Just when you thought it was safe to go into the desert, a group of pro-gay organizations, zeroing in on the upcoming SBC Convention and gasping for public attention, is demanding an apology from the SBC “for the harm its teachings are causing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.” Oh, please. Or, rather, please don’t. A coalition composed of The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Believe OutLoud, Faith in America , GetEQUAL, Soulforce and Truth Wins Out plans to present a petition during the Convention, asking the SBC to end the “insidious bigotry … [Read more...] about No Apology Necessary
Building Bridges on a Lonely Trail
"It is finished." Can there be more satisfying words? Said in quiet resolve as a father steps back from a swing set in the yard, an artist scoots back from a painting, a writer pushes away from a keyboard, a seamstress sews the final seam, a final test is taken, or a silent prayer is lifted. When we sense completion, we spread our arms like a blessing, then rest our hands on our hips to take the moment in before life moves on. Life moves on? I thought we were finished. I thought about these things as I chopped and sawed my way through thick brush and dead trees, spiders scattering … [Read more...] about Building Bridges on a Lonely Trail
Gay Culture: The Mouse that Keeps on Roaring
I confess to having been a sinner my entire life, revealed by my own actions, always in danger of being smashed like a gnat by someone big enough to demand retribution . . . but always in hope of being picked up and set free again by someone big enough to forgive. I've often perched on the top of a magnificent peak, foreboding with the potential for destruction, but dazzling with its view of hoped-for restoration. Better there, though, than down in the valley where those who refuse to acknowledge their own worldly shortcomings mingle with those who don't believe they can ever be forgiven and … [Read more...] about Gay Culture: The Mouse that Keeps on Roaring
Chutes and Ladders: Extreme Edition
"I don't want to play anymore." I remember when my grandchildren used to come to the house. In warmer weather they wanted to be outside to pick the garden of still-green fruit or pluck the flowers or maybe just pick up rocks. Wandering around the yard like little ducks, stopping here and there to point and stare at wondrous things so often overlooked by the rest of us on our way to somewhere. Little ones are just . . . there. Where they are is the somewhere that matters. On colder days, my grandchildren would dash down the hall and head for the toy room, a place that still held the baby … [Read more...] about Chutes and Ladders: Extreme Edition
Stronger Than Hell
I can't remember ever doubting the existence of hell. As much as I believe "there is a God," I believe "there is a hell." I don't think I ever had an issue with the idea that "there is a judgment" either and that God decides who goes to hell, no matter how many times we may hear people throughout our lives telling others to "go to" or "burn in," or see someone wiping the sweat from their brows or the tears from their eyes, struggling to pick themselves back up after, saying "this is." No, it's not. I don't really like the idea of hell, but I accept it as part of God's plan . . . … [Read more...] about Stronger Than Hell
Where Would We Be Without Doubt?
(NOTE: This post is taken from a chapter in my book, Surviving Sexual Brokenness: What Grace Can Do. With all the major events of recent days, this just seemed like an appropriate time to share it.) Lord, I crawled across the barrenness to you with my empty cup uncertain in asking for any small drop of refreshment. If only I had known you better, I'd have come running with a bucket. -- Nancy Spielberg One of the hardest things anyone with a significant struggle -- such as same-sex attraction, pornography addiction, heterosexual lust or any addictive temptation -- deals with, is … [Read more...] about Where Would We Be Without Doubt?
What if it was Only Almost Easter?
As far as I know -- for not all dreams are remembered – I’ve never dreamed of Easter. I’ve acted in church plays from high school, where I played a very youthful Jesus, to middle-age, playing Paul, who bore a strange resemblance in costume to Fred Flintstone. If that was a dream, I’m glad I woke up. I’ve tried to put myself at the scene while watching other actors re-enact it in churches and on the big screen, but I always feel short of really capturing in my mind what it must have been like, from the triumphant entry to the triumphant victory. It’s impossible to capture the perspective, … [Read more...] about What if it was Only Almost Easter?
The Consequences of Careless Compassion
I asked you what was wrong with me "Nothing," you said, that you could see. "Just be what you were meant to be." And that's supposed to set me free? "But this feels wrong," I answered back. "Somehow I just seem off track." "You're fine," you said, with gentle tact "Your feelings are just out of whack." "Don't carry 'round your guilt that way. "We're living in a brand new day. "There's no more need to self betray, "Don't give self-judgment so much sway. But what of God? He sees inside Surely He won't just let me hide, With self and pride so justified And truth and grace so well … [Read more...] about The Consequences of Careless Compassion
The Blessed Affliction of a Conflicted Heart
What if the lines in the sand just keep shifting? What if the boundaries we set up keep slipping? What if the truth we’ve been seeking keeps drifting? What if we don’t make it through all of this sifting? What if our reach leaves us grasping at air? What if our longing finds no one there to share? What if our damage seems too much to repair? What if we outrun those still willing to care? But, what if we make our way into the clearing? And what if we reject all the lies we’ve been hearing? What if we surrender the things we’ve been fearing? And, what if we let someone … [Read more...] about The Blessed Affliction of a Conflicted Heart
The Bogeyman Myth of the Hateful Bigot
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:34 I have been told the church was mostly silent on that day. Evidence of my ongoing struggle with homosexuality was presented, a vote was taken and I was declared unfit to be a member and removed for the destruction of my soul. I was not there that night, but instead was angry and alone in the darkening end of a long and frightening day, as they proclaimed me unworthy of them. Oh . . . my soul. And all that is within me. Since that fateful vote, I … [Read more...] about The Bogeyman Myth of the Hateful Bigot