Spiritual Sounding Board – This is our place to gather and share in an open format. Feel free to join in the discussion.
Last Sunday, I posted this article, The Difficult Sundays after Spiritual Abuse, and invited discussion on the topic of what it is like on Sundays after having experienced spiritual abuse. Because of the big response, I decided to have an ongoing “gathering” on Sundays.
This is your place to share your church struggles and concerns.
Let’s also use it as a time to encourage one another spiritually.
What have you found spiritually encouraging lately?
Do you have any special Bible verses to share, any YouTube songs that you have found uplifting?
Photo credit: Hannah Smith
Spiritual Sounding Board 
My verse this week has been Ps 46:10a “Be still, and know that I AM God…” That verse is so powerful to me. He may be taking us through a valley, but he is still with us, the mountain tops are ahead. Seek Him always and we will find that place of rest in Him.
Not through the battle with the MS flare, but He is right beside me all the way. Praise God and Amen. Peace, Love and Prayers to all of you.
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I am a previous poster, under an anonymous name. I sit here today, debating going to church. Where I live, it’s one extreme or the other. I know there is no perfect church. I just want a church with no one following made up doctrine such as calvinism. Or a church that understands divorce does happen, even after years of submitting and praying. A church that believes in the gifts of the spirit ( I understand some here don’t, that’s okay) without it bordering on freaky. I want a church that actually looks like the church in Acts, where they sold all their excess, so no one had any needs instead of the ‘I’ll pray for you, can you go on food stamps?” (while they plan a 25,000 dollar mission trip). I’m fed up with what we call church lately.
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What I find extremely inspiring these days is Walter Brueggemann’s book, The Prophetic Imagination. Giving voice to pain to speak truth to power. That’s what happenes here.
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One book I have received huge encouragement from is Ann Graham Lotz book called “Wounded by the church”. It is a powerful book that puts to words what I have experienced in the church setting. It helped me to have words to describe what was so raw in my heart. Together we can make a difference if we walk alongside each other when the spirit prompts us too, never say you can’t walk alongside someone God will give you what it takes! I remember one powerful moment after we left our abusive church and we attending somewhere else and a woman came up to me and said’ I just want you to know……. this is a safe place” WOW powerful words to my aching heart. Maybe ,just maybe I was safe!!!!! This took courage to say she didn’t even know me so if the spirit prompts do it, it could make all the difference to that person. We are still attending that church and really feel safe there. Praise God, maybe the healing can begin!! Love to you all ~ Kim
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The Lord is my strength. I desire to worship Him in spirit and in truth in a local assembly but there are none that I trust. So many ‘c’hurches have become social clubs – don’t want to truly reach out to those who are hurting. What ever happened to ROMANS 12:14-16? ” Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
I have shared Shannon Wexelberg’s ministry of music with others in abusive situations and they have been greatly blessed. Linking you to “Faithful God” … because He is faithful and saved a wretch like me. This is why I will try my best to continue to “earnestly contend for the faith…” JUDE 3 (covet your prayers)
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Kim C – Your comment appeared after I sent my comment. That’s what I desire – a safe place. Thank you for sharing.
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Gracie71, what you describe sounds simple enough. What a shame church has sometimes become a business.
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What an encouraging story, Kim. And maybe the Holy Spirit did prompt the woman to share that with you!
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Thanks for providing this forum. I’m a survivor of clergy sexual misconduct, which is a form of spiritual abuse. My offender “seduced” me with spiritual wisdom long before he crossed the sexual line, and now the spiritual and the abuse are forever connected in my mind. My old church ostracized me when I reported him. It was a searing experience, but still I found the courage to join a new church. Even though my new congregation is healthy and supportive, I still go through long periods of wanting to protect myself by staying away from church. Today I will be going, and even staying for coffee hour — not because I want to, but to rise above my fear. Thanks for giving me a chance to connect the dots and strengthen my resolve to heal.
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Brenda R, Thank you for that verse. I often use it when I engage in centering prayer. I try to keep it simple and listen. I want to make my way back to church, but for now it’s just me and God. I am now trying to approach the scripture with an eye towards the mystery of God, instead of reading it so I can be “right” about everything. Happy Sunday!
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I feel like we are in some way sharing and worshiping together in this comment area. This song is on my heart today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm5kx3xqmg0&feature=youtu.be
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My exodus from organized religion has been gradual but after the past few years of incredible pain and betrayal, I have found solace in quiet times at home learning to sit in the unconditional love of Papa God.
Recently heard this song and it touched a very deep place in my heart. The sovereignty of God is often used against us in abusive churches and/or relationships. But this song talks about God being with us in our pain, sorrow and grief. An all-time favorite for me. I hope the link works.
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Ann,
The sermon this morning at my church was on Ps 81. God wanted Israel to listen to Him and they didn’t so he turned them over to there own ways. Big Mistake on their part. Their ways got them into all kinds of trouble.
We will never have it completely right this side of Heaven, but I long to know Him more.
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cnner,
I have heard that song so often, but it has never touched my heart so much as it did with the video. Thank you for that.
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Catherine – That you can even step one foot in church shows the remarkable recover you have made. The ambivalence of wanting/not wanting to go seems perfectly normal to me. What a sad story, but you give hope to others. Thanks for sharing your experience here.
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It’s good to see you, Brenda. I’m going to check out the song when I get home. Thank you!
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Catherine,
You are a brave woman and with God at your side all things are possible. I am so glad for you, that you are not going to allow the abuser in your life to hold you in bondage.
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I need more hops or tartness, something like that, these days. Leonard Cohen’s Anthem works this morning, not a bad commentary on 2 Corinthihans 12:9-10:
While I’m in there, I can also recommend his commentary on Psalm 137:
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I am spiritual. No longer see the validity in churchianity. Even in the most seemingly benign church there always seems to be a group that is into power and control..
That being said, I do like inspirational music. Chris Rice is one of my favorites. Sorry don’t know how to embed video.
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Thank you Peter. I was thinking I needed to go listen to Leonard Cohen today. Anthem is my favorite song with Hallelujah a very close second. Although I’m still working my way through his songs, so that could change. Earlier I was working on my next tattoo. I’m not sure how to describe it. It’s three cracks joined together with the light coming through them. “That’s how the light gets in” will be in between the out cracks and the words alternating around the middle one. I heard Anthem for the first time right after I learned about Kinstukuroi/Kintsugi. This is the Japanese art philosophy of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver. The piece is considered more beautiful for having been broken and repaired. As a broken person repaired by the blood of Jesus I am more beautiful than if I had never been broken at all.
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We drove to Lake Tahoe today to celebrate our 38th(what! How did that happen so fast) wedding anniversary. Thinking of a verse from memory. Hope I got it right. “How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of Him who brings good news. Our God Reigns”
It is good sitting out on this patio in Tahoe and thinking of this verse. Yesterday a very dear friend buried her only son. My heart is breaking for her. I feel physically sick. Am claiming all the Bible verses I can remember
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Oh, that’s sad, Leslie.
Congrats in your anniversary – wonderful. I know an old song that reminds me of the verse. It was a favorite. Enjoy your time at Tahoe!
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Wisdomchaser
Thank you for this…
“As a broken person repaired by the blood of Jesus I am more beautiful than if I had never been broken at all.”
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I agree, Amos – that is beautiful.
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I love these Sunday threads, JA. Thanks.
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