tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post7092432869164300985..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: 99+1Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-13490140227892422682008-10-12T21:44:00.000-05:002008-10-12T21:44:00.000-05:00And now to my reply to Missy's comment... (I feel ...And now to my reply to Missy's comment... (I feel like such an idiot.)<BR/><BR/>I've not read Megan McKenna (I will now), but I've heard this same thing a few times and it always captures me with its poignant depiction of "tough love." <BR/><BR/>One of the things we don't think about in this story--and one which I didn't include here--is the time that elapses between when the lamb wanders off and when he's found. That's when danger poses its greatest threat and when he's most at risk of being permanently injured, scarred, killed, or lost forever. In this context, the shepherd breaking the leg is consummate kindness and in his carrying the lamb until he's able to stand on his own I find one of the finest symbols I've seen of God's concern for our well being.<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for adding this layer to the story. It's something we should remember. Sometimes a broken leg is necessary to protect us against greater injuries and suffering. But we're never without a Shepherd willing to carry us until we can walk on our own.<BR/><BR/>It is very moving to think about.<BR/><BR/>Peace, TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-53970700276594825592008-10-12T21:27:00.000-05:002008-10-12T21:27:00.000-05:00Missy, I'm so sorry--I inadvertently clicked the w...Missy, I'm so sorry--I inadvertently clicked the wrong button on your reply, lost it under your signature, and can't seem to retrieve it. But--thank goodness--it was still in my email. So I'm posting it for you here:<BR/><BR/>MISSY said...<BR/><BR/>Have you ever read Megan McKenna? I'm reminded of a story I heard from her last summer.<BR/><BR/>She said that a shepherd will go looking for a lost sheep. Having spent a summer working with shepherds and sheep, McKenna said that if a lamb wanders away once, it will do so again. So this is what the shepherd does. He will break the leg of the wandering lamb. Then he will set the leg and carry the lamb over his shoulders everywhere he goes, caring for it tenderly until the leg is healed. After this, the lamb will never leave his side.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure of the metaphoric significance of this, but it moves me. And every time I see an image of the Good Shepherd with a lamb over his shoulders, I think of this.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-80030596975001647502008-10-12T21:14:00.000-05:002008-10-12T21:14:00.000-05:00(More good blogs to read!)(More good blogs to read!)Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12041804780968204993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-40812531002994250472008-10-08T16:47:00.000-05:002008-10-08T16:47:00.000-05:00Don, it's so cool to have you come by and I look f...Don, it's so cool to have you come by and I look forward to your comments and input as Straight-Friendly plows ahead!<BR/><BR/>Congratulations on 150 posts! That's a whole lot of work, my friend, and I can totally empathize with the doubt that springs up as you toil away and wonder if what you're doing is actually useful. Like you, I learned long ago to leave that part of the job to God.<BR/><BR/>It's going to take all of us doing what we can where we can to help facilitate what I believe will be a great gay Christian reawakening. Everything I feel and see happening on the Web and in ministries everywhere reminds me very much of the early days of the church, when small breakthroughs started erupting on all fronts and then gradually coalesced into a full-fledged movement.<BR/><BR/>This puts me in mind what Paul told the Corinthians: "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." If we just remain steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, our labor won't be in vain. God will give the increase. And sooner than we imagine, the good we accomplish will offset the anti-gay, anti-Christian spirits trying to lay siege to the Web.<BR/><BR/>Keep fighting the good fight of faith; I and many, many others are fighting beside you!<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-77582966991325640882008-10-08T15:03:00.000-05:002008-10-08T15:03:00.000-05:00Well, howdy Tim . . . it's Don Charles "Stuffed An...Well, howdy Tim . . . it's Don Charles "Stuffed Animal" from over at Christ, The Gay Martyr! I'm glad you're taking the time to mark milestones . . . I just celebrated 150 posts on my blog. Looking back is useful, especially if you've ever had occasion to doubt that you're doing much good! I've stopped doubting . . . whatever impact I'm able to have in God's hands. Gay Christian bloggers like you who show that "holy" and "homosexual" aren't opposing terms is a trend that I hope will flourish on the Web. There are too many blogs out there that reflect badly on LGBT folk . . . not to mention the blogs that reflect badly on Christians!DC HAMPTON JACOBShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09884630801131861786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-79430319459665863112008-10-06T18:25:00.000-05:002008-10-06T18:25:00.000-05:00Sherry, I'm totally sympathetic with your need to ...Sherry, I'm totally sympathetic with your need to take time off from Here I Am Lord. I seem to be forever trying to squeeze in a moment here and there to keep S-F up-to-date and moving forward.<BR/><BR/>During your hiatus, maybe I'll find the time to catch up on all your previous posts. Like you, there's must never enough time to enjoy so much good stuff out there at a leisurely, thoughtful pace.<BR/><BR/>I can't think of a better reason for a break than working on this election. I believe we're all nervous about the possibility it could take a last-minute, wild swing in the wrong direction. (I'm on a bus this weekend to register voters.)<BR/><BR/>During all of this, and until you restart your blog, I look forward to seeing you here--whenever you get a chance to stop by. The cool thing about these blogs is that they're always available, which takes the pressure off of daily obligations, etc.<BR/><BR/>Be blessed always,<BR/>TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-50765880099200263512008-10-06T13:17:00.000-05:002008-10-06T13:17:00.000-05:00As always Tim you speak powerfully. I always loved...As always Tim you speak powerfully. I always loved this parable, though I suspect not many ranchers would agree that an entire flock can be left to search for a stray. The message is powerful though, and you explain it so well. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the nice award. I'm afraid I'm temporarily halting the Here I am Lord blog. I don't have the time right now, and am starting to neglect too much at home I feel. I just have so many blogs to read and comment on. I'm certainly not ending it, just waiting perhaps until the election is over, and I can take a bit of a breather on getting out the information about the candidates. <BR/>I love stopping by here and wish I could every day, I have to race through far too many blog postings as it is, and yours bear careful reading. Thank you for the award still!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com