Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40
It was a privilege to speak at our CR men’s 12 step group last Monday night on the topic of inventory; a fearless and moral inventory. I had to admit my thinker was broken; my best thinking was destroying my life and my relationships, it was all about me to the bitter end. Until I got honest with myself and with God, my stinking thinking was here to stay. I didn’t have a process to turn things around until I got into recovery; I just stayed in bitterness, anger, and fear. The 12 steps changed all that, first in AA and then CR. I had to get out of my own head and into God’s grace. Early recovery is difficult; it’s a process of letting go and growing up. When God goes after the renewing of our minds it is not an overnight phenomenon; it becomes a daily exercise in learning to capture our thoughts and releasing the negative thinking that is sure to come our way. I don’t know about you but sometimes I want to linger on that negative thought, play with it a little bit, get some revenge or satisfaction over a hurt or habit.
Sometimes I think the scariest place to be is in my mind, the whacky thoughts are something else indeed, but the big question is what to do with them. Am I willing to release them to God and ask for forgiveness, am I capable of doing that day in and day out? No I am not, but with God I am; it’s not always pretty but there is progress. When you are stuck in recovery, you may want to ask yourself what you are obsessing over. Plug that in the CR process; inventory it, confess it, release it to God, and make amends and offer forgiveness. Not just once, but over and over again for a lifetime, one day at a time.
Do you ever ask yourself why God just doesn’t take away our defects instantly? Maybe it has something to do with God wanting a relationship with us and each other, maybe it has to do with Kingdom building. Share with another how God turned your darkness into light, gave hope to the hopeless, and transformed your hate into love. It is an honor to be used by God to bring people to God.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Love God, love people, Jesus first!
Dana Cramer
Celebrate Recovery/Crossroads Church Calendar
August 15-21, 2016
Friday, August 19th: Teaching Night
- 6 pm: Our Hospitality Team is preparing a wonderful meal for you this Friday. Please join us for dinner and fellowship.
- 7 pm: Join us for an hour of Worship and a Recovery Message on “Give”
- 8 pm: Open Share Groups.
- 9 pm: Solid Rock Café
Tuesday Nights: We have an open share group meeting for men from 6:30-7:30 pm in room 140.
Notice: A new Men’s mixed issue 12 Step group has started on Monday Nights at 6:30 pm. Please sign up on Friday nights or respond to
[email protected] If you haven’t yet signed up just drop on in at 6:30 and begin your journey to freedom from hurts, hang-up’s and habits.
Questions? For more information, contact
[email protected], or call the church office at 970-203-9201.
