a sermon that goes along with our Celebrate recovery ministry, covering the different steps. His whole purpose of me going there was to gain insight into these areas, help those who He placed across my path, and then expose and confront the lies of it. Quoting from my blog: Many seem to believe that as long as something appears good, and that someone is helped that it must be of God, when this is simply not true; while He can draw His own creation to Him, in whatever circumstance they are in, this does not mean that it is His perfect will for them to continue on in what they are doing or involved in. So, I was immediately led to Acts 2:38, and the Spirit had me to start at repentance. 3. Galatians 6:1. John touched more people with the healing power and grace of Jesus Christ than anyone else that I have ever known personally and one of those lives was mine, wrote Celebrate Recoverys national director and national training coach Mac and Mary Owen. Once the flesh is crucified it will no longer desire it. Jesus said He came to bring a sword, not peace (Mat 10:34), this means that truth will divide, and the outcome may not be peaceful because of offense. Other than that they all denied Him, and His Word, and praised the 12-step program, based upon AA. I did not continue on with AA, and I am thankful for that. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered ministry of discipleship and healing designed to help adults and families overcome different struggles in life as they grow together in a relationship with God. This is why it is so important to know who we are listening to when it comes to worship music, and where that music is originating from. I was not her sponsor for too much longer after that, as Father had other plans for me, and later led me to go to a program called Celebrate Recovery. Like you mentioned, allowing God to guide you away from false teachings. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. Many of these events are documented in the books of the history of AA, as well as Wilsons official A.A. biography. Life's problems can be stumbling blocks or stepping stones. Before I go further, I want to share something on this topic. We will all stand before the judgement seat of the Lord, and give an account of our lives. Needless to say, CR has had a major influence on the church. Both founders, Bill Wilson, and Bob Smith were heavily involved in practicing necromancy, performing seances, using the Ouija board, seeking spirits, and allowing a practice in the occult called automatic writing. Dangers of self-sufficiency. Through much prayer, and acquiring the Fathers will, the Spirit instructed me when I needed to go back, to finish what He had begun in me. The Dangers of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and Celebrate Recovery. Jim, thank you for your comment. His whole purpose of me going there was to gain insight into these areas, help those who He placed across my path, and then expose and confront the lies of it. Celebrate Recovery founder John Baker, who turned his testimony recovering from alcoholism into a biblical 12-step program used by more than 7 million people, died unexpectedly on Tuesday at age 72. The Scriptures make it quite clear that these practices are contrary to the way of the Lord(YHWH). (RNS) John Baker, co-founder of Celebrate Recovery, an evangelical support group that helps people with "hurts, hangups and habits," has died. 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.(KJV). I was never once told that it was a sin. 3525 nph properly, to be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free from illusion, i.e. However, what is the true motive of this program, what is its foundation, and is it suitable for those who profess to be walking with Messiah? The one woman though, who had praised Jesus, wanted me to stay and chat with her for a little while. Also, during this time, I was able to minister to quite a few women, and also became a sponsor.. Isnt God sovereign? While also providing a witness and a rebuke to the women leaders or the womens group, as it was preaching different gospel, and a different Jesus/Yeshua.. There were many practices/beliefs that I was led to not partake in. Gender-specific Groups meet for issues with anger, co-dependency, chemical addiction food addictions, sexual integrity, survivors of abuse, grief, and life issues. 10h 30m. I would like to also share a few things if you will so allow me.. They have been talking up the step study lately and there is pressure to join. The group leader has been through step studies multiple times and still struggles with her problems. 314-607-8165. Those who profess to be a believer in Jesus/Yeshua should repent of any and all involvement, and get rid of any material associated, to include: books, chips, manuals, etc. Jesus must be rescued from a pedestrian and parochial orthodoxy that demands he monopolize the deity.. Thank you for your obedience. This is why it is so important to know who we are listening to when it comes to worship music, and where that music is originating from. Now in over 35,000 churches. If there is darkness in the AA program leading people astray, what better place to set up a lamp stand? Creation of C.R. In my mens small group I couldnt talk about my struggle, and at AA, I couldnt talk about my Savior, since the program speaks in more secular terms about a Higher Power, he told CT in 2016. BE SOBER-MINDED. (2 Cor 11:4-13), No where in the Bible does it say to go through a 12 step program to recovery, starting off with Accepting a Higher Power, but rather: Repent, be baptized for the remission of sins(Acts 2:38) and You shall have NO other gods before Me(Ex. And it really goes back to occultism, to Eastern mysticism, and so on.In a 12-Steps program, would it be AA, or some derivation of it within the church, you have not psychotherapists running these programs, but you have basically those who are in recovery.Now, as you said, I went through Celebrate Recovery, which is Rick Warren's program that . Email vriggins@graceclarksville.com. Romantic relationships can be a great source of happiness in sobriety, but they can also be the source of great pain. What partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Ive been attending CR (and volunteering on the welcome team ) for about a year. 11AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.(KJV). It was still a deep tissue massage, which helped me to relax, and relive my sore muscles, however, I was engaging in a practice that is contrary to biblical practices. 1 Cor 6:9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? At Landmark Recovery, we are happy to help you find a support system that meshes with your belief system. You bring up several great points, ones that I became very familiar with while attending the program. (KJV), John 10:7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. I do believe reaching others, Addicts, Alcoholics and whom so ever will through the church is the area of your calling. We have all been lied to or deceived on some level or another, however once we know the truth, we are held accountable and can no longer hide under the mercy of the Father while we were in ignorance. As they had all turned their backs on Yeshua/Jesus and His Word, they then had no problem turning their back on me. Contemplative prayer, and other eastern meditation practices were, and are still very much part of AA. We have also been to Indonesia twice . The actual definition given to Sober-minded means to abstain from wine. His moral teaching-most excellent. If so, then I challenge you to put your emotions aside from the program, and dig into the Word. The program seems to tip-toe around sin and evil instead of calling it out as such. Once a person has repented, turning from sin, they are no longer defined by that sin, but rather are set free, and become a new creation: 1 Cor 6:9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Any spiritual experience that is not vetted through the written word, and the Spirit of Truth, could lead a person down a path of destruction. Until a chance encounter with my moms old Bible opened my eyes. A new state of consciousness and being is received as a free gift. | We have Graphic Designers to assist you | service@banners.com 1.866.419.SIGN. I know several people who were addicts and now can occasionally partake in rare occasions because they no longer want the life they had before . There is nothing greater than the blood of the Lamb, the true Creator of the Heavens of the earth, and the King of Kings Lord of Lords, Yeshua. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. Just as those in Acts burned their magic arts, so should the Alateen/Alanon and AA books be destroyed. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! First Unitarian Universalist Church & Center. With the knowledge above, of these steps, how can we then take Scripture to pile over it? What is spiritual awakening? I have yet to meet an alcoholic who can not relate to Proverbs 23:29-35 no matter what they believe in; its a great introduction for a drunk to the Word of God. In some ways I understand and even believe what you say. As a result, people often walk out of worship services with their lives unchanged. The magnificent reality. Even the very symbol that is used on the AA book is very occultic, as seen from the pictures provided. It's important to realize relapse is more of a process as opposed to a mere lapse in judgment. And He came to set the captives free! It is a tactic of the enemy within the thoughts of men to say well, how can this be bad, if I have seen good in it. Because even darkness can appear as something good, that is why Eve took a bite of the forbidden fruit. Life after the Military does not always make sense. Giving that asks no reward. My KJV Bible is all I need in this life plus my brothers and sisters in Christ. A. Celebrate Recovery meetings rarely focus on the fact that continuing to drink can result in death. Contact: Bob & Pam Bay. "This is a great place to hold an event. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. 7Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD(YHWH) your God. However, I have a slightly different view. Thank you, Patty for sharing your thoughts and comment on this matter. (Mat 16:19-20). Celebrate Recovery (CR) meets at 6 p.m. Saturdays at Good Shepherd Church, 2341 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, featuring dinner, a big meeting and small open share groups. Step Two is a rallying point to sanity. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? Misuse of willpower. Celebrate Recovery gives the support and love that so many churches fail at. This tried and proven recovery system uses the traditional methods of issue groups, sponsors, accountability partners, and community to build recovery for those struggling with addictive habits, codependency, childhood hurts, and other life experiences that affect our peace. Do not ask others to meet your needs or desires. Yeshua is still in the healing and deliverance ministry. Call us today at 800-256-3490 to begin your journey. It becomes an addiction because the flesh craves it. I am a new creation in Christ and have left a lot behind, but this program keeps digging it back up and putting it in my face. Being a light, means exposing the darkness, not partaking in it, otherwise that light itself would become dark: Luke 11:33No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. If you chose to eat ten candy bars every day and to never brush your teeth, they would start rotting out. So, I kid you not, this woman looks at me, dead in the eye and says no, I think that Kellie should go first, I think she has something important to say. And Love indeed had a pricethe price that Yeshua paid with His own life. Or perhaps a sort of alternative that is more Christ centered such as Celebrate Recovery? I also know many who have never even tempted themselves ever again. Recognizing these dangers will help you avoid a possible problem in the future. From that point forward, I was actually prohibited from bringing or reading my Bible in the group. Colossians 2:8 states: "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the . This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son. We all need to be encouraged from time to time, and I am thankful that this has helped you to be able to make some difficult decisions. Instead, they have turned to unconventional and esoteric sources in the hopes of finding what they seek in the ambiance of the mystical, magical and metaphysical.1 Given these tendencies, the Jesus of orthodox Christianity may seem inadequate. It is for people with hurts, habits and hangups they simply cannot overcome in their own strength. So if I forgive God, then that makes Him limited and also makes mistakes? Ebony, thank you for taking the time to share that with me. nph: to be sober, to abstain from wine. Is Celebrate Recovery a biblical program? We are here for you online 24/7! Happy are those who know they are spiritutally poor. Lost faith found in A.A. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. AA is just another false religion, trying to go in another way: We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired(Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, pg. Michelle, thank you for your thoughts and I am glad that you took time to read this. Moving forward to my last few months at CR, Yah had revealed to me the full truth surrounding AA, as well as the foundation that Celebrate Recovery was built upon. The messiness of addiction is too much for many churches to handle. Also, by their fruits you shall know people. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. I will also provide links at the very end, that I found helpful while doing my own research, that may help you as well. Just as I am whereever I am. Thirty years ago John Baker turned the ruins of his life over to Jesus Christ and God transformed him from a driven businessman with an addiction to alcohol, a failing marriage, and alienated children to a Christ-follower with a passion to help others with their hurts, habits, and hang-ups through the principles of recovery, wrote Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church and a mental health advocate. Both were heavily involved in the occult, and many of the practices that were endorsed in Oxford Group, continued on with the establishment of AA. We are all broken and in need of a Saviour; my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,. I also, have experienced Gods grace and mercy through the Holy Spirit through some churches I have encountered that was amazing. The Bible tells us to hate sin and evil, to cut it out of our life. I fully agree! Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Dangers of Celebratory Occasions in Recovery Most people in recovery will be prepared for their sobriety to be tested when times are hard. We are also told to test the spirits (1 Joh 4:1) as not all things that outwardly manifest as good or righteous will be so. It was not until a few years ago that I really started to know the truth about AA, as well as other recovery groups with a foundation in AA, that even profess to be Christian alternatives. How should a Christian view alcoholics? Pastor John was never content just to save souls. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! According to the Scriptures Alcoholism is defined as drunkeness, so if you profess to be an alcoholic, or once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, then you are stating to be a perpetual drunkard. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.. The phrase do not throw out the baby with the bathwater, with regards to programs and practices like AA/CR, is overriding several biblical commands to come away from such. Today, when individuals with mental and/or substance use disorders seek help, they are met with the knowledge and belief that anyone can recover and/or manage their conditions successfully. We believe that this program targets the one thing that we all have in commonwe're all messed up in one way or another. So, with my final mission in view, with bible in hand, I walked into Celebrate Recovery for the last time. What followed was the fairly usual experienceit was a strange mlange of Aristotle, St. Francis, diverse archangels with odd names, deceased friendssome in purgatory and others doing nicely, thank you! It is strongly advised that they remain focused on themselves until their sobriety is strong. 1 Peter 3:17For it is better, if it is Gods will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Prison Fellowship president James J. Ackerman collaborated with Baker to add Celebrate Recovery Inside to its curricula. CR is for anyone with a hurt, habit or a hang up. Praise God for that revelation to you. Celebrate Recovery is a ministry committed to seeing lives changed and healed through Christ. However, as she began the meeting, she had decided for the other group leader to go first who was sitting to my left. Next, I moved on to being baptized, which both my husband and I were able to actually do for her. C. C.R. Relation of humility to sobriety. Blessings! One of the worst things that an individual can do in early recovery is jump headfirst into romance. From that point on, I cannot recall all that I spoke, however, I remember the power of the Holy Spirit was so strong, that not only did I literally believe that time was stopped for me to speak, but I could feel all the demons around me being held back and I was engulfed in this protective shell. Dr. Clint Archer is a pastor of many years whose international ministry has taken him to 22 different countries so far. Celebrate Recovery operates as an extension of Fellowship Bible Church, a unique congregation focused on healing. I was immediately confronted after the meeting, and then again when I arrived the following week, as I was pulled aside by the lead woman of the group. 27). This is why I stress within my blog that this is leading people to accept a different gospel. Compromise your own values and integrity to avoid . With 40% to 60% of those with a substance use disorder who receive treatment relapsing within the first year, some people even refer to relapse as a natural part of recovery. The desire of alcohol is a lust of the flesh. So, I dont think we really have differing views on this, as you can be led into a church, program or group to share the truth of Gods Word, without necessarily being a partaker in it. 3 ; Recognize that Im not God. To find a group near you go to group finder on our web page:. Many of C.R.'s teachings are constructed from eisegesis rather than exegesis - misusing Scripture with an erroneous hermeneutic. Amen brother, you are correct, we cannot be unequally yoked with unbelievers, or mixing light with darkness(2 Cor 6:14). When we have the fear of the Lord, we fear less of how others might react, and more on doing what is right before Him. People who have experienced this deep form of sin sickness God has used and helped people through these programs. It wasnt until I became a facilitator that I began questioning the program. True sobriety is not only having control over the body, but also the mind. According to Step 3, it is like opening a door, however is going in another way other than Yeshua (Joh 10:7), as a person submits to a higher power. So before I continue on with my story, I would like to go through some areas of AA. Analyzing Celebrate Recovery (C.R.) Our staff is up-to-date and knowledgeable, and we are standing by to help you on your road to recovery. Then they can turn their lives over to this god as they understand him. There are many who have either themselves or known someone to have gone through AA, NA, Alanon, etc. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. 2 Cor 11:13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. He instead, as is mentioned in the Big Book(pgs 12-13), made his own god, professed this god to be the Father of Lights and was led by this god-consciousness from within, and insisted that all he had to do was believe in a power higher than himself, and nothing else was required. 20 years ago, Saddleback Church launched Celebrate Recovery with 43 people. At Southside Baptist Church, the purpose of our Celebrate Recovery program is to both fellowship and celebrate God's healing power in our lives through 12 Steps and 8 Recovery Principles. In other ways I know both programs have brought people into their recovery process and even drawn them to Jesus. While growing up, I was familiar with the term AA and Alanon, as my grandfather was an alcoholic, as well as other family members. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Mark 14:38 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. They'll say, "I don't know anybody that doesn't need recovery" where I often chimed in, "I don't know anyone who doesn't need Jesus." Thank you for sharing. There did not come a time when there was an exception for drunkenness. They didnt attend any program, they just hit their rock bottom which is only decided by the individual suffering addiction. So, with my meetings with the woman I sponsored, I started out with repentance and I went through the 10 commandments, what sin is, and what it means to turn from sin. So far this year we have raised over $20,000.00 for missions. However, you can pat yourself on the back for making it . When he hit his bottom, he began attending daily AA meetings, working through the steps, and finding hope in a God who loved him unconditionally. Its not my place to tell others what to do. Sign up for our newsletter: That is what is so amazing about God. However, what is the true motive of this program, what is it's foundation, and is it suitable for those who profess to be walking with Messiah? 22 Seriously Inspiring Quotes About Sobriety From Celebs Like Demi Lovato & Bradley Cooper. Yes, God can and does help people through the church and power of the Holy Spirit with repentance. This is a process of maturity and growth in the Lord. So much in Christianity today is not based on Christ's teachings as much as it's based upon the ideas and theories of mankind. 3) We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. Theyre always there to help somebody if theyre struggling. It can come as a shock to many individuals to discover that the good times can also be a test as well. This is a dangerous form of denial. This is why people become deceived and un-willing to accept that possibility. 314-267-4456. I went on to expose AA and the 12-steps. Thanks for sharing brother. Your email address will not be published. So with that said, we all have to start somewhere and often its on the wrong path before we truly find our Lord. Roadblocks of indifference and prejudice. Many coming into AA are ready for a change in life spiritually; its a great harvest ground. When I was in rehab, a young girl left AMA and a few people and counselors had no hope for her because she wanted to immerse herself in God and leave what didnt work for her. About a year later, I was led to sponsor a woman, who was coming out of drug addiction. Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Bakers ministry began in 1991 at Saddleback Church in California and has spread to 35,000 churches nationwide over the decades. This was actually the point of my blog post. Perhaps if you took the time to look into this further, you might begin to see a lot of the deception surrounding this, as while I do appreciate your comment, and believe it to be sincere, the deception is still very strong. It means that the individual is returning to old ineffective coping strategies for dealing with life. Wilson, or Bob for that matter, never professed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, never mentioned repentance, or that the only Way to the Father is through the Son. Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, NOR DRUNKARDS, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. As the story goes, Warren replied, Great, Johngo do it! and the program soon launched at Saddleback. I understand how you could have mixed feelings about this, and I appreciate you sharing. While your experiences, are your experiences, they should never override that of sound doctrine. People were healed and delivered from blindness, leprosy, epilepsy, demon-possession, sexual lusts and perversions, etc. I was rejected by all those whom I shared the truth within CR that day, and I understood that would happen, because of what the Father had sent me to do. Through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I was told to throw them away. Wilson was also not shy in expressing how he felt about Jesus/Yeshua Christ. Live customer service hours are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM CST [email protected] Call Toll Free: 866.419.7446; After I spoke, the atmosphere was so thick, you could have cut it with a knife. Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a national, Christ-centered self-help program hosted by local churches to help people struggling with addiction or other life-controlling issues. They preached about their higher power being God or Jesus but seemed to have no faith that He could deliver her or anyone Without AA. See more ideas about celebrate recovery, recovery, recovery quotes. Many alcoholic/addicts are not ready for solid food 1Cor3:2, Heb5:14. I was a facilitator for CR at my church. AA is a religion. So, I hope that in sharing the truth with people within AA, you are not identifying with this. I appreciate you sharing your insight and the leading of the Lord that you have followed without wavering. When someone is in AA, it is no different than someone being in Hinduism. I then took out my bible and began to read until both I and my time was finished. He has taught the Bible and preached in places as varied as Russia, Northern Ireland, Bhutan, and Egypt. Official page of Celebrate Recovery. Do not perceive yourself as lovable and worthwhile. This was all completely orchestrated by Yah, and He even told me that I was going to be her sponsor before she asked, however I not knowing the truth about AA, or the 12 steps, I was a little confused with the strong caution and hesitation with not only AA, but the 12 steps. III. 35Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. I was informed that the lead woman of the group would not be there(the same one who had pulled me aside), and that I would be speaking first when the group began. Because Celebrate Recovery is based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and practiced in thousands of Christian churches without ever being questioned or held up to the light of scripture it is one of the most damaging forms of apostasy in the modern Christian church. This is why I had thrown away the Blue Book, as well as an Alateen book I had aquired when I was younger. How should a Christian view addiction? (Pgs 8-9). Bauxite mining would threaten birds, plants, and clean water. And I believe that somewhere in their journey and even the ones affected from their addiction that they hit a rock bottom.