The Greatest Gift...Love

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I posses to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

--1 Corinthians 13:1-13

4th Step Prayer

WHEN I AM DISTURBED BY THE CONDUCT (SYMPTOMS) OF OTHERS:

This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done.

--4th ed. Big Book pg. 67

Prayer: God help me to show this person the same tolerance, pity and patience that I would Cheerfully grant a sick friend. This is a sick person, how can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done.

The above excerpts are from the book titled, Alcoholics Anonymous,

Copyright © Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

In practicing our Traditions, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. has neither endorsed nor are they affiliated with this site. Alcoholics Anonymous®, AA®, and the Big Book® are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Serenity Prayer - Long Form

God grant me the serenity 

to accept the things I cannot change; 

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; 

Enjoying one moment at a time; 

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; 

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it; 

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life 

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Indian Prayer

O' Great Spirit 

Whose voice I hear in the winds, 

And whose breath gives life 

To all the world, hear me!  

I am small and weak,  

I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty, 

And make my eyes ever behold 

The red and purple sunset. 

Make my hands Respect the things you have made,

 And my ears sharp to hear your voice. 

Make me wise, 

So that I may understand 

The things you have taught my people.

Let me learn the lessons

You have hidden In every leaf and rock.

 I seek strength, 

Not to be greater than my brother, 

But to fight my greatest enemy- myself. 

Make me always ready 

To come to you with clean hands 

And straight eyes.

 So when life fades, 

As the fading sunset, 

My spirit may come to you 

Without shame.

--Anonymous

Grandma’s Don’t Know Everything

He'd been playing outside with the other kids for a while when he came into the house and asked her, "Grandma, what's that called when two people sleep in the same room and one is on top of the other?"

She was a little taken aback, but she decided to just tell him the truth.

"It's called sexual intercourse, darling." Little Tony just said, "Oh, OK," and went back outside to play with the other kids.

A few minutes later he came back in and said angrily, "Grandma, it isn't called sexual intercourse. It's called bunk beds. And Jimmy's mom wants to talk to you."

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

--Mathew 6:9-13

Awesome Power of Prayer

When you read this, just recite the following prayer.

That's all you have to do. There is nothing else attached.

This is the power of prayer at work.

May today there be peace within you.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities

that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received,

and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.

Let His presence settle into your bones,

and allow your soul the freedom to sing,

dance, and to bask in the sun.

It is there for each and every one of you.

Send this to the people in your life

and witness...

The Awesome Power of Prayer

-- Anonymous