“You’re a Christian! How can you support LGBTQ people and gay marriage? Don’t you realize you are condoning sin? You are leading people into hell!” This is Rob, Susan’s husband, and I have heard it all. When we came out as parents of an LGBTQ child, and then as strong allies and advocates, I was pretty defensive. More than 20 years in the evangelical church had engrained in me certain beliefs about homosexuality. To be honest, beliefs which I never... Read more
Some days I just get up and go. I know my list of things to do, and I go to it. And I get a lot of work done, I like it and it’s satisfying. Other days – I’d like it to be more days – I get up and pause, and I ask God to direct me in the day. that’s when I hear a little gem. Not always, but often. I feel nudged to call somebody I’ve needed... Read more
“The saddest part of disagreements over marriage equality has nothing to do with the legal question but everything to do with Christianity’s failure as a whole to lead in the right direction on this issue. Christians are missing a huge opportunity to not only love and encourage our own Christian LGBT friends, neighbors, and family members, but are also demonstrating to the world that we are simultaneously out of touch with both Jesus and the world. Insert forehead smack here.” – Corbin Lambeth... Read more
More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… Come to Me. If you’re hurt… Or afraid… Or rejected. (By the way, that describes My closest friends!) Come to Me. Sit beside Me… Rest your head on My shoulder… Breathe! Come to Me. If you’ve forgotten who you are… If you’ve been told you’re someone else… If you’ve been called bad or evil. I’ll love you, just the way you are, now and always. I’ll give you... Read more
“For the past 4-5 years I was hoping for the day that I would just go to sleep one night and not wake up the next.” You may find David’s story surprising, or maybe all too familiar. In either case, it is inspiring – and I want to share it with you today… I was raised very traditional Southern Baptist–from preschool to 7th grade I went to the school at the church. My family has strong ties to the church.... Read more
“Yes, we have to love people, but we have to hold the standard,” Carl* said, and he really meant it. He sat in a meeting where I spoke about faith and the LGBTQ community. He was referring to his sister, a lesbian, who sat one seat over from him, their mom in the middle. Carl could not understand how love was enough—even though Jesus explicitly taught us that—Carl kept repeating that we’ve got to hold the standard. I know this... Read more
I’m baffled at the fervor that drives people to tell others what God wants for them. But I’ve come up with an analogy that I think embodies that fervor. Rob and I had a full house for many years: two boys and three girls. We would leave the kids with a babysitter while we escaped, er, went out. It was for our own sanity. When they were old enough, we let them stay at home without us. We’d put one... Read more
“Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” ― Mary Oliver Mary Oliver writes sensitive, life-filled poetry. She challenges and inspires. She is also a lesbian.The friend who introduced me to Mary Oliver’s poetry does not condone marriage equality… at least, last time we talked. This friend who finds Oliver’s poetry so lovely is prepared to prohibit Oliver from marrying the person she wants to marry. Ironic, isn’t it? Mary Oliver’s poetry is good enough to inspire, admire and recommend, but her human... Read more
I may have been the last person on earth to do it, but I just saw “Dallas Buyers Club.” So good. No wonder it won three Oscars. Near the end, in the courtroom scene, I thought of you. (I confess, I’m always thinking of you!) Even if you haven’t seen “Dallas Buyers Club,” this will make sense to you — and it won’t spoil the movie. It’s when Ron (Matthew McConaughey) goes to court to seek permission to use the drugs... Read more
Do you have a secret? How big is it? How do you think people will respond if they find out? It wasn’t always clear to Santiago Salazar that somewhere inside him was a Lisa that would someday—a long time into the future—show herself to the world. After living the first forty eight years of life as Santiago, a married, heterosexual man and father of three children and devout Christian, Santiago was diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a term that describes the... Read more
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