When I was asked if I wanted to share anything with the GDA, I thought about it and welcomed the opportunity. First, Iris and I ask God’s richest blessing on all who have expressed concern and have offered prayer. We bless you. I love this very special fellowship of the Spirit, which on the personal relationship level can go so very deep as we “bear one another’s burdens” and so fulfill the law of love. Thank you!

As far as my health is concerned, I am still being treated for a very aggressive cancer, and we don’t know the outcome. The results are in God’s hands. Never has “One day at a time” meant so much. The joyous victory in this trial is that the same One who broke through to me in lust recovery years ago is keeping me sober one fear and uncertainty at a time. It’s a whole new program, and I’m asking that I not miss the blessing that’s on the other side of this. “The Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever.”

This personal trial for me is not unlike many we have encountered in the history of SA itself and will doubtless continue to encounter. The unique need and promise of our recovery—deliverance from the power of lust in all its forms—makes our “impossible” principles an easy target for compromise or questioning, especially from within SA itself, as our own history continues to reveal. Long before cancer actually appears, the body’s cells can start going haywire if our immune system has been degraded. The immune system for Sexaholics Anonymous is our Twelve Traditions. Though they were discovered in the crucible of AA’s experience, we find that we are continually tempted to disregard some of their early warning immune degradation indicators. They knock us in the head periodically and try to get our attention. That’s how we’re learning their truth for ourselves! The hard way. So I challenge you to continue discovering together and afresh, the deep import and relevance of that amazing trinity of SA Traditions—Traditions One, Three, and Twelve.

What constitutes SA unity, and why does personal recovery depend upon it? What are the implications of our requirement for membership—“the desire to stop lusting and become sexually sober”? What constitutes sexual sobriety, and what constitutes lust recovery? And how may we unwittingly be putting personalities before principle? How does all this tie in together? Yes, we’re being tested here in all three. And we shall be tested! Let us examine ourselves honestly and often in the searchlight of the spirit of these time-tested realities.

Therefore stand! Stand on principle. Stay true to our historic and unique calling. Yes, it is unique. And don’t be afraid of voices that would try to make this an “easier” program.

I love this fellowship—with the whole history of its problems and adversity. God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. We are “more than conquerors” through Him who loved us and called us into being for the glory of His grace. Stand fast. Times may get tougher. Contend for the truth. Above all, let us be ready to offer, through our own personal lust recovery testimonies, what increasing thousands will need and seek. And above all, let us love one another in the truth.

I believe a new beginning awaits us as we discover the impossible reality of lust recovery under God and humble ourselves before Him so He can pour out His blessing on those who suffer.

I thank you for your lives and service. May God bless you all. Be blessed and be a blessing as you work together this week and in time to come.