Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying;
"Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His Favor rests."
Luke 2:13-14

I have heard some good voices in my time; strong and sweet with that "something" that sent shivers up my spine with the beauty of musical purity. Some of these voices have belonged to unlikely people; a 12-year old baby prostitute that lived in a group home with me. Another disturbed teenager who was sent into prostitution by her own mother. A friend of mine whose clarity of voice belied her strangeness of spirit. I have never forgotten these people or their voices. I am sure the shepherds of the field could never forget the symphony of angels who appeared to them on a dark night. At that time in history, musical instruments tended to be quite primitive; flutes and harps with only a few strings. Drums and lutes. They did not quite have the same resonance as a nice Vivaldi concerto. These shepherds whose music genre was accapella voice, folk songs and and an instrument if they were fortunate, suddenly heard the most amazing music. Even the most wonderful symphony, the greatest orchestra playing Elgar's "Nimrod" could not compete. And this music was even more special since it was a celebration of the Lord's Birth.
The angel's celebrated the Birth of Jesus. They could not help but sing incredible songs of praise. Their joy spilled over to such a point where they had to share it with someone, who as it turned out, were shepherds.
Music is a great witness for the Lord. It touches something deeper than we are able to touch within ourselves. The angels sang their praise in celebration. Music was the vehicle that the angels used to express themselves. I have a theory about something. I believe that the Lord hears any authentic, praising voice as a thing of exquisite beauty. We may not have the clarity of a Clay Aitken, but it sounds that way in the Lord's Ear when you praise Him.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Blyth,

Yes. Blyth my heart weeps that your life has been so tough for so long. I was talking to a new friend of mine through emails the other day. Even though he is a higher 'mucky muck' with a rather conservative Christian group the Holy Spirit has rent his heart concerning 'us' and is eagerly seeking God's will in this matter.

What got me though was how tender his heart is. So many Christians I've met - especially those in some leadership positions in the puesdo Christian groups are SO hard hearted. But this man was different. I finally understood why when he shared with me some of his life experiences. I understood again the phrase that God can use difficult times and places to allow deep furrows to be planted into our hearts. The grace of God is the seed of His love that He allows to be planted in these rows.

It also got me thinking about something else. I was watching Christian TV last night (I rarely watch it) and was struck at how commercialized much of the services seem. Like a big time musical production or something. Nothing like the services I'm used too. I keep thinking of this major conference going on right now in Long Beach (oh how I wish I was there!). The charasmatic conference draws gay Christians from around the world together to celebrate the Lord (next year I'm going to publicize it a bit through this web site I think). I've never been but will be there next year. But(!) from what I've heard it's wonderful. If it's anything like the Advance conference our church goes too it's amazing. There is just something about hundreds and hundreds of gay Christians coming together and worshiping. Our hearts have been so broke and then mended again the love of God is almost overwhelming in these meetings. Friends of mine in the ministry who have had *big* ministries within the 'straight' community comment that they've rarely experienced the expression of God's love, power and weeping majesty anywhere else. Oh how I wish I was at that meeting this weekend! My new 'straight' ministry friend is going though along with a few other 'influencial' members of the Christian leadership circles. I pray that God's spirit gives them the answers this weekend to many of their questions. I can't wait to hear from my friend how the conference went next week! I WANT TO HEAR WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO OUR PEOPLE!!

My beloved friend;
Yes, my life has been tough for a long, long time, but I really don't think it has been a BAD life. I have met people not many people get to meet and have had experiences that have added to my life. I actually don't regret my life and the things I have been through. I don't regret that my life has been different than some people's lives. I don't know WHY it has been the way it has been, but I wouldn't trade my life for another person's life. Not because it is so fabulous, but maybe more because no matter what, God has been in it. I am only sorry for the things I have done wrong to others, not for the things that I have experienced.
About a conference- Evangelicals Concerned, an evangelical Christian conference will be in San Francisco this year. Check out their website:

http://www.ecwr.org

I have been to two of them, and am planning to attend this year's ConnECtion. It would be nice to have their banner on our website. The Women's Retreat is July 20th and 21st, and the whole conference for everyone is the 22nd-24th at San Francisco State University. Here is some information that I poached from their website:

Just As I Am! - ConnECtion 2005's theme this year
July 21-24, 2005
San Francisco State University (www.sfsu.edu)
800 Font Boulevard
San Francisco , CA. 94132-4039
ConnECtion 2005 is a four-day retreat experience with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians that begins with dinner on Thursday, July 21, and ends after lunch on Sunday, July 24, 2005. Women can get an early start on the conference by attending the Women's Retreat July 20-21.

At the ConnECtion conference, you'll have the opportunity to hear powerful keynote addresses, participate in song and worship, join family groups made up of a small number of men and women, sit in on a variety of workshops, play and talk, and reflect on your experience.

Whether you are new or old as a Christian and regardless of where you are on your journey of integrating your spirituality and orientation, this will be a rich and rewarding weekend for you.

Please note that scholarships are availible and nobody is turned away!

Elaine- thank you for your concern for me- it means so much to me to know people care. People like you are God's great blessing in our walk in this foriegn land. Please tell us what your new friend thinks....and I, TOO praise God for soft hearts that listen for God....Praise Him for our beloved brethren out there. Our hearts beat a praise to God together.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Blyth,

Yes I went to a Evangelicals Concerned conference years ago at Mills College. It was my first gay Christian conference and a wonderful experience. When the time gets closer to their conference remind me again of it and we'll make sure to put a blurb up about it. I'm thinking that our web site will start 'promoting' some of the bigger national/international conferences out there. I think any of these conferences that bring our community together are really good things.