I love how Jesus came to earth as a Savior, and the first thing he did was whip his parents into shape for having the temerity to become pregnant before the wedding – good heavens, don’t you know what people will think?? And then those tax collectors, extortionists, really – he really gave them a piece of his mind, didn’t he? And that poor woman caught in adultery – yes, he shamed her, saying, “Don’t you know better than to... Read more
Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays, ‘Cause no matter how far away you roam – If you want to be happy in a million ways, For the holidays – you can’t beat home, sweet home! I absolutely love seeing my family at Christmas. This year is quite different. We are not able to see our kids – they are spread out all over the world. And, because of our love & advocacy for the gay community, we... Read more
More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… My wonderful children, who just so happen to be gay. Has it been awhile since you have felt at home in your life? With your family? At a church? With me? There is a story of a woman on a long road trip vacation with ten family members. Near the beginning of the trip, her two-year-old little girl would say “I want to go home.” But... Read more
Do we as parents look for reasons why we can “justify” our love for our gay children?? Does that kind of thinking sound a little off-track? “We are all born broken as a result of the Fall… we all have tendencies we need to overcome… like alcoholism… like same-sex attraction.” Have you all heard this before? Do we actually need to find a reason to make it okay to love our gay kids?!? Let’s address this issue today. I write... Read more
Make peace. Be at peace. But maybe it’s time to not keep peace. Don’t avoid conflict at all costs, just to keep the peace. Because what you lose is your soul. “People notice peacemakers because they dress funny. We know how the people who make war dress – in uniforms and medals, or in computers and clipboards, or in absoluteness, severity, greed, and cynicism. But the peacemaker is dressed in righteousness, justice, and faithfulness – dressed for the work that... Read more
The church as a whole has a serious image problem. A while back, a pastor we knew proposed to the local fire chief that his neighborhood church team up with the fire department on a particular community event. The fire chief responded: “No… you see, people trust the fire department.” What image comes to your mind at the word “church”? You may remember it fondly as the place where people loved you no matter what, and you enjoyed coffee between services. Or it could be where an abusive... Read more
“Whenever I find myself too all alone, I can make believe I’ve never gone, I never know where I belong, Sing me home. Please, celebrate me home.” – Kenny Loggins This is Rob, Susan’s husband, and I am writing to Dads and Moms, hoping to speak to the deepest places of your hearts, from the deepest place of mine. Maybe this is silly, maybe I am naive, but it is something I have to say: Please, please celebrate your LGBTQ... Read more
More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… So much is going on in your life right now. You are afraid. I know. It’s full to the brim of activity, and thoughts, and emotions. So much to keep up with. It’s easy to get pulled down by fears of the unknown, worst-case scenarios – and trying to make things go the way you think they should go! It’s maddening. Overwhelming. I invite you not to... Read more
When we are someone who much of the church has labeled as wrong, “the others”, even an abomination, we can’t help but worry about the impact our lives will have on those we love. Should our concern about our family’s response cause us to compromise living true to ourselves? It is a question many in the gay community struggle with. I write Dear Susan posts every Friday. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes tender, sometimes funny… but hopefully always... Read more
Most of you know, but just a reminder… I am in the process of getting my M.Div at seminary! Well, it’s finals week… head full… could explode… you’ve been warned. When can a person actually be in danger of a caffeine overdose?!? Not only am I getting vast amounts of new information, and remembering things I’d forgotten or never learned from college, my whole belief system has been pulled out on the table for evaluation. And it’s wonderful! I feel closer... Read more
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