Alva Review-Courier -

The Bible clearly states “all have sinned.” It is my nature to sin, and it is yours too. None of us is unaffected by sin. And because of sin, we’ve all hurt ourselves, we’ve all hurt other people, and others have hurt us. This means each of us, 100 percent of us, needs repentance and recovery in order to live our lives the way God intended. You’ve undoubtedly heard the expression that “time heals all wounds.” Unfortunately, it isn’t true. Wounds that are left untended fester and spread infection throughout your entire body. Time only extends the pain if the problem isn’t dealt with. But there is Hope!

Celebrate Recovery, which holds meetings every Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Bible Baptist Church (located at Fourth and Choctaw streets), is here to help and has been for nine years.

We have people who are in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction – or maybe a family member or someone close to them who is struggling with that and is codependent, those who have struggled with cutting, as well as people with pornography addictions. But we also have people who are struggling with control issues, with financial issues, food issues, divorce, sexual assault, a hurt of some kind. The truth is that nationwide only about 35 percent of people attend Celebrate Recovery for some sort of addiction.

With the tagline “Freedom from Hurts, Habits and Hang-ups,” Celebrate Recovery uses the 12-step model made famous by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and kindred groups, but joins it to Christian ideas and principles. This recovery program is based on God’s Word, the Bible. When Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount, he began by stating “Eight Ways to Be Blessed.” Today we call them the Beatitudes. From a worldly viewpoint, most of these statements don't make sense. They sound like contradictions. But when you fully understand what Jesus is saying, you’ll realize that these eight principles are God’s road to recovery, wholeness, growth and spiritual maturity; God's way to wellness! Regardless of what has already happened in your past, the solution is to start making wise choices now and depend on Christ’s power to help make those changes.

One feature of Celebrate Recovery is that childcare is provided to children in fourth grade and younger; but parents must be in attendance.

Dale and Brenda Rebarchik, the leaders of Celebrate Recovery, have made it their mission at Bible Baptist Church to reach out to the hurting. As leaders of the men's and women's small groups, they have fought for their own sobriety and freedom from their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Celebrate Recovery follows five simple but important rules to protect those who seek help at the meetings. We are here to worship, but we’re also here to encourage – because Celebrate Recovery is built on the New Testament principle that we don’t get well by ourselves. We need each other. Fellowship and accountability are two important components of spiritual growth.

You are going to see hopeless marriages restored and people set free from all kinds of sinful habits, hang-ups and hurts as they allow Jesus to be Lord in every area of their lives. To God be the glory! We’ll be praying for you.

Bible Baptist Church on the corner of Fourth and Choctaw streets in Alva. For more information on Celebrate Recovery, call 580-430-9219 or visit our website at http://www.bbcalva.com.