Daily Reprieve - January

[janbear]

LEAVING NO DOUBT



“We never thought of making honesty, tolerance, and true love of man and God the daily basis of living.” 12&12 p72



“May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God…” 2 Thessalonians 3:5



For what it's worth: When I was drinking, the thought of loving God never entered my mind. My mind, like my heart and soul, had to sober up and clean up before anything spiritual entered my being. That transformation could have been accomplished only by the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Then those same Steps performed another miracle. This shameful, unlovable drunk came to believe I was loved unconditionally by God. My life experiences leave no doubt about His love for me. I pray my daily life leaves no doubt about my love for Him.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

SHOUTING GRATITUDE



“…We try to be humbly grateful…” 12&12 p. 124



“One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God.” Luke 17:14



For what it's worth: Nothing was left to be grateful for from my alcoholism. I was blessed to still be alive and able to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. I expected nothing there, but I found everything I had ever searched for in life. There is hope, acceptance, fellowship, and a God who loves me just as I am. I have never had so much to be grateful for in my entire life. And it keeps getting better. I feel my gratitude is so very little compared to the generous blessings I have been given. I have been healed and made whole. I need to be glorifying God and shouting my gratitude.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

CARED FOR NO-MATTER-WHAT



“… Finally, inescapably, the conviction came that God does ‘move in a mysterious way his wonders to perform’.” 12&12 p. 105



"I suppose you will never believe unless you see signs and wonders!" John 4:48



For what it's worth: Stubborn disbelief was rooted in me, so it was difficult to come to believe in anything by time I arrived at Alcoholics Anonymous. I certainly did not realize what was happening back then, but now I thank God I attended daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for so long because my mulish mistrust was uprooted by the repeated affirmations about their beliefs and the untold numbers of “signs and wonders” I saw at those meetings. It was by the grace of God that once sober long enough and free of skepticism, I began a spiritual adventure filled with experiences that proved beyond doubt that I was loved deeply just as I am, and that I will be cared for no-matter-what.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

THE WILL OF THE FATHER



“There is only one key, and it is called willingness.” 12&12 p. 34



"…I do not live to please myself but to do the will of the Father… " John 5:30



For what it's worth: Alcoholism controlled my will just as surely as a jailer rules an inmate. I was oblivious to this until I realized how desperately I needed my will to be sober and free. Only the grace of God and Alcoholics Anonymous could have set me free and given me strength to become willing to open my mind, heart, and soul. As I did, I became willing to practice, practice, and practice the Twelve Steps. The God-given result was a spiritual awakening that was absolutely necessary for me to ever enjoy peace to a degree I never could have dreamed. Actually, years of sober experience prove to me that I enjoy peace in direct proportion to how willing I am “to do the will of the Father” one-day-at-a-time.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

GIVING THANKS


“Much has already been said about receiving strength, inspiration, and direction from Him who has all knowledge and power.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 85



“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12



For what it’s worth: Not one drop of gratitude survived alcoholism’s assault. My attitude was, “what could make a drunk thankful except another drink?” Needless to say, I had an attitude problem early in Alcoholics Anonymous. I used to attend a Saturday morning meeting in downtown Baltimore where the man who opened the meeting would pound on the podium and yell: “Ya gotta have an attitude of gratitude!” I wanted him to choke on those words. But why did I keep going back? I wanted what he had. And, by the grace of God, I was able to stay sober long enough to do what he and thousands of others have done to enjoy living with an attitude of gratitude. It gives me a deep satisfaction with life just as it is at this moment, something I sought in the bottle, but never found. It turned out to be in Alcoholics Anonymous. I will give thanks to my God forever!



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

BE RID OF IT



“The right kind of man, the kind who recovers, will not want this sort of thing (disproportionate amount of time and attention). He will not impose.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 149



“For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.” Romans 16:18



For what it’s worth: By the time I was rescued from the demise of alcoholism, I felt worthless, but kept trying to impress others I was priceless. If there is anything I was better at than being a drunk, it was being a hypocrite. Even long into recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous, I watch closely for that defect to creep back. When it strikes, pride insists that I get all the attention and accolades I can. It employs different deceptions; for example, embellishing stories about past experiences, and camouflaging attention seeking in nice clothing such as caring for others. Worst of all, it operates in denial. As such, it is an insidious killer for this alcoholic. Thank God for His patience and love and our Step Ten. If my inventory identifies any sign of pride, I take it to my Heavenly Father in my Seventh Step prayer, and I beg Him: “Here I am, again, Father, with that ugly pride. Thank you for the willingness, but, please, I need your help to be rid of it. ”



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

HE ALWAYS COMES



“When dealing with an alcoholic, there may be a natural annoyance that a man could be so weak, stupid and irresponsible.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 139



“I am troubled; O Lord, come to my aid!" Isaiah 38:14



For what it’s worth: That “weak, stupid and irresponsible” drunk was me, and, definitely, people were annoyed at me, especially God. So, I was not about to go to Him for help when that was suggested to me once I finally turned to Alcoholics Anonymous. Yet, where else could I find relief from the deep, agonizing soul-sickness that screamed for relief day and night? My disease was still constantly demanding I sedate it with alcohol. I knew I had to turn to God. I was blessed to be in Alcoholics Anonymous where I learned from people just like me about a God different from what I had been taught. I have found a forgiving, patient, loving God, my Heavenly Father. And when I am annoyed at an alcoholic – this one – for being “weak, stupid and irresponsible,” I can cry out to my Heavenly Father that I am troubled. He always comes to my aid. Always.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

A LIFE OF PEACE



“To some extent we have become God-conscious.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 85



“If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.” Romans 8: 6



For what it’s worth: The spirits that controlled my mind were certainly not holy, and, to be sure, provided no peace. I wished for a final darkness to blot out my miserable existence. Instead, in despair, I walked into an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. I am convinced that is the only place on earth that could have put this hopeless drunk on a path to spiritual well being, and God knew it. Over the years of my recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous, thanks to climbing the Twelve Steps, I have been blessed to become somewhat “God-conscious”, and I cherish the quiet calm I experience when I sense I am near my Heavenly Father. Although my “sinful nature” constantly resists, I keep striving to grow closer where I believe His Spirit takes control and leads me to a life of peace.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

A SOBER DRUNK LIKE THEM



“As God's people we stand on our feet; we don't crawl before anyone.” Alcoholic's Anonymous, page 83



“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:12



For what it’s worth: Alcoholism stomped out my dignity and self-respect long before I reached Alcoholics Anonymous. Once I finally arrived, I was blessed to be quickly volunteered for service work by a bunch of tricky drunks. They took me with them and I saw for myself the dignity and self-respect these sober drunks had developed for themselves and each other. Additionally, I could see the inspiration they were to the suffering alcoholics in hospitals and prisons we visited. God only knows how many times their stories reached outside the institutions to touch other alcoholics and their families. That tricky bunch of drunks who took me under their wings early in Alcoholics Anonymous certainly stood tall in my eyes, and I know in the eyes of their Maker. I wanted to grow up to be a sober drunk like them.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[admin]

THE MASTER'S MESSAGE



"This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics!" Alcoholics Anonymous, page 89



"How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them." John 13:16



For what it's worth: Only God and Alcoholics Anonymous could have converted my destructive alcoholic existence into a positive message for others. And that is exactly what happened. God and Alcoholics Anonymous have blessed me with a message of hope to suffering alcoholics, and it is my responsibility to carry that message at every opportunity, while keeping uppermost in my mind that it is God's message. Moreover, it is only his generous mercy and love that makes it possible for me to be a messenger. What an honor!



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

THE SUN SHINES



“…We ask that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the personal consequences may be.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 79



“Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.” 1 Peter 4:11



For what it’s worth: In King Alcohol’s world the “selfish thing” ruled; there was no interest in the “right thing”. I lived in that world by those rules too long; thinking and behaving patterns were deeply rooted; and I, nor any other human power, could provide a way to change. So, God provided a way – Alcoholics Anonymous. For this drunk, the AA way of not drinking and practicing the Twelve Steps on a day by day basis turned out to be the right way to do the right thing. And when I do that as best I can, no matter how hard the storm, the sun shines.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

WILLINGNESS, THE RIGHT SPIRIT



"We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 76



"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51: 10

For what it's worth: For years my morals were diluted with alcohol and my conscience was shackled in guilt and shame. Removing the alcohol was only the first step in rebuilding my moral character. Alcoholics Anonymous provided the remaining Steps necessary to receive the gift of a “clean heart” and a “right spirit”. When my soul is experiencing that gift, I am free, truly free of all shame, and so close to my Heavenly Father I can almost feel the touch. My experience proves to me that I can feel that way, be in that spiritual space, simply by being willing to surrender my will to my Heavenly Father's will. So, why am I not willing more often…even stubbornly resistant at times? Obviously, I will be asking for that right spirit of willingness for a long time.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

A NEW RECOVERY EXPERIENCE



“We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed.”

Alcoholics anonymous, page 25



“….Put off your old self…to be made new in the attitude of your minds.” Ephesians 4:22-23



For what it's worth: Alcoholism killed my spirit. There was no drive, no purpose, and no heart left in me by the time I finally came to Alcoholics Anonymous. I expected nothing. What could a bunch of drunks do for me? And I certainly was not about to pay them anything for any services they might render. As it turned out, that bunch of drunks provided the most effective therapy on earth for this hopeless drunk, and they asked for nothing in return. Indeed, Alcoholics Anonymous gave me a new attitude, a new life, and a new God. And, even after many years of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, my recovery experience is still new. I plan to keep it that way, staying in kindergarten where everything is fresh and exciting.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[admin]

THANKS, GOD



“We thank God from the bottom of our heart that we know Him better.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 75



“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10



For what it’s worth: What a waste, all those years of drinking, painfully trying to escape a judging, punishing God. Or were those years necessary? After all, it was the agony of alcoholism that drove me to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, seeking only relief from the suffering, but finding hope and nourishment for my empty soul. That little taste of heaven on earth kept me coming back to those meetings. One day, I cannot pinpoint when, I came to believe there was a kind and merciful God who thought I was worth saving. I set about to know more about that God. Over the years of my sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, I have come to know a Heavenly Father, who loves me just as I am, and who I can trust with every little detail of my being and my day today. For that, I am deeply grateful!



God bless you!



Joe W.

[admin]

CRITICISM



“Remind the prospect that his recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his relationship with God.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 99-100



“For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them.” Psalm 109:31



For what it’s worth: Criticism, or anything I interpreted as criticism, could wound my heart. Enough alcohol would kill the pain before, but even after I was sober for years in Alcoholics Anonymous my heart would bleed easily. Many sober years were necessary for healing. The scars are still there, so I have to be on my guard and not take myself too seriously, because I can still be too sensitive, especially when criticized by loved ones. Now, when that occurs, I am blessed to have prayers that work, if I pause and work them. The Prayer of St. Francis and the Serenity Prayer certainly help. I also remind myself that my recovery does not depend upon my relationship with anyone but God. He loves me just as I am right now, and He is always ready to hold me in His open arms.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[admin]

CLOSER AND CLOSER



“When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us!” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 57



“You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.” Psalm 73:24


For what it's worth: Failure, shame, and fear caused it. I managed to distance myself faraway from God, but I could not hide from Him. "The Hound of Heaven" pursued me, found me, and carried me to a place He knew would bring me back to Him. And, indeed, it did. Alcoholics Anonymous gave me guides to show me how to climb the Steps that took me back to my Heavenly Father’s open arms. Now, thanks to His grace, instead of hiding, I try to grow closer to Him. And the closer I come, the more I am motivated to grow even closer.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[admin]

“THE FLOW OF HIS SPIRIT”



“If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of His Spirit into us.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 85



“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18



For what it’s worth: The “spirits” filled the lonely, empty shell that was me, if only for a little while. But, in the end, they too betrayed me. They lost their magic and could no longer hide the hurt that broke my heart or the shame that scared my soul. I saw no way to ever be whole and healthy. I lived with that despair for years until it finally drove me to seek relief in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Looking back over many sober years, I know the drop of hope I received at that first meeting was the beginning of the Spirit entering my soul, a little at a time, not too much to frighten me. Later, a sense of belonging came over me; then that feeling of being loved and worthwhile; all of this, and much more as “the flow of His Spirit” continues one day at a time.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[admin]

OUR CODE



“Love and tolerance of others is our code.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 84



“All of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.” 1 Peter 3:8



For what it’s worth: All my values were violated. It did not matter when I was drunk. But when I was sober in Alcoholics Anonymous, I felt the agony of an empty soul, and I desperately sought to fill it. Thank God that is what Alcoholics Anonymous did, fulfilling my need by joining a group of people accepting me, caring for each other, bound together in the same purpose, on the same path, sharing from the heart, seeking God as they understood Him. It was heaven to me. So, I’m still coming back. I want to do everything in my power to keep Alcoholics Anonymous like it was for me, full of love and tolerance of others. After all, that “is our code”.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[admin]

LESSONS OF LIFE



“If an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 14-15



“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12



For what it’s worth: The agony of my alcoholism was numbed by the drug, alcohol, but the growing pains in recovery are not anesthetized. And I needed unending emotional and spiritual growth. I thank God daily that He knew exactly where to carry me, a place to mature and progress, Alcoholic Anonymous. Here I was prepared for each and every inch of emotional and spiritual growth I gained through the great teachers, sacrifice and suffering. Some lessons seemed unbearable at the time, none were. And, although I wondered if God had forsaken me, He had not. Actually, He was holding me close to His heart. He always does. So, close to His heart, we go confidently into any new growth from the lessons of life.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

CONSCIOUS CONTACT



“As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 63



“May he be enthroned in God's presence forever…” Psalm 61:7



For what it’s worth: My alcoholic life, empty of God, was lonely and meaningless - no life at all, simply a miserable existence. That changed in recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous. Here, after years of struggling with God, in His mercy, He gifted me with a euphoria I never found in a bottle, the experience of having Him in my life. My experiences through my years with my God, my Heavenly Father, prove to me that the closer I am to Him throughout my day, the better my day. If self-will blocks my conscious contact in any way, as it so easily can, I lose the joy of my day. My peace of mind is directly related to my awareness of My Heavenly Father in my heart and soul in whatever I am doing, at this very moment,



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

MY MAIN MIRACLE



“They had seen miracles, and one was to come to them.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page161



"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18



For what it's worth: Was there a miracle for me? Was their forgiveness? I seriously doubted it. Those doubts caused many a drunk. And many years of recovery were necessary to relieve those doubts. But Alcoholics Anonymous gradually rebuilt my entire belief system. That was a miracle. Another was that I began to listen to the Lord and to trust what I heard. He told me over and over again that I was forgiven, that I was loved just as I am, and that he would never let me down. He never has. He has been so loving and generous with me that I never want to let him down, but I am weak and do so regularly. My main miracle is that I believe he loves me anyway.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

HE WORTHY LIFE



“What could we have done better?” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 86


“…Live a life worthy of the Lord…” Colossians 1:10



For what it's worth: With much of my life wasted in self-centered alcoholism, I did not believe there was much left to live for when I first came to Alcoholics Anonymous. I had no idea of the opportunity that sobriety presented, especially when coupled with God's loving mercy and the Twelve Steps. As it turns out, the life I have been given far exceeds anything I could have imagined. And now that I have this precious gift, I am responsible for its well being. One day God may ask if I lived this life, this gift, in a manner worthy of the Gift Giver. To be able to stand tall when I answer that question, I need to watch for defects that corrode life from the inside out, such as discontent and complacency; be ready to sacrifice comfort and give of myself and my life to others; and, maintain an attitude of acceptance and gratitude. I inventory my success and failure in my daily Tenth Step, and I go to my Heavenly Father about how I can improve to live a life worthy of Him - a life that reflects His love.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

A DYNAMIC AND MEANINGFUL CHANGE



“We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 75



“God is our refuge and strength...” Psalm 46:1-2



For what it's worth: My religious education emphasized fear of God. And in my alcoholic insanity I had cursed God. No wonder I resisted when Alcoholics Anonymous folks suggested I turn to God. They shared with me that they did, and their experiences proved joyful, so maybe I would give it a try. It wouldn't cost anything. But it proved to be the most precious and priceless action of my life. God took it from there. Usually gentle, rough at times, but ever so slowly He grew me close to Him, unafraid and trusting His love - the greatest blessing I have ever received, and I believe, the most dynamic and meaningful change in my life.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

LET THE LIGHT SHOW



“Our behavior will convince them more than our words.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 83



“For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it!” Ephesians 5:8



For what it's worth: Knowing the self-centered drunk and hypocrite I was, it is difficult to believe this is me. And I am sure there are folks back home who would not believe it. But I am deeply grateful that God has brightened this once dark, empty soul with His grace. The light may still be dim at times, but the reflection of the Creator is much more apparent than when doused in alcohol. Today I want my behavior to reflect His light as clearly as humanly possible. Perhaps this will be a day someone sees the light in me and wants to follow God's way of life.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

WORKING ON MOTIVATION



“Keep on the firing line of life with these motives and God will keep you unharmed.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 102



“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7



For what it's worth: During my drinking days, my heart was filled with the trash of alcoholism. All motivation was self-centered. In sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, perhaps the most difficult daily task is combating self-will. At least, for me. Yet, it is vital. Even today, after many sober years of fighting with self, my motives are certainly not pure. I constantly strive to improve, seeking God's help as I go. I am deeply grateful that he loves me just as I am and that he helps me at every turn. He is a loving and understanding Father, providing incentives for getting out of self and focusing on others. His blessings are many and varied, but always joyful. I want more of his goodness, so I will keep working on my motivation.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

START AT HOME



“A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes …” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 19



“Fix these words of mine [a command to love and serve God] in your hearts and minds…teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home… write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates…” Deuteronomy 11:18-20



FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH: The gate, the house, and everything else went to my wife. Alcoholism destroyed my home and my relationship with my children and their mother. I nearly died drinking over that loss. Only the grace of God saved me. And the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous cleaned me up and made me a decent human being. Later in recovery I was blessed to be remarried and “adopted” by my wife’s children and grandchildren as “Papa.” Now it is my responsibility to be a good copy of the Big Book and the Bible, doing as St. Francis admonished: “Preach the gospel every day. When necessary, use words.” Every day I have opportunities to practice the principles of spiritual recovery, starting in my own home. For me, it seems harder with the ones I love the most.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

SPIRITUALLY UP OR DOWN



“They only thought they had lost their egoism and fear; they only thought they had humbled themselves.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 73



“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10



For what it's worth: The warden in my alcoholic prison was pride, and he ruled all, especially dominating my thinking and behavior. Just to stop drinking was not enough to release me from its power. Years of living the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous would be necessary to achieve freedom. Accepting powerlessness, admitting the exact nature of my wrongs, making amends, admitting when I am wrong, these are the things that build humility. But, even with the Steps in my life, I have to be alert. Ego is insidious, sneaking back, trying to rule as soon as I slip spiritually in the slightest way. My experience tells me that, if I am falling spiritually, my pride is active; if I am being lifted up spiritually, the Lord is involved. If I am not sure if I am spiritually up or down, all I need to do is have a quick thought about being rescued from the gutters of alcoholism's hell. I'm being lifted then, and I know it.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[janbear]

DENIAL, INSANE AND INSIDIOUS



“Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 84



“Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.” Psalm 19:12



For what it's worth: Denial is insane, stubbornly insisting what is real is not. It is an insidious ingredient of my disease and it overflowed into every element of my character. Even after years of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, denial attempts to force me to reject reality. After all, I do not have to stop doing something I deny I am doing; nor do I have to correct something that I deny is wrong. I must not succumb to this insanity, but continue to watch for this relapse trigger. It has the power and cunning to ruin my spiritual condition and steal my daily reprieve.



God bless you!



Joe W.

[flick]

IN HIS CARE

I placed myself unreservedly under His care and direction. Alcoholics Anonymous, page 13

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. Psalm 55:22

For what it's worth: Avoiding Him, rejecting Him, cursing Him did not keep Him away. The Hound of Heaven sought my soul and finally hunted me down near the gates of hell. In His loving mercy, God rescued me, and, in His infinite wisdom, He knew Alcoholics Anonymous was the only place under the sun where I would drop my stubborn defenses and open my hardened heart. He guided me there to the care and acceptance of a wise and tricky bunch of drunks. They accomplished something that otherwise would never have occurred. They taught me how to stay sober and live according to spiritual principles that produced a peaceful life. Perhaps, more importantly, they started me on a wondrous journey with the God who saved me. I take His hand and He and I walk together into each new day's burdens or joys. Nothing - absolutely nothing - happens to us that we cannot handle together.

God bless you!

Joe W.