Although you asked for a native speaker to give their two cents, I am not one
But no matter what way you look at it, like KyleGoetz, the reason will
always come before から, and anyone who tells you otherwise is full of crap.
It's like saying that order doesn't matter in English when the reason comes after "because"
"I am sad, because it's raining" can only ever mean just that.
You can't just suddenly decide that you want the reason to be in front of "because", imagine how confusing life would get
I don't think whoever it is that is telling you these things actually knows what they are talking about.
Also chryuop, thank you for that link, I re-read this thread and realized that I had just mis-read KyleGoetz post a bit.