Dick ; Gods Peace and Blessings
today as I articulate my reflections on brother Marsh and his observations;
Some of my 2am ramblings on the
subject;
This is really good stuff - relating
to the need to address the culture where it's at today - and using the AA
Conference approved literature as a bridge to witness .. which I do on a
regular basis.. IE: I'm using the same text that motivated the co-founders (the
Bible) - I sometimes tell folks that I don't need to have the Bible labled as
conference approved because it is the founders TEXT - it is the TEXT FROM WHICH
the program came therefore being the first BIG BOOK it is authoritative and
certainly approved as having proceeded the printing of any AA Literature;
everything evolved from it. You don't have to be a Christian to read it, but
you might want to think about the role it played in the development of our 12
step recovery program.
Thanks to your forwarding
information on the Recovery net ( www.therecoverynet.com ) a number of
your readers have signed on as we begin to develop our list (I hope you signed
on? If not go to www.therecoverynet.info ) and when we
begin mailings you will be sure to receive it !
One of your readers emailed me and
told me about a horror story wherein the "group" had spoken against
him so profoundly that it only stopped an inch short of telling him that
he could no longer attend if he brought those non-conference approved
literature (the bible and sermon on the mount) into the meeting.
Using acceptable material to direct
people to the source is the best way around that dilemma that I have found: Mr.
Walsh's paper is very good..
The only thing I would like to see
addressed a little deeper is the transitional understanding of words that we
commonly banter around in a meeting.
IE: Been sober for xx years and
doesn't know Christ... That man is NOT Sober; He's dry.
It is my fervent belief and message
that the "abstinence of your mind and mood altering chemical is NOT
sobriety" but that Sobriety (as a way of life) can begin
when we put down the use of the chemicals or whatever we are using (could be
sex, gambling etc..) 20 years ago a sponsor hit home with me when he suggested
that many people come to AA and have a Change of Breath! However they are still
behaving in a manner to which they have become accustomed, and that they
probably will re-lapse at some point in time. Because abstinence is NOT
sobriety.
A Good book is entitled
"Addictions, A Banquet in the GRAVE" written by a Christian Author
("Welch" ) addressed the problem from a belief perspective that is
based upon our understanding that we must have Christ to enjoy an eternal
life! Sobriety comes to us when we seek first HIS kingdom and
accept that we are made righteous by HIS work not our own. Watering it
down does not change the fact that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life..
and nobody comes to God except by him...
So sobriety in my opinion (the
sobriety which is referred to biblically) comes when we truly have accepted and
begin living for Christ. Salvation buys us a ticket to eternity -
Sanctification leads us in growth in relationship to Christ and a way of life
beyond anything we would have envisioned.. that's pretty attractive to me !!
Granted there are many people who
have accepted and acknowledged Christ and his substitutional and
sacrificial Death on the Cross as a means to eternity; but I want a good life
here too (John 10:10 he came that we may have life and have it to the full) So
we short change ourselves when we say to others or ourselves that sobriety
occurs when you stop using and abusing. AA calls our problem a thinking
problem and the only cure for that is to become acquainted with Gods plan for
sobriety and submit ourselves to his direction and control. I have to
read his word, and then put into practice (with Gods Help) what I am learning !
What I have seen in the last 27
years is that people, once DRY are told they are SOBER and they begin to think
they have "made it" , only to wind up re-lapsing and very often dying
because they believed they were Sober!
I don't need proof to support my
observation; all I need to do is begin to collect the obituary's of people (new
comers) I've seen in meetings who were told that because they were abstaining
they were SOBER - it's a lie that kills !
Addiction in the Christian sense is
Idolatry; Idolatry is the disease that keeps us from growing... the only thing
that can be preeminent in our lives is Christ if we are going to experience
much growth. But we all have to start somewhere.
I have a manual written by Ray
Geisel entitled "walking the 12 steps with Jesus Christ" which has
been an invaluable tool in sharing the concepts of going from our 3rd step
(making a decision) (experiencing spiritual re-birth) and the process of
growing in our faith which we call "Sanctification" (recovery)
God is awesome; you are an excellent
messenger and I value highly your materials in the teaching of others.. You
broach every topic, objection, with great in depth research, and supportive
historical information - my computer is full to overflowing with your
writings...
I cannot imagine being without your
work product in my tool box !!
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