* * * If you ever wanted to see love, empathy, compassion during a crisis, excellent listening skills, support, encouragement wrapped up in one package without ever having to take a class or read a book, I think I found it right here in this short video. This video encapsulates what… Continue reading How to Respond to a Someone in a Crisis: A Dad who Understands the Gift of Listening
Author: Julie Anne
Spiritual Edification: What has worked for you?
* * * In our spiritual journey, many of us have had mountain-top experiences and maybe some valleys, too. Mountain-top experiences are pretty exciting and can fuel us for a while, but I'm not convinced that our spiritual journey should be based on one great experience. But in those times… Continue reading Spiritual Edification: What has worked for you?
Harvest Bible Chapel: #Spiritual Abuse 101 Tweets from Elder’s Letter
*** Last week I posted a letter from Dave Corning who was a long-time elder at Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC), under Pastor James MacDonald. I mentioned that Corning's letter would be my go-to letter for describing spiritual abuse because it described some of the most common tactics spiritual abusers use. Friday, I tore the letter apart… Continue reading Harvest Bible Chapel: #Spiritual Abuse 101 Tweets from Elder’s Letter
Can our Faith and Love Co-Exist with Extremism?
* * * Having been spoon-fed by my former pastor a form of extremism, or rigid, legalistic, black/white rules and practices, I have pressed myself to re-evaluate those rules and ideas and measure them with scripture using my own eyes and discernment. What freedom! The following article is by Brenda, a… Continue reading Can our Faith and Love Co-Exist with Extremism?
Spiritual Abuse: Harvest Bible Chapel – Should Church Members Stay or Leave?
* * * One big dilemma in spiritually abusive churches is deciding if and when to leave the church. Does God want people to leave a spiritually abusive church? Can God work through people left in an abusive church? Is there a Biblical precedent for this kind of situation? What… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Harvest Bible Chapel – Should Church Members Stay or Leave?
Former Long-Time Harvest Bible Chapel Elder Dave Corning Accuses Pastor James MacDonald of Abuse of Power, Lack of Accountability
* * * Harvest Bible Chapel's former long-time elder Dave Corning releases public letter to expose Pastor James MacDonald of abuse of power, lack of accountability, and personal financial gain. * * * * * * “Beware of false prophets, who come to you… Continue reading Former Long-Time Harvest Bible Chapel Elder Dave Corning Accuses Pastor James MacDonald of Abuse of Power, Lack of Accountability
Learn and Discern: Harvest Bible Chapel – Church Discipline and Excommunication
* * * If you've been following the Elephant Room 2 spectacle with Pastor James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel, you know there has been some shakeup within the elder ranks. More drama recently unfolded. Below, you will find the link to the video of MacDonald and four of the elders… Continue reading Learn and Discern: Harvest Bible Chapel – Church Discipline and Excommunication
Back to Church Sunday: What is This? What Do You Think?
* * * Did you know today is Back to Church Sunday? I didn't until just today. The spoof Twitter account, Fair IC Baptist mentioned it here. Below is a screenshot: * * * * * * Fair IC Baptist is usually pretty… Continue reading Back to Church Sunday: What is This? What Do You Think?
Crosspost: How American Homeschoolers Enabled and Funded German Child Abuse: The Real Story Behind the Religious Right and the Twelve Tribes
***Recent allegations of child abuse among the Twelve Tribes cloistered community in Germany has raised red flags about the involvement of American homeschoolers encouraged by Homeschool Legal Defense Association and Mike Harris.JA note: The following is reprinted with permission from Homeschoolers Anonymous. It was originally published on September 13, 2013. By R.L. Stollar, HA Community Coordinator ***** “Without… Continue reading Crosspost: How American Homeschoolers Enabled and Funded German Child Abuse: The Real Story Behind the Religious Right and the Twelve Tribes
What Does Non-Institutionalized Church Look Like?
* * * We've spent the last several days discussing a variety of issues stemmed from Brenda's very important topic of institutional churches failing to meet the real needs of their people who are suffering abuse. Quite a bit of the conversation shifted to the subject that church as an institution… Continue reading What Does Non-Institutionalized Church Look Like?
Financial Ramifications of Abuse: What’s a Church to Do?
* * * Survivors of abuse have to climb many mountains. The first mountain is acknowledging the fact that they are being abused. Then they have to decide what to do. They are left emotionally reeling and yet, have to survive, take care of their children, put food on the table,… Continue reading Financial Ramifications of Abuse: What’s a Church to Do?
Biblical Counseling: Is it Always Safe? – And Pastoral Response to Abuse Survivor
* * * “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matt. 5:3-4 Today I stumbled across a disturbing article at One Lost Child blog. Blogger Cathy raises concerns regarding the care women will receive at… Continue reading Biblical Counseling: Is it Always Safe? – And Pastoral Response to Abuse Survivor
ESV Gospel Transformation Bible: Complementarian Conflict of Colossal Proportions
* * * Oh boy. I did not know this. There is a new ESV Bible by Crossway to be released later this month: Gospel Transformation Bible. Look at this quote: A team of over 50 pastors and scholars contributed to the Gospel Transformation Bible notes and book introductions. In… Continue reading ESV Gospel Transformation Bible: Complementarian Conflict of Colossal Proportions
Moved by Compassion: The Story of Cherith
* * * The following is a guest post by my long-time friend, Maryl Smith. In Maryl's work, she has the opportunity to get acquainted with people in a more personal setting. She is very sensitive and a big support to people who have endured all kinds of abuse, including spiritual… Continue reading Moved by Compassion: The Story of Cherith
Announcement: New Spiritual Sounding Board Forum
* * * Announcing New Private Spiritual Abuse Forum Blogging is great for introducing a variety of topics, but sometimes it's awkward to break the conversation to share a personal need or concern. Over the past year, there have been times when I have wished there was a private place to… Continue reading Announcement: New Spiritual Sounding Board Forum
Pastor Chuck O’Neal Tries to Save His Reputation by Using Twitter and His BFFs
* * * I don't have time to put together a "real" post today, so this is just off the top of my head. I'll come back in later and add links and add a picture later, I'm in a hurry. The Twitter battle has been raging with Chuck O'Neal upon… Continue reading Pastor Chuck O’Neal Tries to Save His Reputation by Using Twitter and His BFFs
Tony Miano: Tweeting from the Heart
* * * I'm in the middle of working on an article about street evangelist Tony Miano and the recent evangelism conference sponsored by my former pastor, but just ran across this tweet and decided to post it for a quickie Sunday evening post. Tony, Tony, Tony!! SMH! * … Continue reading Tony Miano: Tweeting from the Heart
Why Does Calvin’s God Feel Abusive to Me? I Didn’t Choose This!
* * * The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103:6 I have never, ever connected so deeply with someone else's spiritual experience as I have recently with reader, Oasis. The tears . . . . oh, the tears. This deep, gut-wrenching, sobbing pain is… Continue reading Why Does Calvin’s God Feel Abusive to Me? I Didn’t Choose This!
It’s Calvinism Free-For-All: Off the Top of Your Head, Part 1
* * * ADMIN NOTE: The comments are closed on this thread and a new one has opened here: It's Calvinism Free-For-All: Off the Top of Your Head, Part 2 The other record-breaking thread is getting really long with comments and so I thought it might be good to let Brian's… Continue reading It’s Calvinism Free-For-All: Off the Top of Your Head, Part 1
Does Your Pastor Serve as Your Holy Spirit?
* * * * * * You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you,… Continue reading Does Your Pastor Serve as Your Holy Spirit?
Spiritual Sounding Board 