The Power of a Thank You!

Summer has certainly hit us hard here in the South, with temperatures well over 100 degrees for the past week!  We can't seem to water the grass enough to keep it green and indoors is the preferable location to be most of the day. Daily, I find myself praying for rain for our drought stricken area and watching the skies for some dark clouds that might hold some drops of moisture.

But, something else has been on my mind these past few days. I have been prayerfully pondering gratitude and its effect on those around us! A simple "Thank You" is so powerful and so necessary! Is it a part of your daily vocabulary as an E Coach or Leader in Celebrate Recovery?

There are many places that the word THANKS can be used. It certainly is a vital part of our prayer life.  We should give thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on a regular basis.  We have so much to be thankful for.  We are truly blessed. Thanking our God in prayer for even little things that he blesses us with will bless Him in return! I believe the scripture reads, In everything, give thanks!" (I Thes. 5:18) (NIV) One of my favorite songs says "Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks for what He's given - Jesus Christ."

Scripture also speaks of edifying the body of Christ in Ephesians 4:12. What can we do to build up the body of Christ, and more specifically our Celebrate Recovery Leaders? It begins with a simple "Thank You".  

Thank You helps a person feel recognized and appreciated.  It gives them and what they do value. It is not enough to feel appreciative towards others, but to express those sentiments is important!

Celebrate Recovery has had a lot of recent promotion about the "we get to" do this ministry, a powerful positive and motivating thought!  I want to be the first to say Thank You for doing what you do, wherever you are.  I THANK GOD that He has called you and set you apart for His good purposes. Be blessed in your ministry as you bless others with appreciation!

See you at the Summit!

Paula

 

FACEBOOK - The Place to Connect with the CR National Facebook Page

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog about Facebook and the possibilities for networking via this popular tool!  I also posted some warnings about security while using Facebook.  I continue to be amazed at the number of folks using this ever growing media to connect and network about Celebrate Recovery and share their lives, changed lives. 

Mac Owen, our National Assimulation Coach, wrote a blog about the networking successes he has personally witnessed via Facebook and the numbers of folks showing up at his local CR because of Facebook conversations or connections.  Wow, God can use anything in a big way, if we just invite Him to do something miraculous!  That is what we are seeing, God at work as we connect with friends and family. Go God!

I want to encourage you to connect with us on the National Celebrate Recovery Facebook page. The National Team is using it as another means to keep people informed about what is happening across the country.  It is so inspiring to read the reports of individual ministries and also uplifting to read the testimonies of individuals who have posted sobriety dates.  Others offer words of encouragement to the readers. 

There is also an increased  presence of state, regional and individual Celebrate Recovery pages. Pages have been started by various individuals wanting to connect with smaller and more specific audiences.  Some are using it to connect with just the leaders in their ministry and others to network ministries in larger cities or even states.  How exciting that we can encourage one another in so many ways.

Well, I hope you can tell that I am excited about the wave that Facebook is creating in and of itself.  Remember to keep the confidentiality when sharing information.  Facebook is not the place for deep sharing, but a place of social connection.  

God bless each of you as you begin your week!

Paula 

Thanks To All Of The Celebrate Recovery State Reps For All That You Do!

This has been a season for Celebrate Recovery State Rep Regional Team Meetings.  The six different regions in the United States meet each Spring to learn, grow and fellowship together! Each area has scheduled a weekend to gather together for their annual meeting.

These meetings are inspirational as the State Reps share their lives and ministries with the others in their area of the country. There is a great deal of discussion as to how to better serve the Celebrate Recovery community as the ministry of Celebrate Recovery continues to grow and expand in our nation. 

Folks, the State Reps are volunteers with a passion for this ministry! They give of their time and talents and experience to advance the cause of Celebrate Recovery! They are there to help you grow and mature your ministry according to the model! 

During this busy season of regional meetings, the National Team would like to say "Thank You" to each State Rep for their time and service! You do an awesome job and your hard work daily increases and advances the cause of CR. Thank you for all you do!

Ministry Leaders, if you have never met or talked with your State Rep, please give them a call and let them know about you and your ministry! They would love to hear from you! If there is a scheduled Celebrate Recovery One Day Conference in your area, what a great time to meet Your State Rep! They will ALL be at the Summit in August! Regional tents are provided for connection time with the State Reps during this three day gathering!  

By the way, have you reserved your spot at the Summit? 

Have a blessed week!

Paula  

The Celebrate Recovery Encourager Coach

I spent this weekend at the Celebrate Recovery One Day Seminar in the New Orleans area, in Metarie, Louisiana.  Many thanks to Celebration Church and to our Church Host, Ruth.  Ruth has now hosted a One Day Seminar for five years in a row. What a trooper!

During the One Day Conference on Saturday, a woman, who is the Encourager Coach on a local T.E.A.M., approached me.  She was wondering what she should be doing in her position. We talked about the fact that she seems to be "wired" for the position, or a natural fit. As we visited, she shared that she had been encouraging the leaders in her local ministry with cards and scriptures. Good job! She asked where she could get more information about the Encourager position. 

Located on this blog, in the archives, are Encourager Coach blogs, which have been saved over the last two years. In these blogs, you will find the Encourager Coach job description, along with many notes about your role in this very important position. You can even print them out and make a notebook, if you wish.  It is a valuable resource for your personal development in the role, for ideas for fellowship, and for clarification on many questions you may have. 

Also, please note that the Celebrate Recovery Summit in August is an excellent resource for the T.E.A.M. roles. Last year, we had over 300 Encourager Coaches and potential E Coaches gather together to share. What an awesome time!

Once again, feel free to send to send any other questions that you may have.  A comment resource is provided for you in the right hand column of this blog. John and I will try to answer pertinent questions in this blog as time allows. 

Happy printing! ........and keep on encouraging.

Bless you and your ministry,

Paula  

Make the Most of Your Moments with Celebrate Recovery Leaders

Jim and I just returned from a wonderful Celebrate Recovery One Day Conference at Christ's Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Many thanks to those who hosted us and to the many who labored in love with us to make this conference a success!

Everywhere the CR team goes, we find time to enjoy those little moments we have together and with the CR Leaders who host us! I have never been with a group who can cram so much activity into just three days. We work hard, but find time to enjoy some time together.

In my last blog, I shared the idea of a cupcake party. Have you noticed more cupcake shops in your area? I was inspired to buy cupcakes for Valentine's Day presents. Yum!

My latest new experience was a fudge tasting party. One of our team members purchased four different varieties of fudge from a local shop and declared a party. Tasting the varieties of fudge became the closing fanfare after a very long day! Have you ever witnessed the unveiling of a new car, a new outfit being modeled? Well, there was the fanfare of the fudge unveiling. Some fudge, a cup of tea or coffee, and lots of conversation resulted in a relaxing fellowship time!

You know what? Life is serious and sometimes very hard. Find time to laugh and enjoy those little moments with others. It helps to keep life balanced!

Be blessed in this day and don't forget to smile!

Paula