Tonight I attended a new group that started at our church called Celebrate Recovery. It's based on the original 12 step program that was started in 1935 by 2 men. The secular groups, such as AA, etc. leave out something that the creators included - the Biblical references that each step is based on. From what I saw tonight, it's going to be a wonderful thing for me personally and for our church.
I don't drink to excess or use drugs or gamble. When I first heard of this group I thought, "that's nice, but it's not for me." The last 2 Sundays, our preacher has preached on some of the principles, and there have been a couple of amazing testimonies from some people who have been through the program. The more I heard, the more I was drawn to it.
The program talks about dealing with our "hang-ups, habits and hurts". (At least, I think those were the words...it's almost 2 in the morning & I can't sleep!) As an adult child of an alcoholic, I know I carry a lot of old baggage.
One thing struck me funny. There are 5 rules for small group interaction. One is that we are there to support each other and not try to fix anyone. When we went around the room and introduced ourselves and told why we were there, I said my problem was one of the rules - I want to fix the problems of others.
I also find it very interesting that I decided to get off of Cymbalta just about the time the focus of the weekly services became recovery. I didn't know that in advance, but find it amazing that suddenly I'm in a place where I can feel again, and lo & behold, this program is offered. Hmmm, maybe a God-thing?
I'll keep you posted!
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Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. ~Paul Tillich
Attending recovery groups and reading books about recovery from addictions are GREAT! Many have helped me to deal with the personal problems of my past, as well as deal with some of my habits and addictions. You learn to grow as a Christian from seeing how others have dealt with their problems with substance abuse and other addictions.
Please continue to attend meetings and share with us what you learn!
i tried to go to aadac awhile back to help with my drinking, and the person i was assigned to was more concerned with what led to my drinking than actually supporting the fact that i just was trying to quit. which was a turn off for me, lol, as you all know iam not a talker, if i had wanted her to know my sorrid lifes story i would of shared that, as it was i just wanted extra back up for not turning to the suds for a quick fix.
needless to say i quit going....so yeah if you could share what you learn that would be cool, not that i have returned to the drinking to cure all lifes problems mind set, its always going to be there, so i would take from you easier than i would that bone head at aadac!
shelly
p.s sorry about the ramble, you may have guessed i am on night shift again.
I haven't updated you on Celebrate Recovery in a while. I did not attend the meeting last week, but this week's meeting was very good. The focus this week was "powerless". The first of the Celebrate Recovery 8 Principles is "Realize I'm not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor."
In our small group, we discussed the first 3 letters of "powerless". Celebrate Recovery is big on acrostics. So we discussed pride, the "only if's", worrying. I don't feel like I've had any major break throughs. Or even minor ones. But I still feel so drawn to the meetings.
The cutest thing is a young man who sings in the band. He is the son of one of the most awesome men that goes to our church. His dad is in the band, as well as in several other bands, and is in charge of the youth band. This young man, Chris, is a little younger than Alan and we have known him for several years. He plays the bass guitar and leads some of the songs. But he can't carry a tune in a bucket!! It's like putting a microphone on me!!! Sometimes it's downright painful! But I LOVE the fact that he's there doing it! He is singing God's praises, and playing the bass, and showing the world that he loves God. It makes my heart happy!
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Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. ~Paul Tillich
Update time. Tonight's meeting was small, but powerful. The focus was Hope. We talked about Principle 2: Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4; and Step 2: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Phil. 2:13.
The acrostic for hope is: Higher Power, Openness to change, Power to change, and Expect to change. The leader said a couple of things that were worth jotting down. He said, "Some people believe their doubts and doubt their beliefs." And "my life without Christ is a hopeless end, but a life with Christ is an endless hope."
There were only 5 women in our small group, but, oh my gosh, it was powerful. I think we are getting passed the superficial stuff and down to the pain. On October 19th, we'll start a Step Study, where we will really get down to the bone! I can't decide if I'm looking forward to it or not! I imagine there will be a lot of baring of the soul. Not sure I can do that.
I did share about my obsession tonight. I think all of you that read this know what I'm talking about. It's so funny (in a God way) how this program came along when it did in my life. I'm learning how skewed my understanding is. One of the women said, "We all know the Golden Rule, but the Platinum Rule is 'do unto others as they would have you do unto them.'" Man, I wish I had learned that lesson about 16 months ago!!!
I'm also learning how many other women struggle with issues of control. I wonder if that's a female thing... Do you guys try to control everything & everyone around you?
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Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. ~Paul Tillich
I once had really bad "control issues". In my Sunday School class, I would find something in the Sunday School book that I didn't want to teach, so I would go and teach from out of something else and throw the book away. THAT was REALLY stupid!
The only way that you can get rid of your controlling nature is to surrender it unto Christ: "Come unto me all of you who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For MY YOKE is easy, and MY BURDEN is light." When we come to Christ, like a couple of oxen that is sharing a yoke, He comes alongside us and we share our burdens with Him, while He lays upon us all that we need to live for Him, knowing that He won't put ANYTHING upon us that is too much for us to handle without Him.
THAT was REALLY stupid!
