I was just thinking, that it would be great to get some feedback on how Freedom2B has been helping people in their journeys as Christian GLBTIQ’s or just in general. Is there any topic that hasnt been discussed that would be interesting to discuss? or has anyone got anything that just needs airing? 8)

I think people that know me frm Exex-gay yahoo group will remember the pain I went through in 2005. I’m not sure if Freedom 2 B was on the net then but I know the pain I went through and the help Anthony and many of the others gave me in coming out. THANK YOU!

A few days ago when this link was first posted I was tempted to write about how my own personal theology was not changed significantly but I still had the oppitunity to meet many cool people such as yourselves. I’m glad I didn’t post it because upon reflection my initial reaction was wrong. Don’t be mistaken I am not ‘pro-gay’ whatever that really means anyway but F2b has helped me to realise that it’s not the outcome that really matters to God. Yes obviously one side of the debate is right and one side is wrong but really, to God I believe, its all semantics. The thing of most value to God is our relationship with Him and our desire to serve Him in our lives.

It used to concern me that Anthony had such a strong conviction that being a ‘pro-gay’ christian was OK, was endorsed by God. I had to wonder how two people whpo held such different claims but both held them with certainty and conviction, both claiming the work of the spirit could both co-exist in a Christian, loving fashion. And honestly I have come to two conclusions, that having all the answers is not what it is cracked up to be, and that not having them, being confused, being challenged by people who hold different opinions etc is ok, great even, because it forces us to rely on God for the answers.

There is alot of power is saying “Well actually I can not certainly say what the bible says and how I should live my life, I really just don’t know”. I work on the principal that there is too much evidence to deny that homosexuality could quite possibly be sinful but too little evidence to really confirm it. Because of that belief I have chosen not to be in a relationship as I am not convinced it is ok and would then be guilty of wilful sin at least in my own mind.

It’s easy to latch on to the beliefs of other and call them your own. My own personal experiences before becoming a Christian, the assult I endured, my conversion, the losses and gains I suffered as a result, trying to live everyday the way that I believe honours God and having my non-Christian father come out also has shown me that to expect to have all the answers is a ridiclous dream and like most dreams when it actually becomes reality its not what you imagined. We will get the answers in heaven I’m sure and not a moment sooner because not having them encourages us to seek God and rely on Him, giving Him the authority and not having it ourselves.

So on that note and since there seems to be alot of it going around I want to appoligise for any time I have told somebody what they ought to think or feel, for any time I have claimed to have all the answers, for any judgements I have ever made on the decisions of others, I ask your forgiveness. This thing we call life is a journey and I am but a mere pilgrim learning from mistakes along the way, walking next to my ever constant companion, The Lord our God Himself and now humbly declaring that I don’t have all the answers but He does, and thats the way it should be.

Sorry about not posting in a while, I have been soooo busy, I am actually heading back to CA in August for at least the next five years. So packing up my life here is exhausting! I am surprised at how far I have come too, I remember geing so throurally consumed with the ‘why’ questions, with having answers to practically unanswerable questions and feeling as if people who said “I don’t know” were using it as a cop out and did not have very informed beliefs. Oh the error of my ways! 😳

God has gifted me with a very diverse range of experiences and so finally I have come to the place where God really wants me I think, who knows that could be wrong too and you may find me on a pro-gay board somewhere in the future, the idea doesn’t horrify me anymore though it’s not something I would ever consider doing within my current belief system. We are all pilgirms, all equal in the eyes of God and all “working out our salvation with fear and trembling” in our own ways. I think the dual experience of both being gay and having a close family member who is has been a godsend (though at the time it hardly seemed like it) my understanding of these issues and peoples reactions, fears and judgements make more sense to me now, I no longer simply need to tollerate those who can not seem to handle having a gay family member but can say “I know! I am going through that too, its tough isn’t it?” If there was a handbook on how best to deal with the situation I would have done everything badly. All the things I had preached others should do to try and accept gay family members were blown into insignificance when confornted with the situation myself, me who should have known better than anyone, thankfully I have learn’t from my mistakes and it is my prayer that other do as well. It is the learning process that allows us to own our faith and beliefs, to brand it for oursleves insted of having it dictated to us.

I have been known to shock people yes, and I still disagree with you on a whole bunch of things, but who knows who really has it right? Is divorce permissable? I dunno, Should women preach? Beats me, Is homosexuality a sin? Maybe, maybe not. Knowing nothing opens up your heart to God and your eyes and ears to other Christians who do not conform to the church. And what is the church anyway expect a whole bunch of pilgrims seeking God? Humility as a Christian comes from realising that no peopson is better than any other and when we get to heaven I doubt God will give us a pop quiz on the Greek meaning of physis or what was really meant when Paul said women should stay quiet. The one question we will get is “Do you know, love and honor my Son” and to that we can all humbly, honestly and with love declare YES! What else really matters in comparison?

Awesome Sandy……..Jesus is all that will matter then……..Wow Ca again far out…….Im sure you will be a knock out D