Willingness

Applying “Old School” A.A. in Today’s 12-Step Fellowships

What the First, Original, Akron A.A. Program Was and Did

The way the first three AAs-Bill W., Dr. Bob, Bill D.-got sober before there was a “Big Book.” See The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010, pp. 57-59.

    1. There were no Steps;

    2. There were no Traditions;

    3. There was no “Big Book”;

    4. There were no “drunkalogs” (of the kind seen today); and

    5. There were no meetings (of the kinds seen today).

Instead, each of the first three AAs:

    1. believed in God;

    2. was a Christian;

    3. asked God for deliverance; and

    4. received the requested deliverance from God.

The Summary by Frank Amos, Published in DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, page 131.

Applying “Old School” A.A. in Today’s 12-Step Fellowships Read More »

A Right Heart


1) A right heart is a NEW heart (Ezek. 36:26). It is not the heart with which a person is born—but another heart put in them by the Holy Spirit. It is a heart which has new tastes, new joys, new sorrows, new desires, new hopes, new fears, new likes, new dislikes. It has new views about the soul, sin, God, Christ, salvation, the Bible, prayer, heaven, hell, the world, and holiness. It is like a farm with a new and good tenant. “Old things are passed away. Behold all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

A Right Heart Read More »

“Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery” – Workshop Transcript

note: You may discuss this workshop in the Message Boards HERE

Obie-Host Welcome to the “Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery” Workshop
Please join me in welcoming Chaplain Michael Clark who will be leading the workshop. He is involved with Shadows of the Cross Ministries as well as Prison and Recovery Ministry. Chaplain Clark is a noted Speaker and Writer, Addiction Counselor/Professional as well as a Recovery Support Specialist. He will speak for several minutes after which we will open the floor for questions and comments from you for Chaplain Clark.

Let us open in prayer this evening.

Heavenly Father,
We ask Your blessings upon Chaplain Clark as he leads this workshop today.

“Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery” – Workshop Transcript Read More »

Learning God’s Purpose for Your Life

But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves,
not having been baptized by John. Luke 7:30, NASB

We hear a lot about the importance of “purpose-driven lives,” but is it enough to follow any purpose… or does it matter whose purpose we choose to follow?

The above verse in Luke tells us that the Pharisees and lawyers rejected God’s purpose for their lives. Why? Because they hadn’t been baptized by John. What does that have to do with it?

Learning God’s Purpose for Your Life Read More »

The God of All Comfort: Grief Share

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to… the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

When a neighbor lost her husband two years ago, many comforted her.

Those who had lost a loved one were able to comfort her with the comfort they had received from God.

Grief Share is a support group for those who have lost a loved one.

The facilitators and small group leaders have all experienced at least one significant loss.

They first went to Grief Share for the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort to comfort them.

The God of All Comfort: Grief Share Read More »

Walking in His Purpose

“Today, if you will hear His voice…” (Hebrews 3:7, NKJV).

I am constantly amazed at the precious people who say to me, “I wish I had a ministry like you.” Have you ever said that to someone? Thought it? Really? Because the truth is, we all have a ministry, a calling, a purpose. And we’ve all been called to fulfill it—today. Not tomorrow or next week or next year. Not after the kids are grown or we pay off all our bills or get a degree or move to a different location. We are called to hear and respond to God’s voice TODAY.

Walking in His Purpose Read More »

Living a Life of Secrets: Becoming a Character of Faith

You can live the life you love, even in the face of the most challenging circumstances. While sometimes it may appear that life throws more obstacles in your path than you can handle, you can always choose to be happy. Yes, you are that powerful. However, at the time of accounting we should not be surprised at the place that we have earned in the heart of Christ. Romans 8:18 states For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Becoming a Character of Faith

Living a Life of Secrets: Becoming a Character of Faith Read More »

An Invitation to Christian Eating Disorder Recovery

Does your eating disorder seem to serve a purpose in your life? Perhaps it seems that it gives you comfort or that it even serves as a distraction from painful underlying issues. Can you imagine your life without the eating disorder? Is there something unexplainable about the eating disorder that keeps you bound to it?

I can relate. It seemed impossible that I would ever be ready to let go of the eating disorder. I was even afraid of what would take its place since I felt there would be a void in my life without it. Eventually, though, I was ready to let go of the eating disorder and allow God to show me a better life without it.

An Invitation to Christian Eating Disorder Recovery Read More »