Susan Cottrell's Blog, page 9

I’m the Dad of Two Queer Kids. Are You Listening?

Every time I tell our story, and I say that I have two queer daughters, I have to add a disclaimer. Usually something like, “that’s the phrase they chose.” If I don’t, it is inevitable that I will get confronted on my use of the word queer. It is an immediate reminder that while we […]

Doesn’t God Tell Us To Hate Evil? (This Could Change Everything!)

Alarming numbers of young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer are becoming homeless, kicked out of families and churches, choosing substance abuse, and even making the tragic decision to end their own lives. What are we called to do? When certain Pharisees — the ones who were focused on behaving the “right” […]

Are You About to Come Out to Your Christian Parents? If so, this is a Must Read.

Coming out to your Christian parents can be a real risk. You put everything on the line, and you don’t know what will happen. Will they come alongside you? Or disown you? I’m a Christian mom of five kids. My oldest daughter came out about 8 years ago and soon after, my youngest daughter came […]

Did Your Child Just Come Out to You? If so, This is a Must Read!

Hey fellow Moms and Dads. You may feel like a deer in the headlights! Your child just told you: “Mom, I’m gay,” “Dad, I’m lesbian,” “I’m bisexual,” or “I’m transgender.” I know! This is the last thing you want to hear, and your head is spinning. What does this mean? What will become of my […]

Did Your Child Just Come Out to You? If so, this is a Must Read!

Hey fellow Moms and Dads. You may feel like a deer in the headlights! Your child just told you: “Mom, I’m gay,” “Dad, I’m lesbian,” “I’m bisexual,” or “I’m transgender.” I know! This is the last thing you want to hear, and your head is spinning. What does this mean? What will become of my […]

What is the Biggest Threat to Christianity? Jesus!

We have been betrayed by those closest to us. We have written about being shamed, shunned and judged, and how our faith has been questioned. We have talked about people who tell us we are leading people into hell. All “in God’s name.” Usually from those in the nonaffirming, conservative church. Why? Because of our […]

Finding Freedom from Focus on the Family’s ‘Gospel of Exclusion’

Rob and I raised our kids on “Adventures in Odyssey,” produced by Focus on the Family. We measured our road trips by them: “Just five more Odysseys until we get there, kids!” The madcap misadventures, framed in Mr. Whitaker’s constant love and insight, warmed our hearts. We thought Focus on the Family actually focused on […]

The Root Cause of Self-Harming Behavior in the LGBTQI Community

Cutting, drug-abuse, suicide. Way too often we hear the tragic story of another LGBTQI person struggling. Is there a core issue, a common reason? I believe there is. We cannot underestimate the impact of family and faith-based rejection. Of being told that you are an abomination to God, of being kicked out of homes and […]

Christians, Does the Nashville Statement Reflect Your Heart?

The Nashville Statement is not new. These same evangelical people have been conveying this message for decades. The results have been absolutely tragic in individuals, in families, and in our churches. Instead of making an honest evaluation—as so many Christians have done and then became fully affirming—this group decided to double down. This does not […]

You May Think I’m Wrong About LGBTQI. So, Now What?

I am fully affirming of LGBTQI people BECAUSE of my faith, not in spite of it. I came to believe what I believe after extensive theological study, my own life experience, examining the lived experience of others, research, prayer, and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. It was a journey. All I did was […]