This article is for those who want to learn, study, and know what the early Akron AA meetings were like and the actual summary of the program and of the principles and practices of the early Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship pioneers.
Opinions and conjecture do not suffice.
The best starting place is with A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature. And many in 12 Step Fellowships today are so inundated with nonsense gods (light bulbs, Gertrude, the Big Dipper, door knobs, and "Something") that they settle for small change instead of the real early A.A. meeting evidence.
There are five indisputable evidentiary sources which can mark the beginning of your quest and provide you with the "rest of the story." -- the full details about early A.A. meetings.
The first is, of course, DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers. This wonderful book is filled with information about precisely what early Akron AA pioneers did in their meetings, their fellowship, and their program. Start with page 131 for the summary, and keep reading.
The second is The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks. In this exact transcription of their last major talks, Bill W. and Dr. Bob lay out the basic ideas that came from the teachings, studies, and efforts in the Bible. They also lay out Bill's comment that most of the pioneers were "practicing Christians." And they point to the three absolutely essential Bible segments--Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James. Read these segments and see how many parallels there are with the Big Book and the Steps. See www.dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml.
The third is Alcoholics Anonymous: The Original 1939 Edition--which contains an introduction by Dick B., the full program of action introduced in Bill's new version, and the real stories of the pioneers (before they were later removed) that we testimonials to the early A.A. Christian techniques and Akron ideas. See http://mcaf.ee/j4hq5.
The fourth is our new book Stick with the Winners! - which documents for you just how much of the old school program is literally incorporated into today's Conference-approved literature. See http://mcaf.ee/s50mq.
Finally, there is our unique, current, and timely study of the actual personal stories and testimonies of the pioneers in the First Edition. It is called Pioneer Stories in Alcoholics Anonymous. See http://mcaf.ee/gj7iw.
Please don't settle for some of the time-worn partial accounts that are floating around today. Go directly to the sources of accurate information on early A.A. Meetings. And "the rest of the story."
Gloria Deo
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Alcoholics Anonymous History and Christian Recovery: Interview of Rusty W. of Smile God Loves You by AA author Dick B. today
We were delighted today to interview our long-time friend who is the owner and manager of Smile God Loves You Tapes and has recorded over 35 12 Step Fellowship conferences this year and, in the past, has attended and recorded a number of our A.A. History and Christian Recovery Conferences in the past.
Shortly, I'll post a review of this interview which can now be heard on www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com.
In the meantime, please listen to Rusty's talk because it is a classic of what should be fed to 12 Step and recovery audiences today about A.A., the Big Book, the Steps, the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, the Four Absolutes, and how these became a part of the story and life experience of this fine long-recovered alkie.
God Bless, Dick B.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Dr. Robb H. Interviewed on Christian Recovery Radio by AA author Dick B. on New Discoveries about Relapse Prevention
Dick B. interviews Robb H., M.D., on the Tuesday,
September 24, 2013, episode of the "Christian Recovery Radio with Dick
B." show
On
Dick B.
© 2013 Anonymous. All rights reserved
_______________________________________________________________
Hear Dick B.
interview Robb H., M.D., on the Tuesday, September 24, 2013, episode of the
"Christian Recovery Radio with Dick B." show here:
or here:
Episodes of the
"Christian Recovery Radio with Dick B." show are archived at:
Introduction
Today's guest is Robb
Hicks. M.D. Robb is a neuro-scientist, specialist in treating impaired
professionals with various addictive problems, and a particular emphasis on
preventing the relapses that so often follow the treatment of these
individuals. We have been in communication with Dr. Hicks for a number of
months now. He just spent a week with us on Maui, telling us what he knows in
his area of expertise and soaking up as much information as possible about the
history, Christian backdrop, hands-on 12 Step work with alcoholics and addicts,
and A.A. techniques for working with them. Following his visit with us on Maui,
Dr. Hicks came to the very recent First International Alcoholics Anonymous
History Conference in Portland, Maine. He there spoke to the participants on
his specialty and continued to soak up the practical aspects of A.A. recovery
he found there. Dr. Hicks also joined us in an intense visit to the heartland
of Alcoholics Anonymous spirituality--the boyhood home and training of A.A.
cofounder Dr. Robert H. Smith. Robb was with us almost every moment of our many
meetings in St. Johnsbury. And now he will tell you about his own background,
work, practice, interests, and plans for the future. Take it away Robb
_____________________________________________________________________________.
Synopsis of and Commentary on
the Interview of Dr. Hicks
Dr. Hicks has become
a valued member of the International Christian Recovery Coalition team, He is one
who brings medical expertise to the fore, who is jumping at the opportunity to
help others overcome and avoid relapse from alcoholism and many addictive
problems, and whose immediate focus and work is in a field peopled with those
in difficulty who can be rescued and restored to their previous effective and
respected callings.
The field is or
certainly can be assisting impaired professionals and other skilled people—doctors,
lawyers, judges, clergy, first responders, dentists, pharmacists, artists,
athletes, actors, entertainers, producers, authors, and countless other
formerly talented and accomplished individuals. These individuals have
sometimes lost everything. More often, they are despondent and depressed with
the thoughts that they have lost or will forever lose their reputations and employment.
They are stymied into inaction by the supposed unbearable weight of their
difficulties. And most are much inclined to hide in the bushes in shame, guilt,
and remorse, thinking suicidal thoughts or seeking isolation from the world at
large.
The vision that we
have seen developing with our friend Dr. Robb Hicks is one of emphasizing
several key tools: (1) Establishing and relying on a relationship with God as
quickly as possible much as A.A.’s Big Book suggests on page 29 of its fourth
edition. (2) Focusing a maimed and suffering person on accountability, the
support and service opportunities of organizations like A.A., and what Robb
calls “intentional sobriety.” (3) Challenging the afflicted to the needed
service to and glorification of God and service and help for others right in
the fellowship to which the suffering have turned and yet often flee, leave, or
visit without the fervent sacrifice and service which characterized and galvanized
the successes of the early AAs in Akron and later in Cleveland.
This, in part, was
my story. One where I lacked the initial assistance covered here; and I believe
many will want to listen to this doctor and receive the inspiration his path is
offering right now.
Gloria Deo
Monday, September 23, 2013
Robb Hicks, M.D., of Missouri will be interviewed tomorrow by AA author Dick B. on ChristianRecoveryRadio.com
Neuro-scientist, recidivism and impaired professionals specialist Rob Hicks, M.D. will be interviewed tomorrow by AA Author Dick B.
Tomorrow's listeners on the Christian Recovery Radio.com show will hear a medical specialist (neuro-scientist, impaired professionals expert, and relapse prevention) named Robb Hicks., M.D. of Missouri in an interview by AA author and historian Dick B. on Christian Recovery Radio.com.
This is a very special presentation and one not to be missed.
Dick B. www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com
Tomorrow's listeners on the Christian Recovery Radio.com show will hear a medical specialist (neuro-scientist, impaired professionals expert, and relapse prevention) named Robb Hicks., M.D. of Missouri in an interview by AA author and historian Dick B. on Christian Recovery Radio.com.
This is a very special presentation and one not to be missed.
Dick B. www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com
Special Interview of Radio Personality Monty M. by A.A. Author and Historian Dick B.
Dick B. interviews Christian Recovery
radio personality Monty M. (Take12Radio.com) on the Monday, September 23, 2013,
episode of the "Christian Recovery Radio with Dick B."
On
Dick B.
2013 Anonymous. All rights reserved
______________________________________________________________________________
Hear Dick B. interview Christian Recovery radio personality
Monty M. of Take12Radio.com on the Monday, September 23, 2013, episode of the
"Christian Recovery Radio with Dick B." show here:
or here:
Episodes of the "Christian Recovery Radio with Dick
B." show are archived at:
Our good friend and long-recovered Christian A.A. recovery
leader Monty M. of Oregon today presents a picture of the dramatic and benign
changes in format, interviews, and mission of his well-known and much heard
Take 12 Radio.com show.
The important improved presentations are so detailed and
important that I will not endeavor to summarize them or Monty’s talk. Just go
to the radio sites above mentioned and hear Monty tell the story directly to
you. It offers new hope to those seeking to improve recovery from all sorts of
addictive behaviors by relying upon the power of God, the path of the Steps,
and the successes of the A.A. support structure.
Gloria Deo
A.A. Author and Historian Dick B. Comments on the Ideas Just Published in Religion News
Many of the foregoing commentators fail to mention the number of times a Christian in A.A. is told that people who read the Bible get drunk. That was the message my grandsponsor pushed to absurdity for the first few years of my sobriety. Or the number of times a Christian in A.A. is rebuked in an open meeting for sharing what God has done for him that he could not do for himself. Or the number of times Christians in A.A. have to listen to the self-made religions that characterize a “higher power” as a chair, a table, Santa Claus, the Big Dipper, a light bulb, a Coke bottle, Something, Somebody, or “it.” The ones I have counted as friends and helped to get well over the past 27 years have heard it all. But they have managed to keep their focus on what Dr. Bob called “love and service” and what Bill W. wrote could be called the “love and tolerance” code.The degeneration of the original Akron A.A. pioneer Christian fellowship program into the blather and mindless chatter so common in meetings need not deter those who recovered and help others recover the same way the early Akron and Cleveland AAs did. All the absurd concepts and comments about “spirituality,” half-baked prayers, and higher powers are an integral part of the diverse A.A. and 12 Step meetings of today. That is why so many Christians today have gathered to make clear to those who want God’s help the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the history, origins, Christian upbringing of the cofounders, and the original Akron AA Christian Fellowship founded in 1939. As one who has been continuously active and sober since my first day in A.A. and who has focused for decades on the history and biblical roots of A.A. and its increasing secularization, I haven’t found it necessary or advisable to stop helping drunks in A.A., to leave the fellowship, or to try quashing the remarks of those who today have chosen to follow the great compromise that Wilson and three others made in the steps at the last minute before printing the Big Book in 1939. The successes of Christians in early Akron A.A. and of their successors in Cleveland make these important historical facts–good and bad– part and parcel of what tolerant AAs must listen to and ignore if they are to carry out in their chosen fellowship and meetings the primary purpose of helping the still suffering alcoholics to recover and to point out the long history of successes in A.A. by those who chose and choose to rely on the power and love of God for recovery. Gloria Deo! And let me suggest that I am sure I never could have dug out of the cesspool of alcoholism and sleeping pill horrors and the troubles that went with them had I not walked in the doors of A.A. on April 23, 1886 and gone to any lengths to put my trust in Almighty God, stick with the winners, and help as many drunks as possible to do likewise and be victorious. Dick B.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Today's Chrstian Recovery Radio Interview of Sandy R. of Rhode Island
Dick B.
interviews Christian Recovery leader Sandy R. on the Sunday, September 22,
2013, episode of the "Christian Recovery Radio with Dick B." show
Dick
B.
©
2013 Anonymous. All rights reserved
______________________________________________________________________________
Hear Dick B. interview Christian Recovery leader Sandy R. on
the Sunday, September 22, 2013, episode of the "Christian Recovery Radio
with Dick B." show here:
or here:
Episodes of the "Christian Recovery Radio with Dick
B." show are archived at:
Introduction
Interview
of Sandy R. of Rhode Island
This is our first interview in a number of days and follows
our lengthy International Alcoholics Anonymous History Conference and meetings
in Portland Maine, St. Johnsbury Vermont, and South San Francisco. But it
introduces the first of several new points of emphasis in the Christian
recovery arena. For one thing, our speaker is one of several women Christian
recovery leaders who will be sharing in the days to come. For another, it
suggests the growing interest in healing by the power of God by people
suffering from a variety of addictive problems other than alcohol and drugs.
For still another, it highlights a trend of larger conferences that then split
up into small groups that focus on particular areas of suffering--whether
alcoholism, codependency, sexual problems, family difficulties, and items such
as gambling, debt, and smoking. I mention all this because our guest is a very
special one who will tell us about her bringing a large group of women and
friends to our conference--a group consisting largely of those with overeating
problems. They too look to the power and love of God for victory. She
brought her entourage from Rhode Island and has supported our Christian
recovery history emphasis for quite some time. She will give us a unique
perspective on her own life, her Christian faith in help from God, her
recognition of the 12 Step programs, and her evangelistic zeal. She is Sandy
R., and now we will let her tell you her story.
Synopsis
of Talk
1. Sandy
brought 11 women from her group in Rhode Island to participate in our Maine
conference.
2. She
has formed an overeaters group called “That Power Which Is God.”
3. She is
convinced that the Big Book and cofounders promised, and she has experienced,
permanent cure—which in her case is her dependency on food.
4. Her
real deliverance began when she cried out to God for help, said she was tired
of suffering from the inferiority and misery she had felt.
5. Sandy
has a bachelor’s in nursing and places strong emphasis on the power and love of
God in overcoming any kind of addictive behavior. And when she sought Him, she
was surrounded by a white light and sensed the presence of God and heard a
voice tell her that He wanted to be the God of every area in her life.
6. Sandy
pays due deference to working the 12 Steps, studying the Big Book, getting a
sponsor, going to meetings, and getting a “new Director” – which is God.
7. Her
wish for the women who attend her little Rhode Island women’s group is that
they be free and permanently cured by Jesus Christ—just as the first three AAs
were of their alcoholism. She also wishes her group to be listed with
Overeaters Anonymous.
8. Sandy
is a vigorous supporter of Christian recovery, of the belief that only God
could have healed her, and that working with others is an emphasis which is not
to be forgotten.
9. Her
talk was a classic of what stories should be today—recitals about the problem,
seeking God’s help, believing He can and will deliver when sought, that the
A.A. 12 Step program has a universal support aim, but that Christian recovery
is the one dependable goal.
Gloria Deo
Synopsis of Portland Maine's First International A.A. History Conference in Septmeber
Friday, a number of top A.A. history leaders and hands-on workers shared at length on their areas of major interest and substantial expertise: Tim K. of Colorado on Came to Believe Retreats worldwide; Mark G. of Ontario Canada on Akron A.A.'s techniques reaping great success today; Father Bill W. of Texas on the merits of listening to God and Quiet Time; Jim H. of Washington on the 1000 or more films he has produced during the A. A. history research trips on history in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Cleveland, and Akron; Gary A. of Connecticut--long recovered counselor for AAs, prisoners, and homeless vets--with his excellent historical video presentation of AA history; Robb Hicks, M.D., of Missouri on the neuro science discoveries about universal relapse causes in the brain and methods for ending them; and Chris P. of Toronto on the major victory of Christian CAs in Canada who held the line for freedom of speech in meetings and reversed an entire area's restrictive prohibitions. Participants asked numerous questions of the speakers.
Saturday, these speakers had a brief opportunity to appear again and summarize their major points made on Friday. Dick B. and Ken B. presented at length five major A.A. history topics--The historical roots of Alcoholics Anonymous, beginning with the Book of Acts and moving forward through 1939; The Neglected Sponsor; Facts that newcomers need to hear from the beginning; The parallels so often observed as to the resemblance of First Century Christianity and the early Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship principles, practices, and techniques; Application of Old School A.A. in recovery programs today--using conference-approved literature.
Sunday through Tuesday: A group of researchers went to St. Johnsbury, Vermont--heart of A.A.'s Christian historical roots. There they met with community leaders who expressed great interest in furthering the historical resources in Dr. Bob's home and village. They met with the head of the new and beginning St. Johnsbury historical museum director and discussed plans to incorporate A.A. Vermont history in the presentations. They heard local community TV station interviews of Dick B. and Ken B. on the objective of A.A. history quests in Vermont and St. Johnsbury. They viewed the Dr. Bob Core Library and church archives at North Congregational Church on Main Street--the church in which Dr. Bob and his family were active. They met with the village historical project leaders to discuss resources and plans. They met with a prosecutor who suggested a tremendously appealing pre-arraignment plan for those arrested for drug and alcohol charges. They met with the Christian 12-Step leader and his wife who manage Covered Bridge--an effective residential Christian treatment program located in the heart of St. Johnsbury.
Prior to departure, Dick B. returned with Ken to Portland and delivered at a regular A.A. meeting the story of his own continuous 27 years of sobriety and his 24 year quest with his son to locate, define, describe, publish, and encourage information on early A.A.'s Christian roots, history. and successes.
Saturday, these speakers had a brief opportunity to appear again and summarize their major points made on Friday. Dick B. and Ken B. presented at length five major A.A. history topics--The historical roots of Alcoholics Anonymous, beginning with the Book of Acts and moving forward through 1939; The Neglected Sponsor; Facts that newcomers need to hear from the beginning; The parallels so often observed as to the resemblance of First Century Christianity and the early Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship principles, practices, and techniques; Application of Old School A.A. in recovery programs today--using conference-approved literature.
Sunday through Tuesday: A group of researchers went to St. Johnsbury, Vermont--heart of A.A.'s Christian historical roots. There they met with community leaders who expressed great interest in furthering the historical resources in Dr. Bob's home and village. They met with the head of the new and beginning St. Johnsbury historical museum director and discussed plans to incorporate A.A. Vermont history in the presentations. They heard local community TV station interviews of Dick B. and Ken B. on the objective of A.A. history quests in Vermont and St. Johnsbury. They viewed the Dr. Bob Core Library and church archives at North Congregational Church on Main Street--the church in which Dr. Bob and his family were active. They met with the village historical project leaders to discuss resources and plans. They met with a prosecutor who suggested a tremendously appealing pre-arraignment plan for those arrested for drug and alcohol charges. They met with the Christian 12-Step leader and his wife who manage Covered Bridge--an effective residential Christian treatment program located in the heart of St. Johnsbury.
Prior to departure, Dick B. returned with Ken to Portland and delivered at a regular A.A. meeting the story of his own continuous 27 years of sobriety and his 24 year quest with his son to locate, define, describe, publish, and encourage information on early A.A.'s Christian roots, history. and successes.
Vital recovery quotes made in Conference-approved literature by the first three AAs - Bill W., Dr. Bob, and Bill D.
Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Quotes of Great Importance
There are a few quotes by the first three AAs which appear to be very important to your recovery, which were uttered in Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Conference-approved literature, and which are nonetheless deserving of far more knowledge and belief than most still suffering alcoholics and addicts have today.
These are the great quotes and the questions:
1. Who said that the Lord had cured him of this terrible disease and that he just wanted to keep talking about it and telling people? And where, in A.A. Conference-approved literature, is this vital declaration quoted?
2. Who said that he felt sorry for atheists and agnostics who had some sort of intellectual pride and skepticism that kept them from accepting what A.A. was telling them? And where, in A.A. Conference-approved literature is this declaration made?
3. Who told AAs that their Heavenly Father would never let them down? And where, in A.A. Conference-approved literature is this statement made?
4. Who told AAs what he believed was the "golden text of A.A." for him and for the entire fellowship? And where, in A.A. Conference-approved literature can you find this remark?
Go to www.dickb.com, make a Google search of that website, and find the spokesman
There are a few quotes by the first three AAs which appear to be very important to your recovery, which were uttered in Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Conference-approved literature, and which are nonetheless deserving of far more knowledge and belief than most still suffering alcoholics and addicts have today.
These are the great quotes and the questions:
1. Who said that the Lord had cured him of this terrible disease and that he just wanted to keep talking about it and telling people? And where, in A.A. Conference-approved literature, is this vital declaration quoted?
2. Who said that he felt sorry for atheists and agnostics who had some sort of intellectual pride and skepticism that kept them from accepting what A.A. was telling them? And where, in A.A. Conference-approved literature is this declaration made?
3. Who told AAs that their Heavenly Father would never let them down? And where, in A.A. Conference-approved literature is this statement made?
4. Who told AAs what he believed was the "golden text of A.A." for him and for the entire fellowship? And where, in A.A. Conference-approved literature can you find this remark?
Go to www.dickb.com, make a Google search of that website, and find the spokesman
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Speakers at The First International Alcoholics Anonymous History Conference Just Held in Portland, Maine
The Top Notch 12-Step/A.A. Leaders Who
Spoke at Maine Conference
Of
The First International Alcoholics
Anonymous History Conference Sept. 2013
Dick B.
© 2013. Anonymous. All rights reserved
Participants in the
September 6-7 First International Alcoholics Anonymous History Conference on
Friday and Saturday in Portland, Maine were blessed to hear extensive
presentations by top notch, hands-on 12 Step recovery leaders – well versed in
A.A. history – at our recent International A.A. History Conference. Moreover,
all were given further summary time after their presentations and at a later
point to speak further on their topics.
These speakers
traveled from afar to share their knowledge, experience, and practices
emanating from A.A.’s origins and historical roots in New England and
particularly in Vermont from the 1850’s to present-day 12 Step recovery
practices. They came from Toronto and Collingwood Canada, from Texas, from
Colorado, from the State of Washington, from Connecticut, from the States of
Maine and Hawaii, and from Missouri. They gathered in the historical location
of Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor in Portland where a large
portion of the program ideas of early Akron A.A.’s recovery program poured into
the old school Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship Group Number One founded by Bill
Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith, and attorney Bill Dotson on July 4, 1935.
As the months roll
by, you will see a number of materials presented by the speakers. And here, I
will simply summarize the heart of their talks.
The history
conference was grounded on the 29 volumes of A.A. history reference titles
published by Dick B. and Ken B. and on display at the meetings..
Father Bill W. is a long-recovered Episcopal
priest who traveled from Austin, Texas to speak at length on his intense
interest in Quiet Time and the Eleventh Step. Father Bill W. has been doing alcoholism and addiction recovery
treatment work for many many years. He was president and chief executive
officer of Austin Recovery—the largest treatment center in Texas. He retired
briefly to become a chaplain there. But Bill is an author, an A.A. historian, a
researcher, and a Christian recovery leader. He is one who has written on many
aspects of the Big Book, the Steps, and
religion. He has traveled from Austin to many of our conferences, including
those in Irvine, California; Westminster, California; Brentwood, California;
and Portland, Maine Father Bill is now Chair of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Recovery Committee; and he and his colleagues have established and are
conducting study groups that practice “listening to God” and other aspects of
A.A. Eleventh Step and Quiet Time traditions. Father Bill is a benefactor
member of the Agape Circle, which helps support our work. He frequently
communicates with Dick B. and Ken B. on Christian recovery, 12-Step work, and
various treatment modes. Bill is a participant in International Christian
Recovery Coalition.
Jim H. recovered A.A. and archivist from the
State of Washington. Jim has
been part of our historical research team which traveled throughout all of
Vermont, Akron, Cleveland, as well as Massachusetts and Portland gathering
photos exceeding about 1000 in number which will enable viewers to see for
themselves the many treasures available to AA history lovers, researchers, and
leaders who travel to those historical places and repositories or who wish more
visual information about them. At his own expense, Jim has been a tireless
history researcher, sponsor, A.A. service worker, and is presently a
participant in A.A.’s national archivist conference each year. He has also
drive Ken and myself to many areas were we have researched, photographed
materials there, interviewed people we met, and established a website with A.A.
historical photos. Jim has long been interested in A.A. history, A.A. archives,
and the Christian roots of A.A. itself. He is a participant in International
Christian Recovery Coalition.
Gary A.. long-recovered A.A. and retired
counselor at prisons and with veterans for many years, is from the State of
Connecticut. Gary has been
in touch with us for many years and has devoted an immense amount of time
learning, filming, and circulating video materials on where A.A. came from and
got its ideas. And now he has put together an excellent videos series on A.A.
historical materials, locations, and people who had so much to do with A.A.’s
spiritual beginnings. His videos tell the early A.A. history briefly,
graphically, accurately and well. And they have become the seed for a video
series that Ken and I will be putting together on the entire early A.A. history
picture in a way that has never been done to serve the recovered population and
those who still suffer. Gary is a participant in International Christian
Recovery Coalition..
Robb Hicks, M.D. is a neuro-scientist who has
researched and now practices techniques for the prevention of relapse among
alcoholics and addicts of all types based on medical knowledge recently expanded. He maintains his office in St. Louis,
Missouri. His practice offers help to impaired physicians. He maintains a
website and belongs to relevant professional organizations. He had just spent
over a week with Ken and myself on Maui learning in depth many aspects of the
spiritual and other history of Alcoholics Anonymous. He traveled from Maui to
Maine to make his medical knowledge available at the A.A. History Conference;
and he joined us on our short, but intense visit to Dr. Bob’s home village of
St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Dr. Hicks there met with the village leader of the new
history museum. He audited the community TV interview of Ken and myself in St.
Johnsbury. He attended a luncheon conference of Vermont Christian leaders
intent on bringing the Christian roots and history of early A.A. to the fore.
He joined us in meeting with a prosecutor at the St. Johnsbury court system who
has suggestions on how to produce more effective recovery among alcoholics and
addicts soon to be arraigned and sentenced. And he joined us in meeting with
Covered Bridge—a residential A.A. treatment facility in St. Johnsbury which is
planning on working with the prosecutor and courts and also holding historical
meetings and spiritual meetings in its facility. Robb also visited North
Congregational Church of St. Johnsbury and viewed the Dr. Bob Core Library and
other historical records available for view in that church.
Dr. Hicks took the
occasion to conduct extensive
discussions with conference participant John Mooney, M.D., a professor of
psychiatry at Harvard—a Christian physician who attended the earliest of the
Dick B. heritage seminar weekends at the Wilson House in East Dorset, Vermont;
has long worked to see Dick’s books lodged in the Harvard library system; who
has frequently sent Dick scholarly materials written by his Harvard colleagues,
and who is a benefactor of the work of Dick B. and Ken B.—belonging to the
recently formed Agape Circle which supports their research, writing, and
speaking work. The two distinguished physicians and recovery leaders were able
to converse extensively on the relevance of their respective fields to recovery
and the mental health field, and to review Dr. Mooney’s intense interest in
Quiet Time and meditation based on Orthodox traditions and practices.
Mark G. is a long-time A.A. member who is a
businessman and an ardent A.A. recovery worker. He lives in Collingwood, Ontario.
He has been a speaker at
several of our conferences and interviews. He has prepared extensive workbooks
and guides which he uses, with his Canadian colleagues, to take AAs in large
numbers through a demanding and vigorous recovery program patterned on the work
of Dr. Bob and the Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in 1935.
Mark frequently takes sponsees to Akron, calls his team the “Akronites” because
so much of their work with newcomers and those still suffering is based on
Akron A.A. history and practices. He is also a Christian recovery leader and
member of our International Christian Recovery Coalition, and has led many
suffering alcoholics and addicts to a relationship with God through Jesus
Christ during his many years of work with newcomers. He has been interviewed
more than once by Ken and myself on the Dick B. radio show on
ChristianRecoveryRadio.com.
Mark is a
no-nonsense worker in the recovery trenches using the program of A.A. and the
early A.A. Christian recovery program as the medium for success.
Tim K. is a recovered alcoholic; employed in
and residing in Colorado; has just been married; took his enthusiastic bride to
our Portland Maine Conference; spoke there; and went with us to St. Johnsbury,
Vermont to learn and enhance his knowledge of Christian A.A. recovery techniques.
Tim is a shepherd of the Came to Believe retreats in Colorado that are held
for AAs and their families—taking them through the Steps in an afternoon, and
helping them to come to believe. He spoke at length at our Conference on these
retreats, on their guidebook, on their locations in the United States and other
countries. His great grand-sponsor was A.A. Co-founder Dr. Robert Holbrook
Smith. He has a special interest in acquiring, studying, stewarding, and
reporting on the copy of the DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers printers manuscript—which
contains many of the markings and notations like those found in the Original
A.A. Big Book Printer’s Manuscript copy just published by Hazelden. Tim has
been interviewed on our Christian Recovery Radio program, and he is actively
working to report on and help grow the “Clarence Snyder Retreats” that have
existed in so many places for so many years now. He is a participant in
International Christian Recovery Coalition.
Chris P. is a businessman, a long-recovered
CA member, a Christian recovery leader, and a highly successful sponsor of
addicts willing to use the Big Book, 12 Steps, the power of God, and the Bible
to overcome their malady. Though
associated with the same Traditions that A.A. has, Chris P.’s large group in
Toronto was told by Cocaine Anonymous that it could not exist as a CA group
because it was Christian in its character and historical presentations. Chris
and his group worked tirelessly to assemble all kinds of evidence as to the
number of agnostic organizations, atheist organizations, and spinoff groups in
A.A. that were not besmirched with the attempt to label them unacceptable.
Finally, after months of preparation, Chris and his group went before the
powers that be and effected a 100% reversal that allowed them to meet and
proceed. This courageous, rightful, persistent effort was carried on in part to
alleviate similar restrictions occurring in other 12 Step groups and
fellowships. And it stands as a mountain top achievement that simply says it is
as appropriate for Christian 12 Step groups to study their Christian, biblical,
religious history, roots, founding, and application today as it is for the
atheist, Buddhist, humanist, gay and lesbian, airline pilots, and Matt Talbot
groups to claim immunity from suppression and intimidation on the theory that
Christians in recovery are somehow barred from using their own history and
techniques in their groups today despite mountains of evidence that their
beliefs and practices are totally consistent with the very programs,
principles, practices, techniques, beliefs, and literature their founders used
when today ‘s anonymous groups began. Chris presented literature as to
precisely what his group does.
He is a participant
in International Christian Recovery Coalition. Chris is an Agape Circle
benefactor of our work.
Wally P. is a long-recovered Christian
businessman and active A.A. and Christian church member who established this conference, arranged for its
meetings, welcomed the participants, and enabled the extensive use of his
church’s premises for two day s of historical talks and exhibits and
discussions. Wally is a benefactor and a member of the Agape group. He attended
the formative meeting of International Christian Recovery Meeting in Irvine,
California in May of 2009. He joined the research team that toured all of
Vermont to gather accurate history on A.A.’s roots, the upbringing of
cofounders Bill and Bob, and their religious training and Bible studies. AAs
all over the world can be grateful for Wally’s dedicated interest in learning,
reporting, researching, and enabling application of A.A.’s historical features
in recovery today.
Of
course, Dick B. and Ken B. gave extensive factual information about the
history, origins, founding, programs, changes, and applicability of old school
A.A. today. And this has
been and will be reported further elsewhere.
Furthermore, almost
every one of the speakers at the Maine Conference has been interviewed one or
more times on the Christian Recovery Radio show conducted by Dick B. and Ken
B.; or, if they have not yet spoken, they will soon be interviewed to enable
them to speak further and for themselves on the purpose and accomplishments of
the Portland Maine International A.A. History Conference and the role they play
in A.A. history today.
Gloria
Deo
Friday, September 20, 2013
Old School AA Workshops in Arizona Oct 11-12 by AA Historians Dick B. and Ken B.
Blockbuster Old School AA Workshops by
Dick B. and Ken B.
Scottsdale, Phoenix, and then Tucson –
Friday Oct 11 and Oct 12
Dick B.
© 2013 Anonymous. All rights reserved
Fresh from their lengthy
series of conferences and research trips in Portland Maine and St Johnsbury
Vermont September 4-17, 2013, AA Authors and Historians Dick B. and Ken B. have
been invited to conduct four talks in Arizona on The Akron and Cleveland Old
School AA Workshop Subject. Featuring AA Literature and Historical Sources: Why
Early A.A. Succeeded-The Path They Thoroughly Followed and Rarely Failed (75%
to 93% success rate).
This blockbuster series about
applying the highly successful Akron and Cleveland AA Programs in recovery
today will span two days on October 11 and 12, 2013.
Continued updates on http://MauiHistorian.Blogspot.com
prior to the events.
First Old School AA Workshop –
Scottsdale, Arizona – October 11, 2013 – Friday – Main Talks at 6:30-8:30 PM.
Stay tuned for program, location, and topic details in the next few days.
Second Old School AA Workshop
– Tucson, Arizona – October 12, 2013 – Saturday – Main Talks at 6:30:8: PM.
Stay tuned for program , location, and topic details in the next few days.
Feel free to contact Dick B.
in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii for information and details. Phone 808 874 4876; dickb@dickb.com;
PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837.
These Arizona features for
Arizona and visiting AAs and recovery leaders are the first for Dick B. and Ken
B. in many years. In fact, The First
Nationwide A.A. History Conference took place in Phoenix with Dick B., Dr. Bob’s
son Robert Smith, and Dr. Bob’s Home Archivist Ray G. quite some years back.
And these current events will alert this vibrant area and populous to the
tremendous benefits for recovery efforts today of learning and applying Old School
Akron and Cleveland AA in the recovery scene today.
God Bless, Dick B.
AA Authors and Historians Dick B. and Ken B. to Conduct Old School AA Workshop, Tucson, Sat, 6:30-8:30 PM
(Sponsored By Friends of Bills
Friend Group)
The Akron and
Cleveland
Old School AA
Workshop
Featuring AA
Literature and Historical Sources
Why
Early A.A. Succeeded
The path they thoroughly
followed
and rarely failed
(75%-93% success rate)
Of alcoholics who came to A.A. and really
tried, 50% got sober at once and remained that way; 25% sobered up after some
relapses; and among the remainder, those who stayed on with A.A. showed
improvement. [Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th
ed., xx]
Records in Cleveland show that 93 percent of
those who came to us never had a drink again. [DR. BOB and the Good
Oldtimers, 261]
Guest Speakers AA Historians
Dick B & Ken B Maui Hawaii
Saturday October 12th
6:30-8:30PM
The Tucson Women’s
Club
6245 E Bellevue
Tucson AZ 85712
(North of Trader
Joes at Speedway and Wilmot)
Contact: OldSchoolRecovery@gmail.com
Summary of the Original Akron
A.A. Program
1. An
alcoholic must realize that he is an alcoholic, incurable from a medical
viewpoint, and that he must never drink anything with alcohol in it.
2. He
must surrender himself absolutely to God, realizing that in himself there is no
hope.
3. Not
only must he want to stop drinking permanently, he must remove from his life
other sins such as hatred, adultery, and others which frequently accompany
alcoholism. Unless he will do this absolutely, Smith and his associates refuse
to work with him.
4. He
must have devotions every morning—a “quiet time” of prayer and some reading
from the Bible and other religious literature. Unless this is faithfully
followed, there is grave danger of backsliding
5. He
must be willing to help other alcoholics get straightened out. This throws up a
protective barrier and strengthens his own willpower and convictions.
6. It
is important, but not vital, that he meet frequently with other reformed
alcoholics and form both a social and a religious comradeship.
7. Important,
but not vital, that he attend some religious service at least once weekly. **
[** Source: DR. BOB and the Good
Oldtimers, 131]
A.A. Cofounder Bill W.'s Quotes:
I'll do anything, anything at all. If there be a Great
Physician, I'll call on him. [Bill W., My First 40 Years: An Autobiography
by the Cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous (Center City, Minn.: Hazelden,
2000), 145]
For
sure I'd been born again. [Bill W., My First 40 Years, 147]
. . . “Henrietta, the Lord has been so wonderful to
me, curing me of this terrible disease, that I just want to keep talking about
it and telling people.” [Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., 191]
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.
[Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th
ed., 58]
Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all
power-that One is God. May you find Him now! [Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., 59]
AA Author/Historians Dick B. and Ken B. to Speak in Phoenix Oct 11 on Old School AA
(Sponsored by Fellowship Of
The Spirit Group)
The Akron and
Cleveland
Old School AA Workshop
Featuring AA
Literature and Historical Sources
Why Early A.A. Succeeded
The path they thoroughly
followed
and rarely failed
(75%-93% success rate)
Of alcoholics who came to A.A. and really
tried, 50% got sober at once and remained that way; 25% sobered up after some
relapses; and among the remainder, those who stayed on with A.A. showed
improvement. [Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th
ed., xx]
Records in Cleveland show that 93 percent of
those who came to us never had a drink again. [DR. BOB and the Good
Oldtimers, 261]
Guest Speakers AA Historians
Dick B & Ken B Maui Hawaii
Friday October 11th
6:30-8:30PM
First Baptist Church of Scottsdale
7025 E. Osborne Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85256
7025 E. Osborne Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85256
Contact: OldSchoolRecoveryPhx@gmail.com
Summary of the Original Akron
A.A. Program
1. An
alcoholic must realize that he is an alcoholic, incurable from a medical
viewpoint, and that he must never drink anything with alcohol in it.
2. He
must surrender himself absolutely to God, realizing that in himself there is no
hope.
3. Not
only must he want to stop drinking permanently, he must remove from his life
other sins such as hatred, adultery, and others which frequently accompany alcoholism.
Unless he will do this absolutely, Smith and his associates refuse to work with
him.
4. He
must have devotions every morning—a “quiet time” of prayer and some reading
from the Bible and other religious literature. Unless this is faithfully
followed, there is grave danger of backsliding
5. He
must be willing to help other alcoholics get straightened out. This throws up a
protective barrier and strengthens his own willpower and convictions.
6. It
is important, but not vital, that he meet frequently with other reformed
alcoholics and form both a social and a religious comradeship.
7. Important,
but not vital, that he attend some religious service at least once weekly. **
[** Source: DR. BOB and the Good
Oldtimers, 131]
A.A. Cofounder Bill W.'s Quotes:
I'll do anything, anything at all. If there be a Great
Physician, I'll call on him. [Bill W., My First 40 Years: An Autobiography
by the Cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous (Center City, Minn.: Hazelden,
2000), 145]
For
sure I'd been born again. [Bill W., My First 40 Years, 147]
. . . “Henrietta, the Lord has been so wonderful to
me, curing me of this terrible disease, that I just want to keep talking about
it and telling people.” [Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., 191]
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.
[Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th
ed., 58]
Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all
power-that One is God. May you find Him now! [Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., 59]
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