Testimony

They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.  ~ Revelation 12:11

One of the awesome things about Celebrate Recovery is seeing how God can take the messes that we make in our lives and turn them around for His glory.  For a long time, I felt like I needed to keep all the junk from my past hidden, to keep up a good image.  In Celebrate Recovery I learned that not only can God bring healing to my life, but He can then use the story of that healing to give hope to others.  By sharing what God has done in our lives and how He has changed us, we show others the grace and love of God.  Every believer has a testimony, a story of where God has brought us from and what He is doing in our lives now.  God wants to use your story to demonstrate His love to others!  

One thing we shared at the servants' meeting last week is that we plan to have testimonies being shared frequently when we start up the large group Celebrate Recovery.  If you have worked through the principles of the Celebrate Recovery program and have completed a spiritual inventory, consider beginning to write out your testimony.  Feel free to comment on this post or talk with one of us with questions or comments!  Thanks and God bless!

Why Celebrate Recovery?

What exactly is Celebrate Recovery?  What is so different about Celebrate Recovery?  Why should I give Celebrate Recovery a chance?

As you have heard the announcements about the upcoming launch of Celebrate Recovery in September, you might be asking yourself some or all of these questions.  Or maybe you know someone who has questions like these.  So let's tackle these one at a time.

What exactly is Celebrate Recovery?
Celebrate Recovery is many things.  It is a safe place to experience the power of Jesus in overcoming your hurts, habits, and hang-ups.  It is a biblical program that draws you closer to the Lord.  Celebrate Recovery is also a place to build community and raise up leaders.  It's not a program that you complete and then are "recovered" . . . it's a lifestyle of submitting to Jesus and seeking to follow His will for your life!

What is so different about Celebrate Recovery?
The defining characteristic of Celebrate Recovery is that Jesus Christ is our Higher Power.  Not one of the higher powers, or an option for a higher power . . . He is the Higher Power.  Celebrate Recovery is not simply about sobriety or staying away from dysfunctional behavior patterns.  It is about getting closer to the Lord!  Celebrate Recovery is not just for one particular problem, like drug or alcohol addiction.  Celebrate Recovery is for anyone with any hurts, habits, or hang-ups.  In other words, pretty much everyone can benefit!!

Why should I give Celebrate Recovery a chance?
Maybe you are feeling unsure about Celebrate Recovery.  Perhaps you are questioning whether you "need" it, or wondering if your particular hurt, habit or hang-up "qualifies" you for Celebrate Recovery.  Quite honestly, everyone can get something out of Celebrate Recovery.  After all, wouldn't we all like to get a closer and deeper relationship with Jesus?  Maybe you or someone you know is thinking about trying Celebrate Recovery, but are feeling discouraged because nothing else has worked in overcoming your hurts, habits, or hang-ups.  Please consider giving Celebrate Recovery a chance.  Jesus is the only one who can really bring freedom and recovery in our lives; even if nothing else has worked for you in the past, Jesus is ready and waiting to bring healing, comfort, and freedom!

If you are interested in serving in any way, shape, or form in Celebrate Recovery, come to our Servants' Meetings the last Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel.  Hope to see you there!