NathanATX
04-27-2006, 12:05 AM
I received this initial post this morning on my myspace account, www.myspace.com/nathanatx. To show you all the incredible impact Soulforce has and that YOU can have by sharing Soulforce with people, I've attached the conversation flow.
The videos at http://www.soulforce.org/videos are an invalueable resource. Don't let them go to waste! Share them with someone!
love,
Nate
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Apr 25, 2006 9:02 PM
Subject: hello
Body: Hi, I'm sure with as many friends as you have, and considering the mind blowing commitment you have to God despite your sexually orientation, that you get a million messages a day. I'm in awe of your ability to step up like that. I myself am a devout christian. However of course I am gay. It is a daily battle for me. Being brought up that gays were bad, I was 25 before I allowed anyone to know. My mom freaked saying that it was wrong and I would never be happy in God because of it. I have since been ashamed to go to church in a way. Maybe just afraid. I still battle it even though I know that regardless God loves me, and I too am one of his children that he set free with the sacrafice of his son. I'm afraid that it will start to affect my relationship with a wonderful woman. She has agreed to attend church with me, but we are wary of it. A friend told her that alot of churches that claim to be "gay-friendly" really just say that to lure us in, then attack the weaker link of the two. There is so much in the word that is contradicting. I know that God loves me and I am his no matter what, but incorporating into my life has been hard. You seem to be so sure of your faith and your sexuality. If you have any advice or material i should read or any help it would be appreciate it. As such knowing you may not have time, I will understand if I don't hear back. But thatnk you for taking the time to read this.
Your sister in Christ,
Grace Grace
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Apr 26, 2006 9:15 AM
Hi Grace,
Thanks for sending such a heartfelt email. Your heartache and concerns come through clearly.
The first thing I would like you to do is watch an online sermon by Mel White called, "How can I be sure God loves me too?" http://www.soulforce.org/article/mel-white-sermon-video
There are also some great videos about sexuality on the soulforce website, www.soulforce.org/videos
I think those are a good place to start.
Finding a place to worship can be a daunting task. After coming out, it took me about five years before I was ready to go to a church again. I just had this deep desire to get my spiritual life back on track again. But I wasn't strong enough to be at a church that would condemn me for being gay. I walked out of quite a few churches after hearing an unloving and unchristian message from the preacher.
And then I found MCC Austin. www.mccaustin.com I don't know if they have an MCC church in your area, but go to www.mccchurch.org and do a search. I'm actually preparing for MCC ministry. Also, the United Church of Christ is usually a VERY accepting and affirming church. See www.rejectionhurts.com or www.stillspeaking.com.
A friend of mine started a website called www.welcomingchurches.com that has a database of churches across the US that SAY they are accepting & affirming. There's always the possibility they are not... but you could call them and ask. Even that is difficult though.
I hope some this helps and encourages you. Know that God loves you so much... and if you're having trouble accepting that, send me an email and I'll remind you. :)
If you like posting in message boards, you might like www.theshepherdsarms.com for a safe & welcoming Christian lgbt community.
I'm praying for you and your girlfriend! Call me if you have any questions or want to talk.
love,
Nate
************************************************** *********
Apr 26, 2006 6:01 PM
Subject: Thank you
Body: Thank you so much for the link and websites. So far all I have looked at was the sermon. I cried the whole 23 minutes of it. It really helped and I can't wait to show it to my girlfriend. My appreciation has no words. Thank you so much. May God bless you in everyway.
Love your sister,
Grace
************************************************** **********
Apr 26, 2006 6:59 PM
Subject: me again
Body: Sorry I know I just wrote. But I really just want to say thank you again. There is in fact a mcc church in my city. And I went out and bought Rev. Dr. White's book as well. My girlfriend is in the Navy and is out to sea for a few more days. I wrote and told her about it. It is amazing the burden that lifted from me after listening to that sermon. I think it is funny that I was just randomly searching around myspace not really looking for anything when what I needed to find was there. Again thank you so much for help. I too will keep you in my prayers. I will also keep you updated on how things go. You have been a major blessing in my life when I was starting to think all was lost.
Love,
Grace
The videos at http://www.soulforce.org/videos are an invalueable resource. Don't let them go to waste! Share them with someone!
love,
Nate
***************************
Apr 25, 2006 9:02 PM
Subject: hello
Body: Hi, I'm sure with as many friends as you have, and considering the mind blowing commitment you have to God despite your sexually orientation, that you get a million messages a day. I'm in awe of your ability to step up like that. I myself am a devout christian. However of course I am gay. It is a daily battle for me. Being brought up that gays were bad, I was 25 before I allowed anyone to know. My mom freaked saying that it was wrong and I would never be happy in God because of it. I have since been ashamed to go to church in a way. Maybe just afraid. I still battle it even though I know that regardless God loves me, and I too am one of his children that he set free with the sacrafice of his son. I'm afraid that it will start to affect my relationship with a wonderful woman. She has agreed to attend church with me, but we are wary of it. A friend told her that alot of churches that claim to be "gay-friendly" really just say that to lure us in, then attack the weaker link of the two. There is so much in the word that is contradicting. I know that God loves me and I am his no matter what, but incorporating into my life has been hard. You seem to be so sure of your faith and your sexuality. If you have any advice or material i should read or any help it would be appreciate it. As such knowing you may not have time, I will understand if I don't hear back. But thatnk you for taking the time to read this.
Your sister in Christ,
Grace Grace
***********************************************
Apr 26, 2006 9:15 AM
Hi Grace,
Thanks for sending such a heartfelt email. Your heartache and concerns come through clearly.
The first thing I would like you to do is watch an online sermon by Mel White called, "How can I be sure God loves me too?" http://www.soulforce.org/article/mel-white-sermon-video
There are also some great videos about sexuality on the soulforce website, www.soulforce.org/videos
I think those are a good place to start.
Finding a place to worship can be a daunting task. After coming out, it took me about five years before I was ready to go to a church again. I just had this deep desire to get my spiritual life back on track again. But I wasn't strong enough to be at a church that would condemn me for being gay. I walked out of quite a few churches after hearing an unloving and unchristian message from the preacher.
And then I found MCC Austin. www.mccaustin.com I don't know if they have an MCC church in your area, but go to www.mccchurch.org and do a search. I'm actually preparing for MCC ministry. Also, the United Church of Christ is usually a VERY accepting and affirming church. See www.rejectionhurts.com or www.stillspeaking.com.
A friend of mine started a website called www.welcomingchurches.com that has a database of churches across the US that SAY they are accepting & affirming. There's always the possibility they are not... but you could call them and ask. Even that is difficult though.
I hope some this helps and encourages you. Know that God loves you so much... and if you're having trouble accepting that, send me an email and I'll remind you. :)
If you like posting in message boards, you might like www.theshepherdsarms.com for a safe & welcoming Christian lgbt community.
I'm praying for you and your girlfriend! Call me if you have any questions or want to talk.
love,
Nate
************************************************** *********
Apr 26, 2006 6:01 PM
Subject: Thank you
Body: Thank you so much for the link and websites. So far all I have looked at was the sermon. I cried the whole 23 minutes of it. It really helped and I can't wait to show it to my girlfriend. My appreciation has no words. Thank you so much. May God bless you in everyway.
Love your sister,
Grace
************************************************** **********
Apr 26, 2006 6:59 PM
Subject: me again
Body: Sorry I know I just wrote. But I really just want to say thank you again. There is in fact a mcc church in my city. And I went out and bought Rev. Dr. White's book as well. My girlfriend is in the Navy and is out to sea for a few more days. I wrote and told her about it. It is amazing the burden that lifted from me after listening to that sermon. I think it is funny that I was just randomly searching around myspace not really looking for anything when what I needed to find was there. Again thank you so much for help. I too will keep you in my prayers. I will also keep you updated on how things go. You have been a major blessing in my life when I was starting to think all was lost.
Love,
Grace