It’s time for us to move on. This work is important, and I haven’t had the time for quite a while to give this site the attention it deserves. Fortunately, Protestant Knight has chosen to pick up where we left off, and take this site to the next level. Long time regulars here already know and love him. If you’re a recent guest, you’ll grow to love him. I didn’t start this blog to give it away to just anyone with a pulse. PK showed up as a commenter, and I was so impressed with what he had to say that after some very long phone conversations, I asked him to be a guest host. The time has come for him to grab the reins.
Many of you have trusted us. Please transfer that trust to PK, as he is trustworthy.
I suppose I should make some type of final statement.
Sovereign Grace Ministries:
Please preach the entire Gospel. Christ’s Resurrection is not just for Easter.
I agree with your interpretation of Romans 7. Please no longer park there, but include Romans 6 & Romans 8. Please show your audience the entire picture of who they are in Christ. Turn the page. Show your audience their true identity in Him.
Please join the practice of the universal church and adopt an accepted form of government. Your current form is completely heterodox. You have placed yourselves on the outer fringe of orthodox Christianity. You stand alone. I’ve never referred to you as a cult, but I can understand why others have. Stop playing word games, join the mainstream, and clearly define yourselves.
Men of SGM-be men. If you can turn a blind eye to the Esthers, the Noels, and the Happy Moms, among the many others, with your bogus “but my church isn’t like that” you’re not a man. Your tithe keeps SGM in business. You bankrolled what happened to them. And by the way, you don’t need a mediator. You are a priest, with direct access to The High Priest. Be who God made you to be.
If any of our guests (posters or readers) ever want to talk, we can no longer be reached at the sgmrefuge.com email addresses. Sgmrefuge@gmail.com is no longer the inbox for the blog, but we’ll hang on to it. You can reach us there, or at our personal email accounts, if you know them.
I’m not sure if I’ll comment again, so this might be goodbye. Maybe life will change and I’ll have time to jump on and comment, but again, this is now PK’s blog. Everything has been transferred to him. Please pray for him.
Please don’t read anything into this decision, as it’s strictly a time issue. “They” didn’t get to me, and there’s still plenty of fight left in the dog. I just can’t do this justice, and PK will do a far better job than me. He’s smarter than me, more articulate, and knows SGM better than I do.
I’ve enjoyed this blog and honestly think it’s what God wanted me to do. I’ll miss our regulars deeply, but won’t name names, as I’ll leave someone out.
May you enjoy His Grace and Peace,
Jim
I have grown to know and love all of you here! You have all touched my heart in many ways. I will miss you all so much! Even though it is time for Jim and I to move on, I know that I will be visiting here often and putting in my .02. 
(Ladies, you can reach me at blowndandelions@gmail.com)
As Jim has said, Protestant Knight will do a phenomenal job here at The Refuge, of that I have no doubt. Knowing that PK is here, picking up and moving forward, makes it easier to say goodbye and to venture into other areas God is calling us to.We are leaving you all in God’s hands and in PK’s… a great combination!!
So, as we leave, I want to express much love and appreciation for all of you, for embracing Jim and I, for making us a part of your lives, for trusting us and opening up your lives to us… God has been very, very kind to us!
Carole
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Jim and Carole,
I haven’t know you for very long, but I have appreciated your efforts on this blog. Thanks for carrying the torch of truth for a time and for handing it off to someone who is highly qualified.
May God richly bless both of you as you follow God’s lead to another ministry. I won’t forget what you’ve done to help the downtrodden in SGM.
Blessings,
Wanda
It’s been a great time “knowing” you both. We’ll be here to help PK out in any way he needs. Hang tough and let us know how you’re doing every now and then
Guy (and Kris)
Jim & Carole
We will certainly miss you.
Thanks for setting this blog up. I am sure PK will do well.
Thanks again.
Steve
Aw, Jim and Carole. You will be sorely missed. I have come to consider you my friends and intend to continue that off the blog! Thank you for all you have done here. You have spoken truth when it was not pleasant to do so. And you have created a refuge that allows the redemption of the Lord to take place in the lives of many hurting brothers and sisters. What a beautiful thing. I love you guys!
PK,
You have already shown yourself to be trustworthy. We are very glad you are taking charge. Blessings! You are in our prayers.
Jim & Carole,
Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into this blog! It has truly been a God send for me as I begin this new journey
I pray that God would bless you as He leads you down a new path.
Thanks again!
Bethany
Jim and Carole,
Hope this isn’t “goodbye”. Carole, I’ll see you on BD. You guys have been so great! Thanks for everything. This peep has tears in her eyes…
Hey Jim,
There are not alot of men around these parts that are willing to speak up when they know something is wrong. I have alot of respect for you. Thank You.
Thanks, Jim.
Something tells me our paths and stories are intended to cross again, despite our brief introduction.
Keep caring about the big things that matter most.
Enjoy Him.
By way of reminder, and lest anyone feel discouraged by Jim and Carole’s departure (or encouraged if you are an SGMer), SGM will continue their attack on free speech, free thinking, and free and open discussion, and they might even ramp up their assaults over the coming year. Maybe some might view Jim and Carole’s departure as a victory or an answer to prayer. It’s not. As long as there are authentic Christians who understand what Jesus Christ taught, SGM will have their detractors. If Jesus and the Apostle Paul were right, then SGM is wrong. Who do you say Jesus is? If your Jesus is not the Jesus of SGM, then you’re on the right road! Keep on truckin’!
Thanks Jim and Carole for providing a place for people to speak out against SGM. It was the right thing to do. Blessings!
With tears in my eyes, I bid you, Jim and Carole, adieu.
I can only imagine the hours of love you’ve poured into people’s lives through this blog (on and off blog). I can only imagine the people you’ve helped and the people who have started on a healing journey because of the time and effort you’ve poured into their lives via this blog.
And what of the people who read and don’t post or write to you? How many of these silent folk have been helped?
Well done, indeed!
And well done leaving this blog in such capable hands as PK! It takes men to speak the truth in the midst of bullies. Jim and PK, such men are you. Thank you.
With hope,
R.
Jim and Carole – you know me pretty well, so you know what I’m not saying right now. This isn’t goodbye, but a moving forward and I am excited. Carole, I will see you on dandelions – which is becoming more precious to me and others by the day! Totally a God-thing.
PK – I look forward to the Lord’s equipping of you and am excited at the progression. I will be praying for you and your wife..
Jim, it says a lot about a man who is willing to follow the Lord and not take all that this blog has been as “yours” and something that feeds your ego, sense of purpose, whatever. Your willingness to hand over control to PK shows you are a REAL MAN with an identity in CHRIST..not a blog, not a cause, not an organization. I know the Lord will honor your decision and bless you and Carole tremendously.
Jim, thanks for being the first example of a REAL MAN I’ve seen in a long time. Thank you thank you thank you…from all the women like me who have forgotten what they looked like.
Jim and Carole:
I’ll probably one-up everyone here by submitting my goodbyes in a post of its own, but I wanted to do so here as well. While it certainly isn’t goodbye for our friendship, you both will be heartbreakingly missed in this blog.
Your trademark “be released,” seems both appropriate yet inept, and a simple “goodbye” is definitely inept.
Thank you for having faith in me to take the reins here, for believing I want to participate and help ignite reform in SGM and not burn it down; for sharing my desire that God invade our churches rather than man’s machinations. Your example of how to handle Matthew 18 (when the tables are turned and you are calling on a leader to return to a path of righteousness) is a testimony to me in so many ways, I can’t even describe it.
What takes me three pages to say takes you one sentence. Thank you for helping me see that the Gospel doesn’t need to be complex; it is simply the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension and return of our Savior so that God may call us to Himself. You’ve always seen God the Father as His holiness, God the Son as His mercy, and God the Holy Spirit as His power.
Thank you for helping me re-awaken to the fact that the Church is global.
Love you both,
-Protestant Knight
Dear Jim and Carole,
It is with great sadness in my heart that I write this post to you but also with great joy and celebration for you! Sadness for me and all those who have benefited so much and been so blessed by your love and care for them and your great love for Jesus Christ and His truth. Your desire to obey God all these months with this blog as well as your desire to see God’s people set free has touched so many. We have especially been encouraged by you both and this blog as there are so many who see the same things as we have come to see them. Thank you for obeying God and being faithful to be His hands and feet on this earth.
May God bless you as you continue to walk in freedom and truth. We love you and will truly miss you. You both did a wonderful job operating this blog!
You guys are the greatest! Thanks for the countless hours and no doubt tears you’ve spent on this ministry. Many blessings as you move on in the freedom Christ set us free for! He must have amazing plans for you both!
Jim and Carole,
Thank you for not asking too many questions, deleting my posts when I had doubts and for helping some of my dear friends. I’m sure God has used this blog to help you heal your disappointment and grow you in truth. I sense it. I pray God continues to do a good work in you. Thank you for your time in serving here as you’ve helped some with seriously debilitating wounds.
This quote from PK is the nicest thing I think anyone could say: ”Thank you for helping me see that the Gospel doesn’t need to be complex; it is simply the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension and return of our Savior so that God may call us to Himself. You’ve always seen God the Father as His holiness, God the Son as His mercy, and God the Holy Spirit as His power.
Peace and Blessings
Jim and Carole, thank you and God bless you.
Jim & Carole,
You will be missed.
Thank you…
Carole…see you at BD!
Time for a pop-quiz……………
Jim and Carole ……
A) Are a great inspiration to us all
B) Reflect the love and compassion of Christ
C) Cheered us on and made us feel better
D) Sought the truth
E) Exposed the works of darkness
F) All of the above
If you answered F………….. you get an A and go to the head of the class to join Jim and Carole who are already there!
Jim and Carole – Thanks for all the hard work!!!!!!!!!! Keep in touch!!!!
Jim and carole–God’s blessings to both of you! As a reader who discovered your site starting with the Esther story, I have appreciated your wisdom, unlimited supply of patience!! and heart for the body of Christ shown to us former SG’ers, and to those still in SGM.
Quizzler,
Loved the pop quiz! Very clever, and I got the right answer!
Thank you, everyone, for your very kind words!
Jim and I love you all so very much and you continue in our hearts and in our prayers.
PK, I’m so excited to see the “new and improved” SGM Refuge and Reform blog! God’s wisdom always amaze me, and your taking over the blog amazes me even more… His timing is perfect and His plans for this blog, through you, bring much faith!
I know that you are the guy He is using to move forward in this endeavor of healing, change, and HOPE! Praying for you (and your dear wife!), dear brother!
Carole:
I’m not sure it’s very “new” and it’s definitely not “improved” over the foundation of you and Jim; thank you for the gracious compliment anyway.
Your prayers are deeply heartfelt by me and the Dame.
~pk
Jim and Carole-
I’ve been away a couple days and now see your farewell. I just want to say thank you for creating this space and for all the time and tears you put into this site. I’ve never met you-but I hold you in my heart for putting up with us refugees and our stuff.
Much love in him-Musicman
Well, I was planning on a 2 week blog-fast, but couldn’t make it that long.
Thank you to everyone for your kind remarks.
Jim:
Good to see you, my friend. My eyebrows and hair are still intact (I know, you’re thinking, give it time).
We’re hammering the polity nail again, per your “final wish.”
~pk