Monday, November 03, 2008

Hot Topic

When well known Christian Artist, Ray Boltz came out of the closet early this Fall it sent ripples of shock and disappointment through the Christian community.

Many emotions rise to the surface and I have to say it is upsetting to see that so many (Christians) feel such anger and judgment against Him. If you take the time to read more about him it seems to me to be so obvious, that he does love the Lord. It seems that in his environment (Church, friends, etc) he did not feel that he could tell the truth and let them know that he was struggling with Gender issues. That is heart breaking to me. He keep that secret locked away in his heart for over 30 years. Now that he has finally come out with all of it, he shares that he has never felt such peace. I am deeply grieved and my heart aches for him. I feel like we (Christian community) have failed him...

My hearts cry is this. Christian community can we please help
create an atmosphere of love and acceptance?
We are all truly broken. Although our broken places are not all the same and many of us are not as broken today as we were a year or two ago. We can offer HOPE. God can heal our brokenness...

I am not asking you to "muck up the waters" and lie. The world would say: "accept who you are...God made you that way". That I believe, is saying that there is wholeness when truly there is brokeness. This is not what we should do. Lets call things what they truly are. Then can we lovingly stand with them and support them as God heals (even if it takes a LONG time)?
I believe it is our job to create that atmosphere of love and acceptance. God is judge. The Holy Spirit convicts. In a loving atmosphere individuals can feel safe enough to address their issues and get the help and healing that they need. Please...lets all do our part...


5 comments:

Maureen said...

Bless you Holly for speaking truth.
This man is in my prayers.
I also pray that
(and this may sound harsh)that all Christians are shown through conviction in their hearts the errors of their ways toward this man.
He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.

Patty said...

I so agree with you Holly.

Amy said...

This is a hard one Holly...
I def. believe we all need to do our parts, that God judges, and HS convicts, and ultimately we are called to love.
I must admit, the human part of me finds that difficult when the path the person has chosen, is one I"m not in agreement with. (ie. Mr. Boltz divorcing his wife and living in an openly, functioning/sexual gay relationship). I know I need to love, but honestly, it's hard. (although I do recognize GOd will, in the end, be the judge--and I shouldn't be)
Mr. Boltz is not feeling accepted, because we aren't in agreement with his actions. (as per what I've read on his recent writings).
THis is a tough one for me.

Shaun and Holly said...

Amy,
I hear ya. We are NOT to come into agreement with sin. No way. I just wish that when we was struggling, that he was in a place where people were transparent and could help him in his brokeness. Maybe he did have that? Not sure....

H.

Tamatha said...

Wow! What a great post...I like your heart on this issue!:o)