Customer Reviews

By the Power of God: A Guide to Early A.A. Groups and Forming Similar Groups Today

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Two reviewers have already praised both the purpose and content of Dick's book on the power of God and how groups can once again tap into that power despite A.A.'s ever-increasing drift toward idolatry, nameless spirituality, and absurd names for a deity. When this book was first written, it was used to encourage and help people get started studying healing by divine means, and studying it within the 12 Step Fellowship ranks--just as the early AAs did. Since that time, more and more books have been coming out with specific references to the importance of reliance on God, Bible study and prayer--within the fellowships themselves. This book turns us back to the close of Dick's initial research on A.A.'s Biblical roots and history and his decision to write materials on how to use the history in one's own program, in groups and meetings, in study fellowships, and in teachings. Its value grows as the interest in help from God is beginning to resurface in recovery. Note how many treatment programs are now incorporating "Christian Track" segments. And if they add A.A.'s own Christian history to these Christian Tracks, they can produce winning results with Dick's book as one of their guides.

The grief implicit in alcoholism and other addictions is treated gently in this look at how God/Christianity influenced the A.A. Groups of the past, and continues to do so today. This is an honest, clear-headed, and carefully researched book well worth reading. I loved this book from page one!

Dick B. has performed a great service in writing this guide to early A.A. Groups and conducting similar groups today. He puts in print what many of us have recognised as the biblical and Christian roots in the 12 Steps and the Serenity Prayer. He shows how the early meetings were conducted and gives guidance for conducting similar meetings today; such as Serenity Groups.

Of special note is the MUST emphasis that early AA members placed on maintaining a daily Quiet Time. When I wrote Prayer Steps to Serenity The Twelve Steps Journey: New Serenity Prayer Edition [Paperback], I very consciously took the same approach of early AA by writing daily devotions and prayers that encourage readers to keep on praying and take time to Listen To God. As I wrote in Prayer Steps to Serenity The Twelve Steps Journey: New Serenity Prayer Edition [Paperback], "During your Quiet Time...pray for God's guidance and power to help you that day and in the coming days. Write your own devotional on the Step, and perhaps share it in your next group meeting or with your friends." Dick indicates that Anne Smith, Dr. Bob's wife, did this in her Journal, which she shared with others in AA meetings.

Dick B. emphasizes that those in early AA recovered from alcoholism and other addictions by the power of God. So can we, no matter what our addiction or compulsion. Dick's book, _By the Power of God_, gives us many good reasons to read good devotional books and spend time in prayer! Thanks, Dick, for a great job and for all the other AA books that you have written too! I am highly recommending your book to everyone!

L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.
Author: Prayer Steps to Serenity The Twelve Steps Journey: New Serenity Prayer Edition [Paperback]

Its the way early AA happened. NOT the way its
spoken in meetings today. Thats life. I prefer
the early AA Way. Well documented book. Dick B
has written another excellent book. If you do not
want your "program" challenged, I recommend
you do not read this. But, if you can handle
change and a few new ideas; read it!

This is a book that captured my attention and interest right away. Its foreword is by Ozzie Lepper, the Christian AA who restored the Wilson House where Bill Wilson was born, restored the Griffith Library where Wilson was raised, and then peopled these places with historical conferences, books, resources, and friendship. Ozzie wrote that his heart soared when he read what was still possible. He immediately started having old-time morning quiet time meetings at the Wilson House. And this book quickly became an inspiring guide for me, for AAs, and for those who wanted to form groups like early A.A., study the Bible, learn about A.A., find out about the Twelve Step sources, and have a workbook to help them all the way. Like all of Dick's books, this is one of a kind. You won't find this material in Christian bookstores--though you ought to be able to do so. You won't find it is treatment or recovery store libraries--though you should be able to. And you won't find very many recovering people using it. YET! But the more Christians and others learn about early A.A., the more they want to utilize its programs and principles today. This is a book I recommend for just those purposes.