Friday, December 7, 2012

Dick B.'s 3 Important Books on A.A. and the Bible


A.A. and the Bible

 

Three Excellent Books for Your Holiday Season

 

All three are now available in print on demand and electronic form www.dickb.com/titles.shtml

 

Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved

 

At long last, AAs and Christians in recovery are recognizing the importance in recovery of what Dr. Bob said in his last major talk about the major importance of the Bible in A.A. recovery.

 

In The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks, A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob is quoted as follows on page 13:

 

In early A.A. days. . . our stories didn’t amount to anything to speak of. When we started in on Bill D. [A.A. Number Three], we had no Twelve Steps either; we had no Traditions.

 

            But we were convinced that the answer to our problems was in the Good Book.

 

To some of us older ones, the parts that we found absolutely essential were the Sermon on the Mount, the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, and the Book of  James.

 

Page 14 underlines the continuity of the Bible’s importance. It quotes Dr. Bob as follows:

 

It wasn’t until 1938 that the teachings and efforts and studies that had been going on were crystallized in the form of the Twelve Steps. I didn’t write the Twelve Steps. I had nothing to do with the writing of them.

 

We already had the basic ideas, though not in terse and tangible form. We got them, as I said, as a result of our study of the Good Book.

 

The “Good Book,” of course, was the Bible that both Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson had studied during their Christian upbringing in Vermont, in church, Sunday school, in their homes, in the daily chapel at their academies, in the Young Men’s Christian Association, and – in Bill’s case – in the four-year Bible study course he took while a student at Burr and Burton Seminary in Manchester, Vermont.

 

These facts first propelled me into a study of A.A.’s Bible roots. They caused me to research what Dr. Bob and Bill and Bob’s wife and Henrietta Seiberling and T. Henry and Clarace Williams—as well as many pioneers in their First Edition Big Book Stories—said about how and when they read and stressed the Bible and about which portions were of top priority for recovery.

 

As a result, I published three books which have become landmark guides for AAs, for Christians in recovery, for Christian recovery leaders and pastors, for historians and for meetings.

 

These are they, and they can help you this year (2012) and hereafter as you look for and strengthen your recovery, sobriety, healing, and relationship with God from this point on:

 

Dick B., The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible, Bridge Builders Edition, 1993, ISBN 1-885803-16- 8. www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml.

 

Dick B., The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook, 2006, 1-885803-91-5, http://dickb.com/guidebook.shtml

 

Dick B., The James Club and The Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials, 2005, ISBN 1-885803-99-0, http://dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml

 

All three of these important A.A. and the Bible studies and guides are now available in print on demand and in electronic form. They can be purchased through Amazon.com. If you would like to purchase them at wholesale in bulk, please contact Ken B. at kcb00799@gmail.com.

 

Gloria Deo

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Join us in Cleveland for powerful AA History Workshops in Nov

Cleveland A.A. History Workshops Nov 5 - 8 already gaining supporters and participants. For details, see http://MauiHistorian.Blogspot.com

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Join Us in Cleveland - AA History Workshops Nov 5 - 8


Join Us in Cleveland!

The International Christian Recovery Coalitions Presents

The Dick B. A.A. History Workshops in Cleveland, Ohio

(Tentative Dates: November 5-8, 2012)

 

Why should you consider joining Dick B. and Ken B. in Cleveland in November for these A.A. history workshops? How is your success rate in carrying the message to those who still suffer?

 


 

How much growth have you been seeing in terms of newcomers that are coming and staying?

 

The first Cleveland meeting started in June, 1939 [actually, May 11, 1939] at the home of Abby G. and his wife Grace. It was composed of Abby and about a dozen others who had been making the journey to Akron to meet at the Williams home. But Abby’s group presently ran out of space. . . .

These multiplying and bulging meetings continued to run short of home space, and they fanned out into small halls and church basements. . . .

We old-timers in New York and Akron had regarded this fantastic phenomenon with deep misgivings. . . . [T]here in Cleveland we saw about twenty members, not very experienced themselves, suddenly confronted by hundreds of newcomers . . . How could they possibly manage? We did not know.

But a year later we did know; for by then Cleveland had about thirty groups and several hundred members. . . . Yes, Cleveland’s results were of the best. [Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, 21-22—italics in original; bolding added]

 

What was Cleveland doing? Mitchell K. wrote on page 108 of How It Worked: The Story of Clarence H. Snyder and the Early Days of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio:

 

Two years after the publication of the book [the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous], Clarence made a survey of all the members in Cleveland. He concluded that, by keeping most of the ‘old program,’ including the Four Absolutes and the Bible, ninety-three percent of those surveyed had maintained uninterrupted sobriety. [Emphasis added]

 

Join us in Cleveland November 5-8, 2012! For details, please call Dick B. at 1-808-874-4876 or Ken B. at 1-808-276-4945; or email us at DickB@DickB.com.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Old School A.A. In Canada: Subject of Radio Interview


Mark Galligan Explains How the Christian Recovery Meeting in His Home Applies “Old-School” A.A. Principles in 12-Step Recovery Today






Dick B.

© 2012 Anonymous. All Rights reserved



Synopsis of Dick B.’s Radio Interview of Mark Galligan Today



Over and over each week, my son Ken and I receive emails and phone calls from AAs, NAs, Christian recovery leaders, 12 Step Fellowships, and others in the recovery arena asking virtually the same question and phrased as follows:



I never heard in A.A. or learned anything about how the early A.A. program conducted its successful meetings, and talked freely about God and His Son Jesus Christ and the Bible. I never heard that A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature supports incorporating early A.A.’s principles and practices as an option available in today’s meetings. I get rebuked in meetings if I mention Jesus Christ or the Bible in A.A. meetings. But our group is hungry for more information about “old-school” A.A., and about how to establish and conduct meetings today that will study, discuss, and apply “old-school” A.A. principles and practices now. Where do we start?



In our frequent “Christian Recovery Radio with Dick B.” radio show interviews, we are hearing from leaders all over the world who are telling us how hungry their friends and acquaintances are for information, how much they want to start a study group, and how sorely they need information and guidance as to how to go about it.



Mark’s second interview today lays out clearly some very significant facts about how his Canadian meetings are doing it with great success today in house meetings with up to 20 men—half considered “newcomers” (those who have six months or less of sobriety) and half considered “old-timers” (those who have, on average, 10 years or more of sobriety). And our listeners can learn a lot from Mark’s talk. They can also get in touch with him as a “Christian Recovery Resource Center or Person” associated with the International Christian Recovery Coalition and as a member of the Coalition’s Speakers Bureau Here are some salient points from my interview of Mark Galligan today.



The Meeting Focus:



Like those in early A.A. in Akron, the meetings are held in the home. They are directed at initiating newcomers. The aim is to teach the place that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible had in early A.A.  A number of the members use King James Version of the Bible—the “Good Book” early AAs used. Others use the NIV for its updated language. Mark believes there is no conflict in this usage.



The Tools They Use:



1.      The entire text of the original “Serenity Prayer.” (Many involved in recovery have never heard the full, “long form” version of this prayer.)



2.      Key A.A. General Service Conference-approved books; e.g.:



a.       DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers;

b.      Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age;

c.       As Bill Sees It;

d.      The Language of the Heart;

e.       ‘Pass It On.’



3.      The Little Big Book Dictionary (a dictionary and concordance).



4.      The Anonymous Press Study Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd ed.--each second

Page is blank and enables notes to be made.



5.      The A.A. General Service Conference-approved pamphlet, The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks—stressing Dr. Bob’s last major address where he points out that the old-timers believed that the solution to their problems was in the Good Book (their affectionate name for the Bible), and emphasized as “absolutely essential” Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James.



6.      Dick B.’s The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible



The Conduct of the Meetings:



Members must commit to attending each week. They must do the work. And they must be prepared for the subject matter to be discussed.



Each meeting starts with prayer. Then the text. And then a review of what was learned the previous week.



For the first three months, each newcomer must write down—three pages a day—the “first 164 pages of the Big Book”; including the Preamble, the Forewords, and the Doctor’s Opinion. They are told that, if they complete that assignment, at the end of 90 days they will have completed the 12 Steps. Their attention is called to the mention of God 326 times, and to the descriptions of Him as Creator and Maker.



The Problems in Today’s Meetings:



Mark points to the fact that, in many 12-Step recovery meetings today, one hears little about the Twelve Steps. The meetings can be characterized as “group therapy.” Mention of the words God and Jesus Christ are blocked out. A large percentage of the meeting attendees are not interested in hearing about them. And there is a new brand of talk about I, I, Me, Me.



The Growing  Hunger for Truth:



Mark’s group has taken the group to a deeper layer of appreciating what early AAs actually did in their original Akron “Christian fellowship” meetings. He finds newcomers hungry for the Word of God.



The Importance of Quiet Time:



Consistent with what we are finding all over the world, there is a great interest in the restoration of Quiet Time. Mark finds there is very little talk about prayer and meditation or about Quiet Time in most meetings. It’s missing. This despite the fact that A.A.’s own literature points out that meetings were not considered important in early A.A., but that Quiet Time was a must.



We called attention to some strong movements in that direction. For example, Rock Recovery Ministry of the Rock Church in San Diego is now featuring a new book by The Upper Room, titled Disciplines: A Book of Daily Devotions 2013. For some time, members in the recovery program have sent text messages to each other based on what they have learned about the topic for the day found in The Upper Room. Also, in Texas, Father Bill W., an Episcopal priest who formerly headed Austin Recovery, is now Chair of Episcopal Diocese of Texas Recovery Committee. This committee is making a significant effort in Houston and Austin to plan an effective program of that nature. We also called attention on the program to our popular title, Dick B., Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A., 2d ed. (www.dickb.com/goodmorn.shtml), which reports the historical roots of the Quiet Time practice, and the specifics as to how it was done. E.g., the Quiet Time meeting involved an opening prayer, Bible reading, group prayer, seeking God’s guidance, discussion and/or sharing by Dr. Bob’s wife Anne Smith from her personal journal [see Dick B., Anne Smith’s Journal, 1933-1939 (www.dickb.com/annesm.shtml)], and use of The Upper Room and other devotionals such as The Runner’s Bible, and My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.



Conclusion: Mark summed up by repeating the foregoing items, stressing that there was no room for laziness in today’s recovery work. There are plenty of resources available now for satisfy the growing hunger. He again mentioned the important tools being used in the home meetings in Ontario.







You Can Hear the Mark Galligan July 2 Interview Right Now



You may listen to the second part of Dick B.'s interview with “Akronite” and Christian Recovery leader Mark Galligan on the July 2, 2012, episode of the "Christian Recovery Radio with DickB" show here:






or here:






Episodes of the "Christian Recovery Radio with DickB" show are archived at:










Dick B.’s email:                                                                      DickB@DickB.com

Dick B.’s main Web site:                                                        www.DickB.com

“Christian Recovery Radio with DickB” show archive:        www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com



Gloria Deo

Sunday, July 1, 2012

July1, 2012 All Dick B. Recovery Radio Interviews to Date




Christian Recovery Radio with DickB.



Hear from Christian Recovery Leaders and Workers Around the World





July 1, 2012 – Snippets of our Radio Interviews Thus Far. Many many more to come



Dick B interviews Christian Recovery leader Bill Boyles

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Fri, June 29, 2012



 Our guest, Bill Boyles, is a recovered Christian Recovery leader I have known for many years. I met Bill while doing a series of A.A. Heritage Seminars at the Wilson House (birthplace of A.A. cofounder Bill W.) in East Dorset, Vermont. Bill... more



Dick B interviews Christian Recovery leader Matt Pierce

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Thu, June 28, 2012



 Our guest is Recovery Pastor Matt Pierce of Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, California. Matt is truly a Christian Recovery leader. His church has twice sponsored important International Christian Recovery Coalition workshop... more



Dick B interviews Christian Recovery leader Mark Galligan

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Wed, June 27, 2012



 Mark Galligan is a long-recovered alcoholic, very active in A.A. He is a businessman. He lives in Canada. He is a Christian Recovery Leader and a participant in International Christian Recovery Coalition since its inception in... more



Dick B interviews Christian Recovery leader Bonnie Burke

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Tue, June 26, 2012



 Bonnie Burke is Wilson House President and Managing Director. Her deceased former husband, Ozzie Lepper, poured his money, his life, and his dreams into the restoration of Wilson House in East Dorset, Vermont. Thats the birthplace of... more



Dick B interviews Christian Recovery leader Dale Marsh

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Fri, June 22, 2012



 Dale Marsh is a former Oroville, California businessman. He is married, has two children, and used to run a Tile business that sported facades on some Sacramento, California landmarks. But Dale and his family are devoted... more



Dick B interviews Christian Recovery leader Karen Plavan

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Wed, June 20, 2012



 Our guest is Karen A. Plavan, Ph.D., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is a Christian Recovery Leader and Interim Chairperson of our International Christian Recovery Coalition. In addition, she holds these posts: Director, The Oasis... more



Interview: James Moody, Manna House Ministries, Jamestown TN

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Tue, June 19, 2012



 Our guest is James Moody, head of Manna House Ministries in Jamestown, Tennessee. And Manna House has such an intense, Christian, recovery-oriented program that the best place to get full information is on its top notch... more



Dick B interviews Christian Recovery leader Russell S

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Fri, June 15, 2012



 Russell S. is a long-recovered Christian attorney who lives and practices law in the Miami, Florida area. His office is located at 14707 South Dixie Highway, Suite 302, Miami, FL 33176. Russell is a Christian recovery leader, a participant in... more



Dick B interviews Christian Recovery leader Doug Nunes

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Thu, June 14, 2012



 Doug Nunes is Director of Recovery Ministries at a vibrant A.A. friendly, Recovery friendly, Bible friendly, Newcomer friendly, and Outreach friendly church in Los Gatos, California. The church is Calvary Church, 16330 Los Gatos... more



Dick B Interviews Christian Recovery Leader Edward Grinnan

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Wed, June 13, 2012



 Edward Grinnan is Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Guideposts Publications. He returned from the Alcoholics Anonymous Founders Day Celebrations where he was the keynote speaker at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens--the location of th



Dick B Interviews Christian Recovery Leader Tuchy Palmieri

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Tue, Jun 12, 2012



 Carl "Tuchy" Palmieri is a recovered Christian believer and leader from Connecticut. He stands out as a man dedicated to bringing back to A.A., alcoholics and addicts, as well as all who rely on God for help the important... more



Dick B interviews Ron Glosser & Edward Grinnan of Guideposts

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Fri, Jun 8, 2012



 My guests, Ronald D. Glosser and Edward Grinnan, are playing major roles in AA Founders Day in Akron, Ohio, for June 2012. From Akron, theyll focus on the following points: (1) Ohios Henrietta Buckler Seiberling and her vital role in... more



Dick B Interviews Christian Recovery Leader Father Bill W.

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Thu, Jun 7, 2012



 My guest is International Christian Recovery Coalition participant, Father Bill W. of Texas. Bill is currently Chairman of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Recovery Committee. He has been a continuously sober and recovered alcoholic for 40... more



Dick B interviews Christian Recovery Leader Ray G.

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Tue, Jun 5, 2012



 This one of our interviews of our Christian Recovery Leaders. Ray G., of Newton Falls, Ohio, is our guest today. Ray was long the archivist for Dr. Bobs Home in Akron, Ohio. And was a Managing Directors of the Home. He has a huge,... more



Dick B interviews Christian Recovery Leader Michael Liimatta

by Christian Recovery Radio with DickB

in Religion

on Tue, May 29, 2012



 This is the first interview of one of our many Christian Recovery Leaders. Rev. Michael Liimatta of Kansas City, Missouri is our guest today. Michael is a leader in the International Christian Recovery Coalition. He has been a leading... more








Gloria Deo


Saturday, June 23, 2012

Preview: Bill W.-The Man You Thought You Knew- 8 Video Series


Bill W.: The Man You Thought You Knew



Dick B.

© 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved



My son Ken and I are now preparing a series of eight videos—titled “Bill W.: The Man You Thought You Knew”--which will present key details about Bill W. as they should be told. These videos will include the latest findings in our research, visits, and reviews.



You’ll hear about Bill’s paternal grandfather, William C. (“Willie”) Wilson, and his conversion experience on Mt. Aeolus before Bill was born--a story Bill was told many times by his mother--including the part about Willie’s salvation and deliverance from alcoholism.



You’ll hear about the little East Dorset Congregational Church--located between the Wilson House and the Griffith House in East Dorset, Vermont--where Bill W. was born and raised; where his paternal and maternal grandparents attended; where his parents attended and were married; and where Bill himself went to Sunday school and received much of his Christian upbringing.



You’ll hear about Bill’s studies of the Bible with his maternal grandfather, Fayette Griffith, with his friend Mark Whalon, and as part of the required, four-year Bible study course he took at Burr and Burton Academy.



You’ll hear about Bill’s attendance at required daily chapel at the Academy and his presidency of the Young Men’s Christian Association during his senior year there.



You’ll hear about Bill W.’s memories of his parents’ singing religious songs; his recollections of the sermons and music at the family church; and his participation in conversion meetings, revivals, and Temperance meetings.



You’ll hear about Dr. Silkworth’s telling Bill he could be cured of his alcoholism by the Great Physician, Jesus Christ.



You’ll hear how Rowland Hazard reacted to Dr. Carl Jung’s advice by making a decision for Jesus Christ. You’ll hear how he helped to get Ebby Thacher into Calvary Mission where Ebby accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 



You’ll hear what Ebby Thacher really told Bill about the Calvary Mission and other events; how Bill checked out Ebby’s story by listening to his testimony from the Calvary Church pulpit the night before Bill went to Calvary Mission; and how Bill decided that perhaps the Mission could help him too.



You’ll learn that Bill went to the Calvary Mission, then went to the altar, and then—as his wife Lois put it—in all sincerity went up and “handed his life over to Christ.”



You’ll find out that Bill wrote twice that he had been “born again”; that his wife Lois was overjoyed with his “rebirth”; and that Bill wrote his brother-in-law that he had “found religion”—just as Ebby Thacher had said  (“I’ve got religion) and done.



You’ll see how Bill again descended into darkness and depression, but felt he should call on the Great Physician for help. How Bill told Dr. Silkworth at the hospital that he had “found something.” How Bill cried out to God for help in his hospital room, how his room suddenly blazed with an “indescribably white light,” and how he sensed the presence of God in his room. And that he really thought (and later wrote) “Bill, you are a free man. This is the God of the Scriptures.”



You’ll learn how Dr. Silkworth told Bill he had had a “conversion experience”; how Bill read William James’ book, The Varieties of Religious Experience, which contained many accounts of cure of alcoholism by such experiences; and how Bill never again doubted the existence of God and never had another drink.



You’ll see that Bill W. bounded out of Towns Hospital on December 18, 1934, with a Bible under his arm, and rushed around telling drunks wherever he could find them that they must give their lives to God. You’ll find that Bill even had some temporary success with people like the little chemistry professor, but that he failed for six months to enable any to “stay” sober.’



You’ll see in later editions of the Big Book further Wilson remarks.  For example, in the second through fourth editions, one of Bill’s comments was that “the Lord” had cured him of his terrible disease and that he just wanted to keep talking about it and telling people. You’ll learn that he told this to the wife of Bill D., A.A. Number Three. Bill D. then repeated Bill W.’s statement, and declared how important it had been for the A.A. program and for him personally.



You’ll see that, in the third edition of the Big Book, Bill told a newcomer that what had accomplished the miracles was right in front of him. Bill pointed to a painting of Jesus praying at the Garden of Gethsemane; and Bill said: “There it is.”



You’ll learn that one of the required actions for early AAs was that each one had to declare his belief in God—not “a” god, God! Then every early newcomer was required to confirm his relationship with God by accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in what was called a “real surrender” (if he was not already a child of God).



You will wonder why the several films about Bill, why the many recorded talks, why the multiple biographies and the “official” A.A. literature and other historians have failed to detail these stories that help make the real Bill W. known and better understood.



You will now be able to watch the videos in this new series, read The Conversion of Bill W. book, and find out the facts. In the past, they have been scattered and sometimes inadequately presented. Now you will see that they are laid out in Bill’s own autobiography, in many biographies of Bill and Lois and Dr. Silkworth, in extensive writing about Rowland Hazard and Ebby Thacher, in some histories, and in many interviews over a 20-year period. These videos, together with The Conversion of Bill W. book, will make a much-fuller Bill W. story known.

A Site for Sore Eyes: Tammy's New Cause and Website

http://www.indiegogo.com/addictionrecovery

AA Meeting Formats: Old School, Early A. A. Meetings Today


Where can I find helpful suggestions for an old school AA Christian recovery meeting content?



A question tendered to us with more and more frequency as the Christian Recovery Movement Roars Forward



Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved



Though many of those contacting us more and more are interested in old school A.A., are devoted Christians, and are enthusiastic about A.A., they have often felt that they are not  qualified, not well enough versed, or are not able to lead such an effort. In fact, they will very often opt for existing A.A. language than endeavor to grasp the new objectives (report how old school A.A. was actually conducted with great success as a Christian Fellowship; review how much our present-day conference-approved literature actually supports an old school approach by those who want God’s help; and show how old school A.A. can be conducted in harmony with present-day Traditions, language, and manner of presentation and allow Christians and those wanting God’s help the freedom to do what early A.A. Christians did, and get what they got—long-term sobriety plus a new life in Christ assuring them the choice of God’s love, power, forgiveness, healing, deliverance, redemption, and guidance enabling them to walk by the spirit and receive the fruit of the spirit)



Here, then, is the road we suggest be traveled



1. Stick with the Winners! How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature. The first part of chapter one (including the footnotes), and especially chapter seven, cover meeting formats. See especially the free articles available online and the books listed on page 81--such as By the Power of God: A Guide to Early A.A. Groups & Forming Similar Groups Today (especially Chapter 12: "Guides for Groups Direct from A.A.'s Pioneers")



2. The "Stick with the Winners!" video class. See especially these videos:



18 Organizing and Conducting a “Conference-Approved Literature” Group

 19 Resources for Your Group and Its Meetings

 20 Topics for Your Group and Its Meetings

 21 A Sample Meeting Format

 22 Using the Sample Meeting Format with Other Topics

 23 Putting It All Together: Some Suggested Basic Approaches



3. The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed. See especially these chapters:



Chapter 8:  The Highly-Successful, Original Akron A.A. Program, as Summarized by Frank Amos and Quoted in DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers.

Chapter 9:  14 Specific Practices Associated with the Original Akron A.A

            "Christian Fellowship" Program Bill W. and Dr. Bob Developed



 Chapter 13: Helping the Newcomer with a Full Set of Spiritual Tools



 Chapter 14: Some Suggested Tools with Which to Arm the Nestling about to Be

 Flung out of the Nest



 Chapter 15: Helping a Christian to Begin Recovery Today


Friday, June 22, 2012

The Agape Circle - Here's Where You Can Help






The Agape Circle



By Dick B.



© 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved



An event of great significance occurred recently with regard to our work of unearthing, collating, reporting, and disseminating the history of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian Recovery Movement.



We devoted 20-plus years to travel, interviews, examination of books and records, visits to archives, acquisition of massive historical documents and books, and then analyzing them and reporting them—one by one—as the truth appeared.

The cost was quite large. It would have been far beyond my reach, resources, and retirement income financially. It involved the cost of printing, shipping, and storing more than 40 titles, a number of which have gone through several editions and/or reprintings. It involved the large cost of traveling with attendant air fare, transportation, meals, lodging, and incidentals. It involved the expenditure of an immense amount of time and effort by my son Ken B. and many others. And, of course, it involved acquisition, maintenance, and replacement of office equipment, supplies, and incidentals. Finally, one of the most expensive—yet productive—aspects was traveling to meetings with scores of AAs, NAs, treatment people, significant people in A.A.’s history, historians, curators, clergy, physicians, and large numbers of Christian recovery leaders, workers, newcomers, and the concerned public—travel which in some cases involved staying a week or more in a given area.



For the past six months, we have worked hard to scale back all the typical past expenses of books, travel, printing, computers, storage, Internet presentations, conferences, and meetings.

In doing so, we have made known to a growing body of churches, clergy, recovery pastors, care pastors, and Christian recovery leaders our plan to continue our work of making the application of time-honored Christian recovery tools available to a host of people and institutions in the recovery arena, including those who want God’s help, and may be receptive to Christian fellowship of the kind manifested in First Century Christianity, the early Akron A.A. Christian fellowship, and in the hearts and minds of hungry recovered, recovering, and new alcoholics and addicts and those with life-controlling problems.



The need exists because of the secularization of our society and our recovery fellowships, programs, and movements. It exists because of the dearth of information today about the effectiveness of Christian recovery organizations, leaders, and societies long before and at the founding of the modern-day Twelve Step and Anonymous groups. And it exists because of the incredible lack of knowledge among those who treat alcoholics and addicts and their families, those who counsel them, those who speak about them, those who lead them, those who sponsor them, and those who serve them. Not to mention the lack of knowledge among those who are new to recovery from the ravages of alcoholism and addiction.



The Plan for the Agape Circle



Several churches have already recognized the modest need and are contributing $50.00 per month each to Dick B. to support the continued research, writing, expansion, counsel, and growth of the application of “old-school” A.A. and its Christian principles and practices in Alcoholics Anonymous, other 12-Step programs, and other recovery work today.

For large cost items, we still invite and do receive tax deductible donations that enable the remaining work. And we still define the needs and invite the gifts.



But for the day-in-day-out work right here on Maui, our dream is to have a circle—an “Agape Circle”—of at least 20 Christian churches or recovery groups and leaders who will graciously provide a monthly stipend payable to Dick B. in amount of $50.00 each month to further work in the Christian Recovery arena.



As stated, several are doing, or are about to do, just that. We believe the amount is reasonable. We have specific plans to live within the Agape Circle contributions. And we will deeply appreciate your becoming part of the Agape Circle with your church or recovery program, or Christian fellowship.



The answer desired?



Yes, Dick. Our group will help your work by sending to Dick B., PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753 a donation of $50.00 per month as our contribution to the Agape Circle.



Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Address:  _____________________________________________________________________

Phone and email:  _______________________________________________________________

Amount we will send each month: $  ________________________________________________



For more information, please contact me:

Dick B.

PO Box 837

Kihei, HI 96753-0837

Email: DickB@DickB.com

Main Web site: www.DickB.com

H/O tel.: (808) 874-4876

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Dick B. Radio Interview of Director of Christian Recovery Doug Nunes

Another Terrific Radio Interview of a Vibrant Christian Recovery Leader
Doug Nunes of Los Gatos California Calvary Church
Dick B.
Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved
We urge other Christian Recovery leaders, participants in International Christian Recovery Coalition, and those who want God’s Help in recovery from alcoholism and addiction to begin listening to Dick B.’s archived radio interview shows on www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com.

You may hear "Dick B. interviews Christian Recovery leader Doug Nunes" on the June 14, 2012, episode of the "Christian Recovery Radio with DickB" show here:
http://goo.gl/CoHFG
or
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christian-recovery-radio-with-dickb/2012/06/14/dick-b-interviews-christian-recovery-leader-doug-nunes
"The Christian Recovery Radio with DickB" radio show episodes are archived at www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com.
dickb@dickb.com
Gloria Deo

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The June 2012 Wish List for Those Supporting Dick B.'s Work

June 2012 Project Wish List of Dick B. for Christian Recovery Progress

Those Who Have Participated in, Helped with, and Supported Our Work
May Want to See What Can Now and Will Be Done

• To begin and complete video reviews—in brief spurts—of each of Dick’s 30 reference books. We want to take each book, briefly discuss it, and include a picture of the cover. Then Ken and I will summarize the subject, review the book contents, and present an updated, documented video statement of what we have since found and established. The first example will be “Bill W.” We will
build on www.dickb.com/conversion.shtml. Many of the download items will be free.

• To begin presenting all our books, videos, audios, and historical articles for downloading by our followers and those who want accurate, inexpensive, articulation of the entire A.A. History and Christian Recovery Movement as we have seen and reported them. We will expand what has already begun on www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com. We plan a new series of videos on books and downloading the books as mentioned above.

• To raise the funds from one or more benefactors to place before the suffering folks and the recovery community much more of the large body of historical materials like the Printer’s Manuscript of DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, as well as the great body of St. Johnsbury Dr. Bob history now located in part at the Dr. Bob Core Library in North Congregational Church of St. Johnsbury.

• To make all of our books, videos, and classes very affordable and, in some cases, free by several major changes: (1) Putting my entire 30 volume Reference Set in ebook, Kindle, Nook, I-Pod, print-on-demand, and download form. (2) Doing the same with three groups of videos, (a) the 27 Video film class already completed, (b) the free 15 A.A. history and roots videos already complete but yet to be placed on our web. (c) the new series of video teachings that will accompany each of my 30 or so books.

• To continue to produce and present dozens and dozens of our A.A. history and Christian recovery materials on: (a) ChristianRecoveryRadio.com www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com, (b) Our many blogs such as http://MauiHistorian.Blogspot.com, (c) Our several websites such as www.dickb.com, http://drbob.info, www.dickb-blog.com, http://FreedomRanchMaui.org. and www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com. (d) Our articles on Word Press, Digg, forums, In The Rooms, Go Articles, Hub, Stumble, recovery social posts, Facebook, Twitter, and other media that are rapidly becoming more available.

• To attend several regional workshop-meetings like those held this last year. But only when and if the trip costs are funded as to travel, meals, and lodging; and the facilities themselves are free. These visits, meetings, and workshops have proved invaluable in expanding the number of Christian recovery resource centers; participants in International Christian Recovery Coalition; interviews, radio programs, videos, audios, study groups, fellowships, outreach, and treatment work, plus similar presentations and programs of  Christian Recovery leaders, programs, counselors, chaplains, churches, and fellowships.

• Possible regional conference-workshops could be planned, funded, and held in Miami, East Dorset-St. Johnsbury Vermont, Tennessee, Chicago, Toronto, Texas, Washington DC, and Arizona.

Please contact Dick B. and/or Ken B. at 808 874 4876, dickb@dickb.com, or by mail if you believe you can help and support these wish list objectives.
 

Listening to Dick B.'s Tuesday Christian Recovery Leader/Author Interview

Listening to Today’s Dick B. Radio Interview of Christian Recovery Author and Leader Carl “Tuchy” Palmieri of Bridgeport, Connecticut
Dick B.
Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved
You may listen to Dick B.'s interview of Carl "Tuchy" Palmieri here:
Dick B. interviews Christian Recovery leader Carl “Tuchy” Palmieri, June 12, 2012
http://goo.gl/5djyT
or here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christian-recovery-radio-with-dickb/2012/06/12/dick-b-interviews-christian-recovery-leader-tuchy-palmieri

Listening to past and forthcoming Dick B. Interviews on Christian Recovery Radio
By going to www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com. And all of these interviews are
archived at and can be accessed and heard at your leisure on www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com – interviews page
dickb@dickb.com
Gloria Deo

Monday, June 11, 2012

Funding Our Projected, Scaled-down, Continued Projects

The Agape Circle
By Dick B.
© 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved

An event of great significance occurred recently with regard to our work of unearthing, collating, reporting, and disseminating the history of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian Recovery Movement.
We devoted 20-plus years to travel, interviews, examination of books and records, visits to archives, acquisition of massive historical documents and books, and then analyzing them and reporting them—one by one—as the truth appeared.
The cost was quite large. It would have been far beyond my reach, resources, and retirement income financially. It involved the cost of printing, shipping, and storing more than 40 titles, a number of which have gone through several editions and/or reprintings. It involved the large cost of traveling with attendant air fare, transportation, meals, lodging, and incidentals. It involved the expenditure of an immense amount of time and effort by my son Ken B. and many others. And, of course, it involved acquisition, maintenance, and replacement of office equipment, supplies, and incidentals. Finally, one of the most expensive—yet productive—aspects was traveling to meetings with scores of AAs, NAs, treatment people, significant people in A.A.’s history, historians, curators, clergy, physicians, and large numbers of Christian recovery leaders, workers, newcomers, and the concerned public—travel which in some cases involved staying a week or more in a given area.
For the past six months, we have worked hard to scale back all the typical past expenses of books, travel, printing, computers, storage, Internet presentations, conferences, and meetings.
In doing so, we have made known to a growing body of churches, clergy, recovery pastors, care pastors, and Christian recovery leaders our plan to continue our work of making the application of time-honored Christian recovery tools available to a host of people and institutions in the recovery arena, including those who want God’s help, and may be receptive to Christian fellowship of the kind manifested in First Century Christianity, the early Akron A.A. Christian fellowship, and in the hearts and minds of hungry recovered, recovering, and new alcoholics and addicts and those with life-controlling problems.
The need exists because of the secularization of our society and our recovery fellowships, programs, and movements. It exists because of the dearth of information today about the effectiveness of Christian recovery organizations, leaders, and societies long before and at the founding of the modern-day Twelve Step and Anonymous groups. And it exists because of the incredible lack of knowledge among those who treat alcoholics and addicts and their families, those who counsel them, those who speak about them, those who lead them, those who sponsor them, and those who serve them. Not to mention the lack of knowledge among those who are new to recovery from the ravages of alcoholism and addiction.
The Plan for the Agape Circle
Several churches have already recognized the modest need and are contributing $50.00 per month each to Dick B. to support the continued research, writing, expansion, counsel, and growth of the application of “old-school” A.A. and its Christian principles and practices in Alcoholics Anonymous, other 12-Step programs, and other recovery work today.
For large cost items, we still invite and do receive tax deductible donations that enable the remaining work. And we still define the needs and invite the gifts.
But for the day-in-day-out work right here on Maui, our dream is to have a circle—an “Agape Circle”—of at least 20 Christian churches or recovery groups and leaders who will graciously provide a monthly stipend payable to Dick B. in amount of $50.00 each month to further work in the Christian Recovery arena.
As stated, several are doing, or are about to do, just that. We believe the amount is reasonable. We have specific plans to live within the Agape Circle contributions. And we will deeply appreciate your becoming part of the Agape Circle with your church or recovery program, or Christian fellowship.
The answer desired?
Yes, Dick. Our group will help your work by sending to Dick B., PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753 a donation of $50.00 per month as our contribution to the Agape Circle.
Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Address:  _____________________________________________________________________
Phone and email:  _______________________________________________________________
Amount we will send each month: $  ________________________________________________

For more information, please contact me:
Dick B.
PO Box 837
Kihei, HI 96753-0837
Email: DickB@DickB.com
Main Web site: www.DickB.com
H/O tel.: (808) 874-4876

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Three Alcoholism/Addiction Christian Recovery Tools Right Now!

Three Christian Recovery Tools You Can Use Right Now!
By Dick B.
© 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved
Are you a Participant in the International Christian Recovery Coalition? (No charge! Free! www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com). Are you a Christian leader or worker in the recovery arena involved in carrying a message of hope to alcoholics, addicts, and others suffering with life-controlling problems? We may have just what you need to enhance the effectiveness of your Christian Recovery effort!
We are excited to announce the availability of three Christian Recovery tools that may be used together or separately to help you carry the message about the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.’s astonishing successes and that they can play in today’s recovery scene. Our three years of conferences and meetings throughout California—beginning with the Mariners Church conference in Irvine in May 2009—have produced a package of three spiritual tools that are much-needed today and should be a part of any Christian Recovery outreach effort. The three tools are:

1. The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., by Dick B. and Ken B. This Guide provides comprehensive information about the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.’s astonishing successes and how that information may be applied today. The Table of Contents, and details about how to acquire this Guide for $30.00 plus Shipping, are here: http://www.dickb.com/index.html#Resource3.
2. Stick with the Winners! How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena by Dick B. and Ken B. This book may be used for individual study, as a group leadership tool, as a tool for use in a study group or fellowship, as a class, or as a seminar or conference presentation guide. The Table of Contents, and details about how to acquire this Guide for $9.95, are here: http://www.dickb.com/index.html#Stick_with_the_Winners!
3. The 27-video “Stick with the Winners” class by Dick B. and Ken B. This just-released class (May 2012) comprised of 27 videos complements the other tools. The videos may be played individually or as a group to enhance your Christian Recovery outreach. The list of video titles, and details about how to acquire this class for $29.95, are here: http://christianrecoveryradio.com/#Stick_with_the_Winners
Facts to Ponder as You Decide
Let’s start with two different points. Points we urge you to consider now:
1. Free: It costs nothing to become a participant in International Christian Recovery Coalition. And already there are participants in almost every one of the United States as well as in a number of other countries. We want the Christian Recovery Movement to continue growing worldwide. We believe there is a real need and calling for its mission. We welcome as participants and urge any and all people, institutions, fellowships, and ministries to view www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com.
2. Active: Many of our participants, as well as many Christian alcoholics and addicts are Christian recovery leaders, workers, newcomers, and members of the public who, and organizations which, are already offering Christian recovery in their areas of interest and expertise.
But there are many others who want to become active now and in the future. They don’t know where to start. They don’t know how to proceed. They have often been wrongly dissuaded from such work. Yet they hunger for the means to serve and glorify God by getting active with friends, churches, and fellowships. These include those who:
a) Now have, or want to establish, a Christian recovery fellowship.
b) Now belong to a Christian church or religious organization, and want to establish a Christian recovery group or fellowship or
program in that facility.
c) Want to begin studying, learning, discussing, and furthering in the recovery community today: (1) the principles and practices of the First Century Christians as described in the Book of Acts, (2) the principles and practices of the early (old school) Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship – which was often called “First Century Christianity at work,” (3) the daily focus and effectiveness of this old-school, Bible-based A.A.,  and the application of that program to recovery from alcoholism, addiction, and life-controlling problems in today’s recovery arena, and (4) the tremendous value today of utilizing the 24/7 (we call it “daily”) fellowship, contact, learning, reading, studying, meeting, praying, love, service, tolerance, and witnessing—all as to the power, love, healing, forgiveness, wholeness, guidance, and walking by the spirit of God with other like-minded believers.
d) Want to act as purposeful, successful, serving, truly loving examples among those who have become children of the living God, new creatures in Christ, and ambassadors for Christ.

e) Recognize they can’t practice, give to others, and serve God in the way that A.A. and similar fellowships urge if they don’t know or understand or have not themselves attained and mastered.
f) Want to collaborate, network, strengthen—with and through the knowledge and experience of others--an informed body—the body of Christ--consisting of individuals, groups, fellowships, programs, facilities, and institutions that know, believe in, and endeavor to apply old school A.A., First Century Christian principles and practices, and the best in 12 Step Fellowships and Step principles that exist today.
g) See our International Christian Recovery Coalition, its mission, its participants, and its projects, as a new and essential and vibrant part of a growing, world-wide, effective answer to the ravages of alcoholism, addiction, and their societal effects. An ever-present answer where there is an absence of what was called “Divine Aid” by those who believed neither individuals nor any human power could solve the problem. And, of course, that God could and would if He were sought.
Again, here are the three tools and information on how to obtain them:
1. The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., by Dick B. and Ken B. This Guide provides comprehensive information about the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.’s astonishing successes and how that information may be applied today. The Table of Contents, and details about how to acquire this Guide for $30.00 plus Shipping, are here: http://www.dickb.com/index.html#Resource3.
2. Stick with the Winners! How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena by Dick B. and Ken B. This book may be used for individual study, as a group leadership tool, as a tool for use in a study group or fellowship, as a class, or as a seminar or conference presentation guide. The Table of Contents, and details about how to acquire this Guide for $9.95, are here: http://www.dickb.com/index.html#Stick_with_the_Winners!
3. The 27-video “Stick with the Winners” class by Dick B. and Ken B. This just-released class (May 2012) comprised of 27 videos complements the other tools. The videos may be played individually or as a group to enhance your Christian Recovery outreach. The list of video titles, and details about how to acquire this class for $29.95, are here: http://christianrecoveryradio.com/#Stick_with_the_Winners
For more information about these and other Christian Recovery resources available from Dick B. and Ken B., please contact me by email at DickB@DickB.com or by phone at 1-808-874-4876, or Ken B. by email at kcb00799@gmail.com or by phone at 1-808-276-4945. Additional details are available on some of my Web sites:
www.DickB.com
www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com
www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com.
Gloria Deo