An Inside Look

Editor’s Note: This article has been re-printed from the February 2011 James Group Ministries newsletter.

Author: Dawn Berthal

When I was asked to write something about the James Group classes, I wasn’t sure what to write! Then, like Step Four, I realized only the truth would work. In short, the James Group meetings saved my life! My physical and spiritual life.

The Monday and Friday night group meetings are one hour meetings beginning at 7:30 pm. They are “closed” meetings, meaning that everyone attending has a “First Step Issue.” Occasionally there is a “Speaker Meeting,” or an “Open Meeting” where anyone is welcome. Also there is a 7:15 Wednesday night Bible Study which is open to all.

Maybe the best way to describe the meeting is found in the Preamble which is read at the beginning of every meeting:

“The James Group is a Bible-based recovery program that practices the suggested 12 Steps because we believe the steps to be the practical application of the life-changing principles which are so clearly defined in the scriptures.”

The meetings are designed to help me (I say “me” because we are encouraged to share our own experience, strength and hope) learn to live life on life’s terms. And, most importantly, we are taught how to have a relationship with God.

For so many years, I carried around all the bad things that had happened in my life. It was like carrying a bag of rocks on my back! It was such a burden, and I would do what I knew how to do – medicate the pain.

In the very first James Group meeting I attended, I heard something that changed the way I viewed my life: “The hell you’ve been through is directly related to how powerful you are supposed to be in the Kingdom.” At that moment it was as though 1000 pounds had been lifted off my shoulders.

For the first time EVER I didn’t look at the past as a heavy burden. Suddenly the negative had become positive! Today I can use my life experiences to share with other girls who have hellish pasts. “There is hope, and you don’t have to live your life THAT WAY.”

There is so much to learn! The most freeing thing for me is learning that God doesn’t want us to have “toxic “ people in our lives… even family members. I know God has not forgotten about them, and I know that they don’t have to live like that anymore.