* * * 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
Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, or Mystery
* * * The other day when we were discussing the terms Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, and Patriarchy to describe how Christian couples view their gender roles within the marriage (What is Difference Between Complementarianism and Patriarchy?), Pastor Ken Garrett must have gotten a bee in his bonnet and wanted to dig a… Continue reading Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, or Mystery
Should We Speak out about Our Spiritually Abusive Church?
* * * This comment came in on an earlier thread and there are so many answers. Because I spoke out against my former church, one of the most common questions in e-mails I get is: "should I speak out about our abuse to current members?" Here it is again:… Continue reading Should We Speak out about Our Spiritually Abusive Church?
Divorce Dilemmas in the Church
* * * I read this excerpt by Dr. Russell Moore recently. He was asked what to do if someone is in a miserable marriage: Does God want you to be miserable? Long-term, no. And that’s why God has designed marriage as a life-long covenant signaling the gospel of Jesus Christ.… Continue reading Divorce Dilemmas in the Church
Why Do People Get Involved in Unhealthy Churches or Cults?
Stephen Smith from Liberty for Captives blog quoted comments from some of you and added more of his own insight. It's excellent. Let's keep talking! This is good stuff!! ~ja
What are the similarities between the SGM and Dubai Abuse Cases?
* * * I got all worked up after reading the following article. Of course it was the initial outrage because of the story, but there was something more beneath that story. What was it? Well, of course, it was reminding me of how victims reach out for help from pastors… Continue reading What are the similarities between the SGM and Dubai Abuse Cases?
Spiritual Abuse: Who is to Blame? The Pastor or the Congregant?
* * * Wicked shepherds have been around for a long, long time. This passage is from the Old Testament: The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Who is to Blame? The Pastor or the Congregant?
Christian Parenting: Training Your Child’s Gender Identity
* * * Twenty-four years ago, when I was pregnant with our second baby, we found out we were having a boy. When my mom heard the news, she found a doll to purchase for our first child, Hannah. She thought it would be good for Hannah to have her own… Continue reading Christian Parenting: Training Your Child’s Gender Identity
A Public Statement Concerning Sexual Abuse in the Church of Jesus Christ
* * * GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) has released a statement regarding the ongoing problem of sexual abuse in the church and is collecting signatures. This is a powerful statement. Below is an excerpt: We must face the truths of our own teachings: To be a… Continue reading A Public Statement Concerning Sexual Abuse in the Church of Jesus Christ
What is Difference Between Complementarianism and Patriarchy?
* * * Yesterday, A Mom posted this comment: A Mom JULY 14, 2013 @ 7:34 PM Complementarian sex appeals to control freaks, IMO. You’re missing out on God’s best for you, comp men. Let go of your conquer/control death grip on the wheel, and you might actually enjoy your wife’s free will. Oops,… Continue reading What is Difference Between Complementarianism and Patriarchy?
Is it Proper for Christian Wives to Initiate Sex?
* * * Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Ecc 9:9 * * … Continue reading Is it Proper for Christian Wives to Initiate Sex?
Church Abuse, Spiritual Triage, and Victim’s Advocacy Ministries
* * * You may have noticed a brief blog break. Thursday I went out of town to a meeting and Friday I drove back home and later had a 3-hour interview regarding the bad side of Christian homeschooling and so I was tied up a bit. I'd like to share… Continue reading Church Abuse, Spiritual Triage, and Victim’s Advocacy Ministries
Ken Ham, Young Earth Creationism, Young People AbandoningTheir Faith: My Daughter’s Story
* * * This next story pains me. It's a personal one. Parenting is very challenging. Homeschooling children has also been a challenge. When we began homeschooling our children, we chose to do so for a number of reasons. We wanted to have better oversight over the curricula our children were taught because we wanted… Continue reading Ken Ham, Young Earth Creationism, Young People AbandoningTheir Faith: My Daughter’s Story
Dr. Wayne Grudem to Speak at C.J. Mahaney’s Church “to Signal Support in the Face of Unjust Accusations”
* * * I came across an interesting comment at SGMSurvivor blog and thought it was important enough to give it a wider audience so as not to get lost in the comments. SGMSurvivors.com reader Todd Wilhelm commented that he had sent an e-mail to Dr. Wayne Grudem, urging him to… Continue reading Dr. Wayne Grudem to Speak at C.J. Mahaney’s Church “to Signal Support in the Face of Unjust Accusations”
The Clanging Cymbal Tweet of Pastor Jared Mellinger
* * * * * * I saw a disturbing tweet come through my Twitter feed by Jared Mellinger, senior pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church. Please note that I typed "senior pastor." Covenant Fellowship Church is part of Sovereign Grace Ministries, the same family of churches in… Continue reading The Clanging Cymbal Tweet of Pastor Jared Mellinger
Learn and Discern: Pastor Jim Standridge and His Bully Pulpit
* * * For the past five years, I've been "choir mom" at two different high schools. This volunteer gig consists of going to class each day, doing sectionals (this is when we split into groups to learn their choral parts, ie, "altos" or "tenors", etc,), accompanying on the piano, etc.… Continue reading Learn and Discern: Pastor Jim Standridge and His Bully Pulpit
Young Earth Creationism, Ken Ham, The Creation Museum . . . and Dragons?
* * * There are some topics that can really get Christians all worked up and young earth creationism (YEC) is one of them. At a church we attended years ago (not the church that sued me), it was discovered that an elder who had been voted in by church members… Continue reading Young Earth Creationism, Ken Ham, The Creation Museum . . . and Dragons?
C.J. Mahaney withdraws Himself from T4G Conference
* * * At the T4G website, a note was posted that C.J. Mahaney will not be speaking at the 2014 Together for the Gospel conference. The conference is in Mahaney's hometown of Louisville and speakers include Ligon Duncan, Albert Mohler, Mark Dever, David Platt, John Piper, Kevin DeYoung, Thabiti Anyabwile, and Matt… Continue reading C.J. Mahaney withdraws Himself from T4G Conference
Guest Post: Not My Mother’s Submission
* * * There is a lot of talk about complementarians and egalitarians these days. I had no idea what these words meant until last year. But the roles of husband and wife seem to be very important to some folks. There are Christian leaders who have devoted a whole website… Continue reading Guest Post: Not My Mother’s Submission
Tim Keller Doesn’t Want to Hear about it if You are Hospitalized, but not in a Small Group
* * * * * * In March 2013, Dr. Timothy Keller spoke at the Faith Angle Forum. I tried to find info on this event, but could only find cached websites. Here is an excerpt from the cached site describing Ethics and Public Policy Center's… Continue reading Tim Keller Doesn’t Want to Hear about it if You are Hospitalized, but not in a Small Group
Spiritual Sounding Board 