Daily Reprieve

[Carol87]

THE KILLER

“Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 84

Resentment kills a fool...” Job 5:2

For what it's worth: Hate and revenge filled my drunken mind, driving me into a rage that alcohol often and easily could have directed toward criminal behavior; instead there were just the thoughts…all it took to fuel my drinking enough to nearly murder me. Thanks to the grace of God, I was able to stop drinking in Alcoholics Anonymous. And, thanks largely to the Fourth and Fifth Steps, I was able to identify and admit my resentments. And God allowed me to see not only my part in the resentments, but what I did to hurt others to cause them to resent me. That realization put resentment on the bus; a forgiving attitude got off and stayed with me; and, yes, thoughts and memories of past hurts can come back for short visits, but their baggage contains no resentment. I remember well the horrible burden and inner turmoil of resentment, so I know how good my Heavenly Father is to me, freeing my heart and soul of the killer, resentment.

God bless you!
Joe W.

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The Daily Reprieve is intended only for the good of readers. The excerpts from the book, Alcoholics Anonymous are reprinted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (AAWS). Permission to reprint these excerpts does not mean that AAWS has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication, or that AAWS necessarily agrees with the views expressed herein. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only - use of these excerpts in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, or in any other non A.A. context, does not imply otherwise. Additionally, while A.A. is a spiritual program, A.A. is not a religious program. Thus, A.A. is not affiliated or allied with any sect, denomination, or specific religious belief.

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[Carol87]

ALL THE GLORY

“The notion that we would still live our own lives, God helping a little now and then, began to evaporate.” 12&12 p.75

“…All he has done has been done through God." John 3:21

For what it's worth: God was so disappointed in me that he would do nothing for me. So, I would show Him, I would do nothing for Him. I drank over that insane belief and attitude about God until alcohol nearly killed me. Only then did I attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. There I stopped drinking - and much more. There I admitted powerlessness and unmanageability. There I experienced hope of a sane and spiritually healthy belief about God. There I decided to give my life and my will to God daily. That was the start of a magnificent journey with God. Certainly, this miracle required time and my resistance caused pain, but I was taught there must be no half-measures. I know now that God was never disappointed in me. Actually, He loved me despite my rejection of Him, and He carried me to this path that we travel. God guides me every step of the way. And, no doubt, all the progress is His. I give Him all the glory!

God bless you!
Joe W.



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The Daily Reprieve is intended only for the good of readers. The excerpts from the book, Alcoholics Anonymous are reprinted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (AAWS). Permission to reprint these excerpts does not mean that AAWS has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication, or that AAWS necessarily agrees with the views expressed herein. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only - use of these excerpts in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, or in any other non A.A. context, does not imply otherwise. Additionally, while A.A. is a spiritual program, A.A. is not a religious program. Thus, A.A. is not affiliated or allied with any sect, denomination, or specific religious belief.

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[Carol87]

NO SACRIFICE, ALL GAIN

“We have gained some understanding of the ancient words ‘Freely ye have received, freely give.’" 12&12 p.166

“Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

For what it's worth: Surely no one was insane enough to want what I had: misery, despair, loneliness, anxiety, to name a few. Looking back I see I was the one insane enough. I had it. Even more irrationally, I resisted getting rid of it. But it grew too heavy. Just before it buried me or locked me away, I attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. There, almost like they had been waiting for me, I found a bunch of tricky, caring drunks, all sober long periods. They taught me a fool-proof method, simple but profound, for a once worthless drunk like me to stay sober and grow spiritually. I could never have thought of it on my own. My thinking was too self-centered. They not only told me, they showed me how to do it. “Give it away to keep it”, they said. They talked it and they walked it. My own experience is that, doing what they did, I never sacrifice anything, I gain everything.

God bless you!
Joe W.

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The Daily Reprieve is intended only for the good of readers. The excerpts from the book, Alcoholics Anonymous are reprinted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (AAWS). Permission to reprint these excerpts does not mean that AAWS has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication, or that AAWS necessarily agrees with the views expressed herein. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only - use of these excerpts in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, or in any other non A.A. context, does not imply otherwise. Additionally, while A.A. is a spiritual program, A.A. is not a religious program. Thus, A.A. is not affiliated or allied with any sect, denomination, or specific religious belief.

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[Carol87]

“THANK YOU!”

“This to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 566(568)

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:15

For what it's worth: Thanksgiving my foot! The only thing to be thankful for back in my drinking days was that I quit. And I can take no credit. Alcoholics Anonymous and a Higher Power deserve it all - for that and everything worthwhile since then. Nothing of value happens in my life by the grace of Joe. By the Grace of God, however, I have been repeatedly and generously blessed, counting only the ones I know. What about all the others? I am certain all manner of God’s gifts are given throughout each day anonymously, protecting me, guiding me, loving me – simply being my Heavenly Father. I believe it is impossible to ever repay Him. It may even be insulting to His Love for a weak and needy person like me to think I could. He is just thrilled that I say “Thank You!” in the morning, all during the day, and at night just before bed. He and I know what a miracle that is!

God bless you!
Joe W.



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The Daily Reprieve is intended only for the good of readers. The excerpts from the book, Alcoholics Anonymous are reprinted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (AAWS). Permission to reprint these excerpts does not mean that AAWS has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication, or that AAWS necessarily agrees with the views expressed herein. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only - use of these excerpts in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, or in any other non A.A. context, does not imply otherwise. Additionally, while A.A. is a spiritual program, A.A. is not a religious program. Thus, A.A. is not affiliated or allied with any sect, denomination, or specific religious belief.

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[Carol87]

HOPE OF EVERLASTING JOY

“To those of us who have hitherto known only excitement, depression, or anxiety -- in other words, to all of us -- this newfound peace is a priceless gift.” 12&12 p.74

“My gift will become a spring in the man himself, welling up into eternal life." John 4:14

For what it's worth: Alcohol reduced my life to a stinking dump full of the garbage of rage, hate, fear, and shame. I was nearly buried under the weight of all that waste. Instead I was lifted out of the dirt and slime and carried to a place of peace, Alcoholics Anonymous. There I have been transformed from deep inside, granted a close relationship with a God of my understanding, and found hope of everlasting joy. What a priceless gift, indeed!

God bless you!
Joe W.


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The Daily Reprieve is intended only for the good of readers. The excerpts from the book, Alcoholics Anonymous are reprinted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (AAWS). Permission to reprint these excerpts does not mean that AAWS has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication, or that AAWS necessarily agrees with the views expressed herein. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only - use of these excerpts in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, or in any other non A.A. context, does not imply otherwise. Additionally, while A.A. is a spiritual program, A.A. is not a religious program. Thus, A.A. is not affiliated or allied with any sect, denomination, or specific religious belief.

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