I got several messages from straight listeners encouraging me to post my Pride Month podcast episode more broadly, but the reason I’m going ahead with this blog post, which I’ll share on social media, is because of a message I received from a follower of Jesus who is LGBTQ and is committed to the traditional interpretation of Scripture that sex and marriage is to be between a man and a woman. This listener has sacrificed and surrendered their own sexual behavior so that their life lines up with Scripture (if only more straight Christians would have this type of faith and obedience), yet still has been rejected and dehumanized by Christians. Here is an excerpt from what they wrote me:
Apology: Trying to figure out how to be zealous without being prideful
This past Sunday night in our small group, we came upon the following verse from 2 Timothy 2:25: Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth It hit me pretty clearly that I have not been doing this in the past […]
4 New Year’s Resolutions to Consider
1. Cut down on your sarcasm Yes I said it: sarcasm, for the most part, is not a good thing. It builds environments of pride (even arrogance) and is a killer of vulnerability and transparency. It also kills encouragement. Check out this short post I did: 4 Indications that your Sarcasm Needs to be Checked. […]
How God Uses Failure to Protect Us, Mold Us & Mature Us
Look back on your life at the times you learned the deepest lessons. Look back on your life at the times you were most desperate for God. Look back on your life at the times you accused God of abandoning or neglecting you. There’s a good chance that the memories that come to mind here […]
“God Will Never Give You More Than You Can Handle” –Oh Really?
Have you ever heard the “Bible verse” God will never give you more than you can handle? It’s amazing to me in my years of ministry how often someone quotes this “verse” in regards to their situation (they’ve been taught this), then looks at me perplexed with beat up, broken down, “way more than they […]