My heart breaks when I hear a parent say “Did I cause my child to be gay?” It hurts on so many levels – for them, for the child. I am so excited to answer this question 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, My husband and I are Born-Again Christians, the Lord has worked great... Read more
“I have no problem telling people I’m gay. But it can sometimes be weird telling people I’m a Catholic.” Jeffrey Essmann is a friend and follower of FreedHearts. He is a writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and numerous magazines and literary journals. He is a gay Catholic and I am thrilled to share his story and unique perspective with you today. Enjoy… It’s said that coming out is a lifelong process. There... Read more
I miss the Olympics. I don’t like these “off” years. Each Summer Olympics I get every moment of joy I can from watching women’s gymnastics! Those girls are imperturbable in this increasingly extreme sport, performing skills that look ridiculously impossible. Consider the balance beam: the commentator says the gymnast’s boldness is the difference between winning and losing. The more she attacks each skill, the less likely she is to fall of the beam. As she throws tricks that honestly could... Read more
Danielle is gay. She is a Christian. She doesn’t hide either. That means that she is the focus of attack, condemnation and “well-meaning” Christians trying to save her soul. But Danielle does a great job at dealing with those people and answered her friend about how to deal with Christians they don’t agree with. Here is Danielle’s message to her friend… Sometimes gay kids who grew up in the bible belt still carry all the same values just with... Read more
Why is it so hard for many Christian parents to unconditionally love their LGBTQ child? What is the source of the confusion and struggle? I look forward to answering a question I have heard from so many parents: How can I unconditionally love my gay child? 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, I’m a Christian mom, and my youngest... Read more
On Tuesday, I returned from a week at the beach with my youngest daughter – I arrived home just in time to start seminary classes. (Seminary – what?? Yeah!) Basking in the glow of my beautiful daughter and our outrageously fun time, I watched a Robin Williams movie on the flight home. I couldn’t help comparing the movie’s plot with his death, only imagining the horror his family must be going through, and pushing away thoughts of my husband, or... Read more
Does it hurt to not be included? If it’s “us vs them” what does it feel like to be a “them”? Does it really feel good to be an “us”?? I saw the group of people in the airport. It’s a religious sect, whose name you know. Nothing stands out about them – they dress in regular clothes. They could have been here for a convention or a family reunion. I recognized them only because of their nametags. Apparently they... Read more
I wonder if people sometimes think I’m crazy. Okay, a variety of reasons for that might pop to mind, but I am thinking of this one. When I am by myself — walking, driving, at the mall — I talk out loud. Sometimes working through my thoughts, getting them out. Often, I’m talking to God, praying, but unless you can hear me, you don’t really know that the heck I am doing! In New York City, people on the street... Read more
What is the “gospel” according to Mark Driscoll? Driscoll, Pastor of Mars Hill Church, is one of the loudest anti-gay voices out there – every word spoken “in the name of Jesus.” I am pretty sure Jesus would not agree. This is Rob, Susan’s husband writing today… It appears that the Elders at Mars Hill Church have had enough. Yesterday, Driscoll stepped down because of his abusive message (and some other issues too). Supporters are calling for forgiveness for Driscoll... Read more
More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… If anyone tells you you have to do anything to get my approval, they don’t speak for me. If anyone tells you that even though you come to me by grace, you then have to do things to stay in my good graces, they don’t speak for me. If anyone makes you feel less than loved, less than valued, or in danger of my rejection, they... Read more
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