One of the reasons AA meetings feel “safer” than church is because AA does not allow unsolicited advice giving, shaming, or comments on what we share, there. One gets help from one’s sponsor in private. I am constantly offered unsolicited advice and judgement from Christians (not this group, thank God!) so it makes sense to me that people are not honest in church groups. God help our churches to become a safe place for sinners. ❤🙏
I really appreciate the perspective of a positive experience with Roman Catholic background and into protestant discovery, too. I believe I was a Christian, too, through first communion and confirmation. I loved all the words and points stated today. ❤ Thank you!
What a timely and powerful message as the 12 step book(s) come out. I am part of a group called men at peace and am going to share this with my guys along with family members.
I appeciated the question shared for the person hesitant to tey the 12 Steps of "Why don't you have a desperate need for God?" Thank you both John and Ian for sharing and helping us grow in deeper in our relationship with God on our journeys that the 12 Steps are now a part of our story. Truly, thank you.
What an excellent discussion with Ian Cron! I so identify with much of what he said. I, too, was raised as a Roman Catholic child who embraced Christ as a Protestant Evangelical at the age of twenty-five. When my wife of 55 years died of dementia in 2023, I found myself hopelessly lost in grief, desperately in need of help. Somehow, I remembered a Jesuit Priest, Brennan Manning, who had profoundly influenced my life through his books and teaching on the radical love of God. I knew that he lived an uncloistered life of humility and service. I also know that he had alcoholism. According to Ignatian spirituality, he spoke much about his experience as a Jesuit of silent prayer retreats. After studying Ignatian spirituality and feeling that Jesuit values closely matched my evangelical desires, I began to seek an opportunity for a silent Ignatian prayer retreat. I chose an eight-day retreat at a Jesuit retreat house. It was a challenging and complex experience, but on the sixth day, the Lord broke through, thanks to a UA-cam video by Dallas Willard on silence before God. He broke through the hard crust that had formed around my heart, and He allowed my tears to flow like a waterfall, cleansing my soul. He told me it was time to turn the page and begin the final chapter of my life. God was so gracious. He cut through my desperation with the skill of the Master Surgeon performing spiritual heart surgery. God answered my desperate cry for help as no one or nothing in this world could have done. He is truly good - using the pain and desperation of my grief to draw me deeper into His embrace than I ever could have imagined. God uses every circumstance we experience to draw us closer to Him - addiction, sin, grief - everything...
Thank you gjlaird for sharing your personal and tender hearted journey with our Become New family God is real God is near (even when we don't feel him) and yes God uses every circumstance we experience to draw us closer to him. We are deeply grateful for you Thanks you Bucky
Loved what Ian shared about how to do this in community by grabbing 3 or 4 friends and using his workbook as a tool. I have watched (from the outside) so many lives changed by using John Baker’s Celebrate Recovery Participant’s Guidebooks. I’m excited for a resource to use for those of us who haven’t wandered into CR or AA meetings. Thank you! I can’t wait for the book and workbook to arrive tomorrow!
Amazing, deep and thoughtful conversation! John and Ian are both regular podcasters for me whose personal journey, articulate communication skills, and spiritual insight from unique perspectives continue to encourage, inspire, and move me forward in my own spiritual formation. Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you, Become New team, John and Ian. Today's conversation was so affirming for me. I too was raised RC and and grateful for the gifts, as Ian is, that it has given me. I'm also grateful for the Evangelical stream of Christianity's river (as Richard Foster puts it).
Hi John, Ian and Tim Esquires,...What a great dialogue between the two of you...Awesome...The positive and boundless enthusiasm with which The Guest Speaker gave a testimony was so inspiring and heartfelt...The sincerity and the conviction is palpable and is narrated in a very precise and sensitive way... The best episode that I have watched thus far... Loved it... Greetings and Kind Regards from an extremely cold but sunshine filled day...Here in UK. With sincere thanks to you all...Arnold.. ( Just poked the head out of Igloo.).🙂🙏✍💅
Good morning ☀️ wow, great minds think alike. God’s perfect timing. Thank you for helping me see that my weakness is a failed solution and the “why” Jesus is a sure solution. 💕🍃
Al anons know that this program works because we understand that like alcoholics we have a spiritual malady that requires a spiritual solution. However it is so hard to find good Al Anon meetings where the twelve steps are actually practiced. So many bad meetings of desperate people unwilling to find their own solution because the Big Book never comes out.Thank God for my gift of desperation and the Big Book and thank Godd for His Bigger Book!
What a wonderful suggestion for people that are addicted. Follow the thread backwards. I was shocked when I found out a person I had known for 25 years was actually addicted to oxycodone. What made it more shocking was his age. I guess (in my naivety) I had some notion that addiction to drugs was a young person's problem. This person was 74 years old. The story does not end well for him so far. His wife of 30 years left him, his kids have reached out numerous times and he rejected them so that they have given up. He lives in a house that is falling down around him. He is 80 and will probably die alone. He wouldn't get help when it was offered. I wonder if he had followed the thread backwards, could he have found the solution and the strength to pursue it. Thank you for this very important podcast today. I wish the whole world would hear it.
Thank you Julie for your heart to help and share the story of the person you know refusing help. Let's continue to keep him in prayer for a God Only break through that through his mercy this person will seek and accept the help We are not meant to live life alone Thank you for sharing Bucky
Wow, absolutely great share John. Thank you so much. Pain is the touchtone to spiritual growth. Being at the end of self allows, God to come in to our hearts. It says on page 25 there is A solution. Not a bunch of solutions, but a solution all of us are spiritually sick and suffer from multiple character, defects, fears, doubts bondage of self shortcomings, iniquities, and sins. And as we go through the steps, we learned spiritual principles that are given through our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. And we become new and freed from all that block us from the sunlight of God spirit. Thank you guys again, beautiful powerful teaching, and share 🙏🏾🥰☝🏽😇
Joe we are working on V1 of this and it should release by end of next week! If the small group has created a safe non-judgmental space it would indeed be appropriate. Be Blessed Bucky
Thank you so much Become New team for the extended devotion today. It has been such a blessing!
Glad you enjoyed it Gina - we appreciate you being with us Bucky
One of the reasons AA meetings feel “safer” than church is because AA does not allow unsolicited advice giving, shaming, or comments on what we share, there. One gets help from one’s sponsor in private. I am constantly offered unsolicited advice and judgement from Christians (not this group, thank God!) so it makes sense to me that people are not honest in church groups. God help our churches to become a safe place for sinners. ❤🙏
that's such a good point, thanks for sharing -tim
So, so helpful.
Glad it was helpful Merle - Keep coming back - it works - if you work it Bucky
It would be so healing and wonderful, if “upstairs church” would be as open and honest as the meetings in “downstairs church.”
Amen Shirley!! I can't agree with you more..... Bucky
I really appreciate the perspective of a positive experience with Roman Catholic background and into protestant discovery, too. I believe I was a Christian, too, through first communion and confirmation. I loved all the words and points stated today. ❤ Thank you!
Thank you, John and Ian and the work you are doing!
Much appreciated Larry - we are thankful for your words of encouragement and being with us today Keep coming back.....Bucky
What a timely and powerful message as the 12 step book(s) come out. I am part of a group called men at peace and am going to share this with my guys along with family members.
Thanks Joseph - we are so glad you have a heart and desire to share - you are truly a blessing Bucky
I appeciated the question shared for the person hesitant to tey the 12 Steps of "Why don't you have a desperate need for God?" Thank you both John and Ian for sharing and helping us grow in deeper in our relationship with God on our journeys that the 12 Steps are now a part of our story. Truly, thank you.
Thank you Susan for listening we are grateful you are with us and find the journey helpful Blessings Bucky
What an excellent discussion with Ian Cron! I so identify with much of what he said. I, too, was raised as a Roman Catholic child who embraced Christ as a Protestant Evangelical at the age of twenty-five. When my wife of 55 years died of dementia in 2023, I found myself hopelessly lost in grief, desperately in need of help. Somehow, I remembered a Jesuit Priest, Brennan Manning, who had profoundly influenced my life through his books and teaching on the radical love of God. I knew that he lived an uncloistered life of humility and service. I also know that he had alcoholism. According to Ignatian spirituality, he spoke much about his experience as a Jesuit of silent prayer retreats. After studying Ignatian spirituality and feeling that Jesuit values closely matched my evangelical desires, I began to seek an opportunity for a silent Ignatian prayer retreat. I chose an eight-day retreat at a Jesuit retreat house. It was a challenging and complex experience, but on the sixth day, the Lord broke through, thanks to a UA-cam video by Dallas Willard on silence before God. He broke through the hard crust that had formed around my heart, and He allowed my tears to flow like a waterfall, cleansing my soul. He told me it was time to turn the page and begin the final chapter of my life. God was so gracious. He cut through my desperation with the skill of the Master Surgeon performing spiritual heart surgery. God answered my desperate cry for help as no one or nothing in this world could have done. He is truly good - using the pain and desperation of my grief to draw me deeper into His embrace than I ever could have imagined. God uses every circumstance we experience to draw us closer to Him - addiction, sin, grief - everything...
Thank you gjlaird for sharing your personal and tender hearted journey with our Become New family God is real God is near (even when we don't feel him) and yes God uses every circumstance we experience to draw us closer to him. We are deeply grateful for you Thanks you Bucky
Loved what Ian shared about how to do this in community by grabbing 3 or 4 friends and using his workbook as a tool. I have watched (from the outside) so many lives changed by using John Baker’s Celebrate Recovery Participant’s Guidebooks. I’m excited for a resource to use for those of us who haven’t wandered into CR or AA meetings. Thank you! I can’t wait for the book and workbook to arrive tomorrow!
Thank you Michael for sharing your thoughts The release of John's book is just right around the corner - February 4th ...coming soon! 😉 Bucky
@@BecomeNew Thank you Bucky! We had the great opportunity to be with John in San Jose and we have been reading Steps and enjoying it!
I state this as a compliment: You both talk on the same brain level that engages my brain so well.
Thank you Paul - it is indeed a compliment - we appreciate you Bucky
A total show of giving advice about how to never listen to a hurting person but offer advice with brilliant quotes.
Amazing, deep and thoughtful conversation! John and Ian are both regular podcasters for me whose personal journey, articulate communication skills, and spiritual insight from unique perspectives continue to encourage, inspire, and move me forward in my own spiritual formation. Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you Carol for sharing your kind thoughts and words of encouragement. Thank you so much for listening Bucky
Loved this conversation.
Thank you David - we are glad you are with us....Keep coming back Bucky
Thank you, Become New team, John and Ian. Today's conversation was so affirming for me. I too was raised RC and and grateful for the gifts, as Ian is, that it has given me. I'm also grateful for the Evangelical stream of Christianity's river (as Richard Foster puts it).
You are welcome revannekh - we are grateful you are sharing your day with us Keep coming back......Bucky
@BecomeNew I always do, Bucky!
This was such a life giving discussion for me today. It revealed other areas of powerlessness in my life. Thank you John and Ian.
So good!!❤
Hi John, Ian and Tim Esquires,...What a great dialogue between the two of you...Awesome...The positive and boundless enthusiasm with which The Guest Speaker gave a testimony was so inspiring and heartfelt...The sincerity and the conviction
is palpable and is narrated in a very precise and sensitive way...
The best episode that I have watched thus far...
Loved it...
Greetings and Kind Regards from an extremely cold but sunshine filled day...Here in UK.
With sincere thanks to you all...Arnold.. ( Just poked the head out of Igloo.).🙂🙏✍💅
Love that both books on the 12 steps are coinciding. Great discussion.
Thank you Ian & John for the Q&A. I found Ian's attitude encouraginging, give it a try!
Good morning ☀️ wow, great minds think alike. God’s perfect timing. Thank you for helping me see that my weakness is a failed solution and the “why” Jesus is a sure solution. 💕🍃
Elaine we appreciate your insight and faithfulness joining us at Become New Keep coming back..... Bucky
Excellent. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it Gino - Keep coming back!! Bucky
Al anons know that this program works because we understand that like alcoholics we have a spiritual malady that requires a spiritual solution. However it is so hard to find good Al Anon meetings where the twelve steps are actually practiced. So many bad meetings of desperate people unwilling to find their own solution because the Big Book never comes out.Thank God for my gift of desperation and the Big Book and thank Godd for His Bigger Book!
What a wonderful suggestion for people that are addicted. Follow the thread backwards. I was shocked when I found out a person I had known for 25 years was actually addicted to oxycodone. What made it more shocking was his age. I guess (in my naivety) I had some notion that addiction to drugs was a young person's problem. This person was 74 years old. The story does not end well for him so far. His wife of 30 years left him, his kids have reached out numerous times and he rejected them so that they have given up. He lives in a house that is falling down around him. He is 80 and will probably die alone. He wouldn't get help when it was offered. I wonder if he had followed the thread backwards, could he have found the solution and the strength to pursue it. Thank you for this very important podcast today. I wish the whole world would hear it.
Thank you Julie for your heart to help and share the story of the person you know refusing help. Let's continue to keep him in prayer for a God Only break through that through his mercy this person will seek and accept the help We are not meant to live life alone Thank you for sharing Bucky
Wow, absolutely great share John. Thank you so much. Pain is the touchtone to spiritual growth. Being at the end of self allows, God to come in to our hearts. It says on page 25 there is A solution. Not a bunch of solutions, but a solution all of us are spiritually sick and suffer from multiple character, defects, fears, doubts bondage of self shortcomings, iniquities, and sins. And as we go through the steps, we learned spiritual principles that are given through our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. And we become new and freed from all that block us from the sunlight of God spirit. Thank you guys again, beautiful powerful teaching, and share 🙏🏾🥰☝🏽😇
❤
Good Morning Danielle - thank you for sharing your day with us Bucky
Is there a group study available for the Steps book? Would it be appropriate for a small group?
Joe we are working on V1 of this and it should release by end of next week! If the small group has created a safe non-judgmental space it would indeed be appropriate. Be Blessed Bucky
@ Thanks for the update!
Where can we get the workbook Ian talks about
I am definitely out of ammo.