Dick B.'s FYI Messages: Christian A.A. Days – The Runner’s Bible Devotional

Dada Mail » Dick B.'s FYI Messages » Archives » Dick B.'s FYI Messages: Christian A.A. Days – The Runner’s Bible Devotional

Date: January 13th 2010

Christian A.A. Days – The Runner’s Bible Devotional

Dick B.

In the early A.A. days, the days of the Alcoholics Anonymous Christian Fellowship that Bill W. and Dr. Bob founded in June of 1935, morning quiet time, the use of daily devotionals, and looking to God for guidance were required. These were the Christian A.A. days. Basic solutions to the problems of A.A. members were drawn from the Bible. And morning quiet time—Bible study, prayer, seeking God’s guidance, discussion, and the use of devotionals—was the tool used to get in touch with God, thank Him, ask Him, and believe Him.

The Runner’s Bible: Spiritual Guidance for People On the Run by Nora Smith Holm was tops on the list.1 It is mentioned frequently by early AAs. It was circulated by Dr. Bob. And Dr. Bob’s son Smitty told me that his father frequently used this in his thrice-daily prayer time.

I have read this devotional many times, and found it to be a very appealing way to relate to “old school” A.A. and the days when the Alcoholics Anonymous pioneers spent substantial time each day, not only studying the Bible, but also using Bible devotionals in their quiet times.

The value of this book is not particularly the brief, sprinkled comments here and there but rather the suggestions from the chapter titles of the verses which make plain what God can do for those who seek Him. The little prayer book is a concordance of sorts which enabled AAs to define their problem, find the topical solution, and then study the verses about how to be delivered.

Here is a list of the chapter headings—accompanied by more than 1000 Bible verses and brief commentaries on life issues:

“In the Morning Will I Order My Prayer To Thee”

The Godhead; God the Father; The Christ of God

Him That Filleth All In All: The Holy Spirit, man’s very life.

His Image and Likeness

Walk in Love

Rejoice Always

In Everything Give Thanks

Fear Not, Only Believe

Get Wisdom, Get Understanding

Ask And Ye Shall Receive

He That Is The Greatest Among You Shall Be Your Servant

Forgive and Ye Shall Be Forgiven

Be of Good Cheer, Thy Sins Be Forgiven Thee

I Will Help Thee

Behold, I Will Heal Thee

For Thine Is The Power

The Lord Shall Guide Thee Continually

Thou Shalt Walk In Thy Way Safely

All Things Are Yours

Peace Be Unto You

Happy Shalt Thou Be

The Lord Will Lighten My Darkness

Gloria Deo

1 The Runner’s Bible: Spiritual Guidance for People On the Run, Compiled and annotated by Nora Holm (Lakewood, CO: I-Level Acropolis Books, Publisher, 1998). This book was first published decades ago as a classic “prayer” Bible for those seeking guidance from Scripture. It was compiled and annotated by Nora Smith Holm for her “on the run” daughter in 1910. There have been over printings of the book, and it is again available in bookstores.

<< Previous: Dick B.'s FYI Messages: The Prince of All Twelfth-Steppers

| Archive Index |

Next: Dick B.'s FYI Messages: Helping a Christian to Begin Recovery Today >>

(archive rss , atom )

Dick B.’s body of work on the history and successes of early Alcoholics Anonymous includes seminars, books, articles, radio interviews, videos, audio cassettes tapes, audio blog talks, and newspaper articles. They show how the basic, and highly successful, biblical ideas used by early AAs can be valuable tools for success in today's A.A. Also, the religious and recovery communities are using his research and titles to work more effectively with alcoholics, addicts, and others involved in Twelve Step programs.