White Dove Ministries
A Christian 12 Step Recovery Program
RESTORATION
AA's 12 steps became an outline for transformation and recovery from alcoholism. It wasn't just about stopping drinking, it was about becoming a new person. Men and women changed, they became good people and gained the respect of their families and communities. They became a worker among workers, making a contribution to society. They restored their marriages and became good wives and husbands. They became parents that were involved and available to their children. Their children looked up to them and were proud at last.
The phrase "God could and would if he were sought" became the cornerstone of recovery. This belief became the foundation of a new faith. A faith that was required for the transformation to occur.The entire Big Book is a discourse about the self will run riot and why we have to surrender our will to the will of God.
"Thy will be done, these a thoughts which must go with us constantly" pg 85
2 Corinthians 10:5....
…..and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.
We need to go further, as Rev. Buchman, wrote this for the Oxford group:
The Christian life is filled with trials, tests, and warfare against a spiritual enemy. The shortcomings of the individual and of the Church are because of the process of being made holy. For those abiding in Christ until their death or His return, the promises of eternal blessing in the presence of God are assured. To remain faithful through all circumstances of life, requires dependence upon the Holy Spirit and a willingness to die to personal desires and passions. (I Thessalonians 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18; II Corinthians 6:14-18; Romans 8:29; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11)
Let's go back to the original mission of the Oxford Group: They sought to be living Christianity, based on the accomplished work of Jesus Christ as set forth in the New Testament.
They sought to live as Christ lived. Jesus Christ was their model and their goal.
The goal was established in the commandments given by our Lord Jesus Christ:
In the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, the word "spirit" or "spiritual" is used 150 times in 164 pages, in order to convince us that we have a spiritual problem. If we go further in our study to "carry out the accomplished work of Jesus Christ as set forth in the New Testament" as the Oxford Group taught, we will be baptized in the Holy Spirit and made "new creatures" in Christ.
Jesus went about healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out unclean spirits. Two thirds of the New Testament is about healing and not just the healing that Jesus did, he baptized his disciples with the power of the Holy Spirit and told them to go out two by two and heal the sick. The book of Acts describes the miracles performed by Paul and others who were not direct disciples of Jesus, yet because they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, they had the power to heal the sick and cast out unclean spirits. We believe that we are commissioned by Jesus Christ to lay hands on the sick, so that they might recover!
To become happy, joyous and free, it is time to go back to where AA began and apply these basic principles:
A Christian life includes warfare against a spiritual enemy.
We are in the process of being made holy.
Abide in Christ and the presence of God is guaranteed.
Remain faithful through all the circumstances of life.
Depend upon the Holy Spirit.
Be willing to die to the desires of the flesh.
It’s so exciting to watch Jesus heal, to see Him touch the hearts of the broken hearted and set the captives free! The Presence of His Love and Grace fulfills the desires of my heart....
Pastor Debbie
Our program is unique
WE BELIEVE GOD HEALS!
Psalms 103:3 He forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases
There are numerous recovery programs and treatment centers using the 12 steps and the original text of Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as, the Big Book. There are Christian books written about recovery and quite a few Christian recovery programs. We believe that people can be touched and healed by God immediately, because Jesus lives yesterday, today and forever to heal the sick. He is the only one that can heal a broken heart that searched for "false comfort" in the form of drugs or alcohol. The experience of His Presence brings the True Comfort. His Healing balm of Heavenly Love is overwhelming. His Presence is tangible.
The root of addiction must be uprooted!
Matthew 15:13 Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
Hebrews 13: 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Acts 1:8
... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
Luke 16:18
...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
John 8:36 If the Son sets you free, you will free indeed !