Dear
R... [name deleted out of respect] What a great great letter showing how much pain we suffer because we
rely only on A.A. and the higher power nonsense. On the other hand, some of us
like myself have been in so much pain and are in so much pain when we enter
A.A. that it’s a miracle that we do
reach out to A.A.--however mistaken our initial impressions may be. I saw God
as we understood Him on the wall. I thought, “I understand Him.” “This is the
place for me.” Then I started hearing about higher powers and went with the
flow and still suffered—never taking a drink or a sleeping pill. Then I started
hearing your higher power could be a rock. I showed that nonsense to a group of
newcomers at my former treatment center and was given the boot for talking
about God.
About
that time I woke up for good.
At
eight months of sobriety, I turned to God for relief from my fear, shame,
anxiety, remorse, and befuddled mind. But I also kept looking for newcomers
even in the VA nut house and helped them. I started asking God whom to help. I
worked with newcomers in my prison and jail time. And finally, that part of the
wreckage of the past was past history. Then I learned that A.A. came from the
Bible and learned the truth. It had come from the Bible. It oozed with
Christians in Akron
From
that point on, and perhaps even before, I became determined to unearth the real
truth about early A.A. And I have—21 years of truth revealed. And now we have
thousands of Christians who are putting God before A.A. but still helping
others in A.A. And helping them to “establish a relationship with God” if they
choose. Sadly, many of these even think “God” is their “higher power” or that “Jesus”
is their higher power. They sell it in the churches. They sell it in their
recovery fellowships. And they have often lost touch with the fact that many in
A.A. could and should be brought to the “highest” power”—properly called
Yahweh, the Creator, and to His Son Jesus Christ, and to the Bible which—as Dr.
Bob suggested—contains the answers to all their problems.
Nowadays,
a few resentful, jealous, uninformed “historians” and “scholars” and A.A.
zealots and even “sincere” Christians are calling me an amateur, a hobbyist, a
Jesus freak an AA on his way to hell because he dares to touch the lepers.
Contrast with that baloney the fact that one great person like you took the
timer to tell the story, and it’s all worthwhile.
At
the end of the trail (really the beginning), Jesus was crucified and saw Peter
deny him. And look what Jesus did for the world and with Peter once God raised
Jesus from thedead.
At
the end of the trail (really the beginning), Paul said all Asia
had turned against him and even noticed a few stinkers in his camp. And yet he
probably did more to spread the gospel of salvation and truth than any Christian
who has walked the earth.
Was
it worthwhile? You know the answer. There are also a few facts to be learned
about those who choose to concoct false gods, worship them, do their bidding,
and lambaste Christians. What happens to them if they miss the boat? You know
the answer.
May
God bless you in your walk and the courage with which you speak. And may God
bless you for brightening my day today.
Dick B.
Author, 42 titles & over 650
articles on A.A. History and the Christian Recovery Movement
(808) 874-4876
Ps 118:17 (NJB):
I shall not die, I shall live to recount the great deeds of Yahweh.
I shall not die, I shall live to recount the great deeds of Yahweh.
Facebook:
DickBmauihistorian
From: Subject: Re: Dick B.'s FYI Messages: Is It Worthwhile to Help an A.A.
Newcomer? Try it and smile!
Hi Dick,
Really appreciate your service and take on the power of A.A.
for newcomers!
However, sad to say that I've struggled with the wording in
the third step regarding
"Higher Power." Has been very difficult for me to
feel like I have to compromise
with unbelievers...e.g. when I lived in San Francisco
quality people in recovery, but they felt contempt for my
belief in Christ (they
practiced Transcendental Meditation two times a day to
relieve stress...I tried
it for awhile and it indeed reduced my stress level, but
eventually I became
uncomfortable taking part in this practice as it didn't seem
to me that it was conducive
to worshipping Christ in an appropriate fashion.
I've been tormented about the "Higher Power"
concept for 25 years...was sober 14 years as a result of
A.A introducing me to the concept of a Higher Power, but
wound up relapsing as a result of ignoring God and
becoming too busy at work and school. I am sober now, but I
have not healed from the pain of the first
relapse. It was horrible for me to go back to A.A. and stand
up as a newcomer again. I know, my pride and
ego has nearly killed me. But this has been my
experience...the relapse issue has manifested itself within
me like a constant huge gaping wound. Frankly, it would be
easier for me to immerse myself in "church culture"
and not have to be constantly reminded of my initial
relapse!
Without A.A. I probably would not have ultimately
accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior! Also, C.S. Lewis's
"Mere Christianity" has given me tremendous
comfort over the years. So I must give A.A credit for
leading me to Christ. Praise the Lord!
Would you say that A.A. is a tremendous springboard for many
who will ultimately find Christ? And could
I view this issue like Paul did in Athens
of his way to behave in a "like minded" way in
order to be well received by people who held different beliefs.
Frankly, I become tired of hearing so much opposition to
Christianity in A.A. and feel guilty
when I feel like I must be supportive of multiple higher
powers! It doesn't feel good to me to
condone other recovering people's practice of
"New Age" type religions when the Bible clearly states that
believing in Christ is the only way to salvation.
Wish I wasn't such a tortured soul! LOL
Dick, I know that you are a very busy man and I sincerely
appreciate your hard work
in educating A.A. members about the history of Dr. Bob and
wife Anne's contribution
to the development of A.A. in a Christian context...and, of
course, your take on the full
history of A.A. in general.
Thank you so much for giving me so much comfort!! Have deep
respect for you and I'll bet
your ranch in Maui is
fabulous! What a beautiful life you have!
If you ever have the time, (know you are bombarded with work
under Christ) write me a short
email regarding your take on the third step etc.
Love you brother in the Lord! :):)
R
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