Good Guys,

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and do a life review?  In that
rear-view mirror of reclining restlessness all the wrong turns of the past seem
to paint a clear direction to the present.  That retrospective road map can be
painfully revealing.

I recently did that . I hope you'll visit the blog at
http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/.  I wanted to share some words about
the judgment we all sometimes feel.  Please feel free to leave a comment on the
blog.  I think it's helpful to other readers.

God Bless.

Thom

http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/

Thank you Thom...God bless you.  Bridget
http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=12053.



   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Thom Hunter
   To: Undisclosed-Recipient@... ; exgaydiscussionboard@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 7:05 PM
   Subject: Re: [ExGDBd] The best gifts of all!



   Bridget,

   Thanks for sharing "The Gift of You."  Wow . . . how much closer we would be
to the people we love, we want to love, and we want to love us, if we could
approach relatioships with such selflessness.

   I'm praying that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and that your
son feels the love you have for him and the love of Christ.

   Thom
   http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/

   --- On Tue, 12/15/09, BridgetNight123@...
<BridgetNight123@...> wrote:

   From: BridgetNight123@... <BridgetNight123@...>
   Subject: [ExGDBd] The best gifts of all!
   To: Undisclosed-Recipient@...
   Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 4:32 PM



   My gay son just sent all of us an email saying he is too broke to buy presents
this year and hoped everyone would understand. He told us that we did not need
to get him anything since he can't get us anything. Everyone wrote him back with
such love and kindess expressing how they understood these were hard ecomonic
times for lots of folks and that Christmas was more about love and family. I
told him that he could give the gift of himself by using his graphic art talent
and make each person a card and write in it the special things he loved about
each family member and how he felt about them. He was so happy with that idea.
As part of our Christmas program each year we each read a part of this thought
piece I was given in our women's church group years ago. It catches the spirit
of Christmas for me the best, so I thought I would share it here with you all.
One last thing, I want to express how much I appreciate the friendships I have
made here. So many
   forums out there on the net, people get so rude and insulting and are so
disrespectful. Let us all shine the light of Christ better this year to all. My
children and grandkids will be arriving in the next few days and I put together
a power point slide show of all our Christmas past since my husband and I got
married to relive the happy memories and traditions we have made over the years.
It is a surprise for our Christmas Eve Holy Night family Christmas. So, with all
the busyiness, I want to wish each of you a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS from me to you.
Warmly, Bridget

   The Gift of You
   Don't forget to add these Emotional Gifts to your list for Holiday giving.
They cost nothing but are the most precious presents you can give to your
friends and family. These twelve gifts are-Gifts of You. They cost nothing but
their effects can last a lifetime.

   1. 'The Gift of Time'- In our busy lives, the phrase, I don't have time, has
become a universal complaint. Most human relationships profit from a simple
tonic that is called Tincture of Time. A chatty phone call to an unhappy trend,
or a half-hour visit to an aunt who lives alone can mean a lot, but costs very
little.

   2. 'The gift of good example' - Most people learn fundamental attitudes and
behavior by observing others. Be a good example by handling difficult situations
in a mature manner.

   3. 'The gift of Acceptance'- Many problems between husband and wife or between
friends begin when one person tries to change the other to fit preconceived
notions. Did you know that people begin to shed bad habits once they are
accepted the way they are?

   4. 'The gift of Seeing the best in people.' When we expect people to respond
in a positive way, they usually do. But you must let those you love know that
you expect the positive.

   5. The gift of giving up a bad habit.-All of us have habits that annoy those
we love. What a great gift it would be if you could give up an unhappy or
unhealthy habit.

   6. The gift of Teaching-Helping someone you love learn something new is an
important investment in their future happiness. Only by learning new skills can
we become fully alive.

   7. The Gift of Listening-Few of us know how to listen effectively Learn to
listen without passing judgement.

   8. 'The gift of fun'-There are people who 'wet blanket' the happiness of those
around them while others lead people into finding fun in ordinary events.

   9. The gift of letting others give.- When we accept others gifts in a gracious
manner, we may be giving them one of the most important gifts of all. Remember
the joy you feel in giving is felt by others as well.

   10. 'The gift of privacy'- Each of us has a need for companionship and also
privacy. Relinquish some of your natural curiosity occasionally and give those
you love the right to private thoughts and unshared feelings.

   11. 'The gift of self-esteem' -Do not fail to recognize the praiseworthy
qualities and actions of those you love and sincerely tell them.

   12. The gift of Self-Disclosure- Letting someone else discover more about you
can turn a relationship into something a flourishing one, sustain a healthy
friendship or marriage.

   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Bridget,
 
Thanks for sharing "The Gift of You."  Wow . . . how much closer we would be to
the people we love, we want to love, and we want to love us, if we could
approach relatioships with such selflessness.
 
I'm praying that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and that your
son feels the love you have for him and the love of Christ.
 
Thom
http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/

--- On Tue, 12/15/09, BridgetNight123@... <BridgetNight123@...>
wrote:


From: BridgetNight123@... <BridgetNight123@...>
Subject: [ExGDBd] The best gifts of all!
To: Undisclosed-Recipient@...
Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 4:32 PM


 



My gay son just sent all of us an email saying he is too broke to buy presents
this year and hoped everyone would understand. He told us that we did not need
to get him anything since he can't get us anything. Everyone wrote him back with
such love and kindess expressing how they understood these were hard ecomonic
times for lots of folks and that Christmas was more about love and family. I
told him that he could give the gift of himself by using his graphic art talent
and make each person a card and write in it the special things he loved about
each family member and how he felt about them. He was so happy with that idea.
As part of our Christmas program each year we each read a part of this thought
piece I was given in our women's church group years ago. It catches the spirit
of Christmas for me the best, so I thought I would share it here with you all.
One last thing, I want to express how much I appreciate the friendships I have
made here. So many
  forums out there on the net, people get so rude and insulting and are so
disrespectful. Let us all shine the light of Christ better this year to all. My
children and grandkids will be arriving in the next few days and I put together
a power point slide show of all our Christmas past since my husband and I got
married to relive the happy memories and traditions we have made over the years.
It is a surprise for our Christmas Eve Holy Night family Christmas. So, with all
the busyiness, I want to wish each of you a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS from me to you.
Warmly, Bridget

The Gift of You
Don't forget to add these Emotional Gifts to your list for Holiday giving. They
cost nothing but are the most precious presents you can give to your friends and
family. These twelve gifts are-Gifts of You. They cost nothing but their effects
can last a lifetime.

1. 'The Gift of Time'- In our busy lives, the phrase, I don't have time, has
become a universal complaint. Most human relationships profit from a simple
tonic that is called Tincture of Time. A chatty phone call to an unhappy trend,
or a half-hour visit to an aunt who lives alone can mean a lot, but costs very
little.

2. 'The gift of good example' - Most people learn fundamental attitudes and
behavior by observing others. Be a good example by handling difficult situations
in a mature manner.

3. 'The gift of Acceptance'- Many problems between husband and wife or between
friends begin when one person tries to change the other to fit preconceived
notions. Did you know that people begin to shed bad habits once they are
accepted the way they are?

4. 'The gift of Seeing the best in people.' When we expect people to respond in
a positive way, they usually do. But you must let those you love know that you
expect the positive.

5. The gift of giving up a bad habit.-All of us have habits that annoy those we
love. What a great gift it would be if you could give up an unhappy or unhealthy
habit.

6. The gift of Teaching-Helping someone you love learn something new is an
important investment in their future happiness. Only by learning new skills can
we become fully alive.

7. The Gift of Listening-Few of us know how to listen effectively Learn to
listen without passing judgement.

8. 'The gift of fun'-There are people who 'wet blanket' the happiness of those
around them while others lead people into finding fun in ordinary events.

9. The gift of letting others give.- When we accept others gifts in a gracious
manner, we may be giving them one of the most important gifts of all. Remember
the joy you feel in giving is felt by others as well.

10. 'The gift of privacy'- Each of us has a need for companionship and also
privacy. Relinquish some of your natural curiosity occasionally and give those
you love the right to private thoughts and unshared feelings.

11. 'The gift of self-esteem' -Do not fail to recognize the praiseworthy
qualities and actions of those you love and sincerely tell them.

12. The gift of Self-Disclosure- Letting someone else discover more about you
can turn a relationship into something a flourishing one, sustain a healthy
friendship or marriage.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]











[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

My gay son just sent all of us an email saying he is too broke to buy presents
this year and hoped everyone would understand. He told us that we did not need
to get him anything since he can't get us anything. Everyone wrote him back with
such love and kindess expressing how they understood these were hard ecomonic
times for lots of folks and that Christmas was more about love and family. I
told him that he could give the gift of himself by using his graphic art talent
and make each person a card and write in it the special things he loved about
each family member and how he felt about them. He was so happy with that idea.
As part of our Christmas program each year we each read a part of this thought
piece I was given in our women's church group years ago. It catches the spirit
of Christmas for me the best, so I thought I would share it here with you all.
One last thing, I want to express how much I appreciate the friendships I have
made here. So many forums out there on the net, people get so rude and insulting
and are so disrespectful. Let us all shine the light of Christ better this year
to all.  My children and grandkids will be arriving in the next few days and I
put together a power point slide show of all our Christmas past since my husband
and I got married to relive the happy memories and traditions we have made over
the years. It is a surprise for our Christmas Eve Holy Night family Christmas. 
So, with all the busyiness, I want to wish each of you a Very  MERRY CHRISTMAS
from me to you. Warmly, Bridget

The Gift of You
Don't forget to add these Emotional Gifts to your list for Holiday giving. They
cost nothing but are the most precious presents you can give to your friends and
family. These twelve gifts are-Gifts of You. They cost nothing but their effects
can last a lifetime.

1. 'The Gift of Time'- In our busy lives, the phrase, I don't have time, has
become a universal complaint. Most human relationships profit from a simple
tonic that is called Tincture of Time. A chatty phone call to an unhappy trend,
or a half-hour visit to an aunt who lives alone can mean a lot, but costs very
little.

2. 'The gift of good example' - Most people learn fundamental attitudes and
behavior by observing others. Be a good example by handling difficult situations
in a mature manner.

3. 'The gift of Acceptance'- Many problems between husband and wife or between
friends begin when one person tries to change the other to fit preconceived
notions. Did you know that people begin to shed bad habits once they are
accepted the way they are?

4. 'The gift of Seeing the best in people.' When we expect people to respond in
a positive way, they usually do. But you must let those you love know that you
expect the positive.

5. The gift of giving up a bad habit.-All of us have habits that annoy those we
love. What a great gift it would be if you could give up an unhappy or unhealthy
habit.

6. The gift of Teaching-Helping someone you love learn something new is an
important investment in their future happiness. Only by learning new skills can
we become fully alive.

7. The Gift of Listening-Few of us know how to listen effectively Learn to
listen without passing judgement.

8. 'The gift of fun'-There are people who 'wet blanket' the happiness of those
around them while others lead people into finding fun in ordinary events.

9. The gift of letting others give.- When we accept others gifts in a gracious
manner, we may be giving them one of the most important gifts of all. Remember
the joy you feel in giving is felt by others as well.

10. 'The gift of privacy'- Each of us has a need for companionship and also
privacy. Relinquish some of your natural curiosity occasionally and give those
you love the right to private thoughts and unshared feelings.

11. 'The gift of self-esteem'-Do not fail to recognize the praiseworthy
qualities and actions of those you love and sincerely tell them.

12. The gift of Self-Disclosure- Letting someone else discover more about you
can turn a relationship into something a flourishing one, sustain a healthy
friendship or marriage.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Good Guys,

The Christmas season can cause some of us to reflect a bit on the losses
in our lives as well as the great gains we've made as strugglers through
the gift of God's grace.

Oddly, when I was writing this week I remembered a poignant song from
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol from way back in the '60s.  If you'd like to
see the clip, I posted it with my blog piece this week.  I hope you are
all having a blessed Christmas season already.

Here's the opening graph of the blog:

I don't know if I first saw Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol the night it
premiered on TV in 1962 as the first-ever animated television Christmas
special . . . but I know I saw it every time it came on after that.
It's funny what can speak to us and when, but as an eight-year-old in
his first Christmas without his dad and his first Christmas as a
sexually-molested boy, something about that lonely reach spoke to my
little heart and it never let me go.

http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/
<http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/>



God Bless,

Thom



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

JUST FOUND A GREAT SPIRITUAL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.

GO TO YOUTUBE SEARCH BAR AND TYPE IN THESE 3 WORDS :

the miraculous mosaic .

hope you be blessed by it.


ps; we are all broken

Good Guys,

Whether you know it or not, members of your church are ministering to
Christians who struggle with homosexuality.  Like the struggle itself,
their ministry to those who suffer may be hidden, but it goes on, fueled
by love.  They are parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, cousins,
and friends of your church members – men and women -- who are
drowning in the residue of the sin of unwanted homosexuality.

How can your church do a better job of ministering?  That's the
practical subject of my blog post this week at
http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/
<http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/>

God Bless and Keep You Strong,

Thom


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Good Guys,

I hope this Thanksgiving finds you with much to thank God for.  In my
blog today, I write about one of my darkest days, yet remain thankful
for it.

"Seven months ago, on a very nice April 30, around mid-day, I tottered
off the edge of it and plunged into the blackness of what seemed a
never-ending free fall.  It was the beginning of an "all circumstances"
that stretches the veracity of God's Word . . . and yet . . . seven
months later, I find myself oddly thankful."
http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/ <http:///>

God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving,

Thom


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Good Guys,

I know we expend a lot of thought energy trying to figure out how in the
world we got to where we are  . . . or were . . . in life before we
began to seek or experience new freedom.

I was thinking about that this week as I updated my blog.  I hope my
thoughts might be helpful to you . . . and I'd love to hear yours.

If you'd like to read it, it's at
http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/
<http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/>   and begins like this:

In the dark of night, I awoke.  Framed in the moonlit, lace-curtained
window, I saw my child and his mother, sharing a rocker at midnight,
only the moon and I to spy. My intrusion was silent, but it fulfilled my
need for joy.

God Bless,

Thom


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Good Guys,

I hope your week is going well.  I've been thinking this week about
grace . . . completely undeserved, but freely given. And I was wondering
if we extend it enough ourselves, or if we too often withhold this
precious gift from others.

It's the focus of my blog post this week.

"My father-in-law was a man of principle.  There may have been a little
gray here and there, but it was just a wisp between the black-and-white.
If anything was fuzzy, it was only because he hadn't gotten out the
tools to trim it up and make it right . . . but he would soon get to it.
Maybe that's why when I first met him some 33 or so years ago, I was a
bit uncomfortable.  Fuzzy was just all-right with me and gray came in
all kinds of shades."

Read More. <http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/>

God Bless,

Thom
http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/
<http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]