CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

calibob · Sep 15, 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.

First post. OP,

calibob · Sep 15, 2019

calibob said:

The road to recovery by Pastor Rick Warren.
Eight Recovery Principles based on the Beatitudes

by Pastor Rick Warren
R – Principle 1 : Realize I’m not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.
“Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.”
E – Principle 2 : Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to him, and that he has the power to help me recover.
“Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
C – Principle 3 : Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.
“Happy are the meek.”
O – Principle 4 : Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.
“Happy are the pure in heart.”
V – Principle 5 : Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.
“Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.”
E – Principle 6 : Evaluate all my relationships; Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve  done to others except when to do so would harm them or others.  
“Happy are the merciful. Happy are the peacemakers.”
R – Principle 7: Reserve a daily time with God for self examination, Bible readings and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.  
Y – Principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.
“Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.”

All scriptures quoted from the New International Version

pose #53

calibob · Sep 15, 2019

calibob said:

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.

#218

calibob · Sep 15, 2019

calibob said:

View attachment 198244
The 12 steps of CRA,

(adapted from AA, DRA and Celebrate Recovery)

1.) We recognize and admit the unmanageability of our lives due to problems, which we are powerless over.

2) We came to believe that the Lord could restore our lives and sanity.

3.) We made a commitment to turn our 'self-will' over to Gods will with care and guidance of the Lord.

4.) We made a fearless, searching personal inventory of our constructive and self-destructive patterns.

5.) We admitted to the Lord, ourselves, and to a trustworthy adult, the specific nature of our good and fallen natures.

6.) We prepared ourselves to allow the Lord to transform our lives.

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

8.) We made a list of all people to whom we’ve done wrong to and became willing to make things right.

9.) We made direct amends for our misdeeds and misbehaviors, whenever possible, to those we had wronged or harmed. Unless in so doing so we would cause further harm to them or others.

10.) We continue to take personal inventory and when are wrong, we quickly admit it, while continuing to recognize our progress in C.R.A.

11.) We continually seek through prayer and meditation to increase our conscious connection, with the Lord, asking only for His will to be revealed to us, and for His power to help us carry that through.

12.) Having had a spiritual revival through following these steps, we now carry the Good News to those who also suffer the enigma of multiple disorders, as we practice these principles in all our affairs.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,

then all these things will be added unto you."

#321

calibob · Sep 15, 2019

calibob said:

#400 and that's plenty. It's all here on this thread from march till today. We are not the other programs however when a good idea is recognize we share it. You can too. I only quoted my own posts but this is #645 however many others have poste with post by people associated with Overeaters Anon, Emotions Anon and Gamblers Anon. people have posted here. It's an open forum. However if anyone speaks blasphemy or antichristian drivel I and others will report them with a quickness. I just wanted to cover the basics. We ARE CRA!

CRA logo.png

calibob
Apr 28, 2019
1

Forget other higher powers. Build recovery upon the Rock. Jesus is Lord of recovery.

selenah2 · Sep 15, 2019

I am thinking about getting online counseling for general depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Do you guys recommend online counseling or have any recommendations? The place I am looking at is $45 a week so like $2,000+ a year so I don't want to do it unless it's worth it.

dave_in_KWC · Sep 15, 2019

calibob said:

Actually, Bob, if you are saved by personal faith through Grace in the Power of the Blood of Jesus (shed in torture and death on the Cross) and His Resurrection and Ascension, THEN you are NO LONGER a “recovering sinner” you are a saint and a redeemed son of the most High and only true God!

Don’t believe the language of the “Recovery Movement”, believe the Bible! Here’s some Bible references to support my claims:

Romans 5:6 and 8; 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly& 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him (1 John 3:6). We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him (1 John 5:18).

If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell (Matthew 5:29-30).

As his example shows, Jesus connected sinning with being condemned to hell. In His parable of the weeds, Jesus further confirmed that sin will cause condemnation when he said, The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil (Matthew 13:41).

We who love, surrender and follow Jesus are never called sinners in the New Testament! Do your own study!

Your are NOT a recovering sinner! You are a saint! We do sin as Believers, but your old self is dead and in Jesus we are free (due to Christ’s forgiveness and cleansing) from the shame of being sinners and we, in Christ, are free from the power of the flesh or carnality. So don’t falsely call yourself a recovering sinner and make no room for sin in your life!

Magenta · Sep 16, 2019

selenah2 said:

Hello Selenah

Welcome! What would you do if you did hire an online councilor, and they suggested you go to meetings to get real time, face-to-face support, and to stop the self-destructive behaviors of drinking and drugging? Do you take anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications, or any nutritional supplements (such as omega 3, zinc, lavender, ginko biloba, or other herbs to reduce your levels of the stress hormone cortisol) to help you become more fully functioning? Are you interested at all in natural supplements to assist in your healing? If you are, you may find this page helpful

I hope you are able to take some positive action. Depression can be a killer

calibob · Sep 16, 2019

dave_in_KWC said:

The terminology comes from the thought that we can ever go back to what the majority of the world considers as 'normal.' It's in order not to buy into the illusion that we are totally healed and we can go back as if nothing was ever really wrong, or go back without any repercussions. Drinking, using drugs casually, gambling like while on vacation or whatever, can still trigger the phenomena of craving that once ruled our lives . From the perspective that many people including some Christians have that it's ok to do those things . The fact is we were bought for a price and recovery like sanctification is an ongoing life long process. Abstinence from our additive substances and behaviors should be maintained in order to keep what we now have.

The idea that we can go back and act as if it was ilke an infection that has been healed is a delusion that must be smashed. It is and allergy not an infection. There is a huge difference between acute and chronic in this case; acute is short term as like simply being a drunkard occasionally while in the case of active chronic addiction and or alcoholism the body has adapted to and becomes dependent upon the substance de jur. The terms "in recovery," or "recovering" is in order to prevent us from getting too full of ourselves and buying into the lie that it can't happen again.

Thank you for sharing. This is often misunderstood or marginalized. The Lord himself warned that prayer and fasting may be required to preventing a demon from returning with seven more of his friends when it finds the former home clean and/or unguarded. To me abstince is much like fasting in that we must give up something we loved to let the healing continue. Again, daily prayer, and meditation is recommended in order to stay in constant contact with the one and only true higher power; Jesus Christ.

calibob · Sep 16, 2019

There is also Step 12 which is essentially, "Carry the message to those who still suffer." We refrain from trying to put on airs and acting like we are not in this struggle also, and it to is on going. Once saved become like evangelists and extend a hand like hands that were extended to us. It's like the parable of the ten talents. We must do something with what we were given. Or keeping a lamp under a bushel we must let our light shine so others can see the light.

dave_in_KWC · Sep 16, 2019

I, as a Christian, have been caught before in various forms of sin that became habitual.

I have explored and participated various 12-step groups and Celebrate Recovery. I have thoroughly worked the 12-steps with a sponsor since 2008.

I am a recovered abuser of an illicit drug and alcohol since I was miraculously saved and rescued from my sin by Jesus Christ! I fell into immorality in the summer of 1998, as a Christian. My habitual sin nearly ruined my marriage, my professional career and the ministry I had co-founded! I still struggle with day-to-day sin, and yet I have victory over the habitual sin that almost destroyed me in the late nineties!

Take note, I call my habitual bad behaviour: Sin! Not an allergy and definitely NOT an addiction. These are worldly terms and rationales. I was a habitual sinning Christian! And habitual sin is a common malady in the Church today! So what answers are offered in God’s Word?

Proverbs 1:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
23 “Turn to my reproof,
Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.

Proverbs 3:5-8.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your [a]body
And refreshment to your bones.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any [n]hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

Romans 12:1-2. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, [a]acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this [c]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may [d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect.

Jesus says to the woman caught in adultery: “I do not condemn you! GO AND SIN NO MORE! (John 8:11). Clearly Jesus expected that this woman could stop committing adultery! Paul says clearly in Romans that where sin abounds, grace to stop sinning is even greater! (Romans 5:20). What a promise!

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13.

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5.

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24.

And there are many more that I could share, however these have become remarkable Rhema to my heart!

May these Words from God encourage you in your battle with the flesh. Put to death these works of the flesh, that so easily beset us; we have a Worthy Advocate in Jesus, He CAN lead us out of habitual sin! Seek Him, while He may be found.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [a]effeminate, nor homosexuals,10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

calibob · Sep 16, 2019

Habitual is different than addiction. You don't need to be hospitalized for quitting bad habits. I was hospitalized 61 days for acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Protracted alcohol withdrawal syndrome lasted and re- occurred for nearly a year. I had blackouts, audio and tactile hallucinations, (involving taste sound and smell.) I had repressed bad memories like being locked in the bathroom for hours as a child reoccur when I heard the sound of a door being locked outside while I was sitting on the John. I got lost in familiar places, and got lost in time several times. I was examined by numerous doctors and these things have been diagnosed and verified. But with the Lord's help those parts are far behind me.

I'm glad you had miraculous, perhaps a sudden or rapid healing. Praise the Lord! For most of us it's an often daily struggle with the enemy all around like shadows under several streetlights. Paul said;

1 Corinthians 9:20-23
Context
20To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

Thus I'm not ashamed to Identify as an alcoholic or an addict for the sake of those I'm trying to reach. Neither am I ashamed to claim that I'm a sinner saved by grace. (see my avatar)

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

calibob · Sep 16, 2019

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2019

AVOIDING PAIN

We don’t need to be told that emotional trauma is painful. We’ve given lots of time and effort to ignoring, avoiding, and denying the pain we feel. We’ve used anger, addictive substances, and even self-harm to try to reduce our pain. While we think we are reducing pain with our coping mechanisms, we are in fact increasing it. God has a better way of dealing with pain and He offers it to us.

When we invite Him, God comes to be with us in our pain. God is always with us. We will never again be alone. God will watch over and care for us and, as we open our hearts to Him, will heal our pain. His promise is that He will give us the grace we need to persevere until we are fully restored.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. God always gives you all the grace you need. So, you will only have to suffer for a little while. Then God himself will build you up again. He will make you strong and steady. (Psalm 34:18 NIV, 1 Peter 5:10 NIRV)

God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, but we need to admit that we are in pain and become willing to submit to the treatment process required to bring healing. No matter what got us to this place, God has a solution for our problem. Are we willing to surrender our will and our life into His care, have Him remove our defects of character, sort out our chaotic relationships, and base the direction for our daily living on His principles as recorded in the Bible?

But I never really left you, and you hold my right hand. Your advice has been my guide … and on this earth you are all I want. My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever. (Psalm 73:23-26 CEV)

Thankfully we have companions in meetings, churches, treatment centers and even in our families, who will help support us. Our part is to stay real and be honest about our pain. God cares. Others care. We don’t need to avoid our pain any longer. With God’s help we will find healing and freedom.

Prayer: Loving God, I give thanks that as I face my pain You are with me, and You care. I ask You to give me the courage to go forward in recovery, trusting that You will make all things right as I surrender to Your will and Your ways. Amen
We need to admit that we are in pain and become willing to submit to the treatment process required to bring healing.
(Care of Partners in Hope)

calibob · Sep 16, 2019

calibob said:

Habitual is different than addiction. You don't need to be hospitalized for quitting bad habits. I was hospitalized 61 days for acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Protracted alcohol withdrawal syndrome lasted and re- occurred for nearly a year. I had blackouts, audio and tactile hallucinations, (involving taste sound and smell.) I had repressed bad memories like being locked in the bathroom for hours as a child reoccur when I heard the sound of a door being locked outside while I was sitting on the John. I got lost in familiar places, and got lost in time several times. I was examined by numerous doctors and these things have been diagnosed and verified. But with the Lord's help those parts are far behind me.

I'm glad you had miraculous, perhaps a sudden or rapid healing. Praise the Lord! For most of us it's an often daily struggle with the enemy all around like shadows under several streetlights. Paul said;

1 Corinthians 9:20-23
Context
20To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

Thus I'm not ashamed to Identify as an alcoholic or an addict for the sake of those I'm trying to reach. Neither am I ashamed to claim that I'm a sinner saved by grace. (see my avatar)

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Addendum; I also had; major depressive disorder, (aka clinical depression) and I was homeless.

dave_in_KWC · Sep 16, 2019

calibob said:

God bless you Bob, you’ve been through the ringer and back again!

When I made my comments about habitual sin versus addiction, I was doing so to address the issue of how we in the church take on the language and paradigms of the world.

For me, Jesus is my great physician and I trust in him, not in the medical and scientific idolatry of the world.

I listen for Jesus his diagnosis of me first and go to him first, not to doctors. It’s not that I don’t believe God can use doctors, I do and have seen him do so in my life and others. But my trust is in the Lord and my problem is with Sin, the world, the flesh and the devil. So I trust Jesus for my victory over sin, the world, the flesh and the devil and I look for his diagnosis above what the world has to say to me from Madison, etc. My freedom and victory is in Christ Jesus not in some diagnosis from my doctor.

CharliRenee · Sep 16, 2019

I am thankful for those who are using their struggles, to bring glory to the Savior. Oh how I joy in how God uses our time in the past wilderness to help others who are currently walking in the wilderness.

I keep posting this song because it brings me to my knees everytime, I listen to it. I know it is Him, though, not the song.

I agree God is the healer, the great physician, but I also believe He allows us to be used in His plan to help draw others near to Him. I can not help but find great celebration in such privilege.

God Bless you all.

Magenta · Sep 16, 2019

I like this praise song...

selenah2 · Sep 16, 2019

Magenta said:

I am starting taking general multivitamins. I took St. John’s wort for a while but I was worried it my like mess with me or make me not able to have kids or something idk. I can’t remember exactly but I stopped taking it because I was worried about something. I took http5 for a while. I guess I could take that again. I have found when I stop drinking alcohol my depression especially in the morning goes way down.

calibob · Sep 16, 2019

selenah2 said:

That's a good start and a sure sign that drinking is no longer for you. Keep up the good work. ! day at a time is all it takes to start with.

calibob · Sep 16, 2019

Magenta said:

cool tune!

CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

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