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
Lord, there is no one like You who speaks to the wind and waves that they obey You. I trust You by the power in your name and its authority, according to the good and perfect will of the Father. Amen. “And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat…
Today is a beautiful day, because “And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of…
Lord, thank You for your unfailing love. Thank You for standing by in good and bad times. Thank You for your provision. Thank You for my salvation and the joy it brings. Thank You for making yourself known to me. Other distractions try to pull my allegiance, but there is none like You. No other…
Today is a beautiful day, because Zechariah tells us to go to the almighty source, not idols, “Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.” (Zechariah 10: 1…
Lord, who can stand before You? Who can withstand your wrath, certainly not your enemies. Your power shakes the stones under our feet and melts the mountains. Who is like You? But, You are good, Lord, a stronghold in trouble and a refuge. You break the enemy’s yoke and watch the shackles fall. We are…
Today is a beautiful day, because God avenges His honor, “The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear…
Father, your Word unfolds before us. We see the latter days taking place. We feel the darkness of the evil one. We hold on to the hope of your promises. Give us ears to hear, eyes to see and hearts and minds to understand our circumstance. Remind us to pay attention, to look up from…
Today is a beautiful day, because God wants us to pay attention, “For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened? Behold, the storm of the Lord! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it…
Dear Lord Jesus, I pray for the children. I humbly ask that You make yourself known to my children and grandchildren. Cover them in your loving care. Teach them. Open their eyes and ears to see and hear your Truth, that they may know You are Lord. Grant them the peace this verse promises in…
Today is a beautiful day, because God shows compassion, “O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by…
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