I am honored to share a thought-provoking article. It may not be one with which I or you may agree, but it is important that we all hear & understand the reality of this author’s story & perspective. Written by Stephen, “an amateur musician, writer & communicator at Sacred Tension – a blog about faith, doubt, art & sexuality.” Stephen has a tender-hearted style and his story is compelling… Sometimes, your heart starts to break, and you don’t know why.... Read more
More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… My friend, I want you to know that God loves you exactly the way you are. Exactly. You may have been told you have to change before God will embrace you. You’ve been given a list of conditions before you can be a child of God. Hear me now: GOD DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT OF YOU. God loves you exactly as you are, completely, no exceptions, no requirements, no change... Read more
Leelah Alcorn. Ryan Robertson. Tyler Clementi. “The message prohibiting LGBTQ relationships is a message of death,” Danny Cortez, a Southern Baptist pastor, said at the Gay Christian Network Conference in Portland, as he described his journey from nonaffirming pastor to affirming pastor and dad. If you’ve been in these circles you’ve probably heard Danny’s story. Death. Shame. Rejection. Conditional love. Limits to God’s acceptance. There is no life in any of that. If it brings shame, it’s outside our parameter... Read more
“We need to attend church somewhere that is farther along in wrestling with these complex issues, somewhere John and any of his LGBT friends can join us if they wish and hear about God’s grace without having to feel defensive or ‘less than.'” This is a letter my friend wrote to their church. It beautifully expresses the need for churches to love LGBTQ. It’s worth the read. Dear Pastor, Last time we talked with you, we said we needed to... Read more
“What if you’re wrong about defending gays?” A dear friend asked me this yesterday, with sincere concern about my ongoing advocacy. Then the followup, “Aren’t you afraid of leading people astray?” This seems to be the underlying fear for so many in the church. What if homosexuality is wrong, as they’ve been taught since birth, in the church and in the culture? Fear has so consumed the church and larger culture on this issue, fear it has been spoonfed for... Read more
It’s 8:28 am, I open my laptop, Facebook pops up, I click on “family” and Hannah, our daughter, has publicly announced to the world that she is a lesbian. OMG… I love this girl! 🙂 She is wise beyond her years and bolder and braver than me. This is Rob, Susan’s husband and a proud Daddy, writing you today. Hannah told us she was gay a couple years ago, but not many other people knew. She finished her schooling early... Read more
More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… My beloved, did you forget that I came to set you free? Galatians 5:1-26. Free from condemnation. Romans 8:1. Free from fear. John 8:32. Free from slavery. Galatians 4:6-7. Free from corruption. Romans 8:21. Free from the law. Free from others’ opinions of you! Romans 14:1-23. Come to me all who are weary, worn out, carrying heavy loads — I will make you free to live 2... Read more
Even before we came out as parents of a gay child, and as allies and advocates, we had been accused of taking grace “too far.” If you can take grace too far, then it’s not grace. We have always been about love and life, more than behavior and performance. This is why a question like this really touches something deep within me. Parents are worried, confused, scared – but they need to understand that ANY teaching that says that their... Read more
The gunmen shouted: “The prophet has been avenged!” Why does the prophet need to be avenged? We sat glued to the coverage of the horrific terrorist attack in Paris. Horrific. Our hearts go out to those murdered and their bereaved families. The world collectively grieves with families, a city, a nation, indeed, a world shaken by violence, even if it has become all too common. Thousands gathered across Europe. The world swells with one voice to condemn the murderers. CNN... Read more
Did you have a joyful Christmas? Are you excited about the New Year? Did you have good family times over the holidays? Maybe not. For many of us, for many in the LGBTQ community who have been shunned by family or friends, the holiday season can be a very lonely and depressing one. If you find yourself feeling sad and depressed and filled with doubts and questions about life and the future – even doubts and questions about you –... Read more
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