CR at University Carillon

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John  15:13, NIV In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to put down “memorial stones” as reminders of past national victories. Every time they or future generations passed by a memorial, they would remember the mighty things God had done and honor the people who gave their lives for others. All throughout the Scripture, we see that God blesses an attitude of honor. To show honor simply means that you give respect and recognition to others with your attitude, actions, and words. Today, we recognize Memorial Day as a time when we honor all the brave men and women who have given their lives in service for this country. As we remember them, let’s honor the gift of freedom they have given us by saying thank you with our actions and choosing to love and honor others. Let’s also honor all those who are serving in our armed forces and their families who are sacrificing so much today. Let’s...

Earlier this week, I drove by a really nice car. It was very expensive. It had a cool paint job and was way more than I could afford! However, there was one interesting thing about this car, it had a flat tire. In fact, before I got close to the car, I thought, “Oh man, there's an old junker car broken down on the side of the road” but as I got closer I realized it was a very nice car. But it couldn't go anywhere.  It made me think about my recovery.  Sometimes I can get so focused on what I look like on the outside, I forget to really focus on what is going on inside my heart and my mind.  It doesn't matter how nice I'm polished on the outside, how much money I make, the kind of house I have, or how many vacations I go on every year.  If I'm not working on my character, my spiritual development and my recovery, it’s just like that car on the side of the road. It looks great, but it's not really going anywhere.  Where is your focus today? ...

Freedom is knowing that we have nothing to hide. - Jimmy Rollins “I’m only as sick as my secrets.” I remember hearing that quote the first time I walked through a step study and the way that it just stuck with me.  For much of life I lived in fear and hiding, convinced that I needed to figure out how to manage the harmful behaviors that were slowly taking up more and more of my life.  I was terrified that if people knew me, the real me and the things I’ve done, everything would be lost.  Many of us have spent years running, denying, numbing, or hiding from the hurts, hang-ups, and habits that we carry, convinced that is the only way to live.  But as we get into recovery, we learn that it’s actually keeping our secrets  that’s sucking the life out of us.  When we become willing to ruthlessly eliminate the hiding in our lives, we open the door to start finding true freedom.  When we let ourselves become known, when we willingly open up ...

"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him…" Psalm 91:14a NIV There is such power in praying scriptures. This morning, I decided to shift my verse today into my personal prayer for one of God's seven promises listed in Psalm 91 . "Because I love You, Lord, I thank You that You have promised to deliver me.” Psalm 91:14a NIV Reflecting on my life, I am reminded that I almost destroyed my marriage, my family, and my life because I was attempting to manage my stuff on my own.  The following verse resonates as my own language in that season and still holds true today... “All who call on the Name of the Lord shall be delivered." Joel 2:32 NIV Today I am thanking God for what He has [is] done [doing] in my life and yours as I reflect with gratitude today.