{"id":668,"date":"2012-06-01T00:05:18","date_gmt":"2012-06-01T04:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.glso.org\/enews\/?p=668"},"modified":"2012-06-01T00:03:56","modified_gmt":"2012-06-01T04:03:56","slug":"shout-it-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glso.org\/enews\/2012\/06\/shout-it-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Proud to be a Christian & Gay"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Gay Pride Month is rapidly becoming one of my favorite times of year. \u00a0It\u2019s a time I enjoy setting aside to recognize it isn\u2019t shameful to be gay. \u00a0I look forward to the Lexington Pride Festival each year where I meet some fantastic people and going to other festivals close by. One I hope to visit is the Cincinnati Festival. After I went to Louisville Pride last year I realized what a wonderful festival we have in Lexington.\u00a0 Much kudos are due to our Lexington Pride Committee as these are the people that spend many hours, days and months to make this event so special.\u00a0 So what exactly am I proud of?<\/p>\n

For one, I\u2019m proud of the fact that I can hold my head up as a lesbian because I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of Christ.\u00a0 The Bible has a lot to say about who we are.\u00a0 It says that as a born again believer and follower of Jesus Christ I am a new creation, old things have passed away, behold new things have come.\u00a0 I\u2019m a child of the King with inherited rights.\u00a0 I could go on but the point is I have nothing to hang my head about.\u00a0 I know God loves me, accepts me, and walks with me every day.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m also proud of the fact that I can worship my God in spite of the jabs, ridicule, and condemnation I receive from some in the body of Christ.\u00a0 Their opinions do not trump my experience. It brings me much joy to see so many Christ centered booths at the festival.\u00a0 Two years ago Open Arms of God Ministry was one of the first area churches to have a presence at the festival.\u00a0 Last year there was several and hopefully even more this year.\u00a0 I can hold my head up and declare I am a Christian who happens to be a lesbian.<\/p>\n

Each year we as a community find ourselves in a more acceptable environment.\u00a0 Each year we get a step closer to equal rights, even though they may be small steps, it is still a step.\u00a0 We have a long way to go, but by working together as a community, standing tall as good citizens, I do believe we will one day see equal treatments in marriage, jobs, church membership, and general acceptance as a part of the community.<\/p>\n

The mission of Open Arms of God Ministry is to get the word out there that Jesus loves you and me.\u00a0 In spite of what you have been told in the past, God is reaching out to you, desiring a personal and intimate relationship with you.\u00a0 All we have to do is turn toward Him and say yes Lord.<\/p>\n

One of my goals in the next year is to unite the ministers in Lexington who believe as we do.\u00a0 I firmly believe we are all the body of Christ and we should be working together to further the Kingdom.\u00a0 The fact that we may be meeting in separate locations doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t work together.\u00a0 I hope to see us collectively hosting Christian concerts (Jennifer Knapp being one of the first I\u2019d love to see come to Lexington), seminars, workshops, retreats, and being a beacon of light in the city for all to see the glory of our God.\u00a0 How can you deny the fact God loves us and works through us when you see first-hand His glory shining in how we live?<\/p>\n

If you sense some excitement and enthusiasm, you are right.\u00a0 With this being my last year as a Middle School teacher, I\u2019m retiring; I plan on devoting all my attention to the growth of the Kingdom of God.\u00a0 The harvest is many but the workers are few, pray for the harvest.\u00a0 If you have a similar dream, come join us.<\/p>\n

We need you, God needs you, and the citizens of Lexington need you.<\/p>\n

I pray God\u2019s richest blessings on you. Enjoy the month.<\/p>\n

Pastor Karen Taylor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gay Pride Month is rapidly becoming one of my favorite times of year. \u00a0It\u2019s a time I enjoy setting aside to recognize it isn\u2019t shameful to be gay. \u00a0I look forward to the Lexington Pride Festival each year where I…<\/p>\n

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