished His love on me and you in bigger ways that we can ever wrap our mind around.
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!..." I John 3:1
When is the last time you rejoiced in the love that He has lavished, expended or given in great amounts or without limit on you? It seems like an oxymoron to praise Him in our pain doesn’t it? To be honest though, that is when I must ramp up my praise to the Father because He is the one walking and leading me through it isn’t He?It is because of His love for you and me that we have a blanket of hope covering us. No matter what you are facing today, He is our portion and our hope can rest in Him.
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!” Lam 3:22-24“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thes. 5:8-9

Remember, no matter what you are facing in your life, as Your Father, He is your hiding place and your shield. We can hope in His word as Ps 119:114 reminds us. Keep your eyes, your hope, your confidence, on Him my friend.

Rodney Holmstrom

If you would like information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

This is Gonna Hurt, Isn't It?

2012-01-12T10:09:00.006-06:00

Ok, so if you have a weak stomach, this might gross you out a bit but the parallels are just too good for me not to share. This is the part where the announcer voice comes on the screen and says, “Warning, the following information may not be suitable for all stomachs. Parental discretion is advised. 
Ok, maybe not that bad but it depends on how you deal with these kinds of things.

I recently developed an ingrown finger nail on my right hand. Man, did it ever hurt!!! I couldn’t even type an email without feeling incredible pain. It began to swell up and turn all kinds of interesting colors. This went on for days and it was not a pretty picture at all.
Finally I ran into one of my buddies and he told me after looking at it “bro that looks bad! You are going to have to cut that open and let it drain to get the junk out of there that is causing the infection.”

Ok, now I need to tell you, this is where I turn my man card in. I am one of the biggest wimps when it comes to this kind of thing. Did he just say “cut that open”?!?!?!?Uh, yes he did. Are you crazy!? So he hands me a brand new razor blade and told me to cut right on the infection for best results. Sounds like a commercial doesn’t it? :)
He then gave me alcohol wipes to clean the blade first, medicine to put on the cut afterward, a band aid and a kick in the pants to getter done!

So I went back to my office, packed my finger in ice to get it good and numb and…waited then.....I waited some more. Yeah I know, pathetic...
And then…yes I did it. I cut a small hole in the infection and all the junk started coming out of it. (I told you this might get graphic but you didn’t listen did you? :)
Here is the amazing thing, after I got all the infection out, put the medicine on the wound and a band aid, my finger felt a million times better. It was so awesome! I could touch my finger again and not feel like it had been hit by a hammer. The question I immediately thought was, “why in the world did you wait so long to do this Rodney!!!?!???!

So this got me to thinking about moral inventory thru step four of Celebrate Recovery. When I first sat down to write my inventory while going thru my first step group, I had a lot of the same feeling I did when I was facing dealing with my wounded and infected finger. I did not want to do it!
I had thoughts like, “Are you crazy!? I am not doing that!” or, “That’s gonna hurt too much to do this”. I had people around me telling me that it was necessary in order to deal with the hurt in my heart from my past. To deal with the “infection” that was not only infecting me, but the rest of my life, family and friends.
I needed a swift kick (in a loving way) in the pants from my sponsor to say, “You need to do this brother and you CAN do this. You will feel so much better afterward.
I can tell you now, just like my finger, I felt like a million bucks after I shared my inventory with my sponsor. He didn’t judge me, I didn't die and my life began to change as a result of my obedience to Him. James 5:16 tells us in order to enjoy the fruit and get on the right road, the healing road, Jesus purpose in our road to recovery, we must “confess our sins to one another, and pray for one another, SO THAT, we may be healed.” Our Father, the One who created us tells us to confess all our junk to one another and pray for one another because He knows what and how we function as humans. We do this why? SO THAT we may be healed.
Yes, it hurts to go thru it but after we have made the incision into our cut, thru writing this stuff out and confessing it to someone we trust, we see the infected areas, the bitterness, rage, selfisness, self righteouness, pride, fear, anxiety, control issues, addictions, gossip, judgemental hearts, greed, depression, low self esteem come oozing out and then Jesus applies His medicine with the help of the Holy Spirit and the men and women He puts in our life.
Yes, it takes courage and I didn’t think I could do it either. But you know what? It wasn't half as bad as what the enemy made it out to be. He was making it much worse than it actually was. I was making it much worse cause I believed the lies from the enemy.
I like this new clean and hopeful road of hope He has me on. He has given me a clean start in life and I am grateful. I am no where near perfect but I have new hope now.
Let me ask you a question that was asked of me, how bad does it have to get before you do the necessary work toward freedom. What would have happened if I didn’t cut into my finger? I would still be hurting and worse yet, my finger would be much worse. The infection would still be tormenting my whole body.
Denial is me saying, it’s not that bad, really! I can just type without my middle finger.
I am so glad we have a safe place in CR to take off the mask of denial and feel safe to say, “I have a wound and it hurts badly. How can I deal with this pain and find relief in my heart from hurt, failures, fears and yes, even denial in my life?”
CR is a safe place to do that and I promise, though it is hard at times, it feels so wonderful on the other side of the process. You will be saying what I said myself, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?!”
Come join me and hundreds of thousands dealing with the infected areas of our life at Celebrate Recovery.
Rodney Holmstrom
For more information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

I Feel So Lost

2012-01-10T10:47:00.009-06:00

Have you lost anyone close to you? Do you sometimes feel lost without your loved ones in your life? Do you miss them? Me too! Remember, it is ok to miss them and the fact that you have a heart that hurts so well, means you have a heart that loves so well. Those feelings are God given feelings and He will comfort you in those tough times.This past week at Celebrate Recovery we had our annual “Nail it to the Cross” CR service. This is where we nail anything that might be holding us back in our life of ministry to lead our families effectively, our workplace, neighbors and those who do not know Christ. Removing the things that are preventing us from walking in step with the Father. Maybe a hurt or failure from our past, maybe we are in denial about something in the present or perhaps a fear of the future or even a fear of failure.What an awesome sight to look out from the stage and see a wave of people walking down the aisle toward the Cross to nail whatever it may be to the Cross. It was truly a blessing to take part in this with my forever family.
As I was preparing for this big night, we gathered up the Cross and had it placed in the middle of the sanctuary. We located hammers to use as well as the black piece of paper and pencils so that people could write things down discretely without anyone being able to tell what it was they were writing.
Something was missing…..Oh yeah, the nails! You can’t nail the stuff to the Cross without nails right?!So I went to our storage closet where we have a blue container full of nails. When I looked inside the container I was taken aback by what I saw. I saw an old name tag from one of our dear brothers and friends, Rex. As his friends many of us said goodbye to our Rex when he died several years ago in a bad motorcycle accident.
It made me sad for a moment to think that we don’t have goofy Rex here on this earth anymore to make us laugh and even mad at times with his stubbornness. :)
As the CR Friday Night played out, I was taken struck with the thought of what Rex must be experiencing right now. I was taken aback by the thought of Rex not having to feel pain anymore. Not having to deal with life’s struggles any longer. Wow! 2 Cor. 5:8 reads, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
I can just hear Rex saying those words as He dances with the Father.
As much as I miss him and the many others close to me such as my sweet mom, it warms my heart to know they are in a better place.“….and then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master (Jesus). So reassure one another with these words.” I look forward to this great reunion (gathering of family, friends or individuals at regular intervals or after a separation). Love you brother Rex, mom, and others that have left us.
If you have lost someone close to you that went to be with the Lord, you can find great hope and confidence in knowing that we will see them again one day. We rejoice in this promise of an eternal heavenly reunion.
This also spurs me with a great challenge however; asking the question; who do I know that still does not know our Father? Am I sharing Christ with people that need to His hope? Am I telling as many people as I can about CR and the freedom we gain thru surrendering to Him and turning our life over to Him in all things? Am I telling as many people I can about the upcoming tool that is www.homerunthe movie.com?
1 John 3:18 “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
And Gal 6:1-2 “If a Christian is overcome by some sin….humbly help him back onto the right path, remembering that the next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong. Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command.”
As much as we hurt and deep the heartache we feel for the ones we have lost in our life, Jesus is saying the same thing about those that have not come to know Him. He feels lost without them. That is why He sent His son to die for us. Wow! Chew on that for a minute.
Who do you know that needs recovery in their life? Who do you know that could find great hope in startign this road to Recovery today? Who is that one person that comes to your mind right this second? What would happen if you called them right now and invited them to CR or church this week? You may be surprised in the response. Even if they say no, you never know what kind of seeds have been planted.

Thank You Lord for the great reminder thru the passing of a brother, Rex, that left us years ago, reminding me that our time on earth is short. I want to make the most of it as I await my family reunion with forever family. See you there!

Rodney Holmstrom

For information about how you can begin the process to deal with life’s hurts and failures from the past, denial in the present or maybe even a fear of the future or failure, contact Rodney at roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org or 479-659-3679

Sticks and Stones...

2012-01-04T09:17:00.005-06:00

I can remember when I was little saying the catchy saying, "sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me"
Man was that ever a lie. I am not sure who came up with that but they did not have much wisdom in how powerful the tongue is to others when used in the wrong way.
I can remember as a little boy being called stupid cause my grades were not what they needed to be. In fact I can still remember sitting at the kitchen table with my step dad doing homework. I couldn’t figure out my math homework and he only got more and more frustrated with me. The big problem with a step dad that was an alcoholic getting frustrated was the rage and physical abuse that followed the frustration. I can still remember the math problem in one instance. It was rounding up or down. When do we do this?
Funny how little things stick in our head huh? But here we were repeating our nightly routine of my step-dad "helping" me with my homework. 99% of the time it would end up resulting in me getting punched across the face and falling back into the plant that always sat behind our kitchen table.
I don't know what was more humiliating the fall or having to pick my dazed self back up and find my bearings again while stumbling everywhere.
As crazy as it may sound and as harmful as the physical abuse was from my step dad, it was the tongue and words that came from him that hurt more and had an even longer effect on me and my life. My step dad has since past on but his words have left many scars and even a huge hole in my heart and life.Proverbs 12:18-19 reads, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
For many years I allowed those feelings to be stuffed in my heart and ignored. It was not until I faced those words of being told how stupid I am or what a moron I am for not being able to figure out the math problem. I had dealt with the problems and effects that those old feelings had on me and believing truth versus the lies in my life. Celebrate Recovery was huge in helping me deal with this junk. I now know that I am His child, Jn 1:12, His friend, Jn 15:15 that I am complete in Christ, Col 2:10 and not stupid. Thank God that He makes all things new!!!Recently I began going back to school to further my education but had an algebra requirement to make up to be able to do this. It is through my recovery in Christ especially thru CR that I was able to face this daunting task. Now I know for some this may not have been a big deal but for me taking a math class at 40, to date was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. All the fears of not being able to do it and falling back to that little boy sitting at the kitchen table came rushing back. "Am I stupid? What if I fail and really am not able to do this? What if my step dad was right?" All very real questions came to my head. But then Christ began to speak to me. Telling me that I am His beloved son and that He did not give me a spirit of timidity or fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. (1 Tim 1:7)
I am so glad that I did not listen to the lies from the enemy and so glad to give God the glory for getting me thru that class with an A! Only God can do that. Either way things turned out though, it would have been fine. My identity is not based on how much I succeed or fail in life. Whew! That is good news huh?
The words that come from my mouth will impact people. I used to believe that I could say something sarcastic or even hurtful as long as I followed it up with a “I’m just kidding!” Wow! Was I ever wrong? James tells us in James 3:6 “The tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole person course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”Wow! The tongue is a powerful tool that can bring great destruction in someone’s life. Sarcasm is defined as “the tearing of the flesh”….now that puts a whole new perspective on things doesn’t it?
On the flip side, my words can build people up and bring great encouragement. I love the definition John Baker gives to encouragement, “oxygen to the soul” I need to remember Pro 12:19 and keep it in my heart as I address my brothers and sisters in the faith “…but the tongue of the wise brings healing”
I know what it feels like to be on the other side of the hurtful words or the damaging tongue. My prayer is that if I hurt someone with my harmful words, that I make amends immediately. I do pray however, that I will stop and think before I speak so that the damage is not done to begin within another’s heart due to my harmful words.
Thanks for letting me share.
Rodney
For more information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

The Afterglow of 2011??

2011-12-29T14:46:00.002-06:00

What has 2011 looked like for you? What would 2012 look like if you were seeking Christ and dealing with your hurts, habits and hang-ups from the past?
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago." Psalm 77:11 Song by Brian Doerkson "Song of the Bride
Isaish 30:15 reads
"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says;
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is your
strength,"
Maybe this year is THE life changing year for you and your relationships, to change the way you are dealing and feeling about your life. Maybe the goal of 2012 is to allow God to guide us and direct our every step. He has the ability, is willing, and able and very much desires with His great care to walk with us through our life's hurts habits and hang-ups.
No matter what you are going through or holding onto from the past or present, His Word brings hope and strength with a promise,
Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though theya re red like crimson, they shall be like wool."Let's make 2012 a genuine Happy New Year in Christ free from our junk in life. As we lift our eyes to Him He brings us great freedom. If youa re tired, hurting and struggling, there is only one solution and that is Jesus Christ.
Celebrate Recovery is a great tool to point us back to Christ and experience the freedom that His Word speaks of.
Rodney

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

12 Days Of CR Christmas

2011-12-20T09:29:00.000-06:00

One of our great leader Monica rewrote the lyrics to this old Christmas song to tie into the 12 steps. We had a lot of fun singing it and love that it keeps the focus on the 12 steps thru Christmas. Great job Monica!
On the first day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, the notion it’s
not about me;
On the second day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, my sanity, and the
notion it’s not about me.
On the third day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, the will to be
faithful, my sanity, and the notion it’s not about me.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, my inventory, will
to be faithful, my sanity, and the notion it’s not about me.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, the chance to come
clean! my Inventory, faithfulness, my sanity, and the notion it’s not
about me
On the sixth day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, desire to be humble,
the chance to come clean! my Inventory, faithfulness, my sanity, and the
notion it’s not about me.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, freedom from
shortcomings, desire to be humble, the chance to come clean! my Inventory,
faithfulness, my sanity, and the notion it’s not about me.
On the eight day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, list of those hurt by
me, freedom from shortcomings, desire to be humble, the chance to come
clean! my Inventory, faithfulness, my sanity, and the notion it’s not
about me.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, my apologies, a list
of those hurt by me, freedom from shortcomings, desire to be humble, the
chance to come clean! my Inventory, faithfulness, my sanity, and the notion
it’s not about me.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, daily inventory, my
apologies, a list of those hurt by me, freedom from shortcomings, desire
to be humble, the chance to come clean! my Inventory, faithfulness, my
sanity, and the notion it’s not about me.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, His word living in
me, daily inventory, my apologies, a list of those hurt by me, freedom
from shortcomings, desire to be humble, the chance to come clean!
my Inventory, faithfulness, my sanity, and the notion that it’s not about me.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my Savior gave to me, His message to
carry, His word living in me, daily inventory, my apologies, a list of
those hurt by me, freedom from shortcomings, desire to be humble, the
chance to come clean! my Inventory, faithfulness, my sanity, and the notion it’s not about me.

If you would like some info about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Holiday Blues

2011-12-19T13:51:00.001-06:00

How has your 2011 ended up? This time of year can tend to be a time of reflection on the good and the bad from the year we just experienced.
I know personally I have good anniversaries from my marriage in another year with my wife. But, there are things that are pretty tough too huh? This year I saw another anniversary from my mother's passing in 2009. Oh how I miss her at times and it is hard not having her here.
Are you struggling this season with the lsos of a loved one?
Maybe a job situation is frustrating? Having trouble finding work and the bills are piling up?
Maybe you are picking up the pieces from debris lying around due to poor choices you may have made.
Maybe you are just struggling with life on life's terms. Hopefully this video will bring you some encouragement.

Remember, because you have a heart that hurts to well, you have a heart that loves so well. Most importantly, you are loved even more by our Father.

If you are ready to go to work on dealing with whatever it is you are struggling with remember we are here as your brothers and sisters. We are ready to point you to Christ and His healing power.

I want to encourage you to find a CR near you and experience His love thru CR. If you do not know Christ as your savior, I want to encourage you to talk with your pastor or email or call me and I am happy to assist you in this as well.
You are loved. Hope to see you soon!

-Rodney Holmstrom

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowhsipnwa.org

Have You Lost the Wonder?

2011-12-16T12:18:00.008-06:00

When is the last time you were caught up in wonder? When is the last time you were overwhelmed with an exciting surprise?
As a kid I would get so excited when Christmas drew near. I could hardly sleep, let alone think about anything else due to my curiosity and excitement for what Christmas morning would bring.
Can you remember what that was like? It seems like 50 years ago for me. 
Wasn’t that so much fun? As a dad it was especially fun when my kids were little to see the excitement on their faces as they stared at the Christmas tree decorations and wondered what gifts they would be receiving.
As much fun as that is for us, those bursts of excitement are only temporary aren’t they? I mean I can remember some presents I received as a kid being the coolest thing ever, but then a couple weeks later, they had lost their shine to them. What started out as the best thing ever now had become just another thing cluttering up my toy box. I can remember how excited I was when I got an Atari with Pac Man, Donkey Kong (even though it only had three levels that played over and over), and of course Space Invaders, for Christmas. It was the coolest thing ever. Eventually though, it became obsolete and I lost interest.
In my life I have seen this pattern continue even into adulthood. If I only had that new house, or car, or latest technology, then I would be happy. If I only had the new clothes more money, or expensive furniture for the house, that would make me happy right? Not exactly. It was like trying to put a large puzzle together and not having all the pieces together to finish it. I hate that don’t you? In fact, just like it was as little kid the things I thought would fill a void in my life and bring me happiness were only temporary highs for me. I even used drugs and alcohol as a way to fill the void of loneliness, fear and anxiety in my life. That not only didn’t work, it created even more damage in my life.
I am learning thru my relationship with Jesus Christ that there is nothing in this world that can fill the void of loneliness, fear, anxiety, hopelessness, etc. Only Jesus Christ can fully and completely fill that void in my life. I have so much more joy in my life when I am seeking Him and not the things of the past that didn’t even come close to filling the void in my heart. When I seek him, every day can be a day of joy, wonder and hope. When I seek him it makes me a better dad, husband, and leader in life.
I Chronicles 16:12 reads “…remember the wonders He has done…” In the Message version verses 9-12 read,
“Thank GOD! Call out his Name!
Tell the whole world who he is and what he's done!
Sing to him! Play songs for him!
Broadcast all his wonders!
Revel in his holy Name,
GOD-seekers, be jubilant!
Study GOD and his strength,
seek his presence day and night;
Remember all the wonders he performed,
the miracles and judgments that came out of his mouth.”

What if this Christmas became the start of all of us waking up each and every day with the same wonder of that of a child on Christmas morning? The thing that I need to remember is that Christmas is a big part of the story. Had Christ not been born He never would have grown to a man to pay the ultimate sacrifice for me. A baby born for a purpose to live a life on earth, feel the pains we feel and ultimately pay a big price and sacrifice for me. How can we possibly have consistent wonder daily let alone on Christmas as an adult? I must focus on the Cross and what He did for me. I Chron says, “Study God and His strength, seek His presence day and night.”
Wow, you mean if I study Him thru His Word and seek His presence day and night, I too can experience His wonder?
As you approach this Christmas season and going into the New Year, keep a child like faith and approach each day with wonder and hunger. Allow Him to surprise you with His love, wisdom and faithfulness. He will knock your socks off with His big love and hope. Surprise as defined in Webster’s dictionary: to strike or experience a sudden feeling of wonder or astonishment as though unexpected. Look up at Him, your Father and see His bigness.Are you astonished by His love and wonder today? If not, my encouragement to you friend is to study Him and seek Him. I promise He has the strength, willingness, and ability to fill any and all voids in your life. He has the power and desire to give us happiness no matter what we have or what we may be going through.
Thank Him today for the surprises and wonders He has done in your life. He is worthy to be praised.

Is 9:6-7 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

Merry Christmas friend! May this next year truly be a Christ filled “Christ Happy” New Year.

Come see us Friday Night! We would love to point you to the One full of wonder, hope, love and surprise.
Rodney Holmstrom

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over...

2011-12-14T10:38:00.008-06:00

There was a time in my life when I was wrapped up in myself. Pride was my biggest enemy and lead to so much junk in my life. Because of my pride and unwillingness to surrender I would find myself doing the same ugly things in my life. Lying, manipulating situations, and always trying to white knuckle my way through life. The old ugly thinking that told me if I reached out to a brother when I am struggling then I was weak and not worthy to be called a man. My life was made up of reproducing or duplicating the unhealthy things that lead to destruction or emptiness. Duplication by its very definition is to do or perform an act again repeatedly. In recovery I learned that this is called insanity, to do the same thing over and over again expecting different results.Paul puts it like this in Romans 7:15 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”
When I have tried to control things on my own by white knuckling my way through my hurts, habits and hang-ups, it only lead to getting in deeper and deeper into my dysfunction.
But….here is the good news, when I surrender to Christ, that is when I am able to change the patterns that lead to more hurt and dysfunction in my past.
I am learning thru CR that this surrender thing has to be daily. For me to lift my head from my pillow and say “Lord, You are God and I am not. Help me today to follow Your will and not my own.” I have to learn to follow His direction and not Rodney’s.
The hope I find is in my old ways, I duplicated many, many ugly things that were lifeless, with no hope. But, Christ duplicates things too. Only He duplicates things that are GOOD and Holy.
He repeats wonderful acts of kindness in my life. I just had to remove the lies, junk and hurt from my past to be able to see clearly for the first time what those acts were.
Now that He has cleared my thoughts and mind from the past junk, I can now see His goodness, His wonderful repeated acts of kindness in my life. I can see HE IS GOOD.
Today and every day I must stand in awe of His deeds and give Him praise. To keep my perspective about Him and not me.“….I stand in awe of Your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day…” Habakkuk 3:2 NIV
My prayer today is that the Father help me see and marvel at His great and wonderful repeated acts of kindness in my life and to know that He has a plan even when things are going badly. To listen to the wisdom of those who have gone before me. To reach out to the brothers that God has placed in my life and know that it does not mean I am weak. By reaching out to others I am wise and using the tools He has given me. To know that He will lead me through each and every trial if I will just surrender to His will daily and allow Him to be God in my life. To run away from things that make me think I am in control or I can do this on my own. I am so grateful to His blessings on Celebrate Recovery to help us thru life’s mess. He turns our messes into His message! Thank You for Your faithfulness in my life Father."I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Rodney Holmstrom

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

My Recovery Journey to Ephesus – Continued

2011-12-04T15:13:00.000-06:00

My Recovery Journey to Ephesus – Part 1:7-10
As I wrote before, recently, I was challenged to spend time in the Book of Ephesians. So, this time as I read through it, I thought I would keep a journal of sorts on My Recovery Journey to Ephesus
Eph 1:7-10
Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
Theology is a word we often shy away from. It is big and often represents thoughts that are beyond my understanding. A simple definition would be “the study of the nature of God,” or as one of professors in bible college put, “to think God’s thoughts after Him.” All that still sounds a bit much for me to handle I have to admit. But Theology is important, our personal theology, what we think about God, defines how we live our lives. And I have come to understand that there are two types of theology, there is the theology I say I believe, then there is what I call my “practical theology” this is the theology that is actually seen and lived out in my life. At first one thinks these are the same, but the longer I looked in the mirror I see there is a difference. For example I have for years told people that I believe that God loves me, however, that was a mask, the truth was that I really believed that God tolerated me and was waiting for me to blow it so He could “crack my skull,” how could He love a screw up like me was what I really thought. A lie that I bought into, one that surely effected how lived – my “practical theology.”
One of the lies I had bought into was the thinking that my salvation was an afterthought of God, that it was a “Plan B.” This was certainly nothing I was taught in church or Bible College, the source of this lie I am not completely sure of, most likely the father of lies himself, but my own insecurities and my own fears of failure seemed to perpetuate it. I wonder now how many years I read over these verse and either took them for granted, just never paid attention to them and/or let them slip by without any kind of impact on my life. It is clear from these verses my salvation was not a Plan B and when I stop and look at it logically the truth of that bears out.
If God is all knowing as I believe He is, if God created time and space as I believe He did, then that means He knew about me before I was created, that means that He exists outside of time and is able to see my life from beginning to end at once. In fact it means that He sees all of creation from beginning to end all at once. God is not contained in my linear timeline, He exist beyond it and interacts with it, but not contained by it. This being said, when He decided to speak creation into existence He was not surprised by the Fall of Adam, He knew it would happen. He fully knew that He would have to come to Earth in the form of a man, Jesus Christ, and sacrifice Himself for man to have the relationship with Him that He desired to have. Even before He spoke creation into existence, He knew Jesus would have to come and die. Jesus coming to earth as babe, His life, His death on the cross, His resurrection and eventually His second coming was the plan all along. It wasn’t as if God had to come up with a make shift plan because what He had desired was thwarted, no it was the plan all along!
What really excites me about these verses is when it says “we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!” Abundantly free, abundantly free. This speaks against one of those lies I bought into, I had thought I had barely made it, “barely free,” but I am starting to understand that the grace and love of God is so big, so massive that being set free by God is not a “barely” thing, it is an abundant thing. His love, His grace, His mercy, His peace, His freedom is overflowing, more than enough, it is abundant. And to be honest I am not sure what that means. I know this though, it is not something I can measure, it is something I have to experience.
About two and half years ago, I was sitting at our CR Celebration Service and felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to just stop signing and sit quietly while all of those around me were worshipping. As I sat there meditating on God, I felt as if He was saying to me, “Tim, the God you are worshipping is not who I am.” I felt that what He was saying to me was that I have misunderstood His nature, that there are characteristics of who He is that I just do not know nor do I understand.
It is like standing on the beach and looking at the ocean, beautiful yes, amazing for sure, but by standing on the beach do I know the ocean? I certainly can see it and how big it is, I can hear it moving, I can taste a bit of it in the air and, if I allow myself, my toes might even know its temperature when I get close enough to let a wave touch them. But, do I know the ocean from just standing on the shore?
I may know “about” the ocean from what I can observe from the safety of the shore, but I don’t know the ocean and its power until get out into it and experience it, until my body feels the force of the swells and waves. I don’t know the ocean until the temperature surrounds all of my body not just my toes. From the shore I can know about the ocean, but until I get into it, I cannot “know” it. This is the challenge I felt God was saying to me two and half years ago, “Tim, get to know me. Get intimate with me. I am not who you think I am.”
So here is to learning how to body surf with God.
Tim, Assimilation Coach CR Fellowship Bible
For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

What Is Your Defense?

2011-12-02T13:08:00.005-06:00

Imagine a man standing in a courtroom getting ready to face the Judge for some hideous wrongs he committed in his life.
The courtroom is full tension as the prosecution prepares to present his case against the accused. Imagine the man being accused, full of guilt and shame for his wrongs with no real hope of coming out of this alive.You see, the prosecutor, the accuser, is seeking and even demanding the death penalty for the accused. The accused is feeling full of despair and even condemned in his spirit. The prosecution is even so bold to laugh out loud in the courtroom as he sees and knows the outcome is in his favor for the death penalty. How bold can he be? Has he no class or dignity?
The man being accused is now growing even more anxious cause at this very moment he doesn’t even have an attorney. That right, he is facing this trial and Judge alone and now the picture looks even grimmer.
At that moment, in walks a man. Some people in the courtroom are now whispering, “I heard about this guy, he’s good.” Some say he is even considered one of the greatest attorney’s in the universe. Really?! C’mon, the universe? No one is that good.
As he entered, he walked right over to where the accused was sitting and sat right down next him. The accused man is stunned. He asks the question, “Are you representing me?” The attorney smiles with a warm expression and replies, “yes sir, but only if you will accept me.” The man replies, “Yes, I accept you!” His attorney goes onto say, “Do you admit that you have done wrong in your life and accept me as your advocate? Do you believe in Me?” Yes, YES, YES, the accused replies.
About that time the bailiff calls out in the courtroom, “All Rise!!” Everyone stands in honor of the Judge. Just then the judge makes eye contact with the accused man, and then his attorney. Now the judge is even smiling. What is the world is going on here?
The Judge asks the defense attorney, “are you representing this man?” “yes Your honor”, replies the attorney. Then the judge asks the accused, “what is it that you are here for son?”
“I have committed very wrong things in my life Your honor. I am completely ashamed of what I have done and feel some much guilt and condemnation for all I have done. I am ready to surrender my life in humility. I realize that justice requires I burn for my mistakes” replies the accused.
Then the judge says something that stuns the courtroom. He says, “son, you cannot be tried for something that is no longer on the docket. Your case has been wiped off the docket and therefore you are free.” “Wait a minute!!!!” shouts the accuser. He goes on saying, “I demand the death penalty for this hideous man full of sin, shame and disgrace! He is nothing and deserves the wrath of judgment, to burn for what he has done. I will NOT Tolerate this.”
The Judge smiles again and says, “there is not a thing you can do counselor. That man is being represented by a fine man who has already paid the price for the accused.”
Just then, the attorney for the accused leans over and whispers in his defendant’s ear to say, “that guy is my Father.” The accused begins to think to himself, “Wait a minute...could this be? This attorney representing me is the judges own son?!” What are the odds of that? He is stunned.
The Judge continues in his dialogue toward the accuser, “You see Satan, the attorney for the accused is my own Son and He in fact is the best defense attorney in the universe, he is his advocate and is pleading this man’s case for him. His attorney, Jesus Christ, is not only his defender, but his atoning sacrifice that he made for the accused and his sins. This makes it possible for him to stand before me, the Judge, as his mediator.
Why? Because Jesus Christ, my son and defense attorney for this man has already suffered the penalty in his place. My Son has already paid the death penalty for this man’s sin thru his own death on the Cross, burial, resurrection and ascension. He satisfied the wrath of justice that this man deserves because he is now a part of Him. His attorney, my son, Jesus Christ satisfied the requirement and removed this man’s sin the moment he accepted my Son and repented of his sins. When the accused are united with my Son, they are then safe from all harm. “
From the words of John: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2 The judge then pauses and directs the following statement to the accused, “ Based on this new information, the gift of mercy, not giving you what you deserve, and the gift of grace, a gift given to you that do not deserve, by my Son, Jesus Christ, I am declaring you NOT GUILTY! You are free.” “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1) This case is now dismissed. The accuser leaves the courtroom in disgust knowing there is not a thing he can do about it.
The accused turns and gives his attorney a big hug and says, “thank you so much for all you have done. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for this.”
Jesus looks the man in the eye and says, “this was a free gift to you and a way to my Father. But please know that it was not free. Rather it was paid with a very high cost, My life. There is nothing good or bad that you can do that will change my love for you. You cannot earn your way into heaven or my love. I love you just as you are my son. However, as you have now accepted me, and your heart has changed, free from guilt, shame and condemnation now that you are one of my beloved children, now walk in the light. You ask me, “what can I do?” Focus on me. Allow me into your life and allow me to have a relationship with you daily. Allow me to grow you and change you by removing the character defect you discover in yourself as we walk together. Allow me to transform you and guide you in this tough world you live in. The only hope you will ever find is in Me. I will help you stay on track but you have to listen to Me as your mentor. I will change you through My Word and the Holy Spirit being alive and active in your life. I help you deal with life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups in your life. I will comfort you when life’s disappointments come your way. Put your faith in me. Lie at my feet daily and listen to my voice as the Good shepherd. You are one of my sheep now and I know every single thing about you from you past, present and even into your future. I am your Father, Comforter, Protector, Refuge and Strength in the storm. He is an ever present help in time of need.
"I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps 34:4-18
Jesus goes on to say, “Most importantly, go share this Good News with others so that they may receive what you have been given.”Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
Though we will face consequences here on earth for our actions and choices it is good to know that our Father wipes them out because of what He did on the Cross for us. We are NOT GUILTY. I was that man standing accused in my life and am ow a free man because of Christ. CR helps me now to deal with my character defects so that I can grow in my relationship with Him.

I hope this brought you some encouragement today friend.
Rodney Holmstrom. For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Tell Me About Your Day Son

2011-11-30T09:10:00.007-06:00

As a dad, one of the greatest gifts I have is to visit with my kids after their day. Sometimes, there are upsetting things that took place in their day and of course as a dad, I want and need to hear those things as well. Hearing the good things in a day are fun and replenishing to hear as well. The reason for this is because they are family and I desire that conversation, that relationship with them. Last night at around 11:45pm was one of those experiences. My son got home from his college basketball game that he played in Joplin. I was not able to attend but my wife Carol went on our behalf. Unfortunately they ended up losing by 3 points in this game.
While it was heartbreaking for him to lose this game that they felt they should have won easily, it was good for me as his dad to hear what he was experiencing play by play throughout the game. As his dad it was so neat to just hear what he was a feeling when this happened or how funny it was when that happened etc. The neat thing to witness was my wife getting in on the conversation as well.
They were talking about how the ref missed a call that was obvious, or how Jason missed a lay-up because he lost the ball out of his hands. Or how the last second shot didn’t fall for them to take it into overtime. All the highs and the lows were all being shared and experienced together with me as they recalled all that had happened.
Interestingly enough, we have two people that both experienced the game but they were talking to each other, laughing about funny moments, or grieving the tough ones and as a dad I got to sit back and soak it up.
It hit me as I hugged my son and he went off to bed how special it was to have that moment with him. To hug him and tell him how proud of him I am and that tomorrow is a new day. I turned the light off and lie there in my bed thinking about the conversation. A light bulb went off in my head as I lie there that this is what my Father, Jesus Christ desires from me. He wants to know about my day. Why? He loves and cares about me enough to listen. Even though He already knows what I experienced and in fact already knows when I was sad today, when I felt exhilaration after a great victory, or when I was struggling to hold my tongue in a dispute from my flesh taking over. Yes, He already knows and yet still wants to hear from us. I realized that He wants more than just a list of things I need for my day. He wants more than a general, “be with us this day…”
He wants to know and hear about what I think and feel this day. He wants a relationship with me. Yes, the Father even wants to hug me and tell me how proud He is of me and encourage me to keep on fighting and persevering especially in the difficult times. Jesus is the greatest listener we will ever meet.In Celebrate Recovery we learn that in order to maintain the momentum in our recovery we must reserve a daily time with God for self examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. As stated in principle 7 of CR. He is wiser than we could ever imagine so why wouldn’t we go to Him for those daily interactions?
By taking the time to share our day with Him and then write it out in a journal, I am allowing Him the opportunity to share with me where I can and need to grow. I am allowing Him the opportunity to comfort me, care for me and allow me the chance to feel His love in a relationship rather than a vending machine as I can easily fall into in my time with Him.
By doing this daily I can take time to reflect as the Holy Spirit speaks to me thru His Word on how He can change me today. To look at my physical, emotional, relational and spiritual health as a believer. By writing out my thoughts I can look for patterns and grow from them so I can become a better man, husband and dad to my kids, and one that more clearly hears the Good Shepherds voice as one of His sheep. “Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living and reorder our lives under God.” Lamentations 3:40 MSG. Then in James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
When I look up at my Father, He lifts me up from whatever I am facing and celebrates with me with whatever I am celebrating.
When I have my eyes on Him, then true joy full of hope fills my heart.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
May the Lord inspire us today to be joyful with faith, love and hope. To allow Him into every part of our day because He desires that with you and I so very much.

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

My Recovery Journey to Ephesus

2011-11-28T08:49:00.000-06:00

As I wrote before, recently, I was challenged to spend time in the Book of Ephesians. So, this time as I read through it, I thought I would keep a journal of sorts on My Recovery Journey to Ephesus
Eph 1:3-6
“How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.”
I am sitting here reading these three verses stunned, awed, & humbled. Not even sure what I should write. I have no words that speak to what I feel inside. I want to break into singing but no song does it justice. This is one of those times that the Bible talks about when my spirit, my soul, my heart is groaning for me. I feel the yearning, the urging to bring God praise, yet my mind cannot find the words to express what is in my heart. More than thankfulness, more than gratitude, there is something else there that gives me pause, that brings me to tears. Lines from various worship songs flash through my head, none fit. How frustrating to not have the words, and yet, how marvelous to know something so much bigger than I can describe.
“Long before he laid the earth’s foundations, he had [me] in mind…” I read this and the thing that comes to my mind is that I am not important to God, but I am valuable to Him; we are not important to God, but we are valuable to Him. Meaning that He does not need us, but He wants us. He does not need me, but He wants me, “warts and all” as they say.
He was aware of my screw ups as He began the creation process. As He spoke and there was light, as created the heavens and the earth and all the living creatures and as breathed life into Adam, He knew then of what my screw ups would be. What kind of God is this, that will put together creation; that will provide for His creation a way of redemption while even knowing that the ones He does this for will fail Him, will screw up? What kind of God has me in mind when He does this? It is obvious that I am not important to Him; He does not need me to accomplish what He desires to accomplish. If He can work His will through Balaam’s donkey, then He surely can accomplish what He needs done without me. My skills and talents are not important to Him; I bring nothing of use to the table. YET!! He counts me as valuable?!
Who is this God that has no use for me, yet has decided that I was valuable to Him?
Who is this God that loved me before I even knew about Him?
Who is this God that wants to see me made whole, no matter what it cost Him?
Who is this God that by His love, now sees me as holy?
Who is this God that pursues after me?
Who is this God that takes my very failures and turns them for His good?
Who is this God, this Creator of all that there is, that would look through time and space and then set His affection on me?
It makes no sense!! And yet, I know that it is true, as surely as I breathe, I know it is true. Stunned, awed, humbled.
Tim, Fellowship CR Assimilation Coach

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowhsipnwa.org

Full of Life or Lifeless?

2011-11-25T09:01:00.004-06:00

What is your life like these days? Does it reflect one full of life and hope or is it reflecting more of hopelessness and a lifeless picture.
Last year I had the chance to go to the country of Jordan with a small group of brothers and sisters to do a Life’s Healing Choices conference. While we were there we took some time to go visit the Dead Sea.
The Dead Sea is this body of water that is made up with so much salt that nothing can survive in it. It is exactly what it says, “dead”. A couple times we got the water in our eyes and the salt was so strong from the minerals that it burned our eyes. Amazingly it is true what they say; you cannot sink in the Dead Sea. We jumped in the water and immediately floated to the top. It was the most bizarre feeling to know you could not sink.
Recently I was reading in Ezekiel 47, where a river is mentioned, also mentioned in Revelation 22, God refers to this river that is associated with the Garden of Eden in Chapter 2 river.
When I think about the Garden of Eden, I think of good, pure, and life. This river God refers to in Ezekiel and Revelation symbolizes life from God. This river is gentle safe and deep river, expanding more and more as it flows. We learn that this river will flow into the Dead Sea and freshen the Dead Sea’s water so that it can support life. Wow! Think about that for a second. If God can take a sea like the Dead Sea, that is lifeless and give it life, He most definitely can do that for us can’t He?
If our life is feeling lifeless or hopeless right now, we can find hope in knowing that God’s power can transform us the same way he will the Dead Sea and give us life. He can give us a life full of HOPE. Jesus said in Mark 1:15, “Turn from your sins and act on this glorious news!”
No matter how empty, lifeless or corrupt our life may be, He will flow His living water through us and give us LIFE and life more abundantly.
Even when I feel too messed up and beyond help and hope; His power can heal and restore me. The bottom line, I cannot sink in my junk and won’t when I turn to Him and His power to control my life. This will reflect His blessings that flow from His throne. “He frees the prisoners….; He lifts the burdens from those bent down beneath their loads.” Ps 146:7-8
If He can bring life to this messed up man, that was full of dysfunction and messiness, He can most definitely do this for you. He promises us in John 10:10, “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.”
Isn’t that good news!? His purpose is to give you and I life in all its fullness.
Come visit us at CR tonight! We would love to have you join us.

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowhsipnwa.org

You Have HOPE!

2011-11-23T09:38:00.001-06:00

Sometimes the Holidays can be so tough. It can be a time when we feel like we are very alone and that while everyone else is enjoying family, we are by our self with no one to talk to.
The enemy is so bad about preying on that weakness and the wound that may be exposed in us.
The truth is though; none of us has to be alone. Even if we don’t have family at home, we do have family in recovery. Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to stand alongside others and walk thru tough seasons.
Even if the Holidays are tough on us, we always have hope because we have a new family that God has placed in our life.
We have hope! Max Lucado defined Hope as “a zany unpredictable dependence on God” Are you feeling like there is no hope? That is a lie my friend. You and I do have hope thru our faith, love and hope in Christ. Hope gives us that feeling that what is wanted in our life actually can be had and that it will turn out for the best in our life. Christ will knock our socks off as He surprises us with His hope when we seek Him.
My prayer for each of us is that we will reach out to the group that is a gift of people He has put in our life. We can reach out to them thru the tough times such as holidays and valleys we may be walking thru.
But if you don’t have people around you in your life, know that you do now. Find a CR family near you and attend a meeting or multiple meetings if that is possible. They are your family and are waiting to embrace you, hug your neck, and let you know you are loved. They are waiting to cheer you on as you take steps toward freedom and true happiness no matter what your circumstances in life.
“Be strong and take heart, all who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 NIV. You are loved my friend!
We have a group of people, fellow strugglers in life waiting for you. We are not perfect, but we do know the Perfect One and are ready to share His hope with you.
Blessed are those who seek Him.
We hope to see you this Holiday Season at CR. God is good all the time and all the time, God is good. Quit listening to those lies and come hear His Good News!

For more information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

My Recovery Journey to Ephesus – Part 1:1

2011-11-23T09:25:00.002-06:00

Recently, I was challenged to spend time in the Book of Ephesians. So, this time as I read through it, I thought I would keep a journal of sorts on My Recovery Journey to Ephesus. I will be using The Message version of the Bible unless otherwise noted, I do not intend this to be a commentary on the book, just some notes as to what God is teaching me.
Eph. 1:1
I, Paul, am under God's plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus.
Since coming into recovery, I have started to notice, how, Paul and the other writers of the Bible that God used introduced themselves.
In Celebrate Recovery, we introduce ourselves by saying something like: “I am a grateful believer, who struggles with ______, my name is _____.” Our introductions are important in recovery, they are not just things we say, but they have a purpose for us. They keep us out of denial about our hurts, habits and hang-ups. By speaking them out and exposing them to the light, the power they once had over us begins to break. We are only as “sick as our secrets” they say, so by my introducing myself with a statement of my struggle, is just another nail in the coffin of the thing(s) that have kept me in bondage for so many years. More importantly, our introductions also remind us of who and whose we are in Christ. Statements like, I am a “grateful believer” or “grateful follower” or “grateful disciple” all remind me of the fact that though I struggle, I have experienced God’s grace, though I struggle, I was chosen by Him before the creation of the world, though I struggle, I am love and accepted by the Father. My introduction in recovery keeps me humble, keeps me honest and keeps me reminded of the hope I now have in Jesus Christ my Higher Power.
So, in Paul’s introduction he states first that “I…am under God’s plan…” Years ago, prior to recovery, when I read Paul’s introductions I would always think, “Gee Paul, a little arrogant aren’t we?” I always thought he was a little full of himself. However, as I read this now, I don’t think that he is trying to brag, at least not in himself.
Prior to his “recovery,” Paul went after followers of Christ, he hunted them down, he had them killed. Like me, he had a dark past, a past he would like to forget, but cannot. However, Paul also understands that, through Christ, God has forgiven him for his acts. I now think that this introduction is not Paul bragging about himself or his station, but Paul submitting to God. I think if I were to hear him say this, I would hear humility in his voice. I now can actually see him with tears in his eyes as he writes these words.
I think my struggle with Paul’s introductions prior to my recovery is because of a religious spirit or, what might be called, having a “religious mind set” or attitude. The best expression of this mind set is what some have called a “holier than thou” attitude. Ironically, this attitude held sway over me for so long because of the secret sin that I had allowed into my life, my own guilt and shame kept feeding it. I see this in Paul’s life as well, prior to his recovery.
It is interesting to me, how the one writer I found so distasteful in the Bible prior to recovery, is the one I seem to find myself increasingly identifying with the most now. I would have never admitted that before recovery. Funny, how when I surrender my struggles to God, and allow Him to continually touch my life with His grace, my view of things changes. No not changes, but more of paradigm shifts really.
So, here is Paul, submitted to God’s plan to be “an apostle, a special agent of Jesus Christ.” I looked up the word apostle; it is an ancient Greek word, and it literally means “one who is sent away.” However, the word was used to describe someone who was sent away with a purpose, like an ambassador or emissary. Again this kind of language in the past used to cause me to think of Paul as bragging, but now, I hear him giving God glory. I hear saying, “Look, I was so messed up, but God has decided to love and use me anyway.” His introduction is not about how great of person Paul is, but it about how much grace God has. The truth is that what I once thought was arrogance, I know see as humility, because of recovery.
What does this mean to me? My struggle, my sin has often left me wondering, how or why would God ever consider loving me, let alone using me? The answer is simple for me, it is not about me; it is about Him, Jesus. My struggle and my sin is not the determining factor in God’s decision to love me. The determining factor, really the only factor, is that God just decided that is what He wanted to do. I really have nothing to do with it one-way or the other when it all comes down to it. In the end, my only part is whether or not I will accept the gift He is offering.

Tim, Fellowship CR Assimilation Coach

For informationa bout Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowhsipnwa.org

How Do You Really Feel?

2011-11-21T07:28:00.003-06:00

Are you having a bad day? Does it feel like the world is coming down on you and you can hardly breathe? In these moments, the last thing I want to do is rejoice to the Lord. My mood may be down, or perhaps a tough situation is completely out of hand and out of my control. Or maybe my guilt or sorrow is overwhelming me and I just don’t have anything to rejoice about.
I know when my mom was really sick several years ago, I had some rough days in watching her struggle so much with her illness. I still have days of struggles even after she has died and gone to be with the Lord.
She has been gone 2 1/2 years and still last night one of those moments hit. I was going thru some old pictures and saw my sweet mom's picture. All the emotions came rushing back. Oh, how I miss my mom and felt sorrow in my soul for that. However, as I talk that out, I am reminded of so many blessed days with her and my heart is filled with so much joy knowing she is with the Lord in heaven now.

In reading the Psalms this morning I am reminded that I have a lot in common with the Psalmist. The encouragement for me in what I see is that they always told God how they really felt. They didn’t look for “fake” joy or “act” happy. If they were hurting or scared or whatever, they told Him how it was. No matter how bad things got, they were always honest with God. What is cool though is that as they talked it out with God, they always ended up ending the prayer with praise.

When I don’t feel like rejoicing, I know that I can and should tell God how I truly feel.
The beauty is that He ends up giving me a reason to rejoice.
God has given me this day to live and serve Him. CR has taught me this is in a big way.
Even though I can't talk to my mom on the phone or hug her or even sing to her as she used to love for me to do over the phone, I can still have joy. I have learned thru CR to embrace my feelings I am experiencing and feel what I need to feel instead of stuffing it and acting like it isn’t there. That is only a recipe for disaster when I do that.
I can know that because the Lord gave me a heart that hurts so well, I know He gave me a heart that loves so well. Even bigger, He loves me that much more.
Ps 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Be glad in it today my friend. Tell God how you feel today. He is big enough to handle it. Rejoice and be glad in what He has given us today.
Rodney, Nat’l Assimilation Coach

If you would like more information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Tunnel Vision

2011-11-04T14:56:00.005-05:00

One time I was working from home in my office, on a summer day. The kids were out of school. I was preparing for something for the CR ministry and my daughter decided to come in and interrupt me. Now, you must know that there are rules when I work from home and one of those is that dad cannot be bugged when he is working from home. My daughter was pretty young at the time and she opened my office door and said "daddy!"
My first reaction was to snap at her and tell her that she knew the rules on coming into my office while dad was working. She went back to her room. I alter realized that she was trying to show me a cute little picture she drew for me. Ouch! I know, terrible dad huh?! 
Sometimes in my life I can develop tunnel vision and not even see what is right in front of me.
You see, in my mind I had "ministry" on my mind and didn’t stop to realize that ministry was happening right in front of my eyes with my own daughter. I had to make amends to my sweet little girl at the time for snapping at her.
This was a good reminder the Lord gave me to understand that I must stay out of my tunnel vision mode. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up with doing work that we lose sight of the great opportunities He places right before our eyes. I bet if you stopped and thought about it you might realize some people God put in your path like he has mine, that I have missed and opportunity to minister to even today.
I remember when we were talking about who we would invite to the 8 Year anniversary for our CR here locally, we asked our folks to take a little business card invitation to hand out to someone. After attempting to give one lady a few cards to hand out, she responded to me saying, "Sorry, I don't know anyone I could invite. I don't have any friends."
Interesting how we can fall into that frame of mind when we think about who can use this ministry huh?
I mean, stop and think about who you came across today in your everyday life. You interacted with people at the coffee shop when you got coffee this morning, maybe someone at the school when dropping off your kids. Maybe over breakfast at the local restaurant a waitress or hostess that seated you. Maybe someone at the quick stop you got gas from? What about the grocery store clerk when you stopped to pick up some milk? A co-worker? Or even, someone you sat next to in church or community group? The point is, if we really stop and think about it, so many people God puts in our life could use the tool of CR and we might have missed the opportunity to tell the them about it.
"but, they don't look like they need recovery" Yes, but neither did we. We are good at wearing masks and some people look like they have it all together but are in fact screaming and even drowning in their own life. It could be by us sharing about the hope in Christ and CR as a tool to deal with life's hurts, habits and hang-ups could even save their marriage, job, or even life.
“Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Cor 1:3-4
God is painting a new picture in you and a part of staying on track is carrying out His message to others. If we are not careful, we will have our blinders on and miss the ministry happening right in front of us. We may miss the opportunity to share His good news. The next time you are around someone, keep your eyes open and remember principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.
But….remember, it has to start with our own family. This is our first and most important ministry to focus on. Imagine the impact you can have on people if you take advantage of the opportunities placed right in front of you.

For information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Signs of possible relapse

2011-11-01T12:43:00.000-05:00

Relapse is a process rather than an event. A group of behaviors, attitudes, feelings, and thoughts develop first. Then these lead to an action – acting out the addiction. One may fall into relapse over a period of hours, days, weeks, and even months. Warning signals to alert you to a possible relapse include:

• Feeling uneasy, afraid, and anxious about staying clean and sober. This begins to increase and serenity decreases.

• Ignoring feelings of fear and anxiety and refusing to talk about them with others.

• Having a low tolerance for frustration.

• Becoming defiant, so that rebelliousness begins to replace what has been love and acceptance. Anger becomes one’s ruling emotion.

• The “ISM” (I-Self-Me) attitude grows. Self-centered behavior begins to rule one’s attitudes and feelings.

• Increasing dishonesty, whereby small lies begin to surface and deceptive thinking again takes over.

• Increased isolation and withdrawal characterized by missing group meetings and withdrawing from friends, family, and other support.

• Exhibiting a critical, judgmental attitude – a behavior which often is a process of projection – and the person in recovery feels shame and guilt for his or her negative behaviors.

• Lack of self-confidence shown by putting down oneself, overwhelming feeling of failure, a tendency to set up oneself for failure.

• Overconfidence demonstrated by statements such as, “I’ll never do that again,” or by simply believing that one is the “exception” to all rules about recovery.

Taken from "Conquering Chemical Dependency" by McGee & McCleskey

Heart of a Sponsor

2011-10-06T15:19:00.002-05:00

As a woman in recovery myself and a fellow struggler in life, I am so touched that God would allow me the experience of being able to sponsor other hurting woman. He teaches me through it and grows me in my own recovery. I love to sponsor women. I see them often caught like the bird by the cat. I Peter 5:8 says “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
These women are often hidden in the closet of fear and shame. My role is to, through prayer and relationships go into the closet with them and help them get out.
Often, no, always I need to put them on the heart of God so they can hear His heart beat. How do I do that? By praying for them, listening, sharing from my own hurts, building relationship's of trust and giving them God's word.
Jesus said in John 6:63b “The words that I have spoken unto you are spirit and are life”.
I try to make sure and remember as I share my experience, strength and hope, that it is life I am giving to them through Jesus’ work in me. This is about me sharing how God has brought me to healing in a certain area.
God uses these relationships and breathes the breath of life on them that is often an on-going journey. We must not give up before we see the miracle happen in another person’s life.
It is interesting that the number “two” is always a covenant in the word of God.

Recently, I found a bird struggling and fighting for its life. I realized I needed to do what I could to save its life. I had to blow two times on the little bird's face before life finally took hold. In many ways, the picture of a sponsor and sponsee is the same. It may take some months before a person can open their eyes of denial and see the truth but we must keep pressing forward toward healing.
If we have been faithful to our God and to the person He has put in our life, there is a good chance the paralyzed state they have lived in will be gradually broken off of them and sometimes seemingly miraculously things happen thru the journey of recovery.
They will be able to move out of their broken place as we walk with them. In my experience, I have seen that in order to place them on the heart of God we must know God's heart. I must keep myself in the word, close to Him, listening for His whispers.
Thru working step 10, I must keep my side of the street constantly clean. I must be accountable to my own accountability partners and connecting with my sponsor regularly.
These are imperative requirements for a sponsor. We must always remember the broken ones put in our path are often like the little bird and our heart and the heart of God is to eventually release them so they can fly with the Holy Spirit into a future of good and not evil.
The very plans of the Lord. A future and a hope. A good plan. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I love to see my sponsee walk into the plan of God for their lives and pass it down to others who will one day fly like Eagles when they are healed.
This is an amazing place and gift God has placed a sponsor. A place of humility, faithfulness, gentleness , truth and submission to the heart of God. Selah.

Sherrie, a sponsor and a member of our CR prayer team.

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney Holmstrom at roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org or 479-659-3679

Step Group Beauty

2011-09-21T05:18:00.005-05:00

Do you see the beauty? The picture on the left, showing a Doe with her two Fawn's was not the actual picture I saw and took with my iphone this morning. Actually, the one on the right is the photo I took. What's wrong? Are you not seeing the beauty? Well, I do. Why? Because I was there and experienced it.

This mornning I was driving in for my 1 of 2 last meeting times with my CR Step Group brothers as we wrap up a year process of walking thru the 8 principles based on the Beatitudes.

I came down my hill in Springdale AR, across the bridge where a large open field on my left had this picture standing before me. I was taken back by the beauty in these animals and stopped my truck in the middle of the road to gaze at their beauty. Sitting in the middle of the road, (yes in the middle of the road. There isnt much traffic out at 4:30am) about 30 yards from my truck were standing these deer, a doe and her two fawns. I was mesmerized as I sat their with my windows rolled down on this cool morning.

The street light shining on the street corner allowed me the gift of seeing these creatures taking a break from their morning feast.

I realized that this was such a good sight, that I should take a picture so I could share it with my brothers and sisters. So I took out my phone to get a picture and they never moved a muscle. I was so excited! This was going to be the perfect picture right? I snapped the picture of beauty with a click and a flash, it was captured for life what I was seeing with my own two eyes.

Then....I looked at the photo. Yes, the photo above on the right. As you can see, it just didnt do it justice. To you it may be a messy black, and fuzzy picture that does anything but show beauty. But to me, it is beauty.

How is this possible? Because I experienced this beauty for myslef.

As I drove away to go to my step group I was taken back as I thought of the journey this past 12 months has been with my Step Group brothers.

God took a messy group of men, myself included, and turned ashes into beauty.

Now, if you were to ask these guys about their journey thru the 8 principles with 15 men this past year plus, they would have many things to tell you about it. "Life changing, renewed, hopeful, new healthy relationships, taking responsibility for their life for the first time, more time with God, a richer quiet time (let alone quiet time at all), becoming better dads, husbands, brothers, friends, servants for Christ."

All that would sound great, but to some it would still seem distant.

You see, the thing is, we have seen, tasted and experienced these things together and just like my morning deer experience, I can only help you understand how good and how blessed we are as a result of being there and living it. But, the only way to really understand it would be to have an encounter for yourself. The neat thing about it is that we all encounter this process in different ways. We grow at a different pace. We all walk away with a different take away because God is talking to us and meeting us where we are. Growing us in His timing as we seek Him.

To some, when we say this expereince was life changing it is good to hear and makes us feel good as we imagine what a picture of beauty from ashes can look like. But, until you live it and experience it, you won't ever really know what I am talking about.

Don't get me wrong, we are commanded to and should be a blessing to others thru sharing our story, investing in others, letting others know where we have been so that we can expericnce continued growth and provide hope for others. But, until people take that step, they won't ever fully undertand what we are talking about.

The only way to fully experience that blessing is to become a part of what God is doing. To emerse ourself in the process of renewing our mind so that we will be able to test and approve what His good and perfect will is for us in our life. (Rom 12:1-2)

Psalm 30:1-3 "I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you brought me up from the grave, you spared me from going down into the pit"

Have you been putting off getting into CR and a CR step group? Is fear keeping you from experiencing His full blessings? Are you allowing the fear of the unknown, failure, past hurt, denial in the present or fear of the future to hold you back from seeing His beauty? Don't let the enemy fill your head with lies. I have personally seen the picture of beauty and if He can restore a wretched man like me, I know He can you too.

Find a CR near you and get plugged in. If you don't have a CR, ask your Pastor about starting one. We need to spend as much time on our recovery as we have our dysfunction, struggles, hang-ups, resentment or addiction and stop and gaze at the beauty He will create one right in front of our eyes. He wants to make a new photo of beauty in you, but you just have to surrender.

God bless you.

Rodney Holmstrom

For more information about Celebrate Recovery near you OR how to start a CR in your church, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org or go to http://www.celebraterecovery.com/ to sign up for a ONE Day National Training.

You Make Beautiful Things"

2011-09-14T08:58:00.009-05:00

Well, try to imagine this picture.....Rodney Jogging. :) Yeah I know, kind of a pardigm shift for sure isn't it? But seriously, I wasn't only jogging, but jogging with my daughter Taylor. We took off thru the neighborhood on a beautiful spring-like day. A nice break from the hot days we have been seeing around here in Arkansas. Taylor had her ipod playing some Mandissa music and just singing with great animation as we moved thru the neighborhood. I had my own ipod and was listening to a new song I had just been introduced to a few week prior.

Have you ever been in a situation where you don't expect a worship moment to happen and then, out of the blue, comes the blindsided blessing? Well, that moment happened to me in this very situation. As I looked over at my daughter, I was watching her and listening to the words to this new song I was learning for an upcoming worship service I was to lead for CR. The name of the song was "Beautiful things" by Gungor (look on youtube)

Here are the lyrics I was listening to as I watched my 14 year old precious daughter run along side me thru our neighborhood.

"All this pain, I wonder if I'll ever find my way

I wonder if my life could really change at all

All this earth, could all that is lost ever be found

Could a garden come up from this ground at all"

I began to think about what God had pulled me thru as a messed up young man that was chasing happiness in "things" or "people" rather than God Himself. I remember what it felt like early in my life and how I truly believed that God could not and would not restore anything in my life and that I would always be in a dysfunctinal mud puddle. As I listened to those lyrics I remembered how I once believed those words, "I wonder if I'll ever find my way" was my destiny.

Could God really sprout a garden of hope and fruit from this old hardened heart, that was full of hate, resentment, defeat and brokenness?

I continued thru my jog when, I heard the chorus and second verse to this song continue....

"You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of us"

"All around, hope is springing up from this old ground

Out of chaos life is being found, in You"

Wow! Wow! Wow! This is where the worship moment thru the neighborhoods of Springdale, Arkansas happened. As I looked at my daughter, I was struck with incredible gratitude for what God had done in my life. For the new life He first gave in me in my heart and my life. For restoring this broken, old hardened heart young man into a heart full of Christ. I found myself grateful that He did not ever give up on me but, instead truly desired to have a relationship with me. He rescued me becasue He delighted in me! (2 Sam 22:20)

As I watched my daughter sing her song to her own ipod, I was struck with incredible gratitude for God giving me a second chance with my marriage. For bringing my wife and I back together so that we could start a new day together. I found myself grateful for the growth He has done in me and for giving me a daughter that would not have been here had my heart not changed. I am grateful that I have the gift of running this race of life with a great family and as the Psalm 37 reads, "God is my refuge, and strength and ever present help in time of need."

I realized in that very moment that had surrender not happened in my life some 18 years ago, I would not be able to stand next to this young lady, Ms Taylor, my daughter. I would not be able to have an influence over her or my son, Jason. I would not be able to hold my wife at the end of the day and lead her and my kids as the spiritual leader called me to be in our home.

What an awesome gift. What an awesome priviledge and responsibility. Not easy, but rewarding! He truly does make beautiful things out of the dust. He never wastes a hurt and can use me from my weaknesses!

He took this broken man, from the ashes and made a beautiful thing out of my life. I am amazed that He chose to give me a second chance and to give me a brand new day in life.

Father thank You that "You make me new, You are making me new!!" Thank you that you are not looking for perfection but for growth. Thank You for renewing my mind and for giving me a new beautiful family. I know without my surrender to You, I cannot enjoy those beautiful blessings You desire to give me. Thank You!

Please know that no matter who you are or what you may have done in your past, nothing good or bad done by you can affect or change the way He feels about you. He is a God of second, third, fourth, fifth....etc.,chances and wants to meet you at the door as you return home to Him.

We would love to have you come visit us at CR this Friday Night. Or find one in your area. This is a safe place and all are welcome as we point you to Christ the Healer, Comforter, Refuge and Strength in your time of need. He has a better way for you in your life.

See you at CR friend!
For more information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowhsipnwa.org

Double Dipping

2011-08-31T14:24:00.005-05:00

What is Double Dipping? One of my biggest pet peeves when dining out or with friends in an eating setting is when they dip their chip into the salsa or cheese dip, take a bite, and then dip it back in the dip again. {gag}

I am pretty picky about my food and this really gross' me out. Some people make fun of me at my expense about this issue I have, but I really get grossed out when this happens and will even refrain from eating any more chips if I witness this repulsive act. lol

But that is not the kind of double dipping I am referring to. "Double Dipping" in a CR Open Discussion Group setting is when a particular person shares more than one time in a certain small group setting.

Why is this not allowed in the Open Discussion Groups? What if the group is small? Doesn't it improve the small group to allow multiple sharing?

All great questions! Here are a couple of reasons why we should not allow this in our Open Discussion groups

1. Double Dipping can cause opportunities for people to try to "fix" others after listening to their sharing. Sometimes without even realizing it we think "oh, I know what I can share that will lead "them" down the right path" and so we share and it is all directed toward one person. Now, one can make an argument that people could do that anyway. True, and hopefully our well trained leaders will nip this quickly, but the chances increase when people go a second time.

2. Our small group guideline is "Keep our sharing to 3-5 minutes not "3-5 minutes, 2 or 3 times". There is a reason we have 3-5 minutes on each person's sharing. It teaches us to get our thoughts organized and not ramble. This is an important component in recovery. When we know we have 3-5 minutes we will give it some thought before we speak and speak to the point more precisely.

3. Sharing only one time will allow everyone the opportunity to share that chooses to.

Granted, in some of our small groups there will possibly only be 3-4 people in the group. That is ok. The best thing you can do as a group is shut down the group early and go to Solid Rock and continue your conversation there.

-Some people think it's crazy for us to have a guideline like this or think it is silly to have others like, we cannot hand a tissue to someone else when they are crying. (I thought that was the craziest thing I ever heard when I first came in until I found out "why" we do that. We don't want to interrupt the sharing of anyone. Handing a tissue does just that. Or, to only use I or me statements. Then I learned that when someone says for example, "we all want this..." I know now that I really don't want you or anyone else speaking for me. How do you know what I want or need? :)

The truth is, there are actually very good reasons behind these guidelines and 20 plus years experience that has lead us to use these guidelines. They may seem crazy and not necessary, but the truth is, they actually do work.

One of the things I have said and continue to say in trainings with our great CR leaders is we don't expect everyone to agree with everything we do in CR. The thing we do ask though is that you please respect them. I have to trust those that went before me in this great ministry and know that if the guideline is there, it is there for a good reason and for my safety and recovery.

We want this 3-5 minutes to be yours to share to your liking as long as the guidelines are being upheld.

a. maybe a victory or struggle from this past week

b. Maybe you choose to share from the focus question presented

c. Maybe there is something in the Problem and Solution Sheet that spoke

to you

d. Maybe there is something that the Holy Spirit Spoke to your heart

about during the teaching or testimony that night.

Bottom line, whatever you want to share on is fine just make sure you do it within your time frame allotted.

So....the next time you go into an open discussion group during your regular meeting night and your leader asks you to not share again, you will know that they are not being mean or picking on you but rather, doing their part in keeping the group safe and productive. This is to ultimately set the table for you to experience God's healing and freedom all in the setting of a safe group.

As always, thank you for honoring these guidelines and for being right where God has you. You are blessing so many by your presence not to mention bringing continued healing to yourself each time you share.

Just like the song says. Greater Things Are Still To Come In This City" Greater things are still to come in this "meeting"...

Have a blessed day

Happy "one" sharing....:)

For more information about CR contact Rodney Holmstrom,

479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

NW Arkansas State Rep

National Assimilation Coach

Why go to CR Small groups?

2011-08-08T02:22:00.006-05:00

I am sending today's blog from beautiful Southern California on Laguna Beach. Our first day was a cool 77 degrees. I hope when my Arkansas friends see this they won't hate me.:) I know it is a steaming hot day back home.

I woke up yesterday with an image of how much the Father loves us and remembers that nothing can separate me from His love. Romans 8:35-39 (One of our Stinkin' Thinkin' memory verses) is such a great encouragement to remind me that nothing can separate me from His love. It got me to thinking about how we respond to His love. How do I respond to His love and truth and apply, process and share what He has given me? Do I keep it for myself or do I share, in my case, in the small group with other men? A good reason for me to share what God speaks to me in the CR large group is that it will have a much better chance of sticking with me. It will also bring continued healing to my recovery.

The big thing though for me to remember is that it is NOT just for me. When I share my story, past or present, it brings hope to others. God never wastes a hurt and can use our story even while we are in the middle of it to bring HOPE to others.

There is amazing healing that takes place in the context of our CR small groups. Whether it is in Open Discussion groups as a way to share how God is growing me through the week. Or, how He is speaking to me in the CR Worship/Teaching/Testimony time, prior to the group. Or how He is speaking to me through my taking the time to do my homework and sharing it in my step study group. When I miss Open Discussion groups on our main meeting night and/or the Step Study group during the week, I am robbing myself of many blessings and continued learning and growing in my relationship with Him. Take the opportunity to be involved in the small groups of CR. You will be blessed!!

For more information about our CR small groups or about Celebrate Recovery as a whole, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Life crazy right now?

2011-07-25T18:50:00.004-05:00

Does life have you feeling crazy? Feeling like the burdens of job searches, out of control debt, relationships in turmoil, out of control addictions? No matter how crazy life may be right now, there is always hope. Jesus is willing, able, He cares, and is ready to lead you through any and all things you are battling right now. Celebrate Recovery is a great way to experience His comfort, strength and direction in our life.

If you would like to experience His love with people that know exactly what you are going through, come join us at Celebrate Recovery. You are not alone in your battles, your struggles, or your burdens you are carrying. My prayer over you is Psalm 20, May this be your answer as you seek Him more closely. Come visit us soon. Bring someone with you.

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact me at roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org or 479-659-3679

Rodney Holmstrom

Arkansas State Rep/National Assimilation Coach

Don't Stop Now!

2011-07-19T09:53:00.003-05:00

Imagine with me if you will that we are back in high school. Now imagine that you are on the football team or the volleyball team, or maybe you are in the band or in FFA, or maybe you are on the debate team or in the choir. Now imagine the long hard months of preparation that you would put into any of these activities in order to play the game or perform. A lot of time sacrificed and in some case some sweat and tears could happen, but a lot of hard work and preparation have gone into getting yourself ready for that upcoming game or performance.

Now imagine with me that the day arrives when you are to walk onto that stage, court, field and you say to yourcoach, “You know, I worked hard to get to this place, I think I will just stop here.” Can you imagine the look on your coach’s face? We worked so hard to be ready to play or perform and now at that moment we stop! In addition, our reason for stopping is just as bizarre because of all the hard work we did to get here! I can imagine the coach just looking in disbelief with all that prep work and time sacrificed and now at the pay off, we just stop and say, “I’m done.” It would be like a member of a football team making it to the Super Bowl or a soccer player making it to the World Cup or an athlete making to the Olympics and then deciding not to play. We would all say that that person is just crazy - all that hard work and pain to get to the Super Bowl and now they decide to stop and not go any further They must be out of their mind!” In fact, this seems so far-fetched that it is hard to imagine that someone would do something like that, isn’t it? Is it really that far-fetched?

Okay, let me changed the scenario on you a bit. Now imagine that you or I are in a Step Study, we have worked hard through Principles 1, 2, 3 & 4 and through the corresponding Steps 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. A lot of time and hard work have gone into coming out of denial, stepping out of the insanity, embracing the hope that our Higher Power Jesus does desire and will work in our lives, turning our lives and wills over to Him, working through the inventory and then confessing it to ourselves, to God and to someone we trust. Tears were cried, some sleepless nights were spent, pain was encountered and faced, fears dealt with and a lot of time in prayer spent getting us to this point. And now we say, “I am done. You know I put a lot of hard work to get here, so I think I will just stop.”

Now is not the time to stop. All the hard work I did in Principles 1-4 and Steps 1-5, was preparation work for the healing, growth and freedom Jesus desires to see in me. The reality is I am just now ready to move forward in my recovery when I am at this point. There is no doubt it took a lot of hard work to get to this point and that is a point of celebration and giving God praise and glory for what has happened, but I am not done. Yet the truth is that hard work was just the preparation needed so I could step onto that field. Almost every athlete or performer will tell you that the preparation work is always hard, often times harder than the game or performance itself. Nevertheless, they will also tell you that without that preparation work, they would in no way be in shape or ready for the game or performance. Likewise, Principles 1-4 are the hard work needed to be completed to get me in shape or ready. So now is not the time to stop.

The struggle is that, because it took so much hard work, my natural tendency is to want to stop. I have to remind myself that making it to Principle 4 and Step 5 is not the goal. The goal is recovery, healing, growth and freedom. I must remember that the rest of the Principles and Steps need to be worked and – yes - it will be hard work as I move through them as well, perhaps not the same, but hard work nonetheless. No, now is not the time to stop, now is the time to get READY, now is the time to press onto VICTORY, now is the time for me to take the field, now is the time for me to play in my Super Bowl.

Double Vision

2011-07-12T09:56:00.003-05:00

Seeing straight today? Anything blurring your vision? Anything keeping your focus off of Christ? It's a challenge to keep our eye on the world around us (in a normal, constructive way) and to keep another fixed on Jesus. But, we can do it. We simply must choose to refocus.

Take a look at this passage from Luke 11:33-36: No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or crypt or under a bushel measure, but on a lampstand, that those who are coming in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye (your conscience) is sound and fulfilling its office, your whole body is full of light; but when it is not sound and is not fulfilling its office, your body is full of darkness. Be careful, therefore, that the light that is in you is not darkness. If then your entire body is illuminated, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright [with light], as when a lamp with its bright rays gives you light. [Amplified Bible (AMP)]

Wow! Crazy isn't it that we can even think that the darkness in our life is somehow LIGHT!?! We can be so easily deceived that it all gets backward in our head. And, the way we begin to think affects how we feel. And how we feel affects how we act. In no time, we find ourselves in a heap of trouble all because we got our eyes off the true Light of life.

So, take some time to refocus. Fill your heart and mind with the Light of the Truth of God's Word. Make His perspective the lense you view life through. It will change you and bring healing in the process of recovery. Think about Jesus' words from John 8: 12: "...I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

The Prisoner

2011-07-05T10:30:00.003-05:00

Have you ever been a prisoner?
Have you ever been held captive?
Have you ever been enslaved?
Have you ever wanted freedom so bad you could taste it?

Hi, my name is David, and I’m a prisoner.

I’ve been a prisoner for a long time…living inside these walls made of bars of steel and stone.

There’s a window…it’s small…but it’s a window.
It lets me see the outside…where I could be…where I could have been all along. But…I’m a prisoner. It’s who I am. It’s who I’ll always be.

Oh, yeah, there’s a door. It’s made of those same steel bars.
It hangs there on the hinges. Hard, cold metal. Unforgiving.

And the lock. It can’t be picked. It just can’t be! I’ve tried to get out on my own. It takes that key…that annoying key that for years has rattled in my ears.
All the time I’ve been here…every time that abusive guard stuck it in the lock - and the mechanism would click, I’d get that sense of “freedom”. It was the sound of freedom. I could just taste it – only to be disappointed after an hour of pretend freedom behind the fences of the yard – only to be disappointed as the guard – a tyrant, that guy – would lead me back to my cell and lock the door behind me…laughing and mocking me as he’d walk away.

Ironically, it was a Friday when it all changed. Well, sort of changed. Inmates down the corridor were hollering at the guard…yelling their usual taunts. And they were screaming obscenities at a new guy. You know when a new guy is coming in because of those initial cat calls and insults. It’s painfully routine.

The guard approached my cell door. And, this new guy was with him. I thought…oh, great, a cellmate. No thanks. I’m a loner. I’m o.k. by myself. Stick him in with the guy next door.

But, they just stood there at my cell door…the guard and this guy. This new dude. He was kinda normal looking. Not really a rough and tough looking sort. Nothing that would have naturally drawn you to him. Kinda simple looking actually. A little homely. Intriguing at the same time. I couldn’t quite figure him out.
It was all a bit weird…almost like I knew him or he knew me …or something. Like I was in slow motion…but only a couple of seconds past before the man gave me that most startling message: You’re free. I looked at him with a blank stare, and he said it again...You’re free. I could tell that slave-driver of a guard wasn’t excited about it. But, he handed the keys over to this mystery man who proceeded to unlock the door. Then, he opened it and looked me square in the eye and repeated himself. “You’re free.” "How?” I asked. What happened? I don’t get it.

The guard pointed his thumb to the guy and grumbled, “It’s his doing…definitely not mine. I’d keep you here ‘til you rotted if it was up to me. I’d just as soon see you robbed blind, tortured, and killed…if it was up to me.”

“What do you mean, free?” I asked the stranger.

The guard chimed back in, “You’re free knucklehead. This nut paid your bail, your fines, your penalty…along with everyone else’s in this nuthouse. You can go.”

The simple man – the mystery man – looked at me and smiled. Then the two of them moved on to the next cell…making the same announcement from one cell to the next.

I sat on my bunk in disbelief and just listened as the two of them moved from cell to cell…floor to floor…telling the same story.

I could hear guys yelling…grabbing their stuff and running down the corridors…headed outside. OUTSIDE! Somebody said that the gates to the whole prison were standing wide open outside. I jumped to the window to see if I was in a dream. But…it was true. I could see ‘em running out. “I’m free!” they’d yell. “I’m outta here!”

They didn’t deserve to be outside! I knew I didn’t and I knew there were lots more like me and worse. Free? No way! They don’t deserve it, and I don’t either.
I stuck to my guns that day.

I stayed on that bunk…determined not to move. Determined to be what I was…a prisoner…determined to be who I am…a prisoner. It’s who I am…It’s who I’ll always be. I got myself into this mess and I’ll keep myself in it.

And, I have. I’ve stayed. Yeah, the door is still hanging there on the hinges. And, yeah, it’s still open. It’s been that way for three years now. They still feed me and they gave me a t.v. to keep me occupied. I just live through the people in the little box. It’s a meager existence. I wouldn’t call it a “life.” But I’m used to it. So, I’m not leaving. Freedom can’t be mine. It just can’t be…because I’m a prisoner.

Have you ever felt like this guy? Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." What doorway of freedom has Christ given to you that you have been hesitant to walk through? What is the cage that you are ready to walk out of today?

Say "Yes" To Serve

2011-06-27T16:10:00.006-05:00

How do we know we are in recovery? When we take the focus off of our self and put it onto others. What happens when a sponge receives water and then just sits? That rotting smell can creep into our life when we don’t give back from what we have been given. We are blessed to be a blessing.
We don't want our ministry to have people that just come to fill up. When we have people invested in a growing ministry, good things happen. Neither do we want only a handful of people to be doing the majority of the work. We want to pull together to do what is needed and keep this ministry thriving and strong working together for a great cause. That is a healthy ministry. We are challenging our body of CR believers to "Say Yes to Serve” Check out what Rodney has to say on our "Say Yes to Serve” roll out. If you would like to say yes to serve and give back to this amazing ministry, copy and paste the website link below and fill out the online serve form. Or visit Booth D during CR Friday Night to sign up. You will hear from a team member on how to get plugged in. Thank you in advance for giving back in this way.
http://celebraterecovery.fellowshipnwa.org/#/celebrate-recovery-home/serve

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Offensive or Graphic Descriptions

2011-06-22T11:14:00.004-05:00

The last of the five guidelines reads:

(5) Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered group.
Any offensive language is inappropriate during sharing. This also includes information that may be too graphic. If at anytime someone starts to get too graphic in their sharing and you feel uncomfortable, please simply raise your hand. They will rephrase their sharing. Do the same for others during your sharing. This encourages respect while not causing someone to stumble with sharing that is offensive or too graphic. If you are unsure or still need to share in more detail, save that sharing for your sponsor or accountability partner.

What does it mean to be too graphic? What if I really need to share this?

If you would like information about extensive training through our One Day conferences and Annual Summit at Saddleback church in August, OR just some general information about how to get plugged into a CR near you, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Anonymity and Confidentiality

2011-06-14T13:01:00.002-05:00

What do we do when we face someone in public that we know from CR? What do we do when we have so called "juicy" info that was shared in our group? If they live in a different town, surely no one will ever find out right???? Or will they???

We don't expect everyone to agree with the small group guidelines in the group but we do ask that everyone respect and honor them. These are designed to keep the group safe and productive. We thank you in advance for honoring each and every guideline.

(4) Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements. What is shared in the group stays in the group!
This includes telling others what was said or done in the group, gossip disguised as a prayer request, or acknowledging someone on the street as knowing them from C|R. We don't want to violate trust, safety, or make people afraid to share risky information. All can attend anonymously with assurance that your attendance and the information you share will be held in strict confidence. Our motto is "who you see here, what you hear here, and what you say here, stays here."

The main role of our leaders of small groups is to keep the small group safe.

When we agree to sit in the small groups of Celebrate Recovery we are making a covenant with others in that group that we will abide by the guidelines and honor what the leader of the group is enforcing.
Scripture says,in Prov Chapter 10:18-21 "...whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many , sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment."
-
Or as the Message version reads:
18 Liars secretly hoard hatred;
fools openly spread slander.
19 The more talk, the less truth;
the wise measure their words.
20 The speech of a good person is worth waiting for;
the blabber of the wicked is worthless.
21 The talk of a good person is rich fare for many,
but chatterboxes die of an empty heart.

If you would like to be a part of a safe place and experience healing in your life like never before, please contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org about joining Celebrate Recovery

What do your eyes say about your heart?

2011-06-03T14:02:00.005-05:00

When you look at your Savior, what eyes does He see looking back at Him? More important what heart does He see reflecting back at Him? All that I have and all that I am, I give it all to You, this Alabaster Jar
True worship is when we apply what we have learned from the Father to our daily life.
The Celebrate Recovery tools are a great way to learn how to live and how to apply it to our life.

Click on song to hear a great song by Gateway "Alabaster Jar"

Come see us tonight (Friday Night) at 6pm for CR! Bring a friend
For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org.

Feeling squeezed? positive or negative results?

2011-05-27T11:10:00.003-05:00

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1

Guys, today this verse means so much to me and I am claiming it as His sweet words whispered into my heart.

I was doing some mediation in Psalm 119:65-80

The word of God can encourage you in times of affliction. What life does to us depends on what life finds ‘in” us. If the Word is in our heart and mind, affliction can bring out the best in us. If not, then it may bring out the worst in us. The school of suffering never graduates any students as one commentator says. So we must learn to ask God to teach us the lessons we need to learn. “teach me Your decrees” vs. 68b
Isn’t it true that no one knows us better than Him and He should therefore manage our life

As someone once said, tough times do not develop character but rather expose what character we have. It is so much easier said than done but we need to lean into Him and not allow the flesh reaction get to us and bite back as we may be tempted to do at first glance.

CR taught me a lot about this truth. So blessed to have this truth in my life now.
So honored to be on this journey with you all.

Come visit us tonight at Cellebrate Recovery at Fellowship. 6pm. See campus map below. Call Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org with questions

http://storage.cloversites.com/fellowshipbiblechurch7/documents/CR-Map.pdf

Maintaining Momentum

2011-05-25T21:44:00.007-05:00

When we get complacent or start thinking we have it all under control is when we are most at risk. We never know what might be lurking around the corner....

Are you the same at church, work, at home, and with friends? Character is what you are when no one is around.

One huge way we can stay on track in our recovery is thru our daily gratitude list.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Great reminder for me today that even when things are not going good and our circumstances may not be what I desire that I can still rejoice for what He has given me.
What are you thankful for today. First pray about it, “Lord, show me what blessing I have in my life” The take a couple minutes and write them down. It may be hard at first and may start with:
1. Thankful that I am breathing
2. Thankful that I have my health
3. Thankful that my house is still here after the storm, etc. etc

Once you get going, things start popping in your head that you never imagined. An attitude of gratitude changes our whole perspective on our situation.

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Home Run Trailer

2011-05-23T19:44:00.001-05:00

CELEBRATE RECOVERY MOVIE COMING SPRING 2012
"HOMERUN"

John and Cheryl Baker, CR founders are reading thru the script this past week and filming is set to begin this summer. Exciting stuff!
For more information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney Holmstrom at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Beauty from ashes

2011-05-18T14:45:00.004-05:00

Sometimes in the earthquakes of our life it can seem that nothing good can come out of this madness and destruction. But....that is when God can show off His greatest beauty and find the beauty in the midst of the ashes that is the Mosaic of our life. We are all broken, all matter and only One gets the Glory! Our name is now NEW CREATION!

Passage taken from the Celebrate Recovery Bible 2 Cor 5:11-21
Character Study page 1455 "My Name is New Creation"

For more information on Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Life's Healing Choices in Middle East!!!

2011-05-12T12:45:00.000-05:00

Success!!!! Thank you Lord for Your leading us thru this time. Thank You for the many seeds that were planted in Your name!

Thank you so much for praying with us and for our team in our travels to present LHC to Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, (Bethlehem, Jerusalem), and Kuwait. God did and continues to do amazing things. Many seeds were planted.
See below for a small sampling and some specific answered prayers.

Leadership for me as the team leader to lead my team well and lean on Christ as the ultimate leader of our group- We had very minor illnesses with a few team members but all of them came at times after the work needed to be done. Thank you personally for helping me as the leader to lead our great group of servant hearts on this journey. We had great chemistry and amazing work accomplished.
– Prep time leading up to trip- thru May 11th- We were all extremely prepared and God provided a great view to see Him at work
– Health of our team leading up to and thru the duration of the trip- Craig and Angela got some pretty nasty head colds. Three of us, Craig, Don, Rodney had sore throats most of the time there and then Don and Luanne had stomach stuff lingering. But all of them were manageable and God pulled us thru it.
– Safe Travel to and from- Angela and Larry coming a day later than rest of team- We had great safe flights. Don had to get creative with his pillow cause we had to catch some sleep on the floor of the airport. :)

Larry did lose a very important bag on one of the flights that had a laptop and all his notes for the conference. The enemy was trying hard to discourage him. After seeing how God used his story and teaching it made much more sense afterward why he had so much trouble.

– Preparation for teachers and small group leaders- All the personal stories and personal application came across very well and God used in a huge way.

– That the testimonies being shared would penetrate the hearts of all those in attendance.- All reports we have and continue to receive back indicate incredible blessings and many hearts touched.

60 in Jordan: Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, are some that will be in attendance
120 adults and in Egypt in attendance- Actually doubled expected attendance to 220 and had to shut down registration due to no more room!!! Amazing!!

The last day we were there we did a "nail it to the Cross" only we used stones instead of rocks. The emotion and love that was seen at the Cross was so heartfelt and genuine. I cannot even begin to describe it in words. The Holy Spirit was very present.
– Safety for our team and all those coming to the Conference while there especially with the turmoil going on in the M.E. right now- God protected us each and every step of the way!!
– Safety for those traveling from other countries- Everyone made it safely without incident!
– God’s wisdom to intercede- “But, our culture is different” Those are the words day one and two we heard from many. Then to “maybe it can be different here. Maybe we can share our stuff.” God is taking a culture that did not believe it was possible to share our stuff with and changing their belief that they don’t have to keep their stuff inside any longer.

While we were there 12-15 leaders were called up to the front to be introduced as new leaders for upcoming CR’s to be birthed out of this. Many of these folks had attended the Syria trip last August. Much fruit came from that first conference and now much fruit will come from this trip.
Talk about overwhelming to see them up there and to be able to pray for them. Wow! God is big!
We also saw a large group of young adults standing outside the worship center one evening praying together, holding hands (unheard of in this culture) praying and worshiping together. Their prayer? ‘We want to be the next generation that will change how things have happened over many decades. May we be the generation of strength and courage to change how we deal with our stuff.” Change is coming!!!!!

– Team Unity while in the 15 days time together.- I can speak from my own experience and then the team debrief we had. Incredible unity and team spirit! What a blessing.
We met some amazing men and women while there.

Here are a few amazing men and women from the area. We were so blessed to meet them.

– That we would be prepared spiritually as a team with the Full Armor of God- We had every inch of armor on and it showed in how He guided us thru each step even when we were very tired.
– Protection for our families left behind while we are away- Again, God took care of that too with all our families being taken care of!!! Yeah God!
– That we would have a constant reminder in our walk that He is the one in control and not us.- Many reminders thru out as the issues coming to us were so overwhelmingly huge. Abuse, rape, drugs very rampant in Jersusalem and Bethlehem, pornography and unhealthy habits stemming from that, anger, fear, and on and on. Only He can be in control of that. It is amazing how no matter where you are in the world, we are more similar than you think.
– That God would change us while on this journey.- We all walked away better people after seeing and experiencing what we did. All of us challenged to continue our walk in Him.

How cool is it to see Life's Healing Choices in Arabic being used man mile away!?!?!? VERY COOL!!!

– Life’s Healing Choices will be used as a tool to present the gospel and penetrate the Middle East in huge ways. Ultimately lead more to Christ and His healing power.- Several groups already started since leaving the Middle East. God is already spreading this message of hope thru LHC and life’s are changing as we speak. YEAH GOD! Many CR step groups and Life’s Healing Choices groups are being birthed across the Middle East as a result of what He did the past two weeks. People get ready!

We also had some play days to see some incredible history. We saw the Great Pyramids

and then rode camels across the Sahara Desert to the Sphinx (Sp?) Wow! Very cool. We also learned that De-nial is not just a river in Egypt.

We saw some incredible Mosaic art as well done by hand many many years ago.

Isn't it great to know that know matter where we live we all can worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!? All of us are broken, all of us matter and He has the power to help us recover and One, Jesus Christ gets the Glory for all He does in our life.
Imagine a view standing in the footprints of where Moses was once standing on Mt Nebo, where he looked out into the promise land before the Lord took him away. To your left about 200kil you will see The Sea of Galilee, straight ahead where it flows into the Jordan River where Jesus would be baptized, to your slight left off in the distance, Jericho, a little further left in the distance, Mt of Olives, and then to your left the Dead Sea. Wow! Such amazing history.

Thank you so much for your prayer covering while we were gone!!! Please continue to pray for our team for Physical, emotional and spiritual as we go thru reentry now. God bless all the great CR leaders who stayed behind to manage our own CR so that we could go and share the Good News thru Life's Healing Choices to our friends in the Middle East. More photos to be posted on Facebook from Don and Craig who were our primary photographers for the trip. Good stuff coming.

For more information or questions about how to get into a CR near you. Contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

First leg complete

2011-05-03T01:45:00.002-05:00

Wow! Where are we and what day is this?!? Time has stood still since arriving here and yet it feels like we have been gone for months. Missing my friends and family dearly.
We just got done saying goodbye to our friends as we wrapped up our first conference of the two. It is never easy to say goodbye.
Lots of hugs an lots of tears.
Imagine a generation of young adults that have now tasted what healing can be like once we submit our life and will to Him and His power.

Picture a group of men and women standing in a circle holding hands (mind you it is not acceptable for this to happen in public) praying, worshiping God. What we they praying for?
"We are the next generation and we can make an impact for life change. We can break the cycle"
That is one example of what is happening here!
Many people came up telling us that "we have been given hope that there can be a better life and freedom in Christ.
We are learning that we can share in safe group.
People came up sharing of praying at the cross about forgiving peole from many years ago.

God is moving in the Middle east. Many leaders are now about 3 months in in. Step group and lives are changing. Many leaders have agreed to step up and lead an new group once their group is complete.
We had the gift to pray over them.

Next step is to do a CR training.

I know this note is sketchy and all over the board but I am doing this from an airport and trying to be fast.

Please keep Praying. God is doing sonmuch work and sonmuch life change. Humbled that he is using this broken messed up guy to be a part of it.
Blessings

Journey continues in Desert

2011-04-29T18:37:00.002-05:00

First off, thank you so much for praying. We need those prayers and are so grateful to have you join us as interceders on our trip.
It was the second day of our conference and we saw God in many different ways thru thr eyes of His children in the Middle East. Some of the sahirng is unbeleivable that I have personally experienced. The "Denial is not just a river in Egypt hoke went over well"....:)
I heard stories that will break your heart. Stories of belivers ears being cut off for claiming Him as their Father. So much abuse, so much hurt.
It does blow me away however, how no matter where you go in this broken world, you will find a common denominator of brokeneness and a hungry heart for the Master Healer and Comforter, Jesus Christ.

I spoke wiht one gentleman that described how his life can be when in certain pockets and he talks about Jesus Christ that it is going thru his head, "I could die for this, but I don't care" Wow! I take so much for granted for teh freedoms we have back home. We can praise Him anywhere, any time and that is an amazing freedom.

Craig kicked us off today with Choice two, the HOPE Choice and then our freinds Larry and Angela made it in from thier leg of the race! YEAH!!!! It was so good to see their flight made it here safely. Please pray though as Larry lost one of his pieces of luggage with a computer and lots of valuable stuff. Hoping it will turn back up.
Angela kicked off choice three , the tough Commitment choice and we heard testimonies from Don and Larry.

After the small groups we decided to take some time beofre chocie 4 to explain what it means to "Commit" or when we are "powerless". Some folks here were struggling with this concept and what that really looked like. We even had some people think that after we finished the eight sessions that they would not have any more problems. Not much different form teh states as sometimes we want the quick fix instead of embraces the process of change that brings about a lifetime of intimacy in Christ.
So....we took some time to tell tehm that this wsa only but an overview to show people what it can be like to be in group discussions and be honest and real with one another. The Q and A time and sharing form our team was very productive.

The team has had several people come up and share how glad they are that we are taking them thru this and how much they need this in their life.

Our prayer is that people will get on fire for Christ and see His healing power to NOT cure us from all life's struggles but to help all of us overcome our H,H,H's.

Tomorrow we have Larry leading us thru Choice 5 and Rodney thru Choice 6 and then Angela will finish out the day with Choice 7.

Please pray that any walls that are still up will come down and that all will see how poerful He is and how powerless we are with out Him. We need Him in our life.

Love you all and will share morelater. it is 2:00am here. Blessings.

Rodney

April.....Trip update

2011-04-28T22:06:00.004-05:00

I honestly was struggling at what day it was cause my sense of time and calendar gets flipped around with the time zone change. I cannot even begin to tell you effectively how humbled I am by what we are seeing after just one day of the conference.
When we arrived we heard how much God is moving before we even got started. The expected attendance number was around 140 people for this first conference. It grew to 240 and they had to change conference locations to accommodate. They had so many people wanting to register beyond that, that they had to close off registration. There was a waiting list for those to get in. Wow! God is working cause it wasn't sure many would be able to make it do to te turmoil they had been experiencing.
The ground is so fertile for God's word to be heard. Sometimes in the great trials of life, it is the best time to share His Good News.
Lifes Healing Choices is such a nice fit for what the people are struggling with. as one lady said, the window if opportunity is narrow and we need to jump in while we can.

We also learned that the entire conference is being videotaped, teachings and testimonials to be aired on tv across the middle East. Uh, can you say amazing!!?!? All believers and non will be watching this across the
M.E. Imagine the potential for life change.!!! To give you an idea, On another program they air has over 40 million viewers. Not sure if it will have the same number but even one viewer would be enough. :)

I had the privilege of sharing Choice 1 last night, the Reality choice. It was very well received. The sharing was In-Cred-ible!!'
There is so much hurt in our world. So much abuse, sexual, verbal, physical, and as a result of being hurt, Many that have hurt others.
I had the privilege to look these other men in the eye and the others in the group did the same, and see someone desperate to have His help to overcome their life's hurt, habit, or hangup. Many sexual sins that men struggle with and lots if abuse for the women struggling with.

During dinner afterward, I heard so many people talking of how glad they are they made it and the are all coming with expectant hearts for what He is going to do in their life. Just think, our team gets to be along for the ride.

Angela and Larry should be arriving this morning. I am anxious to see them.

CR Mission team departs

2011-04-26T20:56:00.002-05:00

9:00PM 4.26.11
Well, it didn't look good initially coming out of NW Arkansas with the crazy weather we have been experiencing, but we made it out. So far the trip has gone according to plan. We are now awaiting the next flight that will be around 13-14 hour flight.
So blessed to have all those that are praying for us praying.
Can't wait to see our old friends!!
Keep praying folks! Angela and Larry fly out tomorrow evening and we need them to make their connections on time too.
Until next update....
Rodney

A Changing Perspective

2011-04-25T02:52:00.003-05:00

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matt 22:37-40 (NIV)
I was meeting with a couple of my accountability partners the other morning and in our discussion the verse above was shared; along with the thought that our responsibility is to love God with all that we have and to express that love to others around us in this very moment. In addition, that while we normally look at our lives from the past to present, seeing our lives through the lens of our past sin and failures, however, God, through the work of Jesus on the Christ, looks at our lives through the lens of our future in Christ to present.
As I sat there and thought about this, I found that my view of the commandments of God have begun to transform. This transforming is similar to way that I have come to see the Guidelines that we use in our Open Shares and Step Studies. When I first started in Celebrate Recovery and I encountered the Guidelines, honestly I felt they were restricting from what I have always experienced in Christian small groups. I felt like I was been regulated, confined and being forced to conform.
Honestly, the Commandments of God have always had the same effect on me. While I have come to believe in the importance of them and do what I can to follow them, they have always seemed to promote the idea of God as a “Cosmic Cop” waiting to bust me for doing something wrong in my mind. While I know this view of God is a lie I have bought into and stems from the years of my own dysfunction and fed by my issues, I have been struggling well to have a view of God that is more in line with the character that he reveal of Himself in the Bible.
Today I view the Guidelines of CR not has a restriction, but as freeing. I see that what they do is to allow a freedom to share in Open Share or Step Study in a safe atmosphere. As I am able to expose hurts, habits and hang ups to the light of Christ in a safe grace field atmosphere, their power over me is diminished and healing begins to happen in my life. I have come to the place where I embrace the Guidelines and rely on them to help provide an atmosphere where God’s grace is experienced in my life at levels I have never known before.
So as I sat there the other morning discussing the two greatest Commandments, and contemplating the fact that God views me from my future in Christ to my present instead of from my past, it occurred to me that the Commandments like the Guidelines are there for the purpose of my freedom. Once more, it is not about me, but it is about God. It is about what He has done and is doing, not about what I have done or haven’t done. It is about His faithfulness not my faithlessness. I have never before now viewed the Commandments of God as freeing. When viewed from my future in Christ to my present, they no longer condemn me pushing me away from God as viewing my life from my past to present does, but instead they drive me to Him. They are there for my freedom! I can’t tell you how really foreign this perspective is for me. Really, the idea of God viewing me from my future to present begins to open up a whole side of His character I have not been able to see before.

Tim, Male Encourager Coach, Fellowship Bible CR NW Arkansas

For more information about One Day trainings or the CR Summit that goes into greater length on guidelines and how to enforce them etc. Or maybe you have questions about how to get into a CR near you. Contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

I can fix it myself

2011-04-22T13:26:00.004-05:00

Sometimes we just need to stop and realize that we are not to be the one to save the day. There is Someone much stronger than any of us put together. He is capable of helping us thru our struggles. We will learn so much thru the process.

3. We are here to support one another. We will not attempt to “fix”
another.

For more information about One Day trainings or the CR Summit that goes into greater length on guidelines and how to enforce them etc. Or maybe you have questions about how to get into a CR near you. Contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org http://celebraterecovery.fellowshipnwa.org/

Are you listening?

2011-04-15T14:08:00.002-05:00

One of the greatest exercises and disciplines we can learn in life is the art of listening. This is one of the reasons we have the "No Crosstalk" guideline in place. This helps keep our small groups safe and productive.

2. There will be no cross talk, please. Cross talk is when 2 individuals
engage in a dialogue, excluding all others. Each person is free to
express their feelings without interruption.

For more information about One Day trainings or the CR Summit that goes into greater length on guidelines and how to enforce them etc. Or maybe you have questions about how to get into a CR near you. Contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Why should I use "I" or "me"?

2011-04-09T10:29:00.005-05:00

Something amazing happens when we own the negative and the positive things in our life. When we voice them with our own lips and personalize them it give it life and actually means something personal to me. He loves me! That means so much.

1. Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings. Please limit your sharing to 3-5 minutes.

For more information about One Day trainings or the CR Summit that goes into greater length on guidelines and how to enforce them etc. Or maybe you have questions about how to get into a CR near you. Contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Spinach in my teeth

2011-03-29T21:53:00.001-05:00

Do you have someone in your life willing to tell you even the tough stuff? Someone that you have given permission to tell you about your blind spots?
Someone that will point out the spinach in your teeth?

Author Wayne Goodall reminds me in my reading to look for the following things when looking for a mentor:
Find someone in that...
Their message is worth remembering
Their life is worth living
Their faith is worth imitating

Note: Rememeber your sponsor is human and will let you down, they are human. Check out the video on Sponsor and Accountability Partners

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

A GRACE THAT IS ENOUGH

2011-03-28T08:30:00.001-05:00

So there I was, sitting in CR Worship this past Friday night, just minding my own business worshipping God when the Holy Spirit interrupted me and asked me about the words I was singing. The song at that moment was Your Grace is Enough and at that moment in the song, we were singing the first chorus:
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough for me!

Years ago when I was in my early twenties, I was first starting out in ministry I had the fortunate experience to spend some quality time with a worship leader named Bob Fitts talking about the nature of worship. Like our own David Attebery, Bob has the gift to lead folks to the very throne room of God, and allow their hearts to be prepared to what God has to say. Bob made a statement about worship that has stuck with some 20+ years now. He said that worship is either declaration or adoration. Declaration is the testimony of who God is; or what His character is like; or about His nature; or about what He has done; its focus is on God and making him famous and known. Adoration is an expression of our emotions towards God; it is our focused response to the declaration of who God is. I took Bob’s words to heart and over the years, my attitude in worship normally has become one of these two expressions, declaration of God or adoration to God.

So back to Friday night, I responded to what I felt was the Holy Spirit’s prompting and began to think about the words I was singing. My first thought was I am just singing this song, which is not a good thing; my second thought was to ask is this song a song of declaration or a song of adoration. Now to be honest, as wonderful as this song is to most people, it is not one of my favorites. Perhaps it is the rhythm or the style but really, that is a personal preference and has nothing to do with the value of this great song. So that being said, I have never bothered to take Bob’s words and apply them to this particular song.

What I did in the next few moments was to look at the truth of the song, “…Your grace is enough…” we sang. “Wow, this is a declaration of the nature of God,” I thought. How have I missed that? Probably because I have let personal preference get in the way of worship, at least with this song I had. Forgetting the lesson I had learned years ago that worship isn’t about music, style or the notes, it is about God and that He is worthy of my declaration and of my adoration whether there is music or not, whether I like the tune or not. Oh, I know that having an affinity for the songs that we sing is helpful for me to enter into an attitude of worship. Ultimately, though, it is unimportant when compared to what the focus of worship is to be; it is not about what “warm fuzzies” I get, it is about the declaration and adoration of the King.

So back again to Friday night “…Your grace is enough…” a declaration of God’s nature! What followed for me was conviction, conviction that this is a declaration that I have never really made. That this is a declaration I need to speak out. That my spirit needs to hear my flesh make this declaration to itself or perhaps it is my flesh that needs to hear my spirit make this declaration to itself. Either way, I was beginning to understand that it was important for my recovery that these four words need to become a part of my meditations and worship of God, which the Holy Spirit wants to work at in the transforming of my mind. His grace is enough! This truth is something that my soul needs to hear daily, to combat the lies I have bought into that I could never be a person God would delight in.

“…Your grace is enough for me…” what an amazing God we serve, by the time we reached this point of the first chorus, the Holy Spirit had challenged, convicted and begun a change in my way of thinking about His grace, about the His very nature. I spent the rest of that song focusing on the thought that His grace is enough. What followed in the next 36 hours was God using the rest of worship, the testimony shared that night along with my own devotion, the worship and the message from the Saturday night service I attend to re-enforce the truth that “His grace is enough.” And as He has done so I find myself in an expression of adoration about this declaration of the truth of His nature. God using my past to affect my present to change my future.

I am convinced now more than ever that Christ is calling me to a level of freedom in Him that I have never known; this morning it is occurring to me that, the path to that freedom starts here; and the first step is the understanding that His grace is enough. Paul puts it this way in Romans:
Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.
All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end. – Romans 5:19-21 (The Message)

Father, I want to know and experience this grace of yours. Help me to get out of the way of myself so that I can find what you have had for me all along. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Tim, CR Encourager Coach, CR NW Arkansas Fellowship. For more information on CR contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

CELEBRATE RECOVERY RAP

2011-03-21T20:56:00.000-05:00

This is a fantastic video by one of our sister CR's here locally. St. James Missionary Baptist Church

For info on Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Life Preserver

2011-03-16T11:48:00.002-05:00

Ever felt like you were helpless when seeing a friend drowing in dysfunction adn yet they won't grab ontot he tool you are throwing to them? What do we do when they won't grab onto the Life Preserver?

For more information about how to get into a CR near you. Contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

The Different Kinds of "help me"

2011-03-14T16:50:00.001-05:00

The Different Kinds of "help me"
Sometimes "Help me!" is really "help me keep doing what I'm doing, even though it's really not working for me anymore." (I guess that would be classified as enabling, if you buy into that one).
Sometimes "Help me!" is "help me keep doing what I'm doing, because it's about to work, but I've run out of time/resources." I guess to do that would actually be helping.

Sometimes "Help me!" is "I don't want to have to do anything to make a change or come up with an answer -- plus if you do it all I can blame you if I don't like it or it doesn't work out."
And sometimes it's "I don't know what to do to make a change, please show me."

I know I'm painting with a pretty broad brush here -- it's just struck me lately how sometimes the best way I can help someone -- as a friend, family member or sponsor -- is to stop and consider which of the above might be going on.
- From my favorite AA blogger Mr. Sponsorpants
Alison Kerr

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-409-9747 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

The Trap of Entitlement

2011-03-06T13:09:00.002-06:00

The Trap of Entitlement
…There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. - Hebrews 11:35-38 (NIV)
“I've worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death's door time after time. I've been flogged five times with the Jews' thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I've been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I've had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I've been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I've known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.
And that's not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches. When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones. When someone is duped into sin, an angry fire burns in my gut.” -Paul in 2 Cor. 11:23-29 (the Message)
I find it disturbing when I find myself in a place where I begin to feel entitled as a follower of Christ. What I mean is that I begin to feel I “deserve or earned” certain rights, privileges or ways of being treated by others and, at times, even by God Himself, just because I am a follower of Christ and sometimes even as a citizen of the United States America. It is a place where I begin to feel that somebody owes me something. I find that when I am in this place or state of mind I usually end up on the road to resentment and that is a very dangerous place to be.
Recently I have been looking at the life of King David. Can you imagine if the leaders of the country came to you and said, “You have been picked to be our next leader”? This is what happened to David. David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons. Even some scholars think he may have even been an illegitimate son of Jesse. He was sent by his father to tend sheep, a lonely, thankless job, one that was certainly on the low end of the social scale of the day. One day he was called from the fields and was anointed to be King of Israel by Samuel the Prophet. Eugene Edwards writes that he was then promoted from being a shepherd to a busboy for his older brothers in the army. Later he kills a giant, an enemy of the people of Israel, when no one else had the guts to meet the giant’s challenge, not even the current King.
So, now, here is David, anointed to be King and he has just killed one of the greatest enemies of his country. He is then invited by the current King, Saul, to join him in the royal palace and is soon to find himself facing the business end of the spears that are being thrown at him by Saul. David finds himself soon running away and living in caves like an animal. Not only that, but now he finds himself hunted by Saul. On the run, his very life threatened and living like an animal, is this the way you think he would be spending his life as the oil ran down his head when he was anointed to be king, the way the life should be for the “man after God’s own heart”? I can’t imagine it was. If it were I, I would be thinking of all the great things I could do as the king, nothing like this.
Now David didn’t like this and he did make that known to God (read the Psalms). However, you never hear the voice of entitlement coming from him. David does eventually become King of Israel, but not by his own hand, he allows God to put him on the thrown. Later, once he is king, his own son rises up against him and again David could have felt entitled to keep his kingdom, but instead he leaves. His attitude is that the kingdom belongs to God and if he wants me on the throne then He will keep me there. David could have felt entitled, but he didn’t.
Later in the New Testament, we read about the Apostle Paul, another man that had an opportunity to feel entitled. Yet when we read what his life was like in the Book of 2nd Corinthians (quoted above), it does seem like it was one of entitlement. In fact the other Apostles, Peter, James, Andrew were all martyred and the Apostle who wasn’t martyred was imprisoned for life. These men changed the world, as we know it; they turned it on its ear. Yet when we read about their lives, like David, they weren’t lives of entitlement.
So, if the examples of David, Paul, Peter and the others, to say nothing about the life of Jesus Himself, are not ones of entitlement, why would I even begin to allow myself to consider that I am entitled to anything more? Because I follow Christ, because I live in the USA? Could I be anymore arrogant?
No, at best, I stand on the shoulders of those gone before me. If for some reason I am not called to pay the same price that they did, then it is only by God’s grace and mercy on my life, not because I deserve or have earned anything.
I stated earlier that entitlement leads to the road of resentment. Resentment will do nothing but destroy my walk with God. An attitude of entitlement is steps on that road. The problem is that an attitude of entitlement is so subtle; I often don’t see it until some damage has been done. So how do I keep myself from it? I must respond in the opposite spirit, I must respond to life with gratitude.

On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever. – Psalm 100 (The Message)
Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. – Hebrews 12:28 (The Message)
Okay, I think it is time once again for me to look at my gratitude list.

Tim, E Coach for Celebrate Recovery NW AR Fellowship Bible

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

What is Codependency? Am I Codependent?

2011-03-04T13:53:00.000-06:00

8 Reasons Why It Is Wrong and Dangerous...

2011-03-02T11:58:00.002-06:00

This is good stuff and a great reminder in keeping our marriages healthy. See link...

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=ni57mkcab&v=001iJhWe_MGxkjtQ1L-rlyVgyTV1IX2vaFSzx1CefDPb9W99zCucHPLsGxNgqujS899PtHb54sJ6pWKShkZa5Vwp-tRv59upq7zr_x04HyGO2wnprJzq7RqxEL5BBKBLmJj

For information about Celebrate Reocvery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

2011-02-25T15:16:00.000-06:00

With Him, ALL is possible

2011-02-23T17:19:00.000-06:00

What is Celebrate Recovery?

2011-02-13T09:35:00.000-06:00

The Word and Worship

2011-02-10T09:11:00.006-06:00

“So, how’s your time in the Word going?” That’s a question one of my first mentors asked me on a regular basis. It wasn’t about him hounding me or trying to make me feel guilty. It was all about simple, yet profound truths about the Bible that we knew were true and life-changing. So, we agreed to help each other in staying “in the Word” – in the Bible. Why? Don’t some people just call it another religious book written by a bunch of guys running around in togas and sandals? Yeah, that has been said, but it has been proven to be far more than that. And, it IS far more than that. (For more about this, see www.josh.org and click on “Can I Trust the Bible?”). It is God’s written Word – His loving instruction to us, His cherished creation. Absolutely reliable. Totally true. And, it’s more than info. It is filled with the truth we need. And, it is filled with power!

Psalm 119:25 “I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.”

Let’s go back to the original question: How’s your time in the Word going? But, let’s turn it around: How’s the Word in you going? We get into the Word so it can get into us. And as it gets into us and we respond in obedience, life-change begins to happen. It’s part of the whole “working it” process in recovery. The old saying, “Garbage in, garbage out” really is true. So, with God’s Word, we replace the garbage we’ve been putting into our lives with the powerful, healthy, life-changing words of God. So, what will the output be? It can only be power, health, and life-change! A new way of thinking and living will permeate us.

That same mentor also told me: “If your output exceeds your input, your upkeep becomes your downfall.” It was a simple formula meant to remind me that if I try to run this life – to travel this road to recovery (output) without the regular input of God’s Word, my “upkeep” will become my downfall. I’ll run out of power. I’ll grow unhealthy. I may even relapse. I need that regular input from God.

OK…so what does all of this have to do with “worship”? One tool for worship is music. I love music. And, I love God’s Word. So, when those two “loves” come together in an incredible way, I am moved, encouraged, strengthened, renewed. We’ve been singing a song on Friday nights called “How Great!” The lyrics are straight out of First John 3:1 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” and from John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Wow! Awesome truths! And, if you’ve been around the past 3 or 4 months on Friday nights, you’ve probably almost memorized this song. So what’s the big deal? Well we are getting into the Word through the music while the Word is getting into us – into our mind, into our heart, into our life, into our recovery!

So, just as Rodney continues to give us the “Stinkin’ Thinkin’ Challenge,” maybe you’d like to add the “Stinkin’ Singin’ Challenge!” (Even if you don’t like to sing, you can definitely listen.) And here’s an easy way to do it. Go out and buy a couple of CDs that I highly recommend. They are called “Glory Revealed: The Word of God in Worship.” There’s two volumes. “How Great” is from volume 2. We’ve also done a great, delta blues song – Wake Up, O Sleeper” - from that same CD. And, we’ll be doing more of them soon. If you want to know more, check out the “Glory Revealed” website – www.gloryrevealed.com. Or if you are ready to dive in right now, you can download the songs or go to one of our local Christian bookstores and pick up the discs.

Get ready! God’s word is powerful and effective! You in the Word; the Word in You. When that it happening, worship will automatically happen.

Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

For more info about Celebrate Recovery, contact David at (479) 878-2985 or daattebery@fellowshipnwa.org.

He "tries" to Steal, Kill and Destroy

2011-02-06T13:01:00.003-06:00

"The thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy...." John 10:10a
It is such a reminder when I talk to people in the middle of their junk and misery and see the true heartache and utter heartbreak how we are so similar in so many ways.
In our junk, we truly believe that we are the worst any one has ever seen. "No one is as bad as I am..." “If anyone knew who I really am”
That is exactly where the enemy wants us to stay in our junk.
The fact of the matter is if we are hurting, if we are in a mess that is bringing heart break to us, to our family, (usually in conjunction) the enemy wants us to believe that we are damaged goods. The enemy would have us believe that there is no hope for us in our life.
That, my friend, is a big lie. He does come to steal, kill and destroy what God made and called good. Again, he wants us to stay where we are and focus on the mess rather than the solution.
When we are in our junk, we tend to bow our head into our stuff, focusing on our hurts, illnesses, addictions, and our junk. We begin to believe the lie that we are who we say we are or who we believe we are in our hurts.
The scripture tells us though in Isaiah that He is the lifter of our head. We have to know that even in our deepest hurt or dysfunction; He has the power to heal us.
So instead of bowing into our junk, i.e. “I am an addict, I am a cancer patient, I am an angry man, a depressed man, I am a food addict,” etc, etc. We must instead of bowing into our junk, do as the scripture tells us and lift our heads and eyes to the Father. Praise His name thru our trials, in the midst of our junk and in process of the healing journey. He has the power to bring freedom to our life and if our focus is on Him and His ability to heal and restore our life, family, relationships, etc. As Joel 2:25 tells us “He will restore the years the locusts have eaten.”

Yes, the enemy is a thief that will and in some cases has temporarily stolen your freedom, your peace, and your joy in your life. John 10:10 goes onto read and reminds us that “His purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life.”
I don’t know about you, but I would much rather lift my head up to a Higher Power in Jesus Christ rather than bow my head into what the enemy would have us to believe is now our identity.
No matter where you are in your life, please know that your identity is not in your hurts habits or hang-up but rather in Jesus Christ. We struggle with our stuff, but our identity is in Him. And aren’t you glad He died on the cross for you and I to give us life to its fullest. To give us freedom, hope and joy that the enemy once stole from us.
He is the way the truth and the life!

For information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Staying Hungry in the Recovery Process

2011-02-03T12:00:00.000-06:00

Celebrate Recovery News Interview

2011-02-03T11:21:00.000-06:00

It Doesn’t “Look” Like a Break through

2011-01-25T11:01:00.001-06:00

I was recently talking to a local church that is looking to start CR in their church. As we discussed all the many things needed to keep the ministry safe and healthy, the discussion came up about the guidelines. Small Group guidelines are designed to keep our groups safe and productive. The question came up specifically about allowing someone to share beyond the 3-5 minutes.
One of the frustrating things I have seen in any small group format is when one person dominates the conversation and others don’t get a chance to share what they have on their own heart. Each person should have equal time to express themselves. Then the flip side is we need to listen to others sharing. Listening is a huge part of the recovery process and grows us more than we realize.
Most people don’t have an issue of keeping sharing to 3-5 minutes and even seem to embrace it. Most people tend to begin rambling after the five minutes anyway. This teaches us to keep our thoughts organized and stay away from rambling.
So what’s the issue?
I think where the confusion comes in is when someone who may be sharing, perhaps for the first time in what is referred to as a “real deep” “break-through” sharing. Do we let them keep sharing past the 3-5 minutes? Ah, tough question. Or is it?
I have had leaders, with their big hearts say, “the participant in their group hadn’t shared deeply to that point and I just didn’t want to interrupt that “great” sharing.”
Sometimes, something that will cause us to believe it is deep sharing as opposed to other times is the fact that we “visually” see lots of tears and emotion. Tear are so good cause there is great healing in those tears. However, Our response to our leaders in these cases is that even when it appears that the “break-through” is happening, we still have an obligation to uphold the guidelines.
It is also important that we remember that visuals aren’t always what they seem. For example, there are some men and even women in groups that will “great” sharing and have a major “break-through” and yet not shed even one tear. So, knowing that, the question has to be asked “Is it really better sharing because we see tears and is it really fair to let the one who cries have longer time to share than the one who does not cry?” Truth be told, I am a crier and my heart strings get pulled when I see a brother or sister crying. And again, this is not a knock on tears while sharing but the answer is no. We must keep the group safe and healthy by upholding the guidelines all the time, not just when it seems important.
Safe? How can having someone share over five minutes create an unsafe group?
The thing I tell folks all the time is that if we let that guideline get bypassed, what is to say we won’t allow other guidelines get bypassed. In the attendees mind set the question will come up about their safety on anonymity and confidentiality being broken. As the leader, our response, in love, will be the same, “please wrap up your sharing. Or “Let’s allow someone else to share now.”
Remember, even though it may not “look” like a break-through, doesn’t mean it’s not. And even if it is a break-through, we still want to teach each person to get their thoughts organized and keep their sharing within the 3-5 minutes.
Our primary responsibility as leaders is to keep the group safe by upholding the guidelines.
I pray that your break-through that is coming will bring deep healing in your life. Our hope is that in our CR groups you find a safe environment that points you to Christ.

Have a blessed day and I look forward to seeing you in a Friday Night open discussion group or weekly Step Study group soon.

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at roholmstrom@fellowhsipnwa.org or 479-659-3679

CR from a Newcomer's Perspective

2011-01-19T19:00:00.002-06:00

I love reading notes from the Newcomers perspective. This is a follow up email response to a note we send out to check up on our newcomers. Good stuff. With her permission to share removing her name I wanted you see this.
This is going to bless you!

Rodney,

It was so nice to read your email. Thank you. (The below note is straight from her blog....:))

"I walked in the door and here this song resounding from the sanctuary.
Our God is greater. Our God is stronger. God you are higher than any other. Our God is healer. Awesome in power. Our God. And if our God is for us, than who could ever stop us. And if our God is with us, than what can stand against
I stood near the back pew, halfway through worship. Hands were raised across the room. People from all kinds of life. Stepping into this worship meant agreeing that I have hurts and addictions in my life that need God's healing. In a freeing moment, I joined in.
Sweet surrender
The band played louder than before, and a man stepped up to the microphone. Is anyone here for their 1 year or more chip? Three or four people start walking towards the front and the band erupts, people in the sanctuary start cheering and clapping. I don't know how to describe it. It was a legitimate celebration. It was church. One man four rows in front of me came forward for his 7 year chip of sobriety. He was crying, and his buddy next to him was hugging him.
7 years.
The man on the microphone said, "This may be your first time here, and that could be you in 7 years from now today" The addict within me longs for that. My heart was so stirred because I realized that, these people, to me, are fascinating. They must have interesting stories, and walks of life. I entered these doors and became, one of them. I felt this deep rooted connection to the people in that room, that is the only way that I can think of to describe it. We are all struggling. Stepping in means acknowledging that my life has become unmanageable and that I need God's healing.
Back to last night, the man calls out the newcomers, and says that
"you can come down to receive your newcomer day 1 chip and we will yell and scream like never before for you and your recovery"
I stepped forward, down the aisle. I received my blue chip, and a hug. As I turned around the symbols were clashing, and the band was playing, and people were clapping and shouting. I walked back to my seat and had people shaking my hand.
In my head I was thinking, WHAT IS GOING ON?
On no, does the blue chip really mean that I've had 10 years recovery or started a Celebrate Recovery of my own or something. Seriously, what is going on.
I have never seen a better picture of the church than last night
It was a really meaningful night in my recovery, and my faith. As the night went on and I heard a testimony from a lady who has completed the 12 steps, and an introduction to CR for the newcomers (all 20+ of us) I realized 1. that I would not run into a lot of these people in my day to day life 2. that I relate more to the people that I heard from and met in that room than I can describe, and
3. that God cheers for me as much when I get the 1st day of recovery as when I come forward for my 7th year celebration."

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

_______________________________

Why Do We Journal?

2011-01-09T09:18:00.002-06:00

The word “journal” comes from the French word “journee, meaning from sunrise to sunset.

Transpsychological is a term used to describe the therapeutic effects of self-discovery through active awareness in journaling.

Journaling is a coping technique; expression of thoughts, feelings, memories, and ideas in written form, either prose or poetry, to increase self awareness leading to wholeness in ones journey throughout life.

Getting Started:

1. Buy a nice notebook.

2. Find a private or quiet place.

3. Sometimes making a list of things going through your head is a great way to start.

4. Consider playing some relaxing background music.

5. Set aside a committed time each day, afternoon or night.

It is suggested to start off with writing in your personal journal (for your eyes only) for 15 minutes each day in the form of freelance writing. Write down whatever comes into your mind.

Expressive writing helps us cope with stress, increases self awareness, decreases elevated blood pressure, benefits health aspects for people suffering with fibromyalsia and helps heal the grieving process.

Affectionate writing decreases cholesterol levels.

Poetry journaling helps make order out of chaos.

Journaling helps with self awareness on issues that need attention.

Writing down personal thoughts gives one the permission to let them go, no longer thinking about them with the intensity that may have cluttered the mind and drained energy.

Short term benefits from journaling include releasing pent-up feelings of anger and -anxiety.

Long term benefits from journaling comes from a review of journal entries which serves to increase awareness of trends and patterns in your thoughts and behaviors.

All the material above has been taken out of the book “Managing Stress - Principles and Strategies for Health and Well-Being” Sixth Edition by Brian Luke Seaward (Chapter 10 – Journal Writing)
Thanks for sahring Jana

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Is it really good?

2011-01-05T16:27:00.002-06:00

Read Genesis 3:1-7
My wife Carol and I were in Genesis 3 a few days ago right before bedtime and this passage, though I have read it many times before, really spoke to me this day even more.
Every day we as humans, as saints who still sin, are faced with temptation. What is temptation? One commentator stated that temptation is “Satan's invitation to give into his kind of life and give up on God's kind of life.” So true isn’t it?
That is exactly what he did to Eve that day in the beautiful garden didn’t he?!
So often we view temptation itself as a sin but temptation is not a sin. In fact the bible shows us thru the New Testament several places where the enemy tempted even Christ and yet He was without sin.
The enemy had Eve believing the big lie that there was something better than what she already had in this amazing garden, life. We have to remember that temptation is not a sin itself,
So if we know temptation is going to happen and we have established that it in itself is not a sin then how do we resist temptation to keep us from the sin?
Great question and I wish it were easy to deal with but it does take work. The good news is we don’t have to do it on our own.
We have to remember to first pray for strength to resist the garbage the enemy is throwing at us. This should be done before we even get into the mess. If I am in a good spot today, I need to pray that "when" I am tempted, not "if" then I want to be able to resist it with the Holy Spirits help.
Sometimes we have to even run from it. Sometimes literally run to keep us from falling into the thorn bush. How can we ask God to keep us from getting stuck if we wait until we have jumped into the thorn bush? This is why God has placed men and women in our life to help walk thru tough situations like this. The problem is that we become consumed with shame for even thinking what we are thinking and “if anyone ever knew what I was being tempted with…” Friends, that will always lead to acting out from the temptation. If we hide it, we will fall.
We must have the courage and strength of Joshua to say no when we are confronted with what we know is wrong. Sadly, ever since that very moment with Eve, Satan has been busy getting people to fall.
A good passage to look at is in James 1:12. It reminds us of the blessings and rewards when will receive when we don't give in when tempted. The enemy is crafty is getting us to justify our actions isn’t he? “You deserve this”….or “you don’t have anything better”
When we do this we fall into a phase of anger and isolation that leads to shame and guilt and ultimately back to where we started early in our recovery…..hopelessness and emptiness.
See, the sad truth is that Satan got Eve to doubt everything and all of God's goodness. He, in his crafty way, implied to Eve that God was just this mean, strict, greedy, stingy and even selfish for not wanting Eve or Adam for that matter to share in all His great knowledge of good and evil. He made her forget all that God have given her and sadly instead look only at what God had forbidden. Wow! Sound familiar?
We too can fall into temptation can’t we? Remember, it is not “if” but “when”. We can fall into temptation and ultimately acting out, when we focus on what God forbids for us rather than the countless blessings He has given you and I.
I know I am convicted that the next time I start feeling sorry for myself and what I don’t have, I need to consider what I do have and count all my many blessings.
Don’t give up on God’s kind of life friend. The enemy wants you to give up and give into his kind of life and that life only leads to emptiness.
Use your tools you have before you. Pray Eph 6:10-17 before you get there, use the tools and people around your run from it when it happens and finally be willing to say no when faced with what we know if not of Him. If we settle for immediate gratification here on earth we are only robbing our self of many blessings that don’t get promoted as such, but in fact are so much better. The great news too is that we have an eternity of gratification in the next.

What good do you have around you that the enemy has been leading you to believe is not in fact good?

Blessings,

Rodney Holmstrom

For information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney @ 479-659-3679 or roholmtrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Fruits That Grow in Vulnerability

2011-01-04T16:35:00.001-06:00

There is a great difference between successfulness and fruitfulness. Success comes from strength, control, and respectability. A successful person has the energy to create something, to keep control over its development, and to make it available in large quantities.
Success brings many rewards and often fame. Fruits, however, come from weakness and vulnerability. And fruits are unique. A child is the fruit conceived in vulnerability, community is the fruit born through shared brokenness, and intimacy is the fruit that grows through touching one another's wounds.
Let's remind one another that what brings us true joy is not successfulness but fruitfulness.

Oswald Chambers---“God can never make us wine if we object to the fingers He uses to crush us with. If God would only use His own fingers, and make me broken bread and poured-out wine in a special way! But when He uses someone whom we dislike, or some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit, and makes those the crushers, we object. We must never choose the scene of our own martyrdom. If ever we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.”

These reflections are taken from Henri J.M. Nouwen's Bread for the Journey.

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Okay, So Now What?

2011-01-01T15:43:00.001-06:00

Okay so we are once again at a New Year, okay, so now what? You know, that really is a great question! As we begin the New Year, it is a really good re-focusing question for us to ask God, “Okay God now what? Now what would You have me do?” However, I have to admit, often when I look in the mirror I find myself asking, is there anything I can do at all? My past failures have left some deep scars that do not let me easily forget them, so doubt is always a battle. Yet I know, that there is a part that I am to play, a role that I have in His Kingdom. Okay God, so here we are at the start of a new year, this is a good time to re-focus, to re-direct energies, re-deploy, so now what, what adventure do you have for me?

New Year’s Eve night as I listened to Rodney Holmstrom share the lesson, I was drawn to some verses in 1 Peter 4:7-11 that seemed help me with this question, would you mind if I walked you through my thinking on them as I have taken time to look at them?

The end of all things is near.

Okay I got stop right there first. I can’t let that sentence slip by unnoticed. This little sentence is a big deal. This is like a headline. Peter is saying, “Hey, pay attention, the end almost here! It is almost over, what I am about to say next is very import!!! You need to get what I am about to say!” So he is talking about Jesus returning here!! Cool stuff!! Okay so now I am geared up for what it is he is about to write, I mean if the end is almost here, if he is talking about Jesus coming back, then these next instructions should be really, really important. Oh I hope I am up to whatever task he has in mind, I mean if the end of all things is near, then what comes next must be big, this must important!!

Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

Okay so the end of all things is near so I need to be aware and sober (I wonder if Peter was in CR in his day) by-the-way another word for sober would be clear-minded. I have always been amazed how much sobriety has removed the “fuzzy-thinking” I had. I don’t care what issue a person has, if you have an issue, you have “fuzzy-thinking.” The Holy Spirit uses sobriety to clear up that “fuzzy-thinking.” Peter tells us here that the end of all things is near so then we need to be ALERT and SOBER so that we can PRAY. Okay Pete, tracking with you so far, if the end of all things is near, if Jesus is returning, then prayer is an important thing and to pray well I need to be alert and aware of the things around me and I need to be sober and clear thinking. Okay Pete, what is next?

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Okay, so the end of all things is near so I need to love others deeply. Got to admit Pete, not the thing I was looking for. I was thinking flashing swords and lightening bolts or least a word about healing the sick. But instead you are saying I need to love others deeply and why? Because it covers a multitude of sins, okay now I am pretty sure Ole’ Peter was in CR, because he sure is talking like it to me!! So let me think about this for a second, I am to love others deeply because love covers a multitude of sins and I am to do this because the end of all things is near, hmmm, okay, I think I see it. Could it be by doing this very thing that I become a visible representation of Jesus before His return? That others may learn of His love, grace and forgiveness from my testimony and gain hope for themselves? Okay Pete, I am back with you now, what’s next?

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Um, Pete, Buddy, you know we are talking about the return of the King, Jesus? The second coming? Pete, excuse me but it sounded like you just said that I am supposed to have folks over to my house. Okay, so the end of all things is near and you want me to have a dinner party? Wait a minute the end of all things is near and you want me serve meals or be a greeter or be an usher at CR? Really? Peter, we are talking about THE END OF ALL THINGS!! And you want me have guys over to watch a football game together? Okay Peter, in light of the main point here, these items just don’t sound that spiritual to me I am sorry. I mean the prayer I get and the love thing took me a bit, but okay I see it too. But this one? I mean c’mon Pete, we are talking about a big thing here, shouldn’t your instructions be a little tougher than having people over? I mean that really isn’t that hard you know. Actually you are not asking me to do anything I don’t like to do anyway. Isn’t being a Christian supposed to be hard and not fun? Okay, what’s next?

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Okay so basically Pete you are saying that end of all things is near and I should do whatever I do and just do it in such a way that God may be praised? Again, Pete, not a lot of flash there, but you have kind of turn the tables on me through this whole passage anyway, so I am not so surprised this time. So it really doesn’t matter what I do, as long as I do it in such a way that God is praised. I have to admit Pete, I was a little disappointed when I first read through all of this. What I mean is you started out talking about a big deal, the end of all things, so I was geared up for some big time instructions on what I should be doing, however, the instructions you left were not very, oh what’s the word…”dazzling,” instead your instructions were kind of basic, kind of regular. I mean really, they way you started I was looking for a Carmel Macchiato and I got regular black coffee. You know Pete, I kind of do these things already, so what is the big deal?

Okay Pete let me summarize what you are saying,
The end of all things is near so – be aware, sober and pray
The end of all things is near so – love each deeply
The end of all things is near so – have people over
The end of all things is near so – see God is praised in what I do

(Yawn) The end of all things is near so I should pray, love, have people over and praise God. Hey, wait a minute!! Could…did…what…is…hmmmmm…aaahhh!!!

Is there something else you are saying here Pete? Like I said I was all “geared up” earlier, the problem with getting all geared up is I always end up all bound up in something eventually. Why Pete you are a crafty one aren’t you? I see it now! You are not only giving me instructions, but you are showing me how Christ has set me free! Right here you are showing me what it is that He desires of me. He wants me to pray, love, have people over and praise God. I can do that!! I mean how many endeavors for God have I attempted and failed in the past? But these things I can do because these are the things I want and now can do because of the changes He has caused in me. Because of Christ I am free to pray, free to love others deeply, free to show hospitality and free to see God praised in what I do.

The truth is the end of all things is near and God is not asking me to be a Billy Graham or Rodney Holmstrom or Chip Jackson. The truth is the ends of all things is near and God is asking me only to be me, set free to pray, to love, to serve and to praise all in the strength Christ has provided. Oh my!!! The intense sense of freedom in Christ I am feeling right now is incredible. You know that scene in Braveheart where William Wallace is addressing the army and he cries out to them, “They can take our lives, but they can never take our FREEDOM!!!!” There is something a kin to that kind of fierceness arising in my heart about the freedom I am starting to understand that Christ has given me.

New Year’s Eve night Rodney talked about letting go of the shame of our past, the denial of our present and the fear of our future, later that night we took communion and the song sung by Dave and the band talked about shame and brokenness being removed as we carried to the Lords table. Powerful stuff!! I look back 2010 and for me the watch word going into the year was health, getting healthy emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially and relationally. Still much work to be done on all those fronts.

For me in 2011, I see new watch word on the horizon, something until just this moment as I am writing this I had not expected and the Lord seems to be dropping into my heart. However, it is not a watch word like last year really as much as it is becoming a cry, a fierce warlike-cry of my heart with one encompassing thought – FREEDOM IN CHRIST!!

Oh dear Lord, somebody get me in a Step Study quick!!

Tim, Encourager Coach, CR NW Arkansas

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Tornado Damage in Cincinnati AR

2011-01-01T15:22:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine posted this footage from the recent tornado that hit here in NW Arkansas New Years Eve

A tornado ripped through Northwest Arkansas in the early morning hours of December 31st. In this video we tour some of the destruction left behind by the tornado.

The crazy thing about this tornado was that it actually hit Cincinnati Arkansas. If you have never been there, there isn’t much there there. Cincinnati is an incredibly small town. That means that the EF3 tornado that tore through nearly leveled the town. It was incredibly unlucky.

Unfortunately there were three deaths attributed to the storm, and our hearts and prayers go out to the families. In fact, one person killed was a 78 year old man who was milking his cows at the time. His last name as Murray. My mother’s maiden name is Murray, and she is from that part of the country. He may have been a cousin many times removed. Weird.

From Murray Williams

Chains Be Broken

2011-01-01T10:30:00.002-06:00

When we submit our life and will to Christ the chains that are keeping us in bondage can be broken. He has the power to break the chains of addictions, despair, hopelessness and even loneliness.
As you start a new year and a new decade, don't wait, make this a year of freedom and hope. Run to Him in 2011! God bless you and your family.

Rodney Holmstrom

For more information about Celebrate Recovery in your area, contact Rodney at 479-409-9747 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

2010 reflections to 2011

2010-12-31T11:37:00.000-06:00

As we reflect on the year that was it is amazing how much has happened. On a sad side, we lost some loved ones, we saw many struggle with illnesses, and lots of hurt in a broken fallen world.
On a positive side though, we saw many lives changed in huge ways.
Did you know that just under 11,000 people, not counting teens and kids walked thru our doors here at Fellowship CR. Just under 900 newcomers entered our meeting on Friday night.
Marriages were restored, relationships reconciled, sobriety given to many, many people from alcohol, drugs, pornography, unhealthy eating habits. We had front row seats to people finding healing from destructive depression, smoking, unhealthy anger, loneliness, abandonment issues, and so much more.

We get to be a part of a ministry in its eighth year now moving and changing the heart and soul of NW Arkansas and the world. We saw Life’s Healing choices go to Mosaic and also go to 11 new countries including Pakistan, Syria, Algeria, Jordan, Iraq, Israel, and Egypt to name a few.

We saw our own recovery strengthened by our service in helping others thru their own hurts, habits and hang-ups.
I personally saw Jesus in the flesh in each of you. To see each of you in action loving on His children is something so beautiful.

So what is to come in the new year? 2011 is upon us and we can have great expectations and anticipation of what He will do next.

A friend of mine sent these questions from catalyst that we should all ask as leaders as we prepare for a new year.

Year End Review Questions:
1. What are the 2-3 themes that personally defined 2010 for me?
2. What people, books, accomplishments, or special moments created highlights in 2010?
3. Give yourself a grade from 1-10 in the following areas of focus for 2010: vocationally, spiritually, family, relationally, emotionally, financially, physically, recreationally.
4. What am I working on that is BIG for 2011 and beyond?
5. As I move into 2011, is a majority of my energy being spent on things that drain me or things that energize me?
6. How am I preparing for 10 years from now? 20 years from now?
7. What 2-3 things have I been putting off that I need to execute on before the end of the year?
We have an incredible night in store tonight. Powerful worship, Nail it to the Cross, Communion and four Baptisms.
Chris, from Robby and Patrick’s group, Sean, Missy, one of our CLC faithful and Greg from mine and Stephen’s group all being Baptized. So cool to see life change and the symbolism of what baptism means to us having died with Christ in our sins and rising with Him in new life!

Meal starts at 6:00pm, then worship at 7:00pm. Then we will walk over to the Student Center after service and enjoy some good conversation, fellowship, games, snacks etc. I know some of you won’t be able to stay until midnight but I hope you can stay for a little while for some fun.

Happy New Year brothers and sisters! I love you all dearly and can’t wait to spend another year with you in service. So grateful for each of you!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Father, thank You for being with us in 2010 and comforting us thru tough times and blessing us thru the ups and downs of living life on life’s terms. Lord, we don’t like the tough times but we are glad we have you with us to strengthen our faith and lead us thru them. Thank You for showing Your strength and beauty even in the midst of storms that came our way. Lord, we ask for your guideance and protection as we enter a new year. Lord help us to be diligent in sharing Your Good News as we know Your return is nearing. Lord we thank You for Your goodness and blessings to help us and so many of our friends clsoe to us thru life’s hurts, habits and hangups. We give You the glory for all that has happened, all the healing that has taken palce and for all freedom given to each of us. Lord help us to become hungry and thirsty for Your Righteousness. Lord I pray that this new year the 1000 people that come into our meetings for the first time will stick it out and find the freedom we know about in our hearts today. Thank You for all the special leaders You have sent to this ministry to love and serve others seeking truth. Please bless this night as we praise Your name in worship. Tonight we celebrate You! In Jesus Name, AMEN

“The Spirituality of Waiting"

2010-12-17T08:43:00.003-06:00

Here’s a Henri Nouwen reflection on “The Spirituality of Waiting”
"Waiting is not a very popular attitude. In fact, most people consider waiting a waste of time. For many people, waiting is an awful desert between where they are and where they want to go.

It impresses me, therefore, that all the figures who appear on the first pages of Luke's Gospel are waiting. Zechariah and Elizabeth are waiting. Mary is waiting. Simeon and Anna are waiting. The whole opening scene of the good news is filled with waiting people.

But what is the nature of waiting? What is the practice of waiting? How are they waiting, and how are we called to wait with them?

Waiting, as we see it in the people on the first pages of the Gospel, is waiting with a sense of promise. This is very important. We can only really wait if what we are waiting for has already begun for us. So waiting is never a movement from nothing to something. It is always a movement from something to something more.

Second, waiting is active. Most of us think of waiting as something very passive, a hopeless state determined by events totally out of our hands. But there is none of this passivity in scripture. Active waiting means to be present fully to the moment, in the conviction that something is happening where you are and that you want to be present to it.

But there is more. Waiting is open-ended. Open-ended waiting is hard for us because we tend to wait for something very concrete, for something we wish to have. "I wish that I would have a job. I wish that the weather could be better. I wish that the pain would go."

For this reason, a lot of our waiting is not open-ended. Instead, our waiting is a way of controlling the future. We want the future to go in a very specific direction, and if this does not happen we are disappointed and can even slip into despair.

But Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary were not filled with wishes. They were filled with hope. Hope is something very different. Hope is trusting that something will be fulfilled, but fulfilled according to the promises and not just according to our wishes.

Just imagine what Mary was actually saying in the words, 'I am the handmaid of the Lord...let what you have said be done to me.' She was saying, 'I don't know what this all means, but I trust that good things will happen.'

She trusted so deeply that her waiting was open to all possibilities. And she did not want to control them. She believed that when she listened carefully, she could trust what was going to happen.

The spiritual life is a life in which we wait, actively present to the moment, trusting that new things will happen to us, new things that are far beyond our own imagination, fantasy, or prediction. That, indeed, is a very radical stance toward life in a world preoccupied with control."

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney @ 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Free Gifts

2010-12-14T16:34:00.002-06:00

Christmas time is a wonderful time of the year for most. But for other's it brings sadness, insecurity, depression and even doubt. So many Christmases this is where I've been, because of hard times and inconvenient times. With construction this is usually the time of year jobs start dwindling and income slows to a trickle. So many times I've wanted to get my kids something, anything, but just didn't have anything to give. Or at least that is what I used to think!

As a Christian I’m online with a resource even more valuable than Amazon.com when it comes to finding the perfect gift. God has an abundance of gifts to give us. His riches are beyond comprehension. Plus, the price is right for any budget because the gifts He gives, he gives freely. Yep, you heard me right—no money down, no cash payments EVER.

I’ll be honestly, some of those gifts we don't really want and some of those gifts we covet. For example, I love to sing, and always wished God would have blessed me with a beautiful and consistent musical talent. I mean, I can carry a tune, but I'm no rock star. I used to pray God would give me that gift, but that wasn’t in His plan.

Instead He chose instead to give me other gifts, gifts that some people don't necessarily see as valuable, like my gift with computers. It took me a long time to see the value of that gift and how I could use it for His glory.

There are other less desirable gifts, but one God sometimes chooses to give us. What about the gift of poverty? I mean, Matthew 19:24 says, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Translation—people who are rich and have everything they need are a lot less apt to turn to God and a lot more apt to worship riches.

America is a rich country. Let’s face it, most Americans will never know poverty the way foreign countries do. But these rough times have brought me a taste. I know what it is to have creditors call constantly. I know what it feels like to have to choose between paying the rent or buying food for my kids. I know what it feels like to not be able to give my kids new clothes, to be ashamed because all they have to wear at times has been too small or worn out or totally out of fashion. I know what it is like to only get my hair cut twice a year and then only be able to afford to go to the Cosmetology school. I know what it’s like to not be able to go to the doctor when I’m hurting or how much it hurts to see my husband not go to the dentist until he’s so sick he can’t even think because he has an abscess and no insurance. I know what it’s like to watch my dog suffer and slowly die because I can’t afford a vet. I know what it is like to have to live with my in-laws because we couldn't afford to put a roof over our heads. I know what it is like to have no Christmas presents under the tree because there was no money to buy them.

There was a time this led to sorry, shame, guilt, anger, doubt, depression and fear, but something changed. I finally decided to open the gifts God had given me. They were almost invisible, yet readily available, and I didn’t even have to wait for Christmas morning!

Last year I saw one of those gifts be unwrapped by my daughter, and that gift reminded me of how one gift leads to another. That gift was . . .

The gift of COMPASSION. My daughter knew last year she wasn't going to get much for Christmas. This hadn't been the first hard Christmas for her, so she knew how hard that would be on Cordel. She could have griped and complained or made a long wish list thinking only of herself. That would have lead her to disappointment, though. Instead she made her brother a gift so he would have something to open on Christmas morning--an amazing crocheted horse with a medieval blanket. The gift of compassion opens up your world and allows you to see people as Christ sees them. It allows you to feel their pain, which allows you to minister to them in ways beyond your comprehension. You start to see the value in others, and desire more for relationships than material things. Then, just like my daughter having compassion and empathy for my son, this gift almost always leads to . . .

The gift of GIVING. I think of the story in the Bible when the woman gave two coins and that was all she had. Why did she do that? It's the same reason that I can't pass a Salvation Army bell without putting some change in, even if it's just a nickel. It's because that gift does mean something. Those nickels, dimes and quarters add up. Someone who has been cold or hungry or needy is much more apt to understand how important those small gifts are. If we all gave in our abundance there would be no need for those bells and red buckets, because we have enough globally for everyone to be taken care of. In hard times, if you don't let your faith die or your heart harden, then you will become a giver even in times of hardship. And giving brings on . . .

The gift of JOY. I can't help but think of the scene in the Grinch Whole Stole Christmas when his cold hard heart was softened but the unconditional joy of the Whos. Joy is a gift Christ will give in hardship, but so many people choose to reject it. Joy is contagious! It's hard to be sad or discontent around joyful people. Joy helps sustain you through hard times and brings on . . .

The gifts of HOPE and EDURANCE. “ Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:12-14 I used to be so depressed and felt so hopeless all of the time. If things were going good, I was great. If they got hard, I'd start griping and complaining. I had no endurance. Looking back most of those trials were incredibly temporary. Then there was the whole spec house thing, which lasted over four years. One night I found myself, right before the spec house foreclosed, sitting in the bathtub in the master bedroom of the spec house wondering how God could allow us to spend four years and invest so much of our time and money into something only to have us lose it all. But then God opened my eyes to all I had gained! That spec house brought Phil and I closer than ever. We worked together as a couple and as a family. It brought Stephen home and transplanted him back into our family after some hard times he'd gone through (which is probably why he helped, remember that whole compassion gift!). Endurance is a great gift. It strengthens our faith and develops . . .

The gift of PATIENCE. Now, this is a gift I used to pray for, but didn’t like what getting it meant. The thought did cross my mind that the years of hardship I had to endure were due to the prayer of a 14-year-old girl for patience. You see, I just wanted the gift for Christmas that year, right then and there, just to fall in my lap. But God’s gifts sometimes are wrapped up in box after box, layer after layer. You’ve had those gifts, haven’t you? You rip off the paper and open the box only to find another and another and wonder if there really is anything in the box at all??? But the gift in that set up is usually small but valuable, something you will cherish. That is how it is with patience. Once you have it, appreciate how much easier life is with it. Of course, I always seem just a box or two away from it still! Patience is important for preparing for the next gift . .

The gift of TRUST. Trust is one of the most precious gifts God has developed in me. I’ve learned to trust Him in hard times. Trust allows you to be free to tell God how you really feel. It lets you cry and laugh and open your heart to those deep dark places so God can shine His Light in. Trust is an awesome gift, but is often returned for doubt when hard times return. Such a shame, because trust leads to . . .

The gift of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. This gift is the hardest for wounded people to accept and for people in abundance to appreciate. It’s so beyond our comprehension that we look at it and think it must be meant for someone else. Nope, you’re wrong. This gift is for you and me and anyone who asks for it.

Sometimes I forget I have these gifts, especially when I look under our very bare Christmas tree. I place my precious gifts in a box somewhere that I think I’ll be able to find easily when I need them next, but I forget they are so close when times of trouble come rushing in.

I think this year I’ll pull them all out and place them on the walls of my house so I don’t forget about them. The greatest part about these gifts is that they are to be shared. I don’t have to feel guilty because I have them, because God has plenty of spiritual gifts to go around for all of us. My prayer this year is that He’ll remind you of all the gifts He’s giving you and bless you with many, many more!

Merry Christmas!!!

Terri

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

What God Is For?

2010-12-12T23:07:00.002-06:00

One of my accountability partners who is also one of those men that is a great a friend and a kindred spirit, has for the last several months has kept saying something every time we meet that I understood the truth of biblically and theologically, but I am not sure I have always lived out in a practical way in how I have viewed God.

My friend’s statement, his declaration really, is that “God is for me.” He said it again yesterday morning as we met. Yet, while I have always understood this in principle even from a biblical and theological place, yesterday morning it was as if I felt the Holy Spirit tap me on the shoulder and say, “Listen up, can you make the same declaration with the same conviction?” and as I looked inside, I have to admit, I found myself wanting.

So the last 24 hours for me I have thought about this question, “What is God for?”

The place to start I would guess would be the bible…

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? -Rom 8:31-33, The Message

Okay, when I stop and really look at what this is saying and the logic of it, how could I ever doubt that God is ever for me? Think about it, if He didn’t even blink when it came to given His only Son for me, why would I doubt that He would be for me in any other circumstance? Ah, there is my struggle right there!! I have bought into some bad theology. Amazing how the truth of scripture can point out the dark spots so quickly if I will allow it to shine into my life.

So what is the bad theology I have bought into? Well, yes, I believed that Christ died for my sins, and I have accepted Him as my Savior. So it is not in my salvation that is the worry, but in my view of God the Father and thus the struggle of entering into the “abundant life” or being a part of the vine, or how I am grafted into the tree is where I have missed it. The lie that I have allowed myself to believe for so many years is, “You may be a follower of Christ, but you are such crappy Christian that there is no way the Father could be very happy with you.” This lie comes in part from the society that we live in and part from a secret sin that I allowed myself to be so tied into for 20+ years that I felt like I had to earn the Father’s love for me. Because of this, the understanding of an unconditional love from the Father seems as foreign to me as trying to breathe air while underwater. At times I just cannot grasp it, I see it, and I know it is there, but it does feel like trying to grasp smoke at times.

So back to the scripture, looking at this thing logically, God is on my side. What does that mean?

That means He is for me with my struggle with sin.
That means He is for me in regards to my marriage.
That means He is for me in regards to me being a good father.
That means He is for me to be a good co-worker.
That means He is for me in my relationship with my family.
That means He is for me in my finances.
That means He is for me in ministry
That means He is for me in having a right attitude
That means He is for me in making right choices
That means He is for me in my recovery.

For me to REALLY start thinking this way is going to be some mind transforming stuff. I mean, normally I don’t see the Father for me in these areas. You see my normal mode seems to operate in such a way that He is just ready to put the “smack-down” on me if I screw-up, that He is just waiting for me to make a mistake to jump all over me, to point it out for all to see how I blew it. “Look here everyone!!! Tim screwed up again! I knew he would do it. Didn’t you?? See, what a shame, he just can’t cut it, such a shame, such a waste.”

However, in light of Romans Chapter 8, that does not sound like the Father I am reading about. Talk about your Stickin Thinkin!! There it is!! There is only one way to counter-act lies and that is with the truth. The place to start is with the truth that the Bible points out about the Father. As I read scripture, I have been trying to ask this question, “Father, what is this scripture saying about how You see me?” I know that may sound a little self-centered and even egotistical but I need to some ammunition. They say for that every lie that you heard, that you have to hear the truth nine times to counter-act it. How many times have I heard lies either spoken by the enemy or repeated by myself? Thousands, no more like tens of thousands of times I would guess over the years. Thus transforming my mind may take some time, so I need all of the truth I can get, and if it is a 9 to 1 ratio, then I am guessing I need at least 90,000!!

I might as well get started on it today. I realized something, I started off asking, “What is God for?” you know what? That is the wrong question, I should be asking, “Who is God for?” The answer: God is for ME! This is my declaration!! psstt – in case you hadn’t guessed He is for YOU TOO!!! Doubt it? Try this, put your name into Romans 8:31-33 as I have (see below), spend the next week reading it yourself this way, I plan on it, I bet it will make a difference. You know the next time that ‘ole lie peddler’ comes around in my life I think I will stick this in his face and tell him to “suck it!!”…God is for me, God is for us!!

So, what do you think? With God on Tim’s side like this, how can Tim lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for Tim, embracing Tim’s condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for Tim? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen, Tim? -Rom 8:31-33, The Message

Tim Kelley, Encourager Coach, CR NW Arkansas Fellowship Bible Church

For more information about CR, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

The Log of Hopelessness in the Jungle of Lost

2010-12-08T14:34:00.002-06:00

Ever been lost? I mean down right didn’t know where you where at, couldn’t find north, east, west, or south lost? I mean deep in the woods lost? Or you turned down a street and realized that you aren’t where you are supposed to be and didn’t know where you were at lost? The type of lost where you are looking for something familiar, some marker, some tree, some rock, some vista, something that will let you know where you are at but nothing looks familiar. I have been out of the country a few times and there were times when I was separated from our guides and interpreters and I felt lost. I didn’t know the land, couldn’t read the signs, couldn’t speak the language, I was lost.
How about you? Ever been lost like any these situations? No? Well, okay let’s imagine that you have been talked into an adventure; you are on a safari in the one of the deepest, densest, darkest jungles of the world. Not to worry, you are with a group of experts and have a great guide, along with a good friend of yours. You have your back-pack that is well stocked with supplies and all your needs for your trek through this jungle. As you are traveling your boot becomes untied, your friend offers to hold your back-pack while you re-tie your boot, when you rise up from lacing your boot you notice you are alone now. Your friend, the group, the guide are all gone. Apparently they didn’t stop to wait for you. It is as if the jungle has swallowed them up. The jungle growth is so thick that you can’t see what direction they went, you can’t hear them walking for all of the noise of the jungle itself. You keep spinning around looking in each direction. You are alone. You are not even sure what direction they were heading, was it over there to the right, no maybe there to the left, no back that way, maybe up over there? You go to pull out your compass but you realize that your compass is in you back-pack that your friend is carrying for you. Thirsty, you want a drink, but your canteen is in the back-pack too, along with your knife and any food you had. You are alone in the deep, dark, dense jungle. You have no way of knowing which way your party went; you have no water, no supplies. You are now lost. The canopy above you is so dense that you cannot even see the sun to which way is east or west and by now you have spun around so many times that you have lost track of the originally direction you were facing.
Sitting down on the nearest log, what emotions are you going through?
Fear? Certainly, that makes sense
Anxiety? Yeah, sure
Anger? Absolutely, anyone would understand that.
But there is one that is growing inside you the longer you are sitting there. As the reality of the situation you are in begins to take root, hopelessness begins to sit in just as deep. You have no idea what to do, no idea which way to go, no path to follow, no one to lead you out, no equipment. No hope.
Okay, now freeze that emotion for the moment. Can you feel for just a second how it feels to be out of your element? Out of solutions? Out of ideas and energy? Can you imagine, for just a moment, how it feels to be out of hope?
If so then, I dare say that you can relate to about 90% of all Newcomers that walk through the doors of Celebrate Recovery. Not only that, but I would bet dollars to doughnuts that if you are reading this, then you have found yourself sitting on your own log, in your own jungle at some point and that feeling of hopelessness was all too familiar.
The truth is; it is a jungle out there. Perhaps not like what was described above, but nonetheless it is just as dangerous and ruthless. Max Lucado puts it this way:
“For many people, life is - well, life is a jungle. Not a jungle of trees and beasts. Would that it were so simple. Would that our jungles could be cut with a machete or adversaries trapped in a cage. But our jungles are comprised of the thicker thickets of failing health, broken hearts, and empty wallets. Our forests are framed with hospital walls and divorce courts. We don’t hear the screeching of birds or the roaring of lions, but the complaints of neighbors and the demands of bosses. Our predators are our creditors, and the brush that surrounds us is the rush that exhausts us.” (Max Lucado, Traveling Light, p56)
Far be it from me to try and improve upon a great writer like Max Lucado, but I think would add to Max’s lists of predators one or two, like addictions, hurts, habits and hang ups. Regardless of what our jungles look like we all end up in the same place, sitting and the same ole dang log, our head in our hands out of hope.
I was there. I realized I was in a hole that I could not get myself out of. Oh I had tried for about 20 plus years to fight that battle and for 20 plus years I lost every time. Finally, I was at the place where I knew I was never going to win. Where I was never going to beat my compulsive behavior, my sin, I had prayed so many times for God to take it away, He didn’t. I kept trying to fight it, but in the end I knew it was hopeless, I couldn’t beat it. The only way out I could see, the only way to stop was to in taking my own life, but the pain I knew I would leave behind is the only thing that kept me taking that option.
Looking back at that last paragraph did you see my problem? One letter – “I”, I was fighting, I was trying, I kept, I, I, I, I!!!! Is it any wonder God didn’t answer my prayer; I was too busy getting in the way!!! I never gave Him opportunity to do anything!
The truth is that all my efforts to beat my compulsive behaviors, my sin, my addiction on my own left me devastated, drained and hopeless. The truth is I was at the point where I had no strength left to fight with and I had conceded that I would be in bondage to this sin for the rest of my life. I had sat down on my log, looked around my jungle, and was overwhelmed by the hopelessness of my situation. I remember thinking about asking God to do whatever it takes, but I didn’t actually pray that, I just thought about praying it. At that moment I believe all of Heaven, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit collectively sighed because now I was out of the way. Within a week God set my feet on a path that would one day eventually lead me out of the jungle.
So what is needed when a person is sitting a log in jungle without hope? What would restore hope? Again returning to one of my favorite writers Max Lucado:
“What would it take to restore your hope? What would you need to reenergize your journey?
Though the answers are abundant, three come quickly to mind.
The first would be a person. Not just any person. You don’t need someone equally confused. You need someone who knows the way out.
And from him you need some vision. You need someone to lift your spirits. You need someone to look you in the face and say, ‘This isn’t the end, don’t give up! There is a better place and I’ll lead you there.’
And perhaps the most important you need direction. If you have only a person but no renewed vision, all you have is company. If he has a vision but no direction, you have a dreamer for company. But if you have a person with direction – who can take you from this place to the right place – ah then you have one who can restore your hope…
…Your loneliness disappears because you have fellowship.
Your despair decreases, because you have vision.
Your confusion begins to lift because you have direction.” (Max Lucado, Traveling Light, p57)
The interesting thing is that as I surrender to Jesus I find that He is leading me out of the jungle; He hasn’t removed me from the jungle. The trees still cover the sky at times. There are still predators, there are still thorns. I am still getting bumps scraps and cuts along the way. The place I am in hasn’t changed, but I have. I see that I am not made for this place, I am not equipped for it, I don’t belong here and I need to keep moving towards the day when I will be free from the jungle completely. I now have a hope, because I have allowed the Guide to lead me, this Guide now gives me the fellowship, vision and direction that have needed all along. When I look at the jungle and the direction we are going I see no path as Guide leads, the reason is the Guide is the path, “I am the Way” He says, therefore I have to keep my eyes upon the Guide. Lucado says that “Jesus doesn’t give hope by changing the jungle; He restores our hope by giving us Himself. And He promises to stay until the very end.” (Max Lucado, Traveling Light, p59)
So as you read this there are three possible places you are in. First, you may have been lead out of your jungle by the Guide! Praise Him! Share with others the hope of getting out of the jungle, it is important that they know it can be done, that the Guide provides a way out. But remember tomorrow you may find yourself in another jungle you have never been in, so tomorrow if you find yourself on log with your head in your hands, you know what to do, its time to surrender call out to the Guide and follow.
Second, you find yourself in the jungle, but you have found the Guide and you are working your way out following Him. Keep you your focus on Him, He is your path. Along the way, you may get discourage, the going gets tough, listen to the stories of those that have made it out, take heart. And if by chance you see someone sitting on a log, take the time to let them know about the Guide that can help them out of their jungle. Keep surrendering to the Guide and follow.
Third, you find yourself sitting on a log, lost in a jungle, head in your hands, exhausted, and drained, with no hope. Your heart is broken or you are in bondage to some addiction or there is some kind of hurt, habit or hang up that has left you hopeless. You have a choice, you can continue to sit there and continue in your pain and/or dysfunction and lost in a deep dark jungle that you will never be able to find your way out of and that you are not equipped to, or you can make the choice to surrender to the Guide and follow. Allow Him to provide you with the fellowship, vision and direction you need to lead you out of the jungle you are in and the healing you need. Surrender to the Guide and follow.

Tim Kelley, Encourager Coach- CR Fellowship Bible Chruch NW Arkansas

For information about Celebrate Recovery call Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Why do we "celebrate" in worship

2010-12-08T13:53:00.002-06:00

Doing some reading on a familiar book and favorite of mine, “In a pit with a lion...” by Mark Batterson.

Great reminder for me that we should stop asking God to get us out of a difficult circumstance and start asking Him what he wants us to get out of those difficult situations.
Prayer is less about changing our circumstances and more about changing our perspective.

I don’t know what all you are going thru this week but God is with you and is walking thru it with you. I am reminded that it is important that I stop spending all my energy making plans for God and start seeking Him more. I pray you are seeking Him in your walk as well.

Why do we worship? Why do we celebrate every Friday night? Worship is not about pretending all is well and acting happy. No, "Worship is about forgetting about everything that is wrong with us and remembering what is right with God." Wow! That is what Friday Nights are about aren’t they?

The simple fact that we are breathing is a reason to give thanks to Him.

For more information on Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Thanks In Thanksgiving

2010-11-23T10:44:00.002-06:00

“Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to him; Bless His name.” Psalm 100:4 (ESV)
This year, don’t miss the THANKS in Thanksgiving…
Traditions.
Turkey…Dressing…Pumpkin pie…Football…Macy’s day parade. All fun. And for many, a part of family gatherings. Traditions that give us pause to share warm memories, and the opportunity to make new ones. Occasions to relish in the old traditions passed from generation to generation, or perhaps, to even begin a new one.

Holiday. A time to knock off for a day. Rest. Relax. Forget the bills, the problems, the pressures of life. Slow down from the hectic, insane pace that drives us to exhaustion, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Take the day off…and enjoy it!

Attitude. An attitude of self-less-ness. In sports, one bad attitude on the team can, and usually does, hurt the whole team. Self focused and self absorbed attitudes destroy the heart of Thanksgiving. This year…have an attitude…of gratitude.

Nation. Thanksgiving was birthed as a part of our American heritage. The Pilgrims and the Native Americans joined together to establish what is now a favorite annual celebration. Our Nation’s foundation was built on thanking God. Spend some time thanking God for this great Nation.

Kinfolk. Family trees. Of course, it seems like in every tree there is an “old sap” that may be a bit cantankerous (you’re smiling aren’t you?). This Thanksgiving, put aside petty differences and simply enjoy each other. Strengthen relationships, and your family tree will grow strong and well rooted.

Sacrifice. Remembering the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we can celebrate and “feast” in Freedom. And especially thank our Heavenly Father for His Sacrifice, Jesus Christ His son, freely given, that we might have eternal life…

“Give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness…offer sacrifices of thanksgiving…tell of His works with joyful singing.” Psalm 107:21-22 (NASV)
During your festivities this week, make a special effort to bring alive the “THANKS” in Thanksgiving…
And go easy on the turkey and dressing…

Thanks In Thanksgiving
November 23 – November 29
American Association of Christian Counselors » Blog Archive » Thanks In Thanksgiving

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Can We Resist Temptation?

2010-11-17T08:45:00.003-06:00

In 40 days Jesus was in the desert He faced trials and temptation just like us.
Luke 4:3-10
1. Tangible needs: the temptation to separate yourself from God to get what You need . v. 3
2. Own power: the temptation to use your own gifts and power to gain profit for Yourself v. 6-7
3. The temptation to locking onto a power other than God. V. 9-10

It is so easy in our recovery to fall into the temptation trap. Ironically it is when we start to make progress in our recovery that we may be hit from the enemy even harder. We can get rolling in our recovery and see tangible changes in our life, our relationships and even our over view of our self as children of God.

Why is it that we fall into this? Well, it is important to know that none of us can escape temptation. You might be thinking, "Wow! Rodney, that really gives me hope!"
But the truth of the matter is that we will always be in a good spot from time to time and then the next moment be faced with some sort of temptation. Sometimes it is at different extremes but a temptation nonetheless.

Even Jesus was faced with temptaion and yet He was without sin.
The question is that when face these temptations what do we do with it?
In the past we would hide due to possible embarassement. This can be fatal to our recovery progress.
Hiding our temptation gets us into big trouble. It may be a tangible tempation like binge eating, viewing pornography, burying our self in work, responding in anger, becoming prideful in a correction situation or even withdrawing from people because we have ourselves have painted a thought into our head and believed they were against us. Maybe we think they dont like us becasue "they havent said good morning." Sounds silly, but the enemy can put lies into our head and when he does, because we know he will as he is persistent and deceiving. We can either renounce those lies or believe them.

It is when we beleive them and hide our temptation that we end up doing something silly and coping in the unhealthy way that lead us into recovery to begin with.

Once we do this it becomes a great cycle of distruction that leads to withdrawing from frineds and family, justifying our actions, to shame and guilt. This shame and guilt is what the enemy wants us to stay in. The shame that says "this is the way you always be, get used it." That my friend, is a lie.
When we beleive that lie, we then fall into hopelessness. The author of the book "True Faced" Bill Thrall and Bruce McNicol call this "The Control Cycle"

The key is to not fall into thinking we can do this on our own, our own power or sometimes even worse a power other than Jesus Christ. To hit the lie head on with truth.

The next time you face a lie that the enemy throws out at you, tell someone about it immediately. Go to God's word and ask Him to reveal to you what He says about who you are in Christ.
I will close with this.
You are God's child, friend, you have been justified, united with the Lord, bought with a price, a member of Christ's body, a saint who sill sins, adopted as His child, having access to God thru the Holy Spirit.
You have been redeemed and forgiven and are complete in Christ.
We are free forever of condemnation, and any charge against you. We cannot be separated from the love of God and are established, anointed, sealed by God. We are hidden with Christ Jesus in God. The good work He has began in you will be completed.
We are citizens of heaven, we have been given NOT a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.
We can find grace and mercy in time of need. We are born of God; the evil one cannot touch us!
We are the salt and the light. We are a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life. We have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. We are a personal witness of Christ's. We are God's temple and a minister of reconciliation for God.
We are God's coworker and we are seated with Chirst in the heavenly realm.
We are God's workmanship and we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
My friend, we can do all things thru Christ who strengthens us!

Rodney Holmstrom
Celebrate Recovery Fellowship Bible, NW Arkansas

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Jesus Wants To Heal Your Heart

2010-11-08T10:31:00.001-06:00

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul. (Psalm 23:1-3).

He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)

Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise. (Jeremiah 17:14)

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. (Malachi 4:2)

He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. (Luke 9:11)

For some reason this has been lost in the recent offerings of the church. Perhaps it has been our pride, which has kept us from admitting that we are broken. Lord knows I've done that for years - probably am still doing it now. Perhaps it is our fear of getting our hopes up; it seems too good to be true. Perhaps it's been the church's almost total focus on sin and the cross. But the Scripture is abundant and clear: Christ came not only to pardon us, but to heal us. He wants the glory restored. So, put the book down for just a moment, and let this sink in: Jesus can, and wants, to heal your heart. What does that rouse in you?

(From Waking The Dead , 134-136 by John Eldredge )

When I first read this, I said, “WOW! Jesus really does want to heal my heart! He wants more than for me to just squeak by and make into Heaven, He wants me to be whole, to be healed. Not to just leave baggage of my past at the cross, but to be healed of the wounds they have caused as well.”

As I entered into recovery I was hoping for freedom from sin, guilt and shame. I am finding these things, what I am also finding that I didn’t expect is how much He desires to restore my heart, how much He desires to heal my heart.
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. (-Matt 11:28-30, The Message)

Prior to recovery I had spent tens of thousands of dollars on an education to understand the Bible, Theology and God and 17 years in vocational ministry and missed the heart of Jesus for me in all that time. How sad, to be so close to God and so far at the same time. It took me coming to a such hopeless state in my life that suicide seemed the only answer to NOW understand that He wants to heal wounds that my sin had caused and that I have carried for far to long but also that I was to stubborn to surrender to Him.

I wish I could tell you I have done it all at once and now I have complete victory; that all my wounds are healed, but we both know that would be a lie. Some of the wounds have been healed rather quickly, some I have yet to let go. Each day I learn to understand His heart for me a little more, each day I learn that I can trust Him a little more. This morning was another one of those days when He pulled back the curtain a little bit further and let me see a little more of much His heart is for me, of how much His desire is for me, of how much He is pursuing me. Letting me know again that today I can trust Him, today I can turn one more hurt over to Him.

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!"
(Psalm 91:14, The Message)

Tim, Encourager Coach Fellowship Bible NW Ark CR.

For more information on Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

21 Days of Thankful

2010-10-30T23:34:00.003-05:00

Do you have a spirit of thankfulness? We as Americans tend to set aside one day of the year to remember things, people and ideals for which we are thankful. But we should have a spirit of being thankful all year long.

Those of us who have found healing through the Celebrate Recovery program know what it's like to be thankful...thankful for healing, thankful for grace, thankful for a new life in Christ that is free from our hurts, habits and hangups.

We got an idea from our friends at Vegas CR at Central that we want to invite all our fellow CR friends, their friends, their family members and the whole world to join us in doing.

For the next 21 days, send out a tweet or update your Facebook status to share something for which you are thankful. We're calling this the 21 Days of Thankful event. We pray that as you share, you will not only be blessed as you realize life's many blessings, but you will also bless others.

We also hope you will share this idea with others. You can share the link to this blog, or you can invite people to join the event on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163393540348681&index=1

Now, this idea was started on October 30 and was originally designed to end right before Thanksgiving. But don't let that stop you. If you start in the middle, keep going for your own 21 days!

We can't wait to hear all the things people are thankful for and how this spirit of thankfulness helps change lives.

For more information about Celebrate Recovery call Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Daddy....I'm Scared

2010-10-28T16:27:00.001-05:00

Ever been in a situation where you feel overwhelmed and that this is not going to end well? Where we feel like maybe God has somehow abandoned us in our situation?
Several years ago I took my daughter on a roller coaster ride, her very first. She was so excited and even though I tried to talk her out of it several times she insisted to ride this gigantic roller coaster at Sea World.
She was all smiles when sitting in and buckling up. She was all smiles as we awaited our climb of the high coaster. The higher we got, however, the more concerned she looked. She began to lose a little color in her face as we continued our climb. As we neared the top of the climb and began to near the decent down the steep fall she was now very nervous and quite frightened by what was to come next. I looked over into her fear stricken eyes, leaned into her, held her hand and said as calmly as I could, “Daddy has you sweetie. You don’t need to be scared. I am here.” The next couple minutes of the ride were something to remember. She did not enjoy one moment of it. She was pretty much sick the rest of the day.:)
In Exodus 14:9 But the Egyptians pursued after them…..”
We see God was faithful to lead them away for King Pharaoh and they got all the way to the Red Sea where they saw the king had a change of heart about letting them go and went after them.
10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
In essence they were saying, God why did you bring us this far just to see us die? They really believed that He had abandoned them.
In their distress they even convinced themselves that it might be better to go back to the way they were, in slavery then to face the storm they were facing.
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Wow! Really?! I mean do they really think it was so much better?! They were slaves and hungry. We must not romanticize about our past. When we move forward and deal with our hurts, yes it will be tough but don’t believe for a second that it will be better to go back to the way it was.
Sometimes when we climb the coaster it feels like we need to turn around but life doesn’t work that way. We are in the storm we are in but God is there with us.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. 14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

If God was faithful to bring you to this point, He will be faithful to take you thru it. When we face life’s trials and scary roller coaster moments we can feel confident that our Daddy, the Abba Father is reaching over and grabbing our hand saying, “Daddy has you, don’t be afraid. I am here” Remember, whatever you are facing, His perfect love casts out fear. Your heavenly Father has you in all situations.

Rodney Holmstrom
Celebrate Recovery
Fellowship Bible NW Arkansas

For more information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Peace: Absence of conflict?

2010-10-25T10:28:00.001-05:00

I have been doing some reading recently for an upcoming teaching in the book of Philippians. Specifically Chapter 4:10-19. What a cool book!
I was struck by the thought and meditation of what it really means to have peace in ALL circumstances. I mean, isn’t that contrary to what the world tells us?
The only way we have joy and peace in our heart is if we have everything going right for us and things are going our way in all circumstances then we really have something to be happy about….right? That is what I grew up believing and understanding. I truly believed that the only way I can have peace in my life is to have no conflicts in my life.
So, I spent most of my life trying to avoid conflict as that only makes things bad and not fun to deal with. I believed that I could not possibly have peace if I was in the middle of a storm in my life. That is really a big lie that many of us grow up believing. So what do we do? We run from our problems and hide from them. We just as well ignore the problem, the strained relationship, the situation in our job etc, etc. We might as well act like it is not there and it will eventually go away. Wrong.
It has been said, we cannot make a problem go away by saying it is not there. That is so true. As I have grown in Christ I have embraced this idea of facing conflict more directly. Now, I still have my moments where in the flesh I want t to run and hide but as a whole I have grown much in this area.
I am finding that when I deal with my conflicts directly and swiftly, I am healthier as a man and can face the next conflict even easier.
I am learning that true peace is not the absence of conflict but rather the presence of Righteousness. That Righteousness being the person of Jesus Christ. I am learning that He is big enough for all my problems not just the ones I feel like I can’t handle.
Paul reminds us in Chapter 4 that if we will NOT leave Him out of the equation in all situations, He truly will replenish us. Verse 19 of the fourth chapter says “and my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in the glory by Christ Jesus.” Notice He did not say “want”.
When my tank gets empty; if I invite Him into my everyday life, good or bad, He restores me to health. I am learning that if I am doing things right, His eyes are on me. This has nothing to do with good or bad times.
True happiness and peace comes from a daily seeking of our Lord and Savior. That is why it is so critical to stay in His word. He is the only one that can give us the wisdom, strength and courage to face every day’s battles.
In order to keep that peace in our heart even in the bad times is to do as Paul says in verse 12, “I know how to be abased (humble), and I know how to abound, (to have plenty). Everywhere and in ALL things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Wow! Did you hear that? To be full and yet still be hungry. I need to fill up on His wisdom daily thru the reading of His word, mediation, and prayer. That is the very essence of the Beatitude Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” To gorge and yet still be hungry for more.
How is your appetite these days? Are you filling up on the wrong things? When I physically eat junk food, I have no room for the nutritious food I need to keep moving the direction I need to. In the same way, I have to fill myself up on Him and continue that hunger for more in my walk.
Paul finish verse 13 with “I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me”
Great word to hold in our hearts as we face today’s challenges. The next time you have a conflict, embrace it. Don’t hide from it. Face it head on in love, grace and mercy and you will grow thru that experience. He is big enough to pull you thru it. it is thru the conflicts that we grow so much.
True peace is the presence of righteousness in the midst of the conflict. Keep your eyes on Him and He will guide you thru it.

Rodney Holmstrom
Celebrate Recovery Ministry Leader.
Fellowship Bible Church NW Arkansas

For more information about Celebrate Recovery, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

10 Lessons Learned From 25 Years of Ministry

2010-10-18T14:16:00.000-05:00

This month I celebrate 25 years of full-time ministry. During this time I have been honored to serve as a university chaplain, to minister in people in 36 nations and in my current role to serve as Lead Pastor of Capital Life Church in Arlington, Virginia.

When I began in the ministry 25 years ago Ronald Reagan was beginning his second term as president, top entertainers were gathering together to sing, “We are the World” and "Back to the Future" was the highest-grossing film.

In the last 25 years I have witnessed the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new kind of war that brought forth the worst attack on U. S. soil in our nation’s history.

I now have what few could have foreseen just 25 years ago: A GPS system in my car, a cell phone in my hand and a DVR in my living room. Our world has changed.

What I have learned is that the Psalmist knew what he was talking about when he said, “If the Lord delights in a man’s way he makes his steps firm.” The last 25 years have only reaffirmed the convictions that led me to commit my life full-time to serving God.

The following are 10 lessons I’ve learned in 25 years of ministry:

1. The goal is not to win a debate but to redeem the heart.

2. One’s public witness is only as authentic as one’s private integrity.

3. There is no greater source of wisdom than the Bible and no investment that yields greater returns than prayer.

4. Hate is only validated when one responds in like spirit.

5. Jesus should never be presented as less than he claimed to be: the way, the truth and the life.

6. One should live first and foremost so as to please a heavenly audience.

7. One’s legacy is found not in things that matter least but in people who matter most.

8. The generation into which I am born is my calling and it beckons me to be fully engaged.

9. When Jesus paused while dying on the cross to make certain his mother was cared for, he showed how to prioritize family amidst ministry.

10. Sermons can inspire but it is love in action that makes the most profound impact.

As I look to the next generation of ministers I am keenly aware that they will seek to touch a world that is increasingly distracted. Absolutes will be challenged as those who oppose Biblical precepts become more organized and vocal. Their strength will be in presenting not religion but a relationship with Jesus Christ.

To the generation of ministers who have served before me that includes Billy Graham, Bill Bright and others less well-known but equally faithful I owe a debt of gratitude. They heralded a gospel of love, maintained their integrity and loved their families well. They bequeath to others and me a legacy.

Rev. Bill Shuler is lead pastor at Capital Life Church in Arlington, Virginia. For more visit CapitalLife.org.

Published October 15, 2010
| FoxNews.com

Could It Be You?

2010-10-15T12:13:00.003-05:00

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1 John 1:9-10 (NIV)

I remember the day I realized I have Adam's Disease. It took me awhile to notice—in fact, most people with this debilitating condition don't ever recognize it. But the best doctor I know pointed out its symptoms, and though I hated to admit it, I've frequently displayed them.

Could it possibly affect you as well?

Adam's Disease is an insidious condition that interferes with the patient's ability to grow. It does this by preventing the patient from admitting and taking responsibility for their sin. Take a look at the first confirmed case:

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"

The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." (Genesis 3:8-12, NIV)

What we have here is a textbook case of acknowledgement-avoidance and blame-shifting. Classic traits of Adam's Disease.

Adam hid because he sinned. He did the very thing God personally commanded him not to, and he knew it. He ate the fruit. He held it to his mouth, bit in, chewed, felt the juice dripping from his chin—and then his eyes were opened. Opened to what he had done, and opened to how miserable it feels to disconnect from God.

Trying to change the subject and avoid talking about his sin, Adam said he was hiding because he was naked. Nakedness ... a lesser offense. A problem, not a sin. A state that wasn't really his fault. After all, he didn't make himself naked. God did.

And that's where the second most prominent feature of Adam's Disease kicks in: blame-shifting. After trying to minimize the severity of their sin, the patient enters a frenzied state of denial and begins casting blame. He searches for a scapegoat. God will do; other people work even better, particularly those who are not without sin either. So the patient shfits attention away from themself by leveling accusations (no matter how old) on others.

If those of us suffering from Adam's Disease are skilled orators or experienced arguers, these tactics often work for us. The problem is, w e walk away from the confrontation feeling victorious rather than convicted. We actually talk ourselves into feeling self-righteous after sinning.

However, without conviction there is no repentance. Without repentance, there is no grace to change. Without change, there is no growth. Only future sins to be committed, glossed over, denied and forgotten. And in the process we don't realize how miserable we truly are – how sick our souls become.

The doctor that pointed all this out to me, the Great Physician, said He could heal me of this disease if I would come to Him with a humble heart, confess and be cleansed. He showed me that confessing my sin rather than concealing it would set me free. And He showed me it will not hurt to say, "I'm sorry."

For those outside the faith, Adam's Disease is fatal. For followers of Christ, it is completely curable. So, could it be you? Could you suffer with this tendency too? My best girlfriend advice - make an appointment w ith your Great Physician for a check-up today.

Dear Lord, today I am willing to say that I am a sinner in so many ways. And I don't like to admit responsibility for my poor choices and harmful actions. Please cleanse me of all unrighteousness and empower me to live humbly in Your grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
If this devotion struck a chord with you, you'll want to read chapter 10 – "Crave a Clear Conscious More than Clear Skin" – in Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know

We were made to live free from Adam's Disease! Visit Rachel's blog today to talk about it. She is also giving away a copy of her book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
________________________________________
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide to women around the world. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!________________________________________

Application Steps:
Quiet yourself in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and show you any sin problems you need to confess. Then enjoy the spiritual vitality that you'll experience afterwards!
Reflections:
How willing am I to admit my mistakes? To God? To my boss? To my spouse? To my friends?

Do I shift blame as a knee-jerk reaction?

Do I resist saying , "I'm sorry"?

Power Verses:
James 4:6b, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (NIV)

© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
15 Oct 2010
Rachel Olsen

For information about Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Witness His Majesty

2010-10-15T11:33:00.001-05:00

Don’t forget to stop by our newcomer tables to welcome our guests and make them feel special.

I want to share some thoughts with you after reading some Max Lucado “God came near” this week.

"The financial aid office says “no”, the doctor says, “pregnant” or “it’s cancer”
The boss says, “transfer” the test grade reads “F”, the auto mechanic says, “totaled” the insurance agent says, “expired”

Change always brings fear before it brings faith. We always assume the worst before we look for the best. God interrupts our lives with something we’ve never seen, and rather than praise, we panic! We interpret the presence of a problem as the absence of God and scoot! Isn’t it a good thing the Shepherds lingered? “Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they became very frightened.”

Had the shepherd not lingered they might have missed the next verse. “Today your Savior was born in a town of David. He is Christ, the Lord.”

I am so honored to be amongst some of the most incredible shepherds in this ministry called CR. Together we get to be eyewitness of His majesty. Together we get to linger and see what God is going to do next! Isn’t that cool?!

It has been said that Christianity, in its purest form, is nothing more than seeing Jesus. Christian Service, in its purest form, is nothing more than imitating him who we see. To see His Majesty and to imitate Him, that is the sum of Christianity.

Thanks for being you my friends and walking along side with me in this incredible ministry. Jesus is doing some amazing things!

Heavenly Father, thank You that we get to see Your Majesty up front and close. You are so good and we thank You for what You are doing in our life right now as we speak. Help us to linger so that we do not miss out on the next verse of our life. May we imitate You tonight Father. We ask for Your blessing over this night. In Jesus Name, AMEN

For more information about Celebrate Recovery call Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Nutter Butter Anyone?

2010-10-14T19:57:00.002-05:00

In the last year I found out that I have hypoglycemia and had strict orders from my doctor to change my diet. In meeting with a nutritionist, I was told that I would have to reduce my portion intake in a meal setting. I would also have to change my diet to more vegetables and less sweets. Yikes! That is the last thing I wanted to hear as I so love sweets. (Nutter Butters to be precise. )

I told my nutritionist that it was going to be pretty tough for me to do this because of my sweet tooth. She then said something to me that has stuck with me since. She said, “Rodney, your body will crave what it eats.” I thought she was crazy, but would you believe as I changed my eating habits, ate more vegetables and more healthy foods, my body did just that. It wanted more healthy things to digest. I was in fact craving what I ate.

I think about that with my recovery and how my mind is the exact same way. What I eat mentally and take into my brain, it in turn craves that very thing more and more.
We have people in our Church that run into this issue with their life. We may have spent a life time craving and taking in the wrong things. Filling our life with lies instead of truth, addictions and even dealing with hang-ups with unhealthy emotional coping skills. In turn we find our self in misery and full of hopelessness.

Fortunately we have a tool to help our Church learn the process of changing our actions. Celebrate Recovery is a fantastic tool to equip our pastors and non staff volunteers on how to handle life issues within our Church. If we want to change the way we act, we have to change the way we feel. The only way we change the way we feel is to change the way we think. Celebrate Recovery is one of the most practical ways to help our church body start this process of rewiring our mind, submitting our life to God and then work thru the process to remove the character defects that lead us to poor choices and hopelessness. This process called Celebrate Recovery teaches us to replace those things with truth and a life of hope and freedom from whatever we are dealing with, hurts, habits or hang-ups.

Stay in the Word this week and you will begin seeing your cravings change for the positive. Stay faithful to your group meeting and the people God has blessed you with as well. You are not in this alone.
We do crave what we eat spiritually and physically.

October 22nd at 6:00pm at Fellowship Bible we are celebrating 7 years of life change here. This will be a great night to bring someone to hear many mini testimonies from satisfied customers. Steak and Chicken this night. Who will you invite?

Time to go get me a Nutter Butter. Just kidding. :)

Rodney

For more information about Celebrate Recovery call Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

People just don’t stumble into recovery groups

2010-10-12T10:24:00.001-05:00

People just don’t stumble into recovery groups. They are usually there because of some kind of crisis that their addiction has created. Because of the intensity of their problem and the emotional instability involved the newcomer is always the most important person in the room. We as a group have the opportunity to intervene in this person’s life. We must not be involved in the drama of our own lives or the life of the group to the degree that we overlook the newcomers needs. There is no script to follow. The correct action is to be led by the Holy Spirit

As members of Christ’s body and as group members we should always be in a "state" of carrying His message. We keep in mind that the newcomer in our group is a person with real needs. We adjust the group to meet this persons needs. It’s not about the “life” of the group. Even though the life of the group is important it’s more about the life of the person. If our newcomer is born again it’s just about us hooking this person up to what they already have but have lost. That is an attachment to Christ within.

Hurting Christians need to become reacquainted with the facts. The facts are that the old person that they were is dead and a new creation exists within them. It is also a time to realize that this is made possible by what Christ has done for them at the cross and all that is needed is an acceptance of the facts. This is the truth that breaks addiction and sin in ones life. Through the cross comes life and a way that can be lived by. We are buried and raised with Christ. Pointing this out to the newcomer through our own personal testimonies and talks will make the difference.

We as a group must have a single message. The message is that we can not save ourselves. Freedom comes from Christ alone and his method of providing it. Backslidden Christians struggle with addiction and sin because the have forgotten who they are. So in a very real way we are dealing with complacency. Complacency is an enemy to the group and to the individuals who attend our groups. We must also guard against complacency within ourselves.

We as "oldtimers" share that we can not free ourselves from addiction by focusing on the addiction. We share that we can't fix the damage we have done by attepmting to fix it all on our own. Our confession is that it takes somebody way bigger and much stronger than us to do this. As we trust in the lord and the powers He destroyed at the cross our areas of concern line up with the spirit of God. Addictions are broken and relationships are healed.

by John Madden on Monday, October 11, 2010 at 7:35pm
Thanks for the good word John.

For information about Celebrate Recovery in your area, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Why It's Really Worth Telling Your Secrets

2010-10-07T10:20:00.002-05:00

This is a great blog on this topic from ANN VOSKAMP. www.incourage.com
http://www.incourage.me/2010/10/why-tell-secrets.html

For information about a life changing ministry that keeps a safe place in telling your secrets "so that" you may be healed" Contact Rodney at Celebrate Recovery at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

It's A Kingdom Thing Baby

2010-10-06T08:14:00.003-05:00

So I sat there last Friday night and as I listen to David do the announcement about the 7th Anniversary Event I was it full force in the face with something by the Spirit of God that was then reinforced by the worship led by Rodney that followed and then again by Angela’s testimony that followed that.

Celebrate Recovery is celebrating 7 years of life change at FBC and we are asking folks to look outside our walls and invite someone to experience this great ministry thru this exciting celebration.

It really caught me Friday night how much CR is a Kingdom thing. It is not a Saddleback thing, it is not a Rick Warren or John Baker thing, it is not a Fellowship thing, it IS a Kingdom thing, it IS a Jesus thing. It is not about a single church or church leader or about a denomination even. It IS about the Bridegroom and His love for His bride though, His church.

That being the case, I have not been able to shake the thought that this 7th Anniversary Celebration is bigger than we think. It is not about Fellowship having CR for the last 7 years, while that is such a cool thing. This celebration needs to be about a Kingdom thing. It needs to be about what the King has done and what the King wants to do. CR works around the country, or even for that matter around the world now not because of anything except that it is a Kingdom thing.

I was talking with a friend of mine Saturday night who was telling me that he has another friend that he was surprised to find out that had been attending CR for the last several months, surprised because he said his friend was not really into church. I told my friend, well neither is CR, CR is not about church it is about the Kingdom of God, it is about Jesus binding up the broken hearted, it is about Jesus setting captive hearts free, it is about Jesus restoring lives that have been destroyed by sin and bad choices – it has nothing to do with church – it has everything to do with the Kingdom, it has everything to do with Jesus.

Just today Kim and I had the opportunity to share the same thoughts with a denominational leader who very well may cancel his plans so that he can join us on Oct 22nd. I loved what he said as we left, “it is not about our height, but it is about our depth!” Oh!! Yes!! Now that is a recovery thought, that is a Kingdom thought – if I ever heard one!! Jesus could care less to what height I rise too, but He is oh so concern with the depth of my character – that is recovery. So much so that He will risk crashing my world apart to restore my character to what it should be – that is a recovery thing; that is a Kingdom thing!
I believe that we are at a watershed moment in the Kingdom and we dare not grab it for ourselves, the moment we do it will be lost from us. CR is what it is because the King has chosen to work through His Spirit as He does, it is not our doing. It is not our anointing. It is not even our calling. It IS His Kingdom, it is His work, remember if God could speak through a donkey……enough said.

As we celebrate the last 7 years we need to be sure that we keep in mind that It's A Kingdom Thing Baby!! Lest we let pride over take us

I have not been able to get Isaiah 61 out of my mind when it comes to what it is the King wants to do in His Kingdom

1-7 The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness"
planted by God to display his glory.
They'll rebuild the old ruins,
raise a new city out of the wreckage.
They'll start over on the ruined cities,
take the rubble left behind and make it new.
You'll hire outsiders to herd your flocks
and foreigners to work your fields,
But you'll have the title "Priests of God,"
honored as ministers of our God.
You'll feast on the bounty of nations,
you'll bask in their glory.
Because you got a double dose of trouble
and more than your share of contempt,
Your inheritance in the land will be doubled
and your joy go on forever.
8-9"Because I, God, love fair dealing
and hate thievery and crime,
I'll pay your wages on time and in full,
and establish my eternal covenant with you.
Your descendants will become well-known all over.
Your children in foreign countries
Will be recognized at once
as the people I have blessed."
10-11I will sing for joy in God,
explode in praise from deep in my soul!
He dressed me up in a suit of salvation,
he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo
and a bride a jeweled tiara.
For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,
and as a garden cascades with blossoms,
So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom
and puts praise on display before the nations."

God, a most fierce warrior, is at my side.
Those who are after me will be sent sprawling—
Slapstick buffoons falling all over themselves,
a spectacle of humiliation no one will ever forget.
Jeremiah 20:11 (The Message)

Who will you invite to experience this Kingdom ministry on October 22nd?

Tim K, Encourager Coach, Fellowship Bible CR NW Arkansas.
For more information about CR or one closer to you in your area, contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Church Is Not A Building

2010-09-24T11:43:00.001-05:00

Church is not a building. Church is not an event that takes place on Sundays. I know, its how we think of it. "I go to First Baptist." "We are members of St. Luke's." "Is it time to go to church?" Much to our surprise, that is not how the Bible uses the term. Not at all. When the Scripture talks about church, it means community. The little fellowships of the heart that are outposts of the kingdom. A shared life. They worship together, eat together, pray for one another, go on quests together. They hang out together, in each other's homes. When Peter is sprung from prison, "he went to the house of Mary the mother of John? where many people had gathered and were praying" (Acts 12:12).

Anytime an army goes to war or an expedition takes to the field, it breaks down into little platoons and squads. And every chronicle of war or quest will tell you that the men and women who fought so bravely fought for each other. That's where the acts of heroism and sacrifice take place, because that's where the devotion is. You simply can't be devoted to a mass of people; devotion takes place in small units, just like a family.

We have stopped short of being an organization; we are an organism instead, a living and spontaneous association of individuals who know one another intimately, care for each other deeply, and feel a kind of respect for one another that makes rules and bylaws unnecessary. A group is the right size, I would guess, when each member can pray for every other member, individually and by name.

This is the wisdom of Brother Andrew, who smuggled Bibles into communist countries for decades. It's the model, frankly, of the church in nearly every country but the U.S. Now, I'm not suggesting you don't do whatever it is you do on Sunday mornings. I'm simply helping you accept reality - that whatever else you do, you must have a small fellowship to walk with you and fight with you and bandage your wounds. This is essential. (Waking The Dead , 192 )

Do we se the parallel in recovery? We must of an accountability team, a sponsor and accountability partners if we are going to survive the war. War? Yes I said did say war. Trust me the enemy of our soul has declared open war upon us and we need to take that as seriously as it sounds. I need to have a platoon (an accountability team) about me to help me to pray, to fight with me and to keep me on track in those times when that is needed.

I am starting to see the word “church” not as a nice place to visit but as an outpost of warriors ready to take the enemy out at his knees.

“God, a most fierce warrior, is at my side. Those who are after me will be sent sprawling— Slapstick buffoons falling all over themselves, a spectacle of humiliation no one will ever forget.” Jeremiah 20:11 (The Message)

No Slapstick buffoons allowed!!

Excerpts from:
John Eldredge’s book, "Waking the Dead"
Plus some commentary from Tim Kelley, CR Encourager Coach Fellowship Bible CR.

For information on Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney @ 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Top Priorities

2010-09-23T10:12:00.001-05:00

Here are five simple suggestions to help make loving your spouse a top priority, second only to your relationship with Christ. Remember, giving your marriage the time and attention it deserves truly matters to God. He will help you implement these steps if you are willing to order your life and marriage according to His will.

1. Pray together before the day begins.
Couples that pray regularly together experience less than a 1 percent divorce rate.

2. Act out love to experience feelings of love.
One of the mysteries of keeping a softened heart is that we must continue to ACT that way even when we don't feel that way.

3. Spend thirty minutes a day in a shared activity and intimate conversation.
It's a truism that men communicate as the result of a shared activity, while women view communication as the activity itself. Make spending thirty minutes together a top priority so that you can stay connected through intimate conversation.

4. Give your spouse the right to access you any time day or night.
One of the important ways to communicate the priority your spouse is in your life is to allow them to interrupt your schedule. The important point needs to be established that your spouse comes first.

5. Submit your time decisions to the fifty-year rule.
The fifty-year rule simply asks, "Fifty years from now will we be glad or regret the way we used our time today?"
We need to take this advice of Scripture to heart,
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(Psalm 90:12)
Our marriages all come with an expiration date. We may have only this day to connect our hearts; tomorrow may not come. We need to ask God to give us the wisdom to see our marriage as He sees our marriage. Once we do, we will make it the first and highest priority in our lives after our relationship with Christ.
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..."

Marriage Minutes
Bob and Cheryl Moeller
Thursday, September 23, 2010
email: cherylmoeller@comcast.net to subscribe

For information on Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Greed - The Insatiable Monster of Marriage

2010-09-20T14:56:00.001-05:00

Greed is the jealous hunger to obtain more than we need at any cost. A couple driven by greed will never know true peace or contentment.

Why is greed, the insatiable monster, never enough?

1. Greed is ultimately based on a lack of faith in God's provision.
2. Greed is driven by the lie that the things of the world can satisfy our hearts.

The Biblical cure for greed is Thanksgiving:

A life of continual thanksgiving to God is the remedy for greed. Thanksgiving focuses on all we have been given rather than all we lack. Thanksgiving acknowledges God Himself is more than enough. Thanksgiving sets us free to enjoy all we have without comparison or complaint.

(Jesus said to them) "Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15

Marriage Minutes
Bob and Cheryl Moeller
Monday, September 20, 2010
Email: cherylmoeller@comcast.net to subscribe

For information on Celebrate Recovery contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Attitude…or Beatitude?

2010-09-15T13:24:00.002-05:00

I have a point blank question for you; do you treat people with piercings, colored hair, tattoos or anything out of the “norm” with the same respect as you do a person in a business suit?

Recently I observed a young man receive what appeared to be judgmental looks as well as an attitude from a business man. (With that said, there is NO way for me to know what someone else is thinking. I’m going by my own experiences and what the appearance was at the time and place.)

This young man was taking orders and making sandwiches in a restaurant.
As I stepped up to order after the business man, the young man’s eyes just barely met mine so that I would know that it was my turn to order.
(Whatever the reason was for his lack of eye contact, I felt compassion for him.) I placed my order, went on, got my sandwich, and sat down to eat when I realized that it was missing one of the main ingredients. I really didn’t want to say anything about it, but somehow I knew that’s exactly what I needed to do. I took the sandwich back to the counter where I had ordered. The only person available to speak with was the young man with the piercings and blue and red colored hair. I gently asked him about the ingredients on the sandwich. He appeared somewhat stressed about the error, but quickly and politely took care of it. As he handed my sandwich back to me, he looked as if he were dreading what I had to say to him. “Thanks and have a nice day” was all that needed to be said. He seemed somewhat surprised.

Oh, how important it is that we treat others with the same respect in which we want to be treated!! As is says in the bible; “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31

At this moment, my heart was overwhelmed with compassion for this young man. All I could do, at this point, was pray for salvation (if needed) for him, as well as salvation for anyone in the restaurant willing to do so, whenever and wherever possible in their lifetime.

In Matthew, Jesus spoke these words, better known as “The Beatitudes”.
They are guidelines in which to help us in our walk with the Lord…things that will be seen- in us- by others, as followers of Christ.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad for great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:3-12

Now, I have no idea whether or not the business man was a Christian or not. That’s not for me to judge. But, I do know this. Those of us who have come to know Jesus as our Savior, really need to make the highest priority of allowing the love of God not only show…but, flow through us.
We have no reason to boast of our own salvation or anything else for that matter. If we are saved, we are saved, not by anything that we have done, but by the grace and mercy that God has extended to us through the death of His only son, Jesus. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2: 8-9 It’s now our job to “keep ourselves in a state” that allows God’s love, mercy and grace to be shown to others through us. Stir up the Holy Spirit within yourself.
Ask God to show you how to show His love to those around you…no matter where you are. Do you have an attitude or are you practicing the beatitudes?

As I left the sandwich shop that day, all I could think of is how my Savior was pierced…for me...on the cross. His hair was, more likely than not, colored red with blood…for me. His body was tattooed with bruises and injuries from being beaten and whipped…for me…for my salvation…salvation through Jesus Christ, something I cannot earn or purchase. Salvation is a gift that has been given to me and you, freely, by the Creator of the universe. All we have to do is receive it. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

I wonder if the business man would have reacted with the same look and attitude if it had been Jesus, pierced, red hair and tattooed with bruises, behind that counter? I believe this is a good question for all of us. (In no way, shape or form, do I intend an attitude of judgment towards the business man.) Do you have an attitude or are you practicing the beatitudes? I ask this same question of myself. I want to continue to press into the Lord…more of Him and less of me. It will only make me a better person.

I have to confess…I continue to be amazed by God’s ability to take such a common, everyday occurrence, show His love, grace and mercy through me, a sinner saved by grace, then, give me the words to share with others. I intend no praise for myself through this or any other writing. I am both humbled and grateful to be used and taught by God in this way. It is my hope and prayer that you, too, will find God leading you in the same way.

By :: angie c tipton, "The Landing" worship leader Friday Nights at Fellowship.

If you would like info about Celebrate Recovery or the teen version "The Landing", contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Humility: God's Turbocharger that will Energize Your Marriage

2010-09-07T12:21:00.001-05:00

Humility: God's Turbocharger that will Energize Your Marriage
Philippians 2:1-11
Definition: Humility is letting God have the place in our heart that "Self" wants to occupy.

A. What Does a Spiritually Energized Marriage Look Like?

1. We are united eternally to Christ
2. We are living daily in fellowship with the Holy Spirit
3. We are walking in agreement as a couple.
4. We are acting out love to the other person when life hurts
5. We are pursuing oneness in our life's calling and commitments.

B. How is the Power of Humility Released in a Marriage?

1. We give up all selfishness or pride in our married relationship.
2. We consider our spouse's needs before our own.
3. We don't lord our position, role, gifts, strengths, or money over our spouse.
4. We give up all right to use our rights in any selfish way.
5. We let our servant spirit not our controlling attitude change the heart of our spouse.
6. We leave our desire for all recognition and rewards in God's hands.
7. We submit everything to the Glory Test: Will this make a name for me or for God?

Dear Lord God,
I confess I have at times been living my life in pride and selfishness, particularly in my marriage.
I ask you to empty my heart of any desire or right to use my position, role, gifts, strengths, or money in any self-serving way and instead to fill my heart with true humility. I now yield the place in my heart that "Self" has occupied for so long to the control of Jesus Christ. I ask that all I do and say in my marriage from this point onward be to the Glory of God the Father. In the name above every name, Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen

Marriage Minutes
Bob and Cheryl Moeller
Tuesday, September 7, 2010

If you would like information about Celebrate Recovery here at Fellowship Bible NW Arkansas contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

Do you have a scar?

2010-09-06T18:15:00.001-05:00

Do you have a scar? : http://wp.me/p12MHN-16

For information about Celebrate Recovery at Fellowship Bible Church in Arkansas contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

God's Family Lasts Forever

2010-09-04T11:34:00.001-05:00

Since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you. Galatians 4:7 (NLT)
Your spiritual family is even more important than your physical family because it will last forever. Our families on earth are wonderful gifts from God, but they are temporary and fragile, often broken by divorce, distance, growing old, and inevitably, by death.
The apostle Paul says, “When I think of the wisdom and scope of his plan, I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father of all the great family of God – some of them already in heaven and some down here on earth” (Ephesians 3:14-15 LB).
On the other hand, our spiritual family – our relationship to other believers – will continue throughout eternity. It is a much stronger union, a more permanent bond, than blood relationships.
The Bible teaches, “To all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God. They did not become his children in any human way – by any human parents or human desire. They were born of God” (John 1:12-13 NCV).
The moment you were spiritually born into God’s family, you were given some astounding birthday gifts: the family name, the family likeness, family privileges, family intimate access, and the family inheritance!
By Rick Warren
September 4, 2010 - God's Family Lasts Forever - Daily Hope

For information about Celebrate Recovery 479-659-3679 or roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org

God Says You Are Valuable

2010-09-01T16:41:00.001-05:00

You have been bought and paid for by Christ, so you belong to him—be free now from all these earthly prides and fears. 1 Corinthians 7:23 (TLB)

God says not only are you accepted; you're valuable.
How much do you think you're worth? I'm not talking about your net worth; I'm talking about your self worth. Don't ever confuse your valuables with your value as a person. You can be rich or poor but it has nothing to do with your value as a person.
What determines value? There are two things that determine value in life:
1 - It depends on what someone is willing to pay for it. How much is your house worth? Not as much as you think it is, and probably not as much as it was a year ago. Your house is worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. No more.
How much is a baseball card worth? To some of you, it's worth nothing. To Matthew, my son, it's worth a lot of money. Some people are willing to pay $10,000 for a baseball card.
How much is a piece of art worth? Whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
2 - It depends on who owned it in the past. Sometimes something is valuable because of who used to own it. For example, would a car owned by Elvis Presley be more valuable than a car you owned? Probably. Or, would a guitar be more valuable because it was owned by John Lennon? I read about a pair of stinky, smelly, worn out basketball shoes that sold for $7,000 at an auction because they happened to be owned by someone named Michael Jordan.
Based on these two things, what's your value? Ask yourself, ‘Who owns me?’ ‘What was paid for me?’ The Bible says, “You have been bought and paid for by Christ, so you belong to him—be free now from all these earthly prides and fears.” (1 Corinthians 7:23 TLB)
You have been bought and paid for by Christ. You belong to Jesus. How much does that make you worth?
Now ask yourself, ‘Who do I belong to?’ The Bible says you belong to God. God exchanged His own Son for you! The Cross proves your value. Jesus didn't die for junk. You are incredibly valuable. Nobody has ever paid a greater price than God paid for you. You are acceptable and you are valuable!

By Rick Warren
August 31, 2010 - God Says You Are Valuable - Daily Hope

If you would like to learn information about Celebrate Recovery please contact Rodney at 479-659-3679 or email roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org