Weekly Encouragement: Stuck in the Not Yet

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1 December 26, 2017 Weekly Encouragement: Stuck in the Not Yet "But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him." Philippians 3:20 (MSG) Celebrate Recovery in our AREA SUNDAYS: New Heights 5:30 pm meal 6:00 pm worship Chad & Angela Imhoff I'm not a fan of winter. I love sunshine, warm temperatures and being outside in the warm air. Sometimes when it's cold, dark and rainy, I feel like I'm stuck in the "not yet". Many times, that cold, dark and rainy season has nothing to do with the temperature outside and everything to do with what's going on in my heart. I'm frustrated and confused about hard things that are happening in my life or those around me. I can forget that I live in the "not yet." I'm caught between the miracle of Christ's sacrifice for me on the cross and my forever home with Him. This paraphrase of Philippians 3:20 from The Message Bible remind us that we are citizens of high heaven! We are waiting for the arrival of our Savior and we will be transformed. What good news this is! I love these words from the Serenity Prayer that says, "trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next." This world is not my home. My hope lies in the fact that this life is temporary and that He always planned something MONDAYS: Trinity Fellowship Trinity Reach Center 2070 Garland 5:30 pm meal 6:30 pm worship Infant to Pre-K childcare available Celebration Place (K-5th grade) The Landing (CR ministry for teens) Brad Clyne bradc@trinitynwa.com Angela Clyne angelac@trinitynwa.com TUESDAYS: Christian Life Cathedral 5:30 pm meal 6:30 pm worship Jed Harris

2 better for me. It's impossible for me to be fully happy and content here in this life, because that's not all there is. My soul longs for something bigger and better than I could ever imagine. I've wasted so many years looking for that "supremely happy" place here on earth, but it doesn't exist. But, because of that hope, I have the choice to choose to be content with my life and my circumstances. I can choose to be grateful for all the things in my life, good and bad. In all honesty, when hard things happen is when I learn the most. I learn to trust more as God shows Himself faithful to me and my longing for "supremely happy with Him" grows stronger. Today, I choose contentment and gratitude, regardless of what is going on outside. Carol Holmstrom, National Assimilation Coach & Fellowship CR Ministry Staff Celebration Place: Ministry for Children Celebration Place is designed to inspire kids with hope, joy, and friendships while they learn to rely on God. Celebration Place is a 52- week complementary children's resource to Celebrate Recovery. For more info about Celebration Place, please contact Sylvia. The Landing: Ministry for Teens The Landing is the 5th-12th grade student ministry for Celebrate Recovery. Our Desire is to walk alongside students who are personally struggling or come from struggling families by pointing them towards the healing and hope found in Jesus Christ - and by equipping them with "recovery tools" that will help them deal with current and future issues. The Landing meets every Friday night at 7:00pm in the Student Center Central auditorium. Jedgrouplife@gmail.com Catalyst Bentonville 5:45-6:15 pm Meal 6:30 pm worship Richard Burress cr@catalystnwa.com THURSDAYS: Central United Methodist Church 19 W Lafayette Street, Student Ministries Building 5:00 pm meal 6:00 pm worship 7:00 pm open share 8:00 pm cyber cafe Celebration Place (K-5th grade) Infant to Pre-K childcare available Carl Palmer cpalmer@centraltolife.com Robinson Ave. Church of Christ 1506 W. Robinson Ave. Springdale 7:00 pm Greg Hughes greg@racoc.net Community Bible Church Ft Smith 6:00 pm ed@communitychurch.com Norman First Baptist Norman, AR 6:00 pm warrenfarm@windstream.net First Assembly of God Siloam Springs 927 Oak Hill (Behind Braums) 6:30 pm Large Group 7:30 Open Share 8:30 Solid Rock Café

3 Upcoming Training: February 10 If you have finished a step study or near completion, or just need a refresher course, we have a new leader training coming soon. Saturday, February 10 8:30am-4:00pm BiLD Training Center Classroom 161 8:30 Leadership :00 Step Study 12:00 Lunch (provided; donations appreciated) 12:30 CR Bible, Guidelines, and Group Dynamics 2:00 Open Share Brandon cr@firstagsiloam.com FRIDAYS: Fellowship Bible Church Rogers 6:00 pm meal 7:00 pm worship roholmstrom@fellowshipnwa.org New Year's Eve Party Come celebrate the new year with us! We will meet on Sunday, December 31 from 9:00pm-Midnight in The Lodge here at Fellowship. Bring your favorite game and your favorite snack. See you there! Holidays are Tough: Have a Relapse Prevention Plan HOLIDAY RELAPSE PREVENTION PLAN The Holidays are upon us. It's time to start preparing your HOLIDAY RELAPSE PREVENTION PLAN! A relapse can be slipping back into an old behavior or pattern such as the way we respond in conflict or what we are dwelling on or more. Maybe an old habit that tends to be a fall back coping mechanism during this time of year. The way we eat and what we eat, what we look at or? 1. Daily Review: "I have found journaling at the end of each day a key to my 'relapse prevention plan.' Thank God, I haven't had a drink in over 23 years, but I can't rest on past victories. That is just what the enemy wants me to do. After all these years, I still write down my daily inventory in my journal. I can see the areas where I have fallen short and missed the mark. I can see the daily victories God is giving me. When I sin (not if I sin), I write it down and do my best to make the necessary

4 corrections. Over time I can see unhealthy patterns develop, and with the support of God and my accountability partners, I can put together an action plan to get me back on track." (Life's Healing Choices, Pg. 216) John Baker 2. Pick up the phone: Call your accountability partners and/or sponsor regularly. 3. Meditate and/or memorize Bibles verses. What scriptures speak to you in tough times? Maybe take some time to memorize those truths. 4. Stay in community. The opposite of relapse is connection. Attend your meetings and be with church family during the week. Don't listen to the voice that says, "You don't need to attend a meeting tonight." Remember, if we wait until we "feel" like going, it will never happen. We all need to be in community so we don't isolate ourselves. 5. Gratitude List: Write down at least one thing you are grateful for each day. "I am breathing." "I had food to eat today." "I have forever family to see at CR." "I am not alone ever." Add to your plan as you see fit. The important thing is to have a proactive plan to help us through the Holidays. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) Friday Night: Seven Reasons We Get Stuck Taking a look at areas that we can get stuck in our recovery helps us avoid those areas and keeps us focused in our journey. This week, we'll explore these. See you Friday! Come on in for a meal together at 6:00pm! Pizza This week:

5 Step Study Group: Find a group for you! Men's Study Mondays, 5:45am - starting January 15 Fellowship Bible Church, Rogers campus BiLD Training Center, Classroom 166 or more info, contact Rodney. Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm - starting January 15 Fellowship Bible Church, Preschool Building, Room 155, Rogers Campus For more info, contact Steve. Wednesdays, 5:45am - starting January 17 Fellowship Bible Church, Campus For more info, contact Ray. Women's Study Mondays, 6:30pm Fellowship Bible Church, campus Classroom 156 or more info, contact Katelin Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm - starting January 16 Fellowship Bible Church, Care Conference Room, Rogers Campus For more info, contact Annie. Fighting Words Challenge: My relationship with Jesus gives me the freedom to love and serve others. "If your mind is filled with the Word of God, then it can't be filled with impure thoughts." - David Jeremiah Grab an index card, jot down the info below, and use it to help you internalize the Bible. Fighting Words Verse: Side 1 of 3x5 card: Dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other. Galatians 5:13 (TLB)

6 Side 2 (application): My relationship with Jesus gives me the freedom to love and serve others.