CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

calibob · Mar 28, 2019

I'd like to start a new thread for people in recovery who have figured out that the best way to start building a home is on solid ground. The rock.

This is a christian site and I feel identifying Krishna, Mohamed, Buddha, ash trays or group conscience as the higher power is a LIE. The only real higher power is the one and only triune God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The only problem is how to filter out the haters, law mongers and deniers'.

In the words of William Booth paraphrased "It takes more than a clean pair of breeches, a bath and a job to save a mans soul."

This is a deadly disease. We have to become deadly serious in dealing with it. Our best thinking got us into the mess we got ourselves into. We need help! Jesus has the power, we surrender to him.

Please join me friends and family welcome too. It's not like Christians don't get ensnared or those of us that become ensnared don't come to Jesus. We need to share, testify and help each other.

My name is Bob. I'm a grateful recovering addict/gambler/sinner. Please help/join me in my and others who are anonymous effort to bring some recovery without condemnation to Christian Chat.

TTFN. calibob.

blue_ladybug · Mar 28, 2019

Why is this in the Suggestions forum?

calibob · Mar 28, 2019

blue_ladybug said:

Because Kitty I have no idea how to start a new forum especially regarding a subject so controversial as addiction or mental/emotional breakdown and recovery. So I started with a suggestion on the suggestion forum...

blue_ladybug · Mar 28, 2019

You can't start a new forum. You can only either create a thread, or a group.

calibob · Mar 28, 2019

blue_ladybug said:

Well it was only a suggestion but they ran it. Let's see if it continues.

Bingo · Mar 28, 2019

calibob said:

"OMG!....Poof...And...this too was known from the beginning....
Maybe a recovery style 'cafeteria'...and, come as you are....all are welcome.....always open selections
on menu....lol..........little humor!...
'Praise God'..............United we stand....Divided we fall."

calibob · Mar 28, 2019

Bingo said:

That's the Idea. Jesus said "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden. I will give you rest." Not go fix yourself first.

calibob · Mar 29, 2019

When people haven't learned how to properly deal with our emotions and after years of practicing self medication to feel better in time backsliding or relapsing to intoxicating substances in times of stress becomes a tried and true temporary reprieve. Asking for help is difficult for us self willed people. Our pride ego and lack of humility resents seeking help in constructive ways.

There's always been a bottle pill or joint closer than someone with experience, strength and hope. Surrendering to God is especially difficult to those of us who don't know how. So we habitually return to the pig troth like a dog to it's vomit and wonder "Why me?"

We've got to be sick to get up and vomit in the morning and get drunk or loaded again the same night or week. Are we lost in denial not to realize we are poisoning ourselves, or have we just stop caring? If someone did to me or mine what I have done to myself or my loved ones I might cut their heart out. My own mind won't let me see it in myself. That's what the steps are for. To see a full panorama of the wreckage in our lives, what we have to work with and how to give it to Jesus.

We must stop trying to take the lead but rather follow the Lord. He knows the way home, not us. If someone can neither see the Sun, stars, nor the horizon, how do they become unlost? Jesus knows the way because Jesus is the way.

Bingo · Mar 29, 2019

calibob said:

When people haven't learned how to properly deal with our emotions and after years of practicing self medication to feel better in time backsliding or relapsing to intoxicating substances in times of stress becomes a tried and true temporary reprieve. Asking for help is difficult for us self willed people. Our pride ego and lack of humility resents seeking help in constructive ways.

There's always been a bottle pill or joint closer than someone with experience, strength and hope. Surrendering to God is especially difficult to those of us who don't know how. So we habitually return to the pig troth like a dog to it's vomit and wonder "Why me?"

We've got to be sick to get up and vomit in the morning and get drunk or loaded again the same night or week. Are we lost in denial not to realize we are poisoning ourselves, or have we just stop caring? If someone did to me or mine what I have done to myself or my loved ones I might cut their heart out. My own mind won't let me see it in myself. That's what the steps are for. To see a full panorama of the wreckage in our lives, what we have to work with and how to give it to Jesus.

We must stop trying to take the lead but rather follow the Lord. He knows the way home, not us. If someone can neither see the Sun, stars, nor the horizon, how do they become unlost? Jesus knows the way because Jesus is the way.

"Amen"........Thanks Cal' for sharing from the heart...many have not this bold honesty, but hide behind
a falseness of attempting to impress, to cover up their own insecurities ...'Christians' lost in...self!"

Bingo · Mar 29, 2019

"Many things are simply not met to understand...it would serve well of some to be gone with
the evolved 'modern day fantasies & illusions'... sad and disturbing what is being witnessed
across the land...for in their searching...lost souls are suffering the grave consequences of
deception on a grand scale...And...some of us through pain and suffering of an addiction, have
been introduced to a new life of reality....by the grace of God. This is not a fantasy or illusion...
a spiritual 'awaking' is a joy to behold...it has to be lived!"......We Came...We Came To...We Came To Believe."
'Praise God'

calibob · Mar 29, 2019

The idea that we have to fix ourselves before comming to God, is like fixing a toilet before calling the plumber. No that's not how it works.

NayborBear · Mar 29, 2019

calibob said:

Dunno how to start this Cali-Bob.
It wasn't until I had gotten so "sick in heart, and soul" sad, that one day? I simply said "THAT'S IT!" "I'm DONE with crack cocaine. DONE! I walked away from it. No praying, no asking anything from anyone! Not God. Not Jesus. Not anyone! Just "made up my mind", and done it!
I have to also admit, that this happened some 3 er 4 years after I (for a lack of a better way to esplains it?), Answered His "call!" As to who was doing the calling? God? Jesus? I really don't know for certain. Coulda been Jesus, as His sheep "know His voice." So, it probably was. Although, even at this time? I'm still not certain who was "calling." Just know it was an holy calling.
So, it was cold turkey for NayborBear! You wanna talk about one PO'ed son of perdition? He certainly was! STILL is! (anyways...I digress) This happened some 35+ years ago.

Anyway, some 3 er 4 weeks after walking away? I was at the house, just watching the tube, when all of a sudden, but, it really wasn't all at once? This "feeling of Love" just started coming into me. Dunno if it was my heart, soul, spirit, flesh, mind? YES! Is the only answer I can give to that.

Felt pretty "cool" at the onset. (but I am digressing again) All I will say, at this point, is that when it stopped? It didn't feel "cool!" Actually really really scary! Really really tried by my own will in trying to stop it? NO DICE! At that juncture? I had NO doubt, in my military mind as to who it was. And no denying as to what it was either! IT WAS HOLY!
NO DENYING THAT!
Then, this voice sez to me: "You have done acts attributable towards righteousness!" Which sounded rather odd to my ears, in these days of the New Covenant. And, that Abram was the only person I had ever heard of whom God said those words to. (yes, I grew up in the church, and baptized at the age of 13. Didn't leave the church, until 17 er 18. so, I knew about Abram)
It continued speaking telling me: "You've been doing it your way?" "Now, I'm going to show you MY way!"
"EVERYTHING you learned in church?" "Is WRONG!"

I be getting into my testimony, and forgetting that which I was to tell you!

Don't go asking no higher power, or God, or anyone else!
Just make up yer mind, and KICK IT!
So what if it kills ya?!
Least you'll know ya died trying!
And KNOW? There's a whole LOTTA SOMBODY'S up there "keepin' score!"
You can BET THE FARM on it!

calibob · Mar 29, 2019

NayborBear said:

Dunno how to start this Cali-Bob.
It wasn't until I had gotten so "sick in heart, and soul" sad, that one day? I simply said "THAT'S IT!" "I'm DONE with crack cocaine. DONE! I walked away from it. No praying, no asking anything from anyone! Not God. Not Jesus. Not anyone! Just "made up my mind", and done it!
I have to also admit, that this happened some 3 er 4 years after I (for a lack of a better way to esplains it?), Answered His "call!" As to who was doing the calling? God? Jesus? I really don't know for certain. Coulda been Jesus, as His sheep "know His voice." So, it probably was. Although, even at this time? I'm still not certain who was "calling." Just know it was an holy calling.
So, it was cold turkey for NayborBear! You wanna talk about one PO'ed son of perdition? He certainly was! STILL is! (anyways...I digress) This happened some 35+ years ago.

Anyway, some 3 er 4 weeks after walking away? I was at the house, just watching the tube, when all of a sudden, but, it really wasn't all at once? This "feeling of Love" just started coming into me. Dunno if it was my heart, soul, spirit, flesh, mind? YES! Is the only answer I can give to that.

Felt pretty "cool" at the onset. (but I am digressing again) All I will say, at this point, is that when it stopped? It didn't feel "cool!" Actually really really scary! Really really tried by my own will in trying to stop it? NO DICE! At that juncture? I had NO doubt, in my military mind as to who it was. And no denying as to what it was either! IT WAS HOLY!
NO DENYING THAT!
Then, this voice sez to me: "You have done acts attributable towards righteousness!" Which sounded rather odd to my ears, in these days of the New Covenant. And, that Abram was the only person I had ever heard of whom God said those words to. (yes, I grew up in the church, and baptized at the age of 13. Didn't leave the church, until 17 er 18. so, I knew about Abram)
It continued speaking telling me: "You've been doing it your way?" "Now, I'm going to show you MY way!"
"EVERYTHING you learned in church?" "Is WRONG!"

I be getting into my testimony, and forgetting that which I was to tell you!

Don't go asking no higher power, or God, or anyone else!
Just make up yer mind, and KICK IT!
So what if it kills ya?!
Least you'll know ya died trying!
And KNOW? There's a whole LOTTA SOMBODY'S up there "keepin' score!"
You can BET THE FARM on it!

You are 1 in at least 100. Wouldn't it have been easier to humble your self and ask for God's help? You humbled yourself when you got saved and he certainly knew who and what you were then.

Honestly before he came to me dying seemed preferable to living the way things were. Part of what kept me from committing suicide was I didn't want to leave my family in the lurch I couldn't imagine death being any worse than life and considered throwing myself in front of L.A. metro rail in Long Beach. An odd set of circumstances led me to getting the kind of help I needed, when I was ready to surrender or die.

I was powerless. The Lord used others to lead me back to him, humble myself and join the winning team.

NayborBear · Mar 29, 2019

calibob said:

Me? Nah! At that point in my life? I was so PO'ed at God, Jesus, and at my parents? If God woulda told me it was sunny outside? I woulda had to go to the window and look!

Come to find out? T'was God that made me thatta way! Just so He could show me His strength!

Do I regret doing all the partying and drugs I did? Nah! Not really! Could just call it like Jackson Browne called it. "Just Another Town Along The Road" To ETERNITY!

Would I go and do it again? Nah!

calibob · Mar 29, 2019

calibob said:

If I shared about all the things I did I would sound like I was boasting about my sinful life so I won't. I was too sick to take care of my self. Suffice it to say I was homeless and hungry looking for a place to rest and be fed never intending to amend my ways but planning on another run instead. I played along with the program thinking after a little vacation I'd go back and do it again I still hadn't learned my lesson but clean and sober blackouts started happening and they got my attention.

I started to study then asked for the Lords help, repented, met some people who really knew what they were talking about and started going back to church. The majority there were addicts in recovery. It was the right time, the right place and the right people. Praise the Lord! I even went back to school in my mid 50's. Now I'd rather hand out sandwiches to the homeless than get drunk or stoned. Before I'd rather get drunk and stoned than to eat. Yes, God showed up in spite of my worst intentions. Believe it! Remember Saul of Tarsus? Jesus can change everything!

Bingo · Mar 29, 2019

calibob said:

"Amen"........."And...make no mistake folks...we have learned the hard way....and also...
we have come to know of the profound significance of humility and gratitude...this too has
to be learned...afflictions, addictions, bad habits, untold bad choices...no human is without
disobedience of some sort...but some us for reasons unknown...came to know of the meaning
of a Higher Power that miraculously delivered some of us out of a hell here on earth....
so yes, by the grace of God...humility and gratitude...we know of....attitude and behavior
is on a spiritual level that many know not of...this too has to be lived...believe it!"
'Praise God'

Bingo · Mar 30, 2019

"My name is 'Bingo' Bob...I am a grateful recovering alcoholic.
"Sharing our experiences, strengths...hopes, interests, faith...life happening in general.
For we are here to learn, share, love, appreciate and to give of ourselves."
'Praise God'........

calibob · Mar 30, 2019

Thank you for sharing. I'm Bob and I am in grateful recovery too. I'll never say I cured because a sip or toke or a pull on a slot machine where most people can stop will hijack me for who knows how long to who knows where.

calibob · Mar 31, 2019

As Christians we know the Higher Powers name is Jesus Christ. We believe in building upon the Rock here. The rest goes like this;

Just for today,

Today, I will be free of addictive substances.
Today, I will follow a healthy plan to manage my emotional or psychiatric illness.
Today, I will practice the Twelve Steps.

We admitted we were powerless over our dual illness of chemical dependency and emotional or psychiatric illness - that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Higher Power of our understanding could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of our Higher Power, to help us to rebuild our lives in a positive and caring way.
Made a searching and fearless personal inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to our Higher Power, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our liabilities and our assets.
Were entirely ready to have our Higher Power remove all our liabilities.
Humbly asked our Higher Power to remove these liabilities and to help us to strengthen our assets for recovery.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and when wrong promptly admitted it, while continuing to recognize our progress in dual recovery.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power, praying only for knowledge of our Higher Power's will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others who experience dual disorders and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Bingo · Mar 31, 2019

calibob said:

As Christians we know the Higher Powers name is Jesus Christ. We believe in building upon the Rock here. The rest goes like this;

Just for today,

Today, I will be free of addictive substances.
Today, I will follow a healthy plan to manage my emotional or psychiatric illness.
Today, I will practice the Twelve Steps.

We admitted we were powerless over our dual illness of chemical dependency and emotional or psychiatric illness - that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Higher Power of our understanding could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of our Higher Power, to help us to rebuild our lives in a positive and caring way.
Made a searching and fearless personal inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to our Higher Power, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our liabilities and our assets.
Were entirely ready to have our Higher Power remove all our liabilities.
Humbly asked our Higher Power to remove these liabilities and to help us to strengthen our assets for recovery.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and when wrong promptly admitted it, while continuing to recognize our progress in dual recovery.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power, praying only for knowledge of our Higher Power's will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others who experience dual disorders and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

"Amen".......
"Sharing our experiences, strenghts, hopes, interests, faith...life happening in general.
For we are here to learn, share, love, appreciate and to give of ourselves."
'Praise God'

CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

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