{"id":4019,"date":"2018-01-28T08:56:19","date_gmt":"2018-01-28T13:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kensingtonchurch.org\/?p=4019"},"modified":"2018-10-16T12:58:38","modified_gmt":"2018-10-16T16:58:38","slug":"the-first-step-to-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kensingtonchurch.org\/the-first-step-to-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"The first step to freedom","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

You may have been thinking about that perfect \u201clife token\u201d for a couple of weeks, or it might have been something that you grabbed last minute before going to church this weekend. It\u2019s gone now and has been replaced by a blue chip that may be under the passenger seat or lost in your purse.<\/p>\n

(If you missed this weekend or don\u2019t attend Kensington, we just concluded the last week of our Crave series, all about controlling our cravings or appetites. People brought something to the stage that signified an addiction they were giving to God, which was replaced with a token to symbolized the journey to healing and freedom. Watch the message at youtube.com\/kensintonchurchtv<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The real purpose for this weekend\u2019s exercise may already be a blur, so allow me to share some encouragement and a personal story.<\/p>\n

First, congratulations! You\u2019ve done what the vast majority of churchgoing people do not. You had the courage to admit that there\u2019s something you need to give God, and have taken the first step of a very important journey.<\/p>\n

Years ago, I took some quiet time at a retreat and sat down to be with God. In my silent prayer, I brought him all of the things of value in my life that I thought could be a blessing to the Kingdom. I had a solid career in the auto industry, a large ministry I was running on a volunteer basis, and was about to lead my first mission trip. With some pride, I felt like my \u201ccontributions\u201d were going to grow the Kingdom. God had other ideas and led me to Psalm 51:16-17<\/p>\n

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
\nyou do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
\nThe sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
\na broken and contrite heart
\nO God, you will not despise.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was thunderstruck by those words, penned by King David after his sin with Bathsheba was revealed. David had immeasurably more earthly assets than I would ever have; but God wanted David\u2019s heart, even though it was warped and broken. More than anything of value that I think I have to give, God wants my beaten, ruined heart first.<\/p>\n

I never looked at my life with God in the same way again. That day, I prayed with my best friends for God to truly have His way in my life…and He delivered. I count that moment \u2013 even more than my baptism years before \u2013 as the most pivotal in my life. Were the days that followed always comfortable? Nope. Was it worth it? Oh my, yes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s time we started getting honest. Each of us (me included) carries something that keeps us from the adventure that God calls us to. I\u2019m not talking just about alcohol and drugs. It could be anything from a dysfunctional family to that one person\u2019s opinion that we just can\u2019t seem to live without.<\/p>\n

For some, that struggle merely slows us down. For most, it frustrates and imprisons us. But for more than a few, it will take our livelihood, our families, and our very lives. And we cover up and act as though everything is fine.<\/p>\n

No matter the degree, I have one question for all of us: If it\u2019s holding us back, what are we doing about it? The solution is more than just promising ourselves to do better. We need a process of transformation that we enter into and stick with. It may take time, but wouldn\u2019t it be worth it?<\/p>\n

If in the course of the last four weeks, you have been convicted, triggered, tweaked, irritated or frustrated by anything you have heard in this message series, I have one thing to say to you:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s safe to be honest.<\/p>\n

Find a friend you trust and have the courage to say, \u201cThis is owning me, and I need God\u2019s help.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where it starts, but then we as a church need to come together and help ourselves \u2013 and each other. One of the ways we do that at Kensington is through a program called Celebrate Recovery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What to expect at Celebrate Recovery <\/a>:
\nEvery week, hundreds of people come together to worship, honestly share their struggles and encourage each other to take another step in their journey out of any number of hurts, habits, and hang-ups. The victory that you have seen in countless Red Chair Stories<\/a> is due in large part to the work being done there.<\/p>\n

\"celebrate<\/a><\/p>\n

In fact, we offer recovery for the whole family. The Landing is designed for middle and high school students, and the Celebration Place is a special \u201cpre-covery\u201d program for elementary school students, which meets at the Troy campus.<\/p>\n

We meet at 7 p.m. every Monday at the Troy campus and every Tuesday at the Orion campus. No matter your age, all you have to do is walk in and say \u201cI\u2019m new\u201d and the team will take it from there. We start with worship, celebrate milestones and then hear a lesson or a testimony. We pray together, and then you\u2019ll be part of a newcomer orientation that will help us to help you.<\/p>\n

Confidentiality is our number one value. You may see some familiar faces when you go, but rest assured that all have committed to that value and what is said there, stays there.<\/p>\n

And for those who keep coming \u2013 even when it gets hard \u2013 the life change can be truly miraculous. Not only am I a fan of CR, but I have integrated its teachings into my life (just picked up my three-year chip!) and have the good fortune of having a front row seat to the transformations that can come from it.<\/p>\n

In the last 13 years since CR\u2019s launch at Kensington, I have seen broken marriages reconciled, moms get back custody of their kids, and adults walk free from the imprisoning lies of their past. The possibilities are truly endless for those who trust the process.<\/p>\n

But it starts with picking up that blue chip and stepping into it.<\/p>\n

Well done. Now take another step.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

-Chris Cook, Care Director <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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