CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

Honesty Is the first requirement for a reason. (honesty, open-mindedness and willingness) because it's very difficult to be honest with ourselves after stumbling through life for decades wearing burgundy colored glasses.

Thank you for sharing.

I remember in the early days going to certain meetings where particular people seemingly ALWAYS shared about God in the step 1-2-3 style, and some of us found it amusing, which was part of the enjoyment of the meetings and message in its entirety. By step 1-2-3 style I mean he would say, "There is a God, it's not me, I think I'll let Him." I was definitely not a believer in those days, but I did still appreciate hearing such shares, and I also loved hearing people's God stories: listening to how others believed God was working in their lives as they came to believe. I knew there was some Spiritual force at work in the universe at large and in my life also, and though really resistant to the idea of it being the Biblical God of the Christian religion, took courage and inspiration from the exhortation to seek the Truth in this regard by beginning to examine what I did believe.

@blue_ladybug And everyone. Part of the reason for this thread is so people can learn by our victory over pain and heartache that there is a solution.

To catch others up to speed when I was about 16 my (step) mom was having a bi-polar episode and told me I should go back to my real mother. I was in shock and crying (which was rare) I didn't really know for sure I was adopted (although I suspected) my dad offered to take my to see her. I asked him why would I want to? She dosn't care about me and I've never met her, I didn't give a hoot in Hesperia about her. I told him they were the only parents I've ever known and she was just the cold hearted broad that abandoned me. I knew ZERO about mental illness then and I forgave mom there on the spot. My love for them doubled but bitterness and resentment followed me 2 decades.

I was going through my second divorce and I was a basket case so I joined a rescue mission for a respite and some serenity and a biological brother called out of the blue. At first it thought it was some kind of sick sadistic joke but he dropped some facts on me only I knew. I realized it was time to bite the proverbial bullet. I reluctantly agreed to meet him and then cowboyed up and agreed to go meet my egg donor.

It's a long drive from Santa Ana Ca. To Shelby Mt. The lords prayer kept repeating in my mid... Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us... especially. I realized I need to forgive my bio mom in order to get on with my life. She was worse, colder, than I imagined but that was her problem. Met her and we talked on an off for 3 days and nights. From there I went to my parents home in San Diego and never turned back.

Rather than lose my serenity fighting with the internet during a storm. I turned it off. There was life before TV & internet and I have books.

Yesterday we glanced at step 4. Blue lady bug shared a testimony with us. That's how it works. To keep it we have to give it away. In Long Beach we used to have a term. 1, 2, 3, 12 steppers. It was about folks that wanted to skip the hard steps like 4 though 9 If we want to do active 12 step work and help others we must be grounded. Most preachers, doctors and trades men must learn their trades and/or mission not just get a bible, a sewing needle or a tool box and pretend that we're all that. People also get into stinkin' thinkin' by resisting moving forward.

https://alcoholrehab.com/addiction-recovery/stinking-thinking
Stinking Thinking and the Relapse Process. Those individuals who relapse after a period of sobriety will tend to experience a number of events prior to picking back up alcohol or drugs. This is referred to as the relapse process. What happens is that the individual becomes stuck in recovery, and they fail to do the things needed to get them unstuck.

This meeting is open. Thank you for comming.

The Lord dragged me kicking and screaming to the 12 step program. @Magenta Found the Lord with help from the 12 steps. Shes the artist I'm the speaker. We try and read (via skype) a chapter a day together, of a 12 step book and the Bible. I have her permission to share things like that.

"All things work together to the good for those who love and serve the Lord, and are called according to his purpose." (old memory verse.)

Thank you for sharing bingo. Who's next.

FYI @Deade 's new book is available, free here's the link>
https://yeshuaofisrael.org
Here's a sample>

Drunkenness and Drugs
Getting high, or intoxicated, is an alluring crutch in dealing with stress and depression. it gives one a false sense of escaping these calamities. in reality, it only adds to the existing problems; and if continued unchecked, may eventually destroy your chances of a normal lifestyle. One recent report stated that alcoholism is the single most cause of absenteeism, from the work place, in the United States. Alcoholism and drug abuse, whether legal or illegal, are signs the person involved is not coping well with life's situations. Why is it so common for people to fall into this trap of escapism through intoxication? Partly because of our human nature (which is addressed later), and the fact that life takes a toll on us all.

Thanks' Dennis.

~THE ABSOLUTE IMPORTANCE OF THE AA CREDO MUST BE INGRAINED IN THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE AA MEMBER~

I AM RESPONSIBLE...
When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help,
I want the hand of A.A. always to be there.
AND FOR THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE.
To Give of Ourselves from the Fullness of Life as we have found it to be, to those who have not yet found Life to be Full, is the key to continued Sobriety, Happiness, and Serenity......
( from a friend to a friend ®...R.I.P. )
'Praise God'

I wake up every morning and get down on my knees to pray this prayer:

Relieve me of the bondage to self, Lord. Take my will and my life. Guide me in my recovery.

AMEN. Thanks. Your shares are always welcome and your panels are a treat. I know you had to go to work by now. Feel free to enlighten and or humor us any time please.

I'd rather trudge forward to step 5 but there's 2 things to consider first. Those of us that have already accepted that Jesus is Lord need to take pause and figure out what that means. When I post this I'm going to start a word study for everyone on BDF. The word is lord please tune in.

The other matter is getting a sponsor. Do we need sponsors? We no, not need, we don't need 2 arms either but it does make life easier. Lets see what Solomon said. >
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New International Version (NIV)

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

and again in proverbs>
27 vs 17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

The Lord didn't send the apostles out alone and this is a difficult journey we WILL be tempted and attacked! Dead ends and frustrations are all along the way. Wouldn't we rather go along with some one that's been down the road before?

This meeting is open. Please feel free to share. (Note; not a word was said about toxic or addictive substances)

I would like to give KUDO'S regarding the "12 step" program, for whatever addiction, be it alcohol, or drugs, or whatever. IT WORKS! At least as far as quitting drinking goes, as you'll see from this true story.
I have, or used to have a friend, that was a woman chasing alcoholic. He never was a Christian, and got fired from his job over the alcohol. After which, he went into Al-anon, and gave his drinking over to "the higher power." He's been sober now for some 30 odd years or so. He still is not a christian, nor a believer. And he still chases women! Think one is in his group at Al-Anon.

Seems, one must be pretty "wary" of which "higher power" one submits oneself to.

Some of y'all may even know some people like this.

As for myself? I quit drinking on my own, because I got tired of 3 day hangovers!
Where I said to myself. "Self?" "I don't hate myself so badly, to feel so miserable, for such a short time of feeling good!" It just wasn't worth it to me anymore!

Thank you for sharing and good morning. Contrary to some beliefs not all problem drinkers are alcoholics and not all bad habits are addictions. There seems to a point where things have gone to far like we have crossed a bridge and it collapsed behind us. Where we have lost our free will and cannot get it back without help. I becomes a real diagnosable disease of the flesh. I know because it happened to me.

In the Complete IDIOTS guide to psychology fourth edition it says on page 384, The Road to Alcoholism;
"Alcoholism is not always progressive, although it usually is. And it generally follows some remarkably predictable steps:

Step 1. The drinker comes to depend upon alcohol to perk him up, relieve anxiety and stress, make special occasions more fun, and temporarily take away the blues. The drinking might still be under control, but the amount of alcohol consumed gradually increases.

Step 2. The drinker's life starts to revolve around alcohol. The urge to drink starts earlier in the day, and the person begins to prefer alcohol related activities. An increasing tolerance for alcohol is accompanied by blackouts and an increasing loss of control.

Step 3. The later stages of alcoholism are often characterized by an obsession for alcohol-- to the exclusion of relationships and financial responsibilities. The person in the late stages of alcoholism may drink around the clock. Without , the alcoholic may even drink themselves to death!"

Make no mistake about it by mid step 3 Alcoholism and or drug addiction has become a full blown mental illness AND biological disease if a co-occurring disorder exists like bipolar or a mood disorder exists they combine and treating one while ignoring the other is a recipe for relapse and failure. Bill W. must have known this instinctively as the science to make the connection did not yet, but the 12 steps the founders developed are marvelous for helping both. That's all from me for now. My name is Bob, This meeting is open have a blessed day!

'Praise God'......

Wonderful share Bingo. I thought like Cash and Charles doing "Why me Lord" we know they were in recovery too.

We at CRA are not Pastors, Doctors, professional counselors, Shaman or Gurus. We are simply folks who are overcoming, against staggering odds, life threatening debilitating physical and mental diseases' of the mind, body and spirit. We simply maintain that the best way to build a new home is on firm ground with a strong foundation. We have found that it is the Love grace and power of the Lord Jesus (may you find him now). The 12 steps are all biblical and they work. We are proof. Thank all of you who have dropped by. Keep comming back, it works.

The 12 steps are the mud, nails, bricks and timbers. Jesus is the rock.