*** Families of First Church's Men's Breakfast Group Mourn Their Loss *** *** Please pray for the families of First Church's Men's Breakfast Group as they grieve. The Men's Breakfast Group was comprised of faithful men who cherished God's word. More than just a once a month pancake gathering, the Men's Breakfast Group loved… Continue reading First Church Men’s Breakfast Group
Category: Legalism
Does Christian Fundamentalism Cause Mental Health Issues?
Mental Health Issues and Christian Fundamentalism *** There's been some great discussion on fundamentalism in the previous post about "Bethany," who over time was able to see the relationship she was in as destructive and abandoned the relationship. I thought it might be good to give the topic a post of its own, so I… Continue reading Does Christian Fundamentalism Cause Mental Health Issues?
The Lingering Pain of Spiritual Abuse
The pain of her leaving caused me to go deep and question the character of God which was being tainted by a man and his crude ideas, perpetuating a church of hate and discord against anyone who didn’t agree with him and his pure doctrine ideologies.
So, what does John MacArthur really think about young women going to college?
*** Karl Heitman and Matt Tarr come to different conclusions about whether it is okay for young ladies to go to college. Both cite John MacArthur and the Bible to back up their claims. Who is right? *** I'm always thankful for readers who send me information on articles or concerns they see within… Continue reading So, what does John MacArthur really think about young women going to college?
Labels and Assuming in Christianity: Can We Do Better?
*** The dangers of assumptions and labeling in Christiandom *** *** I've been stewing about something for a while now and hope I can articulate my thoughts clearly. Today, I found an example that might give a window into what my brain has been stewing about. Is Thabiti Anyabwile really promoting Rachel Held Evans… Continue reading Labels and Assuming in Christianity: Can We Do Better?
Can High-Controlling Pastors Lead Their Members into Depression and Even Suicide?
Commenters share about high-controlling pastors who leave a path of mental health destruction, even suicide, because they cannot get appropriate help. A while back, I found a comment at SGMSurvivor.com blog that cut like a knife. Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) is in the news a good bit because of the sex abuse lawsuits, but the subject… Continue reading Can High-Controlling Pastors Lead Their Members into Depression and Even Suicide?
Pat Robertson: Getting a Tattoo is Heathen Practice, Even If Your Tattoo Depicts Jesus Christ
Pat Robertson has flapped his tongue with nonsense again, this time about tattoos. A false teacher gives extra-biblical teachings. Do not dismiss these as simply foolish words, they are wrong and can be harmful to blind followers. I get really annoyed when people in a position of Christian leadership or expertise utter nonsense from their mouths, throw… Continue reading Pat Robertson: Getting a Tattoo is Heathen Practice, Even If Your Tattoo Depicts Jesus Christ
The Gospel Coalition Shake-Up – Tullian Tchividjian and Too Much Grace for The Gospel Coalition?
*** Tullian Tchividjian is booted from The Gospel Coalition (TGC) website while C.J. Mahaney and Josh Harris quietly leave TGC council amidst ongoing sex abuse lawsuits in which a former Sovereign Grace Ministries volunteer is found guilty of sex abuse charges. *** Confirmation bias regarding one's friends can become a powerful weapon against the… Continue reading The Gospel Coalition Shake-Up – Tullian Tchividjian and Too Much Grace for The Gospel Coalition?
Spiritual Recovery and Leaving a High-Controlling Church: Free to Plant, Free to Bloom, Free to Be
*** What does freedom feel like for those who have left a high-controlling or spiritually abusive church? *** ** About a month ago, I was sent beautiful pictures by SSB's friend, BeenThereDoneThat (BTDT). At first I was drawn to them because cobalt blue is my favorite color. Cobalt blue exudes a soothing peace and tranquility for… Continue reading Spiritual Recovery and Leaving a High-Controlling Church: Free to Plant, Free to Bloom, Free to Be
Patriarchy: Doug Phillips, Bill Gothard, Doug Wilson and Damage Control
** Media and blogosphere are abuzz with sex abuse stories coming from Patriarchy proponents, Bill Gothard and Doug Phillips. Gothard releases a statement, other Christian leaders defend Patriarchy. ** I tell you what, my head is spinning this week with so many items of news regarding scandals by Christian leaders, especially within Christian Patriarchy. But… Continue reading Patriarchy: Doug Phillips, Bill Gothard, Doug Wilson and Damage Control
Doug Phillips: Repentance and Restoration – Is it Possible?
* * * Articles continue to be written about fallen pastor and Christian ministry leader and pastor, Doug Phillips, who resigned from the non-profit arm of Vision Forum Ministries and from his public speaking engagements. But what is next? What does repentance and restoration look like? Can or should he assume… Continue reading Doug Phillips: Repentance and Restoration – Is it Possible?
Doug Wilson Shares Sex Advice to Married Couples When Distance Separates Them
* * * Last year, an excerpt of Doug Wilson's book, Fidelity, went viral because of the graphic words chosen to describe the roles of men and women in the sexual union in marriage. In a recent blog post, Wilson attempts to answer more sex-related questions. * * … Continue reading Doug Wilson Shares Sex Advice to Married Couples When Distance Separates Them
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?
Beaverton Grace Bible Church and Pastor Chuck O’Neal – A Year after They Lost the Defamation Lawsuit
* * * But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blpasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a… Continue reading Beaverton Grace Bible Church and Pastor Chuck O’Neal – A Year after They Lost the Defamation Lawsuit
Enough Already with the Modesty & Purity Hype
* * * The other day 18-yr old daughter posted this picture on my Facebook with the comment, "What I tell you every time." * * * * * * It cracked me up. But what was interesting to me was noticing the large amount of Facebook friends, also former homeschool kids, who were clicking… Continue reading Enough Already with the Modesty & Purity Hype
We Need Safe Places, Or, Overturning Tables
* * * Many of you know of my partnership with Homeschoolers Anonymous. In this blog, survivors have told their sometimes sad and disturbing stories of what it was like growing up as a homeschooled student. Here is how I connected with them. There is a subculture within the bigger umbrella… Continue reading We Need Safe Places, Or, Overturning Tables
The Culture of Abuse in Churches Similar to Sovereign Grace Ministries
* * * * * * * * * * He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does… Continue reading The Culture of Abuse in Churches Similar to Sovereign Grace Ministries
36-yr old Male Blogger Scours the Net Using Pics of Young Ladies so He Can be Christian Modesty Police
Did you know there is a Christian dress code? Evidently there is. Modesty is a hot topic in the homeschool movement and in conservative Christian churches. Some people have been taught or have assumed the responsibility of telling others, specifically women, how they should be dressing. In fact, this is a hot topic… Continue reading 36-yr old Male Blogger Scours the Net Using Pics of Young Ladies so He Can be Christian Modesty Police
Music and Madness
'Tis the season and my kids and I have been playing a lot of this: and singing in Christmas programs. There are two final music events this week. Music is so wonderfully healing and was certainly a nice distraction from some heavier subjects. But hey, did you happen to read about Westboro Baptist Church's website getting hacked… Continue reading Music and Madness
Courtship: The Background and Negative Outcomes
Soon I will begin posting personal courtship stories, so it might be helpful to get a little background of the history of courtship. The courtship model is unquestionably a part of the culture of many conservative churches, conservative Christian groups, and promoted by leaders in the homeschooling community. Some groups who have embraced the courtship… Continue reading Courtship: The Background and Negative Outcomes
Spiritual Sounding Board 