A.A. History Brief: Oxford Group Principles
By Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved
What the Oxford Group Principles Were
Many within and without the Oxford Group have endeavored to describe the principles of the Oxford Group. One Australian Oxford Group writer spoke of eight principles of the Group. Bill Wilson sometimes spoke of six “Steps” of the Oxford Group. But the idea that the Oxford Group had any “Steps”—let alone six—was dispelled by Oxford Group historian and activist T. Willard Hunter. And repudiation of this idea was finally publicized in A.A.’s own “Pass It On” (NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1984), 206 n.2.
Undaunted, Bill Wilson’s wife Lois spoke of some six “ideas.” Then one writer called on an anonymously-authored book by a non-Oxford Group writer and deduced that there were “four principles” and “four practices.” Finally, when I wrote my title, The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works (now in its third edition), I set forth some 28 ideas of the Oxford Group that had impacted on Alcoholics Anonymous. And this book and its view received the endorsement of a large number of experienced Oxford Group writers and optimists.
But history has also made possible a very explicit statement of the real Oxford Group “Principles,” as the Group people themselves characterized them. First, in the early 1920’s, Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, “a chief lieutenant” of the Oxford Group in America, asked his long-time friend (who was also a long-time associate of Oxford Group Founder Dr. Frank Buchman) to write a statement of the ideas. They were seven in number.
Accordingly, Shoemaker’s friend, Sherwood Sunderland Day, penned a short pamphlet, titled The Principles of the Group (Oxford, University Press, n.d.). Years later, Rev. Sam Shoemaker’s assistant minister, Rev. W. Irving Harris, wrote that Bill Wilson was familiar with those principles when he (Bill) later discussed formulation of the Twelve Steps with Rev. Shoemaker. Harris then summarized Sherwood Day’s seven Oxford Group principles in slightly-different language.
Actually, Dr. Bob’s wife, Anne Ripley Smith, discussed those seven Sherry Day principles in the personal journal she kept from 1933-1939, and also shared with early AAs and their families.
Comments about the Background and Words of Rev. Sherwood Day
First, the Oxford Group probably was founded about 1919 when Dr. Frank Buchman (its founder), Buchman’s mentor Professor Henry Wright, and Howard A. Walter collaborated to write what was the first Oxford Group book—Soul Surgery. Shortly thereafter, Frank Buchman gathered around him an informal group of young supporters who would join him in traveling about the world. Sam Shoemaker was one of the men. Sherry Day was another. And, though this group of men had no formal name, they called themselves “A First Century Christian Fellowship.” It was in this period that Buchman’s ideas—gathered through the years before—had become known to his “Fellowship” members.
Sherwood Sunderland Day’s The Principles of the Group
Sherwood Day began his pamphlet with the statement that the principles of the Oxford Group were the principles of the Bible. The statement and the principles are discussed and annotated accurately in Dick B., Anne Smith’s Journal, 1933-1939: A.A.’s Principles of Success, 3rd ed. Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 1998), 129-32.
Day said: “It is never possible to find Life—peace with God—victory—power by merely trying to follow out principle.” He said: “That life comes to one as a possession through but one gateway—a personal experience of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.” He said further that the Oxford Group was a life—that life which is hid in Christ with God; and that the following principles are revelations or pictures of what is bound to take place in any life that is surrendered to the Will of God (Dick B., Anne Smith, 130).
Day then set forth the following seven biblical principles—the principles of the Oxford Group:
God-guidance. Day said “guidance” meant “communion with our Father, the Living God . . . listening to God . . . two-way prayer . . . thinking God’s thoughts after Him” (Dick B., Anne Smith, 130).
Fearless dealing with sin. Day said: “The great fact of history is Jesus Christ, the second is the presence of sin.” He said the Bible frankly faces the fact of sin and offers a cure. He said Jesus Christ faced men honestly and fearlessly, gave them courage to do the same with themselves, and then showed them the way out (Dick B., Anne Smith, 130).
Sharing: Day said: “A sharing Christian is a propagating Christian.” He said: “sharing,” as used by the Group, covered two distinct things: (1) confession, and (2) witness. Quoting James 5:16, Day said it was necessary to “confess your faults one to another.” He then said sharing, or witnessing, was necessary in helping others. It established confidence because the person confessed to know that the confessor had been through a like experience (Dick B., Anne Smith, 131).
The necessity for adequate, intelligent, expressional activity. Day urged: “a God-guided, released life with constant outgo into the lives of needy people” (Dick B., Anne Smith, 131).
Stewardship. Day pointed out “that He who bought us with a price owns us and all that He has entrusted to us. On such a basis, houses, lands, money, things, relationships, gifts, all that we are and have, made up a trust which we are to administer” (Dick B., Anne Smith, 131).
Team-work. Day said Jesus Christ believed in team work. He gathered a small group about him and set the example for all his followers in this respect Dick B., Anne Smith, 131).
Loyalty. Day said: The supreme loyalty in life should be to Jesus Christ, but . . . the person or group of persons embodying for us the highest challenge we know, the person or persons that have been used to reveal Jesus Christ to us are persons and groups which demand our loyalty” Dick B., Anne Smith, 131-32).
References
Garth Lean, Frank Buchman: a Life (London: Constable, 1985)
Sherwood Sunderland Day, The Principles of the Group (Oxford: University Press, n.d.)
Dick B., The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living that Works, new
rev ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 1998)
Dick B., New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A., Pittsburgh ed. (Kihei,
HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 1999)
Dick B., Anne Smith’s Journal 1933-1939: A.A.’s Principles of Success, 3rd ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 1998)
Gloria Deo
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A.A. History Brief: Oxford Group
A.A. History Brief: Oxford Group
Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved
Where My Oxford Group Evidence Came From
As soon as I learned that the Oxford Group was a major source of A.A. ideas, I began going directly to its own literature to see exactly what the program was and how it might relate to
Alcoholics Anonymous.
I was able to befriend and communicate with a large number of Oxford Group leaders, activists, and writers. These included Garth Lean, Frank Buchman’s biographer. Dr. Morris Martin—Frank Buchman’s personal secretary. Also James Draper Newton and his wife Eleanor Napier Forde (Newton)—long-time activists and personal friends of Frank Buchman and Rev. Sam Shoemaker. Kenneth Belden, Michael Hutchinson, and R.C. Mowat in Great Britain. Richard Ruffin—MRA Executive Director in America. Harry Almond, Ruffin’s predecessor. George Vondermuhll, Jr., Treasurer of MRA in America. T. Willard Hunter—long-time Oxford Group employee and writer. Mrs. W. Irving Harris—who was (with her husband) an activist and a keeper of the book stall for the Oxford Group in Calvary House. The entire Shoemaker family—Mrs. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr., Sally Robinson Shoemaker, and Nickie Haggart Shoemaker. L. Parks Shipley, Sr., Richard Hadden, Michael Henderson, James Houck, and Frederick Watt.
This array of well-informed Oxford Group people furnished me with many references, books, articles, magazines, and films—as well as a great many personal recollections. I purchased many Oxford Group books and articles. I was given many by the foregoing people. And then came the opportunity and time to obtain almost every piece of Oxford Group material that existed in the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and elsewhere.
From the following, I either acquired all of their Oxford Group literature or important items I did not already have. The number of books, articles, pamphlets, magazines, manuscripts, pieces of correspondence, and other relevant items exceeded 25,000. These came, in large part, from:
George Vondermuhll, Jr., of Connecticut (now deceased): his entire Oxford Group archives—some 500 items.
T. Willard Hunter, of Claremont, California (now deceased): his entire library.
James D. Newton and Eleanor Forde Newton, of Ft. Myers Beach, Florida (both now deceased): a pick of their entire collection of Oxford Group, Shoemaker, and MRA books, articles, and pamphlets
Mrs. W. Irving Harris, of New Jersey (now deceased): all of the Shoemaker books and many Oxford Group pieces.
Richard Ruffin, of Washington, D.C.: many of the older Oxford Group books and pamphlets in the library of Moral Re-Armament in Washington, D.C.
Garth Lean, England (now deceased): copies of all his books.
Kenneth Belden, England (now deceased): copies of all his books.
Morris Martin: copies of his books
Dennis Wayne Cassidy (now deceased), A.A. historian and speaker: his entire library of Oxford Group, Shoemaker, and relevant A.A. books, pamphlets, and pictures.
Danny Whitmore of Palmdale, California, A.A. Historian: his entire library of Oxford Group, Shoemaker, and relevant A.A. books, pamphlets, and pictures.
Where This Historical Treasure Trove Is Available Today
1. At the Griffith Library (in the house where Bill Wilson was raised), East Dorset, Vermont. Ozzie Lepper (Manager of the Wilson House) built an entire library of
A.A. historical literature and proposed calling it the Dick B. Library. While that
proposal was declined by me, I was able to have several benefactors donate sufficient
funds to ship and locate at the Griffith Library some 23,900 items.
2. At St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio—the church to which Dr. Bob
belonged at the time of his death, and the church of which Rev. Walter Tunks
was rector in the 1930’s. A small library containing a portion of my Oxford Group, Shoemaker, and other A.A. historical books was established through funding by a number of benefactors.
3. At Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, Ohio—the last church of which Rev.
Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr. was rector. A library was established in the Shoemaker
Room at the church; and two benefactors enabled all of my Shoemaker papers to
be lodged in that room.
The purpose of these libraries was to make accessible and available for viewing almost every Oxford Group and Shoemaker book and writing—all being relevant to A.A. history and important article.
References
Dick B., Making Known the Biblical History and Roots of Alcoholics Anonymous: A 16-Year Research, Writing, Publishing, and Fact-Dissemination Project. 3rd ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2006)
Dick B. The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works, new rev. ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 1998)
Gloria Deo
Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved
Where My Oxford Group Evidence Came From
As soon as I learned that the Oxford Group was a major source of A.A. ideas, I began going directly to its own literature to see exactly what the program was and how it might relate to
Alcoholics Anonymous.
I was able to befriend and communicate with a large number of Oxford Group leaders, activists, and writers. These included Garth Lean, Frank Buchman’s biographer. Dr. Morris Martin—Frank Buchman’s personal secretary. Also James Draper Newton and his wife Eleanor Napier Forde (Newton)—long-time activists and personal friends of Frank Buchman and Rev. Sam Shoemaker. Kenneth Belden, Michael Hutchinson, and R.C. Mowat in Great Britain. Richard Ruffin—MRA Executive Director in America. Harry Almond, Ruffin’s predecessor. George Vondermuhll, Jr., Treasurer of MRA in America. T. Willard Hunter—long-time Oxford Group employee and writer. Mrs. W. Irving Harris—who was (with her husband) an activist and a keeper of the book stall for the Oxford Group in Calvary House. The entire Shoemaker family—Mrs. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr., Sally Robinson Shoemaker, and Nickie Haggart Shoemaker. L. Parks Shipley, Sr., Richard Hadden, Michael Henderson, James Houck, and Frederick Watt.
This array of well-informed Oxford Group people furnished me with many references, books, articles, magazines, and films—as well as a great many personal recollections. I purchased many Oxford Group books and articles. I was given many by the foregoing people. And then came the opportunity and time to obtain almost every piece of Oxford Group material that existed in the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and elsewhere.
From the following, I either acquired all of their Oxford Group literature or important items I did not already have. The number of books, articles, pamphlets, magazines, manuscripts, pieces of correspondence, and other relevant items exceeded 25,000. These came, in large part, from:
George Vondermuhll, Jr., of Connecticut (now deceased): his entire Oxford Group archives—some 500 items.
T. Willard Hunter, of Claremont, California (now deceased): his entire library.
James D. Newton and Eleanor Forde Newton, of Ft. Myers Beach, Florida (both now deceased): a pick of their entire collection of Oxford Group, Shoemaker, and MRA books, articles, and pamphlets
Mrs. W. Irving Harris, of New Jersey (now deceased): all of the Shoemaker books and many Oxford Group pieces.
Richard Ruffin, of Washington, D.C.: many of the older Oxford Group books and pamphlets in the library of Moral Re-Armament in Washington, D.C.
Garth Lean, England (now deceased): copies of all his books.
Kenneth Belden, England (now deceased): copies of all his books.
Morris Martin: copies of his books
Dennis Wayne Cassidy (now deceased), A.A. historian and speaker: his entire library of Oxford Group, Shoemaker, and relevant A.A. books, pamphlets, and pictures.
Danny Whitmore of Palmdale, California, A.A. Historian: his entire library of Oxford Group, Shoemaker, and relevant A.A. books, pamphlets, and pictures.
Where This Historical Treasure Trove Is Available Today
1. At the Griffith Library (in the house where Bill Wilson was raised), East Dorset, Vermont. Ozzie Lepper (Manager of the Wilson House) built an entire library of
A.A. historical literature and proposed calling it the Dick B. Library. While that
proposal was declined by me, I was able to have several benefactors donate sufficient
funds to ship and locate at the Griffith Library some 23,900 items.
2. At St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio—the church to which Dr. Bob
belonged at the time of his death, and the church of which Rev. Walter Tunks
was rector in the 1930’s. A small library containing a portion of my Oxford Group, Shoemaker, and other A.A. historical books was established through funding by a number of benefactors.
3. At Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, Ohio—the last church of which Rev.
Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr. was rector. A library was established in the Shoemaker
Room at the church; and two benefactors enabled all of my Shoemaker papers to
be lodged in that room.
The purpose of these libraries was to make accessible and available for viewing almost every Oxford Group and Shoemaker book and writing—all being relevant to A.A. history and important article.
References
Dick B., Making Known the Biblical History and Roots of Alcoholics Anonymous: A 16-Year Research, Writing, Publishing, and Fact-Dissemination Project. 3rd ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2006)
Dick B. The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works, new rev. ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 1998)
Gloria Deo
Sunday, January 16, 2011
International Christian Recovery Coalition 2011
International Christian Recovery Coalition
Its 2011 Focus
Dick B.
We recommend that those motivated to join, participate in, and help disseminate the new Christian Recovery movement should first take a look at two of our websites which lay out the mission statement and projects underway.
The first website is International Christian Recovery Coalition. It lists our mission which is to disseminate worldwide the facts about the Christian origins, history, founding, original program, astonishing successes, and later changes in the Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in 1935. We believe it very clear that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played a dominant role in the beginnings of today’s recovery movement. This began in the 1800’s with the seldom-mentioned, but widely recognized successes of five Christian groups and leaders in helping drunks to get well by turning to God for help. These were the Evangelists like Dwight Moody and many others. They included the Gospel Rescue Missions, the lay workers of the Young Men’s Christian Association, the Salvation Army, and the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor. Yet you’ll hardly find a person today that even knows what those groups did.
The International Christian Recovery Coalition website tells you several things: (1) Who the leaders of the Coalition are. (2) Who the many and growing number of participants are. (3) The details about the Coalition. (4) The new Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide project. (5) And some other service still in progress. Check the short url: http://goo.gl/qP2pw.
You may also just google International Christian Recovery Coalition or its longer Url:
http://www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com.
The second web page is the Christian Recovery Resource Centers – Worldwide page. The short url is http://bit.ly/erD3tw. You may find it on the navigation bar of its sponsor, the International Christian Recovery Coalition. And you may simply google Christian Recovery Resource Centers and find the site. This is a project just launched on January 1, 2011. It responded to an increasing number of calls to me personally from individuals all over the world. Some came by phone. Some by email. And some even through Facebook. And I personally answer all courteous email letters and phone calls. But the strife was worldwide. Mothers, sisters, uncles, wives, husbands, grandparents, friends, employers, and others called to ask where their loved ones could find Christian help. Where could they go, the asked. Who should they contact? What facilities existed on Maui? Who could help the afflicted person right now! And we established the new program the first of this year. Within three days, three major treatment and/or bridge programs had signed up and already helped. Two more are in the wings on Maui and on Oahu. And many others have expressed a desire to help and participate. This is therefore the main focus on the International Christian Recovery Coalition—to establish Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide—and do it now!
You can keep in touch with our progress through my Facebook, twitter, and blog pages. And all are easily and quickly accessed through the symbols on my main website: www.dickb.com.
We welcome your joining the Coalition—no charge. We welcome your considering a role in a Christian Recovery Resource Center that fits your own capabilities and needs. And we look forward to hearing from you by phone: 808 874 4876; by email: dickb@dickb.com; or by
US mail: PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837. Let us hear from you, please!
In His Service,
Dick B.
Author, 42 titles and over 500 articles onon A.A. History
Executive Director,. International Christian Recovery Coalition
Chistian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide
www.DickB.com
DickB@DickB.com
(808) 874-4876
PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837
Its 2011 Focus
Dick B.
We recommend that those motivated to join, participate in, and help disseminate the new Christian Recovery movement should first take a look at two of our websites which lay out the mission statement and projects underway.
The first website is International Christian Recovery Coalition. It lists our mission which is to disseminate worldwide the facts about the Christian origins, history, founding, original program, astonishing successes, and later changes in the Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in 1935. We believe it very clear that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played a dominant role in the beginnings of today’s recovery movement. This began in the 1800’s with the seldom-mentioned, but widely recognized successes of five Christian groups and leaders in helping drunks to get well by turning to God for help. These were the Evangelists like Dwight Moody and many others. They included the Gospel Rescue Missions, the lay workers of the Young Men’s Christian Association, the Salvation Army, and the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor. Yet you’ll hardly find a person today that even knows what those groups did.
The International Christian Recovery Coalition website tells you several things: (1) Who the leaders of the Coalition are. (2) Who the many and growing number of participants are. (3) The details about the Coalition. (4) The new Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide project. (5) And some other service still in progress. Check the short url: http://goo.gl/qP2pw.
You may also just google International Christian Recovery Coalition or its longer Url:
http://www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com.
The second web page is the Christian Recovery Resource Centers – Worldwide page. The short url is http://bit.ly/erD3tw. You may find it on the navigation bar of its sponsor, the International Christian Recovery Coalition. And you may simply google Christian Recovery Resource Centers and find the site. This is a project just launched on January 1, 2011. It responded to an increasing number of calls to me personally from individuals all over the world. Some came by phone. Some by email. And some even through Facebook. And I personally answer all courteous email letters and phone calls. But the strife was worldwide. Mothers, sisters, uncles, wives, husbands, grandparents, friends, employers, and others called to ask where their loved ones could find Christian help. Where could they go, the asked. Who should they contact? What facilities existed on Maui? Who could help the afflicted person right now! And we established the new program the first of this year. Within three days, three major treatment and/or bridge programs had signed up and already helped. Two more are in the wings on Maui and on Oahu. And many others have expressed a desire to help and participate. This is therefore the main focus on the International Christian Recovery Coalition—to establish Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide—and do it now!
You can keep in touch with our progress through my Facebook, twitter, and blog pages. And all are easily and quickly accessed through the symbols on my main website: www.dickb.com.
We welcome your joining the Coalition—no charge. We welcome your considering a role in a Christian Recovery Resource Center that fits your own capabilities and needs. And we look forward to hearing from you by phone: 808 874 4876; by email: dickb@dickb.com; or by
US mail: PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837. Let us hear from you, please!
In His Service,
Dick B.
Author, 42 titles and over 500 articles onon A.A. History
Executive Director,. International Christian Recovery Coalition
Chistian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide
www.DickB.com
DickB@DickB.com
(808) 874-4876
PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837
Corrected Christian Recovery Resource URL's
If we keep listing the wrong short URL's for Christian Recovery, you may give up. OR, you could use http://goo.gl/qP2pw (Coalition) and http://bit.ly/erD3tW (resource centers). Hang in there. We are trying - even at age 85
Again: For International Christian Recovery Coalition: http://goo.gl/qP2pw.
For Christian Recovery Resource Centers: http://bit.ly/erD3ts.
Again: For International Christian Recovery Coalition: http://goo.gl/qP2pw.
For Christian Recovery Resource Centers: http://bit.ly/erD3ts.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Alcohol and/or Drug Addicted or Affected and God
In 1935, a tiny group of Christian men formed Alcoholics Anonymous as a way to overcome their seemingly hopeless, "medically incurable," problems with alcoholism. They kept their ideas simple. They quit for good. They submitted to God for help. They tried to live lives that accorded with His will. They grew in their understanding of God and His Son Jesus Christ through Bible study, prayer meetings, seeking revelation, and reading. And, having won the battle, they helped others by the same means.
Today, many Christians and Christian leaders and those addicted to alcohol and drugs are often hungry for a return to the simple and successful program of yesteryear.
Groups for counseling, treatment, sober living, Christian recovery fellowships, and Christ-centered groups are growing by the day and week and month. And we have seen it first hand.
Our message for today is very very simple:
If you are a Christian in A.A., N.A., a recovery fellowship, a Twelve Step fellowship, a church, or a Christ-centered recovery program, you may want very much to be in touch with two of our new, world-wide efforts to meet the needs of Christian leaders and others in recovery. If so:
Check International Christian Recovery Coalition site: http://bit.ly/hhSIL4
Check Christian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide http://bit.ly/erD3tW
And contact Dick B. through www.dickb.com for further details if you like.
That's a starting point right now. And we daily receive calls from all over the world (yesterday from Italy). They come from the addicted and those affected by alcoholism who want to know how to start. We welcome the calls. We urge that they find out more. And we try to establish Christian Recovery Resource Centers widely and just as fast as we can.
God Bless, dick B.
Today, many Christians and Christian leaders and those addicted to alcohol and drugs are often hungry for a return to the simple and successful program of yesteryear.
Groups for counseling, treatment, sober living, Christian recovery fellowships, and Christ-centered groups are growing by the day and week and month. And we have seen it first hand.
Our message for today is very very simple:
If you are a Christian in A.A., N.A., a recovery fellowship, a Twelve Step fellowship, a church, or a Christ-centered recovery program, you may want very much to be in touch with two of our new, world-wide efforts to meet the needs of Christian leaders and others in recovery. If so:
Check International Christian Recovery Coalition site: http://bit.ly/hhSIL4
Check Christian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide http://bit.ly/erD3tW
And contact Dick B. through www.dickb.com for further details if you like.
That's a starting point right now. And we daily receive calls from all over the world (yesterday from Italy). They come from the addicted and those affected by alcoholism who want to know how to start. We welcome the calls. We urge that they find out more. And we try to establish Christian Recovery Resource Centers widely and just as fast as we can.
God Bless, dick B.
Friday, January 14, 2011
International Christian Recovery Coalition News
We announced that, on January 1, 2011, International Christian Recovery Coalition would launch the establishment of Christian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide.
Three days later, we announced that three resource centers had been established--Manna House Ministries in Jamestown, Tennessee; New Life Spirit Recovery, Inc. in Huntington Beach, California; and Rock Recovery Ministries--ABC Sober Living--Soledad House, in San Diego, California.
We expect have a Christian Recovery Resource Center up and running on Maui, Hawaii shortly; and we believe we will have one up and running in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the beginning of March.
Our next accomplishment was to get informative websites established for the International Christian Recovery Coalition, and we have done that. See www.ChristianRecoveryCoaliton.com. And for the Christian Recovery Resource Centers--Worldwide. See http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/christian-recovery-resource-centers_grld2011.shtml
We have also been blessed to have two volunteer helpers at the headquarters on Maui within the next couple of weeks. One is a skilled Christian therapist who has just located on Maui. There other is a long-time community resource volunteer who will help spread the word among all the Maui recovery need areas.
We invite you to see the sparkling new logos on our two website pages. You can plug into the International Christian Recovery site by clicking into http://bit.ly/gzFpGd.
You can plug into the Christian Recovery Resource Center page by clicking into
http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/christian-recovery-resource-centers_grld2011.shtml (We will have an abbreviated version shortly)
We repeat the following invitations:
If you are a Christian leader or worker in recovery and agree with the mission statement of International Christian Recovery Coalition, you may join without charge by simply sending us your name, your ministry (if any), and your city and state. You may then use the logo (http://bit.ly/gzFpGd) and help spread the word.
If you wish to become a Christian Recovery Resource Center, the details and complete information and instructions for joining us can be found on that website through
clicking http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/christian-recovery-resource-centers_grld2011.shtml
The international movement toward Christian recovery programs, counseling, fellowships, sober living, and community resources is on the march. And please feel free to phone or email Dick B. by using the contact information on www.dickb.com
In His Service, Dick B., Executive Director, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
Three days later, we announced that three resource centers had been established--Manna House Ministries in Jamestown, Tennessee; New Life Spirit Recovery, Inc. in Huntington Beach, California; and Rock Recovery Ministries--ABC Sober Living--Soledad House, in San Diego, California.
We expect have a Christian Recovery Resource Center up and running on Maui, Hawaii shortly; and we believe we will have one up and running in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the beginning of March.
Our next accomplishment was to get informative websites established for the International Christian Recovery Coalition, and we have done that. See www.ChristianRecoveryCoaliton.com. And for the Christian Recovery Resource Centers--Worldwide. See http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/christian-recovery-resource-centers_grld2011.shtml
We have also been blessed to have two volunteer helpers at the headquarters on Maui within the next couple of weeks. One is a skilled Christian therapist who has just located on Maui. There other is a long-time community resource volunteer who will help spread the word among all the Maui recovery need areas.
We invite you to see the sparkling new logos on our two website pages. You can plug into the International Christian Recovery site by clicking into http://bit.ly/gzFpGd.
You can plug into the Christian Recovery Resource Center page by clicking into
http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/christian-recovery-resource-centers_grld2011.shtml (We will have an abbreviated version shortly)
We repeat the following invitations:
If you are a Christian leader or worker in recovery and agree with the mission statement of International Christian Recovery Coalition, you may join without charge by simply sending us your name, your ministry (if any), and your city and state. You may then use the logo (http://bit.ly/gzFpGd) and help spread the word.
If you wish to become a Christian Recovery Resource Center, the details and complete information and instructions for joining us can be found on that website through
clicking http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/christian-recovery-resource-centers_grld2011.shtml
The international movement toward Christian recovery programs, counseling, fellowships, sober living, and community resources is on the march. And please feel free to phone or email Dick B. by using the contact information on www.dickb.com
In His Service, Dick B., Executive Director, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
Saturday, January 08, 2011
How Christian Recovery Resource Centers Can Help You
The new Christian Recovery Resource Center program has just been in place since January 1, 2011. We have many proposed center members in the pipelines. And there are three already in operation--Rock Recovery Ministries in San Diego; Manna House Ministries in Jamestown, Tennessee; and New Life Spirit Recovery, Inc., in Huntington Beach, California.
You can find details about how these Centers operate their own programs and also serve as a resource for those asking how they or others about whom they are concerned can seek and receive God's help in recovery. Both those afflicted with, and affected by, alcoholism, drug abuse, at-risk problems, and self-destructive behavior have urgent questions. They want to know if there is a Christian treatment program, a Christian counselor, a Christian Fellowship program, or a Christ-centered group available to help. They ask: Where should I go? What's available? What should I be looking for? What about other alternatives--A.A., N.A., secular treatment, intervention, therapy, and so on.
Our new centers can be of immeasurable assistance--free of charge.
Here's how it works. Scarcely a day goes by that either a parent or concerned friend, or afflicted person doesn't phone me, write me, or email me from places all over the world.
Here's what happened this very day. A concerned family member on Maui emailed me asking if we operated a Christian treatment program on Maui. The answer, of course, is no. But their afflicted family member had seen my websites and wanted help. The concerned family member was about to depart for a city far away, to bring the suffering alcoholic to Maui, and to seek Christian help here on Maui. But the problem has to do with what's available.
When I learned the city in which the alcoholic was residing, I was able to refer the family member to one of our Christian Recovery Resource Centers. That Center is maintained by a recovery ministry in a huge Christian church. It offers Christian treatment, licensed counselors, residential quarters for women, a direct tie to a Christian church, Bible studies, Christian recovery meetings, and many local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
In other words, it was Bible friendly, history friendly, and A.A. friendly and embraces the type of highly successful "old school" Christian Fellowship program that was founded by AAs in Akron, Ohio in 1935, and that developed a solid Christian recovery program that worked.
The ministry does not trash A.A. It does not trash church. It does not trash counseling. It does not trash treatment. It does not invent false "gods" or "higher powers" or strange "spirituality." It is a nuts and bolts way for people in its area to seek God as Christians, fellowship with like-minded believers, get the support of A.A. and Christian fellowship meetings, study the Bible, and get an orientation that has a long-range reliance on the power and love of God made available through Jesus Christ and spelled out in the Bible. Moreover, it provides Christian treatment for those who need and want it.
Unhesitatingly, I referred the Maui inquirer to that Christian Recovery Resource Center. The inquirer immediately contacted the dedicated leader of the Christian Recovery Ministry in the far away city where the relative lives. The concerned family member is on his way to the city, the ministry, and the suffering alcoholic tomorrow. And solid help will be available right where the relative lives.
That is exactly how the Christian Recovery Resource Centers network, assist, refer, and bring hope to those who seek help through Jesus Christ in a burgeoning arena of secular alternatives today.
See Christian Recovery Resource Centers www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com; and contact dickb@dickb.com for further information. Aloha and God Bless, Dick B.
You can find details about how these Centers operate their own programs and also serve as a resource for those asking how they or others about whom they are concerned can seek and receive God's help in recovery. Both those afflicted with, and affected by, alcoholism, drug abuse, at-risk problems, and self-destructive behavior have urgent questions. They want to know if there is a Christian treatment program, a Christian counselor, a Christian Fellowship program, or a Christ-centered group available to help. They ask: Where should I go? What's available? What should I be looking for? What about other alternatives--A.A., N.A., secular treatment, intervention, therapy, and so on.
Our new centers can be of immeasurable assistance--free of charge.
Here's how it works. Scarcely a day goes by that either a parent or concerned friend, or afflicted person doesn't phone me, write me, or email me from places all over the world.
Here's what happened this very day. A concerned family member on Maui emailed me asking if we operated a Christian treatment program on Maui. The answer, of course, is no. But their afflicted family member had seen my websites and wanted help. The concerned family member was about to depart for a city far away, to bring the suffering alcoholic to Maui, and to seek Christian help here on Maui. But the problem has to do with what's available.
When I learned the city in which the alcoholic was residing, I was able to refer the family member to one of our Christian Recovery Resource Centers. That Center is maintained by a recovery ministry in a huge Christian church. It offers Christian treatment, licensed counselors, residential quarters for women, a direct tie to a Christian church, Bible studies, Christian recovery meetings, and many local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
In other words, it was Bible friendly, history friendly, and A.A. friendly and embraces the type of highly successful "old school" Christian Fellowship program that was founded by AAs in Akron, Ohio in 1935, and that developed a solid Christian recovery program that worked.
The ministry does not trash A.A. It does not trash church. It does not trash counseling. It does not trash treatment. It does not invent false "gods" or "higher powers" or strange "spirituality." It is a nuts and bolts way for people in its area to seek God as Christians, fellowship with like-minded believers, get the support of A.A. and Christian fellowship meetings, study the Bible, and get an orientation that has a long-range reliance on the power and love of God made available through Jesus Christ and spelled out in the Bible. Moreover, it provides Christian treatment for those who need and want it.
Unhesitatingly, I referred the Maui inquirer to that Christian Recovery Resource Center. The inquirer immediately contacted the dedicated leader of the Christian Recovery Ministry in the far away city where the relative lives. The concerned family member is on his way to the city, the ministry, and the suffering alcoholic tomorrow. And solid help will be available right where the relative lives.
That is exactly how the Christian Recovery Resource Centers network, assist, refer, and bring hope to those who seek help through Jesus Christ in a burgeoning arena of secular alternatives today.
See Christian Recovery Resource Centers www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com; and contact dickb@dickb.com for further information. Aloha and God Bless, Dick B.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
A.A. Number Three: Bill Dotson--Recovery by God's Power
In the last two years--after 20 years of research and digging--we have been able to put together the simple facts about how the first three AAs got sober by the power of God. The details are laid out in The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml.
The first three were, in this order, Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith, and attorney Bill Dotson.
Though a few Christian A.A. critics, and others opposed to A.A. have contended that none of the early AAs was a Christian, the facts show otherwise; and we have documented them.
The important facts about these early Christian AAs have to do with the time, the way, and the process by which they got sober. All were required to declare a belief in God. All were required to declare that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior. And all were required to study the Bible, pray, and observe a Quiet Time. And--there were no Twelve Steps, no Twelve Traditions, no pages of a Big Book to follow, no drunkalogs to hear, and no meetings as we know them today. See our class: "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery"
www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml.
How, then, did the A.A. pioneers get sober, maintain sobriety, and make new lives? The answer is that they built on the principles that the first three AAs had proved would work.
Each of the first three AAs believed in God and said so. Each of the first three AAs had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And each of the first three AAs had been involved in extensive Bible study--something not fully established until our recent books on The Conversion of Bill W. and Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous. Each of the first three AAs had turned to God for help, been cured of their malady, and so stated. See particularly pages 180-181 and 191 of the current edition of "Alcoholics Anonymous."
Now, we have a very good picture of the story concerning Akron attorney Bill Dotson--the third AA to get sober and maintain sobriety, and the first alcoholic upon whom Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith "worked" successfully.
Here is the Dotson story as we have discovered it in this month of January, 2011--particular as verified by a tape of Bill Dotson's recorded talk now being circulated.
Dotson had a seemingly hopeless battle with alcohol. By the time he met Bill and Dr. Bob, Dotson had been hospitalized for alcoholism eight times in the previous six months.
He had been a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He and his wife were much involved in church life. He believed in God. He often referred to the Bible. And he stood on the teachings of Jesus. In fact, in his recorded talk, Dotson opened the address by praying "in the name of Jesus." Typically, Dotson had prayed a good deal, declared many times he would quit drinking, and--as he put it--drank too much, got drunk too often, and been unable to quit.
Dotson also recognized the role of the Devil in his plight. One frequent temptation from the Adversary, came, said Dotson, in the argument that if Dotson quit, he would have "no fun." As Dotson put it, the Devil was paying him lots of attention.
Finally, on his last hospitalization, Dotson's wife told him he was going to quit--something he doubted. She said that two men (Bill and Dr. Bob) had been "licked" just as he was, and that they had the same weakness that he did. She assured Dotson that these two would not accept a cent for their services
When Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob visited Dotson, they made some very simple points:
(1)They asked Dotson if he wanted to quit.
(2)They asked him if he could do it by himself.
(3)They asked him to admit he had his drinking problem.
(4)They asked him if wanted help and would ask for help.
(5)They said the action had to come from Dotson and that if he wasn't interested, they would
be on their way.
(6)Then they asked him if he believed in a "higher power." But Dotson replied emphatically
stated that he believed in God and the Bible.
(7)They told him that if he sought and received help, it would be necessary for him to help
others as well. He was told he must "take the message" to others.
(8)They told him he needed to call on God for help, and they left.
(9)In their absence, Dotson reflected and asked God for help. He was instantly cured.
(10)On the return of Bill, Dr. Bob, and Mrs. Dotson, Dotson declared he was leaving and never
drank again. The date was July 4, 1935.
Wilson declared that this date marked the founding of the first A.A. fellowship--Akron
Number One.
Both Wilson and Dotson confirmed Bill Wilson's statement that the Lord had cured him of his terrible disease and that he just wanted to keep talking about it and telling people (See the 4th edition of the Big Book, page 191).
When I was reviewing recorded transcripts at the A.A. General Services Office in New York, I ran across a specific statement that an early member recalled that Bill Dotson was leading one of the meetings with a Bible in his lap and reading from it. There were other accounts of early members leading meetings with a Bible.
The first three were, in this order, Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith, and attorney Bill Dotson.
Though a few Christian A.A. critics, and others opposed to A.A. have contended that none of the early AAs was a Christian, the facts show otherwise; and we have documented them.
The important facts about these early Christian AAs have to do with the time, the way, and the process by which they got sober. All were required to declare a belief in God. All were required to declare that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior. And all were required to study the Bible, pray, and observe a Quiet Time. And--there were no Twelve Steps, no Twelve Traditions, no pages of a Big Book to follow, no drunkalogs to hear, and no meetings as we know them today. See our class: "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery"
www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml.
How, then, did the A.A. pioneers get sober, maintain sobriety, and make new lives? The answer is that they built on the principles that the first three AAs had proved would work.
Each of the first three AAs believed in God and said so. Each of the first three AAs had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And each of the first three AAs had been involved in extensive Bible study--something not fully established until our recent books on The Conversion of Bill W. and Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous. Each of the first three AAs had turned to God for help, been cured of their malady, and so stated. See particularly pages 180-181 and 191 of the current edition of "Alcoholics Anonymous."
Now, we have a very good picture of the story concerning Akron attorney Bill Dotson--the third AA to get sober and maintain sobriety, and the first alcoholic upon whom Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith "worked" successfully.
Here is the Dotson story as we have discovered it in this month of January, 2011--particular as verified by a tape of Bill Dotson's recorded talk now being circulated.
Dotson had a seemingly hopeless battle with alcohol. By the time he met Bill and Dr. Bob, Dotson had been hospitalized for alcoholism eight times in the previous six months.
He had been a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He and his wife were much involved in church life. He believed in God. He often referred to the Bible. And he stood on the teachings of Jesus. In fact, in his recorded talk, Dotson opened the address by praying "in the name of Jesus." Typically, Dotson had prayed a good deal, declared many times he would quit drinking, and--as he put it--drank too much, got drunk too often, and been unable to quit.
Dotson also recognized the role of the Devil in his plight. One frequent temptation from the Adversary, came, said Dotson, in the argument that if Dotson quit, he would have "no fun." As Dotson put it, the Devil was paying him lots of attention.
Finally, on his last hospitalization, Dotson's wife told him he was going to quit--something he doubted. She said that two men (Bill and Dr. Bob) had been "licked" just as he was, and that they had the same weakness that he did. She assured Dotson that these two would not accept a cent for their services
When Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob visited Dotson, they made some very simple points:
(1)They asked Dotson if he wanted to quit.
(2)They asked him if he could do it by himself.
(3)They asked him to admit he had his drinking problem.
(4)They asked him if wanted help and would ask for help.
(5)They said the action had to come from Dotson and that if he wasn't interested, they would
be on their way.
(6)Then they asked him if he believed in a "higher power." But Dotson replied emphatically
stated that he believed in God and the Bible.
(7)They told him that if he sought and received help, it would be necessary for him to help
others as well. He was told he must "take the message" to others.
(8)They told him he needed to call on God for help, and they left.
(9)In their absence, Dotson reflected and asked God for help. He was instantly cured.
(10)On the return of Bill, Dr. Bob, and Mrs. Dotson, Dotson declared he was leaving and never
drank again. The date was July 4, 1935.
Wilson declared that this date marked the founding of the first A.A. fellowship--Akron
Number One.
Both Wilson and Dotson confirmed Bill Wilson's statement that the Lord had cured him of his terrible disease and that he just wanted to keep talking about it and telling people (See the 4th edition of the Big Book, page 191).
When I was reviewing recorded transcripts at the A.A. General Services Office in New York, I ran across a specific statement that an early member recalled that Bill Dotson was leading one of the meetings with a Bible in his lap and reading from it. There were other accounts of early members leading meetings with a Bible.
Alcoholics Anonymous No. 3 - Bill Dotson
Coming soon will be a review of the story of A.A. Number Three--Bill Dotson.
Fortunately, Russell S. of Miama just sent a tape of a talk by Bill, and it corroborates much of what we have said about Bill and the other two AAs--Wilson and Smith.
We will be posting the review at many spots including this blog. Meanwhile, you can refresh your information about "how the first 3 AAs got sober" by reading The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed. www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml.
God Bless, Dick B. www.dickb.com
Fortunately, Russell S. of Miama just sent a tape of a talk by Bill, and it corroborates much of what we have said about Bill and the other two AAs--Wilson and Smith.
We will be posting the review at many spots including this blog. Meanwhile, you can refresh your information about "how the first 3 AAs got sober" by reading The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed. www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml.
God Bless, Dick B. www.dickb.com
Monday, January 03, 2011
Getting to Know More About A.A.'s Cofounder Dr. Bob
Getting To Know More About A.A. Cofounder Dr. Bob
A Visit to Bob’s Boyhood Village Where It All Began
Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved
Your Walk Around St. Johnsbury, Vermont
DR. BOB’S BIRTHPLACE AND BOYHOOD HOME; Begin at Dr. Bob’s Birthplace and Boyhood Home at 297 Summer Street.
Snap a photo of yourself and Dr. Bob’s family home.
Visit the premises.
If you like, attend one of the “open” A.A. meetings held there.
NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ST. JOHNSBURY: Walk to the Smith family church at 1325 Main Street--North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury.
Snap a photo of yourself and the beautiful, towering stone edifice.
Enter the church and view the ornate sanctuary.
Allow ample time to see, browse, and study the materials in the Dr. Bob Core Library, which has been graciously provided, and is maintained, by the church.
The Dr. Bob Core Library volumes will tell you, as to the church, where the family of Judge Walter P. Smith--Bob’s father--worshipped on Sunday morning, attended Sunday school that afternoon, and that evening heard preaching and united in prayers (and also attended such YMCA events, lectures, and concerts as were provided there). You will see where the church’s Christian Endeavor Society for young people held its meetings. You can read volumes of material on Christian Endeavor and on the history of Christian Endeavor in Caledonia County. You may learn the subject of the sermons, the Sunday school lessons, the Sunday prayer meetings, and the Wednesday evening prayer and Christian Endeavor meetings. You will see the extensive, varied, and reported details of the “Great Awakening” of 1875 in St. Johnsbury, which transformed the town, the church, and the people of St. Johnsbury; converted hundreds to Christ and impacted on community life for decades thereafter. There is much on the history of the North Church; the role of Fairbanks family members as donors, builders, office holders, and Sunday school and mission work participants. Governor Erastus Fairbanks was a lifetime Deacon to the church. There are many records of the extensive church participation by the Smith family members (including Judge Walter P. Smith, Mrs. Susan H. Smith, Mrs. Smith’s mother, Dr. Bob, and Dr. Bob’s foster sister Amanda Northrup. There is much material to assist visitors in understanding the relevance of the church and its training to the subsequent history and program of Alcoholics Anonymous, its founders, principles, and practices. You will have an opportunity to get a greater perception of the Bible roots of the Akron Christian A.A. Fellowship. And how these Vermont roots figured largely in A.A. beginnings--with its required conversions; required reliance on God; required five elements of recovery; weekly and almost daily “old fashioned prayer meetings;” stress on reading of the Bible privately and at meetings; stress on cultivation of the habit of prayer; regular seeking of God’s guidance; Quiet Time, the use of devotionals, and frequent reading of Christian literature; and persistent and continuing personal work in love and service to provide free help to new alcoholics so that they could get straightened out and live successful spiritual lives. In the language of A.A.‘s own Big Book text, the recovered pioneers were said to have become happy, joyous, and free. They had conceded to their innermost selves that they were alcoholic and could not manage their own lives; that probably no human power could relieve them, and that--when God had been sought and they had established a relationship with Him--God could and would do, and had done, for them what they could not do for themselves. They vociferously declared that they had been cured by the power of God; that the Creator had healed them of their terrible malady; and that they had unselfishly been moved to witness to others precisely how this miracle of recovery had been accomplished.
Consider dropping a donation in the box.
FAIRBANKS MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM: Cross Main Street to the impressive Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, donated to the Town of St. Johnsbury by Colonel Franklin Fairbanks, and containing substantial historical archives, diaries, and records.
Snap a photo.
Visit the museum.
Make an appointment, if desired, to view the historical records in their archives.
THE ST. JOHNSBURY ATHENAEUM: Walk south to 1171 Main Street to the magnificent St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, a library for the town and for St. Johnsbury Academy “scholars” (i.e., students). Built in the Second Empire style, the Athenaeum was a gift to the town from Governor Horace Fairbanks in 1871. It contains a treasure trove of books, manuscripts, photos, papers, and other historical materials. Researchers and historians, as well those in recovery, can--as we did--spend hours and hours in the comfortable library amidst its well-stocked shelves and stacks.
Snap a photo of yourself and the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum
Be sure to visit the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. Utilize the available help from the library staff, indexes, computers, and copy facilities. There are comfortable chairs, adequate rest rooms, water fountains, and newspapers.
Consider dropping a donation in the box.
Spend substantial time reviewing the history of the Green Mountain state and the sons and daughters of Vermont. Examine the history of St. Johnsbury, the extensive role of the Fairbanks family in community affairs, the immense economic blessings emanating from the invention of the platform scale by Thaddeus Fairbanks and the long-lasting success of the Fairbanks Scales business. Look through the town directories which tell the story, year by year, of the Smith family’s great involvement in the affairs of the community. Search the Smith family genealogy; the activities of North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, and the town’s other churches; Congregationalism in Vermont; the YMCA in Vermont; the “Great Awakening” of 1875 in St. Johnsbury; the Christian Endeavor Society in St. Johnsbury and in Vermont; Temperance activities; and the role of women (including Mrs. Walter P. Smith) in domestic missionary work, women’s clubs, local and traveling libraries, Temperance, and the St. Johnsbury Academy.
View on the microfilm reader the complete newspaper accounts of Dr. Bob’s boyhood days in St. Johnsbury in the St. Johnsbury Caledonian (town newspaper), which is today known as the Caledonian-Record.
See the genealogies, biographies, and historical activities of the important sons of Vermont.
THE FORMER SITE OF THE ST. JOHNSBURY YMCA BUILDING (destroyed by fire in 1984 and then demolished), Eastern Avenue.
Rev. Henry Fairbanks donated the YMCA building which was constructed in 1885 and located just off Main Street at 113 Eastern Avenue (until it was destroyed by fire in 1984). Prior to the erection of the building, the state Executive Committee of the Vermont YMCA had conducted Gospel “canvasses” in St. Johnsbury (and throughout Vermont for several years beginning in 1875) and--through the work of lay evangelists--catalyzed the “Great Awakening” of 1875 in St. Johnsbury itself through “Gospel Meetings” which built on the prayers for revival and “union meetings” of the local churches of several denominations in St. Johnsbury. Even the Fairbanks Scales plant was opened at noon time for prayer meetings. Hundreds were converted to Christ during this revival work. At least one report made at the national YMCA Convention in Richmond, Virginia, in 1875, placed the number of decisions for Christ at 1,500--almost one-third of the town population. And YMCA people continued the evangelical work for some time after 1875.
Dr. Bob’s father, Judge Walter P. Smith, was president of the St. Johnsbury YMCA in 1895 and 1897. Fairbanks family members were leaders in its evangelical work, beginning no later than the annual State of Vermont YMCA Convention held in Norwich in November of 1874.
The YMCA provided Bible classes, Bible studies, Bible conversation classes, and meetings for young men. It conducted lectures, concerts, and other events in the churches and at St. Johnsbury Academy. It provided gym facilities for young men; and it worked in close cooperation with St. Johnsbury Academy, running regular advertisements in the student newspaper.
THE COURT HOUSE, Main Street, and Judge Walter P. Smith (Bob’s father)
Just across the street from the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum is the court house where Dr. Bob’s father, Walter Perrin Smith, served many successive elected terms as Probate Judge handling the settling of estates and probate of wills. The Judge is also frequently listed and recorded among the community lawyers. He served as a town agent and village auditor; superintendent of schools; State’s attorney; and representative for St. Johnsbury in the Vermont Legislature. At the North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, he was a Sunday school teacher for many years, a Sunday school superintendent, and a Deacon. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he taught in schools and served as Principal of Hardwick Academy. He served St. Johnsbury Academy as one of its examiners. The Judge was long involved in the local banking system as an investor, director, trustee, and officer in three of the town’s banks--Merchants National, Passumpsic Savings, and First National. He became President of Carrick Brothers Granite Company. He was a widely sought-after speaker at political events, a Republican, and a well-known Congregationalist.
ST. JOHNSBURY ACADEMY, 1000 Main Street (Mrs. Walter Smith and Bob himself)
Dominating the south end of Main Street is the campus of St. Johnsbury Academy, which was founded by the three Fairbanks brothers--Thaddeus, Erastus, and Joseph P. The details of this unusual facility can best be learned by making an appointment in advance to visit with the Academy archivist, (formerly Joanne Bertrand), who works at the Grace Orcutt Library on campus.
Snap several photos of yourself, of the Academy buildings, and of South Church next door where daily chapel was often held.
Located in the archives are many of the founding papers requiring religious training and Bible study. Academy governing papers required that trustees be members of a Congregational Church, that “scholars” attend Daily Chapel where there were Scripture readings, sermons, exhortations, prayers, and singing. All scholars were duty-bound to attend a church service and a Bible study once each week.
Important archival and library papers include school catalogs showing the textbooks, curricula, trustees, Principal, staff, teachers, and scholars in attendance. There are histories of the Academy (at least one of which was partially prepared by Mrs. Walter P. Smith), attendance cards for Bob and, earlier, his mother; photographs of Dr. Bob and of his graduating class; Dr. Bob’s commencement program which names him as Orator; accounts of Bob’s activities as Manager and member of the Glee Club; Dr. Bob’s participation in debates, a fraternity, and class offices; class notes about Dr. Bob; and many copies of the student newspaper (both at the Academy and at the Athenaeum). Papers also show Bob’s mother as an Academy student, then an Academy teacher, then an active member of the Alumni Executive Committee, presenter of a large portion of the school’s history at major celebrations, and author of two chapters of a book on the history of the Academy.
Robert Holbrook Smith (A.A.’s Dr. Bob)--who was born August 8, 1879, in the family home at 20 Summer Street in St. Johnsbury--is listed as a member and Sunday school scholar at North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury. He himself wrote that he was active in the Christian Endeavor Society of North Congregational Church. He wrote, and records confirm, that he and his family regularly attended Sunday morning service, Sunday school, and Sunday evening service, as well as the Christian Endeavor meeting. Frequently, Bob attended the church prayer meeting on Wednesday and regularly attended Christian Endeavor meetings on Wednesday. He attended the local Summer Street School and was later a scholar at St. Johnsbury Academy from 1894 to 1898 (at which time he graduated). He attended and graduated from Dartmouth. And he received medical training at the University of Michigan and at Rush. He later received specialist training as a proctologist and practiced medicine in Akron, Ohio. Plagued with alcoholism since college days, he prayed for recovery with a small group of Christians at the home of inventor T. Henry Williams in Akron. Shortly after he thus sought God’s help, he attained sobriety. The date was June 10, 1935, regarded as the founding day of A.A. by Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson of New York. From that date on, Dr. Bob personally helped over 5,000 drunks to recover, without charge to the drunk. This selfless service led A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson to dub Dr. Bob the “Prince of all Twelfth Steppers.” Dr. Bob had met Anne Robinson Ripley (his wife-to-be) at a St. Johnsbury Academy dance. He later married her at her home in Illinois and settled in the family home at 855 Ardmore Avenue in Akron where A.A. is said to have been founded. Anne Smith died first; Dr. Bob died shortly thereafter; and the two are buried in Akron. Both Dr. Bob and his wife were deeply committed to serving the Creator; were devout Christians; and were strong believers in Bible study, prayer, and seeking God’s guidance. Both widely read, recommended, and distributed Christian literature to early A.A. pioneers. And Dr. Bob assured newcomers to A.A. that--if they went to any lengths to establish their relationship with God, accept Christ, follow his teachings, abstain from drinking and temptation, diligently seek God’s help, and witness in love and service to newcomers in recovery: “Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., p. 181).
The “excellent training” Dr. Bob had received in the “Good Book” as a youngster in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, provided the foundation for the “absolutely essential” Bible-basics of the early A.A. program. That original program achieved a documented, 75% success rate in Akron [and was followed up by the documented, 93% success rate in Cleveland (under Dr. Bob’s sponsee, Clarence Snyder)] among seemingly-hopeless, medically-incurable, real alcoholics who went to any lengths to be cured. He declared that A.A.’s basic ideas came from the Bible study done by the A.A. pioneers--particularly in the Book of James, in the Sermon on the Mount, and in 1 Corinthians 13.
Dr. Bob’s mother, Mrs. Walter P. Smith (Susan Holbrook Smith--born Susan Amanda Holbrook), can--in the alumni, faculty, and other library records of St. Johnsbury Academy, in St. Johnsbury Athenaeum records, in women’s affairs records, in St. Johnsbury Caledonian newspaper articles, and in missionary records--be seen as very much involved in: (1) church service, (2) Sunday school service, (3) the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, (4) libraries, (5) education, (6) Temperance activities, and (7) music. She was also involved in St. Johnsbury community affairs through other teaching and other religious activities, and through other Academy-related activities. Susan attended St. Johnsbury Academy and graduated from it in 1874. She then taught at St. Johnsbury Academy from 1874 to 1876. She and Judge Smith were married shortly thereafter after. Based on our intensive research over the past eight months, it seems very likely that both of Dr. Bob’s parents were impacted by the “Great Awakening” of 1875 in St. Johnsbury. Both were listed in North Congregational Church records in beginning in 1878 and became members in 1882. In the church, Mrs. Smith served as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, Intermediate Department superintendent, president of the Women’s Club, editor of its cook book volume, member of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, and participant in the church quartet. She is listed as a participant in the Women‘s Christian Temperance Union. Through her activity with the International Women’s Clubs and the St. Johnsbury Women’s Club, she was singled out as the well-known and tireless worker for the free state library facilities in rural communities. She became a member of the State Library Commission.
See Dick B. and Ken B., The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010 www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml
Dick B. and Ken B., Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Bible as a Youngster in Vermont www.dickb.com/drbobofaa.shtml
Dick B. and Ken B., “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery” Class www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml
________________________________________
Dick B., PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837; 808 874 4876; dickb@dickb.com
http://www.dickb.com/index.shtml; http://www.dickb-blog.com; http://DrBob.info
Gloria Deo
A Visit to Bob’s Boyhood Village Where It All Began
Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved
Your Walk Around St. Johnsbury, Vermont
DR. BOB’S BIRTHPLACE AND BOYHOOD HOME; Begin at Dr. Bob’s Birthplace and Boyhood Home at 297 Summer Street.
Snap a photo of yourself and Dr. Bob’s family home.
Visit the premises.
If you like, attend one of the “open” A.A. meetings held there.
NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ST. JOHNSBURY: Walk to the Smith family church at 1325 Main Street--North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury.
Snap a photo of yourself and the beautiful, towering stone edifice.
Enter the church and view the ornate sanctuary.
Allow ample time to see, browse, and study the materials in the Dr. Bob Core Library, which has been graciously provided, and is maintained, by the church.
The Dr. Bob Core Library volumes will tell you, as to the church, where the family of Judge Walter P. Smith--Bob’s father--worshipped on Sunday morning, attended Sunday school that afternoon, and that evening heard preaching and united in prayers (and also attended such YMCA events, lectures, and concerts as were provided there). You will see where the church’s Christian Endeavor Society for young people held its meetings. You can read volumes of material on Christian Endeavor and on the history of Christian Endeavor in Caledonia County. You may learn the subject of the sermons, the Sunday school lessons, the Sunday prayer meetings, and the Wednesday evening prayer and Christian Endeavor meetings. You will see the extensive, varied, and reported details of the “Great Awakening” of 1875 in St. Johnsbury, which transformed the town, the church, and the people of St. Johnsbury; converted hundreds to Christ and impacted on community life for decades thereafter. There is much on the history of the North Church; the role of Fairbanks family members as donors, builders, office holders, and Sunday school and mission work participants. Governor Erastus Fairbanks was a lifetime Deacon to the church. There are many records of the extensive church participation by the Smith family members (including Judge Walter P. Smith, Mrs. Susan H. Smith, Mrs. Smith’s mother, Dr. Bob, and Dr. Bob’s foster sister Amanda Northrup. There is much material to assist visitors in understanding the relevance of the church and its training to the subsequent history and program of Alcoholics Anonymous, its founders, principles, and practices. You will have an opportunity to get a greater perception of the Bible roots of the Akron Christian A.A. Fellowship. And how these Vermont roots figured largely in A.A. beginnings--with its required conversions; required reliance on God; required five elements of recovery; weekly and almost daily “old fashioned prayer meetings;” stress on reading of the Bible privately and at meetings; stress on cultivation of the habit of prayer; regular seeking of God’s guidance; Quiet Time, the use of devotionals, and frequent reading of Christian literature; and persistent and continuing personal work in love and service to provide free help to new alcoholics so that they could get straightened out and live successful spiritual lives. In the language of A.A.‘s own Big Book text, the recovered pioneers were said to have become happy, joyous, and free. They had conceded to their innermost selves that they were alcoholic and could not manage their own lives; that probably no human power could relieve them, and that--when God had been sought and they had established a relationship with Him--God could and would do, and had done, for them what they could not do for themselves. They vociferously declared that they had been cured by the power of God; that the Creator had healed them of their terrible malady; and that they had unselfishly been moved to witness to others precisely how this miracle of recovery had been accomplished.
Consider dropping a donation in the box.
FAIRBANKS MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM: Cross Main Street to the impressive Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, donated to the Town of St. Johnsbury by Colonel Franklin Fairbanks, and containing substantial historical archives, diaries, and records.
Snap a photo.
Visit the museum.
Make an appointment, if desired, to view the historical records in their archives.
THE ST. JOHNSBURY ATHENAEUM: Walk south to 1171 Main Street to the magnificent St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, a library for the town and for St. Johnsbury Academy “scholars” (i.e., students). Built in the Second Empire style, the Athenaeum was a gift to the town from Governor Horace Fairbanks in 1871. It contains a treasure trove of books, manuscripts, photos, papers, and other historical materials. Researchers and historians, as well those in recovery, can--as we did--spend hours and hours in the comfortable library amidst its well-stocked shelves and stacks.
Snap a photo of yourself and the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum
Be sure to visit the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. Utilize the available help from the library staff, indexes, computers, and copy facilities. There are comfortable chairs, adequate rest rooms, water fountains, and newspapers.
Consider dropping a donation in the box.
Spend substantial time reviewing the history of the Green Mountain state and the sons and daughters of Vermont. Examine the history of St. Johnsbury, the extensive role of the Fairbanks family in community affairs, the immense economic blessings emanating from the invention of the platform scale by Thaddeus Fairbanks and the long-lasting success of the Fairbanks Scales business. Look through the town directories which tell the story, year by year, of the Smith family’s great involvement in the affairs of the community. Search the Smith family genealogy; the activities of North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, and the town’s other churches; Congregationalism in Vermont; the YMCA in Vermont; the “Great Awakening” of 1875 in St. Johnsbury; the Christian Endeavor Society in St. Johnsbury and in Vermont; Temperance activities; and the role of women (including Mrs. Walter P. Smith) in domestic missionary work, women’s clubs, local and traveling libraries, Temperance, and the St. Johnsbury Academy.
View on the microfilm reader the complete newspaper accounts of Dr. Bob’s boyhood days in St. Johnsbury in the St. Johnsbury Caledonian (town newspaper), which is today known as the Caledonian-Record.
See the genealogies, biographies, and historical activities of the important sons of Vermont.
THE FORMER SITE OF THE ST. JOHNSBURY YMCA BUILDING (destroyed by fire in 1984 and then demolished), Eastern Avenue.
Rev. Henry Fairbanks donated the YMCA building which was constructed in 1885 and located just off Main Street at 113 Eastern Avenue (until it was destroyed by fire in 1984). Prior to the erection of the building, the state Executive Committee of the Vermont YMCA had conducted Gospel “canvasses” in St. Johnsbury (and throughout Vermont for several years beginning in 1875) and--through the work of lay evangelists--catalyzed the “Great Awakening” of 1875 in St. Johnsbury itself through “Gospel Meetings” which built on the prayers for revival and “union meetings” of the local churches of several denominations in St. Johnsbury. Even the Fairbanks Scales plant was opened at noon time for prayer meetings. Hundreds were converted to Christ during this revival work. At least one report made at the national YMCA Convention in Richmond, Virginia, in 1875, placed the number of decisions for Christ at 1,500--almost one-third of the town population. And YMCA people continued the evangelical work for some time after 1875.
Dr. Bob’s father, Judge Walter P. Smith, was president of the St. Johnsbury YMCA in 1895 and 1897. Fairbanks family members were leaders in its evangelical work, beginning no later than the annual State of Vermont YMCA Convention held in Norwich in November of 1874.
The YMCA provided Bible classes, Bible studies, Bible conversation classes, and meetings for young men. It conducted lectures, concerts, and other events in the churches and at St. Johnsbury Academy. It provided gym facilities for young men; and it worked in close cooperation with St. Johnsbury Academy, running regular advertisements in the student newspaper.
THE COURT HOUSE, Main Street, and Judge Walter P. Smith (Bob’s father)
Just across the street from the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum is the court house where Dr. Bob’s father, Walter Perrin Smith, served many successive elected terms as Probate Judge handling the settling of estates and probate of wills. The Judge is also frequently listed and recorded among the community lawyers. He served as a town agent and village auditor; superintendent of schools; State’s attorney; and representative for St. Johnsbury in the Vermont Legislature. At the North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, he was a Sunday school teacher for many years, a Sunday school superintendent, and a Deacon. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he taught in schools and served as Principal of Hardwick Academy. He served St. Johnsbury Academy as one of its examiners. The Judge was long involved in the local banking system as an investor, director, trustee, and officer in three of the town’s banks--Merchants National, Passumpsic Savings, and First National. He became President of Carrick Brothers Granite Company. He was a widely sought-after speaker at political events, a Republican, and a well-known Congregationalist.
ST. JOHNSBURY ACADEMY, 1000 Main Street (Mrs. Walter Smith and Bob himself)
Dominating the south end of Main Street is the campus of St. Johnsbury Academy, which was founded by the three Fairbanks brothers--Thaddeus, Erastus, and Joseph P. The details of this unusual facility can best be learned by making an appointment in advance to visit with the Academy archivist, (formerly Joanne Bertrand), who works at the Grace Orcutt Library on campus.
Snap several photos of yourself, of the Academy buildings, and of South Church next door where daily chapel was often held.
Located in the archives are many of the founding papers requiring religious training and Bible study. Academy governing papers required that trustees be members of a Congregational Church, that “scholars” attend Daily Chapel where there were Scripture readings, sermons, exhortations, prayers, and singing. All scholars were duty-bound to attend a church service and a Bible study once each week.
Important archival and library papers include school catalogs showing the textbooks, curricula, trustees, Principal, staff, teachers, and scholars in attendance. There are histories of the Academy (at least one of which was partially prepared by Mrs. Walter P. Smith), attendance cards for Bob and, earlier, his mother; photographs of Dr. Bob and of his graduating class; Dr. Bob’s commencement program which names him as Orator; accounts of Bob’s activities as Manager and member of the Glee Club; Dr. Bob’s participation in debates, a fraternity, and class offices; class notes about Dr. Bob; and many copies of the student newspaper (both at the Academy and at the Athenaeum). Papers also show Bob’s mother as an Academy student, then an Academy teacher, then an active member of the Alumni Executive Committee, presenter of a large portion of the school’s history at major celebrations, and author of two chapters of a book on the history of the Academy.
Robert Holbrook Smith (A.A.’s Dr. Bob)--who was born August 8, 1879, in the family home at 20 Summer Street in St. Johnsbury--is listed as a member and Sunday school scholar at North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury. He himself wrote that he was active in the Christian Endeavor Society of North Congregational Church. He wrote, and records confirm, that he and his family regularly attended Sunday morning service, Sunday school, and Sunday evening service, as well as the Christian Endeavor meeting. Frequently, Bob attended the church prayer meeting on Wednesday and regularly attended Christian Endeavor meetings on Wednesday. He attended the local Summer Street School and was later a scholar at St. Johnsbury Academy from 1894 to 1898 (at which time he graduated). He attended and graduated from Dartmouth. And he received medical training at the University of Michigan and at Rush. He later received specialist training as a proctologist and practiced medicine in Akron, Ohio. Plagued with alcoholism since college days, he prayed for recovery with a small group of Christians at the home of inventor T. Henry Williams in Akron. Shortly after he thus sought God’s help, he attained sobriety. The date was June 10, 1935, regarded as the founding day of A.A. by Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson of New York. From that date on, Dr. Bob personally helped over 5,000 drunks to recover, without charge to the drunk. This selfless service led A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson to dub Dr. Bob the “Prince of all Twelfth Steppers.” Dr. Bob had met Anne Robinson Ripley (his wife-to-be) at a St. Johnsbury Academy dance. He later married her at her home in Illinois and settled in the family home at 855 Ardmore Avenue in Akron where A.A. is said to have been founded. Anne Smith died first; Dr. Bob died shortly thereafter; and the two are buried in Akron. Both Dr. Bob and his wife were deeply committed to serving the Creator; were devout Christians; and were strong believers in Bible study, prayer, and seeking God’s guidance. Both widely read, recommended, and distributed Christian literature to early A.A. pioneers. And Dr. Bob assured newcomers to A.A. that--if they went to any lengths to establish their relationship with God, accept Christ, follow his teachings, abstain from drinking and temptation, diligently seek God’s help, and witness in love and service to newcomers in recovery: “Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., p. 181).
The “excellent training” Dr. Bob had received in the “Good Book” as a youngster in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, provided the foundation for the “absolutely essential” Bible-basics of the early A.A. program. That original program achieved a documented, 75% success rate in Akron [and was followed up by the documented, 93% success rate in Cleveland (under Dr. Bob’s sponsee, Clarence Snyder)] among seemingly-hopeless, medically-incurable, real alcoholics who went to any lengths to be cured. He declared that A.A.’s basic ideas came from the Bible study done by the A.A. pioneers--particularly in the Book of James, in the Sermon on the Mount, and in 1 Corinthians 13.
Dr. Bob’s mother, Mrs. Walter P. Smith (Susan Holbrook Smith--born Susan Amanda Holbrook), can--in the alumni, faculty, and other library records of St. Johnsbury Academy, in St. Johnsbury Athenaeum records, in women’s affairs records, in St. Johnsbury Caledonian newspaper articles, and in missionary records--be seen as very much involved in: (1) church service, (2) Sunday school service, (3) the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, (4) libraries, (5) education, (6) Temperance activities, and (7) music. She was also involved in St. Johnsbury community affairs through other teaching and other religious activities, and through other Academy-related activities. Susan attended St. Johnsbury Academy and graduated from it in 1874. She then taught at St. Johnsbury Academy from 1874 to 1876. She and Judge Smith were married shortly thereafter after. Based on our intensive research over the past eight months, it seems very likely that both of Dr. Bob’s parents were impacted by the “Great Awakening” of 1875 in St. Johnsbury. Both were listed in North Congregational Church records in beginning in 1878 and became members in 1882. In the church, Mrs. Smith served as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, Intermediate Department superintendent, president of the Women’s Club, editor of its cook book volume, member of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, and participant in the church quartet. She is listed as a participant in the Women‘s Christian Temperance Union. Through her activity with the International Women’s Clubs and the St. Johnsbury Women’s Club, she was singled out as the well-known and tireless worker for the free state library facilities in rural communities. She became a member of the State Library Commission.
See Dick B. and Ken B., The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010 www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml
Dick B. and Ken B., Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Bible as a Youngster in Vermont www.dickb.com/drbobofaa.shtml
Dick B. and Ken B., “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery” Class www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml
________________________________________
Dick B., PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837; 808 874 4876; dickb@dickb.com
http://www.dickb.com/index.shtml; http://www.dickb-blog.com; http://DrBob.info
Gloria Deo
Sunday, January 02, 2011
My Agenda of Service for 2011 - by Dick B.
What can a sober, recovered alcoholic who is approaching his 25th year of continuous sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous do to serve and glorify God, as well as to help others, as he also approaches his 86th birthday? First, thank God in the name of Jesus Christ for the abundant and eternal life made available to all who believe. And then,
Answer: Lots! And here's my agenda for 2011. In fact, it involves more activity in Alcoholics Anonymous, in the recovery movement, and in Christian service than ever before. And here are some of the agenda items for 2011:
1. To continue to receive and reply to all courteous inquiries that come across my bow via email, phone, U.S. mail, and the vast resource of the internet. dickb@dickb.com
2. To continue to learn from these inquiries what the degree of hunger is, what the degree of understanding is, and what the degree of willingness to go to any lengths is--among those suffering from alcoholism, addiction to drugs, at-risk and self-destructive behaviors, and other life-controlling problems. And among those who are harmed by the behavior involved in such activities.
3. To continue urging more participants to join the International Christian Recovery Coalition and help stress the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have played in the recovery movement for dozens and dozens of years, and can play today among those who want God's help and are willing to make the effort to do what it takes to seek and receive it.
4. To continue expansion of Christian Recovery Resource Centers worldwide--this being a project of the International Christian Recovery Coalition, and being a program to enable Christian leaders and other Christians seeking recovery to find out what Christian recovery resources are available, where they are located, which options are most desirable, and whom to contact.
5. To continue writing books and articles and giving recorded talks at Christian recovery fellowships, churches, 12-Step meetings, treatment programs, counseling conventions, conferences, and groups desiring to help other alcoholics and addicts to recover with God's help.
6. To continue researching, reporting, and disseminating information about the origins, history, founding, Original program, astonishing successes, and later changes in the Akron Alcoholics Anonymous Christian Fellowship founded by Bill W. and Dr. Bob in June, 1935.
7. To continue stressing that those in counseling, treatment, fellowships, churches, groups, and centers have every right to seek God, to come to Him through Jesus Christ, to study the Bible, to pray individually and together, to seek God's guidance, and to carry the Gospel message to any and all who might wish to be delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear son.
8. To enjoy the sunshine, the weather, the ocean, the beauty, the scenic views, the beautiful flowers and trees, and the opportunity to swim on the Island of Maui in the State of Hawaii.
9. To wish all who read this a healthy and prosperous New Year and life, based on the promise of 3 John 2.
www.dickb.com; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com; dickb@dickb.com
Answer: Lots! And here's my agenda for 2011. In fact, it involves more activity in Alcoholics Anonymous, in the recovery movement, and in Christian service than ever before. And here are some of the agenda items for 2011:
1. To continue to receive and reply to all courteous inquiries that come across my bow via email, phone, U.S. mail, and the vast resource of the internet. dickb@dickb.com
2. To continue to learn from these inquiries what the degree of hunger is, what the degree of understanding is, and what the degree of willingness to go to any lengths is--among those suffering from alcoholism, addiction to drugs, at-risk and self-destructive behaviors, and other life-controlling problems. And among those who are harmed by the behavior involved in such activities.
3. To continue urging more participants to join the International Christian Recovery Coalition and help stress the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have played in the recovery movement for dozens and dozens of years, and can play today among those who want God's help and are willing to make the effort to do what it takes to seek and receive it.
4. To continue expansion of Christian Recovery Resource Centers worldwide--this being a project of the International Christian Recovery Coalition, and being a program to enable Christian leaders and other Christians seeking recovery to find out what Christian recovery resources are available, where they are located, which options are most desirable, and whom to contact.
5. To continue writing books and articles and giving recorded talks at Christian recovery fellowships, churches, 12-Step meetings, treatment programs, counseling conventions, conferences, and groups desiring to help other alcoholics and addicts to recover with God's help.
6. To continue researching, reporting, and disseminating information about the origins, history, founding, Original program, astonishing successes, and later changes in the Akron Alcoholics Anonymous Christian Fellowship founded by Bill W. and Dr. Bob in June, 1935.
7. To continue stressing that those in counseling, treatment, fellowships, churches, groups, and centers have every right to seek God, to come to Him through Jesus Christ, to study the Bible, to pray individually and together, to seek God's guidance, and to carry the Gospel message to any and all who might wish to be delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear son.
8. To enjoy the sunshine, the weather, the ocean, the beauty, the scenic views, the beautiful flowers and trees, and the opportunity to swim on the Island of Maui in the State of Hawaii.
9. To wish all who read this a healthy and prosperous New Year and life, based on the promise of 3 John 2.
www.dickb.com; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com; dickb@dickb.com
Origins of the Christian Recovery Movement by Dick B.
Origins of the Christian Recovery Movement
Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved
Effective Christian Help for Drunks by Five Important Groups & Organizations in the 1800’s—long before A.A. was founded in 1935
Young Men’s Christian Association lay workers (1870). Non-denominational work
in revival meetings with conversions and Bible studies. Galvanized the Great
Awakening of 1875 in St. Johnsbury. (Bob and Bill both had “Y” connections).
The Gospel Rescue Missions (1872) exemplified by Jerry McAuley and the Water Street
Mission in NY, NY – followed by Calvary Rescue Mission where Bill and Ebby
each separately made their decisions for Jesus Christ.
Evangelists and Revivalists (1875) Charles Finney, John B. Gough, Dwight Moody, Ira
Sankey, F. B. Meyer, Allen Folger, and Bill Sunday held huge meetings where
thousands were converted to God through Jesus Christ, and many were healed of drunkenness. Bob and Bill were each aware of them and/or exposed to their work.
The Salvation Army (1879) – made famous by Harold Begbie’s Twice-Born Men –went
into the slums to find derelicts, criminals, drunks; bring them to Jesus Christ;
teach them the Bible; changing their lives; and passing it on in “God’s Army.”
The Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor (1881) – Dr. Bob and his church
active in 1890’s; world—wide membership of 4.5 million, developed a program of conversion meetings, prayer meetings, Bible studies, Quiet Hour, topical discussions, and the slogan “love and service.” A pattern for early Akron A.A.
The Christian upbringing of A.A.’s founders-to-be as youngsters in Vermont
Bill Wilson: Grandfather cured of alcoholism by conversion and spiritual experience;
attended East Dorset Congregational Church and Sunday School where his
parents and grandparents were active; studied the Bible with his grandfather
and a friend; at Burr & Burton Academy—took a four-year Bible study course,
attended chapel daily, Manchester Congregational Church weekly, and became
president of the school YMCA, with his girl friend as president of school YWCA.
Dr. Bob Smith: Judge Walter and Susan H. Smith, his parents, were Congregationalists
who emphasized salvation and the Word of God in their home; were Sunday
school teachers and superintendents at North Congregational Church; were active in the church—Judge Smith being a deacon; and the entire Smith family attending church three times on Sunday, a prayer meeting on Wednesday, and Dr. Bob active in Christian Endeavor. Judge Smith was president of the local YMCA which made presentations in the church and St. Johnsbury Academy; and Dr. Bob attended St. Johnsbury Academy where he took religious courses; his mother had been a student and teacher; his father was an Examiner; and he attended required daily chapel, a weekly Congregational Church Service, and weekly Bible study.
Turning to God through Jesus Christ major points in the lives of Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob
Bill Wilson: (1) Grandfather saved and healed for life of alcoholism. (2) Bill had a
Christian upbringing at the East Dorset Congregational Church and at its Sunday School, and then at the Manchester Congregational Church, and Bill’s daily chapel and Bible studies at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester. (3) Dr. Silkworth advised Bill that Jesus Christ the Great Physician could cure him. (4) Bill’s friend Ebby made a decision for Jesus Christ at the altar at Calvary Rescue Mission and so informed Bill. (5) Ebby’s “mentor” Rowland Hazard had previously made a decision for Christ. (6) Bill himself went to Calvary Rescue Mission, made his own decision for Jesus Christ, and wrote that he was born again for sure. (7) Bill turned to God for help in Towns Hospital, had his famous “white light” experience, believed he had been in the presence of “the God of the Scriptures,” (8) Bill began carrying the message quoted today on page 191 of the Big Book that the Lord had been so wonderful to him curing him of his terrible disease that he just wanted to keep talking about it and telling people. (9) Bill began feverish witnessing with a Bible under his arm, but was unable to get a single person sober until he met Dr. Bob in Akron about 6 months later.
Dr. Bob Smith: (1) Raised a Christian in North Congregational Church of St. Johnsbury,
its Sunday school, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and Christian Endeavor group, and was exposed to Christian temperance meetings. (2) Finally joined a tiny Oxford Group meeting devoted to helping him get sober. (3) Admitted to the group he was a “secret drinker” (4) Joined the group on the carpet in prayers for his deliverance. (5) Was surprisingly introduced to the stranger Bill Wilson as an answer to the prayers. (6) Grasped the importance of service—helping others—as an element of recovery he himself had not applied. (7) After one last binge, decided to quit for good about June 10, 1935, and A.A. was founded about that date.
The first A.A. Group—Akron Number One—which Dr. Bob called a “Christian Fellowship”—was founded on July 4, 1935—several weeks after A.A. itself began.
Bill and Bob told a third alcoholic—Bill Dotson--that he could be cured if he turned to God for help and then helped others. Dotson—long a Christian--then surrendered to God, was cured almost at once; and the three set about developing a program for others in the summer of 1935. Akron Number One!
Three things to remember about the original program and the program today:
1. The Original program had no Twelve Steps, no Twelve Traditions, no drunkalogs, no meetings as we know them today, and no basic text like the Big Book. It took its basic ideas from the Bible—the Book of James, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13. It held daily fellowships in the homes. It insisted that members believe in God and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior; study the Bible, pray together, hold Quiet Times, and help other alcoholics get well. By November of 1937, Bill and Bob counted noses and found they had achieved an astonishing, documented, 75% success rate.
2. A.A. is no longer a Christian Fellowship. It opened its doors to atheists and agnostics in 1939 with the Big Book’s publication. But today there are still tens if not hundreds of thousands of Christians in A.A. and other 12 Step groups who often hear they cannot mention Jesus Christ, they cannot study the Bible, they cannot have prayer meetings, and that they are not a religious organization—allegedly “spiritual, but not religious.”.
3. The simple abc’s in the Big Book today are as viable as they were in 1935. And AAs are free to say what they wish, believe what they wish, read what they wish, worship where they wish, and tell their stories of deliverance by God whenever they wish. They can do this because their own history shows them they can and suggests how to do it. And their own Big Book and Twelve Steps are replete with words, phrases, and ideas that make clear that trust in God, cleaning house, and serving God and others are a very important part of A..A. to this very day.
In Conclusion:
I will close by assuring you that after 24 years of continuous sobriety and 20 years of researching and learning the history of the Christian Recovery Movement as well as that of A.A. itself, I can truly tell you that God has done for me what I could not do for myself.
And I believe, as Dr. Bob wrote, at the end of his personal story: “Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!” The simple conditions for Dr. Bob were that you believe in God; you accept His Son Jesus Christ as Lord; you obey Him; you grow in spiritual
understanding and fellowship with God, His Son, and other believers. And you help others do likewise.
There’s a miracle waiting for those that do these things, and even Bill Wilson himself spoke of it in those terms.
www.dickb.com, www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com, dickb@dickb.com, 808 874 4876
Gloria Deo
Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved
Effective Christian Help for Drunks by Five Important Groups & Organizations in the 1800’s—long before A.A. was founded in 1935
Young Men’s Christian Association lay workers (1870). Non-denominational work
in revival meetings with conversions and Bible studies. Galvanized the Great
Awakening of 1875 in St. Johnsbury. (Bob and Bill both had “Y” connections).
The Gospel Rescue Missions (1872) exemplified by Jerry McAuley and the Water Street
Mission in NY, NY – followed by Calvary Rescue Mission where Bill and Ebby
each separately made their decisions for Jesus Christ.
Evangelists and Revivalists (1875) Charles Finney, John B. Gough, Dwight Moody, Ira
Sankey, F. B. Meyer, Allen Folger, and Bill Sunday held huge meetings where
thousands were converted to God through Jesus Christ, and many were healed of drunkenness. Bob and Bill were each aware of them and/or exposed to their work.
The Salvation Army (1879) – made famous by Harold Begbie’s Twice-Born Men –went
into the slums to find derelicts, criminals, drunks; bring them to Jesus Christ;
teach them the Bible; changing their lives; and passing it on in “God’s Army.”
The Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor (1881) – Dr. Bob and his church
active in 1890’s; world—wide membership of 4.5 million, developed a program of conversion meetings, prayer meetings, Bible studies, Quiet Hour, topical discussions, and the slogan “love and service.” A pattern for early Akron A.A.
The Christian upbringing of A.A.’s founders-to-be as youngsters in Vermont
Bill Wilson: Grandfather cured of alcoholism by conversion and spiritual experience;
attended East Dorset Congregational Church and Sunday School where his
parents and grandparents were active; studied the Bible with his grandfather
and a friend; at Burr & Burton Academy—took a four-year Bible study course,
attended chapel daily, Manchester Congregational Church weekly, and became
president of the school YMCA, with his girl friend as president of school YWCA.
Dr. Bob Smith: Judge Walter and Susan H. Smith, his parents, were Congregationalists
who emphasized salvation and the Word of God in their home; were Sunday
school teachers and superintendents at North Congregational Church; were active in the church—Judge Smith being a deacon; and the entire Smith family attending church three times on Sunday, a prayer meeting on Wednesday, and Dr. Bob active in Christian Endeavor. Judge Smith was president of the local YMCA which made presentations in the church and St. Johnsbury Academy; and Dr. Bob attended St. Johnsbury Academy where he took religious courses; his mother had been a student and teacher; his father was an Examiner; and he attended required daily chapel, a weekly Congregational Church Service, and weekly Bible study.
Turning to God through Jesus Christ major points in the lives of Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob
Bill Wilson: (1) Grandfather saved and healed for life of alcoholism. (2) Bill had a
Christian upbringing at the East Dorset Congregational Church and at its Sunday School, and then at the Manchester Congregational Church, and Bill’s daily chapel and Bible studies at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester. (3) Dr. Silkworth advised Bill that Jesus Christ the Great Physician could cure him. (4) Bill’s friend Ebby made a decision for Jesus Christ at the altar at Calvary Rescue Mission and so informed Bill. (5) Ebby’s “mentor” Rowland Hazard had previously made a decision for Christ. (6) Bill himself went to Calvary Rescue Mission, made his own decision for Jesus Christ, and wrote that he was born again for sure. (7) Bill turned to God for help in Towns Hospital, had his famous “white light” experience, believed he had been in the presence of “the God of the Scriptures,” (8) Bill began carrying the message quoted today on page 191 of the Big Book that the Lord had been so wonderful to him curing him of his terrible disease that he just wanted to keep talking about it and telling people. (9) Bill began feverish witnessing with a Bible under his arm, but was unable to get a single person sober until he met Dr. Bob in Akron about 6 months later.
Dr. Bob Smith: (1) Raised a Christian in North Congregational Church of St. Johnsbury,
its Sunday school, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and Christian Endeavor group, and was exposed to Christian temperance meetings. (2) Finally joined a tiny Oxford Group meeting devoted to helping him get sober. (3) Admitted to the group he was a “secret drinker” (4) Joined the group on the carpet in prayers for his deliverance. (5) Was surprisingly introduced to the stranger Bill Wilson as an answer to the prayers. (6) Grasped the importance of service—helping others—as an element of recovery he himself had not applied. (7) After one last binge, decided to quit for good about June 10, 1935, and A.A. was founded about that date.
The first A.A. Group—Akron Number One—which Dr. Bob called a “Christian Fellowship”—was founded on July 4, 1935—several weeks after A.A. itself began.
Bill and Bob told a third alcoholic—Bill Dotson--that he could be cured if he turned to God for help and then helped others. Dotson—long a Christian--then surrendered to God, was cured almost at once; and the three set about developing a program for others in the summer of 1935. Akron Number One!
Three things to remember about the original program and the program today:
1. The Original program had no Twelve Steps, no Twelve Traditions, no drunkalogs, no meetings as we know them today, and no basic text like the Big Book. It took its basic ideas from the Bible—the Book of James, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13. It held daily fellowships in the homes. It insisted that members believe in God and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior; study the Bible, pray together, hold Quiet Times, and help other alcoholics get well. By November of 1937, Bill and Bob counted noses and found they had achieved an astonishing, documented, 75% success rate.
2. A.A. is no longer a Christian Fellowship. It opened its doors to atheists and agnostics in 1939 with the Big Book’s publication. But today there are still tens if not hundreds of thousands of Christians in A.A. and other 12 Step groups who often hear they cannot mention Jesus Christ, they cannot study the Bible, they cannot have prayer meetings, and that they are not a religious organization—allegedly “spiritual, but not religious.”.
3. The simple abc’s in the Big Book today are as viable as they were in 1935. And AAs are free to say what they wish, believe what they wish, read what they wish, worship where they wish, and tell their stories of deliverance by God whenever they wish. They can do this because their own history shows them they can and suggests how to do it. And their own Big Book and Twelve Steps are replete with words, phrases, and ideas that make clear that trust in God, cleaning house, and serving God and others are a very important part of A..A. to this very day.
In Conclusion:
I will close by assuring you that after 24 years of continuous sobriety and 20 years of researching and learning the history of the Christian Recovery Movement as well as that of A.A. itself, I can truly tell you that God has done for me what I could not do for myself.
And I believe, as Dr. Bob wrote, at the end of his personal story: “Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!” The simple conditions for Dr. Bob were that you believe in God; you accept His Son Jesus Christ as Lord; you obey Him; you grow in spiritual
understanding and fellowship with God, His Son, and other believers. And you help others do likewise.
There’s a miracle waiting for those that do these things, and even Bill Wilson himself spoke of it in those terms.
www.dickb.com, www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com, dickb@dickb.com, 808 874 4876
Gloria Deo
Friday, December 31, 2010
The New A.A. Information Releases of Dick B. for 2011
The NEW Resources Provided by Dick B. for 2011
to Help Those Who Want to Recover, and
to Assist Those Who Want to Help Others to Recover
By Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved
The “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery” (“IFCR”) class by Dick B. and Ken B. on four DVD's. This class comes in two (2) forms:
Form 1: The IFCR class for Groups and Organizations. This form includes:
Four (4) DVD’s. [Each DVD is about one (1) hour in length.]
The IFCR Class Guide for Students
The IFCR Class Instructor’s Guide
The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., by Dick B. and Ken B.
IFCR class for Groups & Organizations “license fee”: $199.95 + $11.50 Shipping (Total = $211.45)
Credit or Debit Card, or PayPal Accepted. (PayPal is the gateway BUT NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT IS REQUIRED.)
For more information on the IFCR class for Groups and Organizations, please Click Here.
Form 2: The IFCR class for Individuals. This form of the IFCR class includes:
Four (4) DVD’s. [Each DVD is about one (1) hour in length.]
The IFCR Class Guide for Students
** We strongly encourage you to purchase The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., together with the IFCR class for Individuals. The Guide provides extensive
documentation and supplementary information for the Class. $30.00.
IFCR class for Individuals “license fee”: $99.95 + Shipping: $11.45 (Total = $111.45); or
IFCR class for Individuals “license fee”: $99.95 + The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed.: $30.00 + Shipping: $11.45 (Total: $141.45)
Credit or Debit Card, or PayPal Accepted. (PayPal is the gateway BUT NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT IS REQUIRED.)
For more information on the IFCR class for Individuals, please Click Here.
The Complete, 29-Volume, “Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set”
How about a 57% Discount on the Set!
A lifetime treasure embodying Dick’s 20 years of research and writing. This one-of-a-
kind, early A.A. history reference set provides books to study at your leisure on nearly
every major A.A. history subject: From A.A.'s official cofounders—Bill W., and Dr. Bob—to Dr. Bob's wife Anne (whom Bill W. called the “mother of A.A.”), to others Bill
W. called “founders” of A.A. (such as Rev. Sam Shoemaker and William James), to Carl
Jung and Dr. William D. Silkworth, to the books and Quiet Time devotionals early A.A.
pioneers read, to the roles of organizations such as the Young People's Society of
Christian Endeavor (of which Dr. Bob was a member in his youth) and the Young Men's
Christian Association (of which Bill W. was the president at Burr and Burton Academy,
and of which Dr. Bob's father was the St. Johnsbury president much of the time Dr. Bob
attended the St. Johnsbury Academy just down the street from the St. Johnsbury YMCA).
For an alphabetical list of, and detailed information about the subjects covered in, the 29
titles, please Click Here.
The retail/list price of the 29 volumes purchased separately, with an average price of
$23.19 per book, is:
$672.55.
We are offering the entire, 29-volume, "Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set" for:
$289.00
(plus $30.00 Shipping & Handling)**
You save more than $383.00 dollars off the total retail/list price of $672.55 (if the 29
volumes were purchased separately).
** Please note: The $30.00 Shipping & Handling 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 Dick B. via email at DickB@DickB.com for details.
Credit or Debit Card, or PayPal Accepted. (PayPal is the gateway, BUT NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT IS REQUIRED.)
FREE: Over 500 articles by Dick B.: www.DickB.com/Articles.shtml.
FREE: Over 175 recorded audio talks by Dick B.: DickB.com/Audio-talks.shtml.
FREE: Follow Dick B. on Facebook, on Twitter, and on the Dick B. Blog.
Ongoing announcements, comments, research items, notices, interchange
FREE: Join and participate in the International Christian Recovery Coalition
Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena who stress the role that God,
His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the origins of the recovery
movement; in the founding and original Akron “Christian fellowship” program of
A.A.; and can play in recovery today among those who want God’s help.
New! Become a “Christian Recovery Resource Center” for your local community and area.
The International Christian Recovery Coalition has just launched a new, worldwide effort to connect alcoholics, addicts, and others with life-controlling problems and self-destructive behavior, with Christian (and secular, when necessary) recovery resources in local areas as well as other locations throughout the world through “Christian Recovery Resource Centers.”
Our vision is for Christian groups and organizations, as well as Christian individuals, to establish a “Christian Recovery Resource Center” in their area of operation. These centers will enable those needing and wanting God's help in recovery, those who are searching for Christian-oriented recovery resources in their areas and elsewhere, and other Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, to find and make use of Christian recovery resources throughout the world.
A few of the Christian recovery resources provided to Christian groups, organizations, and individuals who become “Christian Recovery Resource Centers” include:
• The “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery” class by Dick B. & Ken B. on 4 DVD's, including The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed. (2010).
• The brand-new Dick B. Handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers (2011).
• A case of brand-new books by Dick B. for free distribution or sale to support your efforts.
• Frequent communications from Dick B., Executive Director of the International Christian Recovery Coalition, about Christian recovery efforts throughout the world.
How can you become a “Christian Recovery Resource Center” affiliated with the International Christian Recovery Coalition? Simple!
• Provide your contact and other relevant information to Dick B.; and
• Make a one-time donation of $500.00.
For more information, please check the International Christian Recovery Coalition web site. Or contact Dick B. at DickB@DickB.com; www.DickB.com; or (808) 874-4876.
to Help Those Who Want to Recover, and
to Assist Those Who Want to Help Others to Recover
By Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved
The “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery” (“IFCR”) class by Dick B. and Ken B. on four DVD's. This class comes in two (2) forms:
Form 1: The IFCR class for Groups and Organizations. This form includes:
Four (4) DVD’s. [Each DVD is about one (1) hour in length.]
The IFCR Class Guide for Students
The IFCR Class Instructor’s Guide
The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., by Dick B. and Ken B.
IFCR class for Groups & Organizations “license fee”: $199.95 + $11.50 Shipping (Total = $211.45)
Credit or Debit Card, or PayPal Accepted. (PayPal is the gateway BUT NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT IS REQUIRED.)
For more information on the IFCR class for Groups and Organizations, please Click Here.
Form 2: The IFCR class for Individuals. This form of the IFCR class includes:
Four (4) DVD’s. [Each DVD is about one (1) hour in length.]
The IFCR Class Guide for Students
** We strongly encourage you to purchase The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., together with the IFCR class for Individuals. The Guide provides extensive
documentation and supplementary information for the Class. $30.00.
IFCR class for Individuals “license fee”: $99.95 + Shipping: $11.45 (Total = $111.45); or
IFCR class for Individuals “license fee”: $99.95 + The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed.: $30.00 + Shipping: $11.45 (Total: $141.45)
Credit or Debit Card, or PayPal Accepted. (PayPal is the gateway BUT NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT IS REQUIRED.)
For more information on the IFCR class for Individuals, please Click Here.
The Complete, 29-Volume, “Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set”
How about a 57% Discount on the Set!
A lifetime treasure embodying Dick’s 20 years of research and writing. This one-of-a-
kind, early A.A. history reference set provides books to study at your leisure on nearly
every major A.A. history subject: From A.A.'s official cofounders—Bill W., and Dr. Bob—to Dr. Bob's wife Anne (whom Bill W. called the “mother of A.A.”), to others Bill
W. called “founders” of A.A. (such as Rev. Sam Shoemaker and William James), to Carl
Jung and Dr. William D. Silkworth, to the books and Quiet Time devotionals early A.A.
pioneers read, to the roles of organizations such as the Young People's Society of
Christian Endeavor (of which Dr. Bob was a member in his youth) and the Young Men's
Christian Association (of which Bill W. was the president at Burr and Burton Academy,
and of which Dr. Bob's father was the St. Johnsbury president much of the time Dr. Bob
attended the St. Johnsbury Academy just down the street from the St. Johnsbury YMCA).
For an alphabetical list of, and detailed information about the subjects covered in, the 29
titles, please Click Here.
The retail/list price of the 29 volumes purchased separately, with an average price of
$23.19 per book, is:
$672.55.
We are offering the entire, 29-volume, "Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set" for:
$289.00
(plus $30.00 Shipping & Handling)**
You save more than $383.00 dollars off the total retail/list price of $672.55 (if the 29
volumes were purchased separately).
** Please note: The $30.00 Shipping & Handling 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 Dick B. via email at DickB@DickB.com for details.
Credit or Debit Card, or PayPal Accepted. (PayPal is the gateway, BUT NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT IS REQUIRED.)
FREE: Over 500 articles by Dick B.: www.DickB.com/Articles.shtml.
FREE: Over 175 recorded audio talks by Dick B.: DickB.com/Audio-talks.shtml.
FREE: Follow Dick B. on Facebook, on Twitter, and on the Dick B. Blog.
Ongoing announcements, comments, research items, notices, interchange
FREE: Join and participate in the International Christian Recovery Coalition
Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena who stress the role that God,
His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the origins of the recovery
movement; in the founding and original Akron “Christian fellowship” program of
A.A.; and can play in recovery today among those who want God’s help.
New! Become a “Christian Recovery Resource Center” for your local community and area.
The International Christian Recovery Coalition has just launched a new, worldwide effort to connect alcoholics, addicts, and others with life-controlling problems and self-destructive behavior, with Christian (and secular, when necessary) recovery resources in local areas as well as other locations throughout the world through “Christian Recovery Resource Centers.”
Our vision is for Christian groups and organizations, as well as Christian individuals, to establish a “Christian Recovery Resource Center” in their area of operation. These centers will enable those needing and wanting God's help in recovery, those who are searching for Christian-oriented recovery resources in their areas and elsewhere, and other Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, to find and make use of Christian recovery resources throughout the world.
A few of the Christian recovery resources provided to Christian groups, organizations, and individuals who become “Christian Recovery Resource Centers” include:
• The “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery” class by Dick B. & Ken B. on 4 DVD's, including The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed. (2010).
• The brand-new Dick B. Handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers (2011).
• A case of brand-new books by Dick B. for free distribution or sale to support your efforts.
• Frequent communications from Dick B., Executive Director of the International Christian Recovery Coalition, about Christian recovery efforts throughout the world.
How can you become a “Christian Recovery Resource Center” affiliated with the International Christian Recovery Coalition? Simple!
• Provide your contact and other relevant information to Dick B.; and
• Make a one-time donation of $500.00.
For more information, please check the International Christian Recovery Coalition web site. Or contact Dick B. at DickB@DickB.com; www.DickB.com; or (808) 874-4876.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
and
Its Importance in A.A. Documented in Key Dick B. Titles
By Dick B.
© 2010 Anonymous. All rights reserved
In Dick B., The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible, 2d ed., www.DickB.com/GoodBook.shtml:
http://tinyurl.com/2b6qnsf
In Dick B., Anne Smith’s Journal, 1933-1939: A.A.’s Principles of Success, 3rd ed.,
www.DickB.com/AnneSm.shtml. For example, Anne wrote:
What things in me make the Holy Spirit unwilling to use me? The Holy Spirit is
leader and dictator of this group. . . . The Holy Spirit is ready to dictate a perfect
plan . . . the guidance of the Holy Spirit . . . the power of the Holy Spirit, the direction
of the Holy Spirit. . . in touch with the Holy Spirit. . . . holy men spake as they
were moved by the Holy Ghost. [p. 91]
In Dick B., Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.’s Spiritual Roots and Successes,
www.DickB.com/Turning.shtml:
There are several important ideas that found favor in the Oxford Group concerning
“Fellowship” and which derived from . . . Bible verses: “There was a fellowship of
believing people which was empowered by the Holy Ghost. There was a communion
with the Holy Spirit. . . . There was a corporate experience where the Holy Spirit is
found through the group-experience of like-minded believers. God had a unique presence in the Group itself both by the fellowship tie of the spirit and by the Holy Spirit’s ability to guide the group itself whose individuals received the spirit of God through their new birth.” [pp. 416-17]
See also the Subject Index, page 727, for about 50 references and groups of references.
In Dick B., Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A.,
www.DickB.com/GoodMorn.shtml:
There will be a constant tendency to drop back from the full faith that God’s
Holy Spirit can guide, and to say that the Bible is enough, or prayer is
enough. [p. 64]
See also Subject Index, page 149, for about 16 references and groups of references.
In Dick B., New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A., 2d ed.,
www.Dickb.com/NewLight.shtml:
Through the leading of the Holy Spirit in the Quiet Time, one has learned
something of the difficult art of soul-surgery. [p. 166]
See also Subject Index, page 611, for about 50 references and groups of references.
In Dick B., The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works, 2d ed., www.DickB.com/Oxford.shtml:
In With the Holy Spirit and With Fire, Shoemaker spoke of what Jesus Christ actually accomplished and made available to mankind by reason of his crucifixion, death, being raised victorious from the dead, and ascending to heaven. The evidence, Shoemaker said, was in Acts 1 and 2. There Jesus promised baptism with the Holy Spirit and receipt of “power from on high.” And this actually occurred on the day of Pentecost when the Apostles were assembled and waiting as Jesus had instructed.
The Christian experience of the Holy Spirit, then, holds more than awesome power and
cleansing judgment. For the grace shown forth in the Cross restores and renews the life of man through the continuing work of the Spirit. . . . as “the Comforter.” . . . “His guidance” . . . the Spirit [that would] “convict the world of sin” . . . being used to bring faith in Christ to another. [pp. 216-17]
www.dickb.com; dickb@dickb.com; 808 874 4876; PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753
and
Its Importance in A.A. Documented in Key Dick B. Titles
By Dick B.
© 2010 Anonymous. All rights reserved
In Dick B., The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible, 2d ed., www.DickB.com/GoodBook.shtml:
http://tinyurl.com/2b6qnsf
In Dick B., Anne Smith’s Journal, 1933-1939: A.A.’s Principles of Success, 3rd ed.,
www.DickB.com/AnneSm.shtml. For example, Anne wrote:
What things in me make the Holy Spirit unwilling to use me? The Holy Spirit is
leader and dictator of this group. . . . The Holy Spirit is ready to dictate a perfect
plan . . . the guidance of the Holy Spirit . . . the power of the Holy Spirit, the direction
of the Holy Spirit. . . in touch with the Holy Spirit. . . . holy men spake as they
were moved by the Holy Ghost. [p. 91]
In Dick B., Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.’s Spiritual Roots and Successes,
www.DickB.com/Turning.shtml:
There are several important ideas that found favor in the Oxford Group concerning
“Fellowship” and which derived from . . . Bible verses: “There was a fellowship of
believing people which was empowered by the Holy Ghost. There was a communion
with the Holy Spirit. . . . There was a corporate experience where the Holy Spirit is
found through the group-experience of like-minded believers. God had a unique presence in the Group itself both by the fellowship tie of the spirit and by the Holy Spirit’s ability to guide the group itself whose individuals received the spirit of God through their new birth.” [pp. 416-17]
See also the Subject Index, page 727, for about 50 references and groups of references.
In Dick B., Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A.,
www.DickB.com/GoodMorn.shtml:
There will be a constant tendency to drop back from the full faith that God’s
Holy Spirit can guide, and to say that the Bible is enough, or prayer is
enough. [p. 64]
See also Subject Index, page 149, for about 16 references and groups of references.
In Dick B., New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A., 2d ed.,
www.Dickb.com/NewLight.shtml:
Through the leading of the Holy Spirit in the Quiet Time, one has learned
something of the difficult art of soul-surgery. [p. 166]
See also Subject Index, page 611, for about 50 references and groups of references.
In Dick B., The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works, 2d ed., www.DickB.com/Oxford.shtml:
In With the Holy Spirit and With Fire, Shoemaker spoke of what Jesus Christ actually accomplished and made available to mankind by reason of his crucifixion, death, being raised victorious from the dead, and ascending to heaven. The evidence, Shoemaker said, was in Acts 1 and 2. There Jesus promised baptism with the Holy Spirit and receipt of “power from on high.” And this actually occurred on the day of Pentecost when the Apostles were assembled and waiting as Jesus had instructed.
The Christian experience of the Holy Spirit, then, holds more than awesome power and
cleansing judgment. For the grace shown forth in the Cross restores and renews the life of man through the continuing work of the Spirit. . . . as “the Comforter.” . . . “His guidance” . . . the Spirit [that would] “convict the world of sin” . . . being used to bring faith in Christ to another. [pp. 216-17]
www.dickb.com; dickb@dickb.com; 808 874 4876; PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753
Thursday, December 30, 2010
DickB_Maui Twitter for Daily Notices, News on A.A.
DickB_Maui is the new contact for our Twitter. Daily we post notices, short news briefs, and ongoing research on the origins, history, founding, Original Christian Fellowship Program of A.A., its astonishing successes, and the changes which have occurred.
For the full picture, we have:
Twitter: DickB_Maui
Facebook: Richard G. Burns (Dick B.)
Blog: The Real Power Behind Alcoholics Anonymous (Dick B.)
Titles, articles, audios, archives, links at Dick B. main website www.dickb.com.
Articles frequently posted on Goarticles.com, SearchWarp, ArticlesBase, cyberrecoveryforums, Christianrecoveryministries forums, aa sober living forums, Internet Recovery Fellowship forums, and a host of others such as aabibliography, silkworth.net, mentalhealthmatters, anonymousone.com, aa-history.com, www.drbob.info, www.dickb-blog.com, International Christian Recovery Coalition www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com, and more.
For accurate, thoroughly researched, frequently updated materials on the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, A.A. History, History of A.A., and Alcoholics Anonymous History, as well as the role played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in the recovery movement and that can be played today for those who want God's help and seek Him.
God Bless, Dick B. www.dickb.com
DickB_Maui
For the full picture, we have:
Twitter: DickB_Maui
Facebook: Richard G. Burns (Dick B.)
Blog: The Real Power Behind Alcoholics Anonymous (Dick B.)
Titles, articles, audios, archives, links at Dick B. main website www.dickb.com.
Articles frequently posted on Goarticles.com, SearchWarp, ArticlesBase, cyberrecoveryforums, Christianrecoveryministries forums, aa sober living forums, Internet Recovery Fellowship forums, and a host of others such as aabibliography, silkworth.net, mentalhealthmatters, anonymousone.com, aa-history.com, www.drbob.info, www.dickb-blog.com, International Christian Recovery Coalition www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com, and more.
For accurate, thoroughly researched, frequently updated materials on the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, A.A. History, History of A.A., and Alcoholics Anonymous History, as well as the role played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in the recovery movement and that can be played today for those who want God's help and seek Him.
God Bless, Dick B. www.dickb.com
DickB_Maui
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide Begin January 1 2011
The International Christian Recovery Coalition project to launch the establishment of Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide begins formally January 1, 2011.
For details see the International Christian Recovery Coalition website www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com.
Also, on January 1, 2011, Dick B.'s 42nd book - Handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers will be available to those who establish Centers, and later to those who seek their help. It explains the purpose, resources, and importance of such centers
God Bless, Dick B.
Executive Director, International Christian Recovery Coalition
dickb@dickb.com
www.dickb.com
For details see the International Christian Recovery Coalition website www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com.
Also, on January 1, 2011, Dick B.'s 42nd book - Handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers will be available to those who establish Centers, and later to those who seek their help. It explains the purpose, resources, and importance of such centers
God Bless, Dick B.
Executive Director, International Christian Recovery Coalition
dickb@dickb.com
www.dickb.com
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Hallelujah [Courtesy of My son Ken B.]
“Hallelujah”
A Very Important Word!
The word “Hallelujah”—or “Alleluia,” as it appears in the King James Version (“KJV”)—is a very important and revealing word in the Bible. It occurs four times in the KJV—all four times in chapter 19 of the Book of Revelation:
Rev 19:1:
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
Rev 19:3:
And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
Rev 19:4:
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
Rev 19:6:
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
One of the keys to unlocking the important meaning in this word is to recognize that “Hallelujah” is derived from two Hebrew words:
×”ָלַל [Strong's number (H) 1984—pronounced hä•lal'], a Hebrew verb which occurs 165 times in the Hebrew text underlying the KJV. Of those occurrences, it is translated “praise” 114 times. (http://tinyurl.com/37b2358) Here is an example of how this Hebrew word is used:
1 Chron 16:25 (KJV):
“For great is the LORD [Strong's # 3068], and greatly to be praised [Strong's # 1984]: he also is to be feared above all gods.”
×™ָ×”ּ [Strong's number (H) 3050—written “Yah” and pronounced yä], a “Hebrew proper noun [i.e., it is a proper name] with reference to deity,” which occurs 49 times in the Hebrew text underlying the KJV. Of those occurrences, it is represented as “(the) LORD” 48 times and once as “Yah” in Psa 68:4 (http://tinyurl.com/27cveod). “Yah” is an abbreviated, shortened, contracted form of the “Hebrew proper noun with reference to deity,” “Yahweh” [Strong's number (H) 3068—and (H) 3069, which is actually the same Hebrew proper noun with different Hebrew vowel points (http://tinyurl.com/2clv87m).]
Psa 68:4 (Holy Bible, Amended King James Version):
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name YAH, and rejoice before him.
Although these two Hebrew words are not translated or otherwise represented in English in the KJV Old Testament as “Alleluia” or “Hallelujah,”they are actually used together a number of times in the same verse (http://tinyurl.com/2czudcg). The second of those occurrences where the two Hebrew words halal and Yah occur together in the same verse reflects the meaning of the word “Alleluia” or “Hallelujah.”
Psa 104:35 (Holy Bible, Amended King James Version):
Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou Yah [Hebrew actually is “Yahweh”], O my soul. Praise ye Yah.
The form of the Hebrew verb halal used in Psa 104:35 is halalu. The last letter u shows that the verb form is second person plural—which is represented in the KJV as “ye” in this verse. (In Modern English, we have replaced this form with “you,” which means a person can no longer tell in English if we are talking about “you singular” or “you plural.”)
So the meaning of the English word “Hallelujah” is actually:
“Praise ye Yah(weh)” or
“All you people, praise Yah(weh).”
For more information, please see: www.FellowshipWithGOD.com
Ken B.
Email: kcb00799@gmail.com
A Very Important Word!
The word “Hallelujah”—or “Alleluia,” as it appears in the King James Version (“KJV”)—is a very important and revealing word in the Bible. It occurs four times in the KJV—all four times in chapter 19 of the Book of Revelation:
Rev 19:1:
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
Rev 19:3:
And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
Rev 19:4:
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
Rev 19:6:
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
One of the keys to unlocking the important meaning in this word is to recognize that “Hallelujah” is derived from two Hebrew words:
×”ָלַל [Strong's number (H) 1984—pronounced hä•lal'], a Hebrew verb which occurs 165 times in the Hebrew text underlying the KJV. Of those occurrences, it is translated “praise” 114 times. (http://tinyurl.com/37b2358) Here is an example of how this Hebrew word is used:
1 Chron 16:25 (KJV):
“For great is the LORD [Strong's # 3068], and greatly to be praised [Strong's # 1984]: he also is to be feared above all gods.”
×™ָ×”ּ [Strong's number (H) 3050—written “Yah” and pronounced yä], a “Hebrew proper noun [i.e., it is a proper name] with reference to deity,” which occurs 49 times in the Hebrew text underlying the KJV. Of those occurrences, it is represented as “(the) LORD” 48 times and once as “Yah” in Psa 68:4 (http://tinyurl.com/27cveod). “Yah” is an abbreviated, shortened, contracted form of the “Hebrew proper noun with reference to deity,” “Yahweh” [Strong's number (H) 3068—and (H) 3069, which is actually the same Hebrew proper noun with different Hebrew vowel points (http://tinyurl.com/2clv87m).]
Psa 68:4 (Holy Bible, Amended King James Version):
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name YAH, and rejoice before him.
Although these two Hebrew words are not translated or otherwise represented in English in the KJV Old Testament as “Alleluia” or “Hallelujah,”they are actually used together a number of times in the same verse (http://tinyurl.com/2czudcg). The second of those occurrences where the two Hebrew words halal and Yah occur together in the same verse reflects the meaning of the word “Alleluia” or “Hallelujah.”
Psa 104:35 (Holy Bible, Amended King James Version):
Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou Yah [Hebrew actually is “Yahweh”], O my soul. Praise ye Yah.
The form of the Hebrew verb halal used in Psa 104:35 is halalu. The last letter u shows that the verb form is second person plural—which is represented in the KJV as “ye” in this verse. (In Modern English, we have replaced this form with “you,” which means a person can no longer tell in English if we are talking about “you singular” or “you plural.”)
So the meaning of the English word “Hallelujah” is actually:
“Praise ye Yah(weh)” or
“All you people, praise Yah(weh).”
For more information, please see: www.FellowshipWithGOD.com
Ken B.
Email: kcb00799@gmail.com
Monday, December 20, 2010
A.A.'s Dr. Bob, the Bible, and God's Availability to Help
There has been a long lost copy of the interview of Dr. Bob of A.A. in 1939 that was published in the Your Faith Magazine. Recently, to my delight, it surfaced.
The final thought A.A. Cofounder Dr. Bob left with the interviewer was as follows:
"I have found that no one can be permanently happy unless he lives in harmony with the rules set down in the Good Book
"Try it some time! You don't need to wait till you're down and out before you ask for help. There's help waiting for you right now, if you just ask God to help you."
The exciting fact is that by the time Dr. Bob gave this interview, each one of the first three AAs had gotten sober and stayed sober by same means Dr. Bob described. Bill W., Dr. Bob, and A.A. Number Three Bill Dotson were all Christians. They had all studied the Bible. And they had all turned to God for help at their lowest point--and been cured.
The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010; www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml
The final thought A.A. Cofounder Dr. Bob left with the interviewer was as follows:
"I have found that no one can be permanently happy unless he lives in harmony with the rules set down in the Good Book
"Try it some time! You don't need to wait till you're down and out before you ask for help. There's help waiting for you right now, if you just ask God to help you."
The exciting fact is that by the time Dr. Bob gave this interview, each one of the first three AAs had gotten sober and stayed sober by same means Dr. Bob described. Bill W., Dr. Bob, and A.A. Number Three Bill Dotson were all Christians. They had all studied the Bible. And they had all turned to God for help at their lowest point--and been cured.
The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010; www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml
A.A. Origin Events, People, Names to Remember
The Dick B. Handbook
On
The Role Played by God, His Son Jesus Christ in A.A. and Recovery
Helpful Names for You to Remember
Dick B.
© Anonymous. All rights reserved
Varied lenses through which A.A. and Christian Recovery can be viewed
Look at the Real Origins of A.A. and 12-Step ideas
The Seven Christian Organizations and People Preceding A.A.
The Christian Upbringing and Beliefs of A.A.’s Two Cofounders
The Early Entry of Oxford Group Influences
The Conversions of Rowland Hazard, Ebby Thacher, Bill Wilson
How the First Three AAs Got Sober
The Akron Christian Fellowship Founded in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr. Bob
The Six “Word of Mouth” Ideas and The Varied Ways Described
Hunkering down with and learning from Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr.
The Big Book Manuscripts, the Christian Materials, and the Trashing of
Biblical and Christian materials learned from churches and missions
Look at the Periods in which the ideas were framed in A.A. itself
The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous, Russell Firestone, James
Newton, Sam Shoemaker, Frank Buchman.
The Correlative Events in New York involving Rowland Hazard, Ebby
Thacher, Calvary Mission, Sam Shoemaker
The Original Akron A.A. Christian Program, Principles, and Practices
The Success Inventory in 1937-1938 by Bill W., Dr. Bob, Frank Amos
The Money-raising efforts – Rockefeller, Works Publishing, loans
The Drafting of the Big Book
The Battles over Christian content in the manuscripts
The Strange Ending—Compromising to placate atheists and agnostics
Look at the Major Influential Groups and People who set the stage
The Oxford Group Teachers: Rowland Hazard, Shepard Cornell, Ebby
Thacher.
Remote Controllers: The William James and Carl Jung stories
Dr. William D. Silkworth and Rev. Sam Shoemaker, Jr.
The Frank Buchman Part
The Akron Catalysts: Russell Firestone, James Newton, Rev. Walter
Tunks, Rev. Sam Shoemaker, Frank Buchman
The Akron Organizers; Henrietta Seiberling, T. Henry and Clarace
Williams, Dr. Bob, Dr. Bob’s wife Anne Ripley Smith. Bill Dotson
The Rockefeller Group Backers – Chipman, Richardson, Amos,
Rockefeller
Emmet Fox
Sam Shoemaker, Irving Harris, Julia Harris
Remembering others deserving mention, but out of the main loop
Cebra Graves—one of the three who rescued Ebby from incarceration
Victor Kitchen—Oxford Group friend of Shoemaker and Bill W.
John Henry Fitzhugh Mayo—the Christian protagonist
Henry Parkhurst—the book sales protagonist
Jim Burwell—the atheist protagonist
Clarence Snyder—ally of Dr. Bob, founder of Cleveland A.A.
Dorothy Snyder—wife of Clarence, participant in Big Book printing
On
The Role Played by God, His Son Jesus Christ in A.A. and Recovery
Helpful Names for You to Remember
Dick B.
© Anonymous. All rights reserved
Varied lenses through which A.A. and Christian Recovery can be viewed
Look at the Real Origins of A.A. and 12-Step ideas
The Seven Christian Organizations and People Preceding A.A.
The Christian Upbringing and Beliefs of A.A.’s Two Cofounders
The Early Entry of Oxford Group Influences
The Conversions of Rowland Hazard, Ebby Thacher, Bill Wilson
How the First Three AAs Got Sober
The Akron Christian Fellowship Founded in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr. Bob
The Six “Word of Mouth” Ideas and The Varied Ways Described
Hunkering down with and learning from Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr.
The Big Book Manuscripts, the Christian Materials, and the Trashing of
Biblical and Christian materials learned from churches and missions
Look at the Periods in which the ideas were framed in A.A. itself
The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous, Russell Firestone, James
Newton, Sam Shoemaker, Frank Buchman.
The Correlative Events in New York involving Rowland Hazard, Ebby
Thacher, Calvary Mission, Sam Shoemaker
The Original Akron A.A. Christian Program, Principles, and Practices
The Success Inventory in 1937-1938 by Bill W., Dr. Bob, Frank Amos
The Money-raising efforts – Rockefeller, Works Publishing, loans
The Drafting of the Big Book
The Battles over Christian content in the manuscripts
The Strange Ending—Compromising to placate atheists and agnostics
Look at the Major Influential Groups and People who set the stage
The Oxford Group Teachers: Rowland Hazard, Shepard Cornell, Ebby
Thacher.
Remote Controllers: The William James and Carl Jung stories
Dr. William D. Silkworth and Rev. Sam Shoemaker, Jr.
The Frank Buchman Part
The Akron Catalysts: Russell Firestone, James Newton, Rev. Walter
Tunks, Rev. Sam Shoemaker, Frank Buchman
The Akron Organizers; Henrietta Seiberling, T. Henry and Clarace
Williams, Dr. Bob, Dr. Bob’s wife Anne Ripley Smith. Bill Dotson
The Rockefeller Group Backers – Chipman, Richardson, Amos,
Rockefeller
Emmet Fox
Sam Shoemaker, Irving Harris, Julia Harris
Remembering others deserving mention, but out of the main loop
Cebra Graves—one of the three who rescued Ebby from incarceration
Victor Kitchen—Oxford Group friend of Shoemaker and Bill W.
John Henry Fitzhugh Mayo—the Christian protagonist
Henry Parkhurst—the book sales protagonist
Jim Burwell—the atheist protagonist
Clarence Snyder—ally of Dr. Bob, founder of Cleveland A.A.
Dorothy Snyder—wife of Clarence, participant in Big Book printing
Saturday, December 18, 2010
The International Christian Recovery Coalition
International Christian Recovery Coalition
“We Christians in the Recovery Arena Are Not Alone”
www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com
Who We Are
An informal, worldwide fellowship of Christians who care about carrying an accurate, effective, message about the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successes of the early Alcoholics Anonymous “Christian fellowship” founded in Akron in 1935. And who also inform others about the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible can play today among those who want God’s help in overcoming, and reducing the impact of, alcoholism, addictions, and other life-controlling problems—and who are willing to go to any length to believe, seek, receive, and pass along the long-held good news about the power and love of Almighty God. Telling others the words that Peter spoke:
Acts 10:38-39a (KJV):
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
And we are witnesses of all things which he did . . .
Acts 4:9, 10, 12 (KJV):
If we this day be examined of the good deed done unto the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Where We Are
In many parts of the world.
What Does It Cost to Be Listed as a Participant
$0.00. It's free. No charge!
How To Join
Send your name and regular mail address (and affiliation or ministry, if desired) to:
Dick B.
PO Box 837
Kihei, HI 96753-0837
Or call Dick B., the Executive Director of the Coalition at (808) 874-4876
Or send Dick B. an email message at DickB@DickB.com
This Is Your Invitation to Participate!
In His Service,
Richard G. Burns, J.D., CDAAC
Executive Director, International Christian Recovery Coalition
Main Office: Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
U.S. mainland office: Huntington Beach, California
“We Christians in the Recovery Arena Are Not Alone”
www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com
Who We Are
An informal, worldwide fellowship of Christians who care about carrying an accurate, effective, message about the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successes of the early Alcoholics Anonymous “Christian fellowship” founded in Akron in 1935. And who also inform others about the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible can play today among those who want God’s help in overcoming, and reducing the impact of, alcoholism, addictions, and other life-controlling problems—and who are willing to go to any length to believe, seek, receive, and pass along the long-held good news about the power and love of Almighty God. Telling others the words that Peter spoke:
Acts 10:38-39a (KJV):
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
And we are witnesses of all things which he did . . .
Acts 4:9, 10, 12 (KJV):
If we this day be examined of the good deed done unto the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Where We Are
In many parts of the world.
What Does It Cost to Be Listed as a Participant
$0.00. It's free. No charge!
How To Join
Send your name and regular mail address (and affiliation or ministry, if desired) to:
Dick B.
PO Box 837
Kihei, HI 96753-0837
Or call Dick B., the Executive Director of the Coalition at (808) 874-4876
Or send Dick B. an email message at DickB@DickB.com
This Is Your Invitation to Participate!
In His Service,
Richard G. Burns, J.D., CDAAC
Executive Director, International Christian Recovery Coalition
Main Office: Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
U.S. mainland office: Huntington Beach, California
A.A. History Shortie: Oxford Group, AA, Four Absolutes
Once again, I remind the reader that I've written extensively on every aspect of the Oxford Group and its relationship with Alcoholics Anonymous. See www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml - "The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works."
I've also published many articles on the Oxford Group Four Absolutes. These were highly favored in early Akron and Cleveland A.A. and by A.A. Co-founder Dr. Bob.
Nonetheless, people have had a field day trying to describe the sources and meaning of the Four Absolutes. Some have claimed they came from Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. But they didn't. Some have written pamphlets on what they thought the Four Absolutes should mean. And a few recognized that they came from the teachings of Robert Speer in his book "The Principles of Jesus." Which they did. Some have added Bible verses and private interpretations which shed little light on the origin and purpose of these "moral standards" as they were called by the Oxford Groupers and by Dr. Bob's wife Anne in her journal www.dickb.com/annesm.shtml.
What I found recently on re-reading the highly popular Oxford Group book published just before early A.A. was founded in 1935 is very very helpful.
A.J. Russell published "For Sinners Only" (NY: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1932). He did a great job of describing the Oxford Group principles and practices as they were understood by the Oxford Group activists and writers of the 1930's, by Rev. Samuel Moor Shoemaker, Jr.--who wrote about them also, and by the many AAs who gobbled up the pages of Russell's "For Sinners Only."
And the pioneer AAs were able to read a thorough exposition of what Absolute Honesty, Absolute Purity, Absolute Love, and Absolute Unselfishnes seemed to mean to the people who popularized these four "moral standards" which Dr. Bob called the "yardsticks" for moral behavior in early A.A.
Russell's Chapter Twenty-Two ("What Sin Is") has been discussed in my previous article on "self" and A.A. But now I point to the extended explanation by Russell of each of the Four Absolutes.
Beginning on page 269, Russell says: "Christianity has a moral backbone. And let us take for convenience four of the simple moral standards that we see in Christ's own life--honesty, purity, unselfishness and love. Those standards are absolute. No one has ever yet proved He compromised on any one of those four. Let us take them one by one and see how we measure up to His standard."
Note that they were regarded as "yardsticks," "standards on which Christ did not compromise," and a "moral test" (as Dr. Bob's wife put it) that was originally used as the basis for what became Step Four--a moral inventory.
To get the picture as Russell, the Oxford Group, and AAs were seeing it in the 1930's, I'd suggest you download the Russell book and look here:
Honesty - Pages 269-271
Purity - Page 271
Love - Pages 272-273
Unselfishness - Pages 273-277
Bill Wilson waffled in his embrace of the Four Absolutes. He made fun of them. He said they demanded too much of drunks. He even inserted a "spiritual progress, but not spiritual perfection" loophole. He later said he had incorporated the ideas in Steps Six and Seven. And he demonstrated, beyond a doubt, that he really didn't understand them, like them, or even adhere to them in his own shenanigans in sobriety.
As readers know, I emphasize the Bible roots of early A.A. (www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml). So, quite clearly, did Dr. Bob. I point out that the real Oxford Group approach is to be found in the compromised program established by Wilson in his 1939 Big Book (www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml; and www.dickb.com/newlight.shtml).
Regrettably, most AAs today don't have before them the Bible verses that Robert Speer quoted to establish what he believed were the uncompromising "principles" of Jesus. Nor do they have before them the topical Oxford Group writings of authors like A.J. Russell. But if they want a real view of how those "standards," "yardsticks," "tests," and "lists" were viewed at the time they became popular in A.A., Russell's book is the place to look.
www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml; dickb@dickb.com
Gloria Deo
I've also published many articles on the Oxford Group Four Absolutes. These were highly favored in early Akron and Cleveland A.A. and by A.A. Co-founder Dr. Bob.
Nonetheless, people have had a field day trying to describe the sources and meaning of the Four Absolutes. Some have claimed they came from Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. But they didn't. Some have written pamphlets on what they thought the Four Absolutes should mean. And a few recognized that they came from the teachings of Robert Speer in his book "The Principles of Jesus." Which they did. Some have added Bible verses and private interpretations which shed little light on the origin and purpose of these "moral standards" as they were called by the Oxford Groupers and by Dr. Bob's wife Anne in her journal www.dickb.com/annesm.shtml.
What I found recently on re-reading the highly popular Oxford Group book published just before early A.A. was founded in 1935 is very very helpful.
A.J. Russell published "For Sinners Only" (NY: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1932). He did a great job of describing the Oxford Group principles and practices as they were understood by the Oxford Group activists and writers of the 1930's, by Rev. Samuel Moor Shoemaker, Jr.--who wrote about them also, and by the many AAs who gobbled up the pages of Russell's "For Sinners Only."
And the pioneer AAs were able to read a thorough exposition of what Absolute Honesty, Absolute Purity, Absolute Love, and Absolute Unselfishnes seemed to mean to the people who popularized these four "moral standards" which Dr. Bob called the "yardsticks" for moral behavior in early A.A.
Russell's Chapter Twenty-Two ("What Sin Is") has been discussed in my previous article on "self" and A.A. But now I point to the extended explanation by Russell of each of the Four Absolutes.
Beginning on page 269, Russell says: "Christianity has a moral backbone. And let us take for convenience four of the simple moral standards that we see in Christ's own life--honesty, purity, unselfishness and love. Those standards are absolute. No one has ever yet proved He compromised on any one of those four. Let us take them one by one and see how we measure up to His standard."
Note that they were regarded as "yardsticks," "standards on which Christ did not compromise," and a "moral test" (as Dr. Bob's wife put it) that was originally used as the basis for what became Step Four--a moral inventory.
To get the picture as Russell, the Oxford Group, and AAs were seeing it in the 1930's, I'd suggest you download the Russell book and look here:
Honesty - Pages 269-271
Purity - Page 271
Love - Pages 272-273
Unselfishness - Pages 273-277
Bill Wilson waffled in his embrace of the Four Absolutes. He made fun of them. He said they demanded too much of drunks. He even inserted a "spiritual progress, but not spiritual perfection" loophole. He later said he had incorporated the ideas in Steps Six and Seven. And he demonstrated, beyond a doubt, that he really didn't understand them, like them, or even adhere to them in his own shenanigans in sobriety.
As readers know, I emphasize the Bible roots of early A.A. (www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml). So, quite clearly, did Dr. Bob. I point out that the real Oxford Group approach is to be found in the compromised program established by Wilson in his 1939 Big Book (www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml; and www.dickb.com/newlight.shtml).
Regrettably, most AAs today don't have before them the Bible verses that Robert Speer quoted to establish what he believed were the uncompromising "principles" of Jesus. Nor do they have before them the topical Oxford Group writings of authors like A.J. Russell. But if they want a real view of how those "standards," "yardsticks," "tests," and "lists" were viewed at the time they became popular in A.A., Russell's book is the place to look.
www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml; dickb@dickb.com
Gloria Deo
AA History Shortie: The Oxford Group and A.A.
For the most authoritative study of the Oxford Group and its relationship to Alcoholics Anonymous, I recommend "The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works" 2d ed. (www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml).
As many know, I take the position that the Bible was the main source for early A.A ideas and program. It dominated the origins, history, founding, original program, and successes of the Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in 1935 (www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml).
On the other hand, when you shift to the major source for Bill Wilson's new program--embodied in the Big Book, codified in his 12 Steps, and published in 1939, the focus must be on the Oxford Group and the teachings of Bill Wilson by an American Oxford Group leader, Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr.
In fact, Rev. Shoemaker thought so highly of the following book that he sent a copy of it to every Episcopal Bishop in the United States. And, if you will take the time to read it, you will see from the contents the relationship between the later--the Big Book--A.A. and the Oxford Group. Here's the book, and it was owned by Dr. Bob, mentioned in A.A. Conference-approved literature, and very very popular in Alcoholics Anonymous:
The book is A.J. Russell, "For Sinners Only" (NY: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1932).
In Chapter Twenty-Two, Russell's subject was "What Sin Is" (p. 267).
Russell discusses the "Four Absolutes" which we will cover in our next article. He discusses "sin" with the famous phrases which even Lois Wilson included in her notes I found at Stepping Stones when I researched there. The phrases are: "Sin does four things to us. First of all, it blinds. . . . Secondly, sin binds. . . . Thirdly, sin multiplies. . . . Fourthly, sin deadens and deafens" (p. 268).
Then, in discussing the Four Absolutes, Russell uses a barrel of language that wound up on the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book. He includes the following language in his discussion of "Unselfishness" (page 273):
"Self--Let us make a list of the different forms in which self operates in our lives. . . self-interest. . . self-seeking. . . self-indulgence. . . self-centeredness. . . self-will. . . self-sufficiency. . . Christ-centered and Christ-controlled life" (pp. 273-276).
As you read, you will be reminded of Bill's remarks about "Selfishness, self-centeredness. That, we think is the root of our troubles." And he goes on to use words like those Russell used above.
www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml; dickb@dickb.com
As many know, I take the position that the Bible was the main source for early A.A ideas and program. It dominated the origins, history, founding, original program, and successes of the Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in 1935 (www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml).
On the other hand, when you shift to the major source for Bill Wilson's new program--embodied in the Big Book, codified in his 12 Steps, and published in 1939, the focus must be on the Oxford Group and the teachings of Bill Wilson by an American Oxford Group leader, Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr.
In fact, Rev. Shoemaker thought so highly of the following book that he sent a copy of it to every Episcopal Bishop in the United States. And, if you will take the time to read it, you will see from the contents the relationship between the later--the Big Book--A.A. and the Oxford Group. Here's the book, and it was owned by Dr. Bob, mentioned in A.A. Conference-approved literature, and very very popular in Alcoholics Anonymous:
The book is A.J. Russell, "For Sinners Only" (NY: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1932).
In Chapter Twenty-Two, Russell's subject was "What Sin Is" (p. 267).
Russell discusses the "Four Absolutes" which we will cover in our next article. He discusses "sin" with the famous phrases which even Lois Wilson included in her notes I found at Stepping Stones when I researched there. The phrases are: "Sin does four things to us. First of all, it blinds. . . . Secondly, sin binds. . . . Thirdly, sin multiplies. . . . Fourthly, sin deadens and deafens" (p. 268).
Then, in discussing the Four Absolutes, Russell uses a barrel of language that wound up on the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book. He includes the following language in his discussion of "Unselfishness" (page 273):
"Self--Let us make a list of the different forms in which self operates in our lives. . . self-interest. . . self-seeking. . . self-indulgence. . . self-centeredness. . . self-will. . . self-sufficiency. . . Christ-centered and Christ-controlled life" (pp. 273-276).
As you read, you will be reminded of Bill's remarks about "Selfishness, self-centeredness. That, we think is the root of our troubles." And he goes on to use words like those Russell used above.
www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml; dickb@dickb.com
Friday, December 17, 2010
A.A. and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James
For the holidays and to start 2011 in your reading, here are two winners for Christians who are members of 12 Step Fellowships. Most would like to know the real Christian roots of the early A.A. program founded in June of 1935.
The most immediate sources of those roots were spelled out by A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob when he stated that the oldtimers felt the answers to their problems could be found in the Good Book--the Bible.
Then Dr. Bob went on to say that the parts of the Bible which A.A. oldtimers considered "absolutely essential" were
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, Chapters 5, 6, and 7)
1 Corinthians 13
The entire Book of James
You can do no better in starting your A.A. and 12 Step year than to pick up a Bible and actually read these three parts of the Bible.
Next, if you want to see a line-by-line, verse-by-verse study of A.A.'s Big Book and the Bible to see the real biblical influence, you can do no better than to study these books by Dick B.:
"The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible" www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml
"The James Club and the Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials" www.dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml.
Good reading, and have a wonderful New Year in 2011. Dick B. dickb@dickb.com
The most immediate sources of those roots were spelled out by A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob when he stated that the oldtimers felt the answers to their problems could be found in the Good Book--the Bible.
Then Dr. Bob went on to say that the parts of the Bible which A.A. oldtimers considered "absolutely essential" were
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, Chapters 5, 6, and 7)
1 Corinthians 13
The entire Book of James
You can do no better in starting your A.A. and 12 Step year than to pick up a Bible and actually read these three parts of the Bible.
Next, if you want to see a line-by-line, verse-by-verse study of A.A.'s Big Book and the Bible to see the real biblical influence, you can do no better than to study these books by Dick B.:
"The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible" www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml
"The James Club and the Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials" www.dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml.
Good reading, and have a wonderful New Year in 2011. Dick B. dickb@dickb.com
Thursday, December 16, 2010
A.A. and Christian Recovery Resources
A.A. and Christian Recovery Resources
100 Years of Stories about Drunkards, Conversions, and Jesus Christ
Dick B.
© 2010. Anonymous. All rights reserved
An Account of Exciting Quest over the Past Two Years
My son Ken and I have just finished a draft of the First Edition of our new title, The Dick B. Handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide.
This new work grew out of several major undertakings in the last two years. The first was convening The First Nationwide Conference of Christian Recovery Leaders at Mariner’s Church in Irvine, California. There, men and women from all over the United States and Canada gathered to share their concerns about how to deal with the seeming opposition among some in the anonymous and Twelve Step fellowships to God, His Son Jesus Christ, the Bible, Church, and religion—as well as to those who expressed themselves on such subjects.
As a result, we met, and there was interchange and enthusiasm among, all kinds of folks in the Christian recovery arena.
The next phase was to gather and publish as much material as we could to help inform and arm these leaders and the public with information about the real Christian origins and history and program of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in 1935 at Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron, Ohio.
The result, after many meetings and conferences, was the publication of two resources: (1) “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery”—a class with four DVD’s and a Class Instructor’s Guide and Class Guide for Students—www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml. This visual presentation is now in wide use. (2) The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010—www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml. This resource is not only in wide use. It accompanies the Class, and it has been distributed at many of the conferences that followed its publication.
The final phase involved a series of 17 individual meetings, seminars, and conferences around the State of California and the Island of Oahu in Hawaii. And these showed the dramatic interest that has arisen in restoring Christian recovery, its history, variety of resources, and successes to the 12-Step, church, and recovery arena for those who really want God’s help.
With that, we began work on the idea of Christian Recovery Resource Centers—all over the world. And the first step was to roll up our sleeves and study. We studied the need. We studied the existing facilities, approaches, and programs. We studied the gaps in information. We studied the potential demand for more. And we began reviewing the resources that Christian leaders and workers in recovery could and should be making available, in their own work and in company with others carrying on the same type or even different and supplemental types of Christian recovery elements.
The facts, results, and conclusions will shortly be published in the forthcoming The Dick B. Handbook for Christian Resource Recovery Centers Worldwide.
A Brief Story of the Exciting Conversion Resources We Found
A.A. Cofounders Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith both were born and raised in a Vermont atmosphere of Christian conversions. The conversions existed in the work of evangelists like Dwight Moody, F. B. Meyer, and Billy Sunday. They existed in the huge revival meetings convened by YMCA lay workers. They were a dramatic part of St. Johnsbury history because of The Great Awakening of 1875. They were present in the Gospel rescue missions. They were present in the Salvation Army. They were present in the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor in which Dr. Bob was active. To a degree, they were much discussed and applied in the later Oxford Group and Rev. Samuel Shoemaker teachings and practices that impacted directly on A.A. itself. And they were part of the family, church, Sunday school, and Academy teachings in which Bill and Bob were both involved. See Dick B., Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous www.dickb.com/drbobofaa.shtml; and The Conversion of Bill W. www.dickb.com/conversion.shtml.
But personal conversion to God through Jesus Christ was also very much a part of the dramatic events in Bill Wilson’s life when he made a decision for Jesus Christ at the altar at Calvary Mission, and when he decided to seek the help of the Great Physician as he made his way to Towns Hospital and had his “white light” experience in the hospital room and never drank again.
This element of Christian recovery became a “must” in the early A.A. program in Akron. And it became a common element in the testimony of the early AAs who went through the “real surrender” process at the Akron City Hospital, the home of T. Henry and Clarace Williams, and/or Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron.
But in preparing our Handbook, we decided to review for ourselves the testimonies—not the commentaries of psychologists—as to the thousands delivered from alcoholism by deciding to make Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior and, in some cases, having the same type of “white light” experiences that Bill Wilson and his grandfather before him reported having when they were cured of alcoholism.
The Bibliography that Can Whip Up Your Enthusiasm
We studied the following books which are listed, cited, and/or discussed in our new Handbook:
Jeremiah (“Jerry”) McAuley, Transformed; Or, The History of a River Thief, Briefly Told (Published by Himself, 1876).
Samuel Hopkins Hadley, Down In Water Street: A Story of Sixteen Years Life and Work in Water Street Mission: A Sequel to the Life of Jerry McAuley, Memorial ed. (NY: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1903).
J. Wilbur Chapman, S. H. Hadley of Water Street: A Miracle of Grace (NY: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1906).
William T. Ellis, Billy Sunday: The Man and His Message (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1959)
Irving Harris, He Touched Me: Conversion Stories of Norman Vincent Peale, Bruce Larson, Ernest Gordon, Bill Wilson, & Others (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1985)
Gordon Lindsay in Collaboration with William Branham, William Branham: A Man Sent from God (Jeffersonville, IN: William Branham Evangelistic Association, 1950).
F.F. Bosworth, Christ the Healer (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 1973)
Smith Wigglesworth, Smith Wigglesworth on Healing (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1999).
C.S. Lovett, Jesus Wants You Well (Baldwin Park, CA: Personal Christianity,
E. W. Kenyon, Jesus the Healer: Multitudes Have Been Healed While Reading This Book (Lynnwood, WA: Kenyon’s Gospel Publishing Society, 2000)
Roberts Liardon, Compiler, John G. Lake: The Complete Collection of His Life Teachings (Tulsa, OK: Albury Publishing, 1999)
T. L. Osborn, Believers in Action (Tulsa, OK: Osborn Publishers, 2000); T. L Osborn and Daisy Osborn, When Jesus Visited Our Home (Tulsa OK: Osborn Foundation, 1980); T. L. Osborn, Healing The Sick: A Living Classic (Tulsa, OK: Harrison House, Inc., 1992)
Frank Costantino, Holes In Time: Autobiography of a Gangster (Dallas, TX: Acclaimed Books, 1979)
Pastor Michael T., From the Pit. . . to the Pulpit: A Life Transformed by Grace (Palermo, CA: Jordan Crossing Ministries, n.d.).
dickb@dickb.com; www.dickb.com; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com; 808 874 4876
Gloria Deo
100 Years of Stories about Drunkards, Conversions, and Jesus Christ
Dick B.
© 2010. Anonymous. All rights reserved
An Account of Exciting Quest over the Past Two Years
My son Ken and I have just finished a draft of the First Edition of our new title, The Dick B. Handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide.
This new work grew out of several major undertakings in the last two years. The first was convening The First Nationwide Conference of Christian Recovery Leaders at Mariner’s Church in Irvine, California. There, men and women from all over the United States and Canada gathered to share their concerns about how to deal with the seeming opposition among some in the anonymous and Twelve Step fellowships to God, His Son Jesus Christ, the Bible, Church, and religion—as well as to those who expressed themselves on such subjects.
As a result, we met, and there was interchange and enthusiasm among, all kinds of folks in the Christian recovery arena.
The next phase was to gather and publish as much material as we could to help inform and arm these leaders and the public with information about the real Christian origins and history and program of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in 1935 at Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron, Ohio.
The result, after many meetings and conferences, was the publication of two resources: (1) “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery”—a class with four DVD’s and a Class Instructor’s Guide and Class Guide for Students—www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml. This visual presentation is now in wide use. (2) The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010—www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml. This resource is not only in wide use. It accompanies the Class, and it has been distributed at many of the conferences that followed its publication.
The final phase involved a series of 17 individual meetings, seminars, and conferences around the State of California and the Island of Oahu in Hawaii. And these showed the dramatic interest that has arisen in restoring Christian recovery, its history, variety of resources, and successes to the 12-Step, church, and recovery arena for those who really want God’s help.
With that, we began work on the idea of Christian Recovery Resource Centers—all over the world. And the first step was to roll up our sleeves and study. We studied the need. We studied the existing facilities, approaches, and programs. We studied the gaps in information. We studied the potential demand for more. And we began reviewing the resources that Christian leaders and workers in recovery could and should be making available, in their own work and in company with others carrying on the same type or even different and supplemental types of Christian recovery elements.
The facts, results, and conclusions will shortly be published in the forthcoming The Dick B. Handbook for Christian Resource Recovery Centers Worldwide.
A Brief Story of the Exciting Conversion Resources We Found
A.A. Cofounders Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith both were born and raised in a Vermont atmosphere of Christian conversions. The conversions existed in the work of evangelists like Dwight Moody, F. B. Meyer, and Billy Sunday. They existed in the huge revival meetings convened by YMCA lay workers. They were a dramatic part of St. Johnsbury history because of The Great Awakening of 1875. They were present in the Gospel rescue missions. They were present in the Salvation Army. They were present in the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor in which Dr. Bob was active. To a degree, they were much discussed and applied in the later Oxford Group and Rev. Samuel Shoemaker teachings and practices that impacted directly on A.A. itself. And they were part of the family, church, Sunday school, and Academy teachings in which Bill and Bob were both involved. See Dick B., Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous www.dickb.com/drbobofaa.shtml; and The Conversion of Bill W. www.dickb.com/conversion.shtml.
But personal conversion to God through Jesus Christ was also very much a part of the dramatic events in Bill Wilson’s life when he made a decision for Jesus Christ at the altar at Calvary Mission, and when he decided to seek the help of the Great Physician as he made his way to Towns Hospital and had his “white light” experience in the hospital room and never drank again.
This element of Christian recovery became a “must” in the early A.A. program in Akron. And it became a common element in the testimony of the early AAs who went through the “real surrender” process at the Akron City Hospital, the home of T. Henry and Clarace Williams, and/or Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron.
But in preparing our Handbook, we decided to review for ourselves the testimonies—not the commentaries of psychologists—as to the thousands delivered from alcoholism by deciding to make Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior and, in some cases, having the same type of “white light” experiences that Bill Wilson and his grandfather before him reported having when they were cured of alcoholism.
The Bibliography that Can Whip Up Your Enthusiasm
We studied the following books which are listed, cited, and/or discussed in our new Handbook:
Jeremiah (“Jerry”) McAuley, Transformed; Or, The History of a River Thief, Briefly Told (Published by Himself, 1876).
Samuel Hopkins Hadley, Down In Water Street: A Story of Sixteen Years Life and Work in Water Street Mission: A Sequel to the Life of Jerry McAuley, Memorial ed. (NY: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1903).
J. Wilbur Chapman, S. H. Hadley of Water Street: A Miracle of Grace (NY: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1906).
William T. Ellis, Billy Sunday: The Man and His Message (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1959)
Irving Harris, He Touched Me: Conversion Stories of Norman Vincent Peale, Bruce Larson, Ernest Gordon, Bill Wilson, & Others (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1985)
Gordon Lindsay in Collaboration with William Branham, William Branham: A Man Sent from God (Jeffersonville, IN: William Branham Evangelistic Association, 1950).
F.F. Bosworth, Christ the Healer (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 1973)
Smith Wigglesworth, Smith Wigglesworth on Healing (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1999).
C.S. Lovett, Jesus Wants You Well (Baldwin Park, CA: Personal Christianity,
E. W. Kenyon, Jesus the Healer: Multitudes Have Been Healed While Reading This Book (Lynnwood, WA: Kenyon’s Gospel Publishing Society, 2000)
Roberts Liardon, Compiler, John G. Lake: The Complete Collection of His Life Teachings (Tulsa, OK: Albury Publishing, 1999)
T. L. Osborn, Believers in Action (Tulsa, OK: Osborn Publishers, 2000); T. L Osborn and Daisy Osborn, When Jesus Visited Our Home (Tulsa OK: Osborn Foundation, 1980); T. L. Osborn, Healing The Sick: A Living Classic (Tulsa, OK: Harrison House, Inc., 1992)
Frank Costantino, Holes In Time: Autobiography of a Gangster (Dallas, TX: Acclaimed Books, 1979)
Pastor Michael T., From the Pit. . . to the Pulpit: A Life Transformed by Grace (Palermo, CA: Jordan Crossing Ministries, n.d.).
dickb@dickb.com; www.dickb.com; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com; 808 874 4876
Gloria Deo
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
International Christian Recovery Coalition Website and Resource Center Project Updated
The new plan to launch Christian Recovery Resource Centers worldwide is now the major project of the International Christian Recovery Coalition. Details posted at:(www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com).
The new plan and launch of the Christian Recovery Resource Centers is sponsored by the International Christian Recovery Coalition. Its website can be accessed through the URL: www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com. It can also be accessed through the Dick B. A.A. History main website navigation bar www.dickb.com.
Here's what has been happening:
1. First, the need, idea, and solution emerged from our two years of travel throughout California and Oahu (over 25 meetings and conferences) seeing exactly what Christian Recovery Resources we could find and study. We found them in churches, Christian Recovery fellowships, Christian counseling work, Christian treatment centers, sober living facilities, bridge groups, study groups, James Clubs, even in A.A. groups and meetings. And we found them to be effective, attractive, enthusiastic, and definitely growing as to demand and as to appeal and as to membership and attendance. We also found them to be "Bible Friendly, Prayer Friendly, History Friendly, and A.A. Friendly"--a welcome situation amidst the growing idolatry emphasis among many recovery workers and fellowships today.
2. Second, as we prepared and circulated two items, we learned and published much more. The carefully researched and presented findings are:
(a) "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml. This class presents four DVD's and an Instructor and Student Guide that show the real origins and development of the Christian Recovery Movement and A.A.
(b) "The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide," 3rd ed., 2010 www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml. This frequently revised and updated volume contains a very thorough study, with footnotes and bibliography, of the origins, history, founding, original program, successes, and changes in the Christian Recovery Movement that led up to and developed from Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935. It is detailed. It is authoritative. It is now widely available. And it is now in widespread use among Christians and others in recovery.
3. Third, at the recent 2010 Annual Christian Addiction Professionals Conferencer November 19th to 21st at Palm Springs, California, staged by the Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors Institute, I was a major speaker on the topic of establishing Christian Recovery Resource Centers--particularly those which included and enhanced the role of licensed Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors. The idea of establishing Christian Recovery Resource Centers met with wide interest and approval among the large number of people attending.
4. Fourth, we returned to forumulate and launch the plan--primarily by sending out newsletters that covered the following:
(a) Five surveys which asked Christians and others in recovery what they were doing now; how they would respond to setting up a center; what counselors and chaplains would do; what their position was on important Bible concepts; and if they would support such centers.
(b) Then we formulated and published several different articles that covered what a Christian Recovery Resource Center is; What it can and should do; Who can serve--individual and entity--in this way; How to establish a center; Whether they would incorporate important biblical ideas and practices; and Whether they would include all of the services needed for newcomers--whether by way of assessment and referral, providing resource information, or actually engaging in counseling, treatment, fellowships, and so on.
(c) Now we are preparing "The Dick B. Handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide." It will incorporate all that is needed for an individual, a program, a center, or an agency to establish, maintain, and implement such a center.
(d) Accordingly, we have revised and updated the International Christian Recovery Coalition website www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com so that it gives a picture of what is involved, what can be accomplished, and who and how to do it.
(e) Newsletters, announcements on facebook, twitter, and our blog, as well as articles posted on websites, will continue to fill in the details--reporting the names and programs of those who jump on board.
5. How can you participate:
(a) Join the no cost International Christian Recovery Coalition by providing Dick B. (its Executive Director) with your name, ministry or outreach, city, and state; and you will be listed on the website as a participant.
(b) Provide us at no cost with some information about yourself: Name, contact person, address, Logo, literature, newsletters, email, URL, facebook, twitter, blogs, and statement of purpose and detailed material on what you do.
(c) Tell us exactly what Christian recovery resources you now provide; those you outsource; and those to which you need access and information.
(d) Agree to be a resource information provider to your own clients or patients or fellowship members, and the community at large as to how to proceed with a full and effective Christian recovery program--from initial assessment to life-long follow through.
(e) Agree to network with other Centers worldwide so that this information and these resources are widely available to Christians in recovery and others wanting God's help.
(f) Make a one-time donation of $500.00 to Dick B. to cover our expenses of establishing the resources, issuing information, publishing our class and books, and working with you.
(g) In exchange for the donation of $500.00, we will send you the class and guidebooks (www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml); The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide (www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml); the handbook in attachment form when it has been completed; and (if you add $20.00 for media mail cost) a box of Dick B. books for your library.
Any and all inquiries and payments can be made by mail, by phone, by email, by credit card, and by paypal. And here is what we need:
1. Your name, ministry or outreach, and mail address
2. A phone call to Ken B. at 808 276 4945 in which you provide the foregoing name and address, your credit card # and expiration date; or utilize paypal donation on www.dickb.com; or send a check to Dick B., PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837.
3. For further information from Dick B., send email to dickb@dickb.com; or phone 808 874 4876; or mail to Dick B. PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837.
The new plan and launch of the Christian Recovery Resource Centers is sponsored by the International Christian Recovery Coalition. Its website can be accessed through the URL: www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com. It can also be accessed through the Dick B. A.A. History main website navigation bar www.dickb.com.
Here's what has been happening:
1. First, the need, idea, and solution emerged from our two years of travel throughout California and Oahu (over 25 meetings and conferences) seeing exactly what Christian Recovery Resources we could find and study. We found them in churches, Christian Recovery fellowships, Christian counseling work, Christian treatment centers, sober living facilities, bridge groups, study groups, James Clubs, even in A.A. groups and meetings. And we found them to be effective, attractive, enthusiastic, and definitely growing as to demand and as to appeal and as to membership and attendance. We also found them to be "Bible Friendly, Prayer Friendly, History Friendly, and A.A. Friendly"--a welcome situation amidst the growing idolatry emphasis among many recovery workers and fellowships today.
2. Second, as we prepared and circulated two items, we learned and published much more. The carefully researched and presented findings are:
(a) "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml. This class presents four DVD's and an Instructor and Student Guide that show the real origins and development of the Christian Recovery Movement and A.A.
(b) "The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide," 3rd ed., 2010 www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml. This frequently revised and updated volume contains a very thorough study, with footnotes and bibliography, of the origins, history, founding, original program, successes, and changes in the Christian Recovery Movement that led up to and developed from Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935. It is detailed. It is authoritative. It is now widely available. And it is now in widespread use among Christians and others in recovery.
3. Third, at the recent 2010 Annual Christian Addiction Professionals Conferencer November 19th to 21st at Palm Springs, California, staged by the Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors Institute, I was a major speaker on the topic of establishing Christian Recovery Resource Centers--particularly those which included and enhanced the role of licensed Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors. The idea of establishing Christian Recovery Resource Centers met with wide interest and approval among the large number of people attending.
4. Fourth, we returned to forumulate and launch the plan--primarily by sending out newsletters that covered the following:
(a) Five surveys which asked Christians and others in recovery what they were doing now; how they would respond to setting up a center; what counselors and chaplains would do; what their position was on important Bible concepts; and if they would support such centers.
(b) Then we formulated and published several different articles that covered what a Christian Recovery Resource Center is; What it can and should do; Who can serve--individual and entity--in this way; How to establish a center; Whether they would incorporate important biblical ideas and practices; and Whether they would include all of the services needed for newcomers--whether by way of assessment and referral, providing resource information, or actually engaging in counseling, treatment, fellowships, and so on.
(c) Now we are preparing "The Dick B. Handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide." It will incorporate all that is needed for an individual, a program, a center, or an agency to establish, maintain, and implement such a center.
(d) Accordingly, we have revised and updated the International Christian Recovery Coalition website www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com so that it gives a picture of what is involved, what can be accomplished, and who and how to do it.
(e) Newsletters, announcements on facebook, twitter, and our blog, as well as articles posted on websites, will continue to fill in the details--reporting the names and programs of those who jump on board.
5. How can you participate:
(a) Join the no cost International Christian Recovery Coalition by providing Dick B. (its Executive Director) with your name, ministry or outreach, city, and state; and you will be listed on the website as a participant.
(b) Provide us at no cost with some information about yourself: Name, contact person, address, Logo, literature, newsletters, email, URL, facebook, twitter, blogs, and statement of purpose and detailed material on what you do.
(c) Tell us exactly what Christian recovery resources you now provide; those you outsource; and those to which you need access and information.
(d) Agree to be a resource information provider to your own clients or patients or fellowship members, and the community at large as to how to proceed with a full and effective Christian recovery program--from initial assessment to life-long follow through.
(e) Agree to network with other Centers worldwide so that this information and these resources are widely available to Christians in recovery and others wanting God's help.
(f) Make a one-time donation of $500.00 to Dick B. to cover our expenses of establishing the resources, issuing information, publishing our class and books, and working with you.
(g) In exchange for the donation of $500.00, we will send you the class and guidebooks (www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml); The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide (www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml); the handbook in attachment form when it has been completed; and (if you add $20.00 for media mail cost) a box of Dick B. books for your library.
Any and all inquiries and payments can be made by mail, by phone, by email, by credit card, and by paypal. And here is what we need:
1. Your name, ministry or outreach, and mail address
2. A phone call to Ken B. at 808 276 4945 in which you provide the foregoing name and address, your credit card # and expiration date; or utilize paypal donation on www.dickb.com; or send a check to Dick B., PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837.
3. For further information from Dick B., send email to dickb@dickb.com; or phone 808 874 4876; or mail to Dick B. PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837.
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