Paperback: 172 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (October 31, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1480160342
ISBN-13: 978-1480160347
Price: $9.99
Purchase: Amazon

Description

After walking together through her twenty-three year journey to overcome homosexuality, Christy McFerren and her parents, Mike and Sharon Honea, are speaking up to offer hope to families in a sometimes painful and seemingly hopeless place.

Sharing the stories, pain, joy, and wisdom gained from their personal and family struggles, they hope to become a resource for families that wasn’t available to them during their journey.

More than a guide for families, however, their story is also offered to the Church at large as a starting place for learning how to open their doors and their arms to people who struggle with homosexuality, same-sex attraction, and related issues. Christy and her parents share a vision for a Church who can offer hope and truth, maintaining a firm foundation of traditional biblical interpretation while employing grace and wisdom in revolutionary ways – the very ways that empowered her freedom.

Christy’s message to those who face same-sex attraction is, “It’s OK to Fight.” Her message to the Church is, “Let’s have strong enough faith in God’s divine grace that we can give people permission to be in process.” You can join a supportive community of revolutionary thinkers on this topic at firststepsout.com.

Review

I first met Christy McFerren on Twitter and then started reading her articles on Prodigal Magazine. When she asked me to review her book, First Steps Out, I was definitely interested.

I value Christy’s transparency and courage. She shares her journey about being a Christian, growing up in the Church and struggling with same sex attraction.

I believe this could happen to any one of us. It could have happened to me. As a matter of fact, I was propositioned by many women through my life as a Christian. The temptation to cross over was always available. I can only say it was by the grace of God that I didn’t since I am a curious person by nature.

I personally have close friends who are part of the LBGT community. I was involved in acting and singing for years and many of my friends are gay. I’m also very close to a family member who is a transvestite.

I am vehemently opposed to Christian’s bashing homosexuals. I always say, the sin of homosexuality as the Bible describes, is no worse than committing adultery, fornication, gluttony, lying, stealing, or being religious and judgmental. I honestly do not understand how any Christian can point a righteous finger and judge anyone, much less those who are attracted to the same sex.

This is why I love First Steps Out because Christy understands what it’s like to be judged. She was hurt by those around her while she was struggling. She was given over to her same sex attraction for a time, but by God’s grace and with her parents love, prayers and support, she no longer is.

Today she is free, happy and married to the man of her dreams. What an amazing testimony!

First Steps Out was written for family or friends in the Christian community who has a son, daughter, sibling, cousin or friend who is struggling with not wanting to be in a homosexual relationship. Christy McFerren lovingly offers advice, information and biblical wisdom on how to approach family members properly, effectively and most of all, lovingly.

This book is an excellent, helpful and informative resource for the Church at large. I truly believe every Christian should read First Steps Out. I highly recommend it.

Christy McFerren is a writer, blogger and speaker on the topics of faith and culture. Her blog, Living a Thoughtful Revolution (christymcferren.com), is focused on exploring what it means to thoughtfully live out the answers Jesus gave us to the questions culture is asking. She is also a featured content writer for Prodigal Magazine where she writes stories at the intersection of Church and Culture. In addition to writing and speaking, Christy and her husband Dan run a brand development firm called Thoughtful Revolution. They offer web design and development, brand identity, content authoring and marketing services with a special focus on writers and authors. You can find out more about their services at thoughtfulrevolution.com. Christy and Dan live in Austin, TX.