They know that it worked for them, and thats the greatest story they have.. There is simply no way to put into words how I love John and will miss this kind, creative, brilliant and faithful man., Evangelical leader Johnnie Moore, whose family previously belonged to Saddleback Church when living in California, remembered Bakers commitment to saving the lives of the people whom God loves., He became a doctor of hope for those whose lives were caught in vicious cycles of guilt, shame, and failure. However, unlike negative energy that simply attaches itself and hovers over us like a dark cloud, energetic parasites feed on our energy. Judge everything you think, say, or do harshly, as never "good enough." Are a perfectionist. 10h 30m. When I was very young in my faith and had little discernment into things and practices I was doing, I had gone to get a different kind of massage called a chakra massage. According to the Scriptures Alcoholism is defined as drunkeness, so if you profess to be an alcoholic, or once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, then you are stating to be a perpetual drunkard. Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Quoting from my blog: Many seem to believe that as long as something appears good, and that someone is helped that it must be of God, when this is simply not true; while He can draw His own creation to Him, in whatever circumstance they are in, this does not mean that it is His perfect will for them to continue on in what they are doing or involved in. If you are in danger of hurting yourself or someone else, please call: 911 - Emergency or 988 - Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 1-800-273-8255 HELP IS AVAILABLE. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. Romantic relationships can be a great source of happiness in sobriety, but they can also be the source of great pain. Within AA, the introduction is similar in the person identifies as their addiction, My Name is, and I am a drug addict/alcoholic. The Dangers of Dishonesty in Recovery. Recognizing these dangers will help you avoid a possible problem in the future. I sat to the left of the CR group leader, which would mean that I would be the first to speak. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing, and my life is unmanageable. Title: Celebrate Recovery 1 CelebrateRecovery! During the past 25 years, some 20,000 churches in the United States have reportedly used CR, with some 2.5 million people having completed the program. In Celebrate Recovery, the levels of recovery are far worse. Just as I am whereever I am. So, I was immediately led to Acts 2:38, and the Spirit had me to start at repentance. Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a national, Christ-centered self-help program hosted by local churches to help people struggling with addiction or other life-controlling issues. We all need to be encouraged from time to time, and I am thankful that this has helped you to be able to make some difficult decisions. Worrying about the past and dreading the future makes us unable to live and enjoy God's plans for us in the present. (KJV), John 10:7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. Ive experienced His amazing grace and mercy through both programs. Our staff is up-to-date and knowledgeable, and we are standing by to help you on your road to recovery. Analyzing Celebrate Recovery (C.R.) The messiness of addiction is too much for many churches to handle. "This is a great place to hold an event. They literally drain us and leave us feeling fatigued, unmotivated and even depressed. If you are a Christian in recovery and currently attending a twelve step program whether it be Alcoholics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, Hunger for Healing or any of the other assortment of spin off programs, please take the time to consider the following information. To find out if these will be offered at your group, please call the contact number. I know several people who were addicts and now can occasionally partake in rare occasions because they no longer want the life they had before . Celebrate Recovery gives the support and love that so many churches fail at. I was at that time still in Active Duty military, and completing rehab was essential for me to continue to have a career at that time. From that point forward, I was actually prohibited from bringing or reading my Bible in the group. At Landmark Recovery, we are happy to help you find a support system that meshes with your belief system. What? Romans 12:1. Wow. As you can probably imaginethings did not go well for me after that. I was immediately confronted after the meeting, and then again when I arrived the following week, as I was pulled aside by the lead woman of the group. 1 Founded 25 years ago by pastor Rick Warren and the Saddleback Church in California, it started with just 43 people but now has groups in 29,000 churches all over the globe with more than 3.5 million . During the worship time, I sat in the back reading my Word. Thanks for your post. a sermon that goes along with our Celebrate recovery ministry, covering the different steps. apearlinthevineyard.com, 2018. I lived at AA and Alanon meetings for years and was helped tremendously and then almost completely stopped. Many alcoholic/addicts are not ready for solid food 1Cor3:2, Heb5:14. nph: to be sober, to abstain from wine. It becomes an addiction because the flesh craves it. There are many who have either themselves or known someone to have gone through AA, NA, Alanon, etc. How shall we let God into our lives? The Saddleback Church pastor developed the popular Christ-centered 12-step program for hurts, habits, and hang-ups., Image: Courtesy of Saddleback Church / Edits by Christianity Today. When we have the fear of the Lord, we fear less of how others might react, and more on doing what is right before Him. I choose to stand on the word regardless who believes or not. If there is darkness in the AA program leading people astray, what better place to set up a lamp stand? Celebrate Recovery Bible by Zondervan Staff (2007, Hardcover) (4) $9.99. With Gods help, he showed again and again that those cycles can be broken, he said. I can assure you, that it is not the Holy Spirit. C. C.R. SPEAK TO SOMEONE TODAY. I was not her sponsor for too much longer after that, as Father had other plans for me, and later led me to go to a program called Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery IS: A safe place to share; A place of refuge; A place of belonging; A place to care for others and be cared for; A place where respect is given to each member; A place where confidentiality is highly regarded; A place to learn; A place to demonstrate genuine love; A place to grow and become strong again; A place for progress And theres many avenues to recover. Celebrate Recovery is just another type ofSyncretism, as mixes Gods ways with heathen ways. The last thing I want to do is delve deeper into my issues/motivations/whatever. Live customer service hours are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM CST [email protected] Call Toll Free: 866.419.7446; 1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines. Create a safe place for hurting teenagers to overcome life's challenges by launching a Celebrate Recovery ministry-The Landing-for the students in your church, with the The Landing: Celebrate Recovery for Students Kit.. Every meeting, except my last, I was always led to open my Word and read directly from it. My KJV Bible is all I need in this life plus my brothers and sisters in Christ. This is what brings us to our Lord. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. See ya, Baker said. Celebrate Recovery has been a great program for me as well as thousands of others that need the love and support of others. Celebrate Recovery is a ministry committed to seeing lives changed and healed through Christ. Every week we state that we make decisions based on the truth. Both were heavily involved in the occult, and many of the practices that were endorsed in Oxford Group, continued on with the establishment of AA. The topical groups vary by site, and some. About a year later, I was led to sponsor a woman, who was coming out of drug addiction. Action its keyword. It is a welcoming community and provided a perfect place for our retreat. Baker is survived by his wife and Celebrate Recovery cofounder, Cheryl; children Johnny and Jeni Baker and Laura and Brian Gibney; and their grandchildren. It was then that woman after woman, that spoke after me, praised only the program. Colossians 2:8 states: "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the . As above, I will be going through steps 1-3, and 12, and directly quoted from CR website: 1 ) We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, NOR DRUNKARDS, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. There was only one woman after me, that was the program group leader for the night, that sat to my right, that proclaimed the Name Jesus, and what He had done for her. This is why it is so important to know who we are listening to when it comes to worship music, and where that music is originating from. Ive been attending CR (and volunteering on the welcome team ) for about a year. This is why we are warned throughout the NT writings to not be deceived. Whether you choose a Christian rehab center that uses the Celebrate Recovery program or follow a different approach, you can find the help you need to live a sober life. From my experience and understanding, the reason why many people have a difficult time coming away from these programs/doctrines is because there is a spiritual bond(stronghold) that has taken place and it must be broken. Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT. Free Speech and Abortion Collide: Supreme Court Hears One of Its Biggest Cases of 2018, I Was the Proverbial, Drug-Fueled Rock and Roller, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest. AA/NA holds people in bondage, making them think they are free. 8,093 talking about this. To become truly sober, or sober-minded, is not just abstaining from toxic substances from the physical body, but also toxic doctrines from the mind/heart. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. When I was in CR (Celebrate Recovery) which I talk on within most of my post and testimony, is that God used me to bring His Light and truth to the darkness that both AA/CR have as a foundation. I know what you are implying with sin sickness as it has to do with things I already addressed in my blog and is a strong lie taught within AA/CR. There was initially some resistance, as I have witnessed with so many others, as this becomes a crucial point for many, as they take that step in obedience. However, as she began the meeting, she had decided for the other group leader to go first who was sitting to my left. The ouija board got moving in earnest. I had provided her some more truth concerning Rick Warren, but ultimately she did not understand what my purpose was there, and told me that I could not come back to Celebrate Recovery. People were healed and delivered from blindness, leprosy, epilepsy, demon-possession, sexual lusts and perversions, etc. Until a chance encounter with my moms old Bible opened my eyes. The Celebrate Recovery Bible on Kindle, iBooks and Nook are also approved curriculum. However, what is the true motive of this program, what is its foundation, and is it suitable for those who profess to be walking with Messiah? Right relation to God. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered ministry of discipleship and healing designed to help adults and families overcome different struggles in life as they grow together in a relationship with God. The ministry has also expanded to serve the incarcerated, as the program became adopted by state prison systems in New Mexico, California, and beyond. How should a Christian view addiction? How should a Christian view alcoholics? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? We will be held accountable for the truth that we were given, and at the expense of our flesh, rejected. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. At Saddleback, it became the top outreach ministry, with 70 percent of participants coming from outside the church. The lead woman was not there, and Yah instructed me where I needed to sit. Readiness to receive free gift lies in practice of Twelve Steps. 25 years ago, Saddleback Church launched Celebrate Recovery with 43 people. 8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. Start your new life now! Relation of humility to sobriety. You said, Why do we need 12 steps when the only step our Saviour has told us to do is repent and turn away from sin/evil. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival, After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, The Kings College Faces Threat of Closure, Southern Baptist Convention Disfellowships Saddleback Church, With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal. Jim, thank you for your comment. All rights reserved. To produce good fruit, a practice or program has to be sound in the word of God. Sign up for our newsletter: After the meeting was over, all the women left, did not say anything to me, just turned their backs and left. John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Just as those in Acts burned their magic arts, so should the Alateen/Alanon and AA books be destroyed. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Negative and positive thinking. With the knowledge above, of these steps, how can we then take Scripture to pile over it? This is what I did, as led by the Holy Spirit. A spiritual awakening or new state of consciousness are specific terms that are used within the New Age or occult. I say dont throw out the baby with the water. This is a dangerous form of denial. A person can not only be intoxicated physically, but also spiritually: Isa 29:9Pause and wonder! (KJV), 1 John 2:22Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? A.A. teaches that alcoholism is a disease for which there is no ultimate cure. This immediately goes against the first 2 of the 10 commandments, as it promotes the worship of any or all other gods, and idolatry(Ex 20:3-6). This is evident as you compare each step with the scriptures. (1) The Bible declares that drunkenness is a sin but those in Recovery believe it to be a disease. Too many churches judge them for who and what they are instead of trying to help them. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? 70 percent of the people that attend are not church members because they feel that the churches have let them down. Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Step Two is a rallying point to sanity. Gender-specific Groups meet for issues with anger, co-dependency, chemical addiction food addictions, sexual integrity, survivors of abuse, grief, and life issues. 35Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. It is so deceptive and the transforming supernatural power of the Holy Spirit is not acknowledged but rather working on the 12 steps and how the steps helps us get out of our hurts, habits, and hang ups. So, with my meetings with the woman I sponsored, I started out with repentance and I went through the 10 commandments, what sin is, and what it means to turn from sin. This was all completely orchestrated by Yah, and He even told me that I was going to be her sponsor before she asked, however I not knowing the truth about AA, or the 12 steps, I was a little confused with the strong caution and hesitation with not only AA, but the 12 steps. 1 Peter 1:13Therefore prepare your minds for action. Structured as an ongoing 52-week program, The Landing aims to help hurting teenagers get closer to Jesus as they learn key principles based on the Beatitudes to live a . Continued on with my story above, I started to attend Celebrate Recovery(CR), as prompted by the Spirit, even with the knowledge that it was a program that was directly tied to Rick Warren and Saddleback church: John Baker was an alcoholic and staff member of Saddleback Church who began healing through Alcoholics Anonymous. for the living to the dead?(KJV). I am glad that you found this blog edifying. Is Celebrate Recovery a biblically sound program? Staff was great, attentive to our needs and" more. You may want to celebrate any, or all, of the following milestones in recovery: (Don't celebrate too much here because you are VERY much at risk still for relapse in the early days of recovery. All those in A.A. are "recovering" alcoholics, who, according to A.A., never completely recover. Dangers of self-sufficiency. Any spiritual experience that is not vetted through the written word, and the Spirit of Truth, could lead a person down a path of destruction. So, I dont think we really have differing views on this, as you can be led into a church, program or group to share the truth of Gods Word, without necessarily being a partaker in it. Roadblocks of indifference and prejudice. During the worship time, I sat in the back reading my Word. Blind yourselves and be blind! This was a situation that I had never planned myself but was led through the Holy Spirit to go through and then lead others into the truths pertaining to these programs. My grandfather passed before I was born, so while I did not know him, I was told he was an alcoholic and was involved in AA. CR is for anyone with a hurt, habit or a hang up. I understand that people, even those like myself, have been helped through these programs, however, the ultimate purpose of these programs are to lead people to dependency on the program itself, which is why in the 12th step of the AA program it teaches to: 12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Joy of living is the theme of the Twelfth Step. Manny blessings, and I will be praying for you! Celebrate Recovery is credited with helping destigmatize addiction among evangelicals and opening the church up as a safer place for recovery. What followed was the fairly usual experienceit was a strange mlange of Aristotle, St. Francis, diverse archangels with odd names, deceased friendssome in purgatory and others doing nicely, thank you! I went on to expose AA and the 12-steps. In fact, there are many programs and practices that may appear to be beneficial to the mind and body, yet when we test those practices against the word of God, they are proven to be false. His whole purpose of me going there was to gain insight into these areas, help those who He placed across my path, and then expose and confront the lies of it. Compromise your own values and integrity to avoid . Now in over 35,000 churches. While your experiences, are your experiences, they should never override that of sound doctrine. Praise God for that revelation to you. Celebrate Recovery is a substance abuse recovery program based primarily on biblical teachings and the words and loving power of Jesus Christ. Celebrate Recovery is for adults 18 years and older. The phrase do not throw out the baby with the bathwater, with regards to programs and practices like AA/CR, is overriding several biblical commands to come away from such. Celebrate Recovery at Family Life Church is a Christ Centered program that uses valuable principles to help free us from the effects of our hurts, habits, and hang ups. Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. uses the 12 Steps and its 8 Principles (supposedly based upon the Beatitudes - acronym spells "recovery") 1. Its not my place to tell others what to do. Barb, thank you for commenting! Luke 12:47And that servant, which knew his lords will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 4 Download Celebrate Recovery and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. 36If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Your email address will not be published. My faith was empowered, as I knew it was my time to speak His Words. (KJV), Leviticus 20:6And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Are extremely loyal, remaining in harmful situations too long. Meditate on this Scripture passage, and allow the Holy Spirit to bolden your faith and courage in Him to speak the truth: Joshua 1:9Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? $5.16 shipping. So, now what about the 12 steps? The Scriptures make it quite clear that these practices are contrary to the way of the Lord(YHWH). Many coming into AA are ready for a change in life spiritually; its a great harvest ground. TSF is the law of the land. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Eventually Baker considered himself a functioning alcoholic, turning his back on God and separating from his wife. So before I continue on with my story, I would like to go through some areas of AA. Contemplative prayer, and other eastern meditation practices were, and are still very much part of AA. Self-righteousness. Many of these events are documented in the books of the history of AA, as well as Wilsons official A.A. biography. We have also been to Indonesia twice . We have all been lied to or deceived on some level or another, however once we know the truth, we are held accountable and can no longer hide under the mercy of the Father while we were in ignorance. None of these women, spoke to me again, nor did I ever go back to Celebrate Recovery, as my assignment there was done. Your First Step to Celebrate Recovery: How God Can Heal Your Life by John Baker. This program is being run at my home church and I love the church (Biblical teaching) and dont want it to feel awkward. Both alcohol and drugs impair judgment and control of the body. We are all broken and in need of a Saviour; my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,. This is why I had thrown away the Blue Book, as well as an Alateen book I had aquired when I was younger. That is what is so amazing about God. This is my concern also for you, in that you are highly esteeming a program over that of the Word, which is the same spirit that I encountered while attending my last day of CR. Galatians 6:1. 9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Most people cannot stay sober or clean or free from any perversion for more than six months on average, only to "go back out". For more info click on church name after choosing a province or territory. A person could choose Buddha, Allah, Shati, Satan, as well as AA itself. Step 12, not only speaks of New Age enlightenment, but blasphemes the true free gift, that of salvation, as well as the responsibility for a believer to share and take the gospel message to all, not the AA message. It reminds me of a favorite passage of mine: Hebrews 11:25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 3525 /nph (be sober, unintoxicated) refers to having presence of mind (clear judgment), enabling someone to be temperate (self-controlled). I began slowly and shared about the woman Yah first had me sponsor, and I recited Acts 2:38, and I went through the 10 Commandments, and what sin is, and what repentance is. People who have experienced this deep form of sin sickness God has used and helped people through these programs. Celebrate Recovery is simply AA but with a disguise of a false light, a false gospel and a false Jesus. I was informed that the lead woman of the group would not be there(the same one who had pulled me aside), and that I would be speaking first when the group began. Once we have knowledge of the truth, then we are held accountable to that truth. (Heb 10:26) God has grace and mercy for us when we are being led in ignorance, yet we are held to a higher standard when the truth of a matter is presented to us. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." We've been talking the last seven weeks about coming out of the dark, exposing our problems to the light of God's love, and . Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. The Danger of Teaching Information Without Application By Rick Warren I believe the number one problem with preaching in America is its lack of application. One of the worst things that an individual can do in early recovery is jump headfirst into romance. I also would not introduce myself as a recovering alcoholic, but rather a recovered alcoholic, as to speak the former would be a lie against the work of the Holy Spirit in my life (1 Cor 6:9-11). The Dangers of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and Celebrate Recovery. Defiance is an out standing characteristic of alcoholics. Once a person has repented, turning from sin, they are no longer defined by that sin, but rather are set free, and become a new creation: 1 Cor 6:9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? I also believe in the deliverence of it. We must be a willing vessel to share the truth with others, even at the cost of suffering, for if we dont, then we are not picking up our cross. As such, the potential for a relapse to occur is very high. I believe sin is a sicknesses. These first three steps of the 12, undermine the gospel, and allow an individual to accept whatever higher power they choose. Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous. Mental obsession plus physical allergy. The group leader has been through step studies multiple times and still struggles with her problems. Dependence as a means to independence. A.A. does not demand belief; Twelve Steps are only suggestions. It is for people with hurts, habits and hangups they simply cannot overcome in their own strength. Lets help and love others walking in the calling he has for each of us individually not judging others and glorifying God, my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ in the process.
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