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
Today is a beautiful day, because God speaks of Jesus, “Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: ‘I am the Lord; I have…
Father, there is no name above yours. You are Elohim, Mighty Creator. You are Yahweh, the LORD, the I AM. You are Adonai, the LORD God. You are El Olam, the Eternal God. You are EL Elyon, God Most High. Yet, You are El Roi, the God who sees me. You know my deepest thoughts…
Today is a beautiful day, because God protects His name, “You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:12 ESV) “I am the LORD.” #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday
Father, You are my source. Don’t let me deplete myself to the point I have nothing to give when someone in my circle has a need. Fill my cup again, and again. Remind me to renew and refresh through the benefit of your Word. Send me to the Scripture You want me to see for…
Today is a beautiful day, because God instructed His people, “And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:10 ESV) “I am the LORD.” #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday
Holy Spirit, guide me in the steps of my day. Focus my thoughts and prayers according to the will of the Father. Order my perspective so that He comes before all. May my first thoughts each day be driven by my faith and the person of Jesus, who died as the payment for my sin,…
Today is a beautiful day, because God gave explicit instructions, “Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God. Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:…
Father, You have spoken. Lead us to make only choices that honor and glorify your name. Forgive, redeem for we fall short in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen. “You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name…
Today is a beautiful day, because God declared to His people for His name’s sake, “You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 8:21 ESV) “I am the LORD.” #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday
Father, thank You for the guardrails of your precepts. Please, Holy Spirit, keep me moving and breathing within God’s statutes. They never change. They keep me on the path to righteousness for your name’s sake. They lead me home in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen. “And…
Recent Comments