Is help that comes with restrictions helpful? Can the scars of abuse be dealt with in 6-12 counseling sessions? Should the church have offered to pay more than what insurance wouldn’t pay? What if the victims aren’t insured? If you re-victimize the survivors by forcing these restrictions, is that helpful or hurtful? If you fire … Read more
All knowing God, Creator, Redeemer, thank you for the writings of the eyewitnesses to Jesus. Lord Jesus, thank you for making yourself known to the apostles. Thank you for their boldness to speak your name and spread your story in the face of opposition and persecution. Grant us holy boldness to express our own testimonies … Read more
Today is a beautiful day, because God declares He is the one who helps his people, “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the … Read more
There were eleven or twelve elders in 2012 when the vote to change the bylaws occurred. Five resigned because of the bylaws change. Seven elders remained at the time the news of Brandon’s arrest came out. Were you aware of the elders decline? Did the people in the pews realize the change and recognize the … Read more
Father, thank you for your plan of salvation. Thank you for testimony concerning Jesus. Thank you for saving me and giving me eternal life through Jesus. I come humbly in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen. “If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of … Read more
Today is a beautiful day, because Scripture shows us an example of the lies of the enemy in the fog of war, “Do not listen to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, … Read more
So, we all moved on, scars and all. From the book: “Steve’s returning sermon focused on the God of second chances. Ironically, we were forced to stand by our convictions, and Everyday Fellowship gave us a second chance at building a true and lasting church family, no matter how small. The ministers who were let … Read more
Lord Jesus, my devotions bring me to this challenging verse that makes me ponder my position of faith. You submitted to baptism though you were sinless. I submitted to baptism as a public statement of my faith. You shed your blood on the cross though you were sinless. You died for the sin in me. … Read more
Today is a beautiful day, because “He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will … Read more
It wasn’t long after the celebrity minister’s return that pink slips went out to three remaining ministers. Did they feel betrayed? Did they feel hurt by the church after years of service? What did this mean for the victims of abuse? Their avenue of support was no longer available, because the plan the church elders … Read more