Revolution 180

So we are going to make THIS blog the Celebrate Recovery blog - because in recovery, the idea is to make a 180 - turn clear around, go the other direction. Repentance means this same thing . . .it is so much more than just being sorry for what we've done wrong.

We are hoping to get a grant that helps us go to the next level - and we are going to try to put some foundational elements into place before we get the grant (I'm going on faith).

Celebrate REcovery is our Friday night church service that takes the Word of God and combines it with the Twelve Steps. I know that there is some controversy over whether or not the church is supposed to be incorporating "recovery" principles into it's ministry - but the way I look at it, Jesus is all about "recovery." The cool thing is that he is also about renewal and repentance.

We started about a year ago - using materials from Saddleback Church. They took the Beatitudes and very successfully were able to meld them with the Twelve Steps. There is an opening dinner - usually a BBQ, followed by a Large Group meeting (Church) which has rockin' music, testimonies, teaching, chip nights, etc. Then everyone breaks into Small Groups (men, women) and they meet and talk about the teaching (sort of like Sunday School on Friday nights!). Afterwards, we have a Sally's Cafe where we have snacks and goodies to munch on. IT all ends about 10pm on Friday night - except for the cleanup crew.

It's been going well - and it has brought a lot of people into the family of God. Some people come on Sunday mornings and some just come regularly on Friday nights. We have about 60-80 people each week - and it definitely keeps us jumping.

We'll keep writing in this blog about the ups and downs - the hard things, the good things, the people whose lives are changed. . .

For now, thanks to Robbin and the crew for keeping it going! Good work, guys!

Joshua 8-10

My Scripture – Joshua 8-10

My Observation - I see Joshua leading his people and fighting the neighboring kings. For the most part, when Joshua goes to battle, he takes direction and guidance from the Lord. But then, even when they don't inquire of the Lord, they stay true to their commitment. God helps them to be victorious.
My Application - Talk about a picture of salvation and holiness. Joshua and his people have entered into the Promised Land but still have to overcome the enemy in the land. We get saved - we are IN the Promised Land but there are still areas in our life where war is raging. we have to go into each area and root out the enemy -sometimes destroying it utterly (Jericho), sometimes salvaging what we can out of it (ai).

For example, in our corps - drug use is Jericho - destroy it completely. A life of immorality and premarital sex has brought about children - we need to destroy the immorality in our lives but we can still bring out the good that has come from it - children that God has created. Covenants made without seeking God's guidance - say,marriage to a non-Christian - can still be upheld with God's help, as long as we are acting NOW in accordance with God's will.

In all these areas, if we go in the strength of the Lord, he will go before us - and after us - and WITH us.

My Prayer - Lord, help me to not be discouraged and not be afraid. Lead me into the battle where I can see the enemy vanquished. I want to allow you to purge them all from my life. Keep me holding the flag!