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#1
05-21-2006, 03:21 PM
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Hello from New Jersey
Hi everybody! My name is Jo and I am an ex- ex gay lesbian I am happy and proud to say. For 13 years I was involved in a fundamentalist Christian "ministry" praying to be "delivered" from the "sin"of homosexualty. BUT, I have emerged and come to accept the woman God made me to be - Jesus really did hear my prayers and helped me find my way out of what was really an abusive cult. Now I have real freedom to love God and be me too! I'm so glad to have found out about Soulforce and this forum.
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#2
05-21-2006, 03:52 PM
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I'm glad you finally made it to a place of peace. It's that peace inside that matters.
And welcome to Soulforce!!!! You've certainly found an engaging forum to join. There are lots of wonderful people here, and all kinds of viewpoints. I'm happy to have ya! 
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#4
05-22-2006, 06:07 PM
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Welcome, Jo!
It is good to have you here. God loves all of us, and when some church leader tells us that the Lord works in mysterious ways, this does not mean that that church leader knows any more about the mind of God than you or I do. I'm pretty sure that God made me pretty much the way I am, and now it's my job to learn to be a loving child of God, and be the best Christian that I can. Are you in an area where you can find a church that will love you and accept you just as you are? There are more and more open and affirming, or similar churches out there. Peace and Love, BruceChris
__________________
"Christianity is not about what you believe, it is about how you treat other people; - with God's love"
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#5
05-22-2006, 07:22 PM
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Thanks!
Thank you Zerbie, Jennifer 5, and BruceChris for your warm and friendly welcomes - I appreciate it! There are a couple of good churches that might be a possibility for me BruceChris.To be honest I have been reluctant to find a church after my bad experience, but recently I've been checking into it.
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#7
05-22-2006, 10:00 PM
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Quote:
__________________
"What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?"
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#8
05-24-2006, 09:37 AM
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So glad to have you on this site, Jennifer.
I know all too well about being reluctant to go back to church--any church--after a bad experience. I lost my faith 6 years ago--walked out of a church and never went back b/c of a bad experience. I absolutely cannot find it again, no matter how hard I try. I've completely soured on Chrisianity, the Bible, and anything to do with the afore mentioned. I realize there are many fine, accepting Christians out there--but for me, the whole one-bad-apple syndrome has ruined it all. Personally, I find that I don't need a church to define me as a good person; I'm one just the way I am. I don't need to sit in a building with a steeple on top of it to make me one or realize that. What's in your heart is the bottom line. I do, however, feel comfortable with myself as a person--I know I'm bi, am not going to fight or deny it ever again. I owe no one an explanation or apology, so won't hear me giving either one. It's taken me almost 40 years to get here, but I am--and there will be no turning back. Laura Montgomery Rutt and Soul Force (I never remember if that's one word or two!!) have given me the strength and courage to stand up and be myself with no regret. If there is a God, those are the people I'd thank him/her for. kimmyd Quote:
__________________
Live it up, Baby!  
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#10
05-29-2006, 05:27 PM
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Thanks everybody for the warm welcomes - I'm looking forward to hearing different views and sharing and learning here at Soulforce. I'm not planning on rushing into going back to a church - it's already been 6 years. I have come out of a bad experience with my faith in God firmly intact and to me that is what matters most. That being said, I still wouldn't mind finding an accepting community to be a part of. If I don't, that's ok too because I am comfortable with who I am and I'll also always have my faith. Again, thanks for the show of support and welcome! Jo
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#12
05-29-2006, 09:05 PM
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hooray, jo!
Thanks for giving us a look and I'm glad you've decided to stay!
Welcome, with open arms and smiling faces. You'll find friends here.
__________________
No government has the right to tell its citizens when or whom to love. The only queer people are those who don't love anybody. - Rita Mae Brown
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#14
05-30-2006, 09:37 AM
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Welcome- I'm also from the wonderful state of NJ. As I have been reading your posts I noticed that you said that you were not in a hurry to get back to church- however- I will be ignoring that statement. I am driector of Chrisitian Ed at a UCC church in Chatham- if that is anywhere near you and you want to check us out let me know- though I should say that during the summer things are really slow around here- everybody goes away for the weekends
Rob
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