More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… Easter. The holiday known for celebrating me, my life, my death, my resurrection. Billions of people around the world claim to know me and follow me. But as you celebrate, I want you to remember a few things: I came for everyone, every race, every color, every social status, every economic status, every nationality, every gender, every orientation. I came for those who have been knocked... Read more
Sometimes people just don’t want to face the truth. They deny facts, history, scripture – all in an attempt to justify the continued oppression and marginalization of an entire group of people. And many do so “in Jesus name.” But walls are crumbling down, and love and truth are rising to the top – as they usually do. We often get slammed anytime we compare what is happening to the LGBTQ community to what happened to the black community in... Read more
More often than not, the Bible is used to condemn LGBT people. Using the Bible to further discrimination is not a new concept. Over the years, the Bible has been used to condone segregation, condone slavery, and justify the mistreatment of women, minorities, and interracial couples. I am honored to call Caleb Woods a friend. He is a bold, brave, insightful, loving, courageous young man committed to living life true to himself and helping others do the same. I am... Read more
Austin is renowned for food trucks. In my neighborhood is a great little coffee truck – Beware Coffee – where I like to write as I drink some delicious yumminess. The young couple that run it have that hip Austin vibe—so chill and easy to connect with. When I first met them, we talked about Freedhearts—they asked what I do, and I told them I reach out to parents to help them pursue reconciliation for with their LGBTQ kids. And I help those... Read more
More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… I never told anyone to start a religion in my name. I stood against the religious leaders. Still do. I stood for the oppressed and marginalized. Still do. I told people to love God and love others… and follow me. That’s all I ask of you. The past is over, the future is a mystery, all you have is now – and it is in the... Read more
I love love. It gets tricky sometimes, doesn’t it? Fear can sneak up on us, or break down the door, and complicate things. But love is the best. To be loved for who we are is a gift. To love another person is a blessing. A reader contacted me about what she can do to help her partner deal with difficult parents, and also how to not be afraid, even jealous of the help her partner was receiving from others.... Read more
My lovely daughter Annie became engaged last week to her beloved Edward. Wait, Annie? The daughter who came out and started our journey to be allies and advocates? Yep, Annie. And yes, Edward is a guy. So yeah, there’s a story to that! Annie is the one who came out to us five years ago – now as what she chooses to call herself: queer. Bi was her second-choice word, and she says she was always attracted to both men... Read more
“According to a witness, the attacker threw him to the ground and stomped his face into the pavement while yelling, ‘Faggot! Faggot! Faggot!'” My heart is broken for this young gay man, 26-year-old Devin Norman, who was beaten. And I have to tell you… I am angry at non-affirming Christians and others who look for loopholes to avoid unconditionally loving people, or to justify dehumanizing oppression toward another group, using terms like “tough love” or “hate the sin, love... Read more
More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… Whatever you’ve been told about God, if it makes you afraid, then it’s not true. God is love, and perfect love exposes and chases away fear. So many people are consumed by fear. I never motivated people by fear. I motivated by love. Have you noticed the people I embraced in the Bible? One after another they came to me, and I always put their fears... Read more
We hear it a lot… “You are twisting scripture so you can justify homosexuality.” I do think there is a lot of twisting scripture going on, but I believe they have it backwards. You must twist and ignore the Bible – and deny the overall message and truth of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit – to believe that being gay is a sin. I write Dear Susan posts most every Friday. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes tender,... Read more
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