Inland Vineyard’s Celebrate Recovery Meets EVERY Monday Night at the Inland Vineyard Fellowship

Open meeting 7:15-8:00 Break out groups 8:05-9:00.  Come early to enjoy a free light supper.

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How to Write My Testimony

This is a guide to help you write your Celebrate Recovery testimony. God’s word tells us,
“It is a proof of your faith. Many people will praise God because you obey the Good News of Christ – the gospel you say you believe – and because you freely share with them and with all others.” (2 Corinthians 9:13 NCV)
Testimony Guidelines:

a. Before you start writing… pray and ask God for help and the words to share.

b. Your testimony must be written out.

c. Your testimony should be about 12 to 15 minutes long. This is about 7 – 9 pages double-spaced using a 12-point font.

d. Be sure to include 1 or 2 of your favorite scriptures.

e. Be honest.

f. Remember that you are not cured.

g. Don’t use religious clichés.

h. Don’t get too graphic or include non-essential information.

i. Keep it short and to the point.

j. HAVE FUN!

Prayer for Serenity

Women’s 12 Step Study Questions for next week:

Lesson 1 Denial Principle 1: Realize I’m not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.” (Matthew 5:3) Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18) Think About It Before we can take the first step of our recovery, we must first face and admit our denial. God tells us, “You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!” (Jer- emiah 6:14, TLB). The acrostic for DENIAL spells out what can happen if we do not face our denial. Disables our feelings By repressing our feelings we freeze our emotions. Understanding and feeling our feelings is freedom. “They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of destructive habits — for we are slaves of anything that has conquered us.” (2 Peter 2:19, GNT) Energy lost A side effect of our denial is anxiety. Anxiety causes us to waste pre- cious energy running from our past and worrying about and dreading the future. It is only in the present, today, where positive change can occur. “He frees the prisoners . . .; he lifts the burdens from those bent down beneath their loads.” (Psalm 146:7 – 8, TLB) Negates growth We are “as sick as our secrets.” We cannot grow in recovery until we are ready to step out of our denial into the truth. “They cried to the Lord in their troubles, and he rescued them! He led them from their darkness and shadow of death and snapped their chains.” (Psalm 107:13 – 14, TLB) Isolates us from God God’s light shines on the truth. Our denial keeps us in the dark. “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5 – 7) Alienates us from our relationships Denial tells us we are getting away with it. We think no one knows — but they do. What is the answer? “Stop lying to each other; tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves.” (Ephesians 4:25, TLB) Lengthens the pain We have the false belief that denial protects us from our pain. In real- ity, denial allows our pain to fester and grow and turn into shame and guilt. God’s promise: “I will give you back your health again and heal your wounds.” (Jeremiah 30:17, TLB) Accept the first principle of recovery. Step out of your denial! Step into your Higher Power’s — Jesus Christ’s — unconditional love and grace!   Write About It

1. What areas of your life do you have power (control) over? Be specific.

2. What areas of your life are out of control, unmanageable? Be specific.

2. How do you think taking this first step will help you?

2. As a child, what coping skills did you use to get attention or to protect yourself?

2. In your family of origin, what was the “family secret” that everyone was trying to protect?

2. How do you handle pain and disappointment?

2. How can you begin to address your denial?

2. In what areas of your life are you now beginning to face reality and break the effects of denial?

2. Are you starting to develop a support team? Are you asking for phone numbers in your meetings? List them here or on the inside back cover of this participant’s guide:

Remember to Order you 12 Step Participant Guides

You can order them by clicking here:  12 Step Study books

God and Recycling: say Yes to Service and Example

Lesson 24

Yes

Principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.

“Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.” (Matthew 5:10)

Step 12: Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

Introduction

Modern technology is something else! Take an old, beat-up Diet Coke can—dirty, dented, holes in it. A few years ago, it would have been thrown in the garbage and deemed useless, of no value. Today it can be recycled, melted down, purified, and made into a new can—shiny and clean—that can be used again.

We’re going to talk about recycling tonight—recycling your pain by allowing God’s fire and light to shine on it, to melt down your old hurts, habits, and hang-ups so they can be used again in a positive way. They can be recycled to show others how you worked the principles and steps with Jesus’ healing into the solution and how you have come through the darkness of your pain into Christ’s glorious freedom and light.

Society tells us that pain is useless. In fact, people are coming to believe that people in pain are useless! At Celebrate Recovery, we know that pain has value, as do the people who experience it. So while the world says no, tonight we say yes!

Yes

Tonight’s acrostic  couldn’t be any more positive! It is the word YES.

Yield myself to God

Example is what is important

Serve others as Jesus Christ did

The Y is Principle 8 itself: YIELD myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.

To truly practice this principle, we must give God the latitude He needs to use us as He sees fit. We do that by presenting everything we have—our time, talents, and treasures—to Him. We hold loosely all that we call our own, recognizing that all of it comes from His hand. When we have yielded to Him, God can use us as His instruments to carry the message to others in word and action.

Galatians 6:1–2 (TLB) tells us: “If a Christian is overcome by some sin, … humbly help him back onto the right path, remembering that the next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong. Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command.”

People take your example far more seriously than they take your advice.

That leads us to the E in yes: EXAMPLE is what is important!

Your walk needs to match your talk. We all know that talk is cheap, because the supply always exceeds the demand.

If you want someone to see what Christ will do for them, let them see what Christ has done for you.

Here is a question to ask yourself when you get to this principle: Does my lifestyle reflect what I believe? In other words, does it show others the patterns of the world—selfishness, pride, and lust—or does it reflect the love, humility, and service of Jesus Christ?

“Arouse the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith” (1 Timothy 1:5, GNB).

This year, we have all been blessed by some outstanding and courageous testimonies at Celebrate Recovery.  These people believe in Principle 8! They believe in it enough to share not only in the safety of their small groups but also with the whole recovery family.  They stood up here and shared their weaknesses and strengths with others who are suffering from similar pain, hurts, hang-ups, and habits. They gave others a piece of their heart—not a piece of their mind.

Our goal again for next year is to have two testimonies each month as we work on each step. So, if you have been in recovery for awhile and haven’t shared your story as yet, get busy, write it out, and get it to me. We need to hear and you need to share your miracle in the coming year.

The last letter in yes is S: SERVE others as Jesus Christ did.

When you have reached Principle 8, you are ready to pick up the “Lord’s towel,” the one with which He washed the disciples’ feet in the upper room the night before He was crucified.

Jesus said, “And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow: do as I have done to you” (John 13:14–15, TLB).

You don’t all have to give your testimonies to three hundred people to do service. All service ranks the same with God. You can say “y-e-s” to Principle 8 in many ways!

1.     Be an accountability partner. Find someone in your small group who agrees to encourage and support you as you work through the principles. You agree to do the same for that person. You hold one another accountable for working an honest program.

2.     Be a sponsor. Sponsors are people who have worked the steps. Their job is to guide newcomers on their journey through the steps, to give a gentle nudge when they are procrastinating or to slow them down when they are rushing through a step. Sponsors do so by sharing their personal journey on their road to recovery.

3.     Become a greeter. Greeters get to Celebrate Recovery at 6:45 p.m. They welcome and provide directions for newcomers. They provide the newcomer with the important first impression of Celebrate Recovery!

4.     Help with the Solid Rock Cafe. You need to arrive by 6:00 p.m. to help set up. If you can’t get here early, stay a few minutes after to help clean up. You can bake a cake.

5. Help set up  and break down, power point, sound, clean up….

6.     Invite someone to church. Ask someone from your secular groups or a neighbor, a friend, or a coworker!

The world is full of two kinds of people—givers and takers. The takers eat well and the givers sleep well. Be a giver. There are many, many more areas to serve! Make suggestions! Get involved!

Principle 8 comes down to this: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

Make your life a mission, not an intermission!

…

We need you to share your experiences, strengths, and hopes with newcomers here on Friday nights. You do that as leaders, sponsors, and accountability partners. But the church also needs your service. As you serve outside of Celebrate Recovery, you can share with others and get them into recovery when they are ready to work on their hurts, hang-ups, and habits.

Every morning, before I get out of bed I pray this Principle 8 prayer:

Dear Jesus, as it would please You, bring me someone today whom I can serve. Amen.

Will you pray it this week?

New Women’s 12 Step Study Group Starting November

Step Study Group

• Recovery Issues may meet separately
• Gender-Based Groups
• Participant’s Guides (curriculum)
• Small Group Guidelines apply
• Opportunity for Sharing
• Build Accountability Teams
• Find a Sponsor & Accountability Partners
• Meeting closed by Step 4
• Completion of the 12 Steps (6 months-1 year)
• Leaders required to attend training prior to starting a Step Study Group

In order to gain the full benefits of Celebrate Recovery, participants are encouraged to attend the Large Group night,Open Share Groups and a Step Study Group. The goal is personal recovery and growth in our relationship with Jesus Christ – becoming more like Christ.

To order your books click here

What are “Chips” in Recovery?

The Bible patriarchs,  created small markers from stone to serve as reminders of God’s intervention in their lives.  In recovery we use chips to commemorate milestones as well.  Each chip marks a set of time and progress in the program.  They are something tangible that can be a source of encouragement and/or motivation.   This chip dialog reminds us we are not just “doing time” in recovery, but we are making progress in the journey!  Here is a dialog/scrip submitted to us by one of our leaders, that spells out how special each chip is:

Volunteer Opportunities Open!

 

 

 

 

Café

We need assistance with food set up and oversight of the café before and after meetings.  Shifts include:

6:30-6:50 initial set up

6:50-7:15 working the café

9:00-9:15 tearing down and clean up

Greeters

Greeters will need to help with literature and room set up.

Also, they will host the welcome table and assist with the final breakdown of materials and rooms.

Shifts include:

6:30-6:literature and room set up

6:30-7:10 Host the welcome table

9:00-9:15 Final break down of materials and rooms

A/V and Band Assistance

Help is needed to man the lights, sound, and computer display during the main meeting.  Also there are ongoing needs for musicians.

Opportunities include:

6:30-7:00 help with the sound system during band practice

6:30-7:00 computer and light set up

7-8  Running the computer, sound board, and/or lights

Prayer Team

Prayer team members are asked to periodically to pray for offering, closing, openings, and to be available between or after to pray with individuals

Help with Website:

Volunteers needed to  post and share website information on social media.

Readers

Readers will be asked periodically to read openings, hand out chips, read 12 steps, read 8 principals

 

 

 

Use the Volunteer Sign Up form to let us know how you would like to serve!

Name

Email(required)

text/cell phone

Volunteer with Cafe

Volunteer with Sound/Lights

Volunteer at Welcome Table

Volunteer with Breakdown

Volunteer with Setup

Volunteer for readings (12 step or 8 Principals)

Help write/manage website

Volunteer on prayer team

Submit

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GRACE

Grace

Principle 6: Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others.

“Happy are the merciful.” (Matthew 5:6) “Happy are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)

Step 9: Made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23–24)

Introduction

Tonight, we are going to finish discussing Principle 6. We have talked about how to evaluate all our relationships, offer forgiveness to those who have hurt us, and make amends for the harm that we have done to others, when possible without expecting anything back.

As we grow as Christians and as we grow in our recovery, we want to follow the guidance and directions of Jesus Christ. As we get to know Him better, we want to model His teachings and model His ways. We want to become more like Him. Honestly, if we are going to implement Principle 6 to the best of our ability, we need to learn to model God’s grace. But how?

Grace

The key verses of Celebrate Recovery are 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (NCV): “But he said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.’ So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me. For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.”

Celebrate Recovery is built on and centered in Christ’s grace and love for each of us.

Principal 3 Choosing to Submit My Life and Will to Christ

 

Rest in Submission

Three times I have started this post (… ok now four five….)

but I am going to keep moving forward. After all, my job is

to do the writing …not judge the writing.

Yesterday, I think that God was trying to get my attention. I started my morning reading a lesson (devotional) in my Life Recovery Bible. I read where Jesus says:

“Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light.” –Mathew 11:28 (NLV)

The commentary was called Submission and Rest. I see now that the lesson was reminding me that there was rest in submission. But at the time I was thinking about how in recovery I do not have to be alone. I have discovered how God brings healing when I am safe to share with another person what I may have otherwise censored as too personal, silly, petty, dumb, ridiculous, or embarrassing. It is no wonder why the Bible says:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1John 1:9 (NASB)