During a meeting at my church this evening, I was reminded of how I need to constantly keep my heart in check.
For those of us in a leadership position, (ie, leading a worship team,playing an instrument in the church service,being a Sunday school teacher,etc) we need to make sure that our hearts are in the right place.
Yes, we may get tired and worn out....
But what does that say about our personal walk with God?
In listening to the message tonight, I immediately thought about my role as a mother.
That is one of the biggest jobs in leadership that we as women have,it is also one that God Himself has blessed many of us with.
As a mother, are we not a leader to our children?
We have been given the MASSIVE responsibility of raising young men and women to love,trust, and serve the Lord God.
Even though at times it may seem as if it was all for nothing...I don't believe it EVER is!
Gods' thoughts are NOT our own, and His ways are NOT our ways!
You never know what kind of impression you have made and are making on your little ones.
Impressions that will last throuout their entire lives. (No matter which road they choose later on in life)
I want to make sure that I stay close to God and His Word, so that I can continue to raise my daughters in His ways.
If my own heart and life are not right with God, how can I raise them the way they need me to?
Yes, I can pretend and fake my way through...But by not having my heart/life in line with where God wants me to be, I will prevent His complete and total blessing on my life and my childrens' lives.
I am saddened by some of the comments that have been made on my blog, and they are not just coming from the PVBC.
I would like to urge ALL of you, that even though most of you (not all) have chosen to remain 'anonymous', God still knows who you are.
HE knows your heart.
Please don't allow all the hurt and bitterness that has been caused by my father and others to consume your lives.
Your children, husbands, wives, and friends need to see how we as Christians can conquer and overcome!!
EPHESIANS 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,against spiritual wickedness in high places.
This is nothing new, Christians have been dealing with sin since the beginning of time.
If you let bitterness get to you and eat away at your life, you have chosen to allow Satan to win.
WE DON'T WANT THAT!!
Romans 8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Very well written Laura ......being a mother has been the hardest thing I have ever done..now with being a grandmother I watch as my daughter is now a mother and I am proud how she is raising her daughter ....watching the next generation grow-up and hopefully not make the same mistakes that we did as parents (because believe it or not we are far from perfect even though at the time we were trying to be)..... we have talked with our children (one married, one in heaven and the other one graduating this yr)that we just want them to be the best they can be in life...that family always has your back and we are always there for them.
ReplyDeleteThat's honest, challenging and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLovely post Laura.. I'm amazed that you are able to remain so calm in the face of everything that is being poured out in the comments. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteLaura, let me just ask you this. If you are disappointed with some of the comments, why allow them to be published. I agree with you, some people have said a lot of horrible things. As a result some have been totally turned off to Christianity, some have been distracted in their Christian life, some will never set foot in a church again. You talk of the opportunity women have to be leaders, especially to their children. But I have to ask you this as well, what leadership have you shown here? I personally know that the things said on here regarding your father, mother and family are not true. But that aside, many others believe every word because, well, with so many stories it must be true, right? Do you not see, Laura? Show some leadership and use your influence for the good of men and the cause of Christ. I know that as you read that last line, you'll probably clench your fists and say, "I am"! But are you truly? This blog and the others it has started is nothing but a place for gossip and people to vent their frustrations and hatred. Many of the things written and commented are flat out lies. I think even you know that. Leadership- "Process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". What is your task Laura? Honestly. So you can finally be free and find healing? If so, since when does freedom you claim comes from God cause such a tidal wave of destruction in its wake?
ReplyDeletePs 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Perhaps, its time to let the Lord lead you if His truth. Allow him to teach you. Wait on Him alone.
Isaiah said in 3:12, "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." I have nothing against women in some roles of leadership, but my point is this, what paths are you destroying Laura? And for how many people. Your post was on leadership, well so is this comment. You said, "Please don't allow all the hurt and bitterness that has been caused by my father and others to consume your lives." I think that should say, Don't let my hurt and bitterness consume your life.
AMEN, Laura! I know your strength comes from the Lord and it's HE who enables you to be a great mother! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you Beautiful!!!
ReplyDeletewow! so true... thanks for this and thanks for staying strong in the Lord!
ReplyDeleteWhen going through tough times as Laura and many others have ,its great for me to read all the encouraging comments. Im glad to see so many of you standing in faith together with her. I read many names on here of people I haven't seen or talked to in years and for what is worth I think its great to even see your strength and faith because I know many of you have been through trials as well. I have kept in touch with Laura since the day she left and know its been tough for her. Taking a stand for whats right isn't easy and every time I talk to her its amazing how confident, calm, and honest she is about everything. Great friends like Laura has is awesome to see. Pete Reimer {pioneer|
ReplyDeleteLaura...ABC's 20/20 tonight is about abuse in Independant Fundamental Baptist Churches. 9:00 tonight (Friday).
ReplyDeleteI'm sure if folks miss it they can watch clips on the ABC television website.
Please.. take the time to view this - everyone!
ReplyDeletehttp://abcnews.go.com/2020/
After watching the 20/20 special about some IFBC churches in the United States I came to realize that there is more to this than we originally thought. I simply desired to get our friends and family out of the church because it's so controlling and therefore has taken apart our relationships with them. But.. now I realize that there is spiritual abuse, physical abuse, and even sexual abuse going on.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: has there been physical and or sexual abuse at the PVBC church that has been covered up? Are you willing to come forward like the brave women from the 20/20 special did?
Just a thought!
Great post Laura. Being a mother is hard even when the children are grown up.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, someone was asking about the Rapture and where is can be found in the bible. The word rapture does not occur in the bible but the phrase caught away to heaven does.
Check out Genesis 5:24 Enoch was caught away to heaven without seeing death.
II Kings 2:11 Elijah went up in a whirlwind of fire.
Acts 1: 9-11 Jesus was taken up into the clouds from the Mount of Olives
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Talks about we who are in Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
I thought I would share some of these references with the person who was asking awhile back
Laura I have been following your blog. I attend the PVBC and would sure like to hear some sermons on women. Just like the one you mention. Each week I sit there and hear how men need to take charge of their home front. How about the single, separated women of the church. We are keeping our home fires burning with the grace of God. Mothers and Grandmothers have an important plan in God's eyes.
ReplyDeleteMost of the sermons there I find do not feed the flock. They only make us feel sinfull.
Please see this site in regards to the 20/20 special concerning IFB churches.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.drchuckphelps.com/
WOW! It sure is quiet now that PMS called off his Mutts. It doesn't surprise me though. All he has to do is say Jump,... Jump boy! And they'll wag their tails and say how high master.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, now that they're gone, go ahead Laura, we're all ears. Speak your truth.
I submitted a comment on this thread a while ago, regarding the role of leadership you are playing, Laura, why is it not published?
ReplyDeleteGood post, Laura. From my in person experiences interacting with your beautiful family, I commend you for demonstrating remarkable patience, gentleness, and love towards the girls. I've watched in amazement at the dynamics between you and each of your little ones. I do remember watching your mom interact with you and your siblings and thinking how quietly and gently she managed everything....at least in my view. Life (the good and the bad) has taught you much and you show by example how God has led you into a better place through it all. I love you and your family so much! Thank you for being such a true friend through all these years. <3
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really strange that the church depicted in the 20/20 video has the exact same layout as the PVBC does. Kind of eerie actually...
ReplyDeleteI want to comment on April 6 7:50am. The writer is probably a Baptist and doesn't see all the negative comments coming from that camp. The reason he/she is saying that you should "show some leadership for the good of men and the cause of Christ" is because he/she fears that Sullivant is being exposed and that people will finally see him for what he is. The Bible does say that "be sure your sin will find you out" and Sullivant's sin is being exposed. The Bible also says what is said in secret shall be shouted from the rooftops. Well, Sullivant's sin is being "shouted from the rooftops" so to speak. I have a really hard time calling him a pastor when he really is misguiding his flock. The true shepherd leaves the 99 to go and find that lost one. Laura, if your dad (I use that term loosely) really believes that you are the lost sheep, and if he truly is a good shepherd, then he should be out there looking for you. Fact is he knows where to find you and he doesn't even care! A true father would never do that! And the fact that he treats his own parents so dispicable is unbelievable. Our child went completely astray a year ago, and we showered him with love while simply praying for him. He was of age, so we didn't say a lot to him regarding his sin except for when we first heard about it. Now he is back walking with the Lord and had we pushed him out of our life when he was down, chances are he wouldn't be close to us now. Parents should love their kids unconditionally like Christ loves us and that is not happening in the Sullivant camp. I see how the other kids stay there because they don't want to go through what you had to go through. Laura, I encourage you to keep praying daily for your siblings and even for your mom. I have a feeling that she must truly be hurting inside but cannot afford to go against your dad.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I believe that God is using your side of the story to show pvbcers what they are in for, but to open their eyes and leave while they can. Keep up the good work and may God bless you for it. Signed TB
April 6 7:50 asks "When does freedom ... cause such a tidal wave of destruction?" If there is destruction, it necessarily must be bad, some may think. But destruction of an abusive system, though painful, is not evil. Allowing it to continue without check or objection is evil.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as far as healing goes, sometimes a surgeon must cut out tissue to remove a cancer. Some of the surrounding tissue is even healthy tissue, but it won't remain healthy if left alone. A worse destruction would be to silently turn away when family after family is eaten away spiritually.
Well good to hear you are standing together condemning the other 600 people that are also standing together. I know numbers don't matter... but what joy to see the other group, quite sizable sticking together walking in the Lord, helping each other out.
ReplyDelete