WOW! This speaks to the process or the Great Adventure that we are on in this life. I keep referring to this long-term process that defines the process of healing associated with most people who battle against same-sex attraction issues. Most want an immediate instantaneous zap from GOD. Though the LORD may do that very thing in some cases, my experience has been that it is a long-term process of healing and spiritual maturation.
Please don’t misunderstand me here. Though I believe in this process I do not mean to say it is a miserable burdensome process. Though it is not easy (does dying to self – DEATH to self – sound like fun & easy?) and it is on-going, it is also glorious and the reward is worth EVERY moment of the battle. We have been created by GOD and for GOD and He is calling us to an eternal destiny. This world is not our home. I am longing for my true home – that eternal destiny – and it has already begun.
It has been through this journey that the LORD is teaching me more about WHO He is and who I am in Christ. It has been through this journey that I am coming to learn (not so much intellectually but spiritual learning in my heart and spirit) about what it means to have an authentic intimate love relationship with GOD as opposed to simply being religious or simply being a typical Christian caught up in law and works and striving.
PLEASE READ THE DEVOTIONAL BELOW by John Elderedge
I THANK GOD FOR THE WONDERFUL PROCESS AND JOURNEY! It is all for His glory!
Truly, truly, GOD is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him! – Piper
Resting in Him,
Richard Holloman
March 14, 2010
“How Long, O Lord?”
When God comes to call Jeremiah to be his prophet of hard sayings to Judah, Jeremiah protests, saying, “‘Ah, Sovereign LORD . . . I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.’ But the LORD said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am only a child.” You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the LORD” (Jer. 1:6–8).
God is saying that these things will be done through Jeremiah’s dependence on his strength and provision, and that he will rescue him. Yet there is something about God’s rescues that make them a little less timely than dialing 911. He leaves Abraham with his knife raised and ready to plunge into Isaac’s heart, and Isaac waiting for the knife to descend; he leaves Joseph languishing for years in an Egyptian prison; he allows the Israelites to suffer four hundred years of bondage under the Egyptians and leaves those same Israelites backed against the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s chariots thundering down on them. He abandons Jesus to the cross and does not rescue him at all. And then there are those of us who, along with the saints under heaven’s very altar, are groaning under the weight of things gone wrong, waiting for that same Jesus to return and sweep us up with him in power and glory. “How long, O Lord?” we whisper in our weariness and pain.
Indeed, God calls us to battles where the deck appears stacked in favor of those who are his enemies and ours, just to increase the drama of the play. And there is the clear picture, even from God himself, that he does so to enhance his own glory.
(The Sacred Romance , 55)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
My True Identity
My father was an abusive, violent alcoholic. I was terrified of him and had deep hatred for him. He died when I was seven years old, and I rejoiced. I have no memories of my father or my mother ever holding me or expressing love for me. I grew up starving for love, nurture, acceptance and affirmation.
I was physically, verbally, emotionally and sexually abused by my father. To the best of my knowledge, the rest of my family did not know. I was introduced to pornography when I was six and molested by an older boy when I was nine.
I suffered from low self-esteem and was extremely shy. I felt a deep sense of shame about myself but couldn’t understand why. As a young boy I felt that no one cared about me or truly loved me. I did not relate to other boys or men and felt more comfortable around girls.
I began acting out sexually with other boys what I had experienced during early childhood sexual abuse. I was only seven years old when I initiated my first sexual encounter with another boy in my neighborhood. I continued acting out sexually until my exposure at age forty-five.
I made a profession of faith in Christ when I was seventeen years old, thinking that God would take away my same-sex attraction and sexual compulsion. Even so, I became deeply depressed. No one knew my secrets, and I no longer felt I could deal with my inner darkness. When in college I made my first attempt at suicide by taking three hundred aspirin tablets. I became gravely ill and was unconscious for two days, but I survived.
I married when I was twenty-one because I didn’t want anyone to suspect my secrets. Foolishly, I also thought marriage might change my desires. Though I married for the wrong reasons, I truly loved my wife and tried very hard to be a good husband and father. She was an incredible lady who expressed deep faith in God and was very loyal to me and to our son. She died in 1988 after a long battle with cancer. I was diligent to keep her from discovering my secrets, and I live with regret that I was never honest with her about my struggle.
I entered into vocational ministry as a way to medicate my profound longings for acceptance, affirmation and significance. As I continued in ministry I was living a life of duplicity. I was a pastor and a university campus minister while also acting out homosexually. Fear of losing what significance and value I felt I had earned was crippling and kept me paralyzed. I often would cry myself to sleep at night, begging God to either heal me or kill me. The enemy knew if he kept me in this unhealthy place I would never recover.
I do not use my childhood abuse as an excuse for my behavior. I take full responsibility for what I have done. While I did not choose my temptations and longings, I did choose to act on those longings; and I chose to not get help until I came to a place of absolute desperation. I believe the Lord loved me so much that He orchestrated my complete exposure to bring me to a place of submission to Him.
While serving as campus minister, I made sexual advances toward a student and was reported and fired. University officials assumed that I had suffered a mental and emotional breakdown due to my wife’s recent death. They also assumed that this was an isolated experience. I was too ashamed to be honest about the depths of my struggle with same-sex attractions and my life of homosexual behavior. I allowed them to believe their assumptions, and as a result I missed an opportunity to begin a journey of healing and recovery.
But God loved me and heard my cry and continued pursuing me. The biblical principle is that God will expose our secrets and bring things into the light (1 Cor. 4:5; Eph. 5:8-13). I always thought if I ever was found out I would end my life because it would be the very worst thing that could happen to me. But it turned out to be the very best thing that happened to me (Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28) because God forced me to begin dealing with my brokenness and sin.
God orchestrated the full disclosure of my secrets on Friday night, November 10, 1995, when a group of people confronted me. For the very first time in my life, at age forty-five, I confessed my lifelong battle with same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior.
I hurriedly left that meeting in total humiliation and shame. I pulled my car into the garage and closed the door. I wrote my son a note, grabbed my pillow, went back to the garage and started my car. I went to sleep on the concrete floor, fully expecting never to awaken. I slept through the night and woke the next morning with the car engine still running. I didn’t even have a headache from the fumes. I turned off the engine, threw the note away, loaded a rental truck with all my belongings and moved to Nashville.
I began attending church, and a few weeks later I found myself in the pastor’s office. With great fear and trembling, I began to share my story with him. This was a big moment in my life, and I didn’t know how he would respond. I really don’t know what choices I would have made if he had turned me away.
To my relief, he made arrangements for me to receive counseling. The counselor recommended the book Lifetime Guarantee by Bill Gillham, and it made a profound impact on my life. I also began an intense therapy program with two other therapists, a Christian psychologist assigned to me as a result of my suicide attempt and a counselor affiliated with Exodus International. We continued this counseling relationship for three years.
Another spiritual marker involved an evangelist who came to my church and began a worship service by asking everyone who had never known the love of an earthly father to stand. He then prayed for us.
This experience reached a deep longing in my heart. At the close of the service I found myself at the altar, crying and forgiving my father for the first time in my life. A few weeks later I visited my father’s grave and spoke to him as if he were there with me. This was a major step in my healing journey. The Lord was showing me that He is my Father.
The most important thing the Lord continues to teach me through my recovery process is that authentic Christian faith is not about law, works, flesh or self-effort but about having a personal love relationship with God. In Matthew 22 Jesus was asked, “Which commandment in the law is the greatest?” His answer: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This passage has become my life’s Scripture.
The other vital and life-changing truth the Lord continues to teach me is that I am to embrace and truly believe who God has declared me to be in Christ Jesus. The enemy is out “to steal and to kill and to destroy” (John 10:10). I believe one of his most destructive methods is getting us to a place where we believe his lies about who we are rather than believing the truth of who God says we are in Christ.
I have learned that I am not a homosexual, a fag or a queer. I am not gay, or even ex-gay. I have learned that, in Christ Jesus, I am a righteous son of God—justified, forgiven, holy and blameless, acceptable and accepted, lovable and loved, and a brother to Jesus. This is my true identity.
I continue in a process of change, healing and freedom as I grow in my understanding of these two fundamental truths; continually surrender my mind, will and emotions to Him; and submit to His truth and lordship in my life. I am becoming who the Lord says I am (Rom. 7:24-8:1; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20).
As a result of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit in my life and the Heavenly Father’s grace and mercy, I am no longer controlled by my sexual appetites. In describing my sexual brokenness I can say that what was once a raging fire consuming everything in its path is now nothing more than a small flicker of a flame. This is the ongoing work of the Lord in my life. I have never known greater joy, meaning, hope and purpose.
I feel the Lord has called me to a lifetime of making amends to the Church in general, to Southern Baptists (the denomination in which I was saved and through which I have served in ministry since 1969) and to every individual I have offended and harmed. As I share my story my prayer is that the Lord will work reconciliation and healing in the lives of those I have hurt.
God orchestrated my exposure to bring about my healing and to bring glory to His name, but it still is not easy for me to share my story. I battle with shame and guilt, and I sometimes allow the enemy to discourage me as I think about what I have done.
I know who I truly am in Christ, however, and in that confidence I share what the Lord is doing in my life. My journey is not yet complete, which is true for all of us. But I am learning that my chief purpose is “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever,” and I know that I will never be the same again.
Richard Holloman is executive director of the Sight Ministry in Nashville, TN. He also serves on the SBC’s “Task Force on Ministry to Homosexuals” http://www.sbcthewayout.com/.
I was physically, verbally, emotionally and sexually abused by my father. To the best of my knowledge, the rest of my family did not know. I was introduced to pornography when I was six and molested by an older boy when I was nine.
I suffered from low self-esteem and was extremely shy. I felt a deep sense of shame about myself but couldn’t understand why. As a young boy I felt that no one cared about me or truly loved me. I did not relate to other boys or men and felt more comfortable around girls.
I began acting out sexually with other boys what I had experienced during early childhood sexual abuse. I was only seven years old when I initiated my first sexual encounter with another boy in my neighborhood. I continued acting out sexually until my exposure at age forty-five.
I made a profession of faith in Christ when I was seventeen years old, thinking that God would take away my same-sex attraction and sexual compulsion. Even so, I became deeply depressed. No one knew my secrets, and I no longer felt I could deal with my inner darkness. When in college I made my first attempt at suicide by taking three hundred aspirin tablets. I became gravely ill and was unconscious for two days, but I survived.
I married when I was twenty-one because I didn’t want anyone to suspect my secrets. Foolishly, I also thought marriage might change my desires. Though I married for the wrong reasons, I truly loved my wife and tried very hard to be a good husband and father. She was an incredible lady who expressed deep faith in God and was very loyal to me and to our son. She died in 1988 after a long battle with cancer. I was diligent to keep her from discovering my secrets, and I live with regret that I was never honest with her about my struggle.
I entered into vocational ministry as a way to medicate my profound longings for acceptance, affirmation and significance. As I continued in ministry I was living a life of duplicity. I was a pastor and a university campus minister while also acting out homosexually. Fear of losing what significance and value I felt I had earned was crippling and kept me paralyzed. I often would cry myself to sleep at night, begging God to either heal me or kill me. The enemy knew if he kept me in this unhealthy place I would never recover.
I do not use my childhood abuse as an excuse for my behavior. I take full responsibility for what I have done. While I did not choose my temptations and longings, I did choose to act on those longings; and I chose to not get help until I came to a place of absolute desperation. I believe the Lord loved me so much that He orchestrated my complete exposure to bring me to a place of submission to Him.
While serving as campus minister, I made sexual advances toward a student and was reported and fired. University officials assumed that I had suffered a mental and emotional breakdown due to my wife’s recent death. They also assumed that this was an isolated experience. I was too ashamed to be honest about the depths of my struggle with same-sex attractions and my life of homosexual behavior. I allowed them to believe their assumptions, and as a result I missed an opportunity to begin a journey of healing and recovery.
But God loved me and heard my cry and continued pursuing me. The biblical principle is that God will expose our secrets and bring things into the light (1 Cor. 4:5; Eph. 5:8-13). I always thought if I ever was found out I would end my life because it would be the very worst thing that could happen to me. But it turned out to be the very best thing that happened to me (Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28) because God forced me to begin dealing with my brokenness and sin.
God orchestrated the full disclosure of my secrets on Friday night, November 10, 1995, when a group of people confronted me. For the very first time in my life, at age forty-five, I confessed my lifelong battle with same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior.
I hurriedly left that meeting in total humiliation and shame. I pulled my car into the garage and closed the door. I wrote my son a note, grabbed my pillow, went back to the garage and started my car. I went to sleep on the concrete floor, fully expecting never to awaken. I slept through the night and woke the next morning with the car engine still running. I didn’t even have a headache from the fumes. I turned off the engine, threw the note away, loaded a rental truck with all my belongings and moved to Nashville.
I began attending church, and a few weeks later I found myself in the pastor’s office. With great fear and trembling, I began to share my story with him. This was a big moment in my life, and I didn’t know how he would respond. I really don’t know what choices I would have made if he had turned me away.
To my relief, he made arrangements for me to receive counseling. The counselor recommended the book Lifetime Guarantee by Bill Gillham, and it made a profound impact on my life. I also began an intense therapy program with two other therapists, a Christian psychologist assigned to me as a result of my suicide attempt and a counselor affiliated with Exodus International. We continued this counseling relationship for three years.
Another spiritual marker involved an evangelist who came to my church and began a worship service by asking everyone who had never known the love of an earthly father to stand. He then prayed for us.
This experience reached a deep longing in my heart. At the close of the service I found myself at the altar, crying and forgiving my father for the first time in my life. A few weeks later I visited my father’s grave and spoke to him as if he were there with me. This was a major step in my healing journey. The Lord was showing me that He is my Father.
The most important thing the Lord continues to teach me through my recovery process is that authentic Christian faith is not about law, works, flesh or self-effort but about having a personal love relationship with God. In Matthew 22 Jesus was asked, “Which commandment in the law is the greatest?” His answer: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This passage has become my life’s Scripture.
The other vital and life-changing truth the Lord continues to teach me is that I am to embrace and truly believe who God has declared me to be in Christ Jesus. The enemy is out “to steal and to kill and to destroy” (John 10:10). I believe one of his most destructive methods is getting us to a place where we believe his lies about who we are rather than believing the truth of who God says we are in Christ.
I have learned that I am not a homosexual, a fag or a queer. I am not gay, or even ex-gay. I have learned that, in Christ Jesus, I am a righteous son of God—justified, forgiven, holy and blameless, acceptable and accepted, lovable and loved, and a brother to Jesus. This is my true identity.
I continue in a process of change, healing and freedom as I grow in my understanding of these two fundamental truths; continually surrender my mind, will and emotions to Him; and submit to His truth and lordship in my life. I am becoming who the Lord says I am (Rom. 7:24-8:1; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20).
As a result of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit in my life and the Heavenly Father’s grace and mercy, I am no longer controlled by my sexual appetites. In describing my sexual brokenness I can say that what was once a raging fire consuming everything in its path is now nothing more than a small flicker of a flame. This is the ongoing work of the Lord in my life. I have never known greater joy, meaning, hope and purpose.
I feel the Lord has called me to a lifetime of making amends to the Church in general, to Southern Baptists (the denomination in which I was saved and through which I have served in ministry since 1969) and to every individual I have offended and harmed. As I share my story my prayer is that the Lord will work reconciliation and healing in the lives of those I have hurt.
God orchestrated my exposure to bring about my healing and to bring glory to His name, but it still is not easy for me to share my story. I battle with shame and guilt, and I sometimes allow the enemy to discourage me as I think about what I have done.
I know who I truly am in Christ, however, and in that confidence I share what the Lord is doing in my life. My journey is not yet complete, which is true for all of us. But I am learning that my chief purpose is “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever,” and I know that I will never be the same again.
Richard Holloman is executive director of the Sight Ministry in Nashville, TN. He also serves on the SBC’s “Task Force on Ministry to Homosexuals” http://www.sbcthewayout.com/.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Church is Playing the Harlot
The prophecy of Hosea is a profound statement to the typical believer and to the typical church of our day. Gomer was Hosea's unfaithful wife who "played the harlot" (2:5) by chasing after other lovers. Though she continued her unfaithful sexual pursuits Hosea loved her and chased after her. In the historical context this is an incredible picture of GOD's love for His people in the Northern Kingdom (Israel). For us today it is a wake up call to face our promiscuous longings for lesser lovers in the place of being overwhelmed by GOD's great passion for us.
Let us (the Church) stop focusing on personal holiness (a list of do's & don'ts). GOD is wooing us. He is jealous when we chase after lesser lovers (it is pornographic to do so & we commit adultery). As we make love with Him we realize no other lover satisfies. This truth radically changes everything about us. May we realize our focus has been in the wrong place. NEVER focus on your behavior. . .ALWAYS focus on GOD.
The real problem with us is not our outward behavior. Our unfaithful behavior is merely symptomatic of a much deeper longing and emptiness within our heart. Our concern must not be focused on our sexual immoral behavior, or on our jealousy and envy, or on our self-centeredness, or on our nature to steal and lie and cheat. Our concern ought to be focused on why we act in such ways. It is a matter of our heart. Our hearts are empty and we are yearning for them to be filled. We pursue everything this world has to offer but we are never ultimately satisfied.
Hosea 6:6 is a clear text on this matter, "For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice (outward religious expression or activity), the knowledge (an authentic intimate love relationship, ie., sexual intercourse)of GOD rather than burnt offerings (religious activity)." Offering sacrificial animals without an inner heart of love for GOD was never a part of the biblical understanding of true salvation and redemption.
(I'm going to get into trouble here but here it goes anyway)-- The ultimate expression of love in our flesh is sexual intercourse fully culminated in orgasm. The Bible expresses our intimacy with GOD as being fully realized when we truly "know" Him (literally as through sexual intercourse).
As our hearts fall in love with our true Lover we will never have to be motivated by preachers or others, we will never have to be prodded, manipulated or made to feel guilty in order to get us to work for GOD. When we truly love our Lover we are motivated by unexplainable & incomparable spiritual pleasure, joy and satisfaction.
GOD's inconsumable love is amazing as we grow in comprehending His eternal promise, "I will take you to be My wife forever. I will take you to be My wife in righteousness, justice, love, and compassion" (2:19). Oh Lover of my soul, Oh Lover Who desires me, may You find me to be faithful only to You!
Longing for Him,
Richard Holloman
Sight Ministry
PO Box 140808
Nashville, TN 37214
615-509-0782
Let us (the Church) stop focusing on personal holiness (a list of do's & don'ts). GOD is wooing us. He is jealous when we chase after lesser lovers (it is pornographic to do so & we commit adultery). As we make love with Him we realize no other lover satisfies. This truth radically changes everything about us. May we realize our focus has been in the wrong place. NEVER focus on your behavior. . .ALWAYS focus on GOD.
The real problem with us is not our outward behavior. Our unfaithful behavior is merely symptomatic of a much deeper longing and emptiness within our heart. Our concern must not be focused on our sexual immoral behavior, or on our jealousy and envy, or on our self-centeredness, or on our nature to steal and lie and cheat. Our concern ought to be focused on why we act in such ways. It is a matter of our heart. Our hearts are empty and we are yearning for them to be filled. We pursue everything this world has to offer but we are never ultimately satisfied.
Hosea 6:6 is a clear text on this matter, "For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice (outward religious expression or activity), the knowledge (an authentic intimate love relationship, ie., sexual intercourse)of GOD rather than burnt offerings (religious activity)." Offering sacrificial animals without an inner heart of love for GOD was never a part of the biblical understanding of true salvation and redemption.
(I'm going to get into trouble here but here it goes anyway)-- The ultimate expression of love in our flesh is sexual intercourse fully culminated in orgasm. The Bible expresses our intimacy with GOD as being fully realized when we truly "know" Him (literally as through sexual intercourse).
As our hearts fall in love with our true Lover we will never have to be motivated by preachers or others, we will never have to be prodded, manipulated or made to feel guilty in order to get us to work for GOD. When we truly love our Lover we are motivated by unexplainable & incomparable spiritual pleasure, joy and satisfaction.
GOD's inconsumable love is amazing as we grow in comprehending His eternal promise, "I will take you to be My wife forever. I will take you to be My wife in righteousness, justice, love, and compassion" (2:19). Oh Lover of my soul, Oh Lover Who desires me, may You find me to be faithful only to You!
Longing for Him,
Richard Holloman
Sight Ministry
PO Box 140808
Nashville, TN 37214
615-509-0782
Saturday, December 26, 2009
I thought this was an excellent article to share on this day-after-Christmas Day:
Hopeful Post-Christmas Melancholy
Posted: 26 Dec 2009 02:22 AM PST
(Author: Jon Bloom)
Each year Christmas night finds members of my family feeling some melancholy. After weeks of anticipation, the Christmas celebrations have flashed by us and are suddenly gone. And we're left standing, watching the Christmas taillights and music fade into the night.
But it's possible that this moment of melancholy may be the best teaching moment of the whole season. Because as long as the beautiful gifts remain unopened around the tree and the events are still ahead of us, they can appear to be the hope we are waiting for. But when the tree is empty and events are past, we realize we are longing for a lasting hope.
So last night, as Pam and I tucked our kids into bed, we talked about a few things with them:
Gifts and events can't fill the soul. God gives us such things to enjoy. They are expressions of his generosity as well as ours, but gifts and celebrations themselves are not designed to satisfy. They're designed to point us to the Giver. Gifts are like sunbeams. We are not meant to love sunbeams but the Sun.
Putting our hope in gifts will leave us empty. Many people live their lives looking for the right sunbeam to make them happy. But if we depend on anything in the world to satisfy our soul's deepest desire, it will eventually leave us with that post-Christmas soul-ache. We will ask, "Is that all?" because we know deep down that's not all there is. We are designed to treasure a Person, not his things.
It is more blessed to give than receive. What kind of happiness this Christmas felt richer, getting the presents that you wanted or making someone else happy with something that you gave to them? Receiving is a blessing, but Jesus is right—giving is a greater blessing. A greedy soul lives in a small, lonely world. A generous soul lives in a wide world of love.
It's just like God to let the glitter and flash of the celebrations (even in his honor) to pass and then to come to us in the quiet, even melancholic void they leave. Because often that's when we are most likely to understand the hope he intends for us to have at Christmas.
(Originally posted 12/26/07)
Hopeful Post-Christmas Melancholy
Posted: 26 Dec 2009 02:22 AM PST
(Author: Jon Bloom)
Each year Christmas night finds members of my family feeling some melancholy. After weeks of anticipation, the Christmas celebrations have flashed by us and are suddenly gone. And we're left standing, watching the Christmas taillights and music fade into the night.
But it's possible that this moment of melancholy may be the best teaching moment of the whole season. Because as long as the beautiful gifts remain unopened around the tree and the events are still ahead of us, they can appear to be the hope we are waiting for. But when the tree is empty and events are past, we realize we are longing for a lasting hope.
So last night, as Pam and I tucked our kids into bed, we talked about a few things with them:
Gifts and events can't fill the soul. God gives us such things to enjoy. They are expressions of his generosity as well as ours, but gifts and celebrations themselves are not designed to satisfy. They're designed to point us to the Giver. Gifts are like sunbeams. We are not meant to love sunbeams but the Sun.
Putting our hope in gifts will leave us empty. Many people live their lives looking for the right sunbeam to make them happy. But if we depend on anything in the world to satisfy our soul's deepest desire, it will eventually leave us with that post-Christmas soul-ache. We will ask, "Is that all?" because we know deep down that's not all there is. We are designed to treasure a Person, not his things.
It is more blessed to give than receive. What kind of happiness this Christmas felt richer, getting the presents that you wanted or making someone else happy with something that you gave to them? Receiving is a blessing, but Jesus is right—giving is a greater blessing. A greedy soul lives in a small, lonely world. A generous soul lives in a wide world of love.
It's just like God to let the glitter and flash of the celebrations (even in his honor) to pass and then to come to us in the quiet, even melancholic void they leave. Because often that's when we are most likely to understand the hope he intends for us to have at Christmas.
(Originally posted 12/26/07)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A "Safe" Church
The following article was written by a new friend I recently met named Aarron Swartz. His response to the Sight Ministry is much different from what I have often received from typical pastors and typical churches (though there have been some positive exceptions). Aarron is a church planter in East Nashville, TN, and pastors Restoration Church. Please read the article and rejoice with me at what the LORD is doing.
A “Safe” Church
Can I be honest? Of course I can, I am writing this Lewis and I just got back from an associational meeting with other Southern Baptist church planters and I struggled with whether or not I wanted to go. Over the years, I have had bad experiences with associational meetings for various reasons ranging from boredom to politics. Frankly, I have been embarrassed at some of the petty ego issues and manipulative junk I have seen destroy SBC churches over the years. However, I am happy to say that I walked away from today’s meeting feeling hopeful about the future of SBC church planting and especially the leadership of the NBA (not the basketball league.)
In particular I met a man named Richard who has started a ministry for those coming out of a homosexual lifestyle. Richard was a pastor when he himself admitted to his own struggle with homosexuality. He was embraced by his pastor with a redemptive attitude but has seen many who have received only hatred. As we talked, we shared our frustration with the way the homosexual community has been treated and I shared with him the burden God has laid on my heart for them. In the midst of political battles and ignorance, a whole group of human beings have been made out to be something they are not. Let me state this clearly, I believe God has called His church to love all people with the mercy we ourselves have received. Some of us have fallen short by our greed, others by our pride, and still others by sexual sin, but make no mistake ALL have fallen short. ALL need Jesus.
Richard proceeded to tell me that he is looking for “Safe” churches for those struggling with homosexuality. These are churches that will embrace hurting people without judgmental attitudes and condemnation. I almost jumped out of my seat as I said to him “We are that safe church!” ”Please, send these struggling people our way!!!” I cannot tell you how badly I want Restoration church to be a group of people that actively seek out hurting people with the grace of Jesus Christ.
Along with Richard’s story and mission, I heard a planter talk about his family’s burden for muslims in Nashville and all over the world. I listened to a man moved by the plight of the homeless who is mentoring homeless missionaries. I heard Rusty Summerall from the NBA talk about the hurts that the “Church” has caused over the years and his heart to see that change. I saw humble men and women who just wanted to show others the love of Christ. Lewis and I were both very encouraged by what God is doing. Our prayer is that more and more churches will become “safe” churches. I pray that we will be known as a church who loves homosexuals and everyone else for that matter!
Bring it,
Aarron
A “Safe” Church
Can I be honest? Of course I can, I am writing this Lewis and I just got back from an associational meeting with other Southern Baptist church planters and I struggled with whether or not I wanted to go. Over the years, I have had bad experiences with associational meetings for various reasons ranging from boredom to politics. Frankly, I have been embarrassed at some of the petty ego issues and manipulative junk I have seen destroy SBC churches over the years. However, I am happy to say that I walked away from today’s meeting feeling hopeful about the future of SBC church planting and especially the leadership of the NBA (not the basketball league.)
In particular I met a man named Richard who has started a ministry for those coming out of a homosexual lifestyle. Richard was a pastor when he himself admitted to his own struggle with homosexuality. He was embraced by his pastor with a redemptive attitude but has seen many who have received only hatred. As we talked, we shared our frustration with the way the homosexual community has been treated and I shared with him the burden God has laid on my heart for them. In the midst of political battles and ignorance, a whole group of human beings have been made out to be something they are not. Let me state this clearly, I believe God has called His church to love all people with the mercy we ourselves have received. Some of us have fallen short by our greed, others by our pride, and still others by sexual sin, but make no mistake ALL have fallen short. ALL need Jesus.
Richard proceeded to tell me that he is looking for “Safe” churches for those struggling with homosexuality. These are churches that will embrace hurting people without judgmental attitudes and condemnation. I almost jumped out of my seat as I said to him “We are that safe church!” ”Please, send these struggling people our way!!!” I cannot tell you how badly I want Restoration church to be a group of people that actively seek out hurting people with the grace of Jesus Christ.
Along with Richard’s story and mission, I heard a planter talk about his family’s burden for muslims in Nashville and all over the world. I listened to a man moved by the plight of the homeless who is mentoring homeless missionaries. I heard Rusty Summerall from the NBA talk about the hurts that the “Church” has caused over the years and his heart to see that change. I saw humble men and women who just wanted to show others the love of Christ. Lewis and I were both very encouraged by what God is doing. Our prayer is that more and more churches will become “safe” churches. I pray that we will be known as a church who loves homosexuals and everyone else for that matter!
Bring it,
Aarron
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Callifornia, Gays and You
Dear Sight Ministry Partners:
Please, when you read the following article, allow the Holy Spirit to produce in you a spirit of authentic love and compassion toward the family of Harvey Milk rather than being judgmental and condemning. I would ask that you pray for Gov. Schwarzenegger and do not allow your flesh to enter into anger and hatred. It is important that as followers of Jesus that we always die to our flesh and submit to the Holy Spirit. Anger, condemnation, judgmentalism, and hatred are not included in the characteristics of Spiritual fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
There are many people who have been blinded by the true enemy concerning same-sex attraction issues. This is why the LORD raised up the SIGHT MINISTRY. The LORD has called us to follow His example in “preaching the gospel to the poor, proclaiming release to the captives, and recovery of SIGHT to the blind” and “to set free those who are downtrodden” (Luke 4:18).
I wanted to share this article with you so that, primarily, you would be aware of what is going on in our culture so you can pray for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit in the Church. It is not our calling to enter into the political arena and take up the fight against the gay movement, but rather, it is our calling to bring glory and honor to the name that is above all names and to focus on the fact that we find ultimate delight and joy in Who God is and that we point others to Him Who alone can bring lasting fulfillment and life that nothing in this world can offer including same-sex expressions of love and sex.
An important dynamic of why our culture is at this place is because an overwhelming number of believers have not experienced true redemption that resonates from a personal love relationship with our God, Creator & Father in Heaven. The day of “accepting Jesus as our Savior so that when we die we will go to Heaven” is over. That is only a part of redemption but it is not the whole story. Redemption certainly includes addressing our eternal destiny but it also addresses life now in this broken and fallen world where we are searching for the meaning and purpose of life. We have the answer but we have not always lived as though we believe it. We really don’t seem all that different from anyone else in the world. The world is not at all interested in seeing a local congregation or Christian leaders build their own little kingdom. Wearing a t-shirt and jeans and singing rock’n roll on Sunday morning does not make one necessarily culturally relevant. Submitting our self-centeredness to the Holy Spirit who then lives out the radical life and truth of Jesus through us where ever we are and where ever we go truly connects with culture. That is being culturally relevant indeed! Just simply read the words of Jesus and you will be reminded of how radical His teaching and call to life really is.
John Piper says it well: “The chief purpose of man is to glorify God BY enjoying Him forever” and also, “God is most glorified in us when we are MOST satisfied in Him.”
Don’t forget to check out the article below then pay attention to how you respond in your heart towards those individuals mentioned in the article.
Richard Holloman
The Sight Ministry
PO Box 140808
Nasvhille, TN 37214
615-509-0782
www.thesightministry.org
"How can we dare to be so absolutely unbelieving when God totally surrounds us?" - Oswald Chambers
Calif. students to learn about gay pioneer
By: Michael Foust
Original article can be found here, http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?Id=31452.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BP)--Students in many of California's public schools next year will be learning about homosexual pioneer Harvey Milk under a bill signed into law Sunday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that commemorates the life of the late politician and makes May 22 "Harvey Milk Day."
Schwarzenegger signed the bill, S.B. 572, on the last possible day he could, frustrating conservatives who had lobbied the Republican governor to veto it. Schwarzenegger vetoed an almost identical bill last year but was under more pressure to sign it in light of a movie about Milk and after President Obama awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Milk, the nation's first openly homosexual person elected to public office. Milk was a San Francisco city supervisor who was assassinated in 1978 by another supervisor.
Although observation of Harvey Milk Day is optional, many schools and teachers in the left-leaning state no doubt will take advantage of the opportunity. The text of the new law says "all public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to observe" the day.
The law further says it would be appropriate to have "exercises remembering the life of Harvey Milk, recognizing his accomplishments, and familiarizing pupils with the contributions he made to this state." The law commemorates Milk with what the state calendar calls a day of "significance." The only other such days are the Day of the Teacher (second Wednesday of May), John Muir Day (April 21) and California Poppy Day (April 6). May 22 is Milk's birthday.
Schwarzenegger also signed a bill, S.B. 54, that allows the state to recognize "gay marriages" from other states if they were performed during the nearly five months it was legal in 2008.
The Harvey Milk bill, in fact, could impact any future debate about "gay marriage" legalization in California. Public schools -- and what is and is not taught in them -- were at the forefront of last year's campaign to pass Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment that prohibited the redefinition of marriage.
Ron Prentice, the executive director of ProtectMarriage.com, which promoted Prop 8, sent an e-mail to supporters Monday telling constituents, "You may remember that during the Prop 8 campaign those pushing for homosexual marriage proclaimed that school children would not be forced to learn about homosexuality and same-sex marriage. But now, every school district in California is encouraged to honor Harvey Milk specifically for his sexual orientation."
Prentice added, "Governor Schwarzenegger, instead of acting on behalf of children and the vast majority of parents who want their children protected from indoctrination in the public schools, has instead folded his tent to the pressures of special-interest."
Schwarzenegger did not issue a signing statement, although spokesman Aaron McLear told the Associated Press that Milk "has become much more of a symbol of the gay community than he was a year ago because of those things [the movie and the White House recognition]. That made the difference from last year: he's really come to symbolize the gay community in California."
Randy Thomasson, an opponent of the law and the president of SaveCalifornia.com, had said Milk's sexual escapades made him unfit to be pushed as a role model. Thomasson's press release quoted from "The Mayor of Castro Street," a popular biography about Milk. Milk was 48 when he died but always had a desire for teen boys and men in their early 20s, the book says. He also advocated having multiple partners, it says.
Although Schwarzenegger pleased conservatives in past years by twice vetoing bills that would legalize "gay marriage," he now supports "gay marriage." He opposed Prop 8 and has done little in the past year that social conservatives support.
--30--
Michael Foust is an assistant editor of Baptist Press.
Copyright (c) 2009 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press. Visit www.bpnews.net. BP News -- witness the difference! Covering the critical issues that shape your life, work and ministry. BP News is a ministry of Baptist Press, the daily news service of Southern Baptists.
Please, when you read the following article, allow the Holy Spirit to produce in you a spirit of authentic love and compassion toward the family of Harvey Milk rather than being judgmental and condemning. I would ask that you pray for Gov. Schwarzenegger and do not allow your flesh to enter into anger and hatred. It is important that as followers of Jesus that we always die to our flesh and submit to the Holy Spirit. Anger, condemnation, judgmentalism, and hatred are not included in the characteristics of Spiritual fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
There are many people who have been blinded by the true enemy concerning same-sex attraction issues. This is why the LORD raised up the SIGHT MINISTRY. The LORD has called us to follow His example in “preaching the gospel to the poor, proclaiming release to the captives, and recovery of SIGHT to the blind” and “to set free those who are downtrodden” (Luke 4:18).
I wanted to share this article with you so that, primarily, you would be aware of what is going on in our culture so you can pray for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit in the Church. It is not our calling to enter into the political arena and take up the fight against the gay movement, but rather, it is our calling to bring glory and honor to the name that is above all names and to focus on the fact that we find ultimate delight and joy in Who God is and that we point others to Him Who alone can bring lasting fulfillment and life that nothing in this world can offer including same-sex expressions of love and sex.
An important dynamic of why our culture is at this place is because an overwhelming number of believers have not experienced true redemption that resonates from a personal love relationship with our God, Creator & Father in Heaven. The day of “accepting Jesus as our Savior so that when we die we will go to Heaven” is over. That is only a part of redemption but it is not the whole story. Redemption certainly includes addressing our eternal destiny but it also addresses life now in this broken and fallen world where we are searching for the meaning and purpose of life. We have the answer but we have not always lived as though we believe it. We really don’t seem all that different from anyone else in the world. The world is not at all interested in seeing a local congregation or Christian leaders build their own little kingdom. Wearing a t-shirt and jeans and singing rock’n roll on Sunday morning does not make one necessarily culturally relevant. Submitting our self-centeredness to the Holy Spirit who then lives out the radical life and truth of Jesus through us where ever we are and where ever we go truly connects with culture. That is being culturally relevant indeed! Just simply read the words of Jesus and you will be reminded of how radical His teaching and call to life really is.
John Piper says it well: “The chief purpose of man is to glorify God BY enjoying Him forever” and also, “God is most glorified in us when we are MOST satisfied in Him.”
Don’t forget to check out the article below then pay attention to how you respond in your heart towards those individuals mentioned in the article.
Richard Holloman
The Sight Ministry
PO Box 140808
Nasvhille, TN 37214
615-509-0782
www.thesightministry.org
"How can we dare to be so absolutely unbelieving when God totally surrounds us?" - Oswald Chambers
Calif. students to learn about gay pioneer
By: Michael Foust
Original article can be found here, http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?Id=31452.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BP)--Students in many of California's public schools next year will be learning about homosexual pioneer Harvey Milk under a bill signed into law Sunday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that commemorates the life of the late politician and makes May 22 "Harvey Milk Day."
Schwarzenegger signed the bill, S.B. 572, on the last possible day he could, frustrating conservatives who had lobbied the Republican governor to veto it. Schwarzenegger vetoed an almost identical bill last year but was under more pressure to sign it in light of a movie about Milk and after President Obama awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Milk, the nation's first openly homosexual person elected to public office. Milk was a San Francisco city supervisor who was assassinated in 1978 by another supervisor.
Although observation of Harvey Milk Day is optional, many schools and teachers in the left-leaning state no doubt will take advantage of the opportunity. The text of the new law says "all public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to observe" the day.
The law further says it would be appropriate to have "exercises remembering the life of Harvey Milk, recognizing his accomplishments, and familiarizing pupils with the contributions he made to this state." The law commemorates Milk with what the state calendar calls a day of "significance." The only other such days are the Day of the Teacher (second Wednesday of May), John Muir Day (April 21) and California Poppy Day (April 6). May 22 is Milk's birthday.
Schwarzenegger also signed a bill, S.B. 54, that allows the state to recognize "gay marriages" from other states if they were performed during the nearly five months it was legal in 2008.
The Harvey Milk bill, in fact, could impact any future debate about "gay marriage" legalization in California. Public schools -- and what is and is not taught in them -- were at the forefront of last year's campaign to pass Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment that prohibited the redefinition of marriage.
Ron Prentice, the executive director of ProtectMarriage.com, which promoted Prop 8, sent an e-mail to supporters Monday telling constituents, "You may remember that during the Prop 8 campaign those pushing for homosexual marriage proclaimed that school children would not be forced to learn about homosexuality and same-sex marriage. But now, every school district in California is encouraged to honor Harvey Milk specifically for his sexual orientation."
Prentice added, "Governor Schwarzenegger, instead of acting on behalf of children and the vast majority of parents who want their children protected from indoctrination in the public schools, has instead folded his tent to the pressures of special-interest."
Schwarzenegger did not issue a signing statement, although spokesman Aaron McLear told the Associated Press that Milk "has become much more of a symbol of the gay community than he was a year ago because of those things [the movie and the White House recognition]. That made the difference from last year: he's really come to symbolize the gay community in California."
Randy Thomasson, an opponent of the law and the president of SaveCalifornia.com, had said Milk's sexual escapades made him unfit to be pushed as a role model. Thomasson's press release quoted from "The Mayor of Castro Street," a popular biography about Milk. Milk was 48 when he died but always had a desire for teen boys and men in their early 20s, the book says. He also advocated having multiple partners, it says.
Although Schwarzenegger pleased conservatives in past years by twice vetoing bills that would legalize "gay marriage," he now supports "gay marriage." He opposed Prop 8 and has done little in the past year that social conservatives support.
--30--
Michael Foust is an assistant editor of Baptist Press.
Copyright (c) 2009 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press. Visit www.bpnews.net. BP News -- witness the difference! Covering the critical issues that shape your life, work and ministry. BP News is a ministry of Baptist Press, the daily news service of Southern Baptists.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Truth About Exodus Ministries
The following article does a good job setting the record straight concerning the mission, beliefs, and methods of Exodus International ministries. I hope you will read the article. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you need assistance. Phone: 615-509-0782. Email: richard@thesightministry.org
October 7, 2009 by Julie Neils
Filed under Culture, Educate, Featured, Homosexuality, Pop Culture, Post-gay, Youth & Young Adults
I’m always curious to see what people are saying about Exodus and as the PR person, I’m pretty sure there’s something in my job description about that too. I’ve heard some winners in the years I’ve spent working on and around this subject. Hmm . let’s see. According to some, Exodus believes in inhumane psychiatry that harkens back to the Dark Ages. Others say we peddle nonsensical, mind-altering remedies to unsuspecting prey that erases any and all attractions. Still others’ seem to think we hold mysterious camps with all the security measures of the FBI training facility in Quantico – just in case anyone would think of escaping. Of course, none of that is remotely true and all of it is wholly laughable, but it is amazing how hearsay begats rumors and rumors begat hard news. So, here’s the 411 on the top myths about Exodus International to set the record straight (no pun intended):
THE CURE . . . and I don’t mean the 80’s band:
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard the words, “Exodus International” and “religious group that claims to cure gays” in a sentence I’d be rich . . . and in Tahiti right now. Seriously, though, the Bible teaches that the only form of sexual expression God intended for His creation is between a man and woman married to one another. All else, heterosexual or homosexual, falls outside of His plan and constitutes as sin. That said, not many wake up one morning, down their coffee and decide to be gay. As complex human beings, sexual attractions develop for many known and unknown reasons and no one chooses those, but as sexual beings, we all make decisions about how to express ourselves. For those who consider the Bible to be life-giving truth, homosexual attractions and the desire to act on them are at odds with the desire to live a life that reflects the Christian faith and often results in moral tension. We know, though, that pursuing a relationship with God over these attractions, won’t always make the feelings go away. They may stay the same, lessen or possibly shift towards the opposite sex. That’s not the point. The point is to pursue a life beyond attractions, feelings and societal labels that is guided and defined by Jesus Christ and truth of Scripture. And for the record, living with conflicted desires is not the same as living a life dominated by them! So, to sum up, we don’t believe there is a “cure” for homosexuality, adultery, arrogance, gossip or any other sin. There is, however, Jesus who paid the price for it all when He died on the cross. Then there is the daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, decision to live a life congruent with His teaching.
AVERSION, I mean CONVERSION THERAPY:
“So, how does it work, conversion therapy, I mean?” is an all-too-common question most Exodus staffers are asked on a routine basis. Truthfully, most of us don’t know. Furthermore, most of us don’t know anyone who has actually undergone this type of therapy. It’s only used by a handful of professionals, but for some reason, folks seem to think that it’s the primary function of Exodus. It’s not. “Reparative or conversion therapy” is a counseling method used in addressing unwanted same-sex attraction to repair the damage of past relationships that may have contributed to its initial development. In general, we think every professional and their client ought to be able to determine the methods and options most helpful in accomplishing their joint goals, including this one, but it isn’t the sole approach used, nor is it essential. That’s because the decision to leave a gay identity behind isn’t necessarily about one method, one program, one counseling approach our even about becoming straight. It’s about pursuing a Christ-centered identity rooted in God’s definition of us as individuals.
U.S.S. PRAY THE GAY AWAY:
Prayer is certainly an important part of a Christian’s life, but it’s not a magic formula. If you find one let us know. J This mantra ignorantly dismisses the complicated issues that often underlie attractions and deeper still – identity. As I said before, we don’t think many, if any, wake up one morning, down their coffee and decide to be gay. Sexual attractions develop for many known and unknown reasons and no one chooses those. As complex individuals, we must also take into account the way others hurt us and the way we hurt ourselves. For many who contact Exodus, hurt has become a familiar, but unwelcome fixture in life. Talking to God about these things is part of a dynamic relationship with Him, but it doesn’t always change the fact that dealing with it is just plain hard work.
CAMP GAYBEGONE:
As for those mysterious gay-to-straight “boot camps,” they don’t exist. And neither do any other Exodus camps – mosquito infested or otherwise. We do have an annual conference and some local ones too – held at churches, conference centers and Christian college campuses -just like other Christian conferences, though I’ll freely admit that the content is eye-poppingly unlike most other Christian conferences. We aren’t interested in bludgeoning others with our big black Bibles or our views. Truth be told, we can barely keep up with the 300,000 calls and e-mails we get every year from those who do want our input.
Exodus International doesn’t exist to make gay people straight, promote a formula for “success,” to make money or even to pass legislation. We exist to help others live a life that reflects the Christian faith. We’ve found that the opposite of homosexuality is most certainly not heterosexuality. It is holiness. It is loving God and being loved by Him. It is accepting His identity for us, instead of everyone else’s. But those things don’t often make headlines and I suspect that, unfortunately, we’ll continue to see more crazy things out there churning around in the rumor mill.
October 7, 2009 by Julie Neils
Filed under Culture, Educate, Featured, Homosexuality, Pop Culture, Post-gay, Youth & Young Adults
I’m always curious to see what people are saying about Exodus and as the PR person, I’m pretty sure there’s something in my job description about that too. I’ve heard some winners in the years I’ve spent working on and around this subject. Hmm . let’s see. According to some, Exodus believes in inhumane psychiatry that harkens back to the Dark Ages. Others say we peddle nonsensical, mind-altering remedies to unsuspecting prey that erases any and all attractions. Still others’ seem to think we hold mysterious camps with all the security measures of the FBI training facility in Quantico – just in case anyone would think of escaping. Of course, none of that is remotely true and all of it is wholly laughable, but it is amazing how hearsay begats rumors and rumors begat hard news. So, here’s the 411 on the top myths about Exodus International to set the record straight (no pun intended):
THE CURE . . . and I don’t mean the 80’s band:
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard the words, “Exodus International” and “religious group that claims to cure gays” in a sentence I’d be rich . . . and in Tahiti right now. Seriously, though, the Bible teaches that the only form of sexual expression God intended for His creation is between a man and woman married to one another. All else, heterosexual or homosexual, falls outside of His plan and constitutes as sin. That said, not many wake up one morning, down their coffee and decide to be gay. As complex human beings, sexual attractions develop for many known and unknown reasons and no one chooses those, but as sexual beings, we all make decisions about how to express ourselves. For those who consider the Bible to be life-giving truth, homosexual attractions and the desire to act on them are at odds with the desire to live a life that reflects the Christian faith and often results in moral tension. We know, though, that pursuing a relationship with God over these attractions, won’t always make the feelings go away. They may stay the same, lessen or possibly shift towards the opposite sex. That’s not the point. The point is to pursue a life beyond attractions, feelings and societal labels that is guided and defined by Jesus Christ and truth of Scripture. And for the record, living with conflicted desires is not the same as living a life dominated by them! So, to sum up, we don’t believe there is a “cure” for homosexuality, adultery, arrogance, gossip or any other sin. There is, however, Jesus who paid the price for it all when He died on the cross. Then there is the daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, decision to live a life congruent with His teaching.
AVERSION, I mean CONVERSION THERAPY:
“So, how does it work, conversion therapy, I mean?” is an all-too-common question most Exodus staffers are asked on a routine basis. Truthfully, most of us don’t know. Furthermore, most of us don’t know anyone who has actually undergone this type of therapy. It’s only used by a handful of professionals, but for some reason, folks seem to think that it’s the primary function of Exodus. It’s not. “Reparative or conversion therapy” is a counseling method used in addressing unwanted same-sex attraction to repair the damage of past relationships that may have contributed to its initial development. In general, we think every professional and their client ought to be able to determine the methods and options most helpful in accomplishing their joint goals, including this one, but it isn’t the sole approach used, nor is it essential. That’s because the decision to leave a gay identity behind isn’t necessarily about one method, one program, one counseling approach our even about becoming straight. It’s about pursuing a Christ-centered identity rooted in God’s definition of us as individuals.
U.S.S. PRAY THE GAY AWAY:
Prayer is certainly an important part of a Christian’s life, but it’s not a magic formula. If you find one let us know. J This mantra ignorantly dismisses the complicated issues that often underlie attractions and deeper still – identity. As I said before, we don’t think many, if any, wake up one morning, down their coffee and decide to be gay. Sexual attractions develop for many known and unknown reasons and no one chooses those. As complex individuals, we must also take into account the way others hurt us and the way we hurt ourselves. For many who contact Exodus, hurt has become a familiar, but unwelcome fixture in life. Talking to God about these things is part of a dynamic relationship with Him, but it doesn’t always change the fact that dealing with it is just plain hard work.
CAMP GAYBEGONE:
As for those mysterious gay-to-straight “boot camps,” they don’t exist. And neither do any other Exodus camps – mosquito infested or otherwise. We do have an annual conference and some local ones too – held at churches, conference centers and Christian college campuses -just like other Christian conferences, though I’ll freely admit that the content is eye-poppingly unlike most other Christian conferences. We aren’t interested in bludgeoning others with our big black Bibles or our views. Truth be told, we can barely keep up with the 300,000 calls and e-mails we get every year from those who do want our input.
Exodus International doesn’t exist to make gay people straight, promote a formula for “success,” to make money or even to pass legislation. We exist to help others live a life that reflects the Christian faith. We’ve found that the opposite of homosexuality is most certainly not heterosexuality. It is holiness. It is loving God and being loved by Him. It is accepting His identity for us, instead of everyone else’s. But those things don’t often make headlines and I suspect that, unfortunately, we’ll continue to see more crazy things out there churning around in the rumor mill.
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