It reminds me of a favorite passage of mine: Hebrews 11:25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Just as those in Acts burned their magic arts, so should the Alateen/Alanon and AA books be destroyed. 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? I can assure you, that it is not the Holy Spirit. from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of selfish passion, greed, etc.). When Jesus stated, By their fruit you will know them, (Mat 7:16) He was speaking about wolves who appear to be good through what they do, and what they teach, yet are false. Gender-specific Groups meet for issues with anger, co-dependency, chemical addiction food addictions, sexual integrity, survivors of abuse, grief, and life issues. Willingness is the key. 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. Giving that asks no reward. Ive experienced His amazing grace and mercy through both programs. I was at that time still in Active Duty military, and completing rehab was essential for me to continue to have a career at that time. Dr. Clint Archer is a pastor of many years whose international ministry has taken him to 22 different countries so far. The truth is that my life was saved. Im going through something similar at my job. Create a safe place for hurting teenagers to overcome life's challenges by launching a Celebrate Recovery ministry-The Landing-for the students in your church, with the The Landing: Celebrate Recovery for Students Kit.. 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. Start your new life now! St Boniface Church-Franciscans. 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. 7Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD(YHWH) your God. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? About a year later, I was led to sponsor a woman, who was coming out of drug addiction. (KJV), Isaiah 8:19And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Call us today at 800-256-3490 to begin your journey. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Believing you are finally cured of your addiction. Some people understand what weve been through and some do not. All things including our evil ways will work to the glory of God somehow, and that is something I do and must believe in my journey. We admitted we were powerless over alcoholthat our lives had become unmanageable.Who cares to admit complete defeat? 1 Peter 1:13Therefore prepare your minds for action. 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. I hope you consider and pray on the things I have brought up, and really examine this program to see if it truly aligns with the word of God. When someone is in AA, it is no different than someone being in Hinduism. Yes, God can and does help people through the church and power of the Holy Spirit with repentance. Go and see for yourself. Celebrate Recovery is a ministry committed to seeing lives changed and healed through Christ. I do believe reaching others, Addicts, Alcoholics and whom so ever will through the church is the area of your calling. Celebrate Recovery meetings rarely focus on the fact that continuing to drink can result in death. I see it as a ripe mission field to share my testimony and experience; to share the Word of God and what Jesus Christ has done for me. This is the very definition of deception, to appear one way, but with the intention to do another. Baker is survived by his wife and Celebrate Recovery cofounder, Cheryl; children Johnny and Jeni Baker and Laura and Brian Gibney; and their grandchildren. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.. 1 Peter 1:13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. At Saddleback, it became the top outreach ministry, with 70 percent of participants coming from outside the church. This is what I encourage people to do with the writing of this blog, and not leading people blindly into a program that has led many to accept a false gospel. 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. (Pg 5), Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.What can we believe in? 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. Barb, thank you for commenting! From that point forward, I was actually prohibited from bringing or reading my Bible in the group. Elena, yes, thank you. Initially when I went through rehab, now over 13 years ago, I went briefly through AA(Alcoholics Anonymous) as it was a requirement of the rehabilitation program I was part of. 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. For example, as I mentioned in my post, I would not partake in the worship: I attended CR for a year, and during that time I was instructed by the Spirit to not partake in the worship, as the music and worship came from Saddleback. It is basically peddling the same lie that Satan spoke in the garden, in that both Adam and Eve would achieve knowledge apart from the wisdom of God. People were healed and delivered from blindness, leprosy, epilepsy, demon-possession, sexual lusts and perversions, etc. Many alcoholic/addicts are not ready for solid food 1Cor3:2, Heb5:14. The ministry has also expanded to serve the incarcerated, as the program became adopted by state prison systems in New Mexico, California, and beyond. The lead woman was not there, and Yah instructed me where I needed to sit. 1 Peter 3:17For it is better, if it is Gods will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. While there are many godly and well-meaning people involved at the local Celebrate Recovery, the message has been twisted. Manny blessings, and I will be praying for you! AA is a religion. Recovery is not a straight road or an easy fix. The Scriptures and the true gospel of salvation are very different then an all inclusive faith, of which all ways are acceptable. If there is darkness in the AA program leading people astray, what better place to set up a lamp stand? A. With the introduction of The Landing-God's vision for Celebrate Recovery is now complete!" -John Baker "The Landing provides a safe place for students to share about their hurts, hang-ups, and habits and learn to apply the Principles of Celebrate Recovery to help them break the cycle of dysfunction in their families." - Johnny Baker I am only going to provide, and go over a few of the steps, as I think it would be to exhaustive to go over every single one. Romans 7:18. So, below I have steps 1-3, and 12, all of which were quoted directly from 12-Steps and 12-Traditions. We cannot trust our experiences and how we feel as a sole measure of something to be good. You don't have to face alcohol addiction alone, so give us a call today to get started at 888-448-0302. (Pgs 8-9). 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. Dependence as a means to independence. Category: Group Celebrate Recovery. It can come as a shock to many individuals to discover that the good times can also be a test as well. There was only one woman after me, that was the program group leader for the night, that sat to my right, that proclaimed the Name Jesus, and what He had done for her. Title: Celebrate Recovery 1 CelebrateRecovery! 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. Baker, Celebrate Recovery Leader's Guide, 12). He wanted a specifically Christian addiction recovery group, so with the support of Rick Warren, Celebrate Recovery began as a ministry of Saddleback Church under Bakers leadership in 1990. 3. Also, during this time, I was able to minister to quite a few women, and also became a sponsor.. I was a facilitator for CR at my church. It also anti-christ as it denies Yeshua/Jesus as the Only Way(1 Joh 2:22-23, Joh 14:6). 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. I am going to go through these areas, and will be sharing what I have learned, what I have personally gone through, and what the Lord, or YHWH, has shown me, through the guidance of His Spirit. All rights reserved. I will also provide links at the very end, that I found helpful while doing my own research, that may help you as well. (Pgs 8-9). Ive seen Gods fruit in AA and CR as anything Good comes from God. Analyzing Celebrate Recovery (C.R.) To discern good fruit you have to know if the doctrine, character, or practice, aligns with the word of God, and this should be your measuring line. I would like to also share a few things if you will so allow me.. Sam, thank you for commenting. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 3. Just as I am whereever I am. 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. And I believe that somewhere in their journey and even the ones affected from their addiction that they hit a rock bottom. This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son. Compromise your own values and integrity to avoid . Ive been attending CR (and volunteering on the welcome team ) for about a year. Celebrate Recovery roots the 12 steps in biblical principles, and its final step charges participants to use their recovery to spread the good news. What an amazing God. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. I decided to leave after that, and not attend the meeting, and I didnt come back for a couple weeks. Your First Step to Celebrate Recovery: How God Can Heal Your Life by John Baker. It is like taking a pile of poop, and placing the Bible on top. One of my last few meetings, the Spirit had come upon me so strong during my 5 minutes(we were only ever allowed to speak for 5 minutes) of talking that I exposed and rebuked the lie of Alcoholism being a disease, confronting it as the sin of drunkenness, that the saying once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic is a lie from the pit of hell, and that the the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ can set us free from all bondage, and that His Word says that we no longer need to be identified with our sin, once it has been repented and been crucified with Christ. Whether you choose a Christian rehab center that uses the Celebrate Recovery program or follow a different approach, you can find the help you need to live a sober life. After the meeting was over, all the women left, did not say anything to me, just turned their backs and left. Happy are those who know they are spiritutally poor. They are drunk, but not with wine; They stagger, but not with intoxicating drink. You may want to celebrate any, or all, of the following milestones in recovery: (Don't celebrate too much here because you are VERY much at risk still for relapse in the early days of recovery. 34The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. The Scriptures make it quite clear that these practices are contrary to the way of the Lord(YHWH). So, with my final mission in view, with bible in hand, I walked into Celebrate Recovery for the last time. AA/NA holds people in bondage, making them think they are free. Roughly in 2014, I was going through some books in our bookshelf, and my eyes came upon the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous), and an Alateen book that I had for quite a long time. The topical groups vary by site, and some. We are called to be in the world, but not of the world. Action its keyword. Readiness to receive free gift lies in practice of Twelve Steps. We have also been to Indonesia twice . It isnt just the impact he had on individual lives but on all of those who loved those who decided to walk into a Celebrate Recovery meeting.. 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. The last thing I want to do is delve deeper into my issues/motivations/whatever. Celebrate Recovery is just another type ofSyncretism, as mixes Gods ways with heathen ways. It's your choice. These first three steps of the 12, undermine the gospel, and allow an individual to accept whatever higher power they choose. (KJV), When we choose the difficult path, which often leads to affliction, we are choosing to partake in the sufferings of Christ, and this is part of what it means to pick up our cross daily. Jim, thank you for your comment. God is good, all the time. However, I knew what Yah had spoke to me, and He said that I shall be the first to speak. Every week we state that we make decisions based on the truth. About Of Dangers Recovery Celebrate The Participant Guides are designed to create movement through the steps as each person is on a healing journey that creates new understanding and hope through the work of the Holy Spirit, and not . I know it would offend the people in the program if I were to discount or question it or say my discomfort. Recognizing these dangers will help you avoid a possible problem in the future. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. Its not my place to tell others what to do. Please check directly with each church to find out if they are running during Covid-19. Then, the seemingly virtuous entities would elbow them out with messages of comfort, information, adviceand sometimes just sheer nonsense.. It will just be painful, like ripping into old wounds that Jesus has already healed. If God can work through the mouth of a mule he can work through anyone he chooses. He has taught the Bible and preached in places as varied as Russia, Northern Ireland, Bhutan, and Egypt. 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. Isnt God sovereign? Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. 12) Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs. 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. Contemplative prayer, and other eastern meditation practices were, and are still very much part of AA. This is why I stress within my blog that this is leading people to accept a different gospel. Once you know better, you do better. Sustained and personal exertion necessary to conform to Gods will. Celebrate Recovery IS: A safe place to share; A place of refuge; A place of belonging; A place to care for others and be cared for; A place where respect is given to each member; A place where confidentiality is highly regarded; A place to learn; A place to demonstrate genuine love; A place to grow and become strong again; A place for progress Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. I lived at AA and Alanon meetings for years and was helped tremendously and then almost completely stopped. Live customer service hours are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM CST [email protected] Call Toll Free: 866.419.7446; If you need a program then check it out for yourself. For myself, I had adopted those parts which seemed convenient and not too difficult; the rest I disregarded. (Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, pg.11). We must be a willing vessel to share the truth with others, even at the cost of suffering, for if we dont, then we are not picking up our cross. Forest Brook Community Church. All those in A.A. are "recovering" alcoholics, who, according to A.A., never completely recover. 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). Celebrating each milestone is encouraged, as long as you can find safe celebration activities! I did not continue on with AA, and I am thankful for that. However, as she began the meeting, she had decided for the other group leader to go first who was sitting to my left. 4. The loss of a sense of brotherhood and the loss of being part of something important and bigger than myself can lead to feelings of frustration, isolation, emptiness, boredom, anger, or loneliness. John was a great leader, and he will be greatly missed, but the impact of his faithful obedience will go on for generations, Ackerman wrote in tribute. We are all broken and in need of a Saviour; my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,. In such ways we want them to get sober in any way that works for them so not to affect others. In other ways I know both programs have brought people into their recovery process and even drawn them to Jesus. I too may have mixed feelings about this post. This was actually the point of my blog post. Likewise, the acceptance of false doctrine will also impair correct judgment and can lead to spiritual decay/death. 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 what I did, as led by the Holy Spirit. 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. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. Celebrate Recovery is a proven 25+ year old Christ-based 12-step program based on the Beatitudes. Dishonesty in recovery is dangerous because: It is a common relapse trigger. Thanks for your post. I cannot guarantee that it wont be awkward, and you might even lose those you thought were your friends. I had provided her some more truth concerning Rick Warren, but ultimately she did not understand what my purpose was there, and told me that I could not come back to Celebrate Recovery. Official page of Celebrate Recovery. I will say too, that these programs do sometimes act as a religion and Ive seen that for myself, but just as when I go to church or study my Bible, I have to let God guide me away from the false preachings and allow Him to give the message that is meant for me. 20 years ago, Saddleback Church launched Celebrate Recovery with 43 people. (Pg 5), Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him.Step Three is like opening of a locked door. 8,093 talking about this. In fact, there are many programs and practices that may appear to be beneficial to the mind and body, yet when we test those practices against the word of God, they are proven to be false. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? Celebrate Recovery Bible by Zondervan Staff (2007, Hardcover) (4) $9.99. Ebony, thank you for taking the time to share that with me. At Landmark Recovery, we are happy to help you find a support system that meshes with your belief system. His efforts to make amends to his wife, Cheryl, as part of the 12 steps led to him attending Saddleback Church with her, hearing Rick Warren preach, and renewing their marriage vows in a span of months. Most people cannot stay sober or clean or free from any perversion for more than six months on average, only to "go back out". I then took out my bible and began to read until both I and my time was finished. It means that the individual is returning to old ineffective coping strategies for dealing with life. Substitution of A.A. as Higher Power. 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. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. I dont doubt that God is using those willing, to draw people away from this into the truth. Baker was raised in Collinsville, Illinois. Celebrate Recovery has moved to Community of Hope Church on Thursdays at 6:15PM. The Bible tells us to hate sin and evil, to cut it out of our life. Love that has no price tag. Step 12, not only speaks of New Age enlightenment, but blasphemes the true free gift, that of salvation, as well as the responsibility for a believer to share and take the gospel message to all, not the AA message. 27). It is so deceptive and the transforming supernatural power of the Holy Spirit is not acknowledged but rather working on the 12 steps and how the steps helps us get out of our hurts, habits, and hang ups. I understand how you could have mixed feelings about this, and I appreciate you sharing. While growing up, I was familiar with the term AA and Alanon, as my grandfather was an alcoholic, as well as other family members. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Too many pastors use an academic model in which they simply lecture their congregations. What? Thank you for your obedience. While I understand that you may feel comfortable at your current church, perhaps the Lord is encouraging you to take a step forward in faith and maturity and be out of your comfort zone. During the worship time, I sat in the back reading my Word. 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. Negative and positive thinking. Praise God for that revelation to you. 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. Wow. 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. 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. Blessings! 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. There were many practices/beliefs that I was led to not partake in. Both alcohol and drugs impair judgment and control of the body. "This is a great place to hold an event. Having said that, this review (completed largely with the help of Matthew Mumma) will demonstrate that CR contains two major problems: (1) Though claiming to be biblically based, its teachings are often constructed from a misuse of Scripture and an erroneous hermeneutic. They literally drain us and leave us feeling fatigued, unmotivated and even depressed. Philippians 2:13. So, I hope that in sharing the truth with people within AA, you are not identifying with this. People who have experienced this deep form of sin sickness God has used and helped people through these programs. Blind yourselves and be blind! for less than $4.25/month. Jun 12, 2015 - Explore Raquel Aguillon's board "Celebrate Recovery ", followed by 229 people on Pinterest. To produce good fruit, a practice or program has to be sound in the word of God. 1 bid. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. He told me exactly what would happen, and how it would play out. If so, then I challenge you to put your emotions aside from the program, and dig into the Word. Once those who were fully crucified with Christ, and their passions and desires of the flesh, they too were set free from drunkenness. It was then that woman after woman, that spoke after me, praised only the program. He delivered me completely of alcohol, and a great many of other things. Baker went on to study at Golden Gate Baptist Seminary and serve at Saddleback as volunteer, staff member, pastor, and elder as Celebrate Recovery grew across denominations and ministry networks. Celebrate Recovery at Family Life Church is a Christ Centered program that uses valuable principles to help free us from the effects of our hurts, habits, and hang ups. (Luke 9:23) In such, our reward, or our treasures will be laid up greater in heaven. They meet at Family Life Church on Monday nights at . 3525 /nph (be sober, unintoxicated) refers to having presence of mind (clear judgment), enabling someone to be temperate (self-controlled). 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 . TSF is the law of the land. Problems of intellectuality and self-sufficiency. (KJV), Leviticus 20:6And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. | We have Graphic Designers to assist you | service@banners.com 1.866.419.SIGN. This is why I had thrown away the Blue Book, as well as an Alateen book I had aquired when I was younger. My KJV Bible is all I need in this life plus my brothers and sisters in Christ. It may use terms like god, creator, higher power, however, the god and creator that they speak is not that of Jesus/Yeshua. Relation of humility to sobriety. As a result, people often walk out of worship services with their lives unchanged. A.A. teaches that alcoholism is a disease for which there is no ultimate cure. 60 Kearney Dr Ajax, Ontario, L1T 4N2 This is my concern also for you, in that you are highly esteeming a program over that of the Word, which is the same spirit that I encountered while attending my last day of CR. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 I know what you are implying with sin sickness as it has to do with things I already addressed in my blog and is a strong lie taught within AA/CR. Satan manifests as an angel of light, and his workers as ministers of righteousness(2 Cor 11:14). Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. This is why we are told to come out, Be ye separate, Be holy, as He is Holy. 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. Celebrate Recovery has been a great program for me as well as thousands of others that need the love and support of others. The Bible tells us to hate sin and evil, to cut it out of our life. I fully agree! AA was birthed out of what was known as the Oxford Group in the 1930s. Self-righteousness. I went on to expose AA and the 12-steps. Have been having more and more doubts about it as time has gone on. Love that has no price tag. The magnificent reality. We believe in spreading the gospel throughout the whole world.