Some People Have to Die to Get Sober

Some People Have to Die to Get Sober

Recovery, Twelve Steps

Recently, I watched the movie, “17 Miracles” that depicted the Saints coming across the plains to Utah. I was deeply moved by the many sacrifices they made, even the loss of their own lives in some cases. We are quick to feel sorrow for those who died...
Some People Have to Die to Get Sober

Just the Way I Am

Change of Heart, Christ, Perfectionism, Twelve Steps

The Lord will not reject us or condemn us because of our mortal weaknesses.  But we will not know this about Him until we come to Him just as we are.  (See Ether 12:27.) This is the miracle that happens when we take Steps Six and Seven. The barrier that lies between...
Some People Have to Die to Get Sober

What Part of Step One Don’t We Understand?

Twelve Steps

When it mentions “complete defeat” on page 21 of AA’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, it means complete. I’m tempted to ask, what part of “complete” don’t we understand? Complete means 100%. Not 98 or even 99 percent defeated. Complete defeat. Total,...
Some People Have to Die to Get Sober

3rd Step and 449

God's In Charge, Twelve Steps

In the 4th edition of Alcoholics Anonymous (the AA Big Book), on pp.407–420 there is the most amazing sharing entitled, “Acceptance Was the Answer.”  There is a quote that twelve-steppers often reference. “Nothing, absolutely NOTHING happens in God’s world...
Some People Have to Die to Get Sober

A Very Short List

God's In Charge, Led by Spirit, Recovery, Twelve Steps

In my fear that I’ll forget something that needs to be crammed into the few spare hours I have each week, I’ve taken to my old ways of making long lists every day and checking them twice (an hour). Insidiously, I have felt the old insanity returning—the fear, the...