Susan Cottrell's Blog, page 29

The Importance of Community

Do you know you’re loved? Heard? Appreciated? I don’t think we need a lot of friends, but I am absolutely certain that we need a few of close, real genuine friends. We thrive in community. This is Rob, Susan’s husband... Read More ›

Why Didn’t The Church Tell Me These Things?

“We were taught half-truths coated with easy-sounding, cookie-cutter, black-and-white ideas I’ve had to sift through in order to get to the complex, grey-shaded, beautiful mosaic of truth… Now I am free, and I am finally alive.” This is a wonderful... Read More ›

Jesus Blog: All of Them

More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… Some of you have lost your way. You think you need to defend me, and defend God’s word — draw lines around it, debate people about it.... Read More ›

Dear Susan: We are Afraid of Church Judgment

I can only imagine the rejection and judgment someone in the LGBTQ community feels – especially gays who happen to also be Christian. The ways they are hurt by the church and those in the church – all in Jesus’... Read More ›

Am I Too Snarky?

I have been accused of being too snarky. That may not surprise you… If it does, please read more of my blog posts!  ;-) I don’t generally advocate snark. Things could usually be said in a better way, and snark... Read More ›

Core Truth To Set Our Hearts Free

Did you hear the one about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson going camping? After sharing a good meal and a bottle of wine, they retire to their tent for the night. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend. “Watson,... Read More ›

The Uniqueness of the Sin of Religious Judgmentalism

“In a world where it’s often said that things are going down the tube because of rampant sin, could it be that the one sin actually getting in the way of our mission is the sin of religious judgmentalism?” I love... Read More ›

Jesus Blog: I’ve Got This & I’ve Got You

More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… Is it time to let go? Of a situation; of loved ones; of control; of worry; of resentment? The only way to let go of something... Read More ›

Dear Susan: Did I Cause My Son To Be Gay?

My heart breaks when I hear a parent say “Did I cause my child to be gay?” It hurts on so many levels – for them, for the child. I am so excited to answer this question today. I write... Read More ›

Coming Out Catholic

“I have no problem telling people I’m gay. But it can sometimes be weird telling people I’m a Catholic.” Jeffrey Essmann is a friend and follower of FreedHearts. He is a writer whose work has appeared in the New York... Read More ›