| Alcohol Abuse The forum for the support of those struggling with alcoholicism. |
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26th September 2012, 01:47 PM
|  | Senior Veteran
55     
 | | Join Date: 17th September 2004 Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 4,346
Blessings: 111,383,255 My Mood 
Reps: 26,547,611,356,619,864 (power: 26,547,611,356,632) | | | Why I'm in Alcoholics Anonymous
Throughout my many years in and out of recovery from alcoholism, I have had quite a few Christians try to discourage me from going to AA, because it is "not strictly Christian." This last week something happened that has confirmed to me that AA is where God wants me for my recovery. Last week, a woman asked me to be her AA sponsor.
This woman is newly sober, and wants to stay that way by working the 12 Steps of AA. My job, as her sponsor, is to guide her in that process. In the past week, we have had many conversations about my beliefs in God, and how He gives me the strength to resist all temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the process, I've mention becoming born again, and being saved, and referred to many passages of Scripture. She was raised Catholic, and attended Catholic school. She had stopped attending for a while after her divorce, but since getting sober has returned.
I am praying that as we go through the Steps, God will reveal Himself to her in a powerful way, and that she will make a personal decision to accept the Lord as her Savior.
Christians who need help with alcohol abuse, or alcoholism can attend AA, and be witnesses. I am in a lot of private conversations with women in the program.
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Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer |
6th October 2012, 02:21 AM
|  | Forgiven
51    
| | Join Date: 22nd October 2011 Location: Canada
Posts: 3,245
Blessings: 312,751,962 My Mood
Reps: 1,658,690,488,220,933,376 (power: 1,658,690,488,220,938) | | | What a wonderful ministry! Thank you for sharing. God bless.
__________________
God is good all the time.
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 |
6th October 2012, 12:12 PM
|  | Forge
  
| | Join Date: 26th August 2009 Location: Toronto
Posts: 4,561
Blessings: 4,318,672 My Mood
Reps: 1,153,578,188,479,418,880 (power: 1,153,578,188,479,427) | | That is great news. And it is part of the steps to find or go back to their higher power (finding again). I think people are more open at that point and going through the steps. And there is the aspect of surrender. I wonder if the following scriptural verse may apply?
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
For false pride may become humility, and judgment may become understanding (wisdom), and rugged independance may become surrender.
Cheers,
Mark  |
24th October 2012, 11:54 AM
|  | Newbie
37   
| | Join Date: 20th October 2012 Location: Colorado
Posts: 495
Blessings: 2,068 My Mood 
Reps: 53,759,326,838,251,152 (power: 53,759,326,838,252) | |
Thank you for this post. I have considered going back to AA, as I stopped going because of the anti-specific God requirement in meetings. It really helps to hear your experience. God Bless. 
__________________
Jesus Christ is Lord |
16th December 2012, 06:04 AM
| | Newbie
  
| | Join Date: 15th December 2012 Location: Port Lincoln SA
Posts: 10
Blessings: 1,103,835
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,858 (power: 9,223,372,036,855) | | Originally Posted by madison1101 
Throughout my many years in and out of recovery from alcoholism, I have had quite a few Christians try to discourage me from going to AA, because it is "not strictly Christian." This last week something happened that has confirmed to me that AA is where God wants me for my recovery. Last week, a woman asked me to be her AA sponsor.
This woman is newly sober, and wants to stay that way by working the 12 Steps of AA. My job, as her sponsor, is to guide her in that process. In the past week, we have had many conversations about my beliefs in God, and how He gives me the strength to resist all temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the process, I've mention becoming born again, and being saved, and referred to many passages of Scripture. She was raised Catholic, and attended Catholic school. She had stopped attending for a while after her divorce, but since getting sober has returned.
I am praying that as we go through the Steps, God will reveal Himself to her in a powerful way, and that she will make a personal decision to accept the Lord as her Savior.
Christians who need help with alcohol abuse, or alcoholism can attend AA, and be witnesses. I am in a lot of private conversations with women in the program.
God bless you madison as a sponsor you are doing god's work. I'am working through the 12 steps myself and just recieved a phone call from my sponsor he couldn't make it to work through the steps face to face today however he did give me a chapter to work through so i'm going to do that.
I'm only on step one in the program got a long way to go! Originally Posted by manitouscott Thank you for this post. I have considered going back to AA, as I stopped going because of the anti-specific God requirement in meetings. It really helps to hear your experience. God Bless.
I actually found that quite liberating if it wasn't for AA i wouldn't of found god i'am forever in their debt. Their way of doing things gave me space to figure out my higher power was which i now know is the lord jesus christ, but i'am pragmatic if the flying spaghetti monster is their higher power and leads them to sobriety etc than so be it.  |
25th December 2012, 10:38 PM
| | Newbie
| | Join Date: 25th December 2012 Location: SF
Posts: 6
Blessings: 3,427 My Mood 
Reps: 10 (power: 0) | | | Hi Madison...
Reading your posts has made me realize that I do need to attend AA. Reading post as your helps because its nice to read about others who are Christians going though the same thing. I made the decision of quit drinking TODAY. And my fear was living without alcohol. Somehow I just couldnt see myself without alcohol but due to many events of being a foolish drunk and getting into serious problems I think it's time I stop saying I will try to drink less and only Fridays...I need to stop period. Hope that through this forum we can all support each other.
God bless you and I pray that we stay strong. |
13th January 2013, 07:50 PM
| | Newbie
| | Join Date: 9th January 2013
Posts: 338
Blessings: 7,345 My Mood 
Reps: 40,212,270,884,888,920 (power: 40,212,270,884,889) | | | I'm a Christian that worked in a recovery center and AA groups and I don't like how many Christians are against AA.
AA is a very open and tolerant organization that does not frown upon religion or Christianity in any way shape or form. They are very accepting and most of the members of AA are Christian. I know it turns some Christians off when AA says, "Higher Power" but AA is very clear on the point that your higher power can be God...
It is my belief that God works through AA to save lives all across this world. And that is all that matters.
Imo, the thing that makes AA so great is the support structure. You can call your sponsor up at 2am and they will be there for you or they will call down the list and find someone to come get you... That can literally save your life or the lives of others...
And to be clear, i'm not saying AA can or should replace God in the equation of helping us beat an addiction, I'm simply saying that we should embrace all the tools God gives us to help ourselves and AA is definitely a great tool to help... |
18th April 2013, 06:51 PM
|  | ~ Child of God ~
| | Join Date: 17th April 2013
Posts: 9
Blessings: 1,148 My Mood
Reps: 10 (power: 0) | | | I so agree with you! You can bring your faith into the rooms and connect with people and share how God has helped you. I have never felt rejected in an AA meeting for being a Christian even though in some meetings, I am definitely in the minority. I find AA and The Life Recovery Bible to be a strong foundation to my sobriety, which is given to me on a day to day basis, by the grace of God.
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The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. ~ Psalm 34:18 | |
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