Spiritual Encouragement

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

BGBC Google Reviews, BGBC Lawsuit, Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, It's All About the Image, Narcissistic Pastors, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies, Street Evangelism

Damage Control – How Do I Look?

*     *     * I love the interaction on this blog in the comment section.  There are some very insightful people reading this blog and time and again, they help steer the direction of the blog posts as it stirs something in my mind.  (Hint:  if you want me to cover a… Continue reading Damage Control – How Do I Look?

ABUSERS & THEIR TACTICS, BGBC Google Reviews, BGBC Lawsuit, Bloggers and Freedom of Speech, Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, It's All About the Image, Narcissistic Pastors, No-Talk Rule, Shunning, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

Manipulating Reviews Yet Again

*     *     * Look how fast the BGBC elves went to work.  It was brought to my attention that a new review up at the DexKnows review site, but it was shoved down so far that you have to click on "See All Reviews" in order to see it.  They appear… Continue reading Manipulating Reviews Yet Again

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Jezebel

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jezabel-and-Ahab-Meeting-Elijah-in-Naboth-s-Vineyard.jpgTwo days in a row an Anonymous poster has left a one-word comment:"Jezebel"My first response was that I thought it would look better with the French ending:  Jezebelle.    Don't you think it looks better with the extra "le"?  Must be the French in me.I spoke about the comment to a friend and we were trying… Continue reading Jezebel

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Need new reading material? I can help.

We've had a record number of posts and comments today - 340 hits (my attorney said she contributed a few "hits" today, but even if you subtract 10 hits, it still broke a record).  For such a small church, there certainly is interest. If you would like to read the 54-page document referencing some 70… Continue reading Need new reading material? I can help.

Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, It's All About the Image, Narcissistic Pastors, No-Talk Rule, Shunning, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

Evangelize When it Looks Good

Beaverton Grace Bible Church is a church with a very strong emphasis on evangelism.  It is one of the primary reasons why my husband wanted to start attending.  We had evangelism classes for two hours each Sunday at "Grace Bible Institute".  Groups of people went out evangelizing on Friday nights to malls, canvassing neighborhoods, Portland… Continue reading Evangelize When it Looks Good

BGBC Google Reviews, BGBC Lawsuit, Bloggers and Freedom of Speech, Spiritual Abuse

Guest Poster: The Whole Bible . . . really?

** I've copied two excellent comments from Friday's post here.  Looking at the posting time, it's likely they are from the same anonymous commenter.  My comments are in blue.  Thank you, Anonymous, this is good stuff! Beaverton Grace Bible Church Motto: Our Motto is the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible! (Isa.… Continue reading Guest Poster: The Whole Bible . . . really?

BGBC Lawsuit, Bloggers and Freedom of Speech, LAWSUITS

Lawsuit Update!!

** I was notified by my (our) attorney that the motion has been filed with the court and is public.  I guess anyone can get a copy.  I'm not sure how one goes about that.  It's a 54-page honkin' document.  Whoa.  I just got my copy.   Check out how thick it is. 54-page motion Normally,… Continue reading Lawsuit Update!!

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Baptism: Was It Genuine or for Show?

Baptism is an act of obedience in which a Believer publicly proclaims his faith and commitment to Christ.  Being immersed in water symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, so in essence a Christian is saying that they died with Christ and will rise with Him again.  It is a beautiful step in a… Continue reading Baptism: Was It Genuine or for Show?

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The Walls are Crumbling

This last week there have been a lot of wonderful things happening behind the scenes.  The walls are crumbling.  Former BGBC congregants have reached out to people they have shunned for over 3 years and relationships are slowly being restored.  I haven't been told details - I don't need to know details - the idea… Continue reading The Walls are Crumbling

ABUSERS & THEIR TACTICS, BGBC Google Reviews, BGBC Lawsuit, Bloggers and Freedom of Speech, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

For Real?

**   I try to live life as normal - do the homeschool mom thing, volunteer daily at the high school as accompanist and "choir mom", laundry, cooking, connect with my FB buddies, taxi mom - you know the busy mom gig. Every once in a while, I get this flash in my mind:  you… Continue reading For Real?

Misuse of Scripture, Resident Artist Drawings, Spiritual Abuse

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

Misuse of Scripture, Spiritual Abuse

Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 3

** We are currently in Part 3 of the Korah theme.  In Part 1 we discussed pastoral authority and how the Korah scripture was used to exert the pastor's  "imagined" authority over people.   Part 2, the issue of "do not question authority" was discussed.   In Part 3, we will continue to discuss the pattern… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 3

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I am No Luther

http://peculiarpilgrim.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/95-theses.jpgI'm certainly no Luther, but this post cracked me up in light of my current legal predicament.  It comes from a commenter "Friendly Observer" on the SGMSurvivors blog - a blog dealing with the abuses that past and current that members have suffered over the years at Sovereign Grace Ministries' churches under the leadership of… Continue reading I am No Luther

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A Milestone

 We've reached 10,000 blog hits.  Ideally, there should be no blog like this, period.  But there is.  And there are readers.  And people who once were silenced are being given the opportunity to speak.  They are commenting and telling their stories.  They are reliving my story and your story.  This is all part of the healing process and moving forward.  For that, … Continue reading A Milestone

Misuse of Scripture, Spiritual Abuse

Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 2

** This is Part 2 of the Korah series.  In Part 1 we discussed pastoral authority and how the Korah scripture was used to exert imagined pastoral authority over people.   Another pattern I saw when the Korah scripture was used (or abused) is:  what happens when congregants ask questions.   We've touched on this subject… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 2

Misuse of Scripture, Spiritual Abuse

Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here? Part 1

** One recurring theme that continued to resurface in our time at BGBC was the "sin of Korah".  I've heard this used a number of times when congregants asked questions or shared concerns with the pastor.   It was brought up again recently in communication with someone privately and also in the blog’s comment section.    It’s… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here? Part 1

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Authoritative Preaching, Dictators, Julie Anne's Personal Stories, Meetings with the Pastor, Misuse of Scripture, Resident Artist Drawings, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

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

Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, Extra-Biblical Nonsense, Resident Artist Drawings, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies

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?

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From the Mind of a Child

I am a visual person and sometimes drawings help me to understand concepts better.  We have a budding artist on our hands.  He's 9 years old and loves to draw.  From time to time you may see his drawings here.  I wanted you to have a little glimpse of this precious child who loves to… Continue reading From the Mind of a Child