Psalm 105:4 King James Version (KJV)Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
Luke 10:39-42 King James Version (KJV)
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Prayer for the Day
"Heavenly Father, Please help me to not get bogged down in things of this world...Please help me to get OFF the hamster wheel of repetitiveness and to open myself up to peace and serenity that can only be found by trusting in You. Teach and remind me Father that YOU are the only "MUST" in my day...That "You" includes strengthening my sobriety, taking time to be of service, growing in understanding of AA and my primary purpose, exercise, stillness, prayer and Your Word. That the stuff of this world doesn't feed me, that it just keeps me looping in the patterns that will lead me back to that which will kill me, or keep me stuck. Father may You help me to keep growing in You and in my sobriety! In Jesus name-Amen"
Today’s action
- Today I will read one paragraph (other then what I sent) out of the Big Book
- Today I will read 3 Verses from the Bible
- Today I will go on a walk alone without earbuds!
- Today I will reach out to every single newcomer online and offer my personal experience, strength, and hope!
Podcast of the Day
I really dig this guy! He is now on the 10th Step in his 12th Step Series
Pat R. takes us on
a Journey Through The 12 Steps
One Step per Week for 12 Weeks
12 x 12 on Tradition 5
“Each group has but one primary purpose
—to carry the message to the alcoholic who
still suffers.”
"There is another reason for this singleness of purpose. It is the great paradox of A.A. that we know we can seldom keep the precious gift of sobriety unless we give it away. If a group of doctors possessed a cancer cure, they might be conscience-stricken if they failed their mission through self-seeking. Yet such a failure wouldn't jeopardize their personal survival. For us, if we neglect those who are still sick, there is unremitting danger to our own lives and sanity. Under these compulsions of self-preservation, duty, and love, it is not strange that our Society has concluded that it has
but one high mission—to carry the A.A. message to those who don't know there's a way out.
Big Book Bills Story Continued....
"At the hospital I was separated from alcohol for the last time. Treatment seemed wise, for I showed signs of delirium tremens. There I humbly offered myself to God, as I then understood Him, to do with me as He would. I placed myself unreservedly under His care and direction. I admitted for the first time that of myself I was nothing; that without Him I was lost. I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and branch. I have not had a drink since."
(He did the first 7 Steps, with God, in that hospital room!)
"My schoolmate visited me, and I fully acquainted him with my problems and deficiencies. We made a list of people I had hurt or toward whom I felt resentment. I expressed my entire willingness to approach these individuals, admitting my wrong. Never was I to be critical of them. I was to right all such matters to the utmost of my ability."
(Did Step 4, 5 and 8 again with Ebby)
"I was to test my thinking by the new God-consciousness within. Common sense would thus become uncommon sense. I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me. Never was I to pray for myself, except as my requests bore on my usefulness to others. Then only might I expect to receive. But that would be in great measure."
(Step 11)
"My friend promised when these things were done I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator; that I would have the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems. Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements. Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all."
(Step 12)
"These were revolutionary and drastic proposals, but the moment I fully accepted them, the effect was electric. There was a sense of victory, followed by such a peace and serenity as I had never known. There was utter confidence. I felt lifted up, as though the great clean wind of a mountain top blew through and through. God comes to most men gradually, but His impact on me was sudden and profound. For a moment I was alarmed, and called my friend, the doctor, to ask if I were still sane. He listened in wonder as I talked."
(I believe this is when the Holy Spirit came into him. Once he had that, he could be used as an instrument for God...directed and guided find his "lost sheep" that were immersed in alcoholism...Thank God that he listened and took direction from his new Helper..aka...the Holy Spirit!)
"Finally he shook his head saying, “Something has happened to you I don’t understand. But you had better hang on to it. Anything is better than the way you were.” The good doctor now sees many men who have such experiences. He knows that they are real. While I lay in the hospital the thought came that there were thousands of hopeless alcoholics who might be glad to have what had been so freely given me. Perhaps I could help some of them. They in turn might work with others."
(This is huge..why? Because "we" are selfish self centered and self seeking...and a "thought" came to him to help others. That doesn't come natural to us. We always think of us first. When he got lit up by the Holy Spirit his thoughts drastically changed. This was not him-This was God speaking to him!)
"My friend had emphasized the absolute necessity of demonstrating these principles in all my affairs. Particularly was it imperative to work with others as he had worked with me. Faith without works was dead, he said. And how appallingly true for the alcoholic! For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die. Then faith would be dead indeed. With us it is just like that."
(Step 12 is truly where the shift happen for me. My heart opened up and I started develop real selfless compassion. This is where you really enter into the Sunlight of the Spirit. If this step is not done, everyday...You will drink or become a dry drunk. Period.)
"My wife and I abandoned ourselves with enthusiasm to the idea of helping other alcoholics to a solution of their problems. It was fortunate, for my old business associates remained skeptical for a year and a half, during which I found little work. I was not too well at the time, and was plagued by waves of self-pity and resentment. This sometimes nearly drove me back to drink, but I soon found that when all other measures failed, work with another alcoholic would save the day. Many times I have gone to my old hospital in despair. On talking to a man there, I would be amazingly lifted up and set on my feet. It is a design for living that works in rough going. "
(When all else fails, go find someone to help. Even when your life isn't perfect...like for me, when I first started helping people my "relationship" was in shambles...But I could still be of service because I wasn't giving advise about relationship ship...I was simply carrying the message. This is a common misconception that you have to be a pillar of mental health to be of service...WRONG! You just have to be one Step ahead of the newcomer...If they are on Step 1, you should be on Step 2! We have a message...If I waited till my life was "perfect" to carry it than I would be drunk right now)
"We commenced to make many fast friends and a fellowship has grown up among us of which it is a wonderful thing to feel a part. The joy of living we really have, even under pressure and difficulty. I have seen hundreds of families set their feet in the path that really goes somewhere; have seen the most impossible domestic situations righted; feuds and bitterness of all sorts wiped out. I have seen men come out of asylums and resume a vital place in the lives of their families and communities. Business and professional men have regained their standing. There is scarcely any form of trouble and misery which has not been overcome among us. In one western city and its environs there are one thousand of us and our families. We meet frequently so that newcomers may find the fellowship they seek. At these informal gatherings one may often see from 50 to 200 persons. We are growing in numbers and power."
(Must have been exciting to be apart of early AA!)
"An alcoholic in his cups is an unlovely creature. Our struggles with them are variously strenuous, comic, and tragic. One poor chap committed suicide in my home. He could not, or would not, see our way of life."
(Can you imagine?!? The lengths these men and women went to to help people. Having unstable drunks in their homes..That is to be emulated and commended.)
There is, however, a vast amount of fun about it all. I suppose some would be shocked at our seeming worldliness and levity. But just underneath there is deadly earnestness. Faith has to work twenty-four hours a day in and through us, or we perish.
Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia. We have it with us right here and now. Each day my friend’s simple talk in our kitchen multiplies itself in a widening circle of peace on earth and good will to men."
(Have you found Utopia? If you haven't than you need to get busy!)
Bill W., co-founder of A.A., died January 24, 1971.
As Bill See’s it
The "Slipper" Needs Understanding
"Slips can often be charged to rebellion; some of us are
more rebellious than others. Slips may be due to the illusion
that one can be `cured' of alcoholism. Slips can also be
charged to carelessness and complacency. Many of us fail to
ride out these periods sober. Things go fine for two or three
years -- then the member is seen no more. Some of us suffer
extreme guilt because of vices or practices that we can't or
won't let go of. Too little self-forgiveness and too little prayer
-- well, this combination adds up to slips.
"Then some of us are far more alcohol-damaged than others.
Still others encounter a series of calamities and cannot seem
to find the spiritual resources to meet them. There are those
of us who are physically ill. Others are subject to more or
less continuous exhaustion,anxiety, and depression. These
conditions often play a part in slips -- sometimes they are
utterly controlling."
TALK, 1960
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.