Comments on: Ebenezer — The Resignation http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/ He has made everything beautiful in His time. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:04:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: elunn http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/comment-page-1/#comment-148595 elunn Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:20:24 +0000 http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/16/ebenezer-the-resignation/#comment-148595 Dan, I felt the same way when I left, "If this is Christianity, I want nothing more to do with it!" The Lord graciously took me to a wonderful group of people who demonstrated REAL Christianity ! I have never been the same since, though the healing is a long process. Even today, some 35 years later, I hesitate to go on that campus. It is still chilling ~ Dan, I felt the same way when I left, “If this is Christianity, I want nothing more to do with it!” The Lord graciously took me to a wonderful group of people who demonstrated REAL Christianity ! I have never been the same since, though the healing is a long process. Even today, some 35 years later, I hesitate to go on that campus. It is still chilling ~

]]> By: Steve Fry http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/comment-page-1/#comment-83497 Steve Fry Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:51:39 +0000 http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/16/ebenezer-the-resignation/#comment-83497 Found your blog by complete accident. I've read through your BJU-related stuff. You've got a sharp mind. Impressive. I was there for a while too. Early '80s. I was an "acad" senior the first year and made it through October of my sophmore year before BJ filed for divorce claiming irreconcilable differences. I was sent by my father originally because my mother was suddenly diagnosed with schizophrenia. I had an Uncle that was a preacher boy there in the 50's. He recommended the place. BJ Academy's live-there style seemed to dad to be the ticket. Big mistake. I was so eager and excited too, for a while. Didn't take long for me to stumble into the cross hairs, though. It would've helped if I'd had some kind of warning or a background with fundametalism. Once when I was a sophmore, (post-BJU) my 3 roommates and I got a suitcase of Mickey's Malt Liquor and a pint of peppermint schnapps. Excellent time. For a while. That night I must have thrown up a half dozen times. After I sobered up, the very smell of malt liquor or peppermint made me want to wretch. I've never touched the stuff again in 24 years. Bob Jones did exactly the same thing to me. I've never gone back to church since. Early release for time served! Anyway, I think you're handling things very well. I didn't have the internet or anyone to talk to back then. I had uncontrollable bad memories come into my head and frequent nightmares about the place well into my 30's. I realize now that those people at BJU don't really have much to do at all with Jesus. It's all okay because they only act that way because they don't know any better. Now, I just feel sorry for them. In time, maybe you'll feel the same way. Keep writing the blog. I'll bet it helps. Found your blog by complete accident. I’ve read through your BJU-related stuff. You’ve got a sharp mind. Impressive. I was there for a while too. Early ’80s. I was an “acad” senior the first year and made it through October of my sophmore year before BJ filed for divorce claiming irreconcilable differences. I was sent by my father originally because my mother was suddenly diagnosed with schizophrenia. I had an Uncle that was a preacher boy there in the 50’s. He recommended the place. BJ Academy’s live-there style seemed to dad to be the ticket. Big mistake. I was so eager and excited too, for a while. Didn’t take long for me to stumble into the cross hairs, though. It would’ve helped if I’d had some kind of warning or a background with fundametalism. Once when I was a sophmore, (post-BJU) my 3 roommates and I got a suitcase of Mickey’s Malt Liquor and a pint of peppermint schnapps. Excellent time. For a while. That night I must have thrown up a half dozen times. After I sobered up, the very smell of malt liquor or peppermint made me want to wretch. I’ve never touched the stuff again in 24 years. Bob Jones did exactly the same thing to me. I’ve never gone back to church since. Early release for time served! Anyway, I think you’re handling things very well. I didn’t have the internet or anyone to talk to back then. I had uncontrollable bad memories come into my head and frequent nightmares about the place well into my 30’s. I realize now that those people at BJU don’t really have much to do at all with Jesus. It’s all okay because they only act that way because they don’t know any better. Now, I just feel sorry for them. In time, maybe you’ll feel the same way. Keep writing the blog. I’ll bet it helps.

]]> By: Tom http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/comment-page-1/#comment-75526 Tom Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:27:48 +0000 http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/16/ebenezer-the-resignation/#comment-75526 I'm a former BJU student and am familiar with both you and your husband from when I was there years ago. I didn't realize that you two were no longer with BJU, but I want you to know that reading through your blog/testimony here has been an incredible encouragement to my heart. God bless your family for opening your heart to His voice and direction. WOW, so glad I came across this site. I’m a former BJU student and am familiar with both you and your husband from when I was there years ago. I didn’t realize that you two were no longer with BJU, but I want you to know that reading through your blog/testimony here has been an incredible encouragement to my heart. God bless your family for opening your heart to His voice and direction.
WOW, so glad I came across this site.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/comment-page-1/#comment-65462 Kathy Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:48:58 +0000 http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/16/ebenezer-the-resignation/#comment-65462 Reading and thankful that God was taking care of you throughout this journey. Reading and thankful that God was taking care of you throughout this journey.

]]> By: Dan Keller http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/comment-page-1/#comment-65361 Dan Keller Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:27:49 +0000 http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/16/ebenezer-the-resignation/#comment-65361 Thank you for sharing your story with us. I remember thinking, right before I left, "If that's Christianity, they can have it." I was truly in shock when I matriculated to a small, United Methodist, liberal arts college and found more true Christianity there than at BJU. When I then transferred to a state school, I found even more evidence of true Christianity. What I experienced at both North Carolina Wesleyan College and Appalachian State University was a Christianity that developed a nurturing and caring side and was not dependent on archaic rules and dress codes. Imagine a world where people want others to SEE Christ in their lives. And, just think, you can wear jeans, go to movies, have long hair (for the guys) and listen to rock music. The people I encountered were full of grace. There's a great line in the movie CHAPLIN, where Chaplin tells Douglas Fairbanks that the USA, "...is a good country underneath." Fairbanks replies, "No, it's a good country on top." That's how I feel about most of fundamentalist Christianity - it's good on the surface. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I remember thinking, right before I left, “If that’s Christianity, they can have it.” I was truly in shock when I matriculated to a small, United Methodist, liberal arts college and found more true Christianity there than at BJU. When I then transferred to a state school, I found even more evidence of true Christianity. What I experienced at both North Carolina Wesleyan College and Appalachian State University was a Christianity that developed a nurturing and caring side and was not dependent on archaic rules and dress codes.

Imagine a world where people want others to SEE Christ in their lives. And, just think, you can wear jeans, go to movies, have long hair (for the guys) and listen to rock music. The people I encountered were full of grace.

There’s a great line in the movie CHAPLIN, where Chaplin tells Douglas Fairbanks that the USA, “…is a good country underneath.” Fairbanks replies, “No, it’s a good country on top.” That’s how I feel about most of fundamentalist Christianity – it’s good on the surface.

]]> By: thatmom http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/comment-page-1/#comment-65358 thatmom Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:06:39 +0000 http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/16/ebenezer-the-resignation/#comment-65358 Hi Camille, I wanted you to know that you have been "tagged" and I hope you have many more readers of this important series. The spiritual abuse is rampant and God's grace needs to be proclaimed in the midst of it! Karen http://thatmom.wordpress.com/2008/03/18/a-thumbnail-sketch-of-me/ Hi Camille,

I wanted you to know that you have been “tagged” and I hope you have many more readers of this important series. The spiritual abuse is rampant and God’s grace needs to be proclaimed in the midst of it!

Karen
http://thatmom.wordpress.com/2008/03/18/a-thumbnail-sketch-of-me/

]]> By: Jeri Massi http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/comment-page-1/#comment-65351 Jeri Massi Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:42:37 +0000 http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/16/ebenezer-the-resignation/#comment-65351 Great point, carey, and very true. Great point, carey, and very true.

]]> By: carey http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/comment-page-1/#comment-65349 carey Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:14:51 +0000 http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/16/ebenezer-the-resignation/#comment-65349 I noticed over my years at BJU that they expect more loyalty from faculty and students than they are willing to show in return. Your hesitation to resign and your willingness to comply with their demands are evidence of your commitment. Clearly, that commitment was not reciprocated. In contrast, God has demonstrated himself faithful and gracious when you and Grant were battered by a disloyal and graceless system. I noticed over my years at BJU that they expect more loyalty from faculty and students than they are willing to show in return. Your hesitation to resign and your willingness to comply with their demands are evidence of your commitment. Clearly, that commitment was not reciprocated.
In contrast, God has demonstrated himself faithful and gracious when you and Grant were battered by a disloyal and graceless system.

]]> By: Hannah http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/comment-page-1/#comment-65343 Hannah Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:49:58 +0000 http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/16/ebenezer-the-resignation/#comment-65343 Isn't it amazing? God provides so much and we usually don't even notice, but in times like these, His Ways really shine! I remember when I was fired from the same institution--within a month, I had a job offer at Barnes and Noble (doing what I loved--working with books!). THEY called ME, too! I hadn't even remembered that I'd submitted an application for employment almost a year before, but God knew, and God worked, and God provided. I got promoted almost right away, too, and I ended up making way more than I had at BJU (which was good, because for a poor young married couple just starting out, any extra money is extra food on the table!). And again, when I was ready for a change but not sure I'd be able to find a job I liked that was close to home, God was already there. The same day I put in my notice at B&N, I had an offer from Crossway, the branch right across the street from our apartment complex. And THEY promoted me and gave me a raise almost right away, too! How amazing is that? Lord, it's too much! Seriously, never in my wildest dreams would I have even asked for that for myself--it was too good to be true. But that's how He works. Over and above what we ask or think--those are His blessings! Isn't it just amazing that Grace aboundes, even after our salvation is secured? Because, really, He could have just stopped right there, saved us, and had done with it. But no, He continues to bless us and treat us as His own kids! Now, THAT'S amazing! THAT'S Grace. Isn’t it amazing? God provides so much and we usually don’t even notice, but in times like these, His Ways really shine! I remember when I was fired from the same institution–within a month, I had a job offer at Barnes and Noble (doing what I loved–working with books!). THEY called ME, too! I hadn’t even remembered that I’d submitted an application for employment almost a year before, but God knew, and God worked, and God provided. I got promoted almost right away, too, and I ended up making way more than I had at BJU (which was good, because for a poor young married couple just starting out, any extra money is extra food on the table!).

And again, when I was ready for a change but not sure I’d be able to find a job I liked that was close to home, God was already there. The same day I put in my notice at B&N, I had an offer from Crossway, the branch right across the street from our apartment complex. And THEY promoted me and gave me a raise almost right away, too! How amazing is that? Lord, it’s too much! Seriously, never in my wildest dreams would I have even asked for that for myself–it was too good to be true. But that’s how He works. Over and above what we ask or think–those are His blessings!

Isn’t it just amazing that Grace aboundes, even after our salvation is secured? Because, really, He could have just stopped right there, saved us, and had done with it. But no, He continues to bless us and treat us as His own kids! Now, THAT’S amazing! THAT’S Grace.

]]> By: cklewis http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/ebenezer-the-resignation/comment-page-1/#comment-65340 cklewis Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:57:24 +0000 http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2008/03/16/ebenezer-the-resignation/#comment-65340 Hey, Jason!! Keep reading for more proof of that, but I think it's been refreshing for us both to see that God was there at every step -- from burying our child to pushing us out the door of a ministry we were fully committed to. This whole series <b>is</b> that focus! :-D I just can't stop smiling about it. But stay tuned! Hey, Jason!! Keep reading for more proof of that, but I think it’s been refreshing for us both to see that God was there at every step — from burying our child to pushing us out the door of a ministry we were fully committed to. This whole series is that focus! :-D I just can’t stop smiling about it.

But stay tuned!

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