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Thoughts on How to Handle Imperfect Holidays

November 30, 2009 By Randy Thomas
griswolds

I pray that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of good rest, fellowship with family and a good reason to create a longer gratitude list. I know some people might be dealing with the Holiday hangover in a couple of ways. And I am not just talking about those who drink alcohol. Some of us (me) will go to our gym today and add a bit more resistance to the elliptical machine to burn off that chocolate chip pecan pie we (I) had over Thanksgiving. Sidenote: Can I just say, that's the best pie ever.  My one word food review is, "YU-uh-UH-uMMY!" Some of us will also sit down at our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Encourage, Exodus Blog, Featured, Support Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Happy Thanksgiving from Exodus! (Video)

November 25, 2009 By Randy Thomas

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Filed Under: Encourage, Exodus Blog, Featured, Friendship, Post-gay Tagged With: , , ,

Charisma News Online Picks Up Uganda Story

November 24, 2009 By Randy Thomas
Charisma

and quotes yours truly ... A prominent ex-gay ministry is speaking out against a proposed law in Uganda that could criminalize anyone involved in same-sex sexual relationships and anyone knowledgeable of those affairs. Exodus International leaders said the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, introduced into the Ugandan Parliament on Oct. 14 to affirm traditional family values, discriminates against people with same-sex attraction. "Overall the bill's intent is to silence, intimidate and oppress people who have same sex attraction," said Randy Thomas, executive vice president of Exodus … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Around the World, Church, Culture, Educate, Exodus Blog, Featured, Gay, Homosexuality, Media Mentions, Post-gay, Uganda, Websites Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

AIDS Organization “Muzzling” Christians – Why? What To Do?

November 24, 2009 By Randy Thomas

One of my Facebook friends sent me this message: Hi, Randy. Last week I began orientation for (edited name of an organization out for confidentiality.) It is an interfaith organization that mininsters to people living with HIV/AIDS. I had continuing education this Monday through Wednesday. The training materials are awesome and the presenters of the different topics are committed to the cause. But volunteers are forbidden to share their faith or challenge their current behavior, which may be sinful and risky. They striclty forbid what they call proselytizing and will expell a volunteer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Featured, Friendship, Gay, Homosexuality, Post-gay, Q & A, Religious Liberty Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Manhattan Declaration on Marriage

November 23, 2009 By Randy Thomas
Manhattan Declaration

Last week 152 Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical leaders issued the Manhattan Declaration that makes a commitment to speak to issues of Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty (link to file download at the end of the post.)  The authors did a very good job of explaining their positions and intentions within the manifesto. For the purposes of this post I am quoting the section on marriage. I am interested in your feedback.  That said, the bolded emphasis in parts of this quote are mine to highlight what stood out to me. Sidenote: As far as I know, Alan Chambers wasn't aware of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bi-sexuality, Church, Culture, Educate, Exodus Blog, Featured, Gay, Homosexuality, Lesbian, Marriage, Pop Culture, Post-gay, Religious Liberty, Sexuality, Spouses, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How Do Parents of Gay-Identified children Handle the Holidays?

November 20, 2009 By Terri Brown
family

For parents of adult children involved in homosexuality, the holidays can be anything but ‘happy’ and ‘merry.’ The issue of homosexuality is dividing families everywhere and holidays can be especially difficult. Thankfully, it can also be a time of mending relationships and building new ones. As the mother of a gay-identified son, I’ve had to face this ‘holiday’ issue. The first time my son, who lives in another state, called and said, “Mom, Larry* and I want to come see you and Dad for Christmas,” I took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and replied, “You know you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Encourage, Exodus Blog, Featured, Gay, Homosexuality, Lesbian, Parents, Post-gay, Testimonies Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In Sexuality Struggles, Hold on to Biblical Truths

November 20, 2009 By Kirk Chambers
Orlando Sentinel

In sexuality struggles, hold on to biblical truths (published in the Orlando Sentinel November 1, 2009) It is troubling to watch more denominations and Christian leaders so easily turn away from biblical truths and principles. In recent months, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America voted to allow congregations to hire clergy involved in same-sex relationships, and now we are seeing the National Episcopal Church heading in that same direction ("SC Episcopal diocese to distance itself from national church over gay unions, other issues," OrlandoSentinel.com, Oct. 24). It is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Educate, Episcopal, Exodus Blog, Featured, Homosexuality, Lutherans, Media Mentions, Print Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Puerto Rican Youth Did Not Deserve Death

November 19, 2009 By Chris Stump
hatecrimevictim

A tragic story has come out of Puerto Rico reporting a gay youth was brutally murdered.  Jorge Steven Lopez was found over the weekend – decapitated, burned, and dismembered.  Many people are reporting that this was a crime simply enacted because Lopez was gay.  But, the suspect tells a different story.  According to the killer, Lopez allegedly told him to have anal sex with him and this provoked rage in the killer which ultimately resulted in Steven’s death.  Regardless of whether the killer is telling the truth or not, that excuse in no way justifies brutal murder. This is a very … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Around the World, Crimes, Educate, Exodus Blog, Featured, Gay, Homosexuality, Puerto Rico, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Of Politics & People: Part Two by Alan Chambers

November 19, 2009 By Alan Chambers
supreme court

Yesterday I shared some of my heart on politics and people and how muddy things can get when we don't represent Christ's heart fully and operate with 100% of His grace and 100% of His truth. I wasn't quite finished on the subject so here are some of my ongoing thoughts on the matter. It's inevitable that some may misread my intent and my heart so I want to be as clear as I can be. I am concerned about hate crimes, preserving our religious liberties and freedom of speech. I am pro-marriage and care deeply about all the ways I see this God-ordained institution crumbling. Take divorce for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Culture, Educate, Exodus Blog, Featured, Homosexuality, Marriage, Religious Liberty, Sexuality Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Of Politics & People: Part One by Alan Chambers

November 18, 2009 By Alan Chambers
Capitol Hill

I'm kind of a news junkie and a bit of a policy wonk too. When it comes to policy and politics, I am unapologetically engaged as a citizen of the county, city, state and country in which I live. When it comes to opinions, I have them readily available on every subject and on every person. I could (but don’t) tweet out updates all day long on political issues as well as all the moronic things that our elected leaders (on both sides) do! A blogger friend of mine asked me recently whether or not I thought speaking out on policy matters was counterproductive to reaching gay people for Christ - … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Culture, Educate, Exodus Blog, Featured, Gay, Homosexuality, Lesbian, Marriage, Post-gay, Religious Liberty Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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