Steps to the Spirit

Send us Fan Mail This is the first ‘maintenance’ step. It is a combination of steps #4 and #5, but designed to be done on (at least), a daily basis. Yup, sorry, we never get to ‘finish’ step 10 or, for that matter, steps 11 and 12. Hey, that’s what maintenance means. I have discovered that it is soooo easy for me to slip back into some of my old, undermining habits, especially when my archenemy, M...

Send us Fan Mail I finally answered ‘YES’ to the constant pleas of my Holy Spirit. I began a new experience with the 12 step program with the awareness that I desperately needed to surrender in order to ‘win’ a new control of my life. 

Send us Fan Mail Continuing Part 1, I talk about more incidents in my life that reinforced my lack of self esteem and brought me closer to despair. Finding God was becoming a matter of life and death. I stood at the turning point!

Send us Fan Mail We finished the action steps with step 9 last week, and we will start on the last three  (maintenance) steps next. However, this podcast is all about these steps helping us to discover God’s help, both in us and for us. I am adding a couple of episodes to let you know the personal meaning of God in my life, and how God is present in my daily existence. In this first part, I’ll rel...

Send us Fan Mail So, this is the action step where we follow through with actually making amends to those we listed in step 8. Of course, amends can take many forms, from a simple ‘sorry’, to paying back money, or more. The 2 main points I want to make are: 1. Get started and 2. Avoid rationalization. I’m also looking for feedback about the podcast after finishing up on the actual 12 steps. Thinki...

Send us Fan Mail We refer to it sometimes, as the “wreckage of the past”. At this point, I have decided to let God influence my decisions, taken inventory, and asked Him to remove those things that keep me separated from Him. Now, possibly for the first time, I am ready to share my attempt to make my life ‘right’ with others. But, the 8th step is a thinking and willingness step. It is best done wi...

Send us Fan Mail So, now at the 7th step, I am ready to lay it all on the line in a continued surrender to God’s will, not mine! I muster as much humility as I can, (not much at this stage of recovery), and surrender to begin living my life according to God’s plan for me. Yes, it’s a powerful step I am taking and a powerful moment, (one of many), to begin a new way of life.

Send us Fan Mail For a long while, when I was first involved with the steps, 6 & 7 never seemed tohave much importance. Folks always seemed to tout the big guys, like steps 3, 4,11 & 12. I now realize 6  & 7 are equally important. After all, I feel these steps to be God given, so I don’t think She threw them in there as fillers in order to make 12 steps! The 6th step is critical to rei...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is special because I got to introduce my best friend and wife, Pat! She has been in a position to listen to a few 5th steps and she shares how that was for her. We also share some of our spiritual thoughts about the 12 steps and ACIM.

Send us Fan Mail This episode is more about MY spiritual experience with step 5. In the past I avoided the parts of my life that were too painful and well hidden, yet the most necessary to face and deal with.  Next week, I will be joined by my wife and best friend, Pat.

Send us Fan Mail Now that I have collected all of this (mostly dirty) laundry in one place, it’s time to do the wash! This step provides me help to throw away most and clean, fold and save what is good. In this practical approach, I’ll save much more than in the spiritual approach in part 2.

Send us Fan Mail While the basic doing of step 4 remains the same, the comfort level changes dramatically between the practical and spiritual approaches. In this recording, I talk about the spiritual security I developed as a result of ‘turning it over’ to God.

Send us Fan Mail Stfp 4 is the first of what I call, the action steps. The first three (awareness) steps, got me to realize I need help and direction, and … that it is available for the asking. I have decided to do steps 4 and 5 in 2 parts each. They are so important as a base for the following steps.

Send us Fan Mail The continuation of Step 3, focusing on the spiritual aspects of this step. I know this episode runs a bit long, but this is the step that was instrumental in discovering my Spirit. It is the turning point to spiritual victory … via surrender!

Send us Fan Mail The first 3 steps, and especially step 3, are referred to as the ‘turning point’ in a program of recovery. Whether you are using there steps in a ‘practical’ way, or for the true spiritual discovery they can provide, step 3 is key. This episode looks at the practical approach to the third step and episode 9 will look at the spiritual approach.

Send us Fan Mail I have always thought of these beginning steps as not much more than ‘a step in the right direction’ or things to consider in retrospect. However, as I became aware of the deeply spiritual nature of this way of life, I realized they are a crucial foundation that must be well fortified.

Send us Fan Mail I begin a look at the 12 steps, from both a practical and spiritual approach. I used to not give step 1 the importance it deserves, but it is in fact, a crucial foundation stone!

Send us Fan Mail In the last episode I spoke about the practical approach to the 12 steps, while certainly able to heal our addictive nature, needs more substance to provide a truly changed lifestyle.

Send us Fan Mail Having been around since 1935, there are many ways to look at and use these tools. In this episode, I talk about the first of 2 ways I think are predominant, the ‘practical’ way. Next week, the ‘spiritual’ way.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I gontinue my downward slide, oblivious to my loss of self. No matter how much I learned of addiction, it was worthless without an (honest) willingness to look within. Sorry, I said episode 4 in the audio.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I hope to touch you on a “feeling” level, as I relate my early experiences as a child and teenager. It is not the experience that matters, but who we became as a result. In Episode 3, I will finish up with me and we’ll begin to look for a solution!

Send us Fan Mail I (Chuck), tell you a little about me and why our Spirit is important to learn about.