Thursday, January 10, 2013

Week 30

This is week 30 of Celebrate Recovery here at Hydesville Church.  It's been a wild ride.  We have seen scores of new faces but our core group remains small.  We have seen miraculous changes in the lives of the participants.  I love the 'realness,' honesty and humility of Celebrate Recovery.  There is just something powerful in knowing we are not alone in our life struggles.  It is like a warm balm to a hurting and scraped up soul to have real people - spiritually broken people - offer non-judgmental encouragement and support on our own life's journey.  The reality of Jesus Christ, expressed within this group, is that He is not a distant figure from the Bible, but a true friend today and a savior whose love, guidance and compassion is relevant to every struggle and triumph we have in life.

I like Celebrate Recovery, because it is the love of Jesus - with a human touch.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Guest Post from Deborah Leathers

Question: How important do you think it is to have a Celebrate Recovery Ministry at Hydesville Church?

I feel it is very important. We just need people to get past the barrier of thinking that Celebrate Recovery is only for people who have drug or alcohol addictions. That is just not the case! Every person in our church has suffered from some hurt, loss or abuse of some kind. And we all need help getting past the pain. Letting go, making amends with those people who we have hurt or have hurt us. Doing this EXTREMELY hard step is important it not only sets you free but it enables us to grow into the individuals God has created us to be. I do know how hard it can be even in a church setting for people to humble themselves and admit they have a problem. We worry what others will say on Sunday after they have seen us at a meeting on Friday. It's hard for people to really trust that confidential means confidential. I say come trust and see. Your life is worth it