manipulation

Head shot of abused woman partly turned from camera with her face in her hands. Large, disembodied hands are about to grab her head. Drawings of arrows depict more abuse coming at her from all sides.

Illusionists! The abusers we have not seen

Post published:August 17, 2023
Post category:Healing from Toxic Church
Post last modified:June 17, 2024

Some illusionists fool us to amuse us. Abusers and abusive systems fool us to control us. Freedom and life hinge on seeing the illusionists we have not seen.

The face of the betrayed: wilted sunflower "face" seen through shattered glass

Treachery and divorce: When God sees betrayal

Post published:June 15, 2023
Post category:Healing from Toxic Church
Post last modified:April 29, 2024

If you have been betrayed by a spouse: The God who sees you has been there. And as Malachi 2 tells us: The Lord hates treachery. The Lord defends the betrayed.

Seen through raindrops on glass, a hazy view of a weak sun in a sky full of gray clouds. Also hazy: the black silhouette of dark, hilly, overgrown terrain with what appears to be a church steeple rising behind it.

Witchcraft in the church

Post published:September 16, 2022
Post category:Healing from Toxic Church
Post last modified:June 23, 2024

In the church, those obsessed with manipulating, intimidating and dominating can pose as those serving God. And we can be very fooled for a very long time.

Brown magician's wand, with white tip, in the midst of sparkling white light on a black background. A white halo of light behind the wand's tip helps the magician focus attention where he will.

Masters of misdirection

Post published:May 31, 2019
Post category:From: The Elijah Blessing
Post last modified:March 13, 2024

Masters of misdirection spend their lives using anyone, everyone, to get whatever they want. They do it so subtly, so skillfully, that the exploited ones usually do not know they’re being used.