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, thank You for your unwavering promise of eternal hope. Lord Jesus, thank You for sealing me with your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the joy of your salvation in your name above all names and unmatched authority, according to the good and perfect will of the Father. Amen. “But this I call to mind,…
Today is a beautiful day, because “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”…
Father, I pray for unrepentant hearts to turn back to You and seek your mercy and forgiveness. I pray for those who have gone astray. Let them long for a closer relationship with You. Allow your Holy Spirit to cover the globe, touching and freeing souls. Jesus, please make yourself known. We desperately need You….
Today is a beautiful day, because God warned of pending judgment through Jeremiah, saying, “It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the disaster that I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Jeremiah…
Oh, Father, thank You for your grace. Your timing is perfect. Your mercy captivates me. Surely, I have seen You at work for the greater good and for your glory in the land of the living. Once I tasted the goodness of your steadfast love, there is no turning away. You are exalted in the…
Today is a beautiful day, because in His great mercy, God waits for His people to return to Him, “Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” (Isaiah…
Lord, shine your light on the parts of me that only You can reach. Let there be no hint of my concealing them. You brought me into this world. You know my deepest thoughts that I haven’t put words to. You called me by my name to come out of darkness and into your marvelous…
Today is a beautiful day, because “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28: 13 ESV) Mercy #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday
Father, I count on your blessings and mercies. They are new every morning. They calm me when I get anxious. They comfort me when I am hurting. They restore the joy of your salvation. In the name and authority of Jesus, thank You, Father. Be glorified according to your good and perfect will. Amen. “The…
Today is a beautiful day, because “The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” (Psalm 145: 8-9 ESV) Mercy #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday
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