prayer...

[justme4grace]

hi all,  last weekend, a door opened to start a discussion with some friends of mine.  I'm only the 2nd gay person they've met... and the only gay-Christian they've come across.  They are old enough to be my parents and love me dearly.  They believe homosexuality is wrong (per the Bible), but admittedly do not know much about what it means to be gay... much less what it means to be gay + Christian.  

We chatted a bit last weekend...  I had to keep reminding myself that they just do not have any info... when they asked things like if gay Christians believe the Bible?  asking if I support the gay "lifestyle" (such a HOT button for me....)   It would have been easy to really take offense to what they said and just pull away... not bring "the issue" up again and just continue on.... But, I really feel like I'm in this place for a reason.  They did not mean any of those comments/questions as negative toward me...  they simply just don't know.  They do know that they love me. period.  And they do not judge me at all.  They fully trust God to work in my life in whatever ways He needs to... and do not feel the need to "micromanage" by "telling" me what God is/should be doing in my life.

I'll admit that this is hard... I've endured a lot of rejection in the past from "church" people... so it would be easy to just "go there" and clam up and leave.  I just wrote a rather lengthy email to put a few more ideas out there... not in the spirit of "I'm right and you're wrong"... but more of a way to help explain a bit where I am coming from... I included Pastor Weekly's article on here about the "bottom line" as a bit of a concise way to capture the particular "clobber passages"...

I really do believe that these folks in particular will be able to continue to walk with me, even though we disagree...  Please pray that their hearts/minds will be open as they read what I sent and that, more importantly... God would speak to them in whatever way He needs to.  And that ultimately, we can continue to walk/live/love each other as the brothers/sisters in Christ that we are.

thanks,

[Sozo]

More than happy to pray. I find it encouraging that they are asking questions so just do you best to answer them from a place of love. I know its' hard sometimes, but like you said you have to remind yourself that they simply don't know any better.

Praise the Lord!

[LoveIsMarching]

I will definitely pray. I think you're doing a really great job of keeping your cool and trying to promote education rather than fruitless arguments. Keep us posted!  

[justme4grace]

thanks - so far, I just have a quick reply letting me know they got the email... and will read/absorb soon.  And again, reassurance that we are friends & they thanked me for taking the time to share some thoughts.

I know I need God to work in me - just as much as I'm praying for Him to work in them...  still a lotta hurts that probably haven't fulled healed.

[New_Morning]

If they respond well to the article, I'd say buy them Homosexianity and let them read that.

[Pastor Weekly]

I know it can be frustrating when people are coming from such an uninformed perspective, even when their motives aren't to judge; but, that's really what's so important--that even though they don't understand it, they love you enough to inquire about it, and to try to keep an open mind. It seems like they're actually open-minded, even if strong-minded (and both of those are a good thing). So, just stay prayed up, and remember the place they're coming from.

It's really great that they have you in their lives, to help make them aware of things from a non-attacking, non-offensive way, which really wouldn't benefit anyone involved.

I'd echo New_Morning's suggestion about buying them Homosexianity so that they can get a more complete view of the issue if they respond positively, even if not necessarily agreeingly, to the email.

You all are in my prayers.