Wow! you so much for the Prodigal Son sermon. I sometimes don’t trust that God loves me either. I grew up in an evangelical home. I married a youth minister, had two children (who are wonderful adults now) then fell in love with a woman. Did not see that coming at all! I’m now married to a fantastic woman (for 23 years). My life has been so wonderful especially after marrying my wife. But I do struggle with the ‘going to hell because I’m a lesbian’ baggage. Thank you for reminding me yet again of God’s unwavering love. You are a huge blessing!
My heart is warmed by your words. I so want to protect my queer daughter from the harsh judgements of people who call themselves Christians while acting nothing like Jesus. It helped to hear you receive the reminder of God's unwavering love. This is more important than what "they" say.
Anna, you are an Angel. Let me tell you first hand the HURT that can be caused by a mother. Bless you for supporting/loving/encouraging your daughter through life. You are INVALUABLE... to your daughter and as an example to the world. ❤️
Teresa, except that I have only one wonderful adult child, your story and mine are so alike.
When I was 12 or so, my pastor father, whom I adored, told my sister and me that "gay" was about the worst thing you could call someone (or be), and currently my pastor sister-in-law and her family is leaving the United Methodist Church because (even though their daughter has come out as a lesbian) they believe that God has created a grace-free ghetto for people like my wife and me. They have never once acknowledged our marriage. So I've been loaded down with plenty of "going to hell because I'm a lesbian' baggage."
Our ELCA pastor officiated at our wedding. And I'm here to tell you that you can heal the internalized shame the church has told us is our legacy. It's takes time, but you can do it.
I have always struggled with this parable because sadly I could relate to the older brother even though he gets a bad rap for being resentful and believing love is limited - because to be honest in the human realm it is. So here he is working his ass off “doing what’s right and good” and as his says “Dad, man you never slaughters a fatted calf to celebrate me.” Ouch that’s gotta hurt and that’s when I realized the older son was codependent- he was working the farm not because it was his greatest joy it’s because he felt he had to - maybe he too thought his dad’s love was conditional. Because let’s be honest if he was living his dream life he wouldn’t be resentful but if he was working the farm out of guilt or obligation then no wonder he’d be pissed off at his younger brother who got to go have fun while he’s working his ass off. So maybe another lesson is to find the areas in our lives where we all have resentments and ask why am I doing this? Whose love am I afraid I won’t have if I don’t?
Nadia, I needed this today. Desperately. 5 years ago, stepped away from my former hard-core evangelical, formerly Catholic life and am now 59 years into this female life, tortured by the fact that I felt NO choice but to be authentic, be with my girl and stop being manipulated by the church and patriarchy. Wondering, no FEARING, that God is FURIOUS with me, like my mother is. This struck home. Again, THANK YOU. ❤️
I am blown away by the amount of tears that  washed over my face as I read this sermon. A baptism of love & a forgiveness that was always present but not recognized, I suppose. 
I hope I'm not doing anything illegal. I copy/paste your sermons and other writings and send to a young man that is in prison. He has made many bad choices and has spent almost half his life incarcerated. I’ve been writing to him for just over a year and he seems committed to turning his life around. It’s going to be a tough road for him as he has not had positive role models during his life and may have little support when he is released. Please lift him up in prayer. His name is Richard.
May I join you in praying for Richard… God, thank you for giving Richard support through Linda. I ask for your love to empower every step towards new choices and for your love to sustain them both when things are tough. Jesus have mercy! Amen
They are also going to my nephew Tony, 60 years in prison, since he was 25, for killing my sister and her husband. He and his posse love Nadia's sermons! Add him to your list, please. He will love hearing that this community knows his name.
Every time I hear this parable, I find myself trying to put together the different pieces of it, knowing there’s MORE. And you delivered more this morning. Thank you, Nadia. ❤️
Thank you, Nadia, for these important words, which remind me that even if we are haunted by memories of the fundamentalism we were raised with, that when we strip back all the untruth we were fed, the real truth about God is that he loves us unconditionally and welcomes us as we are.
Recently I was deeply hurt by someone I'd been friends with for years. I was thinking about all the things I should have said to her during our last talk, about her behavior, etc. This was exactly what I needed today. I need to show the same compassion and forgiveness I've been shown. Does this mean I put myself in unsafe situations? Nope, but I can forgive.
After leaving a church that is doing this all wrong, it is great to be in a totally reconciling Lutheran congregation. In fact, in worship just this morning, there was a “Temple Talk” by a young gay man who told his story of rejection by the church then acceptance by an ELCA congregation. Non-dualistic thinking is such a blessing... it could literally change the world.
Wonderful, printed this out to take to my 103 year old friend who frets about not being good enough almost every week when I go to visit and she read it out loud and loved it.
This "slightly off-brand" child of God has been struggling with what she even believes lately. This. This is what I believe. Lavish, infinite Love. (I will forget this tomorrow, but printed your sermon and taped it on my mirror to remind me.) Thank you, Nadia. Your writing and this community are life-giving.
I was so moved when reading this....having grown up listening to these readings through my Catholic upbringing has done me more harm than good. I’m so happy to now know the truth of God’s love for me....being able to reframe these readings with love not fear has enabled me to take another look and embrace my relationship with God more fully. It’s a beautiful thing to understand again what I think I always knew but had forgotten. I am grateful for your gifts and appreciate you so much.
Wow! you so much for the Prodigal Son sermon. I sometimes don’t trust that God loves me either. I grew up in an evangelical home. I married a youth minister, had two children (who are wonderful adults now) then fell in love with a woman. Did not see that coming at all! I’m now married to a fantastic woman (for 23 years). My life has been so wonderful especially after marrying my wife. But I do struggle with the ‘going to hell because I’m a lesbian’ baggage. Thank you for reminding me yet again of God’s unwavering love. You are a huge blessing!
“Did not see that coming...”. You got THAT right!! Same!! I wish we could somehow connect. I am married to a woman, too. ❤️ My fav human.
My heart is warmed by your words. I so want to protect my queer daughter from the harsh judgements of people who call themselves Christians while acting nothing like Jesus. It helped to hear you receive the reminder of God's unwavering love. This is more important than what "they" say.
Anna, you are an Angel. Let me tell you first hand the HURT that can be caused by a mother. Bless you for supporting/loving/encouraging your daughter through life. You are INVALUABLE... to your daughter and as an example to the world. ❤️
Thank you ... I'm sorry for the hurt you have experienced. Know that you are a blessing to me. I am grateful for your encouragement. ❤️ ❤️
Mary Sue, I’m so sorry that your mom wasn’t able to see you for who you are. I would gladly give you a hug, if you want it. ❤️
I LOVE hugs. 💗💗. You are sweet. Hug accepted. ☺️☺️
Teresa, except that I have only one wonderful adult child, your story and mine are so alike.
When I was 12 or so, my pastor father, whom I adored, told my sister and me that "gay" was about the worst thing you could call someone (or be), and currently my pastor sister-in-law and her family is leaving the United Methodist Church because (even though their daughter has come out as a lesbian) they believe that God has created a grace-free ghetto for people like my wife and me. They have never once acknowledged our marriage. So I've been loaded down with plenty of "going to hell because I'm a lesbian' baggage."
Our ELCA pastor officiated at our wedding. And I'm here to tell you that you can heal the internalized shame the church has told us is our legacy. It's takes time, but you can do it.
Blessings!
Blessings to you, too! I truly appreciate your encouraging words!!
I have always struggled with this parable because sadly I could relate to the older brother even though he gets a bad rap for being resentful and believing love is limited - because to be honest in the human realm it is. So here he is working his ass off “doing what’s right and good” and as his says “Dad, man you never slaughters a fatted calf to celebrate me.” Ouch that’s gotta hurt and that’s when I realized the older son was codependent- he was working the farm not because it was his greatest joy it’s because he felt he had to - maybe he too thought his dad’s love was conditional. Because let’s be honest if he was living his dream life he wouldn’t be resentful but if he was working the farm out of guilt or obligation then no wonder he’d be pissed off at his younger brother who got to go have fun while he’s working his ass off. So maybe another lesson is to find the areas in our lives where we all have resentments and ask why am I doing this? Whose love am I afraid I won’t have if I don’t?
Great questions! I'll be sitting with them for some time.
Nadia, I needed this today. Desperately. 5 years ago, stepped away from my former hard-core evangelical, formerly Catholic life and am now 59 years into this female life, tortured by the fact that I felt NO choice but to be authentic, be with my girl and stop being manipulated by the church and patriarchy. Wondering, no FEARING, that God is FURIOUS with me, like my mother is. This struck home. Again, THANK YOU. ❤️
I am blown away by the amount of tears that  washed over my face as I read this sermon. A baptism of love & a forgiveness that was always present but not recognized, I suppose. 
I felt the baptism of love too!!!💖
I hope I'm not doing anything illegal. I copy/paste your sermons and other writings and send to a young man that is in prison. He has made many bad choices and has spent almost half his life incarcerated. I’ve been writing to him for just over a year and he seems committed to turning his life around. It’s going to be a tough road for him as he has not had positive role models during his life and may have little support when he is released. Please lift him up in prayer. His name is Richard.
May I join you in praying for Richard… God, thank you for giving Richard support through Linda. I ask for your love to empower every step towards new choices and for your love to sustain them both when things are tough. Jesus have mercy! Amen
They are also going to my nephew Tony, 60 years in prison, since he was 25, for killing my sister and her husband. He and his posse love Nadia's sermons! Add him to your list, please. He will love hearing that this community knows his name.
Every time I hear this parable, I find myself trying to put together the different pieces of it, knowing there’s MORE. And you delivered more this morning. Thank you, Nadia. ❤️
Thank you, Nadia, for these important words, which remind me that even if we are haunted by memories of the fundamentalism we were raised with, that when we strip back all the untruth we were fed, the real truth about God is that he loves us unconditionally and welcomes us as we are.
Recently I was deeply hurt by someone I'd been friends with for years. I was thinking about all the things I should have said to her during our last talk, about her behavior, etc. This was exactly what I needed today. I need to show the same compassion and forgiveness I've been shown. Does this mean I put myself in unsafe situations? Nope, but I can forgive.
“That’s what this thing is about – becoming what we receive.”
May I be a person that reflects what you have shared with us. What God is for us through Jesus.
After leaving a church that is doing this all wrong, it is great to be in a totally reconciling Lutheran congregation. In fact, in worship just this morning, there was a “Temple Talk” by a young gay man who told his story of rejection by the church then acceptance by an ELCA congregation. Non-dualistic thinking is such a blessing... it could literally change the world.
Wonderful, printed this out to take to my 103 year old friend who frets about not being good enough almost every week when I go to visit and she read it out loud and loved it.
wonderful! tell her hi from me !
I will ! She will be delighted
I just sent this to my friend who is in prison who asked me if he was being punished by God when I visited him. Perfect timing Sister 🙏
This "slightly off-brand" child of God has been struggling with what she even believes lately. This. This is what I believe. Lavish, infinite Love. (I will forget this tomorrow, but printed your sermon and taped it on my mirror to remind me.) Thank you, Nadia. Your writing and this community are life-giving.
Even if - words of grace and love
Oh. My. God. TEARS. Pastor N, you make me cry (in the best way).
I was so moved when reading this....having grown up listening to these readings through my Catholic upbringing has done me more harm than good. I’m so happy to now know the truth of God’s love for me....being able to reframe these readings with love not fear has enabled me to take another look and embrace my relationship with God more fully. It’s a beautiful thing to understand again what I think I always knew but had forgotten. I am grateful for your gifts and appreciate you so much.