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 20240430

Today is a beautiful day, because “I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one…

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Prayer for Today

Lord, You established me in the peace of a hickory grove where I spend time learning more of You, seeking commune with You and listening for your response. The warmth of our times together is like soaking in the sun’s rays without fear of the damaging effects. I’d prefer not to leave this place where…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240429

Today is a beautiful day, because “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and…

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Prayer for Today

Oh, Father, I long to be where righteousness dwells in the new heaven and new earth! I praise You for making it available to believers in and followers of Jesus. I stand on your promises and wait on your timing in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen….

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240426

Today is a beautiful day, because “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13 ESV) New #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday

Prayer for Today

Father, this description of the heavenly city encourages me. I long to sing and worship with the angels, to meet with those gone on before, and to be permanently in your overwhelming presence. I stand upon your promises in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen. “But you…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240425

Today is a beautiful day, because you have not come to what may be touched, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God,…

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Prayer for Today

Wash me, Father, and I will be whiter than snow, able to come into your presence with confidence, sprinkled clean from an evil conscience to present my petitions at your mercy seat. I approach with full assurance of faith that I have confessed with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240424

Today is a beautiful day, because “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have ta great priest over the house of God, let us…

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Prayer for Today

Jesus, You are worthy of all praise, honor and glory. Please accept my worshipful prayer for your name’s sake, by your authority and according to the good and perfect will of the Father. Amen. “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance,…

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