Celebrate Recovery Blog

"Thanks for the memories!" I remember this saying from somewhere in my childhood, whether it was a TV show or something my folks said, I don't know.  I do remember that it was said with a certain amount of sadness. It was almost like things would never be that good again.

 Well, not this time!  After leaving the Summit, when I say "Thanks for the memories", I say it with an attitude of gratefulness. Gratitude that stems from the belief that the memories made this past week were memories that will be talked about in our Eternal Home.

While sitting on the plane heading to our earthly home, I am reflecting on the relationships we made this week. Relationships that will strengthen us as we go out to all the different destinations our Father has placed us.

One of my first thoughts is, "Why can't we all just live a little closer together?" But it doesn't take me long to realize why. We are all on an eternal mission in our temporary homes. God, our Father, is sending us on a mission to change eternity.  He is counting on us to share with those He places in our paths, sharing with one more person the hope we've found in Jesus Christ.

He is counting on us to share with those He places in our paths.  Sharing with one person at a time that He has a plan for their lives too. A plan to deliver hope for those whose lives seem hopeless.  A plan to deliver relief to those who are in pain.  A plan to give strength to those who are burdened down by life.  And a plan to show others that they too can be part of the family that will live forever.

For some reason, at times, it seems comical or insane to me that He chose us to be His ambassadors! Broken vessels, that to most of the world, would've been branded useless and thrown out.  But not our Father!  He would not only accept us but clean us up and allow us to be part of a movement that would change the world and in doing so change eternity .

I am humbled as I realized I was in the presence of so much royalty this past week!  That's right, sons and daughters of the King!  And now as He sends us out, it is as though He is speaking  through us.  

"God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you."  II Corinthians 5:19-20 (MSG)

Let me know how you and your Celebrate Recovery groups are getting the word out and letting others know that they can have a fresh start and become friends with God too.

Your brother,

Mac

Mary and I have been on the road visiting with many of you at One Day seminars so I've been a little slack on my blog.  Thanks for the encouragement to get busy with a new post.

In I Cor. 15 1-3 Paul tells us he wants to remind us of the gospel. He would go on to say it is of first importance! Now it seems almost a little strange that Paul would have to remind us of what should be number one in our lives.  But it was really a reminder to me not to get so busy that I forget what is most important.

I was reminded of that today at Sunday lunch, Mother's Day. We had a big family meal with blood family and CR forever family. The smell of freshly baked rolls, glazed ham, corn casserole (Marnie's recipe) and purple hull peas filled the room. And as I took in the aroma of what promised to be a great lunch, I looked around the room and realized what was really important, relationships.  It would have been much easier to get drive through, come home, and take a nap.  Then I would've missed hearing the laughter of my family and the talk that went around the dinner table.  By having fun and fellowship with my family I was investing in my future as well as theirs.

What does that have to do with being the "A" Coach?  Well, let's see, besides our blood family. we invited a single dad with a 1 year old son who has only been in CR 6 months and is working hard to make good decisions. Another man invited takes care of his invalid brother who has been with us since we started CR.  When he first got here, he was illiterate. Since getting into recovery he has learned to read.  I will never forget the day he stood before our congregation and read Matt. 6:28-34 where God says,  "Live one day at a time." You could've heard a pin drop as tears streamed down the faces of his new family. These are men who now know they are a part of our family because family share meals together.

Paul and Peter both would tell us we need to practice hospitality (I Peter 4:8-10, Romans 12:12-14). So reflecting on what they said, if it is something I need to practice, it's probably not something that comes naturally. And one of the benefits we receive is the men and women we share meals with tend to stay plugged in.

At a time when Jesus' apostles were ready to scatter after his death, he found them in a locked house and simply appeared in the room. Now there are a lot of questions Jesus could've asked but his first question was, "What's for supper?" Their response, "Broiled fish." Jesus replied, "Good, let's eat together." After sharing this meal the apostles took the world by storm not letting anything hold them back!

A shared meal lets people in your ministry know that they are valuable and are a part of instead of a part from. This account is found in Luke 24 check it out.

Besides sharing meals in our home we have other fellowship events to get the word out about Celebrate Recovery. Like our annual CR in the Park where over 1000 people showed up.  I'll tell you more about that one next time we are together.

Let me know what's working for you.

Peace,

Mac

I promised last time we talked I would describe to you what my favorite night of the month looked like, CR leaders' meeting. It is the one night a month I get to be with people who share the same common goal.  The goal of finding the most effective ways to reach out to people with hurts, hang-ups, and habits.

So without wasting anytime I will give you our agenda for last Thursday:

6:30-7:00  Pot luck dinner (my favorite part)  And, Man, do we have some good cooks!  I even have a few pretty good Louisiana specialties myself.

7:00-7:10  Opening prayer and praise song 

7:10-8:10   Address agenda items:

1.  We wrote "love-o-grams" to a Celebrate Recovery family whose house burned down.  This is a great way to begin our meeting with an outward focus.

2.  During our church remodeling right now, Frank is the new CR "Chairman" over the chair moving committee.  He will enlist others to serve in this area.  We then addressed housekeeping needs, such as, which classes would have to be relocated and how all of us would do this with a smile and enthusiasm.

3.  Discussed CR in the Park:  This is an annual fellowship event with no teaching.  Just great fun between all our local CRs and recovery houses.  Last year we fed over 500 people and we exposed members of the community to what fun CR is.  We're expecting a great turn out again this year.  And I will tell you more about it after April 18th.

4.  Update on recovery house:  We opened our first recovery house, not across town, but on our own church campus this past month.  We discussed how we can be the most effective in ministering to these men.

5.  CRI update:  78 men will graduate in the second wave of Step Studies at a local prison on March 25th! The graduation will be open to anyone who wants to attend from our local CRs.

6.  Encourager Coach notes:  We complied a list of all who have donated to the recovery house to mail them thank-you cards.

7.  Extra Mile Award:  We gave a $25 gas card to the person who has went above and beyond this past month in CR service.

8:10-8:30  Devotional by Ministry Leader Apprentice

Josh told a powerful story from Purpose Driven magazine about a man who gave his kidney to someone he met in small group.  I would love to share the whole story with you but the point boils down to CR is successful because we choose the "Get To" attitude!

Closed out with this verse:

"I have been crucified with Christ.  I no longer live but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself up for me."  (Gal. 2:20)

Leaders' meetings are a great way to set your group up for success!

Peace,

Mac