The Internet's Best List of Christian Recovery Websites. Legitimate Resource Sites with Brief Descriptions.
77The internet can be a mixed blessing, offering such incredible diversity and scope of information, but offering it in such a manner as to sometimes overwhelm.
Here is a compiled directory of legitimate faith based addiction resources. All of the following links point to the home page of large non profit Christian addiction initiatives. I hope that this list helps to facilitate your search for information on Christian Recovery.
One of the Internet's oldest online 12 steps recovery communities.
Adult Children of Alcoholics (Official 12 steps site)
The official website.
"So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed." John 8:36
A non denominational group (very active in Detroit) of Christians following teh word of God to beat addiction. More than 100 active groups nationwide.
A Christian 12 steps website. A national organization that boasts a helpline, resource content, hard copy publications and online meetings and real world conferences and meetings.
Association of Gospel Rescue Missions
An organization of almost 300 Gospel Missions treating the addicted in communities across America. Excellent resources for people seeking low-cost Faith based care.
A Catholic organization of AA followers.
An international Christian 12 steps initiative based also on the 8 recovery principles of the Beautitudes. Recovery emphasizes personal responsibility and a commitment to Jesus Christ,
A group of affiliated recovery ministries in Washington State.
A large online community and forum of Christians in recovery from addiction. Active membership.
Inner city Christian Ministry for teh poor, homeless and addicted. In multiple urban centers.
12 steps meetings for cocaine addict. The official site.
Recovery Bibles
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An International (Russian and American) group which preaches 12 steos style recovery through God.
A group for Christian young adults who minister to their peers having difficulties with drug or alcohol abuse, or spiritual problems.
The United Methodist Church General Board
This board group offers training and resources to churches and people struggling with addiction issues.
An enormous Faith based initiative that serves more than 6 million members in the US and the Caribbean each year - A National Group which runs hundreds of substance abuse, prevention and education programs.
Narcotics Anonymous (official Site)
National Association for Christian Recovery
A comprehensive resource site for faith based recovery. For clergy and laymen. Library of content.
National Group of Christian Social Workers.
An advocacy group that preaches parental education about drugs and alcohol.
A Christian recovery program.
The Salvation Army Drug Rehabs
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A Christian 12 steps group which combines scripture and AA.
Presbyterians for Addiction Action (PAA)
A support program for clergy, training better spiritual ministry of addiction uissues in the community and the Church community.
Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church
A national group that works to combat the stigma of addiction from within the church community, and which raises awareness and educates
A good collection of recovery prayers and other faith based recovery resources.
An online University offering a depth of resource classes, lectures and presentations aimed at teaching clergy to minister addiction recovery.
One of the nation's largest providers of low cost or free substance abuse treatment. The Salvation Army offers residential addiction treatment in most urban centers.
An enormous ministry offering long term discipliship programs to men women and teens, all at very low cost.
A national Christian organization that offers low-cost treatment, education and prevention programs in communities all across the US.
Woman's Christian Temperance Movement
an interdenominational group of women and children who vow to stay clear of alcohol and drugs.
Please Add Any Quality Sites You Know of HereLoading...
I went through a program that is enormously successful and very cheap, but I did not see it on here. It has both inpatient and outpatient programs. I went through the inpatient homes which are very cheap, and the outpatient meets in over 650 locations around the world. Just thought I could cue you into it. It's called Reformers Unanimous. You might wish to add it to your list.
A new alternative to recovery medallions,chips and tokens.Submit your name or that of a friend, to be Added to an ever growing wall of recovery. Tell others they are not alone in the Journey.StepperStones is a unique way to share and spread the Message of Recovery.
New addiction site based upon personal experience with 7 years under crack's influence before recovery and restoration. The focus is on fighting crack addiction aggressively through education,assessment,support building,resources private and public with emphasis on Faith-based programs and personal coaching services with plans and implementation.
My own Crack addiction recovery was through love of family and the love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness that only comes from God.
KHLT and www.Take12Radio.com is the world's only Christian owned and operated recovery radio station.
We broadcast a different recovery themed show 7 days a week.
We are broadcasting 24 hours a day with recovery talk and positive music.
Interviews with celebrities, authors, recording artist all in recovery and that's just a very small sample of what is available at www.Take12Radio.com
Monty Meyer aka the Monty'man is your host and executive producer and invites you to tune in.
Please list the newly organized International Christian Recovery Coalition, of which I am Executive Director.
What a great resource for hurting people, and for people who want to offer help to hurting people. I had heard of some of these organizations but did not know they were founded by Christians. Thanks.
http://www.highpriest.org/irss.xml
Christian players RSS Feeds
For Christians who want to learn the origins, history, founding, original program, and great success of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in 1935, our new class "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" website should be listed for your viewers. www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtmnl
I have had the pleasure of encountering a wonderful 12 step faith based recovery program. Its name is C.O.O.L. which stands for Christ Over Our Life. Pastor Boyd and his wife are very dedicated wonderful people. They touched my life when I needed it most. The link is www.C.O.O.L..com
What about www.settingcaptivesfree.com
That's a great site for recovery!
John
Christian Recovery Resource Centers
Launching Plan Outline
Dick B.
© 2010 Anonymous. All rights reserved
First: The plan to organize, sponsor, and implement the establishment of Christian Recovery Resource Centers worldwide is the plan and program of the International Christian Recovery Coalition with headquarters in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com
Second: All those who wish to join us in establishing a Christian Recovery Resource Center as part of their recovery outreach must, unless they have already done so, become (at no cost) a participant in the International Christian Recovery Coalition. Contact Dick B. at dickb@dickb.com. We need your name, ministry, city, and state in order to list you as a participant.
Third: The mission statement of our Christian Recovery Resource Center program—a statement to which each Center subscribes—is identical to that on The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed. (http://DickB.com/Christian-Recover-Guide.shtml):
“To glorify God by: (1) sharing accurate information with Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena about the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.’s astonishing successes; and (2) showing those leaders and workers how they can substantially enhance their effectiveness by including in their Christian-oriented recovery efforts the lessons learned by the early A.A. Christian pioneers.”
Each Center, whether organized, maintained, and implemented by an individual, a program, a group, a church, a fellowship, or some agency or organization, is expected to pursue Christian recovery in whatever way meets their own Christian recovery effort or ministry. Each is also expected to help the alcoholic and addict who still suffers to learn all the Christian resources available to him for recovery, and—if not conducted by the Center—to provide information and referral (without charge) to centers and programs conducted by other Christian Recovery Resource Centers in the community, area, and outreach worldwide.
Fourth: In addition to continuing an existing effort, service, or ministry, each Center will be expected to learn, inventory, and provide the following resources:
Issue a specific statement to ICRC of what a Christian Recovery Resource Center does do
Preferably, the statement should be available by phone, media, advertisements,
listings, brochures, pamphlets, websites, facebook, and newsletters.
Circulate that information to other Centers, to media, and as widely as possible
to the public at large. Every possible recovery resource should know of the center and its
services—12 Step Fellowships, Study groups, Bridge organizations, churches, clergy, physicians, treatment professionals, treatment programs of all types, counselors and chaplains, hospitals and rehabs, military and veteran facilities, business-labor-information organizations, Christian recovery fellowships, United Way agencies, Chambers of Commerce and Business bureaus, and others we list.
Answer inquiries from alcoholics and addicts, concerned others, and the public as
what Christian recovery resources are available, which the Center provides, and where
other Christian recovery resources can be found by them.
Provide resources describing what 12 Step Fellowships do and don’t do; explaining the
Christian origins, history, founding, successes, and changes in the A.A. program; highlighting what today’s Christian recovery resources can do; urging those who want God’s help to seek a comprehensive, tolerant, effective, complete Christian recovery program.
Establish a library which explains what A.A. is and isn’t, what the history of Christian
Recovery and A.A. are, what the various Christian recovery resources say, and have on hand The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, “Introductory Foundations for Christian
Recovery” www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml; and make available free as many Dick B.
titles as they have, buy, or we send.
Become acquainted and familiar, and network with other Centers and leaders.
Donate to us $500.00 for help fund our work. We can arrange for tax deductibility.
Fifth: Read our summary of “Who can Serve”—both individuals and organizations, homes, offices, facilities, and online. See our attachment with the material previously circulated on this point.
Sixth: What you need to tell us about yourself (including any website and brochures):
Name of individual or organization
Contact person
Mail, email, and phone address; URL; Facebook
Your major activity
Those specific Christian and/or recovery activities in which you are engaged (we will list
possibilities)
Your willingness to establish, maintain, and implement a Center
Which of our Christian and/or recovery resource activities you will undertake
Which you are willing to outsource – and some specific examples
Your understanding that, once listed, you will be part of our worldwide information
network. This means: (1) An informative listing on the International Christian
Recovery Coalition website, Facebook, newsletters, audio talks, flyers, and basic
book. (2) Supplying us with resource information you need. (3) Telling us the areas and people to which you will actually refer people. (4) Contacting our other centers providing them with your details, capabilities, and needs. (5) Establishing a website, email, phone, Facebook page, and full mail address information. (6)
Establishing a Christian recovery resource Library which we will help furnish
with Christian recovery materials and which will give you material to draw on. (7) Circulating in your area, community, circle of contacts, and major organizations
your own status as a Christian Recovery Resource Center, what you do, and what
they can expect. (8) Contact by every convenient means the churches, clergy,
recovery pastors, Christian counselor institutes, Christian counselors, Christian
treatment programs, Christian track treatment programs, Christian recovery
fellowships, chaplains, military and vet centers, sober living homes, detox centers,
12 Step Fellowship offices, and Christian leaders—telling them what you do and
how to reach you for help and guidance. (9) Contact newspapers, columnists, TV
and radio producers, national recovery organizations, and (10) Arrange with
outsource centers to make use of or refer others to their detoxes, counseling
facilities, churches, clergy, Christian Fellowships, Speakers meetings, treatment
programs, sober living programs, and other service outlets that will expand the
scope of your service and improve its quality.
Seventh: Send us a donation of $500.00 (which we can arrange to be made tax-deductible) for
permanent listing as a Christian Recovery Resource Center. Get the The Dick B.
Christian Recovery Guide (http://DickB.com/Christian-Recover-Guide.shtml) and
the “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery” class on four (4) DVD's
(http://DickB.com/IFCR-Class.shtml), if you do not already have them. We will
furnish a free assortment of Dick B. books to start your library.
Eighth: Work with us personally to establish, improve, and expand your own Christian
Recovery Resource Center. This can be done by phone or email, by a visit with us
on Maui, or even by your funding a trip to your area for a substantial workshop if
that is within your means.
Finally: We regard our role in this whole project as one of stimulating, consulting on,
facilitating, and establishing networks of service that will emphasize and
provide the role, need, and proximity of Christian recovery help throughout
the world. Our job will be to inform. We will not set standards on, endorse,
or attempt to control what you do. Much of what we have learned in the last
20 years of researching, meeting, speaking, and publishing has come through
the help of othe
I finally found Overcomers Outreach thank you, they need to update their url. Thanks ZW
If you are a Christian in A.A., N.A., a recovery fellowship, a Twelve Step fellowship, or a Christ-centered recovery program, you may want very much to be in touch with two of our new, world-wide efforts to meet the needs of Christian leaders and others in recovery. If so:
Check International Christian Recovery Coalition site: http://bit.ly/hhSIL4
Check Christian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide http://bit.ly/erD3tW
And contact Dick B. through www.dickb.com for further details if you like.
This is a great up and coming addiction and recovery website
This is a Great up and Coming addiction and recovery website
Recovery Realm is a Social network Addiction Recovery utility helping you reconnect with healthy choices.
We offer addiction recovery Blogs, Message Boards, Online Meetings and Fellowship Chat
International Christian Recovery Coalition was founded in May of 2009 when a large group of Christian leaders and workers in the recovery community came from all over the United States and from several locations in Canada to attend a conference in Irvine, California. The Conference of leaders and workers met at Mariners Church Community Center. 20 speakers, and later all the audience members, shared the difficulties that Christians have in anonymous, 12 Step, and recovery fellowships as well as treatment programs and counseling. The problem was recognized as the lack of knowledge recovery workers have of the Christian origins of the recovery movement in the late 1800's (through the Great Awakening of 1875 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont; work of YMCA lay brethren in cavassing and then holding Gospel and Revival meetings; enormous successes of Rescue Missions; Salvation Army; and the program of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor). There was lack of knowledge of the Christian upbringing of A.A. cofounders Bill W. and Dr. Bob. And there was lack of knowledge about how the first three AAs (believers, Christians, and Bible students)got sober by turning to God for help and being healed. Finally, a lack of knowledge of the principles and practices of the early A.A. Christian fellowship founded in Akron in 1935.
The International Christian Recovery Coalition was immediately founded and now has participants in all but 7 states in the United States and in many other countries. The Coalition has established a website www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com. Next, starting January 1, 2011 it launched its project to establish worldwide Christian Recovery Resource Centers. And presently there are 27 of these located in the U.S. and abroad.
To keep followers abreast of projects, resources, and historical research and findings, a blog site is now maintained at www.internationalchristianrecoverycoalition.blogspot.com.
In 2010, Dick B., accompanied by his son Rev Ken B., conducted some 22 meetings, seminars, and conferences in the State of California and on the Island of Oahu in Hawaii. This resulted in the establishment of some strong Christian Recovery Fellowships in many locations in California, Oahu, and Maui.
To join as participants in the Coaliton, Christians and others should examine the mission statement on the International Christian Recovery Coalition website and decide if it is satisfactory to them. If so, at no cost, they can become participants. The only thing needed is a listing containing the name of the participant, the ministry or status, and the city and state (and country if other than the U.S.).
At present, the Coalition is circulating a 4 DVD introductory class; a Chrisian recovery guide; and handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers. There is now a speakers bureau, and there are new participants being added almost every day.
Inquiries may be addressed to Dick B., Executive Director, at dickb@dickb.com.
We would appreciate your recognizing and listing the many information outlets International Christian Recovery Coalition has now made available. They are: (1) Our website www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com. (2) Our blog www.internationalchristianrecoverycoaliti.blogspot.com.
(3) Our facebook page
(4) Our new forums page: http://goo.gl/DW1ms
(5) The Dick B main website www.dickb.com
(6) Our new ongoing YouTube Programs http://goo.gl/rCtH6
Our coalition is a new, rapidly growing, worldwide fellowship of participants who stress the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have played in the Christian Recovery Movement and in the founding of early A.A. in 1935. Dick B. Executive Director dickb@dickb.com
International Christian Recovery Coalition is presenting two Christian recovery summit meetings in California. September 17 at The Crossing Church, Costa Mesa; September 24 at Golden Hills Community Church, Brentwood. Music, hospitality, prayers, Christian recovery leaders as featured speakers and 10 panelists at each conference who are skilled in and talking about their own programs enhancing truly Christian recovery--in churches, fellowships, counseling, intervention, treatment, detox, sober living, after care, and building a new Christian life. Free. Open to the public. No registration required. 500 seating in Costa Mesa; 650 in Brentwood. Come and learn the true, accurate, full history and origins of Christian treatment, A.A., and the changes since 1939. http://www.mauihistorian.blogspot.com
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Is A.A. Christian? - Cyber Recovery Social Network Forums - Alcohol and Drug Addiction Help/Support
cyberrecovery.net— Is A.A. Christian? A.A. With Dick B. More and more, people are Googling in the question: Is A.A. Christian. Is it? Some, including a few Christian writers who are anti-A.A., are quick to jump in and answer with a Bible verse or two, an admonition or three, and a condemnation or 20. Again: Is A.A. Christian? Why not start with facts before attempting to answer the question in any meaningful, useful, and helpful way! You might first ask, "What is A.A.?" ot "What A.A. literature--past or present--can shed light on the question?" or "Who is asking the question?" Is the questioner studying A.A., condemning A.A., trying to prove the affirmative, trying to argue the negative, contending that AAs will go to hell, stating that the Bible prohibits attending A.A., or stating flatly that A.A. is Christian or not Christian. And of what period in A.A.'s 75 years or so, is the questioner asking? You can start by finding out the major influences on A.A. historically. These are the YMCA, Christian evangelists like Dwight Moody and F.B. Meyer, the Salvation Army, the Gospel Rescue Missions including the one where one cofounder made his decision for Jesus Christ, and The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. One comprehensive, documented study can be found in Dick B., Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous (www.dickb.com/drbobofaa.shtml). Another is Dick B., The Conversion of Bill W. (www.dickb.com/conversion.shtml). Still another can be found in Dick B. Real Twelve Step Fellowship History (www.dickb.com/realhistory.shtml). You can move on to look at the Christian upbringing of A.A.'s cofounders Dr. Robert H. Smith and William G. Wilson. You will mostly have to look outside of A.A. for details. But the books above will be helpful. But two A.A. Conference-approved books can start you on your quest. One is DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers (1980). Another is "Pass It On." And still another are the autobiography of Bill W. himself. Another, the biography of Bill's doctor, " Aug 22, 2011
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ristians in A.A.? Of course! Here's why
You forgot to mention a very important web site, Christians in Recovery - http://www.christians-in-recovery.org
I would like to connect.
I am currently working woth recovery programs in south Africa.
Michael Liimatta is certainly right about the importance of including Christians-in-recovery.org. Mike has a long history of service to the recovery community. He is not only a man of the cloth but also an experienced writer about our important history and about harmonizing today's 12 Steps and Big Book with A.A.'s Bible roots. The more sites dealing with our origins, history, founding, original Christian fellowship and its successes, the better. See www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com.
Thank you for your site and service.
A First Century Christian Fellowship
Major Sources for Observing Early A.A.’s Apostolic Principles, Practices, and Resemblance to First Century Christianity at Work
By Dick B.
© 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved
A Common Observation about “Old-School” Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous History: A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob called the first A.A. group (known as “Akron Number One”)—founded on July 4, 1935—“a Christian fellowship.” [DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers (New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1980), 118]
Of the five Rockefeller people—including John D. Rockefeller, Jr—who met the early AAs, listened to Dr. William Silkworth, and read the report that Frank Amos had given to them in February 1938, all said something to the effect, “Why this is First Century Christianity at work. What can we do to help?” And they did help.
But long before that, Christian evangelists were telling New Englanders and many in other parts of the world how the Apostles not only found salvation, but taught and lived Christianity—healing drunks, addicts, and derelicts along the way.
And then there was the Oxford Group and that American sparkplug of its early period, Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr. Bill Wilson called Shoemaker a “cofounder” of A.A. Bill discussed the proposed Big Book and Step contents with Shoemaker. He even asked Sam to write the 12 Steps, but Sam humbly declined. Yet the very language of the 12 Steps paralleled Sam’s teachings—teaching founded on basic ideas in the Bible that Dr. Bob said were the foundations for the Steps.
Shoemaker and many other early Oxford Group people called their life-changing group and groups “A First Century Christian Fellowship” and defined what that phrase meant to them and their groups.
“A First Century Christian Fellowship”
At the times Bill W. (1934-1937) and Dr. Bob (1933 until at least 1939) were involved with the Oxford Group, it was actively using the name “A First Century Christian Fellowship.” And here are some of the ways people described the personal work with others of members of that important A.A. predecessor, the Oxford Group.
In his popular book, Life Changers, Harold Begbie (who had written Twice Born Men and much more about General William Booth and the Salvation Army) described the Group this way:
Above all, the Group was a Fellowship—a first-Century Christian Fellowship controlled by the Holy Spirit. [Dick B., The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 31]
We discuss and cite precise sources for the following statements:
. . . Frank Buchman’s formation of what he and his friends called “A First Century Christian Fellowship.” Buchman had said, “It is an attempt to get back to the beliefs and methods of the Apostles.” He said, “We not only accept their beliefs, but also decided to practice their methods” [Dick B., The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 286]
In Life Changers, author Begbie also wrote:
Since those words were written he has paid a visit to the United States in company with F. B, . . .
----
In his last letter written from America he tells me that he is entering with others into “A First Century Christian Fellowship,” explaining that they wish to get back to the type of Christianity which was maintained by the apostles—“We not only accept their beliefs, but are also decided to practice their methods.”
He announces in detail the elemental beliefs of a First Century Christianity. He believes in:
The possibility of immediate and continued fellowship with the Holy Spirit—guidance.
The proclamation of a redemptive gospel—personal, social, and national salvation.
The possession of fullness of life—rebirth, and an ever-increasing power and wisdom.
The propagation of their life by individuals to individuals—personal religion.
Out of these beliefs proceeds the method of propagation:
Love for the sinner.
Hatred of the sin.
Fearless dealing with sin.
The presentation of Christ as the cure for sin.
The sharing and giving of self, with and for others.
“We are more concerned,” he writes, “with testifying to real experiences, explicable only on the hypothesis that God’s power has brought them to pass, through Christ, than with teaching an abstract ethical doctrine.”
Rev. Samuel Shoemaker spoke of the Group as “A First Century Christian Fellowship” as follows:
The Spirit can communicate His truth to a spiritual fellowship of believers in ways He cannot communicate to individuals: it is another phase of Christ’s meaning when He said that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. He is wherever a believer is; but He is present in heightened reality in the fellowship. [Dick B., The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous, 293]
In his first significant book, Realizing Religion, Shoemaker had the following to say about the days “when the Church had martyrs in it.” Shoemaker wrote at page 67:
I believe that originally this was the spiritual impulse, entirely apart from considerations of ecclesiastical order or the founding of a brotherhood by Jesus, which welded Christians together in the days when the Church had martyrs in it. The value of united prayer and worship, of inspiring and instructing a group bent on one object, the constant impact of the words and the interpretation of Jesus, has often been dwelt upon. . .
The Acts of the Apostles
In Acts chapters 1 to 6, there are a number of descriptions of what the First Century Christians did, what they had received, and how they fellowshipped together. Here we will just quote two segments.
The first from Acts 2:38-43, 46-47:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. . . .
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The second segment from Acts 4:29-32:
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul. . . . And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
The Keys to Applying First Century Christianity in Recovery Programs Today
Our latest title is:
How to Conduct “Old School” 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena.
In a small number of pages, this new book—very succinctly and very specifically—covers the ground above and then shows how the successful “Christian fellowship” practices of the First Century and of the early A.A. group in Akron can be applied today and fully supported by Conference-approved literature published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. And how those who join together in Christian fellowship can attain healing and a whole life in the same way the Apostles did and that the old school AAs did.
Gloria Deo
A great organization is the Association of Recovery Ministries (ARM).Their website is www.armofhelp.org. ARM is a network of Chirstians helping those with life-controlling problems. One feature is a searchable database of Christian resources whether prison aftercare, residential recovery, recovery groups, Christian counseling or help for the homeless. ARM is an attempt to come together, set standards for Chrisrtian care so we are not just out there doing our own thing and raise the quality of Christian care.
www.abbahouse.com is the website for a ministry for women with addiction or mental health issues with two residential locations in Cumming, in north Georgia and in Perry in middle Georgia south of Macon. A unique thing about Abba House is that after a woman has been there (approximately four months) her children can be reunited with her for the remainder of her care. These two facilities can be the home to about 60 women and children. They have a comprehensive life-skill tract and focus on healing broken hearts, often caused by abuse.
To start, let me ask the most important question you will ever have to answer in your life, "If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you will go to heaven and are ready for eternity?" If God were to ask you, "Why should I let you into My heaven, how would you respond?"
Now, let me ask you this question. Would you consider yourself a good person? If you answered, "Yes, I would consider myself a good person", do you realize that you are stating a belief that says, "I believe my own goodness can earn my salvation. Jesus Christ did not need to go to the cross and pay the penalty for my sins"? Romans 3:10 states, "There is none righteous, no not one."
Let me put you under the spotlight of the moral Law, 10 commandments, to determine if you are truly good enough to go to God's heaven:
1. Have you ever lied before, including so called white lies and fibs? If you have ever lied before, what would you call yourself? If you answered, "a normal human being," then what would you call a person who tells lies? A liar correct?
2. Have you ever stolen before, even one time in your life irrespective of the value of the item? If you answered "no", but were honest enough to admit that you have lied before, are you sure you are telling the truth? What about stealing time from an employer? Did you know you can steal things intangibly such as time? Did you ever work a job before and repeatedly come in late to work or take extra long breaks you know you were not allowed to take? Also, have you ever borrowed an item from someone and failed to return it? As you can see, when we know the right thing to do but fail to do it, then it is sin. And if you have stolen once before, what would you call yourself? A thief correct?
James 4:17, "17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."
3. Have you ever used God's name in vain? It is called blasphemy, when someone uses God's name to express disgust the same way a person uses curse words. How would you feel if you heard someone use your mother's or father's name in vain? Most likely, you would feel offended. Therefore, how do you think God feels when people flippantly use His name in vain? Exodus 20:7 says, "7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. "
4. Have you ever committed adultery? If you answered "no", do you realize God considers lust the same as adultery? Jesus said in Matthew 5: 27-28, "27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[a] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." In other words, Jesus considered the intent just as serious as the action itself. If a person lusts after another person, then according to the words of Jesus, that person is an adulterer.
Based upon your own admission (if you have been honest and admitted these things yourself), that God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart, would you consider yourself innocent or guilty? If you answered "innocent", try that in a court of law. A criminal who knows he or she is guilty says, "Wait Judge, I just want to say that I am a very good person and believe you should let me be innocent of my crime this one time. Could you just let it slide once?" A fair and just judge would respond, "I firmly believe in justice and the fact you claim to be a good person has no respective value on the crime you committed. You know you did wrong, and you will have to suffer the consequences for the crime you committed." If that is so much true in the natural realm, how much more in the spiritual realm will God bring to justice those people who have broken His law and have refused to repent of their sins. Listen to what God says about the eternal fate of such people as liars, thieves, blasphemers, adulterers, idolatrers, etc. etc.
1 Corinthians 6: 9-10
"9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 6:9 The words men who have sex with men translate two Greek words that refer to the passive and active participants in homosexual acts.
Galatians 5: 19-21
"19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. "
Revelation 21:8
8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
If you know in your heart that because you have violated God's law and would be guilty before Him in eternity, thus spending eternity in hell, does that concern you? It should concern you. Where you choose to spend your eternity is the single most important decision you will ever have to make in your life.
God did something special for you so that you would not have to spend eternity in hell. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for your sins and arose on the third day, defeating death. That means God can legally dismiss your case. You broke the law, but Jesus paid your fine. All you have to do to receive the free gift of salvation is two things:
1. Repent of your sins - to repent means to have a complete change of heart and mind. It is an attitude that says you are willing to completely forsake the sins of your past and set things right before God. The term "righteousness" simply means "to live right". To read more on repentance, refer to Acts 17:30; Acts 26:20; 2 Corinthians 7: 9-10
2. Trust completely in Jesus Christ as your Lord - to trust simply means to have faith. Pretend that you are on an airplane and about to jump. You realize that the parachute you are about to use would save you but you don't know how to execute its functions. Would merely believing in the parachute save you once you jump? We must do more than merely believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. James 2:20 tells us that even the "demons believe and shudder." To trust implies we are willing to surrender and follow Jesus regardless of what He asks us to do. To read more on faith 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1
It would be wise of you to humbly ask the Lord to cleanse and forgive you of all unrighteousness and ask Him in sincerity for Him to be the only Lord and master over your life. Your eternity depends upon it. Today can be your day of salvation. Set things right with Jesus Christ before it is eternally too late. Many people die in their sins, and regret passing every opportunity on earth they had to get right with God. For many people, they are in anguish in a devil's hell because they waited too late to repent and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord. You have an appointment with Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:27) one day, so make sure you do not wait to set the record straight. God bless you!
The following are testimonies of people who have been delivered and set free from the bondage and yokes of Celebrate Recovery programs. Please read the testimonies and the brief commentary that follows:
Testimony #1: Mr. Barney Clynch
I was first referred to Celebrate Recovery through a "Christian psychological counselor" I was seeing for habitual sin issues with pornography, sexual sin, caffeine abuse, and gluttony. When I first started attending CR meetings, I thought I was where God intended for me to be. However, as time pressed onward, my heart was continually open to the truths of God's word. The more I read and prayed to the Lord about the truths concerning CR and other 12 step "recovery groups" I was actively involved in, the Lord would continually convict me that the things being taught and said in CR meetings was not of the Lord, but instead a demonic spirit of Satan (read Matthew 7: 7-11; Acts 17:11). For example, after being involved in CR for a substantial period of time, God revealed to me the following:
1. Most of the people affiliated with CR do not read their Bibles on a daily basis. Even those who do read their Bibles on a daily basis read corrupted versions of the Bible that have been altered from the original meaning in the original languages such as The Life Recovery Bible and The Celebrate Recovery Bible. One day the Lord revealed to me and said, "CR, by putting together their own version of the Bible has done nothing different than organized cults such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons who have done exactly the same thing. CR members, says the Lord, read the Bible simply to suit their own theology (called presuppositional theology) instead of reading and clearly understanding it as it should be understood in its original context."
2. CR violates the essential doctrines of the Bible (e.g., the identity of Jesus Christ, the infallibility of God's word, and the Trinity). For example, Jesus Christ is referred and given a title in CR as a "higher power". Where in scripture can you find solid Biblical evidence that Jesus Christ ever had a title as a "higher power"? What justifies CR to give such a misrepresented title to Jesus Christ? They only do so in order to be inoffensive to outsiders, especially newcomers affiliated with secular 12 step groups.
Since leaving CR, it was Jesus Christ, God's Son, who set me free from the bondage of my sins. Listen carefully, ONLY JESUS CHRIST CAN SET A PERSON FREE AND FORGIVE A PERSON FROM HABITUAL SINS, NOT A MAN-MADE PROGRAM OF BURDENS AND WORKS. CR put me in a much worse condition spiritually since they do not speak the truth in love, but rather suppress the truth of God's word in order to appease the offenses of outsiders. Therefore, if you truly want forgiveness and deliverance from the bondage of your sins, you must turn to Jesus Christ, God's Son (not a "higher power"), not a man-made program that will only speak lies over your spiritual condition and send you down the pathway to an eternity in hell.
To read more of my testimony and why CR is a man-made program, please visit http://www.exposingcelebraterecovery.org/
Testimony #2: Mr. Brian Kercheval
With love and great respect
As a believer in Jesus, I found my life out of step with God’s calling by drinking too much and later adding drugs.
"In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry." Jon 2:2
Asking for God’s help, direction and repenting from my sin, He instantly freed me from all of the bondage and the chains that were self-inflicted.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1Pe 2:24
Because I knew it was especially important for me being hypoglycemic to stay away from using alcohol, Celebrate Recovery looked like a good idea because everyone involved insisted that it was “Christ Centered” and “Christian Based”. For most of my life, I was a professional musician so right away I was always part of the praise band at CR. After taking part every week, and also musically supporting a few other meetings for a few months, I witnessed many things that were clear indicators that the teaching was not of The Lord.
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. Proverbs 30:5
What I will point out does require true spiritual discernment, therefore I ask all readers to go directly to Jesus and ask for the Holy Spirit to teach you regarding these facts because only he can.
“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him.” 1Jo 2:27
1) Jesus will always be present when "two or three come together in my name" [Mat 18:20] so in spite of the CR meeting itself, when people sing out in praise songs, The Holy Spirit will be present during worship until the steps and principals are read, from that time on, there is no longer a trace of His Spirit present, He simply leaves the meeting and stays away.
2) A veil covers their hearts when the steps are read exactly as described in [2Cr 3:15-18] If one can discern the spirit, you will be overwhelmed with bondage, works/steps and powerlessness which is the absolute opposite of God’s grace and freedom power.
Even to this day when Moses (the law) is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
3) After a vast amount of in-depth studies on the Beatitudes, over 100 commentaries including video sermons, utilizing every cross reference, deep examination of original text usage throughout the New Testament, and having had many conversations with numerous reputable Teachers, Professors and Pastors, I find that the usage of 'The Beatitudes' in CR is a lie. Furthermore, because we are warned so clearly in the scriptures to never to run ahead of The Lords teachings, nor add to, nor subtract from Gods Words, I highly suggest to anyone involved with any form of syncretistic teaching and Bible distortions to stop, turn to Jesus and ask His forgiveness immediately."
Jesus says: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Jesus also stated: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
May your name be found in the Book of Life,
and may your path be guided by the love of Jesus
In His Grip!
Brian D. Kercheval
To read more of Mr. Kercheval's testimonies and Biblical research to reveal that CR is a work of the occult, please visit http://megas-houtos-agape.blogspot.com/
Testimony #3: Mr. Harry Ward
I got involved with cr to share with others how JESUS had given me victory over a 30 year life of sin that was controlled by drugs and alcohol. Four months later our church started the cr program. It didn't take long for me to see how these 12 steps had become the god of almost everyone involved with cr . From the steps to the vain repetitions of the prayers almost everything said and done at our meetings were in contraction of the word of GOD yet I stayed for almost 2 years as the small group leader trying to reach others with the Gospel until it got to the point of me feeling that it was us against them...I know how bad this sounds but it`s the truth. I never saw one life changed or a single person join our church through this program. It was actually our pastor`s praise of this program from the pulpit that opened my heart and mind to see that this was not where GOD wanted me to be...there was nothing good about cr...just another meeting.
Our pastor`s praise of the program put me under serious conviction from GOD...I was compr
Excerpt from "Recovery Awareness":
http://megas-houtos-agape.blogspot.com
Primary Purpose
"Because of first hand witness regarding the influence and relevance of recovery syncretism, my intention is to convey accurate Biblical truth and perspective through an economy of non-inclusive overviews and thoughts. My sole objective is to point to Jesus and His teachings as stated in the Bible while encouraging each reader to study God's word with the guidance from the Holy Spirit. Many of the writings posted are from well-studied authors that sustain my highest recommendation."
For accurate tools to study Alcoholics Anonymous History; and also its origins, founding, original program, and successes, step up to the plate on the very latest two tools. One is the Guide to "Stick with the Winners" See www.dickb.com. The other is the 27 "Stick with the Winners" Video Classes www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com
Dick B. 3 years ago
The Dick B. websites - five in numbr - comprehensively and accurately report the Christian roots of the Twelve Step Movement, the Christian training of A.A.'s founders in their youth in Vermont, the original Christian A.A. fellowship in Akron, the three segments of the Bible most favored for study, and the Bible roots of A.A. including 33 published titles, over 200 articles, and over 70 audio blogs