This blog is not for everyone. But if you are a Christ-follower, called to love God and love others, it may be for you. I received the following email from a 24-year-old friend. We have more at stake than right and wrong — we have life and death. I hope this speaks to you. I’ve been having a lot of thoughts lately. Thoughts I want to talk about with people. Thoughts I’m scared to talk about with people. Thoughts that... Read more
It’s been a wild ride so far, hasn’t it? Not that I meant to go straight for the jugular of the homosexuality: sin-or-not issue, but Christians seem to be very concerned about its sin-ness! Just this morning I read in John 9 how the Pharisees said of Jesus, “This man cannot be from God – he heals on the Sabbath.” It was so clear to them. And they were wrong. Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner... Read more
My friends… your response to these posts has been wonderful. Some of you have found these posts hard, especially if you came into it certain homosexuality is a sin. I urge you only to consider this is not as clearcut as you have believed… and I’m glad you’re still reading. But many more have found here a fresh breeze – long-awaited permission to rethink not only our understanding of those passages but more importantly, our whole relationship as Christ-followers to... Read more
*There’s a lot to say on this whole subject, and it will take many posts. Whatever question you have, we’ll probably get to and if not, feel free to email me at [email protected]. Our family friend Nathanael (name used with permission) messaged me yesterday this summation of where we stand right now. “The anticipation is pretty thick. I don’t know how easy either resolution can be. It seems to me that you have three options but only one can be... Read more
A princess paused at the side of the road when a frog jumped out and said, “Kiss me and I’ll turn into a handsome prince!” The princess gasped: “Holy s@&# – a talking frog!” Sometimes we need to pull back and see the bigger picture. The same was true when Jesus healed a lame man. He healed a lame man. (Better than a talking frog.) But the religious leaders were torqued that He did it on the Sabbath. What?? When it comes to... Read more
I am a Mom of five (nearly) grown kids I homeschooled, married to Rob for 26 years, and a churchgoing Christ-follower for decades. I know the lingo, got the t-shirt. Certainly I’ve figured out that most Christians I’ve met avoid The Gay Debate. When friend or fam pop up as gay, many Christians say, “It’s a sin — I didn’t say it, God said it!” Then they can “love the sinner and hate the sin” with abandon. I don’t blame... Read more
“You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” Anne Lamott Our culture is in turmoil. We have failed to convey the love of Christ to an entire group of people. Conservative Christians are afraid of “the gay agenda,” and the LGBTQ community is devastated by their interaction with Christians. LGBTQ who seek a loving God are rejected and disfranchised by the evangelical church. The... Read more
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments this week for same-sex marriage. This may be the most explosive issue since abortion, if not since slavery. Both sides see their opinions as self-evident; both sides cannot believe the other side is so thickheaded. Christians are certain about what they read in the bible; gays cannot fathom why their choice of a life partner is Christian’s (or the government’s) business. I’m reminded of a story from my childhood. Like most kids, I could... Read more
Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea moved me profoundly in my college years. The thought of it now evokes the same emotions, though I have not read it in all these years. Mastery is like that. Mastery elevates the ordinary to the extraordinary, creating something beautiful that did not previously exist. Experiencing mastery can make your heart stop, take your breath away, bring a sigh of recognition. I love to watch people in their area of mastery. They... Read more
Animal prints are really big at the moment. They come and go as fashions, and how to put them together varies. But animal prints are naturally beautiful, and perhaps never really out of style. I’m traveling right now, and I had to (HAD to) go to JC Penney’s sale, where I picked up several more tops, shoes and a bag with… animal prints. I can’t help it. I counted 21 animal-print items I had with me, including my suitcase and... Read more
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