Welcome to where addiction recovery and the word of God meet!
We hear the word “recovery” all the time:
Some of you might be saying, “Well, I know a lot of people like that.” However, the fact that you even know them (probably from a meeting) proves our point that they are not recovered, or else they wouldn’t be at the meeting still seeking help for their addictions. Amen? You see, someone who is recovered no longer needs meetings any more than someone who no longer has cancer needs chemotherapy.
Now, just to make it perfectly clear, we are not saying that going to meetings is bad or that you shouldn’t go (everyone needs fellowship, especially while in the early stages of recovery). But do you see the larger dilemma here? If we are in recovery… at what point do we ever reach our goal and become recovered?
With this question in mind, another way we hear people use the word “recovery” is when we are told, usually at a recovery meeting, “You’re going to be in recovery for the rest of your life.” If this were the truth (and it’s not), then what would be the point of even getting out of bed each morning and trying?
Think about this for a second. If there is no permanent victory over our addictions, sins, and struggles, then that means the rest of our life here on earth is to be spent forever walking in one direction (towards recovery) but never reaching our destination. What a sad and pointless existence this is! If this were the case, what exactly is the motivation not to relapse, since I’ll still be in recovery tomorrow morning when I sober up? Not to mention, if we are in recovery for the rest of our life, then our only hope would be in death, or on the other side of eternity. No wonder so many of us seek out drugs that we know will kill us!
Now, I know I’m getting dark here, but please stick with me for just a little bit longer. I promise you the light is coming!
I think that we could all agree that the majority of all modern day recovery has been built on the foundation of the Twelve Step model of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is used by hospitals, doctors, counselors, behavioral centers, recovery meetings, jails, residential programs, and even churches.
However, despite the wide reach of this program, over the years something has been lost in translation. What I mean by that is, AA's Big Book has said very plainly, from its first to its current publication, that you can be recovered as opposed to forever recovering. On the first page of Chapter Two: There is a Solution, we read:
- I’m in recovery.
- I’m going to a recovery meeting.
- Recovery doesn’t happen overnight
- We do recover!
Some of you might be saying, “Well, I know a lot of people like that.” However, the fact that you even know them (probably from a meeting) proves our point that they are not recovered, or else they wouldn’t be at the meeting still seeking help for their addictions. Amen? You see, someone who is recovered no longer needs meetings any more than someone who no longer has cancer needs chemotherapy.
Now, just to make it perfectly clear, we are not saying that going to meetings is bad or that you shouldn’t go (everyone needs fellowship, especially while in the early stages of recovery). But do you see the larger dilemma here? If we are in recovery… at what point do we ever reach our goal and become recovered?
With this question in mind, another way we hear people use the word “recovery” is when we are told, usually at a recovery meeting, “You’re going to be in recovery for the rest of your life.” If this were the truth (and it’s not), then what would be the point of even getting out of bed each morning and trying?
Think about this for a second. If there is no permanent victory over our addictions, sins, and struggles, then that means the rest of our life here on earth is to be spent forever walking in one direction (towards recovery) but never reaching our destination. What a sad and pointless existence this is! If this were the case, what exactly is the motivation not to relapse, since I’ll still be in recovery tomorrow morning when I sober up? Not to mention, if we are in recovery for the rest of our life, then our only hope would be in death, or on the other side of eternity. No wonder so many of us seek out drugs that we know will kill us!
Now, I know I’m getting dark here, but please stick with me for just a little bit longer. I promise you the light is coming!
I think that we could all agree that the majority of all modern day recovery has been built on the foundation of the Twelve Step model of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is used by hospitals, doctors, counselors, behavioral centers, recovery meetings, jails, residential programs, and even churches.
However, despite the wide reach of this program, over the years something has been lost in translation. What I mean by that is, AA's Big Book has said very plainly, from its first to its current publication, that you can be recovered as opposed to forever recovering. On the first page of Chapter Two: There is a Solution, we read:
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“We have discovered a common solution. We have a way out…This is the great news this book carries, to those who suffer from alcoholism.”
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A “solution... a way out… great news?” I don’t know about you, but this quote (which is still there today) is a far cry from what we are told in the meetings, “You’re going to be in recovery the rest of your life…but keep coming back, it works if you work it.” If it works, then why do I have to keep coming back?
Now, let me ask you one more question that could possibly save you or a loved one’s life: Since those who are truly recovered seem to be the exception in the recovery community as opposed to the norm then could it be that, somewhere along the line, the recovery community has gotten off track and has been building on the wrong foundation ever since?
Now, let me ask you one more question that could possibly save you or a loved one’s life: Since those who are truly recovered seem to be the exception in the recovery community as opposed to the norm then could it be that, somewhere along the line, the recovery community has gotten off track and has been building on the wrong foundation ever since?
There is a Cure for addiction, and His name is Jesus!
You’ve been lied to. Scratch that. We’ve all been lied to. Despite what the medical and recovery community at large are telling us today, the truth is, you or your loved one do not have to be in recovery for the rest of your life… you can be fully recovered!
Now, whether you’re ready to believe this or not, doesn’t change the fact that it's true. Furthermore, despite any disbelief, the Bible consistently says that no matter who you are, where you’ve been, or how far gone you may be, you too can be recovered as opposed to forever recovering and experience this victory for yourself. It is written:
Friends, I want you to know that there is an unbelievable life out there to be lived to the fullest after addiction! There is a place where your former addictions and life controlling issues can no longer touch you or hinder you in any way whatsoever, no matter what form those strongholds may take. In fact, you can go days, weeks, months, even years without thinking about it! In short, no matter who you are, or how far gone you may be, there is a place where the desire to use can go away forever and you can be recovered as opposed to forever recovering. I know where that place is… I live there and I can show you how to get there.
My name is Chuck Chapman, I’m the Senior Pastor of Recovery Community Church, and I’m a recovered alcoholic and drug user who refuses to remain anonymous!
Now, whether you’re ready to believe this or not, doesn’t change the fact that it's true. Furthermore, despite any disbelief, the Bible consistently says that no matter who you are, where you’ve been, or how far gone you may be, you too can be recovered as opposed to forever recovering and experience this victory for yourself. It is written:
- I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ~John 10:10
- Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ~Matthew 11:28
- And the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. ~John 6:37
- Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~2 Corinthians 3:17
- Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ~John 8:36
- I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. ~Psalm 27:13
Friends, I want you to know that there is an unbelievable life out there to be lived to the fullest after addiction! There is a place where your former addictions and life controlling issues can no longer touch you or hinder you in any way whatsoever, no matter what form those strongholds may take. In fact, you can go days, weeks, months, even years without thinking about it! In short, no matter who you are, or how far gone you may be, there is a place where the desire to use can go away forever and you can be recovered as opposed to forever recovering. I know where that place is… I live there and I can show you how to get there.
My name is Chuck Chapman, I’m the Senior Pastor of Recovery Community Church, and I’m a recovered alcoholic and drug user who refuses to remain anonymous!
There is a cure! There is a way out! And the reason we don’t see more of it is because the recovery community has been building on the wrong foundation for the last 85 plus years, while we should have been building on the only foundation that will never crack or crumble: Jesus, the Word of God!
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“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ”
~ 1 Corinthians 3:11 NIV |
Friends, God is on the move and taking back the recovery community for His Kingdom. This is the foundation we are building on. If you would like to be recovered and experience His victory and freedom for yourself (no matter what form your addiction or life-controlling issue may be), then we would love for you to join us and be a part of Recovery Community Church!