Sunday, July 31, 2011

New Dick B. YouTube Program on "Prayer and Meditation" - AA 11th Step

New Dick B. YouTube Channel Program features "prayer and meditation," "Quiet Hour," "Quiet Time," "Morning Watch" roots of A.A.'s Eleventh Step. Coming shortly. www.dickb.com/goodmorn.shtml

Electronic Forms Now Available for Dick B. Books

Three of Dick B.'s A.A. History Books are now in ebook form. Use Google to find SMASHWORDS. Use the result to find the 3 books -- James Club, Why Early A.A. Succeeded, and The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook. And then note that each of three different purveyors are offering one of the books each as A FREE EBOOK SAMPLE.

Preview of North American Summit Conference Panelists Sep 17 and 24 in California

Panelists from California: David Sadler, Brentwood; Dale Marsh,Oroville; Wade Hess, San Jose; Dominic DiBlasio, Livermore; Jeff Holt, Auburn; Roger McDiarmid, Huntington Beach; Randy Moraitis, Costa Mesa, Dr. Robert Tucker, Huntington Beach, Bobby Nicholl, San Juan Capistrano, Jeff McLeod, Whittier; Danny Whitmore, Southern California.

Panelists from other States: Wally Lowe, Vero Beach, Florida; Russell Spatz, Miami, Florida; John Burton, Orange, New Jersey; Dr. Karen A. Plavan, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Wayne White, Kansas City, Missouri; Bill Boyles, Wyoming, Delaware; Dick B. and Ken B., Kihei, Maui, Hawaii.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Draft of the Script for Dick B.'s Fifteenth YouTube Program on Quiet Time

The Dick B. YouTube Channel
The History of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian Recovery Movement

[Fifteenth Program: Showing How and Where the Christian Roots of A.A. originating in the Christian Upbringing of A.A. Cofounders Bill W. and Dr. Bob Ultimately Wound Up Directly Influencing the “Old School” A.A. Christian Fellowship Bill and Bob Dr. Bob founded in Akron in June of 1935]

This is the fifteenth presentation on the Dick B. YouTube Channel. It will, in this Fifteenth Program, deal with the impact of one the great evangelists, whose life impacted on the Christian upbringing of Dr. Bob.

There are three topics: (1) The remarks on the Christian roots of A.A. by Dr. Bob. (2) The special place that “prayer and meditation” held in early A.A. (3) The particular Quiet Time contributions of Evangelist F. B. Meyer.

The Remarks of Dr. Bob and His Son on the Christian Roots of A.A.:

He was almost forced as a youngster to go to Church services, prayer meetings, and Christian Endeavor four and sometimes five times a week.
He declared he had had excellent training in the Bible as a Youngster (and his son said his dad had read the Bible from cover to cover three times).
In his last major address to AAs in 1948, Dr. Bob said early AAs believed the answers to their problems were in the Bible and that the basic ideas for the Twelve Steps came from study and effort in the Bible.

Quiet Time, the Biblical Roots, and Their Vital Role in Early A.A.

“Morning devotion and ‘quiet time’ . . . were musts. . . . Morning quiet time continued to be an important part of the recovery program in 1938-1939, as did the spiritual reading from which the early members derived a good deal of their inspiration.” See DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 136, 150. See the biblical basics in Psalm 5:3: “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

Bill W. said: “They would start out in the morning reading from The Upper Room and say the prayers. . . . I sort of always felt that something was lost from A.A. when we stopped emphasizing the morning meditation” See DR. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, 178.

As to Dr. Bob, A.A.’s General Service Conference-approved literature reported: “Prayer, of course, was an important part of Dr. Bob’s faith. . . . Dr. Bob’s morning devotion consisted of a short prayer, a 20 minute study of a familiar verse from the Bible, and a quiet period of waiting for directions as to where he, that day, should find use for his talent. Having heard, he would religiously go about his Father’s business, as he put it.” See DR. BOB, 314.

As to Bill Wilson’s wife Lois, who wrote: “Anne [Dr. Bob’s wife] taught me to have a ‘quiet time’ in the morning that I might feel near to God and receive strength for the day. Children of the Healer, 42-43.

As to Dr. Bob’s wife Anne, their daughter said: “At that time I was getting involved with quiet times they had in the morning. The guys would come, and Mom would have her quiet time with them. . . they’d have their quiet time, which is a holdover from the Oxford Group, where they read the Bible, prayed and listened, and got guidance.” Children of the Healer, 41.

Specific Contributions of Evangelist F. B. Meyer to Early A.A.’s Quiet Time

Francis Brotherton Meyer was born in Clapham, London, on April 8, 1847. Meyer had a close. life-long friendship with the American evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, working with him in England and America. Billy Graham was speaking on the great social reformers of the Keswick Victorian era—mentioning both General William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army) and Meyer. Meyer took the position that for ex-prisoners, alcoholics, and delinquents, conversion to God through Jesus Christ was necessary but not always sufficient. Often, he asserted they also needed jobs and accommodation. George Williams, a trustee at Meyer’s Christ Church--himself a leading evangelist who played a large part in founding the YMCA--was involved in Meyer’s work at Newman Hall. Meyer preached both the need to find salvation through Christ and to give up alcohol. Christian Endeavor—the society in which Dr. Bob was active—was close to Meyer’s heart; and, in 1894, Meyer became the first president of the Central South London Christian Endeavor Union. His evangelism resulted in many conversions. In 1892, he made his first trip to USA and was eventually to go there at least twenty times. In 1898, he went to Washington, opened the Senate with prayers, and had a talk with President McKinley. Frank Buchman—who founded the Oxford Group—first attended Northfield Conventions and heard Meyer speak. Meyer later came to the campus of Pennsylvania State College where he told Buchman to listen more to God than the phones and to work more personally rather than organizing large meetings. Buchman was much influenced by Meyer’s books, especially his Secret of Guidance. Buchman was especially struck by the words, “If any man wills to do His will, he shall know.”

I published my book Good Morning! Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A., Rev. ed., 1988 in order to give the recovery community an authentic view of the origins, practices, and viewpoints about what early AAs called “Quiet Time.” www.dickb.com/goodmorn.shtml. The title of this book was chosen because the subject of Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker’s first radio program was “Good Morning.” There, Shoemaker told his listeners how he set aside the first portion of his day for time with God. With his family, he reached for his Bible. He read a chapter or two. Then they got quiet and spent some time in prayer. In quietness, he said, they prayed for the people, the causes, the immediate problems of the day, and asked God to direct them. He suggested that if his listeners began the day that way, they would have a “good morning,” and a good afternoon, and a good evening—and a good life. Shoemaker was a strong advocate of what was originally called the “Morning Watch” and later came to be known as “Quiet Time.” According to Bill Wilson, Shoemaker’s teachings on this and most of the other Twelve Step ideas were the direct source of influence on Bill’s writing.

Actually, in Dr. Bob’s Christian Endeavor society, the “meditation” practice was called “Quiet Hour.” In the YMCA, it was known as the “Morning Watch.” In the Oxford Group, it became known as “Quiet Time.” And Bill Wilson spoke of it in his Big Book as “prayer and meditation.”

However much F. B. Meyer influenced the men and organizations that shaped early A.A., Meyer certainly crossed their paths. The paths of Moody and Sankey, the YMCA, the Salvation Army, and of the Young People’s Christian Endeavor Society. And in 1896, he gathered and pulled together the ideas he had formulated on God’s guidance. He published The Secret of Guidance.

Here are some of the major points he made (1) the biblical foundations in Psalm 32:8 (“I will instruct thee and teach thee. . .”), Proverbs 3:6 (“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”), Isaiah 58:11 (“The Lord shall guide thee continually”), John 8:12 (“I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness. . .”). (2) surrendering to the will of the Father (John 5:20: “. . . I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me”). (3) “It is for us ultimately to decide as God shall teach us, but the voice may come to us through the voice of sanctified common sense. . .” (4) we must be much in prayer for guidance, James 1:5 (“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not. . .” Meyer presented, in one short chapter, many ideas you can find in the ideas, and even the language of, A.A.’s Big Book on asking God for direction.

End of Program Fifteen:

This presentation focused on how the idea of looking to God for guidance came to A.A. founders from some Christian evangelist heavyweights. The next program will cover the work of two other evangelists of importance. One is the world-famous Billy Sunday. The other is an evangelist of Dr. Bob’s Akron days, Ethel Willitts. We will provide you with further information as to how the deeds of the evangelists—with their conversions, Bibles, prayer meetings, pleas to God for guidance, healings, revivals, and Gospel meetings—found their way into the ideas, principles, and practices of the “Old School” Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship.

I close by giving you pictures of two of my books which more fully detail the facts about the progression of the Christian roots of A.A. into the actual program of the “Old School” Akron A.A. Christian fellowship. The first is Good Morning! Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A., Bridge Builders Edition, 1998 www.dickb.com/goodmorn.shtml, and Bob Holman, F.B. Meyer: “If I Had A Hundred Men” (Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, Ltd., 2007).

Dickb@dickb.com

Tremendous Bargain Dick B. Ref Set Extended Through August 31, 2011

Tremendous Bargain!

July Special Extended—to August 31, 2011!

“Get the Set!”: Part 3

The Entire, 29-Volume,
“Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set”

Only USD $249.00!

Plus Shipping to the Continental United States Is FREE!**
(** Please write Dick B. at DickB@DickB.com for Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and elsewhere. **)

The retail/list price of the 29 volumes purchased separately, with an average price of $23.19 per book:

$672.55

We are offering the entire, 29-volume, "Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set" for:

$289.00
(plus $30.00 Shipping & Handling)**

More than $383.00 dollars off the retail price of $672.55 (if the 29 vol. were purchased separately).

July Special—Extended through August 31, 2011!

Only $249.00—FREE Shipping!*

* Please note: Shipping is FREE for orders shipped within the continental United States. For Shipping charges to other areas, please contact Dick B. via email at DickB@DickB.com for details.*

Save more than $423.00*—and Shipping is FREE **
(* compared to purchasing each of the 29 volumes separately at retail list price)
(** FREE Shipping within the continental United States)

A lifetime treasure embodying Dick’s 21 years of research and writing. This one-of-a-kind, early A.A. history reference set provides books to study at your leisure on nearly every major A.A. history subject: From A.A.'s official cofounders—Bill W., and Dr. Bob—to Dr. Bob's wife Anne (whom Bill W. called the “mother of A.A.”), to others Bill W. called “founders” of A.A. (such as Rev. Sam Shoemaker and William James), to Carl Jung and Dr. William D. Silkworth, to the books and Quiet Time devotionals early A.A. pioneers read, to the roles of organizations such as the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor (of which Dr. Bob was a member in his youth) and the Young Men's Christian Association (of which Bill W. was the president at Burr and Burton Academy, and of which Dr. Bob's father was the St. Johnsbury president much of the time Dr. Bob attended the St. Johnsbury Academy just down the street from the St. Johnsbury YMCA).

Here are the Tables of Contents from the third five titles in the “Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set,” listed in alphabetical order, to whet your appetite for investing in this amazing “Reference Set”:

Introduction to the Sources and Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous

Table of Contents

Ch. 1: Introduction to the Sources and Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous
Ch. 2: The Akron Genesis Period
Ch. 3: The New York Conversion Period
Ch. 4: The Original A.A. Program That Akron Developed
Ch. 5: The Works Publishing Company Program That Bill Wilson Fashioned
Ch. 6: The Reshaping of the Big Book Program [Just After the Big Book's Publishing in April 1939]
Ch. 7: Conclusion

Making Known the Biblical History and Roots of Alcoholics Anonymous
A 16-Year Research, Writing, Publishing, and Fact-Dissemination Project

Table of Contents

Part 1: Historical Research Papers, Letters, Pictures, and Tapes
Part 2: Historical Books, Pamphlets, and Articles on Alcoholics Anonymous
Part 3: Spiritual History and Roots of Alcoholics Anonymous
Part 4: Temperance, Anti Saloon League, Prohibition, Abstinence, Alcohol Books and Pamphlets of an
Earlier Time
Part 5: Recent Books and Articles on Alcoholism, Addictions, and Dependency
Part 6: Details on Our Contributors and Their Collections
Part 7: Our Advisory Council Supporting Members

New Light on Alcoholism
God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A.
(Second Edition)

Table of Contents

Part 1: Sam and A.A.'s Heart

Ch. 1: Sam Shoemaker “Co-founder” of Alcoholics Anonymous
Ch. 2: Sam Shoemaker's New Light
Ch. 3: Sam's Unmistakable Footprints in the Twelve Steps
Ch. 4: The Parallels between the Shoemaker Language and Alcoholics Anonymous Language

Part 2: Sam's Writings and Talks, and A.A.

Ch. 5: The Shoemaker Writings Prior to A.A.'s Big Book
Ch. 6: Sam's Remarks to and about A.A.

Part 3: The Shoemaker Relationship with A.A.

Ch. 7: Shoemaker's Relationship with Bill Wilson
Ch. 8: Sam, the Great Communicator, and His Letters
Ch. 9: Shoemaker and His Bible
Ch. 10: Shoemaker Ideas That “Took” in A.A.

Part 4: Sam's Legacies for Us Today

Ch. 11: The Pittsburgh Afterglow
Ch. 12: What Shoemaker's Contributions Can Mean for All of Us Today

Real Twelve Step Fellowship History
The Old School A.A. You May Not Know

Table of Contents

Ch. 1: Introduction
Ch. 2: The Original A.A. Program of Recovery
Ch. 3: The “Absolute Essentials” of the Good Book Program in Akron
Ch. 4: The Substantial Changes in A.A. From 1939 to 1955
Ch. 5: How Adding a History Element to Recovery Can Help the Newcomer Today

That Amazing Grace
The Role of Clarence and Grace S. in Alcoholics Anonymous

Table of Contents

Part 1: Getting Acquainted with Grace and Clarence

Ch. 1: My Introduction to Grace
Ch. 2: “Amazing” Grace—A Biographical Sketch
Ch. 3: Now about Clarence

Part 2: As Grace Recalls

Ch. 4: Clarence and A.A.'s Founding Years
Ch. 5: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible
Ch. 6: The Oxford Group Ideas and Influence
Ch. 7: The Big Book, Steps, and A.A. Fellowship

Part 3: The Ministry of Clarence and Grace

Ch. 8: Ambassadors for Christ in A.A.
Ch. 9: Grace Carries On
Ch. 10: The Point of It All

Buy for a Lifetime!

The Entire, 29-Volume,
“Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set”

Only USD $249.00!

Shipping to the Continental United States Included!**

(** Please write Dick B. at DickB@DickB.com for Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and elsewhere. **)

Please go to www.DickB.com for more information about about how to invest in this amazing “July Special” offer. Or send Dick B. an email message at DickB@DickB.com. Or call Ken B. at (808) 276-4945.

Don't miss out on this tremendous bargain!

And if you are considering becoming a “Christian Recovery Resource Center or Person”: Note:

If you have been considering becoming a “Christian Recovery Resource Center or Person,” the entire, 29-volume “Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set”—a $672.55 value (at the total retail list price for the 29 volumes)—is currently being included in the new Participant package at no extra charge! Read more about “Christian Recovery Resource Centers and Persons”—a project of the International Christian Recovery Coalition—here:

http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/christian-recovery-resource-centers.shtml

Friday, July 29, 2011

Panels of Speakers Announced for our Two North American Summit Conferences

Two North American Summit Conferences

Presented by

The International Christian Recovery Coalition


Summit Conference 1

Saturday, September 17, 2011

9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

The Crossing Church
2115 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 645-5050
http://www.thecrossing.com/


Two Panels of Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena

Speaker Panel 1:

John Barton, Historian, Writer, Orange, New Jersey
Randy Moraitis, Executive Pastor of Ministry, The Crossing Church, Costa Mesa, California
Russell Spatz, attorney, Alive Again, Miami, Florida
Bobby Nicholl, Interventionist, Director, Celebrate a New Life at Hope by the Sea, San Juan
Capistrano, California
Danny Whitmore, A.A. Historian, former leader of Roots Revival Group, and of Clarence
Snyder Retreats in Southern California

Speaker Panel 2:

Roger McDiarmid, Coalition Speakers Bureau, Huntington Beach, California
Robert T. Tucker, Ph.D., President, New Life Spirit Recovery Inc., Huntington Beach, California
Dale Marsh, Recovery Pastor, Oroville Church of the Nazarene, Oroville, California
Karen A. Plavan, Ph.D., Professor of Chemical Dependency and Counseling, Director of Oasis
Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jeff McLeod, Executive Director, Overcomers Outreach, Inc., Whittier, California



Two North American Summit Conferences

Presented by

The International Christian Recovery Coalition


Summit Conference 2

Saturday, September 24, 2011

9:30 AM to 8:00 PM

Golden Hills Community Church—Brentwood Campus
2401 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood, CA 94513
(925) 516-0653
http://goldenhills.org/

Featured Speaker: Don Hall, Don Hall Ministries, Colfax, California

Two Panels of Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena

Speaker Panel 1:

Jeff A. Holt, Men’s Recovery Fellowship, Auburn Church of the Nazarene, Auburn, California
Dale Marsh, Recovery Pastor, Oroville Church of the Nazarene, Oroville, California
Dominic DiBlasio, Turning Point Recovery Ministry, Cornerstone Fellowship—Livermore
Campus, Livermore, California
Roger McDiarmid, International Christian Recovery Coalition Speakers' Bureau, Huntington
Beach, California
Wade Hess, Training Director, CityTeam Ministries, San Jose, California

Speaker Panel 2:

Mark Galligan, Leader, “Akronite” Recovery Group, Ontario, Canada
David Sadler, Christian recovery leader serving Golden Hills Community Church, Brentwood,
California
Karen A. Plavan, Ph.D., Professor of Counseling an Chemical Dependency, Director of Oasis
Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Danny Whitmore, A.A. Historian, Former Leader of A.A.Roots Revival Group, Leader, Snyder
Retreats in Southern California
Wayne White, Certified Substance Counselor, President and CEO, Footprints/Alcoholics
Victorious, Kansas City, Missouri

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

AA Big Book 1st Edition Reprint - Intro by Dick B. - to be released September 2011

First Edition Reprint by Dover Publications - with extensive introduction by Dick B. - has just reached us and will be released in September. It will open your eyes as to what the original A.A. program looked like when the personal stories were included in it. Thanks to Dover Publications

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

21 Dick B. Titles Now Listed in Hollis Classic Full Catalog at Harvard University

Thanks to a distinguished psychiatrist at Beth Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, a set of my 29 reference titles has been placed in the Harvard Library System. And now, thanks to him, 21 of my titles are listed in Hollis Classic Full Catalog at Harvard, with miscellaneous titles also listed in World Catalog under Harvard. Dick B. www.dickb.com/titles.shtml

The James Club and the Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials now in ebook smashwords

The James Club and The Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials
Ebook By Dick B
Published By first.edition.design.ebook.publishing
Rating: Not yet rated.
Published: July 26, 2011
Category: Non-Fiction » Self-Improvement » Addiction and recovery
Category: Non-Fiction » Religion and Spirituality » Christianity
Words: 52121 (approximate)
Language: English



Ebook Short Description
Early Akron AAs wanted "The James Club" to be the name of their fellowship. The Bible's Book of James was their favorite; they also studied it, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13. These three Bible segments were considered "absolutely essential" to their program. This book takes each verse in James, the Sermon, and 1 Cor 13, and shows the influence of such verses on A.A. language.


Extended Description
For years, A.A. has quietly acknowledged, primarily through one publication, that the early A.A. pioneers in Akron believed firmly that the answer to all their problems was in the "Good Book," as they called the Bible. A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob said that all the basic ideas were taken from their study of the Good Book. And he added many many times that the three parts of the Bible the old timers considered "absolutely essential" to their spiritual program of recovery were: (1) The Book of James. (2) Jesus's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). (3) 1 Corinthians 13, Paul's famous chapter on "love."

You can find the foregoing remarks in A.A.'s DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, in pamphlets published by Akron AA, and in several talks given through the years by Dr. Bob himself. And it was even his co-founder friend Bill Wilson who spoke of the studies of James, the Sermon, and Corinthians; the reading of these passages by Dr. Bob's wife Anne to Bill and Bob; and the fact that--as Bill put it--"J... (Read more)







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bible, sermon on the mount, aa history, 12 step program, big book, book of james, james club


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Dick B "Why Early AA Succeeded" now available as an ebook

Monday, July 25, 2011

A Dedicated, Recovered, Christian AA Wonders How to Handle Arrogant Reprovers - and my answer

Thank you, Marybeth. I have been continuously sober for more than 25 years. And I’ve heard it all. In fact, I “fired” both my naïve sponsor and his naïve sponsor because they consistently claimed that people who read the Bible get drunk, persistently objected to my bringing my sponsees to our Bible fellowship, and surreptitiously did everything they could to prevent my bringing the author of Pass It On, and Dr. Bob’s son, and an Oxford Group person to speak before a huge and warm audience of some 800 AAs.
These people don’t have a clue about A.A. history. They don’t read or quote A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature like DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers and Pamphlet P-53 that make it crystal clear that the basic ideas for the Steps came from the Bible and that the early AAs not only studied the Bible, but paid particular attention to the Book of James, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13. The pioneers, including Bill, Dr. Bob, and A.A. Number Three read all kinds of Christian literature. They used daily Christian devotionals like the Upper Room, the Runner’s Bible, and so on. And there is lots more. In fact, Akron AAs boldly called themselves a “Christian Fellowship.” A.A. is no longer a Christian fellowship, but it most certainly has tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of practicing Christians who love God, His Son, and the truth in the Bible. That’s a major reason why I wrote “The Good Book and The Big Book.” And there are many more of like nature.
Today, I wonder why you need a sponsor at all. And if I had one that talked like yours, I would get rid of her in a minute, thank her for what she’s done, and tell her you stand on A.A. Conference-approved literature and your right to do exactly what the early AAs did—believe what you wish, worship where you wish, study what wish, talk as you wish, and help others to do the same.
These people are not police. They do not govern. The Traditions (though not binding) make it clear that they are just “servants.” And the Traditions also make clear that we are not to trench on the next person’s religious beliefs. In fact, the Big Book plainly talks about “helpful books.” It suggests finding them with the aid of one’s rabbi, minister, or priest. It says: “Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they have to offer.” Many of these frustrated egotists seem to believe they are soldiers in some kind of army and that they are the First Sergeants who have been called to enforce Army Regulations. Yet there are none!
Now for the solution:
  1. If you are not already a participant in our International Christian Recovery Coalition, you would bless us by being listed – at no cost to you. And, you need only read our mission statement on
www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com and, if you approve, provide me with a listing like “Marybeth Behringer, Recovered believer, street address, city, state, and zip”
  1. Among the many participants in the Coalition, you can find the names and locations of a large number of Christian men and women who have long-term sobriety, do not desire to leave A.A., and do
wish to enable others to learn the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played and can play in recovery for those who want God’s help. In fact our history is filled with documentation
that such behavior has long been a part of the A.A. Society.
  1. If at all possible, consider attending one of our two California conferences in September where you can meet, hear, and share with countless others who have been in the same straight jacket they tried to put you in, but chose to rely on our Heavenly Father for guidance, strength, forgiveness, healing, and deliverance.
Please feel free to phone Ken or me at any time to bolster your confidence and wonderful objective and service. The days of A.A. will be limited by just how much close-mindedness these idolatrous, autocratic, bleeding deacons sound off and drive others out of A.A. or into Christian groups like Celebrate recovery, or to a life without the power and love of God.
That is not what our founders did or sought.
I wish you the very best with your study group. And I particularly admire the caution you have taken to avoid offending the out-of-line A.A. trouble makers.
Our mottoe is “Christians in the recovery arena are not alone.”
God bless,
Dick B.
Author, 42 titles & over 500 articles on A.A. History
(808) 874-4876
PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837
Ps 118:17 (NJB):
I shall not die, I shall live to recount the great deeds of Yahweh.

From: Marybeth [full name withheld]
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 3:51 PM
To: Dick B.
Cc: Ken Burns
Subject: Need your feedback
Hi Dick/Ken,
I'm the person who just ordered 10 copies of your book, "The Big Book and The Good Book".
Need your feedback on this situation: 2 years ago I started a study group called "The Step and Scripture" meeting. We made sure we did NOT classify it as an AA meeting. Our preamble states clearly that it is NOT an AA meeting and it's purpose is to grow in spirituality by studying the 12 Steps of AA in conjunction with the Scriptures.
We first used the book, "The 12 Steps for Christians"....and now are about finished with "The Life Recovery Bible Workbook".....and next is your book which we are all looking forward to. Our meeting is NOT listed in the AA schedule of meetings..people came by word of mouth, and it is a small group.
I have received some major criticism from my sponsor (past tense) who says "I'm in violation of the Traditions of AA" and that the study group takes away from AA's clarity of message - she went on to say," the founders of AA were so convinced that it would be wrong to link AA to Christianity and why would Jesus need a 12 Step program anyway? There is no way in my mind that a Christian program using the 12 Steps is NOT linking it to AA, especially when AA's are attending the meeting. The churches do a very good job of providing Christian bible study."
So, that's a direct quote from her. I have tried to explain that the purpose of the group is to study how the Steps and Scripture are interwoven....to "improve our conscious contact" with our God....and now we're about to embark on your book.
I don't know how many years you've been sober Dick, but probably long enough to understand some of these attitudes. It was never my intent to harm AA or violate Traditions, only to learn more about God, this marvelous Fellowship of AA, our history, the relationship between Steps and Scripture.
If I'm wrong in any of my motives or endeavors, please provide your honest and open feedback. I welcome it. Then again, if you'd rather not do that, no problem, I respect that. I think the study group is really an "outside issue" - yes, we're borrowing the 12 Steps from AA, but I believe this study group does not conflict at all with AA's primary purpose, to stay sober and to help the suffering Alcoholic. Most of the members of the study group are AA members.
Thank you for your interest and help if you or Ken are in a position to provide some insights and direction, and perhaps better explanation for those who sit in judgement.
God Bless you both.
Marybeth

"Why Early A.A. Succeeded" (a Bible study primer) now in electronic form

Now available through print-on-demand and ebook. Order through Amazon.com

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Wisconsin confessional Lutheran Pastor the latest to participate in International Christian Recovery Coalition AND to establish a Christian Recovery Resource Center

Listing for Rev. Dalrymple – to be listed as a participant in International Christian Recovery Coalition AND as a Christian Recovery Resource Center:



Participant Listing:



“Rev. Tylan Dalrymple, confessional Lutheran Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church
P. O. Box 31, 1080 Meilahn St., Chetek, WI 54728, 715-924-2552”



Christian Recovery Resource Center Listing:



            “Rev. Tylan Dalrymple, confessional Lutheran Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church,

            Sunday Worship, Wednesday Bible study, Recovery group centered around

International Christian Recovery Model,

P. O. Box 31, 1080 Meilahn St., Chetek, WI 54728, 715-924 2552 revtylan@gmail.com


The 15th Dick B. YouTube Presentation Script - The Summit Conference Sept 24

The Dick B. Channel on YouTube



The History of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian Recovery Movement



Video 15



The North American Christian Recovery Summit, September 24, 2011



This is the fifteenth presentation of the Dick B. Channel on YouTube. The subject was to have been a continued discussion of the Christian upbringing of A.A. cofounders Bill W. and Dr. Bob as a youngsters in Vermont.



But we interrupt the series to tell you about the first North American Summit of the International Christian Recovery Coalition at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, California, on Saturday, September 24, 2011. This is the first major summit meeting of Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, newcomers, and the public, since the Coalition was formed in July 2009 just following the conference at Mariners Church Community Center in Irvine, California, in May 2009.



This summit is free. No registration is required. The public is invited. And it will be the first gathering of Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, of newcomers, and of the public, where we will be hearing: (1) how Christian recovery has been moving; (2) how it is incorporating the “old school” Akron A.A. and Cleveland A.A. Fellowship programs; (3) what leaders are doing now and suggest for steps forward. If you are one of those who wants: (1) to stay in existing 12 Step and other recovery programs; (2) to stress the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have played in the recovery movement; and (3) to apply those “old school” A.A. principles in recovery today, then this is a great opportunity you will not want to miss.



We here present the program of the North American Summit of the International Christian Recovery Coalition on Saturday, September 24, 2011, at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, California, as it has tentatively been arranged:



The Theme:



Using Principles of the Akron-Cleveland Christian Recovery Model

to Enhance Substantially Today's Christian Recovery Efforts

The Tentative Northern California Meeting Program Schedule



Friday Evening, September 23: (We'll announce place and time when speakers and panels set)



            Possible workshop meeting with International Christian Recovery Coalition Participants



Saturday, September 24, 9:00 AM. Admission Free! No Registration. Be early for best seats!



            Pre-meeting music, program literature, exhibit tables, and hospitality

            Commencing prayer

            Welcome by Matt Pierce, Pastor of Recovery Ministry, Golden Hills Community Church

            Theme presentation by Dick B., Exec. Dir., International Christian Recovery Coalition

                        Christian Recovery Resource Centers and Persons” Worldwide—on the Move!

                        Learning about the Astonishing Success of the Original Akron A.A. “Christian                              fellowship” Program and How to Apply Its Principles and Practices Today

                        How the Early Cleveland Program Built upon the Original Akron program and

                                    Set the Stage for Christian Recovery Opportunities Today

            Break and Music

            Vision presentation by Ken B.

                        The International Christian Recovery Coalition and “Christian Recovery Resource

                                    Centers and Persons”: Supplying Critically-Important, Missing Pieces in

                                    Modern Christian Recovery Efforts

            Lunch Break (We're told there are about 75 eateries within a 5 minute walk from church.)

            Featured Christian, Recovered Speaker: Don Hall of Colfax, California

            Break and Exhibit Tables

            First Speakers Panel:

                        David Sadler, Recovery Ministry, Golden Hills Community Church, Brentwood

                        Dale Marsh, Recovery Pastor, Serenity Group, Church of the Nazarene, Oroville

                        Wade Hess, Training Leader, CityTeam Ministries, San Jose, CA

                        Dominic DiBlasio, Turning Point, Cornerstone Fellowship, Livermore, CA

                        Jeff Holt, recovery fellowship, Church of the Nazarene, Auburn, CA

            Break and Music

            Second Speakers Panel:

                        Ken Jones, Pastoral Counselor, Melbourne, FL

                        Bill Boyles, President, Won Way Out, Wyoming, Delaware

                        Craig G., Christian Recovered AA, Rohnert Park, CA

                        Danny W., founder, A.A. Roots Revival Group; Clarence S. (Cleveland) sponsee

            Dinner Break

            International Christian Recovery Coalition Future Plans: Dick B. and Ken B.                    

            Christian Music Concert

            Closing Prayer



Our Conference Reward

for Those Who Want God’s Help and Can Learn the Facts



The last 21-plus years of research and learning about the real “old time” A.A. of 1935-1940 in Akron and Cleveland, and how it developed, has produced a rich treasure of facts about how the early AAs achieved astonishing success. The simple, seven-point program outline by Frank Amos on page 131 of the A.A. General Service Conference-approved book DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers acquainted early AAs with their problem and defeat due to alcoholism. It then stressed surrender to God by coming to Him through Jesus Christ and obeying God's will. It encouraged spiritual growth through prayer meetings, Bible study, “Quiet Time,” reading Christian literature. And it encouraged early AAs to focus on love and service to others in need.



By learning these simple facts, and how the Akron approach was further refined in Cleveland A.A. beginning in May of 1939, those in recovery need no longer: (1) Wallow in the talk of nonsense “higher power” gods that abounds in today’s recovery scene. (2) Try to fathom the mystical “spirituality” which is little understood and poorly articulated by those who advocate it. (3) Fruitlessly rely on meetings and group strength to get well, rather than believing that God could and would relieve them if He were sought.



Early A.A. principles and practices are being used by the few that know them in today’s 12 Step and Christian recovery fellowships. And these principles and practices appear to hold great promise of making possible successful recovery today similar to that achieved by earlier Christian recovery pioneers.



This fifteenth presentation has covered the North American Summit of the International Christian Recovery Coalition we hope you will attend on Saturday, September 24, at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, California. The next program--our sixteenth--will cover the remaining two Christian evangelists of importance--F.B. Meyer and Billy Sunday—that impacted on the Christian upbringing of A.A.’s cofounders as youngsters in Vermont.



I close by giving you pictures of three of my books which more fully detail the facts about the “old school” A.A. programs in Akron and Cleveland in the late 1930’s. The first is The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous. The second is The James Club and the Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials. And the third is Real Twelve Step Fellowship History.


"Alcoholic" Christians -Our Recent Post on That Subject

Thanks for your continued, temperate, reasoned comments. I believe I should mention the enormous and continuing growth of the International Christian Recovery Coalition. In colloquial terms, it is "AA friendly, Bible friendly, History friendly,and Recovery friendly." It stresses the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have played and can play in recovery today. Almost all of the growing number of participants in the coalition are recovered former alcoholics and certainly Christians. They have long-term sobriety. They don't want to castigate A.A. or Twelve Step Fellowships. They recognize how much support they received in A.A. in their dismal, seemingly hopeless early days - days when clergy and church and Christian fellowships were not seen as welcome alternatives to A.A. Today, the scene is changing. These folks are almost universally rejecting the A.A. "wisdom of the rooms" which dotes on godless "higher powers," New Age spirituality, idolatry, and worship of the creature rather than the Creator. That is not A.A. as most of us knew it and experienced it. Nor as we participate in it today. We focus on helping others by glorifying and serving God. And we cherish the 24/7 help one can almost always get on request when the dark days plunge him into despair, hopelessness, fear, anxiety, and sometimes return to drink. It is God's ever-present availability that we emphasize. In early A.A. days, He was sought diligently, believed in completely, and accessed through His Son Jesus Christ. The standard for truth was in the Bible. And none of these factors has changed. You can be a fine, devoted child of the one true living God; find what help is available in A.A.; and place your trust in the care, love, forgiveness, healing, and deliverance of Almighty God. I did. We do. And "It works!" Dick B., Executive Director, International Christian Recovery Coalition.

The Oxford Group, Bill W.'s "Steps," and Ebby Thacher

Go to my main blog for this discussion: www.mauihistorian.blogspot.com

Lingering Questions About the Oxford Group, Bill W.'s "Steps," and Ebby Thacher


[The following interchange has been lightly edited]

From: Dick B. [mailto:dickb@dickb.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 9:38 AM
To: 'Karen H.'
Cc:
Subject: RE: Oxford Group



I don’t believe you read my answers carefully. And I suggest you do that first and then make your comments on the supposed contradiction. Also, you should read the variant six “ideas” in my title The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous. Have you done so? Also, I am not sure you are conversant with the difference between the original Akron program, the alleged six “word of mouth” ideas that Bill claimed were circulating in various ways, and the actual twelve steps which Bill seems to have fashioned in half an hour—building on his alleged six “ideas” and the Oxford Group twenty-eight and Shoemaker’s teachings about them. If you read Shoemaker, you will see almost verbatim transpositions from Shoemaker’s language to Step language.



As to what Ebby learned, conveyed, and said at which time and place, I don’t believe there is any reliable information about that. However, if you read Turning Point, you will read what I found at Stepping Stones twenty years ago, and some lengthy comments that Bill said were made by Ebby.



I do not want to get caught up in discussions which take off from misconceptions of the facts I laid out. If you have not read Turning Point, and if you have not studied the relevant pages of Bill’s Story, then you have failed to understand what we do know. Ebby transmitted IDEAS to Bill, not steps. When he transmitted them is not clear to me though it would Appear that it occurred when Ebby first visited Bill or perhaps at the time of Bill’s final hospitalization at Towns.



Again, there were no A.A. six steps. There were no Oxford Group six steps. There were no Oxford Group “steps” at all. That has been documented by Willard Hunter and by remarks in A.A. Conference-approved literature. And there were no twelve steps until Bill wrote them in December of 1938. There were 28 Oxford Group ideas which are thoroughly discussed in my book, The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous. These have been verified and endorsed by several leading Oxford Group activists including Garth Lean, Michael Hutchinson, James Newton, Eleanor Newton, and Willard Hunter—along with the many Oxford Group people who have read and discussed my points with me personally. Bill said he got the ideas for Steps 3 through 12 from the teachings of Sam Shoemaker (an Oxford Group leader).



In sum, to get the factual picture in focus, you should read the following titles I have written: (1) Turning Point. (2) The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous. (3) The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous. (4) New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A. You should also master the Big Book pages in Bill’s Story which say that “my friend” came to the hospital and went through the exercises there stated—exercises bearing close resemblance to the actual twelve step ideas written several years later in 1938.



God bless,



Dick B.



From: Karen H. [last name withheld]
To: Dick B.
Subject: RE: Oxford Group



<><>
Hi Dick,

I appreciate your comprehensive response! Your answers #5 and #8 seem to conflict: #5: Bills' own invention was that there were six ideas which he expanded to twelve. #8: Bill was informed of all 12 steps by Ebby. Am a little confused so hope you can expand. Thank you Dick.

Lastly, if Ebby gave the Steps to Bill, when did he do this--at the time Ebby told Bill that he, Ebby, got religion? And where did Ebby get the 12 steps?

Hope to hear from you soon! Merci, Karen :-)

--- On Thu, 7/21/11, Dick B. wrote:

From: Dick B.
Subject: RE: Oxford Group
To: "'Karen H.

Received: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 2:51 AM
Thank you very much for writing. Several comments:
  1. You need to obtain and read Pamphlet P53—the Cofounders last major speeches and biographies. Dr. Bob tells you explicitly what they did and didn’t have. They had no Steps, no Traditions, no Big Book, no drunkalogs, and no meetings as we know them today.
  1. They used the Bible and particularly studied and stressed the Book of James, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13.
  2. The Oxford Group had no steps – ever. Not six, not twelve, none! You can find that in Pass It On. To find out what the Oxford Group’s 28 principles were (reviewed and endorsed by many Oxford Group people who read my work), read Dick B. The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous, 2d ed. See www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml. Buy it there or on Amazon.
  1. Dr. Bob explicitly said that all the basic ideas for the Steps came from the Bible. See Dick B., The Good Book and the Big Book www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml and The James Club: The Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials. www.dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml.
  2. A.A. never had any six steps, nor did the Oxford Group--no matter what you may read. Bill’s own invention was that there were six word-of-mouth ideas from which he expanded to the Twelve Steps. Different folks, he said, differed about what they were and how they were used. See Dick B. The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous www.dickb.com/Akron.shtml
  1. The original Akron Christian Fellowship program founded by Bill W. and Dr. Bob in Akron in June, 1935, was summarized by Frank Amos as having seven points―five required and two recommended. See DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 131. And we have identified 14 practices they used to implement the 7 principles. It is all laid out in The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010. See order form on www.dickb.com first page.
  1. Many A.A. critics—a few Christian and many others in and out of A.A.—violently oppose the Oxford Group, not realizing that Bill and Lois left it in August of 1937; and Bill began work on his Big Book in 1938 obtaining the Step and Big Book ideas largely from three sources: William James, Dr. Silkworth, and Rev. Sam Shoemaker of Calvary Church in New York. Akron’s only significant connection with the Oxford Group there was in holding a Wednesday night meeting at the home of T. Henry Williams. Even there, the alkies often held their group meeting in a different room from the Oxford Group’s meeting.
  1. Students of the Big Book and those who read my book Turning Point (www.dickb.com/turning.shtml) can learn that Bill was informed of all twelve step ideas by his friend Ebby Thacher.
You can find the summary on pages 12-14 of the 4th edition Big Book; and you can find the full details of what Bill related about Ebby and the Steps in Turning Point.
  1. I hasten to point out that A.A. has drifted so far from God and the Bible and also from the Oxford Group that you will hear more phony stories about these subjects than you will the truth.
Please favor me with your name, mail address, phone, and email. And do keep in touch. Thanks again. You are the second in a day or so to raise Oxford Group questions, and this is healthy!
God bless,
Dick B.

From: Karen
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 1:11 PM
To: dickb@dickb.com
Subject: Oxford Group
<><><> <>
Hi Dick,
Could you give us the answer to the following question please?
After Bill and Dr. Bob met and were just beginning to help others, did they use the Oxford Group's 6 Steps to help other alcoholics? Would you also expand on what they did do if they didn't use the 6 Steps?
Thank you so much,
Karen :-)

Friday, July 22, 2011

A number of Dick B. Books Will Soon Be available as electronic books

Books by Dick B. have been available as print books--and, more recently, as Print-On-Demand (P.O.D.) books--for many years. We are about to make some of those books available as electronic books (also known as "e-books," "ebooks," "eBooks," and "digital books"). An electronic book is a book-length publication in digital form which is readable on computers and other electronic devices, such as dedicated hardware devices known as eReaders or eBook devices. Personal computers and some cell phones can also be used to read eBooks.

These "eBooks" will soon be available through major online retail outlets such as Amazon (via the Kindle devices and apps), Apple's iBookstore (iBooks for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices), Barnes & Noble (via the Nook devices), Google eBookstore, Sony (via the Reader devices), Diesel, Kobo (via the eReader devices), and over 1,000 more eBook worldwide distribution sites, such as schools, universities, private book clubs, retail stores, and other outlets that have secure internal databases within their intranets.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

New International Christian Recovery Coalition Facebook Link http://goo.gl/rx5wk

International Christian Recovery Coalition has its new facebook page up and running

And you may plug into it with this shortened link: http://goo.gl/rx5wk

Christian Upbringing of AA cofounders. Dick B. YouTube Program 14

Dick B. YouTube Program 14 - one of the best programs thus far. It covers a major part of the Christian Upbringing of Bill W. and Dr. Bob as youngsters in the Green State of Vermont. You can hear it and see the commentary right now!
http://goo.gl/tNYui