My attorney passed along more details about the court hearing tomorrow:
The hearing will be held at the Washington County Courthouse, Hillsboro, Oregon in Courtroom 303C 9:00 AM.
The hearing is open to the public. You are welcome to attend. If you plan on coming, will you either send me a note privately or leave a comment? It would be fun to know ahead of time what to expect. Thanks!
If you are coming and only know us through the blog, we would love to get a chance to meet you. Please try to find us. You will easily recognize me by my red hair and I'm over 6 feet tall, and people say that my daughter, Hannah, is just a younger, shorter version of me (it's true!). All of the defendants in this lawsuit have greatly appreciated your support and prayers.
Last night, I met Justice and Justice's family for the first time. It was a sweet time - sharing more stories and yet talking about what God is doing through this experience. I was given a gift and will share part of it with you over time. I was so touched.
I'm going to church now. Have a time of prayer, reflection, and thankfulness - - for all that He has done, for all He brought me through, taught me.
I feel incredibly rich and blessed today. I am not at all worried about tomorrow or the next day. As long as I know that I am right with my God and hearing His voice, all is well with my soul.
Ohhhhhh . . . . that reminds me of the perfect song. Yea! This is also my all-time favorite hymn. I almost feel guilty using it in the event it might give the implication that my "load" even compares to what Horatio Spafford went through - the person who wrote the lyrics. My load does not!
As a musician, I can easily get distracted by pitch issues or any number of things. I want to encourage you to try to remove any distractions you may see and try to appreciate the heart of worship here - the heart-felt lyrics, and the beautiful voices used as God's instruments of worship.
This video is a bit long. Bill Gaither gives the history behind the song - it's an amazing story of sadness and grief and that struggle to overcome and the assurance of God. If you are unfamiliar with the story, do listen to it in its entirety. The singing starts around 2:00 and Guy Penrod begins around 3:00.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
White hankies for solidarity?
ReplyDeleteI love it!
DeleteI've been keeping up on all of this the last few days. I am amazed at your articulation in every detail. What Chuck doesn't seem to realize is that he is giving Christianity, as a whole, a black eye. It shows selfishness on his part, not thinking of the Christians world wide. He is so focused on himself, which is the narcissism, that he fails to see all of the Bible's advice against what he is doing, not only in this lawsuit, but as a believer in God's grace and love and mercy, if he actually believes in those things.
ReplyDeleteI see righteousness in what you have done, and let me say that I see God's hand in all of this.
One last thing, I Googled the church, and noticed that today's hours of operation was listed as CLOSED. Just thought you should know, but you probably already knew that.
No, I was not aware of that. I'm not sure what that means. Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteI'll be praying for you, Julie. You don't know me but I've been through enough in a couple of churches to not be attending any right now and have some understanding of what you're going through. Thanks for what you're doing and God bless you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI've lost track of how many have shared a similar story :(
DeleteThank you so much for your support!
Hi Julie Anne, we'll see you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI'm counting on it, Don!
DeleteIf you like it or not us atheists are on your side ;). Good luck, and let freedom of speech reign free!
ReplyDeleteI do like it!! But I am saddened that this some people are using this man to represent what Christian pastors are like. But thank you so much for "stopping by" and sending your support!
DeleteYou like the support of athiests? That explains a lot.
DeleteOf course I like the support of atheists. Why not? Is there a reason why I wouldn't want their support? Truth is evident to all.
DeleteJulie Anne: As I was doing my volunteer work this morning with elementary-age kids in our Sunday School classes, we had some really great teaching out of the book of Esther. We studied the heavy-handed tactics of Haman against Mordecai, and Haman's deceitful and bigoted plans to liquidate not just Mordecai but all of the Jewish population under King Ahasuerus.
ReplyDeleteI was contemplating the situation you are going through with Stanley O'Neal, and have to admit I sense Mr. O'Neals attitudes and behavior have unfortunate similarities to those of Haman.
It is my humble prayer for you and your loved ones that you get a sound night's sleep, and that you and your attorney are able to convince the trial judge that O'Neal's accusations are completely lacking in merit.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
DeleteI'm two time zones away but will be praying for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jaci!
DeleteThe court hearing is at the washington county courthouse in hillsboro, scheduled for 9am. Feel free to show your support by being there, but please keep it peaceful. Don't forget to pray for ALL of those involved. There are still those who are trapped there and they need to see the support that is available for them. God bless you and those with you Julie Anne!
ReplyDeleteVery good points. Thank you for mentioning this.
DeleteJust want to say good luck. Your story, or a news story anyway, was posted on a forum I frequent. We are a young community (teens-early 20's), of all different background, religious and not, conservative, liberal and inbetween... and the majority are objective enough to see what just seems very wrong about a church filing a money suit over what is essentially (to us), free speech.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a religious person, and i'm even less of a fan of organized religion. This particular case lends itself to some of my beliefs about the current state of organized religion to be honest...but I can't help but respect your continued faith in your God and your theologies. You are obviously intelligent, and know where and where not to "lay blame", for better lack of words. It is admirable that you stand firm on on your convictions and never seem to generalize or denounce all religion/congregation, because of a bad experience.
Anyway, good luck again, my thoughts are with you and the other defendants.
Thank you, AJ. I appreciate your sweet comment and will pass along your thoughts to the others.
DeleteGOOD LUCK!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie Anne and Pals,
ReplyDeleteHere you are up to this unique moment. So many people's thoughts and prayers are with y'all. How neat is that?!
Here are two thoughts from some cute signs I have on my tack board that I think are suitable for you all tomorrow:
1. Get your ducks in a row. and
2. Expect the unexpected!
LOVE and PRAYERS, across the miles,
Barb
It's very neat, Barb. I feel so rich in love and support. Thank you for keeping up with me these past months and putting me in touch with such a great support network. I really appreciate it.
DeleteHi Julie Anne and fellow supporters:
ReplyDeleteThe outcome of a particular court proceeding cannot be predicted in advance. I am employed working for one of the very best trial lawyers in the state of Washington, and learned that even for attorneys working at his exceptional skill level, there is no such thing as being able to reliably predict in advance whether a judge will grant or deny a proposed court order.
With every ounce of conviction in my body, I hope that you (Julie Anne) prevail against plaintiff Charles ("Chuck") O'Neal, and that you obtain a decisive victory this morning.
Please keep us informed with as much information as you (and your attorney) are comfortable sharing as to the outcome of this morning's court hearing.
-RB
Thank you, RB. I'll let you all know as soon as I can.
DeleteHi Julie and family on Monday morning. I've been praying for you and will continue every day, especially today. Know I am with you 'in spirit'/heart although I am too far to drive there or I sure would be there 'in body' too. :O) I know our Lord Jesus will be glorified and honored in you and your family today...extra prayers for your 'little' warriors-"children" but truly sound like they're more mature than many 'adult' Christians I know. (I think you loved them enough to teach them at home and that had much to do with that. I did the same for mine!)
ReplyDeleteLove in Christ Jesus!
The little warriors are at home about 4 hours away and I'm sure will be anxious to hear the outcome.
DeleteOf course they are more excited about the media aspect, but they, too, are reading the blog and comments (sometimes moderating for me if I am away). Hopefully, through this they will also thorough knowledge about spiritual abuse.