One Week Pause: Vulnerability Lessons
Preparing the Ground for the Next 4 Chapters
This week, I’m taking a one week pause in the family story due to being fantastically under the weather the past three days. I originally thought I might have strep, but the doctor knows best. She told me it was an old-fashioned common cold that was kicking my butt. I would appreciate your prayers so I can return to full strength this weekend, and so that my progress will not be hindered throughout the rest of Part Four: Changing My Mind. There’s so much to share and I really want to get it out to my readers, without too many pauses in the action!
As you’re anticipating the next installment, here are a couple things I wanted to highlight:
First, the need for vulnerability.
I plan to continue to write with vulnerability and even disturbing honesty as I tell my story of taking this hard-right turn and changing my mind and heart toward LGBTQ people. And for some reason, these next 3 - 4 chapters are quite challenging for me to write. Why is it such a daunting task? Basically, I will be sharing things I’ve never shared with anyone before, and it will take courage for me to get it down on paper and then to sent it out to the public. (Yes, I am indirectly soliciting your prayers! Keep ‘em coming!)
And speaking about this whole area of being brutally honest, I recently listened to a couple really good podcasts on memoir writing, both of which highlighted this very thing! They spoke about being honest, not writing to make yourself look better than who you are, telling your story with authenticity, and on and on. For those who are considering memoir writing, you might want to take in this content for yourself. They are from an excellent writer’s podcast, How I Write, with David Perell:
Secondly, check out my wife Vicki’s online company, The Salty Pigeon.
Vicki is selling LGBTQ friendly t-shirts, along with stickers, mugs, etc, that have a message and can help you begin important conversations. You might want to buy some of her merch at this link: The Salty Pigeon Gift Co. Everything goes for a good cause!
Vicki says the following,
This month starts the next phase of this little dream of mine: Each month I will be featuring an organization I love and believe in. I am thrilled to announce that I am partnering with LOVEboldly for the month of February. This organization was instrumental in my theological journey to becoming a fully affirming person of faith. It is my privilege to give back to them by donating a portion of sales for the month of February!
From their website: LOVEboldly is an Ohio, faith-based nonprofit working to create (more) spaces where LGBTQIA+ People of Faith can flourish. We do this by offering educational programs, trainings, intentional community for LGBTQIA+ people of faith, and engaging in issue-based advocacy at the local and state levels. Here’s the link to their site.
Online Shop: Salty Pigeon Gift Co.
And now, what’s next in our story?
The next chapter of our story, Thoughts on Becoming Affirming (Chapter 21), will be dropped this coming Friday/Saturday. Whether you consider yourself affirming or not, I sincerely hope you can continue to walk with us down this road.
Part Four: Changing My Mind
Chapter 19: An Invitation to Read Broadly
Chapter 20: Encounters with Queer Christians
Chapter 21: To Affirm, or Not Affirm (this week)
Chapter 22: Lessons on Counting the Cost
Chapter 23: Surrendering my Identity
Chapter 24: Spiritual Encounters & Inner Promptings
Chapter 25: Introducing the Expansive, Scandalous Love of God!
**Part Four titles subject to change.
Like and comment below. We welcome civil dialogue and questions asked in good faith. Comment, share insights, add additional stories, ask real questions.
Prayers for good health and peace of mind as you write these challenging chapters.
Feel better