Freedom NEWSLETTER Brought to you by New Life Spirit Recovery               November, 2009    Volume 1, Issue 7   A New Way by Dr. Robert T. Tucker In this Issue:   Newsletter Home   He Came to Set the Captives Free by Dr. Tucker   Difficult Emotions By Stephanie Tucker   Alumni Events   Four Phases of Recovery by Robert Beaupre   Where is Your Hope? by Michael Luhm   Personal Testimonies    Find a Meeting     The recovery arena needs more than just a short lived quick fix. For the oppressed, the choice is fairly simple but very significant; either they meditate or eventually they will medicate. I'm pleased to report that our recent seminar for local pastors and recovery leaders turned out to be an absolute blessing. What an awesome experience it was to meet and talk to so many brothers and sisters with such a passion to help the oppressed find true freedom in Christ. At a time when addictive behaviors are at an all-time high, and the recovery arena as a whole overflowing with options upon options, there is still only One that offers and delivers true freedom in the here and now and for eternity.  All so-called alcoholics and addicts have spiritual problems as well as mind problems, problems with thinking correctly. This does not mean they need to be sent to County Mental Health. Most, if not all need spiritual maturity and a renewing (a cleansing) of the mind. We believe there is such a great need for God's people to properly understand this arena and be equipped to properly serve within it.   A big thanks to those that participated. We look forward to your feedback as we put together our next event.

What's Happening Now:NLSR Current Events Alumni and Client Graduation Ceremony Alumni events are held the last Saturday of the month! Please note the change in the December schedule. Upcoming Dates : November 28th, December 19th, January 2nd. Fellowship begins at 11:30 am.  Our alumni events are a special time of thankfulness and praise for how God is working in the lives of the people going through our program. At these events we have praise and worship, a recovery message, baptisms and testimonies. We also "send off" and congratulate those that have successfully completed the program. For those of you who have "graduated", remember that recovery isn't limited to 30 days! Rather, it's an ongoing process for the rest of our lives. Remember to stay connected to us as a part of your network. We are here to support, encourage, lift up and embrace you at this place in your recovery, no matter where you are!     This event is for all clients, client family members, alumni and alumni family members. Family members must be invited by the client in order to attend. Students, interns and staff members also attend this event. If you work in the recovery ministry, we welcome you as well, but ask that you please call us ahead at 714-841-1906.    Click here to view our alumni page Click here to view our pictures New Programs at NLSR! New Life Spirit Recovery is proud to announce two new programs in addition to our drug and alcohol treatment program beginning soon! Codependence Workshop Program A 12-Module intensive approach to Codependence recovery.   Program includes: Identifying and understanding codependence Facing painful emotional strongholds Learning God's way of love Understanding the family systems Learning the redemption of forgiveness Setting healthy Boundaries Embracing identity and giftedness Time management and much more  visit www.christiancodependence.com for complete program information. Family Treatment Programs We are happy to be able to offer a more comprehensive approach to addiction treatment through our new family treatment program. This program will allow family members of NLSR clients to be involved in a one-week intensive program at the same time a family member is getting drug and alcohol treatment. The purpose of the program is: For family members to understand addiction For family members to understand the family system in addiction For family members to learn the needs of the addict in recovery For family members to embrace a personalized recovery plan  To learn more, click here or call us at 714-841-1906

He Came to Set the Captives Free by Dr. Robert T. Tucker Understand the real battle and learn how to win it!   The “freedom from prison” the Bible talks about doesn’t necessarily mean a “California Department of Corrections” type prison with block walls, bars, and barbed wire fences. Although God can, and does at times, set prisoners free from behind those walls, in the churches and in program, it is not uncommon to see Him set people free from the things that send them to prison. I’m talking about the prison we find ourselves in within ourselves. Our flesh, holding our minds captive to sin, is a battle constantly raging within the mind for control of the body. If Satan can gain control of the mind, he will be the one that controls the body (your actions).    For the full article, click here   Read archived articles about the process of recovery, leading to lifelong and genuine change:   The True Path to Recovery Struggles Are Blessings Understanding the Recovery Process from a Biblical Perspective The 12 Steps from a Biblical Perspective Series: Intro to the 12 Steps The 12 Steps from a Biblical Perspectibe Series:Step 1-3: From Powerless to All-Powerful in Christ Steps 4&5: Get Ready for Change!     Difficult Emotions: What to do When we Hurt by Stephanie Tucker, MDAAC, MMin. Emotions are difficult to withstand when they are painful. Often, we are living through our emotions, unable to identify the source of the pain. Learn more about emotions and break free from the viscious cycle of unnecessary emotional pain.   To read the full article, click here Read archived article relating to family member issues and codependency What's My Role in Addiction? My Family Member is in Treatment, Now What? Facing Codependency Understanding Boundaries Embracing True Identity Intervention: The Help the Addict Needs Points of View & Perspective This column is written by staff, alumni, or anyone who wishes to contribute. It is an individual's unique experience and perspective about recovery, but does not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of New Life Spirit Recovery. We welcome your articles. Please e-mail to nlsrnewsletter@gmail.com.  Four Phases of Recovery By Robert Beaupre, CDAAC, RAS, CSC Learn the Acceptance, Application, Assimiliation and Always in this practical guide towards life-long recovery. Click here to read full article. Where is Your Hope? By Michael Luhm What you hope and who you hope in matter in recovery! Click here to read full article      Personal Testimonies These are the testimonies of actual clients who recently participated in our program and want to share their personal strength and hope they have found. WE HAVE CHANGED THEIR NAMES TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY. We encourage all alumni or anyone who has experienced deliverance from an addiction to send us your story. E-mail to nlsrnewsletter@gmail.com     "Christian's" Story Have you ever felt alone? Abandoned? Worthless? Living with no motivation? It's something that i'm sure that the majority of people today struggle with. Finding means to subdue those feelings, thoughts, and emotions can be strenuous. Physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausting.  I resorted to drugs, alcohol, women, gluttony, isolation, etc. For 11 years addiction ran my life. Or should I say slowed my life and was killing me, literally. I was pronounced basically dead from an overdose at the age of 18, and that STILL didn't stop me from using. It actually got worse after that. You would think for the normal, that it would be a red flag. Waking up in a hospital bed not knowing how you got there. Well it wasn't. There was still something terribly wrong and missing in my life.  For full testimony, click here   Poetry Read a personal testimoony through poetry

Words of Life If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.   The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.   I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.   Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”   John 14:15-21    NLSR on Facebook