Meetings

[HarryH]

JUST FOR TODAY!



Meetings

from: "Dr. Fosdick Again Recommends Us"



"'The meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous are the only place, so far as I know, where Roman Catholics, Jews, all kinds of Protestants, and even agnostics get together harmoniously on a religious basis. They do not talk theology. Many of them would say they know nothing about it. What they do know is that in their utter helplessness they were introduced to a Power, greater than themselves.... I have listened to many learned arguments about God, but for honest-to-goodness experiential evidence of God...give me a good meeting of A.A.!'"



© 1957, Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, page 324



When I started to go to AA meetings, it was the three letter word "God" that made me cringe. But the more I listened to other members speak of a Higher Power, the more I listened with an open-mind. I knew there was a Power greater than any human, but I was brought up as a Catholic and only knew of a punishing God. Then when I read in the Big Book, in Chapter One, "Bill's Story" on page 12, 2d para. "My friend suggested what then seemed a novel idea. He said. "Why don't you chose your own conception of God?" That is what I did. Today I have a Higher Power, who I choose to call God. He is an all loving and caring God. And He loves me for all the bad and good in me. He is a God with unconditional love.

Today when I go to meetings, I hear people speaking of the God of their understanding, and I don't cringe anymore.

God Bless

Harry

[Patsyd1]

((((((((((Harry))))))))))

I can identify with you completely. And I am grateful that I have come to understand that AA is not about religion at all, its a spiritual program that just happens to have many religions and non religions that accept one another so well. It is the God of ones understanding, staying sober and helping another to achieve sobriety one day at a time that is our primary purpose, and for this I am grateful

Thank you Harry for a great post,

Love ya
Patsy

[MootPoint]

((((((((( Harry )))))))))))

My concept of HP is so wierd that I can't expect anyone else to get it. But It works for me. Good for you for making your choice

[JennieB]

I would cringe when I first heard the mention of GOD. Then when I started working the steps I got curious as to who this GOD was. Because I am sooo analytical (i'm sure i'm not the only one), I wanted to know the who/how/why/where/what and when. I used the chairs as my HP. Then the people in the rooms. Today I too have my own perception of God or HP. It doesn't look like Jesus, but more like a spirit. I think He looks over us in when we close the meeting. He speaks to us through us. And he is there when I allow him in.
I know someone who refers her HP as Gus. Guy Up Stairs. Interesting. Hey - whatever works!

[3legacy]

(((((((Harry))))))) I came to scoff but have remained to pray.

Hmmm wasn't Dr. Fosdick named Harry also? Got me digging through archives again my friend. Thanks for the piece from one of my most favorite books.

Kiss Heart of Spirit In Love & Service,
Three Legs