ohay everybody :D

[christa08]

hello, everyone!

My name is Christa. I'm a 21-year-old straight married Christian female who's been so enlightened by the truth I've found in a pamphlet I ordered from this website.

I was born into a devout non-denominational Christian family. Everybody is so conservative and I always felt like I was kind of an outsider because I was more eccentric I guess would be the best way to describe it. Being older now and trying to understand this crazy world, I decided that I wanted to really study what the bible says about everything. My entire life I just believed what everyone around me told me the bible said. I never read it for myself.

On the front of the pamphlet "What the Bible Says - and Doesn't Say - About Homosexuality" I believe the group is in front of New Life Church in Colorado Springs which is a church I used to attend before I moved to Denver. That picture makes me wonder how the church reacted to the Soulforce group.

I very often am sort of haunted by the words my family and others have said in the past about homosexuals. I'm even more haunted by the things I used to say...and I deeply regret it. I was so uneducated that I couldn't see how closed-minded, judgemental, and misinformed we were. Even to this day, my family constantly makes comments when they see something on TV. After reading the pamphlet a couple of times, I feel I finally have the knowledge to speak up and show them the truth that God loves us all and wants us to love each other.

I know this post is kind of long but I think I just needed to show how thankful I truly am to this community for opening my eyes. I feel that this is a cause I would love to be a part of.

[matthewspeed]

Christa,

Welcome! You are truly a lovely person, inside and out! God bless you. Many of us on this forum believed the same things you were brought up with. I have cried many painful tears before I came to accept my sexual orientation and reconcile with God. The many times I have wept at the alter over and over again -I'm sure the carpet at the alter of the church I used to attend is stained from my tears. You are a young vibrant woman. You have so many years ahead of you. Having a committed christian, who is heterosexual, and is able to empathize with our community is a rarity. We value people like you and realize how rare friends like you are.

We invite you to express yourself here. Many of us may disagree on many topics, but we all have a powerful bond. We have love and respect for each other. That is what we desire from the religious community. We have a long battle ahead of us, but we will not surrender. :)

Glad you're here! :)

-Matthew

[scott snedeker]

Thank you for signing on!


You are part of the Growing evidence that the world is growing kinder each day. A day where among young people kindness and love is cool and in style. You are part of the future of evovled sensibility of love and courage evaporaring hate and fear. I look forward to hearing your experiences and discoveries.

"Every decision I make is a choice between a grievance and a miracle. I relinquish all grievances resentments and regrets and choose the miracle."

---Derived from The Course in Miracles.

[Daniel]

Your words and thougths are a balm to many here. It is so good to know that you really 'get it'.

In response, all I can say is : You go girl! :D

Your post made my day. Thanks for being who you are. I pray that others follow your lead and see the light and the love that you have.

[Jamie McDaniel]

On the front of the pamphlet "What the Bible Says - and Doesn't Say - About Homosexuality" I believe the group is in front of New Life Church in Colorado Springs which is a church I used to attend before I moved to Denver. That picture makes me wonder how the church reacted to the Soulforce group.
Hi Christa and welcome. You're correct, that group picture is in the parking lot of New Life Church. It was taken during the 1000 Watt March (http://www.soulforce.org/article/829) from Denver to Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs. When we reached Colorado Springs, we thought it would be great to get a group photo and that was about the time we reached New Life.

I found it ironic that a few months later pastor Ted Haggard had his situation. Soulforce sent him over 300 letters (http://www.soulforce.org/letters/1) but, as of yet, we've not heard back.

[tdogg]

Hi Christa! Welcome to Soulforce forums. Glad you found your way here and your research was helpful. Thanks for your kind words! :love:

I was raised in a Christian (pentecostal) home since a small child, but much of was I was told and taught, I didn't believe. I'm finally at a place where I've accepted myself, and love myself. I take that which I've learned is uplifting and useful, along with my personal spiritual beliefs and what I'm learning every day from others to get where I am spiritually today. Sounds like you are doing much the same.

Jesus said the truth would set us free. I certainly have felt so much freer after figuring it all out!! So glad you are here and looking forward to hearing more from you and sharing. Blessings!

Tdogg

[Zerbie]

Christa! How wonderful to meet you and have you here. Thank you so much for posting a hello. I hope you'll come back and share more.

One thing you can be sure of: your caring, kindness, and affection *will* make much positive difference in the world.

Thank you. :love:

[Gregory_de_Bois]

Christa,

Welcome! You are a wonderful soul. Thank you for opening yourself up and letting us receive your blessing. I am sure that you will find this website and forum a very resourceful place.

Namaste,

Gregory

[Rick336]

Christa,

You are so fortunate to live in Colorado. That is one beautiful state. I've been to Denver, Bolder, Colorado Springs, Durango, and Silverton.

You may already know this, but there is a train that offers daily round-trip tours between Durango and Silverton. It travels through the beautiful Rocky Mountain wilderness along cliffs, over passes, through tunnels, by waterfalls and snow covered mountain peaks. It is truly awesome. If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend it.

Welcome to Soulforce. Glad to have you here.

Rick

[christa08]

Wow, thank you all for your uplifting and kind comments. It's not often that you find yourself in a place where people are so friendly.

I will definitely have to check out that train ride. It sounds awesome :D
I've still only been to a few, but amazing, places here in Colorado. One of my favorite places to go is a little place in the mountains called St. Elmo. It's west of Colorado Springs somewhere and you drive on this dirt road in the mountains and you get to this little historic town where they have a small gift shop and you can buy seeds to feed to tons of chipmunks, ground squirrels, and groundhogs. They've come to trust people so they'll crawl all over you.

I haven't been able to do a lot of exploring here in Denver yet. I've just gone downtown a few times and I love it down there!

My husband's name is Chris. He's 22 years old and he's in the Air Force. We'll be married a year in August (which isn't far away :p) We dated for 3 years before we got married and I love him so much. I don't have any siblings. My parents were divorced twice when I was younger. My Dad lives in Colorado Springs and my mom lives in California. I'm going next week to see her and spend some time by the ocean :D I've been so blessed to be able to travel to the beautiful places I have by my mom living there and through programs I was involved in High School. I grew up in Wichita Falls, TX. My whole life I knew there was something bigger out there for me than Wichita Falls. I didn't like it there and I've always wanted to travel the world. I'll be taking my first over-seas trip next summer for my honeymoon (the military schedule prevented us from having one before now.) I'd love to go to Japan, Greece, or Spain. I'll be starting college in the fall this year to get an Associate of Arts. I believe my calling is music. I love to sing and I've competed and performed my whole life.

Well...that's a little bit (ok...maybe a lot) about me.

Again, thank you all for being such awesome people :love:

[tymejumper]

Welcome aboard. There are many friendly people here and we are happy for anyone who is for equal rights and for spreading knowledge. It does my heart good to know the next generation is open minded.

[BruceChris]

Yes, we do appreciate allies of any kind, gay or str8. I just woke up, I want to tell you about my church, and my roomie (female) needs a ride to church.

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1093

Gotta run, best wishes and please post again, Namaste',

Bruce (given name) Chris (chosen name)

[Vanessa White]

I am with Daniel; your words are so beautiful and soothing......... I interpret your presence here, and the impact that you will bring to those around you, is a total blessing. Thank you for your awakening and willingness to see us in a more compassionate way.

My partner and I have been together for almost eleven years, and are raising our ten year old daughter. Every day is an adventure, and we feel so blessed. It really does help knowing that we have allies that will stand by us and support us. Thank you for that.

Stick around and tell us more about yourself; express your views on some of our threads, and again WELCOME!!! Peace, Vanessa :love:

[christa08]

I'm thinking about joining the Denver Women's Chorus! I've been trying to find a good way to support the GLBT cause and I think this is the way. I think it will make my anti-homosexual family ask a lot of questions "why are you in a lesbian choir" etc. The choir says their open to non-lesbians as well as long as they're supportive of homosexuality. I'm so excited! Not only because of the change I might make in my family's minds, but also just to get out there and perform again because singing in my passion and the talent that God has given me.

I feel if I could change my family's minds, then I would've made a HUGE difference in this world because they're judging a society of people who don't even deserve it. Even if homosexuality was wrong, they shouldn't be judging anybody because that's God's job. I want to instill more compassion in my family through this experience. please pray for my family

[Vanessa White]

What a creative way to get a message of inclusion sent out..... I applaud your desire to do it.....keep us posted....... :love:

[Zerbie]

Oh that's so great!!! Definitely join the chorus. You are angelic, Christa!!!! :D:love:

On another subject, I think the 7 Straight Nights project will be right up your alley. Check it out: www.sevenstraightnights.org

Z :cool:

[christa08]

On another subject, I think the 7 Straight Nights project will be right up your alley. Check it out: www.sevenstraightnights.org

wow that looks awesome! I will definitely look into it and try to get my husband involved too! thank you so much and I'm always open to suggestions of how I can help give GLBT people a voice!

[tdogg]

I
I feel if I could change my family's minds, then I would've made a HUGE difference in this world because they're judging a society of people who don't even deserve it. Even if homosexuality was wrong, they shouldn't be judging anybody because that's God's job. I want to instill more compassion in my family through this experience. please pray for my family

Even if your family doesn't change their minds, you are making a huge difference in the world. Just by living your life, believing in your ideals and evidencing that through your words and actions, makes a difference. You have brought with you delight and compassion to the forums already, with your words and enthusiasm. Thanks for being here, and thanks for making a difference! :love:

By the way, I'm visiting Denver in Sept for some training and trying to scope out things to do. So, if you experience some interesting 'Denver' please PM me! My partner may come along and we'll spend the weekend exploring. I've already book marked the Museum of Nature and Science for a visit!!