I finished your book, and oh, my, how powerful!! Thank you so much! I know that God meant for you to tell your story, and I pray that many who need to read it will find it and be changed by it. Really, I think ALL Christians should read it. It was so powerful for me; even tho I have been in a "main-line" denomination all my life, your story made me love and appreciate Jesus and his grace all the more. It made me realize that it is so easy to take what we have for granted, (perish the thought) because it's what we've always known. I don't EVER want to do that! Anyway, after reading your book, what you shared with us the first day you came to our group hit home even more; that after all those years of oppression, God set you free. You have gone through so much in your life! Yet you are a strong woman, Shari! A very strong woman! Your story is evidence to that!

our ministry has been standing for the truth of the Gospel, doing what we can to bring healing to people broken by religious abuse, and sharing the Gospel truth with those who oppose it by their own false religion. I just found your blog this morning and hope to soon get your book. As a resident of Cleveland, TN since 1986, I'm all too familiar with the kind of trauma and authoritarian manipulation you have been speaking of .. that's why my ears pricked up when I read this. For although the theology may differ among a dozen different abusive sects, the tragic human element is the same .. and the abuses are beyond belief.

Hallelujah! The gospel is true!

The dream that comes to my mind (resembling your description of my testimony) is a dream I had when I was in my twenties. It was quite vivid; that Jesus had come, He did not take me with Him and it was my fault. I actually had dreams like this more than once, but I do remember testifying about this one. It was very emotional. Since I was taught from a young age that only Christians who were living perfect, sinless lives at the time of Jesus' return would go with Him when He returned, this was a deeply rooted fear of mine beginning in childhood, and I addressed that in my book. I believed that even though my faith was in Jesus and I was trying to live for Him the best I could, I could still be eternally lost if I did not reach literal perfection. Today, I believe I had that dream because of fear. I do not believe God gave me that dream. We are told not to fear (in the Bible) more than any other command. I believe that dream was a product of the fear that was instilled in me as a child. What I believe today is that salvation is from God and is not something I can earn or be worthy of based on my own achievements. I am saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; His shed blood, His death on the cross, His resurrection. To people who grew up as I did, I understand that my belief in salvation through faith and grace as opposed to merit sounds like I believe I do nothing. That is not what I believe. I believe that obedience is the most convincing evidence of my faith. But I could never obey well enough to deserve the eternal life that was secured for me by Jesus. And I no longer fear not being good enough to "make it." Thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer your question.

Shari, I've know you a long time but at this time I choose to not reveal myself. The dream you testified about in chino about not making it has got me puzzled. Your testimony was powerful. If I remember right it was something about you going back to retrieve some personal belongings and time ran out, Jesus had come. It appears that your belief now is that there is nothing you could do or not do ever to miss it. If that's true, do you believe that dream was from the Lord or not? You definitely did then.