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

Prayer for Today

April 5, 2020
By Joy Taylor

I am not alone in isolation. I am not alone in my struggle. I am not alone. Ironically, Lord, I have felt alone even in the midst of a huge congregation. Through the growth of my relationship with Jesus, I am no longer alone at any time. Thank you in your name above all names,…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20200405

April 5, 2020
By Joy Taylor

Today is a beautiful day, because David praised God even though threatened on all sides by his enemies, “I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.” (Psalm 7:17 ESV) Praise #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday

Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20200404

April 4, 2020
By Joy Taylor

Today is a beautiful day, because God’s people confessed their sins and praised, “Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, ‘Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.’” (Nehemiah 9:5 ESV) Praise…

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Prayer for Today

April 3, 2020
By Joy Taylor

King Jesus, my heart breaks for humanity as I see the numbers increase: the tests, the infected, the intubated, the dying. ‘Going viral’ is a terrible phrase. Forgive us, help us, Lord. Bring us up from this pit of darkness. Drive the threat away. Defeat the enemy. Bring us to a sacred space where we…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20200403

April 3, 2020
By Joy Taylor

Today is a beautiful day, because the Israelites remembered King David’s directions for praising God as they laid the foundation for rebuilding the temple, “And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals,…

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Prayer for Today

April 2, 2020
By Joy Taylor

Jehovah Rapha, God our Healer, I come to your mercy seat to place all who suffer from the world-wide pandemic there for your favor and mercy. Touch them with your healing hand, Father. Jesus, make yourself known to them. Comfort them. Sustain them. Breathe life into their ravaged lungs. Help them to stand once again…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20200402

April 2, 2020
By Joy Taylor

Today is a beautiful day, because Jehoshaphat praised God for victory, “And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.’”…

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Prayer for Today

April 1, 2020
By Joy Taylor

Almighty God, Faithful and True, you are the banner over us. You are Jehovah Nissi. We come in agreement before your throne with humble confidence, knowing you keep your promises. You never leave us or forsake us. I bring this request to your mercy seat for your favor and blessing. You are the author of…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20200401

April 1, 2020
By Joy Taylor

Today is a beautiful day, because God is present in our praise, “(…and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, ‘For…

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Joy in Verse Tuesday Audio — Deep

March 31, 2020
By Joy Taylor

http://traffic.libsyn.com/joyinverse/Deep.mp3