God is mentioned often in AA. But 'who' do we believe in? 'God' is our HP. Our Higher Power. What our Higher Power is does not matter, as long as we trust.
As has been mentioned, Religion does not have a place in AA. Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Pagan or whatever. I will be honest and say I am a Pagan. However, the Bible is also a wonderful Tome. I was talking on FB about how I speak my mind and how that has gotten me into trouble. Someone directed me here... Matthew 5:13. I looked that up in my Grandfather's Bible from 1931, that page was marked...
Okay Dori, ... I get confused easily ... I was trying to 'relate' that Good Book passage to the point of your post ... about how 'speaking your mind can get you in trouble' ...
I'm still having trouble making the connection, but no worries ... it's all good ... ... ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
"You are the salt of the earth." For me, this means I am just that, a human. Salt is essential and so are Humans. Salt enhances the taste of food. Humans enhance the lives of other Humans. One of those things that is difficult to explain I guess.
Hey Dori, ... ... ... Be sure that you read the Good Book 'in context' to discern it's message ... ... ... in this case we must begin at the beginning of chapter 5 ... to see exactly who this message is from and to whom it is addressed to ...
In this case, Jesus is teaching His disciples here at this point ... (those that gave up everything they valued, just to follow Jesus) ... and He tells them, they are the 'salt' of the earth, and if they continue to heed His teachings, they will be as flavor the to peoples of the earth ... and if they fall to the 'way side' of the 'Word of God', then they become tasteless (useless) and like salt that has lost it's flavor, not worth anything but to be trampled under foot ... (lesson? ... always keep the faith in God and spread your knowledge to teach others)(otherwise ... well, you can see where this is going ...)(if you are following the teachings of Jesus, then YOU are the 'salt of the earth')
AA promotes a 'spiritual connection' to a 'higher power' and the AA Big Book mentions God many times ... why do you think that is ??? ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Another way of looking at your program Dori? If you work these steps religiously... It always is a play on words. I work the steps religiously that or risk the inevitable "next drink". I gotta have it in line 1 thru 12 and all of the ESH I will every be able to remember from mind and heart which I have learned within the rooms and face to face encounters. I work it religiously.
It's my belief and my experience of over 30+ years that done this way keeps me sober, serene, sane. ((((Hugs))))
pappy, good to see someone who studies scripture!! it can be quite confusing and taken out of context. its always good to read the whole chapter that a verse is in to get an understanding of the context. my thinkin says if im salt, my heart should blow up! :)
Well, ... my doctor told me to reduce my salt intake too ... ... you know, the 'blood pressure' thingy ...
but just so everyone else understands ... the reference to salt and the world was that the followers of Christ were called that because they enriched the lives of others ... much like salt does for the flavor of food ...
Thanks for your kind comments Tomsteve, God Bless
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'