~*~A

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Faith

"While drinking, we were certain that our intelligence,
backed by will power, could rightly control our inner lives
and guarantee us success in the world around us.
This brave philosophy, wherein each man played God,
sounded good in the speaking,
but it still had to meet the acid test:
How well did it actually work?
one good look in the mirror was answer enough."
c. 1967AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 225
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Thought to Consider . . .

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
and the evidence of things not seen

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
F A I T H = Finding Answers In The Heart

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Yield

From "Drowning":

"I knew that I was dying. . . . For the first time in my life, I uttered a sincere prayer: 'God, please help me.' I didn't bargain with Him, nor did I suggest how or when He should help. "Immediately, I became calm and relaxed. . . . I went to sleep and slept all night. . . "A spiritual experience, I think, is what God does for a man when the man is completely helpless to do it for himself. A spiritual awakening is what a man does through his willingness to have his life transformed by following a proven program of spiritual growth, and this is a never-ending venture." Raleigh, North Carolina

1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, pg. 17

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
A "LIMITLESS LODE"

Like a gaunt prospector, belt drawn in over the last ounce of food,
our pick struck gold. Joy at our release from a lifetime of
frustration knew no bounds. Father feels he has struck something
better than gold. For a time he may try to hug the new treasure to
himself. He may not see at once that he has barely scratched a
limitless lode which will pay dividends only if he mines it for
the rest of his life and insists on giving away the entire product.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 128-29

When I talk with a newcomer to A.A., my past looks me straight in
the face. I see the pain in those hopeful eyes, I extend my hand,
and then the miracle happens: I become healed. My problems vanish
as I reach out to his trembling soul.

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Neither Dependence nor Self-Sufficiency

When we insisted, like infants, that people protect and take care of us or that the world owed us a living, then the result was unfortunate. The people we most loved often pushed us aside or perhaps deserted us entirely. Our disillusionment was hard to bear.
We failed to see that, though adult in years, we were still behaving childishly, trying to turn everybody - friends, wives, husbands, even the world itself - into protective parents. We refused to learn that overdependence upon people is unsuccessful because all people are fallible, and even the best of them will sometimes let us down, especially when our demands for attention become unreasonable.

<<<>>>

We are now on a different basis: the basis of trusting and relying upon God. We trust infinite

God rather than our finite selves. Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us do,

and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity.

1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 115 - 2. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 68

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Your job now is to be at the place where you may be of maximum
helpfulness to others, so never hesitate to go anywhere if you can be
helpful. You should not hesitate to visit the most sordid spot on
earth on such an errand. Keep on the firing line of life with these
motives and God will keep you unharmed."

Alcoholics Anonymous, Working With Others, pg. 102

*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

Step Eight is, "Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and
became willing to make amends to them all." Step Nine is, "Made
direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do
so would injure them or others." Making restitution for the wrongs
we have done is often very difficult. It hurts our pride. But the
rewards are great. When we go to a person and say we are sorry,
the reaction we get is almost invariably good. It takes courage
to make the plunge, but the results more than justify it. A load
is off your chest and often an enemy has been turned into a friend.
Have I done my best to make all the restitution possible?

Meditation for the Day

There should be joy in living the spiritual life. A faith without
joy is not entirely genuine. If you are not happier as a result of
your faith, there is probably something wrong with it. Faith in God
should bring you a deep feeling of happiness and security, no matter
what happens on the surface of your life. Each new day is another
opportunity to serve God and improve your relationships with other
people. This should bring joy. Life should be abundant and
outreaching. It should be glowing and outgoing, in ever-widening circles.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that my horizons may grow ever wide.

I pray that I may keep reaching out for more service and companionship.