Christian Recovery and AA Program

[NoMoBeer]

New one for me... I have been dealing with some major stress issues for the past few years. Oddly enough, since I have been sober -- so could be that they were there, but I just didn't know (imagine that)!!

Short story -- July 2, 2006 I got right with the Lord and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior... Trying to live the life I am supposed to, or as Jesus lives within me...

I started to see a Christian Counselor for my stress issues, recommnded by a good Paster friend. We are going through a great program -- VCLI (Victorious Christian Living International), where I am learning a LOT about who I am -- learning about all of the miracles of my life!

But this past Tuesday, we were talking about being born again, and walking after the spirit. He said you are a new creation, so the old you died. He said (and this dear man has never been in recovery) maybe you should try saying in your next meeting "I'm Ken, and I am a child of God, who used to have a drinking problem..." I totally let it go. While I know I am new creation in Jesus, I am still mentally and physically different from my fellows when it comes to drinking. If I take a drink, I get drunk. and die.

Has anyone else come across this kind of "ignorance?" And I do not mean ignorance in a mean sense, just that non-alkies cannot relate to alkies... I am surely saved -- but will never outgrow my alcoholism...

just wanted to share and get some thoughts....

God Bless...

Ken

[best]

Originally Posted by NoMoBeer

Has anyone else come across this kind of "ignorance?" And I do not mean ignorance in a mean sense

Yes

and as you grow in Christ, it will leave you.
10 years from now when you look back, you will see what your pastor was saying.

As for the here and now... Yes those who do not understand addictive behaviors will never understand them unless they walk in our shoes.
Your pastor is sharing what he knows. Your pastor is sharing what I have found as well but I also know that if I drink...I have problems. If I don't drink...I find I have no desire to drink that can't be controled.
Being a new creation in Christ does not give me the ability to drink...it gives me the ability to live life and live it more abundantly.

[CAPTAINZING2000]

I've been going thru this with a lady pastor trying to arrange a spiritual camp out on a camp ground that's connected to the church.

I've tried to explain how AA is non denominational. That for the most part we talk about a higher power who, the majority choose to call God. I did go on to say we close with the Lord's prayer. I expressed how, we get people sober first then, we work on the spiritual being.

Many intelligent people can't grasp what we have with our allergy to alcohol.

I believe in my heart that, God brought me to the tables of AA. I wasn't staying sober as lector during mass.

Few people can understand how alcohol has each one of us in it's grip.

I've not been attending church services since my divorce. I have however, been doing the best I can putting forth Christian principles in all my affairs. That's not to say, we don't come up short from time to time but, progress not perfection.

We have given thought to using the 12 step bible for a recovery meeting. We haven't got one as of yet but, it's something that we might do in the near future.

[cmc]

With people like that I try to take what I want (what is true) and leave the rest but I refuse to be subjected to blame....which is what that type of thinking usually boils down to in my experience.

I had to be blunt with one of my non Christian counselors....and we worked things out where we had differing views. The counselor is there 'for' the patient to get well...not to preach to. This man ended up helping me in some ways that my former Christian counselor (who was great) did not.


For example....we heard a guy on tv last night say that people can decide not to have depression... I turned it off and prayed for him....after I dealt with my resentment for telling sick people to 'snap out of it' if they want to be well. In other words...if I give God credit for my recovery does that mean He did not heal me...or help me to live free of a disease? To me...what you call it 'does' matter because it's harmful, cruel and counterproductive to deny the truth.

It happens in the secular world as well...those who do not believe that alcoholism is a disease. There sure are areas of recovery, faith in Christ and walking with the Lord daily that overlap but AA works...it's that simple. God helps me to work a program that originated from biblically based ideas...the program remains secular in order to remain effective and to save lives.

Jesus fed the people before he preached the Sermon on the Mount....bread and fish. I don't think people were forced to accept Him as their HP in order to partake of the meal. That's how I view the 12 step programs...feeding the hungry soul a meal that sustains life & health. jmho...my 2 cents gladly refunded for those who disagree.

Maybe if you talk this out with your Christian counselor he will show you some respect for your recovery (if that is what you wish) instead of trying to manipulate you into breaking the 'rules' of the program...in order to save souls 'his way'....it doesn't sound like legitimate therapy to me.

[NoMoBeer]

WOW! Great responses, thank you all...

I have really been growing so close to God through my pain over the past years as well as the counseling and AA -- it all plays a part for sure.

I feel the same way Zing -- God pulled me into AA just in time. I joke with myself that I am "twice saved," once when I had my first spiritual awakening through working the 12 steps, and the second on July 2nd a couple of years ago...

So, here is another question that begs to be asked. The other night, in my Monday night "As Bill Sees It" meeting, a gentleman was sharing, and did not speak program at all, but boldly proclaimed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and that's why he is sober...

Curious to see others' thoughts on this. I, for one, leave my "Believer" faith at the door when I walk into AA... I know that if someone had hit me over the head with a Bible or dove into the Gospel in my first days, even years of being sober... I would not have been ready to hear it. Now, should someone pull me aside, I will gladly share my faith and good news.

Looking back, my walk to Jesus was a slow trudge, but I can see where God put the pieces together... first through the program. I had to come to know "God." Then God started to put different people in my life which led me into the Recovery Bible... It was an amazing journey (and still is) and there is still so much more. Praise God.

Hey -- thanks all for your feedback -- I truly appreciate it!

Ken

[toad]

If you want to stay saved........stay in church.

If you want to stay sober.........stay in AA

[best]

Originally Posted by toad

If you want to stay saved........stay in church.

If you want to stay sober.........stay in AA

If you want both ...do both.

Church means... fellowship with other believers. It doesn't always need be found in a fancy looking building. The buildings just make it a more comfortable place to hold fellowship.

[NoMoBeer]

Hmmm... I want both, so I think I'll do both. Thanks, toad.

[best]

Originally Posted by NoMoBeer

Curious to see others' thoughts on this. I, for one, leave my "Believer" faith at the door when I walk into AA... I know that if someone had hit me over the head with a Bible or dove into the Gospel in my first days, even years of being sober... I would not have been ready to hear it. Now, should someone pull me aside, I will gladly share my faith and good news.

Actions speak louder then words. When people see what you have, if they want it, they will ask.

I like reversing that scenario.

I carry my recovery into church and share it fully along with my faith.

Paul says he became all things to all people.
Jesus did the same.
Met people where they were at and then shared the Good News in the proper timing.

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Been placing for an attitude of gratitude with the people in rehab. while stressing how important it is to find a God of their understanding. The God that has rescued many of us from insanity.

I've also been stressing how important the meetings are and to carry the message to help others.

For so many years, I've been picking up people without a way to the meetings and they've been thanking me. I have to tell them thanks for going with me to the meeting.

Thank God for AA and the wonderful people I'm met on my road to recovery. I'd of never had this chance to meet the good people on here and from around my area. For some reason, none of them were in a bar