In most A.A. meetings, there will be some reference to character defects or shortcomings. In Alcoholics Anonymous, fondly referred to as the Big Book, character defects are so detrimental to sobriety that the middle four of the 12 steps themselves are dedicated to identifying and removing them. These life-changing Steps were derived from the Oxford […]
As God Sees It – Removal of Character Defects – The Process Read More »
This author recently was invited to speak to a group of recovering individuals in a group session at a Substance Abuse Center. The session was on the selected topic “Why We Experience Pain”. It was based upon the articles on this website and material from the book Eternal Sobriety. The emphasis was on how emotional
As God See It – A Perspective on Pain Read More »
When we first encounter a recovery process for alcoholism or drug addiction, we are steeped with mental attitudes and beliefs that have built up over a lifetime of substance abuse. For many of us, our consequences have brought us to the doors of a 12-Step recovery program as the last option. We have lost control
As God Sees It – Foundational Attitudes for Spiritual Growth – Renewing the Mind Read More »
Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous, recognized the need for alcoholics to read the Bible, and he made that crystal clear. The most accurate and reliable version of Dr. Bob’s viewpoint can still be found in the A.A. conference approved pamphlet P-53 (The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous). It contains the entirety of Dr. Bob’s last major
(From the book Eternal Sobriety, Chapter 9, God’s Will, page 189,190) As we progress in our principle-based 12-Step recovery program of A.A., we come to appreciate the need to seek God’s Will in our life. Step Three embraces our common need for God. The problem that most of us encounter is in not understanding what
God’s Will – Part 1 – Seeking the Right Understanding of God Read More »
(From the book Eternal Sobriety, Chapter 9, God’s Will, page 195) The expression “living one day at a time” is a principle direct from the teachings of Christ (see Matthew 6:34 below). We use this truth to stop drinking one day at a time. Long-term sobriety comes in little daily chunks. With sobriety, we further
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The 12-Step path we follow in Alcoholics Anonymous is a practical behavior changing process and can result in a positive character change within us. These Steps, if followed, will reduce our self-centered thoughts and hopefully give us some visibility in to our behavioral problems and the defects of character underlying them. Then, once uncovered, we
The Change Process in AA Versus the Change Process of our Creator Read More »
Russell Spatz, a 43-year sober veteran of sponsoring hundreds of men, attending thousands of meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, and who is sought after as the main speaker at groups all over the world, gives us a very truthful and direct answer to an issue that is increasingly of major concern to many members of Alcoholics
What is the Best Kept Secret in A.A.? Read More »
When we reflect back on the nature of our problems that brought us to Alcoholics Anonymous, we find commonality with others in our fellowship. We don’t see these at first, since the pain we are experiencing overrides most of our thinking processes. It takes time for the pain to subside enough to allow for the
Building Character – As God Sees It – Identifying the Real Power in A.A. Read More »
This article will provide visibility to the truth about the nature and purpose of pain. There is not one person who does not experience some sort of pain or grief within the course of their lifetime. We all know what it is like to feel pain as it is a prevalent part of our existence.
Building Character – As God Sees It – Killing The Pain Read More »