Today we are wrapping up the series of letters concerning the CR Principles. There are eight principles we engage in that help bring positive change in our lives. This principle not only continues the process but is a lifeline of hope to others. It’s called the “The Sharing Choice” Principle 8. Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good New to others, both by my example and by my words. “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.” Matthew 5:10 It’s associated with Step 12. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs. “Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) “Having had a spiritual experience as a result of these steps,,,” If a person works through all eight of these principles; 1. Stop playing God; realize my tendency to do the wrong thing. 2. Earnestly believe God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. 3. Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control. 4. Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. 5. Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. 6. Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those that have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others. 7. Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. 8. Yield myself to God to bring this Good News to others both by my example and by my words. If you work these principles to the best of your ability, TRUST ME, YOU CAN REST ASSURED YOU WILL HAVE HAD A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE AS A RESULT OF THESE STEPS! And in addition to that you most certainly will bring a message of true hope to others. Re-read this list and take a moment to really contemplate each one. Any one of these ideas can be life changing but when you put them all together radically so. Typically we start the journey of recovery in order to bring freedom and healing into our own lives then along the way our focus shifts toward others. This is because we truly have a message of “Good News” which we can share with others. We’ve experienced it ourselves! It takes approximately a year to work through the formal part of the CR process but I look at these principles as a life-style. I can intentionally position myself to continually grow in my knowledge of, and intimacy with God while bringing hope and encouragement to others. I hope these letters are as much of an encouragement to you as you are to us. Thanks for your prayers and support. Celebrating Recovery! Jim & Pam