One more

[Rusty G]

God has been telling me for 4 days to post this on here but I work alot of hours and told God "i'm too tired" He told me every night to post it. I don't know who it's for but God does. Now I don't even go to AA but you could use it as a parable to life in general. God changed my attitude and outlook on life. That's why I'm happy. Anyway here it is, from Drop the Rock, Removing Character Defects by Bill P. 2nd edition.

Don D. went an AA meeting one evening. He frowned when a member mispronounced a few words while reading "How It Works". He felt appalled when another member stood up and said he was an alcoholic and an addict. Another person talked too long.As he slipped out the door immediately after the meeting , Don D. muttered, "That was terrible. I should have stayed home".

Bob M. went to a meeting one evening. His head was bowed as he listened to the "Preamble" and "How It Works". His eyes moistened as he listened intently to a member tell his story. He was grateful for being able to attend this meeting. After cleanup and a little socializing he paused , and as he locked the meeting room door, his thoughts were , "Thank God for such a beautiful fellowship".

Both AA members were at the same meeting. Each found what he was looking for.

[Grasshopper]

Thanks Rusty.This message is for me.Today im relaizing how judemental ive been towards others./meetings,,etc,,etc.And given myself pain.
I see and understand folks not as they are,but as i am.If i find faluts in others/meetings,,etc,,etc,,its because,thats where im at,within myself.And when im grateful towards others,thats because thats where im at too.
Change my thoughts and the whole world changes,,cool eh?

[IO Storm]

Rusty G:

The first five words had me tearing up. When we act in obedience, when

our heart bangs around in our chest until we just have to say it, then

something beautiful happens.

What I found and printed below is not what I was looking for, at first but

actually speaks more of the depth of the spiritual program that AA

actually is. I have seen it over and over, where "many come to scoff, and

stay, and come to believe".

To "clean house" as we do in our Step 4 reminds me of the Savior's

command to believer to leave the offering at the altar and make amends

with their brother before returning to worship. (Step 8,9)

AA tells us if we hang on to our baggage, we'll get drunk over it.

I cannot say all here. It would take all night.

Thank you Grasshopper. My brothers, you made me cry tonight.

A clean house and an humble spirit, helping other drunks, addicts, and

wounded warriors is what keeps me sober today.

Thanks for reminding me.

Again.

Love,

Sherry




Chapter 11 Big Book

(I thought this was so interesting how AA spread so quickly like the 6 Steps to Salvation Revival from which it came forth in the early 30's)

Some day we hope that every alcoholic who journeys will find a Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous at his destination. To some extent this is already true. Some of us are salesmen and go about. Little clusters of twos and threes and fives of us have sprung up in other communities, through contact with our two larger centers. Those of us who travel drop in as often as we can...... [NOTE: Written in 1939. As of 1976, there are almost 28,000 groups in over 90 countries with an estimated membership of over 1,000,000.]



We know of an A.A. member who was living in a large community. He had lived there but a few weeks when he found that the place probably contained more alcoholics per square mile than any city in the country. This was only a few days ago at this writing. (1939) The authorities were much concerned. He got in touch with a prominent psychiatrist who had undertaken certain responsibilities for the mental health of the community. The doctor proved to be able and exceedingly anxious to adopt any workable method of handling the situation. So he inquired, what did our friend have on the ball?

Our friend proceeded to tell him. And with such good effect that the doctor agreed to a test among his patients and certain other alcoholics from a clinic which he attends. Arrangements were also made with the chief psychiatrist of a large public hospital to select still others from the stream of misery which flows through that institution.

So our fellow worker will soon have friends galore. Some of them may sink and perhaps never get up, but if our experience is a criterion, more than half of those approached will become fellows of Alcoholics Anonymous. When a few men in this city have found themselves, and have discovered the joy of helping others to face life again, there will be no stopping until everyone in that town has had his opportunity to recover -- if he can and will.

Still you may say: "But I will not have the benefit of contact with you who wrote this book." We cannot be sure. God will determine that, so you must remember that your real reliance is always upon Him. He will show you how to create the fellowship you crave. [NOTE: Alcoholics Anonymous will be glad to hear from you. Address P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y. 10017]

Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us.

Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny.

May God bless you and keep you -- until then.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In 1992, with over 96,000 groups, with A.A. activity in 134 countries.

In 1992, one-third are women; about one-fifth, 30 and under.

* In 1992, A.A. is composed of approximately 96,000 groups.

* Fully explained in Appendix II of the complete Big Book

* For amplification -- see Appendix II

* Please be sure to read Appendix II on "Spiritual Experience", in the complete Big Book.

* Written in 1939, when there were few women in A.A., this chapter assumes that the alcoholic in the home is likely to be the husband. But many of the suggestions given here may be adapted to help the person who lives with a woman alcoholic -- whether she is still drinking or is recovering in A.A. A further source of help is noted on page 121.

The fellowship of Al-Anon Family Groups was formed about thirteen years after this chapter was written. Though it is entirely separate from Alcoholics Anonymous, it uses the general principles of the A.A. program as a guide for husbands, wives, relatives, friends, and others close to alcoholics. The foregoing pages (though addressed only to wives) indicate the problems such people may face. Alateen, for teen-aged children of alcoholics, is a part of Al-Anon. If there is no Al-Anon listing in your local telephone book, you may obtain further information on Al- Anon Family Groups by writing to its World Service Office: Box 862, Midtown Station, New York, NY 10018-0862