Daily Reprieve - September

[bluidkiti]

September 1

“AFRESH EACH DAY”

“See to it that your relationship with Him is right...” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 164

“God's mercies begin afresh each day.” Lamentations 3: 23

For what it's worth: My relationship with God was pitiful during my drinking days. I believed it was His condemnation of me, but sober in Alcoholics Anonymous I saw it was because of me. Alcoholism and I built all manner of barricades against God, so improvement in our relationship is due to His mercy, not anything on my part. I am deeply grateful for His compassionate love because everything in my life depends upon my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I am so often weak maintaining a bond with Him. I have to go to Him nearly every day, saying “here I am again Lord”. I tell Him I am sorry for what I have done and what I have failed to do, and we discuss ways I can improve. He never grows tired of our meetings, nor complains about my weaknesses. I am so grateful that His loving mercy begins “afresh each day."

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 2

DON'T WORRY. HE'S WITH US.

"For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them." Matthew18:19-20 (TEV)

"But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 17

For what it's worth: Praying or being with God, especially with others, had no place in the years of my active alcoholism. When I witnessed this in Alcoholics Anonymous, although not drinking, I left many meetings early and loudly in anger. It was fear of facing the Almighty Judge I had cursed often during my drunkenness; and, it was the dread of falling back into hell that always drove me back to the meetings. Keeping coming back over many sober years has grown a deep appreciation for meetings in our Fellowship. Today I look forward to finding God there. I know He is there because I feel His Presence, and I often hear and see Him in others. Since I am certain many are there in His name, I am further convinced He is there. He said He would be. So, I need not worry about the future of our Fellowship. Its wonder will continue. My Heavenly Father is at all the meetings, and it is easy to find Him. All I have to do is look and listen for Him.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 3

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

"The insidiousness of alcoholism is an appalling thing." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 382, (4th Edition)

"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you." Psalm 9: 10

For what it's worth: Insidious alcoholism and built-in mistrust combined to create an empty, agonizing soul. Blinded by denial, I could not see the cause, but I could feel the deep inner pain that drove me to seek relief in Alcoholics Anonymous. There, with the drink gone, I was able to see the problem and was given a way out of my agony. During my painful searching years, many people told me I needed to have God in my life. But I could not trust, so how? The caring, sober drunks in Alcoholics Anonymous told me how. Living the Twelve Steps one day at a time was the answer. Applying that solution for years now, my soul overflows with joy...most days. On the other days, my soul survives by trusting God loves me too much to ever abandon me. Those days are a blessing in disguise, building even more trust in His love.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[BW1]

The Spiritual malady requires SPIRITUAL Treatment

[bluidkiti]

September 4

GOD GIVES HIS POWER

"Here was power to live to the end of any given day, power to have the courage to face the next day…" Alcoholics Anonymous page 386 (4th Edition)

"He is mighty in both power and understanding." Job 36:5

For what it's worth: God wanted nothing to do with me. I had disappointed Him too often. That false belief kicked off many a drunk. But God had not despised me, He rescued me. I began to believe He must understand me and really care about me. After all, He put His Power to work to lift me from the waste of alcoholism. Then He gave me to Alcoholics Anonymous for reclamation. He provides me strength to survive the dark days, gratitude to add brilliance to the bright days, and courage to face tomorrow no matter what the prospect. It is difficult for me to understand why He cares so deeply about me. I dearly appreciate it! Have I told Him today?

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 5

PLACE OF NO RETURN

"We were in a position where life was becoming impossible, and if we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could; and the other, to accept spiritual help." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 25

"I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me." Psalm 13:5

For what it's worth: Life as an alcoholic was impossible. Every relationship was destroyed and all that was valuable was lost. Alcoholism dumped me into a pit of despair that I believed would never end. Thank God and His mercy, it did. He gave me strength to stop drinking and hope that I would improve. And, indeed, I did, because of the spiritual power in the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. Practicing these principles planted in me a trust in God's unfailing love that has stayed with me over many years of being at many of life's places of no return. And, over and over again, God has rescued me. Not always as soon as I wanted. Not always as gently as I wished. But always! So, indeed, I rejoice because I can trust His love.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 6

THE BEAST

“The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41

“We have empathized willingness as being indispensable.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 76

For what its worth: The self-centeredness of alcoholism was a hungry beast, running wild for years, devouring everything of value in me. Even after years of sober, hard work to cage the monster, he can find a weakness and break loose, unleashing deep-seated defects once believed to be under control. Frustration, anger, insecurity, non-acceptance are some weaknesses the beast pursues to trigger selfish instincts. These cause me pain, and, more importantly, hurt others, usually those I love. They can cause relapse. I thank God He has given me the Tenth Step of Alcoholics Anonymous to identify the problem and the courage to admit my wrong. Plus, I have Step Six and Seven to seek willingness to keep struggling, and, with God's grace, to get the beast back in lockup and keep it there.

God bless you.
Joe W

[bluidkiti]

September 7

THE PAY IS GREAT

"Are we now ready to let God remove from us all the things which we have admitted are objectionable?" Alcoholics Anonymous, page 76

"Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit." 2 Corinthians 7:1

For what it's worth: By the time I reached Alcoholics Anonymous, the deep seated defects and insecurity already present had made it easy for alcohol to defile my body and spirit. I would have to dig deep to uproot all that was objectionable. Had I known how deep, I may never have picked up the shovel. I thank God Alcoholics Anonymous gave me access to a tool shed, plenty of people to help, and the motivation of The Promises. I have been digging for many sober years and plan to continue, being careful to dig deep enough to get the entire root of the problem. I find that the pay is great. Retirement is even better!

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 8

ME, ME, ME

“Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time?” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 86

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

For what it’s worth: The “his majesty, the baby” in me always wants what he wants when he wants it. Just because I am now sober in Alcoholics Anonymous does not miraculously change that character defect. Actually, the world I live in supports that selfish, spoiled attitude. But AA teaches me that self-centeredness can kill me, and that God is the only one Who can save me from myself. So, I need to be thinking of Him and what He wants, not preoccupied with me and my wants, tuning God out. That is still too easy for me to do. My alcoholic mind always wants more and more, but what I need is more of Him, not more of anything else.

God bless you!
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 9

TRUST HIS MERCY

"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone." Romans 14:7

"To be doomed to an alcoholic death or to live on a spiritual basis are not always easy alternatives to face."

Alcoholics Anonymous, page 44

For what its worth: My alcoholic death would have been alone and in despair, most likely at my own hand, except for God's mercy and the spiritual power of Alcoholics Anonymous. Even after years of God-given sobriety, I am fully aware the end can still occur this way if I do not dedicate each day to living "on a spiritual basis". I am so blessed that my Heavenly Father lifted me off the road to hell and placed me on a path where people rarely fail when they follow proven principles of recovery. There are times, however, when I remain frightened of facing God alone. No defense, no excuses for the hurt I caused so many of His children. During such spiritually dark days I need to trust my Heavenly Father's loving mercy.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 10

GOD'S WORK IN PROGRESS

"...Now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed." Job 4:4-6 (New International Version)

"Character-building through suffering might be all right for saints, but it certainly didn't appeal to us." Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions, page 74

For what it's worth: Chopping away drink by drink, Alcoholism massacred my entire spiritual being. It would have been marvelous if my character building had been competed in a few years of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous. But, surprising enough, I have not grown to sainthood. Not even close. Yes, both suffering and joy have produced progress, but even with God's loving help, and daily practice of our principles, I still experience many character defects, causing me discouragement and hurting those I love. I pray sharing my weaknesses does not discourage others who may wish to believe years of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous guarantees all manner of virtue. For me, my defects still outnumber my virtues. It appears I will be God's work in progress a long time.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 11

SELF-ACCEPTANCE

"Clay doesn't talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, 'Why did you shape me like this?'" Romans 9:20

"Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy." Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 417 (449)

For what it's worth: Self-hate and self-resentment are killers. Preoccupation with my defects, insecurities, and shame fueled my alcoholism for years, and, in sobriety, can readily cause relapse. At times, when I feel relaxed, as happened so often during my drinking, I am only letting my mind wander around loose and unsupervised. This is dangerous even without the influence of alcohol because I easily drift back to stinkin' thinkin' about my inadequacies. Is not this the pot criticizing the potter? At these times, I must beg my Heavenly Father's forgiveness and seek His strength to practice self-acceptance. Until I do, "I cannot be happy".

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 12

DOING FOR OTHERS

“Learning to depend upon a higher power and absorb himself in his work with other alcoholics, he remains sober day by day.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 570(572), Appendix III, The Medical View on A.A.

“…Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

For what it's worth: Doing for others was not even considered during my self-absorbed drinking years. But it certainly became important to me after being sober in Alcoholics Anonymous awhile. I learned that it was the best way for a drunk like me to stay sober, so I stayed close to those who worked with others, going with them to institutions and on Twelve Step calls. We were all staying sober. Moreover, we were happy doing for others. So I have continued that way of staying sober throughout my years in Alcoholics Anonymous. I realize, however, I can never do for others what all has been done for me.

God bless you!
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 13

STILL HARD TO BELIEVE

“Some will become quite annoyed if there is talk about immorality, let alone sin.” 12&12 p.48

“For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Romans 7:18

For what it's worth: My sinful nature destined me to the eternal fires of hell. So I believed. So I drink. Gratefully, when I was sober in Alcoholics Anonymous long enough to be rid of some old ideas, I began to believe I just might dodge hell’s fire. The trouble today is I still have that sinful nature. Some defects I have been working on for years keep repeating as if I have made not even an ounce of progress. I know I need be careful not to beat up on myself and stay in Step Ten and close to my Heavenly Father. Words cannot express my gratitude for His patience and unconditional love. For this once worthless and sinful drunk, some days it is still hard to believe.

God bless you!
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 14

IT WORKS

"Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:5

"In any meeting, anywhere, A.A.'s share experience, strength, and hope with each other, in order to stay sober and help other alcoholics." Alcoholics Anonymous, xxiv

For what it's worth: During my drinking years, I was not about to share anything with anybody, especially my alcohol. To stay sober in Alcoholics Anonymous, I had to follow the example of members who shared openly and honestly with each other, speaking the "language of the heart". My problem, then, and even after years of sobriety, is trying to impress others. There is progress. As I grow up emotionally and spiritually, my self-image improves and the need to please others diminishes. Still, I need to work hard at every meeting to forget self and trust God. Every time I do, it works.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 15

HIS WILL, NOT MINE

“We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 76

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42

For what it's worth: There was no willingness during my active alcoholism, except for that next drink. Once I was sober in Alcoholics Anonymous, it seemed all I heard was about willingness being indispensable. But, in my weakness, I had to ask God for help to be willing in just about everything that required willingness. Now I can be willing in the easy and usually even the heavy and difficult. I must admit, when it is real tough, I ask God for a break, and, if none comes, I beg Him to make me want His will, not mine.

God bless you!
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 16

MERCY

"...We ask God's forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 86

"Lord, how great is your mercy; in your justice, give me back my life." Psalm 119: 156

For what it's worth: Alcoholism stole my life. I was forced into a miserable self-centered existence, alone, insecure, and afraid of God. I had severely disappointed Him and even cursed Him. When I finally but reluctantly came to Alcoholics Anonymous, I was too diseased to appreciate what was happening, but looking back I realize I sensed God’s presence there, and I was frightened. But the people and the atmosphere there were so warm and welcoming; I stayed and found hope my life might be given back. And, indeed, it has been. Even more rewarding, Alcoholics Anonymous people taught me about a loving, forgiving God, and I slowly came to believe He would forgive me. And, indeed, He has. But my weaknesses, my defects, keep trying to steal my life again and throw me back into that miserable self-centered existence. I am grateful I have been given the Twelve Steps, especially Steps 6, 7, and 10 where I find God’s benevolence and forgiveness. I can not count the times my Higher Power has extended His love and mercy and protected the precious spiritual life that selfish distractions try to steal from me.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 17

WHAT A DIFFERENCE

"Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!" Alcoholics Anonymous, page 181

"The one thing I know - God is for me!" Psalm 56:9

For what it’s worth: God was against me and I did not trust Him. I blamed Him, not the alcohol, for my misery. I realized how wrong I was only after I was sober for years in Alcoholics Anonymous when I found a Higher Power, my Heavenly Father. He has proven His love repeatedly, especially during times when it seems the stormy days just keep coming. Trusting God’s love is a significant change down deep in my soul. It keeps me trudging when I don't feel like trudging. It keeps me intact when I feel like I'm falling apart. It is my soul's warmth when it feels empty and cold. It is a treasured gift from my Heavenly Father. What a difference it is to know He is for me and will never let me down!

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 18

FRIENDS

“...To watch loneliness vanish...to have a host of friends...” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 89

“No one cares what happens to me.” Psalm 142: 4

For what it's worth: There was no one left to care. My drunken behavior had driven everyone away except the cockroaches that resided at my little hellhole in Baltimore. And they did not care. The agony of that aloneness is still vivid in my memory. That is why I treasure having “a host of friends" as I do in Alcoholics Anonymous. And an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting is a healthy place to go to be with them. They always accept me just as I am, and that is another priceless gift. God is so kind to this once miserable, lonely, worthless drunk!

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 19

GROWING UP

“(Recovery) has enabled me to go back and start growing up all over again in all areas of my life.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 420 (Third Edition)

“But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13: 11

For what it's worth: Alcohol poured on top of my emotional immaturity created an eruption that blasted burning coals over everyone and every thing in my life. Insanely, I drank more alcohol to stop the fires. No wonder I ended up alone with the Baltimore cockroaches. Thank God and Alcoholics Anonymous, the alcohol and cockroaches are gone. I was blessed to be able to start over and I am no longer alone. However, I am still growing up. Childish responses to life on life's terms can stubbornly persist and "his majesty, the baby" in me acts out. I am grateful to be able to identify the stubborn, little kid and to have some "Oh, grow up!" tools to use on him.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 20

The Daily Reprieve
HOW TRULY LOVING

“The power of God goes deep!” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 114

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” Psalm 145:3

For what it's worth: How arrogant of me to think God could never reach me! In reality, He did not need to reach me. He was there the whole time, daily protecting me, especially during many near death experiences. Moreover, just at the right moment when I surrendered and was willing to accept it, He carried me to Alcoholics Anonymous. I never would have gotten here on my own. Since that day, August 8, 1974, I can not begin to keep track of all the blessings I have received from my Higher Power. Just counting the one-day-at-a-times of sobriety is staggering. That is especially true when I think of all those days I craved a drink; the days I did not believe I could make it; the times when I was severely depressed; those periods of being in a spiritual desert; and, all the just-want-to-escape days. In addition to counting all the days God grace kept me sober, when I think of all His other blessings in every other aspect of my life throughout those years, and the multitude of times when I was not even aware of God at work in my life, I realize there is no way to fathom how truly loving my Heavenly Father is, has been, and will continue to me to me!

God bless you!

Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 21

SACRED SANCTUARY

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

"To those of us who have hitherto known only excitement, depression, or anxiety -- in other words, to all of us -- this newfound peace is a priceless gift." Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 74

For what it's worth: God did not care for me; I slapped Him in the face too often. I existed in this self-built insane asylum until the day I attended my first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting on August 8, 1974. There, despite my prideful resistance, the gifts of sobriety and the Twelve Steps combined with the example of members to free me to come to sane beliefs about God, the world, and me. God's grace has opened my heart, mind, and soul to a safe and holy place of peace where I am wrapped in His loving arms. Why, after many years of sobriety and daily practice of proven principles, am I so often slow and dimwitted about throwing off my burdens and entering my Heavenly Father's sacred sanctuary of serenity?

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 22

"WORLDLY CLAMORS"

"Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him." 1 John 2:16 (The Message)

"But soon the sense of His presence had been blotted out by worldly clamors, mostly those within myself." Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 13

For what it's worth: Alcoholism's self-centeredness presented itself as the path to worldly success. Of course, this proved to be a lie. Instead, it blocked me from all things spiritual and created a painfully empty soul. I was isolated from God and deaf to His will until I found the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Years of living these Steps, however, did not cure me of selfish "worldly clamors". I have to beg my Heavenly Father each morning to free me from bondage of self so I can hear and do His will throughout the day.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 23

LIVE TODAY ACCORDINGLY

"Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse." Joel 2:14

"What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition."

For what it's worth: Alcoholism was my curse, and I did not believe there would ever be any blessings in my miserable alcoholic life. But, God was merciful. He rescued me from the gates of hell, placed me on a path to heaven on earth, and offered me a daily reprieve. Alcoholics Anonymous has taught me today is the most important day in my life. This day is the first day in the rest of my life - and perhaps my last. Each morning I thank my Heavenly Father and seek His help to live this day accordingly.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 24

HIS MASTERPIECE

“He saw that he would have to face his problems squarely that God might give him mastery.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 156

“For we are God's masterpiece.” Ephesians 2:10

For what it's worth: If I was God's masterpiece, He was a starving artist; too many blemishes and blank spots on the painting for me to be considered worthwhile. Add the alcohol, and I was merely a smeared canvas, worthless. Miraculously, instead of dying a drunken waste, I was given the most precious gift of my life. Thanks to years of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, I found the truth - I am God's masterpiece. And I do not want to be satisfied with simply wiping the alcohol off of the campus. I want to repair all of the flaws that deface the masterpiece so that its true value will show and the Artist will be given His due praise.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 25

THE WAY TO PEACE

"In the face of collapse and despair, in the face of the total failure of their human resources, they found that a new power, peace, happiness, and sense of direction flowed into them." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 50

"Peace be with you." John 20:19

For what it's worth: There would be no peace. My whole being was at war with itself. Alcohol provided a short cease-fire, but never peace. That was not possible until I faced near death and finally surrendered. Initially, I believed I was accepting total defeat by walking into a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. I did not realize those were my first steps to a lasting peace. It would be a long journey with miles of construction necessary. But I never have to work alone as I did with alcohol. I have a new Boss. He helps me turn my whole being over to Him each new day, and we work together with the necessary repairs as we progress up Twelve Steps to eternal peace.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 26

SELF-PUNISHMENT

“And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 417 (449)

“God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.” Romans 3:23-24

For what it's worth: I nearly died in drunken despair, believing the Almighty Avenger was punishing me - as I deserved. Alcoholics Anonymous taught me otherwise. I was doing the punishment, not God. He forgives me and accepts me just as I am. My job in sobriety is to learn to forgive and accept myself as does my Creator. That requires full time employment in a hard hat construction area, rebuilding my entire belief system. With God's grace, I have made progress, but I need to keep on my hard hat and be careful no form of self punishment falls on me today; it is easy for me to feel undeserving of my Heavenly Father’s overwhelming kindness and slip into some insidious way of beating up on myself.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 27

ALIKE

"Then one night at an AA meeting a friend said that even though he had been in jail and done lots of stuff, he was no different from me. He felt the same thing. It was then that I knew I was not unique, that the people did understand the pain inside me." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 378

"And city dwellers and farmers and shepherds alike will live together in peace and happiness." Jeremiah 31:24

For what it's worth: No one understood me, nor ever would. I felt different, alone and isolated when I was drinking. The agony of my alcoholic despair drove me to seek help. And, what a blessing I found! Alcoholics Anonymous showed me that in sobriety I am not unique, and I am not alone. The people in Alcoholics Anonymous understand my thoughts and feelings. Despite our differences we are alike. That sounds like a contradiction, but I have witnessed that truth. They always join with me when I need support. All I need do is have enough humility to let them know I need help.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 28

CHANGING DIRECTION

A.A.'s Twelve Steps are a group of principles, spiritual in their nature, which, if practiced as a way of life, can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole. 12&12 p.15

“Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Jude 1:21

For what it's worth: Alcohol was my road down to the depths of hell. I was near there when I finally changed direction, somehow being guided to Alcoholics Anonymous. There I was given Twelve Steps that turned out to be more than just an avenue out of hell. Practiced daily, the Program and Principles of Alcoholics Anonymous are a twelve lane highway to a destination I never believed possible for me. On this road I experience peace and joy in this life while driving to be with my Heavenly Father in eternity. But I have to let Him drive.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 29

KEEP SEARCHING

"We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 75

"Search for the Lord and for his strength, and keep on searching.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

For what it's worth: Alcoholism, self-will, and resentment caused far more spiritual sickness than I realized. When I finally arrived at Alcoholics Anonymous, I was searching for relief only, certainly not the Lord. Obviously, that did not stop Him from showing Himself through the people of Alcoholics Anonymous. Thanks to following them, doing what they did to get the spiritually they had. I have experienced the goodness and joy of “walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe”, and I want more, so I “keep on searching”. The spiritual highway is, indeed, broad, and I try to broaden my search. But, on the days I am spiritually weak, I need to watch for complacency, and even down right resistance. I question my efforts in my daily inventory, and talk with my Heavenly Father about necessary improvements.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[bluidkiti]

September 30

HOW EASY I FORGET

"...They have been saved from a living death." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 150

"Unless the Lord had helped me, I would soon have died." Psalm 94: 17

For what it's worth: How close to death have I been…and how often…not even realizing God was saving me? Now, after years of recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous, I am fully aware I was saved, not only from a agonizing alcoholic death, but from many death threats in sobriety. Also, I am aware of how easily I forget. Today, I will be attentive to what my Heavenly Father has already done for me, and be willing to do more for Him in return.

God bless you.
Joe W.

[willbe275]

Amen and hallelujah praise the Lord.