For Church-goers...

15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.  

16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

  - Romans 7:15-25

Paul is the writer of much of the New Testament, and yet he freely admits that he still struggles with sin in his life.  For many Christians, these repetitive sin patterns are minor, and diminish over time.  But there are also many of us that suffer greatly and continue to inflict damage in our lives and those around us.  We may have short terms of seeming victory, only to return to our old patterns, and usually worse than ever before.

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.  

  - Romans 6:11-13

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Twelve Steps is a testimony of how the first 100 or so were able to 'count themselves dead to sin, but alive to God'.  It is their story of surrender even unto death of their old person, and becoming alive to God in what they call a 'spiritual awakening'.  These early members used the Bible itself and the testimony of others to gain wisdom and victory in their own lives.  Then they wrote the stories and created the Big Book and sent it out to others, and literally millions have found the same 'spiritual awakening' and victorious life that they did.

Both Books is here to help those with substance abuse issues, and other related behavior issues, to discover and work the Twelve Steps based in the Holy Bible, and further described in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, to walk in to victory and live fully free.

Pastor John Stickl of Valley Creek Church provides a very good teaching and inspiring message (Can I Actually Change?) explaining this dilemma we face as Christians with entrenched addictions and behavior issues.  Our training by the world is stronger than our will, and so we truly need new training...and Both Books believes that for many of us, that training can be found in the testimony of the Big Book, and in the light and truth of the Life Recovery Bible.

Both Books uses the Life Recovery Bible in combination with the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous in its meetings and activities. The Bible is considered Holy and has served humanity like no other book for thousands of years. Indeed, it is more than a book…it is the voice of God, living and vital in followers worldwide. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous is historically based upon the Holy
Bible and outlines how the early members of AA found their God-consciousness to enable them to overcome their addiction. The Big Book provides the testimony of the early 100 or so members of AA and is of great value for those with similar needs for guidance and wisdom. Both Books believes that this combination of the living word of the Bible, and the testimony of followers in the Big Book, provides a path to living fully free and victorious.

“And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.” Revelation 12:11

Both Books utilizes weekly meetings, as well as one-on-one mentoring to serve and guide members through the Twelve Steps, and to help them locate and get established in both a local church and Twelve Step community appropriate for their addiction or behavior issues.

Both Books is not affiliated with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. However, Both Books does recommend that members follow God’s leading to establish regular attendance and membership in both a local church and a Twelve Step organization appropriate for their addiction or behavior issues. Both Books is not intended to be a replacement for such communities, but instead stands alongside of the church and Twelve Step organizations as a resource for members to take their next steps in their walk with God.