I found myself inside a very strange building where the people were involved in drugs, sex, and other provocative things that cause one to question what you believe is right and wrong. As I meandered through this unusual place the people seemed to invite me to join them. I said, “no” and kept walking around. I found a large room with many sinks and nothing else. I wanted to wash my hands so I did so, but I began to sneeze while I was at the sink. The sneeze released a flood of blood, ooze and some sticky stuff that just kept coming out of my nose. Since I was at the sink I kept trying to wash the stuff away, but it just hardened and turned into a large mess. I became afraid of what was happening and looked around for a bathroom with a shower because the stuff was now all over me. I had to walk around through the strange multi-leveled building and finally discovered a large room with high ceilings, showerheads positioned way up high with plastic sheets hanging in front of them. I stepped around the plastic sheeting and tried to find a way to turn on the shower, but couldn’t. I became frustrated and started walking around again, still covered in this mucky mess. I walked into a dim lighted room where people began to undress me. I didn’t want to be undress and had to struggle to stop them, but couldn’t. The next thing I recall was that my jeans were taken off and as they came off a lot of money and things flew from my pockets. I scrambled to collect these things and as I did others were trying to take them. I managed to get most of the money and then my clothes and dashed out a door into a parking lot. I jumped in the first car I found with keys and drove away. I soon stopped and stepped out of the car only to realize that I had just stolen a police car. I started putting my clothes on and sorting out the money I had collected when a female police officer arrived. She asked me why I had taken her car. Before I could reply another female officer arrived and began to chastise the other officer. As I listened to this argument another older female officer appeared and began arguing with the other two about what had happened, why they were at that place and who I was. I managed to get my clothes on, the money back in my pockets, and then tried to talk to them. A strange man approached me and asked me some questions, then walked away. Suddenly there were gun shots and I looked around to see people just shooting guns at the crowd around me. I felt a sudden pain in my neck and fell to the ground putting my hand over the painful area of my neck. I must have passed out because I don’t remember anything except thinking, “thank God, it’s all over now.” I was awakened by some other police officers. I got to my feet and they escorted me over to another area of the street, pointed to a man and asked if I knew who he was. I kept telling them that I didn’t know who it was, I didn’t know who it was. They finally told me that the man, the same man that talked to me earlier, had stepped in front of me to take the bullets so they wouldn’t hit me, and again asked if I knew who he was. Again I replied, “No, I don’t know who he is.” They looked at me sadly and said, “he just gave his life for you.”
I’m sure by now you are wondering what have I gotten myself into now, but please be aware that the above story is only a dream I had. I had it on Friday night and remembered it completely. Upon awakening I prayed and said, “alright I understand this dream completely, but you’ll have to show me what church I’m supposed to be attending.” On Saturday I did a Google search to find a church that was affirming, accepting, and where I felt that I could attend without fear. I found such a church. University Baptist Church on Guadalupe near the University of Texas campus. It’s a very old church with a very interesting history of being thrown out of Baptist associations because they refused to give into what others preached was right and wrong and instead followed their hearts and did what they believed was right for them. I attended that church this morning. I was surprised at the number of gay men, lesbians, older people, children, and the mixed ethnicity; however, the best part was that everyone was open, warm, and welcoming. I met with the pastor and soon realized that this was the church for me. I asked the pastor if we could meet sometime soon to discuss me becoming a member of the church, so I hope he contacts me soon. I’ve already received two phone calls from members there thanking me for attending this morning and welcoming me back. It’s a very small congregation, I’m sure because they stand on their own beliefs and are inclusive, but I cannot imagine a better place for someone like me to attend.
I look forward to attending there again and becoming part of the congregation. I know from the dream that it is where I should be because I have to finish something I started some time ago – preaching. It’s taken a long and adventurous trip to get me back to considering this, but I’m open to it now, especially since it seems I have cleansed myself of the past. The other aspect is that I have longed for the type of friendships that are developed from a church and look forward to having friends again. I do not know where all of this is leading, but I’m reading to just take the ride and discover things as they happen. Their even having their 10th annual Gay and Lesbian Baptist Retreat this month and I’ve already decided to attend.
Thought for now: What are your dreams telling you? Do you listen to your dreams and think about what your subconscious mind is trying to tell you?
