The Creating a Sober World: Recent Episodes
Creating a Sober World
J Vernon McGee delivered a message back in the 70's saying that if revival did not come our country would not survive. We listen to and discuss the message.
We talked on Friday about how necessary forgiveness of others was to open up our heats to the Love of Jesus. Before we can really feel safe in forgiving ti is necessary in many cases to deal with two other issues that stand in the way of our feeling safe enough to deal with the hurt of the past. Today we will discuss one of these. We will discuss the big 'NO.'
It is difficult to live by the absolute of Love. But we learned from AA that we can learn how to forgive and let go of resentments which in time opens our heart to love and accept beople just the way they are. Absolute Love will be the subject of today's discussion.
My wife Diane joins me once again to discuss the importaince of sexual purity. This is not a populare topic in our sex sodden society today and even in many Christain churches.
We had a technical glicth. We will restart the show at 2:30 The four absolutes which first appeared in Robert Spears "The Principles of Jeus," as 1 Purity 2 Honesty 3 Unselfishenss and 4 Love. Frank Buchman put Honesty first as he used the 4 'stabdards' as a way of self examination. When he frist adopted the 'standards' purity was at the top. Frank put honesty at the top which is where Bill W. kept it althogh the absolutes are not listed in the AA Big Book Bill W. Said they were there. Here is a quote from www.aabibliography.com concering the absolutes in the Big Book and in AA todayThe Big Book: Whatever has happened to the Four Absolutes in the A.A. recovery program, and despite criticisms of them by Bill Wilson, the principles are still in the Big Book for all to see. Honesty can be found emphasized-all through A.A.'s basic text. Unselfishness and the need for altruism, thoughtfulness, and consideration for others are paramount ideas. Love and the ideas of 1 Corinthians 13 are mentioned again and again, with an occasional Biblical reference as well. And purity? Was it lost? Not in Akron, where Dr. Bob and his group refused to have anything to do with those who committed adultery and other sins. Today, the purity concept has slipped between the cracks in the fellowship and in its groups in favor of widespread fornication, relationships, filthy language, adultery, and a host of other sins that man falls prey to. But these activities are not part of the A.A. recovery program as set forth in its Big Book-whether or not the teachings of Jesus have influenced that fact.
Frank Buchman called his minitry 'World Changer." Bill Wilson believed that AA could also change the world. From the 23rd chapter of the book 'Absolutlely Sober,' we will discuss this idea of world changing.
The idea of letting go absolutely did not enter into the speech of most Christians until the late 1800's with the publication of Hannah Whital-Smith's "The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life." we ill talk about this idea of complete surrender on today's show.
On Wednesday we discussed the power of pupose. Today we discuss the power of position. The Keswick Conferences, which started in 1875 taught us about the power of taking our position in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The AA talks on pg63 fo their text, of the what happens when we take a position. We were reborn.
Having a clearly defined purpose in life is an extremely powerful thing. We will talk about purpose and, more specifically, the primary purpose of Creating a Sober World on today's show.
We have Eric Donaldson back with us today as we discuss living as the body of Christ. I will be asking Eric to discuss how this might relate to the sense of community that has been traditionally been a source or strenght to the African Amrican Church.
The concept that God chooses us is a great comfort to Christians, but there are many who question the teaching of the doctrine of 'election'. They ask why would God choose some but reject others. We discuss these and other aspects of God's saving grace on today's show. Call in 646-652-2234
The issue of free will has been hotly debated for the past 500 years. In our recovery model, we turn our will over to God. So we can say that we now no longer live by our own will. Many people scoff at this idea, but it is a living reality to us who are love slaves to Jesus.
Our Guest today is Eric Donaldson, Unity Minister from Memphis TN. We worked together in the One Chruch One Addict project in the late 1990's. I haved invited him to engage in our conversation for Creating a Sober World.
The Church is the chosen people of God, the body of Christ. This is the focus of our conversation today.
We see that a ruling elite, right and left have taken over the country. The solution sober up and become 'self governed'. Join us ast 2 PM today. Call in 646-652-2234.
Thereis a alot of understanding and plain confusion concerning the idea of the 'Disease Concept of Addiction." Today, Jay and I will have a conversation that gets to the bottom of this sometimes controversal topic.
The one great problem with Philosophy, from Socrates to the present is that it is disembodied and places man as not fully engaged with his world,. Thus we now see the collapse of western ideas as they are not based on anyting except doubt - as Descartes said, I doubt, therefore I am. We talk today about this disembodiement and how Jesus returns us to our bodies, you not the old body but the resurrected body.
We have as a guest Mark Culligan from New Hearts Outreach. Mark's ministry is to those with unwanted same sex attractions and their families. His web site says; That the perpose of New Heaerts Outreach is to bring the relationally and sexually broken into intimate relationship with Christ.To train, educate and inform the church, local businesses and the community.To work to preserve the moral standards of our Judeo-Christian heritage and culture. We will be talking to Mark about his work and how it relates to the work of Creating a Sober World.
This is the last part of the 4th section of The Century of Self. We conclude our discussion of how we have been manipulated by business and politicians.
Dick Morris was called in to save the Clinton Campaign in 1995. He set out to do "small bore" politics. To do life style focus group testing and to model Clinton's campaign on the desires of the people and not on creating a good government. Robert Reich refers tot the as the end of the progressive idea of makng people better and more responsible citizens. What emerged was making democracy nothing more that a collection of desires.
Whisical title, the song by the Stones captured the sprit of the eara. Artists are alway the first to catch the new ethos. In this episode Regan and Thatcher are painted as placing the satisfaction of desires at the center of society. The program accuses Regan of making a lack of compassion as being respectable. The program will later accuse the left of similar bad attitudes.
By the 1990, it came to be believed that the satisfaction of desires and feeling was our highest priority. Then politics took over the techiniques from the advertisers. The only problem was that these techniques were not designed to set people free but to enslave them to their unconscious desires, and even fantasies.
In our show on Tuesday, our talk turned to the desire and what happens when God removes the desire to do something that could be harmful in our lives. Jay and I will be discussing this on our show today.
We continue our discussion of the developments in the psychologies of self expression which developed in the 1960's - the 1980's. We will be listening to part 3C of the Century of Self.
We listen to part two of the 3rd hours of the BBC documentary on the Century of Self. From Fruedian suppression and control of dangerous emtions, there was a rebellion which led to the idea of letting out emotions. We will listen and discuss the audio.
By the 1960's people were getting angry over the way that the theories of Sigmund Freud had been used by business and government to control and manipulate the masses. We then saw a shift from trying to control unwanted emotions to 'letting it all hang ourt." We today talk about this next phase of creating the all consuming, all desiring self.
The first word in the firstr step of the AA program is "we." We admitted we were powerless and that our live had become unmanagable. It is ofen difficult from people to come into the body of recovery or the body of Christ because of our need to be a sovreign self. Even after we supposedly surrender to Christ, our 'struggle' with sin is directy result of our failure to admit complete defeat. We will discuss this today.
Today we hear and discuss attepmts to program the human mind using brainwashing techniques, LSD, and electroshock therapy. Psychoannalysis comes into disrepute when Marilyn Monroe commits suicide.
Today we hear how and discuss how the teaching of Anna Frued and Edward Bernays are used by the CIA. Rather getting rid of fear, They would manipulate the fears of the people to manipulate public opinion in the Cold World.
Today we talk about continuting developments of psychology in managing the subconscious mind.
With the end of WWII and the beginning of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, American PR people in partnership with the CIA began to shape public opinion using polls and advertising techniques to disimform the American people. This was another step along the path of shaping the American 'Selft.'
This is the 4th section of a PBS Special on the history of the development of public relations and the manipulation of the masses.
On Dec 21 we replayed a session we did several months ago on Edward Bernays, Sigmund Freud's nephew and the development of public relations and later advertising. It was based on the idea of manipulating people's uncoucious drives and casuing them to do things that are irrational because they can be made to feel good though manipulation.
This is a encore presentation as we are on the road today. We replay the first protion of a BBC presentation on the Century of Self, the story of how Sigmund Frued's Brother started the Public Relations industry in the US and began creating dissatisfation by tapping into peoples "subconscious needs.' We see in the breakdown of our culture the results of the manipulation of the masses by 'hiddne pursuaders.'
Jesus said that he came to do the will of his Father and of his own will He did nothing. We were to pray He told us, 'Thy will be done...' We are to be obedient to Him. When a person gets into a recovery program where he makes a decision to turn our wills and our lives over to the care of God... So how is it that we commonly hear Christians say, 'I have a sovreign free will' Most people who call themselves 'Christians' are really humanists who say that they have saved themselves through their own choice, ingorning the plain words of Jesus when He said, 'Youd did not choose me, but I have chosen you."
At the core of all recovery, and all healing for that matter is the need for the afflicted indivual to admit that they have not power inside themselves to do the correct thing - to make corrected choices.
Jesus said that we should love our enemies, and turn the other cheek. That we should consider it a blessing when people cursed and reviled us and spoke all manor of evil against us falsely. In Matthew chapter 18 he says that if we do not forgive our neighbor his trespasses, we will be turned over to the tormentor. In Matt 6:15 he says .. if you do not forgive ment their trespasses, niether will your Father forgive your trepasses. NKJV
The Apostle Paul said that he was crucified to the world and the world crucified to him. (Galatians 6:14). John said; 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. KJV
Yesterday, we made our way to the 1500's and began to talk about the confusion brought about by the renaissance philosophers. This is where we will continue today.
From the beginning of the Church age, there have been apostate or heretical church bodies. The Apostle Paul had to deal with these heresies in his own day: Gal 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. KJV The crisis that we have in USA is without a doubt a result of the churches preaching a cursed gospel. Jay and I will spend as many hours on this topic as necessary.
From the pages of the 'Twelve Steps and Twelve Tradtions' we read "Who cares to admit complete defeat...?' We only quit struggling with sin and our addicitons when we let go absolutely, give up and trust God. We can then lead a life, no of our own choosing, but one 'Guided by God."
In the book Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson declared that in order to live a God-guided life there was a price to be paid. He said: Simple but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction fo self-centeredness. This is our topic of our discussion today.
Our culture is addicted to durgs, sex and rock and roll as well as power, fame, fortune and control just to name a few. Society is melting down due to its own immorality. Each of us can make a difference and create a sober world if we will practice the four absolutes daily and ask God to tell us what to do to create a sober world.
We are applying to be considered for sellection Glenn Beck's project, Pursuit of the Truth. We will share this with our listeners today.
Paul says in 1 Cor 4:9: For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, last as men condemed to death; for we ahve been made a spectacle to the world, both to anges and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake.... We will talk about his and other passages which speak to this apect of living the authenic life of a disciple of Christ. This at the heart of having a sober view of the message of the Cross.
We finish our discussion of the gifts as we talk about the 5-fold ministry gifts and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
There was an article in the British press regarding the increase in sex addiction. We will discuss this on today's show. Call in. You do not have to give you name. There is help for sex addiction. For personal contact email soberwordl@soberworld.com
The individual Christian and the Body of Christ has been given gifts. Today we will talk about the gifts from the Father.
Today we will read and discuss the forward to our new booklet guide for the Chruch of Brotherly Love.
Today we will be descussing a book that we are preparing to help our members set up their own Chruch of Brotherly Love Groups. This is the Forwad to that book: In the 1930’s God poured out his spirit through a group of Christians called the Oxford Group. The Group (or groups) was made up mostly of young adults and collage-aged people from universities in England, Europe and America. They called themselves “World Changers” and a “First Century Christian Fellowship.” Those who are most familiar with their work know them as the Oxford Group. They were the spearhead of a world wide Christian revival movement that changed individuals and whole nations in the years leading up to the Second World War The war hampered their movements and brought an end to the momentum that had developed among them. But their method of organizing and their basic principles for bringing about personal change in themselves and others were preserved by the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and have been passed on to us. Many Christians in who have become involved in the recovery movement though AA, NA, and Celebrate Recovery etc. and have become aware of the roots of AA, have rediscovered the message of the Cross which Oxford Group Founder Frank Buchman heard at a conference at Keswick England in 1908. This message was the flowering of years of Intense Bible Research and holy living passed down from the reformers through the Plymouth Brethren and the Keswick conferences to Frank and then to us. We who have received the fruits of their faithful ministry have entered into a deeper understanding of what we call the Crucified Life. This booklet is designed to bring each person who is attracted to the Church of Brotherly Love into the full knowledge of these principles and practices of this way of living the Christian life so that each one can pass on to others, .....
Part 2 of a dratization of a talk by Bill Wilson telling of events of Akron 1935 which led to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Today we once again share with our members the dramtization of a talk given by Bill W. perfomned at an AA conference. It is alway a joy to listen this "Moments With Bill W."
When we find our identiy in living as the body, and as the Body of Christ, we find real peace and contentment. Jay and I will disucss this today.
We revisit the way that the message of the Cross is misunderstood even by recognized leaders of the Christain Chruch.
In order to enter into the process of recovery we must first admit that we are defeated. This is our topic of discussion for today.
We can come into the presence of a Holy God in no other name than the name of Jesus. This will be the topic of our discussion today.
Today we share with our listeners a study in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Romans which were originally recorded in 2008.
We return to the idea of the 4 absolutes and how they are not a part of the AA book itself, but get reintroduced in the book - The twelve steps and twelve traditions. They are a was of setting our aim on holiness. Jesus said, "Be ye therefor holy...."
Bill Wilson make the famous "I am responsible statement at the frist international convention of AA in 1955. This is an important aspect of Creating a Sober World which we will discuss today.
We may at times be shaken to our foundation, the foundation is not shaken. We have a sure foundtion which is Jesus Christ. On Christ, the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Today we sill discussion this foundation of our fellowship.
Lois Wilson is quoted as saying, “‘I believe, as Bill did, that if he could find a way to give others what he had, he would begin something that would change the world,’ Lois said in 1985, addressing A.A.’s fiftieth anniversary convention in Montreal. ‘Bill and I always believed that, as more and more people embrace our way of life and reach out in love to others, the principle on which our fellowship is based will one day save our trouble world. Today we will once again discuss the world chaning roots of AA and the promise that the proecess and the fellowship of recovery still holds for today as we seek to bring healing to a fractured world.
Today we play a Bible Study on the book of Romans that was recoreded in 2008. It is as fresh today as it was then. It fits into our theme of Creating a Sober World.
The Apostole John writes: Love not the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is notin him. We wiil discuss this passage and others as we connect this love of the world to the idea of creating a sober world.
The central focus of the Frank Buchman and his Oxford Group members was on being 'God Guided.' This was passed on to the group of men who founded Alcoholics Anonymous and became step 11: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood HIm, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out." This will be the fosus of our discussion today.
We ahd a great discussion yesterday about free will. Listen to our archived program and join us in our studio Wednesday at 2 PM at 646-652-2234 to take part in the discussion.
When we made our surrender, we gave our will and our lives to God. So it would seem to be irrational to say that we still have our own free wills. Likewise, before we surrendered to God, most of us were doing things and acting in ways we would have quit doing if we could. We had no power to do better - and our wills could not have been free as some people claim. We will discuss this more tomorrrow.
It has been a few weeks since we talked about the idea concept of the Yet Not I Life. We will do that today and include some of the concepts that were developed in the philosphy of Soren Kirkegaarde.
We continue our discussion of Church governemtn, the 12 traditions today. We would love to hear from you, call in 646-652-2234.
The Church of Brotherly Love is governed by the Holy Spirit. To ensure that the body of believers stays committed to being guided by Him, we not only engange in a process of daily confession of sin and accountabiliy to one another, we also are guideded by principles that ensure our unity as a body. Today we will once again talk about our 12 traditions.`
The great Chisnes Christian, Watchman Nee had many of his messgaes put into books. He published 63 of them and many are still in print or available as internet downloads. One of our dear friends, Sentinel Kulp, put the best sayings of each book together in one book with 63 chapters. Today we will read from the chapter, 'The Messenger of the Cross.'
We take a risk today as we try our hand at talkng about the physics fo the New Testament point of view in light of quantum physics. Call in 646-652-2234 @ 2 PM Monday.
There are a couple of more points about sex addiction that we did not mention yesteday. We ill cover those today. And then we will spend a few minutes talking about absolutle surrender.
Many of our listeners may be struggling with addiciton to sex, love, romance, intrigue or be emotionlly co-dependent in a sexual way. Or they may have an addiciton to dirty pictures (the sofware will not allow me to say the 'P' word) Today we weill talk about this problem which is widespread in our sex drenched society.
The eleventh of the AA recovery program say that we seek through prayer and mediction to improve our conscious contact with God (as we understood Him), praying only for knowlege of HIs will for us and the power to carry that out.
Alcoholism is often referred to as a disease, although Alcoholics Anonymous litereature never referrs to it as a disease. Today we will talk about this concept.
The 12th step in the Alcoholics Anonymous program says: Having had a spiritual awakening as teh result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these priinciples in all our affairs. Today we will be talking about his aspect of practicing these principles in all ouor affairs.
We left our discussion of the Churches of the Book of the Revelation with the Lord's letter to the Church of Philadelphia. We continue this discussion today. Call in @ 2 PM tomorrow to 646-652-2234
Watchman Nee gave a message "The Orthodoxy of the Church" That message was reworked and placed in the Appendix of "Absolutley Sober". We will be talking about these churches and their application for today.
We return to a lesson we did more than 10 weeks ago. We read from the chapter in the book "Absolutley Sober" whice shows in detail the workd that was accomplised for us on the cross.
Many preachers teach that there is a struggle with sin that is dealt with by resiting the temptation and asking God to give us strength to over come. There is nothing wrong with this teaching. But many who are in bondage find that they continue to battle with and loose the same battle over and over and are in a state of defeat. That is wherer programs like AA come in to help the acloholic. We know that we have the real victory we seek when we are able to get rid of the sin nature itself. It has been done for us at Calvary.
In our discussion of the Keswick ideas about Consecration last week, we mentioned Jessie Penn-Lewis's experience of the cross. We will be reading and discussing her account of recieving the blessing of God though death to self.
We return to the chapter on Consecreation as it talks about the process of the formation of Christ-llike character. Join us at 2 PM tomorrow - call us @ 646-652-2234.
We continue the reading and dicsussion of 'So Great Salvation', The next topic witll be the crisis and process of sanctification.
We will read and discuss a chapter from Steve Barabas's book "So Great Savation" a hitory of the Keswick Conferences. Jay had mentioned he was reading the chapter on 'Consecration' so I went back ot my copy and it seemed to be the perfect conversation starter for today. Call us at 646-652-2234 from 2-3 PM.
We return to the subject of self. We have to get rid of self, we must or it kills us — the Big Book of AA says. The Bible says that we are in bondage to sin. This is an ongoing and developing conversation, and you are a part of it. We are creating a sober world one day at a time by the grace of God and the Fellowship of the Saints in Recovery – the Church of Brotherly Love.
The portion of the AA text that is read at every meeting includes these words: Remember that we deal with alcohol, cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power that One is God. May you find Him now! Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. we asked His protection and care with complete abandon Today we will discuss this idea of an all powerful God.
In Chapter 2 of Colossians, The Apostle Paul speaks about circumcision made wihout hands. He refers to it as the putting away of the sins of the flesh.
One of the main teachings to come out of the Keswick teaching was identification with Christ in His death burial and resurrection. Understanding of this important truth is central for power for service in the Christian life. Today we look to Miles Stanford's "Green Letters" for illumination on this important topic. They are availble for printing at www.withchrist.org - look for 'The Green Letters" click on the chapter entitled "Identification."
AA and all other 12 step groups had their origins in the 1920's and 30's World Chagers/First Century Fellowship known as the Oxford Group. A member of that group wrote a description of the Group and the way the group operated. The Book, "What is the Oxford Group?" is available on line at www.thechurchofbrotherlylove.net/index_files/recread.htm
The Whole Creation is groaning for the revelation of the sons of God. Paul writes: Rom 8:18-25 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. NKJV Today with talk about this passage and how if fits in with our commitment to getting rid of self centeredness.
The apostle John writes: 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. John 2:15 KJV Today we discucss our bondage to, no only the self life but also our bondage to the world.
We continue reading from Miles Stanford's 'Green Letters'. The chpater on self. Call in and join the conversation. The Green Letter can be found free on line at www.withchrist.org.
Many of us leared the fundamental of the crucifed life by reading the lessons by Clsassic Pauline Dispensationalist Miles Standford. Careful study of these 18 lessons brings about a change in perspective that is life changing. This chapter on "Self' is most pertinent to our process of growth in the spirit.
We continue our discussion of Chapter 23 of the book "Absolutley Sober", 'Creating a Sober World'.
There is nothing as powerful as a idea whose time has come. The recovery message and message is one that has been tried, tested and proven to be amazingly effective. Now some of us Christians in AA and other 12 step programs feel guided by God to it all together with the Cross as the center of our message and the holy spirit as our higher power.
Yesterday's show was a keeper. I know you will be blessed by listening to it. We continue with the discussion of a daily moral inventory.
At the core of the sober, God-guided life is the daily inventory of wrongs done, shortcomings and character defects. Step 10 of the 12 step process says that we "continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it." Today we share how this inventory works for us.
Jesus said in John 17:20-23 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. NKJV We are all one in Chirst. Jesus is in the Father and we are in him and he is in us. This the the focus of our discussion today.
The word brotherly love is the word Philadelphia. It is the church in the book of Revelation that the Lord Jesus approved and did not rebuke.The great Christian leader, Watchman Nee published a teachng on the "Orthodoxy of the Church" in which he described the Church of Philadelphia as the Church era that saw the rise of the Pllymouth Brethren and other independent church bodies that were self governing and without a ruling ministeral class. The Oxford Group arose out of this movement and described themselves as a First Century Christian Fellowhisp and had not established clergy. AA took this idea and set up a felllowship that control AA through a set of traditions which are upheld by various levels of service boards which do not govern. Today we talk about his idea of a chruch led only by the Holy Spirit.
The Oxford Group booklet, Soul Surgery listed 5 stages that in the process of sharing change with others: Confidence, Conviction, Confession, Conversion and Continuance. We wil discusse the five stages in today's show.
The Apostle Paul wrote int he book of Romans: Rom 7:19-25 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. NKJV This passage is the topic of our conversation today.
Paul says in 2 Cor, 4 that we have this teasure in earthen vessels but we go through suffering so that the old nature will be killed off. And that in the process we are able to bless others. "Death is working in us but life in you." 2 Cor 4:12. We talk about this important key to recovery. The Big Book expressed it as the need to destroy self-centeredness.
The world is very addicted. This is easy to see in the United States. Not only do the statistics of those addicted to alcohol, drugs, sexual behaviors, over-eating, and nicotine confirm this, but so many are filled with fear and terror and other self-destructive behaviors. Pride, the need to be incontrol and self righteousness are just a few of the attitudes that are not addictions, but act like addictions and keep people running on the treadmill of life, thinking there is no way off. Tha answer to all these problems in absolutel surrender to God and a daily practice of leading a God-controlled life. We continue the message we started yesterday. Call in 646-652-2234.
We all agreed that we would try putting out the word that each of is "Creating a Sober World." Calvin and George and Tim will be on the show on Monday and share how that works.
Today we talk about the steps and their likely orgin in the 5 day Kewick confernces which were held annually in Keswick England starting in 1875.
The ideas we discuss here are the content of the discussion. The way in which we hold the connversation is called the context. Ofen people are not aware of the context in which they are carrying on their lives. They are only aware of the content, the stuff they they are dealing with. If the average person were a fish, and we were to asked them if they were aware that they ware swimming in water, they would look at us like we are crazy. This will be the starting point of today's conversation.
Our caller from Tampa yesterday suggested we return to the topic of the Cross as our place for victory over sin. We do not struggle with sin; all of our sin was taken to the Cross 2,000 years ago when Jesus took it there. When we stand in the fisished work of the Cross then we stand in the power of resurrection. This is the experiene strength and hope we share with others.
Jesus is record by the Apostle John as saying "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18 KJV Orphans are children who have lost both their mothers and fathers although the United Nations classifies a child who has lost either parents as an orphan. Children who have lost a parent have an empty spot in thier hearts which needs to be addressed in recovery. Jesus who has returned to the Father has reconciled us to our heavenly Father as he has said. He has adopted us. This is our topic for today. Call in at 646-652-2234 @ 2:00 PM today.
We return to our discussion of reckoning that the Apostle Paul refers to in Romans 6:11
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV
From the pages of "Absolutely Sober" we read: He cries out. My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?* Here the Word of God, executed by the Word of God, abandoned by His Father, deserted by the Holy Spirit, goes to the one place we all can go. He goes to the refuge he prepared for Himself and all of us who feel abandoned by God and without hope in the world. He authenticates his truth. He establishes the veracity of His scribe-recorded Word. He stamps His Holy Scriptures with His own blood. This is the New Creation. He is the Word who goes to the Word for comfort. He quotes from his own words which He had, many years before, put into the pen of His servant David the King. He cries out and His written Word comes alive: Psalm 22 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?Why are You so far from helping Me...
- Matthew 27:46
Jesus said that if were to save our lives we much lose our lives. We started this conversation yesterday as we discussed the two natures, Adam and Christ. We continune today with this discussion which will cotinue until Friday.
Many people believe that we have one nature that is changed when Christ comes in and fills us with his spirit. One respected teacher, Miles Standford, taught that we needed to think in terms of having two natures - Adam and Christ. It is important for the growing believer to know where he or she stands in relationship to the two natures. Without proper understanding the old nature, the self, will atttempt to live the new life and will continue to struggle uncessfully for the promised victory.
On page 14 of the Big Book of AA is the passage concerning victory over alcoholism: Simple but not easy; a price had to be paid. Which meant destruction of self-centeredness. This phrase does not mean that self is destroyed but that self is put out of the center and God is put in the Center. We live and share the Cross as the center of God's dealing with the universe in every aspect. This is the theme for the week as we open our discussion talking about the destruction of self-centeredness.
Edward Bernays and leading NY intellectual, Walter Lippmann came to believe that if democracy was to survive, the people must be given palliatives (things to console the irrational self) in order to make them feel better and not cause trouble for those in power. The idea was to keep stimulating the irrational self and keep it 'addicted' to more and more feel good things. This consumerist manipulation was used to attract millions to invest in the stock market and led to the speculation that ended in the stock market crash of 1929. The world-wide crash led people around the world to believe that democracy was not a workable system and led to the rise of Hitler and in America the New Deal and government control of the economy.. As the world spiraled out of control, Sigmund Freud wrote the book "Civilization and its Discontents" in which he questioned the whole idea of civilization tiself. This is the third part of our discussion of the Century of Self.
After World War 1, manufacturers were faced with excess production capacity. They realized that the would need to pursuade the Amercan people to bay things that did not really need. A wall street leader is quoted as saying, "Man's desires must overshadow his needs." A chage came over our democracy - our citizens became consumers. We continue our discussion of the all-comsuming self as we listen to this 2nd part of a the four-part BBC series.
In the 20th Century Freud came up with the idea of hidden unconscious forces that had to be controlled if societiy were to fall in to chaos and self destruction. His ideas were picked up by his nephew, Edward Bernays who used them to manipulte publice opinion though propoganda which he renamed public relations.
We will listen to a 15 minute segment of part one of a 4 part series produced by the BBC - the Century of Self and discuss how it props up the all consuming self and keeps people in a never hunger for satisfaction.
In the book of Genesis it is written: And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Gen 3:9-11, KJV It was at this moment that the disembodied "self" was born. This is the self that the AA program says holds us in bondage. This is the sin nature to which Paul says we are enslaved Romans Rom 6:17 We will be talking about this "I" today.
Today we discuss the life in the Spirit which Paul describes in Chapter 8 of the Letter to the Romans. Rom 8:1-14 [There is] then now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, having sent his own Son, in likeness of flesh of sin, and for sin, has condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law should be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to flesh but according to Spirit. 5 For they that are according to flesh mind the things of the flesh; and they that are according to Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind of the flesh [is] death; but the mind of the Spirit life and peace. 7 Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God; for neither indeed can it be: 8 and they that are in flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed God's Spirit dwell in you; but if any one has not [the] Spirit of Christ he is not of him: 10 but if Christ be in you, the body is dead on account of sin, but the Spirit life on account of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that has raised up Jesus from among [the] dead dwell in you, he that has raised up Christ from among [the] dead shall quicken your mortal bodies also on account of his Spirit which dwells in you. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to flesh; 13 for if ye live according to flesh, ye are about to die; but if, by the Spirit, ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live: 14 for as many as are led by [the] Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Darby
Today we discuss the often debated passage in which the Apotle Paul talks of his struggle with the sin nature: Rom 7:15-25 I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Holy Bible, New Living Translation
We use a passage from Romans Chapter 7 to further our discussion of getting rid of self: Rom 7:4-6 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another — to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. NKJV
Yesterday we touched on the words of Jesus, "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." The people who come into this personal relationship with God have a real sense of being chosen - even the drug addict and alconholics often say that they feel that thye have been chosen by God - given by God, a life challenge so big that only a personal encounter with God, could save us from it. Today we go deeper into New Testament teaching on this idea of being chosen.
In the Chapter - How it Works, the portion of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous that is read at every AA meeting it says: "Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil undtil we let go absolutely." and "Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the truning point. We asked for His protection and care with complete abandon." These phrases echo the sayings of the Keswick movement which talked of 'Letting Go and Letting God." The song "I Surrender All" also is an expression of the Keswick ideal. They were expressing the ideas first brougth to them by Hannah Whitall Smith who worte in "A Christains Secret of a Happy Life": And as to this, it is simply letting the Lord carry and manage our affairs for us, instead of trying to do it ourselves. The greatest burden we have to carry is self. Do you not long to hand over management of your unmanageable self into the hands of the One who is able to manage you? Are you not tired and weary, and does not the rest I speak of look sweet to you? Your part is simply to rest. His part is to sustain you, and he cannot fail. We mean giving up of all liberty of choice. We mean a life of inevitable obedience. Today we will be talking about this act and process of letting go absolutely. Absolutely Sober, Page 58
We need YOU. Call in 646-652-2234. We learned from AA's tenth tradition the importance of not having a position of outside issues. John and I discuss this today in light of the CASW way of wording this tradition: The Body has not opinion on outside issues but referrs all things to the Head, which is Jesus Christ.
We need YOU. Call us at 646-652-2234 This the last part of Russell's talk today. It has been good sharing Russell with our audience and hanging out with him all week. This week we will be listen to a talk given at a Celebrate Recovery Meeting not long ago in the Miami Area. Russel is a believer in Jesus Christ and long time member of Alcoholics Anonymous. We have divided his talk into four parts. John an I will discuss what Russ so humorously shares with us. He seamlessly weaves his walk with Jesus into this explanation of the inportance of getting honest with ourselves in our initial searching an fearless moral inventory.
We need YOU. Call in 646-652-2234 This is the third in part of a talk given by Russell Spatz. He packs an awful lot of wisdom in each minute of his talk and we are surely grateful that he has sent these out to us in his emails. This week we will be listen to a talk given at a Celebrate Recovery Meeting not long ago in the Miami Area. Russel is a believer in Jesus Christ and long time member of Alcoholics Anonymous. We have divided his talk into four parts. John an I will discuss what Russ so humorously shares with us. He seamlessly weaves his walk with Jesus into this explanation of the inportance of getting honest with ourselves in our initial searching an fearless moral inventory.
We continute with Russell's talk. Call in and join the discussion. This week we will be listen to a talk given at a Celebrate Recovery Meeting not long ago in the Miami Area. Russel is a believer in Jesus Christ and long time member of Alcoholics Anonymous. We have divided his talk into four parts. John an I will discuss what Russ so humorously shares with us. He seamlessly weaves his walk with Jesus into this explanation of the inportance of getting honest with ourselves in our initial searching an fearless moral inventory.
This week we will be listen to a talk given at a Celebrate Recovery Meeting not long ago in the Miami Area. Russel is a believer in Jesus Christ and long time member of Alcoholics Anonymous. We have divided his talk into four parts. John an I will discuss what Russ so humorously shares with us. He seamlessly weaves his walk with Jesus into this explanation of the inportance of getting honest with ourselves in our initial searching an fearless moral inventory.
Today we continue with part 2 of the dramatized version of a talk by Bill W. performend by Bill McNiff. This second half details Bill's contact wtth Dr Bob Smith and the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous in Akron in 1935. www.iconsanonymous.com
“The use of the absolutes was for Buchman an expression of Christ's standards and, as was so often with him, a practical decision. He was interested, above all, in what he called 'the how’ — the way in which the life of faith, at its most demanding, could be grasped by the beginner as well as by the long-time believer. The standards were something anyone, “however simple or scholarly, could use to measure his life, and the addition of the prefix ‘absolute’, while setting an aim which no one could attain, had two obvious advantages. It stopped the honest seeker from letting himself off with a second or third best, or with the relativism which adjusts to the standards of the society around him; and it set so high a goal that anyone attempting to live by these standards would constantly be turned back to God for forgiveness, grace and strength. Buchman gained, through the years, an overwhelming sense that ‘Christianity has a moral backbone’ - that spirituality cannot be divorced from the highest moral imperatives and survive. Of course, he was going against the current of the rising tide of moral relativism that was beginning to break over Western society and which would only increase in the aftermath of World War I. William Hocking was to later observe, ‘It is a mark of the shallowness of Western life that it should be thought a conceit to recognize an absolute and humility to consider all standards relative, when it is precisely the opposite. It is only the absolute* which rebukes our pride.
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. So says the apostle Paul to the Ephesians in the his letter. (Eph 2:14-18 NKJV) In the latter to the Romans he says, "make your bodies a living sacrifice." Today we talk abou being one body and individually members one of another. Jesus has broken down the wall of division beteen people and nations.
We need a 'fixed point', which acts as a centre and a goal, and that 'point' in the history of the world-back to the ages before it, and forward to the ages following - it is the Cross of Calvary. It is the central pivot of the dealing of God with the universe in every aspect. It is because we Christians get away from the 'fixed point' of the Cross, that we wander into all kinds of cul-de-sac places, where we lose the balance and right perspective of truth.So wrote Mrs. Jessie Penn-Lewis, a popular coference speaker of the early Keswick eara. Her talk in 1908 fell on the litening ear of Frank N.D. Buchman and the experience she conveyed became the experience of the 12 step recovery movement of the 20th century.
The death of Jesus on the Cross was a demonstration of the love on the Son for the Father and the love of the Father for a lost creation. It was a new beginning and an act of New Creation. In today's program we discuss this theme from the page of Absolutley Sober, A History, Principles And Practice of the Destruction of Self-centeredness, chapter18.
We share a wonderful dramatizaion of a talk delievered by Bill W. Founder of AA. It was written and has been performed in AA groups and in prisons all over the country by our friend, Bill McNiff. More of Bill's work can be found at www.iconsanonymous.com
We continue the discussion of an idea whose time has come. Please call in and join the conversation.
The phrase, "an Idea Whose Time Has Come," is generally attibuted to Victor Hugo. He is actully quoted as saying: One resists the invasion of armies; one does not resist the invasion of ideas. The idea of global sobrety is such an idea. Today we talk about how an idea becomes an idea whose time has come.
The Oxford group from which AA was birthed, called themselves world changers and a first-century Christian Fellowship which operated outside of the traditional forms of the religion of the day as was said of the apostles. Acts 17:6-7 turned the world upside down have come here too. NKJV Today we will talk about world changing.
Resentment is the "number one" offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick. When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically. So says the text of Alcoholics Anonymou; and we heartily agree and will discuss this on today's show. We include some things that Jesus said about forgiveness such as Matt 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. KJV
Many of us tried to hold on to our old ideas, but the result was nil until we let go absolutely. Today we talk about our unconscious false guiding beliefs which stop us from letting go absolutely.
Above everythng..we must get rid of selishness. We must or it kills us.! God makes that possible. And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without his His aid. This is a quote from page 62 of AA's 'Bib Book". We heard yesterday what Paul said in the Letter to the Colisiains: 2:11-14 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; KJV Today we will discuss this reality of getting rid of our self/sin nature.
When new people come into recovery sometimes they ask the question, “What do I have to change?” The answer they are given is “everything.” Our churches used to preach that. And the reason why there is so much addition and self-destruction in America is that the churches used to preach what now is only taught in drug court, rehab and in recovery meetings. A drug or alcohol problem does not fall to easy believism. It only responds to the destruction of self-centeredness. In today’s program we include a portion of a message delivered by Paul Washer at an evangelism conference in a revival conference at Grace Community Church in San Antonio TX.
"Do I now bbelieve, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?" So Bill W. asks himself on page 47 of AA's "Big Book." Today we will talk about this "willingness."
From colonial days, the American colonies and later the states engaged in various efforts to limit the use of alcohol. In the middle of the 19the century these efforts became known as the temperance movement.The end of the 1800's would see the emergence of a movement to outlaw the sale of intoxicating beverages known as probition which would result in the establishment of nationawide prohibition of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating beverages which last for 13 years. Our show today discusses some important aspects of this period that are not ususally discussed.
We made a decision to turn our will and our life over to the care of God. This step is at the center of all spiritual conversion and was the way AA expresses its third step. We often ask folks who continue to struggle with a life controlling problem if they have taken this step. When they say that they have we then ask "do you have a free will." We discuss what happens next on today's program.
Frank Buchman used to say that "sin" is a three letter word with "I" in the center. Today's show is all about "I".
The strength of Alcoholics Anonymous has not been so much in encouraging alcoholics to surrender to God, but to get them to practice a daily process of dying to self to make the surrender effective over time. The church referred to this process as sanctification. Frank Buchman who was a pioneer in the group movement which led to the formation of AA, was directly influenced by developments in Christian theology that were at the heart of what is known as the Keswick Conferences. Steve Barabas speaks about the central unique feature of what was taught there. “The place in the new Testament where the truth of the believer’s identification with Christ in His death and resurrection is most clearly set forth is the sixth chapter of Romans. It would not be possible, I think, to exaggerate the importance of this chapter for the doctrine of sanctification.* It has been called the Magna Charta of the soul and the Emancipation Proclamation of the Christian. Failure on the part of the child of God to realize that it is intensely practical and entirely applicable to our present circumstances, and that it is God’s answer to the whole problem of sinful human nature, means failure at the very first step of the Christian life and walk. Keswick sees this, and very rightly puts great stress upon it. It is hardly possible to over-emphasize it.” This it theme of Chapter 12 of Absolutely Sober which we will talk about on our show today.
On yesterdays's program we went over the first 6 steps. We continue today with steps 7 - 10. We only use 10 steps. We encouage you to listen to an archive of Thursdays show. It will be a big help your understanding of how to walk in sober holiness.
Today John and I talk about the steps of change used by Creating a Sober World. These steps are inspired by the steps developed by Bill Wilson, but they really are based on the 5 days of Keswick and the 5 things that Ebby told Bill that had changed his life. We use 10 steps.
We continue the discussion we started on Friday on the traditions. The Creating a Sober World (CASW) conversation takes place in the space or context created by the traditions. CASW uses 10 traditions. Because the CASW conversation does not focus on a particular addiction two of the traditional traditions were found to be unnecessary. We take up our discussion of the traditions with tradition 4.
Today's’ Show—Guidance from God. The Oxford Group was a world-wide movement that had no designated central leadership. It relied upon guidance from God. From the book Absolutely Sober we glean these important Instructions about guidance: · Is there a willingness to obey without self-interested editing of the instructions? · Wait to see if circumstances intervene. For example: a person mentioned in guidance who is away — suddenly returns. · Compare the thought to the standards of the absolutes — honesty, purity, unselfishness and love. · Does the thought tally with the teaching of scripture? · Does the thought agree with the counsel of friends who are also practicing the principles? · How does the guidance received comport with the experience and teaching of the Christian Church On today's show, John and I will discuss this important topic and how guidance works in our own lives.
Bill Wilson seemed to describe the method of guidance in layman's terms as well as anyone has: In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while. What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it.
People who observe the 12 step programs do not usually grasp the importance of the 12 traditions which govern the way the programs operate.
The anonymous writer of the book "What is the Oxford Group" wrote: You cannot belong to the Oxford Group. It has no membership list, subscriptions, badge, rules, or definite location. It is a name for a group of people who, from every rank, profession, and trade, in many countries, have surrendered their lives to God and who are endeavouring to lead a spiritual quality of life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Oxford Group is not a religion; it has no hierarchy, no temples, no endowments; its workers have no salaries, no plans but God’s Plan; every country is their country, every man their brother. They are Holy Crusaders in modern dress, wearing spiritual armour. Their aim is A New World Order for Christ, the King. The Oxford Group is not one group. It is a collection of groups active for Christ in many countries, meeting in ordinary places where ordinary men and women are accustomed to meet in the course of their daily lives. They are similar to the groups of early Christians who met in places hidden from their oppressors, to keep alight the torch of Christianity. The Oxford Groups do not find it necessary to hide—at the moment—but their mission is the same as that of the early Christians—the redemption of individuals and nations from Sin, and to keep alive the Faith for which Christ came on earth, suffered and died, so that every man, woman, and child in this world might see and understand that Perfection of Life to which all of us would attain if we too, would be Christ-liike.
Jesus took all of our sin to the Cross when he died on Calvary 2000 years ago. To say that we struggle with sin is to believe that Jesus did not complete the work of redemption. Today's program is a discussion of giving up the attempt to be right with God through what we do or feel; we focus on the completed work of the Cross and how to stand in the victory we have in Christ.
The addict, alcoholic or other compulsive person, has lost the ability to make correct choices when it comes to their primary problem.The Apostle Paul seems to have understood this powerlessness as shown in the last half of Roams chapter 7.
Frank Buchman had an encouter with the Cross at Keswick England in the summer of 1908. From that experice came all 12 step recovery groups a way of life that we seek to share with you who listen to Sober World Talk Radio.