Thursday, February 19, 2015

Galatians 3:5

I ask you again, does God give you the power of the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you as a result of your trying to obey the Jewish laws? No, of course not. It is when you believe in Christ and fully trust him. ~ Galatians 3:5 (TLB)



Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on our own power. We had to have God’s help.

This is the how and the why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, page 62


Quit playing God.
But I'm so good at it!
And after all
we're only talking
about the little things.
I'll leave the big ones to God...
Salvation
Condemnation
The destruction of the world.
But he's so busy.
He can't worry about a little lie,
just a half truth, really,
to not hut feelings.
Or about what I eat,
whether the chicken fry
or another baked fish. Phew!
I can handle this.
What do you mean, baloney?
You don't trust me?

God, you love me.
You care about me.
Nothing's to little for your concern.
I'll let go, release it all,
and really mean that prayer,
your will, not mine,
be done.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Galatians 3:4



Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? ~ Galatians 3:4 (NASB)



We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, page 24




WhenEVER will I learn?
Must I allow the same lesson
to be pounded into my head
again
and again
and AGAIN???
I know I do it to myself,
that I have a taste of recovery
then toss it away
again
and again
and again.
But at some point I learn
recovery feels better
than my addiction
that I don't want the illusive prize
and choose to hold the real one
and my experience
can bless others
doing what they would not do
again and again and again.

God, let it be sooner
rather than later.
Let me listen to those
who have learned the lesson.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Galatians 3:3

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? (Galatians 3:3 NIV)



We were in a position where life was becoming impossible, and if we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could; and the other, to accept spiritual help. (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 25)


Powerless.
Life out of control.
I can do this
with sufficient willpower,
if I follow the rules,
if I use my logic,
my experience,
what I read of how it's done...
but then again
I've tried that.
Failed at that.
Fell flat on my face.
I can't do it
and have demonstrated that
in every manner for many years.
I give up.
But I have a Spirit
who will take over
if I just let go,
take direction,
and do as I'm told.

Thank you, God,
for proving I can't
but you can.