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Thursday

Abuse?

     Why should we call it abuse? Aren't we talking about men and women who are capable of choosing right from wrong? The answer to that is both yes and no. It is true that we've had many years to grow from childhood to adulthood... plenty of time to learn how to make proper choices. But... that doesn't mean we've had the time and experience to learn how to reject improper sexual advances from those in a position of power... especially from those in the role of spiritual leader.
     The church is thought of as a safe place, where God has appointed others to instruct us. The pastor has our automatic trust. If that trust is betrayed through improper sexual contact, it can destroy a person's relationship with God. After all, in a way, this person represents God.
     The huge imbalance of power between a pastor and a parishoner negates any possibility of mutual consent in a sexual encounter. The imbalance built into  the relationship must always be considered abuse.


1 comment:

SurvivorGirl007 said...

This is an excellent description of why it is abuse. Thank you so much for posting this.

BIBLE VERSES TO HELP ME___________________________________

Psalms 37:40—"And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him."

Jeremiah 23:1-4—"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture" declares the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, , and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds," declares the Lord. "Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing," declares the Lord.

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DEVOTIONS AND MEDITATIONS [click here]_________________

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UNFINISHED MELODY

Someday, Lord I pray,
there will be a place for me,
where ears take time to listen,
where eyes take time to see.
A place where I can laugh and cry
and know that I belong.
Someday, that's where
I will sing my song.

And someday, Lord I pray, in a place......
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SERMONS

The Power of Pentecost
This sermon helped me so much... and gave me the push I needed to begin the healing process in earnest. Thank you to the minister who wasn't afraid to preach it!
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Looking Forward In Faith
[part 1]


[part 2]

During a recent Sunday morning worship service I was blessed to hear a sermon that spoke to my heart, and reminded me that I am forgiven. I will cling to these words as I continue to move from victim to survivor to thriver.
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Oh, For the Wings of a Dove

[Mendelssohn]
Oh, for the wings,
for the wings of a dove,
Far away,
far away would I rove!
Oh, for the wings,
for the wings of a dove,
Far away,
far away, far away,
far away would I rove!

In the wilderness
build me a nest,
And remain there
forever at rest
In the wilderness
build me, build me a nest,
And remain
there forever at rest