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 20180312

Today is a beautiful day, because Paul encourages us, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 ESV) Hope in the Lord. #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday

Prayer for Today

Father, who is like you? You laid the foundations of the earth, creating the heavens, skies and seas. You will be known through all generations, feared by the nations, revered by kings. You will be glorified and enthroned forever, for you remain always the same. You, who are all these things, hear my prayer and…

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Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, let others see Jesus in me. Let my thoughts go only to him. May my words and actions reflect and represent his will for me to live righteously. May my friends and those I meet sense your difference in me. May I give all the glory, honor and praise to you, if asked…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20180311

Today is a beautiful day, because we have hope, “For in this hope we are saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Hope in the Lord. #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday

Prayer for Today

Gracious and Holy God, you are the author of freedom. Let others see me living freely within the grace of your salvation. Give me the words to tell those in front of me all you have done that I may live free of guilt and shame, free from the lies of false teaching, free from…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20180310

Today is a beautiful day, because of hope, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:20-21 ESV) Hope…

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Prayer for Today

Almighty and Holy God, there is no one like you. You promised to pour out your spirit on your people. You continue to do that with each new soul who professes faith in Jesus the Christ. I ask that he be overwhelmingly present in the times we worship you. Make his intercession obviously evident as…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20180309

Today is a beautiful day, because Paul saw the hope in difficulty, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit…

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Prayer for Today

Gracious Father, I want to pray for your workers all over the world who put their lives in your hands in order to spread your gospel. I pray for those who are traveling, whether for rest and vacation, or for meetings with far away supporters, or for the effort to increase the territory of their…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20180308

Today is a beautiful day, because I can read Paul’s account of his faith, “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2 ESV) Hope in the Lord. #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday