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

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Prayer for Today

Holy Spirit, you are the everlasting life promised by covenant and gifted by God to the believer. Prepare our hearts to know the Scriptures as you write them there, for the Almighty is our God, and we are his people. Prepare our minds to be steadfast, recognizing the current event for what it is, discerning…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20200623

Today is a beautiful day, because “Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!” (Psalm 149:3 ESV) Praise #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday

Prayer for Today

Dear Jesus, if anyone’s role is most essential during upheaval and uncertainty, it is yours. You are my Lord, my rock and my salvation. I thank you in your precious name and authority, according to the good and perfect will of the Father. Amen. “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20200622

Today is a beautiful day, because Jesus is King over Jew and Gentile as one body in Christ, “Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the…

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Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, even in this season of disaster and destruction, I sense new beginnings. I pray your will over each and every one of them. New believers, new relationships, saints returning to praise within the churches, new pastorships, growing and awakening of your church, new opportunities for your servants and new days coming for us…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20200621

Today is a beautiful day, because we praise, “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; Praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, Praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let…

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Prayer for Today

Abba Father, there is a place for me at your knee. When I’m confused, when I seem to have lost my way, when the world spins and roils around me in clouds of dismay, there is a place for me at your knee. Your plans cannot be thwarted. Your will will be done. Your name…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20200620

Today is a beautiful day, because I stand to “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” (Psalm 146:1-2 ESV) Praise #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday

Prayer for Today

Holy God, you are Jehovah Nissi, the banner over us. I ask you to open your heavenly court as I come, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, to petition for unity among believers. The enemy seeks to divide us, to separate us into sects, to impose his labels upon us and set us against one…

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