My friend Chuck has a wonderful post up in which he describes an AA meeting. He expressed some things that I've been thinking about recently. Here's a little snippet from his post followed by the comment I left. Do yourself a favor though and go read the entire post.
"And I sit in these churches, with people, some of whom don’t believe in God, and I swear I’m tempted to take my shoes off, it’s that holy...Rituals. Sacraments. Prayer. Confession. Witnessing. Altar calls. Your typical AA meeting. We hold hands and everything."
And now my comment:
I know what you mean about feeling like you should take your shoes off. I’ve thought that myself. I grew up going to church and I continued to go as an adult. I don’t remember ever feeling like God himself was there. I’m sure he was but I just couldn’t seem to see him through all the “stuff” that has become church. (Or, to be fair, it could have been the alcohol
) Anyway…these days I sit in church basements at night with a group of dear AA friends who love me and I listen to conversations about God, sprinkled with words such as “fuck” and believe me, I see God. He’s there. Every time.
Deb ~ I completely agree with you. I have been so moved at times participating in AA meetings. I know God is there because where He is, there is love and where love exists, He is there. I don't believe He is contained by our ideas of where He should be present.
I think Jesus already proved that once.
Whew!
love,
jeff
Posted by: jeff | March 15, 2007 at 09:58 PM
Jesus was ALWAYS hangin around the broken ones.
I am reading a book called "Reading the Bible with the Damned" by Bob Ekblad. taking the gospel to the prisons and the immigrants and the projects....and seeing the Bible stories and truths thru THEIR eyes.
very interesting.
we make church so holy.......only HE is holy...and beckons us to enter Him and be holy.
i dont think God gets embarrassed at the words we use. its already the thought in our heart...He will be there.
Posted by: maryann | March 15, 2007 at 10:34 PM
sorry I've not been around much. Love the new blog look.
What you write here is so good. Church isn't the building - it's the people - and His presence (not our actions) make it holy.
Praising God for all the help, support and encouragement you've got from Him through AA - whether they know HIm or not - they are His instruments.
I applaud you. 70 days is wonderful. Continue to take it day by day until you step into eternity.
Lorna xx
Posted by: Lorna | March 17, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Thanks Lorna. The 70 was degrees on Tuesday ;-) I actually have almost 11 months now. Next month will be the big one year mark!!
Posted by: Deb | March 17, 2007 at 01:52 PM
At college on Thursday morning we were visited by a guy called Paul, who is a 'recovering alcoholic' - is that the right description?
Anyways, he spoke for nearly an hour and he held our attention for the whole time. Unfortunately he was not a Christian but he had no hesitation in telling us how inspiring the 12 steps of AA are to him.
Posted by: Dave | March 17, 2007 at 04:26 PM
And miracles. I forgot that, although I was implying it in my mind. The miracles I see take my breath away.
Congratulations on your 11 months, Deb! Cool shit, as my favorite AA likes to say.
Posted by: Chuck | March 17, 2007 at 06:05 PM