* * * The Christian community has done a very poor job of treating women with respect. Some husbands have resorted to treating their wives as objects and even practice "domestic discipline" or wife spanking. This is wrong. * * * Men treating women/wives as objects they… Continue reading Wife Undermines Her Husband’s Authority in Front of Children, He Disciplines Her
Twitter Add-a-Word-Ruin-a-Christian-Book Bandwagon and Christian Unity
Scores of people tweeted the hashtag #AddaWordRuinaChristianBook Bandwagon and had fun tweeting modified Christian book titles, entirely changing the intent of the title, and making it Twitter's #1 US trend.
God’s Design for the Family: Has the Godly-Designed Family Image Become an Idol?
* * * While it's clear that a healthy marriage and family is important, have churches and Christian organizations put too much emphasis on God's design for the family and made this image an idol? * * * Focus on the Family raises money for new project… Continue reading God’s Design for the Family: Has the Godly-Designed Family Image Become an Idol?
Christianity and Emotions: When One Person’s Emotions Trump Another’s
* * * Is there a biblical precedent for how we handle our feelings? Must we put aside negative feelings when others want to only focus on positive feelings? * * * "I learned to my astonishment that God, whose 'impassibility' I thought meant that he… Continue reading Christianity and Emotions: When One Person’s Emotions Trump Another’s
Pastor Chuck Smith, Founder of Calvary Chapel Churches, Dead at 86
* * * Alex Grenier, son of Calvary Chapel Visalia Pastor Bob Grenier shares his thoughts on the passing of Calvary Chapel founder, Chuck Smith * * * Update and Disclaimer: I've been getting some push back because of publishing this article the same day in… Continue reading Pastor Chuck Smith, Founder of Calvary Chapel Churches, Dead at 86
Harvest Bible Chapel Files Complaint Against Blogger Paul Dohse, Resulting in Loss of YouTube Privileges
* * * In a concerted attempt to control others, someone from Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) filed official complaint with YouTube against blogger Paul Dohse's YouTube account, resulting in blogger's loss of YouTube privileges. * * * * * * I received an… Continue reading Harvest Bible Chapel Files Complaint Against Blogger Paul Dohse, Resulting in Loss of YouTube Privileges
What Does a Sheikh and a Homeschool Leader and Pastor Have in Common?
* * * * * * Just how close is the homeschool fundamental version of Patriarchy to Islam? I think it's pretty darn close. Check this out. Remember this from Christian Homeschool Leader and Pastor Kevin Swanson? * * * * … Continue reading What Does a Sheikh and a Homeschool Leader and Pastor Have in Common?
What’s the Real Message?
* * * This picture was posted on my friend's Facebook wall and showed up in my news feed. Her comment is at the top of the photo. She lives in Massachusetts and these were scattered along the shoreline. What kind of message is being sent about Christianity by this? Update:… Continue reading What’s the Real Message?
Finding Refuge from Religion: Forever
* * * Many people who have been hurt by religion want to escape from it. We'll take a look at an organization that is offering a refuge from religion, Recovering from Religion. Is this the answer? * * * * * … Continue reading Finding Refuge from Religion: Forever
How to Respond to a Someone in a Crisis: A Dad who Understands the Gift of Listening
* * * If you ever wanted to see love, empathy, compassion during a crisis, excellent listening skills, support, encouragement wrapped up in one package without ever having to take a class or read a book, I think I found it right here in this short video. This video encapsulates what… Continue reading How to Respond to a Someone in a Crisis: A Dad who Understands the Gift of Listening
Spiritual Edification: What has worked for you?
* * * In our spiritual journey, many of us have had mountain-top experiences and maybe some valleys, too. Mountain-top experiences are pretty exciting and can fuel us for a while, but I'm not convinced that our spiritual journey should be based on one great experience. But in those times… Continue reading Spiritual Edification: What has worked for you?
Harvest Bible Chapel: #Spiritual Abuse 101 Tweets from Elder’s Letter
*** Last week I posted a letter from Dave Corning who was a long-time elder at Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC), under Pastor James MacDonald. I mentioned that Corning's letter would be my go-to letter for describing spiritual abuse because it described some of the most common tactics spiritual abusers use. Friday, I tore the letter apart… Continue reading Harvest Bible Chapel: #Spiritual Abuse 101 Tweets from Elder’s Letter
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?
Spiritual Abuse: Harvest Bible Chapel – Should Church Members Stay or Leave?
* * * One big dilemma in spiritually abusive churches is deciding if and when to leave the church. Does God want people to leave a spiritually abusive church? Can God work through people left in an abusive church? Is there a Biblical precedent for this kind of situation? What… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Harvest Bible Chapel – Should Church Members Stay or Leave?
Former Long-Time Harvest Bible Chapel Elder Dave Corning Accuses Pastor James MacDonald of Abuse of Power, Lack of Accountability
* * * Harvest Bible Chapel's former long-time elder Dave Corning releases public letter to expose Pastor James MacDonald of abuse of power, lack of accountability, and personal financial gain. * * * * * * “Beware of false prophets, who come to you… Continue reading Former Long-Time Harvest Bible Chapel Elder Dave Corning Accuses Pastor James MacDonald of Abuse of Power, Lack of Accountability
Learn and Discern: Harvest Bible Chapel – Church Discipline and Excommunication
* * * If you've been following the Elephant Room 2 spectacle with Pastor James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel, you know there has been some shakeup within the elder ranks. More drama recently unfolded. Below, you will find the link to the video of MacDonald and four of the elders… Continue reading Learn and Discern: Harvest Bible Chapel – Church Discipline and Excommunication
Back to Church Sunday: What is This? What Do You Think?
* * * Did you know today is Back to Church Sunday? I didn't until just today. The spoof Twitter account, Fair IC Baptist mentioned it here. Below is a screenshot: * * * * * * Fair IC Baptist is usually pretty… Continue reading Back to Church Sunday: What is This? What Do You Think?
Crosspost: How American Homeschoolers Enabled and Funded German Child Abuse: The Real Story Behind the Religious Right and the Twelve Tribes
***Recent allegations of child abuse among the Twelve Tribes cloistered community in Germany has raised red flags about the involvement of American homeschoolers encouraged by Homeschool Legal Defense Association and Mike Harris.JA note: The following is reprinted with permission from Homeschoolers Anonymous. It was originally published on September 13, 2013. By R.L. Stollar, HA Community Coordinator ***** “Without… Continue reading Crosspost: How American Homeschoolers Enabled and Funded German Child Abuse: The Real Story Behind the Religious Right and the Twelve Tribes
What Does Non-Institutionalized Church Look Like?
* * * We've spent the last several days discussing a variety of issues stemmed from Brenda's very important topic of institutional churches failing to meet the real needs of their people who are suffering abuse. Quite a bit of the conversation shifted to the subject that church as an institution… Continue reading What Does Non-Institutionalized Church Look Like?
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?
Spiritual Sounding Board 