Ceara–>Jeremiah, Job, and a whole bunch of folks throughout history have said quite a few things to God over the centuries and so far, to the best of my knowledge, none were struck by lightning so you go for it C.

Ella –> I’m so glad you’re discovering God free of the other people’s limitations, requirements and conditions. For every day you felt shoved out of God’s presence I hope you have five days of experiencing God’s embrace reaching to surround you.

Joni–> That’s great if you can find some connection in your own life with that of Jeremiah’s because it’s in moments like that when the Word of God really becoming the Living Word within us. A very cool thing indeed. A.C.

Eliz–> I really enjoyed reading your post and search for and commitment to stand in the truth as God reveals it to you.

Steph–> I’m glad you found something in the post that was an encouragement for you!

I’ll get back to you on this. Good post.

Thanks.

C

Cristi, I am so sorry that you experienced that last night. Oh my heart remembers the pain of those words spoken in my life all too well. I am saying a prayer for you this morning that the Holy Spirit would be close to you and comfort you. That you would know the love of God in a tangible way this morning. hugs to you.

A.C., as I seem to enjoy calling you lately…. Thank you for this post. You taught me more about Jeremiah then I previously knew. I have always known since I was a teen that it was Jeremiah that spoke to me most and that was only the tidbits that I knew of or something that someone had said to me. Often I have been told over the years that I am like Jeremiah… and well I never really dove in and discovered why. I guess the time to know more was today… and it’s timely. And I’m encouraged and it makes sense to me now. Thank you. I love to learn and be taught. And I feel I have done both of these this morning in these few minutes of reading this.

Cristi-Aw wow, my heart hurts for you. I’m so so so very sorry girl. My prayers are with you my friend.

Bon- You are in my prayers too. May you continue to be strengthen and encouraged. Sounds like you are preparing well. Please let us know how it goes.

Cristi –> Dog-gone-it! I’m so sorry to hear of your sister’s decision. I can’t help but believe it will be one she regrets when she realizes what and who she was willing to give up for the sake of any belief, no matter how deeply held or cherished. She’s your sister and that should be enough to say I’m sticking with you even though I disagree with you.. But again Cristi, I can’t say enough about how heavy my heart is for you tonight and I pray even as I type these words that even in this time of pain and anger there will remain a sense of God’s nearness and care for you. Reconciliation happens to be something God specializes in Cristi, especially in times when we can see no way for it to happen.

I have told everyone that I knew would be supportive of me already, but I just ten minutes ago got off the phone, setting up a “no distractions zone” phone appointment to come out to two of my very closest friends, people who, on the one hand, know and have always known I’m gay, well, “ex gay”, and on the other hand, are deeply involved in the religious tradition that, well, I introduced them to, back in the day. A judgemental tradition.

So on the one hand, I must speak out the truth. On the other, I was once one of the false prophets, speaking what I believed as if it were God’s belief. And on a third hand (I’ve lots of extra hands, but only in times of analysis), I have for the last six months hidden from saying anything, preferring the known shallow pleasantries to the unknown truth of whatever response I will receive.

Thanks for this powerful meditation, which I pray God will use to strengthen me for this impending unknown.