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

Isaiah wrote by your Spirit to describe your judgment on the earth, Father. There will be no recompense for the corrupt, the betrayers and liars. There will be your perfect justice upon them. Man may have his designs, but You have the last word. There is but one way to escape this judgment, for we…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240227

Today is a beautiful day, because God’s Word does not return void, “Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, ‘He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?’ But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to…

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Prayer for Today

Who is like you, Father? Who is greater? Who can come against your purposes? There is none. Only You are worthy of glory, honor and praise. Time approaches the end of the age. Who will turn it back? No one can stop what is coming. Help our unbelief. Prepare us in the name and authority…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240226

Today is a beautiful day, because “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have…

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Prayer for Today

Behold, You come with the host of saints who have gone on before. You appear at the trumpet’s call. Let us not seal up this prophecy, Lord, for the time of your coming is near. Bright and Morning Star, your beloved say, “Come.” Let the ones who are thirsty come and partake in the waters…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240223

Today is a beautiful day, because of the gospel, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of…

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Prayer for Today

Father, every day is a walk through the dry and thirsty land of uncertainty, war, political upheaval and financial hardship for many. But You, O God, have made a path to the well of salvation. The time nears day-by-day for the return of Jesus. The prophesies are fulfilled. The circumstances today are biblical. The urgency…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240222

Today is a beautiful day, because Paul sent Tychicus to the Ephesians and the Colossians, “I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.” (Ephesians 6:22 and Colossians 4:8 ESV) Purpose #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday

Prayer for Today

Father, I read this passage, and the times you pulled me from the struggles of life and dried my tears pop out from the recesses of my memories. You have been good to me. You have been God and Savior to me. Jesus, thank you for redeeming my time and restoring the years the locusts…

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Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20240221

Today is a beautiful day, because “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” (Ephesians 3: 11-12 ESV)   Purpose   #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday