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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Language - Aramaic

Aramaic . Daniel 2:4 . Ezra 4:8 . Jeremiah 10:11 . Chaldee . Gospel of Matthew . Gospel of Mark . I Corinthians 16:22 . Languages

Just a short introduction of the language of Aramaic below.

Language: Aramaic may be found in Daniel 2:4-4:7; Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26, & Jeremiah 10:11. These Scriptures are written in Aramaic, formerly called Chaldee. Aramaic in the New Testament may be found at the following Scriptures: Matthew 5:22; 6:24; Luke 16:9,13; Matthew 16:17; 27:46; Mark 5:41; 7:19; I Corinthians 16:22. Syria. Palestine(then)/Holy Land(Now), & Mesopotamia spoke Aramaic.




Scriptures & Reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible

Thank You To My Supporters/Networkers ... Ezra - Nehemiah - I & II Chronicles

I will be working on catching up on publishing my Sunday School Lessons 2013 where I left off from Ezra and Nehemiah. I do ask for your prayers and others as well.

I am sharing a list of Scriptures that I enjoyed learning more about from Ezra, Nehemiah, I & II Chronicles that I have bookmarked in my Bible Dictionary for personal/decisions-planning study at home. At the end of my small essay I will share them with those that would love to read and or study them on their own.

The last time I studied Ezra and Nehemiah it was ten (10) years ago in Sunday School, which was in 2003 during the months of May, June, and July.

Ezra & Nehemiah study seems to bring me to a halt for season - something that I have no control over for a season.

When the Lord assigns you a task - no one can prevent it from being completed. That does not mean that you will not encounter struggles - learn to 'Wait on the Lord,' for you could be in a holding pattern or place of new visions and or renewal.

Don't worry about the haters and or those who try to bring you harm for in the process they bring more harm on themselves (Esther 5:9-13; 7:1-10; Matthew 27:1-10).


Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-6; 4:1-3; 4:4-24; 5:3-5; 7:27-28; 8:21-23; 9:6-15; 5:6-6:12; 2:1-67; 7:11-26; & 10:12-17.

Nehemiah 2:1-8; 6:15-16; 6:17-19; 2:11-16; 4:16-23; 11:1-2 & 13:15-22.

I Chronicles 1:1-9:44 (Righteous-Godly line of Adam)1-6; 11:1-12:40; 13:1-17:27; 21:18-22:1.

II Chronicles 1:1-17; 2:1-7:22; 8:1-18; 17:1-21:1; 28:1-27; 29:1-32:33; & 33:1-20.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Admitting Shortcomings ... 8/11/2013 Sunday School Lesson

Abrahamic Covenant . Confess/Confession . Repent/Repentance . Abram/Abraham . Ur . Mesopotamia . Sunday School Lesson


I plan to share the previous three Sunday School Lessons next week or week after. I am behind on my writing online due to being under the doctor and "Me Time." I fine though all my test came back normal for Overactive Thyroid.


Nehemiah 9 ... A Solemn Fast & Confession.

The Sunday School Lesson for 8/11/2013 is shared from Nehemiah 9:2, 6-7, 9-10, 30-36 (Background Scripture Nehemiah 9:1-37; Devotional Reading Luke 15:1-10).

Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; 15; 17:1-22; Exodus 6:4,8; Psalm/Tehillim 105:8-11; Romans 9:7-13; Galatians 3)

Confess/Confession ... denotes confession by acknowledgment of truth. Of a public acknowledgment or confession of sins.

Repent/Repentance ... change. A change for the better, and of repentance of sin. Repentance from evil or sin.

Abram/Abraham .. father of many or exalted father. Canaan given to. Relocates in Egypt because of a famine. Father of Ishmael & Issac. Blessed by Melchizedek. God's convenant with. Children of (Genesis 16:15; 21:2,3; 25:1-4; I Chronicles 32:34)

Ur ... or Urfa (light) an ancient city of Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia ... (between the rivers) Greek name of country between Euphrates & Tigris.


Nehemiah 9:2 ... A solemn fast, & repentance of the people. Duties To God; Confession; Examples of Confession, National Confession... The Hebrews; The Hebrew Polity; Separate

Polity .. a nation as a political entity

(Nehemiah 9:3; Ezra 10 ... Reference Scripture in Sunday School Book





Nehemiah 9:6,7,9,10 ... The Levites make a religious confession of God's goodness, & their wickedness

Verse 6 ... Works Of God; Preservation; God the Preserver of All Things ... A Solemn Fast & Confession

Verse 7 ... The Hebrews; God's Chosen People; References to the Promise

Verse 9 ... The Hebrews; Israel in Egypt; God Remembers HIS Covenant ... A Solemn Fast & Confession

Verse 10 ... Miracles; Miracles Considered; References to the Mosiac Miracles

(Genesis 15:13-16; Exodus 12:40; Exodus 15:19; Exodus 7:3; Exodus 7:14)


Nehemiah 9:30-32 ... The Levites make a religious confession of God's goodness, & their wickedness

Verse 30 ... Mediums & Methods of Revelation; The Prophet's Reception By The People; Disbelieved, Penalty of Disbelief ... A Solemn Fast & Confession

Verse 31 ... God; Attributes Of God As Person; Mercy & Compassion ... A Solemn Fast & Confession

Verse 32 ... Duties To God; Pleading In Prayer; By God's Promises ... A Solemn Fast & Confession

(Daniel 1:3)


Nehemiah 9:33-36 ... The Levites make a religious confession of God's goodness, & their wickedness.

Verses 33,34,35 ... Duties To God; Confession; Examples of Confession, National Confession ... A Solemn Fast & Confession

Verse 36 ... Trials & Persecutions; Persecution Overruled & Avenged; Persecutors Punished


Luke 15:1-10 ... the journeyings toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-19:48)Luke was a physician, companion of the Apostle Paul... The parable of the lost sheep; of the piece of silver. (Verse 6 ... Pardcn for Sins & Iniquities Promised)


Monday - August 5, 2013 - Repent & Turn to God - Acts 3:17-26

The Name Of The Lord Jesus/Yeshua In Jerusalem (Acts 3:1-5:42) ... Peter (Simon Peter) 2ns speech (Acts 3:11-26)


Tuesday - August 6, 2013 - A Changed Mind - Matthew 21:28-32

The Way to Jerusalem (Matthew 19:1-23:39)


Wednesday - August 7, 2013 - I Repent in Dust & Ashes - Job 42:1-6

Job's second reply (Job 42:1-6)... The Yahweh Speeches (Job 38:1-42:6 ... Dialogue (Job 3:1-4:2)


Thursday - August 8, 2013 - First Be Reconciled - Matthew 5:21-26

Teaching: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29)


Friday - August 9, 2013 - God Be Merciful to Me - Luke 18:9-14

The parable of the tax-collector & the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14) ... Ministry in Samaria & Galilee (Luke 17:11 - 18:14)


Saturday - August 10, 2013 - Joy in Heaven - Luke 15:1-10

Teaching publicans & sinners (Luke 15:1-32)


Sunday - August 11, 2013 - The Community Confesses Together - Nehemiah 9:2,6-7, 9-10, 30-36

The Renewal Of The Covenant (Nehemiah 9:1-10:39)


Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible, Vine's Expository Dictionary Of Old & New Testament Words, The Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible, Zondervan Commentary & Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder
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Saturday, July 13, 2013

Celebrating With Joy ... 7/14/2013 Sunday School Lesson

Tatnai . Shethar-boznai . Haggai . Zechariah . Iddo . Artaxerxes king of Persia (Iran) . Feast of Passover . Song of Solomon . Unleavened Bread (Fast) . Aramaic . Sunday School Lesson

The Sunday School Lesson for July 14, 2013 is shared from Ezra 6:13-22 (Devotional Reading Ezra 5:1-5 & Background Scripture Ezra 6).

Ezra 6 ... Darius decree for advancing the building. The temple finished. Feasts of the dedication, and of the Passover. ... The decree of Cyrus being found, Darius maketh a new decree for the completion of the temple. The work is finished. The feast of the dedication is kept, and the Passover. ... Darius, findeth the decree for the advancement of the building.

Tatnai (present), & Sheth-boznai, hinder the building of the temple.

Shethar-boznai, and Tatnai oppose rebuilding of temple

Haggai (born on a festival), prophet

Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, stoned in the court of the Lord's house

Iddo (timely)

Artaxerxes, king of Persia, prevents the building of the walls of Jerusalem, Ezra 4:7. Supposed to be the king known as "the false Smerdis."

Feast of the Passover, covenant feast of Israel, kept on the 14th Abib or Nisan (March-April), followed by the feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasted 7 days (Leviticus 23:6). Preparation for the Passover (John 10:14). Women, boys, and little children and men, was permitted to attend (Luke 2:41; I Samuel 1:24).

Passover instituted (Exodus 12:13) ... laws relating to (Numbers 9; 28:16) ... observed under Moses (Exodus 12:28; Numbers 9:5) ... under Joshua (Joshua 5:10) ... by Ezra (Ezra 6:10) ... a type of Christ's death (I Corinthians 5:7) ... kept by Christ (Matthew 26:19; John 13).

Song of Solomon (Song of Song) is in the Hebrew canon of the 5 Megilloth or rolls and is read annually by the Jews in their synagogues at the Feast of Passover.

Unleavened Bread, Feast (Leviticus 23:6) ... typical (I Corinthians 5:7)

Aramaic portions in the Old Testament are: Ezra 4:8-6; 18:7; 18:12-26; Jeremiah 10:11; Daniel 2:4-7 ... Aramaic was the colloquial language of Israel from the time of the return from exile. Aramaic language of Assyrians (II Kings 18:26; Isaiah 36:11) ... A Semitic language closely related to Hebrew which developed various dialects and spread to all of SW Asia.






Ezra 6:13-15 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine (Then)/Holy Land(Now); The Course Pursued by the Persian Government, The Governor of Course Obeys

(Ezra 5:3-17; Jeremiah 29:10; Ezra 6:1-5; Ezra 6:7-12; Ezra 1:1-4; Ezra 6:1-12 .... Reference in Sunday School Book)


Ezra 6:16-18 ... Sacred Places; Zerubbabel's Temple; It Is Completed & Dedicated ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now); The Temple Dedicated

(I Kings 8:63; II Chronicles 7:5)


Ezra 6:19-22

Verses 19,20,21 ... Sacred Seasons; Historical Sacred Seasons; Instances of Keeping the Passover, Under Ezra

Verses 19,20,21,22 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now); The Temple Dedicated

Verse 22 ... Works Of God; The Purposes Of God; Men the Instruments of God's Purposes

(II Kings 23:21-23; II Chronicles 35:1-19; Exodus 12:6; II Chronicles 29:34; 30:15; Ezra 9:11; Exodus 12:14-20; Exodus 12:39)


Ezra 5:1-5

Verse 1 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now); The People Reproved

Reprove (rebuke, disapprove, reprimand)

Verse 2 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now); The Work Resumed

Verses 3,4,5 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now); The Course Pursued by the Persian Government, The Governor of Syria Makes Sharp Inquiry, but Does Not Stop the Work


Monday - July 8, 2013 - Resistance to Rebuilding the Temple - Ezra 4:1-5

The building hindered. The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple, endeavor to hinder it.


Tuesday - July 9, 2013 - Accusations of Sedition - Ezra 4:11-16

Their letter to Artaxerxes.

Sedition (instigation, uprising, rebellion, disloyal, unfaithful, factious)


Wednesday - July 10, 2013 - Temple Construction Halted - Ezra 4:17-24

His decree. The work ceaseth. His decree to stop the work.


Thursday - July 11, 2013 - The Eye of God upon Them - Ezra 5:1-5


Friday - July 12, 2013 - Who Gave You a Decree? - Ezra 5:6-17

Their letter to Darius against the Jews. Zerubbabel & Jeshua, incited by Haggai & Zechariah, set forward the building of the temple: Ezra 5 ... Zerubbabel & Jeshua set forward the building of the temple in the reign of Darius: Ezra 5.


Saturday - July 13, 2013 - The Temple's Official Endorsement - Ezra 6:1-12


Sunday - July 14, 2013 - The Temple's Dedication - Ezra 6:13-22


Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, the Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible, KJV Topical Reference Edition Bible, KJV (Thwe SouthWestern Co.) & Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder

Friday, July 12, 2013

2 of 2 ... A Kiss Is Still A Kiss ... 10/23/2011

Genesis/Bereshith . Song of Solomon . Megilloth or Rolls . Christian Marriage . Wedding . Christian Dating . Christian Courtship . Sunday School Lesson . King Solomon . Shulamite . Miracles. apostle Paul . I Corinthians

Sunday School Lesson for the week of October 23, 2011. Unit I. Teaching and Learning. Song of Solomon 4:8-16; 5:1a (Devotional Reading Genesis/Bereshith 2:18-24)


Song of Solomon/Songs is in the Hebrew canon the first of the five Megilloth or rolls and is annually read by the Jews in their synagogues at the Feast of the Passover.

Megilloth or Rolls is a term applied by the Jews to five books of the Old Testament: Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. These books were to be read publicly in the synagogues in certain special occasions in the year.

Feast of Passover was the covenant feast of Israel, kept on the 14th Abib or Nisan (March-April) followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasted seven days (Leviticus 23:6).

I am sharing from two different outlines from my Sunday School Books: 1. Teacher's Guide & 2. Adult Lesson Book.


Christian Courtship/Dating .... Song of Solomon 1:2-3:5

Christian Wedding ... Song of Solomon 3:6-5:1





Christian Marriage ... Song of Solomon 5:2-8:14

Focus of the Sunday School Lesson is on the Wedding Night ... Song of Solomon 4:1-5:1a


Commitment (Song of Solomon 4:8)

Anticipation (Song of Solomon 4:8-11)

Song of Solomon 5:9-16 .... The Outward Man; Manly Beauty

Song of Solomon 4:1,2,3,4,5,8

Verses 1,2,3,4,5 ... The Outward Man; The Nature Of The Body; Female Beauty

Verse 8 ... Amana (security)

Verse 8 ... Shenir, Amori to the name of 'Hermon'

Verse 8 ... Lebanon (white mountains) its cedar

Verse 8 ... The Family; Betrothal & Wedding; The Bridegroom, :Longing for the Bride

(Song of Solomon 5:1,2; Genesis 12, Matthew 4:18-20 - Reference Scriptures in Sunday School Book)


Adoration (Song of Solomon 4:9-11)

Appreciation (Song of Solomon 4:12-15)

Song of Solomon 4:6 ... The Family; Betrothal & Wedding; The Bridegroom; Response to the Bridegroom

Song of Solomon 4:7,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 .... The Family; Betrothal & Wedding; The Bridegroom, Longing for the Bride

(I Corinthians 6:15-18)


Affirmation (Song of Solomon 4:16; 5:1a)


The Garden (Song of Solomon 4:12-16; 5:1a)

Verse 16 ... The Family; Betrothal & Wedding; The Bridegroom, Response to the Bridegroom

Song of Solomon 5:1 ... The Family; Betrothal & Wedding; The Wedding, Consummation


Genesis/Bereshith 2:18-24

Verses 18,20,22,23 ... The Family; The Institution & Laws of Marriage; Marriage a Divine Ordinance

Verse 19 ... External Nature; Man & The Animal Creation; Man's Dominion over Animals

Verse 21 ... Miracles; Supernatural Bodily Gifts & Deprivations; Sleep

Verse 24 ... The Family; The Institution & Laws of Marriage; Monogamy, Implied in the Original Institution of Marriage

Monogamy (the practice or state of being married to one person at a time)


I Corinthians 7:29 ... The Family; Virginity; But Better to Marry Than to Burn


Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible & Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder


Saturday, July 6, 2013

Finding Joy in Restoration ... 7/7/2013 Sunday School Lesson

Levites . Shealtiel . Jozadak . Kadmiel . Henadad . Praise . Lord . King David . Israel . Wept/Mourning . Joy . Ezra . Psalm/Tehillim . Sunday School Lesson


The Sunday School Lesson for July 7, 2013 is coming from Ezra 3:8-13 (Devotional Reading from Psalm/Tehillim 66:1-12).

For history on Ezra 1-6 visit my blog for the week of June 24-28, 2013.


Starting with Ezra 3:8 ... The foundations of the temple are laid in great joy and mourning. The foundation of the temple is laid.


Levites ... charged with the temple service (I Chronicles 23:24) ... Their service (Exodus 38:212) ... Duty towards (Deuteronomy 12:10) ... descendants of Levi (Exodus 32:26) ... appointed over the Tabernacle (Numbers 1:50)


Shealtiel (I have asked of God) Greek form 'Salathiel,' (Ezra 3:2)

Jozadak (Jehozadak) Ezra 3:2 ... Jehozadak (Jehovah is righteous) I Chronicles 6:15

Kadmiel (before God) Ezra 2:40; Nehemiah 9:4

Henadad (favor of Hadad) Ezra 3:9 ... Hadad, name of a Syrian god, an Edomite (I Kings 11:14)


Ezra 3:8-9 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again in Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now); The Foundations Laid .... Sacred Places; Zerubbabel's Temple; The Building Is Begun

(Erza 2:68-69; Ezra 3; Ezra 3:1,8; I Kings 5:1-10,18; II Chronicles 2:1-16; I Kings 6:1; Ezra 6:3-4; Numbers 1:50-51; Numbers 3:21-37; Ezra 2:40; I Corinthians 14:40 .... Reference in Sunday School Book)


Ezra 3:10-11 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now); The Foundations Laid

Verse 10 ... Sacred Persons; Zerubbabel's Temple; The Building Is Begun

Verse 11 ... Sacred Places; Zerubbabel's Temple; Mingled Joy & Weeping (Ezra 3:11-13)

(I Chronicles 6:31; 25:1; Psalm/Tehillim 100:5; 106:1; 107:1; 118:29; 136:1; 136:1-4; II Chronicles 5:12-14)


Ezra 3:12-13 ... Sacred Places; Zerubbabel's Temple; Mingled Joy & Weeping; ....The Hebrews Again In Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now); The Foundations Laid; The Outward Man; The Body In Old Age; Instances of Longevity





Psalm/Tehillim 66:1-12 ... An exhortation to praise God in view of his great works, and gracious benefits .... David exhorteth to praise God, to observe his great works .... David exhorteth to praise God, to observe his great works, to bless him for his gracious benefits & He voweth for himself religious service to God.

Psalm/Tehillim 66 ... Psalms of Gratitude: For mercies shown to the Church ... Psalms of Adoration: Of God's goodness & mercy

Psalm/Tehillim 66:8,9 ... The Lord's Love & Care for His Children


Monday - July 1, 2013 - A Great & Wonderful House - II Chronicles 2:1-9

Solomon's labourers for the building of the temple. His message to Huran for workmen & timber...


Tuesday - July 2, 2013 - Building a House for God's Name - I Kings 8:14-21

Solomon's blessing & declaration


Wednesday - July 3, 2013 - My Name Shall Be There - I Kings 8:22-30

Solomon's prayer


Thursday - July 4, 2013 - A House of Prayer - Matthew 21:10-16

Christ rideth into Jerusalem upon a 'Probably Asinus hemippus' (I used this word from the KJV Bible so it would not seem like ugly content); Driveth the buyers & sellers out of the temple ... Christ's public entry into Jerusalem; He driveth the traders out of the temple.


Friday - July 5, 2013 - Make a Joyful Noise To God - Psalm/Tehillim 66:1-12


Saturday - July 6, 2013 - Lead Me in Your Righteousness - Psalm/Tehillim 5

Psalm/Tehillim 5 ... Psalms of Supplication: Expressing trust in God ... Didactic Psalms: Showing the blessings of God's people & misery of his enemies.

Didactic (Instruct)


Sunday - July 7, 2013 - Ezra 3:8-13


Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Reference Edition Bible, KJV Bible(The SouthWestern Co.), The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible & Readers's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Trauma and the Twelve Steps: A Complete Guide To Enhancing Recovery ... Book Review



Book Reviewer . 12 step recovery . traumatic stress . trauma survivors . Bosnia - Hercegovina . Sponsors . Storytelling . Writing . Dancing . Relationships . Coping Skills . Prayer . Therapy

This book shares on pros and cons on 12 Steps Programs. A real eye opener.
This is not a Christian book for it shares on a copy of non Christian values as far as I am concerned, but it could be studied and looked at by strong Christian communities.
It is also a book worth looking at for families to see what your loves ones might be exposed too.

No two cases will be the same.

This book does not intend to be diagnostic in any way and is not a substitute for a thorough clinical assessment. If you are at medical risk of withdrawal or in a serious mental state of mind that could harm yourself or others (e.g., suicidal or homicidal intentions), you are encouraged to seek medical attention immediately.

The purpose of this book is to show professionals, sponsors, and recovering individuals how to continue using traditional twelve-step recovery philosophies in a manner that honors what the psychotherapeutic professions have learned about traumatic stress. This book also explains how rigid application of twelve-step principles can do more harm than good for a traumatized person and how learning some simple accomodations based on the latest knowledge of traumatic stress can enhance the twelve-step recovery experience for trauma survivors.

My suggestion and request that I would like to see the professional community look at two books below: I am getting this resource from a January 3, 1957 Book "The Life and Times of Jesus" and this book was studied at a HBUC in 1957.

1. Is the hospital/therapy a continuation of Jesus' ministry?

2. A Religion in Illness and in Health: New York: Harper & Bros., 1942. Wise, Carroll A.

3. The Art of Ministering to the Sick. New York: The Macmillan Co., 1934.




You may have one twelve-step recovery group that is sensitive to its members talking about addictions or conditions, such as mental health concerns and trauma (van der Kolk, McFarlane, & Weisaeth, 2007).

Jamie's hope is that, her voice as a recovering individual will come through most strongly, even though she used her professional knowledge to justify the ideas in this book. There is an old, Chinese proverb to describe trauma and its effects: "Once you've been bitten by a snake, you're afraid even of a piece of coiled rope."

Her bachelors's degrees are in American studies. Her first major job following graduation was for a Catholic parish in postwar Bosnia-Hercegovina, primarily as an English teacher and language editor. While serving in this area, she became aware of trauma's impact on human development. Her pupils were primarily children and young adults who lived at a parish-run childrens' home. The region was transitioning from decades experiencing the aftermath of a major civil war. This experience during the two and a half years she spent in the country impacted her so much that she left her English teaching days behind, returned to the states, and began a master's degree program in counseling.

As many traumatized addicts have discovered, alcohol use, drug use, food, sex, or other reinforcing activities are particularly effective at killing the pain.

All you have to do is go on the Internet to find a host of people who have blogged about, video-taped, or posted about negative experiences in Alcoholic Anonymous, other twelve-step fellowships, and even alternative programs. People who have had negative experiences in recovery programs are often quick to label them "cultish."

Not everyone who walks through the doors of recovery group has a positive experience. In her practice, clients have shared with her experiences such as, from going to a first meeting and feeling preached at or belittled, to experiences as horrible as being raped in the parking lot following a meeting by a member of a recovery fellowship. Some stories shared with her from some of her clients range from negative experiences with sponsorship, ranging from militaristic sponsors who use belittling tactics, to unethical sponsors who ended up cheating with the wives of sponsees. Such experiences have costed some people to write off recovery programs completely.

Most newcomers who come to recovery fellowship with unresolved trauma more often experience harm than help, especially in the long run, by such an approach.

Even though it is unrealistic to expect a perfect sense of safety at every twelve-step recovery meetings, some simple things that might promote it often go unnoticed. She have absolutely no place for the public shaming that often goes on in many recovery meetings, be they twelve-step or alternative meetings.

Solid sponsorship can make all the difference between whether or not a person, especially a traumatized person, sticks around and gives a recovery program a chance to work. Another major area of offense that happens a lot in twelve-step recovery fellowships, an offense that clearly violates the notion of safety, is when sponsors attempt to work too far outside their scope of experience. More dangerously, they will advise a person with mental health concerns to go off of his or her psychotropic medications because all they need is to work the twelve steps. She has seen this cause more harm than good to countless people who have taken this advice literally.

When she first sought out recovery, she had no problem admitting that she was an addict, but she couldn't quite accept that she was an alcoholic. In the Bosnia town where she lived at that time, there were only AA meetings.


Solid sponsorship can make all the difference between whether or not a person, especially a traumatized person, sticks around and gives a recovery program a chance to work. Another major area of offense that happens a lot in twelve-step recovery fellowships, an offense that clearly violates the notion of safety, is when sponsors attempt to work too far outside their scope of experience. More dangerously, they will advise a person with mental health concerns to go off his or her psychotropic medications because all they need is to work the twelve steps. She has seen this cause more harm that good to countless people who have taken this advice literally.

When she first sought out recovery, she had no problem admitting that she was an addict, but she couldn't quite accept that she was an alcoholic. In the Bosnia town where she lived at that time, they were only AA meetings. Her sponsor, Janet told her to come to the meetings and if she heard the word alcohol, just replace it with drugs ... "it's all gonna, be fatal anyway if you continue." By Janet not preaching to Dr. Marich from the onset, she was able to go to meetings with an open mind, and it eventually clicked in her stubborn brain that she was both a drug addict and alcoholic.

Another powerful way that Janet helped to meet her where she was at on the road to recovery was by demonstrating a clear understanding of her past and how it affected her. The sensitive combination of acceptance and challenge helped her work through her issue of both addiction recovery and unresolved trauma in those early days when hearing one wrong thing could have turned her off to recovery forever.

Janet didn't spoon-feed her recovery; she let her hit some road bumps along the way and reminded her that she was there for her when she was ready to take suggestions.

Janet was knowledgeable about what the fields of psychology, science, and medicine have learned about addiction. This meant she understood the realities of traumatic stress and how it can get in the way of learning new ways of living and embracing recovery. Her knowledge about addiction as a brain disease and the phenomena of cravings also informed her that it's futile to get hung up on one specific drug as a prerequiste to attend and to benefit from meetings.

You do not have to be a social worker or drug and alcohol counselor to be an exemplary twelve-step sponsor or mentor/leader in another type of recovery program. To be a trauma-sensitive professional or sponsor, recovery program leader, you need to honor certain principles: safety and flexibility. Meeting people where they are at is a principle so many professionals and sponsors like Janet already practice. However, the logic of it still needs to be more widely practiced in modern recovery so that traumatized people are not alienated as a result of being retraumatized by rigid professionals, sponsors, or community members.

One of the classic recovery tools is using the phone.

It is a fantastic, ultimate goal for people in recovery from both trauma and addiction to begin operating more with their rational minds and less with their emotional minds.

The physical steps required to pick up a telephone and reach out are classic examples of action-based steps that can aid in recovery.

Going to meetings. The act of committing to sit for an hour is practicing, or putting into action, the skills of patience and self-care, to Dr. Marich.

Reach out to others. If you are working with newcomers, emphasize the importance of small steps. Going around and shaking people's hands at meetings, even if they aren't making meaningful connections, is an action step.

Prayer and other spiritual exercises. Now by me being a Christian, I will share a few Scriptures on prayer: Genesis 15:15; Psalm/Tehillim 34:12-14,20; Luke 8:2 and Mark 7:24-30. And I realize that no two conditions are the same, and at times some might have to be on medication if not in an institution for various reasons.

Dr. Marich shares that even if there are no experiences of spiritual connection, talking action can serve as powerful coping mechanisms to get through difficult moments, or, when performed over time, can serve a function in helping them to develop new, more positive habits.

Dr. Marich shares about the "God box" as a spiritual technique. I would recommend this for Christians to look at seriously.

And at times from what I have studied in Sunday School forgiveness must take place.

Recovery people simply get an old shoebox, jar, or other container and put it in a special place, designating it as their "God box." Whenever a problem or issue cannot stop swirling around in their heads, they get out a piece of paper and write down what's bothering them. For many, the act of writing it down and "getting it out" is a key part of the healing; again, an action-oriented step.

I have said in Sunday School when making a comment "You can't treat God like a part-time lover" and keep expecting results.

Whether it's jotting down a simple statement and placing it in a God box or something out their soul into an entire novel, writing provides a means of emotional release for many people in recovery.

Dr. Marich tell her clients that after they write a journal entry, they have every right to rip it up ... this can be a process of working out the stress. This writing can include obsessions, emotional angst, resentments, past memories, or simply a list of stressors that may just need to come out visibly on paper.

Some even leave unsent letters at a cemetery. The options are endless, it is the physical processes involved with these activities that powerfully activate the brain to help with the overall sense of release.

Dr. Marich made a geographical move to receive her cure at that time, to the hills in Bosnia-Hercegovina humanitarian aid trailer that would become her treatment center. She learned that relationship heals. She told Janet that she believed she had a problem with chemicals. It was in that trailer that she explained to her the disease of addiction and the implications for treating it, and it was in that trailer that they met on an almost biweekly basis, engaging in the healing process that would become the basis of her own recovery.

There is a misconception that to begin healing from the wounds of addiction and trauma, a person needs sophiscated treatment.

A simple smile that we give to the person we're working with as they share something with us may strike us a insignificant, but it might be powerfully healing to the client.

Forging a strong therapeutic alliance does not mean that you have to be your client's best friend. Dr. Marich's view of a solid working alliance is that the person you are working with trusts you, can relate to you, believes that you relate to her, and trusts that the work you are doing together is helping her get well.

In the spirit of growth and development as empathetic counselors, it is also important to remember that, as helpers, they are not solely responsible for helping a client get sober and well.

The term support system often describes the people surrounding a person who literally support recovery of a person and have their best interest at heart.

Recovery capital is the "quality and quantity of internal and external resources that one can bring to bear on the initiation and maintenance of recovery" (Grandfield & Cloud, 199; White & Kutrz, 2006, p. 9). Recovery capital can include a support group, twelve-step meetings, a sponsor, a Church group, a job, hobbies, supportive family, motivation, and a place to live - essentially, whatever the person has going for him or her.

Depending on resources available in the community or certain benefits allowed with state-appropriated services (e.g., Medicaid) many clients can access separate case management services in addition to accessing traditional therapy.

Wise folks throughout the centuries were helping people process trauma long before professional psychotherapy even existed. Though Dr. Marich is not advocating that lay people, or even therapists, engage in any special interventions that she have listed without proper training. Proceed with caution.

In certain African cultures, speaking about the exact details of a trauma is taboo, yet using allegory-specifically animals as characters-is more than acceptable manner of telling the story for the purpose of catharsis.

Songwriting and other performance elements, like dance and the visual arts, are other outstanding ways to tell the story for the purposes of resolution.

Even King David danced.

One of Dr. Marich's dearest support figures in recovery, a wise woman name Denise, often tells her, "Jamie, addiction is one disease where, in recovery, we choose how well we want to get."

One time, early in Dr. Marich recovery, she was sharing her healing ventures with her brother Paul: going to meetings, going to therapy, going to Church, going for massage, writing music, and performing it with her partner. He jokingly said, "It takes a village to help my sister." It is a true observation-one that she feels has helped her to thrive.

I believe it was Cornersburg Media that sent me a copy of this book for review. I review books for publishing companies, marketing departments, authors, publicists, ministries and businesses.

Dr. Jamie Marich travels the country training and helping professionals on a variety of topics related to trauma and addiction while still maintaining a trauma-focused private practice at PsyCare, Inc. in Youngstown, Ohio. Jamie began her career in social services while working in humanitarian aid after the Bosnia war. Jamie is a contributing faculty member with several universities, and she is also involved in the performing and healing arts as a recording singer-songwriter and conscious dance facilitator. She is an award-winning researcher and contributor to peer reviewed publications.