Sunday, May 27, 2012

Galatians 2:17-18

Now if, as we seek the real truth about justification, we find we are as much sinners as the Gentiles, does that mean that Christ makes us sinners? Of course not! But if I attempt to build again the whole structure of justification by the Law then I do, in earnest, make myself a sinner. (Phillips)


It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 85)


Out of alignment
I reclaim my course,
tried, proven untrue,
but so logical, so cogent, so clear.
And so wrong.
Of myself I am nothing.
I become something only when
abandoning myself
I yield to God, to a higher will
a greater good
to the real truth.
The gifts received, recovery gained,
persist conditionally
dependent on my choice
of acceptance or rejection
each this day.

I give up, God.
I still can't run my life.
It's in your hands.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Galatians 2:15-16


“We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified..." (NASB)




"...I knew from that moment that I had an alcoholic mind. I saw that will power and self-knowledge would not help in those strange mental blank spots. I had never been able to understand people who said that a problem had them hopelessly defeated. I knew then. It was a crushing blow." (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 42)



Impossible.
Can't be done.
Never in a million years —
I know because I tried a million times.
It's no more my nature to be good
than it's to be expected
those monkeys can type
Shakespeare's writings.
But those "in the know"
call the monkey-feat
the mathematical term "almost surely."
Sure.
In a pig's eye.
Sure.
In God's hands.

I can't, God.
But you can.
If I turn lose, you will.
Won't you?