Actions

How many times have we heard the words "I am only hurting myself"? In reality who do our actions effect? Just ourselves? Hardly. But I want to think that I am the only one affected by my choices but it is just not true. Actions we do today effect many. 

I just recently read the story of the priest Eli in 1 Samuel. His actions or inaction effected many. Here is what God told Samuel about him: "The time has come for me to bring down on Eli’s family everything I warned him of, every last word of it. I’m letting him know that the time’s up. I’m bringing judgment on his family for good. He knew what was going on, that his sons were desecrating God’s name and God’s place, and he did nothing to stop them. This is my sentence on the family of Eli: The evil of Eli’s family can never be wiped out by sacrifice or offering.” In the chapter before a prophet told him:  “Be well warned: It won’t be long before I wipe out both your family and your future family. No one in your family will make it to old age! You’ll see good things that I’m doing in Israel, but you’ll see it and weep, for no one in your family will live to enjoy it. I will leave one person to serve at my Altar, but it will be a hard life, with many tears. Everyone else in your family will die before their time. What happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be the proof: Both will die the same day. Then I’ll establish for myself a true priest. He’ll do what I want him to do, be what I want him to be. I’ll make his position secure and he’ll do his work freely in the service of my anointed one. Survivors from your family will come to him begging for handouts, saying, ‘Please, give me some priest work, just enough to put some food on the table." So, how can we say our actions have no effect on anyone else.

When I do anything good or bad it will effect someone. My actions and words can hurt or build up. (Eph. 4:29) Thank God that because of Jesus we do not suffer the same way as Eli's family did but we still have consequences for our actions and those things usually effect the ones  that are closest to us. Go out and get drunk, drive and have an accident. Who does that effect? Our family because they have to pay for the damages whatever they are, the family that you hit suffers physically, emotionally and more. Use words like stupid, dummy, ugly, when you speak with family and friends and it will destroy their self worth and it may, because of their low self worth, cause them to do things in their life to others. It is like someone said throw a rock in the water no matter how big it has ripples. Those ripples do not stop without help.

Jesus is our help to break the cycle to dissipate the ripples, if you please. He can help us stop the affect the past had on us. Celebrate Recovery is just a means to find Jesus and the way to stop the effect we have on others. What hurt do you have in your life? What habit do you want to get rid of? What are you so hung up about that you cannot be a part of something good? Well, that is what Celebrate Recovery is all about. Taking care of the past hurt by offering forgiveness even when it seems you cannot. Breaking the habit with the help of God and an accountability team (we do not do anything without help). Getting past a hang up by seeing it with the eyes of Jesus. It is amazing what happens when you turn things over to Jesus. I would know because he has taken my hurts, my habits and my hang ups and helped me to defeat them. Am I perfect? NO but I am always moving toward Him and the closer I get the better it gets. Some day I will see Him and all will be made perfect. For now why not come to Celebrate Recovery and get all the help you can to not affect anyone else with your hurt, habit or hang up. I hope to see you soon.

David

“Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

Full Heart

Today I just have been receiving all kinds of good stuff from God and I am going to attempt to share it.

The first thing that comes to mind is Luke chapter 7. This chapter contains so much but I want to focus on the dinner at a Pharisee's house. Imagine being there you are getting ready to enjoy dinner when in comes the town prostitute. If I was the Pharisee I would be appalled and embarrassed. What does she do? She begins to cry and wet Jesus' feet. She pours on him expensive perfume. Then she does something I did not get until someone explained it to me, she lets down her and begins to dry his feet. Why is that so shocking. A woman was only suppose to take down her hair in the presence of her husband. This was just not done. So, Jesus looks at his host and tells a story about two men that owed money one owed a lot the other just a small amount. Then he asked which was more grateful? It is obvious the one that owed the most. Then he explains in great detail how his host slighted him but this woman did so much more. Then he gets it, at least I hope he does. If he didn't I did. Sometimes I do not want to accept that I have been forgiven much. Like his host I am not as grateful because I feel like my sin is just not that bad, but it is I have been forgiven much. I just don't act like it. My pride and arrogance get in the way. I think to myself I am here at Celebrate Recovery to help others. While that is true it is not the only reason I am there. I need help in walking my journey of recovery. When I lose that God always finds a way to gently remind me and if that doesn't work then he just pushes a little harder until I get it again. Sometimes he has to hit me with something pretty big.  Like this story.

If that is not enough for you last night I was reading Max Lucado's book "Just Like Jesus". In the chapter I read he talked about worship. I love the way he writes he makes things so easy to understand but that means I get it. So, if I get it what do I do with it. Sometimes I am just like the man in James who looks in the mirror and walks away and forgets how he looks and just does not do anything to change. This time I hope I do not forget. He talked about preparing for worship. How do we prepare our hearts for worship? He mentioned praying and reading the Bible before we worship. I do that on Sunday but sometimes it is just to do it I am not really doing it to prepare my heart to worship. If I go to worship with a heart that is not prepared I walk away and miss the point. The point being to be awed by God and his presence. So, this Friday and Sunday before I go into his presence I want to take some time to prepare. I want to be awed at his glory, his holiness, his presence and leave ready to tell anyone how great he is and what he has done for me.

The last thing today (thanks for hanging in there) is the story of Hannah in I Samuel. What faith! Here is a woman tormented by the other wife because she does not have children. It so bad that she cannot eat when they go up to the worship at the temple. What does she do? She goes into the sanctuary and pours out her heart to God. She is doing so in such a manner that Eli, the priest, thinks she is drunk. She inspires me because she holds nothing back. She does not care what others think and she believes that God will answer her prayer. Of course he does and she has Samuel, who she has promised to God. Here is even more faith. When he is weaned she takes him to the temple and gives him to Eli to be dedicated to God. How many women do you know that have been barren, have a baby and then when it is weaned gives it to God and leaves it in the care of the preacher? That is incredible faith and it inspires me. After she gives this one away she has three more sons and two daughters. When we are faithful, God is faithful. Do I ever promise God something only to try to change it when the time comes for me to give what ever it was I promised? Unfortunately I know that answer, yes I do. There are times I make promises only to try my best to get out of doing whatever it was I promised or I just forget about the promise, conveniently. 

Well, there you have it a week's worth of thoughts. Thanks for hanging with me. Come see me Friday and we can talk some more about this or anything else. You know where I will be, yep, Celebrate Recovery. See you soon.

David

Coping

How do you cope? What do you use to escape? When our week is hard or we are hurt where do we turn? Do you go to food? Do you go away for the weekend? Do you watch TV or movie marathons? How about getting lost in FaceBook? Twitter? What do you use? Yes I mean use. Okay these things seem so harmless don't they. They are all socially acceptable means of escape. But is it an unhealthy type of escape? Do we carry it to far? Mine can be food or TV. I just get tired and want to escape. I think God has a different idea of escape. 

Matthew 11:28-30: “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.” (The Message). Jesus has a different plan. Go to Him and he will lighten your burden. Sometimes we get so busy with church work we forget to take time to slow down and just listen for Him. I know I did. I was so thrilled to work for the church but I tried to do it on my own power. That does not work well because I began to burn out after 16 years. Not long after the burn out started God got my attention by taking away that job so I could slow down and listen for Him. It really hurt at first but now I am so thankful because I am learning how to slow down and do the work He has for me and not take on so much that I lose sight of why I am doing it. 

So, what are you using? Do you need help changing? I know the perfect place, Celebrate Recovery. They can help with your hurts, hang ups and habits. Yep it is for everyone because we all have hurts, hang ups and habits. Why not come and see what it is all about Friday night at 6 PM. See you then.

David

If We're Honest

I love this song by Francesca Battistelli:

If We're Honest

Truth is harder than a lie
The dark seems safer than the light
And everyone has a heart that loves to hide
I'm a mess and so are you
We've built walls nobody can get through
Yeah, it may be hard, but the best thing we could ever do, ever do

[Chorus:]
Bring your brokenness, and I'll bring mine
'Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy's waiting on the other side
If we're honest
If we're honest

Don't pretend to be something that you're not
Living life afraid of getting caught
There is freedom found when we lay 
our secrets down at the cross, at the cross

[Chorus]

It would change our lives
It would set us free
It's what we need to be
 

Just think about what would happen if we were all honest. If we all shared our deepest darkest secret what would happen. I would have nothing you could use against me and you would have nothing I could use against you. So why do we hold all this stuff in? One word fear. I was afraid of what others would think if they knew all about me. Now they do and they love me in spite of all my warts. And you know why? Because they have warts too and they are relieved to know someone else has some too. 

Hiding never helps and besides you might be surprised what others already know about you. When we are honest with ourselves, God and someone we trust we get true healing. Just like James 5:16 promises. We no longer come to church put on mask and act as if everything is alright. We speak the lies into the light and they lose all their power. Why don't you come to Celebrate Recovery and speak your lies into the light? It is a safe place nothing said or done can be taken outside of the room. We believe in confidentiality and anonymity. Who is there stays there and what is said stays there. Just come and try it, you may stay. 

David

Easy

Easy, what do you gain when things are easy? ... nothing. I believe that anything worthwhile is not easy. Recovery is definitely not easy. Yet it is very rewarding. When I think about what I went through to get here it was not easy but it is worth every struggle, every bit of pain and trouble.

I remember when I was still struggling with my grief, my resentment, my denial. My reason for coming to Celebrate Recovery, at least I thought, was to help others. I had struggled with pornography when I was younger. I even smoked when was a teen. As a fifty-something that had no "real" problems I came for others. As you know if you are attending CR you find out about your denial and what to do about it. And I found and am finding problems in my life.

Back to easy. If things are easy we don't learn, change and grow. For me being in recovery has changed my relationships greatly. My relationships were shallow before CR mainly because I wore a mask that showed I was okay. As I took off that mask my relationships got deeper more meaningful, especially the one with my wife. If I had stayed on the easy road look at what I would have lost.

Right now is your life easy? Probably not. So, why not learn from the hardships? Why not come to CR and grow from the problems instead of letting them hold you down? When you come you will still have problems but you will have others to help you and you will know how to overcome them by working the steps. Instead of a lot pain you get joy because you know God is always there and you have a family of believers to help you through any trouble. Come any Friday night and you will find us celebrating our recovery. See you there soon! Don't wait too long.

David

Inventory

Inventory, it is a harmless word but in some it strikes fear. Why is that? I think it is because we don't grasp the concept well. It seems like all it is is dragging up our past. That is true it is dragging up our past but with a positive reason. We don't drag it up to feel guilty and depressed about all the bad things we have done. No, the real reason is to rid our selves of the guilt and pain. 

When we do our inventory we must also remember the good. All of us have good in our past. Sometimes there are good results that come from the bad that happened and sometimes it good things that we did for others or for ourselves. Our past mess then gets to be God's message. When we review our lives with God's help we see the good even in the mess. Then we get to share that with another human being. Wow, there is something scary there. Someone is going to know everything about you. Of course my first thought was they will not like me when they know all my bad. The other thing is what if they share that with someone else. So, we begin to let fear rule. Jesus said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." When we go to Jesus and unload all our pain suddenly the load becomes lighter. But then James 5:16 tells to "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." So, when we confess to someone we receive healing. Notice that it is a command with a promise confession leads to healing. Then the last of the scripture says the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. I see something in that when we confess our sins it includes that we pray for each other then the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Because of confession we become righteous and our prayers are more effective. (In the words of David.) 

Why then be fearful? Because our enemy the devil breeds fear to keep us from healing.  We all have fears but we need to not let them rule us. Easy to say but hard to do. I still struggle almost daily with the fear of "what if someone does not like me?" "What if I don't do it their way and they decide not to be around me anymore?" This fear has been with me a long time but each day God helps me tackle it. I know the truth and it is that no matter what God has already accepted me and loves me and nothing or no one can change that (Romans 8:35-39). Therefore what does it matter if someone does not like me or want to be around me? The truth no matter what I do some people just will not like me. Having said all that you can see how I might have a problem sharing my inventory or for that matter doing my testimony but I have. And you know what I had a great burden lifted from my shoulders when I did because Jesus picked up the yoke with me and has given me rest. Besides that what can anyone say or do to me that would cause me to lose the love of my Father - absolutely nothing. 

So, don't let that word inventory scare you with God, your sponsor and accountability team you can do it. We were never meant to walk this road alone. 

If You Want to ...

I was listening to Matthew 5-8 on my way to work today and many things jumped out at me but one thing has caused me to really think. Matthew 8:2 3 where Jesus heals the leper. "A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy." I have focused on the part where Jesus touched him because to touch a leper was not something anyone would do. What I missed was "if you are willing". The Message says "if you want to". The leper believed that Jesus had the power to heal him but he did not think he was good enough. Look at those words again "if you want to". Because he thought I am a filthy sinner and that is the reason I got this disease so Jesus may not want to heal me. Perhaps he will turn away just like everyone else.

My thoughts immediately went to me. How do I approach Jesus? Do I believe that Jesus has the power but may not have the "want to"? Yep, all the time. I see myself as the filthy sinner too. Why would he heal me? I am deserve my hurt, my habit, my hangup. Of course when you examine that feeling it is all based in a lie. How many scriptures tell us a different story. There is a book I have read about three times and he lists in the book (Conformed To His Image by Kenneth Boa) 45 (if I counted right) scriptures who tell us who we are in Christ. The first three in the list alone tell us: "I am a child of God (John 1:12), I am a branch of the true vine and a conduit of Christ's life (John 15:1,5) and I am a friend of Jesus (John 15:15)". Just those tell us a lot about our worth. 

So, why do I struggle to accept those things? I would say it is because I feel like I do not deserve it. Well, that feels right but it is not true. Jesus gave up heaven for me. If I did not deserve it why did He come? He came because He wants me to know how much he loves me and no matter how I feel He cares. 

Though step studies I have begun to accept my identity in Christ but I still want to listen to those old voices at times and slip back into the "I'm not good enough" self-pity party. When I do I am thankful I have those that remind me that I am good enough and I need to get out of myself and think of others. 

Perhaps you are caught in that pit of self-pity and you are having a big pity party. Well, come to Celebrate Recovery Friday night and find out how to get out of that trap. Start your journey at 6 PM with dinner and stay to the lights go out. I will guarantee that you will leave feeling loved and accepted. See you Friday!

David

Routine

Do you have routines? I do. What happens when something interferes with our routines? For me I begin to forget things. I don't keep the good habits I have developed. I miss appointments and the list just goes on and on. 

Being in recovery is about developing good habits. Habits like Bible study, prayer, writing in a journal (still developing that one), doing a daily inventory, etc. So, when our routine time is disrupted it is very difficult to find another time that day to do whatever it was we missed. Vacation, being sick and things like that tend to take us away from the routine. Of course sometimes you can use a vacation to get back into a good habit or to spend extra time with God. Unfortunately my vacations don't always go as planned. How about yours? 

Well, I said all that now what is the point of all this? Just this, whenever your routine is disrupted don't let it cause you to lose the good habits you have developed. Maybe you may have to get up a little earlier or stay up a little later to do that Bible study or prayer but in the end it is worth it. It helps us keep our sanity and sobriety. See you Friday (another good habit)!

David

Beginner

Well, I have never tried to do anything like this before but they say the best way to grow is just to get out of your comfort zone. I do know a lot about that. Since being in Celebrate Recovery I have been pushed and dragged out of my comfort zone many times. The first push was to jump into my second step study as a leader. I barely knew what I was doing but my sponsor kept saying it would all be okay. You know it was. I was scared but no one knew how scared except me. Actually now that I think about that may not have been the first time I was out my comfort zone it was just one of the big ones. First was being asked to do something in large group. The reason that was so hard was I was still in denial. So, my introduction was very scary because I did not have anything I struggled with except maybe some people pleasing. So what was I to say after I am a grateful believer? Uuuh, uuuh, that could be embarrassing. Of course there were many others  being a sponsor for the first, teaching a lesson, being a part of T.E.A.M. The list could go on and on. 

But the bottom line is it is all worth it. I would do it all again because now I have a family of believers that know who I am and they still love me and accept me. When you take off the mask you find out that there are a lot of people just like you. What a relief! So, I say all that to say this GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!  It really is worth it. Come that first night meet all of us who are just like you then come at least four more times and you will not want to leave. 

Well, I guess that concludes my first blog. That wasn't too bad. Maybe I can do this. 

Inside

It was a cold 37 degrees this morning on my way into work. The cab of my truck reserved the sharp, crisp cold air - it’s only disturbance was my breath erupting a slightly warm fog into its presence. The sun, rising on my left into a sea of blended golden colors, was peaking over the horizon and slicing through the shadows of various trees and buildings like a strobe light onto the road before me. I intentionally repositioned myself in my seat, seeking and inviting a blaze, a burst of His light to pierce my eyes. Oh, to catch a glimpse…. With the consistent glint in my eyes I could also feel His warm, brilliant light rubbing my exposed hands, my cheeks and neck.

My mind, convicted by Oceans over the radio, begins to imagine my brother Peter on a morning such as this, taking that first step. A step out of the hull of the boat, over the gunwale to join our oldest brother standing firm on the crown of vast waves. It’s all coming together now, my ears yearning to join my other senses quickly attune into His presence through the joyful sound softly spoken over the broadcast, carving its way through the dense coldness of the truck’s cabin;

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior. I will call upon Your Name. Keep my eyes above the waves. My soul will rest in Your embrace…I am Yours and You are mine.”

Awe, there! There He is! Not around me. Not outside the vehicle, not sitting in the seat next to me but there…right there!  He is inside my very self. He lives! Jesus lives in me! And He lives in you. Make no mistake about it!  Jesus has risen, He has risen in me AND He has risen in you!  

One day, standing next to my brother Peter I will ask, “What was it like to stand with Jesus on the water?” Whatever his answer will be, Peter may just follow it with his own question; “What was it like to have Jesus living inside you?”

References

Matthew 14:24 -32

Hillsong UNITED; Oceans

Restoration

Our minds are like old cars-driven on the old Oklahoma pothole filled roads, taking the bumps as we go along. Dented and dinged by life passing us by. Aging and rusting by the storms of the seasons-for some, twisted and broken by ravishing Oklahoma winds and hail. 

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

But comes along a maker, a restorer of life. One that can make all things new. He will take away the rusty hurt and the dented scares. He will replace the broken finders and bumpers with His patience, love and care. He will replace the shattered windows with clear translucent glass allowing a glowing appearance of life to be seen. Yes, he is a restorer of life and He's been there all along, just waiting for you to be ready to restore. 

Revelation 21:5 (ESV)
"And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”