CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)
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As Bill Sees It
June 17
Accepting God’s Gifts, p. 168
“Though many theologians hold that sudden spiritual experiences amount to a special distinction, if not a divine appointment of some sort, I question this view. Every human being, no matter what his attributes for good or evil, is a part of the divine spiritual economy. Therefore, each of us has his place, and I cannot see that God intends to exalt one another.
“So it is necessary for all of us to accept whatever positive gifts we receive with a deep humility, always bearing in mind that our negative attitudes were first necessary as a means of reducing us to such a state of that we would be ready for a gift of the positive ones via the conversion experience. Your own alcoholism and the immense deflation that finally resulted are indeed the foundation upon which your spiritual experience rests.”
June 17
Accepting God’s Gifts, p. 168
“Though many theologians hold that sudden spiritual experiences amount to a special distinction, if not a divine appointment of some sort, I question this view. Every human being, no matter what his attributes for good or evil, is a part of the divine spiritual economy. Therefore, each of us has his place, and I cannot see that God intends to exalt one another.
“So it is necessary for all of us to accept whatever positive gifts we receive with a deep humility, always bearing in mind that our negative attitudes were first necessary as a means of reducing us to such a state of that we would be ready for a gift of the positive ones via the conversion experience. Your own alcoholism and the immense deflation that finally resulted are indeed the foundation upon which your spiritual experience rests.”
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God does exalt each one of us in different ways, at different times -
this is not debatable...
there is ALWAYS an hierarchy in the Heavenly Kingdom, and the earthly realm -
as far as God's people are concerned - but, it is written:
'God is no respecter of persons' -
MATT. 5:19.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so,
he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them,
the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
it is written, that 'we reap what we sow' and so, every man will be 'rewarded' and 'positioned'
in God's Kingdom as God sees fit - there will be 'the least, and there will be the greatest, and all in-between'...
this is not debatable...
there is ALWAYS an hierarchy in the Heavenly Kingdom, and the earthly realm -
as far as God's people are concerned - but, it is written:
'God is no respecter of persons' -
MATT. 5:19.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so,
he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them,
the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
it is written, that 'we reap what we sow' and so, every man will be 'rewarded' and 'positioned'
in God's Kingdom as God sees fit - there will be 'the least, and there will be the greatest, and all in-between'...
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Thank you for sharing. You have said a lot in a very concise manor. After careful reading and consideration, in the words of my generation. Right on!
Many people tend to fly off the handle at what they perceive others to mean by what is thought to have been said. This is foolish and leads to arguments over misperceptions of a misunderstanding, that should not exist. Welcome aboard! Who's next?
Many people tend to fly off the handle at what they perceive others to mean by what is thought to have been said. This is foolish and leads to arguments over misperceptions of a misunderstanding, that should not exist. Welcome aboard! Who's next?
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~Thought for Today~
When you’re ready to let go, some of the most popularly destructive character defects or shortcomings, usually include: fear, pride, dishonesty, gluttony, greed, lust, jealousy, grandiosity, willfulness and anger.
“Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
“The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.”
When breaking down Step Six I like to focus more on the word “ready” than entirely; nobody is ever entirely ready, especially for the unknown. However the word “ready” is a reminder that we are prepared, open and available. Now we can aim at the very best of all we know or can learn.
In previous steps we discovered how we harmed ourselves and other people by acting out on our character defects. We learned about patterns in behavior and that we are likely to act the same way with the same defects over and over. All of this knowledge helped us to become ready to have these defects of character removed.
So now, at Step Six, we’ve reached a spiritual state of mind where we are aware of our character defects, sick and tired of them and pretty confident that a higher power of our own understanding will remove what should go.
Character Defects: Shortcomings You’re Ready To Let Go Of
While working on Step Six we learn about the humility it takes to see ourselves more clearly. We see that character defects and instincts work hand-in-hand.
We were given instincts to help us stay alive. However, when our abundant instincts or desires far exceed their intended purpose, motivate us to act blindly, or make us willfully demand that we be supplied with more satisfactions than are possible or due, they then become character defects.
It’s important when looking at your character defects in Step Six to remember the basic nature of all human beings (which is the same for all of us). We all have needs and we try to get the met; how we go about getting them is where defects come into play.
To be clear, “defects of character” does not mean you are defective, or that you are a bad character. In fact, instead of seeing your faults and failings as defects, you should reframe it as “shortcomings” that can be address and worked on.
When we get to those issues deep down that caused the addictions and behaviors then real long-lasting change occurs. We can make a real effort to heal the underlying core mental and emotional issues that have caused limiting and/or destructive behavior.
( archive from a friend of a friend® ) R.I.P.
When you’re ready to let go, some of the most popularly destructive character defects or shortcomings, usually include: fear, pride, dishonesty, gluttony, greed, lust, jealousy, grandiosity, willfulness and anger.
“Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
“The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.”
When breaking down Step Six I like to focus more on the word “ready” than entirely; nobody is ever entirely ready, especially for the unknown. However the word “ready” is a reminder that we are prepared, open and available. Now we can aim at the very best of all we know or can learn.
In previous steps we discovered how we harmed ourselves and other people by acting out on our character defects. We learned about patterns in behavior and that we are likely to act the same way with the same defects over and over. All of this knowledge helped us to become ready to have these defects of character removed.
So now, at Step Six, we’ve reached a spiritual state of mind where we are aware of our character defects, sick and tired of them and pretty confident that a higher power of our own understanding will remove what should go.
Character Defects: Shortcomings You’re Ready To Let Go Of
While working on Step Six we learn about the humility it takes to see ourselves more clearly. We see that character defects and instincts work hand-in-hand.
We were given instincts to help us stay alive. However, when our abundant instincts or desires far exceed their intended purpose, motivate us to act blindly, or make us willfully demand that we be supplied with more satisfactions than are possible or due, they then become character defects.
It’s important when looking at your character defects in Step Six to remember the basic nature of all human beings (which is the same for all of us). We all have needs and we try to get the met; how we go about getting them is where defects come into play.
To be clear, “defects of character” does not mean you are defective, or that you are a bad character. In fact, instead of seeing your faults and failings as defects, you should reframe it as “shortcomings” that can be address and worked on.
When we get to those issues deep down that caused the addictions and behaviors then real long-lasting change occurs. We can make a real effort to heal the underlying core mental and emotional issues that have caused limiting and/or destructive behavior.
( archive from a friend of a friend® ) R.I.P.
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A root of addiction is bio-chemical. When there is an imbalance we almost naturally turn to thing that seem to make us feel better like drugs (inc. alcohol) and food. The distraction and rush of gambling or porn also can give a false sense of euphoria. The list goes on seemingly forever. Part of the fault is within our decision making ability but in this quick fix for everything world, false remedies are easier than facing the real problems within us. It's almost natural to run and hide. It almost killed me!
I had to learn to face life on life's terms. Life isn't always pretty. The steps helped me to be honest with my self. That helped me recognize what the real burdens were, that I could lay at the Lords feet. That's my 2 bits worth this morning. I'm still Calibob this meeting is still open. Who's next?
I had to learn to face life on life's terms. Life isn't always pretty. The steps helped me to be honest with my self. That helped me recognize what the real burdens were, that I could lay at the Lords feet. That's my 2 bits worth this morning. I'm still Calibob this meeting is still open. Who's next?
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we, hub and myself, have both had our own individual 'demons' to deal with, whether 'indwelling or outside influence' -
we agree, that bio-chemical can affect our behaviour, but we also have to look at the 'spiritual-cause' of every sort of
'deviant or ungodly behaviour', because the spiritual-cause' always out-weighs the physical-cause';
as it is written:
'The flesh profits nothing'.
we agree, that bio-chemical can affect our behaviour, but we also have to look at the 'spiritual-cause' of every sort of
'deviant or ungodly behaviour', because the spiritual-cause' always out-weighs the physical-cause';
as it is written:
'The flesh profits nothing'.
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'Families are affected by the harmful consequences of addiction. To cope with the fear and chaos of a loved one's addiction, families tend to keep secrets, find scapegoats and adopt unhealthy behaviors like denial, blame or preoccupation. So, families need help in their own right.'
~The Good News~
'Like other chronic diseases, addiction to alcohol or other drugs can be managed successfully. Most people who go to treatment programs not only stop using drugs but they also improve their occupational, social and psychological functioning.
Millions of people around the world are proof that recovery is stronger than addiction. And they are proof that treatment works, families heal and life gets better'.
~Three things to know about addiction:
•It's progressive - if unaddressed, it will get worse
•It's chronic - there is no cure, but it can be managed
•It's potentially fatal
~Signs of Trouble~
There are specific screenings and assessments designed to detect addiction, but in general, the symptoms involve:
•Loss of control
•Craving
•Persistent use despite adverse consequences
~The Good News~
'Like other chronic diseases, addiction to alcohol or other drugs can be managed successfully. Most people who go to treatment programs not only stop using drugs but they also improve their occupational, social and psychological functioning.
Millions of people around the world are proof that recovery is stronger than addiction. And they are proof that treatment works, families heal and life gets better'.
~Three things to know about addiction:
•It's progressive - if unaddressed, it will get worse
•It's chronic - there is no cure, but it can be managed
•It's potentially fatal
~Signs of Trouble~
There are specific screenings and assessments designed to detect addiction, but in general, the symptoms involve:
•Loss of control
•Craving
•Persistent use despite adverse consequences
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In all honesty if some did to me or my loved ones, what I did. I would hunt them down, kill them and feed them to the fishes.
(I came from a cannery row in Cali.)
I never overtly tried to hurt any of us but because of addiction to drugs like alcohol, gambling, depression, delusion, denial, and confabulation. I mismanaged much of my adult life, made decisions that were harmful to myself and my loved ones. I threw my money away and acted totally irresponsible. I couldn't see or admit the whole truth about myself.
The disease brought me to my knees. I realized I only had one option left; God! The program taught me about myself. I had to come to grips with what I had become and admit to God who and what I was. I humbled myself, asked him for help and followed good orderly directions. Recovery works! That's what I'm here to share with you. Thank you, This meeting is open. Who's next?
(I came from a cannery row in Cali.)
I never overtly tried to hurt any of us but because of addiction to drugs like alcohol, gambling, depression, delusion, denial, and confabulation. I mismanaged much of my adult life, made decisions that were harmful to myself and my loved ones. I threw my money away and acted totally irresponsible. I couldn't see or admit the whole truth about myself.
The disease brought me to my knees. I realized I only had one option left; God! The program taught me about myself. I had to come to grips with what I had become and admit to God who and what I was. I humbled myself, asked him for help and followed good orderly directions. Recovery works! That's what I'm here to share with you. Thank you, This meeting is open. Who's next?
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