Don't Beat Me Down....

Seems as though there are a lot of folks out there who are anti-12 Step. Internet is full of responses from people who claim that the 12 steps is anti-Christian, and that it is nothing more than a brain washing technique. Some write on blogs that the 12 steps keeps more people in addiction than it brings freedom to their lives. All manner of "Stuff" is being spouted by many a folk. I am not here to argue one way or another.

I know it works.
I know that it has made a difference in the lives of addicts and alcoholics.
Why?
Jesus. That's why.
We have saying at Rapha.
"Jesus will save your soul, but He isn't going to keep you sober."
This may seem like a misnomer at first, but let me explain.
When the 12 Steps speaks of a Higher Power, we recognize that Jesus Christ is our higher power. Since A.A. isn't a church or a religion, but rather a way of life, the original founders came to the conclusion that everyone will have to decide on who the Higher Power is. Here again, the intent of A.A. is sobriety. As a person told me once, "You really can't work the 12 Steps and not hit your head on the cross." But the truth is, not everyone is interested in Jesus. That is their sad lot in life.

Jesus, upon our salvation, empowers us to begin walking out this new life. A person coming out of addiction needs some structure and discipline to aid them in this new beginning. That is what the 12 Steps do. They provide a structure and balance to that undisciplined life. Kind of a check list on how to keep our sobriety.
In 13 years of working and ministering to people who are trying to break free and live a life of sobriety, I can truthfully say that the words of A.A.'s big book are true...."Rarely have we seen anyone fail who follows these steps."

At Rapha, we offer two kinds of recovery.
Recovery....
And Recovery +.
Recovery is a person simply working the steps as best they can, under their own will power. Is it possible to be clean and sober by this manner? It is, but there is something dearly lacking in the person who choose to simply recover. What might it be? Life! Real life! Life given from God. I kid you not. A peace that truly invades the very being of one who has surrendered to Jesus that brings stability to them.

Recovery + is exactly what I wrote in the last paragraph.
A life that has surrendered to Jesus, and now has real "power" to live clean and sober.
For those who rail against the 12 steps, I can only say one thing.
I have seen those who were totally trapped by addiction work the steps.....
Now they are clean and sober and living productive lives.
How can you argue with that?

God on you....
mb