New Beginnings

[bluidkiti]

New Beginnings By Marvin Williams

Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? —Isaiah 43:19

New beginnings are possible. Just ask Brayan, a young man who joined a gang in elementary school. Brayan ran away when he was 12 years old, and for 3 years was lost in gang and drug life. Although he left the gang and returned home, it was difficult for him, as he had been expelled from school for selling drugs. When he enrolled in a new high school, however, a teacher inspired and encouraged him to write about his experiences rather than repeat them. He embraced the challenge and is now experiencing a fresh start.

God, through the prophet Isaiah, encouraged Jewish exiles to think about a new beginning as well. God said, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old” (Isa. 43:18). He told them to stop dwelling on their punishment and even on His display of power through the original exodus from Egypt. He wanted their attention to be focused on God who would give them a new beginning by bringing them home from Babylon through a new exodus (v.19).

With God, new beginnings are possible in our hearts. He can help us to let go of the past and start clinging to Him. Relationship with Him provides a new hope for all who will trust Him.
Lord, we need Your touch on our lives.
Work in our hearts in whatever areas need
a fresh start. Help us to do our part and to
trust You to do what only You can do.

God gives fresh starts from the inside out.

[MajestyJo]

A.A. TEACHES SPIRITUAL VALUES
WITHOUT USING RELIGIOUS WORDS

A.A. tells us to help other people, and the people it tells us to
Help--other alcoholics--can be anything but lovely.

A.A. tradition tells us to go to the most inconvenient lengths to help others.
Religion tells us, "Love thy neighbor," and illustrates it with the parable
Of the good Samaritan.

A.A. teaches us tolerance, as we learn not to be irritated by the ideas
and idiosyncrasies of others.
Religion says, "Judge not..."

A.A. teaches us to get rid of resentments and to replace them with a
feeling of goodwill toward everyone.
Religion tells us to love our enemies.

A.A. Says that we must be absolutely honest with ourselves.
Religion says that to know the truth will set us free.

A.A. suggests to us the advisability of getting of getting rid of pride
and replacing it with humility.
Religion says that pride is the deadliest of sins and that it "goeth
Before a fall."

A.A. says it is necessary to get rid of our irrational fears, to live
the kind of life that makes fears largely unnecessary.
Religion says that "perfect love casteth our fear.

Volume II, Best of the Grapevine page 176

The basis of the technique of Alcoholics Anonymous is the truly
Christian principle that a man cannot help himself except by helping others.
Alcoholics Anonymous page 572, paragraph 3, line 2
caressa
Guest

Guest Avatar

Dec 28, 2012 at 8:08pm QuotePost Options Post by Guest on Dec 28, 2012 at 8:08pm

I read something that said, "You don't have to believe in God to find the Spirit within."

I thought this was very empowering. I thought I knew who God was, but as I worked this program I came to realize that God had been an old tape and I only knew God third hand. God was an old tape and I had to go on a spiritual journey to find out what God meant to me.

For me, God is, as he reveals Himself to me.

I keep telling people not to keep God in church. He is there for sure, but He is everywhere, and why should you limit God by your narrow vision and perception.

I can't make people believe anything, yet hopefully, by living my own program, they can see God working in my life and catch a glimpse of Him through me.