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.
Live Sunday Services (all times Eastern)
VIDEO
MI-Renaissance Unity Church, Warren, 10:00 AM
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa, 11:00 AM
VA-Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, 11:00 AM
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, 11:45 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-Renaissance Unity Church, Warren
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
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
Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com
September 06, 2009
Daily Devotional 9/6/2009 -"Behind the Throne"
From: Our Daily Bread
God changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings. —Daniel 2:21
During my lifetime I have seen evil men rise to political and military power, make colossal blunders, and pass off the scene. Even good leaders leave a record that includes mistakes and weaknesses.
The first chapter of Esther shows us the pride of King Ahasuerus, head of the mighty Persian Empire. He hosted an elaborate festival designed to display his riches and splendor. After 7 days of partying, the king gave orders to his servants to bring Vashti, his queen, before the revelers so they could see her great beauty. But Queen Vashti refused to come, humiliating the great king of Persia (vv.12-18).
Ahasuerus was furious and sought counsel from the wise men of his kingdom. They advised him to remove Vashti as queen and "give her royal position to another who is better than she" (v.19). God used these unusual events to place a Jewish girl in a strategic position to preserve His people from destruction.
God's name is not mentioned in the entire book of Esther, but the message in chapter 1 comes through loud and clear: God can bring good out of everything, even when flawed and mistake-prone humans are involved. He is the real power behind the throne.
— Herbert Vander Lugt
We comprehend Him not,
Yet earth and heaven tell,
God sits as sovereign on the throne,
And ruleth all things well. —Gerhardt
The most powerful ruler is but a pawn in the hand of the King of kings.
God changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings. —Daniel 2:21
During my lifetime I have seen evil men rise to political and military power, make colossal blunders, and pass off the scene. Even good leaders leave a record that includes mistakes and weaknesses.
The first chapter of Esther shows us the pride of King Ahasuerus, head of the mighty Persian Empire. He hosted an elaborate festival designed to display his riches and splendor. After 7 days of partying, the king gave orders to his servants to bring Vashti, his queen, before the revelers so they could see her great beauty. But Queen Vashti refused to come, humiliating the great king of Persia (vv.12-18).
Ahasuerus was furious and sought counsel from the wise men of his kingdom. They advised him to remove Vashti as queen and "give her royal position to another who is better than she" (v.19). God used these unusual events to place a Jewish girl in a strategic position to preserve His people from destruction.
God's name is not mentioned in the entire book of Esther, but the message in chapter 1 comes through loud and clear: God can bring good out of everything, even when flawed and mistake-prone humans are involved. He is the real power behind the throne.
— Herbert Vander Lugt
We comprehend Him not,
Yet earth and heaven tell,
God sits as sovereign on the throne,
And ruleth all things well. —Gerhardt
The most powerful ruler is but a pawn in the hand of the King of kings.
September 05, 2009
Encouraging Words 9/5/09-"It easier to hate people when you don't have to look across the table and say 'pass the salt' to them
A Lutheran pastor, Re. Erik Samuelson, was invited to write an essay for Queerty about what the vote at the recent ELCA conference means to Lutherans across America. Here's an excerpt:
Well, I must say this is a first for me—writing a guest editorial for a queer website—but I'm guessing that it is the first time an ordained Lutheran pastor has been invited to write for this website so we're all in uncharted territory. And I've read a bit of how religion (especially Christianity) gets spoken of on this site, so I suppose I'm opening myself up for a shit-storm of comments and emails—and many of them I'm sure based on horrible personal experiences you all have had, which I get. And for what its worth, I'm sorry that we Christians have allowed this unchecked hate to go on for so long and have been such hypocrites. I don't intend to defend my faith, the Bible, or my church, or to try to convince you that you should believe what I believe or do what I do. But these things are important to me, and so I'm glad to tell you about them. Do with it what you will.
It's easier to hate people when you don't have to look across the table and say “pass the salt” to them. But the witness of the Gospel of Jesus (when we are getting it right) is that everyone means everyone, all are welcome at the table—and that means anti-gay folks as much as gay folks, as hard as that may be. What the “magical homo” did was a very difficult act of justice, kindness, and humble walking with God, when nobody would have been surprised if he were to have acted in vengeance instead (as one queerty.com commentator said: “kick some ass”) and many would have cheered him on. And what I saw again and again on that assembly floor was that gay and lesbian people and their allies (including me) were surprised by the feeling of pain and compassion they experienced when the thing they had longed for finally was reality. They realized that they knew, deeply, what those newly queered folks (their brothers and sisters) were now experiencing—and reached out to them not as opponents, but as fellow broken, hurting, queer people. To use my Jesus language, Jesus broke himself (and continues to break himself for our sake) so that we might be made whole. And followers of Jesus—gay and straight, rich and poor, male and female, Democrat and Republican, fundamentalist and liberal—when we are doing this right, reach out of our brokenness (and I dare say our queerness?) to bring healing to our brothers and sisters.
How queer these Lutheran Christians are, loving people who aren't like them, loving as would wish to be loved, even their enemies as themselves. Isn't this the kind of justice we all long for?
We believe this truly represents the heart of Jesus. Click here to read the rest of Rev. Samuelson's essay.
Well, I must say this is a first for me—writing a guest editorial for a queer website—but I'm guessing that it is the first time an ordained Lutheran pastor has been invited to write for this website so we're all in uncharted territory. And I've read a bit of how religion (especially Christianity) gets spoken of on this site, so I suppose I'm opening myself up for a shit-storm of comments and emails—and many of them I'm sure based on horrible personal experiences you all have had, which I get. And for what its worth, I'm sorry that we Christians have allowed this unchecked hate to go on for so long and have been such hypocrites. I don't intend to defend my faith, the Bible, or my church, or to try to convince you that you should believe what I believe or do what I do. But these things are important to me, and so I'm glad to tell you about them. Do with it what you will.
It's easier to hate people when you don't have to look across the table and say “pass the salt” to them. But the witness of the Gospel of Jesus (when we are getting it right) is that everyone means everyone, all are welcome at the table—and that means anti-gay folks as much as gay folks, as hard as that may be. What the “magical homo” did was a very difficult act of justice, kindness, and humble walking with God, when nobody would have been surprised if he were to have acted in vengeance instead (as one queerty.com commentator said: “kick some ass”) and many would have cheered him on. And what I saw again and again on that assembly floor was that gay and lesbian people and their allies (including me) were surprised by the feeling of pain and compassion they experienced when the thing they had longed for finally was reality. They realized that they knew, deeply, what those newly queered folks (their brothers and sisters) were now experiencing—and reached out to them not as opponents, but as fellow broken, hurting, queer people. To use my Jesus language, Jesus broke himself (and continues to break himself for our sake) so that we might be made whole. And followers of Jesus—gay and straight, rich and poor, male and female, Democrat and Republican, fundamentalist and liberal—when we are doing this right, reach out of our brokenness (and I dare say our queerness?) to bring healing to our brothers and sisters.
How queer these Lutheran Christians are, loving people who aren't like them, loving as would wish to be loved, even their enemies as themselves. Isn't this the kind of justice we all long for?
We believe this truly represents the heart of Jesus. Click here to read the rest of Rev. Samuelson's essay.
SNN Recommends 9/5/09-"The Gathering Place, Atlanta GA
From The Gathering Place's website:
Welcome to The Gathering Place Atlanta (T.G.P.A.) !We are an open and affirming church that welcomes anyone and everyone, regardless of age, race or sexual orientation.
Here at T.G.P.A. we believe that the worship of God is the highest calling of every believer. Unfortunately, many in the LGBT community have been rejected by mainstream churches and as a result feel spiritually outcast. Jesus always went out of His way to minister to those who were the outcasts. It is the desire of myself and Edward my partner of 11 years, to reach out to all of God's children. Jesus loves you with an everlasting love and we invite you to come worship with our wonderful T.G.P.A. family.
Our church is a Gay, GLBT, LGBT Affirming Christian Non-Denominational church located in Atlanta GA. Our worship style is charismatic and pentecostal, however many traditional backgrounds are represented throughout our congregation.
Our congregation consists of individuals who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgendered and straight. EVERYONE is welcome regardless of race, natural origin, color, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation we invite you to worship with us!
Click here to check it out, and do try to find an affirming church to worship at this weekend. You can consult our list here.
Welcome to The Gathering Place Atlanta (T.G.P.A.) !We are an open and affirming church that welcomes anyone and everyone, regardless of age, race or sexual orientation.
Here at T.G.P.A. we believe that the worship of God is the highest calling of every believer. Unfortunately, many in the LGBT community have been rejected by mainstream churches and as a result feel spiritually outcast. Jesus always went out of His way to minister to those who were the outcasts. It is the desire of myself and Edward my partner of 11 years, to reach out to all of God's children. Jesus loves you with an everlasting love and we invite you to come worship with our wonderful T.G.P.A. family.
Our church is a Gay, GLBT, LGBT Affirming Christian Non-Denominational church located in Atlanta GA. Our worship style is charismatic and pentecostal, however many traditional backgrounds are represented throughout our congregation.
Our congregation consists of individuals who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgendered and straight. EVERYONE is welcome regardless of race, natural origin, color, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation we invite you to worship with us!
Click here to check it out, and do try to find an affirming church to worship at this weekend. You can consult our list here.
NAACP Chariman to LGBT Community-"Victory is Just Ahead"
That's a quote from an e-mail NAACP Chairman Julian Bond sent to blogger/activist Pam Spaulding. This is not a surprise, Bond has been a vocal supporter of LGBT rights for some time, but it is still encouraging to see him engage someone like Pam and to be so encouraging in his message. His full response, from Pam's House Blend:
I do not believe the battle for LGBT rights will ever be won until we can diminish the homophobia in black communities and until more in the black LGBT community join the battle openly.
(It is awfully easy for a straight man to say "come out" - I can only imagine the scorn and derision that would follow some who did so.)
I've often wondered what would be the result of black LGBT church goers standing up in the churches they attend and saying "I'm gay - you know me - I'm like you. I am what God made me. Why do you treat me so badly?"
(It is equally easy for a non-church goer like me to say that.)
If not a church goer, I am an optimist - and I believe the day when equality for all reigns will soon come.
He also sent Pam a copy of a 2008 address he made on equality and LGBT rights.
Click here to read it and Pam's comments at Pam's House Blend.
I do not believe the battle for LGBT rights will ever be won until we can diminish the homophobia in black communities and until more in the black LGBT community join the battle openly.
(It is awfully easy for a straight man to say "come out" - I can only imagine the scorn and derision that would follow some who did so.)
I've often wondered what would be the result of black LGBT church goers standing up in the churches they attend and saying "I'm gay - you know me - I'm like you. I am what God made me. Why do you treat me so badly?"
(It is equally easy for a non-church goer like me to say that.)
If not a church goer, I am an optimist - and I believe the day when equality for all reigns will soon come.
He also sent Pam a copy of a 2008 address he made on equality and LGBT rights.
Click here to read it and Pam's comments at Pam's House Blend.
Daily Devotional 9/5/09-"Using Your Talents"
From Light Source.com/New Life Daily Devotion
Do not neglect the gift that is in you. 1 Timothy 4:14 NKJV
God gives each of us a unique assortment of talents and opportunities. And our Heavenly Father instructs us to be faithful stewards of the gifts that He bestows upon us. But we live in a world that encourages us to do otherwise.
Ours is a society that is filled to the brim with countless opportunities to squander our time, our resources, and our talents. So we must be watchful for distractions and temptations that might lead us astray.
God has blessed you with unique opportunities to serve Him, and He has given you every tool that you need to do so. Today, accept this challenge: value the talent that God has given you, nourish it, make it grow, and share it with the world. After all, the best way to say “Thank You” for God’s gifts is to use them.
Not everyone possesses boundless energy or a conspicuous talent. We are not equally blessed with great intellect or physical beauty or emotional strength. But we have all been given the same ability to be faithful.
Gigi Graham Tchividjian
The Lord has abundantly blessed me all of my life. I’m not trying to pay Him back for all of His wonderful gifts; I just realize that He gave them to me to give away.
Lisa Whelchel
It is the definition of joy to be able to offer back to God the essence of what He’s placed in you, be that creativity or a love of ideas or a compassionate heart or the gift of hospitality.
Paula Rinehart
Almighty God created us, redeemed us, called us, endowed us with gifts and abilities and perceptions. To demean the gift is to insult the Giver.
Penelope Stokes
Today’s Prayer
Father, You have given me abilities to be used for the glory of Your kingdom. Give me the courage and the perseverance to use those talents. Keep me mindful that all my gifts come from You, Lord. Let me be Your faithful, humble servant, and let me give You all the glory and all the praise. Amen.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you. 1 Timothy 4:14 NKJV
God gives each of us a unique assortment of talents and opportunities. And our Heavenly Father instructs us to be faithful stewards of the gifts that He bestows upon us. But we live in a world that encourages us to do otherwise.
Ours is a society that is filled to the brim with countless opportunities to squander our time, our resources, and our talents. So we must be watchful for distractions and temptations that might lead us astray.
God has blessed you with unique opportunities to serve Him, and He has given you every tool that you need to do so. Today, accept this challenge: value the talent that God has given you, nourish it, make it grow, and share it with the world. After all, the best way to say “Thank You” for God’s gifts is to use them.
Not everyone possesses boundless energy or a conspicuous talent. We are not equally blessed with great intellect or physical beauty or emotional strength. But we have all been given the same ability to be faithful.
Gigi Graham Tchividjian
The Lord has abundantly blessed me all of my life. I’m not trying to pay Him back for all of His wonderful gifts; I just realize that He gave them to me to give away.
Lisa Whelchel
It is the definition of joy to be able to offer back to God the essence of what He’s placed in you, be that creativity or a love of ideas or a compassionate heart or the gift of hospitality.
Paula Rinehart
Almighty God created us, redeemed us, called us, endowed us with gifts and abilities and perceptions. To demean the gift is to insult the Giver.
Penelope Stokes
Today’s Prayer
Father, You have given me abilities to be used for the glory of Your kingdom. Give me the courage and the perseverance to use those talents. Keep me mindful that all my gifts come from You, Lord. Let me be Your faithful, humble servant, and let me give You all the glory and all the praise. Amen.
September 04, 2009
Encouraging Words 9/4/09-A Message of Restoration from Nehemiah 4 (Part 4 of 4)
Apostle Randy Morgan from New Covenant Church in Atlanta, GA preaches about restoration and perseverance using the 4th chapter of Nehemiah as his text. This part is in two sections below.
SNN Recommends 9/4/09-"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
In a recent survey, Jon Stewart was voted the most trusted newsman in America.
That's scary.
I (Jim) also agree.
Stewart is also the funniest (no disrespect to Stephen Colbert).
We are linking to the home page for The Daily Show, which includes highlights of Jon's recent rants and interviews and also complete episodes.
Enjoy and try to remember it is fake news, at least some of it.
Click here to check it out.
That's scary.
I (Jim) also agree.
Stewart is also the funniest (no disrespect to Stephen Colbert).
We are linking to the home page for The Daily Show, which includes highlights of Jon's recent rants and interviews and also complete episodes.
Enjoy and try to remember it is fake news, at least some of it.
Click here to check it out.
Methodist Minister Reveals to Congregation That He Is Transgender
From The Oregonian:
The Rev. David Weekley told the congregation of Epworth United Methodist Church a secret Sunday that he'd kept for 27 years: Almost a decade before his ordination journey began in 1982, he'd undergone counseling and several surgeries and became a transgender man.
"I am a man in some ways different from other men," he said. "But most people are different from other people in some way. And God still loves us."
After his sermon, the Rev. Bonnie Parr Philipson, metropolitan district superintendent of the United Methodist Church, affirmed to the congregation that Weekley's status within the church did not change with his revelation. She read a statement from Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata, leader of the Oregon-Idaho Methodist conference.
Weekley "is choosing now to share this earlier part of his life journey honestly and openly," Hoshibata wrote. "This decision does not, in any way, change his faith or his commitment to the ministry to which he was ordained, nor does it change his status as an elder in good standing. I prayerfully ask that his congregation, his colleagues and the United Methodist Church continue to uphold him and his family at this time."
"The United Methodist book of discipline does not speak to transgender as an impediment to ordination," said Greg Nelson, director of communications for the United Methodist Church in Oregon and Idaho.
Weekley has served congregations in Idaho and Oregon, including Salem, Corvallis, Forest Grove, Montavilla and Epworth. He has been married twice to women who knew his story. His wife of 13 years, Deborah, and he have a blended family of five adult children, all of whom know their father's history.
Before the service, Deborah Weekley said she was nervous for her husband, but she supported his decision, adding that she hopes someday such declarations won't be necessary.
Amen to that last statement. May God continue to bless Rev. Weekley's ministry efforts.
Click here to read the rest of The Oregonian story.
The Rev. David Weekley told the congregation of Epworth United Methodist Church a secret Sunday that he'd kept for 27 years: Almost a decade before his ordination journey began in 1982, he'd undergone counseling and several surgeries and became a transgender man.
"I am a man in some ways different from other men," he said. "But most people are different from other people in some way. And God still loves us."
After his sermon, the Rev. Bonnie Parr Philipson, metropolitan district superintendent of the United Methodist Church, affirmed to the congregation that Weekley's status within the church did not change with his revelation. She read a statement from Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata, leader of the Oregon-Idaho Methodist conference.
Weekley "is choosing now to share this earlier part of his life journey honestly and openly," Hoshibata wrote. "This decision does not, in any way, change his faith or his commitment to the ministry to which he was ordained, nor does it change his status as an elder in good standing. I prayerfully ask that his congregation, his colleagues and the United Methodist Church continue to uphold him and his family at this time."
"The United Methodist book of discipline does not speak to transgender as an impediment to ordination," said Greg Nelson, director of communications for the United Methodist Church in Oregon and Idaho.
Weekley has served congregations in Idaho and Oregon, including Salem, Corvallis, Forest Grove, Montavilla and Epworth. He has been married twice to women who knew his story. His wife of 13 years, Deborah, and he have a blended family of five adult children, all of whom know their father's history.
Before the service, Deborah Weekley said she was nervous for her husband, but she supported his decision, adding that she hopes someday such declarations won't be necessary.
Amen to that last statement. May God continue to bless Rev. Weekley's ministry efforts.
Click here to read the rest of The Oregonian story.
Daily Devotional 9/4/09-"Living Free"
From Christianity.com/LivingFree.org:
Today's Scripture
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Philippians 4:6-7 MSG
Thoughts for Today
Dealing with the consequences of a loved one's problem is difficult. Pain, stress and frustration often build up to an overload level. Living in that overload condition can do harm. It can affect our emotional and physical health?virtually everything in our lives.
In order to avoid this state of overload, we must believe that there is hope. Not hope in our loved ones' ability to overcome the problem on their own. Not hope in our own ability to fix the problem. As much as we may want to, we can't take charge and make things right.
There is only one real hope?faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in his love?he cares greatly about where we are and what we need. Faith in his power?he is able to deliver us from the fears and stress. Faith in his plan for us?he has a plan for our future that will not harm us, but will prosper us.
Consider this …
God won't force our loved ones to change, but he will help them when they are ready to reach out to him. In the meantime, he will comfort and strengthen us. Ask him to help you approach each day with an attitude that confidently expects him to do good things in your life and in the lives of those you care about.
Prayer
Father, sometimes I really do feel as though I am running on overload. Thank you for reminding me that I don't have to?that I am not alone. Teach me to trust Jesus instead of being overcome with worry. In Jesus' name …
Today's Scripture
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Philippians 4:6-7 MSG
Thoughts for Today
Dealing with the consequences of a loved one's problem is difficult. Pain, stress and frustration often build up to an overload level. Living in that overload condition can do harm. It can affect our emotional and physical health?virtually everything in our lives.
In order to avoid this state of overload, we must believe that there is hope. Not hope in our loved ones' ability to overcome the problem on their own. Not hope in our own ability to fix the problem. As much as we may want to, we can't take charge and make things right.
There is only one real hope?faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in his love?he cares greatly about where we are and what we need. Faith in his power?he is able to deliver us from the fears and stress. Faith in his plan for us?he has a plan for our future that will not harm us, but will prosper us.
Consider this …
God won't force our loved ones to change, but he will help them when they are ready to reach out to him. In the meantime, he will comfort and strengthen us. Ask him to help you approach each day with an attitude that confidently expects him to do good things in your life and in the lives of those you care about.
Prayer
Father, sometimes I really do feel as though I am running on overload. Thank you for reminding me that I don't have to?that I am not alone. Teach me to trust Jesus instead of being overcome with worry. In Jesus' name …
September 03, 2009
Encouraging Words 9/3/09-A Message of Restoration from Nehemiah 4 (Part 3 of 4)
Apostle Randy Morgan from New Covenant Church in Atlanta, GA preaches about restoration and perseverance using the 4th chapter of Nehemiah as his text. Part 4 coming tomorrow.
SNN Recommends 9/3/09-"Evangelicals Concerned"
From the Evangelicals Concerned website:
We are the national network of gay and lesbian evangelical Christians and friends. A non-profit organization founded in 1975 by Dr. Ralph Blair, EC has served the gay community for a quarter century, providing hope, encouragement, teaching and fellowship to women and men seeking to integrate their faith and sexual orientation. On these pages you'll find the Good News of God's grace and peace in Christ to a people called to lives of grateful service. You'll find what we believe, how we view the clobber passages that are so often used against us and much more. Dr. Blair's quarterly Record and Review, a literature review on religion and homosexuality, is also available.
Click here to check them out.
We are the national network of gay and lesbian evangelical Christians and friends. A non-profit organization founded in 1975 by Dr. Ralph Blair, EC has served the gay community for a quarter century, providing hope, encouragement, teaching and fellowship to women and men seeking to integrate their faith and sexual orientation. On these pages you'll find the Good News of God's grace and peace in Christ to a people called to lives of grateful service. You'll find what we believe, how we view the clobber passages that are so often used against us and much more. Dr. Blair's quarterly Record and Review, a literature review on religion and homosexuality, is also available.
Click here to check them out.
What If You Had to Ask 4 Million People For Permission to Marry?
That's the theme of this understated but very profound commercial airing in Ireland produced by the organization MarriageEquality. Thanks to Queers United for the link.
Daily Devotional 9/3/2009 -"Inner Peace"
From Reflections:
John 16:33, NIV: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
I often think of the peace God gives as a peace that is with us in the midst of our circumstances—a peace we experience regardless of external trials. But it is also a peace that goes much deeper. The turmoil we face is often internal, having little to do with external things. As we struggle with finding direction, making a personal decision, or coming to grips with personal attitudes and downfalls, His peace is available. And His peace is consistent regardless of the outer, or inner, storms we must endure.
By Randy Chambers
John 16:33, NIV: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
I often think of the peace God gives as a peace that is with us in the midst of our circumstances—a peace we experience regardless of external trials. But it is also a peace that goes much deeper. The turmoil we face is often internal, having little to do with external things. As we struggle with finding direction, making a personal decision, or coming to grips with personal attitudes and downfalls, His peace is available. And His peace is consistent regardless of the outer, or inner, storms we must endure.
By Randy Chambers
September 02, 2009
Mid-week Worship 9/2/09
Bredna's podcast is titled "Are We Believers or Scoffers?" She teaches that the Lord doesn't want anyone to miss out on eternal salvation in the last days as found in 2 Peter 3: 3-13.
SNN Recommends 9/2/09-"Garden State Equality (NJ)"
New Jersey is showing signs of becoming a battleground state in the fight for marriage equality, and Garden State Equality is helping to lead the way. Although civil unions are legal in New Jersey, that was seen as only a stepping stone toward full marriage rights for LGBT people. the GSE home page is promoting a video and extensive report showing where civil unions fall short of granting full marriage rights and making the case for complete equality.
Click her to check it out.
Click her to check it out.
Wedding Bells Ring for ALL in Vermont
Two nice stories from the first day of full marriage equality in Vermont:
From the Associated Press
After 17 years together, Bill Slimback and Bob Sullivan couldn't wait another minute to get married. So they didn't.
With Vermont's new law allowing same-sex marriage only a minute old, they tied the knot in a midnight ceremony at a rustic Vermont lodge, becoming one of the first couples to legally wed under a law that took effect at midnight Monday.
Dressed in suits, saying their vows under a large wall-mounted moose head, the two Whitehall, N.Y., men promised their love, exchanged rings and held hands during a modest 17-minute ceremony. Moose Meadow Lodge co-owner Greg Trulson, who's also a Justice of the Peace, presided.
"It feels wonderful," said Slimback, 38, an out-of-work Teamster who is taking Sullivan's last name as his own. "It's a day I've been long waiting for, and a day I truly honestly thought would never come."
From the Burlington, VT Free-Press:
Perhaps a minute or two after midnight, 27-year-old Cori Giroux and 34-year-old Claire Williams joined hands and repeated words they had only dreamed they get would get the chance to say to each other --- “With this ring, I join with you in civil marriage.”
They slipped silver bands on each other’s fingers, rings they’ve worn since their first commitment ceremony three years ago. Then Beth Robinson, a founder of Vermont Freedom to Marry and one of the attorneys in a same-sex marriage lawsuit, pronounced the two women to be married.
Williams, in mocha polka-dot dress and Giroux in a white blouse and tailored toffee-colored slacks, kissed and hugged while 21 friends crowded into the tiny living room of the women’s South Burlington home clapped and let out a few hoots.
Williams turned to thank the group who had stayed up late on a work night to witness history. The wedding had been purposely scheduled for the first moments when Vermont’s marriage equality law took effect today.
“It means so much for you to be here,” Williams said. “Now please eat some food.”
Williams and Giroux didn’t set out to make history. Williams said she didn’t even plan on falling in love when the pair first met at a party five years ago.
That last quote really struck me (Jim) because Brenda and I didn't plan on falling in love either, but we didn't have to wait for a law to be changed to tie the know.
Fortunately, neither do the residents of Vermont, and one day ALL residents of the United States should have the right to marry the person they lover regardless of gender.
From the Associated Press
After 17 years together, Bill Slimback and Bob Sullivan couldn't wait another minute to get married. So they didn't.
With Vermont's new law allowing same-sex marriage only a minute old, they tied the knot in a midnight ceremony at a rustic Vermont lodge, becoming one of the first couples to legally wed under a law that took effect at midnight Monday.
Dressed in suits, saying their vows under a large wall-mounted moose head, the two Whitehall, N.Y., men promised their love, exchanged rings and held hands during a modest 17-minute ceremony. Moose Meadow Lodge co-owner Greg Trulson, who's also a Justice of the Peace, presided.
"It feels wonderful," said Slimback, 38, an out-of-work Teamster who is taking Sullivan's last name as his own. "It's a day I've been long waiting for, and a day I truly honestly thought would never come."
From the Burlington, VT Free-Press:
Perhaps a minute or two after midnight, 27-year-old Cori Giroux and 34-year-old Claire Williams joined hands and repeated words they had only dreamed they get would get the chance to say to each other --- “With this ring, I join with you in civil marriage.”
They slipped silver bands on each other’s fingers, rings they’ve worn since their first commitment ceremony three years ago. Then Beth Robinson, a founder of Vermont Freedom to Marry and one of the attorneys in a same-sex marriage lawsuit, pronounced the two women to be married.
Williams, in mocha polka-dot dress and Giroux in a white blouse and tailored toffee-colored slacks, kissed and hugged while 21 friends crowded into the tiny living room of the women’s South Burlington home clapped and let out a few hoots.
Williams turned to thank the group who had stayed up late on a work night to witness history. The wedding had been purposely scheduled for the first moments when Vermont’s marriage equality law took effect today.
“It means so much for you to be here,” Williams said. “Now please eat some food.”
Williams and Giroux didn’t set out to make history. Williams said she didn’t even plan on falling in love when the pair first met at a party five years ago.
That last quote really struck me (Jim) because Brenda and I didn't plan on falling in love either, but we didn't have to wait for a law to be changed to tie the know.
Fortunately, neither do the residents of Vermont, and one day ALL residents of the United States should have the right to marry the person they lover regardless of gender.
Daily Devotional 9/2/09-"Only One Way to Achieve Patience"
From Crosswalk the Devotional:
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8, NIV
Our senior pastor came into the room for a pre-arranged talk with all of us high school senior guys. He wanted to share something with us as we moved off into the next phases of our lives.
Out of all the applications and biblical wisdom at his disposal, what one topic was on his heart? What advice did he wish to impart above all?
He began by asking us to envision where we'd be in five, 10, 20 years. I'm just now coming up on that 20th year; I'm amazed at how differently some things have turned out, and how similar to my goals other things are. But that's not the point.
Our pastor next told us that the one thing we ought to pursue more than any other was... not holiness, not righteousness, not prayer... but patience. "Boys, raise your hand if you want to be a man of patience."
Okay, sure. Sounds good. Patience, yeah, that could be helpful to me. Hand up.
"Great. I'll tell you what, boys, can I pray with you now? But be aware, only agree with me in this prayer if you mean it, if you really want patience. Because do you know what it takes to develop patience? Problems. Only problems - and the way you react to them and trust God through them - can develop patience. Do you understand? So that's what I'm going to ask God for right now, that He'll bring you all problems. Are you ready?"
Sure. Why not?
Oh boy. Looking back, the last 20 years haven't exactly been hell on earth, but they've sure been full of their share of problems. Right at this moment, I've got one that's forcing me to wait... and wait... and wait for an answer. I feel shamed when I go through a study about Abraham and how long he waited and waited for God to fulfill a direct promise, because I can't imagine waiting any longer than I already have. The only reason I continue to do so is because of the patience and wisdom I've built up having passed through earlier problems and trials, the outcomes of which inform me to keep waiting.
What's the moral here? Be careful what you pray for? Hmmm... maybe... but I think I prefer the lesson in today's verse, that patience (trusting God's way and waiting on His promise) is better than pride (my idea of the best way). To me, it's really eye-opening to think of those two concepts - patience and pride - as the opposites of each other. It suggests patience is akin to humility, and pride the brother of instant gratification. And I guess that makes sense. But why is patience better? Especially in this day and age when so much is there for the taking? When the respected thing to do is reach out and go for it? What had my pastor so convinced that doing the opposite was the most important lesson to send young men out into the world?
Honestly I haven't completely figured that out yet. Appropriately, it's something I'm willing to be patient to gain the wisdom of. But I suspect it has something to do with that pesky old verse from James:
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).
Only problems can bring patience; only trials can test faith and make it real. Only endurance can lead to completion.
And when I am complete, I will lack nothing. At which time I apparently will have superceded even patience, as what would there be to wait for if I lack nothing?
It sounds almost mystical, almost unachievable, at least until the end of my life or when I meet God. Until then, I simply pray that the experience of each problem and the eventual result will steel me into calm, patient submission to God's perfect timing.
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8, NIV
Our senior pastor came into the room for a pre-arranged talk with all of us high school senior guys. He wanted to share something with us as we moved off into the next phases of our lives.
Out of all the applications and biblical wisdom at his disposal, what one topic was on his heart? What advice did he wish to impart above all?
He began by asking us to envision where we'd be in five, 10, 20 years. I'm just now coming up on that 20th year; I'm amazed at how differently some things have turned out, and how similar to my goals other things are. But that's not the point.
Our pastor next told us that the one thing we ought to pursue more than any other was... not holiness, not righteousness, not prayer... but patience. "Boys, raise your hand if you want to be a man of patience."
Okay, sure. Sounds good. Patience, yeah, that could be helpful to me. Hand up.
"Great. I'll tell you what, boys, can I pray with you now? But be aware, only agree with me in this prayer if you mean it, if you really want patience. Because do you know what it takes to develop patience? Problems. Only problems - and the way you react to them and trust God through them - can develop patience. Do you understand? So that's what I'm going to ask God for right now, that He'll bring you all problems. Are you ready?"
Sure. Why not?
Oh boy. Looking back, the last 20 years haven't exactly been hell on earth, but they've sure been full of their share of problems. Right at this moment, I've got one that's forcing me to wait... and wait... and wait for an answer. I feel shamed when I go through a study about Abraham and how long he waited and waited for God to fulfill a direct promise, because I can't imagine waiting any longer than I already have. The only reason I continue to do so is because of the patience and wisdom I've built up having passed through earlier problems and trials, the outcomes of which inform me to keep waiting.
What's the moral here? Be careful what you pray for? Hmmm... maybe... but I think I prefer the lesson in today's verse, that patience (trusting God's way and waiting on His promise) is better than pride (my idea of the best way). To me, it's really eye-opening to think of those two concepts - patience and pride - as the opposites of each other. It suggests patience is akin to humility, and pride the brother of instant gratification. And I guess that makes sense. But why is patience better? Especially in this day and age when so much is there for the taking? When the respected thing to do is reach out and go for it? What had my pastor so convinced that doing the opposite was the most important lesson to send young men out into the world?
Honestly I haven't completely figured that out yet. Appropriately, it's something I'm willing to be patient to gain the wisdom of. But I suspect it has something to do with that pesky old verse from James:
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).
Only problems can bring patience; only trials can test faith and make it real. Only endurance can lead to completion.
And when I am complete, I will lack nothing. At which time I apparently will have superceded even patience, as what would there be to wait for if I lack nothing?
It sounds almost mystical, almost unachievable, at least until the end of my life or when I meet God. Until then, I simply pray that the experience of each problem and the eventual result will steel me into calm, patient submission to God's perfect timing.
September 01, 2009
Encouraging Words 9/1/09-A Message of Restoration from Nehemiah 4 (Part 2 of 4)
Apostle Randy Morgan from New Covenant Church in Atlanta, GA preaches about restoration and perseverance using the 4th chapter of Nehemiah as his text. Part 3 coming Thursday.
SNN Recommends 9/1/09-"Pam's House Blend"
"Pam's House Blend...always steamin'. An Online Magazine in the Reality-Based Community."
That's how Pam Spaulding bills her blog, winner of the 2005 & 2006 Weblog Award for "Best LGBT blog and a finalist in 2007 and 2008. Pam can come across somewhat anti-Christian, but we're pretty much "anti" the Christian views and public figures she frequently calls out. Pam's House Blend is one of the best sources on the Internet to keep up with news of any type, with a focus on politics, that impacts the LGBT community.
Click here to check it out.
That's how Pam Spaulding bills her blog, winner of the 2005 & 2006 Weblog Award for "Best LGBT blog and a finalist in 2007 and 2008. Pam can come across somewhat anti-Christian, but we're pretty much "anti" the Christian views and public figures she frequently calls out. Pam's House Blend is one of the best sources on the Internet to keep up with news of any type, with a focus on politics, that impacts the LGBT community.
Click here to check it out.
Could South Carolina Wind Up With A Gay Governor?
It's not as far fetched as you might think, not if you believe Mike Rogers, the blogger/activist who has gained notariety for outing closeted anti-gay politicians"
From Rogers' blog Blogactive:
I am now able to confirm a rumor that has circulated in South Carolina for years. South Carolina Lt. Governor Andre Bauer is a closeted anti-gay politician who stands to replace Mark Sanford should Sanford resign or be impeached (a real possibility as Sanford is caught in his own sex scandal.)
So, what is the deal with Bauer? I have confirmed and spoken to four individuals who I have no doubt are telling me the truth. These men have been hit on by Bauer, with one of them telling me it happened at least five times since Bauer's election in 2003. To a varying degree I have met with and believe the sources. And, as you'll recall, I have that 100% record.
This was still not enough for me to report on him. Then another call came in and I met with the source while he was visiting DC recently. "He's gay," the source told me.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"Because I've had sex with him on two separate occasions." That too, was not enough for me to report on without confirmation from others. I was led on a path to chatting with acquaintances of the sourced and two former employees of Bauer who served on his staff between 2004 and 2007. They reported to me that on a total of three occasions Bauer spent hours alone with men in hotel rooms. Each of them explained that the visits were with younger men who were not on the staff of the Lt. Governor nor had any official reason to be with him. The two men each confirmed that they had not known each other and each described similar circumstances under which these interactions occurred. One of them confirmed that he was told by the Lt. Governor's visitor he had a sexual encounter with Bauer.
The combination of the reports and the first hand experiences were what I need to maintain my 100% record of being right in my reporting on this site.
Where do you stand on outing anti-gay politicians? We're split--Jim supports it as a pertinent fact, Brenda feels it is an invasion of privacy as long as they are not engaging in illegal acts. Please share your thoughts with us.
Click here to read the rest of Mike Rogers' article, which includes his outing track record.
From Rogers' blog Blogactive:
I am now able to confirm a rumor that has circulated in South Carolina for years. South Carolina Lt. Governor Andre Bauer is a closeted anti-gay politician who stands to replace Mark Sanford should Sanford resign or be impeached (a real possibility as Sanford is caught in his own sex scandal.)
So, what is the deal with Bauer? I have confirmed and spoken to four individuals who I have no doubt are telling me the truth. These men have been hit on by Bauer, with one of them telling me it happened at least five times since Bauer's election in 2003. To a varying degree I have met with and believe the sources. And, as you'll recall, I have that 100% record.
This was still not enough for me to report on him. Then another call came in and I met with the source while he was visiting DC recently. "He's gay," the source told me.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"Because I've had sex with him on two separate occasions." That too, was not enough for me to report on without confirmation from others. I was led on a path to chatting with acquaintances of the sourced and two former employees of Bauer who served on his staff between 2004 and 2007. They reported to me that on a total of three occasions Bauer spent hours alone with men in hotel rooms. Each of them explained that the visits were with younger men who were not on the staff of the Lt. Governor nor had any official reason to be with him. The two men each confirmed that they had not known each other and each described similar circumstances under which these interactions occurred. One of them confirmed that he was told by the Lt. Governor's visitor he had a sexual encounter with Bauer.
The combination of the reports and the first hand experiences were what I need to maintain my 100% record of being right in my reporting on this site.
Where do you stand on outing anti-gay politicians? We're split--Jim supports it as a pertinent fact, Brenda feels it is an invasion of privacy as long as they are not engaging in illegal acts. Please share your thoughts with us.
Click here to read the rest of Mike Rogers' article, which includes his outing track record.
Daily Devotional 9/1/09-"Worth the Risk"
From Crosswalk.com/Greg Laruie:
After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the God's message with boldness.
—Acts 4: 31
Sometimes we will take a step of faith if there is a backup plan, if there is a safety net. While there is a place for caution, a place for prudence, and even a place for seeking the counsel of those who have lived longer than we have. But having said that, there is also a place for faith. There is also a place for taking chances and taking risks.
As we get older, we are less willing to do that. We want everything laid out for us. We want to know what will happen after this and after that. But sometimes God will say, "I am not going to tell you. I want you to just obey Me." That is why I would rather try something and fail than never try at all. And if you do try and ultimately fail, then learn something from your failure. I would venture to say that any person who has been successful in ministry, in business, or in any other enterprise has had more than his or her share of failures and has learned something from every one of them. It has been said that the doorway of success is often entered through the hallway of failure. So if at first you don't succeed, relax. You are just like the rest of us.
So take a chance and do something for God. If you have been thinking about starting a little Bible study at work and are unsure whether anyone would show up, go for it. If you are thinking of sharing the gospel with someone, but you don't how they would respond, go for it. Try it. Pray about it. Ask the Lord for direction. But take a risk. Take a chance here and there and watch what God will do.
After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the God's message with boldness.
—Acts 4: 31
Sometimes we will take a step of faith if there is a backup plan, if there is a safety net. While there is a place for caution, a place for prudence, and even a place for seeking the counsel of those who have lived longer than we have. But having said that, there is also a place for faith. There is also a place for taking chances and taking risks.
As we get older, we are less willing to do that. We want everything laid out for us. We want to know what will happen after this and after that. But sometimes God will say, "I am not going to tell you. I want you to just obey Me." That is why I would rather try something and fail than never try at all. And if you do try and ultimately fail, then learn something from your failure. I would venture to say that any person who has been successful in ministry, in business, or in any other enterprise has had more than his or her share of failures and has learned something from every one of them. It has been said that the doorway of success is often entered through the hallway of failure. So if at first you don't succeed, relax. You are just like the rest of us.
So take a chance and do something for God. If you have been thinking about starting a little Bible study at work and are unsure whether anyone would show up, go for it. If you are thinking of sharing the gospel with someone, but you don't how they would respond, go for it. Try it. Pray about it. Ask the Lord for direction. But take a risk. Take a chance here and there and watch what God will do.
August 31, 2009
Encouraging Words 8/31/09-A Message of Restoration from Nehemiah 4 (Part 1 of 4)
Apostle Randy Morgan from New Covenant Church in Atlanta, GA preaches about restoration and perseverance using the 4th chapter of Nehemiah as his text. Part 1 of 4, part 2 coming tomorrow.
SNN Recommends 8/31/09- "Bay Windows"
With the vote on marriage equality in Maine coming up soon, one of the best sources for news leading up to that important event is Bay Windows, "New England's Largest GLBT Newspaper."
Click here to check it out.
Click here to check it out.
Daily Devotional 8/31/09-"Indestructible!"
From our daily bread:
[Christ] has come . . . according to the power of an endless life. —Hebrews 7:16
The space shuttle reenters Earth’s atmosphere at more than 25 times the speed of sound! Friction from wind resistance raises the spacecraft’s outer temperature to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep the shuttle from burning up, 34,000 separate tiles protect its underbelly. These tiles must be virtually indestructible against high-speed friction.
In this world of death and decay, nothing is truly indestructible. Yet the Bible tells us of an indestructible life. Comparing the Lord Jesus to the works of the law, we are told, “[Christ] has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life” (Heb. 7:16). The Greek word translated “endless” is best rendered “indestructible.”
The Messiah is our Great High Priest whose priestly duties required His own sacrificial death for our sins. His resurrection guarantees eternal redemption for all who repent and believe in Him.
The loss of health, relationships, or finances can make us feel as if our life has been destroyed. But for the believer, nothing could be further from the truth. Through our spiritual union with Christ, we have the promise that we’ll share in His own indestructible life (John 14:19). — Dennis Fisher
Marvelous day, all suffering ended,
Glorious bodies now like to His own;
We will be kings and priests in God’s kingdom,
With glory and honor around the great throne. —Dixon
Nothing can shake those who are secure in God’s hands.
[Christ] has come . . . according to the power of an endless life. —Hebrews 7:16
The space shuttle reenters Earth’s atmosphere at more than 25 times the speed of sound! Friction from wind resistance raises the spacecraft’s outer temperature to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep the shuttle from burning up, 34,000 separate tiles protect its underbelly. These tiles must be virtually indestructible against high-speed friction.
In this world of death and decay, nothing is truly indestructible. Yet the Bible tells us of an indestructible life. Comparing the Lord Jesus to the works of the law, we are told, “[Christ] has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life” (Heb. 7:16). The Greek word translated “endless” is best rendered “indestructible.”
The Messiah is our Great High Priest whose priestly duties required His own sacrificial death for our sins. His resurrection guarantees eternal redemption for all who repent and believe in Him.
The loss of health, relationships, or finances can make us feel as if our life has been destroyed. But for the believer, nothing could be further from the truth. Through our spiritual union with Christ, we have the promise that we’ll share in His own indestructible life (John 14:19). — Dennis Fisher
Marvelous day, all suffering ended,
Glorious bodies now like to His own;
We will be kings and priests in God’s kingdom,
With glory and honor around the great throne. —Dixon
Nothing can shake those who are secure in God’s hands.
"Gay, bi men 50 times more likely to have HIV"
This is staggering and sickening. Please, please, please let this report open some eyes.
From the Washington Blade:
Gay and bisexual men account for half of new HIV infections in the U.S. and have AIDS at a rate more than 50 times greater than other groups, according to Centers for Disease Control & Prevention data presented at the National HIV Prevention Conference this week in Atlanta.
Dr. Amy Lansky of the CDC presented research at the Aug. 24 plenary in which the CDC estimated in the U.S. there were 692.2 new HIV cases in 2007 per 100,000 men who have sex with men.
While the CDC data has continually reported gay and bisexual men and other MSM of all races as the groups with the highest numbers of new HIV cases each year, AIDS activists said this was the first time the CDC clearly stated with a concrete rate how the disease is impacting gay and bisexual men. Gay and bisexual men are also the only risk group in which new infections are increasing.
According to a 2006 CDC report, 13,230 white MSM were estimated to be newly infected with HIV, followed by African-American MSM at 10,130 and then black heterosexual women at 7,340 new infections. The CDC estimates more than 56,000 Americans become infected each year; throughout the HIV Prevention Conference, the CDC stressed that number represents one person every nine-and-a-half minutes.“
If you ask 10 people in this room,” Senterfitt said at the conference with hundreds of people in attendance, “it’s likely only one person will answer correctly [that white MSM are the hardest hit by HIV].“
I think the CDC is finally trying to put out accurate information so the community can collectively respond — and these numbers help to show that HIV/AIDS never left the gay community.”
Click here to learn more from the Washington Blade report.
From the Washington Blade:
Gay and bisexual men account for half of new HIV infections in the U.S. and have AIDS at a rate more than 50 times greater than other groups, according to Centers for Disease Control & Prevention data presented at the National HIV Prevention Conference this week in Atlanta.
Dr. Amy Lansky of the CDC presented research at the Aug. 24 plenary in which the CDC estimated in the U.S. there were 692.2 new HIV cases in 2007 per 100,000 men who have sex with men.
While the CDC data has continually reported gay and bisexual men and other MSM of all races as the groups with the highest numbers of new HIV cases each year, AIDS activists said this was the first time the CDC clearly stated with a concrete rate how the disease is impacting gay and bisexual men. Gay and bisexual men are also the only risk group in which new infections are increasing.
According to a 2006 CDC report, 13,230 white MSM were estimated to be newly infected with HIV, followed by African-American MSM at 10,130 and then black heterosexual women at 7,340 new infections. The CDC estimates more than 56,000 Americans become infected each year; throughout the HIV Prevention Conference, the CDC stressed that number represents one person every nine-and-a-half minutes.“
If you ask 10 people in this room,” Senterfitt said at the conference with hundreds of people in attendance, “it’s likely only one person will answer correctly [that white MSM are the hardest hit by HIV].“
I think the CDC is finally trying to put out accurate information so the community can collectively respond — and these numbers help to show that HIV/AIDS never left the gay community.”
Click here to learn more from the Washington Blade report.
August 30, 2009
We want to be your go-to site!
We are working to build Straight, Not Narrow into more than a site you visit on occasion, we want you to think of it as a destination with valuable LGBT and Christian resources.
We want to first take a moment and thank all of the new visitors we've had in the last few weeks. This month has seen the most traffic at this site that we've ever had, and by a fairly wide margin. The number of visits has increased by 35% just over the last two months, a phenominal rate of growth! We are humbled by this and hope people are being blessed by what they find here.
As we continue to seek the Lord's direction for this site, He apparently wants to keep us busy because he keeps coming up with more content for us to add. Here's what will be coming over the next week:
Along with our daily news item that posts at 6:00 AM eastern, we'll be adding a daily devotion, thoughts on a passage of scripture that we hope you will find applicable to your everyday life. We will be reviewing numerous sources on the Internet, and occasionally adding one of our own. In most cases, we're not going to adhere to the date that it was published because a good word can be read any day.
In the afternoons, we'll be featuring recommended sites/resources as follows:
o Monday-Regional LGBT news sites
o Tuesday-LGBT bloggers
o Wednesday-Regional LGBT advocacy groups
o Thursday-LGBT faith advoacy groups/resources
o Friday-Something fun to get us ready for the weekend
o Saturday-Independent LGBT churches/ministries
o Sunday-Books from our personal library
Finally, every Sunday evening will feature something completely-a serial called "Sequel.' This is something that I (Jim) am writing that will be the story of how a very straight guy got involved in ministering to people who weren't so straight. It is semi-biographical and a story that I hope will be entertaining and enlightening--that's essentially what my life has been like since I met Brenda. Why is it called sequel? You'll just have to read it to find out.
So, every Monday thru Saturday we'll be posting:
6:00 AM LGBT news feature
6:00 AM Daily devotion
10:00 AM Encouraging music video
2:00 PM SNN recommends
4:30 PM Encouraging words
On Sundays, we'll have:
6:00 AM Daily devotion
8:00 AM Sunday worship
2:00 PM SNN Recommends
6:00 PM "Sequel"
As always, if you have any suggestions about content to post, please let us know. Also, we are taking Friday nights for intercessory prayer--if you have any needs you would like us to bring before the Lord, please send them to us, they will remain confidential unless you want us to share with others.
Thanks for visiting and may God richly bless you!
We want to first take a moment and thank all of the new visitors we've had in the last few weeks. This month has seen the most traffic at this site that we've ever had, and by a fairly wide margin. The number of visits has increased by 35% just over the last two months, a phenominal rate of growth! We are humbled by this and hope people are being blessed by what they find here.
As we continue to seek the Lord's direction for this site, He apparently wants to keep us busy because he keeps coming up with more content for us to add. Here's what will be coming over the next week:
Along with our daily news item that posts at 6:00 AM eastern, we'll be adding a daily devotion, thoughts on a passage of scripture that we hope you will find applicable to your everyday life. We will be reviewing numerous sources on the Internet, and occasionally adding one of our own. In most cases, we're not going to adhere to the date that it was published because a good word can be read any day.
In the afternoons, we'll be featuring recommended sites/resources as follows:
o Monday-Regional LGBT news sites
o Tuesday-LGBT bloggers
o Wednesday-Regional LGBT advocacy groups
o Thursday-LGBT faith advoacy groups/resources
o Friday-Something fun to get us ready for the weekend
o Saturday-Independent LGBT churches/ministries
o Sunday-Books from our personal library
Finally, every Sunday evening will feature something completely-a serial called "Sequel.' This is something that I (Jim) am writing that will be the story of how a very straight guy got involved in ministering to people who weren't so straight. It is semi-biographical and a story that I hope will be entertaining and enlightening--that's essentially what my life has been like since I met Brenda. Why is it called sequel? You'll just have to read it to find out.
So, every Monday thru Saturday we'll be posting:
6:00 AM LGBT news feature
6:00 AM Daily devotion
10:00 AM Encouraging music video
2:00 PM SNN recommends
4:30 PM Encouraging words
On Sundays, we'll have:
6:00 AM Daily devotion
8:00 AM Sunday worship
2:00 PM SNN Recommends
6:00 PM "Sequel"
As always, if you have any suggestions about content to post, please let us know. Also, we are taking Friday nights for intercessory prayer--if you have any needs you would like us to bring before the Lord, please send them to us, they will remain confidential unless you want us to share with others.
Thanks for visiting and may God richly bless you!
Sunday Worship 8/30/09
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.
Live Sunday Services (all times Eastern)
VIDEO
MI-Renaissance Unity Church, Warren, 10:00 AM
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa, 11:00 AM
VA-Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, 11:00 AM
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, 11:45 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-Renaissance Unity Church, Warren
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
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
Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com
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.
Live Sunday Services (all times Eastern)
VIDEO
MI-Renaissance Unity Church, Warren, 10:00 AM
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa, 11:00 AM
VA-Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, 11:00 AM
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, 11:45 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-Renaissance Unity Church, Warren
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
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
Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com
August 29, 2009
Encouraging Words 8/29/09-"It's Not About the Rules"
Here's a good word from Ray Neal, the pastor at MCC Seattle, from his blog "Something to think about."
What do you do when you are challenged by other Christians who believe you aren't living up the standards of the Scriptures because of your sexuality or gender identity? How do you respond when they quote scripture in their attempt prove to you that you are sinful and therefore are unloved by God?
Well, you could follow Jesus' own response to the so-called religious authorities of his day. The story is found in this week's Gospel reading from Mark 7. The religious leaders accused Jesus' disciples of failing to abide by the Holiness and Purity Codes found in Leviticus because they didn't wash their hands properly before meals. In their way of thinking a proper God-believer would not have acted this way. Instead they would have followed an elaborate ritual of washing their hands and of preparing their food before they could eat it. Since the disciples didn't do that, then the disciples must therefore be sinners who ignore the commands of God.
Jesus responds "(The Prophet) Isaiah hit the nail on the head when he spoke about you. He saw right through your hypocrisy when he wrote this: 'These people mouth all the right words, but their hearts aren't in it. Their worship is just one big sham. They invent rules to suit themselves and then teach them as the word of God.'
Jesus then continued: "At the end of the day, you are more concerned about your own rules and traditions than you are about what God actually wants of people."
Go get them, Jesus! Haven't you wanted to give as good as you get sometimes when you believe you are in war of words with those who tell you that you can't possibly be Christian and gay? Jesus is trying to say that it isn't the rules that are important, not even how we interpret them or apply them, but how we make God's power and presence a part of our hearts and lives, most especially how we accept God's love for ourselves and share that same love with others. Condemnation of others isn't ever loving. Whether it is you and I condemning our accusers or them condemning us. Jesus goes on to tell us that people of faith must always avoid abusing others by our actions and words.
Click here to read the rest of the post.
What do you do when you are challenged by other Christians who believe you aren't living up the standards of the Scriptures because of your sexuality or gender identity? How do you respond when they quote scripture in their attempt prove to you that you are sinful and therefore are unloved by God?
Well, you could follow Jesus' own response to the so-called religious authorities of his day. The story is found in this week's Gospel reading from Mark 7. The religious leaders accused Jesus' disciples of failing to abide by the Holiness and Purity Codes found in Leviticus because they didn't wash their hands properly before meals. In their way of thinking a proper God-believer would not have acted this way. Instead they would have followed an elaborate ritual of washing their hands and of preparing their food before they could eat it. Since the disciples didn't do that, then the disciples must therefore be sinners who ignore the commands of God.
Jesus responds "(The Prophet) Isaiah hit the nail on the head when he spoke about you. He saw right through your hypocrisy when he wrote this: 'These people mouth all the right words, but their hearts aren't in it. Their worship is just one big sham. They invent rules to suit themselves and then teach them as the word of God.'
Jesus then continued: "At the end of the day, you are more concerned about your own rules and traditions than you are about what God actually wants of people."
Go get them, Jesus! Haven't you wanted to give as good as you get sometimes when you believe you are in war of words with those who tell you that you can't possibly be Christian and gay? Jesus is trying to say that it isn't the rules that are important, not even how we interpret them or apply them, but how we make God's power and presence a part of our hearts and lives, most especially how we accept God's love for ourselves and share that same love with others. Condemnation of others isn't ever loving. Whether it is you and I condemning our accusers or them condemning us. Jesus goes on to tell us that people of faith must always avoid abusing others by our actions and words.
Click here to read the rest of the post.
Former Maryland Governor Apologizes for Stance on Same-Sex Marriage
We're posting this because it's just something you don't see every day. The former governor of Maryland, Parris Glendening, issued an apology for opposing same-sex marriage during his time in office (1995-2003). He did so in a very public way, sending a letter for publication in the Baltimore Sun. Here's the text:
Tom Schaller is commended for his thoughtful commentary in the Baltimore Sun regarding marriage equality for same-gender couples ("Md. should be a leader on gay marriage," Aug. 25). While serving as Prince George's County executive and governor of Maryland, I was a forceful advocate for enacting laws that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Despite our successes, however, in addressing employment, housing and public accommodations discrimination against gays and lesbians, I was firm in my statements that I believed "marriage should be between a man and a woman." This was especially true during my 1998 re-election campaign.
I was wrong! Allowing same-gender couples to join in the institution of marriage, and to experience the commitment and security of being legally married, does nothing to diminish or alter the institution of marriage itself. It does, however, promote healthy, stable families.
The freedom to marry is a basic human right. It was during the 1998 campaign, and it certainly is today. Democratic leaders all too often point to incremental progress but actively maintain the status quo because of political sensitivities. They can learn from my personal awakening. Simply put, ending discrimination means ending discrimination in marriage. Maryland should be among the great states in our country that affirm this personal freedom for all our citizens, regardless of whom they love.
Anyone can make a mistake, but it takes a big person to admit it, especially in public where it might actually help change some minds. We commend the former governor for doing so here.
Tom Schaller is commended for his thoughtful commentary in the Baltimore Sun regarding marriage equality for same-gender couples ("Md. should be a leader on gay marriage," Aug. 25). While serving as Prince George's County executive and governor of Maryland, I was a forceful advocate for enacting laws that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Despite our successes, however, in addressing employment, housing and public accommodations discrimination against gays and lesbians, I was firm in my statements that I believed "marriage should be between a man and a woman." This was especially true during my 1998 re-election campaign.
I was wrong! Allowing same-gender couples to join in the institution of marriage, and to experience the commitment and security of being legally married, does nothing to diminish or alter the institution of marriage itself. It does, however, promote healthy, stable families.
The freedom to marry is a basic human right. It was during the 1998 campaign, and it certainly is today. Democratic leaders all too often point to incremental progress but actively maintain the status quo because of political sensitivities. They can learn from my personal awakening. Simply put, ending discrimination means ending discrimination in marriage. Maryland should be among the great states in our country that affirm this personal freedom for all our citizens, regardless of whom they love.
Anyone can make a mistake, but it takes a big person to admit it, especially in public where it might actually help change some minds. We commend the former governor for doing so here.
August 28, 2009
Encouraging Words 8/28/09-Encouragement From an Ex-Gay Survivor
We have posted links to numerous pieces written by Peterson Toscano here over the years, and here's another outstanding one where Peterson responds to a letter from a young lady who is fighting her lesbian orientation with determination and prayer, yet is not "changing" into being straight. An excerpt:
After 15 years of living like this, it was with great sadness that I came to the conclusion that I could never actually change my orientation. Five years of marriage with a wonderful Christian woman proved that to me. I still labored on though for another two years to at least live a celibate life, one that I called a repentant life, although that seemed like a cop out compared to an actual transformation. But the misery continued and increased. I begged and pleaded God to give me victory. I cut out every gay contact in my life. I sought to destroy the gay part of me for Jesus. I found it was not possible or necessary. God did not answer my prayer. Sometimes when we ask something of God, and the answer is no.
I assumed I knew what the Bible said about gays, but I was wrong. In no passage does it forbid two men or two women to be in a loving relationship. Lust, idolatry, abuse are all condemned for straights and gays, but a loving relationship is not. In fact, it makes it clear that man (and women) should not be alone. We are designed for companionship, but an unequal orientation almost always ends disastrously–like being unequally yoked, with the two pulling in different directions. Also, I had not understood how people misused the scriptures to reinforce a bias they already held. We have seen this with slavery, where white Christians misread the passages to support the slave trade. They went to the scriptures with their minds made up instead of openly seeking God’s will. That is how I approached the scriptures for years not allowing the possibility of any other way.
In my own life I settled into a place of listening to God, asking questions without demanding certain answers. I brought to the Light what was hidden in my heart and asked the Spirit, “What about this? What about that?” I waited and listened trusting that God would lead me and guide me even though initally after I came out I still preferred to be straight. I came to an outrageous conclusion, not only was it okay to be gay, but my orientation is one of the many gifts that God has given me, one that I continually attempted to return for almost 20 years of my adult life, one that I violently attacked and tried to tear to a million pieces. God is so patient and so gracious with me! How long I coveted my straight neighbor’s life rejecting my own saying it was not good enough.
Many people will tell you they know what God’s will is for your life. Ultimately you have to discover this for yourself. Perhaps to a straight minister, the idea of loving someone of the same gender is completely foreign. Based on his or her experience that minister may say that God would never decree such a thing. Perhaps not for them because they are straight; they don’t get it. So they put burdens on other people’s backs often confusing sexual desire with intimacy with sin with companionship thus demanding people live lives without family other than church family without the day in and day out closeness of an actual partner. In the end this is not just about sex. It is about honesty. It is about intimacy.
God cannot fully bless a life that is not lived honestly, and it is not His desire to make you in a way that you will be denied the opportunity for intimacy and wholeness. That's not the God that some right-wing fundamentalists preach about, but it the God that we worship in full equality with Peterson. He's also the God who loves you and has His arms open waiting for you.
"A Marriage Like Any Other"
Long-time readers of this blog will recognize the name Richard Madaleno, a state senator from Maryland. He is a rising star in the Maryland legislature and happens to be gay. He wrote a stirring op-ed for the Washington Post advocating full marriage rights equality. Here is an excerpt:
In 2002, I became the first openly gay person elected to the Maryland General Assembly. It was important to me to be straightforward about who I was while not being pigeonholed as “the gay guy.” I immersed myself in my role as a public servant, focused on my constituents and worked hard. As time passed, people began to see me as “the budget guy,” or as an advocate for education, addiction treatment or developmental disability programs, or simply as Rich. My colleagues also came to know my husband, Mark.
Seven years have helped me to transcend being defined by my sexual orientation. But seven years, two wonderful children and a church wedding later, my husband and I are still denied the fundamental protections of civil marriage. Anyone who has ever stood up for his or her family will understand why the risk of being viewed as “the gay senator” can no longer keep me from speaking out. Achieving the freedom to marry, and removing a restriction that impedes the development of secure families, is a matter of fundamental social justice that needs vocal champions.
It will soon be 10 years since Mark and I were set up on a fateful blind date and eight years since our wedding at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda. Do we have a marriage license? No. But marriage is more than a legal document. The foundation of ours is the commitment we made, before our families and religious community, to build a life together and to be there for one another in good times and bad. The root of our marriage isn’t a license but our son and daughter, our families, our home, our memories and our dreams. But make no mistake — a marriage license would mean vital rights and responsibilities for our family, especially during turbulent financial times, and in matters related to health care, child-rearing, social services, retirement and, though we do not relish the thought, the time when one of us leaves this life for something greater.
While Maryland does not allow same-gender couples to legalize their relationships here, many such couples in our state are already legally married. Some had destination weddings in a pro-equality state such as Vermont or Massachusetts; others were married before moving to Maryland for work or family. Recently, I asked for an opinion from Attorney General Doug Gansler regarding whether Maryland should follow the District and New York and honor these legal marriages. Having reviewed our case law, I believe we have a legal obligation to do just that. In the past, Maryland has, as a legal principle, honored marriages performed elsewhere even when those marriages could not have been performed here. A government should not dissolve a validly contracted marriage without even one party requesting it.
The fact that the legislature is crippled by inaction on this issue does not end Maryland’s responsibility to the law. With the stroke of a pen, Gansler and Gov. Martin O’Malley can help to bring peace and security to thousands of Maryland families.
Mark and I would prefer to make it “official” in Maryland rather than traveling to New England. But until more of my colleagues in the General Assembly make it possible for gays and lesbians to legally marry here, we could at least take heart in knowing that our marriage was honored by our state. Whatever road it takes to get there, this “gay guy” looks forward to the day when his family is like any other, and when future generations have no understanding of what it was like before all Americans had the freedom to marry the person they love.
Click here to read the rest of the op-ed. We remain proud to have a man like Senator Madaleno representing everyone's interests in our state legislature.
In 2002, I became the first openly gay person elected to the Maryland General Assembly. It was important to me to be straightforward about who I was while not being pigeonholed as “the gay guy.” I immersed myself in my role as a public servant, focused on my constituents and worked hard. As time passed, people began to see me as “the budget guy,” or as an advocate for education, addiction treatment or developmental disability programs, or simply as Rich. My colleagues also came to know my husband, Mark.
Seven years have helped me to transcend being defined by my sexual orientation. But seven years, two wonderful children and a church wedding later, my husband and I are still denied the fundamental protections of civil marriage. Anyone who has ever stood up for his or her family will understand why the risk of being viewed as “the gay senator” can no longer keep me from speaking out. Achieving the freedom to marry, and removing a restriction that impedes the development of secure families, is a matter of fundamental social justice that needs vocal champions.
It will soon be 10 years since Mark and I were set up on a fateful blind date and eight years since our wedding at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda. Do we have a marriage license? No. But marriage is more than a legal document. The foundation of ours is the commitment we made, before our families and religious community, to build a life together and to be there for one another in good times and bad. The root of our marriage isn’t a license but our son and daughter, our families, our home, our memories and our dreams. But make no mistake — a marriage license would mean vital rights and responsibilities for our family, especially during turbulent financial times, and in matters related to health care, child-rearing, social services, retirement and, though we do not relish the thought, the time when one of us leaves this life for something greater.
While Maryland does not allow same-gender couples to legalize their relationships here, many such couples in our state are already legally married. Some had destination weddings in a pro-equality state such as Vermont or Massachusetts; others were married before moving to Maryland for work or family. Recently, I asked for an opinion from Attorney General Doug Gansler regarding whether Maryland should follow the District and New York and honor these legal marriages. Having reviewed our case law, I believe we have a legal obligation to do just that. In the past, Maryland has, as a legal principle, honored marriages performed elsewhere even when those marriages could not have been performed here. A government should not dissolve a validly contracted marriage without even one party requesting it.
The fact that the legislature is crippled by inaction on this issue does not end Maryland’s responsibility to the law. With the stroke of a pen, Gansler and Gov. Martin O’Malley can help to bring peace and security to thousands of Maryland families.
Mark and I would prefer to make it “official” in Maryland rather than traveling to New England. But until more of my colleagues in the General Assembly make it possible for gays and lesbians to legally marry here, we could at least take heart in knowing that our marriage was honored by our state. Whatever road it takes to get there, this “gay guy” looks forward to the day when his family is like any other, and when future generations have no understanding of what it was like before all Americans had the freedom to marry the person they love.
Click here to read the rest of the op-ed. We remain proud to have a man like Senator Madaleno representing everyone's interests in our state legislature.
August 27, 2009
Encouraging Words 8/27/09-Ministering Like Jesus, the Hard Way
This is an essay I (Jim) wrote for publication in the 8/09 Unidiversal newsletter:
I believe one verse in the Bible that really describes the core of Christianity is John 3:16 (KJV) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” There are those who would interpret a handful of other verses in a way that directly contradicts with this critically important truth. They would have you think that because you were born with an orientation different than being attracted strictly to the opposite sex that you are disqualified from this promise.
The problem with that, however, is that it doesn’t match up with what Jesus said. He said “Whosoever believeth in Him” would have eternal life. He didn’t say that we had to be a Republican, wealthy, a college graduate, or straight. Whosoever means “no matter who.” Hard to parse that out into anything other than complete and full inclusiveness.
Sadly, the same folks that whiff on John 3:16 also seem to miss the next verse too:
John 3:17 (KJV) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. It seems to me like a lot of “fundamentalists” spend a lot more time using God’s word to condemn than to save. When people say “hate the sin, love the sinner,” (allow time for cringing) they often seem to be a lot better at the hate part than the love. I’m sure some of you have been pushed away from a church (perhaps literally) by a congregation preaching that message. I doubt you felt the love, but I’m pretty sure you got the hate part loud and clear.
In the ministry the Lord has led Brenda and myself into, we are trying to turn that around. The message of Jesus is one of hope, not condemnation. True, there are terrible consequences for not yielding our lives and claiming Him as our savior, but Jesus spent most of his time on earth preaching about the hope we ALL have for eternal peace and fellowship with Him because of his sacrifice at the cross.
Shouldn’t our message be one where we share that hope with those who don’t know it, who haven’t embraced it, who need a savior? Not this angry God who has become so popular in “fundamentalist” churches either--the one who loves us enough that he sent His son to Earth to die a painful death just to save us.
It would be so easy to turn on those who have propagated hate and discrimination in God’s name and return fire with anger and display the pain they have caused in your lives.
Let me encourage you, though, to show them love, peace, and the hope that you received from the real Jesus. That’s doing it the hard way, but isn’t that the way Jesus lived his life and completed His earthly ministry?
The best way we all can share the hope and love of Jesus is to do our best to live like Him, even when it’s hard.
I believe one verse in the Bible that really describes the core of Christianity is John 3:16 (KJV) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” There are those who would interpret a handful of other verses in a way that directly contradicts with this critically important truth. They would have you think that because you were born with an orientation different than being attracted strictly to the opposite sex that you are disqualified from this promise.
The problem with that, however, is that it doesn’t match up with what Jesus said. He said “Whosoever believeth in Him” would have eternal life. He didn’t say that we had to be a Republican, wealthy, a college graduate, or straight. Whosoever means “no matter who.” Hard to parse that out into anything other than complete and full inclusiveness.
Sadly, the same folks that whiff on John 3:16 also seem to miss the next verse too:
John 3:17 (KJV) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. It seems to me like a lot of “fundamentalists” spend a lot more time using God’s word to condemn than to save. When people say “hate the sin, love the sinner,” (allow time for cringing) they often seem to be a lot better at the hate part than the love. I’m sure some of you have been pushed away from a church (perhaps literally) by a congregation preaching that message. I doubt you felt the love, but I’m pretty sure you got the hate part loud and clear.
In the ministry the Lord has led Brenda and myself into, we are trying to turn that around. The message of Jesus is one of hope, not condemnation. True, there are terrible consequences for not yielding our lives and claiming Him as our savior, but Jesus spent most of his time on earth preaching about the hope we ALL have for eternal peace and fellowship with Him because of his sacrifice at the cross.
Shouldn’t our message be one where we share that hope with those who don’t know it, who haven’t embraced it, who need a savior? Not this angry God who has become so popular in “fundamentalist” churches either--the one who loves us enough that he sent His son to Earth to die a painful death just to save us.
It would be so easy to turn on those who have propagated hate and discrimination in God’s name and return fire with anger and display the pain they have caused in your lives.
Let me encourage you, though, to show them love, peace, and the hope that you received from the real Jesus. That’s doing it the hard way, but isn’t that the way Jesus lived his life and completed His earthly ministry?
The best way we all can share the hope and love of Jesus is to do our best to live like Him, even when it’s hard.
White Privilege in the LGBT Community?
I hope you've seen that we don't hesitate to post potentially controversal pieces here, primarily because I want to stimulate conversation and get people thinking, including ourselves. This is another one of those type of essays.
Chris MacDonald-Dennis has a blog titled "The Pink Pink Elephant." He has a recent post where he asks "Whose Community Is It Anyway?" MacDonald-Dennis believes the existance of "white privilege" is undermining the LGBT community. Here is an excerpt:
Whiteness in the LGBT community is everywhere, from what we see, what we experience, and more importantly, what we desire. Media images in television and film promote a monolithic image of the 'gay community' as being overwhelmingly upper-middle class if not simply rich, male and white. Even the most cursory glance through gay publications highlights the scarcity of images of people of color. If we are represented, it seems that we only exist to serve the needs of the largely gay white population seeking an 'authentic' experience of some kind, either through sex, music or travel. To the white LGBT community, our existence as LGBT people of color, is merely an afterthought, an inconvenient fact that is thought about in the most insignificant and patronizing way.
We must continue to grapple with the ways invisible whiteness and white privilege permeate the LGBT community because they undermine our movement. Recently, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, released a report aimed at gaining a deeper understanding about the complexities at the intersection of race, sexual orientation and gender identity. I applaud HRC for this study and the subsequent blog conversations and online town halls they are holding. I hope, though, that HRC discusses white privilege as a part of this work. If they do not, the work will be incomplete. Paula Rothenberg, a professor who specializes in studying whiteness, reminds us that white privilege is the other side of the racial oppression coin. HRC, and other groups that are attempting to be more inclusive, cannot truly look at why people of color are not involved in the larger movement if they do not examine white privilege. It's time for white LGBT folk to challenge their own privilege, listen to all voices and take on the issues that matter to all of us.
Click here to read the rest of the post and add your comment below to weigh in on this topic. How much of this do you think is caused by the strongly anti-gay feelings often expressed within the African-American community? I believe that is probably an important factor.
Chris MacDonald-Dennis has a blog titled "The Pink Pink Elephant." He has a recent post where he asks "Whose Community Is It Anyway?" MacDonald-Dennis believes the existance of "white privilege" is undermining the LGBT community. Here is an excerpt:
Whiteness in the LGBT community is everywhere, from what we see, what we experience, and more importantly, what we desire. Media images in television and film promote a monolithic image of the 'gay community' as being overwhelmingly upper-middle class if not simply rich, male and white. Even the most cursory glance through gay publications highlights the scarcity of images of people of color. If we are represented, it seems that we only exist to serve the needs of the largely gay white population seeking an 'authentic' experience of some kind, either through sex, music or travel. To the white LGBT community, our existence as LGBT people of color, is merely an afterthought, an inconvenient fact that is thought about in the most insignificant and patronizing way.
We must continue to grapple with the ways invisible whiteness and white privilege permeate the LGBT community because they undermine our movement. Recently, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, released a report aimed at gaining a deeper understanding about the complexities at the intersection of race, sexual orientation and gender identity. I applaud HRC for this study and the subsequent blog conversations and online town halls they are holding. I hope, though, that HRC discusses white privilege as a part of this work. If they do not, the work will be incomplete. Paula Rothenberg, a professor who specializes in studying whiteness, reminds us that white privilege is the other side of the racial oppression coin. HRC, and other groups that are attempting to be more inclusive, cannot truly look at why people of color are not involved in the larger movement if they do not examine white privilege. It's time for white LGBT folk to challenge their own privilege, listen to all voices and take on the issues that matter to all of us.
Click here to read the rest of the post and add your comment below to weigh in on this topic. How much of this do you think is caused by the strongly anti-gay feelings often expressed within the African-American community? I believe that is probably an important factor.
August 26, 2009
Encouraging Words 8/26/09-Tuscon Church Creating Postiive Intersection of Traditional Christianity and the Community
We're happy to post this announcement from one of the churches we've included in our list of independent affirming churches; Cornerstone Fellowship in Tuscon, AZ.
Do you wonder if there is a place for you in Jesus’ church, even though you are different?
Do you have a desire to be in God’s presence, but have been rejected by the church?
Would you like to see God through a fresh lens?
Have you been forced out of the church you grew up in because you are different but long for that old connection with God?
You do NOT have to forsake God, or Jesus just because you are different. HE HAS NOT forgotten you, and He still loves you…JUST THEWAY YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!
Cornerstone Fellowship Church is sponsoring "All Peoples--One Voice," a Labor Day weekend outreach to the Tucson community.
Services are scheduled for; Friday, September 4th at 7:00 PM, Saturday, September 5th, at 7:00 PM and Sunday, September 6th, at 10:00 AM.
The focus of this outreach is bringing Jesus back to society’s outcasts.
This weekend kicks off the church’s initiative to remove social barriers to worship, uniting the whole community and making the church a place of worship for all people.
God’s word says. “Deliver us, O Lord, our God! Gather us from among the nations! Then we will give thanks to your holy name, and boast about your praiseworthy deeds.” – Psalm 106:47 (NET bible)
Guest speakers for the weekend are evangelists Evelyn and Dennis Schave from Houston, Texas, and Missionary R. Kayla Williams from Louisville, Kentucky. The worship leader will be Lori Bailey.
Dennis and Evelyn Schave are scheduled to speak on Friday and Sunday. They have been ministering Christ’s love for the GLBT community since 1989. They were selected Honorary Grand Marshalls for the Houston Pride Parade in 2005. Evelyn’s book, For Such a Time as This, chronicles her journey to understanding God’s unconditional love and acceptance for the LGBT community.
Minister Kayla Williams will be speaking on Saturday evening September 5th, at 7:00 PM.
Worship leader Lori Bailey has led worship services in El Paso, Tucson and Southern Arizona for over 10 years.
Paul Chambliss, pastor of Cornerstone Fellowship Church, said, "I believe this is going to be a transforming and life changing experience for many people in our community and our church. We will then begin the journey to spiritually speaking with one voice as revealed in the scriptures."
Cornerstone Fellowship is located at 2902 North Geronimo, in Tucson AZ, at the corner of North Geronimo and East Laguna, north and west of the intersection of First Street and Glenn Street.
More information is available by calling the church at (520) 622-4626, or at the church website, www.cornerstonefellowshipaz.org.
We had the pleasure of hosting the Schaves last year when they visited the DC area to participate in the Fall Renewal services at our former church. They are wonderful folks and both have a strong anointing from the Lord. We would strongly encourage anyone that can get to Tuscon over Labor Day weekend to take advantage of the opportunity to join in what is sure to be some powerful worship.
Do you wonder if there is a place for you in Jesus’ church, even though you are different?
Do you have a desire to be in God’s presence, but have been rejected by the church?
Would you like to see God through a fresh lens?
Have you been forced out of the church you grew up in because you are different but long for that old connection with God?
You do NOT have to forsake God, or Jesus just because you are different. HE HAS NOT forgotten you, and He still loves you…JUST THEWAY YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!
Cornerstone Fellowship Church is sponsoring "All Peoples--One Voice," a Labor Day weekend outreach to the Tucson community.
Services are scheduled for; Friday, September 4th at 7:00 PM, Saturday, September 5th, at 7:00 PM and Sunday, September 6th, at 10:00 AM.
The focus of this outreach is bringing Jesus back to society’s outcasts.
This weekend kicks off the church’s initiative to remove social barriers to worship, uniting the whole community and making the church a place of worship for all people.
God’s word says. “Deliver us, O Lord, our God! Gather us from among the nations! Then we will give thanks to your holy name, and boast about your praiseworthy deeds.” – Psalm 106:47 (NET bible)
Guest speakers for the weekend are evangelists Evelyn and Dennis Schave from Houston, Texas, and Missionary R. Kayla Williams from Louisville, Kentucky. The worship leader will be Lori Bailey.
Dennis and Evelyn Schave are scheduled to speak on Friday and Sunday. They have been ministering Christ’s love for the GLBT community since 1989. They were selected Honorary Grand Marshalls for the Houston Pride Parade in 2005. Evelyn’s book, For Such a Time as This, chronicles her journey to understanding God’s unconditional love and acceptance for the LGBT community.
Minister Kayla Williams will be speaking on Saturday evening September 5th, at 7:00 PM.
Worship leader Lori Bailey has led worship services in El Paso, Tucson and Southern Arizona for over 10 years.
Paul Chambliss, pastor of Cornerstone Fellowship Church, said, "I believe this is going to be a transforming and life changing experience for many people in our community and our church. We will then begin the journey to spiritually speaking with one voice as revealed in the scriptures."
Cornerstone Fellowship is located at 2902 North Geronimo, in Tucson AZ, at the corner of North Geronimo and East Laguna, north and west of the intersection of First Street and Glenn Street.
More information is available by calling the church at (520) 622-4626, or at the church website, www.cornerstonefellowshipaz.org.
We had the pleasure of hosting the Schaves last year when they visited the DC area to participate in the Fall Renewal services at our former church. They are wonderful folks and both have a strong anointing from the Lord. We would strongly encourage anyone that can get to Tuscon over Labor Day weekend to take advantage of the opportunity to join in what is sure to be some powerful worship.
Michelangelo Signorile: "Why I'm Marching" (October 10-11)
Michelangelo Signorile is a leading gay journalist and activist who hosts a show Monday-Friday on Sirius Satellite Radio's OutQ from 2-6 PM (eastern). It is the most consistently thoughtful and relevant LGBT oriented program broadcast nationally that we've heard.
That's why we believe you should care about the essay he wrote for The Advocate explaining why he will be participating in the upcoming National Equality March in Washington, DC on October 10-11. Here's an excerpt:
A lot of people are saying we need to think big -- real big -- and that we need to stop denigrating ourselves by settling for crumbs, which we never get anyway. Perhaps we need an omnibus LGBT rights bill that covers everything -- go for it all, and leave it at the feet of Congress. Maybe we should amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include us. What about going for the most urgent things rather than the easiest—like pushing hard for the president to issue a moratorium on “don’t ask, don’t tell” -- something he has disingenuously said he can’t do and that gay groups more or less have given him a pass on -- rather than sitting idly by and watching careers be destroyed while we continue to investigate options for overturning the policy?
That's why we believe you should care about the essay he wrote for The Advocate explaining why he will be participating in the upcoming National Equality March in Washington, DC on October 10-11. Here's an excerpt:
A lot of people are saying we need to think big -- real big -- and that we need to stop denigrating ourselves by settling for crumbs, which we never get anyway. Perhaps we need an omnibus LGBT rights bill that covers everything -- go for it all, and leave it at the feet of Congress. Maybe we should amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include us. What about going for the most urgent things rather than the easiest—like pushing hard for the president to issue a moratorium on “don’t ask, don’t tell” -- something he has disingenuously said he can’t do and that gay groups more or less have given him a pass on -- rather than sitting idly by and watching careers be destroyed while we continue to investigate options for overturning the policy?
It’s time for these new, even risky approaches, and it’s time to ask for it all -- now. That’s why I’m going to Washington for the National Equality March -- called for by legendary activists David Mixner and Cleve Jones -- even though, like others, I wasn’t initially down with the idea. It’s time the rest of us showed up on the National Mall and let Obama know that the cocktail party crowd -- the suck-ups, the sycophants, and the scaredy-cats -- doesn’t represent us. We want full equal rights (or at least see a substantial commitment to moving in that direction) -- not photo ops and wine spritzers.
It’s not that I was ever really opposed to the idea of a march. To the contrary, as listeners to my Sirius/XM radio show know, I’ve been talking about marching on Washington ever since the morning after Election Day. For me, it’s been a matter of historical precedent: The black civil rights movement wisely took advantage of a window of opportunity in 1963, when Democrats controlled both the White House and Congress. Republicans could no longer be blamed for the lack of civil rights protections, and marchers knew that media attention would put pressure on the Democrats and shame them into action.
We have that same window of opportunity today.
Click here to read the rest of Signorile's essay.
For what it's worth, we also plan to participate in this march. While we're not totally convinced that this is the right action at the right time, we are open to the possibility that it might be. Given that it's right in our back yard, we feel it would be disengenuous of us to promote LGBT equality while siting in the comfort of our homes yet be unwilling to literally take a step out and join those voices raised for equality.
We'll pray that the subway doesn't breakdown--that's been a major problem recently.
Welcome to Mid-Week Worship 8/26/09
We're on vacation this week, but we hope you will be blessed by this podcast from Gay Bible Christians titled "May God always bless you with failure."
What's It Like to be the Face of LGBT Journalism?
From Metro Weekly:
It should come as no surprise that one chapter of Kerry Eleveld's life contains a stint as an amateur stand-up comic. Her keen wit, sharp voice and knowing smile make her seem like she could have easily dropped in from a classic screwball comedy, one where the wise-cracking gal proves herself a competent player in the newsroom.
Which, of course, she's done -- but without the comedy.
After covering the 2008 presidential campaign for The Advocate, during which she scored the rarest of grails for the GLBT press -- an actual interview with Barack Obama -- she's now taken up residence in the Washington press corps and become the daily face of GLBT media in the White House press room. Her constant stream of reports for The Advocate's Web site are must-reads for those tracking the progress -- or lack thereof -- on GLBT issues under the Obama administration and Democratic Congress.
It's a necessary job, as she sees it, even as gay issues more often appear on front pages and newscasts across the country.
''The mainstream media is very primed right now to cover our issues but they don't really have the resources to do it,'' she says. And even when they do, the need for a GLBT-specific approach remains. ''Everyone will throw in a gay question every now and again in an interview, but what mainstream organization would ever do an interview with a politician and ask four or five gay questions in a row? That doesn't happen.''
Eleveld's own profile has risen higher in recent weeks with daytime appearances on MSNBC where her journalistic sensibilities are turned to a range of current political events, both GLBT-related and beyond.
''It's an interesting opportunity. I'd never seen an LGBT outlet's reporter weighing in on [non-LGBT] issues,'' she says, stressing her pleasure at being part of the ''greater American discussion.''
And with Eleveld as part of that discussion, the GLBT community enjoys a distinctive voice, indeed.
Click here to read Metro Weekly's Q&A where Kerry Eleveld answers the questions instead of asks them for a change.
It should come as no surprise that one chapter of Kerry Eleveld's life contains a stint as an amateur stand-up comic. Her keen wit, sharp voice and knowing smile make her seem like she could have easily dropped in from a classic screwball comedy, one where the wise-cracking gal proves herself a competent player in the newsroom.
Which, of course, she's done -- but without the comedy.
After covering the 2008 presidential campaign for The Advocate, during which she scored the rarest of grails for the GLBT press -- an actual interview with Barack Obama -- she's now taken up residence in the Washington press corps and become the daily face of GLBT media in the White House press room. Her constant stream of reports for The Advocate's Web site are must-reads for those tracking the progress -- or lack thereof -- on GLBT issues under the Obama administration and Democratic Congress.
It's a necessary job, as she sees it, even as gay issues more often appear on front pages and newscasts across the country.
''The mainstream media is very primed right now to cover our issues but they don't really have the resources to do it,'' she says. And even when they do, the need for a GLBT-specific approach remains. ''Everyone will throw in a gay question every now and again in an interview, but what mainstream organization would ever do an interview with a politician and ask four or five gay questions in a row? That doesn't happen.''
Eleveld's own profile has risen higher in recent weeks with daytime appearances on MSNBC where her journalistic sensibilities are turned to a range of current political events, both GLBT-related and beyond.
''It's an interesting opportunity. I'd never seen an LGBT outlet's reporter weighing in on [non-LGBT] issues,'' she says, stressing her pleasure at being part of the ''greater American discussion.''
And with Eleveld as part of that discussion, the GLBT community enjoys a distinctive voice, indeed.
Click here to read Metro Weekly's Q&A where Kerry Eleveld answers the questions instead of asks them for a change.
August 25, 2009
Encouraging Words 8/25/09-Reclaiming Faith Vital to Attaining LGBT Equality
Bishop Gene Robinson (does he really have to be identified as "the only openly gay Episcopal bishop" anymore?) recently gave a speech in Salt Lake City, UT that I felt contained great encouragement for the LGBT community. I'm excerpting parts of the report from the Salt Lake City Tribune (hat tip to Gay Agenda):
There may be one thing even more difficult than coming out of the closet for many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, said the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop.
And that's coming out as religious.
Yet reclaiming faith is vital to the success of the gay-rights movement, V. Gene Robinson told Utahns this week at a Salt Lake City fundraiser for the nonprofit group Equality Utah.
"We need to lay claim to the fact that we've been able to put our sexuality together with our spirituality in a way that enlivens us and nourishes us," said Robinson,
"When straight allies are joining us in our fight, then we can really make some progress," an optimistic Robinson told the 1,200 gathered at the Calvin Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center.
Homophobia is waning, he said, and there is a "vast, movable middle" in society that can be won over. "They've stopped wanting to kill us, but they're not ready yet to celebrate us either."
Working from within faith communities is important, Robinson said, because "90 percent, at least, of the oppression that you and I face as LGBT people comes from the Abrahamic faiths -- from Judaism, Islam and Christianity."
Robinson predicted The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- as well as other churches -- will change its position.
"Pretty soon," Robinson said, "even the LDS Church is going to realize that no one under 30 is interested in joining a church that discriminates against us."
Robinson said he is confident LGBT people eventually will have full inclusion in all of society, including in churches, synagogues and mosques.
"In the end," he said, "we can keep doing this work because we know how it's going to end."
He encouraged LGBT people to lives of joy, "fabulousness" and integrity so that no one can deny "the eternal light that is in each one of us.
"No matter the setbacks, the costs, the price we pay," Robinson said, "we are inexorably moving to a vision of the culture and of our religious institutions which is closer to God's [vision]."
Make no mistake, God's vision is no less than ALL of His children walking together, equal citizens of His kingdom.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
There may be one thing even more difficult than coming out of the closet for many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, said the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop.
And that's coming out as religious.
Yet reclaiming faith is vital to the success of the gay-rights movement, V. Gene Robinson told Utahns this week at a Salt Lake City fundraiser for the nonprofit group Equality Utah.
"We need to lay claim to the fact that we've been able to put our sexuality together with our spirituality in a way that enlivens us and nourishes us," said Robinson,
"When straight allies are joining us in our fight, then we can really make some progress," an optimistic Robinson told the 1,200 gathered at the Calvin Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center.
Homophobia is waning, he said, and there is a "vast, movable middle" in society that can be won over. "They've stopped wanting to kill us, but they're not ready yet to celebrate us either."
Working from within faith communities is important, Robinson said, because "90 percent, at least, of the oppression that you and I face as LGBT people comes from the Abrahamic faiths -- from Judaism, Islam and Christianity."
Robinson predicted The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- as well as other churches -- will change its position.
"Pretty soon," Robinson said, "even the LDS Church is going to realize that no one under 30 is interested in joining a church that discriminates against us."
Robinson said he is confident LGBT people eventually will have full inclusion in all of society, including in churches, synagogues and mosques.
"In the end," he said, "we can keep doing this work because we know how it's going to end."
He encouraged LGBT people to lives of joy, "fabulousness" and integrity so that no one can deny "the eternal light that is in each one of us.
"No matter the setbacks, the costs, the price we pay," Robinson said, "we are inexorably moving to a vision of the culture and of our religious institutions which is closer to God's [vision]."
Make no mistake, God's vision is no less than ALL of His children walking together, equal citizens of His kingdom.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
"The Gay Gap"
Here is a very encouraging survey I want to share with you (thanks to Andrew Sullivan for the link).
As contentious as the debate over gay marriage can get sometimes, I’ve always taken comfort in one simple fact: This is a generational battle, and that means the younger generation wins… eventually.
We all know there’s a gap between how old folks feel about same-sex marriage and how young folks feel. What you might not quite grasp is just how tremendous that gap is. A new paper (”Gay Rights in the States: Public Opinion and Policy Responsiveness” [PDF]) by Jefferey Lax and Justin Phillips puts it in a bit of perspective.
Just how big is the gay marriage age gap? Between the under-30 crowd and the over-65 crowd: 35 percentage points.
Or, try this on for size, at the state level: If people over 65 in each state made the laws, 0 states would have gay marriage; if people under 30 made the laws, 38 states would have gay marriage.
Click here to read the detailed results.
As contentious as the debate over gay marriage can get sometimes, I’ve always taken comfort in one simple fact: This is a generational battle, and that means the younger generation wins… eventually.
We all know there’s a gap between how old folks feel about same-sex marriage and how young folks feel. What you might not quite grasp is just how tremendous that gap is. A new paper (”Gay Rights in the States: Public Opinion and Policy Responsiveness” [PDF]) by Jefferey Lax and Justin Phillips puts it in a bit of perspective.
Just how big is the gay marriage age gap? Between the under-30 crowd and the over-65 crowd: 35 percentage points.
Or, try this on for size, at the state level: If people over 65 in each state made the laws, 0 states would have gay marriage; if people under 30 made the laws, 38 states would have gay marriage.
Click here to read the detailed results.
August 24, 2009
Encouraging Words 8/24/09-Preaching Inclusion
We found this message at a site called Inclusive Orthodoxy. There are many other resources at that site, but we particularly wanted to share this one with you today.
We believe that all people are included in the Gospel invitation, and we affirm that there is a place within the full life and ministry of the Christian Church for faithful believers regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation, both those who are called to lifelong celibacy and those who are partnered.
Jesus' ministry was radically inclusive, challenging social, cultural, and religious traditions and beliefs which devalued any human being. In a culture where tax collectors were corrupt and despised, he broke bread with them and shared a meal (Matthew 9:9-13). The Pharisee's were confused by this and exclaimed, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
In a world of innumerable purity laws and cultural norms which governed interactions between Jews and Gentiles, as well as between men and women, Jesus, when sitting at a well, asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. She exclaimed, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (John 4:1-42).
Wherever he went Jesus broke taboos, and cultural boundries which dehumanized and segregated people. He gave attention to the outcasts of society– the sick, the handicapped, and even those who were demonically possessed. He was also concerned about those on the fringe of society– the poor and marginalized, confronting those in power who considered themselves to be superior.
Click here to read the rest of this message.
We believe that all people are included in the Gospel invitation, and we affirm that there is a place within the full life and ministry of the Christian Church for faithful believers regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation, both those who are called to lifelong celibacy and those who are partnered.
Jesus' ministry was radically inclusive, challenging social, cultural, and religious traditions and beliefs which devalued any human being. In a culture where tax collectors were corrupt and despised, he broke bread with them and shared a meal (Matthew 9:9-13). The Pharisee's were confused by this and exclaimed, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
In a world of innumerable purity laws and cultural norms which governed interactions between Jews and Gentiles, as well as between men and women, Jesus, when sitting at a well, asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. She exclaimed, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (John 4:1-42).
Wherever he went Jesus broke taboos, and cultural boundries which dehumanized and segregated people. He gave attention to the outcasts of society– the sick, the handicapped, and even those who were demonically possessed. He was also concerned about those on the fringe of society– the poor and marginalized, confronting those in power who considered themselves to be superior.
Click here to read the rest of this message.
Who Is the Gay Obama?
Here is a piece I wrote for publishing on GayAgenda:
Leadership. It’s all about leadership.
A profound statement, for sure, but where am I going with it?
Leadership sometimes seems like a lost art, particularly in the public sector. Despite the hue and cry about the war in Iraq, President Bush was reelected in 2004 because Democratic nominee John Kerry didn’t have the charisma, the leadership, to galvanize wide enough support to dislodge an incumbent president.
Things were much different in 2008 when Barack Obama emerged in many people’s minds and hearts at THE MAN, a charismatic leader who gave people hope, who could rally those who were previously disengaged and make them an enthusiastic part of the electoral process. He made politics mean something again to many who had become cynical and felt disenfranchised.
Where is the gay Obama? Where is the person who will galvanize support with the LGBT community and its allies, the person who has the vision of how to bring about true equality in society and can develop the plan to make it happen?
Click here to read my conclusion.
Leadership. It’s all about leadership.
A profound statement, for sure, but where am I going with it?
Leadership sometimes seems like a lost art, particularly in the public sector. Despite the hue and cry about the war in Iraq, President Bush was reelected in 2004 because Democratic nominee John Kerry didn’t have the charisma, the leadership, to galvanize wide enough support to dislodge an incumbent president.
Things were much different in 2008 when Barack Obama emerged in many people’s minds and hearts at THE MAN, a charismatic leader who gave people hope, who could rally those who were previously disengaged and make them an enthusiastic part of the electoral process. He made politics mean something again to many who had become cynical and felt disenfranchised.
Where is the gay Obama? Where is the person who will galvanize support with the LGBT community and its allies, the person who has the vision of how to bring about true equality in society and can develop the plan to make it happen?
Click here to read my conclusion.
August 23, 2009
Sunday Worship 8/23/09
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.
Live Sunday Services (all times Eastern)
VIDEO
MI-Renaissance Unity Church, Warren, 10:00 AM
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa, 11:00 AM
VA-Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, 11:00 AM
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, 11:45 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-Renaissance Unity Church, Warren
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
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
Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com
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.
Live Sunday Services (all times Eastern)
VIDEO
MI-Renaissance Unity Church, Warren, 10:00 AM
FL-Potters House International Fellowship, Tampa, 11:00 AM
VA-Believers Covenant Fellowship, Vienna, 11:00 AM
AL-Covenant Community Church, Birmingham, 11:45 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-Renaissance Unity Church, Warren
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
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
Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com
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