Galatians 3:7

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. ~ NIV

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Never talk down to an alcoholic from any moral or spiritual hilltop; simply lay out the kit of spiritual tools for his inspection. Show him how they worked with you. Offer him friendship and fellowship. Tell him that if he wants to get well you will do anything to help. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, page 95

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We walk a new walk
that is old for others
but we who feel like dwarfs
and look on those well-placed
on the path
as giants on whose shoulders
we are allowed to stand.

Abraham was a man
plagued with doubt
prone to lie
questioning
but obeying
on whose life we look back
with twenty-twenty
hindsight
and admiration.
Those who went before
were not giants
nor are we when we've walked
some miles
but we must accept those
who see us as we perceived
or predecessors.

God, thank you for the progression
yielding progress
and heroes to emulate.

Galatians 3:6

So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (NIV)

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We must lose our fear of creditors no matter how far we have to go, for we are liable to drink if we are afraid to face them. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition (Kindle Locations 1207-1208).

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Credit, debit,
it's a spectrum,
a swinging door,
a teeter-totter.
It's more fun to be the have
than the have not,
to be able to give
than to need to take.
But what if the chips
are not symbols of money
but are blessings
life righteousness,
like love,
like understanding?
It's more fun to be the have
then as well
especially
for we lose none
of the blessings we share.

God, thank you for flowing blessings.
Give me the wisdom to pass them no
and see them expand to us all.

Galatians 3:5-6 (added bonus)

Galatians 3:5-6

So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (NTSB—check that, same as yesterday’s quote)

The doctor said: “You have the mind of a chronic alcoholic. I have never seen one single case recover, where that state of mind existed to the extent that it does in you.” Our friend felt as though the gates of hell had closed on him with a clang. 

He said to the doctor, “Is there no exception?” 

“Yes,” replied the doctor, “there is. Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring since early times. Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 27

We’ve tried.

Followed the rules,

pursued the rabbit tracks,

tried and failed

again and again.

Willpower, resolution, determination, 

threatened consequences,

actual loss…

nothing works.

Is there no exception?

Yes.

Here and there

once in a while

it happens —

a vital spiritual experience.

We believe what we’ve heard

and miracles happen.

God, grant me serenity.

Grant me awareness

I’m powerless,

Give me a miracle.

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)

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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

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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.

Galatians 3:4

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

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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

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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.

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)

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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)

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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.

Galatians 3:1

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? (NIV)

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Yet all reasons for not drinking were easily pushed aside in favor of the foolish idea that he could take whiskey if only he mixed it with milk! (Alcoholics Anonymous 36-37)

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Knowing better,
having experienced the glory
of doing it well,
of living recovery,
of achieving alignment
of my life with His...
Despite years of study,
repeated recommittals,
leadership roles,
extensive service...
Cognizant it's counterintuitive,
embarrassed to fall short,
to miss the mark,
to have settled for less...
God, I know I'm foolish,
that I'm a failure.
No, not a failure.
I'm yours, you made me,
and you don't make failures.
But I know better.

Help me to choose better.

God, I know I'm foolish.
Let me turn loose,
surrender,
and be the success you choose

to make me.