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freedhearts

2013-04-29T12:03:24-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Born that Way? – Part 1

Last updated on: April 29, 2013 at 12:03 pm   By Susan Cottrell

How do some men and some women — even as children — just seem gay? With the mannerisms, voice, overall demeanor? Of course plenty of gay men and women you couldn’t pick out of a crowd. Does this strike you as interesting? A question worth asking? My haircutter is absolutely flaming. You should see how adorable he is. He dresses like a New Yorker (he’s a Texan) and he told me all about his boyfriend and that they’ve been together... Read more

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2013-04-25T13:14:02-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How Do You Love the Gay or Lesbian in Your Life?

Last updated on: April 25, 2013 at 1:14 pm   By Susan Cottrell

“The outstretched arms of Jesus exclude no one, not the drunk in the doorway, the panhandler on the street, gays and lesbians in their isolation, the most selfish and ungrateful in their cocoons, the most unjust of employers and the most overweening of snobs. The love of Christ embraces all without exception.”  Brennan Manning Someone you love is gay – now what? You know your job is to love, but how do you do it? In Jesus’ last couple days on earth, He’s... Read more

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2013-04-22T10:09:49-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What Do You Do When Your Son is Gay?

Last updated on: April 22, 2013 at 10:09 am   By Susan Cottrell

119 Comments

“Mom, I’m gay.” Earth-shattering words to many conservative Christian parents — tragically, many view it as right up there with, “Your child has a brain tumor.” Actually, Christians will empathize with a brain tumor, but just try telling the church your child is gay and you will find the limit of grace withheld not only from gay Christians but from their accepting families. Not only what is said but unsaid can be oppressive for a family seeking love and truth.... Read more

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Susan Cottrell

2013-04-20T10:01:09-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Are We a Safe Place for Each Other?

Last updated on: April 20, 2013 at 10:01 am   By Susan Cottrell

This blog is not for everyone. But if you are a Christ-follower, called to love God and love others, it may be for you. I received the following email from a 24-year-old friend. We have more at stake than right and wrong — we have life and death. I hope this speaks to you. I’ve been having a lot of thoughts lately. Thoughts I want to talk about with people. Thoughts I’m scared to talk about with people. Thoughts that... Read more

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2013-04-17T12:48:54-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Now What? Do the Stuff!

Last updated on: April 17, 2013 at 12:48 pm   By Susan Cottrell

It’s been a wild ride so far, hasn’t it? Not that I meant to go straight for the jugular of the homosexuality: sin-or-not issue, but Christians seem to be very concerned about its sin-ness! Just this morning I read in John 9 how the Pharisees said of Jesus, “This man cannot be from God – he heals on the Sabbath.” It was so clear to them. And they were wrong. Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner... Read more

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2013-04-12T13:21:12-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is Homosexuality a Sin and Why Does it Matter? — Part 3

Last updated on: April 12, 2013 at 1:21 pm   By Susan Cottrell

My friends… your response to these posts has been wonderful. Some of you have found these posts hard, especially if you came into it certain homosexuality is a sin. I urge you only to consider this is not as clearcut as you have believed… and I’m glad you’re still reading. But many more have found here a fresh breeze – long-awaited permission to rethink not only our understanding of those passages but more importantly, our whole relationship as Christ-followers to... Read more

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Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gay-Vs.-Christians Debate

2013-04-11T10:04:19-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is Homosexuality a Sin and Why Does it Matter? — Part 2

Last updated on: April 11, 2013 at 10:04 am   By Susan Cottrell

*There’s a lot to say on this whole subject, and it will take many posts. Whatever question you have, we’ll probably get to and if not, feel free to email me at [email protected]. Our family friend Nathanael (name used with permission) messaged me yesterday this summation of where we stand right now. “The anticipation is pretty thick. I don’t know how easy either resolution can be. It seems to me that you have three options but only one can be... Read more

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2013-04-09T08:54:31-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is Homosexuality a Sin and Why Does it Matter? – Part 1

Last updated on: April 9, 2013 at 8:54 am   By Susan Cottrell

A princess paused at the side of the road when a frog jumped out and said, “Kiss me and I’ll turn into a handsome prince!” The princess gasped: “Holy s@&# – a talking frog!” Sometimes we need to pull back and see the bigger picture. The same was true when Jesus healed a lame man. He healed a lame man. (Better than a talking frog.) But the religious leaders were torqued that He did it on the Sabbath. What?? When it comes to... Read more

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2013-04-04T11:44:49-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A Mom, Some Gays, and the Bible

Last updated on: April 4, 2013 at 11:44 am   By Susan Cottrell

I am a Mom of five (nearly) grown kids I homeschooled, married to Rob for 26 years, and a churchgoing Christ-follower for decades. I know the lingo, got the t-shirt. Certainly I’ve figured out that most Christians I’ve met avoid The Gay Debate. When friend or fam pop up as gay, many Christians say, “It’s a sin — I didn’t say it, God said it!” Then they can “love the sinner and hate the sin” with abandon. I don’t blame... Read more

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2013-04-02T13:22:25-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

My Responsibility in the Gay Debate

Last updated on: April 2, 2013 at 1:22 pm   By Susan Cottrell

“You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” Anne Lamott Our culture is in turmoil. We have failed to convey the love of Christ to an entire group of people. Conservative Christians are afraid of “the gay agenda,” and the LGBTQ community is devastated by their interaction with Christians. LGBTQ who seek a loving God are rejected and disfranchised by the evangelical church. The... Read more

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