Not euthanasia... but same result!!
- tom lyons
- Aug 7, 2019
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 4, 2024

Though not terminally ill, when my mother needed acute care, my father, Vernon Lyons, deceptively took away all professional medical care resulting in her death by stroke 12 days later. He’s a pastor! Fellow pastors and deacons have defended it as acceptable!
Note: deceptively, because he led people to believe there was proper care being given after he brought her home. But, in fact, he had cut off communication with her Dr. and had no nurse monitoring her pro time, though she was on a blood thinner.
When an unauthorized nurse, member of the church, came to do an 8 day delayed pro-time/INR it revealed an emergency level that could cause a stroke. Still no doctor was called and the next day she showed symptoms of a stroke. She died 3 days later.
While his wife is bedridden at home, Pastor Lyons continued all his responsibilities of administration, teaching and preaching. Even after it was obvious she only had days to live, he spent no time at her bedside. He acted as if she was already gone. The day after she died he went on to teach his class and preach two sermons.
Euthanasia is not just an act,
it’s a mentality, one that grows from a productivity value system; not from a heart that sees Jesus in the face of the needy.
link to “Questions for My Dad”
My young family became members of Ashburn in the early 90s. I grew up in church, but it was a new experience for my spouse. I saw red flags early on and warned my husband to no avail. I unfortunately viewed VCL more as a dictator than a shepherd, the church more a Brand than a sanctuary. I stayed because of the fellowship with other members and as a young mom, I grew under some phenomenal women... including your mother. I also looked to BP for spiritual guidance. When our marriage faced difficulties (abuse) and I attended less, I was voted out of membership. Sadly, VCL never demonstrated love or compassion. I felt Ashburn was dangerously close to a cult…
Sorry for the technical challenges with the website. I’m just thankful they let me hang here for free. 🙂
It has been sure hard to figure out this website.
I would also be appreciative of information from you as to the events of your dad no longer being pastor, Sam no longer at Ashburn and Charles no longer being a pastor. Don't know if Sam is a pastor anywhere. If you don't feel like getting in to this, then I understand.
It was very obvious to me that you were writing this for yourself and as you say bring a positive result -- repentance. But I also think you are grieving. This is an excellent blog that shows your mind, your heart, and your emotions. I very much doubt that you will ever get your father to repent and I doubt you will convince any of your family members. People see what they want to see and believe. I think forgiveness is letting go for what you will never get. Your father is very emotionally distant and I don't know if he has ever repented over anything he has ever done. It is not to me to judge. I …