Christian A.A. Days: The Runner's Bible a Must

Now that we have thoroughly researched and reported the books and devotionals that the early AAs really used and studied, it's time to highlight the major ones--most of which have been reprinted and are available today.

So let's talk about "The Runner's Bible: Spiritual Guidance For People On the Run."
In the early 1900's, Nora Smith Holm compiled and edited this great, inspirational, daily Scripture study guide.

The biblio today is The Runner's Bible, published by Acropolis Books Publisher, under its I-Level Imprint, Lakewood, Colorado, 1998 ISBN 1-889051-27-6.

Here are some key points:
1. Dr. Bob's son told me that this was one of his dad's favorite daily study devotionals.
2. The book is mentioned in A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature even today.
3. And several of the early A.A. Christian pioneers have specifically mentioned this book as one of the daily devotionals they used.

Here's why I like it--without detailing all the chapters, you can see the point.

Chapters, with appropriate Bible verses, cover the following topics and others:

"In the Morning Will I Order My Prayer To Thee"
"Him That Filleth All In All"
"His Image and Likeness"
"Walk in Love"
"Rejoice Always"
"In Everything Give Thanks"
"Fear Not, Only Believe"
"Get Wisdom. Get Understanding"
"Ask And Ye Shall Receive"
"He That Is The Greatest Among You Shall Be Your Servant."
"Forgive and Ye Shall Be Forgiven"

"I Will Help Thee"
"Behold, I Will Heal Thee"
"For Thine Is The Power"
"The Lord Shall Guide Thee Continually"
"Thou Shalt Walk In Thy Way Safely"
"Peace Be Unto You"

"The Lord Will Lighten My Darkness"

What a platter of victory verses for the alcoholic and addict who still suffers today. Instead of looking at a verse or a thought for the day in the endless "meditation" books that have poured out of publishers--even A.A. General Services, the suffering person can look to what God has said.

For me, the greatest problem in early sobriety was fear--fear that the other shoe would drop, fear of being "caught," fear of being unable to cope with the plethora of problems I had caused, and fear of the "unknown."

This little book, if the verses are mastered and believed, is the key to victorious Christian living today.

For a great discussion of the importance of these Bible verses and inspirational presentations, see Dick B., Good Morning: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A. www.dickb.com/goodmorn.shtml.

Let there be no doubt: Today there are great recovery ministries like that conducted in the Rock Church in San Diego that have members texting each other each day with appropriate thoughts and verses from such devotionals as "The Upper Room." This daily communion with God was a "must" in early A.A.

God Bless, Dick B. The Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010 www.dickb.com/Christian-Recover-Guide.shtml