CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

Magenta · Sep 14, 2019

Where I live, we are required to wear clothes, and clothes cost money, and are mandated by law to be worn in public. As a Christian it is my duty to obey the law, and quite frankly, I am grateful to have clothes, and that others do too. I also pay rent on an apartment, and am grateful not to have to live on the street or in a neighborhood where it is not safe and crime is rampant. What I see when I look out my window at God's creation is beautiful

I also value my friends and acquaintances in the recovery rooms, people who show up day after day and week after week to serve in some capacity and make themselves available to help others in need, just as I do, as I am able, and as God allows. It is an honor and a privilege, and I value both the help I receive from others, and that which I am able to give. There is much value in being present, even though this present world shall pass away.

Magenta · Sep 14, 2019

Our pride often keeps us from asking for what we need. We may have grown up in a family where we were consistently ignored or disappointed. Perhaps our needs were seldom met. Some of us reacted by becoming self-sufficient, and determined that we would never ask anyone for help. Jesus, Who knows we will not succeed on our own, tells us to not just ask, but to keep on asking for help. Only the work of God's Holy Spirit in us will enable us to become healthy people.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11: 9- 10 (NIV)

Pride born out of hurt shows up when we refuse to acknowledge our need for help. Sooner or later the independent road we are choosing will take us back to active addiction. Are we willing to humbly admit that there is another way- a better way- to deal with the brokenness inside us? This way begins with giving our will and our life over to the care of God.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, Proverbs 11:2, 13:10, Isaiah 2:17 (NIV)

The challenge for us is giving up are prideful effort to be self-sufficient. We really don't know what is best for us. God alone has the solutions to living life to the full. These principles are recorded in the Bible. We must be persistent and asked repeatedly for help until all the tangled threads of our problems are sorted. God's promise to us is that everyone who turns from their independent ways and seeks healing and freedom through Jesus' finished work on the cross will find it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for being prideful and for thinking I could live a joyful life in recovery without You, and without those who counsel and mentor me. Thank You for pursuing me with Your unfailing Love. I surrender my will and life to You and choose to follow Your directions in all my affairs. Amen. And thank You! from Life with God in recovery.

Susanna · Sep 14, 2019

Magenta said:

Our pride often keeps us from asking for what we need. We may have grown up in a family where we were consistently ignored or disappointed. Perhaps our needs were seldom met. Some of us reacted by becoming self-sufficient, and determined that we would never ask anyone for help. Jesus, Who knows we will not succeed on our own, tells us to not just ask, but to keep on asking for help. Only the work of God's Holy Spirit in us will enable us to become healthy people.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11: 9- 10 (NIV)

Pride born out of hurt shows up when we refuse to acknowledge our need for help. Sooner or later the independent road we are choosing will take us back to active addiction. Are we willing to humbly admit that there is another way- a better way- to deal with the brokenness inside us? This way begins with giving our will and our life over to the care of God.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, Proverbs 11:2, 13:10, Isaiah 2:17 (NIV)

The challenge for us is giving up are prideful effort to be self-sufficient. We really don't know what is best for us. God alone has the solutions to living life to the full. These principles are recorded in the Bible. We must be persistent and asked repeatedly for help until all the tangled threads of our problems are sorted. God's promise to us is that everyone who turns from their independent ways and seeks healing and freedom through Jesus' finished work on the cross will find it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for being prideful and for thinking I could live a joyful life in recovery without You, and without those who counsel and mentor me. Thank You for pursuing me with Your unfailing Love. I surrender my will and life to You and choose to follow Your directions in all my affairs. Amen. And thank You! from Life with God in recovery.

That was very true and powerfully spoken, sister.

Sometimes I feel so down and out that I just want to look for consolation in all the wrong things.

My memories are haunting me and must seek for guidance to carry my burdens to the Lord in prayer.

But I can’t let it show, I have more than 40 people under me, and displaying weakness is not an option.

Lord, lead me to where you want, not where my prideful heart wants.

Amen

calibob · Sep 14, 2019

Magenta said:

Our pride often keeps us from asking for what we need. We may have grown up in a family where we were consistently ignored or disappointed. Perhaps our needs were seldom met. Some of us reacted by becoming self-sufficient, and determined that we would never ask anyone for help. Jesus, Who knows we will not succeed on our own, tells us to not just ask, but to keep on asking for help. Only the work of God's Holy Spirit in us will enable us to become healthy people.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11: 9- 10 (NIV)

Pride born out of hurt shows up when we refuse to acknowledge our need for help. Sooner or later the independent road we are choosing will take us back to active addiction. Are we willing to humbly admit that there is another way- a better way- to deal with the brokenness inside us? This way begins with giving our will and our life over to the care of God.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, Proverbs 11:2, 13:10, Isaiah 2:17 (NIV)

The challenge for us is giving up are prideful effort to be self-sufficient. We really don't know what is best for us. God alone has the solutions to living life to the full. These principles are recorded in the Bible. We must be persistent and asked repeatedly for help until all the tangled threads of our problems are sorted. God's promise to us is that everyone who turns from their independent ways and seeks healing and freedom through Jesus' finished work on the cross will find it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for being prideful and for thinking I could live a joyful life in recovery without You, and without those who counsel and mentor me. Thank You for pursuing me with Your unfailing Love. I surrender my will and life to You and choose to follow Your directions in all my affairs. Amen. And thank You! from Life with God in recovery.

Paragraphs 1, 2 & 3 are steps 1, 2 & 3 combined

Thank you for sharing @Magenta & @Susanna
Your inputs are always blessings to us.

calibob · Sep 14, 2019

oldethennew said:

"Recovery is an inside job." Is an old motto and it's because we as humans tend to hold onto our hurts, heartaches and the disappointments of life. The prosses of every 12 step program I've ever been involved with goes beyond step 3 The 3rd step of AA is give your will and life over to God. that's just barely the start not the end.

In order to continue on the path it most often recommended that we recognize and identify the things that have led to our demise so when were ready to make a clean start we will know and be able to recognize the things we need help with and also recognize what our part in it was. This program is not for everyone but only for those who have the desire, willingness and humility to recognize, identify and deal with all of the sores of our problems including the our own unwillingness to let go and let God. That's stubborn pride. and dealing with it usually works better for most than trying to pray it away.

It has been discovered and recognized by modern medical practices the that there is healing power in testimony. I hav one in 3 parts here on this site. The short story is my biological mother was a homeless teenage runaway and an alcoholic/heroine addict. I was abandoned at birth and taken in by a foster family @ 7 months old. Nearly dead from anemia and needing dialysis treatment. My step mother became a bipolar paranoid by the time I was 11 and my step father a workaholic to get away from us. My part was when I started drink and using drugs it sort of filled the emptiness that was inside me and I never wanted to identify what was wrong or how I really felt.

I most certainly do know what I'm talking about because I'm talking about me! I've gone through and will going through this process hopefully the rest of my life and guess what. So have others! Many others this process leads directly to God, self inspection, Confession. With prayer and meditation all the way from step 2 to step 12 "helping others.

I you want what we've got and are willing to go to any lengths to get it the please stay if not, Goodbye. No harm, no foul. But you are welcome back whenever you feel the need or have something positive or uplifting to share. Here's the preamble to the 12 steps, chapter 5. "How it works

HOW IT WORKS

Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest.
Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it — then you are ready to take certain steps.
At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not. With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.
Remember that we deal with alcohol — cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power — that One is God. May you find Him now!

TTFN.

calibob · Sep 14, 2019

@oldethennew FYI; This thread is an online 24/7 ongoing Christian 12 step meet and posting place. I am the OP we try to focus on recovery from addictions and other mental and emotional problems because more often than not they are interwoven with our addictive personalities. AA was the first to try the 12 step format and many have come to the Lord or have recommitted ourselves to him in the process. This includes @Magenta, @Bingo and others that have posted here. The mod's know all about it. In fact I asked permission first.

calibob · Sep 14, 2019

A christian from "the Caimbridge group taught the basics to Bill W. the co. founder of AA but he watered it down to make it more appealing to those who shun religion in general. Along with AA, NA, EA (emotions anonymous) DRA (dual recovery anon) and White Bison/The Red Road (a Native American 12 step program) We have United in the Name of Jesus to carry the message to those who still suffer.

calibob · Sep 14, 2019

Attn; We have discovered a new Christian source of recovery material. It is Partners In Hope. I'll get the link shortly for all of you as soon as I have pasted what I have saved from their site.

http://www.partnersinhope.ca/

"We believe God has called us to live fully and freely. That requires us hearing a call from God, taking steps to respond to that invitation and then growing into the vision God has for life for us."

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 - WHAT AM I DOING WITH WHAT I HAVE?

How's that?

Magenta · Sep 14, 2019

Bob

Your testimony and insights are such a valuable addition to this site, and my desire and prayer is that your experience, strength, and hope will reach beyond this venue into the lives of those who still struggle with the very real peril of active drug and alcohol addiction. Of course we understand that the disease of addiction moves beyond substance abuse, for the substances are simply symptoms of a greater problem known as the human condition devoid of living by spiritual principles. The rejection of God is often part and parcel of this condition. Many come into the rooms of recovery and realize right away that they are in rebellion against God, but do not understand the true import of their condition in this regard. However, the steps invite us into a process that includes seeking God's will in our lives, and this is key, for this willingness, combined with the power of testimony, and the support and inspiration we find in the rooms of recovery, saves lives. It saved my life. There is one promise in NA: that an addict, any addict, can stop using, lose the desire to use, and find a new way of life. I am so grateful to have been delivered from the grips of this killer disease. I am thankful for the hope of a better future. And I am humbled by the power of God, and all He has done for me, and continues to do for me and others. My gratitude speaks, when I care, and when I share, the NA way. It is an ongoing lifelong process, as you said, Bob. Thank you for submitting yourself to the 12 step process, and being willing to share your wealth of knowledge and love of God. I feel so blessed to have you in my life.

calibob · Sep 14, 2019

Magenta said:

Thank you for sharing your insight and logic. Anybody can quote something they read from a book. I started quoting from books because some critics won't accept anything that isn't copyrighted by a recognized author or professional and dosn't come from a book. I'll confess it's annoying

As if the way we see and/or explain things, isn't valid or important because we are nobody's.

Where and when I went to school, not being able to say things in our own words was frowned upon, it shows lack of comprehension and/or understanding. Plagiarism earned instant expulsion from of class for good.

You have brightened many lives here and we now have over 7,000 views now. So keep up the good work and keep comming back. It's working.

Magenta · Sep 15, 2019

Susanna said:

Dearest Susanna... thank you so much for sharing, and you are welcome. I see a lot of strength in you, and discernment, and more than that, an ability to hold your tongue. I have some sense of the type of fortitude that takes. And yet being able to speak our hurts and have them heard is part of the recovery process. Identifying them, articulating them, and recognizing their source, lessens the power they hold over us, especially when we can give them to the Lord. But none of us are meant to stand alone. We are all in this together! If you ever want to PM me to talk about anything, please feel free to do so. I would be honored to lend a listening ear, and help if I possibly can.

That reading was one of the ones from Partners in Hope that Bob and I read together from last month's publication. It was very poignant for me also, speaking to me of the emotional void that followed me into adulthood from my family of origin. As one of eleven children, in a home where there was no affection or words of love spoken, to acknowledge I even had need of such, to find the words to speak those needs, and to find appropriate people, places, and things to fill my needs, took me a long time, and I am still learning, and still growing, in those directions, with the help of God, Whom I had rejected as a teenager as a result of my strict Roman Catholic upbringing. The process of seeking I entered into prior to first getting clean and sober at the age of thirty nine was accelerated by sobriety and the working of the steps... and one of the great adventures of my life. How shocking to have the God I had run from the majority of my life, reveal Himself to me. How stubbornly I refused Him! How sweet knowing He never gave up on me, that His love for me and His desire for me were greater than my rejection of Him, and how that ultimately forever changed my life after thoroughly turning it upside down... well, I love telling the story

Now I know that the steps were key, even though I was endeavoring to define God in ways that were acceptable to me (as per the 12 step "God of our understanding"), I did eventually arrive at a place where I could no longer deny that what I had experienced was the God Who asked me to define myself in ways that were acceptable to Him.

How I love listening to people share

I feel connected in a way that dispels any sense of being alone and over burdened in this life. I sincerely hope you can experience such peace in your solitude, and find friends and kindred spirits along the way to share your journey with.

Much love
your sister in Christ
Magenta

calibob · Sep 15, 2019

Magenta said:

I was endeavoring to define God in ways that were acceptable to me (as per the 12 step "God of our understanding"), I did eventually arrive at a place where I could no longer deny that what I had experienced was the God Who asked me to define myself in ways that were acceptable to Him.

How I love listening to people share

I feel connected in a way that dispels any sense of being alone and over burdened in this life. I sincerely hope you can experience such peace in your solitude, and find friends and kindred spirits along the way to share your journey with.

Much love
your sister in Christ
Magenta

OUTSTANDING!

oldethennew · Sep 15, 2019

Bob, there are some things in this world that you and others just don't have a clue about!
you are truly focusing on (self & self-centered).

can't believe that after I gave a 'brief' witness, you could be so callus and un-loving, just focusing
on you 'own' agenda' and the agenda that you have 'adopted' as your failsafe for you every day living.

it's ok though, we know where you are coming from - we had struggled for may years with our own
varied addictions, which were connected to varied abuse from others, of which we had no control,
because of our youth - but as adults, and of course after our conversions, The Holy Spirit stepped-in,
and gave us the tools to (over-come) and freed us from those 'worldly-fruits-of-afflictions' -
if this does not happen, then some vital ingredients are definitely 'missing', - especially when we
get on in age and claim our Salvation status...

we have a very dear friend who has been in 'the-program' for more years that we can count, and her
connection with AA has become her choice of addiction, she actually cannot see her future without
her social life and refuge, sadly, she has chosen this platform instead of God's...

EZ. 14:3.
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity
before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

calibob · Sep 15, 2019

These meditations are available online for computer, tablets, and smart phones at: www.pihtoday.blogspot.com

Partners in Hope Recovery Society is a Christian community outreach organization offering hope, support, and healing through Jesus Christ to victims of harmful circumstances and dependencies, as they reclaim the gift of their life.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

SUNDAY PSALM – LIKE NIGHT AND DAY

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil. (Psalm 36:1-4 NLT)

We read these words in the Bible and it perfectly describes those times in our lives when we were running on self-will in our destructive lifestyle. We were cooperating with the evil one every day and often weren't even aware of it. We didn't care about what people thought of us and what we were doing. We told ourselves that we weren't afraid of anyone – certainly not God. Crooked and deceitful barely goes deep enough to describe the choices we made and the things we did.

Aren't we grateful that God, in His great love for us, never gave up on us but kept inviting us to come to Him and leave all that behind? In hindsight we can hardly imagine why we chose to live in such dark and ugly places for so long. The contrast of God's love poured into our lives each day now amazes us as we come into closer conscious contact with Him. Through prayer and meditation, we are now seeking to walk out God’s principles for healthy living.

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. (Psalm 36:5-9 NLT)

It's not enough to know about God’s love. Let’s seize the opportunity today to embrace a loving relationship with God, rest in His shadow, and let Him fill us to overflowing with His goodness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your unfailing love for me. You are the fountain of life and in Your light I am refreshed and strengthened as I choose to give my will and life over to Your care. Help me to wholeheartedly follow You in all my ways. Amen

oldethennew · Sep 15, 2019

we love you Cal...

just a share, our beloved Friend has told us after all of these years, and believe me,
AA is her 'binkie' - but she always makes a point of telling us that in the meetings
that she attends, she is NOT ALLOWED to identify Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour,
or even mention God, the One that has been delivering her out of the hell that she has spent
a great part of her life in bondage to -
but has to abide by the AA rules of referring to 'who' has helped them as a 'higher-power',
and NOT allowed to give Honour and Praise to our Holy Saviour...

oh my, this is such an obvious 'tell' that is very grievous to us, but, she has realized this and has the courage
to give her deliverance to Jesus, and she is usually shunned and sometimes chastised for doing this,
but, she is getting stronger and stronger, and for this, we rejoice and know where her heart truly is...

calibob · Sep 15, 2019

oldethennew said:

I gave the partial testimony because that's how it works! The point of the testimony is to show that introspection and total public honesty with the help of God works! Have you ever stood up and spoke at a 12 step meeting? All 12 step programs are considered 'self help' programs.

I'm not saying and never said that the Holy Spirit dosn't have the power to make us whole again. God forbid! However that type and level of healing is rare. Even Paul spoke a bit about the thorn in his flesh. I certainly have known people who have become cross addicted to the program and/or have adopted the program as their higher power. That was never the intent but it happens because we are sick. The program originally was designed to bring people into, or back to Christ. Come to grips with ourselves, pray, meditate, repent, make amends whenever possible and help others. Our intention here is to recognize the only true higher power is Jesus, not the program. The program is also for help with self examination. The things that causes relapse mostly come from within. Addictions are now recognized forms of mental illness which will not stay away for life by ignoring them.

It isn't for everybody. And opposing me because you oppose the program won't make the program or people like me go away. The door swing both ways. Recovery through the program has helped many, many people but since it is anonymous nobody is allowed to keep track. If you think it's anti christian look at the above meditation and scripture reading from 'Partners in Hope', another Christian 12 step group. Good fortune to you and our hope is that your new life will be better than the past one. Agape, calibob.

Magenta · Sep 15, 2019

I wonder why people think it is okay to come into a thread designed to uplift our Lord as the rock of our salvation, having delivered us from the snares of addiction, and repeatedly tear down others while they vaunt themselves and complain of the self-centeredness of those they criticize. Offering help to those who suffer from this debilitating disease of addiction is doing the Lord's work, but some are blind to this fact, and revel in their ignorance. Oh, I know someone who leaned on the 12 step program for years while they made straight their paths, looking to it for support, guidance and inspiration which was freely offered in abundance, but they refused to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior... until they finally did. Yes, the rooms are full of such people. I know it, because I and many other Christians? Such were some of us. The steps are specifically designed to help people develop and maintain a personal relationship with the One True God. Any group that restricts a person's freedom in the expression of their personal understanding of God is not following the steps.

calibob · Sep 15, 2019

Magenta said:

I wonder why people think it is okay to come into a thread designed to uplift our Lord as the rock of our salvation, having delivered us from the snares of addiction, and repeatedly tear down others while they vaunt themselves and complain of the self-centeredness of those they criticize. Offering help to those who suffer from this debilitating disease of addiction is doing the Lord's work, but some are blind to this fact, and revel in their ignorance. Oh, I know someone who leaned on the 12 step program for years while they made straight their paths, looking to it for support, guidance and inspiration which was freely offered in abundance, but they refused to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior... until they finally did. Yes, the rooms are full of such people. I know it, because I and many other Christians? Such were some of us. The steps are specifically designed to help people develop and maintain a personal relationship with the One True God. Any group that restricts a person's freedom in the expression of their personal understanding of God is not following the steps.

Amen and thanks to everybody for sharing. Jesus is Lord of Recovery! Keep comming back, it's working.

oldethennew · Sep 15, 2019

Cal,
you have made a mistaken judgment about my point and the point of AA -
it is definitely a STEP to recovering and 'recovery', but this is what it is, 'a step',
that will help us to come into the Unity of God and His ways that our lives
should continue to grow/overcome in order to not depend on for the REST of our LIVES -

PRO. 3:5.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

1JOHN 5:5.
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is The Son of God?

calibob · Sep 15, 2019

oldethennew said:

Since you haven't been following. I will restate that this is not A.A. This is CRA, Christians in Recovery Anonymous. The format we follow is from AA because it works but the steps have been altered to Glorify the Lord and we often include bible verses along with each step studied. This is post #640 So let me share a few basics. I just replaced my old computer and haven't re-stored my files. We borrow from AA, NA, DRA and Celebrate recovery mainly till yesterday when I got in touch with PiH mostly it's already written but I usually edit what I post to save space to ensure that it is Christian Friendly. It's all read written and it's free. And Celebrate Recovery and PiH are both Christ centered Bear with me please. There's more to come.

CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

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Susanna

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