I spared no expense in serving dinner to the guys. That's right. Subs from the Brunswick County mall (Wal-mart) and topped it all of with Wal-Marts "fresh baked"?(as opposed to?) "Home made"? (these people need CR for lying or denial) cookies. The gals will have trouble topping this Friday night - I offered three different kinds of subs.
We were finishing some thoughts on Sanity. (see last Monday's post) I am seeing men coming from hard core addiction learning from somewhat more stable men that are there for other reasons and vice versa.
We focused on three questions:
1. In the past, how has trusting only in your own feelings and emotions gotten you in trouble?
2. How can your Higher Power, Jesus Christ, help restore you to make sane decisions? How do you get a second chance?
So, in terms I can understand, the first one asks how trusting yourself and your instincts worked out for you so far. The second one says perhaps you would like to try something else. (assuming you were honest on the first)
One almost collective thought was about how we feel affecting how we see other people. The thought was that often lead to misunderstanding others and their motives/intentions. We can be suspicious characters at times. (women are far worse at this in my opinion, humbly speaking)(but not my wife, she's great at everything)
We also heard that "trying to run the show on our own" lead to fears and suppressed feelings in some that would rear their ugly heads in other areas. Perhaps anger, depression, pornography, alcohol and drugs.
Then we moved on to the second question. We heard about having a new found courage and confidence through Christ. By realizing that we all have things that are beyond our control, we understand better the benefit of casting our cares on our risen Savior. We are powerless.
Could we do the same things over and over and expect a different result?
The last part of that question was "how do we get a second chance?" This was difficult for many of us as we passed the 2nd chance some many chances ago.
Then we got into the moment and grew a little last night. We started to think about CR as a second chance. I had to think about myself. I'm a believer that used to struggle greatly with alcohol. But now, even on my most stressful days do not make me think of drinking. But man it sure used to. I could drink on a mountain top or a valley.
But it seems, at least for me, that there are some check points that we get to on this journey of recovery. We began to ask how a person in the throws of addictive behavior of any kind can cross over to tackling other problems - and get rid of the current one.
Celebrate recovery is my second chance. I have new knowledge. I have received new wisdom. I have forgiven many. I have asked many to forgive me. I am realizing that it's not about me and I like it. I new right from wrong before CR but was powerless to do much about it. I was relying on me. I wasn't a long shot, I was a no shot. I had zero odds for success. I was a professing Christian for crying out loud!
All of my feeble, white-knuckled attempts prior to CR all had the same result. I'll take my friends. I'll take Christ.
The Bible clearly states that we are joint-heirs with Jesus. Now. If you are a believer, and you have accepted Jesus as Lord of your life, your name is written in the Lambs Book of Life.
With permanent ink.
Top that.
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