tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post111747271115449739..comments2007-10-05T10:20:55.156-05:00Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07276000726366302069noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-37545018100437840712007-10-05T10:20:00.000-05:002007-10-05T10:20:00.000-05:00SO loved this post!!! This is pretty much what the conversation with my 13 year old sounded like the other day. I have a friend in my baking class that is of the merry kind and he is my best pal in that class. He has been the one to step up and offer assistance with lifting big equipment and such for me while I am awaiting my surgery. I feel that the door is wide open to show the true love of Christ if I approach our relationship in this fashion. How can we tell people that God loves them if we don't first? Thanks for such a wonderful post!!!Leannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163002025908861462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1158088671059919952006-09-12T14:17:00.000-05:002006-09-12T14:17:00.000-05:00OK, spill it - who was the first friend to lose their virginity? And who was K? I was in that one act play, and I don't remember any of this. Man, was my head in the sand.<BR/><BR/>This is an issue that has given me pause of late. My denomination's stand is, like yours, that homosexuality is 100% contrary to the word of God. However, I've had too many gay friends and family that loved Jesus to just dismiss them. I think often in the church we "accept" people without "affirming" them (ie - hate the sin/love the sinner.) I know I have several gay folks in the church I pastor (I've heard one is a pretty good drag queen!), but it's certainly never discussed. Everyone keeps their head in the sand about it. I try to be their pastor in the same way as I am for my straight folks. I'm being stretched on this one.chiapetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09353540751694089930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1123048087422716812005-08-03T00:48:00.000-05:002005-08-03T00:48:00.000-05:00Hello... I'm here via comments at that "other blog" you commented at today and refered to in your aug2 entry, and just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading this entry and also the comments that followed it, esp <BR/>sster. cheers!cluttergirlhttp://cluttergirl.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117641144250747752005-06-01T10:52:00.000-05:002005-06-01T10:52:00.000-05:00http://barenakedchristianladies.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>You probably didn't believe me, did you?<BR/><BR/>Guess what, not only did I create a BNCL blog, but I linked you..lol<BR/><BR/>I hope to see the blogroll grow..and many other links over the next few months. :o)Girl in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828737073489377052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117632207783528462005-06-01T08:23:00.000-05:002005-06-01T08:23:00.000-05:00Interesting post, Christine. You are where I was just a few years ago, until I came to know a remarkable gay couple. As I watched their relationship in action, I was able to see, little by little, that their love is a real, committed, married love, and that their relationship has the potential to strengthen marriage, not undermine it (as some conservatives have argued). As far as scripture goes, I see the ban on homosexuality as a the result of a specific historical circumstance related to population and public health. Just as I don't find it necessary to defecate outside the camp (see Deuteronomy), or refrain from consuming meat of animals with a cloven hoof, I don't find it necessary to continue to think of homosexuality as a sin. Homosexuality is not contrary to life, and sustaining life is a huge part of Christianity. Homosexuality can be a beautiful way of enriching such a life.ssterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16130784148944897914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117577718544277602005-05-31T17:15:00.000-05:002005-05-31T17:15:00.000-05:00Hey there. I linked to your blog from another blog and wanted to share my experience. <BR/><BR/>It's funny because every church is so different. I grew up in an extremely religious family and attended a Protestant church every single Sunday of my young life in Connecticut. <BR/><BR/>My parents' church, the United Church of Christ, has, to my knowledge, always welcomed all people regardless of their personal life choices. They have a new campaign to specifically welcome gays and lesbians into the church. You can check it out here: http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/ <BR/><BR/>When you mentioned that it would be typical for a church to give gays and lesbians books on the topic or recommend counseling, that surprised me, because I think my church would balk at making any sort of lifestyle suggestions to their congregation- it would be totally out of line. People come to church to commune with other people of faith, not to be told what to do with their private lives. <BR/><BR/>I just wanted to mention that there is a church for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation!LJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218613543786289906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117572176515961072005-05-31T15:42:00.000-05:002005-05-31T15:42:00.000-05:00Christine, <BR/><BR/>What a thoughtful post. I am not sure sometimes if you were leaning towards saying homosexuality was a sin or if you felt we needed to be more tolerant. <BR/><BR/>I guess in my book, the Christian concept of homosexuality and its sinfulness has many holes. But, I digress.<BR/><BR/>I think your openness is indeed refreshing and we need more of it in our Christian circles lest we find ourselves Christian bigots - and those are certainly not people Christ would hang with. <BR/><BR/>Thought provoking! <BR/><BR/>Thanks.The Mindvillagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006583126796949098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117569267235337092005-05-31T14:54:00.000-05:002005-05-31T14:54:00.000-05:00What a fabulous post. If only people would think about their actions. I have shaken my head many times at the way some Christians (and others) view those who are different than them.Vegan Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11719677910920484159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117548839717252212005-05-31T09:13:00.000-05:002005-05-31T09:13:00.000-05:00I found you off of my partner's blog (0 to 5). One of our five kids came out to her birth mom (before she ever came to us)and faced a month of long sermons directed directly to her at her mother's fundamentalist church. It freaked her out. Now she hates church and God. <BR/><BR/>We work with her and expose her to kinder, gentler, open minded churches and Christians. She is turning into a wonderful young woman and working up to forgiving her birth mom and family. Maybe someday she will forgive God, or at least redirect the responsibility from God. <BR/><BR/>Some "Christians" shoot themselves in the foot.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for standing tall!!cebiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05503091624917283323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117546979096865282005-05-31T08:42:00.000-05:002005-05-31T08:42:00.000-05:00I'm right here with you, Christine. Great post.tonia/sparrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12919619070501313792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117505872356053702005-05-30T21:17:00.000-05:002005-05-30T21:17:00.000-05:00Love the graphics.<BR/>Good sight on Ezzo.<BR/>Thx for your post on my sight!Judehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10283937931941372188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117481049632213732005-05-30T14:24:00.000-05:002005-05-30T14:24:00.000-05:00Hi Christine. Found you by way of Stephen. You have a beautiful spirit!<BR/><BR/>I couldn't help but notice the beautiful black and white either. So much love, this human body. So much perfection!lightfeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15631560221701057562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117475742083771292005-05-30T12:55:00.000-05:002005-05-30T12:55:00.000-05:00Thanks for this delightful post !<BR/><BR/>I also love the graphics devoted to breastfeeding.<BR/>As a former lactating mom of three, it is something I firmly believe in too.<BR/><BR/>will return to read further.<BR/><BR/>(we are yeller's too.. my partner is a quiet one. We tend to drown the poor woman out.)scribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01390973931598766121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11570547.post-1117474877832217222005-05-30T12:41:00.000-05:002005-05-30T12:41:00.000-05:00You are hired!! Now THAT is what REAL Christianity is all about.<BR/><BR/>We are located in CT -- when can you start? Tomorrow?? :-)<BR/><BR/>Blessings and keep the balance of truth and love - without both, you;ve missed the boat.<BR/><BR/>Blessings - StephenStephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218209263886400439noreply@blogger.com