Experience, Strength and Hope.

[toad]

I have a question for those who go to AA. The AA Preamble states in the first sentence "Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism." The AA preamble is read at most AA meeting, right after the serenity prayer.

My question is if Jesus Christ is part of my "experience, strenght and hope." should I not mention this?

Another question: Should someone be allowed to tell me that I cannot share certain parts of my "experience, strength and hope?"

I very seldom share about Jesus at meetings, too much good AA recovery stuff to share that is more helpful. But, I attend meeting where some people will mention Jesus. They don't say that if you don't accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior you will go to Hell. They just mention Jesus as being their Higher Power. I think that very few AA's I know would tolerate someone to preach at an AA meeting. Even Christian AA's with some sobriety know this.

We have a joker who had 28 years sober and relapsed. He stayed out there for about 4 years, and accumilated 4 DWI's. He has maybe a few months under his belt at this time. He does not seem to be working the steps and is suffering (in my opinion) from untreated alcoholism. He is restless, irritable, and discontented. He complains about Christians being in meetings who mention Jesus. He even says that "amen" should not be said.

After 10 years 9 1/2 months in recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous, I would like to snatch him up by the short hairs and give him a serious tongue lashing.

I am working on feeding and allowing my resent to grow......I know this.

I just don't think that some joker should be able to tell me that I cannot share parts of my experience, strength and hope.

Thanks for letting me rant..............I feel a little better after being able to see my feelings in print........thanks for the meeting.

[Astro]

Originally Posted by toad

After 10 years 9 1/2 months in recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous, I would like to snatch him up by the short hairs and give him a serious tongue lashing.

I am working on feeding and allowing my resent to grow......I know this.

I just don't think that some joker should be able to tell me that I cannot share parts of my experience, strength and hope.

Awesome rant, can I help with the lashing? I totally agree with you, toad.

Seems to me that there's rarely a meeting that I attend where I don't disagree with someone, more often than not I'd like to choke somebody for vomiting up their "version" of recovery.

And when I leave those meetings, I start to question my lack of tolerance and compassion for those individuals. As far as I'm concerned, they're untreated and they're still sick and suffering, so the best I can do is pray for their recovery.

As for this thought you shared: I just don't think that some joker should be able to tell me that I cannot share parts of my experience, strength and hope. nobody can tell me anything, unless I allow it. Take what I want, and leave the rest lying on the floor.

[aasharon90]

As you see from the man with 25 yrs losing
his sobriety, its not quantity or number of
yrs. sober one has, but the quality of it.

Im not gonna take anyones inventory be-
cause im not perfect. At 18 yrs sober, that
could very well be me. However, today its
not.

Each one of us is an individual working our
own recovery program fitted to our own
special needs and circumstances.

No one can work my program just as
I cant work anothers. I am repectant
of ur program as id hope u r of mine.

If not....well that's not problem.

10 yrs of quality sobriety sound pretty
good to me.

[RecoveringBiker]

A.A. is A.A. aint no changing that. I often give thanks to my HP in meetings and it goes somethin like this;

"I thank my HP, whom I choose to call Jesus Christ for givin me a 24 hour reprieve today."

Aint no one told me I was wrong yet. Fact is, you have a right to your HP and to call him Lilly freaking Tomlin if you want. This is a spiritual program of recovery. I think going any further than simply suggesting, is where some go wrong. That's what Bill W. says an I believe it.

[Astro]

RB, welcome to SR, good to have another sober rider here. These forums have been a little quiet lately.

[toad]

Originally Posted by RecoveringBiker

Fact is, you have a right to your HP and to call him Lilly freaking Tomlin .

Now there's a strange thought.

Welcome to the forum RecoveringBiker. Hope you join us and share some of your experience strength and hope.