Off to my Christian 12 Step Group!

[Gregg]

It is cold outside, I am warm in here. I feel like staying and just hanging out in here. I know I should go. When ever I feel like not going and then go, it is always amazing! So tonight should be awesome!!

Ok I am going...

Now... no now....stop typing....you are procrastinating...

Ok I am almost ready to get up....getting up, i canth type stadnnrb up... sEe yo later 2nite gotta go.

[Fresco]

LOL.....my only addiction was cigs, and I gave then up 10 years ago.
Best thing I ever did. Now I'm a militant, self-righteous ex-smoker :)

[turtledove]

It is cold outside, I am warm in here. I feel like staying and just hanging out in here. I know I should go. When ever I feel like not going and then go, it is always amazing! So tonight should be awesome!!

Ok I am going...

Now... no now....stop typing....you are procrastinating...

Ok I am almost ready to get up....getting up, i canth type stadnnrb up... sEe yo later 2nite gotta go.

Well, Bro in Christ, I hope you did go and it was good.

And there are others who read this who will be encouraged that you forged the cold to go to the group, that is, if you did go.

peace and prayers,

wiseoldowl :)

[Gregg]

Well, Bro in Christ, I hope you did go and it was good.

And there are others who read this who will be encouraged that you forged the cold to go to the group, that is, if you did go.

peace and prayers,

wiseoldowl :)

Yes I did! It was a dandy. Of course nothing like I had planned. The leader was called out in the middle of it on work emergency (first time in the six years that I have been going). A lot of good sharing. The new guy from last week made it through the week without drinking (Praise The Lord). I invited anyone who was interested to stay for a short meeting after the meeting so I could tell the story of how the group helped me to be obedient on something that God wanted me to do this weekend. Of course it was confirmed all week and then didn't turn out like anything I imagined. It was much better (Thank you Jesus!). Another brother thanked me for my testimony and said it put an action item as answer to pray for him to do this week. I was pretty whipped when I got home. Fell asleep at this computer reading threads in here.

Words cannot tell what a blessing this group has been over the last 6 years. I pray that all could find one in their area.

Thank you for asking.

God bless you and yours.

[turtledove]

Thanks, Gregg, for sharing. Yes, Christian groups like this are really helpful to many and this upbeat sharing of yours helps encourage those who are considering joining one. :)

As the old saying goes.."strength in numbers." but I like these scripture verses from Ecclesiastes 4: 9,12

So, in the wee hours of the morning..early here:

Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIV (http://www.tnivbible.com/bible/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Ecclesiastes 4:9&niv=yes)
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV (http://www.tnivbible.com/bible/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Ecclesiastes 4:12&niv=yes)
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

peace and prayers. :)

[DaniHansen]

Sometimes I think that Christian 12-step groups are much closer to how church is supposed to be than so many churches, if that makes any sense?

There seems to be a rawness and opennes and vulnerability and brokenness as people open up to one another about what really plagues them deep inside, and the realization that none of us are alone in our battles and struggles. There is only one enemy and he only has so many tricks up his sleeve. There is only one God who made us and so the things that beset us are not so foreign from one person to the next, when you drill them right down to the core issues.

This is why I enjoy small groups so much over a large church service, because real fellowship happens when we become transparent and stop hiding behind whatever walls and masks we have crafted for ourselves. We are naked before our God. I think breakthroughs often happen when we allow ourselves to be naked before one another (not literally, of course, but emotionally). And when repentance happens and people become broken, it's so beautiful to then see the restoration happen, and the peace and the joy along with it.

That's just my insight on it. I can't deny the power of these groups, and I wish more churches would incorporate these things into their services, quite frankly. Because everyone struggles with something.

[paintedman]

Sometimes I think that Christian 12-step groups are much closer to how church is supposed to be than so many churches, if that makes any sense?

There seems to be a rawness and opennes and vulnerability and brokenness as people open up to one another about what really plagues them deep inside, and the realization that none of us are alone in our battles and struggles. There is only one enemy and he only has so many tricks up his sleeve. There is only one God who made us and so the things that beset us are not so foreign from one person to the next, when you drill them right down to the core issues.

This is why I enjoy small groups so much over a large church service, because real fellowship happens when we become transparent and stop hiding behind whatever walls and masks we have crafted for ourselves. We are naked before our God. I think breakthroughs often happen when we allow ourselves to be naked before one another (not literally, of course, but emotionally). And when repentance happens and people become broken, it's so beautiful to then see the restoration happen, and the peace and the joy along with it.

That's just my insight on it. I can't deny the power of these groups, and I wish more churches would incorporate these things into their services, quite frankly. Because everyone struggles with something.
Could not agree with you more! I've been calling our Celebrate Recovery the closest thing to 1st century church for years. Plus our band ROCKS!!!