Something I learned tonight - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

TexasGirl · 11-29-2006, 08:08 PM

As I mentioned on another thread, tonight I went to my first-ever Wednesday night service at my church. I didn't intend to go...I'd found on the website that there was a 12-step group for all sides of recovery that met there. But I showed up to an empty room, and I decided to go to the service instead. I'm so glad I did. I'm lucky enough to live in a town where I can hear a great preacher and best selling author every week, Max Lucado.

The message tonight was "Satan, God's Servant." Max said that Satan ultimately reports to God. He said that God uses Satan for three reasons, to 1) Refine the faithful, 2) Awaken the sleeping, and 3) Teach the church. In a nutshell, he was saying that the things we go through may be terrible, we may think we'll never get through them, and that they truly are Satan's influence. But God intended for it to be this way. He allows Satan to tempt us so that, as Max said, next year maybe we can share with others.

It was just so right on for me tonight. I prayed with all my heart that my husband might find his way out, and I ended up in a flood of tears. But I guess it's all by design. I don't know how right now, but I think it must be. Re-reading that, I realize that I could never put it as eloquently as I heard it tonight. But I felt like sharing anyway.

***cmc*** · 11-29-2006, 08:23 PM

Thanks for sharing with us! What a blessing to hear such good teaching. I think I will look to see if that message is online.
Your husband, my son and so many others who are still living apart from His grace, in bondage of alcohol and drugs, are all under His watchful eyes and I cling to the belief that He will bring them in. I hope for that and pray this for all of our loved ones.
It's nice to see you over here, TG! It looks like you got to the meeting you were meant to go to!

toad · 11-29-2006, 11:01 PM

I attended that church about 10 months ago when I was in SA.......I was also blessed by the service. I've read many of his books, and found his teaching and preaching to be just as easy to understand. The praise team was awesome too..........maybe the empty 12 step meeting is a place for you to come back and wait for someone else to show up next time, so you both can share with each other your experience, strength, and hope......toad

angelgirl · 11-30-2006, 12:20 AM

Thanks Texsgirl, for sharing that

I love to hear how God puts people where they need to be,,

I just love to hear about God period, :o)

Quote:

maybe the empty 12 step meeting is a place for you to come back and wait for someone else to show up next time, so you both can share with each other your experience, strength, and hope..

Yes, I agree, maybe God is using you to start something there?? Maybe there are people that have just no shown up, and are waiting for someone to show?? Or maybe the meeting was canceled tonight for some reason?
I love, love my 12-step bible based group..

Thanks for sharing!!
Prayers,
Becky

gimmeid · 11-30-2006, 06:25 PM

I've got Max's book In God's Hands. and Joel Osteen, Your best life now. My head is a lot less harsh a place to live after spending some time with them.

TexasGirl · 11-30-2006, 10:21 PM

Well, thanks CMC for mentioning this room in another thread on F&F. I never even knew about this place.

Wow, Toad, that's cool that you have been to OHC! Just think...we were probably in the same room! Well, except that I usually go Saturday nights, but that's still really cool! He is an amazing speaker...he speaks simple words but puts them together so magnificently. Everyone understands, and everyone can relate it to their life. Add in the music, and it's just an amazing experience!

I'll definitely look back into that group...I'm not sure I'm up for being the first one to sit in there, but maybe with time I could be.

After all...you are officially talking to the girl who makes it only to the restroom, where I hang out for a few minutes before leaving, when I try to attend an open AA meeting! It took me 7 tries to get into my first Al-Anon meeting, and I've only pulled that off about 6 times since!

gimmeid · 12-01-2006, 04:36 PM

That book was God Came Near, not In God's Hands.

**best** · 12-01-2006, 09:50 PM

...Lead us not into temptation (don't give us more then we can handle as you teach us) and deliver us from the evil one.

What satan (and people) intend for evil, God will use for good.

NascarNut29 · 12-04-2006, 12:05 AM

I really needed to read this tonight. Thank you so much.

***cmc*** · 12-04-2006, 05:15 AM

Hi Nascar,
I'm glad you dropped by our forum and will look forward to seeing you some more. Feel free to come on over and share whenever you like.
God bless,
cmc

NascarNut29 · 12-13-2006, 05:42 PM

Hiya, cmc! I like this one a lot...

Deuteronomy 31:8

8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

NascarNut29 · 12-20-2006, 06:34 AM

Amen, BHB!!!

Joshua 1:7

7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Hope you all are well!!!

11-29-2006, 08:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
TexasGirl Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 784	Something I learned tonight As I mentioned on another thread, tonight I went to my first-ever Wednesday night service at my church. I didn't intend to go...I'd found on the website that there was a 12-step group for all sides of recovery that met there. But I showed up to an empty room, and I decided to go to the service instead. I'm so glad I did. I'm lucky enough to live in a town where I can hear a great preacher and best selling author every week, Max Lucado. The message tonight was "Satan, God's Servant." Max said that Satan ultimately reports to God. He said that God uses Satan for three reasons, to 1) Refine the faithful, 2) Awaken the sleeping, and 3) Teach the church. In a nutshell, he was saying that the things we go through may be terrible, we may think we'll never get through them, and that they truly are Satan's influence. But God intended for it to be this way. He allows Satan to tempt us so that, as Max said, next year maybe we can share with others. It was just so right on for me tonight. I prayed with all my heart that my husband might find his way out, and I ended up in a flood of tears. But I guess it's all by design. I don't know how right now, but I think it must be. Re-reading that, I realize that I could never put it as eloquently as I heard it tonight. But I felt like sharing anyway. __________________ Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor. ~Dr. Alexis Carrel There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~Anaïs Nin

11-29-2006, 08:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
*cmc* Community Greeter Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: a good state of mind Posts: 9,640	Thanks for sharing with us! What a blessing to hear such good teaching. I think I will look to see if that message is online. Your husband, my son and so many others who are still living apart from His grace, in bondage of alcohol and drugs, are all under His watchful eyes and I cling to the belief that He will bring them in. I hope for that and pray this for all of our loved ones. It's nice to see you over here, TG! It looks like you got to the meeting you were meant to go to! __________________

11-30-2006, 10:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
TexasGirl Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 784	Well, thanks CMC for mentioning this room in another thread on F&F. I never even knew about this place. Wow, Toad, that's cool that you have been to OHC! Just think...we were probably in the same room! Well, except that I usually go Saturday nights, but that's still really cool! He is an amazing speaker...he speaks simple words but puts them together so magnificently. Everyone understands, and everyone can relate it to their life. Add in the music, and it's just an amazing experience! I'll definitely look back into that group...I'm not sure I'm up for being the first one to sit in there, but maybe with time I could be. After all...you are officially talking to the girl who makes it only to the restroom, where I hang out for a few minutes before leaving, when I try to attend an open AA meeting! It took me 7 tries to get into my first Al-Anon meeting, and I've only pulled that off about 6 times since! __________________ Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor. ~Dr. Alexis Carrel There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~Anaïs Nin

12-01-2006, 09:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
best Don't get undies in a bunch Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Shore MA Posts: 7,190	...Lead us not into temptation (don't give us more then we can handle as you teach us) and deliver us from the evil one. What satan (and people) intend for evil, God will use for good. __________________ * I asked God to spare me pain. God said "No", Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. Recovery Related Acronym B. E. S. T. = Been Enjoying Sobriety Today?

12-04-2006, 12:05 AM	#9 (permalink)
NascarNut29 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: co Posts: 15	Thank you! I really needed to read this tonight. Thank you so much.

11-29-2006, 11:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
toad Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: mountain grove, missouri Posts: 1,026	I attended that church about 10 months ago when I was in SA.......I was also blessed by the service. I've read many of his books, and found his teaching and preaching to be just as easy to understand. The praise team was awesome too..........maybe the empty 12 step meeting is a place for you to come back and wait for someone else to show up next time, so you both can share with each other your experience, strength, and hope......toad

11-30-2006, 06:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
gimmeid AA Curmudgeon Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 93	I've got Max's book In God's Hands. and Joel Osteen, Your best life now. My head is a lot less harsh a place to live after spending some time with them.

12-01-2006, 04:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
gimmeid AA Curmudgeon Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 93	That book was God Came Near, not In God's Hands.

12-04-2006, 05:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
*cmc* Community Greeter Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: a good state of mind Posts: 9,640	Hi Nascar, I'm glad you dropped by our forum and will look forward to seeing you some more. Feel free to come on over and share whenever you like. God bless, cmc __________________

12-13-2006, 05:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
NascarNut29 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: co Posts: 15	Hiya, cmc! I like this one a lot... Deuteronomy 31:8 8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

12-20-2006, 06:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
NascarNut29 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: co Posts: 15	Amen, BHB!!! Joshua 1:7 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Hope you all are well!!!

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