Before you kiss the frog, let’s talk. Let’s talk about choices that make your future healthier. Walk with me through a biblically based decision tree and not rely on aroused feelings and sensations that can lead us astray.
Come along with me through discussion of characteristics of churches and pastors that tend to operate this way under the threat of misconduct exposure. Let’s look at common techniques of leadership during the cover-up process.
This is the true story of a church in America's Bible Belt, the First Christian Church in Florissant, Missouri--a church with a meager beginning and record of steady growth for forty-nine years until the weight of sexual abuse charges against a youth minister left it, and its congregation, broken. This is a case history and analysis of those events. This is for the victims.
Holy Spirit, You see the value of the road ahead. You know the dangers and pitfalls awaiting us. However, You are the strength within us that rises up at the right time and with the proper response to what comes. May we always be mindful of Your urging us forward to the glory ahead in…
Today is a beautiful day, because Jeremiah called on God’s people to remember how wonderful their relationship with God once was, “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness,…
Lord, You know better than we of the deep wound when the one You love turns away. You alone can speak to our pain, because You understand at the soul level. Satan is attacking our families. The estrangement culture dims the light of our days and darkens the emptiness of the nights. Only You can…
Today is a beautiful day, because God made a way for His people through the righteousness of Christ, even after the destruction of the temple that He allowed because of sin, “But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand. Do not…
Almighty God, it is fearsome, yet comforting to know the power in Your words. You are who You proclaim. You do what You say You will do. You speak what is trustworthy and true. We can count on the certainty that creates for us. There is no other like You, who works continuously for the…
Today is a beautiful day, because God does what He says He will do, “Remember this, and show yourselves men; Recall to mind, O you transgressors. Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient…
Gracious, loving Father, You are the God of redemption, restoration and relationship. You take on the burden of our sins for Your name’s sake. You remember them no longer, once we return to You and repent of them. You call us by our name to remember You, to reflect upon Your forgiveness and justice. You…
Today is a beautiful day, because God pleads for His people to return to Him, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.” (Isaiah 43: 25-26 NKJV) Remember …
Lord, You are faithful. All things work together for good to those who love You are are called according to Your purpose. You have never let us down. You do not turn away. You embrace us in all our messiness. If You are for us, who can be against us? I trust You, so onward…
Today is a beautiful day, because “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43: 18-19 NKJV) Remember Welcome to Joy in…
Recent Comments