Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Last leg of Dick B. Recovery Meetings in California
For almost three weeks now, my son Ken and I have been traveling, meeting, speaking, and holding conferences with recovery folks in California.
The audience reception has been heart-warming.
Here is a brief report of our work so far:
1. Spoke at The James Club Fellowships of Southern California in Covina and reviewed the Christian origins of Alcoholics Anonymous.
2. Met with benefactor Charles P. Mau in Newport Beach shortly prior to his recent death.
3. Met with Pastor Mike Belzman, President of Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors Institute to discuss forthcoming conference in Palm Springs and discuss growth potential of the organization itself.
4. Met with Larry Webb and his wife. Larry is the organizer of the first Big Book/Good Book Study Group and had many suggestions on how to facilitate and
simplify our presentations of the recovery movement Christian potential today.
5. Met with Jerry McDonald of Betty Ford Center to review and plan our talk at the Awareness Program at Betty Ford next February
6. Spoke at a very large meeting of Lifelines at The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa. The topic was the Origins and History of the Christian Recovery Movement.
7. On to Escondido where we spoke to a Big Book/Bible oriented recovery group.
8. Next night in Carlsbad, spoke to an A.A. group on the topic "Stick with the Winners"--particularly as A.A. sprang from the work of Dr. Bob, Prince of All Twelfth Steppers, and the 5000 he helped without pay in Akron; and the tremendous growth and new program introduced in Cleveland by Clarence Snyder and the 93% success rate, growth from one group to 30 in a year, and Clarence's bringing from Akron the Bible and the Four Absolutes and incorporating the newly published Big Book and Twelve Steps.
9. Two days later, spoke to a very large A.A. meeting in Carlsbad, emphasizing the applicability of "old school" A.A. to the A.A. program and its abc's today.
10. Back to Huntington Beach and His Place Church where David Roman's Roman Cucina Restaurants provided the food, noted combo of David Paulsen provided the music, Roger M. presided, and we spoke of the early A.A. program.
11. Highly successful meeting with City Team leaders in San Jose where a new way of
training the leaders was used. We would speak for 35 minutes, the leaders would discuss that segment, they would report to the group, and we would proceed to the next topic. The audience participation and apprehension was absolutely great. And this procedure planned by training leader Wade Hess will be used widely by us hereafter where appropriate.
12. Successful meeting at the Turning Point Fellowship in Livermore where emphasis was placed on our new "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" Class, our The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., and the need for a Stick with the Winners guide to taking the steps and incorporating our history and Bible roots in the process.
13. Next nite, an excellent meeting on our history at Church of the Nazarene in Auburn.
Results so far:
1. Continued growth of A.A. Friendly, Bible Friendly, History Friendly groups among AAs, NAs, church recovery workers, treatment programs, Christian counselors, and leadership groups in California--a real inspiration for other groups in California and Hawaii and elsewhere.
2. The importance of using our three main tools to train the trainers: (1) Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery class. (2) Use of The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed by leaders and groups. (3) Development of a short guide to "Stick with the Winners" to be used in Step Work, History Work, and Fellowships.
3. Urging recovery groups--AA, NA, Christian, Church, and others to establish once-a-week Leadership Training and Conference Meetings where Leaders can learn, understand, and guide those in recovery in an A.A. Friendly, Bible Friendly, History Friendly approach to recovery.
4. Enlarging area cooperation and contacts among the many leaders we have encountered.
Onward and upward with the last leg--Oroville, California tonight; Chico, California tonight; Brentwood, California Friday; Maui return on Saturday.
Aloha and God Bless, Dick B.
The audience reception has been heart-warming.
Here is a brief report of our work so far:
1. Spoke at The James Club Fellowships of Southern California in Covina and reviewed the Christian origins of Alcoholics Anonymous.
2. Met with benefactor Charles P. Mau in Newport Beach shortly prior to his recent death.
3. Met with Pastor Mike Belzman, President of Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors Institute to discuss forthcoming conference in Palm Springs and discuss growth potential of the organization itself.
4. Met with Larry Webb and his wife. Larry is the organizer of the first Big Book/Good Book Study Group and had many suggestions on how to facilitate and
simplify our presentations of the recovery movement Christian potential today.
5. Met with Jerry McDonald of Betty Ford Center to review and plan our talk at the Awareness Program at Betty Ford next February
6. Spoke at a very large meeting of Lifelines at The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa. The topic was the Origins and History of the Christian Recovery Movement.
7. On to Escondido where we spoke to a Big Book/Bible oriented recovery group.
8. Next night in Carlsbad, spoke to an A.A. group on the topic "Stick with the Winners"--particularly as A.A. sprang from the work of Dr. Bob, Prince of All Twelfth Steppers, and the 5000 he helped without pay in Akron; and the tremendous growth and new program introduced in Cleveland by Clarence Snyder and the 93% success rate, growth from one group to 30 in a year, and Clarence's bringing from Akron the Bible and the Four Absolutes and incorporating the newly published Big Book and Twelve Steps.
9. Two days later, spoke to a very large A.A. meeting in Carlsbad, emphasizing the applicability of "old school" A.A. to the A.A. program and its abc's today.
10. Back to Huntington Beach and His Place Church where David Roman's Roman Cucina Restaurants provided the food, noted combo of David Paulsen provided the music, Roger M. presided, and we spoke of the early A.A. program.
11. Highly successful meeting with City Team leaders in San Jose where a new way of
training the leaders was used. We would speak for 35 minutes, the leaders would discuss that segment, they would report to the group, and we would proceed to the next topic. The audience participation and apprehension was absolutely great. And this procedure planned by training leader Wade Hess will be used widely by us hereafter where appropriate.
12. Successful meeting at the Turning Point Fellowship in Livermore where emphasis was placed on our new "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" Class, our The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., and the need for a Stick with the Winners guide to taking the steps and incorporating our history and Bible roots in the process.
13. Next nite, an excellent meeting on our history at Church of the Nazarene in Auburn.
Results so far:
1. Continued growth of A.A. Friendly, Bible Friendly, History Friendly groups among AAs, NAs, church recovery workers, treatment programs, Christian counselors, and leadership groups in California--a real inspiration for other groups in California and Hawaii and elsewhere.
2. The importance of using our three main tools to train the trainers: (1) Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery class. (2) Use of The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed by leaders and groups. (3) Development of a short guide to "Stick with the Winners" to be used in Step Work, History Work, and Fellowships.
3. Urging recovery groups--AA, NA, Christian, Church, and others to establish once-a-week Leadership Training and Conference Meetings where Leaders can learn, understand, and guide those in recovery in an A.A. Friendly, Bible Friendly, History Friendly approach to recovery.
4. Enlarging area cooperation and contacts among the many leaders we have encountered.
Onward and upward with the last leg--Oroville, California tonight; Chico, California tonight; Brentwood, California Friday; Maui return on Saturday.
Aloha and God Bless, Dick B.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Alcohol/addiction harm to others: The case for candidate John Willoughby
The case for John Willoughby as candidate for Congress in the State of Hawaii.
For several years, I have been explaining to public officials and politicians that, as one who has recovered from alcoholism, who has attended thousands of recovery meetings, who has helped dozens in their recovery efforts, and who has researched and written on the history and origins of Alcoholics Anonymous, just how much harm I am now seeing among the people hurt by alcoholic and addictive behavior. Not the alcoholics and addicts. We know about them. But about the people they harm.
Who are they? Mothers, aunts, siblings, offspring, grandparents! Unions, businesses, schools, health care facilities, teachers, law enforcement personnel! Schools, prisons, jails, emergency rooms! Military, veterans, bosses, laborers, partners! Coaches, athletes, sports teams! Doctors, dentists, clergy, teachers, professors, laborers, children! Vehicles drivers, accident victims, insurance companies! Abandoned families, abused spouses, abused or abandoned children!
These folks are not necessarily alcoholics or addicts. They are the people who are hurt by the activities of alcoholics and addicts--by store break-ins, embezzlements, petty thefts, burglaries, robberies, drunk driving, loss of employment, physical and mental abuse, divorce, child endangerment!
Sending alcoholics and addicts to jail, to prison, to rehabs, to treatment, to drug courts, to counseling, to doctors, and to clergy. Even intervention. None of these efforts to cure alcoholics and addicts take account of, or marhsall our resources to defeat the problems the alcoholics have caused to others.
Tonight I had a long talk with John Willoughby here in Kihei-Wailea on Maui. I knew that John was a decorated military person. I knew he was a man of faith. I knew he was a family man. I knew how he emerged as an "amateur" among the professional politicians, but has been at every single function--and more--that I have attended in the last several months. He was determined to make his way--newcomer or not.
And he's well qualified. Now his time has come. He needs to win in the primaries, and he needs to defeat the incumbent congresswoman.
I explained to John again how much I was concerned about the harm that alcoholism and addiction have caused to 75 million American families--huge spending on research and pharmaceuticals; huge spending on law enforcement and prisons; huge spending on health care; huge losses of time by laborers, unions, businesses, partners, employers, huge misery in families.
Then I learned that, as a military officer, John had worked with alcoholics and addicts in rehabilitation efforts. He saw hands-on how tough the problem was. He saw the harm inflicted on the military and on families. He saw the frailty of focus just on treatment to the detriment of the innocent members of society continually harmed by those abusing alcohol and drugs and engaging in reckless and hurtful behavior.
Can one Congressman help? This candidate can! He cares. He reads and studies. He listens. He believes. He talks to union leaders, clergy, public workers, teachers, and families. He has listened to my plea. And I think John Willoughby can bring a breath of fresh air to a Congress riddled with habits of spending money, taxing citizens, putting out markers for local oddities, and devoting themselves to campaigning. John is an idealist as well as a man of action. In 20 years of research, I have not seen even recovery folks do much more for and with Congress than plead for research money, plead for facilities, plead for laws favoring alcoholics, plead for drug war money, and all the rest. John can and will do better! And I just went to the polls and voted for him. I hope you will too.
For several years, I have been explaining to public officials and politicians that, as one who has recovered from alcoholism, who has attended thousands of recovery meetings, who has helped dozens in their recovery efforts, and who has researched and written on the history and origins of Alcoholics Anonymous, just how much harm I am now seeing among the people hurt by alcoholic and addictive behavior. Not the alcoholics and addicts. We know about them. But about the people they harm.
Who are they? Mothers, aunts, siblings, offspring, grandparents! Unions, businesses, schools, health care facilities, teachers, law enforcement personnel! Schools, prisons, jails, emergency rooms! Military, veterans, bosses, laborers, partners! Coaches, athletes, sports teams! Doctors, dentists, clergy, teachers, professors, laborers, children! Vehicles drivers, accident victims, insurance companies! Abandoned families, abused spouses, abused or abandoned children!
These folks are not necessarily alcoholics or addicts. They are the people who are hurt by the activities of alcoholics and addicts--by store break-ins, embezzlements, petty thefts, burglaries, robberies, drunk driving, loss of employment, physical and mental abuse, divorce, child endangerment!
Sending alcoholics and addicts to jail, to prison, to rehabs, to treatment, to drug courts, to counseling, to doctors, and to clergy. Even intervention. None of these efforts to cure alcoholics and addicts take account of, or marhsall our resources to defeat the problems the alcoholics have caused to others.
Tonight I had a long talk with John Willoughby here in Kihei-Wailea on Maui. I knew that John was a decorated military person. I knew he was a man of faith. I knew he was a family man. I knew how he emerged as an "amateur" among the professional politicians, but has been at every single function--and more--that I have attended in the last several months. He was determined to make his way--newcomer or not.
And he's well qualified. Now his time has come. He needs to win in the primaries, and he needs to defeat the incumbent congresswoman.
I explained to John again how much I was concerned about the harm that alcoholism and addiction have caused to 75 million American families--huge spending on research and pharmaceuticals; huge spending on law enforcement and prisons; huge spending on health care; huge losses of time by laborers, unions, businesses, partners, employers, huge misery in families.
Then I learned that, as a military officer, John had worked with alcoholics and addicts in rehabilitation efforts. He saw hands-on how tough the problem was. He saw the harm inflicted on the military and on families. He saw the frailty of focus just on treatment to the detriment of the innocent members of society continually harmed by those abusing alcohol and drugs and engaging in reckless and hurtful behavior.
Can one Congressman help? This candidate can! He cares. He reads and studies. He listens. He believes. He talks to union leaders, clergy, public workers, teachers, and families. He has listened to my plea. And I think John Willoughby can bring a breath of fresh air to a Congress riddled with habits of spending money, taxing citizens, putting out markers for local oddities, and devoting themselves to campaigning. John is an idealist as well as a man of action. In 20 years of research, I have not seen even recovery folks do much more for and with Congress than plead for research money, plead for facilities, plead for laws favoring alcoholics, plead for drug war money, and all the rest. John can and will do better! And I just went to the polls and voted for him. I hope you will too.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Alcoholics Anonymous & Earlier Christian Influences: The Dick B. Seminars and Conferences in California September-October
Alcoholics Anonymous and The Young Men's Christian Association--A Christian Source
There were five Christian groups and organizations that impacted on the origin, history, founding, original program, and astonishing success of the A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in 1935. We have discussed each of the five at some length in The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide: Historical Perspectives and Effective Modern Application, 3rd ed., 2010. You can also find them discussed in terms of the upbringing of Dr. Bob of A.A. See Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book as a Youngster in Vermont.
These are the five influential Christian sources of A.A.: (1) The evangelists and revivalists such as Charles G. Finney, John B. Gough, Dwight L. Moody, Ira B. Sankey, F.B. Meyer, Allen Folger, and Billy Sunday. And many of these Christian evangelists were much involved with the YMCA. (2) The Young Men's Christian Association. (3) The Gospel Rescue Missions. (4) The Salvation Army. (5) The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor.
But the YMCA had a very special role to play in influencing A.A. Also in the lives of its cofounders Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. And let's start by sketching the beginnings of the YMCA and of its influence on the cofounders in their younger years.
The YMCA history begins in England. In 1836, when George Williams was about 16 years old and working as a sales assistant in a London draper's store, he gave his life to Jesus Christ, and began to pray and to seek God. In 1844, Williams--together with a group of fellow drapers--founded the first Young Men's Christian Association in England. The date was June 6, 1844. Its purpose was "to substitute Bible study and prayer for life on the streets."
The American effort began in Boston. The first YMCA in the United States (and the second in North America) was established in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 29, 1851. Cephas Brainerd, Chairman of the International Committee, identified two "distinctive features" of the YMCA in America: (1) It has been wholly undenominational, and based upon the belief that the average American young man, outside of church influence, was more open to the approaches of such an agency; and
(2) Work has been performed almost wholly by Christian laymen, because these were bestg fitted to carry it on; and, also, because the ministry could not under the limitations ofhuman strength, as well as denominational exigiences, perform it.
The St. Johnsbury Association of the Young Men's Christian Association was formed on October 1, 1855. In 1885, Professor Henry Fairbanks erected a building on Eastern Avenue, the western section of which was donated to the Association. Dr. Bob was born in St. Johnsbury on August 8, 1879.
And the trail to YMCA impact began shortly before that date with "The Great Awakening of 1875." Under the auspices of the State Committee of the Y.M.C.A., YMCA brethren came to St. Johnsbury. They conducted Sunday revival meetings in Avenue House Hall, at South Church, and even in the machine shop of the local factory. Finally, in one gospel meeting, some 1500 people gathered at the St. Johnsbury Academy. And, in that season, 1500 souls were converted. The village was transformed.
The YMCA continued to be an influential root in St. Johnsbury. Bible studies were held in the YMCA building. YMCA evening activities were conducted at North Congregational Church where the family of Dr. Bob were pillars and attenders. YMCA activities were conducted at St. Johnsbury Academy which Dr. Bob attended and where his mother and father were active. Also, Bob's father, Judge Walter Smith, was President of the local YMCA from 1895 to at least 1897.
Bill Wilson's involvement with the YMCA was even more direct and is fully documented. Bill attended Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, Vermont from 1909 to 1913. Bill was President of the YMCA, and his girl friend Bertha Bamford was President of the YWCA. Both were active together in school "Y" activities.
To conclude, the Young Men's Christian Association (as it existed at the time of Dr. Bob's youth) was emphasizing the following ideas which can be found in the earliest days of A.A. development: (1) Conversion to God through Jesus Christ. (2) Bible study. (3) Prayer meetings. (4) Personal evangelism--often called "personal work"--by lay Christians. (5) A non-denominational approach.
At its founding in 1935, A.A. embraced all five of the foregoing principles. Some of the principles were also embraced by the other four Christian groups and organizations, but the YMCA was at the fore in the lives of both Wilson and Smith.
There were five Christian groups and organizations that impacted on the origin, history, founding, original program, and astonishing success of the A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in 1935. We have discussed each of the five at some length in The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide: Historical Perspectives and Effective Modern Application, 3rd ed., 2010. You can also find them discussed in terms of the upbringing of Dr. Bob of A.A. See Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book as a Youngster in Vermont.
These are the five influential Christian sources of A.A.: (1) The evangelists and revivalists such as Charles G. Finney, John B. Gough, Dwight L. Moody, Ira B. Sankey, F.B. Meyer, Allen Folger, and Billy Sunday. And many of these Christian evangelists were much involved with the YMCA. (2) The Young Men's Christian Association. (3) The Gospel Rescue Missions. (4) The Salvation Army. (5) The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor.
But the YMCA had a very special role to play in influencing A.A. Also in the lives of its cofounders Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. And let's start by sketching the beginnings of the YMCA and of its influence on the cofounders in their younger years.
The YMCA history begins in England. In 1836, when George Williams was about 16 years old and working as a sales assistant in a London draper's store, he gave his life to Jesus Christ, and began to pray and to seek God. In 1844, Williams--together with a group of fellow drapers--founded the first Young Men's Christian Association in England. The date was June 6, 1844. Its purpose was "to substitute Bible study and prayer for life on the streets."
The American effort began in Boston. The first YMCA in the United States (and the second in North America) was established in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 29, 1851. Cephas Brainerd, Chairman of the International Committee, identified two "distinctive features" of the YMCA in America: (1) It has been wholly undenominational, and based upon the belief that the average American young man, outside of church influence, was more open to the approaches of such an agency; and
(2) Work has been performed almost wholly by Christian laymen, because these were bestg fitted to carry it on; and, also, because the ministry could not under the limitations ofhuman strength, as well as denominational exigiences, perform it.
The St. Johnsbury Association of the Young Men's Christian Association was formed on October 1, 1855. In 1885, Professor Henry Fairbanks erected a building on Eastern Avenue, the western section of which was donated to the Association. Dr. Bob was born in St. Johnsbury on August 8, 1879.
And the trail to YMCA impact began shortly before that date with "The Great Awakening of 1875." Under the auspices of the State Committee of the Y.M.C.A., YMCA brethren came to St. Johnsbury. They conducted Sunday revival meetings in Avenue House Hall, at South Church, and even in the machine shop of the local factory. Finally, in one gospel meeting, some 1500 people gathered at the St. Johnsbury Academy. And, in that season, 1500 souls were converted. The village was transformed.
The YMCA continued to be an influential root in St. Johnsbury. Bible studies were held in the YMCA building. YMCA evening activities were conducted at North Congregational Church where the family of Dr. Bob were pillars and attenders. YMCA activities were conducted at St. Johnsbury Academy which Dr. Bob attended and where his mother and father were active. Also, Bob's father, Judge Walter Smith, was President of the local YMCA from 1895 to at least 1897.
Bill Wilson's involvement with the YMCA was even more direct and is fully documented. Bill attended Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, Vermont from 1909 to 1913. Bill was President of the YMCA, and his girl friend Bertha Bamford was President of the YWCA. Both were active together in school "Y" activities.
To conclude, the Young Men's Christian Association (as it existed at the time of Dr. Bob's youth) was emphasizing the following ideas which can be found in the earliest days of A.A. development: (1) Conversion to God through Jesus Christ. (2) Bible study. (3) Prayer meetings. (4) Personal evangelism--often called "personal work"--by lay Christians. (5) A non-denominational approach.
At its founding in 1935, A.A. embraced all five of the foregoing principles. Some of the principles were also embraced by the other four Christian groups and organizations, but the YMCA was at the fore in the lives of both Wilson and Smith.
Dick B. Interviewed on Alcoholics Anonymous Story
Recently, Dick B.--writer, historian, retired attorney, Bible student, CDAAC, and an active and recovered A.A. member for over 24 years--was interviewed at some length as reported on the following site:
http://www.alltreatment.com/alcohol-addiction/alcoholics-anonymous-interview-dick-b
Dick is the author of 39 published titles and over 450 articles on the origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successees of early A.A. These publications also provide a comprehensive study of the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the recovery movement both before and during the early days of the A.A. pioneer Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr. Bob. See www.dickb.com
http://www.alltreatment.com/alcohol-addiction/alcoholics-anonymous-interview-dick-b
Dick is the author of 39 published titles and over 450 articles on the origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successees of early A.A. These publications also provide a comprehensive study of the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the recovery movement both before and during the early days of the A.A. pioneer Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr. Bob. See www.dickb.com
Monday, September 06, 2010
The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide & California Talks by Dick B.
During his three-week series of conferences and meetings in California between Sep 12and Oct 2, Dick B., along with his son Ken B., will be covering a large number of different talks on: (1) The Origins of the Christian Recovery Movement. (2) The Christian up-bringing of A.A.'s two co-founders Dr. Bob and Bill W. (3) The elements from A.A.'s Christian roots that impacted on the original Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in 1935. (4) What the original, "old school" A.A. program was--as investigated and summarized by Frank Amos--and published in A.A. literature. (5) The original practices of the early fellowship. (6) The actual, documented success rate of the original program in 1937, and in Cleveland in 1939-40 after the Big Book was published. (7) The relationship of A.A. to the Oxford Group. (8) The importance of the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker in the language of A.A.'s Big Book and Twelve Steps. (9) The changes made in both the original program and the Shoemaker teachings just as the Big Book was going to press. (10) The application of the original program principles and practices in A.A. today.
There will be at least 11 conferences and many individual meetings throughout California. And no one meeting or conference will be covering all of the forgoing subjects.
Those who are coming to the talks can prepare themselves beforehand. Those who attend the talks can obtain documentation at the talks. And those who want to be able to document, study, and understand all the materials can do so at their leisure afterward. And those who don't attend can study it all in our 2010 The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed.
You can see The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., discussed at some length on this web page: http://www.dickb.com/Christian-Recover-Guide.shtml
You can order this guide from that page and by using the donate paypal button on the main page of Dick's website www.dickb.com.
The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide can also be obtained by phoning Ken B. at 808 276 4945, giving Ken your credit card #, expiration date, and mailing address.
And we urge all who want the complete materials to be covered in Calfornia to purchase a copy of The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., now or at the conferences. http://www.dickb.com/Christian-Recover-Guide.shtml
There will be at least 11 conferences and many individual meetings throughout California. And no one meeting or conference will be covering all of the forgoing subjects.
Those who are coming to the talks can prepare themselves beforehand. Those who attend the talks can obtain documentation at the talks. And those who want to be able to document, study, and understand all the materials can do so at their leisure afterward. And those who don't attend can study it all in our 2010 The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed.
You can see The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., discussed at some length on this web page: http://www.dickb.com/Christian-Recover-Guide.shtml
You can order this guide from that page and by using the donate paypal button on the main page of Dick's website www.dickb.com.
The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide can also be obtained by phoning Ken B. at 808 276 4945, giving Ken your credit card #, expiration date, and mailing address.
And we urge all who want the complete materials to be covered in Calfornia to purchase a copy of The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., now or at the conferences. http://www.dickb.com/Christian-Recover-Guide.shtml
Sunday, September 05, 2010
History of A.A.: Three weeks of talks in CA Sep 12-Oct 1
History of A.A., A.A. History. A.A. Origins. Origins of Christian Recovery Movement. The details of the origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successes of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in June, 1935. And an explanation of the role played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in the whole history of curing alcoholics long before there was an A.A., as well as in the early fellowship in Akron.
Three weeks of talks by Dick B. and Ken B. in California on these topics--from Sep 12to Oct 1. Talks in Covina, Costa Mesa, Escondido, San Diego, Carlsbad, Huntington Beach, San Juan Capistrano, San Jose, Livermore, Oroville, Auburn, Brentwood and in personal meetings.
For the itinerary, please contact us in Maui before we leave. 808 276 4945, or dickb@dickb.com.
Here is a rare chance to hear A.A.'s leading unofficial historian tell it like it was so that you--as an alcoholic, addict, at-risk person, or individual impacted by the alcoholism and addiction of others--can learn how to deal with it by the power of God today, as it is.
www.dickb.com; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com; www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml.
God Bless, Dick B. 808 874 4876
Three weeks of talks by Dick B. and Ken B. in California on these topics--from Sep 12to Oct 1. Talks in Covina, Costa Mesa, Escondido, San Diego, Carlsbad, Huntington Beach, San Juan Capistrano, San Jose, Livermore, Oroville, Auburn, Brentwood and in personal meetings.
For the itinerary, please contact us in Maui before we leave. 808 276 4945, or dickb@dickb.com.
Here is a rare chance to hear A.A.'s leading unofficial historian tell it like it was so that you--as an alcoholic, addict, at-risk person, or individual impacted by the alcoholism and addiction of others--can learn how to deal with it by the power of God today, as it is.
www.dickb.com; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com; www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml.
God Bless, Dick B. 808 874 4876
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Dick B. Research Posts on GoArticles.com
For an ongoing, regularly updated, posting of the research articles I write, GoArticles.com has graciously continued to post a large number of them in easily readable chronological order.
The website: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/author.cgi?C=196997
This Real Power Blogsite and the Go Articles posts are excellent resources for AAs, NAs, historians, scholars, A.A. History Lovers, counselors, treatment programs, rehabs, prisons, homeless shelters, transitional housing and sober living, and those who want to keep up to speed on the continuing search for the real origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successes of the early A.A. program--as well as the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in all of these, and can play today for those who want God's help and seek it diligently.
Check out http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/author.cgi?C=196997
The website: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/author.cgi?C=196997
This Real Power Blogsite and the Go Articles posts are excellent resources for AAs, NAs, historians, scholars, A.A. History Lovers, counselors, treatment programs, rehabs, prisons, homeless shelters, transitional housing and sober living, and those who want to keep up to speed on the continuing search for the real origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successes of the early A.A. program--as well as the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in all of these, and can play today for those who want God's help and seek it diligently.
Check out http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/author.cgi?C=196997
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The Salvation Army/An A.A. Source/Article One
The Salvation Army/An A.A. Source/Article One
It took many years of research before I was able to find and discuss the many strong links between the Salvation Army and Alcoholics Anonymous. And the links were of several different types:
(1) The Salvation Army work with drunks and derelicts is legenday, and very successful as well. And my introduction to this work first came through the pages of Harold Begbie, Twice Born Men. (NY: Fleming H. Revell, 1909). This early book became very popular in an A.A. predecessor, the Oxford Group; and it was widely read by early AAs. In short, it discussed the outreach and successes in the slums of London, and I will discuss it in another Salvation Army article shortly.
(2) The Salvation Army as it existed at the time of early Alcoholics Anonymous, and the program as described at Yale, and to be summarized in this article.
(3) The Salvation Army, its ARCs, and its program of today--the description of which I leave to their own writings and people. But it is the County of Maui Salvation Army here in Hawaii which is enabling us to partner with them at their local outpost in Lahaina so that we can effectively bring to their leaders and those adherents who are not involved in an Adult Rehabilitation Center program a preceding introduction through their local outpost study group and perhaps train recovery leaders there or some who return from as ARC so that these returnees are challenged to serve others in a typical Salvation Army manner. And this is a work-in-progress right now.
But I feel that Christians in recovery and those whom we have seen at the group in Lahaina can be helped throughout Maui through our partnership to consolidate (a) Bible study, (b)prayer, (c) conversion to God through Jesus Christ, (d) Christian Fellowship such as that which existed in early A.A. and in First Century Christianiy, and (e) the still dominant 12-Step principles and practices such as those found in Alcoholics Anonymous today. And we will discuss that in another article also
This article--the one dealing with the Salvation Army of the 1940's--will present for view the valued work of The Reverend Howard J. Clinebell, PhD, in his thorough study of counseling for recovery and prevention using psychology and religion. See Howard Clinebell, Understanding and Counseling Persons with Alcohol, Drug, and Behavioral Addictions: Counseling for Recovery and Prevention Using Psychology and Religion, Rev and enl ed. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1984).
Dr. Clinebell (now deceased) was Professor Emeritus, School of Theology at Claremont, California. He spent many years studying the Salvation Army, Rescue Missions, Alcoholics Anonymous, and various Christian recovery approaches and programs.
His Understanding and Counseling study makes these important points about the Salvation Army:
". . . the Salvation Army has put its recovery principles into this series of nine Christ=centered steps paralleling some of the important Twelve Steps of A.A.-modeleed recovery programs:
1. The alcoholic must realize that he is unable to control his addiction and that his life is conpletely disorganized.
2. He must acknowledge that only God, his Creator, can recreate him as a decent man.
3. He must let God through Jesus Christ rule his life and resolve to live according to His will.
4. He must realize that alcohol addiction is only a symptom of basic defects in his thinking and living, and that the proper use of every talent he possesses is imnpaired by his enslavement.
5. He should make public confession to God and man of past wrong-doing and be willing to ask God for guidance in the future.
6. He should make restitution to all whom he has willfully and knowingluy wronged.
7. He should realize that he is human and subject to error, and that no advance is made by covering up a mistake; he should admit failure and profit by experience.
8. Since, through prayer and forgiveness, he has found God, he must continue prayerful contact with God, and seek constantly to know His will.
9. Because the Salvation Army believes that the personal touch and example are the most vital forces in applying the principles of Christianity, he should be made to work continuously not only for his own salvation but to help effect the salvation of others like himself." (pp. 188-89)
And if you looked at Original A.A. program, founded in 1935 as a Christian Fellowship, you could see in the foregoing the footprints of its leader Dr. Robert H. Smith and of the program as it was summarized for John D. Rockefeller, Jr., by his agent Frank Amos in 1938.
It is this view of the Salvation Army in the 1940's which we present in this article. It is this view which can help Christians in recovery better understand how they can be in 12-Step recovery programs today and still call on 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 A.A. Christian Fellowship.
Please remember, the Salvation Army is only one of five principal Christian roots that impacted on A.A.'s founders and on its first program. But this mid-way description of the Salvation Army illustrates what the Salvation Army may have contributed then, and it offers some solid thinking to Christians in recovery today and to their leaders. See our new class Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery (www,dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml)
It took many years of research before I was able to find and discuss the many strong links between the Salvation Army and Alcoholics Anonymous. And the links were of several different types:
(1) The Salvation Army work with drunks and derelicts is legenday, and very successful as well. And my introduction to this work first came through the pages of Harold Begbie, Twice Born Men. (NY: Fleming H. Revell, 1909). This early book became very popular in an A.A. predecessor, the Oxford Group; and it was widely read by early AAs. In short, it discussed the outreach and successes in the slums of London, and I will discuss it in another Salvation Army article shortly.
(2) The Salvation Army as it existed at the time of early Alcoholics Anonymous, and the program as described at Yale, and to be summarized in this article.
(3) The Salvation Army, its ARCs, and its program of today--the description of which I leave to their own writings and people. But it is the County of Maui Salvation Army here in Hawaii which is enabling us to partner with them at their local outpost in Lahaina so that we can effectively bring to their leaders and those adherents who are not involved in an Adult Rehabilitation Center program a preceding introduction through their local outpost study group and perhaps train recovery leaders there or some who return from as ARC so that these returnees are challenged to serve others in a typical Salvation Army manner. And this is a work-in-progress right now.
But I feel that Christians in recovery and those whom we have seen at the group in Lahaina can be helped throughout Maui through our partnership to consolidate (a) Bible study, (b)prayer, (c) conversion to God through Jesus Christ, (d) Christian Fellowship such as that which existed in early A.A. and in First Century Christianiy, and (e) the still dominant 12-Step principles and practices such as those found in Alcoholics Anonymous today. And we will discuss that in another article also
This article--the one dealing with the Salvation Army of the 1940's--will present for view the valued work of The Reverend Howard J. Clinebell, PhD, in his thorough study of counseling for recovery and prevention using psychology and religion. See Howard Clinebell, Understanding and Counseling Persons with Alcohol, Drug, and Behavioral Addictions: Counseling for Recovery and Prevention Using Psychology and Religion, Rev and enl ed. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1984).
Dr. Clinebell (now deceased) was Professor Emeritus, School of Theology at Claremont, California. He spent many years studying the Salvation Army, Rescue Missions, Alcoholics Anonymous, and various Christian recovery approaches and programs.
His Understanding and Counseling study makes these important points about the Salvation Army:
". . . the Salvation Army has put its recovery principles into this series of nine Christ=centered steps paralleling some of the important Twelve Steps of A.A.-modeleed recovery programs:
1. The alcoholic must realize that he is unable to control his addiction and that his life is conpletely disorganized.
2. He must acknowledge that only God, his Creator, can recreate him as a decent man.
3. He must let God through Jesus Christ rule his life and resolve to live according to His will.
4. He must realize that alcohol addiction is only a symptom of basic defects in his thinking and living, and that the proper use of every talent he possesses is imnpaired by his enslavement.
5. He should make public confession to God and man of past wrong-doing and be willing to ask God for guidance in the future.
6. He should make restitution to all whom he has willfully and knowingluy wronged.
7. He should realize that he is human and subject to error, and that no advance is made by covering up a mistake; he should admit failure and profit by experience.
8. Since, through prayer and forgiveness, he has found God, he must continue prayerful contact with God, and seek constantly to know His will.
9. Because the Salvation Army believes that the personal touch and example are the most vital forces in applying the principles of Christianity, he should be made to work continuously not only for his own salvation but to help effect the salvation of others like himself." (pp. 188-89)
And if you looked at Original A.A. program, founded in 1935 as a Christian Fellowship, you could see in the foregoing the footprints of its leader Dr. Robert H. Smith and of the program as it was summarized for John D. Rockefeller, Jr., by his agent Frank Amos in 1938.
It is this view of the Salvation Army in the 1940's which we present in this article. It is this view which can help Christians in recovery better understand how they can be in 12-Step recovery programs today and still call on 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 A.A. Christian Fellowship.
Please remember, the Salvation Army is only one of five principal Christian roots that impacted on A.A.'s founders and on its first program. But this mid-way description of the Salvation Army illustrates what the Salvation Army may have contributed then, and it offers some solid thinking to Christians in recovery today and to their leaders. See our new class Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery (www,dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
A.A.-Christian Recovery Talks by Dick B, September, 2010
Alcoholics Anonymous and Christian Recovery Talks and Meetings by Dick B. and Ken B. in California during their September 10-October 2, 2010 Trip. Itinerary will be expanded on arrival, and these are the dates and times booked as of August 25, 2010
Saturday, 11th - Flying from Maui to LAX & on to Orange County
Staying at Wyndham Hotel, 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Sunday, 12th - Open time - staying at Wyndham Hotel in Costa Mesa
Monday, 13th - Open time - Checking out of Wyndham at noon Then:
Staying at Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel, Newport Beach, California
Tuesday, 14th - Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel
11:00 AM - private luncheon meeting
7:00 PM - Speaking to James Club Fellowships at Neighborhood Christian Fellowship
Church, Covina, California
Wednesday, 15th - Open time - Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel
Thursday, 16h - Open time - Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel
Friday, 17th - Moving back to Wyndham Hotel, Costa Mesa, California
7:00 PM - Dick B. will speak at the Lifelines meeting, The Crossing Church, Costa
Mesa, California
Saturday, 18th - open time - Wyndham Hotel, Costa Mesa
Sunday, 19th - open time - Wyndham Hotel, Costa Mesa
NOTE: During the foregoing week, we expect to be meeting in the Orange County area with the CEO of the Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors Institute; the President of New Life Spirit Recovery, Inc.; a leader of the International Christian Recovery Coalition; a biblical scholar who is a professor; and other Christian recovery group leaders who have been in touch with us. We also would welcome personal visits with others in the Orange County Area. For those who would like to meet with us, Suggest they call Ken B. at 808 276 4945 to arrange visits.
Monday, 20th - Checking out of Wyndham and on way to San Diego Area - accomodations not yet settled.
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Private Meeting with leaders/patients at Pacific Hills
Treatment Centers at San Juan Capistrano, California
7:00 PM - Dick B. will be speaking at the Neighborhood Church in Escondido, CA
Tuesday, 21st - in San Diego Area - open time.
Wednesday, 22nd - in San Diego Area - open time.
Thursday, 23rd - Dick B. will be speaking at a large A.A. meeting in Carlsbad, CA
Friday, 24th - returning to a hotel in Newport Beach or Costa Mesa - open
Saturday, 25th - 6:00 PM - At His Place Church, Huntington Beach, California, there
will be a large meeting with music and with food catered by David Roman,
Roman Cucina Restaurants. At 7:00 PM, Dick B. will speak to the group.
Meeting open, but expected to fill up early. So check in early.
Sunday, 26th - 2:00 PM Depart from Orange County Airport for San Jose Airport and
will stay at a hotel in San Jose, California
Monday, 27th
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM - private meeting with leadership, CityTeam Ministries
7:00 PM - Dick B. will speak at Cornerstone Fellowship, Livermore Campus
Tuesday, 28th
- Dick B. will speak at recovery meeting, Parkside Church of
Nazerine, Auburn, California
Wednesday, 29th
- Dick B. will speak to Serenity Group. Church of the Nazarene,
Oroville, California
Thursday, 30th - open in evening after traveling from Oroville
Friday, Oct 1 - Dick will speak to two evening recovery meetings at Golden Hills
Community Church, Brentwood Campus
Saturday, 2nd - Fly from Oakland Airport to LAX and then on to Kahului, Maui.
If you have questions, need for directions or contacts in your area or possible invitations to speak or meetings, please feel free to contact Ken B. at 808 276 4945
before we leave and on or before September 8th. As stated, you may also contact us at the same number when we arrive in California.
Saturday, 11th - Flying from Maui to LAX & on to Orange County
Staying at Wyndham Hotel, 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Sunday, 12th - Open time - staying at Wyndham Hotel in Costa Mesa
Monday, 13th - Open time - Checking out of Wyndham at noon Then:
Staying at Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel, Newport Beach, California
Tuesday, 14th - Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel
11:00 AM - private luncheon meeting
7:00 PM - Speaking to James Club Fellowships at Neighborhood Christian Fellowship
Church, Covina, California
Wednesday, 15th - Open time - Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel
Thursday, 16h - Open time - Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel
Friday, 17th - Moving back to Wyndham Hotel, Costa Mesa, California
7:00 PM - Dick B. will speak at the Lifelines meeting, The Crossing Church, Costa
Mesa, California
Saturday, 18th - open time - Wyndham Hotel, Costa Mesa
Sunday, 19th - open time - Wyndham Hotel, Costa Mesa
NOTE: During the foregoing week, we expect to be meeting in the Orange County area with the CEO of the Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors Institute; the President of New Life Spirit Recovery, Inc.; a leader of the International Christian Recovery Coalition; a biblical scholar who is a professor; and other Christian recovery group leaders who have been in touch with us. We also would welcome personal visits with others in the Orange County Area. For those who would like to meet with us, Suggest they call Ken B. at 808 276 4945 to arrange visits.
Monday, 20th - Checking out of Wyndham and on way to San Diego Area - accomodations not yet settled.
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Private Meeting with leaders/patients at Pacific Hills
Treatment Centers at San Juan Capistrano, California
7:00 PM - Dick B. will be speaking at the Neighborhood Church in Escondido, CA
Tuesday, 21st - in San Diego Area - open time.
Wednesday, 22nd - in San Diego Area - open time.
Thursday, 23rd - Dick B. will be speaking at a large A.A. meeting in Carlsbad, CA
Friday, 24th - returning to a hotel in Newport Beach or Costa Mesa - open
Saturday, 25th - 6:00 PM - At His Place Church, Huntington Beach, California, there
will be a large meeting with music and with food catered by David Roman,
Roman Cucina Restaurants. At 7:00 PM, Dick B. will speak to the group.
Meeting open, but expected to fill up early. So check in early.
Sunday, 26th - 2:00 PM Depart from Orange County Airport for San Jose Airport and
will stay at a hotel in San Jose, California
Monday, 27th
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM - private meeting with leadership, CityTeam Ministries
7:00 PM - Dick B. will speak at Cornerstone Fellowship, Livermore Campus
Tuesday, 28th
- Dick B. will speak at recovery meeting, Parkside Church of
Nazerine, Auburn, California
Wednesday, 29th
- Dick B. will speak to Serenity Group. Church of the Nazarene,
Oroville, California
Thursday, 30th - open in evening after traveling from Oroville
Friday, Oct 1 - Dick will speak to two evening recovery meetings at Golden Hills
Community Church, Brentwood Campus
Saturday, 2nd - Fly from Oakland Airport to LAX and then on to Kahului, Maui.
If you have questions, need for directions or contacts in your area or possible invitations to speak or meetings, please feel free to contact Ken B. at 808 276 4945
before we leave and on or before September 8th. As stated, you may also contact us at the same number when we arrive in California.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Hear Dick B. of A.A. in California in September
Dick B., writer, historian, retired attorney, Bible student, CDAAC, and active and recovered member of the Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship will be speaking at various locations in California between September 10 and October 1, 2010.
Dick is the author of 39 published titles and more than 450 articles on the history and Bible roots of Alcoholics Anonymous. He has addressed 8 seminars at The Wilson House in Vermont, groups at Dr. Bob's hometown of St. Johnsbury in Vermont, meetings in New York City and Washington, D.C., Maryland, West Virginia, Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Ohio, Arkansas, British Columbia, Oregon, Arizona, Hawaii, and California, as well as history cruises in the Caribbean and to Alaska.
Each talk has carried a different historical message, but all have been centered around 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 A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron, Ohio in 1935. And also around the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the early A.A. principles and practices can play in Alcoholics Anonymous and recovery fellowships today--whatever their diversity, variety, composition, or approach. Dick has, of late, been accompanied either by his son Don B. or his son Rev. Ken B.
The requests from recovery, treatment, counseling, and Christian groups have continued, and this Fall, Dick and his son Ken will be meeting with individuals and leaders and speaking at meetings in
The San Diego Area, as well as Escondido and Carlsbad.
Orange County at San Juan Capistrano, Huntington Beach, and Costa Mesa. A highlight of his appearance will be his talk at Lifelines The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa.
The James Club Fellowships in Covina
The CityTeam Leadership in San Jose
The Serenity Group at the Church of the Nazarene in Oroville
A recovery group at the Church of the Nazarene in Auburn
The Turning Point Fellowship at Cornerstone Church in Livermore
Two recovery group meetings at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood
Dick is the author of 39 published titles and more than 450 articles on the history and Bible roots of Alcoholics Anonymous. He has addressed 8 seminars at The Wilson House in Vermont, groups at Dr. Bob's hometown of St. Johnsbury in Vermont, meetings in New York City and Washington, D.C., Maryland, West Virginia, Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Ohio, Arkansas, British Columbia, Oregon, Arizona, Hawaii, and California, as well as history cruises in the Caribbean and to Alaska.
Each talk has carried a different historical message, but all have been centered around 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 A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron, Ohio in 1935. And also around the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the early A.A. principles and practices can play in Alcoholics Anonymous and recovery fellowships today--whatever their diversity, variety, composition, or approach. Dick has, of late, been accompanied either by his son Don B. or his son Rev. Ken B.
The requests from recovery, treatment, counseling, and Christian groups have continued, and this Fall, Dick and his son Ken will be meeting with individuals and leaders and speaking at meetings in
The San Diego Area, as well as Escondido and Carlsbad.
Orange County at San Juan Capistrano, Huntington Beach, and Costa Mesa. A highlight of his appearance will be his talk at Lifelines The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa.
The James Club Fellowships in Covina
The CityTeam Leadership in San Jose
The Serenity Group at the Church of the Nazarene in Oroville
A recovery group at the Church of the Nazarene in Auburn
The Turning Point Fellowship at Cornerstone Church in Livermore
Two recovery group meetings at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Effective recovery service today--a simple approach
After twenty years of travel, investigation, study, research, collecting materials, and then disseminating the results, I believe every person who wishes to quit permanently his or her self-destructive addictive, alcoholic, and at-risk behavior, can learn from the origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successes of the early Alcoholics Anonymous Christian Fellowship founded in Akron, Ohio, in 1935.
How to do it in Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve Step Fellowships today?
Abandon the nonsense gods where people call their "higher power" a light bulb, a chair, a rock, Something, Santa Claus, and other absurd names. Abandon the nonsense talk about a supposed difference in Alcoholics Anonymous between "spirituality" and "religion" where advocates try to tell newcomers Alcoholics Anonymous is "spiritual, but not religious." Abandon the idea that people in recovery cannot and should not turn to God for help, cannot and should not establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and cannot and should not read the Bible, Christian literature, or Christian devotionals. Abandon the idea that Christians are not welcome in Alcoholics Anonymous, should not seek help there, and are hell-bound if they do. Abandon the small, hard-core of writers today who devote themselves to trying to tear down Alcoholics Anonymous, drive Christians out of recovery fellowships, and misquote the Bible as "authority" for their promises of damnation for those who are seeking recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Find out the original program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Get the facts from our new class "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml. Check out A.A.'s own description of the early program--five simple points that were required and are published in A.A.'s own "DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers." Pick up your Big Book. Read the Twelve Steps. Learn how both differ from the original Alcoholics Anonymous program. See how a Christian in Alcoholics Anonymous or a Twelve Step Fellowship today can and should feel free to turn to God for help, share his relationship with Jesus Christ, document the fact that early AAs did just that, and ask people to study the abc's on A.A.'s own Big Book, page 60.
A.A. today tells its readers that "God could and would if he were sought." And He can and will if people stop making up absurd names for a god, trying to create self-made religion, and uttering half-baked prayers instead of following the guidance laid out by our Creator in the Word of God.
It's all in the new class "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery." The class is short. It's simple. It's accurate and reliable. And it will point you toward effective recovery service today with a simple approach. See www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml
How to do it in Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve Step Fellowships today?
Abandon the nonsense gods where people call their "higher power" a light bulb, a chair, a rock, Something, Santa Claus, and other absurd names. Abandon the nonsense talk about a supposed difference in Alcoholics Anonymous between "spirituality" and "religion" where advocates try to tell newcomers Alcoholics Anonymous is "spiritual, but not religious." Abandon the idea that people in recovery cannot and should not turn to God for help, cannot and should not establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and cannot and should not read the Bible, Christian literature, or Christian devotionals. Abandon the idea that Christians are not welcome in Alcoholics Anonymous, should not seek help there, and are hell-bound if they do. Abandon the small, hard-core of writers today who devote themselves to trying to tear down Alcoholics Anonymous, drive Christians out of recovery fellowships, and misquote the Bible as "authority" for their promises of damnation for those who are seeking recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Find out the original program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Get the facts from our new class "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml. Check out A.A.'s own description of the early program--five simple points that were required and are published in A.A.'s own "DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers." Pick up your Big Book. Read the Twelve Steps. Learn how both differ from the original Alcoholics Anonymous program. See how a Christian in Alcoholics Anonymous or a Twelve Step Fellowship today can and should feel free to turn to God for help, share his relationship with Jesus Christ, document the fact that early AAs did just that, and ask people to study the abc's on A.A.'s own Big Book, page 60.
A.A. today tells its readers that "God could and would if he were sought." And He can and will if people stop making up absurd names for a god, trying to create self-made religion, and uttering half-baked prayers instead of following the guidance laid out by our Creator in the Word of God.
It's all in the new class "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery." The class is short. It's simple. It's accurate and reliable. And it will point you toward effective recovery service today with a simple approach. See www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Maui County Salvation Army & International Christian Recovery Coalition
August 17, 2010: Formation of Maui County Salvation Army-International Christian Recovery Coalition partnership for Christian recovery outreach in Maui County, Hawaii
Today A/Captain Mark Merritt of the Maui County Salvation Army reached an agreement with Richard G. Burns, J.D., Executive Director of International Christian Recovery Coalition, enabling the two groups to partner together on Christian Recovery Outreach in Maui County, Hawaii.
The partnership focus for the present will be on three items:
1. Salvation Army will provide an office for International Christian Recovery Coalition on SA property in Kihei. And at this office thousands of Christian recovery books will be stored and distributed free to Christian recovery groups, treatment programs, counselors, and 12 Step Fellowships throughout the county.
2. At the office, the new 4 DVD film series "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" (www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml) will be shown to small groups of those in recovery, to leaders of recovery groups and programs, and to Christian leaders fostering recovery from alcoholism, addictions, and other life-controlling problems.
3. The Salvation Army Outpost in Lahaina will begin a new 12 Step study program, primarily at its regular Monday Night step study meeting in Lahaina. The new program will introduce members to the origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successes of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron, Ohio in 1935. Members will be working with A.A.'s Big Book, 12 Steps, the Bible, and A.A. history. They will be taught how to "take" and "practice" the 12 Steps in today's recovery fellowships. Emphasis will be given to the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the recovery movement from the 1800's through the founding of A.A. and can play in recovery today for those who want God's help and will go to any length to get it.
The initial three-phase program will thus be providing throughout the county the carefully researched literature on Christian recovery development. Also a 4 hour video presentation with guides and documentation that tell the details as they have been researched and presented by Dick B. and his son Ken B. in recent years throughout United States and Canada and--via the internet--throughout the world. Finally, the outreach program will be specifically aimed at "training the trainers" so that there will be a cadre of leaders in Maui who can present an effective Christian recovery picture throughout the county.
Details available through Dick B., dickb@dickb.com, 808 874 4876, PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837.
Today A/Captain Mark Merritt of the Maui County Salvation Army reached an agreement with Richard G. Burns, J.D., Executive Director of International Christian Recovery Coalition, enabling the two groups to partner together on Christian Recovery Outreach in Maui County, Hawaii.
The partnership focus for the present will be on three items:
1. Salvation Army will provide an office for International Christian Recovery Coalition on SA property in Kihei. And at this office thousands of Christian recovery books will be stored and distributed free to Christian recovery groups, treatment programs, counselors, and 12 Step Fellowships throughout the county.
2. At the office, the new 4 DVD film series "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" (www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml) will be shown to small groups of those in recovery, to leaders of recovery groups and programs, and to Christian leaders fostering recovery from alcoholism, addictions, and other life-controlling problems.
3. The Salvation Army Outpost in Lahaina will begin a new 12 Step study program, primarily at its regular Monday Night step study meeting in Lahaina. The new program will introduce members to the origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successes of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron, Ohio in 1935. Members will be working with A.A.'s Big Book, 12 Steps, the Bible, and A.A. history. They will be taught how to "take" and "practice" the 12 Steps in today's recovery fellowships. Emphasis will be given to the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the recovery movement from the 1800's through the founding of A.A. and can play in recovery today for those who want God's help and will go to any length to get it.
The initial three-phase program will thus be providing throughout the county the carefully researched literature on Christian recovery development. Also a 4 hour video presentation with guides and documentation that tell the details as they have been researched and presented by Dick B. and his son Ken B. in recent years throughout United States and Canada and--via the internet--throughout the world. Finally, the outreach program will be specifically aimed at "training the trainers" so that there will be a cadre of leaders in Maui who can present an effective Christian recovery picture throughout the county.
Details available through Dick B., dickb@dickb.com, 808 874 4876, PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
A.A., Jesus' Sermon, 1 Cor 13, Book of James
A.A.'s Cofounder Dr. Bob said many times that, at the beginning, they had no Steps, no Traditions, and no significant stories. He went on the say that the oldtimers felt that Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 -7), 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James were considered absolutely essential to their Alcoholics Anonymous program. Further, he added that he did not write the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. He had nothing to do with writing them, he said. But he pointed out that the basic ideas of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous came from their effort and study in the Bible. And to see what he was referring to, we have published Dick B., The James Club & The Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials (See www.dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml).
Now many AAs may hear the expressions "First Things First," "Easy Does It," "Thy will be done," and those referring to forgiveness, making amends, taking a moral inventory, purity, love, etc.
Few realize how much better they could understand these ideas if they looked to the portions of the Bible known as Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7.
Similarly, AAs hear expressions like "Faith without works is dead," "taming the tongue," confessing faults one to another, eliminating grudges, "loving thy neighbor as thyself," and avoiding temptation. Here also, better understanding of God's will in these matters can be found in the Book of James.
Lastly, AAs are quite familiar with expressions like patience, tolerance, kindness, and love. But they would more easily relate these ideas to the Bible and to a better understanding of the Twelve Steps and Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous if they read the short chapter in 1 Corinthians 13.
That is why we published our title The James Club. That is why a number of A.A. study groups across the United States and Canada have called themselves The James Club--because early AAs considered the Book of James to be their favorite and wanted to call their society The James Club.
To find a line-by-line, verse-by-verse comparison of the Biblical ideas in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James with specific quotes or specific references to these basic Bible ideas in Alcoholics Anonymous, its Big Book, and its literature, we encourage you to purchase The James Club, either on our website www.dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml, or by going to Amazon.com.
Get up to speed on the facts as to where A.A. ideas first came from. Get a Bible. Read Matthew 5-7, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James. All three segments are easy reading. And our title The James Club will make the whole picture quite clear to you and strengthen your recovery efforts.
See also our new Introductory Class with 4 DVD's and guides--"Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery." This class is meant to be a startup for study groups, history inquiries, treatment programs, counseling, prison and homeless outreach, and Christ-centered recovery groups and fellowships. It will show you how A.A. began and why the Bible backdrop is important for you to know if you don't just want to spew forth opinions and speculations about A.A. and its ideas that have no foundation in fact.
dickb@dickb.dom
Now many AAs may hear the expressions "First Things First," "Easy Does It," "Thy will be done," and those referring to forgiveness, making amends, taking a moral inventory, purity, love, etc.
Few realize how much better they could understand these ideas if they looked to the portions of the Bible known as Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7.
Similarly, AAs hear expressions like "Faith without works is dead," "taming the tongue," confessing faults one to another, eliminating grudges, "loving thy neighbor as thyself," and avoiding temptation. Here also, better understanding of God's will in these matters can be found in the Book of James.
Lastly, AAs are quite familiar with expressions like patience, tolerance, kindness, and love. But they would more easily relate these ideas to the Bible and to a better understanding of the Twelve Steps and Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous if they read the short chapter in 1 Corinthians 13.
That is why we published our title The James Club. That is why a number of A.A. study groups across the United States and Canada have called themselves The James Club--because early AAs considered the Book of James to be their favorite and wanted to call their society The James Club.
To find a line-by-line, verse-by-verse comparison of the Biblical ideas in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James with specific quotes or specific references to these basic Bible ideas in Alcoholics Anonymous, its Big Book, and its literature, we encourage you to purchase The James Club, either on our website www.dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml, or by going to Amazon.com.
Get up to speed on the facts as to where A.A. ideas first came from. Get a Bible. Read Matthew 5-7, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James. All three segments are easy reading. And our title The James Club will make the whole picture quite clear to you and strengthen your recovery efforts.
See also our new Introductory Class with 4 DVD's and guides--"Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery." This class is meant to be a startup for study groups, history inquiries, treatment programs, counseling, prison and homeless outreach, and Christ-centered recovery groups and fellowships. It will show you how A.A. began and why the Bible backdrop is important for you to know if you don't just want to spew forth opinions and speculations about A.A. and its ideas that have no foundation in fact.
dickb@dickb.dom
Alcoholics Anonymous History: See You in California
In one month, my son Ken B. and I will be speaking at conferences and seminars and having personal meetings in many California locations.
The topic, as always, will be 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 A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in 1935. And. The role they can and should play in recovery today among those who want God's help and will go to any length to seek it. Hebrews 11:6
If you live in the Orange County or Los Angeles areas, we will be staying at the Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel in the first week (Sept 11--). We will be glad to meet with you. And we will be speaking at Covina on Tuesday to the James Club Fellowships of Southern California. I will be speaking at Lifelines--The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa at 7:00 PM on Friday. We'll be meeting with the staff at Pacific Hills Treatment Centers in San Juan Capistrano--and later we will conclude at Huntington Beach at His Place Church--Food by Roman Cucina. Music by a great combo. And then the talk.
If you live in the San Diego area, we will be speaking at Escondido, San Diego, and Carlsbad the next week.
And our last week will be filled with talks at San Jose with the CityTeam staff, at Livermore at a Cornerstone Church location, at Auburn, at Oroville--in both cases at a Church of the Nazarene, and at Brentwood at the Golden Hills Church.
We will have books available.
And we will be talking lots about our new class: "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" -- a 4 DVD class (1 hour each) with guides--that will get you up to speed on the Christian roots of A.A. in Vermont and New England, the Christian upbringing of Bill W. and Dr. Bob in Vermont, the special emphasis Bill Wilson received about what the Great Physician Jesus Christ could do for him, the real details of Bill's "white light" experience at Towns, how the first three AAs got sober, the simple 7 point program they used, the 14 practices they employed, the 75% success rate they attained, and the changes that took place as the Big Book was being printed.
www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml
Contact dickb@dickb.com for details on the schedule, the class, and possible personal visists.
The topic, as always, will be 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 A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in 1935. And. The role they can and should play in recovery today among those who want God's help and will go to any length to seek it. Hebrews 11:6
If you live in the Orange County or Los Angeles areas, we will be staying at the Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel in the first week (Sept 11--). We will be glad to meet with you. And we will be speaking at Covina on Tuesday to the James Club Fellowships of Southern California. I will be speaking at Lifelines--The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa at 7:00 PM on Friday. We'll be meeting with the staff at Pacific Hills Treatment Centers in San Juan Capistrano--and later we will conclude at Huntington Beach at His Place Church--Food by Roman Cucina. Music by a great combo. And then the talk.
If you live in the San Diego area, we will be speaking at Escondido, San Diego, and Carlsbad the next week.
And our last week will be filled with talks at San Jose with the CityTeam staff, at Livermore at a Cornerstone Church location, at Auburn, at Oroville--in both cases at a Church of the Nazarene, and at Brentwood at the Golden Hills Church.
We will have books available.
And we will be talking lots about our new class: "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" -- a 4 DVD class (1 hour each) with guides--that will get you up to speed on the Christian roots of A.A. in Vermont and New England, the Christian upbringing of Bill W. and Dr. Bob in Vermont, the special emphasis Bill Wilson received about what the Great Physician Jesus Christ could do for him, the real details of Bill's "white light" experience at Towns, how the first three AAs got sober, the simple 7 point program they used, the 14 practices they employed, the 75% success rate they attained, and the changes that took place as the Big Book was being printed.
www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml
Contact dickb@dickb.com for details on the schedule, the class, and possible personal visists.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
