“Does my gay son need to come back to a normal life? Did God give him a reprobate mind because of bad influences? Is my gay son condemned by God and will he face God’s judgment?” I hear these questions a lot and I look forward to addressing them today. I write Dear Susan posts every Friday. Sometimes they will be poignant, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes tender, sometimes funny… but hopefully always worth the read. 🙂 Let’s do this… Dear Susan,... Read more
“We will not patronize, exclude, or ignore the gifts of any person, male or female, gay or straight, young or old. We declare solidarity with the poor, and with all who are suffering, oppressed, or excluded.” This was an affirmation prayer that was part of a recent church service. I, along with so many others, were in tears at the end of this powerful time in which we talked about the story of the Good Samaritan. I wanted to share... Read more
Rob and I were having dinner with friends, a couple who are parents of a gay child. The Dad said, “I grew up where life was sort of gray, meaning I could see everyone’s point of view. Then we began to go to bible studies, and church and my world became very black and white. I could tell you what was right and what was wrong. Then my son came out… I just had to accept him and love him, period. Seems... Read more
We talk with countless Christian parents of LGBTQ children – many just after their child has come out to them. It was usually not something the parent had thought about or prepared for. And their initial reaction can have a life-changing impact on their child. This is Rob, Susan’s husband, writing today. 🙂 This article, from John Pavlovitz, really resonated with my heart. It takes that step of thinking through and preparing for “What if my child is gay?” And... Read more
I write Dear Susan posts every Friday. Sometimes they will be poignant, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes tender, sometimes funny… but hopefully always worth the read. 🙂 Dear Susan, Christianity is all about being selfless. (Or is it?) The thing that they market the most is how life will be better after you ‘choose Jesus.’ “How much more there is to life once you’ve found God.” And I completely agree! But how could that be so? How could the most selfless religion... Read more
My darling friend (codename Salarcon) is consistently more joyful than many of us put together. She has her struggles, as do all of us, but she has an incredible peace in the midst of those struggles, as do few of us. She is also a Poetry Slam Goddess and host of a new YouTube poetry program, and her recent poem (below) is about joy — whatever the circumstances. Life is short, my friends. Whether you are concerned about your orientation or you child’s,... Read more
Do you know you’re loved? Heard? Appreciated? I don’t think we need a lot of friends, but I am absolutely certain that we need a few of close, real genuine friends. We thrive in community. This is Rob, Susan’s husband writing today. 🙂 I remember Susan talking about a weekend retreat she went on… She had high hopes for the weekend retreat, and it was more fun than she thought. But it was not the speakers or what she learned... Read more
“We were taught half-truths coated with easy-sounding, cookie-cutter, black-and-white ideas I’ve had to sift through in order to get to the complex, grey-shaded, beautiful mosaic of truth… Now I am free, and I am finally alive.” This is a wonderful article by Teryn O’Brien. I am excited to share it with you today. Enjoy… Growing up in the church, I wish they would’ve told me a lot of things. I wish they would’ve told me that other denominations were truly... Read more
I can only imagine the rejection and judgment someone in the LGBTQ community feels – especially gays who happen to also be Christian. The ways they are hurt by the church and those in the church – all in Jesus’ name – breaks my heart. I, as the parent of a gay child, have experienced a glimpse of that as I – along with so many of you out there like me – have indeed been on the receiving end... Read more
I have been accused of being too snarky. That may not surprise you… If it does, please read more of my blog posts! 😉 I don’t generally advocate snark. Things could usually be said in a better way, and snark doesn’t really accomplish what we want. (Just to remind us… Definition of SNARKY 1: crotchety, snappish 2: sarcastic, impertinent, or irreverent in tone or manner) For those who have committed to drop snark from your interactions, (even if you think it’s well-deserved),... Read more
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