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| EarlH | Catalyst Community | 1 | Jan 30 2010, 4:48 PM EST by B0sslady | ||||
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Thread started: Jan 15 2010, 12:28 PM EST
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Hey everyone-
I would encourage everyone to visit the updated Catalyst Community website at www.gocatalyst.org. This is our fearless leader Eric's non profit organization. The work they did in the Long Beach area in 2009 was phenomenal!! In June, Catalyst began renting a space that has evolved into an important community center. I would encourage those who can to support the group financially. At this point, everyone is donating their time for no pay. Eric and Ryan have been shouldering the bulk of the money themselves. Please consider donating to help the work continue. Thanks!!!
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| mono43 | Comfort | 0 | Aug 26 2009, 9:33 AM EDT by mono43 | ||||
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Thread started: Aug 26 2009, 9:33 AM EDT
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I cannot possibly relate to being thrown out of a Church group or a Church for that matter. I find that many "organized" religions tend to be very hyprocitical .... on the one hand, we love all Gods beings .... on the other, we hate gays.
My whole approach has been one of acceptance. Even though for many years, I was securely locked in the closet, I never walked away from a person because that person told me he or she is gay. I never once put out my hand to introduce myself or say hello to anyone and then, in the same breath, ask them if they were straight or gay? It simply never mattered. However, my leaving my Church and staying away for nearly 30 years, was because of an action carried out by an individual on another who may or may not have been a gay man. I was so disgusted and my response was I walked away from God. At the time of the incident, I should have stood up to that abusive individual but because of my position at the time ( I was the elected head of a National Catholic Mens Organization) and being afraid of being outed, I did nothing. And now that I look back on that incident so long ago, I know that I should have spoken up. But, I have been ever so blessed that He asked me to come back to Him which I did, on my own and have not regretted it. |
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| Columban | Good stuff... | 0 | Aug 10 2009, 3:38 PM EDT by Columban | ||||
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Thread started: Aug 10 2009, 3:38 PM EDT
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I really like your notion of "Journey Christians," and I know that they are indeed out there and would embrace the idea of correcting this problem of acceptance and love toward one another in Christ.
I think, in general, it comes down to actually putting into practice what most all traditional/conservative/evangelical churches already teach and believe - that man (humanity) is essentially in need of Christ for forgiveness. That said, all those in Christ are accepted in fact, yet in practice there is an unecessary disconnect among the church. More light needs to be shined on this for sure, so I am ecstatic that you are working on doing so. May I take up the cause along side of you as well? Gianni |
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| Columban | Earl's Journey and Freedom In Christ! | 0 | Aug 7 2009, 2:55 PM EDT by Columban | ||||
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Thread started: Aug 7 2009, 2:55 PM EDT
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Hey Earl,
Welcome to CA! I can relate to your faith growing apart from a church setting. Though not for the same reasosn, I have separated myself from organized church on a few occasions for mostly practical reasons. Nonetheless, my faith has grown most while "outside the walls" so to speak of the organized Christian church. I guess that just goes to show you that God is fully truthful and serious when he says he loves you and wants to know you. I hope that more Christians, gay or straight come to know this to be true because it truly is a freeing experience. And boy, once your know you are free and you are certain he loves you there is true strength in that! Blessings to you! |
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| Columban | Family Not Enemies | 0 | Aug 7 2009, 2:14 PM EDT by Columban | ||||
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Thread started: Aug 7 2009, 2:14 PM EDT
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I really liked what Eric had to say here, because as I see it, this is where much of the most beneficial dialog can and should begin.
So many in the church avoid the Hot Zone, even to the extent of ignoring GLBT brothers & sisters in their own communities who need to be accepted or feel comfortable enough to open up and strengthen those church community family ties. I see absolutely no better way to move forward than to begin to foster those relationships that are already in front of us week by week and day by day. Indeed, I think many Christians would be surprised to know who among them would love to open up and share their life and faith if given the opportunity, if trust can be gained. I am thankful to Andrew Marin for writing his book "Love Is An Orientation" because it really opened my eyes and my heart, especially to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who feel and/or are being marginalized by their own faith communities. So, let the dialog begin...let's enter into those Hot Zones and make some true progress in the body of Christ! Blessings... |
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| EarlH | It's happening!!! | 3 | Jul 15 2009, 1:13 AM EDT by EarlH | ||||
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Thread started: Jun 5 2009, 12:46 AM EDT
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After many months of praying and contemplating, a huge life change is upon me!!! On July 5, I will leave my life-long home of Gary, IN to move to Long Beach, CA!!! I am soooo excited!! God is blessing me tremendously!!! I will be leaving school teaching, which I've really wanted to do for some time. I will be establishing my private voice studio. I also want to get back to performing again. I will be sharing a house with my buddy Russ and my 'lil bro', our own fearless leader, Eric!! All of this comes just as I am about to turn 40!!! Such an exciting time!!
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| knowhim310 | Comfort | 2 | May 26 2009, 12:23 AM EDT by FaithsCollide | ||||
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Thread started: Dec 18 2008, 12:31 PM EST
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"I tried the same honest approach with them, and it totally blew up in my face. I ended up being removed from the team because people were too uncomfortable with how comfortable I was (and how honest I was)."
Isn't that crazy backwards how this "Side X culture" demands that we conform to their comfort zone at our own expense of authenticity? I can relate with being a little more of an advocate than originally intended after experiencing this kind of thing. I feel like sometimes the church can be in selfish denial about our own imperfection.
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| gocatalyst | Earl's Journey | 2 | Apr 16 2009, 5:12 PM EDT by blue_spot | ||||
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Thread started: Dec 7 2008, 11:04 PM EST
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Boy, I can sure relate with not having a date while in college. It was tough! Well, actually, I did have one date with a girl. She kissed me in the parking lot at the end of our date. LOL, had she not done that, I probably could have gone out with her again, but her kissing me kinda accelerated the disinterest. Other than that, I didn't date in college because I wasn't out and I still thought it was wrong at the time.
Thank God for reconciling the colliding worlds! I think it's great that you are out as a school teacher. For the kids, you can show that their "favorite" teacher is cool and if he's gay then it's not cool to say gay jokes or call people slurs. It's simply not tolerated and it causes the kids to have to see hurtful things like that up front and in their face where they have to take responsibility for how it affects people they know. Hopefully for the parents and your colleagues, they can see that a gay teacher is nothing to be scared of - of anything, that you're an awesome teacher. I'm excited for the next chapters (or rather, song sheets) of your journey as you pursue the gift and calling that God has for you in music outside of the classroom. Thanks for sharing your story!
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| gocatalyst | The Journey of a Headache Slayer | 2 | Apr 16 2009, 4:49 PM EDT by blue_spot | ||||
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Thread started: Dec 9 2008, 12:19 PM EST
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I'm so glad you got to finally tell this part of your story! What a journey it is and you're taking the initial steps of it. It's been so wonderful to know and have met in real life (IRL as you put it) you and your husband and even kids. I love you all!
I'm hardly one to give people conclusions for questions they have - I'm more likely to pose more questions or try to reframe the perspective. That's what the journey is about - asking questions to the Lord as we realize that He indeed is walking with us, giving us direction and giving us perspective. As you consider the bi-curious questions, I think it's wonderful (and important) that you are seeing through the lens of the wonderful loving marriage that the Lord has blessed you with with your husband. Remember that being aware of some of the bi-curiousness is totally okay because it is just continuing to be authentic about a part of yourself. At the same time, the love (and attraction) that you have for your husband is present too and so the curiousness doesn't need to catalyze any kind of a decision, per se. In what ever way that we identify ourselves - gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, bi-curious, or whatever - as people of faith, our identity is in Christ. And so that means we are primarily men and women of God. Everything else along the journey just grows us as individuals to love one another better. I love you. Hope that helps, my friend! Eric
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| EarlH | Response to 10 Lessons | 3 | Jan 23 2009, 2:00 AM EST by Bairdo | ||||
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Thread started: Dec 30 2008, 12:41 PM EST
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This is an awesome piece, Eric!!!!! This has moved me greatly. It has inspired me to ask myself some really important questions about my journey. I am looking at some major life changes in 2009 and it's a little daunting to digest. It is a bit scary !!! EEEK!!! LOL. This reminds me to seek God's voice as I move into new territory. I am so greatful for this TWC community to share my journey with. And I am thankful for your living with authenticity, transparency, and intentionality, Eric. It has helped me more than i can put into words! I'm learning to live and not just exist and you have helped me with that so much! I pray that all who read it can be moved at least a fraction of how I have been by this!!! God bless your ministry. I love you and appreciate you, my friend!
EVERYBODY- READ THIS PIECE!!!! YOU WILL BE GREATLY BLESSED!!!!
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| kauaiislander | Happy? | 0 | Jan 16 2009, 11:09 PM EST by kauaiislander | ||||
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Thread started: Jan 16 2009, 11:09 PM EST
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OK, I've seen you both look happier! lol
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| patriciamikkelson | Having a hard time inviting friends | 1 | Jan 16 2009, 12:19 PM EST by knowhim310 | ||||
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Thread started: Jan 15 2009, 11:14 PM EST
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I would love to invite friends but I can't read any of the catptcha words, and every time I make a mistake I have to start over. What to do, and is the place to post this?
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| knowhim310 | Friends Moving Away | 2 | Jan 15 2009, 7:33 PM EST by inlayterms | ||||
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Thread started: Dec 18 2008, 3:17 PM EST
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"When he moved away at 12, I was very much devastated. I didn't realize how much that that hurt me until I considered it later in life."
I can relate with this. I had a best friend in 5th grade that moved away and it really did impact me. I notice that many of the friends that I allowed to get super close to me always ended up moving away and I found that I kind of internalized that. So it's tough sometimes when a good friend leaves or gets into a relationship (because the time we would spend together is now either shared or redirected) - the end result is a feeling of aloneness, perhaps abandonment. And then there's the parents' divorce after 6th grade too. So yeah, the issues kinda linger and manifest in various forms....even in romantic relationships (or lack, thereof.)
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| headacheslayer | Easy Edit won't work | 5 | Dec 9 2008, 8:12 AM EST by headacheslayer | ||||
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Thread started: Dec 8 2008, 6:57 AM EST
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My story is on strike. Or on hold. I'm not sure. Easy Edit NOT easy. It won't load. Help anyone?
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| gocatalyst | Giordano's | 0 | Dec 8 2008, 1:23 PM EST by gocatalyst | ||||
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Thread started: Dec 8 2008, 1:23 PM EST
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Oh I love this photo! This was when Andy showed us the very early outline of his upcoming book "Love is an Orientation".
Fun times! Eric |
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| origami.maj | Our own mirror | 0 | Dec 7 2008, 8:23 PM EST by origami.maj | ||||
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Thread started: Dec 7 2008, 8:23 PM EST
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I loved all the points made!
One point that stood out to me was: "Subject ourselves to our own mirror". Indeed you alluded to Matthew 7: 3 - 5. It's funny how many people sin, when pointing out other people's sin. Jesus goes so far as to call these people "hypocrites". While I wouldn't call my dad a 'journey Christian', maybe he might start journeying with me... time will tell. It's important for me to apply these principles back as he understands what he believes. -Michael |
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| EarlH | A Better Way | 2 | Dec 3 2008, 11:51 AM EST by howieLA | ||||
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Thread started: Dec 1 2008, 12:12 AM EST
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Bravo Eric on this "Journey Christians" piece. It is so important that we learn how to live and walk together without trying to strong-arm each other into walking just as we do. This presents practical ways of making this happen. The points about allowing others to experience God on their own terms and the need for empathy over pity are particularly powerful for me. If we Christians could use this model, we would see so much more peace within the Body of Christ.
Earl
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| gocatalyst | Introductions | 6 | Nov 29 2008, 12:28 PM EST by Father_David | ||||
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Thread started: Nov 19 2008, 2:16 AM EST
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Hey everyone! Welcome to Two World Collision. This is our space - a place where we all can journey together. I'm Eric - founder of this site and author of the original Two World Collision blog. Introduce yourself here!
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| knowhim310 | Being in the closet | 4 | Nov 24 2008, 11:58 PM EST by quwa | ||||
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Thread started: Nov 23 2008, 5:19 PM EST
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Many times when I talk to people about my story, I share about what it's like to be in the closet. I'll describe it as that place of hiding, defined by rejection and shame that amplifies the sense of insecurity. It's been my belief that the dynamic of being in the closet directly affects our self-esteem, self-confidence, self-image, and our sense of self-worth. And so it affects the decisions we make in our lives - the relationships we choose to enter into (or choose to avoid), our career decisions, and many times our every day decisions.
What I'm wondering is what are some ways that being in the closet (either now or in the past) has affected the decisions you make now? I'd love your input! Eric
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| gocatalyst | Ideas for the Home Page? | 0 | Nov 19 2008, 12:54 PM EST by gocatalyst | ||||
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Thread started: Nov 19 2008, 12:54 PM EST
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Hey everyone! Anyone have ideas for what we could put on the home page?
Thanks! Eric |
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