Day 32: Gathering the Fruit of Life Principles

I cling to you; 
your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63.8

Every person has roots, foundations and principles that provide stability in the garden of our spiritual life.

Young people learn from adults and also conduct their own life experiments where they learn life principles and develop a moral compass to guide them through life.

As we age and grow we will find friends, teachers and mentors who influence us and add to this foundation. We learn who God is and what God’s law means. We discover and examine the teachings of Christ.

We form a core of beliefs that steady us as we reach forward for our life’s purpose.

Along the way there are choices to make—ethics to live by or to ignore. The gospel of compassion that comes from Jesus Christ is the ultimate ethic that one might choose.

Our moral core influences our actions each day. Jesus’s choices were guided by his relationship with his Father. Jesus did what he saw the Father doing. He was also committed to friends, his mother and the invisible and overlooked people of society. Jesus is our example when we wonder what we should do.

Jesus was ,also committed to his faith community. As a boy, he studied the Torah (Old Testament). This law plus the law of love written on his heart by God, shaped his understanding of the world and all his actions.

Jesus’s understanding of the world, and his actions, got him into trouble with the people of his day. We call him “countercultural” then and now. Understanding Scripture, and Jesus’s loving interpretation of God’s message to us, is key to living ethically, with mercy and compassion in our day. Jesus consistently applied his principles to his ordinary life, and his consistency of belief and actions is what made his life so extraordinary.

If we live this way, we should expect to be misunderstood, alienated and persecuted at times—at home, at work and even in the church. We may be rejected by friends or organizations we seek to serve.

What are the principles that root you and assure that your life will flower and blossom and bear fruit like Jesus?

Spiritual Practice…

Sit quietly in God’s presence for 5 minutes. Notice how your body transitions to stillness as you quiet your heart and wait for God.

In your journal, number from 1-10. What are the core principles and people you cling to and live by?. Here are some starter phrases:

• I commit to
• I value
• These people
• My Life
• I cling to
• The structure of
• My parents taught me
• As a child I learned
• As an adult I
• Jesus shows me
• God reveals

More Bible…

If you are taking the 10-40 challenge that Dennis Anderson gave us on the first week of the GROW series, try this reading plan that will take us through the Book of Galatians in 3 days. Dennis urged us to do 10 minutes of Bible reading each day, for 40 days. Galatians is a good book to read this week, while we are reflecting on gathering fruits.

Did you miss the intro? Start here.

[This six-week devotional is based on a daily life retreat by Pegge Bernecker and her book, Your Spiritual Garden: tending to the presence of God. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006.]

Day 31: Gathering Fruit of Joy

Praise the Lord. 
Praise God in his sanctuary; 
praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; 
praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 
praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, 
praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, 
praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. 
Praise the Lord. Psalm 150.

Life is too short to miss out on praise, joy and fun in general.

There are moments each and every day to experience the wonder of life and share it with others. When we do this well, joy is a natural byproduct; praising God is another.

We miss out on so many precious opportunities to enjoy life for all kinds of reasons. Some reasons are good; many are poor.

We have all kinds of excuses for working ourselves too hard, for failing to find time for fun, recreation and relaxation. Some of us think of “play” as a luxury or indulgence we should not take. Leisure time may seem extravagant—something we cannot afford, either in financial terms or as time away from work and important household obligations.

We set up confinements and demands for ourselves, and others can become dependent on our over-performance and obligate us even further.

But spontaneity, fun, vacation and enjoyable activities are an important blossom in the spiritual life of all people. We need surprises and breaks from our routine to jolt us away from mediocrity and ruts—to refresh our souls and prompt new spiritual growth.

When you are at play—in total enjoyment of life—something new and different happens in your soul. The fruit of spiritual joy is cultivated in joyful experiences.

Spiritual Practice…

Review the devotion for Day 9: Seeds of Enjoyment. Review the Scripture, the reflection and anything you wrote in your journal.

Now take your calendar and plan a full day of fun for yourself, sometime in the next 7 days. What activities bring you joy and soul refreshment? A day in the mountains? A day in the city? A day with a fun friend? Meals out? Cooking for a whole day? Taking grandchildren to the zoo, park or pool? Going to the movies? Watching movies at home?

Let you imagination guide you; plan the best day (that you can afford!), and block it out on your calendar like sacred space.

Now talk with God about your plans. Thank God for putting these seeds of joy and fun in your heart. Sometime today, make arrangements for this special day.

More Bible…

If you are taking the 10-40 challenge that Dennis Anderson gave us on the first week of the GROW series, try this reading plan that will take us through the Book of Galatians in 3 days. Dennis urged us to do 10 minutes of Bible reading each day, for 40 days. Galatians is a good book to read this week, while we are reflecting on gathering fruits.

Did you miss the intro? Start here.

[This six-week devotional is based on a daily life retreat by Pegge Bernecker and her book, Your Spiritual Garden: tending to the presence of God. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006.]

Day 30: Gathering Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5.22-25

The purpose of our Christian life is to give away God’s love. Before we can do that, we must truly understand how we are loved.

To share joy, we need to feel the joy of the Lord and experience how God delights in us. To gather the fruit of peace and patience, we must first experience the patience of God working in our favor. We are kind, because the kindness of God draws us closer, and in that closeness, we are confident of God’s favor. We become faithful as we experience God’s faithfulness to us and practice faithfulness in all our deeds and relationships. Self-control comes from a daily relationship with God in the person of Jesus Christ, where we are yoked to Jesus and we learn from him, moment to moment.

A fruitful life of sharing these good things with the world is a whole, healing and holy life.

In order to become such a person, we must spend time with God who is whole, healing and holy. That time is spent in prayer, silence and communion with God. When we do this, we develop a humble heart and we become a vessel of God’s goodness, especially to the unloved, undervalued, the poor and the excluded.

Trust and surrender produce these fruits with grace, and over time.

God requires that we participate… attuning our mind and body to the graces of God that we experience in prayer, solitude and service.

Spiritual Practice…

Sit quietly in God’s presence. Slowly read Galatians 5.22-25. In your journal list the fruits of the Spirit. Are there aspects of your life where these fruits are evident? There are! What are they? Where do you see them? How did these fruits develop? Write down your insights.

Conclude by reading the passage slowly again.

More Bible…

If you are taking the 10-40 challenge that Dennis Anderson gave us on the first week of the GROW series, try this reading plan that will take us through the Book of Galatians in 3 days. Dennis urged us to do 10 minutes of Bible reading each day, for 40 days. Galatians is a good book to read this week, while we are reflecting on gathering fruits.

Did you miss the intro? Start here.

[This six-week devotional is based on a daily life retreat by Pegge Bernecker and her book, Your Spiritual Garden: tending to the presence of God. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006.]

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5: 13-14

Just sitting at my computer Sunday night at the tail end of Mother’s day soaking in the entire weekend experience, from a great Friday night at Celebrate Recovery to Saturday morning with the CR leader team; spending time with my mother; attending Sunday services, infant dedication and listening to a wonderful message about Creating Community; then spending the afternoon/evening with Nan, and our kids and grandkids. God is good in all times!

When you look at the 12 steps of recovery there is one word that you will not find; it is the most simplest of words to spell, but by its very nature is most complex. That word is “I.” There is no “I” in the 12 steps; there is no “I” in “we.” You see, by their very nature the 12 steps of recovery are community driven; the word “we” appears 15 times in the steps. “We” starts each step from 1-11, and in step twelve “we” comes after acknowledging that a spiritual experience has occurred and “we” truly begin a life of serving others.

Recovery is a personal journey that can only be lived out in relationship—our relationship with God and with each other. It’s personal because we have to walk our own journey; no one can do recovery for you, each of us is responsible for our individual recovery. Now, here is the coolest part: You don’t and shouldn’t walk it alone. Many people have walked along side me sharing their experience, strength, and hope. It has been that way from the beginning of my recovery and continues today; that is the 12-step way. For recovery to happen, you have to get off the bench and enter the game.

The most important realization that many of us learn in Celebrate Recovery is that there is only one true God, and it is not us. To love your neighbor as yourself requires that you have a healthy sense of self. The transformation from life being all about me to being about you is only possible by having a one-to-one relationship with Jesus, who said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” I’m not a theologian, nor do I have mastery over scripture; what I do know is that God is love, and if He is love and I have a growing relationship with him through Christ, then loving others is not only possible, it is a reality.

I love the Celebrate Recovery community, and I love my church. Our churches have many wonderful ministry communities that offer many valuable services and programs to our congregations. When we bring all of our programs and communities together, our church becomes a living, breathing organism that is inclusive, rather than exclusive.  From the homeless to the rich, we all have an opportunity to grow in Christ. We are all working together for the glory of God.

Make this week a great week, do your part and let God do his.

Dana

FRIDAY: Large Group Meeting

• 7pm: Join us for Worship and a lesson by Nan on Step 11: Relapse.
• 8pm: Small groups.
• 9pm: Solid Rock Café.

TUESDAY Nights: Celebrate Recovery continues to carry the recovery message to the 137 Homeless Connection. Our team of four could use some help as they cook (the group is asking for meat donations), serve a meal, and lead a meeting every Tuesday night. Just message recovery@crossroadscolorado.com and we will get you plugged in.

Celebrate Recovery Crossroads Church has openings for Testimonies on June 8 and 22. Contact recovery@crossroadscolorado.com to schedule your testimony. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share your faith.

Day 29: Gathering Fruit of the Ordinary

Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”Mark 4:30-32

Many of us live with the idea that ordinary things lack value. In our spiritual journey, the opposite is true. For the Christian, to be content with the ordinary surroundings and events of life is to be fully alive and in tune with reality.

Jesus demonstrated that great beauty and meaning are found in the things we encounter every day: a bucket of water, a dinner with friends, a picnic on a hillside, breakfast on the beach, a grain of wheat, a pearl, while washing feet.

Jesus shows us how to view all things with new eyes.

The ordinary occurs in washing dishes, caring for children, volunteering at school, making a salad, attending a meeting, writing a proposal, driving to work. In any of these moments, we can welcome God and bring our full attention to the present moment.

Our relationship with God is like any great relationship: it’s not about the big moments. Instead, it’s about the goodness that shows up day in and day out in ordinary living.

To grow spiritually, we can practice recognizing God’s presence and goodness in all the moments of our lives, not just during church services and events. The God that Christians worship is not separate from the events in the world or daily life.

Spiritual Practice…

Slowly pray the Lord’s Prayer with attention to the words and details, giving special attention to the words: Give us this day our daily bread.

Picture yourself going through your day. What are the ordinary events, people and encounters? Ask God to give you more grace to see ordinary things in your life, such as fruit or blossoms.

Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to reflect on ordinary blessings in the morning, noon and evening, today or tomorrow.

Write your reflections in your journal.

Did you miss the intro? Start here.

[This six-week devotional is based on a daily life retreat by Pegge Bernecker and her book, Your Spiritual Garden: tending to the presence of God. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006.]

Day 26: Appreciating Sorrows

Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me 
all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 
forever. Psalm 23.6

“The discovery of a deep wound can be a transformative gift or a wrenching sorry that opens the heart and soul to longing and realized grace which is at the core of [the Christian experience].” -Pegge Bernecker, 88

All people experience sorrow. In sorrow we choose to become bitter or hopeful.

Suffering is an invitation to connect with God and others—to receive support and care.

The potential for spiritual growth, and ultimately redemption in sorrow, is this: It is possible to experience gratitude and appreciation for what has been unbearable.

Possibly you have seen the film Gladiator. The protagonist, Maximus, is wounded unjustly and his family killed. Slave traders find him wandering the desert and treat his wound. The treatment? Maggots to eat away the rancid flesh and allow the good flesh an opportunity to thrive. In his delirium, Maximus tries to scratch the worms away from his deep wound, but his new friend says, “No. They are helping you.”

Similarly, the pain of suffering is sometimes healing us.

We do not need to go out of our way for suffering. Just show up for your life, and life will bring the challenge of pain and loss without any option on our part. It’s important to note that God does not cause suffering or use it to punish people. That is not the nature of God we learn from Jesus.

Free will and the nature of us leave room for suffering enough. We choose our response.

Remember, there are psychological steps in the grieving process that help us. Hope is a spiritual gift. The pain experienced as suffering runs its course is a pain that God understands. God gives spiritual comfort and sympathy, and the comfort of our friends who have suffered before us.

May God be merciful to us in all things.

Spiritual Practice…

Find a quiet place outdoors and sit still. What suffering in your life has become a blessing of sorts in the present time? How did the shift in your understanding occur?

What hurts you now? How are you experiencing God is this present suffering? What do you need God to do?

End by reading / praying Psalm 23.

More Bible…

The 10/40 Challenge this week is to memorize Isaiah chapter 55. On Monday, rain and snow fell in northern Colorado—snow as low at 7,400 feet. While we are full of gratitude for the rain and snow, let’s spend 10 minutes/day for the next 7 days memorizing this Hebrew poem. Isaiah 55 is God’s message to the family of God, attributed to the prophet Isaiah who lived in the 8th century BCE.

Did you miss the intro? Start here.

[This six-week devotional is based on a daily life retreat by Pegge Bernecker and her book, Your Spiritual Garden: tending to the presence of God. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006.]

Day 25: Pruning the Unnecessary

So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For when we were controlled by our sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Romans 7:4-6

Yesterday, we focused on pruning overgrowth—things that seem good, but may not be good for us in the long run.

Today, we will focus on pruning away things that are harmful in our lives.

Since you are doing these devotions, you are probably a person who cares about yourself and others, and your relationship with God. Most likely, your ways of abandoning your core values or God’s values are not reckless; they are patterns you fall into through unawareness or distractions.

Possibly you volunteer in the community, and your attention and time is so consumed that you are not present and available for your spouse, your children, your parents or your neighbors.

Maybe your large, beautiful home is the emphasis of your life. The time required caring for your material possessions means you neglect the people who live in your home or neighborhood.

Are your children or teens involved in so many activities that you have very little time together?

Do you buy things without concern for those who made them or the environment?

Possibly you remain in a relationship or work environment that is unethical or without principles.

Maybe you spend an inordinate amount of time on the internet, watching T.V., working or shopping.

We all do things that are harmful and unhelpful. Spiritual growth includes the activity of admitting our errors, repenting (turning) and taking a new path.

These are only a few examples of how our actions impact others, the community and ourselves negatively. To effectively prune away our hurtful actions, we need to be still and discern what brings God’s joy, passion and creativity alive in us and others. In what ways do you sense God’s favor? When and where do you sense God’s correction and conviction about wrongdoing?

Simplification/pruning is the same as repentance. It’s getting on a new path, where there is space, energy and value. It is getting off a destructive path where there is self-centeredness and counter-productivity.

Spiritual Practice…

Today, you will go for three walks: the first, through your house; the second, with your commitments; and the third, with your heart.

Begin by taking an actual physical walk through your home. Come in the front door. Walk in every room. Open drawers and closets. What does your home reveal about your inner life?

Take a symbolic walk through your daily commitments, and those of your children and spouse. What does this part of your life look like?

Go for a long walk outdoors, alone. What is the condition of your heart? What is good and valuable in your inner life? What needs to go?

Conclude by writing down what is valuable in your life and what needs to leave. Decide what you will give away. Imagine yourself letting these things go. Talk with God about these revelations. Ask for God’s grace and guidance to prune unnecessary elements of your life.

More Bible…

The 10/40 Challenge this week is to memorize Isaiah chapter 55. On Monday, rain and snow fell in northern Colorado—snow as low at 7,400 feet. While we are full of gratitude for the rain and snow, let’s spend 10 minutes/day for the next 7 days memorizing this Hebrew poem. Isaiah 55 is God’s message to the family of God, attributed to the prophet Isaiah who lived in the 8th century BCE.

Did you miss the intro? Start here.

[This six-week devotional is based on a daily life retreat by Pegge Bernecker and her book, Your Spiritual Garden: tending to the presence of God. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006.]

Day 24: Pruning Side Blossoms

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. Matthew 12:33

As flowering plants grow, several blossoms may appear on one stem. Unwanted tree branches can sprout awkwardly from the main trunk. Aspen trees will send “suckers” into your garden or your neighbor’s yard. Walnut trees and other seed trees can take root in unwanted places.

A gardener knows that he or she may need to pinch, prune or pull healthy growth away in order to allow the main energy room to come forth and create a healthy, well-balanced plant.

At first, this pruning seems like a sad sacrifice or waste, but in the end, pruning benefits the plant, and creates longevity and beauty.

The same is true of our growing, spiritual life.

It’s easy to over-delight in growth. And it’s challenging to sacrifice beauty or fruit, because we prefer a better future.  It’s much easier to cut away unhealthy or unsightly stems and limbs, or to pull weeds, than it is to prune something we enjoy.

A wise Christ-follower will learn to prune. A wise person wants a life of fullness and abundance for him or herself, and the world in which he or she lives.

We need to know our strengths and how we can best serve the world, then act on them with knowledge and courage.

In pruning, we ask questions like: Is this the best thing I can do in this moment? Is this necessary? We need to see clearly what is fluff, greed or gluttony in our lives, and what is truly needed.

You’ve heard the saying, “There will always time for that.” Or, “You have plenty of time.” The truth is, there is not enough time or energy to do all we might want to do. We must choose.

How do we know what to pinch away and what to let grow?

Your inner wisdom, with God guiding you, knows more truth than you realize. God will give you the direction you need to prune skillfully in the garden of your own soul. The Holy Spirit is also at work, guiding you into unavoidable life circumstances that cause necessary endings in the ordinary days of your life.

The spiritual practice of fasting creates more dependence on God, and space for the Holy Spirit to have a greater influence on our perceptions and insights. A fast does not need to be limited to food. The choice to abstain from negative language, self-blame, judging others, conversations, and media can open space in us for a greater capacity to hear God, and to love ourselves and others.

Spiritual practice…

Sit in silence for one full minute. Now, imagine yourself as a blooming plant. What image immediately comes to mind? If you are able, draw what you see. If you prefer, describe it in writing or aloud to yourself. Label your drawing; name the branches and blossoms that illustrate the parts of your life.

Think about these things:

• What is one beautiful area of your life?
• What activity or attitude is sapping energy from this good area of growth?
• Choose an energy-sapping area of your life, and plan a fast that will serve to prune or trim this ‘sucker.’ Could be a tone of voice, a spending habit, self pity, negative thoughts, television, food, alcohol or internet use…
• Throughout the day, imagine your life as a plant without this overgrowth. Be easy with yourself, because your spiritual life is not a project. You are a beloved child of God, and your life is an unfolding mystery in God’s hands.

At the end of the day, pray a spontaneous prayer, telling God that you trust the Holy Spirit to care for your soul.

More Bible…

The 10/40 Challenge this week is to memorize Isaiah chapter 55. On Monday, rain and snow fell in northern Colorado—snow as low at 7,400 feet. While we are full of gratitude for the rain and snow, let’s spend 10 minutes/day for the next 7 days memorizing this Hebrew poem. Isaiah 55 is God’s message to the family of God, attributed to the prophet Isaiah who lived in the 8th century BCE.

Did you miss the intro? Start here.

[This six-week devotional is based on a daily life retreat by Pegge Bernecker and her book, Your Spiritual Garden: tending to the presence of God. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006.]

Day 23: Appreciating Blooms

“See, I will create 
new heavens and a new earth. 
The former things will not be remembered, 
nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever 
in what I will create, 
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight 
and its people a joy. Isaiah 65.17-18

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5.17

Early in the morning or at dusk, a gardener walks quietly outdoors, pausing to appreciate the growing plants, flowers and trees. The gardener checks the soil and only waters certain plants. She/he pays attention to those that need extra care and notices the new buds that have formed along with faded blossoms that she/he will pinch away.

At times like this, the gardener is fully present in the moment with no memory of her/his labor and no worry about what is next. All that matters is the here and now of life. At a time like this, a feeling of spontaneous gratitude wells up, and she/he is glad to be alive.

The purpose of these devotions is for you to recognize the spirituality of your everyday life, and discover how God is present and working in and around you at all times.

Every day, we are made new. I hope the past 22 days have increased your awareness of your life with God, and have helped you become more intentional with all the moments of life. This is spiritual growth.

In classical, Christian terms, a life of conscious, deliberate engagement with God is called: living with a discerning heart, practicing the presence of God, mindfulness practice or taking a long, loving look at the real. The end goal of all this practice is to become more loving. In Christian spirituality, the fruits of love and wisdom can almost be used interchangeably.

A spiritually mature person is wise and discerning, and this is expressed in loving actions toward self, God and others. Spiritual growth and maturity manifests in our desire to bring God’s love into the world. Our communion with God naturally erupts in good deeds and service.

To cultivate communion with God in a garden of details and daily life, we must become people of deliberate prayer and practice.

Today you will review some of the blooms that prayer has created in your life.

Spiritual Practice

Sit still and focus on the feel of your breathing. As you breathe in, say the word “grace” to yourself. Breathing out, say, “peace.”

Write words or draw images in your journal that represent your response to the following prompts:

• Your regular practice or experience of prayer.
• The image of God you like best (examples: father, friend, creator, healer…). How do you see God? What is the dominant image of God you can see in your mind’s eye?
• Your desire for prayer. What do you want to add to your prayer life? In terms of a plant, what might that blossom look like? What would you call it?
• Your prayer of greatest need. What do you most need from God right now? What are you hoping to receive that would bring peace, joy, comfort or blessing to yourself or someone you are praying for?

Finish this time by reviewing the words or pictures. Which word or picture can you carry forward into the day? Close your prayer time with a spontaneous prayer that you write or speak to God.

More Bible…

The 10/40 Challenge this week is to memorize Isaiah chapter 55. On Monday, rain and snow fell in northern Colorado—snow as low at 7,400 feet. While we are full of gratitude for the rain and snow, let’s spend 10 minutes/day for the next 7 days memorizing this Hebrew poem. Isaiah 55 is God’s message to the family of God, attributed to the prophet Isaiah who lived in the 8th century BCE.

Did you miss the intro? Start here.

[This six-week devotional is based on a daily life retreat by Pegge Bernecker and her book, Your Spiritual Garden: tending to the presence of God. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006.]

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

It’s amazing what some may think about “treasure.” Most often it may be a large bank account, a big house, a new car, or just keeping on pace with the social class you’ve always wanted. I heard a new one over the weekend at Crossroads: The Kingdom of Thingdom.

We all accumulate stuff, and sometimes our stuff can be so dark you wouldn’t think of it as treasure; but for many it can be. Imagine an alcoholic walking into a brewery—jackpot. An addict coming upon a pile of stash he had forgotten about—jackpot. A co-dependent with a new person to fix—jackpot.  A control maniac who finds someone to abuse—jackpot. An angry person who just found his next victim—jackpot. You get the picture. Our addictions and obsessive-compulsive behaviors can conjure up treasures that are nothing more than nightmares. It’s the ultimate “me” game; it’s all about me at someone else’s expense.

I, like you, can’t take all of me out of the equation, but I can bring a healthier me to the table. Recovery is engaging God in changing our priorities from being takers to givers. In Celebrate Recovery, we learn to give, to serve, to love one another. We also learn how to give in a healthy way, not in a co-dependent way; give and serve, but don’t lose your way in the process. Don’t let someone’s problems overtake you; rather, help them to find healthy solutions to solve their problems. If you find yourself working harder on someone’s recovery than they are, you may have a problem. Learning to set healthy boundaries may be the solution.

 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12

People give for many reasons.  As we grow in Christ we don’t give out of pressure, or guilt, or out of a sense of duty or in a boastful way. No, we start to give generously and cheerfully, not because we have to, but because we love to.  That is a transformational process that comes from the love of Jesus. When we tap into God’s power, anything is possible; and the treasure we find—oh my, it is bountiful and overflowing.

Make this week a great God-filled week. Do your part and God will do the rest,

Dana

Celebrate Recovery Crossroads Church Calendar
May 7-13, 2012

Friday: Large Group Meeting & Pot Luck Night

• 6pm: We kick the evening off with a spaghetti dinner. We make the noodles; you bring the side dishes. Join us for great food and fellowship.
• 7pm: Join us for Worship and Testimony.
• 8pm: Small groups.
• 9pm: Solid Rock Café.

Tuesday Nights: Celebrate Recovery continues to carry the recovery message to the 137 Homeless Connection. Our team of four could use some help as they cook (the group is asking for meat donations), serve a meal, and lead a meeting every Tuesday night. Just respond to this message and we will get you plugged in.

Celebrate Recovery Crossroads has openings for testimonies this Friday, and on June 8 and 22.  Contact Dana to schedule your testimony; it’s a wonderful opportunity to share your faith.

Saturday: CR TEAM meeting from 9-10am, followed by the CR Leader meeting from 10am-12pm in the conference room at Crossroads.