#METOO
My thoughts and prayers are with these courageous women, these good Samaritans. No Moore sexual harassment and abuse. God has laid the foundation onto which we can only add, yet, it is upon that foundation that we are called to even greater works. “CHANGE THE NARRATIVE”
THE DEVIL’S PLAN
I am touched and so very proud of the women who have had the courage to stand up and stand together against sexual misconduct, especially those who were violated as children. Unfortunately, I know through personal experience, how difficult it is to speak out. Not only are there those who demand your silence and accuse you of lying but there are also those who attempt to label you as a victim, YOU ARE SURVIVORS! You endured that God may prepare a table of vindication for you in the presence of your enemy. I am 54 years old and have carried the hurt, filth and shame of sexual abuse for well over forty years. I internalized for most of those years an inexplicable kind of guilt for various reasons: (1) I used to blame myself because I didn’t know how to come forward (2) I felt that no one would believe me. (3) On some strange level, I didn’t want to hurt those who had been so callous in hurting me. (4) I just wanted to be “normal,” and somewhere in my psyche, I hoped that by not speaking or thinking of it (as if that were altogether possible) I could somehow escape the residue. But, it doesn’t work that way, there comes a point where you have to be honest with yourself, and confront the source of your pain, even if it means that you have to watch as those whom you thought loved you and would support you, choose to walk away. I chose to speak my truth, not to bring attention to myself, but that others would be comforted and empowered to free themselves from the bondage of their past. When I came forth, having endured rejection, doubt and the dismissive attitudes of inconsequentiality from my own family, it was my hope that I would be nurtured and comforted to restoration by the church. It was not to be, yet, I pray that your experience, and the experience of those who have yet to speak out, will be a much more supportive one.
MY PEOPLE PERISH FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
It is difficult enough to come forward; but, it is an unimaginable, added weight of hurt, when clergy (mostly male), without so much as a conversation with you armed with misleading information (unknowingly, from the predator himself), hurl rebuke from the pulpit and encourage others to do the same. This is not an attack on the church, but the church must do better: UNDERSTANDING IS NEEDED. Regardless of what I wrote or how I worded it, it baffled me that those individuals, with their vast knowledge, most holding Ph.Ds., were unable or unwilling to see past the surface of a few sentences, to decipher that my words came from a place of hurt. A hurt that no one, particularly, no child should ever have to endure. Their response truly shook my faith, being that many of those who spoke such revolt and bondage, were themselves either survivors or presented themselves as ones who championed survivors. Still, I hold out hope, that even at this late date, now being more aware of the truth of my story, repentance will be just as forth coming. I hold out hope. I reference the church, not to condemn, but to remind and encourage. To remind them that God has charged the church with the gathering of the outcasts; not to break the bruised reeds nor cast them out. When a person divulges their childhood trauma of sexual abuse, they are setting before you their 6, 7, 8 . . . yr. old child for empathy, for comfort, for acceptance. So that when you discourage them, those on the outside see it. Sinners, while blind to the truth of Christ, they are not blind to the behavior they see in the church. They bear witness to our example long before they ever consider sitting in the congregation to hear what the preacher has to say. Therefore, it is difficult to convert the sinner when those who call themselves by God’s name, exhibit more sinful and uncaring behavior than prospective converts. Don’t get angry, if this is not your church or leaders, I’m not talking to you. As a Christian, I worshiped in the congregation and took counsel from the very ones who preached love, forgiveness, restoration and family values, yet they were the very ones who stomped on me when I came forward or worse yet said or did nothing. I don’t harbor any ill will toward them, I understand how the devil manipulates. In my situation, especially, he fenced in my story, with the illusion of parental dishonor along with the false witness of a predator in uniform. As if that weren’t ugly enough, to then be sexually harassed, assaulted and denied wages in a “Christian” run homeless shelter, only to have to watch as the harasser presided over Sunday Mass, was not only demeaning, but an affront the very Word of God. So, I understand the pain that these women bear, all too all too well. It’s one thing to speak out against a family member or government official, but to speak out against a “man of God,” why one could, not only be thrown out onto the streets, they could literally be thrown into jail. But God, always has the last word. Didn’t He do it? God not only transforms those whom He has redeemed, giving them beauty for ashes; He also vindicates them through His vengeance (I’m a living witness). It is not my preference that God would impute His wrath upon anyone, but I cannot repent for someone else. God does not play and He will not be mocked.
GRACE IS REPENTANCE
Some are quick to evoke grace of forgiveness, and I don’t blame them, it’s a beautiful gift under the (New Testament/New Covenant). Yet, the grace of forgiveness is only available through REPENTANCE. Still, some preach grace as though it were a “get out of sin free” card, that somehow negates the ten commandments, which gives us permission to sin as much as we want. IT IS NOT! This doctrine is not only disrespectful and inaccurate, it’s deadly: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;” (New Testament/New Covenant). What’s interesting to me is, when others sin against us, we define forgiveness by apology and repentance; yet, when we sin we tend to cling to forgiveness, only in terms of, “It is remembered no more.” But the Bible says for how should God punish Jesus, who was without sin, yet allow man, which is full of sin, go unpunished? But God, does not want us to die in sin, therefore, He endows us, through the blood of Jesus, GRACE to come to REPENTANCE.
Where there is sexual abuse, there is usually attempt to place blame on the abused. Arguments, of the following nature, are often brought forth, in a sad and cowardly effort to validate the abuser:
1. Why was she in that place at that time?
2. Why didn’t she know better? (i.e. she should have been able to read the mind of someone who presented a false image of himself in order to gain the trust and access to his victim).
3. Why was she wearing that?
4. Why didn’t she report it? (to whom would one have reported, forty years ago, when their whole world was a small town where the alleged predator represented the highest ranks of the law?)
The devil is a liar. Just REPENT!
LOVE REJOICETH WITH THE TRUTH
Some clothe themselves in the story of Joseph and Mary, as a defense to their wicked deeds involving children. It is imperative to ask God for understanding, He will send an advocate, The Holy Spirit, who will guide us in all truth and knowledge. BE MINDFUL: Mary was (The Virgin), chosen by God to bring forth our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Joseph was the man whom God chose to walk, in journey, with Mary, as her husband and as Jesus’ earthly father. Joseph had not known Mary, sexually. One should be very careful when inserting God’s name into their narrative, because in lying on God, they have blasphemed the Holy Spirit. JUST TELL THE TRUTH. When a person is chosen of God, there is no sin added. Joseph did not troll the malls for underage girls, he did not sneak around in back alleys coercing underage girls into submission. He did not engage in sexual immorality, then use his position to silence his accusers. Joseph walked upright with God. Yet, if a person insists on drawing a parallel to Joseph, this should be their position going forward: Because of her pregnancy and unwed status, Mary, most certainly, would have been stoned to death. BUT GOD, reassured Joseph and enabled him to protect Mary and defend her honor in a society predisposed to stone “the woman.” If indeed, a person knows in their heart that their hands are clean of sexual immorality, and they are perfectly qualified to be compared to Joseph, they should, in turning the other cheek for LOVE sake. even at the risk of sacrificing, their own prominence, defend the honor of the very women whom they threaten to stone in the court of law. Also, before you introduce Mary into any defense, particularly one of a sexually immoral nature, please remember, Mary is worthy of the utmost respect, Mary was Jesus’ MOTHER.
W A R N I N G ! ! !
Bottom line, we know the right thing to do. The decency and justice that we would want for ourselves is the same that we should afford to others. Here’s the thing, throughout the history of the world, whenever a nation refused to heed God’s warnings, He has sent destruction into the land. It should come as no surprise that one would try to hide behind the church rather than seek to be transformed through the church. How can Christians expect sinners to acknowledge and respect the God we serve, as anything more than a character in a fable, when we ourselves don’t seem to trust His word enough to uphold it? There again, as the Priest and Levite walk past the bruised and battered, it is the Samaritan who stops to render aide; as it was in my story, so it seems to be here, as well. Once again, I speak of my own situation, not for attention nor grandeur; no one wants to be known for having been incestuously, sexually abused; yet, IT IS MY STORY, and therefore my greatest testimony of reference and witness to the GRACE, MERCY and GLORY of GOD.
CHANGE THE NARRATIVE
Note: As a general rule, pedophiles (i.e. those who RAPE children), usually don’t commit their atrocities in public; therefore, most likely, there will be no witnesses or physical evidence.
My thoughts and prayers are with these courageous women, these good Samaritans. No Moore sexual harassment and abuse. God has laid the foundation onto which we can only add, yet, it is upon that foundation that we are called to even greater works. “CHANGE THE NARRATIVE”
THE DEVIL’S PLAN
I am touched and so very proud of the women who have had the courage to stand up and stand together against sexual misconduct, especially those who were violated as children. Unfortunately, I know through personal experience, how difficult it is to speak out. Not only are there those who demand your silence and accuse you of lying but there are also those who attempt to label you as a victim, YOU ARE SURVIVORS! You endured that God may prepare a table of vindication for you in the presence of your enemy. I am 54 years old and have carried the hurt, filth and shame of sexual abuse for well over forty years. I internalized for most of those years an inexplicable kind of guilt for various reasons: (1) I used to blame myself because I didn’t know how to come forward (2) I felt that no one would believe me. (3) On some strange level, I didn’t want to hurt those who had been so callous in hurting me. (4) I just wanted to be “normal,” and somewhere in my psyche, I hoped that by not speaking or thinking of it (as if that were altogether possible) I could somehow escape the residue. But, it doesn’t work that way, there comes a point where you have to be honest with yourself, and confront the source of your pain, even if it means that you have to watch as those whom you thought loved you and would support you, choose to walk away. I chose to speak my truth, not to bring attention to myself, but that others would be comforted and empowered to free themselves from the bondage of their past. When I came forth, having endured rejection, doubt and the dismissive attitudes of inconsequentiality from my own family, it was my hope that I would be nurtured and comforted to restoration by the church. It was not to be, yet, I pray that your experience, and the experience of those who have yet to speak out, will be a much more supportive one.
MY PEOPLE PERISH FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
It is difficult enough to come forward; but, it is an unimaginable, added weight of hurt, when clergy (mostly male), without so much as a conversation with you armed with misleading information (unknowingly, from the predator himself), hurl rebuke from the pulpit and encourage others to do the same. This is not an attack on the church, but the church must do better: UNDERSTANDING IS NEEDED. Regardless of what I wrote or how I worded it, it baffled me that those individuals, with their vast knowledge, most holding Ph.Ds., were unable or unwilling to see past the surface of a few sentences, to decipher that my words came from a place of hurt. A hurt that no one, particularly, no child should ever have to endure. Their response truly shook my faith, being that many of those who spoke such revolt and bondage, were themselves either survivors or presented themselves as ones who championed survivors. Still, I hold out hope, that even at this late date, now being more aware of the truth of my story, repentance will be just as forth coming. I hold out hope. I reference the church, not to condemn, but to remind and encourage. To remind them that God has charged the church with the gathering of the outcasts; not to break the bruised reeds nor cast them out. When a person divulges their childhood trauma of sexual abuse, they are setting before you their 6, 7, 8 . . . yr. old child for empathy, for comfort, for acceptance. So that when you discourage them, those on the outside see it. Sinners, while blind to the truth of Christ, they are not blind to the behavior they see in the church. They bear witness to our example long before they ever consider sitting in the congregation to hear what the preacher has to say. Therefore, it is difficult to convert the sinner when those who call themselves by God’s name, exhibit more sinful and uncaring behavior than prospective converts. Don’t get angry, if this is not your church or leaders, I’m not talking to you. As a Christian, I worshiped in the congregation and took counsel from the very ones who preached love, forgiveness, restoration and family values, yet they were the very ones who stomped on me when I came forward or worse yet said or did nothing. I don’t harbor any ill will toward them, I understand how the devil manipulates. In my situation, especially, he fenced in my story, with the illusion of parental dishonor along with the false witness of a predator in uniform. As if that weren’t ugly enough, to then be sexually harassed, assaulted and denied wages in a “Christian” run homeless shelter, only to have to watch as the harasser presided over Sunday Mass, was not only demeaning, but an affront the very Word of God. So, I understand the pain that these women bear, all too all too well. It’s one thing to speak out against a family member or government official, but to speak out against a “man of God,” why one could, not only be thrown out onto the streets, they could literally be thrown into jail. But God, always has the last word. Didn’t He do it? God not only transforms those whom He has redeemed, giving them beauty for ashes; He also vindicates them through His vengeance (I’m a living witness). It is not my preference that God would impute His wrath upon anyone, but I cannot repent for someone else. God does not play and He will not be mocked.
GRACE IS REPENTANCE
Some are quick to evoke grace of forgiveness, and I don’t blame them, it’s a beautiful gift under the (New Testament/New Covenant). Yet, the grace of forgiveness is only available through REPENTANCE. Still, some preach grace as though it were a “get out of sin free” card, that somehow negates the ten commandments, which gives us permission to sin as much as we want. IT IS NOT! This doctrine is not only disrespectful and inaccurate, it’s deadly: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;” (New Testament/New Covenant). What’s interesting to me is, when others sin against us, we define forgiveness by apology and repentance; yet, when we sin we tend to cling to forgiveness, only in terms of, “It is remembered no more.” But the Bible says for how should God punish Jesus, who was without sin, yet allow man, which is full of sin, go unpunished? But God, does not want us to die in sin, therefore, He endows us, through the blood of Jesus, GRACE to come to REPENTANCE.
Where there is sexual abuse, there is usually attempt to place blame on the abused. Arguments, of the following nature, are often brought forth, in a sad and cowardly effort to validate the abuser:
1. Why was she in that place at that time?
2. Why didn’t she know better? (i.e. she should have been able to read the mind of someone who presented a false image of himself in order to gain the trust and access to his victim).
3. Why was she wearing that?
4. Why didn’t she report it? (to whom would one have reported, forty years ago, when their whole world was a small town where the alleged predator represented the highest ranks of the law?)
The devil is a liar. Just REPENT!
LOVE REJOICETH WITH THE TRUTH
Some clothe themselves in the story of Joseph and Mary, as a defense to their wicked deeds involving children. It is imperative to ask God for understanding, He will send an advocate, The Holy Spirit, who will guide us in all truth and knowledge. BE MINDFUL: Mary was (The Virgin), chosen by God to bring forth our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Joseph was the man whom God chose to walk, in journey, with Mary, as her husband and as Jesus’ earthly father. Joseph had not known Mary, sexually. One should be very careful when inserting God’s name into their narrative, because in lying on God, they have blasphemed the Holy Spirit. JUST TELL THE TRUTH. When a person is chosen of God, there is no sin added. Joseph did not troll the malls for underage girls, he did not sneak around in back alleys coercing underage girls into submission. He did not engage in sexual immorality, then use his position to silence his accusers. Joseph walked upright with God. Yet, if a person insists on drawing a parallel to Joseph, this should be their position going forward: Because of her pregnancy and unwed status, Mary, most certainly, would have been stoned to death. BUT GOD, reassured Joseph and enabled him to protect Mary and defend her honor in a society predisposed to stone “the woman.” If indeed, a person knows in their heart that their hands are clean of sexual immorality, and they are perfectly qualified to be compared to Joseph, they should, in turning the other cheek for LOVE sake. even at the risk of sacrificing, their own prominence, defend the honor of the very women whom they threaten to stone in the court of law. Also, before you introduce Mary into any defense, particularly one of a sexually immoral nature, please remember, Mary is worthy of the utmost respect, Mary was Jesus’ MOTHER.
W A R N I N G ! ! !
Bottom line, we know the right thing to do. The decency and justice that we would want for ourselves is the same that we should afford to others. Here’s the thing, throughout the history of the world, whenever a nation refused to heed God’s warnings, He has sent destruction into the land. It should come as no surprise that one would try to hide behind the church rather than seek to be transformed through the church. How can Christians expect sinners to acknowledge and respect the God we serve, as anything more than a character in a fable, when we ourselves don’t seem to trust His word enough to uphold it? There again, as the Priest and Levite walk past the bruised and battered, it is the Samaritan who stops to render aide; as it was in my story, so it seems to be here, as well. Once again, I speak of my own situation, not for attention nor grandeur; no one wants to be known for having been incestuously, sexually abused; yet, IT IS MY STORY, and therefore my greatest testimony of reference and witness to the GRACE, MERCY and GLORY of GOD.
CHANGE THE NARRATIVE
Note: As a general rule, pedophiles (i.e. those who RAPE children), usually don’t commit their atrocities in public; therefore, most likely, there will be no witnesses or physical evidence.
