The Twelve Steps and Their Biblical Comparisons
1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors. That our lives had become unmanageable.
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (Romans 7:18)
2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)
3.Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. (Lamentations 3:40)
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:16a)
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)
7. Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)
9. Made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out.
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Colossians 3:16a)
12. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and practice these principles in all our affairs.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
July 21, 2010
July 09, 2010
July 05, 2010
Why God Made Me Black
This poem was inspired by Genesis 1:26 and 27
Lord, Lord, Why did you make me black? Why did you make me someone the world wants to hold back? Black is the colour of dirty clothes; the colour of grimy hands and feet. Black is the colour of darkness; the colour of tire beaten streets. Why did you give me thick lips, a broad nose and kinky hair? Why did you make me someone who receives the hatred stare? Black is the colour of a bruised eye when somebody gets hurt Black is the colour of darkness. Black is the colour of dirt. How come my bone structure's so thick; my hips and cheeks are high? How come my eyes are brown and not the colour of the daylight sky? Why do people think I'm useless? How come I feel so used? Why do some people see my skin and think I should be abused? Lord, I just don't understand, What is it about my skin? Why do some people want to hate me and not know the person within? Black is what people are "listed" when others want to keep them away. Black is the color of shadows cast Black is the end of the day Lord, You know, my own people mistreat me and I know this just isn't right. They don't like my hair or the way I look. They say I'm too dark or too light. Lord, Don't You think it's time for you to make a change? GOD Answered: Why did I make you Black? Why did I make you Black? Get off your knees and look around, Tell me, what do you see? I didn't make you in the image of darkness, I made you in the likeness of ME! I made you the colour of coal from which beautiful diamonds are formed. I made you the colour of oil, the black gold that keeps people warm. I made you from the rich, dark earth that can grow the food you need. Your colour’s the same as the panther's known for (her) beauty and speed. Your colour’s the same as the black stallion, a majestic animal is he. I didn't make you in the image of darkness; I made you in the image of ME! All the colours of a heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation; but when all those colours were blended well;
YOU BECAME MY GREATEST CREATION! Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool such a humble little creature is he. I am the Shepherd who watches them. I am the one who watches over thee. You are the colour of the midnight sky; I put the stars' glitter in your eyes. There's a smile hidden behind your pain; that's the reason your cheeks are high. You are the colour of dark clouds formed when I send my strongest weather. I made your lips full so when you kiss the one you love , they will remember. Your stature is strong; your bone structure is thick to withstand the burdens of time. That reflection you see in the mirror...the image that looks back is MINE!
Lord, Lord, Why did you make me black? Why did you make me someone the world wants to hold back? Black is the colour of dirty clothes; the colour of grimy hands and feet. Black is the colour of darkness; the colour of tire beaten streets. Why did you give me thick lips, a broad nose and kinky hair? Why did you make me someone who receives the hatred stare? Black is the colour of a bruised eye when somebody gets hurt Black is the colour of darkness. Black is the colour of dirt. How come my bone structure's so thick; my hips and cheeks are high? How come my eyes are brown and not the colour of the daylight sky? Why do people think I'm useless? How come I feel so used? Why do some people see my skin and think I should be abused? Lord, I just don't understand, What is it about my skin? Why do some people want to hate me and not know the person within? Black is what people are "listed" when others want to keep them away. Black is the color of shadows cast Black is the end of the day Lord, You know, my own people mistreat me and I know this just isn't right. They don't like my hair or the way I look. They say I'm too dark or too light. Lord, Don't You think it's time for you to make a change? GOD Answered: Why did I make you Black? Why did I make you Black? Get off your knees and look around, Tell me, what do you see? I didn't make you in the image of darkness, I made you in the likeness of ME! I made you the colour of coal from which beautiful diamonds are formed. I made you the colour of oil, the black gold that keeps people warm. I made you from the rich, dark earth that can grow the food you need. Your colour’s the same as the panther's known for (her) beauty and speed. Your colour’s the same as the black stallion, a majestic animal is he. I didn't make you in the image of darkness; I made you in the image of ME! All the colours of a heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation; but when all those colours were blended well;
YOU BECAME MY GREATEST CREATION! Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool such a humble little creature is he. I am the Shepherd who watches them. I am the one who watches over thee. You are the colour of the midnight sky; I put the stars' glitter in your eyes. There's a smile hidden behind your pain; that's the reason your cheeks are high. You are the colour of dark clouds formed when I send my strongest weather. I made your lips full so when you kiss the one you love , they will remember. Your stature is strong; your bone structure is thick to withstand the burdens of time. That reflection you see in the mirror...the image that looks back is MINE!
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