* * * A common trait of a controlling church is that you may be kept so busy, there is little time for anything outside of church. I'm going to use SQ's comment below to springboard two posts. This first post will discuss the pressure to serve. The second will… Continue reading The Pressure to Serve in a Controlling Church
Category: Spiritual Bullies
The World is Watching Us
*** One of the key signs of a healthy person and a healthy church is looking at the fruit they exhibit. What kind of love do they show? How do they model Christ to the world? The world is watching and judging. I read some words yesterday that were shocking to me on many levels.… Continue reading The World is Watching Us
Independent Churches = Recipe for Spiritual Abuse?
** We were taught submission at our former church: children to parents, wives to husbands, husbands to Christ, congregants to pastor/elders, civilians to governmental authorities. Most churches have a check and balance system in place to ensure that there are no abuses going on in church. Here is part the doctrinal statement from our former… Continue reading Independent Churches = Recipe for Spiritual Abuse?
No Gossip Allowed in My Church!
*** Great Is Thy Faithfulness Summer and winter, and spring-time and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand… Continue reading No Gossip Allowed in My Church!
Creepy Pastors and Churches Using Creepy Stalking Control Tactics
* * * There have been a few stories of spiritual abuse in the news lately. A kind reader sent me this article from The Christian Post: Spiritual Abuse: Shepherds – or Fleecers – of God's Flock? This article starts by discussing the abuse of gaining members' funds through… Continue reading Creepy Pastors and Churches Using Creepy Stalking Control Tactics
How Far Will We Go to Contend for the Faith?
* * * Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been waiting for this response from Mr. Butler for a while. He has now addressed the issue and I would like to open it up for discussion. I was concerned that we wouldn't hear from Fred again and that the questions might remain… Continue reading How Far Will We Go to Contend for the Faith?
Glad You Asked!
Muckraker asked great questions yesterday and I'll address them on this post. MuckrakerJune 16, 2012 5:51 AM Julie Anne: What does it mean "reviews are slowly being removed"? Who removes them?? Google? The church requests it? Or demands it with some kind of legal pressure?I thought the whole point of online reviews is that "customers"… Continue reading Glad You Asked!
Godly Pastor? What Does That Mean?
* * * I looked up "godly" on public domain images and this image showed up in my search - lol! * * * I copied this May 31 comment into my file of "draft" posts. For some reason, it was overlooked in the comments section on… Continue reading Godly Pastor? What Does That Mean?
Survival Strategies for Hyper-Authoritarian and Repetitive Sermons
* * * I'm a little bit surprised if you are still reading my blog. The last three posts were rigged to make a point and I took you on a ride without your permission so you could understand first-hand what it felt like. I tricked you and purposefully kept the… Continue reading Survival Strategies for Hyper-Authoritarian and Repetitive Sermons
All Smoothies are Good, Sermons Suck
** Admin note: This is part of a series of posts that are a bit, well, unconventional. To fully grasp the message and emotions of the series, please be sure to read from the beginning: It's the Same Message No Matter How you Mix it!. *** We like a lot of smoothies in our home. … Continue reading All Smoothies are Good, Sermons Suck
Round and Round We Go: More Court News!!!
We have a new update: The other original mother on the case has now been voluntarily dismissed from the case yesterday. WOOHOO!!!!! I am so thrilled for this family!!! Admin note: My daughter and I have discussed this and because this case is so public, we have just gone along with that and have… Continue reading Round and Round We Go: More Court News!!!
Additional Former Church Member Has Been Sued!
* * * I'll get to the subject of the former church member sued in just a moment, but want to make sure this point is told: I believe that suing former church members is just an extension of the spiritual abuse. How can that be? Let me explain.This is old… Continue reading Additional Former Church Member Has Been Sued!
"Justice" Responds
* * * FrederickaMay 17, 2012 11:07 AM I must confess myself mystified as to the nature of 'Justice's' complaint, which seems to be lacking in a certain, shall we say, precision. What exactly is it that he or she is alleging was done to him or her? AnonymousMay… Continue reading "Justice" Responds
Julie Anne’s Musings
Countdown: 4 more days until court hearing, drawn by 9-yr old Resident Artist I have been inundated with requests to set up a Legal Defense fund. That blesses my socks off. Thank you for your support in this practical way. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *… Continue reading Julie Anne’s Musings
Justice: Becoming Free
"Flying Free" by 9-yr old Resident Artist Now, on to much lovelier topics. I really want you to read this . . . I want to share a story with you about a person named Justice. Justice is not this person's real name and you'll have to pardon the awkwardness of pronouns in this article… Continue reading Justice: Becoming Free
A Few Notes from Julie Anne
*** Countdown: 5 days till court date, drawn by JA's 9-yr old *** Just a few things to share before a "regular" blog post coming up as my 9-yr old is busy with his drawing for the post. Phil Johnson from Grace Community Church (John MacArthur's church) reached out to me yesterday and we had… Continue reading A Few Notes from Julie Anne
Anticipation
Six More Days Until Court Hearing There are a number of Christian bloggers keeping up with our story. Yesterday, two popular bloggers posted articles about our situation and I wanted to give more information so you can see how things fit together. I'll give a little background. This is the original Google review that was… Continue reading Anticipation
Note to Chuck O’Neal from Former Church Member
XXX This post was found in the comment section from Anonymous. How can one not feel the pain in this note? Chuck, Why don't you love people? 1 John says if you say you love God but don't love people you are lying and the Truth isn't in you. Don't you know you have… Continue reading Note to Chuck O’Neal from Former Church Member
Dare to Leave: One Family’s Tragic Account
* * * A couple of the earliest posts on this blog discussed how difficult it is to leave the church well. Meaning, it is nearly impossible to leave the church and remain in the local area without repercussions (church discipline, shunning, etc). Here are the links to those early posts: Leaving… Continue reading Dare to Leave: One Family’s Tragic Account
More Damage Control on BGBC Website?
* * * People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Proverbs 16:2 * * * I have been notified of even more updates at the Beaverton Grace Bible Church website which "coincidentally" occurred less than 2 days after the… Continue reading More Damage Control on BGBC Website?
Spiritual Sounding Board 