If religion has hurt you, that hurt came from humanactions—not from God.

People may use God’s name to justify rejection, shame, orcruelty, but claiming to speak for God does not make their actions faithful toJesus’ teachings.

In this episode of Created by God to Be…, I exploreMatthew 11:28–30 and Jesus’ invitation to the weary and burdened: come and findrest. Jesus offers love and gentleness. When people act cruelly in the name offaith, they misrepresent that welcome and must take responsibility for the harmthey cause.

For LGBTQ+ people—and anyone made to feel unwelcome—this isan honest, hopeful conversation about acknowledging religious hurt whilerecognizing that human rejection does not mean God has rejected you.

Join me, April Snow, as we make room for healing andrediscover the welcoming heart of Christ.

If this episode speaks to you, please share it with someonewho needs encouragement.

Keep becoming the person God created you to be.

Who is my neighbor—and does my love reach beyond the peoplewho look, believe, or live like me?

In Episode 9 of Created by God to Be…, I explore the GoodSamaritan in Luke 10:25–37 alongside Jesus’ call in Matthew 22:34–40 to loveour neighbors as ourselves.

Loving our neighbors means crossing the boundaries societyhas created. It means refusing to diminish anyone because their identity orlife does not fit our expectations. I share how the treatment of transgenderpeople touches me personally, and why everyone deserves compassion, dignity,and belonging.

Whatever others may call “normal,” their judgments do notdefine your worth. You do not have to become someone else to deserve love.

Join me as we consider how to become neighbors who turncompassion into action. If this episode speaks to you, please share it withsomeone who needs encouragement.

In John 4:4–30, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman beside a well. Society may have judged her because of her identity, history, and relationships—but Jesus does not shame or condemn her. He listens, answers her questions, treats her with dignity, and recognizes the gifts already within her.

This episode offers an affirming message for LGBTQ+ people and anyone who has felt judged or rejected: You do not have to erase your identity, hide the person you were created to be, or become someone else before approaching God. You are already known, welcomed, and loved.

Imagine how wonderful the world would be if we treated one another with the same compassion.

If this episode is meaningful to you, please share it with someone who may need its message.

#CreatedByGodToBe #KnownNotCondemned #LGBTQFaith #ChristianInclusion #John4