B. It wasnt until I became a facilitator that I began questioning the program. (RNS) John Baker, co-founder of Celebrate Recovery, an evangelical support group that helps people with "hurts, hangups and habits," has died. Sign up for our newsletter: Creation of C.R. We will all stand before the judgement seat of the Lord, and give an account of our lives. While a lapse can be a single event such as a poor decision of going . This is why I stress within my blog that this is leading people to accept a different gospel. Celebrate Recovery IS: A safe place to share; A place of refuge; A place of belonging; A place to care for others and be cared for; A place where respect is given to each member; A place where confidentiality is highly regarded; A place to learn; A place to demonstrate genuine love; A place to grow and become strong again; A place for progress The program seems to tip-toe around sin and evil instead of calling it out as such. 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. This is my concern also for you, in that you are highly esteeming a program over that of the Word, which is the same spirit that I encountered while attending my last day of CR. Love that has no price tag. They literally drain us and leave us feeling fatigued, unmotivated and even depressed. Celebrate Recovery is for adults 18 years and older. Mental obsession plus physical allergy. For those who would like more resources here are some links: http://www.anti-antichrist.com/soap/lanagan.html, http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/aaroots.html, https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/ (Search for AA). I also believe in the deliverence of it. I couldnt wrap my mind around the Beatitudes being misrepresented in the steps of CR. There did not come a time when there was an exception for drunkenness. So, it is important to keep ourselves pure from false doctrines and teachers. Celebrate Recovery is just another type ofSyncretism, as mixes Gods ways with heathen ways. Ebony, thank you for taking the time to share that with me. If God can work through the mouth of a mule he can work through anyone he chooses. Bauxite mining would threaten birds, plants, and clean water. By working and applying these Biblical principles, we begin to grow spiritually. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step program designed for all "hurts, hangups, and habits," including those caused by emotional, mental, and spiritual dysfunction.As one of the seven largest addiction recovery support programs, Celebrate Recovery is designed to be a confidential place where attendees can work through their "stuff" in a safe and God-honoring place. I know, for me, it wasn't hard to recite the 12 steps in solidarity at a . Lost faith found in A.A. 1 Cor 6:9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered ministry of discipleship and healing designed to help adults and families overcome different struggles in life as they grow together in a relationship with God. 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. It reminds me of a favorite passage of mine: Hebrews 11:25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. I am praying for God to show me what he wants me to do. This is evident as you compare each step with the scriptures. Celebrate Recovery gives the support and love that so many churches fail at. If so, then I challenge you to put your emotions aside from the program, and dig into the Word. The Dangers of Dishonesty in Recovery. 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. If there is darkness in the AA program leading people astray, what better place to set up a lamp stand? From that point on, I cannot recall all that I spoke, however, I remember the power of the Holy Spirit was so strong, that not only did I literally believe that time was stopped for me to speak, but I could feel all the demons around me being held back and I was engulfed in this protective shell. Are extremely loyal, remaining in harmful situations too long. Category: Group Celebrate Recovery. Every meeting, except my last, I was always led to open my Word and read directly from it. I decided to leave after that, and not attend the meeting, and I didnt come back for a couple weeks. A new state of consciousness and being is received as a free gift. However, you can pat yourself on the back for making it . As they had all turned their backs on Yeshua/Jesus and His Word, they then had no problem turning their back on me. This is what He did for me, and through such, I am obliged to warn others. A person can not only be intoxicated physically, but also spiritually: Isa 29:9Pause and wonder! CR is for anyone with a hurt, habit or a hang up. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. Roadblocks of indifference and prejudice. Before I go further, I want to share something on this topic. What? for the living to the dead?(KJV). Needless to say, CR has had a major influence on the church. 314-267-4456. Ive been attending CR (and volunteering on the welcome team ) for about a year. Celebrating each milestone is encouraged, as long as you can find safe celebration activities! We have also been to Indonesia twice . 27). Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 3) We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. Throughout scripture, Yeshua/Jesus tells us to not be deceived, and in order to obey that command, we have to be willing to test the practices, programs and doctrines we have accepted into our lives. In such ways we want them to get sober in any way that works for them so not to affect others. 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. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. About Of Dangers Recovery Celebrate Once you know better, you do better. He shares in his testimony that he grew up a believer in a Baptist church but struggled with feelings of unworthiness. 3525. nph Importance of an open mind. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.. Step Two is a rallying point to sanity. Quoting from my blog: Many seem to believe that as long as something appears good, and that someone is helped that it must be of God, when this is simply not true; while He can draw His own creation to Him, in whatever circumstance they are in, this does not mean that it is His perfect will for them to continue on in what they are doing or involved in. Even the very symbol that is used on the AA book is very occultic, as seen from the pictures provided. 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. Both men, who developed the 12-step program were directed by a spirit(demon) guide in their revelation. We all need to be encouraged from time to time, and I am thankful that this has helped you to be able to make some difficult decisions. (As well as: 1 Thes 5:6, 8, 2 Tim 4:5, 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 4:7). And theres many avenues to recover. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 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 . 2) We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. To discern good fruit you have to know if the doctrine, character, or practice, aligns with the word of God, and this should be your measuring line. Then, the seemingly virtuous entities would elbow them out with messages of comfort, information, adviceand sometimes just sheer nonsense.. 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. He has taught the Bible and preached in places as varied as Russia, Northern Ireland, Bhutan, and Egypt. First Unitarian Universalist Church & Center. Celebrate Recovery operates as an extension of Fellowship Bible Church, a unique congregation focused on healing. Once I was done with 6-7 weeks of rehab, I went back to my base in Italy, and continued on with a program through the military. It is a welcoming community and provided a perfect place for our retreat. From my experience and understanding, the reason why many people have a difficult time coming away from these programs/doctrines is because there is a spiritual bond(stronghold) that has taken place and it must be broken. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. I too may have mixed feelings about this post. It was still a deep tissue massage, which helped me to relax, and relive my sore muscles, however, I was engaging in a practice that is contrary to biblical practices. (Pg 5), Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.What can we believe in? Recovery is a term that primarily denotes a process of physical healing. God is good, all the time. 2. 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. Baker is survived by his wife and Celebrate Recovery cofounder, Cheryl; children Johnny and Jeni Baker and Laura and Brian Gibney; and their grandchildren. 8,093 talking about this. In other ways I know both programs have brought people into their recovery process and even drawn them to Jesus. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? I also, have experienced Gods grace and mercy through the Holy Spirit through some churches I have encountered that was amazing. Please check directly with each church to find out if they are running during Covid-19. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! 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. Forest Brook Community Church. This is why I had thrown away the Blue Book, as well as an Alateen book I had aquired when I was younger. I have found that times when I am feeling too comfortable, that I am not growing or stepping out where I should be. 60 Kearney Dr Ajax, Ontario, L1T 4N2 Download Celebrate Recovery and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Start your new life now! 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 . I needed to see this. 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. I sat to the left of the CR group leader, which would mean that I would be the first to speak. 12) Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs. If I were to base my experience and how it made me feel as the only factors of judgement on such practice, I would consider it to be good. I see it as a ripe mission field to share my testimony and experience; to share the Word of God and what Jesus Christ has done for me. Ive experienced His amazing grace and mercy through both programs. Giving that asks no reward. These first three steps of the 12, undermine the gospel, and allow an individual to accept whatever higher power they choose. The messiness of addiction is too much for many churches to handle. 1 bid. Baker, Celebrate Recovery Leader's Guide, 12). It was then that woman after woman, that spoke after me, praised only the program. To become truly sober, or sober-minded, is not just abstaining from toxic substances from the physical body, but also toxic doctrines from the mind/heart. So, now what about the 12 steps? The only way for that to happen is through repentance of these programs/doctrines. (KJV), Isaiah 8:19And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? 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. for less than $4.25/month. We cannot trust our experiences and how we feel as a sole measure of something to be good. This is why we are told to come out, Be ye separate, Be holy, as He is Holy. Too many pastors use an academic model in which they simply lecture their congregations. The Celebrate Recovery Step Studies use the 12 Steps with their biblical comparisons and the eight principles that are based on the Beatitudes. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. This was actually the point of my blog post. I would like to serve Him some other way, in another ministry. Christian Fellowship has an active missions program. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. It is mixing the Holy, and the profane. (Luke 9:23) In such, our reward, or our treasures will be laid up greater in heaven. (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. So far this year we have raised over $20,000.00 for missions. Next, I moved on to being baptized, which both my husband and I were able to actually do for her. However, as she began the meeting, she had decided for the other group leader to go first who was sitting to my left. 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? Problems of intellectuality and self-sufficiency. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. Gal 5:19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. AA/NA holds people in bondage, making them think they are free. In Celebrate Recovery, the levels of recovery are far worse. You don't have to face alcohol addiction alone, so give us a call today to get started at 888-448-0302. There was only one woman after me, that was the program group leader for the night, that sat to my right, that proclaimed the Name Jesus, and what He had done for her. 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. The atmosphere had changed, and I could sense the Spirit strong with me, and guided my every step. What does the Bible say about drunkards? AA is just another false religion, trying to go in another way: We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired(Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, pg. You often find this within eastern religions and practices such as yoga and achieving a higher self or Christ-consciousness. Romans 12:1. Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a national, Christ-centered self-help program hosted by local churches to help people struggling with addiction or other life-controlling issues. Misuse of willpower. Every week we state that we make decisions based on the truth. I prayed about matters, and asked Him what His will was for me to do, and how to instruct this woman. A. Analyzing Celebrate Recovery (C.R.) So much in Christianity today is not based on Christ's teachings as much as it's based upon the ideas and theories of mankind. Thank you for sharing, and I am glad that you have had your eyes opened to the deceptiveness of this program. One of the worst things that an individual can do in early recovery is jump headfirst into romance. Hi Kellie, 3 ; Recognize that Im not God. Do not perceive yourself as lovable and worthwhile. Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous. 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. The Celebrate Recovery Bible on Kindle, iBooks and Nook are also approved curriculum. Perhaps, in learning these truths, God might want you to share this with others; and yes, while you are correct, it might, and probably will offend. (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. We believe that this program targets the one thing that we all have in commonwe're all messed up in one way or another. Relation of humility to sobriety. I do believe reaching others, Addicts, Alcoholics and whom so ever will through the church is the area of your calling. Negative and positive thinking. Blind yourselves and be blind! They know that it worked for them, and thats the greatest story they have.. We believe in spreading the gospel throughout the whole world. 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. | We have Graphic Designers to assist you | service@banners.com 1.866.419.SIGN. People were healed and delivered from blindness, leprosy, epilepsy, demon-possession, sexual lusts and perversions, etc. In some ways I understand and even believe what you say. Worrying about the past and dreading the future makes us unable to live and enjoy God's plans for us in the present. 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. 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. 1 Peter 1:13Therefore prepare your minds for action. It can come as a shock to many individuals to discover that the good times can also be a test as well. Plight of the disillusioned. Yeshua is still in the healing and deliverance ministry. I also know many who have never even tempted themselves ever again. It is a bafflement that many professing believers would condone and endorse such a program knowing the full thoughts, intentions, and beliefs of AA and its origins. So, with my final mission in view, with bible in hand, I walked into Celebrate Recovery for the last time. Michelle, thank you for your thoughts and I am glad that you took time to read this. As you can probably imaginethings did not go well for me after that. The loss of a sense of brotherhood and the loss of being part of something important and bigger than myself can lead to feelings of frustration, isolation, emptiness, boredom, anger, or loneliness. The magnificent reality. It is no different than saying once a thief, always a thief, or once an adulterer always an adulterer. 1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines. It becomes an addiction because the flesh craves it. I am a new creation in Christ and have left a lot behind, but this program keeps digging it back up and putting it in my face. 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. How shall we let God into our lives? I believe sin is a sicknesses. Thanks for your post. However, I knew what Yah had spoke to me, and He said that I shall be the first to speak. Have been having more and more doubts about it as time has gone on. Yet, this is an occultic practice, which is a form of witchcraft. Why do we need 12 steps when the only step our Saviour has told us to do is repent and turn away from sin/evil. Leviticus 19:31Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD(YHWH) your God. If you have a drinking problem in 2014, or a drug problem, or a gambling problem, your medically, socially, culturally, and politically mandated solution is a set of 12 . He instead, as is mentioned in the Big Book(pgs 12-13), made his own god, professed this god to be the Father of Lights and was led by this god-consciousness from within, and insisted that all he had to do was believe in a power higher than himself, and nothing else was required. Continued on with my story above, I started to attend Celebrate Recovery(CR), as prompted by the Spirit, even with the knowledge that it was a program that was directly tied to Rick Warren and Saddleback church: John Baker was an alcoholic and staff member of Saddleback Church who began healing through Alcoholics Anonymous. And Love indeed had a pricethe price that Yeshua paid with His own life. And I believe that somewhere in their journey and even the ones affected from their addiction that they hit a rock bottom. apearlinthevineyard.com, 2018. It isnt just the impact he had on individual lives but on all of those who loved those who decided to walk into a Celebrate Recovery meeting.. So, I dont think we really have differing views on this, as you can be led into a church, program or group to share the truth of Gods Word, without necessarily being a partaker in it. Whatever my point of willingness to believe and have faith to walk in and with him is where he meets me. How should a Christian view alcoholics? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? He wanted to also save lives, now. Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Galatians 6:1. The ministry is "group based." All groups are gender specific and use the Small Group . Romantic relationships can be a great source of happiness in sobriety, but they can also be the source of great pain. As the story goes, Warren replied, Great, Johngo do it! and the program soon launched at Saddleback. When someone is in AA, it is no different than someone being in Hinduism. (Pgs 8-9). 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. This is what brings us to our Lord. I was also told that alcoholism is a disease, and that once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. Its not my place to tell others what to do. I sat down with my bible on my lap, that I could not open, but with Scripture memorized, and words that I knew to speak. 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. The program began in Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, and is now used in churches around the world. He partied in college at the University of Missouri and as an officer in the air force, and his drinking habit grew as his career in business took off in his 30s. Celebrate Recoverys 12-steps, are AAs 12-steps, but with a biblical comparison to each one. I know what you are implying with sin sickness as it has to do with things I already addressed in my blog and is a strong lie taught within AA/CR. Within AA, the introduction is similar in the person identifies as their addiction, My Name is, and I am a drug addict/alcoholic. So before I continue on with my story, I would like to go through some areas of AA. The program addresses not just alcoholism and drug addiction, but codependency, depression, eating disorders, gambling, sexual addiction and sexual abuse. The Bible tells us to hate sin and evil, to cut it out of our life. Moving forward to my last few months at CR, Yah had revealed to me the full truth surrounding AA, as well as the foundation that Celebrate Recovery was built upon. As a result, people often walk out of worship services with their lives unchanged. Did Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? 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. AA was birthed out of what was known as the Oxford Group in the 1930s. A.A. does not demand belief; Twelve Steps are only suggestions. And Sobriety in any sense is not just for the addict but also for the many afflicted by the addict, such as the one that died in an accident. Action its keyword. 20 years ago, Saddleback Church launched Celebrate Recovery with 43 people. Dependence as a means to independence. See more ideas about celebrate recovery, recovery, recovery quotes. It also anti-christ as it denies Yeshua/Jesus as the Only Way(1 Joh 2:22-23, Joh 14:6). Promote your Celebrate Recovery Chapter with a Full Color Vinyl Banner! At Saddleback, it became the top outreach ministry, with 70 percent of participants coming from outside the church. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Celebrate Recovery roots the 12 steps in biblical principles, and its final step charges participants to use their recovery to spread the good news. There is a good, acceptable and perfect will of God. R Compromise your own values and integrity to avoid . 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. This is the very definition of deception, to appear one way, but with the intention to do another. True sobriety is not only having control over the body, but also the mind. Other than that they all denied Him, and His Word, and praised the 12-step program, based upon AA. If you are a Christian in recovery and currently attending a twelve step program whether it be Alcoholics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, Hunger for Healing or any of the other assortment of spin off programs, please take the time to consider the following information. Just as I am whereever I am. The lead woman was not there, and Yah instructed me where I needed to sit. I did not continue on with AA, and I am thankful for that. Yes, God can and does help people through the church and power of the Holy Spirit with repentance. Dangers of Celebratory Occasions in Recovery Most people in recovery will be prepared for their sobriety to be tested when times are hard. Some Celebrate Recovery groups offer childcare: "Celebration Place" for kids and "The Landing" for youth. $5.16 shipping. Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about Celebrate Recovery. The phrase do not throw out the baby with the bathwater, with regards to programs and practices like AA/CR, is overriding several biblical commands to come away from such. Recovery signals a dramatic shift in the expectation for positive outcomes for individuals who experience mental and substance use conditions or the co-occurring of the two.