SPIRITUAL INVENTORY PART 1 & 2- We are still working on Step 4 & Principle 4 (see above listings). Being able to rely on our Higher Power, we need to make sure that we are right in our relationship with Him. Lamentations 3:40 says, "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." How is your relationship with God?

This past Sunday, both Pastor Glenn and Pastor Rob were right on point with our Spiritual Inventory. Pastor Glenn spoke about the Holy Spirit and the different aspects that He has in our lives: He teaches us truth, love and obedience, and memory. Yep! Memory! We leak! Sunday we are doing fine remembering to rely on God, but come Tuesday we forget and are bombarded with doubts and fears - we go to meeting and remember again only by Friday to "leak" what we've learned. It's because we are not letting the Holy Spirit work in us and oh, was that Step 2 when we knew we were not in control and Who is?

Then Sunday night, Pastor Rob hit it on the head! "Being in proximity does not make it a connection." We can read the Bible, go to church, pray, but not feel connected. We are not surrendering (Step 3)!! You can hear both sermons from Jan. 10th on the Church website, www.wvcch.org. Why do I bring this up? Because if we don't have a connection to our Higher Power, how do we expect Him to give us victory over our hurts, habit, and hang-ups!!

The 8 areas for our Spiritual Inventory include:
Relationships with others
Priorities in Your Life
Your Attitude Your Integrity
Your Mind
Your Body
Your Family
Your Church

These areas are in your participant guides along with some great questions to help you think these areas through. If you are not working your steps and want to start, just ask, we'll help you. God bless you all as you work and travel down this road together! Use this forum to share your thoughts and comments. This blog is for you!!

INVENTORY - Actually writing out your inventory is not as bad as it sounds. In your participant guide, there is a form that can help you think out what you need to write and talk over with your Sponsor or Accountability Partner.

Column 1 - The Person - Who is the person or object you resent or fear?
Column 2 - The Cause - What did that person do to cause you resentment and/or fear?
Column 3 - The Effect - Be specific how that hurtful action affected your life both in the past and present
Column 4 - The Damage - Which of your basic instincts were inured? Social, Security, Sexual?
Column 5 - My Part - Ask God to show you your part in the situation. Maybe you didn't have a part - you need to know that too!

Don't forget balance, and don't forget most important, "No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if your are stained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool!" Isaiah 1:18

SPONSOR - Boy, do I have a lot of catching up to do, but as many of you know, my Dad passed away in December after being hospitalized since August. So, the end of the year really tested how I lean on my CR family and Christ, my Higher Power, to give me strength. It's a new year, a new day, and I'm READY!! Bear with me as I attempt to bring you 4 lessons :).

We last talked about our Moral Inventory with Principle 4, "Openly examine and confess my faults to God, and to someone I trust." Matthew 5:8. Who is that "someone I trust"? Hopefully, during the meeting time and fellowship time you have seen someone who has shown their walk matches their talk. Someone you would like to have that type of faith they show. Someone who has been there and has victory through Jesus! That's a Sponsor, or an Accountability Partner. Someone you can share your insights with bravely and boldly. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us, "Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone..., there is no one to help him...Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone."

Be respectful of them, they are there to help you. Come prepared with your participant guide filled out and ready to go over with them. They have given up their time and if you are not prepared, it is not a good reflection. Listen to their suggestions, they've been there. Don't be defensive, but be open. This way you both will have a great experience in your relationship.

Don't be offended if you ask someone to be your Sponsor or Accountability Partner, and they say "No". They may already Sponsor someone or they may not feel ready yet. Keep asking people you admire. You'll find one!

Note to potential Sponsors: The goal is once you have completed the 12-steps is that you then help someone through theirs. You both benefit from the steps. Remember, you can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you!! Phil. 4:13