Nicole—this is beautiful. I resonate so much and I hold similar grief for the ways my previous fundamentalism fueled my lack of love and welcome. Being formed in a particular way of belief affects everything and it can take years to untangle and sort through. I’m grateful for grace and for humility to admit when we’ve been wrong and to move forward “knowing better and doing better.” Thank you for sharing your words here 🤍
Knowing better and doing better. Amen. Basking in the grace of constantly learning and listening today. What fuller and more loving lives we get to have by doing so.
I affirm so much of what you say, and I’ve been in a similar place. Interestingly however I have found myself shifting- from ‘affirming’ in its usual sense to ‘affirming individual people’ but in my heart now believing that there is a drastic call to sexual holiness that the Spirit often *does* reveal over time to those who passionately follow her.
I agree with you that your parishioners heart was beautiful. And that God was with him, right where he was at. And I agree that it is generally not our role as spiritual leaders (esp if we’re straight and married!) to convince others of what their call to utter holiness may look like. I agree that it’s the Spirit’s job. But I’ve actually started to see the Spirit work in this area in some unexpected ways and that has blown my mind.
Just food for thought from a longtime Jesus follower, woman of color, independent thinker.
Thank you for sharing your heart and for coming alongside LGBTQ folk.
Beautiful.
Hi praise coming from THE K.J. Ramsey!!!! 🤍🤍🤍
Ha. Just KJ! But really, thank you for sharing this story. This kind of humility is healing.
Nicole—this is beautiful. I resonate so much and I hold similar grief for the ways my previous fundamentalism fueled my lack of love and welcome. Being formed in a particular way of belief affects everything and it can take years to untangle and sort through. I’m grateful for grace and for humility to admit when we’ve been wrong and to move forward “knowing better and doing better.” Thank you for sharing your words here 🤍
Knowing better and doing better. Amen. Basking in the grace of constantly learning and listening today. What fuller and more loving lives we get to have by doing so.
Thanks for sharing.
I affirm so much of what you say, and I’ve been in a similar place. Interestingly however I have found myself shifting- from ‘affirming’ in its usual sense to ‘affirming individual people’ but in my heart now believing that there is a drastic call to sexual holiness that the Spirit often *does* reveal over time to those who passionately follow her.
I agree with you that your parishioners heart was beautiful. And that God was with him, right where he was at. And I agree that it is generally not our role as spiritual leaders (esp if we’re straight and married!) to convince others of what their call to utter holiness may look like. I agree that it’s the Spirit’s job. But I’ve actually started to see the Spirit work in this area in some unexpected ways and that has blown my mind.
Just food for thought from a longtime Jesus follower, woman of color, independent thinker.
Blessings to you and thanks again for sharing.
This brought me to tears! This resonates deeply with me. I'm on a similar journey. Thanks for sharing. 💕