The Only Ones Going To Heaven

I was born into the Church of Christ, so to speak.  My family were  faithful members of the Sansom Avenue church of Christ in Gadsden, Alabama.  I attended various other congregations of the church of Christ well into my forties.  I guess it took me that long to study my way out and evolve, religiously speaking. 

I’m going to give you my two religious world views based on my earlier years and those of today.  In my youth I learned that members of the church of Christ were the only ones going to heaven.  I was told the church had the true message of Holy Scriptures and we were the “ark” of the world.  Everyone else needed to come to us to be saved.  Members of the church didn’t consider themselves a denomination.  The argument was that we were not part of the church, we were the TRUE church of Jesus Christ.  Supposedly, our correct interpretation of scripture had moved us, not to the number one position, but the only position!

We were the only religious body who sang acapella (voice only), took the Lord’s Supper EVERY Sunday, and most importantly, the only religious entity that believed a person was saved at baptism.  That baptism had to be a complete immersion in water too, or it didn’t count.  If you were traveling on your way to be baptized, had a heart attack and died, you weren’t saved either!  Intention didn’t count in the eyes of most preachers. 

We supposedly had the only proper scriptural organization as well.  There were Elders, who shepherded over the flock, and Deacons, who served the church in whatever capacity the elders required.  In reality, the Elders served as super-deacons.  I rarely saw them so concerned over non-attendees that they went out to urge their return.  Those lost sheep might get a “withdrawal” letter but little else.  As “those who watch over your soul” the elders actually were more of a “those who watch over your money”!

Deep down, I always had questions, but relied on the pat scriptural answers given me by the village elders/teachers/members.  Gradually, those answers just didn’t work any more.  I suppose the tipping point came after having children and joining a support group of homeschooling families.  I was very impressed with the religious attitudes of people who, in my earlier years, I would have said were lost. 

After visiting a few Baptist churches, my perspectives completely rolled upside down.  I heard the same scriptures but with different interpretations.  I heard a focus on grace and love.  I learned the importance of a belief in Jesus and that anyone dying on their way to be baptized, was okay!  I also learned of the security of a believer in Jesus.  God wasn’t angry all the time and that we don’t bounce from saved to sinner with one unprayed “forgive me for that one”.

Today, I worship at Church of the Highlands, a multi-campus mega-church.  It is the largest church in Alabama and incidentally, have a group which meets in Gadsden, my old hometown.  We attended that campus recently and the auditorium was packed!  In contrast, many of the churches of Christ I had previously attended were “out of business”.  I guess many of the others woke up too!

If you still attend a church of Christ, I urge you to break free.  Those chains come off easily and you’ll never regret leaving.  You can enjoy worship and absolutely NOT go to hell for it.  Highlands is also online, as are many other churches.  Freedom is awesome!

My Sister Died Today

I originally published this on 11/9/2017 and added four other chapters during the following days, as I dug for information.  The story was too lengthy, so I’ve condensed it down to the bare bones.  All of the facts in the matter were turned over to detectives in the Gadsden Police Department.  Enjoy your read, and remember to check on your elderly family members!

This is a sad story.  My sister, Judy Gail Bynum, who was 76 years old, died today about 7AM.  She was alone.

A short obituary appeared in the Gadsden Times on 11-17-2017.  

Judy Gail Bynum, 76, passed away Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017.
A memorial servicewill be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Rainbow Church of Christ(where she had not attended in several years), with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Judy was born on Sept. 29, 1941, in Alabama City to Ellis Benson Bynum and Germaine Cox Bynum.
Judy is survived by her daughter, Ann (Chris) Mikle; grandchildren, Clay, Sara and Colt Mikle; brothers, Richard (Sybil) Bynum, David (Judy) Bynum; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. 


Judy was very independent and in good health the last time I talked to her.  She received a little over $600/mo from Social Security and often needed a little help.  She supplemented her income by working as hostess at Jack's restaurant on Rainbow Dr. in Gadsden, Alabama.  I know she had many friends there from talking to the employees.   We lived a little over an hour apart but didn't communicate much, usually only when she needed some help, and that wasn't often.  I probably helped her financially only about four times in the last five years.  She hadn't called in about a year.  Being busy with my own projects, I assumed everything was fine.

Judy met another woman, a Ms. Dickerson who lived at the Holy Comforter House in Gadsden.  She was convinced to sell most of her items and relocate to Gainesville, Georgia with this new acquaintance.  She told no one in her immediate family, and they did not look for her.  Their last contact with her was December of 2014.  The move to Georgia was in March of 2016.

Upon my discovery of Judy’s absence in October of 2017, I began my search.  Every forwarding address the two ladies left turned out to be fake.  When I checked with the people she worked with at Jack’s, the story began to unfold.  Her present location came from her previous manager.  Judy had called her for help about a month ago.  She said that her former friend had taken all she had and nearly allowed her to die.  She had been placed in a nursing home, in Hayesville, North Carolina.   She wanted to get home and asked the manager to search for me, but gave my residence as being in a town from ten years ago.  The manager obviously couldn’t locate me, but took Judy’s return number if she did.   

I managed to get the number on the day of her death.  I called the Clay County Care Center around 10AM only to discover that Judy passed away that morning.  I contacted Ivey Funeral Home in Hayesville and gave them the family contact numbers they needed.

Because of HIPPA laws I was unable to obtain much information about Judy’s health problems or how she ended up at the care center.  My impression was that it was a hospice situation.  Her only listed emergency contact information was an alias of Ms. (Linda) Dickerson at a disconnected number.

I believe my sister was the victim of elder abuse.  The National Center of Elder Abuse defines elder abuse as "any knowing, intended or careless act that causes harm or serious risk of harm to an older person - physically, mentally, emotionally, or financially."  Wikipedia defines it as "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person."  There is a long list of manifestations including: 
Physical - hitting, restraining, false imprisonment, withholding needed medication or giving excessive medication
Emotional - using a technique to coerce an older person into a particular action
Sexual - forcing a person to take part in any sexual activity without their consent
Neglect - depriving a person of proper care or services.    
Financial Abuse - or financial exploitation.  It is misappropriation of financial resources for the benefit of the abuser.
Abandonment - deserting a dependent person with the intent to endanger their health or welfare.

President Obama, in 2010, signed into law the Elder Justice Act as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
In 2013, Title 38 was signed into law in Alabama.  Chapter 9E is the Protecting Alabama's Elders Act which defines elder abuse and neglect in the first, second, and third degrees.  Financial exploitation of an elderly person is listed as well in the first, second, and third degrees.  Section 38-9E-10 also states, "Any person or entity acting pursuant to this chapter in reporting or investigation any report of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an elderly person... shall be immune from any civil liability that might otherwise be incurred"

This means, if you believe elder abuse has taken place do not be afraid to report it! A national institute of Justice study showed that nearly 11% of Americans 60 years of age and older faced some type of elder abuse in the past 12 months.  Another sad statistic is that over 80% of elder abuse goes unreported and in most instances it results in a shorter lifespan!  A good resource is the NCEA - National Center on Elder Abuse.  Their website has excellent training material.  A good example is The Red Flags of Elder Abuse .

While speaking to many of Judy’s friends at the Holy Comforter, they relayed how they encouraged Judy not to move away.  They warned Judy of her new friend and watched helplessly as their warnings materialized. 

I know justice will eventually be served in this case.  Elder abuse is a sin, and God is the ultimate judge!  Criminals who exploit and abuse those who are vulnerable will have their part in the lake, which burns with fire and brimstone!

No one in our society should be disposable.  Every life matters, no matter the life they’ve lived!  Check on your elderly family members & friends often.  Look for signs of abuse and report it to the authorities.

"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Timothy 5:8