Recovery, LGBT and in the news

May 31, 2014 - Step by Step

Step by Step

Saturday, May 31, 2014

"...(D)eep down in every man, woman and child is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there. For faith in a Power greater than ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as old as man himself." - Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 4 ("We Agnostics"), p 55.

Today, if I expect AA to work for me, I must expect myself to work with it, and I must knock down the wall that separates me from a power stronger than myself to begin my recovery from alcoholism. If I am struggling or even rejecting the possibility of such a power, let me read and embrace these words from the Big Book and accept on blind faith the hope that somewhere inside me is a "fundamental idea of God." He, God, need not be a religious entity but a spiritual one, and a "spiritual awakening," even if it is a basic change in my psyche or character, is required if I am to achieve any kind of quality recovery. Today, I must put aside any resistance and open myself to the idea of a power stronger than myself so that I can earn the benefits of recovery. If alcohol is stronger than me, I have to believe and hope that a force stronger than alcohol can restore me. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2014

Sponsors of anti-gay religious freedom bill in Oregon abandon campaign

Associated Press: May 10, 2014 - Sponsors of anti-gay ‘religious freedom’ ballot initiative abandon campaign – LGBTQ Nation.

Anti-gay group accuses LGBT-friendly businesses in Mississippi of 'bullying' Christians

The New Civil Rights Movement: April 29, 2014 - Anti-Gay Group: Buying From Small Businesses That Don’t Discriminate Is Bullying Christians.

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Equality Battle Shifts to the South

In Mississippi, anti-gay group assails small business pro-LGBT campaign as anti-religious freedom

The New Civil Rights Movement: April 26, 2014 - Top Anti-Gay Group Attacks Small Business Owners’ Pro-LGBT Campaign As ‘Anti-Religious Freedom’.

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Top Anti-Gay Group Attacks Small Business Owners' Pro-LGBT Campaign As 'Anti-Religious Freedom'

April 10, 2014 - A Day at a Time

A Day at a Time

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Reflection for the Day

Change is the characteristic of all growth. From drinking to sobriety, from dishonesty to honesty, from conflict to serenity, from childish dependence to adult responsibility - all this and infinitely more represent change for the better. Only God is unchanging; only He has all the truth there is. 

Do I accept the belief that lack of power was my dilemma? Have I found a power by which I can live - a Power greater than myself? 

Today I Pray

I pray that The Program will be, for me, an outline for change - for changing me. These days of transition from active addiction to sobriety, from powerlessness to power through God, may be rocky, as change can be. May my restlessness be still by the unchanging nature of God, in whom I place my trust. Only He is whole and perfect and predictable. 

Today I Will Remember

I can count on my Higher Power. 

Hazelden Foundation

As expected, Mississippi governor signs anti-gay religious freedom bill into law

Associated Press: April 4, 2014 - Miss. governor signs religious freedom bill that could allow anti-gay discrimination – LGBTQ Nation.

Mississippi governor says he will sign 'don't serve the gays' bill

Gay Star News: April 3, 2014 - Mississippi governor announces he will sign 'don't serve the gays' bill.