Look at that face! Tao Porchon-Lynch is 96-years old and brought the house down with her ballroom dancing recently on America’s Got Talent. She has been an actress and model, she teaches yoga, and she only started dancing at 85. Her joy and grace as she danced won the audience and the judges. In short, they loved her. Listening to her, you get a sense that she loved them too, indeed, that she loves all everybody she comes across. That... Read more
It was a normal pregnancy – until now. An infection caused her to spike a fever and she had to have an emergency c-section. It was touch and go for awhile and Mom was worried that she might not survive. And so was her wife. Well, not really her wife in Texas because gay marriage was not recognized in their home state. They had been together for years, had another child together, but the law in Texas would not allow... Read more
Let’s take a moment to reflect on gay marriage opponents who have lost… absolutely nothing. Marriage Equality: The law of the land. Marriage is equally accessible for all. It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. And by all, I mean those who have waited and waited until they could marry the love of their lives in their own state, where their family and friends are, where their home is; those who months or years ago traveled far from home to... Read more
I’ve been a little overwhelmed by the Charleston murders. I’m sad for the families, yes, but to grieve someone you don’t know is tends to be conceptual. It’s not the intense grief of my mother’s death many years ago, or of my brothers—one of my brothers was randomly shot in the head at 17 years old by a gang member, so in that way I can relate. Those losses, of family members, were like an open fire hydrant of intense... Read more
Sometimes I just don’t know what to say. Now, the unspeakably horrific church shooting in Charleston is being blamed on gays! And do you know who is doing it? EW Jackson – a black Christian preacher and FoxNews contributor! He is not only turning his back on Biblical truth and love, it is an absolute betrayal of the black community. This joins the growing list of tragedies being blamed on “those homosexuals and their evil gay agenda.” I have to... Read more
If you read yesterday’s post, you’re wondering if my head is spinning, because there I basically said the opposite—that God is NOT interested in our obedience. However, if you know anything about the Bible, you know it is full of contradictions that are resolved only in the deep understanding of the heart of God and the truth and teachings of Jesus. (“Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you.”) If you know anything about me, you know I... Read more
One of the biggest lies perpetrated throughout Christendom is that God is primarily interested in our obedience. Not true. Patently false. To say our first responsibility to God is to obey is a big fat lie and distortion of the relationship God wants with us. God’s paramount interest in us is a relationship. Didn’t Jesus say repeatedly, “Follow me!”? Let’s say that a couple is about to have their first child, and you say to them conversationally, “What is most... Read more
Sometimes I think that Jesus has become just a “mascot” for much of the behavior-focused church. Their beliefs, actions and teachings have nearly nothing to do with the truth of Jesus. Many of the religious leaders of his day were face-to-face with Jesus and they missed it! Unfortunately, the same is true today. My hope is to help disentangle Jesus from Christianity to reveal powerful truth. So sometimes, usually on a Saturday, sometimes on a Sunday, I post a “Jesus Blog”... Read more
I wrote a post about a pastor at the pearly gates, being called out for rejecting LGBTQ people. It was very popular and got a lot of comments – positive and negative. This comment revealed a fascinating perspective on how Christians view their role in the world. I write Dear Susan posts most every Friday. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes tender, sometimes funny… but hopefully always worth the read. Dear Susan, The conversation at the pearly gates could... Read more
The non-affirming, behavior-focused, religious gatekeepers are scratching their heads at the departure of an increasing number of Christians to the clutches of the growing Jesus-following, gay-affirming church! What are we to do?!? WARNING!! Your Christian friends may be becoming PRO-gay! Are your friends safe from the menace of genuine, unconditional, Jesus-like love and acceptance? How can you tell? Well, here are 15 clear warning signs that your Christian friend is becoming affirming… 1. They start saying “our LGBTQ brothers and... Read more
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