Conversations on life, love, and coffee

I spent a good portion of the day at a coffee shop, reading, drinking my chai with soy milk, and talking with people. I spoke to many other clients about the miserable weather, politics, sports, you know, small talk. But during the course of three hours, I spent a long period of time talking with one particular barista. He and I have spoken quite a bit in the past. We have developed a friendship and we have seen each other outside of the coffee shop and exchanged kind words. This barista happens to be a gay man. He isn't gay in a "broadway show-tunes, rainbow flag wearing" kind of way. He is gay in the "i don't make it absolutely obvious to everyone" sort of way. We discussed what it is like being gay in a mostly conservative area. We talked about politics is reference to homosexuality. We talked about his distrust for most Christians. In his words, "I love the Church, and what it stands for. But I know that the Church doesn't love me." I thought, "isn't this sad." I told him that although some Christians might not get past his lifestyle, I can get over it because I have built a relationship with him...i don't see him as the gay guy at the coffee shop. He is my friend at the coffee shop. How do I let him know that although some Christians might seem antagonistic towards him, that Christ still loves him and wants a relationship with him? The gay community is a marginalized section of society. It is shunned by most Christians, overlooked by some politics, and divided among itself. My heart broke for him as he talked about the pain and anger he had felt from confrontations with Christians. How being told that he was "going to Hell" and that "God hates fags" never made him want to change, it just made him sad. For his attacker and for society. God does not hate gay people. He doesn't hate me in all of my sin. He hates the sin. He hates the separation that we cause through sin. But he loves us. He wants us to come to him, cling to him, depend on him. I couldn't offer any clear answers for my friend today. I mostly listened and apologized for the insensitive approach to Christianity that he has encountered. I left there thanking him for opening himself, for discussing such personal stories, and for valuing my opinions. I am not going to change the world, but i can change how i react to it.

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Sittin' in a Starbucks

So here I am sitting in a Starbucks on a rainy afternoon. There's a rockabilly guy behind the counter making drinks. He looks stressed, like he's about to pop. The cute, smiling girl taking orders doesn't seem to notice. Over in the corner, a musician is packaging a supply of CD's for distribution. He calls his grandfather (who he calls "Pappa") to let him know that he's ok. All tattooed and pierced, with a chip on his shoulder but he tells pappa, "I love you" as he hangs up. A table of college underclass girls sit talking about nothing and giggling obnoxiously. A bald guy in his early 30's is talking life with an older man. I hear the word "church" then "discipleship." One woman at a table for four is sitting in a corner with a laptop. A couple of older ladies are mumbling while drinking their carmel machiattos. A middle aged man sits by himself in one of the "comfy" chairs. He seems mildly preoccupied as he stares out a window. The music is disturbing today, so far I have heard "puff the magic dragon," "the lion sleeps tonight," "there was an old lady who swallowed a fly," and "dey-oh" by Harry Bellafonte. It's not that bad though, the conversations are loud enough to drown out the music. One girl behind the counter keeps looking at me in a paranoid manner. I bet she thinks I'm writing about her. And the guy making drinks still looks stressed. Maybe he's had too much coffee for today.

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Update on Natasha

Thank you to all of my readers that have been praying for Natasha. I have had many of you ask about her over the past week. She has returned to my facility and is in good spirits. She has no evidence of permanent damage to her brain or body. She is still very depressed and needs psychiatric counseling daily. Pray for our facility, that we can give her the best care and supervision possible. I know that God pulled this girl through, and I know he has a purpose. I just pray that she finds that purpose and it gives meaning to her life. Thank you to my families at Southwest Church and New Life for you prayers and encouragement.

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Prayers please

Last night, while at work I responded to a suicide attempt of a 17 year old girl. I can't give out her whole name, but her first name is Natasha. She had tied a bedsheet to a ceiling vent and hung herself. We estimate that she could have been hanging for at most 10 minutes (we do 15 minute room checks at night)
I was one of the first responders and helped to cut her down. Another staff member and myself helped to move her to a more safe and accessible area of the pod. She was unconscious but had a shallow pulse and labored breathing. She was convulsing slightly and medics informed me that that was indicative of spinal or brain stem injuries. She was careflight lifted to Miami Valley Hospital.
They said that it would be miraculous if she lived through the night. I didn't get much sleep last night and was in prayer most of the night. I called work this morning to see if they had an update. I was expecting the worst. But they said that in the middle of the night, she came to, she is conscious, but not speaking, they believe there was no brain damage, and that she should make a full recovery. Please be praying for her, her family, the doctors, and my facility. Thanks

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My Whirlwind Week

This past week has been so busy for me. If it wasn't a lost cause I would probably pull all my hair out!

Starting on Saturday night, I had the opportunity to lead worship at New Life. I admit that I am shaky in my leading skills. I can sing, and i can play guitar, but when the two are combined it can get ugly. The best part is that i had so much help and encouragement. Tom and Doug are my Barnabas team lately.

On my way home from New Life I got a message that Jeff needed someone to fill in for bass at SouthWest. So I went to the Y to set up and practice.

Then I played on Sunday for both services. Monday I had small group/house church at my place. We had a great time sharing and learning with each other. It didn't end there 'cause Tuesday was "cast your vote but it doesn't matter if your state goes the other way" day. I stayed up till 4:00 in the morning waiting to see what would happen. Wednesday and Thursday were typical work days for me. Sex offenders, alcohol and drug offenders, and car thieves, oh my.

I just got back from Small group at the Y. It is so cool to have the senior minister as a participant in a group that you lead. Roger is a dear friend and a constant support. He has truly taken me under his wing and provided the mentoring and positive feedback that I need.

So that is my whirlwind week so far. And I still look forward to this weekend: playing bass on Saturday night at New Life, and Sunday morning at SouthWest, then small group/house church on Monday. It doesn't seem to end.

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