Oh, it's been a while since I've read it now!
Basically, James recounts his journey of being gay and christian. He used to work on the 700 Club with Pat Robertson and had his own christian tv show and radio show and has written two other books about the Christian life.
He, however, felt he had a responsibility to write about his story and his relationship with God. It is not a book of theology, rather this guys love story with God. He reveals his highs, his lows and everything in between. He reveals how Jesus' passionately pursues all people, including gay people and meets them wherever they are.
This is the description on Amazon:
Representing a first in gay and Christian publishing, this provocative book presents a complete reversal of thought and action, contending that God loves homosexuals without attempting to refute scripture references. The study confronts its subject with a quirky sense of humor in the spirit of the “bedtime story,” providing a rare, evangelical Christian volume addressed directly to the gay community. Unorthodox in its presentation, this guide speaks the language of those who may feel abandoned, condemned, and damned while avoiding reinterpretations of scriptural passages, making the gospel accessible to a younger, free-spirited generation. Spearheading a volatile topic with candor and grace, it reframes the never-ending question, Is homosexuality a sin? and instead asks the gay community for a cease-fire—to forgive, love, and help put a stop to a cultural war being waged in the world.
This is part of a letter I wrote to James and part of a review that I did.
I feel like you took a stethoscope and placed it against my chest and listened to every little whisper my heart made. Every whimper to be set free and alight with fire, you heard and you wrote it down in your book. My heart has been screaming at me to believe and to hope and to know, but I told it to shut up. I beat it up, spat on it and called it a whore…. I think I've been living in a domestic violence relationship with my own heart. Poor bastard!
Walk in the light, as He is in the light and you will have fellowship with God and that of God in all our bromos! And remember that you are LOVED. This road can be so tough and lonely, but that doesn't mean that God isn't with you. Present. In you. I'm sure you know that. God is using you to shame the wise. There is no pride in that, only profound humility that the Invisible Hand has been guiding you and leading you in order to reveal the brilliance of His character.
I would encouage everyone to read this. I think it captures the heart of what it is like to be gay, but still love Jesus with all your heart. It is, at times, quite offensive. But, what part of life isn't offensive? Very few peoples lives are roses, sunshine and rainbows. Most people are good at presenting that, our culture is built upon presenting a branding, an imagine. But underneath, there are the same fears and dark places. James cuts through the crap, the pretense and tells you all about his rainbows… but also all about the dark places his gone. He gives the reader to courage embrace their own darkness and shame and bring it into the Light of Jesus' love. He encourages us to be in relationship with God, like he does in his other books, and allow Jesus to direct us. Not our fears, not our desires and not our traditions. He doesn't argue a theological point and challenges both views at times… but he encourages us to love and to know Love.
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