Hi rob7250

Sorry to hear that your counsellor left the organisation. Could you contact them to see if there is another counsellor who may be available?

Maybe we can think of developing a Tasmanian f2b chapter. We would need others from Tas to express interest in that idea though and one or two people to take the lead in it.

In answer to your earlier post questioning why God made Adam and Eve and not Adam and Steve, I personally do not believe that the creation story is meant to be taken literally. I think it is allegorical. I think it's possible that Adam and Eve may represent the masculine and feminine that is in us all and the need for balance in these qualities in the world, the need to work together in harmony. I am no biblical scholar although did a couple of bible studies units many years ago but I am sure there are many possible interpretations.

I hope things improve for you. Keep talking to us.

Blessings,

Ann Maree

Rob – G'day! I well understand the challenge you feel. Although we have small monthly support meetings in four cities, it is simply not viable to have them everywhere. But, there are many in the "freedom2b family" (that includes you) who are scattered across Australia – plus some in NZ and other parts of the world – who can never attend a meeting.

One really good thing to do (if you haven't already) is to dig back through past pages of stories. There is a lot of encouragement there. Some will not be so relevant to your circumstance, but others will be spot-on!

There are many of us who have walked the journey you are on. And others have gone through similar dark passages, but eventually come through.

Getting hold of some of the books written by others who have reconciled their faith and sexuality can be helpful. Some are available as e-books which is much cheaper. There are plenty of good articles and testimonies available on-line – & some youtube items.

Not all counsellors are fully understanding of, or sympathetic to, the faith conflict we gay Christians have had to work through. There are some understanding counsellors / psychologists who can do Skype calls. But, we might be able to track down some useful material on the subject for your counsellor if necessary.

Given your isolation, we might be able to find another freedom2b person (not a counsellor) with whom you can chat via Skype. (Much cheaper than phone calls.) Regardless of what others (i.e., other Christians) may say and think, God still loves you and me and thousands of others in the same situation. Hang in there. God bless ~ david

I would like to share on a small step i took yesterday, and how small a place can be, i went to a lgbti community group last night six people turned up and one of the people knew me, it was something that had bothered me might happen, the meeting was interesting, and we went for a meal afterwards it was really enjoyable.

Mind you though i did not sleep well last night i think i was so wound up that someone knew me already and secondly i was just happy i took a step forward .

Good on you, Rob!

In a small place, you are bound to see someone you know in these settings. Perhaps you could acknowledge this to the other person and see if his/her reaction is the same, as per cheval319's comment. It could be a way to break the ice and establish something more in common.

Blessings,

Ann Maree

Sorry to hear that Rob.

Please feel free to tell us. It does help.

Could be worth discussing with your counselor, too.