Thoughts For The Day~*~Foundation ^*^*^ June 15
TransitionsDaily
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Foundation
"There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation, and prayer. Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. But when they are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakable foundation for life. Now and then we may be granted a glimpse of that ultimate reality which is God's Kingdom. And we will be comforted and assured that our own destiny in that realm will be secure for so long as we try, however falteringly, to find and do the will of our own Creator."
1952 AAWS
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 98
Thought to Consider . . .
Prayer is asking a question. Meditation is listening for the answer.
*~*AACRONYMS*~*
A S A P
Always Say A Prayer
*~*^Just For Today!^*~*
Surrender
From "God Is Good":
"Before A.A., I could not, or would not, admit I was wrong. My pride would not let me. And yet I was ashamed of me. Caught in this conflict, I banished God from my life because I felt He asked me to adhere to a behavior pattern too high for a man of my human frailty. Somehow, I believed that there could be no forgiveness of any failure, that God required me to be all good. The moral of the story of the Prodigal Son eluded me.
Since
I thought trying was not enough, I stopped trying. That made me
feel guilty. For a while, alcohol blotted out the guilt. Then
alcohol became the greatest cause of my guilt. I had to be
beaten to a pulp physically, mentally and emotionally, become
bankrupt in all facets of my being, before I could give up my
pride and admit defeat. Unfortunately, admitting was not
sufficient. My situation got worse until I had to surrender
completely. From the depths of my hell, I called out, 'Oh God,
help,' and He led me to a place where I could find a way out of
the maze and then sent me a group of people to lead the
way."
1973
AAWS, Inc.
Came to Believe, 30th
printing 2004, pg.86
*^Daily Reflections^*
MAKING A.A. YOUR HIGHER POWER
".
. . You can . . . make A.A. itself your 'higher power.' Here's a very
large group of people who have solved their alcohol problem. . . . many
members . . . have crossed the threshold just this way. . . . their
faith broadened and deepened . . . transformed, they came to believe in
a Higher Power . . ."
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 27-28
No
one was greater than I, at least in my eyes, when I was drinking.
Nevertheless, I couldn't smile at myself in the mirror, so I came to
A.A. where, with others, I heard talk of a Higher Power. I couldn't
accept the concept of a Higher Power because I believed God was cruel
and unloving. In desperation I chose a table, a tree, then my A.A.
group, as my Higher Power. Time passed, my life improved, and I began
to wonder about this Higher Power. Gradually, with patience, humility
and a lot of questions, I came to believe in God. Now my relationship
with my Higher Power gives me the strength to live a happy, sober life.
Copyright 1990
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*
Fear No Evil
"Though
we of A.A. find ourselves living in a world characterized by
destructive fears as never before in history, we see great areas of
faith, and tremendous aspirations toward justice and brotherhood. Yet no
prophet can presume to say whether the world outcome will be blazing
destruction or the beginning, under God's intention, of the brightest
era yet known to mankind.
I
am sure we A.A.'s will comprehend this scene. In microcosm, we have
experienced this identical state of terrifying uncertainty, each in his
own life. In no sense pridefully, we can say that we do not fear the
world outcome, whichever course it may take. This is because we have
been enabled to deeply feel and say, We shall fear no evil - Thy will,
not ours, be done."
GRAPEVINE, JANUARY 1962
*~*^Big Book Quote^*~*
"For
the type of alcoholic who is able and willing to get well, little charity,
in the ordinary sense of the word, is needed or wanted. The men who cry
for money and shelter before conquering alcohol, are on the wrong
track."
Working With Others, pg. 97
*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*
A.A. Thought for the Day
In A.A. we have three things: fellowship, faith, and service. Fellowship is wonderful, but its wonder lasts just so long. Then some gossip, disillusionment, and boredom may come in. Worry and fear come back at times and we find that fellowship is not the whole story. Then we need faith. When we're alone, with nobody to pat us on the back, we must turn to God for help. Can I say "Thy will be done" - and mean it?
Meditation for the Day
There is beauty in a God-guided life. There is wonder in the feeling of being led by God. Try to realize God's bounty and goodness more and more. God is planning for you. Wonderful are His ways - they are beyond your knowledge. But God's leading will enter your consciousness more and more and bring you ever more peace and joy. Your life is being planned and blessed by God. You may count all material things as losses if they prevent your winning your way to the consciousness of God's guidance.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may earn the rewards of God's power and peace. I pray that I may develop the feeling of being led by God.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012
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