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Below is the list of the five procedures:

The Five Procedures
1. Give in toGod.
2. Listen to God’s direction.
3. Check guidance.
4. Restitution.
5. Sharing — for witness and confession.

As we have seen before, this list not only mirrors, but preempts a list of 12-steps. The first, and simply stated, procedure is, “Give in to God.” This procedure, simple in its wording, is what I believe to be the most important action we can take in any of the lists. This first procedure is the exact same concept provided in step number three of the 12 step program, “I made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God”. In this step, when taken with all of the honesty and seriousness at our command, is the holy and eternal utterance of the word “yes”to God. It is the indication of our total surrender to God’s direction. It is the acknowledgment that from that moment on I will try to listen for direction, through my Spirit, and live my life according to God’s desire.

I realize, possibly more than you could ever know, that this is not an easy task. The thing is, I no longer believe that I am being tested. I now have that “blessed assurance” that no matter what happens or how I am able to perform, (or not perform), I am now forever reentangled with God. God, especially, understands that we are of a dual nature, and that our humanity is usually trying to overcome our spirituality. Humanity has a personality that has developed as a result of our human experiences. The sum total of our personal experience always believes that it knows what is best for our survival and happiness. My goal as a changed person, (one who has surrendered to God), is to listen to, and act upon, that which is the direction of my Spirit versus the wishes of my humanity.

This is a constant war. Many of us will never win this war but through listening to our Spirits advice, we shall assuredly be victorious and more in more of the battles.