5 am... the rumors are true

This is a first for me. It's 6:45 AM and I'm typing a blog post. What has happened in this crazy universe? This morning was a real breakthrough for me- I discovered that the time turns 5 o'clock twice per day. What an ingenious idea!

I have no idea why I'm up at this time. It really serves no great purpose, but I'll take advantage of it the best I can. I will read, and pray... and type. All good.

Today I will start meeting with my friend Matt to work through the study materials that support the Celebrate Recovery curriculum that the church is using. We'll be working through the studies so that we can then lead our small groups effectively.

So... as a part of this process, I think I will write a weekly post dealing specifically with this Christ-centered and Twelve Step-based study. Hopefully you can see how relevant the twelve steps are to everyone's daily life... not only the life of someone battling chemical addiction.

For the record I will say that I am blessed to not face chemical addiction and substance abuse problems. However, I do have my own hurts, habits, and hangups. Just as you do.
Now wait a second... before you start to think that there is no way the twelve steps might help you... before you get defensive about me lumping everyone in the same bowl as "those addicts,"
please take the time to examine your heart. Ask God to speak to you and show you where you need recovery. Addiction takes many faces. Chemical addiction, sexual addiction, gambling addiction, addiction to overeating, addiction to starving yourself, addiction to shopping or work, addiction to receiving attention... and on and on...
You may go to God and be able to come back and authentically say that you do not deal with any form of addiction. Good. Great! But that doesn't mean you don't need recovery. I had a pastor tell me, "Gregg, we are all in life recovery." I didn't know what he meant, but it always stuck with me. We've all been hurt somehow. We all have acted out sinful behaviors or been involved in a relationship that have left scars on our hearts, minds, and spirits. Maybe these injuries have not healed yet. And perhaps these wounds have brought pain, in one form or another, for years.
You need recovery. I need recovery.

Jesus is about recovery.
God is our healer.
The Spirit holds the power that created the heavens and the earth... he has the power to make all things new yet again.

Celebrate Recovery takes the twelve steps back to their biblical roots. What does this mean? It means that it is relevant to all people. The twelve steps just reassert some major biblical principles in a succinct way.

It is important to remember that the twelve steps are sequential, progressive, and cyclical. Step 3 must build on the foundation laid by working through steps 1 and 2, but it is vital to understand that as one works through step 3, 4, 5, etc... that he can not cease to work through all of the previous steps. It's progressive and cyclical. I had this concept described to me in this way: The twelve steps are like a clock. What happens after twelve? You start back at one.

I think al of this will make more sense as the twelve steps are laid out in the weeks to come. I hope that you may decide to read the upcoming posts and take the opportunity to join me on this subtle revolution of the soul. The world will not change unless I first am changed. I can not change unless I have been changed. There is only one who can change me. He is, always has been, and always will be the Unchangeable Changer. I call him Jesus.