So if I forgive God, then that makes Him limited and also makes mistakes? AA is a religion. The Dangers of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and Celebrate Recovery. 8,093 talking about this. There is a saying I have heard often, which goes something like this, Many coming into AA are ready for a change in life spiritually; its a great harvest ground. All those in A.A. are "recovering" alcoholics, who, according to A.A., never completely recover. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. 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. I dont agree with that. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The desire of alcohol is a lust of the flesh. I also would not introduce myself as a recovering alcoholic, but rather a recovered alcoholic, as to speak the former would be a lie against the work of the Holy Spirit in my life (1 Cor 6:9-11). Once those who were fully crucified with Christ, and their passions and desires of the flesh, they too were set free from drunkenness. There is simply no way to put into words how I love John and will miss this kind, creative, brilliant and faithful man., Evangelical leader Johnnie Moore, whose family previously belonged to Saddleback Church when living in California, remembered Bakers commitment to saving the lives of the people whom God loves., He became a doctor of hope for those whose lives were caught in vicious cycles of guilt, shame, and failure. The Celebrate Recovery Step Studies use the 12 Steps with their biblical comparisons and the eight principles that are based on the Beatitudes. Yet, this is an occultic practice, which is a form of witchcraft. For those who would like more resources here are some links: http://www.anti-antichrist.com/soap/lanagan.html, http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/aaroots.html, https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/ (Search for AA). uses the 12 Steps and its 8 Principles (supposedly based upon the Beatitudes - acronym spells "recovery") 1. 27). 2) We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Defiance is an out standing characteristic of alcoholics. Email vriggins@graceclarksville.com. And I believe that somewhere in their journey and even the ones affected from their addiction that they hit a rock bottom. 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. However, I knew what Yah had spoke to me, and He said that I shall be the first to speak. 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. The messiness of addiction is too much for many churches to handle. 4. It means that the individual is returning to old ineffective coping strategies for dealing with life. 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. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? Over the years, many celebrities have chosen to use their voices and their platforms to speak openly . Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. 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 "This is a great place to hold an event. If there is darkness in the AA program leading people astray, what better place to set up a lamp stand? I believe that God has put me there for some reason so Im waiting on Him right now. 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. Giving that asks no reward. However, the cost of sharing the truth with others, is rejection. All rights reserved. 314-607-8165. I did not continue on with AA, and I am thankful for that. In other ways I know both programs have brought people into their recovery process and even drawn them to Jesus. Readiness to receive free gift lies in practice of Twelve Steps. I encourage you to speak up and speak what the Holy Spirit has laid on your heart. This very much includes programs like AA/CR which do not have a grounding in the Bible at all. They literally drain us and leave us feeling fatigued, unmotivated and even depressed. Lets help and love others walking in the calling he has for each of us individually not judging others and glorifying God, my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ in the process. Never believe one persons opinion about something. 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. About a year later, I was led to sponsor a woman, who was coming out of drug addiction. Ive seen Gods fruit in AA and CR as anything Good comes from God. These first three steps of the 12, undermine the gospel, and allow an individual to accept whatever higher power they choose. (Pgs 8-9). The ministry is "group based." All groups are gender specific and use the Small Group . Then they can turn their lives over to this god as they understand him. Happy are those who know they are spiritutally poor. Too many pastors use an academic model in which they simply lecture their congregations. I also know many who have never even tempted themselves ever again. 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. Daly City Celebrate Recovery. Isnt God sovereign? I have gone and still go to CR meetings. It's your choice. It can come as a shock to many individuals to discover that the good times can also be a test as well. 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. He wrote out a vision for what would become Celebrate Recoverys own version of the 12 steps, each one paired with a teaching from Scripture, and shared it with Rick Warren back in 1991. Celebrate Recovery is a ministry committed to seeing lives changed and healed through Christ. Dangers of self-sufficiency. Call us today at 800-256-3490 to begin your journey. St Boniface Church-Franciscans. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. 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. So, I was immediately led to Acts 2:38, and the Spirit had me to start at repentance. I say dont throw out the baby with the water. 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. During the times of Yeshua and the disciples, there was no need of recovery groups or reliance on a 12 step program, when they had the Word of God, and His Spirit. Blind yourselves and be blind! I was also told that alcoholism is a disease, and that once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. People who have experienced this deep form of sin sickness God has used and helped people through these programs. Willingness is the key. Once I was done with 6-7 weeks of rehab, I went back to my base in Italy, and continued on with a program through the military. (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. Next, I moved on to being baptized, which both my husband and I were able to actually do for her. It is a welcoming community and provided a perfect place for our retreat. Thanks for your post. Action its keyword. None of these women, spoke to me again, nor did I ever go back to Celebrate Recovery, as my assignment there was done. 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. This program is not something that you complete and then all of sudden, Hey, Im better. 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. You made some really good points. 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. Eventually Baker considered himself a functioning alcoholic, turning his back on God and separating from his wife. Here are ten common situations that are very dangerous to a person in recovery. Do not take the writer of this piece or even my word. We believe that this program targets the one thing that we all have in commonwe're all messed up in one way or another. C. C.R. With Gods help, he showed again and again that those cycles can be broken, he said. Celebrate Recovery is credited with helping destigmatize addiction among evangelicals and opening the church up as a safer place for recovery. You said, Why do we need 12 steps when the only step our Saviour has told us to do is repent and turn away from sin/evil. Thank you for sharing. 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. What partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 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. 23No one who denies the Son can have the Father; whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well. Live customer service hours are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM CST [email protected] Call Toll Free: 866.419.7446; 1 Peter 3:17For it is better, if it is Gods will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. It's important to realize relapse is more of a process as opposed to a mere lapse in judgment. A person can not only be intoxicated physically, but also spiritually: Isa 29:9Pause and wonder! There did not come a time when there was an exception for drunkenness. The Dangers of Dishonesty in Recovery. The Bible tells us to hate sin and evil, to cut it out of our life. It is a bafflement that many professing believers would condone and endorse such a program knowing the full thoughts, intentions, and beliefs of AA and its origins. What an amazing God. Go and see for yourself. Jesus must be rescued from a pedestrian and parochial orthodoxy that demands he monopolize the deity.. Celebrate Recovery has been a great program for me as well as thousands of others that need the love and support of others. Step Two is a rallying point to sanity. This program is being run at my home church and I love the church (Biblical teaching) and dont want it to feel awkward. It becomes an addiction because the flesh craves it. In such ways we want them to get sober in any way that works for them so not to affect others. Whatever works to get them there or even the ones affected. A.A. teaches that alcoholism is a disease for which there is no ultimate cure. Why do we need 12 steps when the only step our Saviour has told us to do is repent and turn away from sin/evil. Not only that, but these biblical comparisons are verses that are taken completely out of context, and have absolutely nothing to do with what they are trying to fit, it is like trying to fit a square peg into a round holeAnd just as like above, there is no mention of the these addictions being sin, but rather what is called: hangups, habits, and character defects; and of course no mention of repentance either. BE SOBER-MINDED. I decided to leave after that, and not attend the meeting, and I didnt come back for a couple weeks. Required fields are marked *. It wasnt until I became a facilitator that I began questioning the program. I understand that people, even those like myself, have been helped through these programs, however, the ultimate purpose of these programs are to lead people to dependency on the program itself, which is why in the 12th step of the AA program it teaches to: 12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Joy of living is the theme of the Twelfth Step. Before I go further, I want to share something on this topic. However, we are commanded within the Scriptures to Hold fast to sound doctrine(2 Tim 1:13) and Test all things, holding on to what is good(1 Thes 5:21). (KJV), Deuteronomy 18:10There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. So before I continue on with my story, I would like to go through some areas of AA. 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. 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. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 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. 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. This is why I had thrown away the Blue Book, as well as an Alateen book I had aquired when I was younger. As above, I will be going through steps 1-3, and 12, and directly quoted from CR website: 1 ) We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. Through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I was told to throw them away. 12 Steps and 8 Beatitudes; 2. The lead woman was not there, and Yah instructed me where I needed to sit. It is strongly advised that they remain focused on themselves until their sobriety is strong. It is mixing the Holy, and the profane. Also on the part of forgiveness, we ar encouraged to also forgive God. Sustained and personal exertion necessary to conform to Gods will. Who am I? 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. As they had all turned their backs on Yeshua/Jesus and His Word, they then had no problem turning their back on me. Title: Celebrate Recovery 1 CelebrateRecovery! Relation of humility to sobriety. 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. 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. We are all broken and in need of a Saviour; my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,. 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). It is for people with hurts, habits and hangups they simply cannot overcome in their own strength. Celebrate Recovery is for adults 18 years and older. Your email address will not be published. I read this and the Spirit of God prompted to reply. Subscribe to CT Romans 12:1. 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. Structured as an ongoing 52-week program, The Landing aims to help hurting teenagers get closer to Jesus as they learn key principles based on the Beatitudes to live a . Or perhaps a sort of alternative that is more Christ centered such as Celebrate Recovery? From my experience and understanding, the reason why many people have a difficult time coming away from these programs/doctrines is because there is a spiritual bond(stronghold) that has taken place and it must be broken. The most common reason why people relapse after a period of sobriety is that they become stuck in recovery. I love hearing peoples stories and the work God has done through the cross and his saving grace in others lives. 3) We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. nph: to be sober, to abstain from wine. 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. 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. a sermon that goes along with our Celebrate recovery ministry, covering the different steps. 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. Every meeting, except my last, I was always led to open my Word and read directly from it. Did Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? Celebrate Recovery gives the support and love that so many churches fail at. Alcoholics and Addicts are deeply inflicted with this sin sickness.