So, then the question I'm learning to ask myself is: what pain am I avoiding, and why am I avoiding it? Isn’t numbing pain simply prolonging it? Why would I want to prolong pain? What would happen if I moved toward the pain and wrestled with it? What would that look like?
Category: Stories of Hope
What’s Going on with JA?
But what I missed in listening to the stories is that sometimes those stories resonated personally for me. Sometimes after listening to or reading someone's personal story, their story elicited a personal response for me. It reminded me of my own journey. My own unfinished business.
An Abusive Marriage, Well-Meaning Christians, and God’s Word
*** I ran across a post on Facebook that a friend wrote. Flo Fromer-Wedding posted about the spiritual tug-of-war process she went through while she was in an abusive marriage. Unfortunately, the church is often a volatile place for abused women to get help, especially when there is greater emphasis on the "covenant of marriage,"… Continue reading An Abusive Marriage, Well-Meaning Christians, and God’s Word
Survivor Emily Jaeger Responds to Bill Gothard’s Reactions to Her Revealing She is “Jane Doe III”
Bill Gothard, sex abuse, cults, lawsuit, Emily Jaeger, freedom, IBLP *** A note of introduction from Julie Anne: Emily Jaeger is one of the sexual abuse survivors and plaintiffs in the Bill Gothard/IBLP sex abuse lawsuit. Her official statement about the lawsuit was posted on Spiritual Sounding Board a few days ago. Then someone close… Continue reading Survivor Emily Jaeger Responds to Bill Gothard’s Reactions to Her Revealing She is “Jane Doe III”
Dr. Dan Allender: Trauma, Our Personal Stories, and Recovery through Music
Dr. Dan Allender, Trauma, Music, Spiritual Abuse Recovery, Personal Stories *** Those who have been reading here for a while know how important I believe it is for survivors to tell their abuse stories. It took a while for us to believe the lies our church leader(s) told us about who we are and who… Continue reading Dr. Dan Allender: Trauma, Our Personal Stories, and Recovery through Music
Christian Blogger Invited to Speak at Free Thinkers’ Meeting about Abuse in Christian Churches
Free Thinker, Atheist, Christian Blogger, Thought Reform, Patriarchy, Spiritual Abuse, Cults Last Sunday, I had the privilege of speaking at a Free Thinkers group. Privilege, some might ask? You bet. I will take any opportunity afforded to share the truth, set the record straight, and especially let people know that I, as a Christian, am displeased by the… Continue reading Christian Blogger Invited to Speak at Free Thinkers’ Meeting about Abuse in Christian Churches
Update from Alex Grenier on His Reconciliation with his Parents Who Sued Him
*** Earlier, I posted about the reconciliation between Alex Grenier and his parents. I don't think I've ever done that before -- reported on a situation that has a positive outcome. The thought of restored relationships after years of harm makes me cry. This has been so amazing. When I first got involved with Alex's… Continue reading Update from Alex Grenier on His Reconciliation with his Parents Who Sued Him
Personal Story: Wife of Pedophile Shares How Her Husband Manipulated Her from Seeing the Truth
Pedophile, Wife of Pedophile, Sex Abuse Today I am posting a personal story from a woman named Cindy who left a comment yesterday on the 3-1/2-year-old article, Being Married to a Pedophile: A Wife Speaks Out and Offers Hope to Other Wives of Pedophiles, which has continued to reach women who are searching for support. Her comment was… Continue reading Personal Story: Wife of Pedophile Shares How Her Husband Manipulated Her from Seeing the Truth
A Father Shares the Fallout His Family is Facing after Being in a High-Controlling Church
Spiritual abuse, children, mental health, high-controlling church, NAR, New Apostolic Reformation *** Special note: I am in Chicago until 11/5 and would love to get together with survivors or those interested in helping survivors. If you would like to meet up, please contact me and let's see if we can arrange a gathering. spiritualsb@gmail.com … Continue reading A Father Shares the Fallout His Family is Facing after Being in a High-Controlling Church
Good Friday and Easter: Loss, Death, and New Beginnings
*** "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" *** Today is Good Friday and Sunday is Easter. These are important days for Christians to remember what Christ did for us. How He paid the ultimate price for us. Easter represents new beginnings and new life, and it's very timely that… Continue reading Good Friday and Easter: Loss, Death, and New Beginnings
JA has put herself in blog time-out
So, yesterday I read a tweet that left me reeling. It made it difficult to concentrate on my school work, and got me thinking and emoting quite a bit. I've tried numerous times to put up a blog post today and yesterday and realize that I just need to let my emotions simmer… Continue reading JA has put herself in blog time-out
Pastor Mike Sperou: Guilty on all 3 counts of sex abuse, sentenced to 20 years, while his devoted followers discount their own adult childrens’ testimonies of sex abuse
*** Update on an earlier story: Pastor Mike Sperou of North Clackamas Bible Community Church found guilty on all 3 counts of sex abuse of minor under 12 and is sentenced to 20 years. This is one of those cases that leaves you shaking your head, thinking that you couldn't make this stuff up… Continue reading Pastor Mike Sperou: Guilty on all 3 counts of sex abuse, sentenced to 20 years, while his devoted followers discount their own adult childrens’ testimonies of sex abuse
An Update on Bethany: Almost Trapped in the Christian Patriarchy Movement
*** Last year, I posted a personal story (A Young Woman’s Relationship with Her Boyfriend is Shattered by Christian Patriarchy) from "Bethany" who was struggling in a relationship with her boyfriend, whose family was involved in the Christian Patriarchy Movement influenced by the likes of Doug Phillips, Bill Gothard, etc. I received a follow-up e-mail from Bethany, almost… Continue reading An Update on Bethany: Almost Trapped in the Christian Patriarchy Movement
Christian Domestic Discipline (Wife Spanking): A Personal Story, and a Closer Look at Patterns Connected with this Abusive Practice
Christian Domestic Discipline, "wife spanking," Christian Patriarchy Movement, Spanking of Adult Children, Denominational Practices and teachings *** Two summers ago, I received a phone call from a pastor who shared his growing concern about wife-spanking in his family of churches. Months later, I finally reported on the topic of wife spanking in this article: The Christian… Continue reading Christian Domestic Discipline (Wife Spanking): A Personal Story, and a Closer Look at Patterns Connected with this Abusive Practice
SSB Sunday Gathering – August 3, 2014
*** Spiritual Sounding Board - This is our place to gather and share in an open format. Feel free to join in the discussion. *** This is your place to share your church struggles and concerns. Let's also use it as a time to encourage one another spiritually. What have you found spiritually… Continue reading SSB Sunday Gathering – August 3, 2014
SSB Sunday Gathering – July 27, 2014
* Spiritual Sounding Board - This is our place to gather and share in an open format. Feel free to join in the discussion. * *** As many of you know, I've gone back to school and am currently taking classes over the summer. In my sociology class, we are reading Amazing Grace, by Jonathan Kozol.… Continue reading SSB Sunday Gathering – July 27, 2014
Sexual Abuse Advocates Are Making a Real Difference and Giving Victims a Voice through Social Media
*** Taking a closer look at two recent cases: The Christian Post and Leadership Journal (published by Christianity Today) made bad judgment calls in their articles, but later retracted and made amends because of powerful voices defending victims. *** by Julie Anne Sometimes it seems like we are not getting anywhere when it comes to defending… Continue reading Sexual Abuse Advocates Are Making a Real Difference and Giving Victims a Voice through Social Media
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
Brave: A Song of Hope for Survivors of Abuse
*** Brave: A Song of Hope for Survivors of Abuse *** Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or… Continue reading Brave: A Song of Hope for Survivors of Abuse
Restoring What the Locust Has Eaten: Two Years of Blogging Milestone Today and Gratefulness
** Two years of blogging, two years of growth, hope for those hurt by church abuse ** ** In Joel, God talks about restoring what the locusts had eaten. Today marks exactly two years since I began blogging. As I reflect on the 2-year anniversary date of my initial blog and begin my 3rd year of… Continue reading Restoring What the Locust Has Eaten: Two Years of Blogging Milestone Today and Gratefulness
Spiritual Sounding Board 