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March, 2013 Newsletter
Bridging the Gap between 12 Step Groups and Churches
From the Director -
As I was walking this morning, I noticed the carcass of a small rattlesnake with
a crushed head, and I was reminded of the passage in Genesis 3:15 - "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." I considered the fact that there may be other snakes nearby, and gave thanks for the "passive" reminder
that we all need to watch for signs of danger (enmity) in our surroundings. These "serpents" may come in many forms - anger, fear, insecurity, addiction, or codependency - and we may feel the effects when they "strike our heel", but God promises that He will be victorious when we "crush their head" as we look to Him for our salvation.
I also saw insects devouring the snake carcass, which showed me that this world was reclaiming its own, and that, unlike the snake, we have a future beyond "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" - a future of joy with our Lord, free from all enmity and strife, or moth, or rust, or decay. This future is also based on another of God's promises; that Christ came and died on the cross for each one of us, and just as He was resurrected from the dead, so shall we also be raised, forgiven of sin and beloved by God.
1 Cor. 1:18 says, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." As we trust in the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit within us, we are being saved by the power of God. As our "old self" is crucified, these bodies will perish when this world reclaims its own, but the new creation we become through our faith in Christ will be given glorious bodies so that we may give glory to God forever,
for He has overcome the world!                                                                  - Jeff M.
Mailbox: 

South Africa writes: 
Hi Jeff 
Thank you so much for your reply to my letter. I shall certainly obtain the "A Bridge to Recovery" book. I will also keep checking out your blog. My Pastor wishes me to start the group in our 2nd quarter. That is the end of April. Please keep me in your prayers as I have many reservations about starting such a group, none of which compare to the wonderful opportunity the group will afford for the proclamation of the gospel. 
May our Lord keep growing you in love for Him and for others. 
In His love - Lucille

Guatemala writes: 
Hi Jeff 
Thanks a lot for your quick reply.Well I already talked to some friends that like myself have been rescued by the Lord from the jaws of alcohol and drugs through 12 steps recovery programs. We have a place to do our meetings, you mention in the email that we need some books right? Now my question is how we can obtain them,
Events 
Texas Speaker Jam 
On January 19th, 7 speakers from different parts of the country shared their experience, strength, and hope with a group of about 150 people in Cedar Hill, TX. In the stories from NJ, PA, RI, and TX, the healing power of the Lord was revealed, and God was glorified. This has become an annual event. It was an example of what can take place when groups work together and meet in unity. 

"Family Talk" Radio Broadcast - With Dr. James Dobson 
What an amazing privilege it was for Bob and I to be interviewed by Dr. 
James Dobson on "Focus on the Family" back in 2000! It was even more amazing to listen to the rebroadcast of that interview on Wednesday, March 13, on Dr. Dobson's new program, "Family Talk." Our prayer at OO is that many 
people who may have listened to the program will reach out if they are in need of help for their addictions- or if a loved one is adversely affected. There is genuine help and hope available! If you missed the radio program and would like to hear this interview, just go to OO's website where it is posted in its entirety! Everything we said then is still true today!

Coming up- 
1st Annual Northeast Overcomers Conference will be held Sat., April 20, 
2013 from 9:00am-3:30pm, at theM&M Recreation Center, 116 Holt St., 
Hackensack, NJ, 07601. Check our Events page for flyer and details.
 
5th Annual OO Campout - June 21st-23rd - Morro Bay, CA
  We have the group campsite GCHO this year which allows 35 overnight campers. Up to 8 rv's (no hook-ups) or other vehicles (trailers, pop-ups, etc.), but primarily tent-camping. Shower facility, large grill pit, and away from the rest of the campground, this is a great spot. We will have a "pot-luck" night Friday, where everyone shares a dish, and a barbecue dinner Saturday night. Campfire meetings, day hikes, beach and even shopping downtown Morro Bay! Something for everyone, so bring your s'mores and join us.

Register here                    Mail in form
OVERCOMERS OUTREACH:
The best kept secret in Cayman!

Ed. Note: the following is from an article published in "Christian Lifestyle Magazine" in the Cayman Islands. The article, written by the group leader on Gran Cayman, appeared in the January issue.

Overcomers Outreach is a Christ-centered 12-step recovery support group addressing addictions and compulsive behaviours, and those affected by them. Our first meeting was held at Cayman Islands Baptist Church on January 10, 2011, with meetings continuing on Mondays at 7pm.
As the OO "Big Book" states ... 
From the Pamphlet "Surrender":
Step 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
"Trust in the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." Proverbs 3:5-6

Decision - The act of reaching a conclusion or making up one's mind.
Will - The mental faculty by which one chooses or decides upon a course of action
Understood - to comprehend and know the nature or meaning of

Having come this far, we now know that we cannot control or change on our own, but a power greater than ourselves can, so it is time to stop trying to do it ourselves and let someone help us that can help us. We decide to put our thoughts (our will) and our actions (our lives) under the care of God. Most of all, we begin to trust God as we never really had before!
Just as our belief in our "

 

 

 

What's New

 

Readings folder with Format, Preamble, 12 Steps with Scriptures, Group Traditions and the Serenity Prayer in page protectors - $5 plus postage.

order now 

 

Literature purchases help fund the Central Office.


The OO "big book" - Group Special! Order 10 Books for $175, and shipping is free (direct from publisher) The price ($17.50 per book) and free shipping applies to orders of 10 or more "Bridge to Recovery" books. Call for details: 800-310-3001, 

visit our online shop "Books" page, or email the Central Office
Office News
We welcome the new groups in Salt Point, NY, Hobart, IN, Novato, CA, Pittsburg, PA, Spotsylvania, VA, and Westlake Village, CA. We are very grateful to God for these new groups and pray that they may touch many lives.
 
 
Happy Birthday/Anniversary
The following people have recently celebrated milestones in recovery:
Peggy M, San Fernando - 4yrs., Frank R, AZ - 22yrs., Ed J, San Juan Capistrano, 25yrs., Don B, Sun City, 41yrs., and Lon A., Colorado Springs, CO 43yrs.They have made donations ($1 for each year of their recovery) to the Central Office to express their gratitude.
The following groups celebrated anniversaries so far this year: Pike's Peak Christian Church in Colorado Springs, CO - 1yr., Baton Rouge, LA - 2 yrs., Lockport, IL - 12 yrs., "Spiritual Change" group, Elizabeth, NJ - 16 yrs., Ventura, CA - 18 yrs., Lincoln, NE - 21yrs., Cypress, TX - 22 yrs., and South Lake Tahoe (Tuesdays), CA - 23 yrs. These groups make regular 7th tradition donations to the Central Office and continue, through their love and support, to help many people.
If you or your group would like to be added to our list, please visit our Birthday Page or call the Central Office for details.

A Prayer for Trust and Faith
"Trust God" - We hear it all the time, along with "have faith". How do we do that? We turn to Him. He is so powerful and loving that just talking about Him can lift us up. When we are caught up in this world and life seems to be against us, or our loved ones, we look to God the Father, and trust that He will see us through whatever fear, challenge, or trouble confronts us. Our "woes" are removed when we seek Him - "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him."- Psalm 32:10
Talking about God, in praise or in the study of His Word, builds our trust in Him, but talking to God is how we build our faith. When we pray, we get answers - not always the answer we want, but a real answer nonetheless. Answers mean that our prayers are heard, and since He listens, He cares. It is by faith that we know He hears, He answers, and He cares. - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."- Hebrews 11:6. Let's pray:
Father God, we praise you as the source of our faith. May our trust in You help us walk in obedience to your statutes. Thank you Lord, that you hear and answer our prayers. We rejoice in the knowledge of your Love, Your Grace, and Your Glory, forever. In Jesus name we pray.
Amen