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Click Here Christian Recovery: February 2005

The Truth about recovery

Monday, February 28, 2005

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Can Homosexuals Change?

Sort of another strange topic for a recovery related site but necessary none the less. One of the major complaints I have against Alcoholics Anonymous is there tacit approval of the homosexual life style. See my posts "Has Alcoholics Anonymous Lost its Way" and " The Betrayal of Alcoholics Anonymous". Many people falsely believe that homosexuals cannot change. Nothing could be further from the Truth: And here is a link to prove it:



http://members.aol.com/HAwebpage/change/change.html

Thursday, February 24, 2005

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God never gives up loving us

www.billygraham.org/MyAnswer_Article.Asp?ArticleId=2146

I like this article and thought you might too.

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The Betrayal of Alcoholics Anonymous

Early AA was a good thing. As Dr.Bob (one of the co-founders of AA) said in his last major address to AA's:

"It wasnt until 1938 that the teachings and efforts and studies that had been going on were crystallized in the form of the 12 steps.....We already had the basic ideas....We got them, as I said , as a result of our study of the Good Book"

How then did AA, a program with Christian Roots, evolve into a program that has Gay AA meeting and Gay AA Roundups ( www.gayalcoholics.com). Indeed, the new (and improved?) 4th Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous has further deleted some of the Christian Testimonies of early AA pioneers (Clarence Snyder of Cleveland Ohio: Home Brewmeister) and replaced it with stories of unrepentant homosexuals: "Tightrope" **

The question is "How did it happen" .

The website of " International Advisory Council of Homosexual Men & Women in AA) " gives us part of the answer to the sordid story. And it involves betrayal at the highest levels of Alcholics Anonymous.

Alcoholics Anonymous has a tradition (Traditon 10) which states:

"Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence,the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy"

And the traditon served AA well for the first 40 years of its existence. There were no officially designated "Gay" meetings during that time. However, as society itself began to deteriorate and begin to be more accepting of perversion, AA began to reflect this change. Homosexual activists began clamoring for official acceptance within AA. But they had to get around the traditon to do it. The General Services Office of Alcoholics Anonymous was all too willing to help.

Gay Activists wrote a pamphlet entitled "The Homosexual Alcoholic - A.A.'s Message of Hope to Gay Men and Women." They also published a meeting list: " Meetings for Gay Recovering Alcoholics". Neither of these publications were authorized AA publications. It was sort of an underground AA.


Now let me quote from Nancy T., Arlington the homosexual activist largely responsible compiling the gay meeting list:

" I made contact with the General Services Office, and sent them copies of the pamphlet and directories. The GSO folks were very kind. Although neither the pamphlet nor the directory were Conference approved, those caring people in New York distributed the pieces of "literature" in response to requests for information from gay/lesbian Alcoholics and their friends and sponsors. They also referred people directly to me. This began a cooperative relationship between the community of gay and lesbian recovering alcoholics and the General Services Office that endures to this day through IAC. "


There you are from the mouth of the woman who did it. Alcoholics Anonymous General Serives Office promoting the homosexual agenda. Distributing non-conference approved literature and directories to the public in order to promote an outside issue: the acceptance of homosexuality in society.

The General Service Office went further. In 1980 homosexual activists were asked by the GSO staff to help plan two gay/lesbian workshops for the 1980 International AA Convention.



It could not have happened with the connivance and approval of General Service Office.Briefly, that is the story of the betrayal of Alcoholics Anonymous by those trusted servants sworn to have no opinon on outside issues.And we can be pretty sure they didnt get the idea from their study of the Good Book.

Ted W.






















*The C0-founders of Alcohohlics Anonymous, Biographical sketches Their Last major talks(New
York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services ,1972,1975) PP-9010

**Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th edition

Sunday, February 20, 2005

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Priests sign up for Exorcism 101

Link to story:

Sun-Sentinel – Priests Sign Up for Exorcism 101: South Florida Sun-SentinelROME — Shortage of Exorcists

Saturday, February 19, 2005

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Why was Christ taken out of AA?

First of all, many modern AA's dont even know that he was. The current watered down 4th edition makes no referecnce of him except briefly in Bills Story. Certainly, there is no metion of Christ in the unrepentant homosexual story "Tightrope".So for those who are ignorant of AA's Christian roots a good place to start is to read the conference approved "Dr.Bob and the Good Oldtimers".
There are many good Christian testimonies in the First Edition. Some from people who got sober and stayed sober all their lives. They werent "slippers". Some will say that was the reason. Certainly people like Clarence S. whose story "Home Brewmeister"appeared in the AA Big Book for over 60 years were not deleted because of their lack of sobriety or committment to AA.
I talked to an AA lady the other day about this. She was a longtime 20+ years member of AA and her response was "They found out it didnt work".
So I shot off an e-mail to AA historian Dick B. (www.dickb.com) to find out if it was true. His response:
Dear Ted:
That baloney about the Bible didn't work shows how few people have read our accurate history and have just swallowed the idea that the Oxford Group didn't work, Dr. Bob's efforts didn't work, the Bible didn't work, the Creator didn't work, Jesus Christ didn't work, but radiators and lightbulbs did. The proof is in the facts, not the prejudices. Anyone who cares to can read any of my twenty-five published titles and find accurate documentation that puts the lie to the lady's speculations.
I cannot tell you why Bill deleted the stories of Bible reading and Christian testimony. I can say that Lois claimed there was an "agreement" that A.A. should be "universalized" because not all AAs were Christians. I can tell you that Bill never ever accurately told the A.A. story about the Bible, the Oxford Group, Sam Shoemaker, Anne Smith, Quiet Time, or the Christian literature AAs read. In fact the original program, as reported by Frank Amos, just vanished with Bill's pen in the Big Book. Moreover, there was the famous dispute in Ruth Hock's office where "God as we understood Him" was introduced into the Steps, where Fitz Mayo remonstrated, and where soon over 400 pages were tossed out and which (according to Ruth's account to Bill Pittman) contained mostly Christian and Biblical materials. There may be your complete answer
************************************************************­****8
So what is the answer to Why many of the Christian references taken out of the 2nd Edition of the Big Book? That seems like a good question to me. It appears to be solely the work of Bill Wilson. And it does seem to be more than just coincidence.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

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Letter from Father Malachai Martin

Here is the complete letter sent to me in 1997 by Father Malachai Martin.

*********************************************************************************
Dear xxx:
Thank you for your most kind letter of December 24th. Im glad you were able to listen to me on the Art Bell program. Please forgive my delay in replying. But since the publication of my novel, Windswept House, I have been kept busy with TV and radio shows. As a result, my volume o fmail has considerably increased.
Yes, as I mentioned on Art Bell, possession can occur as a result of drug or alcohol addiction. It opens a doorway into the soul. The will becomes extremely weak due to its desire for a drink or drug. This weakness and compulsion for addictive chemicals allows evil spirits an avenue by which they may enter a person. This process may begin subtly,even gradually. As the disease of alcoholism and addiction progresses so too does the evil spirit strengthen its foothold in the unfortunate’s soul. If you suspect your girlfriend is plagued by demonic forces, I always tell Catholics they must first contact the Bishop of their diocese and thus have him investigate the case. Authority must at all times be followed. This is mandatory in cases of exorcism and I adhere to these principles myself. If you cannot find a bishop to cooperate then I suggest your girlfriend say the prayer of St.Micheal the Archangel. It is a very powerful prayer. Also, have her invoke the most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in times of trial and temptation. The Son of God died for her—he died for you and me—He will never fail her.
In the meantime, know that I shall keep the two of in my Daily Masses and prayers. I ask that you pray for me as well as I once again take up the pen to continue work on my upcoming boo. And please, be at peace. Our God is merciful God of Love. He will look after you.
God Bless you Always,
Malachai B. Martin
**********************************************************************************

Saint Micheal Prayer
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in our day of battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, thrust into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.


http://christianrecovery.blogeasy.com

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Alcoholics Anonymous says Bible meetings OK


Alcoholics Anonymous says Bible meetings OK
Click on the image above to enlarge

Monday, February 14, 2005

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Genetics of Alcholism

I really get tired of all this MISINFORMATION that a genetic basis of alcoholism has been discovered. Im going to blog on it one of these days from a laymans point of view. In the meantime here is a link to Stanton Peeles website. I dont necessarily endorse everything he says but he does a pretty good job of debunking the disease and genetics myths. Unfortunately, he seems to leave the spiritual out of the picture.



Http://www.peele.net/lib/atlcgene.html
Second Thoughts About a Gene for Alcoholism Claims of a genetic basis for alcoholism, a leading theorist argues, are not scientifically supportable and ignore the crucial link between personal values and self-destructive or antisocial behavior Peele, S. (1990, August), Second thoughts about a gene for alcoholism. The Atlantic Monthly, pp. 52-58.

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More on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

More on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder


I thought I would post a little about the reaction I am getting connecting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Alcoholism/Addiciton.



I quoted from:The Consequences of Child Maltreatment: A Reference Guide for Health Practitioners . A Reference Guide for Health Practitioners was prepared by Jeff Latimer for the Family Violence Prevention Unit, Health Canada.

One reader appeared to attack the credibility of Mr. Latimer by calling him an overpaid employee of a corrupt socialist state. That may be true. Im not found of socialism myself. But that’s not the point. The point is: Is there a connection to addiction (drugs,alcohol, etc) and post traumatic stress.


Jack Trimpey of Rational Recovery Fame sent me an e-mail and his response was:

Your belief that addiction is caused by PTSD is simply wrong, and a perfect example of the Addictive Voice. Anyone can permanently quit drinking regardless of any past traumas. The use of alcohol and other drugs is not to cope with miseries, as you suggest, but for the unspeakable pleasure they produce. PTSD is no excuse for drunkenness.


Well, I wrote Jack back and let him know I wasn’t making excuses but just trying to help people understand causes. Nor did I ever suggest they couldn’t stop regardless of the trauma either. I stopped for over 20 years before I understood the post traumatic stress roots of my addiction. (although I would have been better off had I understood it earlier).


Folks, Im not the only saying there is a connection.Here is a quote from Alice Miller:


5. Dissociated from the original cause, their feelings of anger, helplessness, despair, longing, anxiety, and pain will find expression in destructive acts against others (criminal behavior, mass murder) or against themselves (drug addiction, alcoholism, prostitution, psychic disorders, suicide).


http://www.thisisawar.com/AddictionRoots.htm


What Im suggesting is that this is a good subject for discussion. I know for myself that my addiction had its roots in childhood abuse (PTSD). It wasn’t a disease and it wasn’t some mysterious gene that nobody understands.

How many of you had horrible childhood traumas that happened before you started drinking and taking a drugs. Maybe at the hands of a parent, teacher, priest, or even a classmate?

Saturday, February 12, 2005

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Jack Trimpey

Ted,Your belief that addiction is caused by PTSD is simply wrong, and a perfectexample of the Addictive Voice. Anyone can permanently quit drinkingregardless of any past traumas. The use of alcohol and other drugs is not tocope with miseries, as you suggest, but for the unspeakable pleasure theyproduce. PTSD is no excuse for drunkenness.


Jack Trimpey
**********************************************************************************

Dear Jack:

I wasnt making excuses just explaining causes. And Yes they can stop drinking regardless of the traumas, but to really find peace of mind they have to resolve the hatred caused by the traumas.

This is the reason I could not recommend Rational Recovery to stop drinking or drugs. They dont really know what they are talking about.

BTW, Jack I am available to debate the causes and solution of alcohol/drug addiction at any time and on any forum.

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Evidence suggests a genetic link to alcoholism?

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/health/10836368.htm

This is the kind of article that appears in papers and forms people views and opininons about alcoholism. People read this sort of thing and accept it uncritically. Lets take a closer look at it.


Dr. Conti states as fact "one part is genetic and the other part is enviormental". But is that true?
Is there really evidence to prove its genetic?Well, if you look a little closer you see the admission, " No alcoholic gene has been identified".

Close relatives are said to be about 3 or 4 times likely to develop problems with alchol. This is cited as evidence of a genetic link. But is it? Couldnt it just as likely be the emotional atmosphere in the home causing the problem as genetics?

The article says adofpted infants born of alcoholic parents are 3 times more likely. I mean there are a lot of factors here. How old were they when adopted? Had they suffered trauma from the alcoholic parent? Do children of adoptive homes have a higher rate of alcoholism than non-adopted children? We dont know.

As a matter of fact, the studies themselves are not even cited.

So instead of scientific evidence it appears what we have here is a "Substance abuse educator"
advancing an agenda.

Friday, February 11, 2005

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Interesting Site

http://wequitdrinking.typepad.com/blog/2004/01/index.html

This is not a Christian site, but I like it. It is eclectic (look up that word) and not restrictive in what they allow to be posted. It means I can express myself.

Monday, February 07, 2005

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Man says God cured addiction in an instant

Man says God cured addiction in an in stant



Mansfield News Journal, OH

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

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Homosexuals Anonymous

I thought I had heard of all the Anonymous programs: AA,NA,CA,MA, and OA. However, I was wrong. There is a homosexual anonymous program and website. I checked out the website and it looks like a worthwhile program that really may be helping some people. I recommend it to your attention.











http://members.aol.com/Hawebpage/index.html#HAFSMenu

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All are capable of attaining to inward and spiritual prayer

The following is part of a series publishing: The Guide to True Peace



4: ALL ARE CAPABLE OF ATTAINING

TO INWARD AND SPIRITUAL PRAYER

If all were solicitous to pursue the spiritual path, shepherds, while they watched their flocks, might have the spirit of the primitive Christians, and the husbandman at the plough maintain a blessed intercourse with his Creator; the manufacturer, while he exhausted his outward man with labour, would be renewed in internal strength; every species of vice would shortly disappear, and all mankind become true followers of the good Shepherd. Oh, when once the heart is gained, how easily is all moral evil corrected! It is for this reason, that God, above all things, requires the heart. It is the conquest of the heart alone, that can extirpate those dreadful vices which are so predominant amongst men; such as drunkenness, blasphemy, lewdness, envy, and theft. Christ would become the universal and peaceful Sovereign, and the hearts of all mankind would be wholly renewed.

The decay of internal piety is unquestionably the source of the various errors that have risen in the world; all of which would speedily be sapped and overthrown, were inward religion to be established. If, instead of engaging our wandering brethren in vain disputes, we could but teach them simply to believe, and diligently to pray, we should lead them sweetly unto God.

Oh, how inexpressibly great is the loss sustained by mankind, from the neglect of the interior!

Some excuse themselves by saying that this is a dangerous way; pleading the incapacity of simple persons to comprehend spiritual matters. But Isaiah saith, "The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." And where can be the danger of walking in the only true way, which is Christ? Of giving ourselves up to him, fixing our eye continually on him, placing all our confidence in his grace, and turning with all the strength of our souls to his pure love?

The simple, so far from being incapable of this perfection, are by their docility, innocency and humility, peculiarly adapted and qualified for its attainment; and as they are not accustomed to reasoning, they are less employed in speculations, less tenacious of their own opinions. Even from their want of learning, they submit more freely to the teachings of the Divine Spirit; whereas others, who are blinded by self-sufficiency, and enslaved by prejudice, give great resistance to the operations of Grace.

We are told in Scripture that, "unto the simple, God giveth understanding;" and we are also assured that he careth for them: "The Lord preserveth the simple." Christ said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

The simple are incapable of reasoning; teach them therefore, the prayer of the heart, not of the head; the prayer of the Spirit, not of man's invention.

Alas! By wanting them to pray in elaborate forms, and to be curiously critical therein, we create their chief obstacles. The children have been led astray from the best of Fathers, by endeavouring to teach them too refined, too polished a language.

The simple and undisguised emotions of filial love are infinitely more expressive than the most studied language. The spirit of God needs none of our arrangements and methods: when it pleaseth him, he turns shepherds into prophets; and, so far from excluding any from the temple of prayer, he throws wide open the gates, that all may enter in; while "Wisdom crieth, ‘Who so is simple let him turn in hither; as for him that wanteth understanding,’ she saith to him, ‘Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled’."

To teach man to seek God in his heart, to think of him, to return to him whenever he finds he has wandered from him, and to do and suffer all things with a single eye to please him is the natural and ready process; it is leading the soul to the very source of Grace, wherein is to be found all that is necessary for sanctification.

O that all would at once put themselves into this way, that Christ’s kingdom might be established in their hearts! For as it is the heart alone that can oppose his sovereignty, it is by the subjection of the heart that his sovereignty is most highly exalted. And since none can attain this blessed state, save those whom God himself leads and places therein, we do not pretend to introduce any into it, but only to point out the shortest and safest road that leads to it: beseeching you not to be retarded in your progress by any external exercises; not to rest in the shadow instead of the substance. If the water of eternal life is shown to some thirsty souls, how inexpressibly cruel would it be, confining them to a round of external forms, to prevent their approaching it: so that their longing shall never be satisfied, but they shall perish with thirst!

O ye blind and foolish men, who pride yourselves on science, wisdom, wit and power! How well do you verify what God hath said, that his secrets are hidden from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto the little ones—the babes!

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

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On prayer: (From the Guide to True Peace)

3: ON PRAYER

Prayer is an intercourse of the soul with God. It is not a work of the head but of the heart; which ought always to continue. It is the medium through which life and food are conveyed to the soul, and the channel through which the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit flow and are communicated. Every secret aspiration of the soul to God is prayer: all therefore are capable of prayer, and are called thereto, as all are capable of, and are called to salvation.

Paul hath enjoined us to "pray without ceasing;" and Jesus saith, "I say unto all, watch and pray." Come, then, all ye that are athirst, to these living waters; nor lose your precious moments in "hewing out cisterns that will hold no water." Come, ye famishing souls who find naught whereon to feed; come, and ye shall be fully satisfied. Come, ye poor afflicted ones, who groan beneath your load of wretchedness and pain, and ye shall find ease and comfort. Come, ye sick, to your Physician, and be not fearful of approaching him, because you are filled with diseases; expose them to his view, and they shall be healed.

Children draw near to your Father, and he will embrace you in the arms of love. Come, ye poor, stray, wandering sheep, return to your Shepherd. Come, ye who have been seeking happiness in worldly pleasures and pursuits, but have failed to find in them that satisfaction ye expected: come, and learn how to be truly happy here, and eternally happy hereafter. Come, sinners, to your Saviour. Come, ye dull, ignorant, and illiterate; ye who think yourselves the most incapable of prayer: ye are more peculiarly called and adapted thereto. Let all, without exception, come; for Christ hath called all. You must however learn a species of prayer which may be exercised at all times, which doth not obstruct outward employments, and which may be equally practised by all ranks and conditions of men; by the poor as well as the rich, by the illiterate as well as the learned. It cannot, therefore, be a prayer of the head, but of the heart. It is a species of prayer which nothing can interrupt but irregular and disorderly affections. And though you may think yourselves ever so dull, and incapable of sublime attainments, yet, by prayer the possession and enjoyment of God is easily obtained; for he is more desirous to give himself to us than we can be to receive him. Prayer is the guide to perfection, and the sovereign good; it delivers us from every vice, and obtains for us every virtue: for the one great means to become perfect is to walk in the presence of Infinite Purity. He himself has said, "Walk in my presence, and be thou perfect." It is only by prayer that we are brought into, and maintained in his presence; and when once we have fully known him, and the sweetness of his love, we shall find it impossible to relish any thing so much as himself.

 

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