MeaghanMay 3, 2012 08:09 AMDo 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 past 3 1/2 years, as I see it because I didn't succumb to his leadership and left the church. It took a few years to understand what had happened to me and my family. As I have sought the Lord, He shows me that I am to continue in love and good works. Exposing darkness is love and good works. God will direct my path, as He always does and refine my faith if only I will be humble and trust Him.
I still have folks who have left there contact me about the confusion and pain they suffered while attending there-as well as when they left 'elders' showing up unannounced at their homes. This happened to me as well as Julie Anne. It really does make me sad, but I am grateful to be able to love them and encourage them through a very dark time....praising God for His mighty love of His children, I am patiently waiting on my Lord as He has made all things new. When I walk in the truth, there is no need for damage control.
Love you Julie Anne, and thank you for doing this blog, giving the wounded (me for one) a place to understand what I have just lived through and the encouragement to continue to love the saints with grace and truth.
I read this comment from Meaghan this morning while sitting in the
dentist chair and wanted to cry. Meaghan is such an amazing testimony
of someone using the pain she has gone through for God's glory and it ties in so
beautifully what I had planned to post on today. (Thank you, Meaghan, for your heartfelt post - it really blessed me!)
If you are reading this blog, you may have suffered
spiritual abuse. I am aware of some who are reading this blog because
they are studying spiritual abuse for research and others are following the story
because of the lawsuit and are keeping us in prayer. (What a great comfort that is, thank
you!)
It's easy to dwell on the pain, the hurt, the tragic stories, the
losses, the shattered relationships, the years stolen. Today, can we
shift that focus to the positive?
What has God taught you through this experience? How have you changed? How have you been able to use that pain for His glory? Please, take the time to comment. Tell us some wonderful goodness that has come out of this experience. If you don't comment, that's fine - I just want to encourage you to think how Christ has worked in you. God is victorious through all of the trials. He will not leave us abandoned. He is faithful. Listen to the words of this song on the YouTube video. Maybe it will help prompt some ideas:
What are some of those 10,000 reasons that your heart can sing? Yesterday, I was pretty down after hearing more stories of abuse. I look forward to being encouraged by your words.
"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name
Two weeks ago I had a brief chat with the pastor of my current church. I told him how blessed my husband and I are being there, and how we see clearly that God led us out of BGBC and had His hand on us all the way, guiding us to safety. We have been official members of our current church 4 years as of this month and it was way past due that we let him know. If you are in a good church now, I would encourage you to do the same for your pastor. Those good shepherds need to be encouraged as they are doing the work of leading - I think they need to see that their efforts are bringing about growth, and they need to hear that they are being used of the Lord as part of the healing process.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is good. You're right, we should encourage our pastors. They carry so many burdens. It's wonderful to read that your pastor is being used to help you heal. Thank you :)
DeleteGreat idea, Julie Anne. Thanks for the opportunity to praise the Lord!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thanks for the blog where truth can be told.
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.
The Lord showed me areas of my own pride,wanting the approval of men and various other sins that needed to be purged. I am thankful for sanctification which is sometimes painful.
Psalm 119:104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
I am thankful to have more discernment through this experience. Legalism is deadly to spiritual life. Romans 7:6 "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter."
Luke 6:22 " Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake."
Since Don and I committed some kind of evil deed (from our perspective we questioned Chuck and would not repent of that)we have not had contact with anyone from BGBC (except those who have left)and so we have been able to have a small taste of being excluded and hated by people we love. Praise the Lord for the love only Christ can place in hearts to love those who hate and shun.
John 2:24-25 "But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man."
Phil.2:20-21 "For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus."
No person can be completely trusted. Even our own hearts can be deceptive. I am thankful to learn that our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ, alone can ALWAYS be trused. God will never leave us or forsake us and the Holy Spirit is our comforter.
Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
I am very aware the real enemy is satan and his minions. I am thankful that I have no hatred towards anyone at BGBC.
Colossians 3:12-17
"12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
I AM THANKFUL
You really learned a lot through this experience, Michelle. Thank you so much for sharing.
DeleteThis part is rang true for me as well: "and so we have been able to have a small taste of being excluded and hated by people we love. Praise the Lord for the love only Christ can place in hearts to love those who hate and shun. "
And this was so good, too: I am thankful that I have no hatred towards anyone at BGBC.
I think that is what I have seen from so many. People were hurt badly by being shunned, yet I have yet to see anyone hold grudges. I've only seen understanding and grace extended. Very sweet!
'He will wipe away every tear' God is so good and gracious, re-uniting dear friends as they leave the control and begin to see more clearly...knowing God is wiping away my tears and re-uniting me with trusted friends I met there gives me hope and renews my faith...from glory to glory~God is good ALL the time <3
ReplyDeleteThat is so true. Just yesterday I spoke with people I haven't spoken with in over 3-1/2 yrs. To hear their precious voices was wonderful. Hearing the sorrow in their voices over church experiences was sad, but the restoration of relationships is God's work. I am hearing stories of this happening all over the place among former members. God must be smiling.
Delete