You have to be desperate enough to need it. You have to want it to get it. You have to be willing enough to do it. You have to have faith to believe it. And you have to give it away to keep it.
The 12 steps are a pathway to God.
Get healed and help the next person... That's our job.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
When Trouble Comes
When difficulties arise, and they will, it is important to pause. Our tendency is to react and react quickly. This instinct is not in our best interest. When trouble comes...PAUSE...and pray.
We must ask God what we are to learn from this situation we are in and pray for the power to get through it.
Life is not about staying out of trouble. It is about how we deal with trouble.
God give me wisdom!
We must ask God what we are to learn from this situation we are in and pray for the power to get through it.
Life is not about staying out of trouble. It is about how we deal with trouble.
God give me wisdom!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Normal
What is normal? Normal is a relative state-of-mind based on a mindset...what we know.
What is normal for some people is not normal for others. I thought it was normal for people to drink every day, because others I hung out with drank every day. Some people I know think it's normal to be in trouble and perhaps spend some time in jail. Others think it's normal to have major relationship issues and drama in their life.
Normal people don't drink every day. Normal people have never been arrested. Normal people have peace in their life, most of the time, even through the drama of life.
In order to change what is considered "normal" for us, we must first look at our mindset. We must have the willingness to be open to a new mindset...learning new things...from new people.
If all we ever use to navigate life is what we have learned so far, we are cheating ourselves out of future learning. There is a better way...there's always a better way. We must be open and willing to learn a better way.
Prayer: Lord please open my mind and heart to learning a better way to live. Please give me the willingness to change. Please give me the new mindset that I need to grow. Teach me Lord. Put the right people in my life to show me. Thank you Lord for the blessing of a new way. - Amen.
What is normal for some people is not normal for others. I thought it was normal for people to drink every day, because others I hung out with drank every day. Some people I know think it's normal to be in trouble and perhaps spend some time in jail. Others think it's normal to have major relationship issues and drama in their life.
Normal people don't drink every day. Normal people have never been arrested. Normal people have peace in their life, most of the time, even through the drama of life.
In order to change what is considered "normal" for us, we must first look at our mindset. We must have the willingness to be open to a new mindset...learning new things...from new people.
If all we ever use to navigate life is what we have learned so far, we are cheating ourselves out of future learning. There is a better way...there's always a better way. We must be open and willing to learn a better way.
Prayer: Lord please open my mind and heart to learning a better way to live. Please give me the willingness to change. Please give me the new mindset that I need to grow. Teach me Lord. Put the right people in my life to show me. Thank you Lord for the blessing of a new way. - Amen.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
AA Will Always Be There....I pray
I know what it is to feel alone...without hope in the world. I have never felt so alone like at the end of my drinking career. The emptiness was all consuming.
Since entering in recovery, I have never felt alone again. I always have the fellowship. I have real friends now. Friends that want everything for me...not anything from me.
At a meeting, I never feel isolated, like I did while drinking. That is because I took the first step and opened up the door to a new life.
Since entering in recovery, I have never felt alone again. I always have the fellowship. I have real friends now. Friends that want everything for me...not anything from me.
At a meeting, I never feel isolated, like I did while drinking. That is because I took the first step and opened up the door to a new life.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Faith
Faith replaces fear... and then comes freedom followed by peace.
Fear is a natural emotion, but when it rules our behavior, it is crippling. God wants us to be free from the bondage of fear.
Seek God in times of fear and pray for increased faith.
Fear is a natural emotion, but when it rules our behavior, it is crippling. God wants us to be free from the bondage of fear.
Seek God in times of fear and pray for increased faith.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Sowing and Reaping
Today I am grateful for what I have! That does not mean I have everything I want, but it does mean that I am thankful for having all that I need.
God will provide for your needs according to how you position yourself. Our basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter are generally met. We can always find resources to help us with those things if we are in trouble.
I am talking about going well beyond basic needs. God says he will grant all the desires of our heart. Where is YOUR heart today?
If we are givers, then we shall receive. If we are generous, then we shall receive generosity.
The law of "sowing and reaping" rings true in our lives each day. You get....what you give.
If you plant corn in a field, do you not receive corn at harvest time? If you plan grass seed, do you not grow grass? Then why would you expect to receive anything different from what you have planted?
You cannot be greedy and expect others to give to you. You cannot be mean and expect kindness. You cannot be a thief and expect that "your stuff" is safe.
If I want more out of life...if I want to reap a harvest that is plentiful...if I want the desires of my heart to come to pass...then I must be a cheerful giver of goodness to the world.
More on the law of Sowing and Reaping later... Meditate on this. Think about what you have sown into the world and what you are receiving. You CAN change things for the better....start today!
God will provide for your needs according to how you position yourself. Our basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter are generally met. We can always find resources to help us with those things if we are in trouble.
I am talking about going well beyond basic needs. God says he will grant all the desires of our heart. Where is YOUR heart today?
If we are givers, then we shall receive. If we are generous, then we shall receive generosity.
The law of "sowing and reaping" rings true in our lives each day. You get....what you give.
If you plant corn in a field, do you not receive corn at harvest time? If you plan grass seed, do you not grow grass? Then why would you expect to receive anything different from what you have planted?
You cannot be greedy and expect others to give to you. You cannot be mean and expect kindness. You cannot be a thief and expect that "your stuff" is safe.
If I want more out of life...if I want to reap a harvest that is plentiful...if I want the desires of my heart to come to pass...then I must be a cheerful giver of goodness to the world.
More on the law of Sowing and Reaping later... Meditate on this. Think about what you have sown into the world and what you are receiving. You CAN change things for the better....start today!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Our Plan
In order to be open to the will of God, we must allow ourselves to be directed by Him.
We all have desires and plans, as a direct result of our recovery, we get back into the world and we get busy. But we must always remember to leave room for plans to change and evolve. God will direct us and guide us if we will just let Him in.
I pray that I will always have the willingness to change and evolve based on His plan for me.
We all have desires and plans, as a direct result of our recovery, we get back into the world and we get busy. But we must always remember to leave room for plans to change and evolve. God will direct us and guide us if we will just let Him in.
I pray that I will always have the willingness to change and evolve based on His plan for me.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Spiritual Life
When we make a separation between our regular life or our AA life and the spiritual life, we are making a serious mistake. Through recovery we have a spirit filled life. There really is not a separation between anything we do and our spiritual life.
Everything is spiritual and has implications in our relationship with God. Whether it is how we handle our business, to standing in line at the store, or driving our car to an appointment. How we carry ourselves has a spirit to it.
Are we going to live a spirit filled life in all we do or are we going to shut God out?
Prayer: My Lord my God, may I always give you honor in all I do and how I carry myself in my activities...especially those that involve other people. Please be with me always. --Amen
Everything is spiritual and has implications in our relationship with God. Whether it is how we handle our business, to standing in line at the store, or driving our car to an appointment. How we carry ourselves has a spirit to it.
Are we going to live a spirit filled life in all we do or are we going to shut God out?
Prayer: My Lord my God, may I always give you honor in all I do and how I carry myself in my activities...especially those that involve other people. Please be with me always. --Amen
Monday, July 16, 2012
Humility
Today I realize that humility is not thinking "less" of myself, but less about myself.
I am a part of a greater whole.
Just for today... I will make an attempt to think more of others... of how they feel... of what they might be thinking or going through.
I am a part of a greater whole.
Just for today... I will make an attempt to think more of others... of how they feel... of what they might be thinking or going through.
Monday, July 9, 2012
87 Problems
"You are always going to have 87 problems, which ones do you want today?" I have better problems today, than when I drank.
We are always going to have to face challenges. Running from our problems will not make them go away. In many cases, the problems get bigger if we ignore them.
We must confront our problems, using the serenity prayer as our guide. If there is nothing to be done or if we have tried everything that can be done, then we "rest" in the Lord and wait for answers. We will learn over time what we can and should do about solving problems. Wisdom come with time and most of all experience. We will learn the difference and the answers will come when we let go and allow God to work through us or around us.
Trust in the Lord!
We are always going to have to face challenges. Running from our problems will not make them go away. In many cases, the problems get bigger if we ignore them.
We must confront our problems, using the serenity prayer as our guide. If there is nothing to be done or if we have tried everything that can be done, then we "rest" in the Lord and wait for answers. We will learn over time what we can and should do about solving problems. Wisdom come with time and most of all experience. We will learn the difference and the answers will come when we let go and allow God to work through us or around us.
Trust in the Lord!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Practice in ALL my affairs
If we to be truly recovered, we must make every attempt to practice what we have learned in everything we do.
Our lives in the world should be shining examples of what recovery means and should be a consistent demonstration of God's love for us.
Everyone is a leader. Anyone can lead by example. Show people the way...by how you act.
Our lives in the world should be shining examples of what recovery means and should be a consistent demonstration of God's love for us.
Everyone is a leader. Anyone can lead by example. Show people the way...by how you act.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Freedom
The entire program of recovery has but one primary purpose; to help free you and the next person from bondage.
The only way we can keep our freedom, is to freely give what we have to the next person, in the sharing of our experience, strength, and hope.
Be Free!
The only way we can keep our freedom, is to freely give what we have to the next person, in the sharing of our experience, strength, and hope.
Be Free!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Willingness
Change is not easy. But in order to fully participate in our new life, a recovered life, we must always be willing to change.
Change represents growth and trying different things. It has been said that if you do what you have always done, you will get what you always got.
Today I pray to God for the willingness to grow. I will welcome change that comes from God, because He only wants the best for me.
If I let God in... He will change me.
Change represents growth and trying different things. It has been said that if you do what you have always done, you will get what you always got.
Today I pray to God for the willingness to grow. I will welcome change that comes from God, because He only wants the best for me.
If I let God in... He will change me.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Gratitude and Thankfulness
As we begin a new life in recovery from our pain and our addiction, we get busy again with the things of life. With this new life also come challenges, some of which seem very difficult.
When faced with difficulty we must remember to continue to be thankful for the good things that God has given us. We must walk in gratitude as we get through our challenges. For if we did not have challenges in recovery, we would not have a testimony to help others. Any challenges I have today are a direct result of the gift of recovery. I have good problems today because I can learn from them instead of blaming others for them. I am especially thankful that the God of my understanding will help me to get through and solve my problems.
Getting well and helping others to get well is what we strive toward. When we help others we show our gratitude for what we have so freely received.
I am grateful for the life I have today!
When faced with difficulty we must remember to continue to be thankful for the good things that God has given us. We must walk in gratitude as we get through our challenges. For if we did not have challenges in recovery, we would not have a testimony to help others. Any challenges I have today are a direct result of the gift of recovery. I have good problems today because I can learn from them instead of blaming others for them. I am especially thankful that the God of my understanding will help me to get through and solve my problems.
Getting well and helping others to get well is what we strive toward. When we help others we show our gratitude for what we have so freely received.
I am grateful for the life I have today!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
I am not perfect
I know that I will never be perfect in my actions, but I am a perfect creation in your eyes, my Lord, my God.
If I have a willingness in my heart to do better and to be better, that is the beginning. I must always be open to allow God in to change me. In my daily prayer, I ask God every day to care for me and to guide me. If I honestly and truly let HIM in, I am allowing the spirit of God to show me ways in which I might improve.
Spiritual progress, not perfection is my goal. In order to move forward and keep moving forward each day, I must demonstrate a willingness to grow.
God will change my thinking. He will plant seeds that I must nurture to be better today than I was yesterday. God will change my heart. Things that I used to do that were perhaps not very productive, will fade away and be replaced with new ways of looking at things, which leads me to new action, thus leading me to growth.
Thank you almighty God for helping to raise me up!
If I have a willingness in my heart to do better and to be better, that is the beginning. I must always be open to allow God in to change me. In my daily prayer, I ask God every day to care for me and to guide me. If I honestly and truly let HIM in, I am allowing the spirit of God to show me ways in which I might improve.
Spiritual progress, not perfection is my goal. In order to move forward and keep moving forward each day, I must demonstrate a willingness to grow.
God will change my thinking. He will plant seeds that I must nurture to be better today than I was yesterday. God will change my heart. Things that I used to do that were perhaps not very productive, will fade away and be replaced with new ways of looking at things, which leads me to new action, thus leading me to growth.
Thank you almighty God for helping to raise me up!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Training from God
If you want to run a marathon, you must train first or the road will seem very long and perhaps you may not make it. But if you run a few miles a day and gradually increase the mileage, you have a much better chance of finishing. As a matter of fact, runners will train to a point beyond the distance of the marathon, so that when they run the actual marathon they have some energy in reserve to help them get past the finish line.
I find that God trains me in a similar fashion. I get to go through some challenges, some more difficult than the last, to get ready for more challenges in the future. As I go through my training, my body, my mind, and my spirit are tested. I seem to get a little stronger each time. When I am past a challenge, I often look back and even though it may have been painful, I got through it a little easier because the challenge before it got me "ready" for the current one.
God really wants me to succeed and I have faith that he has me covered in all I go through. The trick is to get through it with a good attitude as a student would get through a test.
I often ask God, "What am I supposed to learn from this?"
When I am feeling weak or empty, I cry out to God and ask His help. It always seems to come. He has never let me down.
Prayer: Thank you almighty Father for loving me enough to help me get through anything. I praise you and give you thanks for all of my blessings. I thank you for loving me enough to teach me new things, though sometimes painful, I realize that my training is needed so that I can win the race. I know that you want me to be a winner.
I pray that I will have the strength to run many marathons as a result of your training. Thank you for my teaching.
I find that God trains me in a similar fashion. I get to go through some challenges, some more difficult than the last, to get ready for more challenges in the future. As I go through my training, my body, my mind, and my spirit are tested. I seem to get a little stronger each time. When I am past a challenge, I often look back and even though it may have been painful, I got through it a little easier because the challenge before it got me "ready" for the current one.
God really wants me to succeed and I have faith that he has me covered in all I go through. The trick is to get through it with a good attitude as a student would get through a test.
I often ask God, "What am I supposed to learn from this?"
When I am feeling weak or empty, I cry out to God and ask His help. It always seems to come. He has never let me down.
Prayer: Thank you almighty Father for loving me enough to help me get through anything. I praise you and give you thanks for all of my blessings. I thank you for loving me enough to teach me new things, though sometimes painful, I realize that my training is needed so that I can win the race. I know that you want me to be a winner.
I pray that I will have the strength to run many marathons as a result of your training. Thank you for my teaching.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Faith
True faith defined is -- Belief in things not yet seen.
I cannot see air, but without it I would not exist. I cannot see gravity, but if I jump off a building, I will feel its results.
I cannot always see God working in my life, but I know if I keep faithful, he will always come through. I must continue to believe in things of God that are not "yet" seen.
I cannot see air, but without it I would not exist. I cannot see gravity, but if I jump off a building, I will feel its results.
I cannot always see God working in my life, but I know if I keep faithful, he will always come through. I must continue to believe in things of God that are not "yet" seen.
Welcome!
Hello to all those who wish to recover from a hopeless state of mind and body. This is a safe place to exchange inspirational thoughts, prayers, and meditations.
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