Photo Credit: World Magazine
You might be a pharisee if you are puzzled by this question or immediately dismiss is it because you think you aren’t guilty of committing at least one. Let me help you out by assuring you that you have indeed committed an abomination if you have ever taken a breath. No one’s exempt. Anyone yelling at me through the computer screen yet? You can get as red-faced as you want, but be careful because you might commit an abomination in the process.
If I had even a penny for every time someone has objected to my “sin is sin” comment I wouldn’t need to take a salary at Exodus. It seems that Christians are obsessed with continuing to promote the myth that there are sin levels. Under this hierarchy sins like homosexuality and other impolite maladies are classified as abominations or the most offensive. To be biblically accurate, in the original text homosexuality is used in conjunction with the Hebrew word for abomination which is toeva. You won’t get an argument from me about the fact that homosexuality is definitely listed in the BIble as an abomination. However, let’s just for a moment take a look at the most quoted verses on the topic of abominations:
Proverbs 6:16-19: 16 There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness {who} utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. (NAS)
So, again, what’s your abomination? We’ve all committed them multiple times. I mean come on, how many church splits happen in the course of a day? Hundreds? How many of us are guilty of devising wicked plans to oust this leader or oppose that program? How many of us are quick to run into evil gossip sessions about those in the church (not to mention those outside of the church) with whom we find fault? Haughty eyes? Um, according to a now ancient statistic from Promise Keepers upwards of 65% of Christian men were addicted to porn in the year 2002—the statistic today must be staggering. Any liars out there?
Crickets. Do you hear them?
So, this morning when I read a blog post on a conservative blog boasting disgust over the abomination of homosexuality and those involved in it I thought I’d level the playing field a bit. You won’t find me condoning sexual sin of any sort but I am sick and tired of hearing it singled out by the religiously proud who are content to wallow in their own abominable practices of demonizing people that Christ actively loves and died to have a relationship with.
Sick of the anger and bitterness from gay activists? Well then cool your tongue and quit giving them more fuel for their fire. Some of their bitterness and anger is rooted in how some Christians and churches have treated them—some rooted in circumstances beyond our control (sin hates truth). But, there is no denying that we in the Church have often cared more about being morally right and winning politically than being loving and winning people into the Kingdom. Do you feel badly about that and want to know how to live by your convictions and yet love people in a way that is undeniable? Think of how God forgave you once and for all when you gave your heart to Him. It’s called grace! We could stand to give out of the abundance of which we’ve been given.
About Alan Chambers
Thanks, Alan, for sharing your thoughts. I continually need to be reminded that the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. My devotional reading in Matthew 11:28-30 this morning reminded me that my Savior, the Lord Jesus, is a gentle, humble teacher. A student becomes like his teacher. May it be so. Grace and truth–a two-sided coin. -Eileen Rife, author of RESTORED HEARTS, Book two in the Born for India trilogy. One brother’s dark secret. Another brother’s scorn. Will family ties be strong enough to bind two wounded hearts, once the secret is revealed? http://www.oaktara.com
Thanks, Alan, for sharing your thoughts. I continually need to be reminded that the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. My devotional reading in Matthew 11:28-30 this morning reminded me that my Savior, the Lord Jesus, is a gentle, humble teacher. A student becomes like his teacher. May it be so. Grace and truth–a two-sided coin. -Eileen Rife, author of RESTORED HEARTS, Book two in the Born for India trilogy. One brother’s dark secret. Another brother’s scorn. Will family ties be strong enough to bind two wounded hearts, once the secret is revealed? http://www.oaktara.com
It couldn’t be said any better than that. I often wonder how some skip over the stories where Jesus loves the prostitutes and drunkards but condemns the Pharisees.
It couldn’t be said any better than that. I often wonder how some skip over the stories where Jesus loves the prostitutes and drunkards but condemns the Pharisees.
AMEN!! Thanks for saying it so clearly and succinctly, Alan.
AMEN!! Thanks for saying it so clearly and succinctly, Alan.
It is one thing to stand on the outside of the GLBT community and throw stones. It is a very different thing when close friends elope to a state which has same-sex marriage to make their relationship legal. As a believer, everything about this situation is abhorrent to me; yet, G-d continues to fill me with grace and love for my friends, even as He opens my eyes so that I can better discern where the lines are in this very hot spiritual battle.
I NEED TO KNOW where and how the enemy deceives us in order to guard my heart and be a more effective warrior. In order to do this, I NEED TO KNOW what my abominations are and how they develop in my life.
Thank you for such an insightful article.
It is one thing to stand on the outside of the GLBT community and throw stones. It is a very different thing when close friends elope to a state which has same-sex marriage to make their relationship legal. As a believer, everything about this situation is abhorrent to me; yet, G-d continues to fill me with grace and love for my friends, even as He opens my eyes so that I can better discern where the lines are in this very hot spiritual battle.
I NEED TO KNOW where and how the enemy deceives us in order to guard my heart and be a more effective warrior. In order to do this, I NEED TO KNOW what my abominations are and how they develop in my life.
Thank you for such an insightful article.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments and for posting on FB and Twitter.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments and for posting on FB and Twitter.
Alan,
It is true that without forgiveness through an the blood atonement of Christ the smallest sin is damnable.
It is also true that the wages of sin is death and the very first law which demanded death was the eating of forbidden piece of fruit. (Romans 6:23; Genesis 2:17)
It is also true that if you break one law of God, you are a law-breaker. (James 2:10)
However, does this mean that all sins are equal? Is lying the same as committing murder?
Apparently not, for the midwives were justified by their faith when they disobeyed the law and lied to Pharaoh to protect Jewish children as was Rahab the Harlot when she lied to protect the spies. In other words, lying to evil people to protect innocent life is not evil but good.
In fact, even Jesus said that some commandments were more important than others and he rebuked the Pharisees for neglecting the “weightier matters of the law.” (Matthew 23:23)
Likewise Paul said that because the body of the Christian is a temple of the Holy Spirit, to commit a sin with the body such as having sex with a prostitute is a worse sin than those done outside the body. (1 Corinthians 6:15-20)
This is why the Westminster Larger Catechism Q&A 150 states:
“All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.”[1]
In fact, there is one sin that is actually unforgivable, which is to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, which is to attribute to the Holy Spirit the works of the devil (Matthew 12:31).
Jesus also states that those who hear the gospel and reject it will suffer greater condemnation than sodom and Gomorra.(Matthew 11:24)
Now, having said all that it seems many churches tend to place a special stigma on certain sins and temptations so as to foster “lower than me” Pharisaical attitude such that Christians end up thinking very little of their own sin but look down upon others, particularly homosexuals and people with SSA.
It is this sort of pride that was at the heart of Lucifer’s fall, it is the very essence of Pharisaism and may so-called fundamentalist and conservative churches seriously need to repent of it
Foot Note:
[1.] John 19:11; Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 15; 1 John 5:16; Psalm 78:17, 32, 56
Alan,
It is true that without forgiveness through an the blood atonement of Christ the smallest sin is damnable.
It is also true that the wages of sin is death and the very first law which demanded death was the eating of forbidden piece of fruit. (Romans 6:23; Genesis 2:17)
It is also true that if you break one law of God, you are a law-breaker. (James 2:10)
However, does this mean that all sins are equal? Is lying the same as committing murder?
Apparently not, for the midwives were justified by their faith when they disobeyed the law and lied to Pharaoh to protect Jewish children as was Rahab the Harlot when she lied to protect the spies. In other words, lying to evil people to protect innocent life is not evil but good.
In fact, even Jesus said that some commandments were more important than others and he rebuked the Pharisees for neglecting the “weightier matters of the law.” (Matthew 23:23)
Likewise Paul said that because the body of the Christian is a temple of the Holy Spirit, to commit a sin with the body such as having sex with a prostitute is a worse sin than those done outside the body. (1 Corinthians 6:15-20)
This is why the Westminster Larger Catechism Q&A 150 states:
“All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.”[1]
In fact, there is one sin that is actually unforgivable, which is to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, which is to attribute to the Holy Spirit the works of the devil (Matthew 12:31).
Jesus also states that those who hear the gospel and reject it will suffer greater condemnation than sodom and Gomorra.(Matthew 11:24)
Now, having said all that it seems many churches tend to place a special stigma on certain sins and temptations so as to foster “lower than me” Pharisaical attitude such that Christians end up thinking very little of their own sin but look down upon others, particularly homosexuals and people with SSA.
It is this sort of pride that was at the heart of Lucifer’s fall, it is the very essence of Pharisaism and may so-called fundamentalist and conservative churches seriously need to repent of it
Foot Note:
[1.] John 19:11; Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 15; 1 John 5:16; Psalm 78:17, 32, 56
Mr. Chambers? I couldn’t agree with you more. When it comes to the sin of homosexuality, there are many not all, but again, many Christians that are very judgmental when it comes to the sin of homosexuality. Yet, when you get saved, there still are many who have a judgmental ruler in hand. I’m saved but I was condemned by a Christian who is a Bible theologian and who knows the Bible like the back of his hand. He really gave me a bad time because my sin of homosexuality wasn’t gone by the snap of his fingers. I said, to the person, I wish I had another sin to deal with like alcoholism or being a drug addict then I wouldn’t be so hassled. The person looked at me like he didn’t disagree with what I said, amazing! . That person was reflecting his personal issues not reflecting Jesus or rather, Yeshua. However, I got intimidated by the man because he was so knowledgeable about the Bible. As a result, the image of Yeshua always reflected this individual in my mind. I couldn’t separate Yeshua from this Christian individual because he seemed so pious and well connected with Yeshua much more than I. So I saw Yeshua as this sour image. Everything got distorted in my mind. However, I had to do some readjusting and focus on Yeshua, and his word verses an individual who was blocking my path in my walk with Yeshua.
Mr. Chambers? I couldn’t agree with you more. When it comes to the sin of homosexuality, there are many not all, but again, many Christians that are very judgmental when it comes to the sin of homosexuality. Yet, when you get saved, there still are many who have a judgmental ruler in hand. I’m saved but I was condemned by a Christian who is a Bible theologian and who knows the Bible like the back of his hand. He really gave me a bad time because my sin of homosexuality wasn’t gone by the snap of his fingers. I said, to the person, I wish I had another sin to deal with like alcoholism or being a drug addict then I wouldn’t be so hassled. The person looked at me like he didn’t disagree with what I said, amazing! . That person was reflecting his personal issues not reflecting Jesus or rather, Yeshua. However, I got intimidated by the man because he was so knowledgeable about the Bible. As a result, the image of Yeshua always reflected this individual in my mind. I couldn’t separate Yeshua from this Christian individual because he seemed so pious and well connected with Yeshua much more than I. So I saw Yeshua as this sour image. Everything got distorted in my mind. However, I had to do some readjusting and focus on Yeshua, and his word verses an individual who was blocking my path in my walk with Yeshua.
Amen… I love this one!!! Indeed there is no sin that the blood of Jesus Christ cannot wash!
Amen… I love this one!!! Indeed there is no sin that the blood of Jesus Christ cannot wash!
What’s Your Abomination!? lol I actually laughed when I read that title because I know how true that statement is. Even though I found it slightly humorous there’s obviously truth there.
I am grieved at this moment because of how people in the church can react. On one hand they are discussted with people in the GLBT Community but then on the other hand are like lynches and power hungry people quick to throw arrows and punches at their Pastors and Church leaders and all in the name of “righteousness” ??? Don’t see it as righteous behavior at all!!
My roommate and I are both involved with the Living Waters program in our city. She’s an Intern and I am a small group leader/worship leader. We were talking a little bit about this last night after the program. I shared with her .. “it feels as though I am the one who actively pursues to extend grace to the church far sooner then the church is willing to extend grace to me” And her response … “we can only extend the kind of grace in which we’ve receive ourselves” — this is so true!!
And so with that in mind I do pray for the whole church that the church will see and taste that the Lord is good, to receive grace and forgiveness of their own self righteousness that they might know how desperately they need the Lord themselves that they might be able to extend that grace to others no matter what the background is of the other person. I am talking about the grace that places us on equal ground at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ.
What’s Your Abomination!? lol I actually laughed when I read that title because I know how true that statement is. Even though I found it slightly humorous there’s obviously truth there.
I am grieved at this moment because of how people in the church can react. On one hand they are discussted with people in the GLBT Community but then on the other hand are like lynches and power hungry people quick to throw arrows and punches at their Pastors and Church leaders and all in the name of “righteousness” ??? Don’t see it as righteous behavior at all!!
My roommate and I are both involved with the Living Waters program in our city. She’s an Intern and I am a small group leader/worship leader. We were talking a little bit about this last night after the program. I shared with her .. “it feels as though I am the one who actively pursues to extend grace to the church far sooner then the church is willing to extend grace to me” And her response … “we can only extend the kind of grace in which we’ve receive ourselves” — this is so true!!
And so with that in mind I do pray for the whole church that the church will see and taste that the Lord is good, to receive grace and forgiveness of their own self righteousness that they might know how desperately they need the Lord themselves that they might be able to extend that grace to others no matter what the background is of the other person. I am talking about the grace that places us on equal ground at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Whats your abomination was a good reminder, the word of god always has the ability to humble a person. I remind you I may have been guilty of some of those mentioned, but in no way did I get togeather with a whole group of liars, or adulters and demand we had a right to do it and begin to teach our sin to children in school , and demand that schools had to teach our sins to the children, and we wanted it daily on our tv as well. The Word also talks about those who lead children astray are better to have a millstone around their necks and cast into the sea. The adultry done on tv usually has reprocussions to it. The golfer or politician who does such things risk consequences, unlike the person claiming to be homosexual. This is due to the big lie being told by media and the guilty themselves that this is Okeydokey.
Hey Garry … what are you talking about ??
Our culture is filled with all of the above without the help of anyone in the GLBTQ community. Our TV, our entertainment, everything … it’s all around us both inside and outside the church and worse yet is the majority of the people all around are so desensitized to it they it goes unnoticed. And worse yet, I have seen Pastors encourage this form of entertainment. And on one such occasion I have had to walk away from a Young Adults gathering at my Pastors house when a movie was put on that was of no help to me because of the content in the movie. And the movie had not one single gay or lesbian theme in it. It had everything else in it though including the movie being highly sexualized which was the reason why I left.
So … there is a group of people out there that are influencing our children and society towards relative truth, liberalism … etc etc … those who wish to live by Christian-Judeo morals are few and far between and this includes many in the church.
Sarah…. your absolutely right to have walked away. Your also right that this stuff is everywhere. For a pastor or chiristian youth leader to have a sexually charged movie on as young peoples entertainment will answer for it. There are many liberal churches, which have missed the boat, thus Rev.3:1 The Lord is speaking “To the church in sardis I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead”
As well Sarah the fact that people have lost common sense, they dont realize that morals for most people are being lost, we are already past the point of no return. Thats why their is a real polarization taking place in society, followers of Christ, (Not Denominations) and followers of hollywood and the general loose public institutions. You cant pray in school or talk about theology , so they bring guns and knives. With computors, and the wired world we are inundated with morally decrepid stuff. When I read that people are being charged for talking about christ in public in the USA , its not a good sign. But we know Truth wins out and the Creator will return.
Gary,
I was right to walk away from the house that day not because I had to maintain certain morals and to prove a point but because my healing journey depended upon me making a choice at that moment. I was in my first year of Living Waters as a participant and I had a contract to uphold by maintaining sexual sobriety and I wanted to maintain total sexual sobriety and so for that reason alone is the reason why I made the choice to go home early and not continue to watch that particular movie.
And second, in my area what church’s need to have more of isn’t more religiosity but more grace. My point is that our society is so sexualized that we sexualize what was never meant to be sexualized.
It was an action pack movie, ok so there was violence and women were dressed appropriately … it was all about me and where I was going in my mind and if I really were seeking healing and freedom and a renewed mind then I had to make adjustments that quite frankly people don’t understand. At times I even had to turn off Christian TV programming !! Not because the show was filled with immorality but because it really didn’t matter whether the women were appropriately dressed or not at times. Just saying, and just being honest here … it’s the nature of the beast.
When I say what the church needs more of is grace it’s not to weaken our responsibility to maintain holiness and purity but to cultivate an environment that will enable people to grow. The problem goes way beyond people being charged for talking about Christ in public.
I’m amazed at times to find out the difficult it is in the States to speak of Christ in the public. I say that because as a Canadian with laws that prevent hate crimes and Canada being more of a left wing government then the States I have yet to be discriminated against because of my faith and I speak openly about my faith all the time. And yet never encounter being charged or taken to court because of it or being discriminated against … how I share is restricted but that actually doesn’t hinder the message being spoken. I would argue that people don’t speak up more because of fear. In a liberal and diverse country you’d be amazed to see how many open minded people are and who are open to hearing the gospel message. And I don’t have to fear being brought into a Human Rights Tribunal hearing for sharing my faith out in public or for speaking publicly about my faith journey.
At the last Love Won Out Conference I went to in Vancouver we didn’t have picketers but gay activists had attended that conference and it was actually a very peaceful and respectful experience among differing views from what I could see. Anyhoo …
Whats your abomination was a good reminder, the word of god always has the ability to humble a person. I remind you I may have been guilty of some of those mentioned, but in no way did I get togeather with a whole group of liars, or adulters and demand we had a right to do it and begin to teach our sin to children in school , and demand that schools had to teach our sins to the children, and we wanted it daily on our tv as well. The Word also talks about those who lead children astray are better to have a millstone around their necks and cast into the sea. The adultry done on tv usually has reprocussions to it. The golfer or politician who does such things risk consequences, unlike the person claiming to be homosexual. This is due to the big lie being told by media and the guilty themselves that this is Okeydokey.
Hey Garry … what are you talking about ??
Our culture is filled with all of the above without the help of anyone in the GLBTQ community. Our TV, our entertainment, everything … it’s all around us both inside and outside the church and worse yet is the majority of the people all around are so desensitized to it they it goes unnoticed. And worse yet, I have seen Pastors encourage this form of entertainment. And on one such occasion I have had to walk away from a Young Adults gathering at my Pastors house when a movie was put on that was of no help to me because of the content in the movie. And the movie had not one single gay or lesbian theme in it. It had everything else in it though including the movie being highly sexualized which was the reason why I left.
So … there is a group of people out there that are influencing our children and society towards relative truth, liberalism … etc etc … those who wish to live by Christian-Judeo morals are few and far between and this includes many in the church.
Sarah…. your absolutely right to have walked away. Your also right that this stuff is everywhere. For a pastor or chiristian youth leader to have a sexually charged movie on as young peoples entertainment will answer for it. There are many liberal churches, which have missed the boat, thus Rev.3:1 The Lord is speaking “To the church in sardis I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead”
As well Sarah the fact that people have lost common sense, they dont realize that morals for most people are being lost, we are already past the point of no return. Thats why their is a real polarization taking place in society, followers of Christ, (Not Denominations) and followers of hollywood and the general loose public institutions. You cant pray in school or talk about theology , so they bring guns and knives. With computors, and the wired world we are inundated with morally decrepid stuff. When I read that people are being charged for talking about christ in public in the USA , its not a good sign. But we know Truth wins out and the Creator will return.
Gary,
I was right to walk away from the house that day not because I had to maintain certain morals and to prove a point but because my healing journey depended upon me making a choice at that moment. I was in my first year of Living Waters as a participant and I had a contract to uphold by maintaining sexual sobriety and I wanted to maintain total sexual sobriety and so for that reason alone is the reason why I made the choice to go home early and not continue to watch that particular movie.
And second, in my area what church’s need to have more of isn’t more religiosity but more grace. My point is that our society is so sexualized that we sexualize what was never meant to be sexualized.
It was an action pack movie, ok so there was violence and women were dressed appropriately … it was all about me and where I was going in my mind and if I really were seeking healing and freedom and a renewed mind then I had to make adjustments that quite frankly people don’t understand. At times I even had to turn off Christian TV programming !! Not because the show was filled with immorality but because it really didn’t matter whether the women were appropriately dressed or not at times. Just saying, and just being honest here … it’s the nature of the beast.
When I say what the church needs more of is grace it’s not to weaken our responsibility to maintain holiness and purity but to cultivate an environment that will enable people to grow. The problem goes way beyond people being charged for talking about Christ in public.
I’m amazed at times to find out the difficult it is in the States to speak of Christ in the public. I say that because as a Canadian with laws that prevent hate crimes and Canada being more of a left wing government then the States I have yet to be discriminated against because of my faith and I speak openly about my faith all the time. And yet never encounter being charged or taken to court because of it or being discriminated against … how I share is restricted but that actually doesn’t hinder the message being spoken. I would argue that people don’t speak up more because of fear. In a liberal and diverse country you’d be amazed to see how many open minded people are and who are open to hearing the gospel message. And I don’t have to fear being brought into a Human Rights Tribunal hearing for sharing my faith out in public or for speaking publicly about my faith journey.
At the last Love Won Out Conference I went to in Vancouver we didn’t have picketers but gay activists had attended that conference and it was actually a very peaceful and respectful experience among differing views from what I could see. Anyhoo …
I grew up in a Pentecostal background, and when I was a kid, I remember the church allowed the Holy Spirit to move freely within the church, and speak to the church. There were people getting healed and demons being cast out of many. It was incredible to witness to the point the feeling was supernatural. The Holy Spirit of Yeshua’s movement on the church is so incredible to be in! I remember had strong Bronchitis to the point that I miss most of my high school years staying home very, very sick. My lungs had fluid in them. In addition, I also had extreme allergies that were dominating my life along with my constant, very strong, mind grain headaches. I went up to the alter to get prayed for on evening in church. There are two types of healing. There is gradual and then there are swift healings that are miracles! That night I had a miracle of healing that felt like a bust or a break wide opened within my chest, and within of my sinus canals. I had 100% healing, and I had never ever had any problems with any of those sicknesses since. Sadly, today, more and more the churches are dead and the Holy Spirit is not to be found. So many Christian are not even aware of how miraculous and loving the Holy Spirit is because there is an absence of what is expected from the church. So many are not fulfilling their responsibility. It is so rare to find a church that relay’s on the word of G-d, which is, and the power of the holy spirit today. These neglectful churches are an abomination! Where is the life of Christ to be found? Again, the church needs to take an examination if they are following what the word of G-d says and if they are relying on the Holy Spirit rather than being so concerned with individual nip picking. Also, Yeshua was not religious, but voicing what the power of G-d says. Being religious is synonymous with being lifeless.
I once attended a church with my father some time ago that was raising funds to build up a so called “Christian night club” to bring teens to the Lord?!! They said it was going to be a place where they could hang out, and at the same time they could be ministered to. Later on, this “club” turned out to contain fights, brawls, and bad behavior. My father, who is an incredible man of G-d, said this is anti biblical and lets leave. Paul and the disciples never had radio, TV, computers or any gimmicks to win the hearts and minds for those to get saved. Yet, they saved much more people than what is occurring in this high technological age. They relied on the Holy Spirit to Bring the people to them verses relying on their own man made abilities to get people saved. People have got to get back to the very fundamentals of the church again which is allowing the Holy Spirit to move freely and not controlling to the Spirit to move within the church and the word of G-d which is the Bible. What I’m trying to convey there is abomination binging pointed out here and there verse the church itself needs to focus on as body of Christ, are they obeying his word? Instead of being religious? Jesus wasn’t religious, but adhere to what the word of G-d says! I think if many churches abide and obey what g-d intends for the body of Christ, all of those who apart of the body of Christ will look within themselves and start self -examining their walk in Christ.
Hi James,
I totally see your frustration. I grew up in the Pentecostal church myself although my church was super conservative and fundamental although moved with the gifts of the Spirit. Today I attend a Missionary-Alliance church that was founded by A.B Simpson and the church had it’s start after A.B Simpson either witnessed a miracle healing or experienced a miracle healing. Lately the leaders of this particular denomination are stirred up to go back to it’s roots and start digging up old wells again. And there is a very strong move of God all across the States and also Canada … it’s like pockets here and there of revival including signs and wonders and the display of God’s glory which is great to see. There is also a more quiet move of God happening but the Lord is nonetheless stirring up the hearts of people. The point is, we can’t always rely on our natural eyes to see how the Lord is at work in people’s lives despite the lack of signs of wonders in the church.
Today there are more people dieing for their faith in Christ then ever before in all of church history which means there are actually thousands and thousands of more people coming to faith in Christ today then in any other era of the church.
I think our church’s really need to develop a grace culture. Grace culture allows for growth and allows for freedom but it also invokes honor and respect. To cultivate this within the church is really integral to see greater works of Christ in the church but so often times the division that we see in our church’s grieves the Holy Spirit. There are many ways that we can grieve Him … division within the church. I think it was the Apostle Paul that said that they will know that we are Christians by our love … sadly, many do not know how to love well and the church is filled with people who don’t know how to love well. We can also grieve the Spirit by the sin in our lives and more specifically when we know in our heart of hearts that our behavior is sinful and yet continue in that is what I believe will grieve the Holy Spirit.
And I also wanted to add …
We don’t always recognize the sin in our lives especially when the sin in our lives on the outside looks good and is applauded from within the church. Many of us have different experiences in the church and many of us are afraid of what we don’t know and don’t understand. So the point is … in a grace culture I am learning to value everyone in the church regardless of denomination. I mean, I attend a very conservative-evangelical church where maybe one or two people will clap their hands during worship, we even have the choir thing going as well as a full piece orchestra at times and I’m attending this church because of the the strengths I see within the church.
It’s not a church that is moving with signs and wonders and not in the least charismatic. Often times people who know I come from a Charismatic – Pentecostal – Vineyard church experience have asked me what I’m doing at such a conservative church. First, it’s a church cultivated a grace culture, and second, it’s one in few church’s that really know how to be in community with and minister to those who are relationally and sexually broken and one in the few church’s who don’t compromise biblical truth and yet welcomes those who are gay and lesbian identified people and also allows for people to be in process with their stuff and also has the added bonus of being super connected with Living Waters Canada ie. the directors wife is the Pastor but that’s besides the point …
who are we to say the God is not moving just because in our natural eye we don’t see it? I look at this way often times when it comes to many people in the church. In rivers sometimes there is a strong under current with such force that even the most experienced swimmers could be caught up in it and be pulled down. On top what we see is very little movement and it fools the natural eye because the river may appear to be really calm and yet there is that under current that is raging on that the most experienced even may not even see it. I just keep on praying that the Lord continues stirring the hearts of His people that the church may be released to fulfill her destiny and pray for God’s Kingdom to come.
I grew up in a Pentecostal background, and when I was a kid, I remember the church allowed the Holy Spirit to move freely within the church, and speak to the church. There were people getting healed and demons being cast out of many. It was incredible to witness to the point the feeling was supernatural. The Holy Spirit of Yeshua’s movement on the church is so incredible to be in! I remember had strong Bronchitis to the point that I miss most of my high school years staying home very, very sick. My lungs had fluid in them. In addition, I also had extreme allergies that were dominating my life along with my constant, very strong, mind grain headaches. I went up to the alter to get prayed for on evening in church. There are two types of healing. There is gradual and then there are swift healings that are miracles! That night I had a miracle of healing that felt like a bust or a break wide opened within my chest, and within of my sinus canals. I had 100% healing, and I had never ever had any problems with any of those sicknesses since. Sadly, today, more and more the churches are dead and the Holy Spirit is not to be found. So many Christian are not even aware of how miraculous and loving the Holy Spirit is because there is an absence of what is expected from the church. So many are not fulfilling their responsibility. It is so rare to find a church that relay’s on the word of G-d, which is, and the power of the holy spirit today. These neglectful churches are an abomination! Where is the life of Christ to be found? Again, the church needs to take an examination if they are following what the word of G-d says and if they are relying on the Holy Spirit rather than being so concerned with individual nip picking. Also, Yeshua was not religious, but voicing what the power of G-d says. Being religious is synonymous with being lifeless.
I once attended a church with my father some time ago that was raising funds to build up a so called “Christian night club” to bring teens to the Lord?!! They said it was going to be a place where they could hang out, and at the same time they could be ministered to. Later on, this “club” turned out to contain fights, brawls, and bad behavior. My father, who is an incredible man of G-d, said this is anti biblical and lets leave. Paul and the disciples never had radio, TV, computers or any gimmicks to win the hearts and minds for those to get saved. Yet, they saved much more people than what is occurring in this high technological age. They relied on the Holy Spirit to Bring the people to them verses relying on their own man made abilities to get people saved. People have got to get back to the very fundamentals of the church again which is allowing the Holy Spirit to move freely and not controlling to the Spirit to move within the church and the word of G-d which is the Bible. What I’m trying to convey there is abomination binging pointed out here and there verse the church itself needs to focus on as body of Christ, are they obeying his word? Instead of being religious? Jesus wasn’t religious, but adhere to what the word of G-d says! I think if many churches abide and obey what g-d intends for the body of Christ, all of those who apart of the body of Christ will look within themselves and start self -examining their walk in Christ.
Hi James,
I totally see your frustration. I grew up in the Pentecostal church myself although my church was super conservative and fundamental although moved with the gifts of the Spirit. Today I attend a Missionary-Alliance church that was founded by A.B Simpson and the church had it’s start after A.B Simpson either witnessed a miracle healing or experienced a miracle healing. Lately the leaders of this particular denomination are stirred up to go back to it’s roots and start digging up old wells again. And there is a very strong move of God all across the States and also Canada … it’s like pockets here and there of revival including signs and wonders and the display of God’s glory which is great to see. There is also a more quiet move of God happening but the Lord is nonetheless stirring up the hearts of people. The point is, we can’t always rely on our natural eyes to see how the Lord is at work in people’s lives despite the lack of signs of wonders in the church.
Today there are more people dieing for their faith in Christ then ever before in all of church history which means there are actually thousands and thousands of more people coming to faith in Christ today then in any other era of the church.
I think our church’s really need to develop a grace culture. Grace culture allows for growth and allows for freedom but it also invokes honor and respect. To cultivate this within the church is really integral to see greater works of Christ in the church but so often times the division that we see in our church’s grieves the Holy Spirit. There are many ways that we can grieve Him … division within the church. I think it was the Apostle Paul that said that they will know that we are Christians by our love … sadly, many do not know how to love well and the church is filled with people who don’t know how to love well. We can also grieve the Spirit by the sin in our lives and more specifically when we know in our heart of hearts that our behavior is sinful and yet continue in that is what I believe will grieve the Holy Spirit.
And I also wanted to add …
We don’t always recognize the sin in our lives especially when the sin in our lives on the outside looks good and is applauded from within the church. Many of us have different experiences in the church and many of us are afraid of what we don’t know and don’t understand. So the point is … in a grace culture I am learning to value everyone in the church regardless of denomination. I mean, I attend a very conservative-evangelical church where maybe one or two people will clap their hands during worship, we even have the choir thing going as well as a full piece orchestra at times and I’m attending this church because of the the strengths I see within the church.
It’s not a church that is moving with signs and wonders and not in the least charismatic. Often times people who know I come from a Charismatic – Pentecostal – Vineyard church experience have asked me what I’m doing at such a conservative church. First, it’s a church cultivated a grace culture, and second, it’s one in few church’s that really know how to be in community with and minister to those who are relationally and sexually broken and one in the few church’s who don’t compromise biblical truth and yet welcomes those who are gay and lesbian identified people and also allows for people to be in process with their stuff and also has the added bonus of being super connected with Living Waters Canada ie. the directors wife is the Pastor but that’s besides the point …
who are we to say the God is not moving just because in our natural eye we don’t see it? I look at this way often times when it comes to many people in the church. In rivers sometimes there is a strong under current with such force that even the most experienced swimmers could be caught up in it and be pulled down. On top what we see is very little movement and it fools the natural eye because the river may appear to be really calm and yet there is that under current that is raging on that the most experienced even may not even see it. I just keep on praying that the Lord continues stirring the hearts of His people that the church may be released to fulfill her destiny and pray for God’s Kingdom to come.
As they say back where I grew up, “This will preach, Brother”. Thank you for confirming in my heart what God has already shown me.
As they say back where I grew up, “This will preach, Brother”. Thank you for confirming in my heart what God has already shown me.
Thank you for your insightful article. It is a great reminder to once again look at my sin and repent. Praying for the church. Thank you, again, so very much for your honestly and commitment to our Lord Jesus and to the ministry He has called you to.
Thank you for your insightful article. It is a great reminder to once again look at my sin and repent. Praying for the church. Thank you, again, so very much for your honestly and commitment to our Lord Jesus and to the ministry He has called you to.
Been wanting to read this as the title caught my eye.
In the past several years, I have come to agree with this:
And you know, I am pretty sure I know which conservative blog you are referring to
Been wanting to read this as the title caught my eye.
In the past several years, I have come to agree with this:
And you know, I am pretty sure I know which conservative blog you are referring to
Thank you Alan for an awesome message!
I have been struggling with this for many years. I came back to the Lord in 1990 and just last year am back again in a SS relationship.
It’s very difficult to have a realtionship with anyone when you have had HIV for almost 25 yrs. I’ve been soooo lonely all of these years. I still attend a full gospel church that preaches against homosexuality and SS marriage, yet in my own heart I really feel love for this other man and, as weird as this sounds, am witnessing to him. I went through the Living Waters program last year, but still do not feel attracted to women. Why? I was celibate for 19 years. Both my brothers are gay too.(secretly) I beg God to remove me from this earth and let me die, so I don’t have to be tormented by what society wants me to be, to try and be straight.
In short, I just want to be loved and to love someone else equally.
Thanks for listening,
Jerry….
All I would say to you is, keeping moving towards God, desire and pursue His presence and voice in your life, and no matter what you do or how you feel keep coming to Him. He will sort out the rest, He is the only one who can ultimately change someone’s heart from the inside – and He knows yours.
Hi Jerry,
I just had to comment since I read that you had been through the LW program. I’m not sure how different it is with Desert Stream then it is with Living Waters Canada but let me share from my perspective having been through the LW Canada program. I went through the program in 2005 and then again as a participant the following year. I relapsed back into the gay bar scene briefly after going through the program twice and then after a couple of weeks of venturing back into the gay community I had to ask myself the question …
What is it that I am looking for I had looked for while I was a participant of Living Waters and what was I hoping to get out of it?
What is my true desires? The answer is that I was mostly desiring my relationship with Jesus Christ despite the complete and utter feelings of loneliness I felt even more so after the program then before.
For the last couple of years I’ve been an assistant small group leader for LW in my area and it’s really been a great experience for me as each year I learn something new and step into a new level of wholeness in Christ.
It’s my perspective that LW is not a cure although many people no doubt go through the program hoping to have every SS desire go away by the time they’re done the program but in actuality that is not the case.
I go back to what I know to be true …
The oppisate to homosexuality is NOT heterosexuality it IS holiness.
Often times one will leave the program feeling worse not because the program hasn’t been helpful but in fact it’s been what has enabled us to allow everything we’ve pushed down or aside to surface … everyting like our pains and suffering, and the trauma of various experiences of abuse to it’s various degree’s. And so what begins to happen as the pain surfaces naturally we’ll want to lean towards what has met us in our needs even though it’s been less than the best, unhealthy, and at times toxic to our whole being. It’s is that much more difficult to understand our pain and understand tendency to want to sooth our pain towards what will provide instant gratification even if it’s in the arms of another man, or in my case another woman. For me, I know that being in the arms of another woman does not actually help me but keeps me stuck and meeting my legitimate needs throgh legitimate ways, and ways far more healthier emotionally then I come to understand the root behind my SS desires and then can work towards finding an emotionally and relationally healthier way to meeting my legitimate needs.
It’s also been my observation that it’s sometimes beneficial to go through the program for the second or even third time not because of the program but to all whatever is surfacing to continue to surface and to provide for you a safe and confidential place to process what is happening for you.
LW was just a tool to help me dig up the roots behind my SS desires, after the fact I hopefuly have gained better tools to grasp towards besides SS relationships, ED relationships, and also addictions. I can understand that my desire is not for sexual encounters with other women but a need to be accepted and affirmed among other women as a woman and then when in need for comfort is the challenge to find that comfort in relationship to Jesus.
SS desires may decrease over time as one learns other ways to meet our real needs but then again SS desires may never go away at all so what then? Or there may be a desire that may grow to be in a heterosexual relationship/marriage despite SS desires.
However, despite everything ….
It’s not the SS desires that God wants although He truly wants us to surrender these desires. What God is really interested in .. is YOU.
God Speed my friend and I sincerely hope that you have safe people to talk to in your church community you will if nothing else try to understand you and walk with you towards sexual and relational wholeness.
Thank you Alan for an awesome message!
I have been struggling with this for many years. I came back to the Lord in 1990 and just last year am back again in a SS relationship.
It’s very difficult to have a realtionship with anyone when you have had HIV for almost 25 yrs. I’ve been soooo lonely all of these years. I still attend a full gospel church that preaches against homosexuality and SS marriage, yet in my own heart I really feel love for this other man and, as weird as this sounds, am witnessing to him. I went through the Living Waters program last year, but still do not feel attracted to women. Why? I was celibate for 19 years. Both my brothers are gay too.(secretly) I beg God to remove me from this earth and let me die, so I don’t have to be tormented by what society wants me to be, to try and be straight.
In short, I just want to be loved and to love someone else equally.
Thanks for listening,
Jerry….
All I would say to you is, keeping moving towards God, desire and pursue His presence and voice in your life, and no matter what you do or how you feel keep coming to Him. He will sort out the rest, He is the only one who can ultimately change someone’s heart from the inside – and He knows yours.
Hi Jerry,
I just had to comment since I read that you had been through the LW program. I’m not sure how different it is with Desert Stream then it is with Living Waters Canada but let me share from my perspective having been through the LW Canada program. I went through the program in 2005 and then again as a participant the following year. I relapsed back into the gay bar scene briefly after going through the program twice and then after a couple of weeks of venturing back into the gay community I had to ask myself the question …
What is it that I am looking for I had looked for while I was a participant of Living Waters and what was I hoping to get out of it?
What is my true desires? The answer is that I was mostly desiring my relationship with Jesus Christ despite the complete and utter feelings of loneliness I felt even more so after the program then before.
For the last couple of years I’ve been an assistant small group leader for LW in my area and it’s really been a great experience for me as each year I learn something new and step into a new level of wholeness in Christ.
It’s my perspective that LW is not a cure although many people no doubt go through the program hoping to have every SS desire go away by the time they’re done the program but in actuality that is not the case.
I go back to what I know to be true …
The oppisate to homosexuality is NOT heterosexuality it IS holiness.
Often times one will leave the program feeling worse not because the program hasn’t been helpful but in fact it’s been what has enabled us to allow everything we’ve pushed down or aside to surface … everyting like our pains and suffering, and the trauma of various experiences of abuse to it’s various degree’s. And so what begins to happen as the pain surfaces naturally we’ll want to lean towards what has met us in our needs even though it’s been less than the best, unhealthy, and at times toxic to our whole being. It’s is that much more difficult to understand our pain and understand tendency to want to sooth our pain towards what will provide instant gratification even if it’s in the arms of another man, or in my case another woman. For me, I know that being in the arms of another woman does not actually help me but keeps me stuck and meeting my legitimate needs throgh legitimate ways, and ways far more healthier emotionally then I come to understand the root behind my SS desires and then can work towards finding an emotionally and relationally healthier way to meeting my legitimate needs.
It’s also been my observation that it’s sometimes beneficial to go through the program for the second or even third time not because of the program but to all whatever is surfacing to continue to surface and to provide for you a safe and confidential place to process what is happening for you.
LW was just a tool to help me dig up the roots behind my SS desires, after the fact I hopefuly have gained better tools to grasp towards besides SS relationships, ED relationships, and also addictions. I can understand that my desire is not for sexual encounters with other women but a need to be accepted and affirmed among other women as a woman and then when in need for comfort is the challenge to find that comfort in relationship to Jesus.
SS desires may decrease over time as one learns other ways to meet our real needs but then again SS desires may never go away at all so what then? Or there may be a desire that may grow to be in a heterosexual relationship/marriage despite SS desires.
However, despite everything ….
It’s not the SS desires that God wants although He truly wants us to surrender these desires. What God is really interested in .. is YOU.
God Speed my friend and I sincerely hope that you have safe people to talk to in your church community you will if nothing else try to understand you and walk with you towards sexual and relational wholeness.
Didn’t Jesus speak of sins being greater than others? I think this article is a little too simplistic. All sin has the same effect, but it is akin to being bruised. All sin separates us from God and hurts God. However, the level of hurt felt by God is logically on a magnitude by the “level” of sin. Why do we as human being view the sin of murdering a child greater than that of stealing a candy bar? Do you think we have degrees of sin in our hearts on accident? I do not believe so. Homosexuality is such an awful sin because it requires the re-wiring of your brain to work, becoming something totally different than what God intended you to become to even “Consider” the sin of homosexuality. I tell you this from personal experience. I am not someone who sees it and is disgusted, I am someone who experiences the temptations of it. It is all I have known. But I know enough now to understand the level of deception that I have allowed to come into my life. On my best day I am nowhere near the man God wants me to be. I have so far to go.
Didn’t Jesus speak of sins being greater than others? I think this article is a little too simplistic. All sin has the same effect, but it is akin to being bruised. All sin separates us from God and hurts God. However, the level of hurt felt by God is logically on a magnitude by the “level” of sin. Why do we as human being view the sin of murdering a child greater than that of stealing a candy bar? Do you think we have degrees of sin in our hearts on accident? I do not believe so. Homosexuality is such an awful sin because it requires the re-wiring of your brain to work, becoming something totally different than what God intended you to become to even “Consider” the sin of homosexuality. I tell you this from personal experience. I am not someone who sees it and is disgusted, I am someone who experiences the temptations of it. It is all I have known. But I know enough now to understand the level of deception that I have allowed to come into my life. On my best day I am nowhere near the man God wants me to be. I have so far to go.
Amen Brother Alan God Bless you and your wonderful Organization!!
Thanks for your great feedback, everyone. This is an important time for the Church to be the Church to people in need. Standing for truth cannot ever preclude offering a hand to those in need. Jesus was 100% truth and 100% grace and He is our example. Looks as if we have a group here who gets that! Glad to stand with you.
Thanks for your great feedback, everyone. This is an important time for the Church to be the Church to people in need. Standing for truth cannot ever preclude offering a hand to those in need. Jesus was 100% truth and 100% grace and He is our example. Looks as if we have a group here who gets that! Glad to stand with you.
I can personal relate to this narrative and the wounding I have experienced with certain church denominations and peoples. Nonetheless, this prayer has allowed me to forgive the church and embrace my Baptism and to grow in maturity and sanctification:
Confession of the Church
At the 1995 Exodus Freedom Conference (the 20th), a pastor from the Kalamazoo, Michigan area, shared this confession on behalf of the church leaders and the church to those assembled. His confession had a profound effect at that conference and was shared through the [Exodus] newsletter, and in other forms after that event. Here are some parts of his statements that he shared that year:
I confess on behalf of the church leaders that:
1. We have not been authentic; and have not had much to offer you to help you find freedom in Christ. We have exemplified an anemic variety of Christianity – holding to a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.
2. We have been dishonest, fearful of exposure to our sins. We have allowed people to see a sanitized version of our lives.
3. We avoided engagement with messy people who are coming out of patterns which will take a lifetime to heal.
4. We have, in some cases, been the perpetrators of the abuse which became the root of your sexual patterns.
I confess on behalf of the church that:
1. In many cases we have been more interested in being right that loving, and having ended up being neither.
2. We’ve settled for a week Christianity. We have had little to offer those who need to find God’s power to break free from sin.
4. [In our misunderstanding of sin,]
we’ve fed the very dynamics of shame which have been keeping people captive.
5. We’ve largely failed to seek out the homosexual community with the Gospel, despite the fact that the Father is always seeking them in love.
6. We have failed to provide a place for those coming out of homosexuality, either in our churches or in our hearts. You’ve needed a healed, whole, loving family to return to in the Lord.
Please forgive us and please come home to the church. You’re part of us, it’s your birthright, and we need you.
Originally published in the Exodus Update, September 1995
Godspeed and Happy Easter to my Brothers and Sister in Christ,
PD
I can personal relate to this narrative and the wounding I have experienced with certain church denominations and peoples. Nonetheless, this prayer has allowed me to forgive the church and embrace my Baptism and to grow in maturity and sanctification:
Confession of the Church
At the 1995 Exodus Freedom Conference (the 20th), a pastor from the Kalamazoo, Michigan area, shared this confession on behalf of the church leaders and the church to those assembled. His confession had a profound effect at that conference and was shared through the [Exodus] newsletter, and in other forms after that event. Here are some parts of his statements that he shared that year:
I confess on behalf of the church leaders that:
1. We have not been authentic; and have not had much to offer you to help you find freedom in Christ. We have exemplified an anemic variety of Christianity – holding to a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.
2. We have been dishonest, fearful of exposure to our sins. We have allowed people to see a sanitized version of our lives.
3. We avoided engagement with messy people who are coming out of patterns which will take a lifetime to heal.
4. We have, in some cases, been the perpetrators of the abuse which became the root of your sexual patterns.
I confess on behalf of the church that:
1. In many cases we have been more interested in being right that loving, and having ended up being neither.
2. We’ve settled for a week Christianity. We have had little to offer those who need to find God’s power to break free from sin.
4. [In our misunderstanding of sin,]
we’ve fed the very dynamics of shame which have been keeping people captive.
5. We’ve largely failed to seek out the homosexual community with the Gospel, despite the fact that the Father is always seeking them in love.
6. We have failed to provide a place for those coming out of homosexuality, either in our churches or in our hearts. You’ve needed a healed, whole, loving family to return to in the Lord.
Please forgive us and please come home to the church. You’re part of us, it’s your birthright, and we need you.
Originally published in the Exodus Update, September 1995
Godspeed and Happy Easter to my Brothers and Sister in Christ,
PD
Hey Jerry! I understand and identify with what you are saying to an extent. I was saved about 20 years ago. I came to Christ as a person who had homosexual feelings, and yearnings that were very strong. However, I never once acted those feelings, and yearnings out neither before nor after I came to Christ. I have always remained celibate. However, my feelings and yearnings for another male have still remained strong, and I too haven’t had the slightest feelings for the opposite sex. At times, I felt angry and hurt because I felt like I was being deprived of love. But Jerry? I realized that in my head and in my heart, weighing the two sides of living in darkness and removed from Christ verses living in light with Christ is no comparison in the least. Darkness can’t even compare to light not even a fraction of an inch. Living a life in the light of Jesus Christ out weighs everything. The devil is a major deceiver, and a liar and he can make something so dark seem so enticing and so fulfilling and joyful. That is demonic energy that is trying to discourage you to stray from the love and embrace of Jesus Christ. Jerry? Jesus loves us all so very much, and he wants us to be happy. Here is the thing Jerry, for you to give up on life because sin seems so much more monumental than living a life in Christ is a lie from Satan. Don’t fall for Satan’s discouragement. Jesus wants you to live life to the fullest degree, and when the time comes for us to pass on, it’s the Lord to decide and that isn’t our decision to make. Jerry, don’t give up because I realize that there is so much more to life than being in an intimate relationship with another human being. Life is so much more! Also, there is nothing that G-d can’t take on, and conquer in your life. Jerry? Jesus wants the very best for your life, and he loves you very much. Take some time to be alone, and meditate and pray to the Lord. Be completely honest with the Lord, and tell him how do you feel no holds barred because Jesus knows everything in our hearts. Then, leave all your burdens to Christ, and let him deal with your troubles. Another thing, find a Christian counselor who you will feel comfortable with, and someone you can feel you can be totally open and honest with. You need a counselor that will be your ally on your spiritual journey, and will not give up on you through difficult times and not so difficult times. If you may encounter a Christian counselor that you may not feel comfortable with, that is all right, find another counselor that you feel comfortable opening up to. I have an amazing Christian counselor that doesn’t give up on me, and I feel extremely comfortable with him to be totally honest with what I’m going through. He isn’t some one that says well, if your issues don’t go away by a month, I can’t help you. No, you have to find a professional Christian counselor. Again, that support is very, very important in your life. There were many times I have been alone, but I brought this to the Lord through prayer, and the feeling of a warm blanket of security came over me. His angels were present to the point I could be alone reading in the quiet stillness of midnight, and the awesome presence of the Holy Spirit was felt in the same room. In reality, I wasn’t alone at all. Jerry? I’m no one special that has special perks with the Lord. I’m far from perfect. I’m just like anyone else who seeks Christ. But Jerry? out of love I say to you, don’t go back into that life. It’s a deception from the enemy. There is so much in life for you, and for all of us to look forward to. Just allow the sunlight of his love to fill your heart and mind. If you stumble or fall, keep moving forward never turning back. We all are imperfect, and we all stumble and fall at times. But, pick yourself up and keep running forward to Jesus Christ. he is there with open arms for you .
Hey Jerry! I understand and identify with what you are saying to an extent. I was saved about 20 years ago. I came to Christ as a person who had homosexual feelings, and yearnings that were very strong. However, I never once acted those feelings, and yearnings out neither before nor after I came to Christ. I have always remained celibate. However, my feelings and yearnings for another male have still remained strong, and I too haven’t had the slightest feelings for the opposite sex. At times, I felt angry and hurt because I felt like I was being deprived of love. But Jerry? I realized that in my head and in my heart, weighing the two sides of living in darkness and removed from Christ verses living in light with Christ is no comparison in the least. Darkness can’t even compare to light not even a fraction of an inch. Living a life in the light of Jesus Christ out weighs everything. The devil is a major deceiver, and a liar and he can make something so dark seem so enticing and so fulfilling and joyful. That is demonic energy that is trying to discourage you to stray from the love and embrace of Jesus Christ. Jerry? Jesus loves us all so very much, and he wants us to be happy. Here is the thing Jerry, for you to give up on life because sin seems so much more monumental than living a life in Christ is a lie from Satan. Don’t fall for Satan’s discouragement. Jesus wants you to live life to the fullest degree, and when the time comes for us to pass on, it’s the Lord to decide and that isn’t our decision to make. Jerry, don’t give up because I realize that there is so much more to life than being in an intimate relationship with another human being. Life is so much more! Also, there is nothing that G-d can’t take on, and conquer in your life. Jerry? Jesus wants the very best for your life, and he loves you very much. Take some time to be alone, and meditate and pray to the Lord. Be completely honest with the Lord, and tell him how do you feel no holds barred because Jesus knows everything in our hearts. Then, leave all your burdens to Christ, and let him deal with your troubles. Another thing, find a Christian counselor who you will feel comfortable with, and someone you can feel you can be totally open and honest with. You need a counselor that will be your ally on your spiritual journey, and will not give up on you through difficult times and not so difficult times. If you may encounter a Christian counselor that you may not feel comfortable with, that is all right, find another counselor that you feel comfortable opening up to. I have an amazing Christian counselor that doesn’t give up on me, and I feel extremely comfortable with him to be totally honest with what I’m going through. He isn’t some one that says well, if your issues don’t go away by a month, I can’t help you. No, you have to find a professional Christian counselor. Again, that support is very, very important in your life. There were many times I have been alone, but I brought this to the Lord through prayer, and the feeling of a warm blanket of security came over me. His angels were present to the point I could be alone reading in the quiet stillness of midnight, and the awesome presence of the Holy Spirit was felt in the same room. In reality, I wasn’t alone at all. Jerry? I’m no one special that has special perks with the Lord. I’m far from perfect. I’m just like anyone else who seeks Christ. But Jerry? out of love I say to you, don’t go back into that life. It’s a deception from the enemy. There is so much in life for you, and for all of us to look forward to. Just allow the sunlight of his love to fill your heart and mind. If you stumble or fall, keep moving forward never turning back. We all are imperfect, and we all stumble and fall at times. But, pick yourself up and keep running forward to Jesus Christ. he is there with open arms for you .
Amen Brother Alan God Bless you and your wonderful Organization!!