And You Invited Me In was written in response to what Cheryl saw happening in our conservative community after a friend died of AIDS. Cheryl grew up in the conservative South, and at one time she considered herself to be the "conservative of the conservatives." Yet when the words of Jesus were being ignored...that got her attention.

Actually this story began over three decades ago. One May evening she told her friend, Karen, that she could not eat dinner with Karen and her husband because they were also inviting a gay man to dinner. Cheryl says "I told her that my Christian beliefs prevented me from eating dinner with someone gay. However, God was chuckling, because when I changed jobs the next week this same man worked across the hall from me."

Ironically, during this time close friends separated when the husband found a same-sex partner. Then to her utter surprise, a former student left the ministry to become a hairstylist, and get a same-sex partner. The common thread in these three stories is that all these men were affiliated with her church at one time, and the church just swept them under the carpet. "It was as if their place in our community of believers never existed.  Maybe they didn't know how to address the situation...I just don't know, but we 'forgot' them."

The final event that opened her eyes was in 1992 when her landlord was dying of AIDS. This man was very involved in the same mega-church that Cheryl and her husband, Michael, were members of in a major Southern city. Almost over night when this man became very sick and the Tylers had to get things ready for his unsuspecting family. Cheryl called their church--one that put rigid requirements on the gay community and people with AIDS--and the minister only visited one time.

Cheryl could not understand the lack of response, but it was similar to what happened to her friends many years before. She realized that the church needs to understand that if we live like Jesus lived, that we would be embracing instead of rejecting our loved ones. It was then that her husband suggested that she write a book.

And You Invited Me In, is about reaching out beyond our comfort zone to embrace those who have hurt or rejected us. It is about unconditional love that goes beyond the social rules of the community. It is about hearing the heart of the person who is wounded and applying the balm of unconditional love.

After reading the book, Shawn from East Tennessee wrote, "Wow...It's like you've been watching my entire life and recorded it..." And You Invited Me In is a novel for today.

Cheryl,

I’m so proud of you and the work that you have done to create this ever so timely book. You have masterfully woven the worlds that so often wage war at each other…the church and homosexuality….but you sensitively show a respect for each and show us relationship is possible after religion. It is our prayer that pastors and leaders across the globe will read this and open their hearts to a community that God has not shut out.

God Bless!
Todd Ferrell
President
The Evangelical Network

Here's a bit more about Cheryl:

What's on my iPod? Right now there's romance music: Etta James, Elton John, Lionel Richie and Air Supply, to name a few. However, I'm thinking about pulling in a bit of Michael W. Smith, Nicole C. Mullen, and Shady Grove music.

What am I reading? I've just finished Prison to Praise and They Speak With Other Tongues, and have started Dennis Bennett's The Holy Spirit and You. The next book up will be something by Brennan Manning. All time favorites are: Randy Alcorn's Deadline, and Randall Arthur's Wisdom Hunter and Betrayal. Anything Peretti. And my own book!

When the TV's on what do I watch? Generally in our home the Disney Channel is what we watch; The Weather Channel is also a must since we're having a tornado year. When I get the remote I really like old shows like Andy of Mayberry and Green Acres. A special event would be seeing a Man From UNCLE marathon.

What movies do I watch over and over? It's A Wonderful Life, Mamma Mia, Bobby, Chariots of Fire, and The Godfather. Other than that I love romantic comedies.

What do I do in my spare time? This past year spare time has been very limited.I like Facebook because I'm connecting with my peeps who live in other parts of the world as well as some friends I haven't seen in 30-40 years! Of course I love writing and being with the family...especially on a road trip!

What's on the calendar? Going to hear John Paul Jackson at Christ Chapel for Mother's Day. SpiritFest, TEN conference, a family reunion in Texas, Tennessee CFO, my 55th birthday and maybe a quick trip to NYC when we take Liz back to Virginia. Then let's get ready for the kick-off of football!

What do I want to happen before the end of the year? Be able to help another Saturday with White Rock Friends (AIDS ministry) in Dallas, manage to see Kirk Talley in concert (our schedules don't seem to coincide), and see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra again! Hope the family will come up for the holidays, and maybe a wedding!