Thoughts on working with the transgendered population:

To me, I think most gay/lesbian/bi/transgendered individuals have heard that what they are doing is "sick, wrong, evil" etc. I think they have especially heard those kind of things from people who call themselves Christians.

The underlying issue is not that their sexually "confused."

The underlying need is not some "name it, claim it, God will make you straight if you quit living in sin" deal.

These are real people.

What they need from [real] Christians is:

.love.

[God's love]

not condemnation.

Let's be clear:

Sin is sin.

Overeating, lying, being a bad steward of our money and time, and sexual immorality (both hetero and homo)---they're all the same.

Brokenness is still brokenness--no matter the form.

Freedom for most of us, is a process--it takes baby steps and love and encouragement to move forward to the freedom Jesus gives. Most of us come into a relationship with Christ carrying some wounds and baggage.

God will deal with issues in His timing.

We need to be sensitive to this.

Judgmental spirits and our preconceived hierarchy of sin will only cause more damage.

We aren't doing God any favors by treating GLBT people with contempt.


Just because their brokenness is more obvious than others doesn't mean we should point at it.

[oh our log-filled eyes!]

God,

I want to love.
BIG

I want to give.
MORE

I want to grace and encourage the hurting.

As I work with the homeless, the hungry, the mentally ill, the HIV+, the GLBT, the battered and abused, immigrants, and those in desperate financial need--let me be Your hands. Your feet.

Oh God, give me words of life to share to the hurting. Help me be sensitive to your Spirit so I can convey your gentle kindness.

Help me to be light and salt.

Remind me to pray always in the spirit.

Thank you for your love.

Please let me be a seed-planter...a hope-giver...a light-maker

to the lost
to the dying
to the hurting
to the needy
to the broken

to Your children.