Important points that I personally resonate with, were made in the latter half of this video: • I had built up “scaffolding as defense mechanisms and identity”, having lived homosexually, gender confused, and gay identified earlier in life, and knew in my heart of hearts that “something was amiss in me.” I had taken on walls and adopted a persona that wasn’t real. • I agree that it’s very difficult for a person to put aside the scaffolding because of the fear “is there anything of me going to be left if that’s gone?” Contemplating change can be scary, and my experience and sense of self as a man was underdeveloped and malnourished. I agree that “we do make peace with the things that afflict us and we’re hesitant to receive what can free us.” Thankfully, God worked in me a “holy discontent” that He had more for me, in relationship with Him and others, than what I was settling for. Living Waters was the catalyst that started major change in my life. • Andrew, I agree with you that change requires encounter with Jesus. This awakens the eyes of our heart to His loving, gentle and merciful character, and, thus, there is “a shift - body, soul, and spirit -- that frees us to say, ‘I actually am in great need.’” My homosexual identification was a defense against reality and having my real needs met. • I agree that turning toward Jesus involves turning toward members of His Body in community, and we cannot have one without the other, to experience “this sexual/moral shift and shift in identification”. We know Jesus through His body, the church. Warts and all, I experienced the love, kindness and acceptance of my pastor, therapist, and followers of Jesus in Living Waters and elsewhere. Over time I was able to lower my guard with trustworthy people and become more open, transparent and joyful.
I’ll never forget the time during living waters when Andrew held the door open for me
It spoke volumes
Important points that I personally resonate with, were made in the latter half of this video:
• I had built up “scaffolding as defense mechanisms and identity”, having lived homosexually, gender confused, and gay identified earlier in life, and knew in my heart of hearts that “something was amiss in me.” I had taken on walls and adopted a persona that wasn’t real.
• I agree that it’s very difficult for a person to put aside the scaffolding because of the fear “is there anything of me going to be left if that’s gone?” Contemplating change can be scary, and my experience and sense of self as a man was underdeveloped and malnourished. I agree that “we do make peace with the things that afflict us and we’re hesitant to receive what can free us.” Thankfully, God worked in me a “holy discontent” that He had more for me, in relationship with Him and others, than what I was settling for. Living Waters was the catalyst that started major change in my life.
• Andrew, I agree with you that change requires encounter with Jesus. This awakens the eyes of our heart to His loving, gentle and merciful character, and, thus, there is “a shift - body, soul, and spirit -- that frees us to say, ‘I actually am in great need.’” My homosexual identification was a defense against reality and having my real needs met.
• I agree that turning toward Jesus involves turning toward members of His Body in community, and we cannot have one without the other, to experience “this sexual/moral shift and shift in identification”. We know Jesus through His body, the church. Warts and all, I experienced the love, kindness and acceptance of my pastor, therapist, and followers of Jesus in Living Waters and elsewhere. Over time I was able to lower my guard with trustworthy people and become more open, transparent and joyful.