Participating - at no cost - in International Christian Recovery Coalition

The International Christian Recovery Coalition was organized just about three years ago after a Christian Recovery Leaders Nationwide Conference at Mariners Church Community Center in Irvine, California.

It has grown in participants, leaders, speakers, fellowships, churches, treatment work, media dissemination, articles, blogs, resource centers, a ChristianRecoveryRadio.com site, a 27 video class presentation on "Stick with the Winners," a Guidebook called "Stick with the Winners" that tells how to conduct recovery meetings using Conference-approved literature, the editions of The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, and a number of other projects including a large number of conferences, seminars, and personal meetings with Christian recovery leaders, workers, newcomers, and the public..

It costs nothing to be listed as a participant.

The mission is very simple: (1) The International Christian Recovery Coalition is an informal fellowship worldwide. (2) Its participants help disseminate facts about the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the origins, history, founding, original Christian Fellowship program of Akron A.A., June of 1935. (3) Suggesting as well the role they can and will play today for those who want God's help in overcoming alcoholism, addiction, and life-controlling problems; and are willing to go to any lengths to do so. (4) Applying the principles and practices--which actually were the principles and practices of the Apostles in First Century Christianity as recorded in the Book of Acts--in recovery programs, fellowships, groups, meetings, treatment, counseling, and outreach today. Just as was done in "old school" early A.A. and its Akron Christian Fellowship.

Our suggestions to those who may want to become participants and help implement the mission:

Check out the International Christian Recovery Coalition website by going to and looking at www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com. Look at the participants, mission, and projects.

If you approve, simply send a listing of yourself or your organization to dickb@dickb.com -listing something like the following:

"John Smith, Recovered believer, Serenity Group Fellowship, 4444 Hiawatha Street, Keeokuk, KS 99999, phone:   , email:    . URL.....  if any."

"Walla Walla Christian Treatment Center, [address, city, state, zip, phone, email, URL"

You will then be listed on the website as a participant in the Coalition.

There is no cost involved.

You are welcome whether as an enthusiast, endorser, benefactor, named participant, or anonymous "member."

And you can belong, serve, and contribute in your own area of interest--newcomer, oldtimer, 12-Stepper, speaker, secretary, clergyman, recovery pastor, recovery group leader, Christian recovery fellowship leader or worker, treatment program director, Christian counseling, rehab or detox work, Christian intervention, chaplaincy, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, therapy, teaching, social work, prisons, homeless, at-risk people, young  people, hospital, Christian residential treatment, sober living, transitional housing, academic institution, bridge group, non-profit agency, government agency, research, history, archives, 12-Step service or employment, pharmaceuticals, etc.

To ask questions, receive further information, offer help, or become listed, feel free to contact Dick B. at dickb@dickb.com, 808 874 4876, or Ken B. at 808 276 4945, or write Dick B. at
PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837.

The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed.: Details

To see the contents, subjects, and mission of The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., and also to see how to acquire a copy, see: http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/christian-recovery-guide.shtml

The New Christian Recovery Radio.com Series is On the Air, Growing, and Soon Expanding!
Dick B. and Ken B.
Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved

You can plug in to all these shows on www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com right now:

The following presentations are either on the air or shortly to be presented on the Christian Recovery Radio.com site. And all but the first can be seen, heard, read, and downloaded FREE – courtesy of the benefactors, sponsors, and contributors to, and participants in the work of Dick B. and Ken B on the International Christian Recovery Coalition www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com:

1. The Stick with the Winners 27 video classes on Alcoholics Anonymous History – a one-time only charge of $29.95 for all  27 of the video classes.

2. A free video series by Dick B. and Ken B. will feature many aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous History and of the Christian Recovery Movement. The first video is up and running with others to follow when funding is available to produce the ensuing video films free.

3. A free Take 12 Radio program of “A.A. History with Dick B.” is presented every Tuesday, with ongoing shows, and free archives of other shows. Producer is Monty Meyer of Oregon.

4. An ongoing free series of radio programs presently begun  and presented by Dick B. and Ken B. in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christian-recovery-radio-with-dickb; soon to be posted on ChristianRecoveryRadio.com and composed of interviewed personages such as:

(a) World-wide Christian recovery leaders, physicians, psychologists, addiction medicine specialists, writers, historians, researchers, speakers, Bible scholars, professors, clergy, recovery pastors, and international substance abuse prevention and recovery organization heads [from International Substance Abuse and Addiction Coalition, International Christian Recovery Coalition, City Team International, Overcomers Outreach Inc, Alcoholics Victorious, Footprints Inc., City Vision College, Neighborhood Alcoholics for Christ, Celebrate Recovery, Teen Challenge, Snyder Life Enrichment Retreats, religious denomination leaders handling alcoholism and addiction recovery, and church sponsored recovery groups];

(b) Christian treatment and rehab program directors, Christian sober-living facility and transitional housing directors, Christian residential recovery home owners, and Christian after-care facilitators.

(c) Christian interventionists, counselors, chaplains, and Christian detox facility directors; Christian bridge groups, church recovery groups, and church recovery fellowships.

(d) Chaplains and Christian outreach directors for care, prisons, homeless, hospitalized, veterans, and at-risk addicts, alcoholics, and codependents.

(e) Christian directors of A.A. and other national archive memorial facilities (such as Wilson House in Vermont, Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron, Dr. Bob Core Library in Vermont, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Library in Akron, the Shoemaker Collection at Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, and the Seiberling Gate Lodge in Akron

(f) Active and recovered AAs, NAs, archivists, historians, International Christian Recovery Coalition speakers from its Speakers Bureau, government and social work employees, employee and union assistance program directors, social workers, and members of the public concerned about overcoming, preventing, and treating alcoholism, addiction, and codependency.

5. Dozens of free A.A. History Talks by Dick B., recorded and posted, and covering each aspect of A.A. origins, history, founding, original Christian fellowship program, and successes; as well as those people and organization that influenced the founding and development of early A.A.; and other topics published in Dick B.’s 44 books, over 1000 articles, blogs, YouTube presentations, forums, Dick B.’s several websites  (www.dickb.com; www.dickb-blog.com; http://MauiHistorian.Blogspot.com; http://freedomranchmaui.org; http://drbob.info; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com; www.dickb.com/titles.shtml
and other Dick B. blogs and Christian and recovery websites.

Gloria Deo

"Bill W." - Facts or Films!

Dick B.’s Documented Account of the Story of Bill Wilson, Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Influences on Wilson [In reply to a question about Oxford Group influences, if any, on Bill Wilson]

Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights resereved

“Thank you for asking about the possible influence of the Oxford Group on Bill Wilson.

Actually, there were many influences on his A.A. ideas, as there were in the case of Dr. Bob: They definitely include, and I have documented, the following:

1. The Bible.

2. The Christian organizations and people that preceded and influenced AA: a) Evangelists like Dwight Moody and F. B. Meyer; b) Gospel Rescue Missions; c) Lay brethren of Young Men's Christian Association; d) Salvation Army; e) Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor; f) Oxford Group; g)Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr.

3. The Christian  upbringing of Wilson in the East Dorset Congregational Church, the Bible studies he did with grandfather Griffith and friend Mark Whalon, the conversion and cure of his grandfather Willie Wilson, the sermons and revivals and conversions and temperance meetings he attended, his 4 years at Burr and Burton Academy where he took a four year Bible study course, went to daily chapel at this Congregationalist school, and was president of and active in the school's Young Men's Christian Association.

5. The advice of his physician Dr. Silkworth on his third visit to Towns Hospital; that he would die or go insane if he didn't stop drinking; and that the Great Physician Jesus Christ could cure him.

6. The visits from his friend Ebby Thacher, telling him: a) that he (Ebby) had been to the altar at Calvary Rescue Mission, been born again, got religion; b) that he (Ebby) had learned several things from the Oxford Group friends (Rowland Hazard, Shep Cornell, and Cebra Graves) about Christian subjects he had studied as a youngster, and also about the power of prayer, about the Oxford Group[ program, about Dr. Carl Jung's advice to Rowland that he (Rowland) could be helped if he had a "vital religious experience"--a conversion experience;] c) Bill's trip to Calvary Church to hear and check up on Ebby Thacher's testimony; d) Bill's thought that perhaps Calvary Mission could do for him what it had done for Ebby; e) Bill's trip to the altar at Calvary Mission where he made his decision for Jesus Christ, wrote twice "For sure I had been born again," and wrote that he had "found religion." f) Bill's subsequent drinking, deep despair and depression, and thoughts that he should call on the Great Physician for help; g) Bill's last trip to Towns Hospital where he cried out to God for help, had his memorable "indescribably white flash" blazing in his room, sensed the presence of God, exclaimed "So this is the God of the Scriptures," stopped doubting the power of God, and never drank again.

7. Bills subsequent discussion with Dr. Silkworth where Bill was told he had had a "conversion experience." Bill's extensive study that day of the William James book on religious experiences that cured alcoholics, and Bill's conclusion that his experience in the hospital was a valid conversion experience.

8. Bill's adventure on discharge from the hospital out on the streets with a Bible under his arm and telling drunks in hospitals, missions, flea bag hotels, Oxford Group meetings that he had found a cure for alcoholism and that they should give their lives to God (See Big Book, page 191).

9. Bill's utter failure to convert or sober up anyone at all. Not before he met with Dr. Bob in Akron.

10. Bill's visit with Dr. Bob at Henrietta Seiberling's Gate Lodge for six hours where Bill convinced Bob that the idea of service to others was an essential element in the Oxford Group that was part of the mix, and Dr. Bob's assent.

11. The three months that Bill spent with the Smiths at their home in Akron where: a) Anne read them the Bible each day. b) Anne may have shared from the journal she had kept since 1933. c) there were daily prayers and  quiet time. d) there was an agreement that hospitalization was an essential ingredient. e) Attendance at the weekly "clandestine lodge" meeting of the Oxford Group at the T. Henry Williams home. f) Where extensive Oxford Group and Shoemaker literature were available at the meeting for the taking.

12. The success--when there was no Big Book, were no Steps, were no Traditions, were no drunkalogs, and were no meetings like those today--with A.A. Number Three-Bill Dotson. Bill and Bob visited Dotson in the hospital, told him to give his life to God and, when healed, go out and help others. Dotson turned to God for help, was immediately healed, and went out from the hospital a new man--which marked the founding of Akron Group Number One July 4, 1935.

13. Bill and Bob learning in November of 1937 by "counting noses" that forty members had achieved and maintained some sobriety--with an assured 50% success rate; and that God had shown them how the cure could be passed on by working with newcomers, hospitalization, belief in God, acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, old fashioned prayer meetings, Bible study meetings, Quiet Time, reading Christian literature, and helping others without charge.

14. When Akron, by a barely passing vote in Akron, authorized Wilson to write a book, Bill claimed there were six word-of-mouth ideas being used with success. He phrased the six ideas in at least 4 different ways--when it came to God's help. He claimed they were derived from the Oxford Group, but that there was no general agreement, particularly in the mid-west , on what they were. He also said they were applied according to the "whim" of the group involved. But Bill's  "six" word-of-mouth ideas were very different from the 7 point Akron Christian Fellowship program that Frank Amos summarized in his report to the Rockefeller people in 1937. See DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 131.

15. Bill soon sat down with Rev. Sam Shoemaker at the book-lined study at Calvary House--with closed doors--and worked out the program of the Big Book, derived largely from Oxford Group ideas (and the Oxford Group itself declared that the principles of the Oxford Group were the principles of the Bible--as Rev. Sherwood Day twice wrote in The Principles of the Oxford Group).

16. When it came time to write Chapter 5 of his new book, Bill asked Sam Shoemaker to write the 12 Steps, but Shoemaker declined saying that they should be written by an alcoholic, namely Bill. Bill then sat down, looked at his alleged "six ideas", and  quickly wrote out Twelve Steps in a book where the word "God" had consistently been used without qualification.

17. Just before the book went to press, four people (Ruth Hock-secretary, Hank Parkhurst--Bill's partner, Bill Wilson--the author, and John Henry Fitzhugh Mayo--who wanted the book to be Christian to the core) changed the language of the steps, deleting God from Step Two, and adding "as we understood Him" to Steps 3 and 11. Bill attributed this change to a "broad highway" to the contributions of the atheists and agnostics.

Most of this material can be found in various of my books listed in http://www.dickb.com/titles.shtml.

And the material is placed in updated, comprehensive, documented, teachable form in "The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide," 3rd ed., 2010. http://www.dickb.com.

Most of the recent, documented research is set forth in my two preceding books "Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous" http://www.dickb.com/drbobofaa,shtml, and "The Conversion of Bill W." http://www.dickb.com/conversion.shtml.

dickb@dickb.com

Origins of Alcoholics Anonymous: A Pleasant Surprise

It seems we never know what will pop up on the internet these days. And today, the following appeared out of the blue. It is most welcome:

The following are articles that have been written by several AA historians that have taken the time to search and research the history and origins of Alcoholics Anonymous. The articles appearing on this site were chosen to show references to the validity of the origins of the original message of Alcoholics Anonymous, not to show our history as a whole. For links to other sites that deal with the history of AA see the favorite links page.

The following articles are from one of AAs leading historians, Dick B. It was a pleasant surprise when I stumbled accross some of his articles a few 24 hrs ago. I have spent many hours reading his articles and books and have learned much about early AA from his research. For more from Dick B. go to his website at www.dickb.com

The Spiritual Beginnings of AA

A Review of Earliest AAs Roots

AAs Roots in the Bible Part 1

AAs Roots in the Bible Part 2

AAs Roots in the Bible Part 3

Roundtable Series on AAs Biblical Roots Part 1

Roundtable Series on AAs Biblical Roots Part 2

Roundtable Series on AAs Biblical Roots Part 3

Roundtable Series on AAs Biblical Roots Part 4

God as We understood Him

The Books and Materials Early AAs Read

Anne Ripley Smith"Mother of AA" Part 1

Anne Ripley Smith "Mother of AA" Part 2

Sam Shoemaker, an AA "Co-Founder" and Spiritual Source

The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous Part 1

The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous Part 2

The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous Part 3

The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous Part 4

Alcoholics Anonymous Its real Oxford Group connection 20 years of Input

A look at Meditation in Early AA

A Day with the Akron AA Pioneers

Alcoholism A Cure: The God Factor

The Four Absolutes - There Source, Application, and Significance

The Four Absolutes - More Revealed (Anne smiths views)

The Four Absolutes - Still More Revealed

AA and The Five Cs A Root from Soul Surgery

Alcoholics Anonymous, Its Christian Endeavor Root, and A.A. Co-founder Dr. Bob

The Dream Come True: Interviews of Christian Recovery Leaders Worldwide

Christian Recovery Leader Radio Interviews World Wide

A Dream Come True

Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved

Only a short time ago, AA Historian Dick B. announced at an International Christian Recovery Coalition Leadership Summit Conference held at the Crossing Church in Costa Mesa, California, that he had a dream.

The announcement came just after a host of great Christian Recovery Leaders had delivered very short talks on what they were doing to further the Christian Recovery Movement and on what their plans for the future included.

The talks were excellent

But time constraints required that the talks be limited to 10 Minutes, even as to Christian Recovery Leaders who had traveled to the International Christian Recovery Coalition conference from Florida, Texas, Northern California, Delaware, New Jersey, and many distant California locations such as Oroville, Palm Springs, San Jose, Costa Mesa, Whittier, West Covina, Huntington Beach, and elsewhere.

Dick announced at that conference, at the companion conferences in Livermore and Brentwood and Oakland, as well as the recent conference at His Place Church in Westminster, California, that he had a dream of having lengthy radio interviews with the dozens and dozens of  Christian Recovery Leaders, Workers, Newcomers, and concerned members of the public he has met and known over the past 23 years.

At this last conference, Rev. Michael Liimatta – long a leader in recovery work, treatment, outreach to the homeless and veterans, Gospel Rescue Missions, Alcoholics Victorious, Footprints, Inc., and City Vision College -- suggested a no cost radio solution. And we seized on the idea.

Today – May 29, 2012 – my son Ken B. and I conducted the first interview. And Rev. Michael Liimatta was the first Christian Recovery Leader interviewed. And these interviews will continue each week, indefinitely, as long as the free facility is made available. The dream came true.

And here is the link:

 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christian-recovery-radio-with-dickb

New Worldwide Radio Programs Inteviewing Christian Recovery Leaders

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christian-recovery-radio-with-dickb

Lots and Lots of AA History Group Suggested Topics

“I Want to Start an A.A. History and ‘Old-School’ A.A. Bible Roots Group!”

Article Four: Suggested Topics for Your “Old-School” Meetings

By Dick B.

© 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved.

Article Three provided two samples of how you can lead your meetings. And we will write three or four short articles that give you some practical suggestions and some hints for avoiding controversy and blockades.

This article (Article Four) provides dozens of suggested topics to use at an “old-school” meeting. There certainly can be no “one size fits all.” What you do in a meeting, what the topic should be, and how you should conduct a meeting depends on all of the following vital factors:

·         Asking God in the name of Jesus Christ what He would like to see you do, and exactly how to do it.

·         Following His directions.

·         Making your own choice, depending upon the topic, the type of meeting, and what the Group has decided in its “informed group conscience” meeting.

·         Aiming at serving and glorifying God and His Son Jesus Christ.

·         Carrying an accurate, effective message to those who still suffer that God can and will help them if they want that help and have renounced drinking and drugging for good.

The first suggested groups of topics are provided in our new book:

Dick B. and Ken B., Stick with the Winners! How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2010).

You can download this title for only $9.95 by scrolling down in the center column of the front page of the following Web site until you come to the discussion of the book:

www.DickB.com

The second suggested groups of topics are presented in our new, 27-video class:

Dick B. and Ken B., “Stick with the Winners!” A 27-video class (2012).

This class complements the material in the Stick with the Winners! book mentioned above. And you can get access to all 27 videos for a one-time donation of $29.95 at:

www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com

The third suggested groups of topics are provided in our guide:

Dick B. and Ken B., The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide: Historical Perspectives and Effective Modern Application, 3^rd ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2010)

You can read more about this important resource here:

http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/christian-recovery-guide.shtml

You may purchase this book by using the “Donate” button provided under “Major Christian Recovery Resource #3” in the center column of this Web site:

www.DickB.com

The fourth suggested group of topics may be gleaned, title by title, subject by subject, in each of the 29 volumes of “The Dick B.  A.A. History and Christian Recovery Reference Set.” We have made this entire set available at the substantially discounted price of $249.00 (includes shipping within the United States. Please contact us about shipping outside the U.S.). We have recommended that every group obtain this Reference Set. Each of the books, with a picture page, is described on our website:

            www.dickb.com/titles.shtml

And the entire, 29-volume “Dick B. A.A. History and Christian Recovery Reference Set” may be acquired by clicking here:

http://www.dickb.com/index.html#Major_Christian_Recovery_Resource_2

If you have any godly questions concerning the topics and resources discussed above, please phone Dick B. at 1-808-874-4876 or Ken B. at 1-808-276-4945. Or send me (Dick B.) an email message at DickB@DickB.com.

Gloria Deo

Specific Examples of Possible Old School Meetings in Action

“I want to start an A.A. History and Old School A.A. Bible Roots Group!”

Article Three: How Can I Conduct Such a Meeting

Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved.

The  Previous Article Two Explains the Resources the Group and Its Leader Should Study and Use

And we will write three or four short articles that give you some practical suggestions and some hints for avoiding controversy and blockades.

This Article Three Gives You Two Sample Examples of How You Can Lead the Meeting

There certainly can be no “one size fits all.” What you do in a meeting, what the topic should be, and how you should conduct a meeting depends on all these vital factors: (1) Asking God what He would like to see you do, and exactly how to do it. (2) Following His directions  (3) Making your own choice, depending upon the topic, the type of meeting, and what the Group has decided in its informed group conscience (4) Aiming at serving and glorifying God and His Son Jesus Christ and (5) Carrying a message to those who still suffer that God can and will help them if they want that help and have renounced drinking and drugging for good.

Example one: The meeting will study two articles about Dr. Bob, and they are the interview of Dr. Bob in 1939 and the Tidings article about the talks of both Bob and Bill on the same platform at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in 1948.

(a)    Announce the topic.

(b)   Read all or the relevant parts of both articles.

(c)    In the first article, ask members: “What do you think is the central message that Dr. Bob gave his interviewer.” “Did Dr. Bob talk about prayer and what did he say about it.” What did Dr. Bob say about being ‘cured of drunkenness by prayer” What did Dr. Bob say about the difference between promising to go straight and sticking to it” What did Dr. Bob say about “hitting bottom.” What did Dr. Bob say about the visits of the pioneers to a newcomer in the hospital” “What did Dr. Bob say about ‘Christ’ on the two occasions he mentioned Jesus Christ.” “What did Dr. Bob say about using the Good Book—the Bible”

(d)   In the second article, ask members: What did Dr. Bob say in a few short words in his talk—about religious literature, about church attendance, about prayer, about the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, and about reading the Bible.

(e)    If time permits, invite members to make comments on both articles, in an orderly and

brief fashion

Example two: The meeting will be about how to approach a newcomer. Read the Guide pages.

            Ask questions about each suggested phase. Ask what the Big Book says on the topic.

            And so on.

Top of Form

Courage to Change - 12 Step Study in Kindle

Check out Courage to Change in eBook form. For an inexpensive book by Bill Pittman and Dick B. on Rev. Shoemaker's important influence on the 12 Steps
http://www.amazon.com/Courage-To-Change-ebook/dp/tags-on-product/B003E6M7BC

“I want to start an A.A. History and Old School A.A. Bible Roots Group!” Article Two

“I want to start an A.A. History and Old School A.A. Bible Roots Group!”

Article Two: The Resources We Recommend for Each Group

Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved.

The  Previous Article One Suggested Precisely How to Establish Your Group

And we will write three or four short articles that give you some practical suggestions and some hints for avoiding controversy and blockades.

This Article Two Explains the Resources the Group and Its Leader Should Study and Use

First, make sure you have the following A.A. General Services Conference-approved Literature items. And these should be placed on the Secretary’s table, apart from other agreed literature:

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4^th ed, 2001;

DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 1980;

The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks (A.A.’s Pamphlet  P-53).

______________________________________________________________________________

Second the following literature should be acquired, placed on a separate table, and used a) by leaders to learn; b) by speakers to teach; and c) by those attending the meetings to absorb the meeting materials:

Holy Bible;

Alcoholics Anonymous: The Original 1939 First Edition, with introduction by Dick B.

http://www.amazon.com/Alcoholics-Anonymous-Original-Edition-Empower/dp/0486480593/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338068799&sr=1-4

Dick B. and Ken B., The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3^rd ed., 2010:

http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/christian-recovery-guide.shtml

Dick B. and Ken B., Stick with the Winners! How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena (2012)

Center Column of Front Page of www.dickb.com,

with instructions to download for $9.95.

Dick B. and Ken B, The “Stick with the Winners” Video Series of 27 Video Classes that complement the foregoing four non-conference-approved resource books:

www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com, with instructions for obtaining for $29.95.

Third, we suggest that a complete reference set of 29 Dick B. titles be acquired at the substantially discounted price of $249.00, kept in the group library, and used as needed.

We are offering the entire, 29-volume, "Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set" for:

Ongoing Special!

Only $249.00—Shipping included!*

* Please note: The “Shipping included” offered as part of this “Ongoing Special” opportunity for the "Dick B. Reference Set" only applies within the continental United States. For Shipping & Handling for areas outside the continental U.S., please contact Ken B. via email at kcb00799@gmail.com for details.*

To order, see http://www.dickb.com/#Major_Christian_Recovery_Resource_2 or call Ken B. at  808 276 4945 and have your Visa or MC ready.

Top of Form

Want to start an A.A. History Group with your Friends?

“I want to start an A.A. History and Old School A.A. Bible Roots Group!”

Where do I begin?

Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved.

Keep It Simple!

We’ll write three of four short articles that give you some practical suggestions and some hints for avoiding controversy and blockades.

Become a Student First, and then Become the Leader

If you think about it, almost every good group, good meeting, and A.A. conference you have attended, and every good A.A. speaker, sponsor, and A.A. individual student studied first to learn the facts. So. First, become the leader of the proposed A.A. History and Old School Bible Roots Group. Do it by learning A.A.’s own conference-approved materials. To become a leader, master A.A. Conference-approved literature – Alcoholics Anonymous, 4^th ed, 2001; DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 1980; and The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks (A.A.’s Pamphlet  P-53).

Gather a Group of Your A.A. Friends. Pray together. Decide together. Conduct a Written informed Group

Conscience together. Vote together on What You will do. Record the Minutes in Writing

Unfortunately, many good potential A.A. leaders and A.A. groups start at the wrong place. They go to some person in a Central or Intergroup Office; ask what they can do and how to go about it; and then are told by this self-appointed governor that they are not permitted to organize such a meeting, list it, or study or even mention the Bible and our history.

So don’t start that way.

Choose a name for the group that will be inviting to AAs. Possibilities include: “A.A. Study Group.” “A.A. History Group.” “A.A. Roots Group.” Or “The Meeting!”

Gather a group of friends. Ask God to guide your group in its decisions. Propose a name, a location, a time, and a Secretary. Propose a format and the literature to be used at your meeting.

Agree on how to conduct the meeting.Vote. Record the subjects and vote and decision in

writing, signed by your Secretary. And keep that group conscience available at every meeting.

Now you have all you need: 1) A petition to a loving God to express Himself in your informed group conscience. 2) A written, dated, signed informed group conscience. 3) A decision to “go!”

You are an A.A. group. You have an A.A. meeting. And you are autonomous, informed, and agreed.

dickb@dickb.com

Surviving the Christian Roots of Alcoholics Anonymous

I never had the slightest idea when I entered the rooms of A.A. that I would encounter such volumes of hatred. Hatred of Christians. Hatred of the Bible. Hatred of those who are "Evangelicals." Hatred of those who, like the courts, recognize that A.A. is religious - not "spiritual" (whatever the latter means). How can a sick drunk survive that? In fact, how did I--a very sick drunk--survive that?

As a very very sick man of 60 years of age, I came into the rooms and was hugged, given phone numbers, invited to "come with us, go where we go, do what we do, and get what we've got." Later, I was to see that the 10th Step instructions talked about a code of "love and tolerance." Still later, I was to read that Dr. Bob had said that the steps, simmered to their essence, were simply about "love and service." Still later, I learned that though Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob certainly had different views about God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible, both had a Christian upbringing. Both had studied the Bible. Both had become or were Christians. Both had turned to Amighty God for deliverance. All called early A.A. a "Christian Fellowship." So did the Rockefeller people who investigated A.A. and concluded: "Why this is First Century Christianity at work."

But as I began traveling around the U.S. speaking, interviewing, and researching, I encountered an entirely different picture. In more than one room, a speaker has been interrupted if he mentioned God, Jesus Christ, or the Bible. In more than one Central Office, a group has been denied a "listing" because some self-appointed governor said, "You can't study the Bible" or "You can't study Emmet Fox," or "You can't talk about Jesus' Sermon on the Mount." And bristling letters fromn a few A.A. cops, on A.A. stationary, began issuing from Central Offices and GSO to the same effect.

Almost always, the nonsense blockades were phrased as if A.A. had a Gestapo and the Traditions were a Mein Kampf dictated by Wilson. Or, despite the fact that there was no "General Service Conference" to approve or disapprove anything until 15 years after A.A.'s founding; and that there never was such a thing as "Conference-Disapproved" literature, these true straw man pillars seemed to form the foundation for intimidation, insult, rudeness, authoritationism, and everything but the freedom of drunks to focus on getting sober and relying on the power of God, as the early AAs did.

How do you survive this today? Well, how did I survive it for 26 continuous years and still wind up liking A.A., speaking at A.A. meetings and conferences, working with newcomers to this day, and devoting 22 plus years to unearthing and reporting the history of Alcoholics Anonmous--warts and all. I believe it is because I hardly expected great courtesy or kindness or love or forgiveness from a band of former drunks, derelicts, foul-mouthed friends, thieves, druggies, and drug dealers--let alone proper speech amidst the foul language and focus on sex at the local level. I didn't expect these things, probably because I had long before seen the dark side in the Army, in the courts, in my college fraternity, and amongst the lawyers with whom I contested. If you want to hear about sex and foul language, just join the Armed Forces. And drink as well.

Yet. What a refreshing thing to enter a fellowship--sicker than a dog. What a refreshing thing to answer to no authority. What a refreshing thing to see the words God, Creator, Maker, Heavenly Father, Father of Lights splattered all over the Big Book some 400 times in one form or pronoun or another. What a refreshing thing to find so many caring people who had overcome the humps but still helped others over them. What a refreshing thing not to be judged for my sins past or my sickness present. What a refreshing thing to find how much fun we AAs had at outings in Yosemite Valley, the Russian River, the Redwoods, the amusement parks, the dances, the barbeques, the movies, the comedy shows, the musical events, the conferences, the speakers, and the mirth.

I know why I survived. I loved AA and gave it all I had. I loved God and tried to give Him all I had. I loved helping others and never stopped doing that. I loved the idea of cleaning house, the idea of amends, the idea of daily cleanup and daily prayer. And once I learned the history of A.A., I saw that the early AAs all believed in God, accepted Jesus Christ, studied the Bible, prayed together, broke bread together, socialized together, had quiet time together, converted others together, and devoted lots and lots of time to helping others - together. What the bleeding deacons did in the rooms was really none of my business unless I was looking for a scrap or taking them too seriously or forgetting that when they pointed one finger at me, there were three fingers pointing back at them.

That's why I survived.

And when naysayers call someone an "evangelist," or call A.A. "spiritual but not religious," or talk about their "higher power as a doorknob or chair," or denounce someone for mentioning God or Jesus or the Bible, I just look at the history (44 books and 1000 articles later) and - one by one - try to tell others the best of A.A. Because A.A. was best for me 26 years ago. And nothing and nobody can stop me from doing what I've done from the beginning--trusting God, cleaning house, and working with others. One good reason is because that's exactly what Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith, and A.A. Number Three Bill Dotson did - for the rest of their lives. Not too shabby for a bunch of former drunken sots.

Revised: 8 Coalition Participants added after May Conference

Revised, Updated, and Enlarged List of New International Christian Recovery Participants

Saturday, May 26, 2012

[Please add these to www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com participants]

1.      Arizona

Marco Ronzi, Recovered believer, 5335 E. Shea Blvd, Apt 2036, Scottsdale, AZ, 85254, 480 861 9610, Alighieri7@cox.net

Anderson Race, Recovered believer, 25801 S. 48^th St, Apr. 1049, Phoenix, AZ 85048, andyrace78@yahoo.com

2.      California

Mark Whittington, Recovered believer, 23712 Charlieville Drive. Westminster, CA 92683

Edward Blunck, Recovered believer, 17726 Lassen St., Fountain Valley, CA 92627. EdwardBlunck@yahooo.com ; EdBlunk@gmail.com, 714 883 2125

Tom Thorne, Recovered believer, Orange County, CA; Email: tsquared57@gmail.com; Cell: 1-310-592-0200

3.      Florida

Alcoholics Victorious, a Program of Christians in Recovery, http://alcoholicsvictorious.org; email@alcoholicsvictorious.org

Christians in Recovery, Inc., PO Box 4422, Tequesta, FL 33469, www.Christians-in-recovery.org/feedback.html

Texas

4.      Rev. Bill Wigmore, Chairman, Episcopal Diocese of Texas – Recovery Ministries, 1701 Rock Creek Drive, Round Rock, TX 78681, RevBillW@gmail.com; (Cell)

512 422 6208

Alcoholics Anonymous: The Original First Edition, with Introduction by Dick B.

Alcoholics Anonymous: The Original First Edition, with Introduction by Dick B.

http://www.amazon.com/Alcoholics-Anonymous-Original-Edition-Empower/dp/0486480593/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338068799&sr=1-4

3 New Christian Recovery Coalitions are now participants

Please list the following three as Participants in  www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.

Thomas Thorne, Recovered believer, Orange County, CA tsquared57@gmail.com cell 310-592-0200

Paul Robb, Recovered believer, Tucson, AZ

Marco Ronzi, Recovered believer, Scottsdale, AZ

A.A. and Clarence H. Snyder of Cleveland

There are five or six key books and pamphlets about Cleveland A.A.'s Clarence H. Snyder. We will point to them and feature one of them at this time.

Featured article: Dick B., That Amazing Grace: The Roles of Clarence S. and Grace S. in A.A.
http://www.dickb.com/AmazGrac.shtml

Some of the other Clarence H. Snyder materials about A.A. are Mitchell K.'s How It Worked, Clarence Snyder's My Higher Power the Lightbulb, Clarence Snyder's Going Through the Steps, Clarence Snyder's Sponsorship pamphlet. Three A.A. Oldtimer Clarence Snyder Sponsees and Their Wive, "Our Legacy to the Faith Community.

Clarence was the first the emberace the Bible, the Big Book, the Twelve Steps, the Four Absolutes, and "the rest of the old program." And they had a 93% success rate in Cleveland and grew from one group to 30 A.A. groups there in a year.

www.dickb.com/titles.shtm;

Stick with the Winners Book and 27 Video Classes

Announcing!

Dick B. and Ken B.’s Newest Title:

Stick with the Winners!

How to Conduct

More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings

Using Conference-Approved Literature:

A Dick B. Guide

for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena

(Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2012)

Contents

Introduction: “Old-School” Christian Recovery

Ch. 1:   Resources for “Old-School” 12 Step Recovery Meetings

Ch. 2:   Conference-Approved Literature Foundations

Ch. 3:   The Real Akron A.A. Program

Ch. 4:   16 Key Practices of the Real Akron A.A. Program

Ch. 5:   “Old-School” A.A. and First Century Christianity

Ch. 6:   “Old-School” Elements That Can Be Used Today

Ch. 7:   How to Conduct “Old-School” Recovery Meetings

            Conclusion

Available on www.DickB.com for only $9.95 NOW!

(Just scroll down the center column of the www.DickB.com front page.)

Announcing!

Dick B. and Ken B.’s New 27-Video Class:

Stick with the Winners!

Video                    Title

00                           Introductory Video for the “Stick with the Winners!” Class

01                           Where to Begin with a Newcomer

02                           Show the Newcomer That the Cure of Alcoholism Was Not Something New from A.A.

03                           The Vermont Youth of Dr. Bob and Bill W. Set the Stage for Early A.A.’s Emphasis on

God, His Son Jesus Christ, the Bible, Prayer, Conversion, and Witness

04                           How Bill W. Got Sober by Turning to God

05                           How Dr. Bob Got Sober by Turning to God

06                           How A.A. Number Three, Bill D., Got Sober by Turning to God

07                           A Summary of How the Original “Old-School” A.A. Program Was Developed

08                           Frank Amos’ Seven-Point Summary of the Original Akron A.A. Program

09                           Part One: Practices One through Eight of the 16 Practices of “Old-School” A.A. in Akron

10                           Part Two: Practices Nine through 16 of the 16 Practices of “Old-School” A.A. in Akron

11a                         The 75% and 93% Success Rates of Early A.A. (Part 1/Video 1—got interrupted)

11b                         The 75% and 93% Success Rates of Early A.A. (Part 2/Video 2—conclusion)

12                           Part One: Groups One through Seven of the Resources about the “Old-School” A.A.

Program Available Today

13                           Part Two: Groups Eight through 14 of the Resources about the “Old-School” A.A.

Program Available Today

14                           The Starting Point: Mastering and Relying on Key Sections of Conference-Approved

Literature

15                           Supportive Statements in Alcoholics Anonymous (“the Big Book”)

16                           Supportive Statements in The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (# P-53)

17                           Supportive Statements in DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers

18                           Organizing and Conducting a “Conference-Approved Literature” Group

19                           Resources for Your Group and Its Meetings

20                           Topics for Your Group and Its Meetings

21                           A Sample Meeting Format

22                           Using the Sample Meeting Format with Other Topics

23                           Putting It All Together: Some Suggested Basic Approaches

24                           The Helpful Personal Stories of Four Early AAs . . .

25                           Conclusion: Here’s What Makes the International Christian Recovery Coalition and

These Suggested Meetings Different

(Available on www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com for only $29.95 NOW!)