“My Love For A Person Of The Same Sex” – A Gay Man’s Response to Ignorance, Bigotry & Hate

Last updated on: March 16, 2015 at 10:42 am By Susan Cottrell

“Sadomasochism, child abuse, human trafficking, rape, murder, genocide, greed, corruption… and homosexuality.” What does it feel like to be included in that list simply because you love someone of the same gender? In one of Susan’s recent posts we had a reader make a comment that included homosexuality in a list like this. Ignorance? Yes. Bigotry? Probably. Hate? Maybe. This is Rob Cottrell, Susan’s husband. That comment was made to another reader here on FreedHearts and the reader responded. His... Read more

Jesus Blog: God’s Expectations Of You Are Not What You Think

Last updated on: March 14, 2015 at 9:45 am By Susan Cottrell

More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… There is nothing you can do to disappoint God, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you more. God loves you. Regardless of how well you think you are behaving. Regardless of how well others think you are behaving. If you ever wonder, if you ever ask yourself the question: “Does God love me?” The answer is always, “Yes!” Always. When I... Read more

Dear Susan: Why Do Gays Think Christians Hate Them?

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:13 pm By Susan Cottrell

What?? I know, I know, I had the same reaction… Is she serious?? But she is, and many others wonder the same thing. Is it blindness, ignorance, just following the false teaching about gays she has heard on Sunday morning for decades, genuine hate? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. It depends on the person. Sometimes I have great compassion, sometimes I get angry and frustrated. But you know, regardless of the reasons, there does come a time – when presented with... Read more

Anti-Gay Christians, Please Don’t Try to Justify Hate

Last updated on: June 27, 2015 at 12:06 pm By Susan Cottrell

A mom from a small, conservative town said to her son: “There aren’t any gays in this town.” Her son laughed and said, “Yes there are, Mom. They’re just deep in the closet… or they’ve moved away.” I know it’s easier to imagine that gays are some other people, some other place, not here, not anyone you know. Then your child comes out. Meanwhile, all those things you said, or the church said about “those gays” are ringing in your... Read more

Something Is Missing From The Gospel

Last updated on: March 9, 2015 at 11:23 am By Susan Cottrell

We recently talked about how “Hate the sin, love the sinner” is NOT a Biblical concept. It is NOT part of a Gospel (truth)–which IS about unconditional love and grace, and commands us to love our neighbor. Something else is “missing” from the Gospel. This past weekend, I sat through my all-time favorite musical: Godspell. I was in tears pretty much immediately, as I knew I would be! The love and beauty and joy… it moves me every time. But the... Read more

Jesus Has a Special Place in His Heart for LGBTQ & Gay Marriage

Last updated on: June 27, 2015 at 11:17 pm By Susan Cottrell

“One of the best parts about being a gay Christian is that I feel like I am part of a minority of the oppressed and marginalized that hold a very special place in Jesus’ heart.” More today from my weekend “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… Much has been written about me, much has been said and done in my name – and much of that is not truth, not my heart. In all that you read... Read more

Dear Susan: My Gay Child Says, “Accept All of Me, or None of Me!” What Do I Do?

Last updated on: July 9, 2016 at 4:03 pm By Susan Cottrell

A pastor, his newly-out LGBTQ child, his wife, family members, his daughter’s future family – heated arguments, perceived disrespect, ultimatums… it is difficult and stressful for everyone involved. I hear from parents, and their kids, every day here on the blog, in emails, and in personal phone calls and meetings. My heart goes out to all of them and my hope is to remind them how much God loves them, and remind them of how much they love each other.... Read more

“Hey Pastor! Can I Bring My Gay Child to Church?” (crickets)

Last updated on: March 5, 2015 at 11:22 am By Susan Cottrell

At a dinner party Winston Churchill says to his dinner companion, “Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?” The woman responds, “My goodness, Mr. Churchill. I suppose I would.” Churchill replies, “Would you sleep with me for five pounds?” She answers, “Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?” Churchill answers, “Madam, we’ve already established that. Now we are haggling about the price.” Okay, let’s tell a similar story but with a completely different... Read more

The Devious Response to Marriage Equality

Last updated on: March 3, 2015 at 1:44 pm By Susan Cottrell

“Homophobes have invented a scary new tactic to undo equal rights… It’s insane, it’s frightening and it’ll happen right under our noses unless everyone speaks out to stop it.” Yesterday, I talked about the DEADLY response to marriage equality. Today, I want to follow that up by addressing the DEVIOUS response. Both are dangerous tactics to undo equal rights, and in some cases bring great harm and suffering to the LGBTQ community – and yes, even straight people. I would... Read more

The Deadly Response to Marriage Equality

Last updated on: March 2, 2015 at 12:13 pm By Susan Cottrell

When they are losing, many people will do desperate things. When faced with the facts that those things are wrong and harmful, desperate people will ignore the truth. The result? Proposed legislation that authorizes the mental torture of our youth. And non-affirming Christians are standing and shouting “Praise God!” It is disgusting and indefensible. Please read this letter to the editor, in response to the Oklahoma State Legislature’s plan to make “conversion therapy” legal… “I’m not gay or lesbian, and... Read more