Dick B. interviews Christian recovery
worker William B. on the April 8, 2013, episode of the "Christian Recovery
Radio with Dick B." show
Dick B.
© 2013 Anonymous. All rights reserved
You
May Hear This Interview Right Now!
_______________________________________________________________
You may hear Dick B.
interview Christian recovery worker William B. on the April 8, 2013, episode of
the "Christian Recovery Radio with Dick B." show here:
or here:
Episodes of the
"Christian Recovery Radio with Dick B." show are archived at:
Introduction
Today's guest could
be called "The Rocket." This recovered Christian alcoholic has
literally torn up the turf in the short period since I have come to know him
and his wife Mary. William B. is from Delaware. Not very long ago, he joined
his wife in a massive Internet service to God and those about him. William was
taken with the importance of Alcoholics Anonymous history. And with the vital
role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have played in the field of
recovery from alcoholism and addiction--particularly since the 1850's in the
United States and certainly in the State of Vermont during the Christian
upbringing of A.A. cofounders William G. Wilson and Dr. Robert H. Smith (known
as Bill W. and Dr. Bob).
I will not gild the
lily any further. But I will say a hearty "Thank you!" to William for
article after article, historical item after historical item, and fidelity to
accurate reporting that he has brought to the 12 Step recovery scene and to the
Christian Recovery Movement.
At this point, I'll
ask William to tell you about his family, his religious and educational
background, his bouts with alcoholism and addiction, his association with the
Twelve Steps, and his passion for getting out to people accurate, documented
A.A. history information for those suffering souls who want God's help in
recovery and are willing to go to any length to get it. William will also tell
us about his Web site, his experience with it, and his plans for bringing the
option of turning to God for help and bringing that effective source back into
review for Christians and for others.
Take it away, William!
Synopsis
The bulk of the
interview is about William’s remarkable and valuable daily posts on his
internet website (http://williambagley28.wordpress.com/).
Today, for example, there were 300 visits to this new site. William began by speaking of the importance to
him in the recovery scene of God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, and Alcoholics
Anonymous History. He reported how he had been captive of the insidious insanity
of the first drink for 25 years. He couldn’t stop. He couldn’t control it. It
turned on him. And chaos was the result. There was personal misery, despair,
and fear. But he grasped the importance of helping other people—a mission he
faithfully pursues today.
He began his drugs
and alcohol at age 13, having grown up in Newport Beach, California. He got
into difficulties with the law, was locked up, and suffered from the spiritual
malady. He briefly worked as a mechanic and attended college. Then, for
seventeen years, he began Bible study—studying Greek, Hebrew, and English. He
studied to be a pastor. And he had entered a rehab, but learned no principles
or what to do about recovery – the information was vague and was not absorbed.
Which brought up the
subject which has recently arrested the attention of action of Dick B. and his
son Ken B. The subject is teaching! Early AAs had skillful teaching and
instructors. Dr. Bob’s wife had been a teacher. Henrietta Seiberling was a highly
educated Vassar graduate. T. Henry Williams was a brilliant inventor and had
been a Sunday school teacher. His wife Clarace had studied to be a Baptist
missionary. And, on the East Coast, Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr. was a teacher
without equal. As Rector of Calvary Church, he preached sermons, led Oxford
Group meetings, wrote more than 30 books and many articles. In fact, it was
Shoemaker who taught Bill Wilson the principles and “practical program of
action” that Wilson codified into
his 1939 Big Book and Twelve Steps.
And the topic that
seems most needful in recovery today is teaching and classes. William has
featured the Joe and Charlie talks on his website. He is featuring Dr. Bob’s
wife Anne—called the “Mother of A.A.” He has featured the Dick B. books and
articles. He is convinced that “pictures” with “captions explaining the person in
the picture” are a forceful and effective way of teaching and helping
remembrance by the newcomer. In fact, Joe and Charlie Big Book Seminars were
peopled with photos on the walls of the early A.A. founders, trustees,
Rockefeller supporters and others. And Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron has a tremendous
display of many of the A.A. pioneers of Akron Number One and AA. Accompanying
the pictures are explanatory materials.
And Dick discussed
with William three things which will be stressed in future books, articles,
posts, meetings, seminars and conferences: (1) Workshops showing newcomers how
to “Carry this message”—a simple, concise working instruction on the A.A. rules
of the road, the Big Book, the Steps, the groups and meetings, relevant
literature, Sponsorship, A.A. History, and the role of God, Jesus Christ, and
the Bible in pioneer A.A.. (2) Workshops to train sponsors—and this topic and
workshop is on the agenda for our upcoming conference in Ft. Worth. There is a
need for sponsors to know their history, their Big Book, the biblical ties, how
to take the 12 Steps, and what to tell the newcomer to do to attain a new life
with and after sobriety. (3) Workshops to train listeners—newcomers, sponsors,
and old-timers alike on the origins, history, founding, original “old school
A.A. program,” and the successes achieved; and how to use Conference-approved
literature today to teach the pioneer principles and practices involving God,
Jesus Christ, the Bible, the Big Book, and the 12 Steps so that they can be
melded and applied today among those who want God’s help and are willing to go
to any lengths to seek and receive it.
In his closing
remarks, William stressed these points: (1) The new presentations of photos and
captions to make the program simple, vivid, and real for those in recovery. (2)
Showing the use of and importance to Dr. Bob of stressing the Bible for
recovery. (3) Conducting daily Quiet Time—a “must” in early A.A. (4) Emphasizing the commandments
in Ephesians 5:18: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be
filled with the Spirit.”
For further
information, contact Dick B. at 808 874
4876 or dickb@dickb.com
Gloria Deo
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