A Talk With God

By Neil Miller (as adapted for those in recovery)

Karl's Journey

A little bit about the founder of Focused and Free.

Following Direction

"The alcoholic slip is not a symptom of a psychotic condition... the patient simply didn't follow directions."

Twelve Rewards of the Twelve Step Program

We can all have Hope, instead of desperation;

My Higher Power, the Light Bulb

In their sincere and honest attempt to maintain a "hands off" policy regarding fellow members' religious beliefs and perhaps sensitivities, our AA founders exercised gentle wisdom and proffered spiritual freedom.

Abandoning Old Ideas: God and the 12 Steps

Do we want what God has for us
bad enough for us to come out of our comfort zone?
Or are we going to play “hard to get” with God?

12 Steps to Insanity

The 12 Steps to Total and Complete Insanity

So here it goes.....

The following is from my friend Ryan...

Recovery or Simple Sobriety

“For me, addiction never dies; it sleeps.
It's eyes pop wide open when it hears me opening a bag of self-will.” --Anonymous

Before You Drink

Here are nine things you can do before you take that next drink of alcohol.

12 Steps to Freedom in Christ

Karl relates how the Spirit of Christ and the Twelve Steps of A.A. led to freedom from a self-imposed crisis.

My Higher Power

I could not recover with a Higher Power who wasn't on my side.

Some Thoughts On Hope

Hope is the key ingredient to a successful campaign against personal addiction.

The Professor and The Paradox

‘The Professor and the Paradox’ is from the Personal Stories section of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, 2nd edition.

Out of Place

“If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place” 

–from the song Homesick, by Mercy Me.

Nineteen and Counting

What matters more: How long one has been sober or the quality of one’s sobriety?

How to Obtain Continuous Sobriety

Just staying sober does not bring manageability to our lives.

Denial in Recovery

“I know my disease is out in the parking lot doing push-ups”

Empty Heart = Empty Life

A thirsty heart longs to be satisfied.

Be careful what you pour into it.

Accepting Yourself

An article by Steve Arterburn, edited for use in a 12-Step meeting.

The Power of Appetite

“They struck me, but I did not become ill; they beat me, but I did not know it. 

When shall I awake? [Yet again] I will seek another drink” (Proverbs 23:35 NASB).

12-Step Recovery Principles and Virtues

The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are the Principles of the Program that we practice.

Patience In Recovery

“Sometimes I get so tense, but I can’t speed up the time.” – Guns n’ Roses

Why Carry the Message?

“Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps,
we tried to carry this message to alcoholics,
and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
-- Step 12. Alcoholics Anonymous

Addiction and Addictive Agents

When most of us hear the word addict,
we think of someone addicted to a chemical substance.
However, addiction isn't limited to just substance abuse.