American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
The nation’s medical specialty society dedicated to educating physicians and improving the treatment of individuals suffering for alcoholism and other drug addictions.

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)
CSAT, under the auspices Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is Congressionally mandated to expand the availability of effective treatment and recovery services for alcohol and drug problems.

Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR)
The Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) campaign is an effort supported by Johnson Institute and many partners in the field to develop a strong public voice for recovery in America.

Join Together
A national resource for communities fighting substance abuse and gun violence. A project of the Boston University School of Public Health.

Legal Action Center
The only law and policy organization in the U.S. that fights discrimination against people with histories of addiction, AIDS, and criminal records and advocates for sound public policies in these areas. Provides legal services including impact litigation, policy advocacy and research, training, technical assistance and education.

National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA)
A national, non-profit membership organization working on behalf of children of alcohol and drug dependent parents. Advocates for all children and families affected by alcoholism and other drug dependencies.

National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP)
Dedicated to promoting, assisting and enhancing the delivery of ethical, effective, research-based treatment for alcoholism and other drug addictions.

National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
Global organization of addiction focused professionals who enhance the health and recovery of individuals, families, communities and empowers addiction focuses professionals to achieve excellence through education, advocacy, knowledge, standards of practice, ethics, professional development and research.

National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD)
A private, non-profit, educational, scientific, and informational organization that fosters and supports the development of effective alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment programs throughout every state.

National Association on Alcohol, Drugs and Disability, Inc. (NAADD)
Promotes awareness and education about substance abuse among people with co-existing disabilities and provides a peer approach to enhance access to services, information, education, and prevention through the collaborative efforts of interested individuals and organizations nationwide.

National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA)
A unique think and action tank that engages all disciplines to study every form of substance abuse as it affects our society.

National Clearinghouse of Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
Federal resource for information about substance abuse prevention and treatment, offering more than 500 items from various government and other educational organizations to the public. Many publications are free of charge.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Part of the National Institutes on Health, supports and conducts biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Part of the National Institutes of Health, leads the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.

Physician Leadership on National Drug Policy (PLNDP)
First all-physician group that promotes a national drug policy that is cost-effective in both human and economic terms.

Recovery Month
The Recovery Month effort aims to promote the societal benefits of alcohol and drug use disorder treatment, laud the contributions of treatment providers and promote the message that recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders in all its forms is possible.

http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/reg_central_east/#bod

Links to Other Organizations

To update a listing or to add a listing, please contact us.

Addiction Studies Program for Journalists conducts workshops for journalists on addiction and maintains a website for journalists.

Addiction Technology Transfer Centers (ATTC) promote educational and research exchange among various disciplines and offers credentialing requirements for treatment professionals. The National ATTC distributes Eye on the Field, an electronic magazine containing information, features, and links to topical events in the addiction field.

Advocates for Recovery Through Medicine (ARM) exists to end clinic abuses to methadone patients and to move opiate agonist treatment into doctors' offices.

American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry a professional organization for addiction psychiatrists, provides information and resources.

American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) was founded in 1984 to enhance the quality of patient care in treatment programs by promoting the growth and development of comprehensive methadone treatment services throughout the United States.

American Bar Association - Standing Committee on Substance Abuse addresses legal and policy issues of alcohol and drug addiction.

American Council for Drug Education provides a convenient web resource for presentation models and education materials on addiction, organized by audience: college, youths, employers, parents, educators, and health care professionals.

American Medical Association - Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Program includes toolkits for physicians, underage drinking and treatment resources.

American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM) maintains a website full of information and resources for educating physicians on addiction disease and encouraging appropriate treatment for those suffering from addiction; highlights include a doctor referral database, reviews of medical research, and topical articles on addiction medicine and care.

Association for Medical Education and Research focuses on the education and training of health care and other professionals on substance abuse.

Center for College Alcohol Recovery. This new program is an excellent resource for recovering students and their parents as they contemplate which college/recovery program best suits their needs.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Center for Science in the Public Interest’s Alcohol Policies Project produces a new magazine with the latest health care information, research reviews, public policy issues, and commentary on alcohol policies.

Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) collects and disseminates research and program data on addiction treatment and advocacy. CESAR also provides technical assistance/training and distributes a short news brief that can be faxed to you automatically.

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), a division of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, maintains a website containing highlights of the national programs on addiction, a collection of research publications, and a searchable database with a wide variety of documents.

Children of Alcoholics Foundation provides a range of educational materials and services to help professionals, children, and adults break the intergenerational cycle of parental addiction, including easy-access training materials and resources.

Christopher D. Smithers Foundation educates the public to reduce the stigma of alcohol addiction and funds prevention programs with an emphasis on high risk populations.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), a coordinating body of more than 5,000 coalition members from around the country, supports organizations with technical assistance and training, public policy, media strategies and marketing programs, and conferences.

Detroit Recovery Project provides social activities to reduce relapse (recidivism) and promote treatment and prevention efforts.

Drug Strategies promotes more effective approaches to the nation's drug problems through prevention, treatment, and appropriate law enforcement.

Drugs and Crime Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice details current and archived federal statistics on drug-related crime and incarceration.

Employee Assistance Professionals Association is a professional association for human resource and other employee assistance professionals.

Entertainment Industries Council (EIC) provides information, awareness and understanding of major public health and social issues among the entertainment industry, and to audiences at large.

Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention provides support to all institutions of higher education in their efforts to address alcohol and other drug problems.

Johnson Institute works on raising public awareness, acting as a catalyst for public and professional networking, and developing a consistent position on key public policy issues regarding addiction.

Join Together, a national resource center working to reduce addiction and gun violence, has an excellent, comprehensive website for daily news, current policy and legislative issues, political advocacy, and one of the largest online databases and documents library.

Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free National, a coalition of Governors’ spouses, federal agencies and public and private organizations, is a campaign to prevent alcohol use by children ages 9 to 15.

Legal Action Center fights discrimination against people with histories of addiction, AIDS, and criminal records by providing legal services, policy advocacy and research, and training.

Minnesota Model Consulting Inc. collaborates with communities and agencies both nationally and internationally to develop, expand and improve treatment access and services for the still-suffering addict. We have extensive experience with adult models as well as adolescent models.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) conducts legislative advocacy and provides medical, sociological, and community organizing information on mental illness

National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed to help people in need of treatment find treatment providers who are willing and able to treat opioid dependency in the privacy of a doctor's office.

National Alliance of Methadone Advocates (NAMA) is an organization of methadone patients, healthcare professionals and allies.

NAADAC The Association for Addiction Professionals is a professional organization for addiction care specialists, provides resources for people working in the field as well as topical information on treatment and prevention.

National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) provides news, policy updates, and background information on addiction; helps promote the delivery of research-based treatment; and advocates for increased access to and availability of quality treatment.

National Association on Alcohol, Drugs, and Disability (NAADD) promotes awareness and education about addiction among people with co-existing disabilities.

National Association for Children Of Alcoholics (NACoA) offers programs and services for children and families affected by alcoholism and other drug dependencies.

National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) and the National Drug Court Institute (NDCI) provide information and technical assistance to those working in drug courts.

National Association of Social Workers - Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Section offers professional information to social workers in the alcohol and drug field, as well as education materials and news updates on related issues.

National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) fosters the development of alcohol and drug addiction program capabilities in each state, facilitates the interstate exchange of information and program activities, and assists the federal and state governments in the creation of alcohol and drug addiction services.

National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council provides leadership and training for prevention & treatment in African-American communities.

National Center on Alcohol and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University is a national research and policy think tank, publishing studies on all forms of substance abuse. CASA's website contains concise resources for community advocacy and timely news and updates on public policy issues.

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) Main site for federal resources on alcohol and other drugs, event and other information.

National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has affiliates across the country; operates a 24-hour referral line; and provides education, information and services to address addiction and its social stigma.

National Family Partnership sponsors Red Ribbon Week and provides information and materials for communities to promote youth alcohol and drug prevention efforts.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting research, administering policy, and disseminating data and public announcements on alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting research, administering policy, and disseminating data and public announcements on drug dependence.

National Mental Health Association is a leading advocate for tolerance and awareness of mental health and improving services, preventing mental illness, and promoting mental health, including stigma reduction.

National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) produces educational materials, coordinates training and curricula, sponsors community outreach, and designs public awareness campaigns to prevent FAS, caused by alcohol use during pregnancy.

Office of National Drug Control Policy provides information on the National Media Campaign, the Drug-Free Communities Act and other resources.

Opiate Dependence Resource Center provides recovery support services, case management services and education, free of charge, to anyone interested in or suffering from opioid dependence, and is a nationally recognized advocate for best practices in medication-assisted recovery.

Oxford House is a network of democratically run, self-supporting and drug free homes.

Partnership for a Drug Free America carries out national drug education advertising and other media communications.

Partners for Recovery (PFR), a web site launched by SAMHSA, facilitates communication and resource-sharing for organizations and communities that help individuals and families achieve and maintain recovery.

Partnership for Recovery is a public information alliance of the nation's leading alcohol and drug addiction treatment providers.

Professional Leadership on National Drug Policy, formerly the Physicians Leadership on National Drug Policy has an array of research and advocacy resources.

Racing for Recovery works to help prevent all forms of substance abuse and to provide positive alternatives for those currently battling addictions by encouraging a lifestyle of fitness and health through 5K Run/Walk events across the nation.

The Recovery Community Services Program (RCSP) is a grant program of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA-CSAT). RCSP grant projects provide peer-to-peer recovery support services to help people initiate and/or sustain recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders.

Recovery Month, sponsored by Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and national planning partners, is an annual nationwide event highlighting the benefits of treatment and recovery.

Research Institute on Addictions at the University of Buffalo is a leading researcher on addiction and has many on-line publications and a large collection of documents on addiction studies.

Research Society on Alcoholism serves as a communications point for scientists and addiction field professionals to share and disseminate information and research findings.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a prominent grantor and resource in the alcohol and drug addiction field.

Therapeutic Communities of America (TCA) is an association of addiction treatment organizations working together to promote the understanding of the self-help methodology; their website contains a list of publications and an index of articles from the TCA newsletter.

Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities(TASC) provides innovative treatment programs and direct services, conducts research on alternative alcohol and drug treatments, and provides services to people and professionals in the child welfare, juvenile justice, and criminal justice systems.

Treatment Improvement Exchange, sponsored by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, is a one-stop web center for information and resources for advocacy groups and alcohol & drug addiction organizations.

We Recover is a one-stop resource for recovery advocates.

White Bison is a holistic Native American approach to recovery and wellness.

Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace, U.S. Department of Labor, provides facts and figures about addiction to alcohol and other drugs, its costs to the workplace and strategies for how to establish an alcohol- and drug-free workplace.

Now Welcoming Visitors

12 Step Knoxville

is Back On Line

http://www.12stepknoxville.com

Were back up “On a wing and a prayer”

The site currently is very “Bland” basic html code with limited graphics and backgrounds. The good news is most of the content such as downloadable library files and links were retained. In other words, the site works it just doesn’t have the same look and feel. I have tried to answer a few of the questions that you may have regarding the site.

Will it continue to look like this?

ABSOULTY NOT! You can expect this site to become one of the better looking recovery sites on the Internet (if not The Best)

What Happened?

We switched hosting providers (a nightmare). Our previous provider (lacked a lot to be desired) on several levels, I felt it in the best interest of not only this site this site but others I own to choose an alternative hosting provider.

How will this change affect me as a user?

This site is going to be TOTALLY AWSOME!

Very Interactive, Simple Flow, User Driven

Streaming Audio and Video/ Real Audio & Video Supported We can even Podcast

Discussion Area or bulletin-board powered by phpbb

Bogging powered by Word Press

Numerous Feeds RSS 1.0, RSS 2.0, ATOM, Feed Burner, Technorati

We have a lot more versatility with this new hosting provider. One of their biggest advantages thus far has been their honesty and support availability. They are located in the Continental United States and there No Pornography on any of the 115,000 Sites they host. They came highly recommended as a Christian Organization.

The following are a few of the added features

10 Gigabyte Hosting Space

250 Gig per month transfer (Totally Awsome)

Host 6 Domains on 1 Account
2,500 POP/Imap Email Accounts
SSH (Secure Shell)
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CGI, Ruby (RoR), Perl, PHP, MySQL
Customised Apache Web Server
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Gospel of Judas: Betraying Jesus - Again?

From the onset, let it be known that I am convinced that the spiritual teachings that we now have neatly placed into a handy carrying case (The Bible) are not now, nor have they ever been ALL that was written upon which we could gain insight into God's plan for man. What we have is surely ENOUGH, but I don't believe it's all. That's my personal conviction. You can have yours, too. What we now have as canonized Scripture is the "official" information but we all know that "officials" are often lying when their lips are moving. My personal vote for should-be-canonized Holy Writ would be the book of Enoch. Why omit the information from a man who walked with God for 300 years? But somebody smarter than me gave Enoch the axe.

Throughout the ages, the Powers-that-be have used the Bible as a means for pushing their own agenda, omitting that which did not suit their needs or adding that which supported their doctrine of choice. Rex Lex, it's called; the King is Law or, better put, the Law is King. Some verses have even been omitted from some Bible versions with an explanation. I have my own explanation: the Powers-that-be and their appointed editors didn't have the faith to believe what the verses were declaring.

Editors? Yes, every Biblical version has Editors, people with many impressive letters after their names who are chosen to determine what spiritual food is best for Christians to digest. In the case of the New International Version, for example, my own research has revealed that one of its editors was a lesbian. This might explain why the NIV is so "weak" in its stand against homosexuality. I've also learned that Rupert Murdock of Fortune Magazine fame - once known as Rupert the Red for his stance in favor of Communism - actually owns the copyright to the NIV. Gee, I wonder what agenda HE might be subtly pushing?

Do you catch my drift? We mustn't check our brains at the door where our spirituality is concerned. That rule of thumb must also apply in light of the recent revelation, something called the Gospel of Judas.

I, JUDAS.

Judas, whose name means "Jewish man," was NOT inserted into the Gospels as some sort of "EveryJew" in order to breed anti-Semitic hatred. Judas was apparently a quite common name just as "Jesus" was. The apostle Thaddeus is also known as “Judas, the brother of James,” as well as “Judas, not Iscariot.” The Book of Jude is attributed to a man named Judas, too. Judas Maccabeus, one of the great heroes of Judaism, is one possible reason why so many kids were once tagged with that name. I live in Texas and have met more than my share of kids named Dallas, Austin and Travis.

Here's what the Associated Press had to say about the Gospel of Judas:

AP - For 2,000 years Judas has been reviled for betraying Jesus. Now a newly translated ancient document seeks to tell his side of the story.

The "Gospel of Judas" tells a far different tale from the four gospels in the New Testament. It portrays Judas as a favored disciple who was given special knowledge by Jesus - and who turned him in at Jesus' request.

"You will be cursed by the other generations - and you will come to rule over them," Jesus tells Judas in the document made public Thursday.

The text, one of several ancient documents found in the Egyptian desert in 1970, was preserved and translated by a team of scholars. It was made public in an English translation by the National Geographic Society.

Apparently, these papyrus manuscripts consist of

- a Gnostic codex in Sahidic dialect containing the lost 'Gospel of Judas' known from history only through Saint Irenaeus (c. 140-202 AD), Bishop of Lyon,

- the "First Apocalypse of James"

- the "Epistle of Peter to Philip"...

- the 'Book of Exodus' in Greek...

- 'Letters of Paul' in Sahidic dialect...

- and a 'Mathematical Treatise' in Greek"

...whatever that is.

All these manuscripts are priceless historical documents (I've read the figures of $3,000,000 to $10,000,00 being tossed around in association with these pieces), only comparable to major finds like the Dead-See Scrolls from Qumran. Though some say they belong to mankind and must be publicly preserved and studied, others are being driven by greed and the whole story reads like some kind of dramatic suspense saga that reminds be of the Nicholas Cage thriller, National Treasure or the more recent Tom Hanks flick, The DaVinci Code. The Associated Press wrote that "the journey of the text to Switzerland was "replete with smugglers, black-market antiquities dealers, religious scholars, backstabbing partners and greedy entrepreneurs."

If you're interested, all of this comes from a number of articles on the web site of Michel van Rijn, who monitors the art market. His site is http://www.michelvanrijn.nl/artnews/artnws.htm. A search for 'Gospel of Judas' reveals other details of the negotiations.

MORE EXPERT OPINIONS

The Associated Press reported (3/2/06) that "an expert on ancient Egyptian texts is predicting that the "Gospel of Judas," a manuscript from early Christian times that's nearing release amid widespread interest from scholars, will be a dud in terms of learning anything new about Judas."

That expert is James M. Robinson, considered America's leading expert on such ancient religious texts from Egypt. Robinson is an emeritus professor at Claremont (Calif.) Graduate University, chief editor of religious documents found in 1945 at Nag Hammadi, Egypt, and an international leader among scholars of Coptic manuscripts. He predicts that the text won't offer any insights into the disciple who betrayed Jesus because it's not old enough.

"Does it go back to Judas? No," Robinson told the AP.

The AP story said that the text, in Egypt's Coptic language, dates from the third or fourth century and is a copy of an earlier document. The National Geographic Society, along with other groups, has been studying the "Judas" text.

National Geographic said Thursday it will release its report on the document "within the next few weeks" but didn't specify whether that would come via a book, magazine article or telecast. Robinson has not seen what National Geographic is working on, but assumes it is the same work assailed by Bishop Irenaeus of Lyons, the heresy-hound of his day, around A.D. 180.

Here is what I found on the Roberts-Donaldson translation of this section from the pen of St. Irenaeus:"Others again declare that Cain derived his being from the Power above, and acknowledge that Esau, Korah, the Sodomites, and all such persons, are related to themselves. On this account, they add, they have been assailed by the Creator, yet no one of them has suffered injury. For Sophia was in the habit of carrying off that which belonged to her from them to herself. They declare that Judas the traitor was thoroughly acquainted with these things, and that he alone, knowing the truth as no others did, accomplished the mystery of the betrayal; by him all things, both earthly and heavenly, were thus thrown into confusion. They produce a fictitious history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas."

Irenaeus was saying that the writings he saw came from a "Cainite" Gnostic sect that stood against orthodox Christianity. "They produce a fictitious history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas," Irenaeus wrote in "Against Heresies." He also accused the Cainites of lauding the biblical murderer Cain, the Sodomites and Judas, whom they regarded as the keeper of secret mysteries.

The AP story goes on to say that Robinson admits that the text is valuable to scholars of the second century but dismissed the notion that it'll reveal unknown biblical secrets. He speculated the timing of the release is aimed at capitalizing on interest in the film version of "The DaVinci Code" a fictional tale that centers on a Christian conspiracy to cover up a marriage between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

"There are a lot of second-, third- and fourth-century gospels attributed to various apostles," Robinson said. "We don't really assume they give us any first century information."

H.C. Puech and Beate Blatz write (New Testament Apocrypha, vol. 1, p. 387): 'Dating: the Gospel of Judas was of course composed before 180, the date at which it is mentioned for the first time by Irenaeus in adv. Haer. If it is in fact a Cainite work, and if this sect - assuming it was an independent Gnostic group - was constituted in part, as has sometimes been asserted, in dependence on the doctrine of Marcion, the apocryphon can scarcely have been composed before the middle of the 2nd century. This would, however, be to build on weak arguments. At most we may be inclined to suspect a date between 130 and 170 or thereabouts."

That's odd. Another so-called "expert" named Charles Hedrick, Missouri State University - and other scholars - are saying the codex was produced in the fourth or fifth century. Hmmm. These dates are derived through radiocarbon dating, a commonly used method to determine the age of archaeological finds. Fool-proof? Not by any means. I recall reading about some chicken bones from dinner the night before that were carbon-dated and the results clearly showed that they came from the Bronze Age or something like that. Tasty!

In every case, the experts seem to agree with Irenaeus that the Gospel of Judas reflects the theological traditions of the Gnostics, a second-century sect, a community that believed true spirituality derived from a self-knowledge, or "gnosis." Figures depicted as sinful in the Old Testament, such as Cain and Esau, were typically lauded under Gnostic theology. Old-time Gnostics believed that true spirituality was derived from knowledge, not the New Age self-knowledge we see being touted today.

For Robinson, the significance of the Gospel of Judas has to do not with first-century history but with second-century mythology. Still, he offered these half-serious reflections in his closing remarks in an interview last month: "Where would Christianity be, if there had been no Judas, and Jesus - instead of dying for our sins on the cross - had died of old age?" he asked. "So: Thank God for Judas? Even the most broadminded among us would call that heresy!"

Then call me a heretic, Professor. Though I won't go so far as to thank God for Judas, I CAN and WILL thank Him that He had a plan and that plan DID call for the shedding of innocent blood for the atonement of sins. Yours, too. Jesus was born to die. If it hadn't been Judas, it would have been somebody else. Besides, it's not about Christianity, the religion; it's about having a relationship with God and how that gruesome death on the cross made that relationship possible. More importantly, it's not so much about HOW Jesus died so much as that he was RAISED from the dead. He could have died a donkey cart accident, so long as his blood was shed, but what matters is that He lived again.

Besides, many prophecies had been fulfilled in the way that Jesus died, including His betrayal by one of His friends. Compare these Old and new Testament verses regarding just a few of those prophecies and you'll be amazed. makes a GREAT Bible study!

Psalms 41:9 to Matthew 26:47-50;

Zechariah 11:12 to Matthew 26:14-15;

Isaiah 50:6 to Matthew 26:67-68;

Isaiah 53:5 to Matthew 27:26;

Isaiah 53:7 to Matthew 27:12-14;

Zechariah 11:13 to Matthew 27:5-7;

Psalm 22:16 to Luke 23:33;

Isaiah 53:12 to Matthew 27:38

This is certain; God had a plan all along and His ways are higher than ours. Isaiah 55:8,9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

THINKING LIKE THE ENEMY

Let's say, for a moment, that you are Lucifer. Not comfortable with that? Ok, let's say that I am the devil incarnate. What ELSE would I do to shake the faith of the Christian world that I haven't already done? My war with you is on several fronts, remember: your flesh, your mind, and your spirit. Satan’s opposition against the church is not a frontal attack, but a subversive attack through intrigue, deception, and trickery. The demons were shocked to discover that Jesus had come in a manger. They were expecting Him to come later, for one final confrontation (Matthew 8:28-29). Satan’s strategy for the present time (until the final conflict) is that of subversive activity. Terrorism, for example. He is presently employing deception and intrigue to trip up the Christian world at large. This is a time of guerilla warfare, of snipers and booby traps, not of frontal attack.

Where the Gospel of Judas is concerned, all I can say is, nice try, devil. He's done this before, maximizing the number of reporters looking for an Eastertime “religious” story to discount Christianity. This is the season when those “Jesus” programs hit their peak all over cable TV. My goodness, the results of the "official" research are to be released after Easter, when Christians around the world traditionally will have marked the official version of Christ's death as told by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Monsignor Walter Brandmuller, president of the Vatican's Committee for Historical Science, calls this "a product of religious fantasy." He said the "Judas" manuscript would not have any impact on church teaching. Seeing as how the Church has already addressed this matter between 1500 and 1900 years ago, it's not surprising that he doesn't think there will be much of an impact.

I'm inclined to agree. Sadly, there will be many who are sitting on the fence or those looking for an excuse that will be swayed by the scientific findings. Yes, there will be those baby Christians - some who've been warming pews for 50 years - who will become confused by the outcome. But any Christian who is well versed in Scripture will not be moved. We can get some insights into one of the primary Christian heresies that has never completely disappeared, and may even perhaps get some personal insights into our own walks with God. This may prove to be a test for you. Just remember what it is that we're reading. Eat the meat and spit out the bones.

JUDAS: FRIEND OR FOE?

William Klassen, author of "Judas: Betrayer or Friend of Jesus?" considers the manuscript an asset to any attempts to rehabilitate Judas' image. "It's important to look at this Gospel of Judas very carefully, because this is evidence that in the late second century, in the time of Irenaeus, there was a group who held up the banner for Judas," he said.

While we're at it, let's discuss the kinder, gentler side of Satan and the love sonnets of Hitler. There will always be those who hold up the banner for that which is blatantly evil. Although Judas cooperates in the arrest of Christ, Hedrick said, the codex does not depict him as a villain.

Hedrick, who saw the Judas papers, agreed with Robinson that the original Gospel of Judas was probably written in Greek in the second century AD. Most scholars agree that the scribal hand used in the Coptic translation would date that text to the fourth or fifth century.

"I don't think it will unsettle the church," Hedrick said in an interview. "I mean we are not talking history here. We know very little about Judas from the New Testament, and some people have even challenged whether Judas was a historical person."

Although Judas cooperates in the arrest of Christ, Hedrick said, the codex does not depict him as a villain. "Judas is not a bad guy in this text," Hedrick said in an interview. "He is the good guy and he is serving God."

Hedrick said the last six pages of the Judas document describe a heavenly scene in which Allogenes (see below) is being tested and tried by Satan, followed by an earthly scene in which Jesus is being watched closely by scribes. At one point Judas is told, "Although you are evil at this place, you are a disciple of Jesus." The last line of the text says, according to Hedrick: "And he [Judas] took money and delivered him [Jesus] over."

So, Hedrick said, "it appears that Judas is working at the behest of God when he betrays Jesus as part of the divine plan." When translations of the Gospel of Judas are released with accompanying commentary, Hedrick does admit that "there will be a lot of sensationalism, but it will dribble out, leaving only the scholars interested."

Church discussions conceivably could revolve around the extent to which New Testament Gospels present events in Jesus' life and passion as ordained from the start. Hardly anything is known about the document's contents "other than a few personages" it names, said Professor Robinson, identifying them as the mythological figure Allogenes (literally, "the stranger") known from some Nag Hammadi texts, and Satan, Jesus and Judas.

THE SO-CALLED GOSPEL OF JUDAS

If you read online, the text placed online at the New York Times website (why their keen interest?), read it with one eyebrow raised...remembering that "Gospel" means "Good News." Then go study your Bible like a good follower of Jesus Christ. We've got work to do.

12 Step Knoxville Recognized in Local Media

Wild times on road to recovery

By Steve Wildsmith
The Daily Times
2006-01-30

A lot has transpired when it comes to drugs and recovery over the past week -- a body found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is connected to a drug-related murder; James Frey was on ``Oprah'' once again, only this time he was taken to task by the talk-show host instead of lavished with praise; and the Metro Pulse did a piece in its City Beat column examining 12-Step recovery and the Knox County Drug Court program.

I wanted to touch on all of those, but I'm still wool-gathering when it comes to those subjects, and frankly, with contest deadlines and special section deadlines and the daily grind of work and home, I need more time. I remember well the days when my entire world revolved around getting high and the chase after the dope to do so.

Now that I'm living life on life's terms, I'm overwhelmed by all of the responsibility sometimes. Which is why it's nice to take time out and do something for my recovery -- like checking out a new recovery-related Web site, www.12stepknoxville.com.

The organizer behind the site makes it very clear -- this is a religious-based recovery Web site. He doesn't tout religion as the only way to get clean and maintain recovery, but he's certainly a proponent of it. And that's OK. I've never said that secular 12-Step meetings, which I attend, are the only way for addicts to keep their disease in check.

The difference between my recovery and that of Tim, the webmaster of the site, is that his is centered around Christ. Mine is centered around spirituality.

In secular 12-Step meetings, we emphasize that we're spiritual, but not religious. Belief in God is not a prerequisite for recovery -- and there are many agnostics, atheists, Buddhists and persons of other faiths who attend those 12-Step meetings.

Tim and many others like him have found recovery through the teachings of the Bible and the examples of Christ. He quotes Scripture frequently on his Web site, and he maintains that the site ``is here for the purpose of bringing unity among all people who love and believe in God and individuals with a desire and passion to become the person God has called them to be. The site is inter-denominational, Christ-based serving alcoholics, substances abusers and family members affected by addictive behavior. Were here to offer a healthy support and resource network for those recovering from addiction.''

On the site, you'll find links to national recovery sites and media (including recovery radio programs), a listing of the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of recovery, links to prayer-based and Biblical reference sites and a list of meetings, both secular and Christ-based.

``I am only a humble servant offering my personal time and efforts to aid anyone who should need a friend to talk to about recovery, and has a desire to stop drinking or using drugs,'' Tim writes on the site. ``Opinions and ideas shared here are solely those of the person saying them and in no way should be reflective of local recovery groups, churches or this Web site itself. It is further understood that this site is privately owned and maintained. 12StepKnoxville.com Web site is provided only as a service to those who seek it's information.''

Ultimately, the site is a lot of work and dedication from one recovering addict to others. Regardless of Tim's religious zeal, by maintaining this site, he's living one of the tenets of recovery -- that we can only keep what we have by giving it away.
It's another tool for recovering addicts to use in our ongoing struggle with addiction. Check it out at www.12stepknoxville.com.

Steve Wildsmith is a recovering addict and the Weekend editor for The Daily Times. Contact him at steve.wildsmith@thedailytimes.com or at 981-1144.

100+ Character Qualities

100+ Character Qualities


ALERTNESS: Being keenly aware of the events taking place around me so that I can have the right responses to them.

ATTENTIVENESS: Showing the worth of a person or task by giving my undivided concentration.

AVAILABILITY: Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve.

BENEVOLENCE: Giving to others’ basic needs without expectations of personal reward.

BOLDNESS: Demonstrating the confidence and courage that doing what is right will bring ultimate victory regardless of present opposition.

BREADTH: Having depth and broadness, in words and deeds, within the heart and mind.

BROTHERLINESS: Exhibiting a kinship and disposition to render help because of a relationship.

CANDOR: Speaking the truth at the time when the truth should be spoken. This is done through openness, fairness and sincerity.

CAUTION: Knowing to be alert and prudent in a hazardous or dangerous situation.

CHEERFUL: Expressing encouragement, approval and/or congratulations at the proper time.

CHIVALRY: Protecting the weak, the suffering and the neglected by maintaining justice and rightness.

COMMITMENT: Devoting myself to following up on my words (promises, pledges or vows) with action.

COMPASSION: Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others by the willingness to bear their pain.

CONFIDENCE: Placing full trust and belief in the reliability of a person or thing.

CONSISTENCY: Following constantly the same principles, course or form in all circumstances; holding together.

CONTENTMENT: Accepting myself as God created me with my gifts, talents, abilities and opportunities.

COURAGE: Fulfilling my responsibilities and standing up for convictions in spite of being afraid.

CREATIVITY: Approaching a need, a task or an idea from a new perspective.

DECISIVENESS: Learning to finalize difficult decisions on the basis of what is right, not popular or tempting.

DEFERENCE: Limiting my freedom to speak and act in order to not offend the tastes of others.

DEPENDABILITY: Fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice.

DETERMINATION: Working intently to accomplish goals regardless of the opposition.

DILIGENCE: Visualizing each task as a special assignment and using all my energies to accomplish it.

DISCERNMENT: Seeking to use intuitive ability to judge situations and people; understanding why things happen to me and others.

DISCIPLINE: Receiving instruction and correction in a positive way; maintaining and enforcing proper conduct in accordance with the guidelines and rules.

DISCRETION: Recognizing and avoiding words, actions and attitudes which could result in undesirable consequences.

ENDURANCE: Exercising inward strength to withstand stress and do my best in managing what occurs in my life.

ENTHUSIASM: Expressing lively, absorbing interest in each task as I give it my best effort.

FAIRNESS (EQUITY): Looking at a decision from the viewpoint of each person involved.

FAITH: Developing an unshakable confidence in God and acting upon it.

FAITHFULNESS: Being thorough in the performance of my duties; being true to my words, promises and vows.

FEAR OF THE LORD: Having a sense of awe and respect for Almighty God which goes above and beyond anyone else or anything.

FIRMNESS: Exerting a tenacity of will with strength and resoluteness. A willingness to run counter to the traditions and fashions of the world.

FLEXIBILITY: Learning how to cheerfully change plans when unexpected conditions require it.

FORGIVENESS: Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding their past offenses against them.

FRIENDSHIP: Coming alongside another person for mutual support and encouragement.

GENEROSITY: Realizing that all I have (time, talents and treasures) belongs to God and freely giving of these to benefit others.

GENTLENESS: Learning to respond to needs with kindness, personal care and love.

GLADNESS: Abounding in joy, jubilation and cheerfulness.

GOAL-ORIENTED: Achieving maximum results toward the area where my effort is directed.

GOODNESS: Having moral excellence and a virtuous lifestyle; a general quality of proper conduct.

GRATEFULNESS: Making known to others by my words and actions how they have benefited my life.

GREATNESS: Demonstrating an extraordinary capacity for achievement.

HOLINESS: Having no blemish or stain. Being whole with no trace of regret or remorse.

HONESTY: Proclaiming the truth with sincerity and frankness in all situations.



HONOR: Respecting those in leadership because of the higher authorities they represent.

HOPE: Feeling that my deepest desire will be realized and that events will turn out for the best.

HOSPITALITY: Sharing cheerfully food, shelter and my life with those whom I come in contact.

HUMILITY: Seeing the contrast between what is perfect and my inability to achieve that perfection.

INDIGNATION: Channeling the driving passion of righteous anger without sinning.

INITIATIVE: Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it.

INTEGRITY: Being whole and complete in moral and ethical principles.

JOYFULNESS: Knowing how to be pleasant regardless of the outside circumstances which ultimately lifts the spirits of others.

JUSTICE: Taking personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right and true.

KINDNESS: Demonstrating a gentle, sympathetic attitude towards others.

KNOWLEDGE: Becoming acquainted with facts, truths or principles through study and investigation.

LEADERSHIP: Guiding others toward a positive conclusion.

LOVE: Having a deep personal attachment and affection for another person.

LOYALTY: Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to others or to what is right.

MEEKNESS: Yielding my power, personal rights and expectations humbly with a desire to serve.

NARROWNESS: Staying within established boundaries and limits.

OBEDIENCE: Fulfilling instructions so that the one I am serving will be fully satisfied and pleased.

OPTIMISM: Endeavoring to see all the possibilities and capacities of the human heart; confident, hopeful and never doubtful.

ORDERLINESS: Learning to organize and care for personal possessions to achieve greater efficiency.

ORIGINALITY: Creating “new” thinking, ideas and expanding truths from an independent viewpoint.

PASSIONATE: Having an intense, powerful or compelling emotion and feelings towards others or something.

PATIENCE: Accepting difficult situations and without demanding a deadline to remove it.

PEACEFULNESS: Being at rest with myself and others.

PERSUASIVENESS: Guiding another’s mental roadblocks by using words which cause the listener’s spirit to confirm the spoken truth.

POISE: Being totally balanced in mind, body and spirit.

PRAYERFUL: Communing with God spiritually through adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.

PROSPERITY: Flourishing or being successful, especially pertaining to financial issues.

PRUDENCE: Exhibiting caution, humbleness and wisdom in regards to practical matters.

PUNCTUALITY: Showing respect for other people by respectfully using the limited time they have.



PURE SPEECH: Speaking words that are clean, spotless and without blemish.

PURITY: Freeing yourself from anything that contaminates or adulterates.

PURPOSEFUL: Exercising determination to stay on track until the goal is achieved.

REASONABLENESS: Having a sound mind by being level headed, sane and demonstrating common sense.

RESOURCEFULNESS: Using wisely that which others would normally overlook or discard.

RESPECT: Honoring and esteeming another person due to deep admiration.

RESPONSIBILITY: Knowing and doing what is expected from me.

REVERENCE: Learning to give honor where it is due and to respect the possessions and property of others.

RIGHTEOUSNESS: Acting in a moral and upright way that honors God, regardless of who is watching.

SECURITY: Structuring my life around what is eternal and cannot be destroyed or taken away.

SELF-CONTROL: Bringing my thoughts, words, actions and attitudes into constant obedience in order to benefit others.

SENSITIVITY: Being aware and attentive to the true attitudes and emotional needs of those around me.

SERVANTHOOD: Caring for and meeting the needs of others before caring for myself.

SINCERITY: Endeavoring to do what is right, without ulterior motives.

STEWARDSHIP: Administering and managing personal and financial affairs effectively.

TEACHABILITY: Demonstrating a willingness to learn or be trained without any reservations or hindrances.

THANKFULNESS: Expressing deep gratitude and appreciation to people and to God.

THOROUGHNESS: Executing something perfectly with the realization that each of my tasks will be reviewed.

THOUGHTFULNESS: Showing consideration for others through acts of kindness and/or words.

THRIFTINESS: Preventing not letting myself or others spend that which is not necessary.

TOLERANCE: Learning to accept others as valuable individuals regardless of their maturity.

TRANSPARENCY: Allowing others to shine a light on my life for the purpose of being accountable.

TRUTHFULNESS: Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts.

TRUST or TRUSTWORTHY: Believing completely and totally in someone or something.

UNDERSTANDING: Exhibiting strong intelligence and a sound mind in comprehending and discerning matters.

VIRTUE: Learning to build personal moral standards which will cause others to desire a greater moral life.

VISIONARY: Dreaming not inhibited by the unknown. Looking beyond problems by creating successful solutions.

VULNERABILITY: Being open to receive constructive criticism and guidance.

WISDOM: Learning to see and respond correctly to life situations with keen judgment; the application of knowledge.

WORSHIP: Honoring God reverently.

Adapted from several sources including “Institute in Basic Conflicts” by Bruce Bickel; Character First! program and “The Character of Jesus” by Charles Edward Jefferson.

New Recovery Website Up 'N' Running

NOW On-Line

Check it out!

12 STEP KNOXVILLE

12.StepKnoxville.com

The following is information about the site as stated on the opening page:

Is here for the purpose of bringing unity among all people who love and believe in God. Individuals with a desire and passion to become the person GOD has called them to be. The site is inter-denominational, Christ-based serving Alcoholics, Substances abusers and Family members affected by addictive behavior. Were here to offer a healthy support and resource network for those recovering from addiction.

What you will find here:

• Experience, Strength, Hope..... (We add Compassion, Love and Prayer on this site)
• Numerous 12 Step Resources for Christ Based and Conventional 12 Step Programs
• Listings for Knoxville Recovery Meetings both Christ Based and Conventional
• On-line Recovery Meetings and Chat Rooms *(see footnote)
• Comprehensive Biblical and AA Resources (Searchable Bibles, Big Book and more)
• Recovery Media such as Streaming Radio Feeds and other Recovery News
• Downloads (Bibles, Scriptures, Big Book, Step Worksheets and other Sobriety Tools)

What you will NOT find here:

• Anything contrary to the word of God
• Any type of Pornography
• Anything for sale or a barrage of banner ads and soliciting you for $$$
• Anything that is not conducive to a healthy and spiritual recovery

Matthew 25:34-40

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’"

I hope that you will be blessed by your visit

Your Brother in Christ
1st Timothy


*Notes regarding anonymity

The fundamental principles of AA anonymity are not changed when electronic media, such as the Internet, are used to facilitate communication among members. The name "Alcoholics Anonymous" implies both that individuals may retain the degree of privacy they wish regarding their membership in the fellowship and also that no single member speaks for the whole of AA at the level of press, film, radio, or television.

Tradition 11

"Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather
than promotion; we need always maintain personal
anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television,
and other public media of communication.".


One of the advantages of being online is that the individual can choose to remain anonymous or to tell the other individuals their true identity when they are ready to do so. Aspects of one's identity such as age, sex, race, education, all of which would be revealed automatically in a face-to-face meeting do not come through the computer unless you choose to reveal them. And on the Net, people are not judged by their physical appearance, Have fun and use discernment.

The Church and Addiction

The Church and Addiction

Ten years ago, few of us would have considered chemical dependency, sexual addiction, or eating disorders suitable topics for polite conversation within the church community. These were among the "silent issues" in the church. Today, however, addiction, compulsive behavior and abuse are widely recognized as problems of enormous personal and social significance. Consider these statistics:

• At least six million Americans are addicted to cocaine.
• Between five million and ten million are addicted to prescription drugs.
• Ten million Americans are alcoholics.
• More than 50 million Americans are addicted to nicotine.
• Countless more are addicted to television, shopping, exercise, sports, and even cosmetic surgery.
• Further, it is estimated that every addict directly affects at least ten other people.

Emerging Awareness

The Christian community is not immune to these difficulties. Many life-long Christians struggle with addiction. In addition, many people come to Christ hoping to find freedom from the bondage of addiction. Often these new Christians expect their problems will immediately disappear as a result of their conversions. Eventually, however, many discover that true healing requires a lengthy process of righting the wrongs of their past. Some of these people who suffer from addiction, compulsive behavior, or abuse find it difficult to be part of a church community. They may find that within their church, self-defeating behavior is denied, ignored, or minimized by those who use religion to shield themselves from life's realities.

Pastors and church leaders are becoming aware that there are hurting individuals within their congregation, but they sometimes lack the appropriate tools or training to cope with the problem effectively. Fortunately, more and more church leaders are developing practical programs for people who struggle with abuse, addiction and compulsive behavior. These ministries provide a safe place where individuals can begin to confront their personal difficulties.

Understanding Addiction

In contemporary life, virtually anything or anyone can become an object of addiction or overattachment. Whenever people focus obsessively on an object or compulsively search for something, they are exhibiting a strong attachment beyond the point of enthusiasm or ardent feelings. They are addicted. Looking to this self-defeating behavior for comfort and satisfaction, these individuals ultimately become separated from God, thus diminishing their spirits and impeding their freedom.

Gerald May, in his book Addiction and Grace, defines addiction as "any compulsive, habitual behavior that limits the freedom of human desire." May goes on to list five essential characteristics that mark true addiction. They are:

• Tolerance - the phenomenon of always wanting or needing more to feel satisfied. Tolerance can be experienced either physically, as when the body adapts to increasing doses of chemical substances, or psychologically, as when people continually adjust their standard of living upward in response to increased income.
• Withdrawal symptoms - reactions to the removal of the addictive behavior.
• Self-deception - mental defense mechanisms such as denial and rationalization invented to counter attempts to control the addiction.
• Loss of willpower - an inability to conquer the addiction despite the illusion of control.
• Distortion of attention - a preoccupation with the addiction that usurps our concern for the true priorities of life, especially God. For this reason, addiction can be viewed as idolatry.

As pastors and other church leaders become aware of hurting and fragmented Christian families in their midst, they are realizing the importance of reaching out to these people. They recognize that most individuals can deny their problems for only a limited period of time. Confronting their negative behavior requires support and understanding. Through compassion and love, these hurting people can find a solution for the contradictory feelings and behaviors that accompany the pretense of always seeming "fine."

Some of these wounded Christians may fear harsh judgement for not relying on their faith in dealing with their problems. As a result, they might feel inferior and assume something is wrong with them. They may even be admonished by someone within the church community to pray and read more scripture, or to trust God more fully. As long as these people avoid their actual problems, however, the outcome can be a graceless pretense of religious life.

As more recovery programs are started in churches, a growing network of committed people are learning to build congregations that are both safe and helpful for those in recovery. Designed to assist this network of individuals, the Living Free Program includes practical materials that have been developed and field-tested within established Christ-centered recovery ministries. The program provides a wide range of useful resources to help organize recovery programs within churches and presents various approaches to establishing these ministries. Details of the Living Free Program are explained in Chapter Five.

Scripture Messages

The Bible contains several examples of dysfunction and self-defeating behavior in individuals and families, beginning with Cain slaying Abel in Genesis, Chapter Four. Cain's behavior illustrates how anger, jealousy and dishonesty can affect one's reason. When confronted with his crime and its resulting curse, Cain responded with self-pity instead of remorse. In the end, Cain became alienated from God and the land that was his livelihood.

In Genesis, Chapters 25-27, stories about Jacob and Esau remind us of the power of control and manipulation. Rebekah used her son Jacob as a pawn to deceive her husband, Isaac. In doing so, she taught Jacob to lie and deceive in order to get his father's blessing.

Many families today continue similar legacies of compulsive behavior, abuse and addiction. Adults who experienced trauma during childhood as a result of inappropriate behavior by their primary caregivers often become offenders themselves. Recent books point out the damaging effect a chaotic and unpredictable environment has on a child's development. Whether the damage was physical, psychological, or emotional, an abusive environment fosters a continuous cycle of addictive, compulsive behavior.

During his brief but powerful ministry on earth, Jesus Christ exemplified the ministry of bringing hurting people together and showing them how to love and care for one another. Later, his disciples taught these same lessons. The following scriptural passages demonstrate how Christ and his disciples conveyed these messages.

• "Love one another." (JOHN 13:34)
• "Have equal concern for each other." 1 CORINTHIANS 12:24-25)
• "Confess your sins to each other." (JAMES 5:16)
• "Carry each other's burdens." (GALATIANS 6:2)
• "Pray for each other." (JAMES 5:16)
• "Encourage one another and build each other up." (1 THESSALONIANS 5:11)
• "Submit to one another." (EPHESIANS 5:21)
• "Teach and admonish one another." (COLOSSIANS 3:16)
• "Spur one another toward love and good deeds." (HEBREWS 10:24)

The Holy Spirit encourages us to love, serve and care for one another. How we manifest this behavior is unique to each of us, but clear to others. As Jesus said, "...all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (JOHN 13:35) Through the Holy Spirit's presence, Christ-centered recovery support groups become a place where God's grace can work miracles.

Christ-Centered Recovery Support Groups

Christ-centered recovery groups enable hurting Christians to honestly share their thoughts, feelings and experiences with others from similar backgrounds. They provide a safe place for wounded people to tell the truth, talk through a crisis, openly express feelings, identify options and make decisions. They create a forum where individuals can support and encourage one another toward healing and wholeness. They also offer a safe arena in which to challenge the concept that "believing is a quick fix" for life's problems. As people give up this illusion, they become more honest and aware of the denial that has protected them from the reality of their woundedness.

It is natural for people to feel comfortable and less afraid of rejection when discussing their problems and admitting their fears with others who identify with them. The process of conquering self-defeating behavior is strengthened through positive affirmation, love and support from those around them. Through this process, people can receive the comfort of God while sharing their experience, strength and hope with others.

When recovery support groups are part of a Christian community, individuals can integrate their faith in Christ with their journey toward healing. In particular, Christ-centered recovery support groups provide a safe place to:

• replace denial with honesty by being encouraged to identify destructive behavior patterns and to discover alternatives.
• comfortably share spiritual experiences with others as God leads the way through painful memories toward healthier lifestyles.
• experience the mercy and wisdom of God and the healing power of prayer by sharing personal concerns and praying for one another.
• look at hurtful experiences and unmet expectations without being ridiculed.
• learn the value of being accountable to one's self and others.
• be reminded of one's intention to stop self-defeating behavior.

Identifying the Need

After accepting the reality that woundedness exists within the church community, the next step toward addressing the problem is identifying specific needs for healing within the membership. Something as simple as an anonymous survey can reveal where to begin by identifying self-defeating behaviors, such as:

• excessive use of drugs, alcohol, or food.
• over-indulgence in sex, gambling, spending, or work.
• compulsive behavior expressed through constant volunteering, care-taking, perfectionism, or self-improvement.
• obsessive thinking about sin, weight, pornography, status, or relationships.
• unreasonable aversions to crowds, evil spirits, rejection, sex, public speaking, or disapproval.
• excessive attention and focus placed on others as a means of establishing identity and self-worth.

Based on survey results and other available information, church leaders can form Christ-centered recovery groups to address the specific needs of their community.

Recovery Support Groups

There is an important distinction between congregational care groups and Christ-centered recovery support groups. Congregational care groups are designed for people dealing with special personal problems such as grief, divorce, cancer, abortion, or single parenting. Christ-centered recovery groups focus on abstaining from self-defeating behaviors, often within a twelve-step context. This process involves developing a working understanding of the Twelve Steps as a spiritual discipline, as well as deepening one's faith and trust in God's will an endeavor that can ultimately become a way of life. Christ-centered recovery groups combine these objectives by introducing the Twelve Steps as a tool to help participants rely on Jesus Christ for guidance in resolving troublesome personal issues.

Rooted in Christian theology, the Twelve Steps were developed in 1935 by Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. In the years since, these principles have been adapted to many programs which have assisted millions of people in breaking free from obsessive, compulsive behavior within the context of a renewed relationship with God. Practicing the spiritual discipline of the Twelve Steps has proven to be one of the most effective means of recovery for individuals struggling with some form of self-defeating behavior. To Christians adopting this discipline as part of their recovery program, the compatibility between the Twelve Steps and scripture is readily apparent.

Benefits of Church-Based Recovery Ministries

A number of special benefits make recovery support groups unique, including the following:

• Personal change is supported and encouraged, not demanded.
• Wounded people are able to relate to each other because of their shared life experiences.
• Scripture is used, not as a springboard for study, but to share personal lessons and experiences in light of God's word.
• Participants learn to take risks and develop trusting relationships.

Individuals suffering from the destructive effects of obsessive, compulsive behavior need to find relief. When they enter a recovery program based on the Twelve Steps, they begin a journey of Christian growth, serenity and joy. With their emphasis on spiritual renewal, the Twelve Steps provide a discipline for discovering God's healing power and are a tool to help maintain peace and serenity in an ever-changing world.

By developing a Christ-centered recovery ministry within the church, pastors and other church leaders can reach out with hope and healing to congregational members tormented by the lingering effects of an addictive or dysfunctional family environment. Christ-centered recovery support groups offer these Christians an opportunity to find peace in the fellowship of other recovering believers. In addition, these groups provide a means for congregations to join the growing recovery network within the body of Christ. In this way, the church can become a safe place for recovery.

The Bible and the 12 Steps

The Bible and the 12 Steps

Historians have traced the genesis of the 12 step programs in Alcoholics Anonymous back to the Oxford Group, an evangelistic movement from the early 1900s. Dr. Frank Buchman, a Lutheran minister from Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, was the founder of the Oxford Group. Dr. Buchman experienced a spiritual transformation in 1908 as he visited a small church in Cumberland. Envisioning the suffering face of the crucified Christ, he realized how his resentments had separated himself from God's unconditional love. He surrendered his will and willfulness to God and began to share his experience with others. His work and following grew, with groups eventually at Oxford, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Williams, Smith and Vassar. Outreach was conducted through house meetings and members were encouraged to find and work with people who suffered from problems similar to their own.

Bill Wilson, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, traced his journey to sobriety through the Oxford group. After being visited by an old friend, Ebby Thatcher, who was restored to sobriety through the Oxford Group, Bill W. was told the principles of the Oxford Group. He described his conversion experience from that night 20 years after the event in Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age: A Brief History of A.A., p. 63:

"My depression deepened unbearably and finally it seemed to me as though I were at the very bottom of the pit. I still gagged badly ad the notion of a Power greater than myself, but finally, just for the moment, the last vestige of my proud obstinacy was crushed. All at once I found myself crying out, 'If there is a God, let Him show Himself! I am ready to do anything, anything!' "

Suddenly, the room lit up with a great white light. I was caught up into an ecstasy which there are no words to describe. It seemed to me, in the mind's eye, that I was on a mountain and that a wind not of air but of spirit was blowing. And then it burst upon me that I was a free man. Slowly the ecstasy subsided. I lay on the bed, but now for a time I was in another world, a new world of consciousness. All about me and through me there was a wonderful feeling of Presence, and I thought to myself, 'So this is the God of the preachers!' A great peace stole over me and I thought, 'No matter how wrong things seem to be, they are still all right. Things are all right with God and His world.'"

In the subsequent development of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson eventually distanced himself from the Oxford Group in order to reach out to Catholics and other groups who were uncomfortable with the evangelical emphasis. However, many of the traditions of the Oxford Group continue in the A.A. approach and the Scriptures remain the foundation for recovery for many of those in A.A. and other 12 Step groups.