*** It's difficult to find a safe and healthy church "system" with appropriate checks and balances. Lisa of Lisa's Leben shares what has worked well in her church and why she loves her church. *** *** Lisa has been blogging for about a month now and writes at Lisa's Leben. After getting tagged on the… Continue reading Guest Post: Why I Love My Church
Category: Personal Stories
A Young Woman’s Relationship with Her Boyfriend is Shattered by Christian Patriarchy
* * * Personal story of a relationship broken by legalistic pressures brought on by teachings from Doug Phillips, Vision Forum and Christian Patriarchy ideology within the Homeschool Movement. *** A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from "Bethany" who shared her personal story with me and just recently she… Continue reading A Young Woman’s Relationship with Her Boyfriend is Shattered by Christian Patriarchy
After the Doug Phillips Vision Forum Scandal: What Should We as Homeschoolers Parents Do Now?
* * * The Doug Phillips Vision Forum scandal has left homeschooling families reeling and questioning: what now, where do we go from here? What about Patriarchy, Full-Quiver, Courtship, Parenting? A Concerned Dad asks some great questions. * * * Over the weekend, I got an excellent e-mail… Continue reading After the Doug Phillips Vision Forum Scandal: What Should We as Homeschoolers Parents Do Now?
In the Wake of the Doug Phillips Affair, a Mother Grieves and Seeks Our Prayers
* * * The Doug Phillips affair has touched many lives. Read as a mother cries out for prayer as she "fostered some pretty difficult beliefs" on her children by adhering to teachings in the Homeschool Movement and Doug Phillips and Vision Forum. * * * Hear… Continue reading In the Wake of the Doug Phillips Affair, a Mother Grieves and Seeks Our Prayers
When Sharing Concerns or Asking Pastors Questions Leads to Spiritual Abuse
* * * Questioning authority or raising concerns can be the litmus test to see if your pastor is spiritually abusive or not. * * * * * * Oh boy, is this a biggie. I was really moved when this topic come… Continue reading When Sharing Concerns or Asking Pastors Questions Leads to Spiritual Abuse
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?
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
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!
BeenThereDoneThat and Flying Free: Spiritual Abuse, A Personal Story
* * * This story is a special one to me. Regular reader, "BeenThereDoneThat" (BTDT) has been commenting on this blog since the first weeks here. During that time, I have watched her in her commenting as she has been recovering through a very difficult spiritually abusive church experience. I had… Continue reading BeenThereDoneThat and Flying Free: Spiritual Abuse, A Personal Story
Guest Post: A Call for Reasoned Discernment Before Judgment Is Made Upon Others
* * * Ok, you really have to hear the background of this next post. The other day I was tweeting with a guy whose Twitter handle is @fivesolasguy, (Brian Thornton.) He responded to a couple of tweets of mine and I have to be honest with you, his words felt… Continue reading Guest Post: A Call for Reasoned Discernment Before Judgment Is Made Upon Others
Spiritual Abuse: Jamie’s Story
* * * Jamie posted this comment on another post, but I was afraid that people might not see it and be able to respond. Do you have any words of comfort or advice to share with Jamie? You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Jamie’s Story
Spiritual Abuse Recovery: Caleigh’s Story, “Cross Obsession”
This is Spiritual Abuse Awareness month and I wanted to share a story by Caleigh, a friend and blogger at The Profligate Truth who attended a church from CJ Mahaney's family of churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM). Her church was Covenant Life Church (CLC) in Maryland which recently voted to sever ties with SGM amidst a current… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse Recovery: Caleigh’s Story, “Cross Obsession”
A Courtship Story: Chryssie Rose
* * * Over the past couple months, I've been sharing bits and pieces of the homeschooling movement as it ties in with abuse in churches. I've connected a number of times with Chryssie Rose who reads here and is also a blogger and asked if she could share her courtship… Continue reading A Courtship Story: Chryssie Rose
Hannah’s Purity Ring Story
After posting the article, Fathers and Daughters: Who Owns a Daughter's Heart?, it opened up a can of worms for Hannah, my 25-year old daughter. For new readers, she's my daughter who was also named in the defamation lawsuit by our former pastor (you can read her story from her perspective: Hannah's Personal Story in Her Own… Continue reading Hannah’s Purity Ring Story
Can Spiritual Abuse Destroy a Marriage? Paul’s Story
* * * From time to time, I will be posting select personal spiritual abuse stories here. There are a number of reasons to post stories of abuse. We can learn from them to try to prevent it from happening again. We can offer support. Looking at someone's story might identify… Continue reading Can Spiritual Abuse Destroy a Marriage? Paul’s Story
Hannah’s Personal Story in Her Own Words
Readers: I've had this post in my "draft posts" for quite some time, but the time to post it is now and I will explain more about that very soon. You'll see why it is important to hear from her own words. I shared my perspective of Hannah's story in the most popular blog post,… Continue reading Hannah’s Personal Story in Her Own Words
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
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
Spiritual Sounding Board 