Too many rumors Too many questions Too many searching For too many answers If only they knew where to look They would find... Great author you are.

Shari, I just finished your book, and I LOVED it. What a story! In your preface, you ask why anyone would want to read your book, and I can tell you why I wanted to read it, if it helps. Obviously, part of me wanted to read it because I see you, and if you actually wrote a book about your life I am nosey enough to want to know what you have to say. The other reason was the subject matter. I have always heard of religious cults. I never knew how anyone could be involved in a religious cult unless they were born into one. I even wondered why it would be so hard to get out of one, but of course you answered that question very clearly. As I was getting into the book, I saw your purpose was not to sensationalize, but to help others and spread the true gospel. The things you endured were amazing. You touched on so many things that I have always wanted to know myself. My FAVORITE line in the book was when you talked about the hair thing. I always wanted to know why women would go to all of that trouble to grow their hair, only to pile it on top! I asked some Pentecostal girls in high school about that, and they said it was to wash the feet of Jesus, and not to be sexy for other men. I could go on, but really am happy that you overcame such an ordeal. What you did was show that when we worship, we should worship Christ, not men. I would tell Oprah my story if I were you. I could even see this as a movie! Who would you like to be cast as "you"? FYI , I led Sunday school Bible study yesterday and it kind of went along the lines of what you were saying. False testimony, etc. I felt I was prepared after reading your book. I told them about your book.

just read the intoduction to your book and your closing letter. sounds interesting. i plan to read read every page! i praise god he made a way for u to complete the book with victory. because there is always victory in jesus christ. he only died once on that cross, not over and over again as we failed every day trying to reach perfection/yes that was what we were taught. i remember feeling so many days of guilt as i tried so hard to be perfect, but kept failing every day over something. still have trouble with that message. now , i look at all the good things about me that i have in my life becauses of jesus christ. no one else! i do try to be a good christian and i am striving still. but i put my life in gods hands, no others. he is my judge. i know he lloves me! god bless u, shari for sharing your testimony!

Sherie, I have mostly heard this: "Even if it's the truth, why does she have to tell it?" Most of the criticism has been that I should have walked away silently. If someone actually reads it, there is little chance they can get through the book without feeling my heart. But if they choose not to read it for themselves and still offer criticism, their criticism is not relevant to me. The book is my life and testimony. I was careful not to judge anyone's heart and I made an effort to protect the privacy of individuals not in leadership positions. I wrote in love and not in malice. I prayed that if the book would not glorify God and be a tool He could use to help others, that He would block my efforts and show me it was not His will. I shed many tears in the process and experienced anxiety over various people's reactions. God knows the sincerity of my heart. I would have been extremely sensitive to any indication that He was answering that prayer. Yet I never experienced one obstacle. To the contrary, it amazed me how many doors just opened. Now that the book is in print and I have received feedback from many readers, I don't have any remaining anxiety or doubts. I truly believe I have done the right thing by sharing my testimony. I know my story has helped other people. And it's helped me to finally have closure. I believe God used this book to further deliver me from my own spiritual bondage. I knew there would be those who would perceive me as doing this with a wrong motive. It has never been in my heart to hurt or harm people. And when someone takes a jab at me personally, it does still hurt. I care what people think of me. But I am no longer controlled by what they think of me. Only God could have done that for me, and writing the book was a part of that process. I'm free and I know I'm free to share my testimony. I hope this answers your question and helps you to find a more complete freedom in your journey as well.

Shari, I know that both through your online posts and your book you have received feedback that you should not have spoken out. Have you been told you are "spreading discord"? My past church is charging me with that and it leaves me feeling like I can't even tell my story or it will be proof that I have a heart of disunity. I feel like I have nothing to hide and even if I have done things that are sinful and wrong I would like to have others point that out because so far I can't see what I did wrong. I know that abusers can try to trap the victims into silence, but God's word also tells us to walk in unity and not cause discord. I'm just wondering how you have worked through this and what counsel you have received from others. Thank you for your book. It has helped me on my journey over the last months after being excommunicated from a church without clear answers about why. I too have experienced that false gospel and have now found the truth and it is life changing. Thanks, Sherie