love like Christ Archives : Transfigured Hearts

That’s Not God Saying You’ll Burn in Hell!

August 22, 2017January 25, 2022
by Laurie Suzanne Scott

When it suits his purpose, even that son a bitch Satan will tell you you’re going to Hell if he thinks he can convince you as a Christian that you’re not living “right”.

A couple of months ago I wrote an article asking pastors to acknowledge in their own churches that there are people, Christians who are hurting, Christians who are transgender who only want to have fellowship with other Christians.

Seemed simple enough. First let me say there was an amazing positive response and humbling number of shares of that article on Facebook. But… there were a few pastors who didn’t seem to care that there were some hurting people who might want to be part of their congregations.

I received comments like these… Read more “That’s Not God Saying You’ll Burn in Hell!” →

For All

I’m So Dumb!

August 19, 2017November 7, 2017
by Laurie Suzanne Scott

When it comes to the things of God, I have to admit – I feel pretty dumb.

There are things I DO know, I know He loves me. I know Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth and lived a sinless life. He was crucified on a cross, died and rose three days later – He did as a sacrifice. A sacrifice to satisfy God’s requirement for perfection from us before being in His presence for eternity.

Since Jesus did that for me, I want to be as much like Him as I can – that’s called being a disciple, and Jesus asked us to go and make more disciples.

Wow, I have such a long, long way to go (anybody who knows me will attest to that.) Read more “I’m So Dumb!” →

For All

“Love your Enemies”? Why? They’re Mean to Me!

August 2, 2017November 7, 2017
by Laurie Suzanne Scott

There’s a reason Jesus said that, and I’m just now really beginning to fully appreciate it. The harder part for me is when Jesus says PRAY for those who persecute you. When hate and anger are so easy to feel and justify, why does Jesus tell us to do the opposite?

A month ago I wrote a relatively simple and short post, saying that I longed for the day when more pastors would acknowledge that there are hurting people, Christians, in their own congregation who are hurting and in pain because they are afraid to let people know they are transgender (whether it be pre or post transition.) I didn’t say they MUST agree with everything they “think” they know about people who are transgender. I didn’t say they MUST give them a big hug and immediately make them elders in the church. ALL I asked them to acknowledge is that yes, as Christians we can all do better in making other Christians feel loved and that certainly they should be safe to share their hurt and pain. That was it. Really. Read more ““Love your Enemies”? Why? They’re Mean to Me!” →

For All

Friendships and Discipleship

July 9, 2017September 23, 2017
by Laurie Suzanne Scott

This is an excerpt from my book from chapter 16 : “Friendships and Discipleship”

I grew up in a “Have you heard of the 4 Spiritual Laws” pamphlet culture where we learned about the Bible with the goal of TELLING people about Jesus and how they can be saved. It was an “ask Jesus into your heart and to forgive you, don’t sin anymore, go to church and read your Bible.” Sound familiar?

As Christians we’re not called to tell people “you’re not welcome here, maybe you should leave.”

Paying attention to HOW Jesus treated other people, WHO He chose to have close to Him and WHAT His relationship to the Father was wasn’t ingrained in me. In the last couple of decades I had come to learn about the awesomeness of a more intimate worship experience, of sensing His presence in worship – but discipleship, true discipleship as it meant in Jesus’ day had never found its way into me. Read more “Friendships and Discipleship” →

For All

An Open Letter to Pastors Everywhere

June 30, 2017November 7, 2017
by Laurie Suzanne Scott

Dear Church Leaders,

After reading this you might be saying to yourself “well, not in my church.” I’m here to tell you yes, IN your church. I or someone like me have been to your church or even now may be a member of your church, and you might not even know it.

This is what Jesus was talking about in John 13:34. It would be my prayer to hear something like this come from pulpits in churches everywhere.

“There are people here, maybe sitting near you who are afraid of you.
Afraid to be your friend, afraid to join your home group. They may have been afraid to even join our church.
They’ve been rejected by other churches, they’ve been rejected by other Christians, and they’re afraid you may be no different.
They hide their life from you in fear because they may be gay, they may be transgender, or they just may be different, and they’re hurting. They’re hurting because they love Jesus, they love people like you, and they’re afraid to share their life with you. They’re afraid if they get to know you and tell you about their life it may bring more rejection, more pain.

We need to do better as a church.

As a body of believers people should feel loved here, they shouldn’t walk in fear here.
Everyone who walks through our doors should see Jesus in us above anything else.
In our home groups everyone should feel safe to share their life with one another without fear of rejection or judgment.
Anything less and we’re missing the mark.
Anything less and we’re not honoring the Lord and Savior we claim to follow.”

– Blessings

Please click here to “LIKE” my Facebook page, help me reach the Church and Christians who are transgender.

Sign up now and get my new posts sent to your inbox and to stay informed of my upcoming book.
No spam and your email address will not be sold or given to anyone – ever!

For All

That SOB Must Love Father’s Day!

June 18, 2017August 21, 2017
by Laurie Suzanne Scott

For those that don’t have family in their life, holidays can be particularly rough. They may have passed away or for other reasons you just may not be that close. My parents and brothers are alive and as far as I know, well. But it’s been 25 years since I’ve seen them, I’m pretty much dead to them. That being said, I still love them – they’re my family. I love them and I miss them.

I went back and forth yesterday about going to church today on Father’s Day. Read more “That SOB Must Love Father’s Day!” →

For All

Crowds Don’t Cure Loneliness – Relationships Do

June 12, 2017August 21, 2017
by Laurie Suzanne Scott

Many people for a plethora of reasons find themselves alone in this world. I was struck when I read about a woman who recently went to an event. It wasn’t a large gathering, but there were around 300 like-minded people there. And what did she write following the event? “I saw a lot of people with friends, family supporting each other. What I got out of it is I am ALONE. All alone.”

I know how she feels and how a lot of others feel. I’ve learned that it’s ok to be alone, ok in that it’s manageable. But alone in a crowd just amplifies the loneliness. Read more “Crowds Don’t Cure Loneliness – Relationships Do” →

For All

What Do You See When You Look Backward?

May 27, 2017October 21, 2017
by Laurie Suzanne Scott

Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

As I get older and look back at the relationships of my life, my ex who understandably has her own new life now and is very happy for the past 30 years, my best friend prior to transition who didn’t (couldn’t) continue our friendship after transition – they and others have all played a part in making my life what it is today. Via my (not at the time) ex I met a friend who literally saved my life when I was desperately ready to kill myself. My friend who is no longer my friend introduced me to his church and a form of worship that I love and have continued to this day.

Sometimes God brings people into our lives for a season, and that’s all. They were never meant to be life-long friends, just to contribute to His plan as we follow the path He has laid out for us. Think of it as a road trip and some people are just a stop along the way. Read more “What Do You See When You Look Backward?” →

For All

It’s Science, So Buckle Up Kids!

May 24, 2017May 22, 2018
by Laurie Suzanne Scott

I’ve always said (and still mean it) that it doesn’t matter to me if and when they find some genetic or scientific explanation for why I turned out the way I am – because I KNOW who I am. But I also know that for some who struggle with the concept (whether transgender or not) that maybe if a reason was found it would help them understand or maybe even change how they feel about it.

This article was first published twenty years ago in Nature magazine. Read more “It’s Science, So Buckle Up Kids!” →

For All

While People Set You Aside, God Sets You Apart

May 19, 2017August 21, 2017
by Laurie Suzanne Scott

Have you ever sat down to a table either at home or at a restaurant that wasn’t clean? You sit down and you see crumbs on the table. What do you do? You do what all of us do, you take the edge of your hand and gently whisk those crumbs off the table onto the floor – to be swept away as trash when the cleaning person comes through.

When people reject you for whatever reason, you may feel like you’ve been swept aside, just like those crumbs on the table, nothing more than something to be swept away with the rest of life’s trash. They’ve enjoyed anything that (in their mind) might be good about you but when they’re done enjoying the goodness that you bring into their life – well, they’re done. Read more “While People Set You Aside, God Sets You Apart” →

Tag: <span>love like Christ</span>

As Christians we’re not called to tell people “you’re not welcome here, maybe you should leave.”