Brenda's Story

How does a straight woman got involved in a LGBT ministry? Brenda shares her story with you.

Encouraging Music 6/30/09-"Beautiful Savior"

"Transgender People Are Everywhere"

That's the title of an essay by someone who should know, Donna Rose, who is an advocate for transgender issues. She wrote this essay for CNN after Chaz Bono went public as a transsexual. Here's an excerpt:

Transgender people -- that is, people who may not experience or express their gender in ways that are necessarily typical for the physical sex of their body -- have been part of the fabric of cultures for as long as history has been recorded.

We're a cross-section of society -- pilots, engineers, doctors, factory
workers, artisans and pretty much anything else you can imagine. It was only a
matter of time before we came to Hollywood. Make no mistake -- Chaz isn't the first and certainly won't be the last.

Despite what others choose to believe, transsexual people are no longer relegated to hiding in safe little shadows for fear that society will detect them and punish them. We are far more than traditional stereotypes of transpeople as hookers, drug-users, porn stars or social misfits relegated to the fringes of society.

In a very real sense, transgender people are no one thing. We are everyone,
everywhere. Whether you realize it or not, we go to your school, we are active in your communities of faith, we are your neighbors, your co-workers, your family members.

A transgender person could be your neighbor, could be your teller at the bank, perhaps even sitting in the cubicle next to you at work. Most importantly, unlike what right-wign rhetoric would like to have you believe, the very fabric of society has NOT been destroyed as a result.

Click here to read the rest of Donna Rose's essay on CNN.com.

Encouraging Words 6/29/09-"The 23rd Psalm"

Pastor Susan George from Living Water Fellowship in Kenmore, WA preaches on the 23rd Psalm.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1657868

Encouraging Music 6/29/09-"Always"

Coverage of the "Homosexual Exorcism"

Many of you have probably seen the disturbing video of a teenage boy having the "homosexual spirit" driven from him in a church in Connecticut. We've got two video links below to shed more light on this story. First, an interview on CNN with the pastor of the church. We thought the interviewer did a great job of staying focused on the facts and allowing the pastor to express herself. She spouted teachings we've never heard of to justify her actions--you can evaluate it for yourself. Warning--part of the "casting out" video is included here.



Leave it to Stephen Colbert to put things into perspective--now he's worried about a "gay demon" running loose. Ridiculous? Of course, that's the point.

Sunday Worship 6/28/09

If you don't have a welcoming church near you, or you just can't make yourself step into one, we're bringing worship to you. Here are links to some worship music and services from open and affirming ministries (all times eastern). I hope you are blessed and take time out of your busy schedule to enter into the Lord's day.

Don't forget to click on the tab on the upper right of this blog and leave your prayer requests in the comment section so we can petition the Lord for your needs.

If you know of a service we should add to our list, please send an e-mail and share it with us.

Worship Music--sing along and make a joyful noise unto the Lord!









Live Sunday Services (all times Eastern)
VIDEO
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, 11:45 AM
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa, 11:00 AM
VA-Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, 11:00 AM
NC-Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Winston-Salem, 12:00 PM
OK-Diversity Christian Fellowship International, Tulsa, 1:00 PM
CA-Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, Long Beach, 1:00 PM
WA-Living Water Fellowship, Kenmore, 1:30 PM

AUDIO
Canada, Vancouver-Christ Alive Community Church, 10:15 PM
FL-Beacon of Hope Ministries, Dunedin (Living the Good Life radio program) 4:30 PM

Video Archive
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham
CA-Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, Long Beach
FL-Church of the Holy SpiritSong, Ft. Lauderdale
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa
GA-Gentle Spirit Christian Church, Atlanta
MI-Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
NC-Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Winston-Salem
OK-Expressions Community Fellowship, Oklahoma City
OK-Diversity Christian Fellowship International, Tulsa
TX-The One Church, Garland, TX
WA-Living Water Fellowship, Kenmore

Audio Archive
AZ-Community Church of Hope, Phoenix
AK-Open Door Community Church, Sherwood
CA-Christ Chapel of Long Beach
CA-Christ Chapel of the Valley, North Hollywood
FL-Beacon of Hope Ministries, Dunedin (Living the Good Life radio program)
FL-New Hope Christian Center, Pensecola
GA-New Covenant Church of Atlanta
MD-Kittamaqundi Community, Columbia
NC-Revolution Charlotte
OH-Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Akron
OH-All Saints Community Church, Cortland
TN-Covenant of the Cross-Madison
TX-New Hope Fellowship Church-Dallas
TX-White Rock Community Church-Dallas
TX-Community Gospel Church-Houston
TX-Through Him Fellowship-Houston
South Africa-Deo Gloria Family Church

Saturday Mini-Concert 6/27/09-Amy Grant

Words of Encouragement 6/26/09-"Abiding in Peace"

Apostle Dale Jarrett, Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, VA

http://bcfchurch.us/images/BCF_Sermon1_AbidingInPeace.mp3

Music of Encouragement 6/26/09-Cry Out to Jesus

So Why Are You Gay?

Actor Jason Lewis actually asked that question to a waiter, and the answer he got provided a moment of enlightenment and helped him become a straight ally of the GLBT community. You can watch him tell his story in this video, part of the No Dumb Questions program.

http://www.nodumbquestions.org/video/actor-jason-lewis-my-story

Words of Encouragement 6/25/09: "Straight From the Heart-The Opposite of Faith - Fear"

A word of encouragement about overcoming fear from 1John 4:18

Music of Encouragement 6/25/09-His Strength Is Perfect

GLBT News Update From The Onion

Here's some good satire from The Onion:

New Hampshire Passes Law Forcing Old People To Watch Gays Marry

CONCORD, NH—Less than two weeks after legalizing gay marriage in the state, New Hampshire legislators enacted a new law Tuesday making it mandatory for persons over the age of 60 to attend three same-sex weddings every year for the rest of their lives. "Beginning July 1, all senior citizens must publicly condone gay unions by RSVPing to the rainbow-colored invitation, putting on nice church clothes, and spending an afternoon celebrating the wedded bliss of two men or two women who like to have sex with each other," bill H.B. 437 read in part. "Any grandparent who refuses to weep joyously when the grooms kiss may be subject to harsh penalties." Gay marriage advocates are already protesting the new statute, which they say unlawfully forces homosexuals to have gross old people at their weddings.

Words of Encouragement 6/24/09-"Seeing and Believing"

Rev. James P. Walker, Ph.D., White Rock Community Church, Dallas, TX

http://www.whiterockchurch.org/sermons/2009/02152009.mp3

Music of Encouragement 6/24/09-Jesus Bring The Rain

Denominations' Debates Over GLBT Issues Heats Up

The GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) blog has posted a preview of debates continuing this summer in several major religious denominations and summarizes the current status of each one. Included are the following:

Presbyterian Church USA
The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Reformed Church in America
Mennonite Church
United Church of Christ
Unitarian Universalist

The fact that these discussions are occurring is in itself a good thing.

Click here to read the GLAAD blog post.

Words of Encouragement 6/23/09: "Straight From the Heart-About Faith"

Brenda shares a word of encouragement about Faith from Hebrews 11:1.

Music of Encouragement 6/23/09-My Life Is In You Lord

"Breaking Through the Walls of Fear and Guilt"

Peterson Toscano is a spirit-filled queer Quaker who has been through hell and back. He tried very hard for years to change his orientation from gay, mistakenly buying into the claim that God would change him if he only had enough faith. He has performed several plays based on his expereinces, and he writes an essay on his blog A Musing answering someone's e-mail and trying to help them escape from the pain and guilt they have been driven to. Here is an excerpt:

In the end I discovered that I can be a person passionately in love with
Jesus, serving God and still have a gay orientation. I can be authentic about
myself, even if much of the church seems to disagree. In the process I
rediscovered the scriptures for myself, found myself in them and a deeper
faith.

It is not easy. Many trials, many doubts and the journey has required a
certain fearlessness in the face of LOUD opposition, particularly rattling in my
head from years of hearing it in the church. But when I get to the heart, when I
get to the Spirit, when I sit still in the presence of God, I have peace and
clarity. The ruts in my head that led me to places that continually condemned me
and harassed me have leveled out.

My mind grows more and more liberated each day as I practice Romans
12:1,2–No longer conform to the patterns of this world (Patterns that say one
must be gender-normative, heterosexual, and if you are not there must be
something wrong with you and you will encounter troubles. Patterns that say that
masculinity is more valuable than femininity. Patterns that insist that one must
bow and scrape to the teachings of men instead of the leadings of God), but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you can better understand God’s
will for you life.

Peterson went through a lot to get to this point. I hope that someone has found this post and, by reading his words, can chart a different path for their life.

Click here to read Peterson's entire essay.

Words of Encouragement 6/22/09-"Hope-the Believer's Right"

Pastor Paul Walker, New Covenant Church, Atlanta, GA

http://savedandgay.podbean.com/2009/04/25/hope-the-believers-right-pastor-paul/

Music of Encouragement 6/22/09-Perfect Love

Clergy Call 2009: A Prayer For Justice

Here is video of the opening prayer offered by Rev. Dr. Stephen V. Sprinkle from the HRC's Clergy Call, held a few weeks ago in the shadow of the U. S. Capitol. The HRC also provided a bio of Rev. Sprinkle. His passion for justice should resonate with us all.



Rev. Dr. Stephen V. Sprinkle is Director of Field Education and Supervised Ministry, and Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, Texas, a post he has held since 1994. An ordained Baptist minister, he is the first open and out gay scholar in the history of the Divinity School, and the first open and out LGBT person to be tenured there. Author of two books, his current project is a book in process on the lives and untimely deaths of 25 LGBT hate crimes murder victims, Unfinished Lives: Reviving the Memory of LGBT Hate Crimes Murder Victims.

Sunday Worship 6/21/09

If you don't have a welcoming church near you, or you just can't make yourself step into one, we're bringing worship to you. Here are links to some worship music and services from open and affirming ministries (all times eastern). I hope you are blessed and take time out of your busy schedule to enter into the Lord's day.

Don't forget to click on the tab on the upper right of this blog and leave your prayer requests in the comment section so we can petition the Lord for your needs.

If you know of a service we should add to our list, please send an e-mail and share it with us.

Worship Music--sing along and make a joyful noise unto the Lord!









Live Sunday Services (all times Eastern)
VIDEO
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, 11:45 AM
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa, 11:00 AM
VA-Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, 11:00 AM
NC-Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Winston-Salem, 12:00 PM
OK-Diversity Christian Fellowship International, Tulsa, 1:00 PM
CA-Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, Long Beach, 1:00 PM
WA-Living Water Fellowship, Kenmore, 1:30 PM

AUDIO
Canada, Vancouver-Christ Alive Community Church, 10:15 PM
FL-Beacon of Hope Ministries, Dunedin (Living the Good Life radio program) 4:30 PM

Video Archive
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham
CA-Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, Long Beach
FL-Church of the Holy SpiritSong, Ft. Lauderdale
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa
GA-Gentle Spirit Christian Church, Atlanta
MI-Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
NC-Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Winston-Salem
OK-Expressions Community Fellowship, Oklahoma City
OK-Diversity Christian Fellowship International, Tulsa
TX-The One Church, Garland, TX
WA-Living Water Fellowship, Kenmore

Audio Archive
AZ-Community Church of Hope, Phoenix
AK-Open Door Community Church, Sherwood
CA-Christ Chapel of Long Beach
CA-Christ Chapel of the Valley, North Hollywood
FL-Beacon of Hope Ministries, Dunedin (Living the Good Life radio program)
FL-New Hope Christian Center, Pensecola
GA-New Covenant Church of Atlanta
MD-Kittamaqundi Community, Columbia
NC-Revolution Charlotte
OH-Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Akron
OH-All Saints Community Church, Cortland
TN-Covenant of the Cross-Madison
TX-New Hope Fellowship Church-Dallas
TX-White Rock Community Church-Dallas
TX-Community Gospel Church-Houston
TX-Through Him Fellowship-Houston
South Africa-Deo Gloria Family Church

Saturday Mini-Concert 6/20/09-Casting Crowns

Words of Encouragement 6/19/09-"The Voice of Assurance"

Rev. Paul Turner, GentleSpirit Christian Church, Atlanta, GA

http://vimeo.com/4460749

Music of Encouragement 6/19/09-Shout to the North

‘God is not going to turn you away because you are gay.’

That's the lesson Moriah May learned, but nearly died in the process. She survived, though, and her story can be an inspiration to others who share her struggles.

From the Kingsport (TN) Times News (via the Tennessee Equality Project thru Twitter):

May, who was 21 at the time and had entered her second semester of college, had
told her immediate family that fall that she is gay. While she said some family
members were supportive, others were not.

“My sister, my mother and my brother are pretty much all the family that I have now. My extended family were pretty much the ones who were rejecting me. My mom was like ‘You’re my kid. I’m going to love you no matter what.’”

But it’s not easy being gay in Northeast Tennessee, so May searched for answers to the continuing emotional turmoil she felt.

May said she is a religious person and comes from a religious background, so she sought answers in church.

“I went to some — I won’t mention any names — and I talked to some religious people and I was told that I was going to go to hell no matter what,” she said.

May doesn’t believe that now, but then it was a different story.

“I was willing to believe anything because I was so torn apart at that point. If they told me I was going to hell, I thought I was going to hell.”

That was the frame of mind May was in on Dec. 26, 2007, when she drove to the lake. She said that on Christmas Day she’d been receiving phone calls from some former high school classmates making fun and ridiculing her for being gay. That brought her to a breaking point.

Click here to read the rest of the story from the Kingsport Time-News.

Words of Encouragement 6/18/09:"Straight From the Heart-The Love of God"

Brenda offers a word of encouragement straight from the heart, referencing scripture from 1John 4 and John 3:16.

Music of Encouragement 6/18/09-The Word Is Alive

President Obama - A Gay Advocate?!

I am tired. No, I'm sick and tired! I'm sick and tired of hearing what an advocate President Obama is for our glbt brethren. I don't see it.


The President has not repealed "Don't ask, don't tell" for the military, which he could do without the help of Congress or anyone else. He has not made any policy statements that advocate for same-sex marriage and, in fact, his administration has argued to uphold DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) and uses an argument that equates our relationships to incest! The President says all the right things, but I just haven't seen anything to tell me that he gets it. The only thing he's done lately for the glbt community is sign a measure that gives gay or lesbian federal employees with partners medical benefits. Woohoo! Party over here. Not!


What President Obama has done is given our community the big goose egg. I still think he's a whole lot better than McCain would have been, but that's not saying much. Why is it that a president with a huge approval rating and a Congress with an overwhelming majority isn't doing the right thing? He's hemming and hawing on healthcare too! I just don't understand what is so difficult for him. An injustice has been allowed in our country for far too long and he just tiptoes around it like it's a firepit.


I'm tired of hearing what a hot button issue this is. It's quite simple, really. I am an adult person who is a citizen of the United States of America. I fell in love with another adult citizen 16 years ago and would like to get married so that we have the same 1,000+ benefits that marriage affords other couples. Why is that difficult? Don't tell me religion. The Constitution guarantees that the Congress will not establish a State religion or prohibit the free exercise of religion. Therefore, there is no religion that should have any say in whether I am able to marry my partner. It is a civil matter. Frankly, anyone who would deny my right to marry on the basis of religious beliefs should be ashamed of themselves for trying to force their religion on me. My beliefs are different than those on the Right that would deny me the benefit of marriage based on my sexual orientation.


I sick and tired and I'm not going to take it anymore! I am going to call and write my representatives in Congress and the President and express my outrage until something changes. Every glbt person in America and every advocate in America should be up in arms about this issue, but we all seem to be asleep at the wheel because President Obama is supposedly supportive. Until he steps up to the place and actually starts doing something to back up his words about equality, I will not stop calling him on his inconsistency. I will not allow anyone to tell me that I don't deserve to be married, legally, because of who I love. It's wrong and we need to take back our country from those who would deny us the same rights everyone else has.


So, glbt people and those who love us, join in and start a writing/calling campaign. Take to the streets in front of the White House. Visit your representatives. Do whatever you can to let them know that we're watching and waiting for them to do what is right and just, not politically expedient.

Okay, stepping off my soapbox for the moment. Thanks for letting me get that out!

Sharone

Editor's note: During the presidential campaign, I pointed out my belief that Obama was not in favor of equality for GLBT people, merely less discrimination. He has done nothing to disprove that, and we could even debate the less discrimination at this point.

Jim

Newsweek is asking the question "Can Obama Win Back the Gay Community?"

Words of Encouragement 6/17/09-"Eye Has Not Seen"

Pastor Doug Sewell, All Saints Community Church, Cortland, OH

http://allsaintsonline.s3.amazonaws.com/dms-2009-06-07.mp3

Music of Encouragement 6/17/09-In The Blink of an Eye

Do We REALLY Want to Preserve "Traditional Marriage"?

For those people who use the term "sancity of traditional marriage" to oppose same-sex marriage, well, you might want to be careful what you ask for after watching this clever video (thanks to The Mighty Pen for the link).

Words of Encouragement 6/16/09: "Straight From the Heart-The Character of Love"

Brenda brings a word of encouragement straight from the heart, focusing on scripture from 1Corinthians 13.

Music of Encouragement 6/16/09-Better Than Life

40 Trans Heroes

My facebook friend Meghan Stabler linked to this press release from the NGLTF:

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, the International Court System, in collaboration with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, is recognizing 40 transgender and gender- nonconforming individuals for their contribution toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality.

To mark this occasion, the International Court System is showcasing these "40 Trans Heroes" on its Web site at www.impcourt.org/Trans40/ to highlight the importance of the transgender and gender-nonconforming community as an equal and important part of the broader LGBT community. The "40 Trans Heroes" were solicited and selected from hundreds of nominations by a special committee of the International Court Council.

"This is by no means a complete list or a 'best of' or 'top 10' list. It is merely a beginning tribute to the thousands of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals that have made our modern-day movement possible," says Thom Hansen, president of the International Court Council. "This momentous tribute to the transgender community is a long time coming. The International Court System is honored to partner with the Task Force. Together, we pay tribute to those whose lives and works have impacted each and every one of us."

"On the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, let's remember the legacy of those who started our struggle for equality and liberation," says Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Recognizing 40 of the many transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals who have worked tirelessly and passionately in favor of full LGBT equality throughout these four decades is a reminder of the determination and persistence of the transgender community and of the human spirit. Let's continue to honor these important contributions toward a more just and equal society for all of us."

The International Court System will present a commemorative plaque inscribed with the names of these outstanding individuals on June 25 to be placed at the Stonewall Inn.


Click here to see the bios and phots of these 40 courageous people.

Words of Encouragement 6/15/09

We want Straight, Not Narrow to become a go-to resource for those in the GLBT community who want to know Christ (especially those who have been deeply wounded in previous church experiences) and those who already know Him who are looking for a closer relationship with Him, or just need an encouraging word. This is the first of an ongoing series of sermons delivered by ministers in independent open and affirming churches mixed in with podcasts from us that will be posted every weekday. We hope you are blessed.

"The Proof is in the Putting" by Pastor Leslie Tipton, Church of the Holy SpiritSong in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The Proof is in the Putting @ Yahoo! Video

Music of Encouragement: 6/15/09- 'Mine," a music video

Mariah & Byron Edington are straight allies who have a website titled "Caffection, Married to My Best Friend." They contacted us a little while back asking if they could use our picture in a music video they were going to produce, and we were delighted to say yes.

The video, set to the song "Mine" is completed, and here's the link. Our picture is early on, and let me present the video with a warning--if you don't want to see photos of couples that adore each other, you'd better skip it.

Great Article on The Evangelical Network Conference

A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to particilate in the annual conference of The Evangelical Network in Gastonia, NC. The organization is a group of evangelicals that is not only reaching out to include the GLBT community in God's kingdom, but is working with mainstream churches to bridge the gap between straight and GLBT people. If that sounds familiar, it might be that you saw it on the heading of this blog--that is a mission we are passionate about and hope to become involved in supporting TEN's efforts.

Gastonia is in the Charlotte metropolitan area, and the conference was covered by a lengthy article in their local GLBT newspaper, Q-Notes by Matt Comer (one of my Facebook friends). Thanks to TEN President Todd Farrell (another one of my Facebook friends) for the link. Here are some excerpts:

When most people hear the word “evangelical,” they immediately think of people like the late Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson of “The 700 Club” or Focus on the Family’s James Dobson. Far-right fundamentalists, it seems, don’t have a monopoly on the word. (AMEN!)

David Thomas, pastor of Abundant Grace Church near Hickory, was one of several local leaders who helped to organize the conference and assist with logistics. He told Q-Notes that he was excited to bring the conference to the state and help heal some of the rifts between LGBT people and their faith.

“Evangelicals have given the word ‘evangelical’ a bad rap,” he said. “The word comes from a Greek word meaning ‘good news.’ It is the good news of Jesus Christ. We believe the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, that he came to bring love, peace, deliverance and salvation to liberate peoples’ lives.”

Thomas was a speaker during one of the conference’s several worship experiences. He said he wanted to give people the message that they shouldn’t ever let anyone look down on them for any reason.

“If you are a person who believes in God, loves God, don’t let people look down on you,” he said. “Live a life that exemplifies what Christ’s life was about: love and caring for other people.”

David is a wonderful man of God, and I couldn't give any better advice that he did in that quote.

The conference was wonderful and we were very blessed and energized. It's no coincidence that you're seeing a lot more content on this blog (with more to come) since we came back. Thanks to Todd, Carl Smith, and everyone else who did the hard work and set the stage for the Holy Spirit to take over that hotel for the weekend.

Click here to read the rest of the article in Q-Notes.

Sunday Worship 6/14/09

If you don't have a welcoming church near you, or you just can't make yourself step into one, we're bringing worship to you. Here are links to some worship music and services from open and affirming ministries (all times eastern). I hope you are blessed and take time out of your busy schedule to enter into the Lord's day.

Don't forget to click on the tab on the upper right of this blog and leave your prayer requests in the comment section so we can petition the Lord for your needs.

We appreicate all of the positive feedback we've received for our Sunday Worship series. If you know of a service we should add to our list, please send an e-mail and share it with me.

Worship Music--sing along and make a joyful noise unto the Lord!









Live Sunday Services (all times Eastern)
VIDEO
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, 11:45 AM
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa, 11:00 AM
VA-Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, 11:00 AM
NC-Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Winston-Salem, 12:00 PM
OK-Diversity Christian Fellowship International, Tulsa, 1:00 PM
CA-Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, Long Beach, 1:00 PM
WA-Living Water Fellowship, Kenmore, 1:30 PM

AUDIO
Canada, Vancouver-Christ Alive Community Church, 10:15 PM
FL-Beacon of Hope Ministries, Dunedin (Living the Good Life radio program) 4:30 PM

Video Archive
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham
CA-Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, Long Beach
FL-Church of the Holy SpiritSong, Ft. Lauderdale
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa
GA-Gentle Spirit Christian Church, Atlanta
MI-Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
NC-Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Winston-Salem
OK-Expressions Community Fellowship, Oklahoma City
OK-Diversity Christian Fellowship International, Tulsa
TX-The One Church, Garland, TX
WA-Living Water Fellowship, Kenmore

Audio Archive
AZ-Community Church of Hope, Phoenix
AK-Open Door Community Church, Sherwood
CA-Christ Chapel of Long Beach
CA-Christ Chapel of the Valley, North Hollywood
FL-Beacon of Hope Ministries, Dunedin (Living the Good Life radio program)
FL-New Hope Christian Center, Pensecola
GA-New Covenant Church of Atlanta
MD-Kittamaqundi Community, Columbia
NC-Revolution Charlotte
OH-Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Akron
OH-All Saints Community Church, Cortland
TN-Covenant of the Cross-Madison
TX-New Hope Fellowship Church-Dallas
TX-White Rock Community Church-Dallas
TX-Community Gospel Church-Houston
TX-Through Him Fellowship-Houston
South Africa-Deo Gloria Family Church

Saturday Mini-Concert 6/13/09--Michael W. Smith

As you can tell, we're making music a big part of this blog. Another way we're doing that is presenting a mini-concert of songs by a popular Christian artist recorded live. We'll start today with Michael W. Smith:

Music of Encouragement 6/12/09-Salvation is Here

How Do We React To Violence?

With all of the violence we have heard about lately, I've been thinking a lot about how to deal with it.

I mean, we've got two wars in the Middle East, Dr. Tiller being killed in his church, Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns (the security guard at the Holocaust Museum who was killed today), and all the other horrible things that are going on.


Dr. Tiller was an abortion provider who specialized in late term abortions. Now, I'm a pro-life person and didn't like what he did for a living. However, it doesn't mean that killing him is okay! Didn't Jesus say to love our enemies? Didn't God tell us to forgive 70X7?! What happened to that? Every life is precious. What gets into peoples' heads that makes them think it's right to kill someone? Yes, some of us believe that abortion is morally wrong, but when we take the law into our own hands, we are no better than the people we're upset with.


The latest killing of Officer Johns really affected me. I've wanted to visit the Holocaust Museum many times, but for one reason or another, I never got over there. I've lived in the DC area most of my life and yet I can't seem to get downtown to honor all those who were killed by the Nazis. I can't imagine how I would have felt if I had visited only to have this crazy man walk in and start shooting!


Now, how should I react to these things? Let's see... Proverbs 20:22 says: "Do not say, 'I'll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you."


Micah 7:18-19 says: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."


Matthew 5:24: "Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."

Then there is Matthew 5:44-45: "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven..."


God commands us to forgive. There is no choice in the matter! Is it easy? No, but it's what we are called to do as Christians. I forgive these people for doing such evil as taking another's life, especially those who kill in the name of God. They will no doubt have a lot to answer for when they meet their Maker!


In response to the latest act of violence, I intend to make a donation to the Holocaust Museum. I hope you, dear reader, will consider doing the same.

Music of Encouragement 6/11/09--Holy Is the Lord

Reports Show That Relgious Voices Are Critical to Gain LGBT Equality

The NGLTF (National Gay & Lesbian Task Force) has released two reports that I believe you will find of interest:

Although examining different campaigns in different states in different years, the two reports draw remarkably similar conclusions about the need for partnerships between religious and secular supporters of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

The Task Force's report, A Time to Build Up: Analysis of the No on Proposition 8 Campaign and Its Implications for Future Pro-LGBTQQIA Religious Organizing, examines last fall's Proposition 8 battle in California, highlighting religious-secular partnerships relevant to marriage equality. The report was written by the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, program director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Institute for Welcoming Resources, and funded by the Arcus Foundation.

The Center's report, The Faithful Divide Over Wedding Vows: A Profile of Michigan's 2004 Battle Over Marriage Equality, examines the role that religious groups played in support of and opposition to Proposal 2, the ballot initiative on marriage equality in Michigan. It was written by Sally Steenland, senior policy advisor, Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative, Center for American Progress; and Jonathan Duffy, senior political science major, Kent State University, and intern, Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative, Center for American Progress.

Similarities in the report findings include:

* Anti-LGBT ballot initiatives are often rooted in conservative religious rhetoric. Effective responses require faith voices and messages to counteract these claims in order to show religious diversity in support of marriage equality and to disprove the notion that conservative religious voices are the sole guardians of morality on these issues.
* Secular-religious partnerships are crucial to the success of legislative campaigns and to the broader goals of social justice and equal rights under the law for LGBT people.
* Advocates should not write off certain religious communities as impossible to win nor overlook any "unlikely" allies, be it the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church or African-American churches. While some communities may have official pronouncements against marriage equality and campaign against it, almost always there are members within that community who by conscience have different views.
* A narrow political campaign frame hinders effective collaboration with religious communities. LGBT faith advocates and supporters must work within their denominations for full support of LGBT rights, including marriage equality and adoption by same-sex couples.
* Media work that takes seriously the language and culture of religious people is critical. It is crucial to quickly rebut inaccurate religious arguments and misleading statements from anti-equality forces. Furthermore, the message of LGBT rights should be framed in a mainstream way so that people feel connected to the issue. In addition, non-LGBT organizations, such as civil and human rights and faith groups, should be sought as campaign allies.
* It is important to have both a robust on-the-ground organization and an effective media campaign, especially in larger states where much of the battle is fought over the airwaves.

Some of this is common sense, but it is always good to have that verified by objective data gathering and analysis.

LGBT equality will not be achieved by either secular or religious forces. Only when the two align together for the common good will laws be changed and, much more importantly, attitudes moved beyone tollerance into acceptance, where equality is no longer an issue but simply a fact of life.

Click here to read more of the analysis and to download the complete reports.

Music of Encouragement 6/10/09--East to West

"Making Peace With Ourselves"

As I have done some extensive reading and studying of the Bible and teachings based on it, several central truths about effective Christian living have rung true. One of them is "you can't give something you don't have." This can take many forms, but perhaps none more clearly than love. After all, how can you love someone if you don't truly love yourself?

That question is addressed in this essay by Lincoln Rose at Whosoever magazine.

But here's what I do know: the past year and a half has shown me, in thousands of ways, that living at peace is tied firmly to loving your neighbor. And the Bible teaches that loving your neighbor is tied to loving yourself.

Often in my journey as a Christian, I haven't had it in me to get along. And I felt bad about it. But I've realized, how can one do something they've never really experienced? Examining myself has finally given me a framework for looking at others. But even then, my skills will still fall short. I will have to keep learning, watching, and listening. That's an essential thing I found out this time around. That often, listening yields much more good fruit than asking endless questions.

And as Christians, we are working on following the example set before us by the life of Jesus anyway. And Jesus listened - to everyone. Even the people He knew were out to get Him. Perhaps that's a core component of loving neighbors and living peacefully. Giving a fair ear to people, even when we know (or suspect) that they might not have good intentions. Who knows? God just might be out to surprise us.

Listening can seem like a lost art today; people are usually too busy trying to make their point to listen to anyone else's. As this esssy points out, though, it is still a valuable skill and perhaps one we should use more often.

Click here to read the rest of the essay at Whosoever.org

Music of Encouragement 6/9/09--Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

One African-American Minister's Fight FOR Gay Marriage

As somewhat of a rebuttal to yesterday's post, here is the story of Rev. Mark Wilson, a pastor in Berkely, CA and his fight for marriage equality. From The Berkely Dailey Planet (hat tip to Planting Affirming Churches):

Rev. Wilson has spent a lifetime in this polarized Christian debate on homosexuality. From as far back as Wilson can remember, he’s known two things about himself: he has a natural gift for preaching the gospel, and he is gay.

Wilson grew up in a devoted Christian family. He started directing the choir at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Oakland at age 12. By age 14 he was preaching from the pulpit. As a kid, he knew he was special, and he knew he was different, but he never thought his sexuality was a sin until he was 12 years old, when he heard his minister say, “God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.”

By high school, Wilson was tormented by the division between his sexuality and what he was being taught about it. He prayed for deliverance.

“I would say, ‘God, take this away from me. I don’t want to be damned’,” he said.

Preaching quickly became an avenue for Wilson to repress his burgeoning teenage hormones.

“I thought, if I’m this way, you can’t damn me if I preach your gospel and I’m the most knowledgeable on your gospel. I felt I had to compensate to get into heaven,” he said.

Wilson described himself as a sexist and a homophobe in college. He tried to form a ministers’ association on the campus of Howard University but was denied because he wouldn’t allow women. He said it was a sin for women to preach. Eventually, he was overburdened by the weight of his denial.

He remembers sitting alone behind the dormitories for an entire weekend, fasting and reading scripture. He finally came out of the closet to a professor whom he considered a mentor. Wilson said his mentor simply told him that God loved him. Soon after, he started to reinterpret the scriptures, he said, finding love rather than sin. And he embraced the love he found.

“That feeling of God’s love gave me freedom,” he said.

God's love can give everyone freedom the way Rev. Wilson experienced it.

Click here to read the rest of his story from The Berkely Daily Planet.

Music of Encouragement 6/8/09--Second Chance

We're starting a new feature here, a daily music video of a song with an encouraging message. We hope you enjoy and are blessed!

A Minister Plays the Race Card to Promote Discrimination

Bishop Henry Jackson has made quite a name for himself in right-wing circles. He is a fixture on their PR machine, Fox News, is a published author, and is much in demand as a public speaker.

He has also determined that Washington, DC should NOT recognize same-sex marriages from other states and will do whatever he has to in order to prevent it, even playing the race card (he is African-American). From the GLAA blog:

Bishop Harry Jackson, the anti-gay minister leading the push for a referendum on the marriage-recognition bill recently passed by the D.C. Council, offers more lies, distortions, and self-promotion in his recent piece for Townhall.com:

Liberal writers and political hacks in DC revealed early in this struggle the disregard and lack of respect they have for black clergy through their very racist, liberal assumptions.... It’s as though they were saying, “We know that you are not smart enough to develop such a strong strategy on your own.” In addition they were saying, “We own the black voters in this region; they are on our political plantation. How dare you free them from their mental chains!”

The message, “Say No to Same-sex Marriage!” has resonated with DC residents from 13 years old and up who feel as though they were disenfranchised by a pretentious, arrogant group that have claimed media control in our city. The media protests demonstrate the effectiveness we have had in cultivating an awareness of the issue at hand....

It is sad indeed that, after all of the efforts by so many people to heal our city and build bridges of cooperation, a self-proclaimed minister of God would stoop to such slanders and stoke racial hostility in so unscrupulous a manner. I have never heard anyone remotely hint at "owning" black voters. I have never heard anyone express a "desire to turn DC into an east coast San Francisco." (God only knows what fevered fantasies are stirred in Jackson's mind by that phrase.) There has certainly been no need for HRC to funnel pots of money to D.C. Council members to "curry favor" with them. GLAA, which is an all-volunteer, local advocacy group with little money, never gives a cent to politicians — indeed, many politicians give money to GLAA at our annual fundraising reception. Yet GLAA has built and maintained cordial and productive relationships with many Council members, based on our honesty, fairness, reputation for expertise and spirit of cooperation. It may be hard for Jackson to imagine how a group could be influential without spreading a lot of money around, but GLAA is a living example.

Jackson refers to the "'faux' civil rights claims of the gay community'" as part of his ploy to divide Washingtonians, ignoring the fact that the Human Rights Act in this majority-black city has included sexual orientation among its categories of prohibited discrimination for three and one-half decades, and despite the fact that a majority of the city's gay population is itself African American. We are glad at least that Jackson admits his eagerness to obtain national money. As to his "plantation" rhetoric, the closest thing to a plantation hereabouts is the city's subordination to the U.S. Congress — the very body to which Jackson and his cohorts eagerly run the moment our locally-elected legislature doesn't vote their way.

One wonders how Jackson can talk about other people's "media control" in light of the coverage Jackson has received for his inflammatory demonstrations. As to the people of Washington being disenfranchised, we would like to remind Jackson that the members of the D.C. Council who voted overwhelmingly for legal recognition of same-sex marriages were all elected by D.C. voters, whereas the members of Congress whom Jackson has urged to intervene were not. As to biblical marriage being the foundation of our culture, is Jackson now advocating the legalization of Old-Testament-style polygamy?

It's also worth noting that Jackson has never cast a vote in DC himself. From the Washington Blade:

The pastor of a Maryland church who’s seeking a voter referendum in D.C. to overturn a city law recognizing same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions did not become a registered voter in the city until April 22, according to voter registration records.

Rev. Harry Jackson Jr., pastor of Christian Hope Church in Beltsville, Md., and the lead proponent of the marriage referendum, lists his D.C. residence on the city’s voter registration rolls as an apartment in the upscale Whitman Condominium at 910 M St., N.W.

The city’s election law requires that persons proposing a voter referendum be a District resident and a registered D.C. voter. People participating in the signature gathering process to place a referendum on the ballot must also be District residents and duly registered voters.

I bring this story to your attention to remind everyone that someone preaching such hatred against those who disagree with him, who distorts (and sometimes completely ignores) facts, and who works around and manipulates the law to serve his purposes, is not acting in a manner even remotely consistent with how Jesus lived on Earth.

Just being the loudest one to claim "the truth" doesn't give your words and actions moral authority, only acting consistently within the scope of the Bible and the example of Jesus' life does. Again, discriminating against ANYONE is wrong because we are ALL God's children.

Remember, John 3:16 (KJV) says WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. My GLBT brothers and sisters, you are just as much a part of the Whosoever as I am, regardless of the hateful rhetoric spewed by people like Bishop Jackson.

I'm really tired of God's name and word being so badly twisted and used to manipulate people into behavior and attitudes so clearly at odds with His will and His word. Please share your stories of love and acceptance and work toward marginalizing hatred like that Bishop Jackson is attempting to spread. At some point I pray he and those like him take a breath and listen to people like you and actually consider that your stories might be valid and might represent the will of God better than what he's trying to sell. Then he could help people move closer to God instead of trying to drive a wedge between people and between those he discriminates against and the Lord.

As a positive footnote, you can read the Washington Blade's report on the 130 ministers who signed a declaration supporting marriage equality. Many of those ministers happened to be black.

Sunday Worship 6/7/09

If you don't have a welcoming church near you, or you just can't make yourself step into one, we're bringing worship to you. Here are links to some worship music and services from open and affirming ministries (all times eastern). I hope you are blessed and take time out of your busy schedule to enter into the Lord's day.

Don't forget to click on the tab on the upper right of this blog and leave your prayer requests in the comment section so we can petition the Lord for your needs.

We appreicate all of the positive feedback we've received for our Sunday Worship series. If you know of a service we should add to our list, please send an e-mail and share it with me. We've added several new live services this week and a new audio archive.

Worship Music--sing along and make a joyful noise unto the Lord!









Live Sunday Services (all times Eastern)
VIDEO
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, 11:45 AM
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa, 11:00 AM
VA-Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, 11:00 AM
NC-Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Winston-Salem, 12:00 PM
OK-Diversity Christian Fellowship International, Tulsa, 1:00 PM
CA-Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, Long Beach, 1:00 PM
WA-Living Water Fellowship, Kenmore, 1:30 PM

AUDIO
Canada, Vancouver-Christ Alive Community Church, 10:15 PM
FL-Beacon of Hope Ministries, Dunedin (Living the Good Life radio program) 4:30 PM

Video Archive
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham
CA-Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, Long Beach
FL-Church of the Holy SpiritSong, Ft. Lauderdale
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa
GA-Gentle Spirit Christian Church, Atlanta
MI-Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
NC-Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Winston-Salem
OK-Expressions Community Fellowship, Oklahoma City
OK-Diversity Christian Fellowship International, Tulsa
TX-The One Church, Garland, TX
WA-Living Water Fellowship, Kenmore

Audio Archive
AZ-Community Church of Hope, Phoenix
AK-Open Door Community Church, Sherwood
CA-Christ Chapel of Long Beach
CA-Christ Chapel of the Valley, North Hollywood
FL-Beacon of Hope Ministries, Dunedin (Living the Good Life radio program)
FL-New Hope Christian Center, Pensecola
GA-New Covenant Church of Atlanta
MD-Kittamaqundi Community, Columbia
NC-Revolution Charlotte
OH-Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Akron
OH-All Saints Community Church, Cortland
TN-Covenant of the Cross-Madison
TX-New Hope Fellowship Church-Dallas
TX-White Rock Community Church-Dallas
TX-Community Gospel Church-Houston
TX-Through Him Fellowship-Houston
South Africa-Deo Gloria Family Church

Bjorn Borg--Tennis Legend and Same-Sex Marriage Advocate

The man who dominated Wimbledon in the late 1970's adds his support to same-sex marriage by sponsoring this sweet commercial (hat tip to Gay Agenda):

Ho Hum, Another State Makes Same-Sex Marriage Legal

Well, it's not quite a ho-hum situation--yet--but it's not earth-shattering news either anymore when same-sex marriage gains full legal recognition in a state.

Today, it was New Hampshire:

Governor John Lynch, a Democrat, signed the bill shortly after legislators in the northeastern state approved the measure, his spokesman Colin Manning said.

The lower house passed the bill earlier Wednesday by a simple majority. The upper house has already passed the same draft law.

Lynch had indicated he would give his signature provided there was protection for the rights of religious groups opposing gay marriage, something legislators said is achieved in the bill.

In a statement after the vote, the lower house said the bill “distinguishes between civil and religious marriage and says that any two individuals have a right to a civil marriage. It also leaves it up to each religion whether to recognize and officiate over same-sex marriages.”

In April after a vote in the state senate, Lynch had said he recognized the issue was “intensely passionate and personal, and raises strong emotions on all sides.”

That last quote is a bit of an understatement but at least it is a recognition of reality.

Hopefully more people across the nation will recognize the reality of this trend in our society against discrimination and toward equality for ALL of God's children.

Blogging For LGBT Families Day 2009

Today is the 4th annual "Blogging For LGBT Familes Day" at Mombian.

I didn't contribute anything this year (I wish I did) but there will be dozens of posts from all different viewpoints on the subject of LGBT familes. There's something for everyone there with even a slight interest in that topic, and I encourage you to take time to check it out. There will be posts added throughout the day.

Here's the link.