This Thursday is Dorothy’s Testimony
“After she took her life, almost five (5) years ago, I walked into STF. Something in me wanted God. My grandson was attending EPIC here at STF and it was the first place I thought of. I put on a bracelet my daughter gave me and I walked into this church. Her favorite song Amazing Grace was playing. The sermon was on Contrast and Comparison (living your life in contrast to God’s Plan).
I felt shame, guilt, responsible for her death. Why didn’t I raise her in the church? Why didn’t she call me, so I could stop her? How did I make such a mess of her life? As I was leaving, crying, I walked by the Celebrate Recovery booth in the lobby. A nice young man named Paul suggested I attend a Celebrate Recovery meeting.
I did, but only for a few months. I was still in denial, I didn’t need to be here, she did. I was talking to one of the Pastors here a few months later and told him, there is a story to be told. He told me, then you need to go back to Celebrate Recovery.
I joined the next Step Study. Over the next 18 several months, I walked through a journey of healing. It was the most life changing time I had ever experienced.
I had no idea that my codependency was an addiction or an illness. I truly did not know that I was a complete mess and that my life was unmanageable. I knew I was hurt and broken. I didn’t realize I was a martyr, sacrificing my happiness for causes, staying loyal when I shouldn’t, covering up to protect others, and fixing things to others detriment. I truly believed I was responsible for their happiness; I did not want them to suffer like I had suffered. My intentions were good, but they were very selfish.
So, from my story, you can see it worked perfectly. Now that is Denial!
What I learned at Celebrate Recovery beginning with my first Step Study, is that I did not have to live this way! Through God’s help, I could learn to take responsibility for my own life and let others take responsibly for theirs.
“For each will have to bear his own load.” Galatians 6:5
Before I could depend on myself, I had to depend on God. That would not be easy. As a child, my mother, was told she could not teach Sunday school or receive communion if she divorced my father and we stop going to Church. I associated God with Church and in my mind, he abandoned me, why would he be there for me know?
However, I was told that putting God first was the only way to move forward and I was desperate.
I started to learn about his grace every time I heard a testimony, every time I read a story in the Celebrate Recovery Bible, every time I went to small group, every time I heard a lesson. I kept reading the Bible, attending service on Sunday, attending Bible Studies, participating in Celebrate Recovery, and he started to change my heart.”
Come hear more of what God has done through Dorothy and the rest of her amazing testimony.
(Thursday Large Group at 6:30, Dinner starts at 5:30.)
Recovery Reminder
Principle 2: Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.
“Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Step 2: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13
Thursday’s Dinner: Chicken teriyaki, vegetable stir fry, jasmine rice, & Asian slaw.
Step Studies for Men and Women
When: January 28th at 9:15!
Where: They both will be at our BP Campus, 5101 S. Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, Fl. 33611. The men’s is on the second floor in room B-201 & the women’s is on the third floor in room A-200.
Co-Leaders: KB & Theresa – Women’s. Tommy & Chad – Men’s.
Please note: The men’s step study is The Journey Begins, which utilizes books 1-4, anyone is free to join. Just show up. The women’s study is The Journey Continues, utilizing books 5-8. It is not beneficial for someone to join the women’s study if they have not completed a previous Step Study, The Journey Begins.
If you are interested email us at cr@stfchurch.com or click Here for more details.
For a list of important dates; testimonies, lessons, training, & leadership meetings. Please click Here or on the Calendar above.
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Text STF CR to 313-131
Prayer Requests
It is our privilege to pray for you! To submit a prayer request, please complete our contact form, which can be found by clicking HERE . Also feel free to write prayer requests on the back portion of the yellow response cards found in the CR bulletins on Thursday nights.