Our family has attended North Point Community Church since 1999. Actually, since the church has grown … we attend a campus on the north-side of Atlanta called Browns Bridge Community Church. Yesterday, 8/21/2011 … Andy Stanley started a series on the American Recovery called “Recovery Road.” Below are my notes … and my attempt (though impossible) to capture all that he said. He’s such a talented communicator.

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Recovery Road – Andy Stanley – 8/21/2011

America has some problem(s) tied to out current situation.

1. Discipline Problem – I don’t want to be told no.
2. Entitlement Problem – we are spoiled – we whine – we think we have earned it.
3. Greed Problem – everything that comes to me is for my consumption – the more you have the less you give.
4. Failure of Nerve Problem – knowing the problem and the right solution- but fears the consequences of doing the right thing so nothing happens.

Recovery is not a political issue. Jesus is not a Republican or a Democrat. Have you read the Gospels? He is not far left or far right – He’s just far out! But, what He speaks – He give us hope – and insight to our road to recovery. I’m not looking at politics any more – except through the filter of my faith.

Matthew 7:3-5 … Speck vs. Plank

• Hypocrite! The expectation that someone else should be doing something that you are not willing to do yourself. The plank is in your eye. How can you see clearly?
• Want to start a Recovery? FIRST - take the plank out of your eye. THEN - if you do this – you will see clearly. You want to see changes? Progress? Deal with you FIRST - then you will see clearly. YOU will see clearly and see a path out.
• When something about you bothers me – I need to take a hard long look at me – before bothering you.
• Can you imagine – at the grassroots level – if we did this? If we owned our junk/problems. If only Christians would do this … imagine the positive ramifications in our country.
• The road to recovery begins with WE not they. ME not you. We don’t have to wait to recover. We can start with us.

Questions for YOU to answer ……..

1. Are YOU undisciplined with your money?
2. No “margin” in your life – because your lifestyle is out of control?
3. Are you greedy? Are you like the average American that only gives 1.5% of your income?
4. Do you pay all of your taxes? Are you stealing from the government? Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
5. Men – are you caught up on your child support? Are your kids insured? Male irresponsibility is a BIG part of our country’s poverty.
6. Are you on disability but you know you can work?
7. Do you have problems in your family but you are afraid to confront? If yes, you have a nerve problem. How can you ask Congress to grow up … if you are not willing to ask tough questions in your own family?
8. Do you smoke pot? If you smoke pot – you are participating (and contributing) at the fundamental level with murder, child abuse, human trafficking, and billions of US tax dollars wasted.

It is easy to yell at the TV. It’s hard to see it in us FIRST. Get the plank out of your eye – then you will see clearly. Recovery begins with ME – not you. It begins with US not THEY. We have to police US first.

We need to do what we know we need to do.

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