3 months later...

I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since I updated this blog. The summer flew by, and I've been so busy with my CD, documentary, work, and other projects. If I try to do everything, I'll end up finishing nothing.

I was working on the inside cover for my CD this morning, and this is my first draft:

This project was a lifetime in the making...I'm not referring to the actual music, of course, but rather the journey that brought me here. Faith is a very powerful thing, but it can also ebb and flow throughout the different seasons of life. The more years I live, the more I get to know myself and my God. Gandhi made a sad and ironic observation when he said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

While I have had life experiences that have made me understand Gandhi's frame of reference, I have also been blessed to know people who do try to live their lives like Christ, as best as they can. I'm hoping to become one of those people, and I've recorded this CD to reclaim the faith of my youth that I have always held dear. My faith has evolved as I grow and learn, and while I know there will always be room for improvement, I'm find great peace and joy in the knowledge that God loves me and made me, Just As I Am.

We should not let our differences define us, but rather our similarities.

I don't know if it's too heavy for a CD cover...I want to be able to minister to people from different points along the faith spectrum, and I don't want to hit them over the head with my rhetoric. I feel like enough has been said to divide us. What can I say to unite us?

It may be harder to work toward unity than division, but I'm certain it's also more fruitful.

During my journey of faith these past few months, as I've interviewed people and learned more about the affect the church has had on the GLBT community, I've realized, once again, that if I want to live a life like Christ, I need to lead by example.

There are a lot of hurt feelings on each side of this issue. Convictions run as deep as the pain this division has caused, and what are we gaining? Nothing. If I wanted to take away from God and God's great work for us on earth, I too would try to use devisive issues to distract God's people away from the true work that needs to be accomplished.

We are working against ourselves. What are we accomplishing?

Someone I know from my childhood, but was never close with, posted on Facebook that she was disappointed in Vermont over the whole gay marriage thing. While I pondered whether or not it was the time for me to step in, several of her straight friends said people should be able to love who they want. She told them they were wrong, and it was truly going to be the breakdown of the American family if gays get married. They disagreed. I haven't decided if I'm going to comment yet, or what I'll say. Sometimes it's better to say nothing and let your message be carried out through the life you lead. Other times, you must speak up.

I really don't care if the majority of Christian's believe I'm sinning. I think the church needs salvation. There is more hatred coming from "God's" people than anywhere else. When and how did that happen? When did God's people decide they should pass judgement upon their neighbors, and try to control their lives, in God's name?

I haven't embraced my faith as much as I wanted to in my recent years. I have far more questions than answers. With all of my heart, I want to believe that the people who call themselves Christians, truly want to please God, even if that message is skewed. The more I see and hear, however, the harder it is for me to believe that.

Matthew 5:44 says we should love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us. That's what I'm going to do.