Twelve Years Strong! When I went through my divorce from my cheater, I had no idea about my future. Everything looked dark and very bleak. That included employment as well as family dreams. So much changed on this day twelve years ago! It remains the happiest day of my life. To the fear purveyors around … Continue reading “Twelve Years! Double My First Marriage.”
Category: Musings
Grateful for God’s Anger!
In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry. -Psalm 18:6-7, NKJV My God gets … Continue reading “Grateful for God’s Anger!”
As Jesus did.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. -Colossians 3:13b, NIV How forgiving was Jesus to the Pharisees? Jesus understood that some people wanted nothing to do with his forgiveness. They were self-righteous, and in their minds, they needed none of his. This is the usual crowd of cheaters. They often behave like Pharisees. Some are especially … Continue reading “As Jesus did.”
Gratitude Even and Especially In Hard Times
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. -I Thessalonians 5:18, NLT Ever notice how often we take our own health for granted until we get sick? Maybe it is only me who does this? But I doubt it. Focusing on what we do NOT have … Continue reading “Gratitude Even and Especially In Hard Times”
No substance.
…having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. -2 Timothy 3:5, NIV Nothing is truly new as far as human behavior is concerned. The Bible warned us about people who look outwardly like good “Christians” but lack the substance of being as such. In fact, the Bible … Continue reading “No substance.”
Unwilling to identify with victims
Responding to Clergy Sexual Abuse situations: “There but for the grace of God go I,” says prominent Christian leader. We have a problem with church leaders over-identifying and supporting predators in the church. People–myself included–do not like feeling powerless. Yet victims are often the powerless ones in these scenarios. So, it makes sense that people … Continue reading “Unwilling to identify with victims”
Bethel Church’s Dawna De Silva On CSA Victim Care
Controversy continues to swirl around Bethel Church in Redding, California. I have written already about one situation involving their now former senior leader, Ben Armstrong, and the allegations–that I believe to be true–that he engaged in Clergy Sexual Abuse (CSA) of “Sarah.” He was restored years ago (although, he is currently on administrative leave), and … Continue reading “Bethel Church’s Dawna De Silva On CSA Victim Care”
“There but for the grace of God go I” Response
“I see these church leaders fall, and I say to myself, ‘There but for the grace of God go I,’” says Pastor talking about Clergy Sexual Abuse situations. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or … Continue reading ““There but for the grace of God go I” Response”
Not Punishment or Piling On
2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. -I Timothy 3:2-3, NIV When a secular teacher violates trust and is convicted of abusing a minor, they are FOREVER banned from a teaching license. This secular requirement … Continue reading “Not Punishment or Piling On”
Unpunishable or unsafe? Bethel and Ben Armstrong Case
Bethel Church of Redding, California is currently embroiled in a leadership scandal. Once their poster child for a restored leader following moral failure, Ben Armstrong (BA), is back in the spotlight for alleged lies and Clergy Sexual Abuse allegations. To Bethel Church’s credit, they have put Ben Armstrong on administrative leave as they investigate these … Continue reading “Unpunishable or unsafe? Bethel and Ben Armstrong Case”