Spreading love and positivity in these awful times
- Vicky Johnson
- Mar 9, 2022
- 4 min read
As we go into Lent, people often give things up whether it be chocolate, sweets, fizzy drinks etc. This year rather than giving something up I'm spending more time in prayer and reading the Bible. I am also using this time to spread love and positivity to the people who are often stigmatised, because of addictions, their gender identity, sexual orientation, their nationality, those with mental health issues or even their lifestyle and how they dress.
I found myself shocked a few weeks ago when I was in town doing some shopping. I spotted a group of 5 or 5 people preaching in the street. They are all from different churches so I went over to tell them that I would pray for their ministry. That was until I was stood face to face with a man wearing a suit, a bible in his hand. He said that he doesn't want my prayers because "I obviously don't have Christ within me". I just said "How have you worked that out?" (me and the big guy upstairs are tight!) He then said "well, you are standing there with dyed hair, false nails, makeup and a hoodie with a band logo on. You know the only person to wear makeup in the bible is Jezebel". I had to laugh, this preacher had just low key called me a hooker!
Picture courtesy of the talented Isaiah Makeup and Media Services Ltd
He then tried to quote scripture at me. Now if you have read my previous posts you will know that, not only was I Jehovah's witness for 5 years, but as part of my autism the bible is a fixation of mine. I mentioned salvation by grace, then he tried to say that our salvation is conditional on following the rules. I said that actually yes it says faith without works is dead but if you are donating to a charity then that is a good work, if you pray for others that is a good work... its not a checklist that you must do to get salvation- all you have to do is accept the gift that has been laid before us.
I must admit it took me all of my time to not blow up at him otherwise in his head I would have been just giving him ammunition so instead I said "I have to go now because my fibromyalgia is flaring up and I cant stand for too long"... this was the best bit "Well you definitely haven't got Christ within you or else he would have healed you!". I was taken aback. So every single person who has died, whether that be a saint, a priest, even mother Teresa was sinful and didn't have Christ in them? He was starting to preach the same bible scriptures over and over and clearly had blinkers on. He started talking over me in a very disrespectful way so I said "You pray for me and I will pray for you" the walked away. I got to halfway up the street and he was still shouting at me!
The same man also collared my wife a few days later in town and told her that she needed conversion therapy!
You should never be judged or shamed by a Christian. I honestly think Jesus would be appalled by Christians' actions today. The preacher in town had an Elitist attitude towards everyone who isn't like him and that is scary. No wonder people have such a bad attitude towards Christians. This is why my wife and I have started Operation Rainbow Heart.
We are asking people up and down the country to knit and crochet rainbow hearts so we can give them out at Northern pride this year. People need to be told that not all Christians are bigots and judgemental people.
If you would like to make some hearts, I have been giving people this message:
Thanks for offering to help us to make hearts to give out at pride this year.
You can use any yarn you like, but we have just been using the rainbow dk yarn from poundland.
We hope that we can spread some positivity at pride and help people to realise that they are loved.
Since pride is in July we are asking people to have them finished and posted off by the end of June.
Can you please post all finished hearts to:
Vicky Winchester
85 sheildfield house
Sheildfield
Newcastle upon Tyne
Ne2 1bq
A massive thank-you to everyone who has offered to help... It is going to make a massive difference.
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Crochet pattern:
Ch6 and join in a circle with slip stitch
2 rounds of a granny square
Slip stitch into the next 3 DC stitches till you are at the corner.
Going into the ch1 space, do 12 quad crochet stitches. Sl St into next corner ch then going into the next ch space do 12 quad stitches in that space. Sl St into next chain space and fasten off.
YouTube tutorial :
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Knitting pattern:
We are attaching this message to them:
Today we celebrate PRIDE
Today we celebrate community
Today we celebrate you
Each colour represents in idea
But it's not a rainbow without them all
Have a blessed pride
and know you are loved!
Graciously loving GOD,
We praise you for making humankind in your image and for loving us all — regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ideology, and beliefs.
We thank you for the love that you have instilled in us, that we may use our love for each other to make this world a more accepting and loving place.
Amen
These hearts have been lovingly made by the LGBTq community and their allies to spread positivity and love.
Why not come and visit us at St Chad's Church, Bensham one Sunday? We are completely inclusive and celebrate everyone's differences.
We are officially listed on the inclusive church network directory.
Find us on FB at: @stchadsbensham
I hope that this post brings positivity and happiness to people :-)
You never have to worry that you are not good enough for God. No one is perfect and that is why Jesus did what he did. He made the ultimate sacrifice by dying for us in our place all those years ago so we can be Children Of God.
I hope everyone has a lovely Lent and a blessed Easter. If anyone is in need of prayer, please feel free to message my facebook page and I will be more than happy to pray for you.
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