dangers of celebrate recovery

Anxiety causes us to waste precious energy dealing with past hurts hiding stuff and fear of being found inept kept me from present Hiding kept me Change can only happen in the present . Jim, thank you for your comment. Giving that asks no reward. Or perhaps a sort of alternative that is more Christ centered such as Celebrate Recovery? This very much includes programs like AA/CR which do not have a grounding in the Bible at all. While your experiences, are your experiences, they should never override that of sound doctrine. 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. | We have Graphic Designers to assist you | service@banners.com 1.866.419.SIGN. This is a good read and that is what God has laid in my heart over the years of my addiction and recovery. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 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. As they had all turned their backs on Yeshua/Jesus and His Word, they then had no problem turning their back on me. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to author and APearlinthevineyard.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Celebrate Recovery is for adults 18 years and older. Much love to you Kellie and your endeavors . (KJV), 1 John 2:22Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? 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. Celebrate Recovery founder John Baker, who turned his testimony recovering from alcoholism into a biblical 12-step program used by more than 7 million people, died unexpectedly on Tuesday at age 72. Step Two is a rallying point to sanity. Some people understand what weve been through and some do not. from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of selfish passion, greed, etc.). When someone is in AA, it is no different than someone being in Hinduism. AA was birthed out of what was known as the Oxford Group in the 1930s. I cannot guarantee that it wont be awkward, and you might even lose those you thought were your friends. The messiness of addiction is too much for many churches to handle. This is why people become deceived and un-willing to accept that possibility. Action its keyword. While a lapse can be a single event such as a poor decision of going . 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. 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. I began slowly and shared about the woman Yah first had me sponsor, and I recited Acts 2:38, and I went through the 10 Commandments, and what sin is, and what repentance is. The atmosphere had changed, and I could sense the Spirit strong with me, and guided my every step. I confronted her on the involvement of Rick Warren, AAs non biblical stance and that basically she and others are leading people astray and that they should be presenting the gospel of sin, repentance and being set free from bondage. (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. With 40% to 60% of those with a substance use disorder who receive treatment relapsing within the first year, some people even refer to relapse as a natural part of recovery. Please check directly with each church to find out if they are running during Covid-19. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. This is a process of maturity and growth in the Lord. C. C.R. Celebrate Recoverys 12-steps, are AAs 12-steps, but with a biblical comparison to each one. During the worship time, I sat in the back reading my Word. The Birthright: Salvation and the Role of the Firstborn, Christmas Unwrapped: Why I No Longer Celebrate Christmas, The Deception of the New Age Awakening through DNA, Why I No longer Vaccinate: A Veterans Story. I then took out my bible and began to read until both I and my time was finished. We are here for you online 24/7! Ebony, thank you for taking the time to share that with me. To Christ I conceded the certainty of a great man, not too closely followed by those who claimed Him. They know that it worked for them, and thats the greatest story they have.. Then, the seemingly virtuous entities would elbow them out with messages of comfort, information, adviceand sometimes just sheer nonsense.. Creation of C.R. A new state of consciousness and being is received as a free gift. 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). Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT. Free Speech and Abortion Collide: Supreme Court Hears One of Its Biggest Cases of 2018, I Was the Proverbial, Drug-Fueled Rock and Roller, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest. Isnt God sovereign? And Love indeed had a pricethe price that Yeshua paid with His own life. For myself, I had adopted those parts which seemed convenient and not too difficult; the rest I disregarded. (Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, pg.11). As you can probably imaginethings did not go well for me after that. This is what He did for me, and through such, I am obliged to warn others. Negative and positive thinking. So, it is important to keep ourselves pure from false doctrines and teachers. I went on to expose AA and the 12-steps. And He came to set the captives free! Plight of the disillusioned. What partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Defiance is an out standing characteristic of alcoholics. (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. All rights reserved. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Substitution of A.A. as Higher Power. BE SOBER-MINDED. for less than $4.25/month. Baker is survived by his wife and Celebrate Recovery cofounder, Cheryl; children Johnny and Jeni Baker and Laura and Brian Gibney; and their grandchildren. He told me exactly what would happen, and how it would play out. Compromise your own values and integrity to avoid . The Saddleback Church pastor developed the popular Christ-centered 12-step program for hurts, habits, and hang-ups., Image: Courtesy of Saddleback Church / Edits by Christianity Today. Never believe one persons opinion about something. So, in that dim lit room, and with 10 women around the table, some of which, for the last 12 months I had cried and prayed for, my 5 minutes began. We cannot trust our experiences and how we feel as a sole measure of something to be good. 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. 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. This program is not something that you complete and then all of sudden, Hey, Im better. Celebrating each milestone is encouraged, as long as you can find safe celebration activities! 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. While also providing a witness and a rebuke to the women leaders or the womens group, as it was preaching different gospel, and a different Jesus/Yeshua. 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. However, what is the true motive of this program, what is it's foundation, and is it suitable for those who profess to be walking with Messiah? Thank you, Patty for sharing your thoughts and comment on this matter. 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. Some Celebrate Recovery groups offer childcare, Celebration Place for kids and The Landing for youth. Recovery is not a straight road or an easy fix. What? Contact the group directly to see if these are offered. Anything that impairs your mind, will also affect your spiritual wellbeing, and can lead into sinful choices. We have also been to Indonesia twice . 3525 nph properly, to be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free from illusion, i.e. 7Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD(YHWH) your God. 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. Lost faith found in A.A. Right relation to God. 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. (Heb 10:26) God has grace and mercy for us when we are being led in ignorance, yet we are held to a higher standard when the truth of a matter is presented to us. Love that has no price tag. 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. To admit to be powerless over alcohol, does not address that it is a sin of drunkenness and a lust of the flesh, and needs to be repented of, as the Scriptures state, but rather that a combination of an allergy and mental obsession to bring a humility to sobriety. Every week we state that we make decisions based on the truth. It becomes an addiction because the flesh craves it. These were also women who professed His Name, one even ironically being from Saddleback. The lead woman was not there, and Yah instructed me where I needed to sit. Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. 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. 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. Once we have knowledge of the truth, then we are held accountable to that truth. For more info click on church name after choosing a province or territory. Call us today at 800-256-3490 to begin your journey. Search: Dangers Of Celebrate Recovery. (Pg 5), Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.What can we believe in? Thank you for sharing, and I am glad that you have had your eyes opened to the deceptiveness of this program. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 2. I am glad that you found this blog edifying. Also, during this time, I was able to minister to quite a few women, and also became a sponsor. Baker was raised in Collinsville, Illinois. I know it would offend the people in the program if I were to discount or question it or say my discomfort. 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. 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. apearlinthevineyard.com, 2018. Bakers ministry began in 1991 at Saddleback Church in California and has spread to 35,000 churches nationwide over the decades. My KJV Bible is all I need in this life plus my brothers and sisters in Christ. I was informed that the lead woman of the group would not be there(the same one who had pulled me aside), and that I would be speaking first when the group began. Both were heavily involved in the occult, and many of the practices that were endorsed in Oxford Group, continued on with the establishment of AA. Pastor John was never content just to save souls. Who am I? (1) The Bible declares that drunkenness is a sin but those in Recovery believe it to be a disease. Meditate on this Scripture passage, and allow the Holy Spirit to bolden your faith and courage in Him to speak the truth: Joshua 1:9Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? This is all quite contrary to the Word of God, and is what is called anti-Christ. Alcoholics and Addicts are deeply inflicted with this sin sickness. Celebrate Recovery roots the 12 steps in biblical principles, and its final step charges participants to use their recovery to spread the good news. Im going through something similar at my job. 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. In Celebrate Recovery, the levels of recovery are far worse. 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. It is for people with hurts, habits and hangups they simply cannot overcome in their own strength. It is for anyone who has a "hurt, hang-up, or habit" within the community at large or our own church body - not restricted to only people struggling with an addiction. 25 years ago, Saddleback Church launched Celebrate Recovery with 43 people. After I spoke, the atmosphere was so thick, you could have cut it with a knife. People who have experienced this deep form of sin sickness God has used and helped people through these programs. About Of Dangers Recovery Celebrate Galatians 6:1. I am so glad to hear of the insights that you have received from the Holy Spirit pertaining to this program. CR is for anyone with a hurt, habit or a hang up. This was a situation that I had never planned myself but was led through the Holy Spirit to go through and then lead others into the truths pertaining to these programs. 2) We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. It means that the individual is returning to old ineffective coping strategies for dealing with life. The ministry has also expanded to serve the incarcerated, as the program became adopted by state prison systems in New Mexico, California, and beyond. What is spiritual awakening? 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. 3. I have found that times when I am feeling too comfortable, that I am not growing or stepping out where I should be. Even if you do not believe God or His Word, consider this from the view of simple logic: how can a behavioral choice be a disease? Every meeting, except my last, I was always led to open my Word and read directly from it. Why must every A.A. hit bottom? 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. I know several people who were addicts and now can occasionally partake in rare occasions because they no longer want the life they had before . With maturity comes discernment, and with discernment comes an understanding that just because something may have been beneficial, or helpful, does not mean that it is sanctioned by God. The program began in Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, and is now used in churches around the world. We will be held accountable for the truth that we were given, and at the expense of our flesh, rejected. 36If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. From that point forward, I was actually prohibited from bringing or reading my Bible in the group. 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. Romans 7:18. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. Many alcoholic/addicts are not ready for solid food 1Cor3:2, Heb5:14. Thank you for your obedience. Roadblocks of indifference and prejudice. Whatever works to get them there or even the ones affected. The Danger of Teaching Information Without Application By Rick Warren I believe the number one problem with preaching in America is its lack of application. 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. Celebrate Recovery is a substance abuse recovery program based primarily on biblical teachings and the words and loving power of Jesus Christ. Dishonesty in recovery is dangerous because: It is a common relapse trigger. Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. So before I continue on with my story, I would like to go through some areas of AA. It will just be painful, like ripping into old wounds that Jesus has already healed. 1 Founded 25 years ago by pastor Rick Warren and the Saddleback Church in California, it started with just 43 people but now has groups in 29,000 churches all over the globe with more than 3.5 million . Action its keyword. It may use terms like god, creator, higher power, however, the god and creator that they speak is not that of Jesus/Yeshua. SPEAK TO SOMEONE TODAY. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. God is good, all the time. (Mat 16:19-20). Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about Celebrate Recovery. Yeshua is still in the healing and deliverance ministry. Too many churches judge them for who and what they are instead of trying to help them. I also, have experienced Gods grace and mercy through the Holy Spirit through some churches I have encountered that was amazing. God loves and sent His Son to die for us all. We will all stand before the judgement seat of the Lord, and give an account of our lives. 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. By working and applying these Biblical principles, we begin to grow spiritually. I understand how you could have mixed feelings about this, and I appreciate you sharing. (KJV), John 10:7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. The last thing I want to do is delve deeper into my issues/motivations/whatever. 70 percent of the people that attend are not church members because they feel that the churches have let them down. Celebrate Recovery has been a great program for me as well as thousands of others that need the love and support of others. Yes, you are correct in that we should never simply believe anyones word at something, and I am not offended if you do not believe my testimony. Yet, this is an occultic practice, which is a form of witchcraft. B. I encourage you to speak up and speak what the Holy Spirit has laid on your heart. How you define any program that has a veneer of righteousness connected to it, should be tested to the Word of God. (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. Dangers of self-sufficiency. We have all been lied to or deceived on some level or another, however once we know the truth, we are held accountable and can no longer hide under the mercy of the Father while we were in ignorance. 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. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? To find out if these will be offered at your group, please call the contact number. I love hearing peoples stories and the work God has done through the cross and his saving grace in others lives. It is no different than saying once a thief, always a thief, or once an adulterer always an adulterer. How shall we let God into our lives? Thanks for sharing brother. 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. Celebrate Recovery founder John Baker, who turned his testimony recovering from alcoholism into a biblical 12-step program used by more than 7 million people, died unexpectedly on Tuesday at age 72. The Celebrate Recovery Step Studies use the 12 Steps with their biblical comparisons and the eight principles that are based on the Beatitudes. There is a saying I have heard often, which goes something like this, Official page of Celebrate Recovery. 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 . What an amazing God. None of these women, spoke to me again, nor did I ever go back to Celebrate Recovery, as my assignment there was done. My faith was empowered, as I knew it was my time to speak His Words. Readiness to receive free gift lies in practice of Twelve Steps. The program seems to tip-toe around sin and evil instead of calling it out as such. 1. How can I start a Celebrate Recovery Starting a Celebrate Recovery is an exciting step for your church! Go and see for yourself. If God can work through the mouth of a mule he can work through anyone he chooses. First Baptist Church of Arnold (10.7 mi) 2012 Missouri State Road, Arnold, Missouri 63010 United States. Ive seen Gods fruit in AA and CR as anything Good comes from God. So with that said, we all have to start somewhere and often its on the wrong path before we truly find our Lord. To find a group near you go to group finder on our web page:. The ouija board got moving in earnest. I also believe in the deliverence of it. It's your choice. Contact: Bob & Pam Bay. 27). In other ways I know both programs have brought people into their recovery process and even drawn them to Jesus. I will also provide links at the very end, that I found helpful while doing my own research, that may help you as well. So, now what about the 12 steps? As such, the potential for a relapse to occur is very high. 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 . In such ways we want them to get sober in any way that works for them so not to affect others. Luke 12:47And that servant, which knew his lords will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. With the knowledge above, of these steps, how can we then take Scripture to pile over it? 12For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD(YHWH): and because of these abominations the LORD(YHWH) thy God doth drive them out from before thee. No person has the same journey and everyone has something to recover from. The magnificent reality. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. I did not fully know why at that time, but I just did as the Spirit told me to do. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. Believing you are finally cured of your addiction. John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. AA/NA holds people in bondage, making them think they are free. Admission of powerlessness is the first step in liberation. Michelle, thank you for your thoughts and I am glad that you took time to read this. Next, I moved on to being baptized, which both my husband and I were able to actually do for her. 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. I dont agree with that. I believe that God has put me there for some reason so Im waiting on Him right now. Alcoholism is not a disease. R 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. This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son. While also providing a witness and a rebuke to the women leaders or the womens group, as it was preaching different gospel, and a different Jesus/Yeshua.. 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. I couldnt wrap my mind around the Beatitudes being misrepresented in the steps of CR. Even the very symbol that is used on the AA book is very occultic, as seen from the pictures provided. 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. I previously completed step studies and attended CR as a participant. 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. Until a chance encounter with my moms old Bible opened my eyes. One of the worst things that an individual can do in early recovery is jump headfirst into romance. The Dangers of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and Celebrate Recovery. 1 Peter 3:17For it is better, if it is Gods will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Praise God for that revelation to you. Readiness to receive free gift lies in practice of Twelve Steps. We become free from our addictive, compulsive, and dysfunctional behaviors. 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. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Analyzing Celebrate Recovery (C.R.) Do not ask others to meet your needs or desires. The program addresses not just alcoholism and drug addiction, but codependency, depression, eating disorders, gambling, sexual addiction and sexual abuse. If you chose to eat ten candy bars every day and to never brush your teeth, they would start rotting out. My grandfather passed before I was born, so while I did not know him, I was told he was an alcoholic and was involved in AA. Barb, thank you for commenting! The Celebrate Recovery Bible has been designed to work with the resources developed and tested in the national and international ministry of Celebrate Recovery. (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. You often find this within eastern religions and practices such as yoga and achieving a higher self or Christ-consciousness.

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