Recovery, LGBT and in the news

Martin Sheen cast as Jane Fonda's gay hubby in Netflix comedy

Gay Star News: June 20, 2014 - Martin Sheen to play Jane Fonda's gay husband in Netflix comedy | Gay Star News.

Finally! A 12-step recovery program for Rick Perry's "homosexual problem"

LGBTQ Nation: June 20, 2014 - Commentary: A 12-step recovery program for Rick Perry’s homosexuality problem – LGBTQ Nation.

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Perry sticks by alcoholism and homosexuality comparison

Indiana AG says state has "right" to choose which marriages to recognize

Associated Press: June 20, 2014 - Ind. says it has the right to pick and choose which marriages it recognizes – LGBTQ Nation.

Alaska defends same-sex marriage ban as "sovereign state" right

Associated Press: June 20, 2014 - Alaska defends same-sex marriage ban as its ‘sovereign state’ right – LGBTQ Nation.

Effort to repeal Ohio same-sex marriage ban won’t make November ballot

Associated Press: June 20, 2014 - Effort to repeal Ohio same-sex marriage ban won’t make November ballot – LGBTQ Nation.

New York state sued over lack of transgender Medicaid coverage

Associated Press: June 20, 2014 - New York state sued over lack of transgender Medicaid coverage – LGBTQ Nation.

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New York sued over transgender Medicaid coverage

June 20, 2014 - Step by Step

Step by Step
Friday, June 20, 2014
 
"It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a Power greater than myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning. I saw that growth could start from that point. Upon a foundation of complete willingness I might build what I saw ..." - Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 1 ("Bill's Story"), p 12.

Today, the words of Bill W. should be empowering enough for me to take a leap of blind faith in a power greater than myself, if I am still struggling with the concept of a Higher Power. Just as I was warned repeatedly in my drinking days that my spouse or partner would leave me, that I would be fired if I showed up at work hungover or drunk if I even showed up at all, or my next DUI would be elevated to a felony, AA's co-founders and early members warn now that I absolutely must come to believe in something stronger and better than myself if I have a prayer for sobriety and recovery. In my drinking days, I didn't yield to many of the warnings I got, and I got the outcome that was promised because I didn't stop drinking; today, I yield to the warnings of the Program's co-founders and become at least willing to believe. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2014

June 20, 2014 - Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Friday, June 20, 2014
 
AA Thought for the Day
You should be ready and willing to carry the AA message when called upon to do so. Live for some purpose greater than yourself. Each day you will have something to work for. You have received so much from this program that you should have a vision that gives your life a direction and purpose that gives meaning to each new day. Let us not slide along through life. Let us have a purpose for each day and let us make that purpose for something greater than just ourselves.

What is my purpose for today?

Meditation for the Day
To see God with eyes of faith is to cause God's power to manifest itself in the material world. God cannot do His work because of unbelief. In response to your belief, God can work a miracle in your personality. All miracles happen in the realm of personality and all are caused by and based on belief in God's never-failing power. But God's power cannot manifest itself in personalities, unless those personalities make His power available by their faith. We can only see God with the eyes of faith, but this kind of seeing produces a great change in our way of living.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may see God with the eyes of faith. I pray that this seeing will produce a change in my personality.

Hazelden Foundation

June 20, 2014 - A Day at a Time

A Day at a Time
Friday, June 20, 2014
 
Reflection for the Day
When we take the Ninth Step, we must be willing to be absolutely honest. Obviously, though, indiscriminate "absolute honesty" would blow the roof off many a house and entirely destroy some relationships. We must hold nothing back through deceit and pride; we may need to hold something back by discretion and consideration of others. Just when and how we tell the truth - or keep silent - can often reveal the difference between genuine integrity and none at all.

Am I grateful for the products of truth which, through the grace of God, I have been privileged to receive?

Today I Pray
May I have the wisdom to know the fine-line difference between tact and dishonesty. In my eagerness to make restitution, may I not be the charmer, the flatterer or the crawler who insists, "You're so good, and I'm so bad." All are forms of dishonesty and hark back to the role-playing days of my active addiction. May I recognize them.

Today I Will Remember
Tact is honest selectivity.

Hazelden Foundation

June 20, 2014 - The Eye Opener

The Eye Opener
Friday, June 20, 2014
 
Centuries ago a man learned to ignite wood artificially. No one in the world today knows his name, but all modern inventions are directly or indirectly traceable to his act. What his name is doesn't matter, but every skyscraper in the world is his monument. His name perished as all names are apt to do, but his almost juvenile act of starting fire by friction will live as long as civilization does.

A single word you utter might kindle a fire that would burn through the ages.

Hazelden Foundation