Recovery Road

Recently I have been listening to the North Point Community Church podcast message by Andy Stanley (on Itunes under Best Of North Point Ministries). I really enjoy listening to him. He has a very modern relatable manner. He is down to earth and tells you how it is. His not up their wagging his finger, being judgmental. He is honest about his short comings and everything he teaches is Bible based. He has an amazing biblical foundation, did I mention his dad is Dr. Charles Stanley. So you know that there is no funny business.

Andy Stanley has many message series. The one I'm currently going through is called Recovery Road a 6 part series. The series is about steps to recovery for our nation through ourselves. Finding recovery through Jesus with some heavy lifting on our part.

The first two messages have been so powerful. The first part was about stop pointing fingers and start looking in the mirror. "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3) Always checking out others mistakes but never noticing our own. We're all guilty of this. We just don't judge but we share what we think is wrong. He talked about if we looked in the mirror and are honest with ourselves and realize our short comings it would go a long way to healing not just ourselves but our land. The healing of our nation begins with ourselves. If all we do is point out everything else's mistakes and not correct ourselves then we continue to remain in the hole we are now. He also pointed out that the things that bother us most about someone else are the things that truly bother us about ourselves. That's a full mirror moment! 

The second message is about taking full responsibility of the things we have done. He says that we take responsibility but only partially. There is always a reason for what we did. A story we create in our mind and hearts that we use to explain our bad behavior. Yes I did that but I only did it because.... There is always an excuse. If we would completely take possession of our wrong doing then the Lord can work with that. One step closer to recovery.  

The lessons I'm learning aren't just for the past but to guard my future. As I'm listening to these messages the Lord brings forward other moments and words that confirm all that I have been hearing. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!

 It's so important to feed yourself and check yourself.