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.

Small Group Guidelines

The Small Group Guidelines are the foundation of Celebrate Recovery:

1. Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings. Limit your sharing to three to five minutes.
2. There will be NO cross talk. Cross talk is when two individuals engage in conversation, excluding all others. Each person is free to express his or her feelings without interruptions.
3. We are here to support one another, not “fix” one another.
4. Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements. What is shared in the group stays in the group. The only exception is when someone threatens to injure themselves or others.
5. Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recovery group.

Some are sicker than others. Some of us need a Savior.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:15,16

I may not ever have much in common with the biblical writer, Paul – but I know we have his “trustworthy saying” in common. I found freedom by admitting I am sicker than others and that I need a Savior. I thank God that I found grace even though I was so far gone that I didn’t dare seek it.

My name is LaViva. I am a believer in Jesus Christ that struggles with alcoholism and depression.

After living my sickest, drunken dreams and barely surviving the nightmare of full-blown alcoholism and a life of debauchery, I poured my last 40-ounce down the drain. That was nine years ago by the grace of God. I found a solution to my spiritual, mental and physical malady in the 12 steps. I found a loving and forgiving God through the acceptance and care of people in the rooms.

God has done amazing things since I gave myself over to His care. Today I have a loving husband and a wonderful daughter. I have a job that gives me the opportunity to be of service to others everyday. And God is bringing me to the next level of my recovery: I am coordinating a new recovery program at my church called Celebrate Recovery. In this program we address our hurts, habits and hang ups through a Christ-centered 12 step program.

I personally invite anyone even slightly interested to our regular CR meetings on Friday nights at 6PM at Burbank Seventh-day Adventist Church at 710 S. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502. I can be reached through outreach@burbanksda.com or 818.848.7051.

May God bless you, especially if you have a feeling you might be “sicker than others”, like me.

CR: Things We Are/Things We Are Not

Things We Are:
A safe place to share
A refuge
A place of belonging
A place to care for others and be cared for
A place where respect is given to each member
A place where confidentiality is highly regarded
A place to learn
A place to grow and become strong again
A place where you can take off your mask
A place for healthy challenges and healthy risks
A possible turning point in your life

Things We Are Not:
A place for selfish control
A place for therapy
A place for secrets
A place to look for dating relationships
A place to rescue or be rescued by others
A place for perfection
A place to judge others
A quick fix

What is Codependence?

My good feelings about who I am stem from being loved by you.
My good feelings about who I am stem from receiving approval from you.
Your struggle affects my serenity. My mental attention focuses on solving your problems or relieving your pain.
My mental attention is focused on pleasing you.
My mental attention is focused on protecting you.
My self-esteem is bolstered by solving your problems.
My self-esteem is bolstered by relieving your pain.
My own hobbies and interests are put aside. My time is spent sharing your interests and hobbies.
Your clothing and personal appearance are dictated by my desires as I feel you are a reflection of me.
Your behavior is dictated by my desires as I feel you are a reflection of me.
I am not aware of how I feel. I am aware of how you feel.
I am not aware of what I want -- I ask what you want. I am not aware -- I assume.
The dreams I have for my future are linked to you.
My fear of rejection determines what I say or do.
My fear of your anger determines what I say or do.
I use giving as a way of feeling safe in our relationship.
My social circle diminishes as I involve myself with you.
I put my values aside in order to connect with you.
I value your opinion and way of doing things more than my own.
The quality of my life is in direct relation to the quality of yours.

THERE IS A SOLUTION.
By working through the eight recovery principles found in the Beatitudes with Jesus Christ as your Higher Power, you can and will change! You will begin to experience the true peace and serenity you have been seeking, and you will no longer have to rely on your codependent behaviors as a temporary "fix" for your pain.