Read with caution and in the name of Jesus, let the Spirit of the Lord give you understanding. This is not being presented as a judgment against these people, but as an example of the depths of depravity, even for the elect, to which man can sink.

Just a little disclaimer: This example in no way advocates for women to remain in abusive relationships, or deny the seriousness of mental illness. 

It has been over 30 years, but I know a woman who left her husband for another man, a married man, a married man that served as pastor at my church.

Before leaving her husband she had maintained an affair with my pastor for over 10 years and had two kids by him.

This same pastor beat his wife, daily, often times forcing his two boys to sit and watch. He beat his boys. He raped most women that he came into his home. He lied. He lied to his flock.

His wife dealt with his abuse for the sake of her boys. She suspected he was involved with other women, but it was a practice he continually denied.

The pastor’s wife broke down one day and left her abusive husband, and never looked back.  Regrettably, because of her mental state she had no choice but to leave her boys behind.

The woman involved in the affair, well…the pastor’s wife filed for divorce, so he married the adulterous woman. As you can imagine, the pastor did not change. He was an abusive man.

After 20 years of abuse, she too broke down one day, and walked away from her marriage. The only difference, the pastor had developed a brain disorder a few years earlier and he wound up losing much of his mobility, and his mental faculties. So, the abused, became the abuser. No, not physical abuse, but neglect. He needed a lot of personal care and many times she did not attend to his needs and often times left him alone for much of the day. And she cussed at him like a sailor.  I know because she shared during the bible studies, she taught,  that I attended.  Total disbelieve. And no matter what others said, she refused to accept anyone’s judgments. This woman, believe or not, was supposed to be best friend’s with the pastor’s wife. When the affair came to the attention of the church, the pastor’s wife warned this woman about her husband’s abuse. She refused to heed the warnings. SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Today, she is not divorced yet, but she gladly takes part of his SSI check, but in the pastor’s state of mind, he gladly gives it to her. Worse, she lives with an illegal immigrant that she claims loves her, yet she complains of his need for “women of the evening” if you get my drift. He will gladly take any money she brings in. And, when she visits the home of one of his friends (which is frequented by these woman) she has no problem associating with these sorted woman, thus she claims herself as a “classy” woman compared to them. She is tiring of him, so she says there is another man that interests her. Oh and the man, the lover, was a man that her daughter was visiting with to maintain her habit (if you get my drift).

Also, I know a 39 year old man that lives like a squatter, if not worse, because he had no place to go. He refused to humble himself and seek his wife’s forgiveness. I can’t even describe his living conditions without it hurting my very soul. His situation reminded me of the prodigal son.

The people in this story are real. The people in this story are Christian. They go to church and have and do teach bible studies.

In these last days, reading the bible will be most crucial, so as to learn how to live for Christ and not for self. Judgment will start with the house of God. God have mercy on our soul. sunrise3

How do I wrapped my head around this, I ask God. These are Christians that are living like they have no accountability, only to themselves. Where is God in all this? …
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Well, God is working. And He wants us to rest in Him. Sometimes, I find it difficult to understand how Christians can live without conscious for the things of God, but then God shows me…that is the world without God. And it is… that even with the knowledge of Jesus Christ, we as humans regress to worldly passions and desires and depravity when we choose to seek the things of the world. But if we seek God, He reveals the truth and nothing but the truth, and if we ask with a sincere heart, which God can recognize in a heartbeat, He can pull us out of our depravity and give us peace. Search me and know me Lord.

So, then what is being taught in today’s churches, I wonder? Tickling stuff, no doubt. Stayed tuned.

Does God still talk through a burning bush? Stay tuned.

Be blessed.

 

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I’m Irma

Welcome to my little corner of the blog world. Here, I share my thoughts on Christianity, the things of God, and the ways He has shaped and guided my path through life. My journey with the Lord has been long and transformative, marked by moments of peace and joy and periods of uncertainty. I write, first and foremost, for myself—to process what the Lord so graciously reveals to me in Scripture. Sharing some of these truths has become a mission of sorts, via blogging. His word urges us to bear witness and encourage one another.

As I reflect on my own transformation, I can say that the church itself has transformed over the years and not necessarily for the good. I speak about my own experiences with the church. One lesson the Lord impressed upon me this year is that “truth is not always truth.” What do I mean by that? There have been times when I’ve shared a biblical insight, only to realize that other faithful believers interpret the same passage differently. In that instance, I find that the Lord reveals according to our understanding. When I share the need for a Damascus experience understandings diverged sharply. Believers that have been raised in the church do not feel that such an extreme experience is necessary for spiritual maturity. Our faith is truly shaped by our backgrounds. Spiritual journeys are not for everyone. This taught me that early socialization deeply colors our grasp of faith; what’s true for me may not resonate in the same way for someone else.

Similarly, lately I considered how “ignorance of Scripture was its own blessing,” I remembered my early walk with Christ. I had a blind faith. I knew little of doctrine or debate. I trusted the pastor. In those days, my faith and trust in the church and church leaders was simple—I accepted what was taught from the pulpit without questioning. I did not have the knowledge needed to question any teaching. There was a peace in not knowing all the controversies or complexities. As I grew and studied the scriptures, and did some additional research, as the Lord gave understanding, I found myself questioning everything I had been taught. I did not question my faith, or the existence of God. That ignorance, while limiting, protected me from confusion and doubt, allowing me to rest in childlike faith.

The church itself has seen many changes over the decades. Self-proclaimed prophets have introduced new doctrines, some bordering on heresy, while believers wrestle with their flesh and what it means to follow Christ in a society with so many freedoms. I remember a time, more than thirty years ago, when I trusted every word spoken in church. Now, I understand how easy it is to accept teachings that stray from biblical truth. The Scriptures warned us this would happen in the last days.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NKJV) “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Current events—like the 2024 Election—have exposed deep flaws in American Christianity. Yet, through it all, Scripture assures me that God is sovereign. No wall built by human hands can withstand His judgment; no scheme crafted in darkness escapes His light. These lessons have become more real to me as I look back over my journals, filled with stories of God’s faithfulness during trials, tribulations and abundant grace. By sharing I hope those the Lord leads here will desire to seek God wholeheartedly, to find comfort knowing that He is always at work in our lives—often in ways we never considered.

Check out my books on Amazon for the Kindle App or in print.

Check out my latest title: Where are my Sheep? Available in Print & Kindle

The Diary of A Christian Woman

A Father Takes All: Four Generations of Growing up in Single Mother Homes – Grace Abounds

I Will Not Be Afraid: Living in the last Hour – Reflections of a Christian Woman

The Journey Endured: The Path to Meet God

Praise the God of the heavens!