Findings: My Journey To Joy                            

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

Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240816

Today is a beautiful day, because “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” (Revelation 21:5 ESV)

Prayer for Today

Father, You are making things new, shaking up the ‘normal’ and pointing to the New Heaven and New Earth. Grant us a glimpse of the beauty You build, the peace You secure, and the future You promise believers. Time shortens with every tick of the clock before me. Unknown to anyone but You, there is…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement Verse for 20240814

Today is a beautiful day, because John explained the vision he witnessed, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared…

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Prayer for Today

Jesus, thank You for this glimpse into heaven and our future with You. I am ransomed and redeemed to your glory and honor, by your grace. It is nothing I deserved or could do for myself. You brought me into your kingdom a made me a priest to God for your name’s sake. I bring…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240503

Today is a beautiful day, because “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and…

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Prayer for Today

We are more than conquerors through You, Jesus. I bring my gratitude in your name and authority, according to your good and perfect will. Amen. “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240502

Today is a beautiful day, because “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down…

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Prayer for Today

Lord, one day, You will replace the earthly stone with my name carved by your hand with a white stone and a new name. The new stone, whether a ticket to the wedding supper of the Lamb or a symbol of endearing and eternal relationship with You, has a special place in my heart these…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240501

Today is a beautiful day, because “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except…

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Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, I am honored and grateful that my children walk in the truth of your Word and the blessing of your love. May they always seek your wisdom and discernment. May they always know your presence and feel You near. I pray the protection of the power of your blood over them and their…

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