Also, I walk and hike in several different nearby parks near our home several early mornings a week.

Entrenched scriptural literalism is, in my opinion, completely out of touch with reality.

I have glaucoma, so use eye drops both morning and night.

Jesus is an example. We have other examples, including many of our ancestors as role models who understood the inner meaning of our orientation.

I feel that I communicate best when I am not deliberately being linear. Along this same line, I feel some of the best sermons I've ever heard were in the theatre rather than the pulpit - as, for example, in the Theatre of the Absurd.

By my definition, prayer is consciously hanging out with God. Being with God in a deliberate way.

Speaking for myself, my very integrity as a human being needs to include my freedom to explore who I am both spiritually and sexually. Not just to explore - but to practice.