My Mind Made Public -

I held off as long as I could ...

Thursday, July 23, 2009

My Strange Last 48 Hours

I had a bad interview. Then I had a good one.

I got hated on by a gay organization. Then I got hated on by a Christian one.

I received a couple offensive emails calling me names. Then I received a couple encouraging emails giving me hope.

I had a moving Living in the Tension gathering. Then I went home and cried.

I got hated on once again by the same gay organization and the same Christian organization.

I talked to some people who I trust my life with (Brenda, Dad, Richard and Wendy). Then I felt better.

I woke up this morning with a double ear infection. And also woke up to a few more hateful emails.

And then a few more encouraging ones.

Here’s one from someone I don’t know who just finished reading my book:

“You do not do this in vain. Know when the times get tough you have touched lives.”

Then I had a great talk with an editor at a magazine doing an article on my book, and then I prayed.

And I feel comforted in the FACT that I’m doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

No matter what haters try to lie, cheat, complain or tear me down.

No matter what friends are too “worn out” by this difficult bridge building work and want to give up—because “it’s too hard” and now think “it can never happen” because it hasn’t happened quick enough for their satisfaction.

Give up then.

Because I won’t. And neither will God.

Because I’m trying to learn how to live and love in real time.

Not perfect.

Don’t have answers for everything.

And the sad part is that too many “intelligent” people from both ends won’t ever admit that as truth.

I am loved. I am me.

I am satisfied with who I represent and how I daily strive to represent Him.

The rest of them can keep on trying to dissect every word I say and use it against me.

But it doesn’t matter anymore.

Because He was a Jewish carpenter and therefore I build bridges. Period.

I don't care who in this world is satisfied with that answer or not; as there is One who is.

So keep on hatin’ me haters.

Because thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

And you all can’t dictate not even one ounce of that, no matter what you think you own.

Cause I’ll keep on lovin’ anyway.

Much love.
Andrew

http://www.themarinfoundation.org/

18 comments:

Bethany Croeny said...

Right on Andrew! Thank you for your commitment and your encouraging words for the rest of us. I really appreciate it and needed to hear that this morning here in CA. God has blessed you brother with an amazing heart and one that I believe He desires the rest of us to have, as well! Thank you. I am praying for you.

A.J. said...

It would only make sense that when you go out to fight with love, you would be confronted by hate.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6:12

Keep up the good fight Andrew. Peace be with you. My prayers are also. Much love and respect,

A.J. Nichols

P.S. Love NEVER fails.

Matthew Blake Williams said...

Thanks, Andy. There are many of us who are pushed forward & encouraged by what you're doing. When we see you stay true, it gives us the stamina to do the same.

Keep loving.

-M

Karrie Herzog said...

Wow... happy times, huh? Yikes! Jesus told us that we would be hated because He was hated too but it still doesn't make it any more palatable does it? You are a living example of Matthew 5:43-48... keep it up brother.

Mrs T said...

I'm sure you know there are many more supporters(than detractors) who read your material(IMHO). We love you & care for you. I was trying to not e-mail you too often as you are a busy person, but if you want more encouraging e-mails, I'm sure your friends will be glad to send you some! They say if everyone likes you all the time or hates you all the time, something is wrong. At least you have been confirmed that you are doing the right thing! :)
Luv & ((((HUGS)))),
Mrs "T"

D.J. Free! said...

hey andy,

just consider yourself among good company. now you know how it must feel to be a gay Christian - despised by the right AND the left! it's a difficult task.

i take it the same way you do. i take a pummeling, i cry about it, and then i get up and keep walking.

you're not alone, my friend. keep doing what you're doing. keep praying, keep growing, and keep loving.

out of curiosity, i'd love to know a bit more about which gay org is hating on you, or at least what it is that they're saying. feel free to email me!

peace and love,
dj

Tc said...

Don't let it get you down. I second DJ Free's comments.

BTW, is there a vid available for that Kresta interview? I have a sneaking suspicion that that one didn't go well....

Peace,
Thom

Arwen Mitchell said...

you just rule, so much. right on. praying for you.

Anonymous said...

I was made to pause when you wrote: "Because I’m trying to learn how to live and love in real time.

Not perfect.

Don’t have answers for everything.

And the sad part is that too many “intelligent” people from both ends won’t ever admit that as truth."

I'm moving in that direction. You are a strong servant leader, Andy. I trust you and am trying to follow your lead. Keep paving this brand new path for us.

-linda

AgentSoapbox said...

Um, all that comes to mind is "you go!"

Anonymous said...

Andrew - hang in there. Your work and ministry are very much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the rest of these guys who have commented. Your work has turned my perspective upside down, and you helped teach this Christian how to love as Christ did.

Keep it up -- we're rooting for you!

Evan said...

I've been reading Don Miller's book "Searching for God knows what." It's a really encouraging and eye opening book. He talks about how we are act as if we are in a lifeboat. Everything that we do in this life is to make ourselves appear more important so we don't get thrown out of the lifeboat. All these people who are hating on you are trying to make you feel less important so that their importance in the "lifeboat" increases.

The fact is that the lifeboat doesn't exist and your importance comes from God. Dude, you are doing such great work. Don't let the enemy make you feel like you aren't important because you are very very important.

Allie said...

I appreciate your ministry so much. I just recently found your web site and blog and it has helped me tremendously to know how to respond in love to the gay community around us. I was very confused but you have made it clear - thank you for your guidance, strength and passion for Christ. Don't give up!

Debbie Thurman said...

Hope you're "feeling the love" from those who have commented here, brother. I know God has to be drawing near to you as you draw near to Him. I could imagine you taking comfort in the Psalms right about now.

Another "former" pal and I have been memorizing Psalm 84, and finding it to speak to our hearts at all times. So many wonderful verses in it. "They go from strength to strength" (those who "dwell in your house," that is). "Every one of them appears before God in Zion." Hoo-ya!

Your example has touched many, many hearts, including mine. I know you will not take your hand off the plow because you are yoked with CHRIST.

God bless you. Be encouraged. These moments are to be expected. But "greater is He who is (you and me) than he who is in the world."

Christin said...

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for doing what you do. I too feel the same way and stand in the gap between the "church folk" and our GLBT friends and family. You're not alone and you help others walk the path with you. Be brave and keep on walking brother!

Stephen said...

So someone who opposes what you say, who believes that being gay and expressing one's sexuality in the framework of a loving, faithful marriage is a good and God-honouring thing and who objects to your message that God wants us to remain forever celibate and alone is a hater?

This is why I just can't get on board with you or your message. You polarise the debate by using negative, emotive and highly manipulative words. You criticise others for their use of "culture war" vocabulary and then go and do exactly the same thing yourself.

I'm glad for the sake of your ego that you have so many cheerleaders here who'll support even your most abject utterances no matter what. If all it takes to perk you up is a bit of unqualified praise, I think I can guess why you're doing this.

I've never met you but I assume you have some kind of charisma going on that blinds people to the contradictions in your message. But some of us read your actual words rather than the spin you put on them and when we do, we don't like what we see.

While you continue to complain about "haters" and fish for compliments with emotive and manipulative messages about how down you get when others don't agree with you, I and many others will continue to regard you as an ego-driven irrelevance and empty noise in the overall discussion on faith and sexuality.