A few months ago, I was sitting in Brewbaker's talking to a guy. He was a travelling business type that frequents my favorite place to drink a beer.
We started talking. I asked what he does for a living and why he is town. He shared that with me. He asked , "What do you do?"
"I am a pastor."
Really, "No shit. I have never drunk a beer with pastor."
I shrugged, "Now you are."
He then went off telling me his hangups with the church. Priests who are pedophiles. I nodded yes. He then talked about this god who was judgmental, vindictive, and who punished him severly in his life. He had been through some excruciating parts of his life. "I don't believe in God anymore."
I said, "I don't believe in that god either. I hope that god you described dies, because he sucks. The God I know is with me even in my shit. He does not pile more on me, because that would mean that he is in deeper with me. He is seeking a way out. The God I talk about is a God who wants the best for me and there is nothing in this world that can seperate me from God, even my own mistakes."
He said, "I think I could believe in that God."
"I hope you can. He believes and loves you."
He got uncomfortable and looked at ESPN. A few moments later said, "I have never heard that before. If you were in my hometown. I could see myself at a church."
If you are searching for a community where this is the God who is not judging you, because of your sexual oreintation. We want to meet you.
If you have this BS thought that God is vindictive. We want to share our stories of God's grace and compassion.
You are created by God and that includes sexual orientation. As we all know, God don't make junk.
Fearless Joy,
Guido
