Self-searching

During this time of year many people examin their lives.  Those of us in recovery know that self-searching is to be done more often.  Self-searching is the means by which we bring new vision, action, and grace to bear upon the dark and negative side of our natures.  With it comes the development of that kind of humility that makes it possible for us to receive God’s help.  This is another tool by which we can discard the old life for a new one which is what change is all about.  This way of life will work under all conditions.*  It helps me with the “poor me’s ” or when I need an attitude adjustment.  I remember a time when I was sitting in a chair – angry because things were not going my way.  I began to ask myself just how did I get here.  It was then that I realized that I was the problem and my thinking.  I went to the Big Book and turned to the page about anger.  I got up after reading and began using some gratitude that I was not drinking.  I needed to discard the old way of thinking.  Thank God for the tools which help me to receive God’s Grace.

One Day at a Time

This is truely a great tool for me especially in early recovery because I didn’t trust God.  I didn’t know how it was going to work.  Each day was a test for me.  I barely had a place to sleep – no job, no money.  I had to ask for help in getting to meetings.  Blessed are the poor in spirit.  My spirit was broken and I was humbled by my situation.  I didn’t want to think about my past and I feared my future, but I was blessed because I knew that I needed God. Everyone has just this moment and we are not promised much more.  I know God wants me to be happy joyous and free!!!  He wants that for all of us!   Today it is just as important because sometimes I may not have the answer right away for a problem, I’m not avoiding but praying and asking God for help and I know He will answer!!  It is important to live in the solution and not always thinking about tomorrow and its problems but live today.  This is the Day the Lord has made !! Rejoice in today!! 

The Experience of Lent

Give up bitterness; turn to forgiveness

Give up hatred; return good for evil 

 Give up negativism; be more positive

Give up complaining; be grateful

Give up harsh judgements; think kindly thoughts

Give up worry; trust Divine Providence

Give up discouragement; be full of hope

Give up anger; be more patient

Give up pettiness; be more mature

Give up gloom; enjoy the beauty around you

Give up jealousy; pray for trust

Give up gossiping; control your thoughts

Give up sin; turn to virture

Tools of Recovery

As we grow in recovery we begin to practice the principles behind the steps and tools which help us.  Tools of recovery can be detachment, acceptance, trust, prayer, doing spot check inventories, making healthy choices, boundries and so many more.  Leting Go and Letting God, Keep it Simple, One day at a Time, are just some of the phrases that I focused on in the beginning. I look forward to hearing about some of your experiences and tools that have helped you.  You can expect to see quotes, prayers, poems, additional resources to help you stay on track.   What we really have is a daily repreive based on the maintance of our spiritual condition.

Learning to Listen

November is the month of Gratitude.  As we listen to those who share where they are, we often realize that our problems seem small in comparison to those who have just shared.  We’ll look at each other and say we have nothing to complain about.  How true!  We often think that our problem is unsolvable.  Just learning to listen to others is such a blessing for me.  I  hear the hurts, their problems and struggles.  I begin to see reality as it is.  Someone always has it worse than me.  I pray that when I speak I give some assurance that Christ has the answer even if it means that I need to take the action to help.  Someone listened to me.  She was my Sponsor and she assured me that there is a solution.  Christ is the answer!  When in fear, Christ is the love that cast out all fear. When we experience difficult times, I believe that Christ will use that difficulty to help us grow and help others who are going through that same difficulty.   I’ve been without a job or even a place to stay.  I can remember living in fear that I would lose my home because my husband had lost his job.  By the time I got to Recovery I didn’t have a home to worry about.  I didn’t have a job either.  I can remember those things weren’t important.  I couldn’t stay sober!  In meetings I learned to listen.  I heard that spiritual principles would solve all my problems! How??  I learned so much because now nothing was more important.  I had no power and I was told there was a Higher Power and I would get everything I needed and I did.  I am grateful for God’s view.  He wants us to help each other.  We gain compassion for others.  It becomes hard to see anyone hurt the way you hurt before.  When my son called drinking years ago, I couldn’t take listening to him.  If I hurt like that, I know that my heavenly father loves me just like that.  He works everything for our good.  Oh! Thank my father for His loving wisdom of Recovery.  My son too is no longer drinking.  He came to see me this week.  His company filed bankruptcy.  He sat there calm.  We talked about what was happening but I could see he and his wife were at peace.  They smiled and we talked about the Provision of God.  I know he will be alright.  He has a wonderful relationship with the Father now and I am so happy to see the difference that Christ and his relationship has made in my son.  I want everyone to know that Christ will Provide — Healing, Financial, whatever we need!!!  Bless His Holy Name!!!  When you help others, you are blessed.   

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Be Renewed

I was very tired by the time I got home this evening.  Working all day in the medical field or any other job for that matter if it has been a busy day can leave you drained.   Taking a few minutes to unwind the phone rang and someone wanted to know about Celebrate Recovery.  I felt a so energitic and you know why — because I know that this can make such a huge difference in the life of those hurting.  Sharing our experience is so powerful.  It works miracles!!!  Share your faith and I believe your spirit will be renewed. 

Monday night we will be to talking about forgiveness.  Did you know there are three different kinds?  Open up the Recovery Bible!  This week read the devotionals.  Can’t find them –try page 1638 for steps eight and nine.  There are actually five devotionals.  Check out the index on forgiveness.  This is an extremely important subject.  This was pivital for me and my relationship with God!!!  I know it is for you also.  Many times we don’t understand why God commands us to forgive.  It is so clear to me now that God wants only what is good for us.  You ask how does that work — I feel so much anger and pain?  Forgiveness is necessary in all relationships.  It is vital (life sustaining) for us physically.  This is a wonderful topic.  There are some myths about forgiveness as well.  We’ll probably touch on some of these in the small groups.   Come join us in the discussion and bring your Bible. 

We’re looking for more male leadership in Celebrate Recovery.  I know that it will take up some of your time but it is so worthwhile to see others recover.  This is the Great Make-over.  

      We will not be meeting on Sept 3rd but will resume the following Monday night.  I really look forward to seeing you.  I know that this is going to be an exciting time.  If you need to call–please call or we can share over a cup of  Starbucks coffee.  The invitation is open!!

The Gift of Desperation

When I think of my recovery it is desperaton that always comes to mind.  I certainly felt hopeless and did not know that others were in the same boat as I.  It was my desperation after every thing fell apart that God interviened and led me to the recovery program.   What would have happened to me if there had been no recovery help?  I believe I would have died.  I don’t want to forget how hopeless I was before getting the Good News.  My desperation drove me to make calls and to go to meetings and to make changes in my life.  It was in recovery that I discovered a God (who works though others)who really cared for me.  I can never repay what has been so freely given to me.  To hear people recover and see lives changed is the very heart of me.  I know this is exactly how my Lord must feel.  He brought the Good News to change us, set us free and give us life.  Many of us have used so many different things -substances, food, money, relationships, or sex–you name it –to find life worth living.  Now that I have tasted the good life the desire to use any of the those things has left.  I will say that temptation does come sometimes in different forms but I  know that I have a beautiful life today.  My attitude is an attitude of gratitude for all that God has given me.  If you’re having a tough day — call or come to the meeting.  As the scriptures say “let us reason together” – your are not alone!!  May God watch over you until then.

Making Amends

It has been so good to visit other Celebrate Recoveries.  Jane and I visited Tampa Baptist on Sunday evening.  God knows what we need.  It felt so good to see everyone.  Linda and Orvil are the leaders there.  They shared their story on our first meeting at TTUMC.  Their lives have been dramatically changed.  Monday night we had four newcomers and you could see that they wanted to be here.  The lesson was on making amends and I was talking about living amends that we do on a regular basis.  We can’t take an easer and ease things that have been done or said, but we can mend our relationships.  Being willing to repair the damage we’ve done comes from the heart.  In our disease we had no clue the people we hurt.  This past week-end I made amends in a small way.  My daughter and I have a wonderful relationship now.  She saw me recover and knows that Christ has made a difference in my life.  Being in recovery for 18 years is awesome but to continue to grow in Christ’s likeness is more than I ever imagined.  I didn’t know that making amends would bring love.  Celebrate Recovery can give you hope.  You don’t have to stay where you are.  Healing can take place in your relationships. The first relationship we really need is with our Lord. He changes your attitude and your heart.  He takes away the hardness and gives you gentleness. It doesn’t happen in a few weeks and it does take doing your part (the steps)for that change to happen.  I sincerely hope that you will find the love and happiness too.  It is worth all the effort!!!   

Courage to Face Our Problem

Everybody has to face some problems.  I have found that courage comes from sharing whatever problem we are facing.  It affirms that we are not alone.  So many times we think that no one else feels this way but most of the time we are surprised to find others know exactly what we are feeling and understand completely.  Sharing in this way gives us courage to face the problem, ask for help and find solutions.  How many times have you discovered by conversation that someone else has been through exactly the same thing?  FEAR stands for False Evidence Appearing Real.  It is fear that gives us the wrong perception.  It tells us that no one else has this problem.  It is amazing the courage which comes when others are sharing on the same topic.  They share their experiences and tell us what solutions they used .  Most of us have been through family problems, lost jobs, a habit that keeps resulting in frustration or anger.  Here we apply the Word of God in practical terms.   I had problems losing weight and knowing that I had diabetes I wanted to blame that for for being overweight.  I wanted to lose weight but really had not applied the solution.  I confessed to someone who suggested this book “I Must Decrease” by  Janice Thompson.  She made some confessions that really struct home for me.  That was only a beginning but I realized I had not surrender my body to Christ.   I have courage to face it because I shared with someone my frustration.  God has helped me lose almost 30 pounds that I tried so hard to do on my own.  I am so thankful to Him for helping me. He used another person who knew exactly how I felt.  Together we have both lost weight.  Thank the Good Lord!!!!

  

Freedom in Recovery

I truly am a blessed person.  God has shown up in my life in so many ways. I recently asked a young lady to give her testimony about what God has done for her.  She said she was nervous, she heard a line in one of the worship songs – it was “How could I but love Him.”  That one line in a song touched her and ignited her story.  God works through so many different avenues.  One of her favorite lines is ”I just wanted to be free.”  For me it was  freedom from alcohol, then freedom from  emotional bagage and now free to serve others.    Christ came to give us life and life more abundantly. We didn’t have a clue what real freedom was all about.  Free to grow and love and serve.  Just think of what liberty we have knowing that we are loved and forgiven.  Jesus came to set the captive free.  The third step prayer has a line about freedom from the bondage of self.  In recovery I learned to replace old thinking by thinking of others.  We really start to care about others.  We want for them what we have received.  It is an awesome thing to see others recover and see God’s truth that where there is love there is liberty.