I received an e-mail from a missionary today who was involved in a church whose pastor used similar tactics with church members as my former pastor. He sent me a link to look at and I realized I could easily replace his pastor's name with my former pastor's name; he said the same thing… Continue reading False Teachers Who Mark and Avoid Church Members
Category: SPIRITUAL SOUNDING BOARD
My Story – Key Blog Posts
*** I began this blog in Feb. 2012 after noticing that the Google reviews I had posted of my former church were being removed. Days after the commencement of this blog, I received a legal summons suing me and three others for defamation to the tune of $500,000. The story of spiritual abuse needs to… Continue reading My Story – Key Blog Posts
A Parable of Suffering
* * * I've been excited about this next post and couldn't wait any longer to share it with you! The MSNBC.com article regarding my case brought a number of visitors to the blog. One person was Craig Vick, who also is a pastor. He read the blog and stayed, participating… Continue reading A Parable of Suffering
More Reasons to Bless the Lord
10,000 ReasonsI'd like to use this post to express what we are thankful for as we did a while back. There are a lot of reasons we have to be thankful. What is God doing in your life? What has He taught you recently? What has brought you encouragement?I'll start. I want to share… Continue reading More Reasons to Bless the Lord
I Would Love Some Feedback
** So many of my current readers already know this story, but there are new people stopping by, so please bear with the repeat. I had posted negative Google reviews of my former church, but they were removed. My Google review was based on my personal experiences at the church and expressed my opinions. This… Continue reading I Would Love Some Feedback
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
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
Support
Thank you to the visitors who have searched to find my blog. I am overwhelmed. It has really touched my heart. Not only has it touched my heart, but the hearts of a multitude of families who have suffered silently from this experience. They have been reading of your support not only in… Continue reading Support
In Honor of Hannah
* * * Today, I'd like to honor someone very special to me - my eldest daughter, Hannah. When Hannah told me she was leaving home so abruptly that very sad day, she told me that she couldn't set one more foot in that church. It was killing her. She knew… Continue reading In Honor of Hannah
Legalism: Do Not Expose Your Thighs!
* * * And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9 My family didn’t have too many problems with modesty. Prior to coming to Beaverton Grace Bible Church, we didn’t have any “formal” teaching on modesty. It was a natural and seemingly obvious… Continue reading Legalism: Do Not Expose Your Thighs!
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
10,000 Reasons to Keep Singing
MeaghanMay 3, 2012 08:09 AM Do as I say, not as I do~screaming off the page~ While he posts sermons that are judgemental and hateful to the lost, it seems he demands blind following fro his herd. I have been hurt so deeply, both spiritually and emotionally by this man and his 'perceptions' over the… Continue reading 10,000 Reasons to Keep Singing
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here, Part 4
** This post will wrap up the Korah series. Earlier, I highlighted some "Korah" comments in the comment section. The commenter identified as "Korah" and I made light of the Korah reference. I want to give a little background to that situation. I know who "Korah" is and know what this particular family experienced. When… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here, Part 4
The Bully Pulpit
* * * "Pulpit", from the eyes of my 9-yr old son * * * According to Wikipedia.org, a bully pulpit is: "An older term within the U.S. Government, a bully pulpit is a public office or other position of authority of sufficiently high rank that provides… Continue reading The Bully Pulpit
Is Your Pastor Acting as Your Holy Spirit?
*** ** Someone referred to an article in the comment's section of this post: You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up, Part 2. As I read the original article, this paragraph struck me. From the article, 'Authoritarianism in The Church" by Steve Martin Sadly, in too many congregations today, sheep are driven by a man… Continue reading Is Your Pastor Acting as Your Holy Spirit?
Youth Groups? Not at Our Church!
* * * We learned very quickly that there was no youth group at Beaverton Grace Bible Church, and it was a fact that was broadcast from the pulpit. Our church was unique. Most churches had youth groups, and the impression was that having an established youth group was for entertainment… Continue reading Youth Groups? Not at Our Church!
Children’s Church at Beaverton Grace Bible Church
* * * My children regularly attended children's church. Regretfully, my husband and I did not take note of what was being taught in children's church. We trusted everything was fine because we trusted the leadership. It was shocking to me when I discovered after 2 years and two months that… Continue reading Children’s Church at Beaverton Grace Bible Church
White Hanky Award: "Hypocricy" by Anonymous Commenter
** I've visited a couple of "African-American" churches - of course they would welcome anybody, but they were primarily filled with African-Americans. They were so warm and loving. The services were exciting and the joy of the Lord was acknowledged loudly and from the heart. I love to see how other churches praise God. … Continue reading White Hanky Award: "Hypocricy" by Anonymous Commenter
One Month and I Feel Good
** It's been one month since this blog was created. After noticing my Google reviews on Beaverton Grace Bible Church were being removed from the Google review website without any explanation, I began this blog to share my story because I felt my voice was being taken from me. I don't get this idea of… Continue reading One Month and I Feel Good
Spiritual Sounding Board 