Step 12

A.A. 12-Step Christian Parallels: Steps 10-12

Step Ten through Step Twelve

We have many times documented the frequent statements by A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson that his friend Rev. Sam Shoemaker was the major source of the Big Book ideas and Twelve Steps.1

And you can find almost exact parallels between the language Bill Wilson used in the Big Book and the language Shoemaker wrote in his many Christian books, articles, and pamphlets. Sometimes Bill’s parallel language is found in the instructions of the Big Book for “taking” the Steps. Sometimes his language is found in the Steps themselves.

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Why Bother Helping People Who Hurt You: Puppies & Porcupines

Yesterday I asked How Do You Help An Injured Porcupine? Today I’m thinking of a different question:

Why bother?

Ever cuddle a puppy? They curl up in your lap and lick your face. Everything about a puppy is somehow warm and soft and fuzzy.

Cuddling a puppy is fun and rewarding. Puppies do cute stuff—even their mischief elicits smiles. They appreciate and respond to kindness. They trust. If you get angry they forgive.

Even non-dog-lovers have a soft spot for puppies. If hurting people were like puppies, helping them would be easy. Folks would line up for the opportunity.

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Heaven or Earth? The Choice is Simple

Hebrews 9:27-28 NKJV
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

I read in a book once that the early church didn’t celebrate birthdays because they found life to be so painful, but rather celebrated deaths because death was the transition from this life into heaven. I know that growing up, our church celebrated funerals and called them graduations. These celebrations were filled with joyous songs because we knew that the person who had died was now in the presence of the Lord, a place we all wanted to be.

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Christians Attitudes/Actions Toward One Another

      John 15:12 – Love one another
      Romans 5:13 – Don’t pass judgment on one another
      Romans 12:5 – Be members of one another
      Romans 12:10 – Honor one another
      Romans 12:16 – Live in harmony with one another

      Romans 14:19 – Build up one another
      Romans 15:5 – Be like-minded toward one another
      Romans 15:7 – Accept one another
      1 Corinthians 12:25 – Care for one another
      Galatians 5:13 – Serve one another in love

      Galatians 5:26 – Don’t provoke or envy one another
      Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens
      Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another
      Colossians 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive one another
      1 Thessalonians 3:12 – Abound in love toward one another

      1 Thessalonians 4:18 – Comfort one another
      Titus 3:3 – Don’t hate one another

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Give the Gift of Recovery

Do you have a friend or know of someone who just lost a job, is struggling with life, addiction or relationships, has a new baby, etc.? Don’t do something that matters little after a day or two. Make a difference! There are many ways to give the gift of recovery to a friend or loved one. Give the gift that will change their life:

Gift Membership to CIR

Give a CIR scholarship to someone in need

Donate in Memory or Honor of a Loved One

Chips, Medallions & Keyrings

Hats & T-shirts

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Twelve Steps to Power

Note: This is one of Sam Shoemaker’s most helpful articles which shows how “the program” so effective for alcoholics can work for all of us.

One of the most remarkable phenomena of our time is the growth of the movement called Alcoholics Anonymous. My interest in it is personal as well as objective, for the men who set it in motion first found the spiritual experience which changed their lives in my own church, though the first actual group of Alcoholics Anonymous was formed in Akron, Ohio.

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