Are you getting a little tired of people pulling out scripture to entrap you, tell you how wrong you are, and get you to change? I am! When people use scripture as a weapon, they’re using it wrong. To use the Bible correctly is to seek its overarching message: restoration, healing, hope, love, promise. Every time it is used, it should be used in a way that matches the heart of God. If it is not, it is being abused.... Read more
My beloveds, I want to express my heart to you. We had the idea for a National Parents Coming Out Day, but we have changed our plans and in the process, learned what it means to truly “come out” for your LGBTQ child. Our work and our heart’s desire is to free the hearts of parents to stand up, make their voices heard, and to make an impact in their communities, churches, and families. Our vision was for great numbers... Read more
I’m writing with a heavy heart about our family, the family I grew up in, which no longer accepts me. It’s so strange, this outside looking in. I’d never really considered that to be a possibility, that our family is negotiable—you can be born in it, but that doesn’t secure your place. What’s more, I don’t expect you to change. Apparently, the preachers in your church and on TBN have more clout with you than I do—even though I’ve lived... Read more
You have undoubtedly endured some intense pain from which you may not have fully recovered. You’ve endured more rejection, dehumanization and hate than most of us realize. Worst of all, the majority of this torment has come from people closest to you: church, friends, family. For those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, there are three areas that need to be healed in order to let your true colors, the truth and beauty of the real you,... Read more
Christians, shouldn’t you be rejoicing that people – who just so happen to be gay – want to embrace an institution that has been under attack in so many ways? The ease and acceptance no-fault divorce. Is it protection of the family and the institution of marriage to make it so quick and easy to dissolve? The granting of annulments after decades of marriage. Is it protection of the family and the institution of marriage to just declare that it... Read more
When you hear Cyndi Lauper leaning into the microphone and practically shouting the chorus to “True Colors” you know why her song raced to #1 on the Billboard Charts. “I see your true colors shining through. I see your true colors shining through, and that’s why I love you.” Now let’s hope that Susan Cottrell’s new book, True Colors: Celebrating the Truth and Beauty of the Real You, races to the top of the Bestseller Lists. Why? Because Susan, the... Read more
“I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.” Pope Francis I love this Pope. Love him. Because he loves God and loves people—the Christian’s prime directive. Because he serves people—the call of the Christian. Because he sacrifices his own privilege and comfort for the underprivileged and uncomfortable. I want to talk to you... Read more
I wish you could see yourself as the true and loving God sees you. I wish you could, for just a moment, see yourself through those eyes. Because you would see yourself as lovely, and whole, and complete. You would see that you lack nothing. You are beautiful, you are full of love. God loves you exactly as you are. God is also generous that way—God wants the best for you. Beloved, please, do not look at yourself as flawed—back... Read more
Sometimes it takes a lot of words, sometimes it takes a few, sometimes it just takes an action. Doing something for someone you love. Having a heart for the hurting. Today, I want you to know that you deserve to be accepted for who you are, period. No matter what you have been told, no matter what you have heard, don’t let anything or anyone shame you. That is not truth. That is not life. That is not love. That... Read more
When Clay told his parents he was gay, they screamed that he never should have been born and told him to get out of the house. He was sixteen. Vanessa listened to the gay-bashing every week in church—no one knew she was one of those the pastor was bashing. To escape the spiritual assault, she had to give up her lifelong church community… and possibly her family. How do you prepare for that? Danielle was in heels and a short... Read more
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