Make it Real Solutions

Don't miss this opportunity! This Thursday, April 15, 8:30 EDT, 7:30 CDT, 6:30 MDT, 5:30 PDT!

My former student, and incredible person, Norman is sharing his story with us! We will learn about his incredible book and his Over the Top Living empire of next level younicorns!

Beloved, The Borderland Rainbow Center has an opportunity to see an incredible, award-winning healing paerformance by Gabrielle Lennon for FREE, next Friday night, December 18, at 7:30 p.m. MST. Tickets are usually $45. Gabrielle is providing this exclusive performance for the interwebs for free through a grant from TAASA. It has been a rough year, and a rough holiday season. Please join us for a self-care performance experience, and feedback / chat with the artist afterward. https://fb.me/e/L6kUgeJZ

#QueerRightsAreHumanRights #LoveWins #AlwaysMoreWorkForJustice #JusticeWeShallPursue #QueerLoveIsDivine #GodIsLove #LGBTQ #QueerPastor #RealFaith

In December 2018 I went to Tijuana to try to connect the migrant caravan with resources in my network. It was a frustrating mess thanks to getekeeping by other... religious groups. They refused to take me to our LGBTQ+ and particularly Transgender Folk, and while I was there they had been snuck out of Tijuana. They were being targeted and threatened. I was unable to help beyond feeding large groups at the Casa Caracol. Well now I have been connected with well known and trusted organizations in Ciudad Juarez that have started a support center and a rough shelter for vulnerable LGBTQ+ Folk! The need is massive. They started with nothing and just commenced helping people, trusting that help will come. I know I have a lot of asks. And I know that everyone is in a financial bind right now. But if you can spare $10, $20, $50 right now, it will go far across the Border. Or if you prefer to ship anything on the list to me, I can send you my address. 1. Please send your positive energy this way for the desperate need to be met. Prayers are welcome! 2. You can donate cash. For now, is the imperfect system of sending it to MCC EL Paso Paypal: @paypal.me/MCCELPASO. I will ask them to acknowledge your gift when I deliver it to them in person, so you know that it reached them. Some financial needs are $450.00 to open locks with a locksmith and turn on water service $500.00 for plumbing repairs to the building $2,000.00 to repair three floors of broken windows PayPal: paypal.me/MCCELPASO 3. If you would like to ship the materials for me to take over to them, here is their wish list: Large, thick, heavy black garbage bags Fridge Small stove with gas tank Dining room or tables and chairs Cabinet to store pantry General kitchen supplies Disposable Toilet paper Pantries Room heaters Television entertainment room Beds floor and desk lamps general furniture Chairs Desk Bookcases 4. If you are in El Paso, if it will fit in my Jeep I will come pick it up! We often wish we could directly help. This is a real opportunity. I know these organizations and the people involved. Many are my friends and colleagues and fellow Queer pastors. As horrible as the need is here in the US, Juarez has been hit 5 times as hard. And most religious groups will not serve Queer folks without making them hide themselves. And with civil assistance, there is also a risk of harrassment or targeting. Even if you can't contribute financially right now, I believe that your positive energy and / or prayers will put into the universe what we need to meet the need.

This is a key for learning how to live in recovery. Most of us are shamed and punished for feelings, and reinforced for anger and violence. Until that's all ...we know how to do, and we become terrified of sensitivity, gentleness, and emotion. So we turn to substances to try to find happiness, but they stop working and we have nothing left to feel happy or safe. This is NOT just those of us with chemical dependancy. This is a huge part of our toxic society. And this chart is a start, but part of our culture's toxic sex negativity, it fails to mention consensual and mutual flirting, romance, and sexual activity, as well as masturbation, as significant natural and healthy ways to access several of these at once. I know for me that music helps me access these too, and can be a very powerful trigger that I have to remember to use, and sometimes be careful with using. Or as the chart in the comment jokes, just play with a dog! lol

Please join us! ARCHway helps fund the gap to recovery with small scholarships for those who have incomes or insurance that will not get them the recovery services they need. We share our stories to end misconceptions, misinformation, and stigma. And we accompany whole families through the excruciating time of loving someone in addiciton. We have HOPE! And we DO recover! Join us for fun and hope and love! https://thearchwayinstitute.org/