tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25799295.post6249504809330871216..comments2024-01-14T08:42:38.739-04:00Comments on Redemption Junkie: Nothing but the truthHeidi Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01769414906479026143noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25799295.post-72164638583339824722008-05-22T17:45:00.000-03:002008-05-22T17:45:00.000-03:00I read this beautiful post twice, and am struck by...I read this beautiful post twice, and am struck by the similarities between my faith journey and yours. Which seems odd given the dissimilar personas we have. <BR/><BR/>I, too, have extensive experience with having my eternal status called into question because I severed with my inerrantist evangelical Christian roots and seek a more complete "truth".<BR/><BR/>"Called into question" is actually a giant understatement, since the sad truth is that I have been called a pervert, demon, sick individual and probably a communist by the very people I broke bread with ten years ago. All because I no longer share their religious beliefs.<BR/><BR/>Of course, for me, the chasm was inevitable once I came to understand that my theological moorings and the innate sexuality I had finally stopped denying were incompatible. <BR/><BR/>Being from a fundamentalist background, imagine coming to realize that you really are gay (and not just a backslider). You can imagine the ensuing theological conundrum, which presents itself as a black and white choice no matter how you slice and dice it.<BR/><BR/>Rev. Shelby Spong and a kindly Presbyterian minister named Rusty Lynn helped me jump the chasm, even though at the time I did not land in a religious sphere.<BR/><BR/>But even that has now come full circle, and I find myself overflowing with joy at God having come into my life again. Truly, He/She makes all things whole for the willing heart. <BR/><BR/>But one can be sure my newfound spirituality only further irritates those whose beliefs are crouched in fear more than graced by enlightened freedom.<BR/><BR/>I am glad I found you on the blogosphere; you connect me to my past by way of analogy, and your obvious tenderheartedness helps me to have hope for those who like we were, are still trapped in narrowmindedness.Northwesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950426381441094329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25799295.post-79512349135276974952008-05-21T01:16:00.000-03:002008-05-21T01:16:00.000-03:00Jesus used parables to communicate Truth.Speaking ...Jesus used parables to communicate Truth.<BR/><BR/>Speaking of parables... I've often wondered why He chose the obscure to point to the inevitable Truth that many of His listeners would experience (His parables were often about judgment, missing the mark, falling short and getting booted out of heaven. Stuff I would *not* want handed to me).<BR/><BR/>In fact, He was deliberately obscure:<BR/><I>At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. </I><BR/>(Mat 11:25-26)<BR/><BR/>And I'm thinking..... huh?<BR/><BR/>(I'd be glad to have some insight on this)<BR/><BR/>TIMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25799295.post-63963885603488733242008-05-18T20:40:00.000-03:002008-05-18T20:40:00.000-03:00I agree. If it isn't first hand, it isn't real.I agree. If it isn't first hand, it isn't real.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25799295.post-31309343620777011682008-05-15T23:24:00.000-03:002008-05-15T23:24:00.000-03:00love the water analogy! love it! a very heart-fe...love the water analogy! love it! a very heart-felt and thought provoking post.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16687775464826097612noreply@blogger.com