NA or god?

[BigChrisfilm]

I thought I would start this thread, because I feel that god has called me to help addicts. I have a problem with NA, and I will start by naming just a couple, so we can make this thread as long as possible. First, NA is a cult, by defintion, correct, should we as christians be involved in cults?

 

[huk]

First, NA is a cult, by defintion,

Ok, I'll bite.......By what definition??

 

[BigChrisfilm]

A cult, by modern standards, is any group that incorporates mind control to deceive, influence and govern its followers.

 

[AngelDove1]

A cult, by modern standards, is any group that incorporates mind control to deceive, influence and govern its followers.

could you elaborate a lil more....


NA or AA, codependent meetings, ACOAP....

they all helped me stay clean & sober..
God came first.

I say it depends on the persons relationship with Jesus.
I tolk Jesus to every meeting.

"If it works,Don't fix it"

 

[AngelDove1]

I thought I would start this thread, because I feel that god has called me to help addicts. I have a problem with NA, and I will start by naming just a couple, so we can make this thread as long as possible. First, NA is a cult, by defintion, correct, should we as christians be involved in cults?

A question?

Are you clean & sober?
If so where did you get help?

God used me in AA bring people to Christ....

Jesus went to have supper w/the sinners...

We must be strong in God's words before we go out there with the wolves.

 

[BigChrisfilm]

A question?

Are you clean & sober?

Yes, I have been for 9 months on the 4th of next month.

If so where did you get help?

I went to NA meetings at first, but that didn't feel my void, it didn't help the problem, until the day I was baptised I believe everything NA taught. On that day, god healed me of my addiction, and proved to me that nothing is to great for him, not even durgs addiction, I since have had to conforme my beliefs the christian beliefs.

God used me in AA bring people to Christ....

That is great, I have no problem with Christians going to NA meetings to get NA member to christ, I will let you know what the problem I have with it in the next post.

Jesus went to have supper w/the sinners...

We must be strong in God's words before we go out there with the wolves.

Yes, and I believe we should as well, but you will understand what I mean in the next post.

 

[BigChrisfilm]

Ok, now here is the thing. NA believes that they need meetings to stay clean, that is fine, because I think we should have everything that is in a meeting at the meeting. We need to talk with others about things, it helps alot. BUT, I don't like how we can't talk about god. NA is a spiritual, NON RELIGIONS program. That is where I draw the line. I have a problem now, I can't go to a meeting where I know that I want to give god all of the glory, but it is looked down at. Other people don't believe the way you do, and to talk about god is a no no, as long as you talk about him as your higher power, it is fine. But when you start throwing christian beliefs out there, people start to get nervious. And when you start trying to tell them what will help, and it has nothing to do with NA, you are in for a treat. So, let me know what you think, and in my next post I will pose my solution.

 

[huk]

A cult, by modern standards, is any group that incorporates mind control to deceive, influence and govern its followers.

Well, one thing is obvious. While you were there, you didn't have a sponsor, because a good sponsor would have told you that your best thinking is what got you there to begin with. With all your vast expierience at long term sobreity, and at the ripe old age of 22, your not there to ENLIGHTEN ANYONE WITH YOUR WISDOM. YOU DON'T HAVE ANY.....

 

[BigChrisfilm]

Well, one thing is obvious. While you were there, you didn't have a sponsor, because a good sponsor would have told you that your best thinking is what got you there to begin with. With all your vast expierience at long term sobreity, and at the ripe old age of 22, your not there to ENLIGHTEN ANYONE WITH YOUR WISDOM. YOU DON'T HAVE ANY.....

I did have a sponsor, and he did tell me all those things. See, it is hard for you to understand anything that isn't NA related. Your whole life is about NA, and things you have learn in NA. You can't even imagine that I, as a 22 year old, have been saved by the grace of god, and am no longer a drug addicit. Why do you think that I have no wisom, do you know me, you think you do, because you think all addicts are the same, and since you are one, you know all about me. I don't understand what you think gives you the right to tell me that I have no wisdom to share, you dismiss my point of view before you even hear what it is fully, is it any wonder I have a problem with NA?

 

[AngelDove1]

Ok, now here is the thing. NA believes that they need meetings to stay clean, that is fine, because I think we should have everything that is in a meeting at the meeting. We need to talk with others about things, it helps alot. BUT, I don't like how we can't talk about god. NA is a spiritual, NON RELIGIONS program. That is where I draw the line. I have a problem now, I can't go to a meeting where I know that I want to give god all of the glory, but it is looked down at. Other people don't believe the way you do, and to talk about god is a no no, as long as you talk about him as your higher power, it is fine. But when you start throwing christian beliefs out there, people start to get nervious. And when you start trying to tell them what will help, and it has nothing to do with NA, you are in for a treat. So, let me know what you think, and in my next post I will pose my solution.

I understand where your coming from,I thought like you (did) do...

When we go to NA,AA...we give our Experiance,Strenght and Hope.We pass the message on,to keep what God has given us so freely,freely we give back.
Not give a sermon on the mount,this is not church,remember. We have to know when to attack.God fights our battles for us.

We just show up.

I talked bout how Jesus helped me though tuff times.I talked about me and Jesus,and if they didn't like it tuff cookies.I focused on my salution and where my help came from ...Jesus.

We share to help others with a salution,not be the problem.

Walking the Talk in NA,or AA is vary importent.I sponcred many women becauce of this walk & talk.

Do you know the scripture ....
"Quick as a serpent,gentle as a Dove"
Search its meaning.The answer lays there.
God gives us oppertunaties,don't blow it.

Shanom

 

[BigChrisfilm]

While NA can help some in their walk with christ, it can also hurt. For those it helps, the same amount it hurts. I saw an NA memeber a church the other day refuse communion. What was I to do, I couldn't tell him how god helped me, because I hadn't been to a meeting in a month or two, he probly thought I had been using. NA puts there members on a one track, straight ahead, narrow minded path. If I am not in a meeting, I must be high? I've been clean 9 months, and 3 of those without meetings, I want all to share in the FREEDOM of christ. God has freed me from my addiction, now let me pose this question to you, as a NA member, you must believe that addition is a dieses right? Well don't all dieses have a cure, sure mabey we don't know what they are right now, but every deises has a cure, including addiction, and it's not NA, it's god. I think NA is a good idea, but I want to start something like NA, but it would be for christians. What do you think of that?

 

[AngelDove1]

Well, one thing is obvious. While you were there, you didn't have a sponsor, because a good sponsor would have told you that your best thinking is what got you there to begin with. With all your vast expierience at long term sobreity, and at the ripe old age of 22, your not there to ENLIGHTEN ANYONE WITH YOUR WISDOM. YOU DON'T HAVE ANY.....

Wow! huk....
Thats some heavy stuff you brought down on this guy.

Thats tuff love alright.

Listen we all have something to bring to the table,young or old.
Wheather it be good or bad.We learn from one another.

I know you mean well BidChris....
And as long as your searching ,God will open a window where he closes a door.
We all suffer growing pains,even at the expence of others criticism.

Jesus still Loves us all the same."Love the sinner not the sin"
Forgive this brother...
Sometimes we put our foot in our mouth, with out giving it a thought as to how we say things.
"Let go and let god"



Just "Never say die" never give up.

God will show you your gifts,and more.

I'm sure your efforts will be rewarded.

Trudge on lil brother....

 

[AngelDove1]

While NA can help some in their walk with christ, it can also hurt. For those it helps, the same amount it hurts. I saw an NA memeber a church the other day refuse communion. What was I to do, I couldn't tell him how god helped me, because I hadn't been to a meeting in a month or two, he probly thought I had been using. NA puts there members on a one track, straight ahead, narrow minded path. If I am not in a meeting, I must be high? I've been clean 9 months, and 3 of those without meetings, I want all to share in the FREEDOM of christ. God has freed me from my addiction, now let me pose this question to you, as a NA member, you must believe that addition is a dieses right? Well don't all dieses have a cure, sure mabey we don't know what they are right now, but every deises has a cure, including addiction, and it's not NA, it's god. I think NA is a good idea, but I want to start something like NA, but it would be for christians. What do you think of that?

BigChris,
this is so Chris...
Few are chosen , yes its God that redeemed you. Some need to go to AA,NA to find this out.

We can not save the world,but we sure can try.I see this in you.

About you great Idea...someone in our church started an NA,AA meets,coinside with the bible.Great meetings.

(I'd love to be your age again with the knowledge & sobrity I have,and do what your trying to do).



Just a thought...if God is pushing you in this direction...talk to your pastor.
Just a suggestion.

 

[BigChrisfilm]

Thanks, I have had trouble with NA since I started going there. God keeped me at a distance, people reached out to me, but I just couldn't help be think there was something wrong, I gradually leaned toward christianity as an answer, instead of NA. I see alot of hate, fighting, sadness in NA, and it got me thinking, if this program is supossed to do the things it says, then why are these people still acting like addicts? God is the answer, and I found him, I get upset when people from NA think I am nothing just because I don't believe what they do. Call it tough love, I call it ignorance, with intent to help others. How people think that telling someone off is going to bring me to an NA meeting I don know, because I would much rather go to a bible study than go to a meeting where everyone is so depressed. Know what I mean, I feel like god might be calling me, and opening thoughts in my mind, things I am think may not have anything to do with helping all NA members, but question pop into my mind, like you can't serve two masters. And it makes me think, if I think god is the only things that can save, why should I give my life over to this program of recovery?

 

[AngelDove1]

Thanks, I have had trouble with NA since I started going there. God keeped me at a distance, people reached out to me, but I just couldn't help be think there was something wrong, I gradually leaned toward christianity as an answer, instead of NA. I see alot of hate, fighting, sadness in NA, and it got me thinking, if this program is supossed to do the things it says, then why are these people still acting like addicts? God is the answer, and I found him, I get upset when people from NA think I am nothing just because I don't believe what they do. Call it tough love, I call it ignorance, with intent to help others. How people think that telling someone off is going to bring me to an NA meeting I don know, because I would much rather go to a bible study than go to a meeting where everyone is so depressed. Know what I mean, I feel like god might be calling me, and opening thoughts in my mind, things I am think may not have anything to do with helping all NA members, but question pop into my mind, like you can't serve two masters. And it makes me think, if I think god is the only things that can save, why should I give my life over to this program of recovery?

Sounds like God is calling you to do some work for HIM.
Go for it.
Love your concept....

 

[LoG]

Might want to work out that resentment
you have towards NA/AA, Chris.
Resentment is the #1 reason that alcoholics
and addicts go back out.
Christian or otherwise.

Just a little advice if you have the humility to accept it.

 

[AngelDove1]

Might want to work out that resentment
you have towards NA/AA, Chris.
Resentment is the #1 reason that alcoholics
and addicts go back out.
Christian or otherwise.

Just a little advice if you have the humility to accept it.

Great advice...

 

[BigChrisfilm]

Might want to work out that resentment
you have towards NA/AA, Chris.
Resentment is the #1 reason that alcoholics
and addicts go back out.
Christian or otherwise.

Just a little advice if you have the humility to accept it.

Thanks for the advice, but I am not going to go to a meeting, that is just the way it is. I don't need one, the only reason I would ever go back is to help others come to christ, and that has nothing to do with drugs, I am not going back out, believe me, god is my crutch, and he will never leave me.

 

[BigChrisfilm]

What do you guys think about this, some ideas just started poping into my head tonight, ok, it'd be like NA, we'd sit in a circle, and such. We would have to make it so that one person wasn't the head of it, but I'd like to do it kinda like a bible study, instead of reading the Just for Today, we would read a chapter out of the bible, and then we would discuss what ever we were going through at the time, in a circle, just like NA. Also we would take communion right after we read the chapter, so people could think about it while we did so. Also I think I would call it ACA, Addicted Christians Aynonoums? What do you think about that! Anyway, just some general stuff I want to throw your way, I think this might be the best thing ever. Also just so you guys no, I don't want to eliminate NA/AA, I just want to put the missing ingrediants back in.

 

[LoG]

Also just so you guys no, I don't want to eliminate NA/AA, I just want to put the missing ingrediants back in.

Chris, there are no missing ingredients in those programs. They have both sobered and cleaned up millions of people, when the program is worked the way it is laid out.
There is a very good reason for the "Higher Power" being generalized. "AA/NA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety."

Your idea is missing the one thing these programs are centered on. The 12 Steps. Without a good working knowledge of them, you have nothing more than a bible study. Commendable, but not likely to keep many clean and sober.
I have no desire to rain on your parade but often the first year of being clean is a gift and the addict is essentially on a "pink cloud". Life and its challenges will eventually become an issue again and all the reasons that one drank and drugged for in the past will again become a problem. If one has not built a strong foundation through the Steps and fellowship, they are a plant without root.
Jesus won't let go but that doesn't mean we don't.