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The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalms 18:2
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These last few weeks with never-ending stories of pastors mishandling sex abuse, celebrity pastor behaving inappropriately and then blaming wife, celebrity Christian caught on the Ashley Madison site, Patriarchy and women who are trapped in a system, has gotten me emotionally drained. I find myself feeling fatigued, needing more sleep, down, and sometimes weepy.
I want to scream, I want to drive to Moscow, Idaho and rescue Katie Sitler. I want to call Anna Duggar and tell her it’s okay to leave Josh. I want to rescue the victims and show them there is another way, that not all Christians treat women like this.
I’ve heard from some of you who are trying to make sense of these troubling church scandals, so I’m opening up this post for that purpose.
How are you doing? How are these stories affecting you?
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Spiritual Sounding Board 
JA, thank you. I just get so angry with the injuries that I see that I almost can’t bear it.
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I know, Dash, that is why this place exists. Please avail yourself. If you want to say some strong language that might not be appropriate here, you know my e-mail. I can handle colorful language 🙂
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Nice post, Julie Anne, to Dash.
So Dash, some good things about you are:
*care about human beings
*care about people being hurt
*care about justice
*have a sense of right and wrong
*show love for others
*have empathy
*have helped others by telling the truth about Gothard’s abuses, your own personal story, your own struggles
*smart
*good writer
*owner of awesome cats
*other stuff.
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Velour, thank you as well. I live for my cats. My lady cat of 14 years likes to put her chin on my leg and drool on my when I’m playing guitar.
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Dash,
Here’s another positive story to add to your *hope binder*. It’s Natalie’s blog. One of the young women who was sexually abused by a member at Wilson’s church in Idaho. She is a wife, mom, musician and business owner and has a totally cool life.
She is one neat lady.
Another story of hope!
http://natalierose-livewithpassion.blogspot.com/
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Dash Dude,
Write a Gratitude List tonight! 5 things.
Awesome. You’re a musician too. You have these cool cats. Your cats feel safe with you. I have made some serious headway on your Gratitude List for you! LOL.
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Welcome, Dash!
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Dash Dude,
Another story of hope from the Idaho survivor Natalie on her blog.
http://natalierose-livewithpassion.blogspot.com/2014/10/be-loud.html?showComment=1442035951325#c2878573733075490177
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The scandals remind me of the sons of Eli the priest in 1 Samuel 2: “Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord. … This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt.” (Verses 12 and 17.)
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