SEP 23, 19 .. GOD IS EVERYTHING or GOD IS NOTHING .. WHAT A MEETING

I believe that in The Big Book the above theo/philosophy is stated..

God is everything or God is nothing.

Isn't the internet amazing! What do I find on page 53 of The Big Book..

"When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be?"

For me it boils down to this : You believe or You don't believe.

Would you rather believe and be wrong? Or would you rather NOT believe and be wrong?

This evening, into a small meeting in the basement of a large apartment building I entered.

From July of 2015 up until today, I have spoken at a lot of meetings here. I recognized the below room the instant I stepped into it. A REAL, committed, meeting room. 

The small room was jam-packed. The meeting  was 1-1/2 hours. 6:30PM to 8PM.

There were two newcomers. They sat up front and basically I spoke directly to them.

When you have spoken to groups for as many years / decades as I have, you develop a 'sixth sense' about members of your audience. And in every audience, no matter how large or how small, you find those very few who are 'locked in' on you.

Further, when in a foreign country, you also 'sense' when certain members understand what you are saying. In other words, they understand your language.

This meeting-of-the-minds happened between myself and one of the new members. 

I swear to God in the Heavens Above I thought.. 

"He seems to understand ever word and everything that I am saying!"

It was an intense meeting. They all are intense meetings over here. The leader went through the meeting format and then I spoke from 6:40PM to 7:15PM, they took a 15-minute smoke-break. We finished and wrapped-it-up precisely at 7:59PM. I watch my cell phone for the time and, trust me, I know how to end on-time.

Up to me walked the new member who I had locked-onto during the meeting. In absolutely perfect English he said, "Can I ride with you when they take you to your apartment and visit?"

He has a beautiful wife and two gorgeous small children. He is a professional at the CEO level. He is at-the-end-of-his-road with alcoholism. He is only age 30 years. 

I said as we approached my apartment..

"I am amazed at your mastery of the English language.."

"Were you born here?"

"Yes."

"How did you learn to speak such good English?"

Are all of you sitting down?

"I lived in San Antonio, Texas, for five years where I attended university!"

And off we went! Did you go to any Spurs games? Were you a Dallas Cowboys fan? .. And on and on we raced ..

What brought you to A.A.? 

I've a brother and two cousins who run our company. All three are in A.A. One brought me here tonight. My father died of alcoholism. 

He is in extremely 'rough shape'. I am concerned he risks having an alcoholic seizure at doing an instantaneous withdrawal from alcohol. Were we in the United States, I would've immediately taken him to a hospital Emergency Room. I offered to do this here. A major hospital is very close to where I live. 

He promised me he would call a cousin who is an M.D.

He insisted on walking me to the door of my apartment. I then walked him back to the street to assure myself he was OK and had flagged down a taxi.

He called to report he was home safe.

"God? Do I have a young, Mongolian, sponsee?"

God is everything or He is nothing!