Nurture Camaraderie

This past Saturday, my extremely annoying alarm clock jolted me out of a sound sleep at 4:15am. I reluctantly pushed off the covers, swung my feet onto the floor, stood up and performed an off-balance stretch that nearly toppled the stand-up mirror.

Groggy, but finally awake, I headed for the stairs ignoring my groaning body's pleading for just 5 more minutes of rest... "just 5 more minutes for crying out loud! It's four o' stinking clock in the stinking morning!!" What could have possible dragged me out of my cherished Saturday morning slumber at such an hour?...

14 equally sleepy saints waiting at the church for me to drive the bus to New Wilmington for a One Day Seminar, that's what.

I had asked one of my leaders to pick up some breakfast items for the trip, and he showed up with a cooler full of orange juice and a couple crates full of Panera goodies! Another fella arrived with several boxes of donuts. Needless to say, we didn't starve on our 3 hour journey into Pennsylvania. Praise music blasting, riders chatting away in their seats, I pulled out of the parking lot anticipating a glorious day with some of my favorite people... and I was not disappointed.

Most of those who made the trip were leaders, the others are actively heading that direction. So, at the end of the day, they all reflected on how much they had learned and how excited they were to get back and implement the training. However, what everyone seemed to have gotten most out of our little road trip is an increased appreciation and love for one another.

What I really want to focus on in this blog is how relationships within our CR group seem to blossom and bloom brightest in these fellowship opportunities outside our CR meetings.
As Encourager Coaches, a large part of our role is to "create fellowship events for leaders and groups." On Saturday, it was so evident why nurturing camaraderie in our ministry is so vital.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24, 25)

Make opportunities to fellowship outside your regularly scheduled CR meetings... and make the most of every one of these opportunities (no matter how early in the morning!) by nurturing a camaraderie that comes through the love and fellowship of Jesus Christ.

-john

FACEBOOK - The Place to Connect with the CR National Facebook Page

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog about Facebook and the possibilities for networking via this popular tool!  I also posted some warnings about security while using Facebook.  I continue to be amazed at the number of folks using this ever growing media to connect and network about Celebrate Recovery and share their lives, changed lives. 

Mac Owen, our National Assimulation Coach, wrote a blog about the networking successes he has personally witnessed via Facebook and the numbers of folks showing up at his local CR because of Facebook conversations or connections.  Wow, God can use anything in a big way, if we just invite Him to do something miraculous!  That is what we are seeing, God at work as we connect with friends and family. Go God!

I want to encourage you to connect with us on the National Celebrate Recovery Facebook page. The National Team is using it as another means to keep people informed about what is happening across the country.  It is so inspiring to read the reports of individual ministries and also uplifting to read the testimonies of individuals who have posted sobriety dates.  Others offer words of encouragement to the readers. 

There is also an increased  presence of state, regional and individual Celebrate Recovery pages. Pages have been started by various individuals wanting to connect with smaller and more specific audiences.  Some are using it to connect with just the leaders in their ministry and others to network ministries in larger cities or even states.  How exciting that we can encourage one another in so many ways.

Well, I hope you can tell that I am excited about the wave that Facebook is creating in and of itself.  Remember to keep the confidentiality when sharing information.  Facebook is not the place for deep sharing, but a place of social connection.  

God bless each of you as you begin your week!

Paula 

Make the Most of Your Moments with Celebrate Recovery Leaders

Jim and I just returned from a wonderful Celebrate Recovery One Day Conference at Christ's Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Many thanks to those who hosted us and to the many who labored in love with us to make this conference a success!

Everywhere the CR team goes, we find time to enjoy those little moments we have together and with the CR Leaders who host us! I have never been with a group who can cram so much activity into just three days. We work hard, but find time to enjoy some time together.

In my last blog, I shared the idea of a cupcake party. Have you noticed more cupcake shops in your area? I was inspired to buy cupcakes for Valentine's Day presents. Yum!

My latest new experience was a fudge tasting party. One of our team members purchased four different varieties of fudge from a local shop and declared a party. Tasting the varieties of fudge became the closing fanfare after a very long day! Have you ever witnessed the unveiling of a new car, a new outfit being modeled? Well, there was the fanfare of the fudge unveiling. Some fudge, a cup of tea or coffee, and lots of conversation resulted in a relaxing fellowship time!

You know what? Life is serious and sometimes very hard. Find time to laugh and enjoy those little moments with others. It helps to keep life balanced!

Be blessed in this day and don't forget to smile!

Paula

Enjoy the Moments and the People Around You

We just returned from the Gig Harbor One Day Conference last evening.  It was a powerful Conference, lots of enthusiasm and passion for hurting souls.  Along the way, there were lots of little fun moments, conversations and giggles with old and new friends.  Each time that we get together with CR family, it is special to us. Jim and I have a good time!

I am sure your CR family is special to you too.  Those times together build relationships. I attended my first cupcake party this past weekend.  What an idea for a social event.  There was a little shop down the way from our hotel where cupcakes were purchased.  We cut them into halves and had a tasting party.  How much fun!  The cupcakes were delicious, but the fellowship was even better.  Even simple events can be loads of fun!

As the E Coach, you can plan a party or get-together with some simple idea and have lots of fun. It is not so much WHAT you do, but that you do SOMETHING to get folks together.  Do you have an interesting idea that you would like to share?  John and I would love to hear from you. 

Have a blessed day!

Paula

Identifying Fragrance

Last night, three of my girls and I went to a Fall Fellowship held at our church. Surrounded by a medley of autumn colors, we had an amazing outdoor harvest dinner; we played games, and we sang songs topping off the perfect night with a bonfire devotional from our own Pastor Don. Needless to say we all came home with the sweetest perfume ever created soaked into every article of our clothing- “eau de campfire smoke.”

My wife stayed home with the baby, and when we came home she commented that there could be no mistaking our presence near, and proximity to the smoky blaze . There was an identifying fragrance about us...

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:14, 15)

What lingering aroma labels you? Does your daily life emit the sweet redolence of Jesus Christ?

The 24^th lesson of the CR Participant Guide reminds us that “Example is what is important” and asks, “Does your lifestyle... reflect the love, humility and service of Jesus Christ?”

I want to encourage all who labor in Celebrate Recovery to prioritize above all things, as Brother Lawrence put it, the practice of the Presence of God. As we draw closer to God, His Life becomes more evident in us, His Presence announced and pronounced in and through ours.

Let us spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in our churches, in our homes, and in our workplaces this week by immersing ourselves in the Life and Light of Jesus Christ.