by Karlene | Jul 12, 2013 | Christ, Step 1, Step 2, Step 3
It takes humility to take the first three steps—the surrender steps. They seem so desperate, like I’m throwing in the towel on my life. Like I’m giving up every bit of personal power. And I am. But in the most counter-intuitive and paradoxical way, these steps toward...
by Karlene | Jul 10, 2013 | Change of Heart, Recovery
I used to treat God as a means to an end. When I turned to Him, I always had some agenda, a goal or purpose for seeking Him. I had a reason for doing good, being good. If I did what God wanted me to do, then He’d (hopefully) do what I wanted Him to do. If I was...
by Karlene | Jul 8, 2013 | Recovery, Twelve Steps
Over three decades of my life, from age 34 to 64 years old, the Lord has led me to return to the Twelve Steps of recovery over and over again. He has used the Steps to peel away my pride, one layer at a time. It’s sort of like reconstructive surgery. You can’t...
by Karlene | Jun 14, 2013 | Christ, Step 6
What is Free Step Friday (#freestepfriday)? Click here for details. Scripture 3 Nephi 9:21—Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin. The Lord declared this same message when He said, “And if any man hear my...
by Karlene | Jun 12, 2013 | Christ, God's In Charge, Mortality
I’ve been feeling a little put upon lately. Well, to be honest, for the past several years. And it’s been ticking me off so much that I’ve gained 40 pounds. And that ticks me off too. And in the midst of my ticked-offedness this morning, I read this verse of...
by Karlene | Jun 10, 2013 | literature, meetings, Recovery, writing
A solid program of recovery includes consistent fellowship with others in recovery. Shared messages of experience, strength and hope makes both the speaker and the listener stronger. It bolsters commitment to a recovered way of life. But sometimes, you just can’t get...
by Karlene | May 31, 2013 | Step 5, Twelve Steps
What is Free Step Friday (#freestepfriday)? Click here for details. Scripture: Mosiah 26:35–36—And whosoever repented of their sins and did confess them, them he did number among the people of the church; and those that would not confess their sins and repent of their...
by Karlene | May 29, 2013 | Christ, Recovery
At a conference a few years ago, a talked about how important it is to fight the adversary, to do combat with him. I suppose that on the surface this seems like a good idea, but my heart cried out, “No!” I wanted to jump from my seat and proclaim what I perceive to be...
by Karlene | May 27, 2013 | Mortality
Here in the United States, on the last Monday in May, we honor those who have given their lives in active military service. This is the official observance of our Memorial Day. For many of us, however, it has also become a day when our thoughts are drawn to other,...
by Karlene | May 24, 2013 | God's In Charge, Step 4, Twelve Steps, writing
What is Free Step Friday (#freestepfriday)? Click here for details. Scripture: Jacob 4:10—Seek not to counsel the Lord. When we finally surrender our lives and our will to God, we begin to pray in a whole new way. Our prayers begin to have less emphasis on what we...
