CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

[Bingo]

Medical Affirmation

The 1951 Lasker Award to Alcoholics Anonymous

In 1951, when A.A. was 16 years old, Bill was offered the Lasker Award. Established by the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation and administered by the 12,000 member Public Health Association, the award honored exceptional achievement in the field of medical research and public health administration. Previous recipients had been scientists, public health leaders and medical groups. Bill declined the award for himself personally but suggested it be given to A.A. as a whole, which it was (minus the accompanying $1,000 cash grant, which A.A. turned down in the spirit of its Seventh Tradition of self-support).
In presenting the award, the foundation noted that, "today this world fellowship of 4,000 groups, resident in 38 countries, is rehabilitating 25,000 additional persons yearly. In emphasizing alcoholism as an illness, the social stigma associated with this condition is being blotted out." It further lauded A.A. for working "on the novel principle that a recovered alcoholic can reach and treat a fellow sufferer as no one else can" and, "in so doing, maintain his own sobriety.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
'Few years ago, when my only brother unexpectedly passed away in Canada, I had to fly to Canada
to take care of things, and had never been there and knew no one. By the grace of God, a stranger
came up to be, gave me a hug and said they were with an AA group, and were there to help if needed,
not a clue why or how, but the hand of God was there for me and hands of AA. Well they certainly
did help, and I was most grateful. So, I was able to witness first hand, the power and strength found
within the fellowship of recovering alcoholics, wherever one might find themselves. Tears of the
heart, I know well, but by the grace of God, and another sober day...yes...my name is Bob...and I
AM ...a grateful recovering alcoholic."....
'Praise God'

 

[calibob]

Thanks' Bob: Thanks for the reminder that we here at CRA have no financial ties with any other 12 step group. We don't sell or distribute any books, study or step guides, gifts, coffee cups, chips or swag like other groups do. We do support and participate in our own recovery by supporting our host Christian Chat. I'd like to personally thank @RoboOp and @Oncefallen for allowing us to have this platform to share from. If anyone would like to send and or receive personal messages to me or anyone identified here, you must join Christian Chat. We did! Membership has it's privileges, see robo for details... When the monthly fundraiser comes around remember the 7th tradition, "All groups ought to be self supporting..." and support your own recovery. On that note; I don't even know where to buy a cup of coffee for $1 any more. So to you tight wads, please be realistic. It costs money to sponsor a site like this, remember that when robo sends you the monthly reminder.

I feel we are brothers in common with most other 12 step groups and we have reached the point to suggest if you have been following along and working the steps to get your own sponsor and I would suggest a 12 step work book too. There plenty available online in pdf and other formats. They are valuable recovery tools. Just over look the legally required agnostic rhetoric like, higher Power, as we understand him, Great Spirit … etc. There's one and only Lord God above all, seek and ye shall find. There's plenty of materials available from may I suggest; AA, NA, Celebrate Recovery.. ad in fin item.

 

[tourist]

How do you get a wireless connection without a router?

And all the stuff you mentioned. I've never done drugs, got drunk only once in my life, tried suicide more than once during my life, and lost family members to it. Been on meds since age 5, and have endured numerous times of agonizing pain. I deal with physical and emotional stress every single day.

You'd know all this if you read all my testimonies that I have written on these subjects. They're in the link below if you care to read them.

I have been totally wasted with alcohol too in my younger days before giving it up totally in 1992. I still love alcohol but each day I simply choose not to drink. If I could take the same approach to my nicotine addiction I will be all set. I will say, "I love to smoke but I choose not to do so today, while it is still called Today". It makes no sense why I still smoke. It is harmful, messy, and expensive. I suppose I have convinced myself that cigarettes are my form of tranquillizer meds. I deal with the physical and emotional stress each day too so I can relate somewhat to what you have said. Time for another dose of meds. Goes well together with coffee. Yeah, got a caffeine addiction too. I'm certainly a piece of work but that is better than being a piece of crap.

 

[calibob]

Health , sanity and medications. Shame, shame upon those who cast aspersions upon those of us who must take medications for legitimate medical reasons. I lost a sponsor to cancer. In the dusk of his life he had to take methadone to remain functional and continued doing 12 step work until he was hospitalized.

There are those of us too who need psych meds to keep our heads in check. Please don't stop taking your meds without consulting a doctor, the results can be a disaster.

 

[calibob]

I have been totally wasted with alcohol too in my younger days before giving it up totally in 1992. I still love alcohol but each day I simply choose not to drink. If I could take the same approach to my nicotine addiction I will be all set. I will say, "I love to smoke but I choose not to do so today, while it is still called Today". It makes no sense why I still smoke. It is harmful, messy, and expensive. I suppose I have convinced myself that cigarettes are my form of tranquillizer meds. I deal with the physical and emotional stress each day too so I can relate somewhat to what you have said. Time for another dose of meds. Goes well together with coffee. Yeah, got a caffeine addiction too. I'm certainly a piece of work but that is better than being a piece of crap.

Thanks tourist. We help ourselves as well when we share with others. Who's next?

 

[Bingo]

Thanks' Bob: Thanks for the reminder that we here at CRA have no financial ties with any other 12 step group. We don't sell or distribute any books, study or step guides, gifts, coffee cups, chips or swag like other groups do. We do support and participate in our own recovery by supporting our host Christian Chat. I'd like to personally thank @RoboOp and @Oncefallen for allowing us to have this platform to share from. If anyone would like to send and or receive personal messages to me or anyone identified here, you must join Christian Chat. We did! Membership has it's privileges, see robo for details... When the monthly fundraiser comes around remember the 7th tradition, "All groups ought to be self supporting..." and support your own recovery. On that note; I don't even know where to buy a cup of coffee for $1 any more. So to you tight wads, please be realistic. It costs money to sponsor a site like this, remember that when robo sends you the monthly reminder.

I feel we are brothers in common with most other 12 step groups and we have reached the point to suggest if you have been following along and working the steps to get your own sponsor and I would suggest a 12 step work book too. There plenty available online in pdf and other formats. They are valuable recovery tools. Just over look the legally required agnostic rhetoric like, higher Power, as we understand him, Great Spirit … etc. There's one and only Lord God above all, seek and ye shall find. There's plenty of materials available from may I suggest; AA, NA, Celebrate Recovery.. ad in fin item.

"Amen".......Thanks for sharing.

 

[Bingo]

"Thanks tourist and calibob for sharing. I remember my sponsor once telling me, are we
not meant be happy and free, so lets have another smoke.... twenty five years sober at
the time, but he too liked his smokes. I had to back off, collapsed lung and now on inhaler,
but thank God, still able to be active in golf and ride bicycle and stay busy in garage with
wood working projects....busy hands are happy hands...and of course coffee close by....
Have a great day guys....love ya!.....
'Praise God'

 

[Magenta]

I have so much to be grateful for! Sometimes you hear people at meetings say they are grateful they were addicts or alcoholics, because they learned so much about themselves once they finally cleaned up with the help of the program and support of the fellowship, and this I can understand, because I love going to meetings and listening to people share their experience, strength, and hope. Thirty years of meetings, yes, it is a joy for me to listen, to relate and identify, to find humor in our foibles and weaknesses, to know I am not alone, and acknowledge our true source of strength...

I hear it said occasionally, "Let us love you until you learn to love yourself." I am still learning about the disease and how it truly affects me, and in turn continue to learn to rely more fully on the God of my understanding, Who we know as Jesus Christ, to relieve me of the insanity I can still experience as I learn to love, forgive, and accept myself as I am. Acceptance, surrender, and a smile accompany the joy I have found. I have so much to be grateful for!

Praise the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever!

And thank you, Bob, for this thread, and for your continued love and support. Reading various 12 step literature, as well as Scriptures together, is a wonderful way to spend time together

You are such a blessing in my life

 

[calibob]

Hello again. now hat there are two Bobs here, I'll revert to Calibob for the sake of keeping things straight. I am recovering from Addictive disorder (nos) and Major depressive but I'm getting better thanks to Jesus and the twelve steps. The topic I'd like to bring up is depression, not the normal kind like my car broke down or my daughter got pregnant but the disabling kind, Fresh from the National Institute for Mental Health>

Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

I've been dealing with it for years but I had been NOT dealing with it for decades.

Look what I found.>

"Brain Buster; Depression and alcohol don't mix. Although most people with alcohol problems are not clinically depressed, the substantial minority who suffer from depression are much more likely to relapse if that don't get treatment for both. And substance abusers who are depressed are much more likely to commit suicide." (c.o. The complete IDIOT'S guide to PSYCHOLOGY)

I have more than an alcohol problem. I'm an alcoholic!

Again from NIMH:
"Did you know that addiction to drugs or alcohol is a mental illness? Substance use disorder changes normal desires and priorities. It changes normal behaviors and interferes with the ability to work, go to school, and to have good relationships with friends and family. In 2014, 20.2 million adults in the U.S. had a substance use disorder and 7.9 million had both a substance use disorder and another mental illness."

In fact lack of treatment for both is a primary stumbling block on the road to recovery. It took 1000's of years for mankind to figure this out. Because denial of mental and/or emotional disorders is part of the disease. In the step we uncover our true nature but only if we have the capacity to be honest with ourselves first then confess to God and admit to another the nature of ourselves. Forgive others ask for forgiveness for ourselves, and move on with our lives.

James 5:16 New International Version (NIV). "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
We don't need to beat our selves up we should not forget to list our strengths and/or assets in our inventory. We are not bad people. We are people who are hurt and suffering that have made bad choices and have been in bad situations.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

That's all for now brethren. This meeting is open thank you for comming.,

 

[calibob]

I have so much to be grateful for! Sometimes you hear people at meetings say they are grateful they were addicts or alcoholics, because they learned so much about themselves once they finally cleaned up with the help of the program and support of the fellowship, and this I can understand, because I love going to meetings and listening to people share their experience, strength, and hope. Thirty years of meetings, yes, it is a joy for me to listen, to relate and identify, to find humor in our foibles and weaknesses, to know I am not alone, and acknowledge our true source of strength...

I hear it said occasionally, "Let us love you until you learn to love yourself." I am still learning about the disease and how it truly affects me, and in turn continue to learn to rely more fully on the God of my understanding, Who we know as Jesus Christ, to relieve me of the insanity I can still experience as I learn to love, forgive, and accept myself as I am. Acceptance, surrender, and a smile accompany the joy I have found. I have so much to be grateful for!

Praise the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever!

And thank you, Bob, for this thread, and for your continued love and support. Reading various 12 step literature, as well as Scriptures together, is a wonderful way to spend time together

You are such a blessing in my life

Thanks for sharing... I love you too.

 

[Bingo]

Thanks for sharing... I love you too.

"Amen and Amen!........I love ya all!......I thank each one of you for being you...
'Praise God'

 

[calibob]

@Hamarr Here we are! Please introduce yourself and welcome aboard. PTL.

 

[Bingo]

~Thought for Today~
"I didn't need to learn how to meditate before meditating. It turned out to be one of those learn-as-you-go things -- just as learning how to stay sober is part of staying sober a day at a time.".......
'Praise God'

 

[calibob]

~Thought for Today~
"I didn't need to learn how to meditate before meditating. It turned out to be one of those learn-as-you-go things -- just as learning how to stay sober is part of staying sober a day at a time."....... View attachment 197879
'Praise God'

I find the best way for me is to set aside some quiet time and a quiet place without distractions. Try and hush the committee meeting in my head and humble myself. I try to pray for understanding so the truths can be understood.
Yes truths. My truth and Gods truth. Prayer and meditation is a two way conversation between myself and the Lord. It takes practice. Maybe some mood music, or a fan may help. A comforting book like Psalms, Ecclesiastes, one day at a time or just for today may still my heart and soul. Whatever truth you find inspiring, uplifting and or energizing. What we call the Lords prayer is literally instruction on how to pray rather a prayer in and of itself. I taught ME how to pray. I love a dark quiet place, if I'm hungry I eat a bit or two of comfort food first while others find fasting helpful.

I takes practice, trial and error then try again to find the right balance, like riding a bicycle. We have to figure out for ourselves which way works best before we are comfortable enough to enjoy the ride. When we do it all becomes worth the effort. We can enjoy hearing the birds as we go down a smooth level road with no traffic. What took brains determination and skill becomes effortless fun. That's how it worked for me. Now I can hop over small obstacles fearlessly without even slowing down.

Thanks for the inspirational topic Bingo.

 

[calibob]

I was going to touch upon step six this morning but now I'm inspired to cover Study materials a little first. When I first came to the Lord I was taught King James was the only way to go. But the almost poetic nature seemed hard to understand. I never met anyone who talked tike that. A childhood hero of mine, Sgt. Joe Friday's famous tag line, "Just the facts ma'm" or "keep it simple stupid". fit my keep up the pace fit my energy level more so I studied different versions like Good News and New American Standard until I settled on the New International Version. My study partner @Magenta read a chapter a day of KJV and NIV now. The differences side by side makes them more three dimensional and we acquire greater learning and appreciation for them. The same can be said for twelve step books. I cut my teeth on the A.A. till I could walk. But desiring more input and having had more exposure to the program I have come to enjoy studying the N.A. basic text, Celebrate Recovery and 12 steps and Dual Disorders also. I would encourage you to get grounded first in which ever one you have the most exposure to, before you compare or explore but accepting the differences requires understanding them and that understanding dosn't fall out of the sky upon us as we carry the message we also learn as we go. There is no sacred version or text. I enjoy them all.

 

[calibob]

From the 12 steps of CiDR 9author, Anonymous)

Step 6) We prepared ourselves to allow Jesus to remove all our shortcomings.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV

Matthew 5: 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied. NIV

In step 6 we make a commitment to ask the Lord to lift the burdens of the past off our hearts. We pray for forgiveness and for the ability to learn to let go and let God. We need to ask for help to change the old ways of doing things and learn new ways. I takes attention and our least favorite thing, work!

We need to cross back over to a saner way of living and Jesus is the best way. We should pray rather tha recite the serenity prayer. Some times rather recite a prayer written by another man I paraphrase it. This causes me to engage my brain rather than just my mouth.

The experience of others is a always a recovery asset. One of the discoveries of the program is there is healing power in testimony. Both for the speaker and for the listener.
I'm calibob and that's my 2 bits worth today. This meeting is open. Who's next?

 

[calibob]

The spiritual experience, By Alcoholics Anonymous PDF downloadable, link>
https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/en_bigbook_appendiceii.pdf

It explains two kinds of experiences. We at CRA strive for both kinds. The kind that comes from on High and the kind that comes from education. We can never get too sane, sober, blessed or smart. Although the original version was targeted for alcoholics, we find it is equally true across a myriad of coping and behavioral problems. Give it a look. It may help you find some serenity, which is a spiritual peace of mind.

Return to God with all your heart, the source of grace and mercy; Come seek the tender faithfulness of God. Now the time of grace has come, the day of salvation; Come and learn now the way of our God. (Refrain) I will take your heart of stone and place a heart within you, A heart of compassion and love.
Marty Haugen.

 

[calibob]

Good day. I'm calibob and I'm grate full to be recovering from intermingled illness's of the mind and body that has effected my spiritual walk and my loved ones. Nearly everything I touched and everyone I ever love has been negatively affected by a disease I couldn't begin to understand before I humbled myself after hitting bottom, surrendered my self before the Lord and started following the Good Orderly Directions found in the twelve steps. I'm better now and getting better every day thank the Lord.

Today I've come to share a little of step seven with you before I sleep. From CiDR (Christians in Dual Recovery by anonymous). here is step seven.>

7) We humbly asked Jesus to make the corrections necessary for us to live happy, joyous and free.

The spiritual principals are sound and come from the Beatitudes'. >
Matthew 5 : 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. NIV

1 John 1: 8) If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9)If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

Having possession of our finished inventory and with a humble heart we make an honest commitment. We decide to allow the changes necessary to allow the Lord to take control of our recovery and our lives. We recognize that the truth is we cannot change without his help. We can see clearly that changes need to be made because our old way of doing thing dosn't work any more and hasn't been working for a long time. If things don't change they won't get better in fact it's very likely they will get worse. At the top of the list of things that need to change is us.

This is difficult because our human nature dosn't like change. Asking for help from another person is the best idea, that's why we should have a sponsor. Our self destructive, self defeating ways must be changed. Prayer is a valuable tool however it is rather inert unless we practice and believe it.

The age old question about how a musician gets to Carnegie hall applies here. The answer is practice! Here is a sample for you.>


Thank you @Magenta for burning the midnight oil to get this ready for us this morning.

It's way past my bedtime I'm leaving this meeting open. Good morning.

 

[Bingo]

"Good morning...back in the day I made the decision to turn my life over to God's care...
on bended knees and with tears, I laid my life out to God,
and asked for forgiveness of my wrong doings and to help me going forward to overcome some of my worst issues, my temper being foremost, as I had always had a short fuse and no patience with others.
( alcohol, pool and a short fuse was a bad combination for me...yeow! ) by the grace of God, they are done with. I have learned to control my 'short fuse' and this has truly allowed a great change of attitude and behavior of my life...and a tremendous improvement with all those around me...Thank God. Perfection, I know will never be, and this is just reality, but I assure you, by the grace of God and the principles of AA has turned my life around, with new meaning and purpose, of love, acceptance, patience and to be all I can be to be a better person. I like me a lot, compared to the old me...Yeah. So, each day I Thank God for being in my life, a sober life, my sponsor and AA. And, I know without, these words would never have come about from a life gone under."
"I came...I came to...I came to believe...God is...
I'M Alive...I'M Alive...I'M Alive."...
'Praise God'

 

[calibob]

Thank you for sharing. I used to usually be the biggest guy in the bar. Often some little guy, angry at the world with a chip on his shoulder would feel a smart thing to do was to get even and feel like a man by taking a swing at me.
All I wanted to do was get drunk and be left alone. I had enough of little men with a short complex in my 20's I didn't like to start fights but I felt that I was well within my rights to take the law in my own hands and the forfeited their rights to a fair fight and go nuclear on them. Fortunately I only got arrested for disorderly conduct and or drunk in public. My best thinking told me the best thing to do was to stay home when I got drunk, every night. I thought people like that deserved what ever I felt like dishing out.

I used neglect to pay attention to my emotions and that men who did were gay. God was watching out for them as well as myself. Nobody ever got seriously hurt. I had a John Wayne complex. Things are different now. I don't go to bars or get drunk and I'm not ashamed of my feelings.

I can't remember my clean date, (alcohol is a drug) I was in and out of blackouts for at least 30 of my 61 days of hospitalization for alcoholism. I was released to a treatment center for two more months. I grabbed on to the program like a life jacket.

I hate the idea of anyone ever getting like I got and if people really do have to hit bottom like I did, I doubt if their bottom has to be as low as mine was. Nutrition and education was part of my treatment along with 3 meetings a day for four months.