I Still Don't Understand

“While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man – though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).

One Saturday morning I was praying with my church family in our main service: I was praying to God in my head while our friend Rose was praying out loud for the congregation. I stopped my silent whispering to God when I heard something that seemed to speak directly to my experience. Rose said something like, “We don’t understand how You love us, but we respond to Your Divine love with our devotion and desire to know You better.” I’m sure that’s not a direct quote, but that’s the message I took from her prayer.

“I don’t understand Your love,” was such a candid and fresh way to talk to God. I thought, this is how I feel in God’s presence, how I feel when I imagine my Best Friend, my Heavenly Father, His Comforting Spirit. Coming clean about how I still don’t understand why Jesus would leave His Father’s side in heaven to take on the form of His creation and give His life for the sake of a doomed creature like me seems to be a good place to start when I talk to God. I’m still trying to wrap my head around LOVE like that.

My response to His love is only possible because His LOVE came first. Check out Romans 5:8 again: while I was still a sinner Christ died for me! “…He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. He destined us in love to be His sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will (Ephesians 1: 4, 5). Because He loved me, because He chose me to be a member of His family I chose to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8) and keep choosing to let Him change me and my life from the inside out.

Of course, the way I understand things is not something I’ve been able to rely on in the past. I’ve made some of the worst decisions ever based on my understanding of what role I’m supposed to play, what others are supposed to do, and how life works in general. It’s a good thing that God has that covered: I don’t have to have it figured out to be in a relationship with Him or even to get along in the world. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5). He’ll guide me even without a theologian’s understanding of scripture or salvation.

When I read the Word I get the idea that His love isn’t even within the grasp of my understanding. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). I don’t have to get how it works to live in His love. Thank God!

You're Invited

Happy New Year!

You're invited to our New Year's celebration this Friday, January 2, 2009 at 6PM at Celebrate Recovery in Burbank.

We're planning a delicious Italian dinner and inspiring meetings and fellowship.

I can't think of a better way to bring in the new year than with you and other CR friends.

Feel free to call for more information.

Friday Nights @ Celebrate Recovery in Burbank

You are welcome to join us as we meet every Friday night for Celebrate Recovery in Burbank

6-7 PM Food Fellowship Fun
Dinner: A full, wholesoe meal with friends

7-8 PM Main Meeting
Large Group Testimonies and Teaching

8-9 PM Open Share
Women’s and Men’s Small Groups

9-10 PM Solid Rock Café
Socialize with group members over coffee and dessert

FAQs

What if I can't get there until 7PM?
Come at 6PM for dinner, at 7PMfor the large group meeting, or at 8PM for open share... but we'd love to see you there from 6PM until the Solid Rock after party!

Can I bring my child?
Kids are welcome -- call at least 48 hours in advance if you need childcare.

I'm not a Christian, am I still welcome?
Absolutely. If you have a hurt, hang up or habit and you'd like to find some peace, you are welcome.

I don't know if I have a hurt, hang up or habit -- I'm not an alcoholic or addict. Is Celebrate Recovery for me?
Yes! Are you curious about the program? Wondering if it might help you with your (fill in the blank)? You are in the right place. Celebrate Recovery is safe place to explore how God can make a difference in your life -- even if you're not sure what the problem is.

Where is Burbank Seventh-day Adventist Church?
710 S. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502
We're at the corner of Glenoaks and Cedar Ave. You can take the 5 fwy, exit Alameda East. Turn left on Glenoaks and look for the brick church on the right side of the street just before you get to at Cedar Ave.

I have more questions, who can I call?
Call Pastor Jan or LaViva at (818) 848-7051. We'd be happy to talk to you. Or you can reach us by email at outreach@burbanksda.com.

Service Opportunity: Child Care for CR

We are looking for a responsible adult (age 18+) to agree to provide child care for the kids that come with their parents to CR on Friday nights. Commitments can vary: Choose a schedule that works for you. Child care is needed on Friday nights from 7-9PM in Burbank. $20 per night + dinner and fellowship.

Must be able to pass a background check.

Call 818/848-7051 for more information.

Celebrate Our 1st Anniversary @ Burbank CR

It has certainly been a busy year -- a Spirit filled year! Praise God!

If someone had clued me in ahead of time about all the awesome blessings and revelations God had in store for us -- I would have been overwhelmed at the prospect.

We have developed real friendships in our Celebrate Recovery fellowship in Burbank. We have listened to inspiring testimonies and learned about the principles of a program that promised (and delivers) freedom from hurts, habits, and hang ups. We have enjoyed good food and better company. We have begun our step studies -- men on Tuesdays and women on Thursdays.

And we have celebrated our recovery together. We have shared our troubles and triumphs. We have been blessed.

Please join us as we get together for a very special celebration of the completion of our first year and our friend C. taking her 6 month chip.

Same CR place: Burbank Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Same CR time: Friday night, October 10, dinner starts at 6PM.

We'd love to see you there -- kids are welcome!

Sobriety Birthday Celebration

Join us for a special sobriety birthday celebration
Friday night, February 1, 2008
Dinner at 6 PM
Large Group Meeting at 7 PM

We'll be celebrating with:
Shae 3 years
Erlinda 8 years
LaViva 10 years
Jutta 16 years

Everyone is welcome -- including kids!

Welcome Newcomers!

The purpose of Celebrate Recovery is to fellowship and celebrate God's healing power in our lives through the eight recovery principles found in the Beatitudes* and Christ-centered 12 Steps. This experience allows us to be changed. We open the door by sharing our experiences, victories, and hopes with one another. In addition, we become willing to accept God's grace in solving our life problems.

By working the Christ-centered steps and applying their biblical principles found in the Beatitudes*, we begin to grow spiritually. We become free from our addictive, compulsive, and dysfunctional behaviors. This freedom creates peace, serenity, joy, and most importantly, a stronger personal relationship with God and others.

As we progress through the principles and the steps, we discover our personal, loving, and forgiving Higher Power -- Jesus Christ.

Welcome to an Amazing Spiritual Adventure!

* You can find the Beatitudes in the Bible: Matthew 5.