Salvation Is Here..

[Guest Andre]

Maybe redemption has stories to tell

Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell

Where can you run to escape from yourself?

Where you gonna go?

Where you gonna go?

Salvation is here...

Having spent an entire weekend at a Redemptorist retreat house in Hampton, Virginia with my confirmandi class [i'm Catholic; my saint's name is Joan of Arc]

I have realized the power of Christ. I have realized the love I have for God..

I have realized that my salvation..is here.

I was reconciled. I confessed my sins to the priest; the father -- my longing of death; of suicide..my desperation..the hatred I harbored for my family..

And he.. he forgave me.

God forgave me.

I cried. I was finally free; I was finally free to let all of my pain go..

Even now.. I'm crying..

I had such a liberating weekend..I made new friends..

and I was finally able to accept God as part of my life..

I love God and I love all of you..

Andre

[MaryEllen]

Hello Andre,

I'm very happy that you have found peace and contentment. God can work miracles if you only let him and it looks as if you have done so.

MaryEllen

[Guest JayRoss]

Great to hear, Andre. I am really happy for you. I know how difficult finding God can be for any person, especially a Tgen. My father is a pastor and even I had years of trouble finding him, or maybe because of that fact. Pastor's kids are always the trouble-makers, ya know? Heh. Anyway, good luck in your path with God, Andre, and I'm to have you in our family of Christ.

[Bulldog1948]

Andre, Glory Be to God!!! I am so very happy to hear that you've reconciled with Him and sought forgivness for your sins. Hey Man, that's the greatest thing in the world. Ya know, once you get saved and give your life to Jesus, your place in Heaven is assured. And, even if you do screw up [ and we all do], all you have to do is sincerely repeant and your sins are once again forgiven.

[Guest JayRoss]

Andre, Glory Be to God!!! I am so very happy to hear that you've reconciled with Him and sought forgivness for your sins. Hey Man, that's the greatest thing in the world. Ya know, once you get saved and give your life to Jesus, your place in Heaven is assured. And, even if you do screw up [ and we all do], all you have to do is sincerely repeant and your sins are once again forgiven.

Yeah, that's true. God loves all his children, whether we were born in to the right body are not. This is kind of random, but I watched a segment recently, on a guy named Rene who was a Tgen, and he had this line from the bible that really appealed to me and it gives me strength when ever I feel weak, which happens a lot in the journey of a Christian, especially a Tgen, It was this.

1 Samuel 16:7

" But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature... for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'

It's the soul that matters, man. God knows who we are inside. In fact, I always feel like this journey is good for me, this test of character and faith. I used to hate my life and who I was, but recently, after discovering this site and finding that I was not alone, I rethought things, reviewed the Bible, and recomitted my life to God. My father is a preacher, so I always knew he existed, but I just never knew if I liked him a lot. Surprisingly, this whole experience has only made my walk with God all the stronger. Strange, right? Well, sorry for the ramble. Too sum-up, glad to have you with us, Andre.

[Guest raydub]

I remember the feeling of coming to Christ and its such a wonderful thing. Im glad youre experiencing it and loving it. Thank you JayRoss for the scripture. I needed to read it.

When I came out to my sister she knew that she could beat me up with my own Bible and I am STILL angry with her for trying. I did not believe what she was saying to me, because I know how my God works. But I felt so bad because I could not explain to her that God creates in order for change to happen. We make our lives match our souls because in the end it is the Spirit that matters. Hrm. Maybe I should cut/paste THAT to her.

Feeling just a little better because of this thread.

Thank you guys and thank you SO much Andre for sharing your experience with us.

love

Raymond

[Guest JayRoss]

I remember the feeling of coming to Christ and its such a wonderful thing. Im glad youre experiencing it and loving it. Thank you JayRoss for the scripture. I needed to read it.

When I came out to my sister she knew that she could beat me up with my own Bible and I am STILL angry with her for trying. I did not believe what she was saying to me, because I know how my God works. But I felt so bad because I could not explain to her that God creates in order for change to happen. We make our lives match our souls because in the end it is the Spirit that matters. Hrm. Maybe I should cut/paste THAT to her.

Feeling just a little better because of this thread.

Thank you guys and thank you SO much Andre for sharing your experience with us.

love

Raymond

Oh, I'm glad you liked the scripture. It's one of my new favorite lines. It really spoke to me, and I'm glad it could speak to you too. I'm just thrilled anytime I can help someone feel better, even just a tiny bit. I'm sorry about your sister, though. Like I said, (or I think I said) my father's a pastor, so I know how that can be. I haven't even had the guts to tell my family about my situation yet, though, so you're bravey than I am. Kudos to you. And Kudos to Andre too, for comin' to God.

[Guest Evan_J]

Pastor's kids are always the trouble-makers, ya know?

"Trouble makers" are necessary; without them there is no change. Jesus was the "ultimate" trouble maker.

[Guest raydub]

All this talk about the children of Pastors being "trouble-makers" makes me nervous.

I have been charged to assist in the birthing of a new ministry here in Atlanta and in this will be Director of the Transgender Ministry (Transcendence) at our new church (The Shepherd's Table Covenant Church - www.theshepherdstablechurch.org). AND i have an 8 year old...

sorry.. you guys got me thinking over here..

no no.. im ok.

Ray

[Guest Ephilei]

"Trouble makers" are necessary; without them there is no change. Jesus was the "ultimate" trouble maker.

Jesus was the ultimate pastor's kid.