THIS IS AN EXPERIMENT INSPIRED BY POSTINGS AND REPLYS ON THE FORUM
At first blush, this thread may appear to be in the wrong place, as it is also a candidate for "What we believe". I intentionally placed it under this thread as it is not intended as a forum to discuss religious beliefs, but rather, to share inspiration for healing of our drinking problems through sharing our faith. Secondly, I hope that this thread will serve as an ongoing available tool, an undying inspiration to help us along our path. The idea for the thread was born of a posting where someone expressed uncomfortableness in talking about how their faith inter-related with the healing process. When I responded that I believed that the people on the forum were tolerant of all feelings and views that help in the healing process, I received innumerable private messages from people stating that they too were shy and concerned that people would get upset and wanted to know more about my particular faith and how I came to it. Hence, the concept for this thread was born. It is meant to accomplsih three things:
1. Provide a place where people can talk about what religion they follow, how they got there, and how it is helping them solve their drinking problems.
2. Request for specific prayers relative to their drinking problems or things in their life that are blocking their growth.
3. Prayers of thanksgiving and prayer gifts (prayers for others).
This is not meant to be a forum for people who would be insulted by those who want to talk about how their faith is interacting with their drinking problem. It is also not a forum to debate or pass opinions on other people's beliefs (the appropriate forum for those discussions are currently being held at "What we believe"). This is meant to serve as an inspirational tool to help us find healing in our drinking problems by sharing those things within our faith that are contributing to our success.
With that said, I will be the guinea pig. I will start with my story of how I came to my faith, my prayer gift, and my request for prayer. I invite anyone interested to do the same. If this forum proves to be helpful, each morning and evening, I will look for inspirational prayers relative to our needs to share and hope that others will do the same.
My faith in healing I am a Christian Jew. I was actually born Lutheran, and I have always had a strong faith in G-d. In fact, the Pastor of the Church where I grew up married my husband and me, and he is my son's godfather. The people at the Church were always kind of snobbish, but the Pastor and I got along great having many lunches and dinners over the years where we would discuss the Bible. He was brilliant, and I was always inspired. Several years ago, a business that I owned collapsed amidst intense litigation and scandel. Though I grew up in the Church and these people knew me, there were mixed feelings as to my guilt and innocense. I didn't want to go to Church and wonder about what they were thinking. And in college, after studying different religions I believed I was more Episcopalian in my beliefs. So, I went to a politically affluent historical Church in downtown Annapolis, with approximately 1,000 people a week (another words, I could hide in the crowd). Things got considerably worse before they got better. My family and I suffered considerable pain and sorrow and were subjected to unmercifull injustice brought about powerful, influential creditors (who were friends) with the power and ability to manipulate the system. No one ever thought I would ever recover, EVER!!! Within six months, I went from 105 to 180!! Eating and drinking my way into oblivion (I would still argue to this day that under those circumstances alcohol is not a bad thing -- it was a badly needed crutch to get over the shock and help me face everyday -- the trouble is in knowing when to let go of the crutch -- true of any crutch!)
Being a woman of faith, I turned to G-d and asked, "OK G-d, why have you put me here and what do I need to do to get out". I read the Bible cover-to-cover. I had read it many times in my life, but always piece meal. This time, I got a Contemporary Version and read it like a novel. It is not the most accurate, but it is the easiest to read and the meanings are clear (I have now read five different Bibles). To avoid a religious debate, I will not mention the exact passages (anyone interested can PM me). But I found a happiness and contentment that transpired the muck I was burried in. But after reading the Bible I also decided I needed to follow the laws of Moses, but I still believed in Jesus as the son of G-d. The Pastors that I knew helped me to find a conservative Messianic Jewish community and that is how I became a Christian Jew. And it turned my life around. Through this revelation, my life began to heal on every front. Though in some aspects, I am still healing, I am now once again successful and even stronger in my faith. And I believe G-d directs me everywhere I go, including bringing me here to this forum when I asked him for help in this matter.
My prayer gift I pray that G-d grant peace and inspiration to all who have sought out this thread and to all others within this forum who would want these gifts from you . Amen
My request for prayer Please pray that G-d will guide me through my hectic day and allow me to keep to my drinking goals today (both alcohol and cokes). Amen
I hope you can appreciate how difficult it is for me to share this information with people who don't know me and may feel that it is not an appropriate topic. I apologize to anyone whom I may affended. But for those of you who requested this information, I hope it inspires you and helps you in your endeavors.
Much love,
MM
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