As way of encouragement this week I have included a message form Kenny Luck, the Saddleback men's pastor.
Kenny leads us every Thursday morning in a bible study directed at men's issues. Attending this study has been an important part of my recovery & I would encourage you to join me from 6:30 am to 7:30 am next Thursday at table No. 7. It’s another great way to connect with other men.
And the men's retreats are a MUST!!! So start making plans for our Houseboat Trip September 29th !!!
This message from Kenny ties into our reading last week in Luke 18:15-17 where Jesus asks us to be like children. So take a look:
The Boy Is Not Supposed to Die
Tension. Unpredictability. Letting go. Adrenaline.
Jumping off things is in our DNA. It took me two seconds to make my short list. Jumping off the roof. Jumping into a cold pool. Jumping off the roof into cold pools. Jumping on a trampoline. Jumping off the swings. Jumping on a pogo stick to Billy Joel music eight hundred and fifty seven times in my garage. Jumping over Calabasas Creek with my yellow Schwinn. Jumping into mischief for the thrill of it. How about you?
Our fathers looked at us and said, “What were you thinking?” We said, “I don’t know.” That’s because there was no explanation! We were being boys. That is, we were stretching the limits of our courage, we were testing the limits of our abilities, and we were risking injury for the rush on the other side of the experience. We lived for that feeling.
Funny that Jesus turned to a little boy to answer the spiritual significance question: “Who’s the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” In other words, what can I do here that will make me significant up there with God? Imagine the visual:
“He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:2-3 NASB).
What would this mean in the masculine context? What qualities did they need to recapture from their boyhood which would shape their manhood in Christ?
Eager to trust. Eager to risk. Eager to “jump off.”
Risk is the DNA of man – of every man – and it’s put there by God and for God. You may have misplaced it, neglected it, or misused it but it is time to get it back and do something great for God with it.
Kenny
SW: Recovery is all about me... about my healing... and the first step to my healing is admitting that I am powerless... and what is more powerless than a child. Like powerless children we come to our Father... we can pretend we are big & strong... we can pretend we can do it alone... we can pretend we know it all... "let me do it daddy, let me do it!" we cry out... and somethings he lets us do. But, if we are honest, we must admit just where doing it ALL ourselves has gotten us. But HE knows our own true selves even when we don't. He ACCEPTS us just as we are. We are accepted! We just need to stop pretending, "... and become like little children," before our God... powerless ... & loved.
For this week: Continuing on Step 1 - Lesson 2
Reading:
Bible: Luke 21-24; John 1
Step Devotional: Time to Choose pg. 1309
Serenity Devotional: pg 351
Monday Group (20 June):
Devotional: Serenity pg 355
Sharing: Lesson 2 - Questions 4,5,6 & 7
Monday, June 13, 2005
Monday, June 06, 2005
Sunday Summary Luke 11-15
Luke Chapter 11-15
Recovery Lesson: Denial
Here in chapter 15 Luke lays down the foundation for Jesus as our God of second chances with the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin & the lost son.
Chapter 11-14 is primarily a warning to those in denial about the true nature of God. So according to Luke, Jesus’ ministry proclaims that he is Master and Savior of the lost... and we are all lost! It is the denial of the fact of our lost-ness that he riles against as hypocrisy.
In Luke 13:1-8 Jesus calls us to repent with the parable of the fig tree. But as is his nature, he is patiently waiting for us as he says, “...leave it alone one more year.”
So this is how Jesus tells us that to break our denial:
· I must repent (to acknowledge our errors – call them out by name);
· I must take responsibility (to accept my errors – own them by name);
· I must surrender (to unload my errors – surrender them to Him);
This is His formula for breaking denial & setting ourselves free from the false beliefs that have keep us captive.
But what is the one false belief, the real basis of our errors, that we must stop clinging to?
Recovery Lesson: Denial
Here in chapter 15 Luke lays down the foundation for Jesus as our God of second chances with the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin & the lost son.
Chapter 11-14 is primarily a warning to those in denial about the true nature of God. So according to Luke, Jesus’ ministry proclaims that he is Master and Savior of the lost... and we are all lost! It is the denial of the fact of our lost-ness that he riles against as hypocrisy.
In Luke 13:1-8 Jesus calls us to repent with the parable of the fig tree. But as is his nature, he is patiently waiting for us as he says, “...leave it alone one more year.”
So this is how Jesus tells us that to break our denial:
· I must repent (to acknowledge our errors – call them out by name);
· I must take responsibility (to accept my errors – own them by name);
· I must surrender (to unload my errors – surrender them to Him);
This is His formula for breaking denial & setting ourselves free from the false beliefs that have keep us captive.
But what is the one false belief, the real basis of our errors, that we must stop clinging to?
“He who clings to his life
will lose it,
But he who loses his life,
will gain it.” (Lk 17:33)
It is the false belief, deep down inside, based on our past hurts, that we are unlovable & unloved. This is a lie.
The truth is that we are loved. Luke tells us through Jesus own words that the worse we are, the farther we’ve wandered, the deeper we’ve fallen, the more dear we are to Him. He waits for us in joyful anticipation at our return:
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found. (Lk 15:32)
The truth that we are denying is:
There is nothing wrong with our own true selves,
But that we have hidden behind the false belief,
That we had to be someone we were not,
That we could not be the someone that we are
And still be loved.
And still loved we are
After all we’ve done
By the one who knows the truth
And loves us still,
now and forever. SW
That is the truth that we can no longer deny. We must put down our guilt, anger & shame and accept his precious gift.
SW
Monday, May 30, 2005
SUNDAY SUMMARY - LUKE 6-10
Sunday summary
Luke Ch 6-10
So many great stories & parables here! So much I can learn. But part of the recovery process is the challenge of focusing on my current step, not getting behind or ahead.
In step one I am admitting I am powerless to control my hurts hang-ups and habits. This is a daily surrender for me. I have a need to be in control. More accurately I have the need to believe I am in control. To maintain the illusion of control, I do things that I can control. Doing all the details as a form of control can be a distraction from my real objective.
Thus the little story of Mary & Martha, five verses at the end of chapter 10.
I take two recovery lessons from this story. First is that recovery is more that doing the steps. Second, the people that love us may not understand what we are doing and by accident or intention, interfere.
Martha was about doing. Mary was about being with and becoming like Jesus.
We must DO the steps of course. Martha & Mary also had to prepared for their little get together. But just “putting on” a great party is not what recovery is about. It’s more, as Mary clearly knew.
It’s about RELATIONSHIP!
When I was first married I invited a friend over from work. He & his wife came over for dinner. We had a new baby & my wife was excited to have some of our first “non-family” guests. She ran around like a chicken with her head cut off serving our meal, clearing the table, making coffee & dessert. After dinner she went in the other room to nurse while I sat in the living room alone with my guests. They excused themselves and left before Mary returned. Ouch. The next day at work my friend told me that his wife thought I was a real toad for making my wife do all that work while I sat with guests.
She was half right.
I should have helped prepare in advance more, so that when our guests arrived, my Mary didn’t have to do it all. But my Mary forgot that this dinner was a meal second and a get-to-know-you first. I suggested that next time, (they never came back) we serve a simple meal with a little ice cream for dessert and that she might invite the ladies to join her in the other room if necessary.
Because it’s about relationships!
And Recovery is about relationships too!
You may have many Martha’s in your life. They may be the people closest to you who doubt what you are doing, that it will work, that you are sincere this time, that don’t really believe in you, or trust you anymore. That’s ok! Mary got that from Martha but she just went in the other room with Jesus. She didn’t let Martha’s negative talk stop her.
Jesus told Martha that because Mary was obedient, “It will not be taken away form her.”
If I do my prep work (workbooks, recovery bible) then, most important, come to Him, the blessing of our victory over my hurts, hang-ups and habits will not be taken away from me!!!! Nor from you!!!
SW - LOVE TO SEE YOUR COMMENTS.
Luke Ch 6-10
So many great stories & parables here! So much I can learn. But part of the recovery process is the challenge of focusing on my current step, not getting behind or ahead.
In step one I am admitting I am powerless to control my hurts hang-ups and habits. This is a daily surrender for me. I have a need to be in control. More accurately I have the need to believe I am in control. To maintain the illusion of control, I do things that I can control. Doing all the details as a form of control can be a distraction from my real objective.
Thus the little story of Mary & Martha, five verses at the end of chapter 10.
I take two recovery lessons from this story. First is that recovery is more that doing the steps. Second, the people that love us may not understand what we are doing and by accident or intention, interfere.
Martha was about doing. Mary was about being with and becoming like Jesus.
We must DO the steps of course. Martha & Mary also had to prepared for their little get together. But just “putting on” a great party is not what recovery is about. It’s more, as Mary clearly knew.
It’s about RELATIONSHIP!
When I was first married I invited a friend over from work. He & his wife came over for dinner. We had a new baby & my wife was excited to have some of our first “non-family” guests. She ran around like a chicken with her head cut off serving our meal, clearing the table, making coffee & dessert. After dinner she went in the other room to nurse while I sat in the living room alone with my guests. They excused themselves and left before Mary returned. Ouch. The next day at work my friend told me that his wife thought I was a real toad for making my wife do all that work while I sat with guests.
She was half right.
I should have helped prepare in advance more, so that when our guests arrived, my Mary didn’t have to do it all. But my Mary forgot that this dinner was a meal second and a get-to-know-you first. I suggested that next time, (they never came back) we serve a simple meal with a little ice cream for dessert and that she might invite the ladies to join her in the other room if necessary.
Because it’s about relationships!
And Recovery is about relationships too!
You may have many Martha’s in your life. They may be the people closest to you who doubt what you are doing, that it will work, that you are sincere this time, that don’t really believe in you, or trust you anymore. That’s ok! Mary got that from Martha but she just went in the other room with Jesus. She didn’t let Martha’s negative talk stop her.
Jesus told Martha that because Mary was obedient, “It will not be taken away form her.”
If I do my prep work (workbooks, recovery bible) then, most important, come to Him, the blessing of our victory over my hurts, hang-ups and habits will not be taken away from me!!!! Nor from you!!!
SW - LOVE TO SEE YOUR COMMENTS.
Monday, May 23, 2005
WEEKLY SUMMARY
WEEKLY SUMMARY: May 16-22, 2005
Luke Chapter 1-5
DENIAL: Clinging to false beliefs
Analysis: Each character in this reading faced a challenge to their beliefs. Something happened that caused them to rethink what they believed about their situation, other people, themselves and God. They were challenged to see anew by a significant outside occurrence.
Question to Consider: What outside occurrence brought me into recovery?
Implication: Changing how I see things changes what i see.
Question to Consider: Am I really prepared to open my eyes to new truths about myself, my past and my current situation?
From the text:
Elizabeth & Zechariah were the parents of John the Baptist. Zechariah believed that they would never have children because of their age. But he could not change his belief even when an angel of God proclaimed it directly to him. He was stuck in denial & he suffered a period to trial as a result of his resistance to the truth. Elizabeth went immediately into seclusion. This was a sign of her instantaneous acceptance of the truth. Her symptoms could have been from age or disease yet she changed her belief and declared, “How kind the Lord is.” (Lk 1:25).
When John the Baptist was born the people were amazed at how this older couple had been blessed. Still their doubts about just who this child was to be did not influence Elizabeth & Zechariah. They were ready to act on their new understanding when they named him John (Lk 1:57-64) and when Zechariah gave his prophecy (Lk 1:67-80)
Mary & Joseph were the earthly parents of Jesus. They must have believed that they were unworthy of being used in this way by God. When the angel appeared to Mary she was, “Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.” (Lk 1:29). She was in denial about God’s purpose for her life, yet her heart was open as she tried to understand this new truth about herself & Elizabeth. When the angel reminded her, “Nothing is impossible with God,” (Lk 1:37), she accepted the truth and broke her denial, “I am the Lord’s servant. I am willing to accept what ever he wants. May everything you said come true.” (Lk 1:38)
Jesus’ birth challenged many to believe something new. The frightened shepherds (Lk 2:9), Simon (Lk 2:25-35), Anna (Lk 2:36-40), the teachers in the temple (Lk 2:47), even Joseph & Mary as they were rebuked by Jesus, “’But why did you need to search?’ he ask them. ‘You should have known I would be in my fathers house.’ But they did not understand what he meant.” (Lk 2:49-50) All acted based on their own experience, hope & faith. Only when they accepted a new truth did their actions follow.
John the Baptist seemed to know exactly who he was and what God wanted from him (Lk 3:2). He pursued his calling even to the point of prison (Lk 3:20).
The Devil, acting on his belief that Jesus could be tempted, went into the wilderness to confront him. Even when confronted with the power of the Holy Spirit, the Devil refused to acknowledge the falseness of his beliefs, “When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opporntunity came.” (Lk 4:13)
Jesus family, friends and the people of Nazareth were unable to see Him in a new light once he began his ministry. Their denial resulted such anger it gave rise to a riot that chased Jesus out of town, “But the turth is, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.” (Lk 4:24) People won't always support us as we act on a new truth.
The Disciples expressed their doubts at first when Jesus told them where to cast their nets, “we worked hard last night and didn’t catch a thing.” (Lk 5:5) Even though they had doubts they did what he told them. When they pulled in their nets they changed their beliefs about Jesus. Here, obediant actions preceded belief and blessing.
The Paralyzed Man and many others that Jesus healed may have had doubts but they acted in faith and were blessed with healing.
When Jesus befriended the Tax Collector, Levi, the beliefs of the day about the righteous were duly challenged. His response caused them to again examine the truth of their beliefs, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call on sinners to turn them from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough.” (Lk 5:31-32)
The occurrence of Jesus caused all who encountered him to reassess their beliefs about their situation, other people, themselves and God. Ones beliefs inform their actions. As our beliefs change, our actions will naturally follow. But sometimes, to break our denial, we must act within our doubts to recieve the blessings of truth.
Question for your comment:
In what way has my past, my current situation, and the beliefs of others about me, locked me into my current beliefs about who I am and who God thinks I am.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Goodbye Don
In honor of the passing of our brother in recovery
Don Thomas
my Sunday bible reading summary
will remain dark until Monday.
Don died in an auto accident
Saturday afternoon.
He is survived by
his wife Debbie
and
his son 15 & daughter 12.
Don ask me to be his sponsor
just a few short weeks ago.
He was truly dedicated through recovery to his savior.
He will be greatly missed
by all.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Day 4 - Luke
Notes on Luke Ch 3 (from yesterday):
"and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, ‘You are my beloved son, and I am fully pleased with you.’” (Lk 3-22)
Wow!!! My father in heaven loves me as much as he does his own son. This is exactly what he said to me when I ask him into my heart. He has adopted me into his family.
Coming to Him with my strength never pleased Him. It never fully pleased me or anyone else for that matter. They always needed more & so did I.
Coming to Him in my weakness pleases him fully. And I didn't need to wait. Now I don’t need to please others or worry about what they think. He takes me as I am. That’s enough for Him & me. Together well work out the kinks.
Notes on Luke Ch 4:
“When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious.” (Lk 4-28)
When he revealed himself to family & friends as God’s Man, Jesus almost caused a riot.
When I stopped worrying about what others thought of me, stopped trying to act like I thought they wanted me to, stopped striving to meet the world’s standards of success, it made a few people angry. I was no longer a slave to their affections.
I had a new master.
Just like Jesus, they tried to throw me over a cliff by resisting & sabotaging the changes in me. They were testing me to see if it was real. There was pain in this growth. But this pain was ultimately the pathway to peace with the one’s I loved.
Your comments are welcome - SW
"and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, ‘You are my beloved son, and I am fully pleased with you.’” (Lk 3-22)
Wow!!! My father in heaven loves me as much as he does his own son. This is exactly what he said to me when I ask him into my heart. He has adopted me into his family.
Coming to Him with my strength never pleased Him. It never fully pleased me or anyone else for that matter. They always needed more & so did I.
Coming to Him in my weakness pleases him fully. And I didn't need to wait. Now I don’t need to please others or worry about what they think. He takes me as I am. That’s enough for Him & me. Together well work out the kinks.
Notes on Luke Ch 4:
“When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious.” (Lk 4-28)
When he revealed himself to family & friends as God’s Man, Jesus almost caused a riot.
When I stopped worrying about what others thought of me, stopped trying to act like I thought they wanted me to, stopped striving to meet the world’s standards of success, it made a few people angry. I was no longer a slave to their affections.
I had a new master.
Just like Jesus, they tried to throw me over a cliff by resisting & sabotaging the changes in me. They were testing me to see if it was real. There was pain in this growth. But this pain was ultimately the pathway to peace with the one’s I loved.
Your comments are welcome - SW
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Day 2 - Luke 2
Which should I do first: turn on the computer to get my email or turn to His Word?
I want to have a relationship with Him so I must make it a priority. So I have decided to go to His Word before I eat breakfast or turn on any of my boxes.
This morning I spent 20 reading Luke, chapter 2, plus the footnotes. I’m a medium-speed reader. If you’re a little slower, give it 20-30 minutes or skip the footnotes.
Notes for Luke Chapter 2:
I turned away from Christ for 50 years because I knew I wasn’t ready to receive Him. I wanted to clean up my act first.
But Jesus didn’t wait until people were ready to receive Him.. born in a manger and all that. But now, just like that first Christmas, He comes to us when He’s ready. Doesn’t matter if we smell & hang out with animals, He makes Himself available, now, this minute, just as we are. (See Lk 2:6-7)
SW
I want to have a relationship with Him so I must make it a priority. So I have decided to go to His Word before I eat breakfast or turn on any of my boxes.
This morning I spent 20 reading Luke, chapter 2, plus the footnotes. I’m a medium-speed reader. If you’re a little slower, give it 20-30 minutes or skip the footnotes.
Notes for Luke Chapter 2:
I turned away from Christ for 50 years because I knew I wasn’t ready to receive Him. I wanted to clean up my act first.
But Jesus didn’t wait until people were ready to receive Him.. born in a manger and all that. But now, just like that first Christmas, He comes to us when He’s ready. Doesn’t matter if we smell & hang out with animals, He makes Himself available, now, this minute, just as we are. (See Lk 2:6-7)
SW
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