tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post8397333665872826728..comments2023-06-01T05:11:23.684-05:00Comments on MY JOURNEY OUT: Holiness...and unconditional lovekennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10904244664671087589noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post-19934185264118811252010-09-30T16:55:26.674-05:002010-09-30T16:55:26.674-05:00ken
could you please email me? we connected a lon...ken<br /><br />could you please email me? we connected a long time ago and I have some questions. spmclain@gmail.com<br />thanks<br /><br />scottthe real Scott McLainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13718249658079710047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post-88076033055690875882010-08-15T01:59:50.951-05:002010-08-15T01:59:50.951-05:00Kenny, There are a few inappropriate links in the ...Kenny, There are a few inappropriate links in the comments posted to your blog. Just a heads up.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00718304929958428988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post-3181228189074375782010-08-11T03:27:46.258-05:002010-08-11T03:27:46.258-05:00Thanks for the longer response. I'm thinking I...Thanks for the longer response. I'm thinking I needed to read that. By the way, it's part of my job. I actually ride my bike all throughout Vancouver looking for people to help. A week or two ago I told another guy about a drug rehab center at a local church and his response ..."your a God-send" and then started praying for me all in Jesus name" And earlier today I had one guy who walked up to me asking me to see if I could get him into detox. I placed a few phone calls and had paramedics clear him for a Safe Ride to a detox center. :) <br /><br />Anyways... light, salt, life - Amen! :)Sarah-Jane Melnychukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16311239759592698045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post-49250023311130798952010-08-09T11:39:22.778-05:002010-08-09T11:39:22.778-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10904244664671087589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post-64870416524782716072010-08-09T11:39:17.043-05:002010-08-09T11:39:17.043-05:00Sarah
Thanks for your responses. It is very true...Sarah<br /><br />Thanks for your responses. It is very true that in limited knowledge, we can move to a fear based response. (that most often is the case and it usually doesn't fair well). Yet I was reminded the other day that my role is to pray for those who don't understand (definition is someone who could be perceived as an enemy...one who doesn't understand where or what I have gone through).<br />To bless them and to not speak ill about them. That in and of itself is a hard thing to learn, but as we do learn and submit that to the Lord, He will bless us in return. <br /><br />I know that I am far from perfect and maybe it's the knowledge of that which gives us the insight to serve and minister to others. Luke 7:47 I tell you, her sins--and they are many--have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.<br /><br />I think we all have that capacity to love much. <br /><br />We can all fail to be salt and light...my prayer is to remain salty, and my hope is that the body of Christ remains salty. <br /><br />Grief...that in and of itself could be a lengthy convo. I did write about grief in one of my blog posts. <br />I understand full well the losses that myself as well as my wife have experienced because we desire radical holiness...and out of that made some pretty tough decisions as we walked out of a gay and lesbian identity. <br />I share about our need to grieve with those who are looking to walk away from anything that isn't life giving/or the best that God has for them. In the leaving behind, there is sometimes very little understanding within the body of the extent of that loss. Yet...I experienced some real radical coming together and support. If I look around our home, I see countless gifts of support (most of what we have has been given to us) and the Lord asks me all the time to be content in all things. So even though what I have is no where close to what I had when I was in a gay relationship, I see more blessings than I do losses. Where is my home? Is it hear? Where is my treasures? Here? Just as I walk with those who grieve, comfort those who mourn (because I have been there), I want to stay focused on the eternal perspective of denying myself, rather than indulging. <br /><br />Oh...that was a longer response...you got me in the morning when I've had all night to think. Keep pressing in...I love the story that you told about talking with the man on the street. May the Lord give you many more experiences of that!kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10904244664671087589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post-5455552917947682862010-08-08T02:14:35.335-05:002010-08-08T02:14:35.335-05:00do we really understand death to the degree we sho...do we really understand death to the degree we should as Christ Followers? <br /><br />Good question. When we've denied ourselves, when we've walked away from what seems so natural to us, and when we count the cost to be true disciples of Christ then perhaps we are cultivating space where we come to a greater understanding of what this really means. I think when we've come to the point of needing grief counseling we might be onto something :) maybe ... I don't know, just processing out loud here because I'm thinking I've walked away from a lot, I've lost a lot, I've let go of a lot ... this might include a season of grief ... but I have an understanding of the goodness of God that gives me grace to walk through .. yeah tho I walk through the shadow of death I shall fear no evil for thou art with me.Sarah-Jane Melnychukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16311239759592698045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post-70865761888725395202010-08-08T02:13:52.242-05:002010-08-08T02:13:52.242-05:00I'm glad I took the time to read through your ...I'm glad I took the time to read through your blog post today. I haven't visited this particular blog of yours for a while. <br /><br />You said ... <br /><br />"I feel for those who spoke out against homosexuality out of their limited knowledge of the struggle itself." <br /><br />And as a result of speaking out of their limited knowledge allowed their own fears to get in the way. <br /><br />I work down in the West End and Davie Village area of Vancouver. I came across this man by a set of pay phones. He looked troubled, I was in a recognizable uniform plus I've seen this guy around A LOT, our paths are constantly crossing and so it was inevitable for somebody to say something. The GLBT Resource Center was closed and he didn't trust the pay phones so I offered him my cell phone to use. I just felt a prompting in my spirit to offer my cell phone. <br /><br />It didn't take long for him to start pouring out his heart to me, his struggles, his courageous attempts to remain clean and sober. Long story short we ended up talking about Jesus, the bible, the church, process of healing... he asked me, so what do you think about God, the bible, Jesus, and sin etc" My response, " I believe that God understands the brokenness of humanity and He's not afraid to engage in relationship with us." By the end of the conversation was a man inspired to read the bible and seek God. Did he walk away denouncing his gay identity and lifestyle? No ... what did he walk away with? He hopefully walked away with a hunch that just maybe God wants to be in relationship with him... maybe ... <br /><br />With people's limited knowledge of the homosexual issue people can unfortunately fail to be the light and salt in the places that God has called us to be light and salt in. They turn being light and salt into a religious standard instead of bringing hope into a hopeless situation for another and to preserve life where Satan is seeking to bring death.Sarah-Jane Melnychukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16311239759592698045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post-18527326281403868792010-08-08T01:15:44.193-05:002010-08-08T01:15:44.193-05:00Hey Marcia
Thank you. I believe that Paula and I...Hey Marcia<br /><br />Thank you. I believe that Paula and I meeting up with you and Richard was not by chance or mistake. The Lord has equipped you with every good thing...and when we don't know...it makes for great dependence on Him to give us all we need. He is so faithful. The more you know how much Papa loves you...and your worth in His eyes, the more you can give love away.<br /><br />Tommy-thanks. I don't get to Toronto very often, but hey, if I do, I will definitely get in contact with you for a chat. I like the term unfailing love too. <br />I once heard Randy Thomas (Exec Dir for Exodus) use the term Papa God and explained the use of the word Papa and the intimacy of the word. As a new papa...I hear my wee little girl say papa and it melts my heart. It is such an endearing word, in which I think we should use in addressing the one who knew us and created us...and loves us with unfailing love. Papa loves you Tommy, He cares deeply for where you are at, this very minute...and He will NEVER leave you nor turn his face from you. Take care.kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10904244664671087589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post-47624475219806511142010-08-07T06:34:12.744-05:002010-08-07T06:34:12.744-05:00Wow. Thank you for writing these words. I came acr...Wow. Thank you for writing these words. I came across your blog through the comment you left on Wendy Gritter's Bridging the Gap's blog.<br /><br />I still have a problem with the term unconditional love of God. I prefer to refer His love as being unfailing.<br /><br />If you pass by Toronto, I would love to have a chat with you. I have been struggling big time lately and your post brought me back to the Father's love ( or Papa love as you cutely term it)<br /><br />God bless....<br /><br />Tommy<br /><br />http://tommyclc.xanga.com/prayerwaller2https://www.blogger.com/profile/07264041506606176007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14546009.post-82346978532140066932010-08-05T21:43:25.509-05:002010-08-05T21:43:25.509-05:00Ken, you said that so well. I have had the same th...Ken, you said that so well. I have had the same thoughts and you articulate them much better than I ever could. Thank you for your words. They made me nod, well up with tears and praise God for his unconditional love. I'm so thankful that you had people who walked with you, loved you and were honest and loving through this journey. I know that most don't. It is sad. I pray that we as a couple in ministry can also spill out the love of God and at the same time say what we need to say, and say it well. Blessings.Marcy Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18045789034747171870noreply@blogger.com