Celebrate Recovery: Went to my first meeting

[SDG]

Just got back from Sugar Land Family Church, pastor Nathan Keller, and a sister to church to the Grace Church of Humble, pastored by the Jones brothers.

They have a small group support program called Celebrate Recovery -click on the link to learn more.

It's a Christ-centered support group for those dealing w/ hurt, hangups, and/or addictions. The curriculum comes from Rick Warren's Saddleback Church ... and WOW!!! I was blessed tonight. It offers practical biblical solutions to dealing w/ the trauma we all experience in this thing called LIFE.

The leader of the group is a recovering addict ... but the people there were dealing w/ a slew of issues. It's really well-thought out ... and allowed me to share some of the hurt I've experienced in the last year and half.

I will be going back next Wednesday ...

Here is just a snippet of what Celebrate Recovery is all about.

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Eight Recovery Principles
based on the BEATITUDES

by Pastor Rick Warren

R= Principle 1 -
Realize I'm not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.

"Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor"
E= 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"
C= Principle 3 -
Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.

"Happy are the meek"
O= Principle 4 -
Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to someone I trust.

"Happy are the pure in heart"
V= Principle 5 -
Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.

"Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires"
E= Principle 6 -
Evaluate all my relationships; Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done to others except when to do so would harm them or others.

"Happy are the merciful" "Happy are the peacemakers"
R= Principle 7 -
Reserve a daily time with God for self examination, Bible readings and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.
Y= Principle 8 -
Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.

"Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires"