Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BUY - BYE (01/19/23)
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TITLE: Not For Sale | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Fahy
01/25/23 -
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Frank, the chairman, asked if there were any newcomers. The stranger introduced himself as Michael. Frank asked for a topic, the room was silent. Someone blurted out, “How about the first step?” The first step of the 12 steps of recovery of. Alcoholics Anonymous states, “ We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, and that our lives have become unmanageable.”
Michael about thirty stood about six foot two inches and about 215 pounds. His face was bloated and red from too much alcohol. He dressed in a blue work shirt with the words Highway Construction over the left breast pocket, jeans and muddy work boots. Every two minutes he glanced at the clock on the wall. His sat hunched over and like so many newcomers, didn’t want to be here.
Tim passed the basket for the collection of money. We use this money to pay our rent for the room, coffee and supplies. In addition we contribute money to various committees of AA. Men would throw in one or two dollars to cover these expenses. Michael tossed in a twenty dollar bill.
Philip, not one of the original 12 apostles, went to a city in Samaria, and preached the word of God. He drove out evil spirits, and healed the lame. There was a man named Simon, who practiced sorcery in the city, and many of the people were amazed by what he did. He boasted that he was someone great. He had the name The Great Power of God. Many people followed Simon because of his sorcery.
Philip preached the word of God and talk about Jesus Christ. Many men and women were baptized. Even Simon believed Philip and was baptized. He followed Philip everywhere, amazed at the miracles he performed.
After the meeting, Michael was cornered by a couple of the old-timers men who had years of sobriety. They were giving him their phone numbers, ensuring him that they would be glad to hear from him anytime during the day or night. Tim sat in the corner and counted the money from the basket. He kept looking at Michael and returned to counting the money. Occasionally, Tim gazed out the window running his fingers through his hair. He seemed conflicted.
Peter and John went to Samaria and prayed for the new believers. They were baptized but they did not receive the Holy Spirit. Peter and John set hands on the believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Simon, the sorcerer, offered Peter and John money and said, “ Give me also this ability, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Peter became infuriated. He told Simon that you cannot buy the gift of God with money. Your heart is not right with God. You should repent of this wickedness, and pray, because you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. Simon asked Peter to pray to God for him that nothing would happen to him. Peter and John bid their farewells and returned to Jerusalem, spreading the word of God in many other Samaritan villages.
The crowd thinned out. Michael was saying good-bye to Gary. Tim approached Michael and said, “I’m glad you made it here today Michael and I want you to keep coming back.”
Michael nodded. “I intend to be here tomorrow.”
Tim smiled and handed him a twenty dollar bill. “Michael you can not buy your sobriety. It’s not for sale. It is a gift from God. Those of us that are sober have done a lot of work to get sober and we keep working to stay sober. You keep coming back and you will see what it takes to stay sober.” Tim shook his hand and told him to have a good day. Acts 8:4-25 NIV
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