Hello My Name Is Christian

[christianjoseph62]

I have been a fan of Mel White since I read his book Stranger at the Gate. For the first time I feel that my being gay is a gift from God. I have had so many people tell me otherwise. That I was going to Hell and I was going to lose my salvation. I was a Conservitive Baptist Minister for almost 8 years till I had a nervous breakdown and had to be true to myself, my wife and the church. They didn't take it very well. But that is there issue not mine. Well this is my first message and definetly not my last.

[Gennee]

Hi Christian and welcome . I read many posts like yours and it's sad that people can't accept who you truly are. I share God's love to transgender people (which I am). I share with gay ad lesbian folks that God loves and accepts them as they are.

I'm so happy that you found the site. And I love you as my brother in Christ.

Gennee

[Zerbie]

Welcome. I'm sorry for the pain and difficulty you went through, and I'm glad that things have become better.

[Jennifer5]

Welcome Christian!

I still have not read Stranger at the Gate, but keep reminding myself that I really need to.

Very glad to have you here.

[pianoplayer66]

Stranger At The Gate changed my life also and I have been a fan of Mel ever since also. The book changed my life...literally. I am still in the closet, but I know I can have a personal relationship with God and not feel like I am going to Hell anyway!!

I really think God has led some people to step forward as Mel and so many others have to give all of us hope and a better understading of what God's love really is and really means.

[dsdrane]

Originally Posted by christianjoseph62

For the first time I feel that my being gay is a gift from God.

I remember having that epiphany; it was like a switch going off. For me it was part and parcel of my personal, early-20s maturation process...of finally figuring out who I was, reflected in my own eyes instead of my family's eyes or the community's eyes or the church's eyes, etc.

Interestingly (at least I think so ), the switch went off when I was visiting a college friend in China in 1988. It was the first time in my life that I wasn't (outwardly) in the majority. Of course, I had never truly felt part of the majority, but this was the first time it was overwhelmingly so.

It was an incredible confluence of experiences...and, once that switch went off, the effect on me was immediate...and tremendously liberating.

Then the real work of truly living started.

You know, like "normal" people.

[Rick336]

Originally Posted by christianjoseph62

I was a Conservitive Baptist Minister for almost 8 years till I had a nervous breakdown and had to be true to myself, my wife and the church. They didn't take it very well. But that is there issue not mine.

Christian,

It's great to have you here. I'm glad to hear that you're letting those who disagree with your sexual orientation take ownership of their problem.

Welcome to the forum.

Rick

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by dsdrane

It was an incredible confluence of experiences...and, once that switch went off, the effect on me was immediate...and tremendously liberating.

Then the real work of truly living started.

You know, like "normal" people.

oh, how magical that first week of being out and "normal" was! I can remember thinking as I stood in a crowded supermarket and looking at all the other people "so this is what normal feels like?" It certainly was a new experience for me. It is quite liberating to stop hiding.

[Gennee]

Originally Posted by dsdrane

I remember having that epiphany; it was like a switch going off. For me it was part and parcel of my personal, early-20s maturation process...of finally figuring out who I was, reflected in my own eyes instead of my family's eyes or the community's eyes or the church's eyes, etc.

Interestingly (at least I think so ), the switch went off when I was visiting a college friend in China in 1988. It was the first time in my life that I wasn't (outwardly) in the majority. Of course, I had never truly felt part of the majority, but this was the first time it was overwhelmingly so.

It was an incredible confluence of experiences...and, once that switch went off, the effect on me was immediate...and tremendously liberating.

Then the real work of truly living started.

You know, like "normal" people.

Once you discover who you really are, then what others may say, think, or convey really doesn't matter.

Gennee