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a godsend
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a godsend
Apr 4 2009, 3:10 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 4 2009, 3:43 PM EDT
i.e. finding you all, finding this.my lover is right. finally, a speaking up and out of those who experienced a loving time in an ex-gay ministry, who understood that it's all about God, and not about trying to be good enough for God, and that's ok to be oneself; it's a relief to know that I am not the only one who does not characterize their time in an ex-gay ministry as being repressive or coercive or to have consisted of brainwashing or being cultic. the one lesson that i appreciated and still believe from my time in living waters is that i cannot leave my understanding or searching of God's relationship with me. and I now see that there are others just like me out there who are searching, and yet free; that the fence does not have to be our place forever, ending in either insanity or self-destruction. i'm glad i finally took the time to look again for something like this, and i'm glad to be here. thank you all. |
 knowhim310 |
1. RE: a godsend
Apr 9 2009, 1:11 PM EDT
It's good to see you here too! I hope that this can be an encouraging place for you and others.Yes! while i can recognize that there are others who have gone through ex-gay ministries and exited worse off, that wasn't my experience. Mostly because I had agreed with them at the time. I have since grown along my journey. One thing that I did take from Living Waters was the notion that there are forms of relational brokenness that need healing. I just don't think that "being gay" is a form of brokenness. There are, however, other things that could be taken to the cross for God's grace. Bless ya! Eric |
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2. RE: a godsend
Apr 9 2009, 5:07 PM EDT
"It's good to see you here too! I hope that this can be an encouraging place for you and others.thanks eric! i agree. do you have any experience dealing with family or friends who are still in the "relational brokenness = being gay and having gay sex", camp? that's the hardest thing for me right now, is my mom throwing bible verses at me saying that homosexuality and gay marriage are sins. i know i believe differently, and i can deal with agreeing to disagree - but she can't. it's eating at my own certainty about the "rightness" of my beliefs/choices. any thoughts? joy |
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knowhim310 |
3. RE: a godsend
Apr 16 2009, 12:24 PM EDT
I do have friends that believe being gay and having gay sex is a form of relational brokenness. Yeah, it's particularly tough when it's people we want to honor and respect.Just last night, I happened to have a spontaneous conversation with a group of straight Christians that lasted for an hour. They had just completed their bible study and came to the coffee shop just to hang out. My approach is to keep things non-hostile. There's enough of that hostile crap. My goal in any conversation isn't to convince them that being gay is okay. My goal is to convince them that my faith is genuine. Above anything else, I want them to see the same recognizable fruits of the Spirit that they see among their own fellowship . . . in themselves. If they can see the Spirit of God in me, then now they are the ones that have to reconcile that reality - how can God be there? I explained to them the spectrum of perspectives (Side A, Side B, Side X) so that we can begin to break down assumptions and stereotypes that not all "gay" "Christian" people agree either and that we can elevate our conversation beyond that framework. (see the article on "Journey Christians" in the Articles section of this site) At the end of the day, I'd rather have conversations that build empathy instead of conversations focused on what people believe. The reality is that there are people who are feeling rejected and outcast by their own families, friends, and even their own church. We MUST change our approach to this issue because our loved ones need support. Therefore, we ought to commit to living out our love for each other by walking this journey together with mutuality and relationship. So in other words: change the conversation. Elevate the conversation away from what Side we're on and towards an exploration of being Journey Christians together. Hope that helps! Eric |
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4. RE: a godsend
Apr 16 2009, 3:42 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 16 2009, 3:43 PM EDT
wow, yeah, that does really help. i think i need maybe a little space from all the emotions i have associated with side a, side b, and side x. only then can i share my faith and love from a position of peace instead of a position of fear.i deeply, deeply appreciate your providing this forum and space, and that you continue to be an active participant in bridging the divides and encouraging all of us on our journeys. i cannot emphasize enough how desperately necessary it is for these entities to exist and function, and how grateful i am that God's mercy extends in this manner. love, joy |
