"If Someone Had Crammed That God Stuff Down My Throat When I First Came Here . . ."

. . . YADA YADA YADA.

Man, if I have to hear this again I think I’ll puke.

Ebby meets Bill. Bill is sloshed. Ebby is sober. Bill will recover from alcoholism as the result of this meeting.

The most famous, most impactful, documented and successful wet “Twelve Step call” in history is one on which the person making the approach goes immediately, straight to the “GOD” and spirituality part of the solution?

Expressing spirituality freely has always been an integral part of the 12 step approach in AA – from the beginning. And here we see that Ebby went straight for the spiritual jugular. “Stress the spiritual feature freely.” (93:0)

Further more, (Or “even worse” – pick your preference) Ebby doesn’t merely hint at God. He says straight out: “I’VE GOT RELIGION”! Bill does have a negative reaction to the word, to the idea and STILL this is going to be the most successful Twelve Step call on record.

When God has plans – He has plans – whether we THINK we know better or not.

So if we are to pass on what has been passed on – why do so many of us walk on eggshells when it comes to this subject. Could it be self-will and a “We know better” idea?

Doing it “Their Way” once again.

Meanwhile my Big Book says, “Its (The Big Book) main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem. That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about God. “

So, TALK ABOUT GOD – and stop the timid bullshale, will you? You might save someones life, like Ebby did.

My Big Book tells me that keeping the solution in my talk is what brings hope to the seemingly hopeless alcoholic. Why would I want to edit THAT out of my experience?

I don’t. Do you?

Peace,

Danny S

Can I Come Over?

Does anyone remember what Ebby said when he called Bill W – who was totally cocked on Gin and Pineapple Juice in Brooklyn?

He “asked if he might come over.”

Ebby didn’t chant “It’s Attraction not Promotion” or anything even resembling such a concept, when he needed to work with another did he?

I advertise all the time! When I speak, I mention that I am active sponsoring others, that I am available. I go proposition (i) newcomers and (ii) prospects (Two different types) after and before meetings.

I love when someone who has NEVER been to AA before comes around. I it’s easy to tell them, “I’m your sponsor” before someone has told them that it’s OK to “Shop around” and wait to do the steps.

My Big Book tells me, “Do not be discouraged if your prospect does not respond at once. Search out another alcoholic and try again. You are sure to find someone desperate enough to accept with eagerness what you offer.” (96:0)

Ask this: When was the last time I “searched out” another alcoholic? When was the last time I asked someone if they would like me to sponsor them? Over a week ago? Over a month? NEVER?

I hope some of you are a little disturbed by this. You should be. Ebby didn’t “Wait for God” to GIVE him someone to work with – to drop someone in his lap. Instead he gave him the power to help others and the willingness to CARRY THIS MESSAGE to others – not to HOLD this message and wait for someone to grab it like a brass ring at the merry-go-round.

EBBY GETS OFF HIS ASS

Peace,

Danny S

Did Bill W Take The Steps?

I’ll hear once in a while someone say that Bill W did not take the steps, yet he stayed sober, which is proof that Bill is a hypocrite, and a real alcoholic does not really need AA or the steps to give up the sauce. That contains about as much logic as saying cake recipe won’t work because the chef who developed the recipe did not have the recipe to follow yet.

The fact is Bill W’s complete account of his own taking of the 12 steps are on pages 8 thru 14. What I read there is Bills recount, and claim, that he did indeed “do the work” that set him free from alcoholism. Even someone with the most casual recognition of the 12 steps can easily pick them out of these pages, all performed while Bill was still in Towns Hospital, with his sponsor, Ebby T, prior to the publishing of the Big Book.

In that hospital he did the work, had a spiritual awakening, the desire to drink was removed and he went on to help others do the same if they do the same. Simple.

Peace,

Danny S