Great great essay. You are a bright light on Substack. Thank you for the clarity and insight. I had several gay friends in the US that I should have had these conversations with and I mourn that I did not.
We had to move to Italy to find a church such as you describe. I pray for the broken churches and their leadership, such as it is, in America; your teaching is sorely needed. Happy New Year and God Bless.
I'm jealous on two accounts, Michelle. The fact that you found a real church, which is rare these days and the cooking that you've been enjoying! Italy is amazing!
Have a blessed year, my friend. Thank you for your kind words
I have forwarded your essays to many friends and family in the U.S. I expect many subscribers to be born from that. And please, don't be jealous about the food - I cannot enjoy it. No gluten, dairy or eggs for me. God required *many* sacrifices for this reward; sickness, suffering, finances and nearly my life. It has been a real and very painful struggle for me and my husband; but all of His best gifts require sacrifice. And.... it was all worth it. If you are headed to Northern Italy, please, come see us!
Thank you for writing on this topic! I am reminded that love is the hallmark, the pursuit that makes us holy and the distinction that makes Him holy! Love aligned with the King expressed to the people in our lives is more than sentiment, it’s the Gospel, the Law, the gateway to new birth & new creation.
Somehow, modern ‘church’ has become incapacitated (and mostly irrelevant) by standing against ‘enemies’ instead of loving them.
We were kicked out of a church like the negative ones described. I have all but utterly given up on finding a truly GODly church here in America. I know that sounds extreme, but walking with GOD for more than 50 years now, I have only ever wound up hurt by them. I have been saying blurbs of what you stated so eloquently here for about 5 years now. GOD is moving, I believe, in such a way calling those with ears to hear back to HIMSELF. I keep praying for people to have ears to hear.
I sincerely believe the real church is growing, it may be underground but I can feel it in my soul. Thank you for taking the time to comment, Shannon, I greatly appreciate it.
Excellently written - walking the narrow path of holiness…perfect.
Great great essay. You are a bright light on Substack. Thank you for the clarity and insight. I had several gay friends in the US that I should have had these conversations with and I mourn that I did not.
We had to move to Italy to find a church such as you describe. I pray for the broken churches and their leadership, such as it is, in America; your teaching is sorely needed. Happy New Year and God Bless.
I'm jealous on two accounts, Michelle. The fact that you found a real church, which is rare these days and the cooking that you've been enjoying! Italy is amazing!
Have a blessed year, my friend. Thank you for your kind words
I have forwarded your essays to many friends and family in the U.S. I expect many subscribers to be born from that. And please, don't be jealous about the food - I cannot enjoy it. No gluten, dairy or eggs for me. God required *many* sacrifices for this reward; sickness, suffering, finances and nearly my life. It has been a real and very painful struggle for me and my husband; but all of His best gifts require sacrifice. And.... it was all worth it. If you are headed to Northern Italy, please, come see us!
Thank you for writing on this topic! I am reminded that love is the hallmark, the pursuit that makes us holy and the distinction that makes Him holy! Love aligned with the King expressed to the people in our lives is more than sentiment, it’s the Gospel, the Law, the gateway to new birth & new creation.
Somehow, modern ‘church’ has become incapacitated (and mostly irrelevant) by standing against ‘enemies’ instead of loving them.
I love how you put that… couldn’t have picked better words myself!
We were kicked out of a church like the negative ones described. I have all but utterly given up on finding a truly GODly church here in America. I know that sounds extreme, but walking with GOD for more than 50 years now, I have only ever wound up hurt by them. I have been saying blurbs of what you stated so eloquently here for about 5 years now. GOD is moving, I believe, in such a way calling those with ears to hear back to HIMSELF. I keep praying for people to have ears to hear.
I sincerely believe the real church is growing, it may be underground but I can feel it in my soul. Thank you for taking the time to comment, Shannon, I greatly appreciate it.
I do agree. It just doesn't look like it has all these years. Underground. ❤️