Recovering Grace » A Bill Gothard generation shines light on the teachings of IBLP and ATI2013

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2013

Yearly Archives: 2013

Merry Christmas!

25 December 2013, 18:00

Micah J. Murray

They Won’t Be Expecting That At Christmas time, I’m struck by how unexpected it all is. We expect a god to be powerful, mighty, smiting his enemies, concerned with his own glory. We don’t expect God to be born in a stable — a crying, scared, helpless baby. Don’t forget this. Don’t forget what God […]

Good Counsel?

23 December 2013, 06:00

Moderator

The first time I attended an All Day Ministers’ Seminar as an ATI (Advanced Training Institute) student, a kind lady approached me. “Are you an ATI student?” she asked. “Yes, I am,” I responded. “What do you think of this passage of Scripture?” A perfect stranger was asking me for counsel on biblical topics just […]

What My Parents Did Right

19 December 2013, 06:00

Moderator

You know the old saying as well as I do about hindsight being 20/20. This is because it’s really very easy to look back on the past and criticize others’ actions. I’m pretty sure people have been doing this from time immemorial. In fact, it’s quite likely that either Eve or Adam turned to the […]

What Grace Means to Me

16 December 2013, 06:00

Moderator

One of the things Jesus has been so faithful to show me throughout my journey of healing from ATI is the beauty of grace. Grace is something I never fully understood until recently. Although I had heard people talk about grace, my understanding of what it really meant ended at knowing that I was saved […]

No Condemnation!

5 December 2013, 06:00

Moderator

I remember the exact moment when I realized that Jesus loved me—and LIKED me—ALL the time, not just when I had performed correctly. My life seemed like it was falling apart around me. I was no longer able to control everything and come across as a “godly” person. I started having panic attacks, and because […]

Shrimp on a Sheet: A Talmud of Our Own

2 December 2013, 06:00

Moderator

“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” It’s funny how each of our senses are tuned differently. While my husband is so sensitive to musical detail that even his dreams can have soundtracks, my brain assigns high priority to flavor. So many of my memories revolve around food, transporting me to times […]

We Are Grateful

28 November 2013, 06:00

Anne

It’s Thanksgiving and all across the social media venues, I’m sure you’ve seen or heard “30 days of Thanks” type of updates. Sometimes it is difficult for me to do those things because they don’t feel very genuine. I am not one who likes to post something just for the sake of posting. And many […]

Letter from a Survivor of Spiritual Abuse

25 November 2013, 06:00

Moderator

To all those who are a part of my life in some way: Please don’t tell me that my parents loved me and “only wanted what was best” for me. When I hear you say that, I hear you telling me that all the spiritual abuse, oppression, and deep pain I have felt and experienced […]

Life Focus: The Price of a White Polo

21 November 2013, 06:00

Moderator

I could share countless stories of spiritual, physical, and mental abuse from my time spent in the Life Focus program. But one experience that stands out in my mind was when I was confined to the Prayer Room during Life Focus IV. The “scandal” that began a witch hunt started with a young lady from […]

Life Focus: A Sister’s Perspective

18 November 2013, 06:00

Carolynn

I was 13 when my parents chose to send my brother to Life Focus. Josh was the first in our family—at age 16—to experience an apprenticeship program, and the whole family was both excited and apprehensive. What would the Indianapolis Training Center (ITC) be like? (My parents attended a short admissions seminar there several years […]