It's been a busy few months! My last blog was in March, and here we are in July.
Welcome to another monthly blog with an update about Celebrate Recovery (CR). If you’re new to CR, it's a Christ-centered 12-step program that helps individuals address and overcome their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Through CR, we focus on various principles that guide us toward healing and recovery. Just as God is helping us through CR, He can help you too.
I'm delighted you’re here!
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Veterans Health Administration, I volunteer as the CR Ministry Leader at Live Oak Church in Hinesville, GA. We’re currently in the seventh month of the year, focusing on Principle 4: “Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust” (Matthew 5:8: “Happy are the pure in heart.”). This includes Step 4: “We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves” (Lamentations 3:40: “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”) and Step 5: “We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs” (James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”). For more details or to find a CR near you, visit www.celebraterecovery.com.
As we move into the second half of the year, it's a perfect time to make adjustments and course corrections. In my book, "WHEN I WAS 40: Overcame Some Challenges, Still Learning and Growing," I talk about the importance of making adjustments with the help of a sponsor and accountability partners. Struggling alone can be tough, but with the support of others, we find encouragement and strength. Honesty is crucial for spiritual growth, even though facing reality can be challenging. Many of us wear masks or escape into activities that provide temporary gratification but hinder spiritual growth.
To aid in our spiritual growth, we've learned the importance of conducting a spiritual inventory. Just as periodic inventory helps in managing a home, business, or ministry, an honest spiritual inventory involves examining both the good and the bad aspects of ourselves. This thorough examination is necessary for spiritual growth and involves asking God to search our hearts as well (Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”).
Earlier this month, one of our leaders taught Lesson 12 on Confession. Although confession might evoke feelings of guilt, being completely honest ultimately leads to positive outcomes. Recognizing our faults and shortcomings is essential for receiving God’s forgiveness. As part of the A, B, C’s of Salvation—Admit that you have sinned, Believe in Jesus, and Confess that Jesus is Lord—confession is crucial for salvation and continued spiritual growth.
This past Monday, one of our leaders courageously shared her testimony, highlighting the importance of confession in healing and recovery. It's the perfect time to find what you need.
This coming Monday, we will discuss "Admit," the final lesson before moving to the next principle. I invite you to join us for CR meetings on Mondays from 7-9 pm at 296 Live Oak Church Rd, Hinesville, GA.
Thank you for being here! You can find my other blogs at www.charlenestevensjenkins.com. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out. Let’s communicate. I'm here to encourage, inspire, and motivate. I'm praying for you.
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