Rule #62.6
Thursday December 2, 2021
Matt,
I know that you’re a modest man.
And while I am not, I can at least spell it now. And after all, it is progress rather than perfection.
But, I want to make sure I got my “fact check” button pushed.
While you love your wife deeply, and have four beloved daughters, you have chosen to be chaste, which in our fellowship is defined as “No genital contact with yourself or others”….for seven years.
Am I quoting you correctly?
Be careful, because you may either find a statue erected to you…or wake up with a cross burning in your front yard.
Lovingly,
Steve D.
Rule #62.7
In response:
Steve,
“My wife and I have always tried to practice some level of restraint in regards to sex throughout our marriage. It was 7 years ago that we entered into a period of “chastity”.
“I use quotations because we both have abstained for different reasons and at different times.”
“I think that chastity is an intentional act.
Honestly, I would call what we’ve been doing mostly “abstinence” or “self-restraint” because it has not always been fully intentional by us both or (truthfully) even God-centered.”
Matt
Rule #62.8
In response to very long text:
Matt,
I don’t wanna blow smoke up your dress, but after 40 years in 12 step, other than my most gifted sponsor, who was a professional monk, you are the purest man I know.
That being said, brother…you need an editor.
You be Hardy…and l’ll be Laurel, Deal?
Rule #62.9
Day 29 of Chastity
“Sweet, peaceful and happy” is how Gandhi describes his marriage to Kasturba…with a vow of chastity.
This morning, at 5:30 AM, before the first PrayerCall, I made my wife a triple espresso, half-and-half mellowed, agave syrup sweetened, cinnamon stick flavored beverage with three of her favorite cookies.
I plumped her two favorite pillows, lifted her up in my arms, settled her back, gently, and handed her morning coffee.
If I get any sweeter…my teeth are all gonna rot out.
Rule #62.1.0
For Jeff D.
Page 169 of the AA 12x12, Tradition Eight, states that “secretaries in offices and authors writing books” is not service work. It is professional work.
I write for free and I pay Alona, out of my pocket, $17.50 an hour to post offices nightly, to manage the website and handle technical problems on GoToMeeting.
But, should it happen that PrayerCall becomes a legitimate nonprofit, with 501c3 status, so that people can write donations off on their taxes, as AAA did five years ago…I’m gonna think about offering you a job.
Sexaholics Anonymous has a nasty little expression “Working with sex addicts…is like herding cats”.
While I don’t approve of their publicly shaming people who really just need help…I get their drift.
But you’re quite a caballero…even with us kitties.
Current pay: one beef burrito from Tacko and a homemade organic desert made by my wife.
Steve D.
Rule #62.1.1
“You have wearied the Lord by saying "All who do evil are good" or "Where is the God of justice?"
Malachi 2:17
Most preachers that I know do their best to persuade you to try to contact God through prayer.
They are fervent, impassioned and dynamic. But…at some point, can you drive God crazy?
Yes… I can finger wag at my neighbors who are more successful, but are selfish and dishonest…and wail “What about me?”
Or…”God there’s so much injustice in the world : children are starving, there are savage wars, slavery, and women never get an even break, anywhere.”
Imagine going to a friend’s house, and, as soon as you knock on the front door, you launch into a tirade about what you don’t get in life or how unfair life is.
How often do you think you will be asked back?
Your phone will be silent, your email box will be empty and your friends will silently try to pass by you on the street.
My relationship with God is really important to me.
I could do that “What about me?” whining, about Eric Clapton… But I’m smart enough to just sulk…
“It’s gettin near dark”…