isn't He enough?

[journeygal]

Hi all,

Having had a spirtual awakening, my view of the world is different these days.

I believe that through Jesus, all things are possible, including and especially recovery.

I had a conversation (ok it was a therapy session ), with some program people last night and I mentioned how I hadn't been going to al-anon meetings lately. Someone asked me why and I said it was b/c my life currently isn't in crisis. I tend to slack off on my meetings when there's no drama around me. My hubby is currently 6 weeks clean. I was there to witness his bottom and if you've ever seen someone hit their bottom, it's pretty obvious when it happens, at least it was to me.

We've been going to church every Sunday and every Thursday for bible study. We both joined the church last month and he's already becoming active in the men's ministry and doing service work. He's turned his addiction over to God and has taken responsibility for the damage his using had caused him and others. I'm seeing real growth and change in him and I feel very comfortable with the recovery path he's on, as I believe he's being guided spirtually and is walking in the Holy Spirit.

So, what's the problem? You tell me. I had several people basically say that since hubby isn't going to meetings, he's not in recovery and our lives are still in crisis since I'm living with an addict who's not working a program. I also had two therapists, both of whom I respect, say that while some people can find sobriety in church, 12-step programs are the most successful and that he probably won't stay clean just by going to and being active in the church. Well, I feel differently about things. I think hubby is working a program, just not the traditional NA 12-step program. I also believe that if it can't be done through Christ, then it can't be done. Besides, the 12-steps did come from the bible, so why not just go to the source instead of relying on a man-made solution?

As you can see, this whole thing made me pretty defensive, but I don't think I'm in denial about what I'm witnessing.

So, what do you guys think? Isn't God enough?

[CAPTAINZING2000]

I believe, the program is God given. I found serenity thru AA not thru church. I hope, that you can find it in your church as well. I wouldn't dare tell you that you can't. Just always keep in mind, what helped your hubby to where he is. If, the church was able to help everyone, there wouldn't be AA and NA programs.

[journeygal]

Well, I assume that the church can't help those who aren't religious or who have turned away from the church for personal reasons...

I'm speaking more of the Christian who believes in God's word and is trying to pursue a Christian life.

[CAPTAINZING2000]

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
We can carry the message with us no matter where. If we are filled with the holy spirit Every house is God's house.

I do believe the old sayig a family that prays together stays together.

[Paulie]

Hi JG -

IMO no one has the right to say anyone isn't staying clean correclty, which is what I got from what you were told last night. Your H is clean and sober right now, he has a relationship with a God of his understanding, to me that is what is most important. And you know me well, you know I am a big 12 step thumper LOL. But what works for me may not work for your H.

The bottom line is it is working for him, he and you both, just stay in today. Lots of people stay clean with the 12 step programs, lots of people stay clean without the 12 step program.

Tell those people that said he is not in recovery that I said to stay on their own side of the street .

You know that old saying 'if it aint' broke, don't fix it. Your H is doing well, as long as he believes in something greater than himself, IMO he is doing good. As an addict putting our ego aside (even if we are full of low self esteem) to believe in and have faith in something greater than ourselves, greater than the next bag of dope, that is a blessing in itself.

[newlifeinchrist]

I started this round of recovery the same as the last four times, in treatment. By my second week of treatment I started to feel a need to get back in a church (I stopped going some twenty five years earlier, about the time my addictions kicked in) Any way as my drinking increaced I pushed God farther and farther to the back of my life. All my other attempts at soberity were just attempts to get out of the trouble at hand ie.. the law or my job. once the coast was clear I got back into my old habits. I think the thing that made it different this time was I began to realize that my life has been this constant stream of crap, I kept getting into the same trouble time and time again. When I took an honest look at the first three steps of the program they told me that I am powerless to make the changes alone, by myself, but God has that power all I need to do is ask him and believe that he will do this for me. I got real active in AA but I also got active in my church. The sermons that I heard seemed to be tailored right to me, I had several long talks with my pastor about AA and my life.By my forth year of soberity Christ hade become a very large part of my life, but AA wanted me to tone down on talking about Christ in the meetings, this just didn't set well with me after all as you yourself said if Christ can't do it how can an organation of men do it with their wide open version of a "higher power"? I say give him the credit he deserves,

[newlifeinchrist]

He is the triune God, Father,Son and Holy spirit. I hade gotten so fed-up with AA that I all but quit going for the last year. It's when I found this site that I found there are others out there who felt the same as me. I learned of Alcoholics Victorious, then other christian groups. Although I stopped going to AA meetings last year, my church attendance never faltered. To me church is where you here God's word, and that is very important in recovery. But the church doesn't or should I say can't provide everything that an addict needs, When I need to talk to someone about the feelings I have about some recovery issue. I like to talk to someone who has been there and knows where I'm comming from. Currantly my pastors and myself are getting a christian recovery group started in our church, were leaning towards Alcoholics Victorious, we feel that this would be a good out reach program for the church and It would help those people who have there feet wet in AA but are looking for a little more in recovery. I'm really excited about it and think it will be a great addition to the choices of recovery in this two horse town. NLIC

[newlifeinchrist]

And one more thing, while I've been doing this work on getting a new meeting together this last two months I've found that I'm going to my home meeting again and enjoying it. go figure... NLIC

[CAPTAINZING2000]

God works in mysterious ways. I have no idea why but, someone starts doing a sermon at a meeting and people start to bristle. No one is offended at the mention of God.
I believe that Jesus died for all our sins.

Going into AA we have to sober up first. I was going thru some heavy praying coming into AA. I had back problems like you were saying NLIC. The law family job etc all on my back.

The prayers were there but, maybe not as sincere as they could have been. A lot of people think you can't have a conversation with God all day long. To me, that's when you're in touch with your spirit.

While I don't welcome trouble, it's when trouble comes we pray the hardest. Getting my life in order is harder still because, I'm used to living in chaos. Staying sober and trusting God and helping others my problems have went away. Thanks to AA, I try to maintain a constant contact with a higher power who, I call God.

A person that can find a good church should go what ever helps to keep a person spiritually fit is a good thing. Some meetings don't use the Lord's Prayer. We always use the Lord's Prayer at our meetings.

Faith and deeds is what I'm about now. This is a ongoing growth cycle. We grow along spiritual lines in this program.

Progress,not perfection is all we can strive for.

[best]

Tears of joy here. What a wonderful testamony.

YES He is enough YES!

I found the steps in the bible and later learned that AA uses the same things I had learned in my bible studies. I was a dry drunk for many a year. It wasn't untill I started to read God's word that I truly found recovery.
AA works but for me I have found God's word works even better.
AA will guide a person to a clean and sober life.
God's word will as well but God's word will also guide people to heaven.

[Blessed]

To God all the Glory...He is able, no matter where you are when you get the message

[best]

Originally Posted by CAPTAINZING2000

I believe, the program is God given. I found serenity thru AA not thru church. I hope, that you can find it in your church as well. I wouldn't dare tell you that you can't. Just always keep in mind, what helped your hubby to where he is. If, the church was able to help everyone, there wouldn't be AA and NA programs.

Thing is... The church...no wait... The Lord and His word is able to help everyone. Not every one is willing to accept His offer of help.
AA can help every one get sober but not every one is willing to accept what they say either.
For getting sober/clean there are more ways to meet that goal then a church or AA. If getting sober is the goal I have seen God's word work wonders. I have seen the 12 steps work wonders. There may be other programs that work as well. There are also many programs that help people get dry but don't treat the whole problem.
God's word will not only help a person find total sobriety but will add the promises of Heaven as well.
AA and other programs can't gain a person heaven. They could be a step toward finding that path or they could end up being a a landing on the stairs of life where some stop and never continue past the getting sober.
God's word is all that is needed for seeking and finding a full life. All the answers to life can be found in His word.

Yes AA and NA are great programs but God's way is the best way.

[Cap3]

Hey JG,isn't He enough.Yes,He is,and i must do the footwork to keep my humaniness on my spiritual path.,in line with Gods will.,through prayer/meditation.
Some folks have healing,good soberiety,and have never been to church.
Some folks have healing,and good soberiety,and do go to church,only.
Some folks have good soberiety,and do both.And some don't.
Different strokes for different folks.
As long as God is in the drivers seat,guideing the path.Its not about which path for me today.Today my action is AA,church.Helping others.And prayer/meditaion.
No matter what the path,there will be always folks who complain about it,making judgements.Life on life,s terms.Follow that innner knowing.The God within.And let God decide,be in charge.St Mark says with God all ,things are, possible...Now what does that leave out?Nothing.
God Bless,,take care!!!!!!!!!!!

[journeygal]

Thanks guys.

[Nina Kay]

In God's Word: The Bible of course, it says that ALL things are possible with God. Nothing is impossible for God. Through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, is how we get to God. AA & NA & Al-anon & Naranon are just tools that our Loving God has blessed us with. There we can relate to others that are willing to admit & discuss their addictions openly & we can talk openly with others who have been through this, dealing with our addicted & alcoholic loved ones. Some people may not need that, but I am one that personally does. God & His Son & The Church are first in my life, but I believe that he has given me some tools & earthly support to recover from this very horribly destructive Disease. Also, So many would not even listen to anyone about God before their AA,etc. recovery programs. Alot came in that had never even gotten to know God & many came in that blamed him for this & quit going to Church, but then were able to be restored to the Lord after getting the knowledge at these meetings about the disease. These Meetings are God's extra little gift for those of us who are suffering alone without other people who understand from the inside out. But, they are only tools for our recovery & can never compare to or take the place of God's chosen plan of ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ & His Church, which is His Body of Believer's; His children & His saved for Eternity. It also say's in The Bible, that without God we can do nothing. Love In Christ,

[Nina Kay]

journeygal,
I forgot to add that as you know, it is his program anyway & it is his choice whether or not to work a program at all & which program to work or how to work it has to be his decision alone, because as we have learned that we can not control or cure what the addict/ alcoholic does. They will only follow through with whatever program they decide to & no matter what we say or do they are going to handle their addiction however they choose, so you can tell these people that it is not up to you how he handles his recovery, they would just have to talk to him about that, because you are focused on working your own program. Just my opionion. Hope it helps in some little way, so that you won't have to deal with all of those horrible defensive feelings as I have always seemed to have the most trouble with & I have to fight those defensive feelings all of the time. Progress, not Perfection. Thank Goodness.