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.—Joy S. Taylor, Author
Father God, thank you for King David’s example in this instance. He asked your advice. He listened for your answer. He obeyed your command. May we be more like this. Help us to ask, listen and obey in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen. “And when…
Today is a beautiful day, because God delivered Jacob, “Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children.” (Genesis 32:11 ESV) Deliver #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday
Father God, I call for your grace and mercy upon us. You are the God of multiple warnings. You are the God who prepares the way. You are Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. Now is the time for preparation. The warning knells peal the alarm. Do we not face shortages? Do we not hear…
Today is a beautiful day, because Jesus will return, “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and…
Do not pass us by, my Lord. Your anger seethes at our disobedience. How can we escape if we ignore your salvation? How can we prosper if we do not repent? How do we come before you if we cannot stand for your precepts? I pray for my community, country and the nations. Let your…
Today is a beautiful day, because “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16 ESV) Free #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday
Holy Spirit, you are my helper, my interpreter, my teacher and my guide. Keep my feet on the solid path to follow Jesus in all my ways. Don’t allow me to turn to the right or to the left and be distracted by the circumstances around me. Focus me on Jesus alone in everything. Protect…
Today is a beautiful day, because “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13: 5 ESV) Free #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday
Jehovah Hashopet, you are the LORD, our judge. You are just and judgment surely comes. Keep me grounded in your Word and ever repentant of any lapse in humility toward my Holy God. I pray your Holy Spirit guards and guides my thoughts, words and deeds. I marvel at King Hezekiah’s reaction to hearing of…
Today is a good day, because Paul urged Timothy, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things,…
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