“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to the number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47).
Every day. Daily. I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the word “daily” lately. Many of you know about my interest in addiction and my concern for addicts. I’ve been doing some reading recently about the beginning of the AA movement, and I’ve been struck by the emphasis upon the ‘dailyness’ of recovery as it was talked about and lived in the early years of the movement, especially in Akron, Ohio, where one of the founders, Dr. Bob, lived.
In Akron, instead of AA meetings, “there were Christian fellowship meetings every day” for newcomers to recovery who had just been released from the hospital. Something resembling an actual AA meeting occurred only once a week.
We’re also told that Dr. Bob’s wife led a daily morning quiet time for alcoholics and their family members in the Smith’s home.
Prior to 1946 (which is seven years after the publication of AA’s Big Book) , the Akron AA had published A Manual for Alcoholics Anonymous. It contains the following description of the newcomers plan of action as soon as he was released from the hospital:
First off, your day will have a new pattern. You will open the day with a quiet time. This will be explained by your sponsor. You will read the “Upper Room” or whatever you think best for yourself. You will say a little prayer asking for help during the day…. Finally, at the end of the day, you will say another little prayer of thanks and gratitude for a day of sobriety.
AA historian Dick B. writes, “Daily contact was emphasized. They [i.e. AA members and their spouses] frequently phoned one another. They frequently visited the homes of each other. They gathered for parties, dances, covered-dish suppers, and picnics. They prayed together. And they frequently had meals together. Compare the practices of the First Century Christians as described in Acts one; 2:38-47; 3; 4:29-35; 5; and 6.”
Personally, I’m all for anything that will help people struggling with addictions get and stay clean. But as I’ve read this description of what happened in Akron, Ohio, I’ve been thinking more about the lives of ordinary Christians now compared to ordinary Christians in the first century. And I wonder how the word “daily” applies.
What kind of “daily” is possible in today’s world, both personally and corporately? What kind of “daily walk” with Christ. What kind of daily walk with one another.
I wonder about this blog. I wonder about what many of you do on Facebook. I wonder what many of us do about a daily “quiet time.”
I also wonder about Jacob’s Well, our new ministry site, and what might be available there daily.
I wonder what kind of daily stuff is already going on among us under the radar.
Just putting this out there. Just wondering.
Seeds 
Pastor Rich, I do so enjoy your e-mails. I miss my family at BRC, very much, and I thank God daily for helping me through my darkest hours. On July 7th I was escorted out of my home, beaten and in tears, by the Schenectady Police department. You see, I have been for some time, a victim of domestic violence. At BRC I found the answers that I so desperately needed. I had tried daily to make my situation better, but couldn’t. With your guidance I could allow God to come into my heart and show me that as that door closed, surely another would open. I packed up my belongings and moved to Montgomery county, in a tiny town of Sprakers. I now live with my sister and her husband, and it is such a relief. I’m not able to get to church, as I have no car, but I hold my beliefs near and dear to my heart. I remember your words, the smiles of everyone at the church, and the music that filled my heart and helped show me the way. Please give my best to the rest of our family, and let them know that they all left foot prints on my heart.
Yours in God, Barbara Fonda
Barbara, I have thought of you often and wondered what happened to you. Thanks for letting us know. I feel very moved by your story. I’m glad you’re in a safe place now. God bless you, my friend.
Barbara, what a gift to read your words! So many of us have asked each other, “do you know how to contact Barbara?” because lots of us women missed you. Thanks be to God for this new space and new start for you!