Ben Malmin is the pastor of City Harbor Church in Baltimore Maryland.
Why is CR important to my Church? Jesus came for people who are hurting and compelled to repeat their mistakes. CR is essential in helping us in our obedience in sharing God’s love with those people. In short, CR is a reliable and fruitful tool to help us walk out the call of Christ to serve others in a safe place. On a practical level what does CR bring to the table? As a pastor CR is a perfect fit for using small groups. It has made life easier for us by being an easy on ramp for people who might otherwise avoid spiritual connection. It is rewarding because it provides a context for answers to prayer. It is life giving in that it provides opportunity for everyone to share their life stories and demonstrate how Jesus matters. The people we serve are eternal the buildings are temporary. We are making an investment into what really matters. What do you love about CR? Rev 12:11 says, They overcame him (The Evil One) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. I love the fact that you have an easy way for people to get involved since CR is set up to provide dinner and folks who are teaching or sharing so that others can listen. It provides a meaningful way to interact without the unbearable burden of doing so by having to interact in a potentially uncomfortable way. It sets you up for effectiveness without the “unbearable” requirement. Real life change happens and you get to see it! It is rewarding and invigorating to see. It helps others to see themselves as valuable. CR says here is a place in your life change where you can effect change in somebody else and get to see it happen. I’ve done a wide variety of Christian work… direct service to people outside church… the homeless, the addicted, to gangs and such. The word of our testimony-- our Jesus story, is incredibly powerful. Since what we celebrate matters, it helps others to share their story as well. Sharing our story is so important. CR makes it easy to mentor others in doing it. It is part of our culture that I think a lot of other churches are missing. CR will help you jump start this in your church Is there something that CR can do that you can’t? CR creates a safe space in which to share your story. In doing so, it also creates an environment and culture that promotes vigorous honesty. This encourages people to confess and in doing so they find freedom. I have spent hours with people who never found that freedom to go all the way in sharing with me one on one, but did so in the context of a CR group.
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 "Our Relentless God..." By: Randy M. - Encourager Coach
Living on the east coast of this country has, over the years, afforded me many opportunities to visit a number of beaches and waterways. Many folks I know say that spending time at the beach and oceans are their way experiencing God’s grandeur and majesty at work. There is nothing else quite like seeing waves and tidal waters rise and fall— repeatedly, consistently and without fail. I remain fascinated by God’s greatness when I consider how much water we are surrounded with, and my smallness, when I consider that I am just a speck in that greatness. Really, who am I that he should consider me? I know that I am not insignificant and that God loves me with an everlasting love and kindness, because scripture in Jeremiah 31 tells me. Just like the sun has never forgotten how to shine and the moon has never vanished from the night sky, our God shows his faithfulness, love and mercy each and every day. I watch the ocean tides rise and fall. They have done so for eons… relentlessly, consistently, and without fail. Just like our God. I am so grateful that I worship a God who never fails, never changes, and is faithful. Hebrews 13:8 says that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. This speaks to God’s very character and nature. Knowing that he desires the best for me gives me comfort. Knowing that he loves and cares for me gives me joy. Knowing that he is relentless gives me hope. I am forever loved by our forever God. Be encouraged that he is pursuing you with his relentless love and compassion. "Ministry Minute" By: Brian G. and Nan J. - Ministry Leaders  "Important Announcements" Celebrate Recovery Training Conference
Washington DC area Saturday, April 21st Cost $70 Let us know if you would like to attend. We will be announcing start dates for men’s and women’s step groups very soon! Email [email protected] if interested. If you are interested in helping in Celebration Place, the children’s component of the Celebrate Recovery ministry, please email [email protected] Open Share Groups Women: Chemical Dependency Codependency Mixed Issues Men: Chemical Dependency Purity & Sexual Addiction Mixed Issues Regular Monday Night Schedule Dinner: 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM Large Group: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Open Share Groups: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Dessert and Fellowship: 9:00 PM  "My Story"Hello Forever Family!
I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ who struggles with compulsive overeating, anxiety, depression and codependency, My name is Chris. I am an older mom, with two boys, ages 18 and 13. My husband and I had prayed and waited and for children for many years. After being told I had less than a one percent chance I would ever conceive, we were finally blessed with our miracle boys. As they both approached the age of 6 and 11 months, we learned that, first, our oldest was autistic, and then as we began to recognize the same signs and symptoms, our second child was autistic as well. I was devastated that my children would have to deal with such hard challenges in their lives. I had heard about CR from going to church at Trinity Life, and started attending 4-5 years ago. When I walked through the doors I was struggling with loneliness. I was exhausted, very angry, and full of questions. I couldn’t see God anywhere in my life anymore. Where was he? I couldn’t understand, why these cards? Hadn’t I been good? Why me? And thus began the hardest journey, the most worthwhile journey I have ever taken. I was asked what do I like most about CR, and it has to be the friendships. When I came to CR I was so alone, so isolated, just the place where Satan likes to get us all so that the only voice that is heard is his. At CR I was surrounded by the “realest and truest” people I have ever met, people who are honest enough to say, “I’ve got issues.” I found that I could say whatever I wanted and not be judged. My heart started to open to the worship and my mind started to absorb the lessons. Being honest in group without fear led me to being honest with God without fear. This in turn lead to reconciliation and a renewed relationship with my heavenly father that was much deeper and richer than I could have ever imagined. I am still attending CR. I want to remain accountable and keep growing in Christ. I also want to give back to others what I have been given at CR. I have co-led a 12-step group, and currently work In Celebration Place and co-lead a women’s open share group. To the newcomer I would say keep coming back. Be open to God’s transforming power. This journey has changed everything. Thank you for letting me share.  "Important Announcements" Teen Challenge of Baltimore - Bull, Oyster, Shrimp Roast
Friday, Feb 23rd Tickets: $60 each Celebrate Recovery Training Conference Washington DC area Saturday, April 21st Cost $70 Let us know if you would like to attend. We will be announcing start dates for men’s and women’s step groups very soon! Email [email protected] if interested. If you are interested in helping in Celebration Place, the children’s component of the Celebrate Recovery ministry, please email [email protected] Open Share Groups Women: Chemical Dependency Codependency Mixed Issues Men: Chemical Dependency Purity & Sexual Addiction Mixed Issues Regular Monday Night Schedule Dinner: 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM Large Group: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Open Share Groups: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Dessert and Fellowship: 9:00 PM  "Begin Again..." By: Calla M. - Encourager Coach
When I think of new beginnings, I think of the CR Chips! All of the chips that have been awarded to me are precious reminders of milestones in my recovery. Did you know that many of the chips given out on Chip Night have their own special meaning? Blue Chip - Blue signifies ‘The Sky’s The Limit’. If you’ve identified a new area in your life to surrender to Christ, or if you’ve relapsed and are now getting back on the recovery path, this Chip’s for you! Red Chip – For 30 days of continuous success. Red reminds us of the blood Jesus shed on the cross and the forgiveness of our sins. Green Chip – For 60 days of continuous success. Green represents the grass growing back on the path to Celebrating Recovery. White Chip – For 90 glorious days of recovery. The color white represents the purity that we have through Christ Jesus. Yellow Chip – For 6 months of recovery. This is the Sun Shine Chip after the SON who is guiding us daily. Black Chip – The 9 month reward. Like a fresh new baby born 9 months after conception, we are beginning to feel born again, leaving the blackness of our previous life. The next chips are awarded for one year, 18 months, and multiple years of sobriety. At one year of recovery, and every year after that, we receive a gold coin! Join us on the first Monday of every month for Chip Night and start your own collection of chips. One of our attenders has his chips framed and displayed in his den as a reminder of his forward progress along The Road to Recovery!  "Leader Spotlight" By: Wes S. and Kate S. - Assimilation Coaches
This month the spotlight is on Kate S. Kate began attending Celebrate Recovery TrinityLife almost six years ago because her life was out of control and unmanageable. She was newly married and had an adult child deep in alcoholism and eating disorders and wanted to learn how to fix her. Kate kept coming back and found that she could not fix another but by working the 12-steps and eight principles of Celebrate Recovery, she could find hope, help, and healing for herself. She found herself not only involved in small groups for women, but leading an open share group and step-study groups. Kate is also part of the CR TrinityLife TEAM, serving as one of the Assimilation Coaches which oversees events, promotions, outreach, newcomers, apprenticeship, and social media. Kate also gives back by sponsoring women, mentoring female apprentices for leadership, and loves going into the Baltimore County Detention Center to bring Celebrate Recovery and the healing good news of Jesus to the female inmates through Celebrate Recovery Inside. Kate will tell you that one of her favorite things in CR is Chip Night. “I love to cheer on my ‘Forever Family’ as we encourage one another on the road to recovery. It really is a family celebration!” She also enjoys making people laugh, does extreme couponing, and has a passion for travel both near and far (she grew up in Ireland, has been to places like Spain, Mexico, Jamaica, Switzerland, Germany, England, Kenya, Ethiopia, Canada, among others). To the Newcomer, Kate says, “KEEP COMING BACK! CR is a life-changing ministry!” Kate can testify to the life-change she has experienced through her continued involvement in Celebrate Recovery. “Lord willing, I’ll be coming back for my whole life! In this life, I will have trials and tribulations, and I never want to be as low as I was when I first walked in the door for my first CR meeting. I keep coming back because it works if I work it! So, I’ll keep working it because I’m worth it!” Kate – we’re thankful that you keep coming back and keep giving back! Thank you for who you are and for all you do! (Next time you see Kate, give her a hug and thank her for helping to make our forever family such a special community where we can Celebrate Recovery!)  "Ministry Minute"By: Brian G. and Nan J. - Ministry Leaders 
By: Wes S. and Kate S. - Assimilation Coaches
Merry Christmas to one and all and a special thank you to Diane B, our Leader Spotlight for this month. Diane began attending our TrinityLife Celebrate Recovery about six years ago, at the prompting of her husband who had been attending. She could see the profound changes in him and made a great decision when she decided to join him. Diane has served in CR in so many capacities including singing with the worship team, leading step groups, leading open share groups, and is currently leading in a very important area as she guides the children from kindergarten to 5th grade in Celebration Place. How wonderful to have a leader who is willing to guide the children as they work their Precovery! The thing Diane likes the most about CR is how we are a family, all dealing with stuff but growing together into the people that God has called us to be. She keeps coming back because of the people and the changes she sees in their lives. She also comes back because she knows she has to continue working her own recovery! Diane's message to the newcomer would be that her life has completely changed since coming to CR and that she has been set free from her past and looks forward to the future. One of the things Diane enjoys most is classical music and singing with a group that promotes The Arts in her area. We are very blessed to have Diane on our CR Leadership Team, thank you for your service. |
