4soberladyz

AA thoughs for today

2008-07-13T12:31:00.001-04:00

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Triumph
^*^*^
"It is only at the moment when a member ceases to drink
that he asserts the right to
describe himself as an alcoholic. . .
What an unthinking world may look upon as defeat,
alcoholics in AA know as a triumph of the spirit,
a triumph of humility over false pride and self-centeredness. How few human
beings ever have the courage
to stand up before their neighbors and, in humility,
describing themselves truthfully, to say:
'This is what I really am.' "

1985AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, p. 278

^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to Consider . . .

Veni, vidi, velcro ... I came, I saw, I stuck around.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A A = Adventurers Anonymous

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*
Inexplicable
From "Why? I Don't Know":
"I don't attempt to explain with reason and logic why these things happen. When they happen, I just accept them. I feel perhaps that God, as I understand Him, found it necessary for me to suffer the pain and anguish of an addicted alcoholic and to go through the slow and, for me, difficult program of recovery in A.A. in order to be prepared and willing to do His will. I am grateful and thankful that God has given this to me. Perhaps it is because I take the Third Step every morning. My hopes and prayers are that each day I will be able to maintain this conscious contact with God. Kingsport, Tennessee, USA"

1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 70

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
HUMILITY IS A GIFT

As long as we placed self-reliance first, a genuine reliance upon a Higher Power was out of the question. That basic ingredient of all humility, a desire to seek and do God's will, was missing.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 72

When I first came to A.A., I wanted to find some of the elusive quality called humility. I didn't realize I was looking for humility because I thought it would help me get what I wanted, and that I would do anything for others if I thought God would somehow reward me for it. I try to remember now that the people I meet in the course of my day are as close to God as I am ever going to get while on this earth. I need to pray for knowledge of God's will today, and see how my experiences with hope and pain can help other people; if I can do that, I don't need to search for humility, it has found me.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
The Obsession and the Answer

The idea that somehow, someday, he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death.
<<<>>>
Alcoholism, not cancer, was my illness, but what was the difference? Was not Alcoholism took longer to do its killing, but the result was the same. So, I
decided, if there was a great Physician who could cure the alcoholic
sickness, I had better seek Him at once.

1. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, P. 30
2. A.A. COMES OF AGE, P. 61

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and
fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We
discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we
have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone
we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code."

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 84

*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

Before alcoholics come into A.A., they are "flying blind." But A.A. gives
them a directed beam in the A.A. program. As long as they keep on this beam, the signal of sobriety keeps coming through. If they have a slip, the signal is broken. if they swing off course into drunkenness, the signal stops.
Unless they regain the A.A. directed beam, they are in danger of crashing
against the mountain peak of despair. Am I on the beam?

Meditation for the Day

Be expectant. Constantly expect better things. Believe that what God has in
store for you is better than anything you ever had before. The way to grow
old happily is to expect better things right up to the end of your life and
even beyond that. A good life is a growing, expanding life, with ever
widening horizons, an ever greater circle of friends and acquaintances, and
an ever greater opportunity for usefulness.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may await with complete faith for the next good thing in store
for me. I pray that I may always keep an expectant attitude toward life.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

God's Pharmacy

2008-07-08T08:06:00.002-04:00

God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!

God's Pharmacy! Amazing!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (mo dern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actual ly bal ance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just l ike the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

SUBJECT: Psalm 46:19
'Be Still and Know that I AM GOD'

Angels have walked beside me
All my life--and they still do.
*********************

God has kept me here for a reason!

2008-07-07T07:10:00.002-04:00

God Has Kept Me Here For A Reason

Repeat after me:

God has kept me here for a reason. I survived, because He has a plan
for me.

All my bad relationships, the addictions, the consequences, the bad credit,
the repossessions, the death of my loved ones, the back stabbing from my
friends, the negative thoughts or the lack of support; I made it because I
am blessed!

I release and let go of all past hurts, misunderstandings and grudges,
because I am abundantly blessed!

I recognize them as the Illusions they are, sent from the enemy to kill my
spirit, steal my joy, and destroy my faith; For God is all there is.
All else is a lie! Now give yourself a hug, wipe your tears away and walk in
victory!!

I love you, but more appropriately God loves you BEST! Be
blessed and know that you are at one with THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD!

Now since you are a true child of God, you know that with every blessing, a
blessing is required! So be a blessing to another, by passing this on.
IF YOU DO IT RIGHT NOW, GOD WILL BLESS IT RIGHT NOW!!

Be Blessed "The Will of GOD will never take you where the GRACE of GOD will
not protect you!

USA

2008-05-13T05:13:00.001-04:00

Free Comments & Graphics

2008-04-30T00:36:00.001-04:00

"May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love . It is there for each and every one of us."

Keep the Faith!

2008-04-24T03:46:00.002-04:00

Ephesians 5:15 encourages us to 'be very careful how you live, making the most of your time.'
Each and every one of us is going through tough times right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can.
Keep the Faith.
Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

To My Sisters In The Lord

2008-04-19T16:38:00.001-04:00

There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to take a close look at herself. Not at her circumstance, not at what she did, not how unfair life is, or at who made you do it. She has to just look at herself...

Have you ever admired a woman who has been through changes in her life? Or have you made up in your mind that she is just messed up. Before you make this mistake, take a closer look. A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom, someone who has been chosen by God to go through things that have made her stronger.

Think of all the great women in the Bible: Mary Magdalene, Ruth and Naomi, the woman with an issue of blood, and Esther, to name a few. Mary was a prostitute, a very uneasy woman. But by the time Jesus was done with her, she was His closest follower. Esther was unfortunate in marrying an abusive man, but by the time God was done with her, she had married one of the wealthiest men in the land!

Women are so quick to beat the next one down instead of trying to hold her up. Before you wonder, ' What's up with her?' ask yourself, 'What's up with me?' That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt, in-law, stepmother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend, or co-worker, etc. That woman could be ME.

Women are the carriers of life, not the channels of death. Let's build and encourage each other, as did Ruth and Naomi. Pass this to all the women in your life. Encourage and love, forgive and forget, and trust that the woman that receives this will be touched in some way.

God bless you and your family. We all fearfully and wonderfully made in Him! Know today that you are sincerely loved!

Emotional Maturity

2008-04-14T06:10:00.003-04:00

The mature person has developed attitudes in relation to himself and his environment which have lifted him above "childishness" in thought and behavior.

My Mind Is My Garden

My Thoughts Are My Seeds,

I Will Harvest

Either Flowers or Weeds.

Some of the characteristics of the person who has achieved tru adulthood are suggested here:

He accepts criticism gratefully, being honestly glad for an opportunity to improve.
He does not indulge in selfpity. He has begun to feel the laws of compensation operating in all life.
He does not expect special consideration from anyone.
He controls his temper.
He meets emergencies with poise.
His feelings are not easily hurt.
He accepts the responsibility of his own acts without trying to "alibi."
He has outgrown the "all or nothing" stage. He recognizes that no person or situation is wholly good or wholly bad, and he begins to appreciate the Golden Mean.
He is not impatient at reasonable delays. He has learned that he is not the arbiter of the universe and that he must often adjust himself to other people and their convenience.
He is a good loser. He can endure defeat and disappointment without whinning or complaining.
He does not worry unduly about things he cannot help.
He is not given to boasting or "showing off" in socially unacceptable ways.
He is honestly glad when others enjoy success or good fortune. He has outgrown envy and jealousy.
He is open-minded enough to listen thoughtfully to the opinions of others.
He is not a chronic "fault-finder."
He plans things in advance rather than trusting to the inspiration of the moment.

Last of all, we think in terms of spiritual maturity.

He has faith in a Power greater than himself.
He feels himself an organic part of mankind as a whole contributing his part to each group of which he is a member.
He obeys the spiritual essence of the Golden Rule: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Alcoholics Anonymous

Christians by Maya Angelou

2008-04-12T06:06:00.004-04:00

Christians

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'" I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow! Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!

TODAY IS BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTERS DAY

by Maya Angelou

AA AKRONYMS

2008-04-05T10:53:00.007-04:00

EGO - Edging God Out
AA’s R US - Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Unity Service
NEW - Nothing Else Worked
ISM - I Sponsor Myself
BS - Before Sobriety
NUTS - Not Using The Steps
RID - Restless, Irritable and Discontent
RID - Redefine Innermost Design

HALT - Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
Honest, Active, Loving, Tolerant
Hope, Acceptance, Love, Tolerane

HELP - Hope, Encouragement, Love and Patience
BATH - Behavior, Attitude, Thinking and Habits
FINE - Feeling Insecure, Numb and Empty
Free, Independent, New and Energetic
CRAP - Carry Resentments Against People
CARE - Comforting And Reassuring Each other
LET GO - Leave Everything To God Okay
CALM - Can Anger Leave Me?
CHAOS - Can’t Handle Another Overwhelming Situation
FAITH - Finding Answers In The Heart
Fantastic Adventures In Trusting Him
For An Instant Trust Him
Facing All In Trusting Him
DEAD - Drinking Ends All Dreams
BEST - Been Enjoying Sobriety Today
BATH - Behavior, Attitude, Thinking, Habits

TRUST - Try Relying Upon Steps and Traditions
Teaching Recovery Using Steps and Traditions

THINK - The Happiness I Never Knew
TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More

TIME - Things I Must Earn

HOW - Honest, Open, Willing

HOPE - Hang On, Pray Everyday
Help Open People’s Eyes
Happy Our Program Exists
Helping Other People Everyday
Hearing Other Peoples’ Experience
Heart Open; Please Enter

ABC - Acceptance, Belief, Change
KISS - Keep It Simple…..Surrender
PACE - Positive Attitudes Change Everything
PUSH - Pray Until Something Happens
YANA - You Are Not Alone

FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real
Failure Expected And Received
Face Everything And Recover
Frustration, Ego, Anxiety, Resentment
Forever Escaping And Retreating

FEEL - Feel, Experience, Express, Let go
SIT - Stay Into Today
SLIP - Sobriety Loses Its Priority
FIT - Faith, Intuition, Trust
PUT - Patience, Understanding, Tolerance
BUT - Being Unconvinced Totally
WHO - Willingness, Honesty, Open-minded
WHO ME? - Willingness, Honesty, Open-minded, Must Exist
YANA - You Are Not Alone
SWAT - Surrender, Willingness, Acceptance, Trust
RATTLE - Remember Always That Terrible Last Evening
BOGGLE - Bad Or Good, GOD Loves Everyone

CHANGE - Choosing Honesty Allows New Growth Everyday
Can Help Attract New Gifts and Energy

GRACE - Gently Releasing All Conscious Expectations
PEACE - Providing Experienced Attitude Changes Everyday
Praying Energetically Always Creates Ease
ACTION - Any Change Toward Improving One’s Nature
ANGER - Any No-Good Energy Rising
DENIAL - Don’t Even Notice I Am Lying
PROGRAM- People Relying On God Relaying A Message
WISDOM- When Into Self Discover Our Motives
WILLING- When I Live Life I Need God
SPONSOR - Sober Person Offering Newcomer Support Of Recovery
SOBRIETY - Stay Oerson Bffering Recovery Is Everything To You
FAILURE - Fearful, Arrogant, Insecure, Lonely, Uncertain, Resentful Emtpy
RACING - Real Alcoholics Centered Inward Needing God
STEPS - Solutions To Every Problem in Sobriety
GIFTS - Getting It From The Steps
GIFT - God Is Forever There

CARDS - Call your sponsor
Ask for help from your Higher Power
Read the Big Book
Do the Twelve Steps
Stay active in your group

(taken from http://www.sobrietycoach.com/index_files/Pages790.htm)

Support Makes A Difference

2008-03-25T05:31:00.006-04:00

On Easter Sunday, I was Blessed with the opportunity to share my experience, strength and hope at my co-sponsor's home group. It was a honorable experience to be the speaker at a meeting on the most celebrated holidays of the year. I was nervous as I felt I was on the spotlight. As second glance, it was an opportunity for me to allow God's light to shine through me.

As people entered the room, they were beautifully dressed as many of them had just left religious services. As I began to speak, my words began to flow, seeming steered by a supernatural force. Once I was done, I felt relieved and refreshed.

The comments portion of the meeting brought on a support that I never anticipated. All my worries about present things going in my life seemed to vanish in thin air. It amazed me that a gentleman with over 30yrs of sobriety commented that "I helped him." It startled me as I thought "how could I help someone who has been around such a long time?" Well, that's how AA works!

Support is one of the key foundations in recovery that allows to grow. No matter what problem you think you have, once you share it, the magic begins. I've often heard a cliche in the rooms that "a problem shared is one cut in half." I was surprised to see how many people attested they shared similar feelings and thoughts as I. The comments portion of the meeting endured longer than my speech. I felt overjoyed with support.

Once I came home, I felt a sense of peace and serenity that I'd never felt in a very long time. "Freedom from bondage," is another cliche I've heard int he rooms over the years, and I think I seemed like I finally tapped in to the realm of being "happy, joyus and free," that I've heard repeated over and over so many times, yet didn't understand how to obtain it.

Support is an intricate link in success of your sobriety. Without it, your chances are slim in staying sober. The fellowship in AA is like a link in a chain. Many people are joined hands, holding on to one another for dear life, so that no one is disconnected in any way. Lately, I hadn't been to my normal amount of meetings I usually attended, so I felt out of the loop. Now, I feel more connected than ever. I met new people, exchanged phone numbers and now have many to add to my list I can call on when I'm feeling irritable or discontent.

On the day celebrated as Christ's resurrection, I was reborn as well. I arose reassured that I don't have to fight any battle alone; sharing is caring....caring for myself enough to go to any length to get help, and enough to allow my testimony strengthen others. This was definitely an experience I'll cherish for a lifetime.

Promises

2008-03-22T02:08:00.013-04:00

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through......

We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
Self-seeking will slip away.
Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us.
We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us--sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.

(AA 3rd Edition. AA World Services, Inc. PP 83-84)

.......One of the gifts I was given when I became sober was the promises that are outlined in the Big Book text. I can remember vividly when I first heard thepromises, I was in awe. Just reading them gave me hope. I can now honestly attest to them materializing in my life one day at a time.

Often in a meeting, I would hear someone say "the only thing promised to you if you continue drinking is jails, institutions & death." Well, that sounded terrifying and I didn't like hearing it.....but it was the truth. Fortunately, I only had the displeasure of experiencing two of those promises. My jails were being imprisoned in my mind; only one arrest for driving under suspension. I'm Blessed to not have a criminal record. My institutional experiences was my 'career' in treatment facilities. Unfortunately, I didn't stay sober after my 1st, 2nd, 3rd........but, each time I was in treatment it saved my life!

God allowed me to live, so that I could receive the promises of AA. My sponsor tells me all the time that "God loves us so much, He gave us our own special program." When I view AA in that context, it makes me feel truly Blessed and favored. The 12 steps is an excellent design for living, and people who are not alcoholics can benefit from AA's concepts as well.

By far, the 12 steps have been the most dynamic, life changing experience of my life. I truly feel transformed, reborn and renewed. Today, I can honestly attest to the "promises" as outlined in the AA text is showing itself evident in my life, one day at a time.

2008-03-20T07:46:00.006-04:00

Just for today....I will be grateful for my sobriety. When I play the tape alllllllll the way back, I can see how fortunate I am to be one of the "chosen few". Everyone doesn't have the opportunity to live in recovery; some suffer in their addicition and unfortunately, don't make it.

Last night, I had the pleasure of hearing one of the "old-timers" in AA, share his experience, strength & hope, celebrating 31 yrs of sobriety. I'ts an honor to share membership with him at the same homegroup. He is well known where I live throughout the AA community. As I sat and observed him while he was speaking, I admired his confident stature. Yet, he is a very humble man.

While he was speaking, we looked in awe as he announced his sobriety date...1977. Wow! What an Blessing. As he gave a brief overview of his life as a child, and touched based on a few events in his adulthood, he began to speak of how he dranked. Looking at him now, it doesn't seem like he had a drink in his life. It was amazing to hear how the same disease I have, caused chaos in his life as well. Different decade, yet same pain. Different gender, yet same pain. Different drink of choice, yet same pain.

Alcoholism is amazing how it affects individuals differently. We all may have gone down different roads and experienced far different consequences, but there is one thing we all have in common; the pain we suffer when we're caught up in the madness. As I listened to my friend sharing with us how he has reached this point in his life, his words were very simple; one day at a time. He reinterated that he has overcome many trials, but is not perfect today byfar. For sure, none of us are. He further shared some of his "character defects" that he continually works on improving. I can relate because I work hard on mine also.

Of course, with his years of sobriety, a 30 minute speech was not merely enough time to hear everything he has made it through; no amount of time is. It would probably take for him to write a book to tell it all. When a person is the speaker at a meeting, you have to be clever in compacting your story, sharing important highlights.

This is also my anniversary month; 3yrs on 3/12. Since my fellow group member and I share the same homegroup and anniversaries in the same month, we both received our sobriety coins. It was truly an honor to be recognized along with my dear friend.

So, for just for today, I have unmeasurable gratitude for being sober. Today, I have a lot of hope that replaces the despair in my past. Three years may not be a long time to some, but it's a long time since my last drink, and for that, I am grateful.

satan's meeting (read if you're not busy)

2008-03-13T15:29:00.012-04:00

(read if you're not busy)
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their savior. Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken." "So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do," said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection
throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted. "Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow." "Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles." "Keep them from spending time with their children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."
"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-Biblical music constantly" "This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."
"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards."
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives "
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."
"Give them headaches too!"
"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."
"That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."
"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death." "Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."
"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."
"Keep them busy, busy, busy!" "And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus." "Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work!" "It will work!"

It was quite a plan! The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?

You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

Please pass this on . if you aren't too BUSY!

2008-03-13T14:59:00.008-04:00

THIS I BELIEVE....

Tomorrow is yet to be,

but should God grant me another day,

The Hope, Courage, and Strength

Through the working of the Twelve Steps and

Serenity Prayer,

I shall be sufficiently provided for to meet my

every need.

This I believe.

(excerpt from The 12 Step Prayer Book, by Bill P. and Lisa D.)

TWELVE STEP PRAYER

2008-03-09T15:59:00.015-04:00

Power, greater than myself, as I understand You, I willingly admit that without Your help I am powerless over alcohol and my life has become unmanageable. I believe You can restore me to sanity. I turn my life and my will over to You. I have made a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself and I admit to You, to myself, and to another the exact nature of my wrongs. I am entirely ready to have You remove these defects of character. I humbly ask You to remove my shortcomings. I have made direct amends to all persons I have harmed, except when to do so would injure them or others. I will continue to take personal inventory and when I am wrong I will promptly admit it. I seek through prayer and meditation to improve my conscious contact with You and pray only for knowledge of Your will for me and the power to carry it out. Grant me the grace to carry the message of Your help unto others and to practice the principles of the Twelve Steps in all my affairs.

TAKE THE TIME!

2008-03-07T11:57:00.007-05:00

TODAY....I pray I can:
Take the time to think.
It is the source of my power.
Take time to play.
It is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to read.
It is the fountain of wisdom.
Take time to pray.
It is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to be friendly.
It is the road to happiness.
Take time to laugh.
It is the music of the soul.
Take time to give.
It is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to work.
It is the price of success.
Take time to do charity.
It is the key to heaven.
"The 12 Step Prayer Book, 2nd Edition"; by Bill P. & Lisa D.; pp. 28-29

2008-03-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hi ladyz:
Well, today I just wanted to vent & hopefully get some feedback. I've been told in AA that if I don't have a home group, I'm homeless. I guess I'm 'homesick', but not in the way the word is often perceived. I haven't been to my home group since Dec. '07; I became very ill in Sept. & had major surgery in Oct. Prior to that, I had been there sporadically, due to me being a full-time evening student. My group meets on Wed. nites and my classes are Mon. thru Thur. evenings. So, I'm only able to attend my group in between semesters.

I feel very sad that none of my home group members visited me or gave me a phone call through two hospitalizations, a surgery & long illness; I also am faced with a 2nd surgery in a couple of months. I'm posting this for feedback because I wonder.........

am I being selfish? ...or is this a case of the ISM's?

It's a lonely feeling.

Of course, there were a couple of gentlemen, who I consider my 'brothers in recovery' that kept in touch with me, and even visited several times. One gentlemen in my group sent me 5 get well cards that he had passed around 5 different groups & got signatures for well wishes. That really touched my heart. But, I'm talking about the women. It seems like the women in my community of groups I attend don't support each other the way AA teaches us. If you're not 'best friends' or in a certain 'click' (as some refer to it), you're left on the back burner.

AA has taught me how to love 'unconditionally'. That means everyone, despite their character defects, aka 'whether you like them or not, or don't like their personality'. So, how does this all apply to the ladies at my group? When I'm able to attend my group, I'm very active. I make sure when there's an announcement of someone ill, I'm sure to call them, visit them, as well as support them within the group.

I was once told by a gentleman in AA who is deceased now (may he rest in peace), that "there are a lot of examples in AA....some you want to be like & some you don't". So, when I think about that, I am determined to not let how I feel I was treated to affect how I treat others. My 'stinking thinking' told me "forget them; join another group.....you don't have to be there". But, the recovery that's embedded in me helps reassure me that I need to do the opposite; stay there!! There will be opportunities for me to show love and support to someone else. I can't allow my pain to prevent me from showing love. I have to be the example to the newcomer, who is the most important person in AA. Besides that, the 'been around awhilers' need a dose of unconditional love rejuvenation at times.

I love recovery.....I didn't know that a concept could change my thinking the way the 12 steps have. No, I'm no 'big book thumper' by far; I know very little compared to some. But I can tell you that love is engraved in my heart. I know what it feels like to feel like you're left out, alone & unloved. It brings my heart great joy to help someone....offer a handshake.....a smile....a word of encouragement.....maybe just an ear for them to vent. So, just for today, I Pray for God to allow His light to shine through me, despite how I feel. I'm confident He will transform my thinking and allow me to see things through loving eyes, despite the eyes filled with tears when I think about it sometimes. Thanks for listening ladyz....Have a BlessedDay!!

Luv Ya!

2008-03-04T07:20:00.000-05:00

Hello all my ladyz of recovery! This is a place to connect, vent, and make new friends in recovery. My name is free4ever & I'm a grateful recovering alcoholic. My anniversary is approaching (3/12/05) and it feels great! Three years may not seem like a long time to some, but one day at a time, it has been a beautiful journey. Learning how to live a new way of life has been a Blessing for me, as well as my family & friends; I'm quite sure many share those sentiments ! In any case, let's continue this wonderful ride together in stride! Feel free to post comments, suggest a link or send a snapshot...whatever you like! Thank you stopping by and don't forget to leave a shout out!
Have a Blessed Day!