CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

Good post.
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"..and stay 'focused' on what has given me to do.."
- Assignment/task..

Yes, my apparent seeming addiction was only the symptoms of the real problems which were caused by being abandoned at birth for 7 mos in the welfare ward of Queen of Angels hospital in LA. I was 7 mo. old when I went to foster care. Drinking was the most common home remedy for depression and frustration. Too bad I was 55 yoa when I finally discussed my family history to a psychiatrist. Thank the Lord for good doctors. After that I attended LBCC for 33 units studying dual diagnosis and worked for the Substance Abuse Foundation until I retired.

Would that be Long Beach City College?

Yep. PCH & orange.

I attended LB Poly(technic). It was a wonderful place to grow up when I was there.

LB's schools are the best, at least they were then....

Yes, I remember. I attended St Fermin Lasuen & San Pedro High. Graduated June '72.

Graduated ten years previous, and directly into USAF... nowhere to go.

I too joined the AF, Sac 1st strad, 1st AF in 1973. I worked @ Chicken of the Sea on TI. Small world. BTW my laptop was stolen while I was in VALB with all my passwords etc. I was Calibob. I'm at Veterans Village @ Cabrillo now.

I guess you missed the re-intro. @Deade & @Magenta got it right away. It's been a harsh year but I lead a live morning CRA meeting here, daily. How's, 'Portugal?'

I hadn't needed to sign in for a long time. It was easier and much easier than trying to back hack my double redundant self styled security access. But I even forgot how it worked. I got a new chromebook, Gmail and rejoined CC. I don't care about the pointless points. I just needed support from our Christian friends. There are some very damaged people here. Covid, PTSD, multiple amputees, dimentia, addiction & homelessness.

I feel like Jonah. Feb 4 last year I left OK headed for Vancouver. Oh well the Lord had a different idea. Thank you Lord.

SEP
20
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 - STEP SIX - DESIRING CHANGE
Audio for STEP SIX - DESIRING CHANGE
We will experience freedom and fulfillment in life only when God’s desires become our desires, God’s way becomes our way, and God’s word becomes our action plan.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Psalm 37:4, Matthew 16:25, Matthew 6:33 NLT)

Each of us have long established patterns of behaviour that remain a challenge for us. We hang onto harmful ways of doing things because they seem to meet a need in our lives or help us avoid pain. Those who have a positive recovery experience are those who surrender their faulty beliefs and behaviours to God, with the desire that God remove the underlying causes of their sinful behaviour and the woundedness buried deep in their souls.

God says: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)

We have all observed the devastating results of individuals who choose to live self-centered lives. Jesus taught and demonstrated that the key to a life that is truly happy, joyous and free is the choosing of God’s will over our own. When our goal is simply to be happy we will fall into destructive self-centered life patterns. When our goal is to love God, and have a relationship with Him, joy will be a natural outflowing of that relationship. A willingness to let God’s priorities re-shape our thinking and behaving provides a healthy foundation for a joyful, purposeful life.


Prayer: Heavenly Father, I need You. Every day, every hour I need you. My request and desire is that You help me recognize my brokenness and come to You for healing. I want to be free from the bondage that holds me captive to my past. I want to live for You and honour You in all my ways. Amen


©2021 Partners in Hope

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 - PURE IN HEART
Audio for PURE IN HEART
When we come into recovery one of our priorities must be sorting life according to what is true. We are sick and in need of healing, and that is the truth. We are weak, sinful, and sometimes crazy. That is also true. We need to be forgiven, cleansed, and enlightened by the truth of God’s word. If we are to live from a pure heart, we need to let the Bible be our handbook and do what it says without compromise.

Blessed are those whose hearts are pure. They will see God. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Matthew 5:8 NIRV, Psalm 119:105 NKJV)

God sent His son Jesus into the world to take on human flesh. Jesus, who never sinned, died for our sin so that we might have a new life purified from all sin by His blood. When we admit and confess our sin, and accept what Jesus did for us, His Holy Spirit comes to live within us. He is the “Higher Power” who will give us the will and desire to live in a new way that is pure and true.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB)

God’s way of life and His agenda need to become our priority if we are to live life from a pure heart. We need to guard what we have been given. The evil one will prowl around seeking to turn our hearts away from God. Through prayer and meditation, we can be in conscious contact with God, praying for the knowledge of His will and the power to carry it out.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)

Prayer: Loving God, I want my life to reflect the truth that the blood of Jesus has purified me from all sin. Help me to prioritize my relationship with You and to live my life guided by Your word. Amen


©2021 Partners in Hope

I could turn this into a 2 hr. study, but I won't,,, now.

SEP
22
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 - STRONG AND HEALTHY
Audio for STRONG AND HEALTHY
When we are feeling sick we usually go to the doctor so that we can find out what might be wrong with us. We list the symptoms we are experiencing and the doctor who has been trained to recognize symptoms associated with certain diseases will make a diagnosis. If the doctor is uncertain about the correct diagnosis, further tests may be needed to rule out other causes. When we come to recognize we are powerless over our dependencies and our life is unmanageable where do we go for help? Do we look to those who are trained in addiction recovery and to God who is the expert in every disease of mankind?

I am God Most High! The only sacrifice I want is for you to be thankful and to keep your word. Pray to me in time of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me. (Psalm 50:14-15 CEV)


We may have called out to God in the past for help and made promises that we would stop using, but our hearts were not ready to commit to keeping the words we spoke. We often think we know all there is to know about addiction and how we can control it. If that were true, why are we powerless over it and why is our life unmanageable? We need to seek help from those who have been trained in addiction recovery and from God Most High who, when we are ready, will be faithful to His Word and will help us.

Don’t ever think that you are wise enough but respect the Lord and stay away from evil. This will make you healthy, and you will feel strong. (Proverbs 3:7-8 CEV)


When we give our will and life over to God’s care, God is already aware of everything that brought us to the point of despair. The wonderful thing about God is, when we call out to Him, He will answer us and will help us get well. Why? Because we are made in His image and precious in His sight.

No one wants you as a friend or cares what happens to you. But I will heal your injuries, and you will get well. (Jeremiah 30:17 CEV)


Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess I am sick at heart and ask You to heal me and make me whole. Thank You for caring for me. Amen


©2021 Partners in Hope

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 - HUNGRY ANGRY LONELY TIRED
Audio for HUNGRY ANGRY LONELY TIRED
Across recovery circles we've been exposed to the word “HALT” (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) and its significance in our recovery. The need to take care of these powerful feelings will lessen our vulnerability to relapse.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 NIV)

Being hungry can express itself in many ways. Besides being hungry for food we can be hungry for companionship or for simple recognition of our personhood. We can be hungry for affirmation that the efforts we made were worth something, even if the result we wanted is not possible at this time.
We cannot expect to go through life without feeling angry. Unfair and unjust things take place in life. God's way of helping us approach bursts of anger is to offer us healing for our hurts and forgiveness for the destructive forces of resentment and bitterness. As we seek repentance for destructive anger, God will bring peace to our souls and in the future may use what has gone on for something good.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. (Acts 3:19 NIV)

Closely related to the feeling of hunger identified above is loneliness. God promises to be the friend who understands when no one else does and will care for us through every step of our journey. Opening our hearts to receive what God is offering us is an important way to deal with feeling lonely.
The tiredness that results from a hard day's work is a good tired, but it still needs attending to. There is tiredness that results from demands that seem never-ending or challenges that don't seem to be working out. Whatever our source of tiredness, God wants us to bring all our burdens to Him and find rest for our souls.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to recognize when I am hungry, angry, lonely, or tired and turn to You, so You can care for me and refresh me. Amen


©2021 Partners in Hope

Was brought up in church, all my childhood life, and my family was there every time the doors were open...Sunday morning and night, Wednesday night, prayer meeting before Sunday night service, revivals, conferences, vacation Bible school...we were there.
Graduated high school at 17, and joined the Air Force. Was booted out 3-4 months later because I wanted to drink, smoke weed, and party. Basically, turned my back on God. Praise Him because He never turned His back on me.
Had 5 felony convictions by time I was 20, and got out of prison my 2nd time at 23. No more trouble with the law since then, only by the Grace of God. Continued to use drugs and drink until 2015, when God got my attention (multiple health issues, among other things). Things were going great, then I got complacent and took my eyes off of God for a woman in 2017 (not her fault, I gave in to the lust of the flesh and eyes). Not even 6 months later, was doing heroin, smoking weed and cigarettes again, cocaine, smoking meth and boozing it up. Fought that mess until June of last year, when entered a methadone clinic. Started going back to church again October, and God has been MORE than The Loving Father to the prodigal son.
Long story short, there is NOTHING impossible for/with God, and He is Loving, Kind, Merciful, Forgiving...can go on and on. Believe me, have left MUCH out of this post, but we all have our stories
Today was my last and final visit to the methadone clinic, Praise His Holy Name!!!

In lack of an amen button I use the check mark for amen. Glad to hear that you are well on the way to recovery.

I was studying Timothy when it got slow here today. I got to 1 Tim 1:12-15;
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

It reminded me of standing at the lecturn Identifying; Hi, my name is Bob and I'm an alcoholic/addict, gambler and / or a sex/porn, sports Etc. addict. But now I'm a sinner saved by grace.

Before AA the Oxford group started the entire tradition of identifying ourselves and our sinful nature (addiction) because it not even levels the playing field. Also confession is not only good for the sinner but also for the listener. It takes a while for us to work up the Moxee. When we can and not be ashamed any more it's a clear sign that our pride is getting out of the way and the program is beginning to work. I urge everybody to forget the higher power dogma and identify Jesus. The real higher power.

Thank you for sharing. Keep coming back. It's working!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 - ANGER

Anger in our society is rampant. Most of us have a hard time dealing with anger. Some of us may have a history of rage. Others of us learned early in life to smother our feelings to help control anger. Anger will harm our relationships whether we explode or clam up, hold a grudge, or simply let bitterness take root in us and fill us with self-pity.
The Bible has much to say about an out-of-control angry person. Not much of it is good.

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are. (Ecclesiastes 7:9, NIV, Proverbs 14:29 GNB)

For most of us the question is not “Do I get angry?” We know we do. Some questions we need to ask ourselves about anger include: “What’s the real root of my anger?” “Do I want to get rid of anger?” “What am I willing to do to be free from destructive anger?”


Anger can only be dealt with by receiving love and forgiveness from God and in turn choosing to love and forgive others. The foundation for anger management is having an active loving relationship with God and choosing to surrender all our interactions to His wisdom and guidance. Anything less will result in fear or frustration and we will find ourselves back in the anger cycle.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me identify and deal with the root of my anger. You know the situations in my life where I have felt helpless and just stuffed all that I was feeling. Help me to grieve, in a healthy way, all the events that contributed to my dysfunctional way of thinking and behaving. Help me to forgive and grace others in the same way You have forgiven and graced me. I choose to let go of my old way of handling troublesome events. With Your help, I choose to live with self-control in the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen


©2021 Partners in Hope

Thank you all, God bless!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 - IMMORAL THINKING

Many people who come into recovery seeking victory over drugs and alcohol often find themselves relapsing when they refuse to obey God’s teaching on sexual purity. When it comes to murder, everyone recognizes that it is wrong and something to be avoided and punished. Jesus puts sexual sin in the same category as murder. Jesus speaks about sexual purity in a way that includes not just our actions but also our thoughts and feelings.

For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. (Matthew 15:19-20, NLT)

We are challenged to inventory the way we talk, the way we think, the jokes we tell, the offhanded comments we make. These fit in the category of impurity of mind and God clearly warns us against such activity. Looking at pornographic images on the television, in movies, on the internet and in magazines is activity outside of God’s plan for us. It leads us to immoral thinking and lustful desires.

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (Ephesians 5:3-4 NLT)

God wants us to be whole and filled with peace and this only comes when we are following His ways in every area of life. Impossible standards? On our own, YES! But God is faithful to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NLT)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have called me to be holy because You are holy. Give me the strength to live in sexual purity so that I may honour You with my body. Help me keep my eyes from viewing anything that would raise lustful passion within me. I surrender my immoral thoughts to You for cleansing and ask for Your help to remain pure in thought. Amen


©2021 Partners in Hope

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 - CALLING OUT FROM FAR AWAY
Audio for CALLING OUT FROM FAR AWAY
No matter how far away God seems, we can call out to Him and He will always respond.

Please listen, God, and answer my prayer! I feel hopeless, and I cry out to you from a faraway land. Lead me to the mighty rock high above me. You are a strong tower, where I am safe from my enemies. Let me live with you forever and find protection under your wings, my God. You heard my promises, and you have blessed me, just as you bless everyone who worships you. (Psalm 61:1-5 CEV)

We know that many times we take back our self-will and wander away from the path God has prepared for us. We stop doing certain things that help us stay strong. We drift into unhealthy places and begin hanging around with people who, together with us, are ready to slide back down the slippery slope into the pit. Before we know it, life is once again unmanageable, and we are powerless to save ourselves. It might not be that we’ve picked up again. There is also a miserable place we can get to when we are running in self-will that makes a mess of our relationships and steals our peace of mind and heart.

Sometimes we may feel far away from God. We may have been doing all the right things but tiredness, grief, challenges, pain, and so many other things can dull our conscious awareness of God’s presence. God promises to respond when we call to Him even from the depressing place we have drifted to. He will lead us to a safe harbour. He will provide protection and support for us just like a mother bird covers her little ones with her wings. Today’s verses of scripture can be a loving reminder that in those dark moments God is as close as a call. God never leaves us and never forsakes us. We are not alone.

Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. (Psalm 50:15 NLT)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for lifting me out of the slimy pit and setting my feet on a rock, giving me a firm place to stand. Thank You that I am secure in You regardless of my circumstances. I’m calling out to You today, asking for Your guidance and support so that I may follow You in all my ways. Thank You for never leaving me nor forsaking me. Amen


©2021 Partners in Hope