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
It’s a new year. Want to change the world with me? Let’s try something this year. This is Rob, Susan’s husband writing today… Where there is hatred, let’s love. Where there is injury, let’s just forgive. Where there is doubt, let’s be the ones with faith. Where there is despair, bring hope. Where there is darkness, we can be light. Where there is sadness, joy. Where there is condemnation, let’s show unconditional grace. Where there is rejection, let’s accept without... Read more
More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… My beloved: I don’t want you to wrestle with guilt. Many Christian teachers use guilt to motivate people to action they deem necessary. But that is not God’s way. If you are wrestling with old mistakes, pause. Ask the Spirit if you need to take any measures toward healing those mistakes. If so, do that. If not, let it go. To continue to feel guilty is to shift into... Read more
Have you heard of “reparative therapy?” Ex-gay camps? Where they “cure” the gay out of kids and young adults? Do they work – are they a good idea? I am pretty sure you have read the story of Leelah Alcorn, the transgender girl who committed suicide. There is now a proposed ban on reparative therapy – Leelah’s Law – in her honor. When a Christian parent of a gay child does a Google search or talks to their pastor, reparative... Read more
I can hardly believe that it has only been 11 months since my book, “Mom, I’m Gay” – Loving Your LGBTQ Child Without Sacrificing Your Faith, was published. What a year! Lost some friends, gained many more new friends. Lots of new readers, lots of thought-provoking comments, lots of growth and wonderful conversation. We want to reveal our TOP FIVE FreedHearts Posts of 2014. Enjoy and please share! : ) Our Top Five Posts of 2014… To Christian Parents of... Read more
Leelah’s story is one you have probably heard. The transgender girl who committed suicide by stepping in front of an oncoming tractor-trailer, citing her “Christian” parents’ rejection of her as the reason. Deep, sad sigh. Heartache. Anger. Yet another destroyed life over people’s ignorance and cruelty. There are no words to express the collective grief over this poor girl’s death, and anger at her parents’ misguided actions that drove her to it. On the Transgender Day of Remembrance we remember... Read more
The Bible is being used as a weapon to justify horrible acts of hatred, abuse, judgment and condemnation. And not just by radicals like Westboro Baptist. It is being misunderstood and misused in abusive ways by many of the most ‘mainstream’ evangelical leaders. So what does the Bible really say and mean? As Newsweek says… “The topic has become too important for Americans to ignore, whether they are deeply devout or tepidly faithful, believers or atheists.” I was fascinated to... Read more
More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… Nothing is wrong with you. I’ll say it again. Nothing is wrong with you. You were perfectly planned, perfectly designed, perfectly made. Don’t let anybody tell you different. Of course you mature — who doesn’t mature? But that’s up to me to say, no one else. And if you follow me, as much as you can trust me, I will mature you. More completely and beautifully... Read more
Hello, my friends. Just want to share from my heart this Christmas morning. Jesus. Born to show us the heart of God. To love us. To give us life. Not to condemn or judge us, but to show us a right relationship with God. How like God to bring a gift in the form of a tiny and vulnerable baby, born to a couple of teenagers, in a cloud of scandal that never left them. No money, no power. Yet God entrusted to... Read more
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