While I was incarcerated one of the programs offered by the chaplain was an introductory course on Celebrate Recovery. There was an AA program at the prison, and I knew a lot of guys who attended because they always had a coffee urn, but CR was different. I had recently read Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life book and was looking for concrete information on healing. The old expression says “Time heals all wounds,” but mine weren’t. I was in pain; my hurt wasn’t going away. I was looking for a faith-based program that could provide me with an actionable process to systematically address my brokenness and guide me toward healing. In this post, we’ll explain what Celebrate Recovery is, what a typical meeting looks like, and why the same CR principles that help people in church communities can also bring real hope behind bars through Celebrate Recovery Inside (CRI), the prison and jail extension of the ministry.
Tag: Church
The Valley of Dry Bones
The blog urges the Church to support returning citizens, drawing parallels between Ezekiel's vision of the Valley of Dry Bones and the realities faced by incarcerated individuals. It emphasizes that many in prison feel abandoned and stripped of identity, akin to dry bones waiting for renewal. The author promotes the idea that transformation requires collective effort and highlights the necessity of providing hope, community, and support for reentry. Key actions for the Church include advocating for housing stability, creating employment pathways, and building mentorship programs. The message is clear: with commitment and compassion, recovery and restoration are achievable for those previously imprisoned.
The Prodigal’s Return
From my teenage years I wanted to distance myself from my family. I went off to college and then further away for graduate school seeking to gain my freedom. I then got married and started my career to establish my independence. I filled my time with what I wanted and only made grudging appearances for holidays. My brother grew up and got married. My parents grew their business and took up square dancing. They had their lives and I had mine. I didn’t live in a faraway land but halfway between my parents and my wife’s parents. Close enough to make the trip but far enough to not have to make it frequently. My focus was on my career, my interests, and my friends. I didn’t have time for family obligations or responsibilities. Even after my daughter was born, I continued to pursue my dreams without any concerns for how this affected anyone else. This is the very essence of being a prodigal.
Thank You
In the overcrowded yet lonely confines of prison I looked forward with great anticipation for the weekly callouts to the Sunday Worship Service, Tuesday night Bible Study, Spiritual Development classes, and Keryx. It wasn’t just something to do in a vast wasteland of monotony. It was an opportunity to chew on spiritual meat, to sharpen iron, and to be renewed in my inner being. All of this was only possible because of the dedication of faithful, Spirit-filled, gifted pastors and laymen; retirees and businessmen. These were missionaries, clergy, and volunteers from all walks of life who have given up much to bring light into darkness, hope to the hopeless, wisdom to the foolish, and the love of God to the least of these.
Who Is the Paul to Your Timothy?(Or the Timothy to Your Paul?)
Timothy was a young Christian taught the scriptures by his mother and grandmother. He traveled with the Apostle Paul on a missionary tour because the Christian brothers in his hometown spoke well of him. While they spent time together Paul trained Timothy for leadership. Confident in Timothy’s ability to do the job, Paul left him at Ephesus to deal with the issues of the church plant there. Paul did not do this once, but at least twice that we know of. Paul left Titus in Crete to complete the task of organizing the church planted there. By this we can see that it is a model for preparing young Christian leaders through training in a hands-on way and then mentoring them once they have been appointed to a position. In modern times, training for ministry has taken on formal academic methodologies in divinity schools in the western world. However, the old model established by the Apostle Paul still works in the third world church and in places such as prisons where it is practical, efficient, and necessary. If you are a seasoned ministry leader, who are you bringing along to lead after you’ve gone? Don’t get so caught up in the daily struggles of ministry that you forget the future. Use the talents God has entrusted you with to multiply. Invest in the individuals whom God brings to you to grow and expand the ministry by teaching them the ropes and when the time comes delegating authority so that they can experience leadership while there is still someone there to guide them and answer their questions like Paul did.
Creed and Community
The Apostles Creed is a statement of the main Christian beliefs whose earliest versions can be traced back to the A.D. 100’s. It is likely that the creed grew out of the life of the church.
At its heart, the church is a community of believers who are joined by their shared faith in Jesus Christ. Christian community involves service to one another and that starts with listening to one another. Once we begin listening only then can we be truly helpful in performing service.
The Prayer For Joy
e as Christians are known as peculiar people. I believe this is in part because of our response to adversity. (Titus 2:11-14) James tells us "to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials," not because we are masochists who enjoy pain but because we know that "the testing of our faith develops perseverance." (James 1:2)
Farewell Address to the Church
God is faithful, He "will never leave you or forsake you" (James 1:5). I have learned this lesson well during the last 8 years. I have been in some tough spots and have been roughed up a couple of times, but I was protected from any lasting harm. From these experiences I have also learned that "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). In every case I have grown closer to God, stronger both spiritually and emotionally, so I can say that "I consider it pure joy when I face trials of different kinds, because I know that the testing of my faith has developed perseverance" (James 1:3). And God will do the same for you.