Does Jesus Ask You to Love LGBTQ?

I recently heard from yet another Christian mom whose daughter was rejected by their extended family. They had rallied around in love and sacrifice to accommodate the significant physical challenge she was born with, but when she revealed her same-sex attraction, their unconditional love became, well, conditional. We love you – but we cannot accept this …

What Happens When They Come For You?

What happens when the church or society decides that something in your life is now a "particularly evil sin?" What happens when they come for you? We have been evangelicals for 24 years -- last weekend we visited an open and affirming church in Austin. I was struck by the immediate kindness, compassion and intimacy …

Stop “Acting Like a Christian”

"I wasn't allowed to go to the fair," he told me, "because I had become a Christian. My mother said, 'Christians don't go to the fair.' But since my brother Bill was not a Christian, he was allowed to go." What? This was Jim's explanation -- after I'd shared my faith with him -- of …

When Do You Learn God’s Grace?

"Thank God I'm an alcoholic -- because otherwise I wouldn't have known grace!" JP We dislike trials. We hate difficulties or roadblocks or obstacles. We want nothing insurmountable because we want to be strong enough to surmount anything. After all, we like to feel good about ourselves, and we like to know that whatever happens, …

Answers You’ve Been Asking For

Beloveds, we have faced so much in these volatile days. My heart goes out to Christians torn by their compassion for the LGBTQ and their sense of duty to uphold their moral standard. I continue to pray for God's revelation to everyone on every side of this issue. I am always moved by Jesus' answers …

So This is How Rejection Feels

I had a big argument with someone very close to me today, a mentor. Someone I love very much. She was angry at me for my blog, saying I am being unfair to Christians who are kind and loving, that it goes both ways, that we hear only stories of Christians' anger toward LGBTQ instead …

What if Straight was Gay and Gay was Straight?

Bullying is devastating. If you have experienced it, you know what I mean. Sixth grade was hell for me, as I was singled out for abuse, ridicule, and pain. I honestly did not know how I drew this hatred, but I knew I would never be at ease among these kids from River Oaks in …

A Tale of Two Trees: Why We Are All Asking the Wrong Question

The Gay Christian debate rages on, with what seems like more interpersonal casualties every day. How in the world can we find common ground in such a deeply personal and sharply divisive issue? I think we've been asking the wrong question. We've been focused on the rightness or wrongness of being gay, instead of: whose …

Christians, Why Are You Afraid of Gay Marriage?

A group of prominent evangelicals recently declared that if marriage equality becomes law, they will disobey it. These God-fearing meticulous Bible-followers feel so strongly about gay marriage that they are willing to flout this law they don't agree with. I really, truly understand their commitment about something that goes against their deeply held principles. I …

The Condemnation of DOMA

"Christians are becoming increasingly irrelevant. They are dragging Jesus down with them." The eyes of the nation are on the Supreme Court as we wait for a ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act and Prop 8. What is at stake for Christians in this battle? Does our stance even matter now that it's in …

A Love Letter to the LGBTQ from a Christian Mom

“They kicked me out on my 18th birthday for being gay… I’ve tried to contact them… I don’t know if they still love me.” Jonathan Allen, America’s Got Talent My husband and I sat stunned as this young man sang Pavarotti on “America’s Got Talent.” Tears filled our eyes as his story settled on us, …

Born Selfish

We've been talking about whether or not people are born gay. The other morning I woke up full of conviction of how selfish I am. I had dreamed that a close friend ended our friendship because of my blog. Suddenly everything felt very tender and close to the surface. As I began to read John …

Now that I’ve Come Out of the Closet

  I recently came out as a straight, married, Christ-following mother-of-five, in support of the LGBTQ community. Since then, I've received quite a few emails and comments -- many incredibly encouraging and some less-than-loving. I understand that views on this issue are deeply rooted, and people don't want to make the wrong move. I took …

Born that Way? – Part 1

How do some men and some women -- even as children -- just seem gay? With the mannerisms, voice, overall demeanor? Of course plenty of gay men and women you couldn't pick out of a crowd. Does this strike you as interesting? A question worth asking? My haircutter is absolutely flaming. You should see how …

How Do You Love the Gay or Lesbian in Your Life?

"The outstretched arms of Jesus exclude no one, not the drunk in the doorway, the panhandler on the street, gays and lesbians in their isolation, the most selfish and ungrateful in their cocoons, the most unjust of employers and the most overweening of snobs. The love of Christ embraces all without exception."  Brennan Manning Someone …

Are We a Safe Place for Each Other?

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 …

Now What? Do the Stuff!

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 – …

Is Homosexuality a Sin and Why Does it Matter? — Part 3

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 …

Is Homosexuality a Sin and Why Does it Matter? — Part 2

*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 FreedHearts@gmail.com. Our family friend Nathanael (name used with permission) messaged me yesterday this summation of where we stand right now. “The anticipation is …

Is Homosexuality a Sin and Why Does it Matter? – Part 1

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 …