2011 = Simplify, Amplify and Intensify – Letter from Alan Chambers for November 2010

Alan-Chambers

This letter from Alan Chambers appears in both our offline and online newsletters. To receive this letter along with the full newsletter online via email or offline through the postal service please sign up here. — Dear Partners, Did you notice that you have been promoted?  Those of you who are involved in Exodus, which is the majority of you reading this letter, are more than just our friends.  You are our dear partners in ministry.  As partners you are vital to the mission of Exodus: mobilizing the Body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by … [Read more...]

A “Normal Gay Life” – Nathan Responds to Ray Boltz

rayboltz

Regular readers of this blog may remember my friend Nathan who has guest blogged here before concerning Jennifer Knapp and about his "Divine Appointments" at the Exodus Freedom Conference. At this rate I just need to create a login for you Nathan :) Today Nathan writes an eloquent response to Ray Boltz' new song "God Knows I Tried."  Here's Nathan: A “Normal Gay Life” I’m adding Ray Boltz to the list of people I’d love to meet at Starbuck’s for a chat.  Most readers of this  blog will remember Ray as the Dove Award-winning gospel singer who revealed his homosexuality two … [Read more...]

Go Ahead, Get Off Your Perch

Photo Credit WORLD Magazine

This post is actually inspired by a private conversation I am having with someone who has rejected Christ.  It involves the false standard that some people believe concerning Christians should be "better" than other people. It should be stated that I have known this person for over 20 years and I love them dearly.  We have a very free and open friendship in that in spite of our deep disagreements we do love each other unconditionally. --- I have been a Christian for 18 years now but I noticed as a young believer that my non-Christian friends had an easier time talking about … [Read more...]

Sexuality: Creation, Brokenness, Truth and Grace – Lausanne Conference (Video)

Lausanne

Alan Chambers, Mike Goeke, Brian Kliewer all speak at the recent Lausanne Conference in South Africa. What an amazing opportunity. … [Read more...]

Let’s Talk About Those Gay Rats

rat

John Cloud writes in Why You're Gay: A New Study Shows Why Boy Rats Like Other Boy Rats: Despite what the Bible says, lust is inborn: our species couldn't survive if we didn't yearn to have sex with one another. But exactly how sexual desire develops is, even at this late date, poorly understood. We know more about the musculature of the left femur than we do about how our brains acquire and process the desire to engage sexually. That's why I was intrigued by a new study in the journal Psychological Science. Typically I don't care about studies of rat behavior because, after all, the … [Read more...]

New Book “Naked Surrender” by Andy Comiskey

naked surrender

Today I want to post an interview I did via email with Andy Comiskey about his new book titled "Naked Surrender."  I have posted the interview exactly as it happened.  There has been very little editing (spelling, formatting.)  Also, all emphasis (bold and italics are mine.  Without further ado :) ... First of all, congratulations on your new book.  The provocative title is "Naked Surrender: coming home to our true sexuality." When you say "Naked Surrender" is that both literal and figurative?  What does it mean to "come home" to our true sexuality? Andy: 'Naked surrender' refers … [Read more...]

Perez Hilton Seeks to End His Own Bullying Tactics

perez and ellen

Wow. I love the insight that Ellen gives and completely agree, we can't expect kids to not be bullies when our culture encourages, rewards and participates in bullying all across the spectrum. Have you watched reality TV? ... cable news and radio pundits? ... blogs? Have you noticed among adults in general that incivility is now a common default in much of our culture? Bullying can be found in the name calling, very real polarizing pressure based on lies/mischaracterizations at another's expense. Bullying manifests in stigmatizing, dehumanizing and creating a scapegoat in others so … [Read more...]

Memories of Bullying

upset boy against a wall

The recent suicides that are related to bullying have brought back some not-so-pleasant memories for me. I’m sure I’m not alone.  Coming out of the closet (or rather, being pushed out kicking and screaming) as a high school student in 1990-ish in small-town New Hampshire was not fun. I always joke that Ellen didn’t come out for another 7 years :)  I was made fun of, harassed, threatened, and insulted.  I remember sitting in class and having a peer tell me that all gay people should be put on an island and blown up, as my teacher sat there and said nothing.  I spent many classes just … [Read more...]

Brief Media Round-Up Concerning Day Of Truth Announcement

Day-of-Truth

I knew when Alan made the announcement that Exodus was giving up participation in the Day of Truth campaign that it would cause a bit of a stir.  I didn't expect it to cause such an enormous amount of feedback! The blogosphere lit up and emails, Facebook private messages, phone calls started coming in.  There were quite a number of media outlets that picked up the story as well. A vast majority of the feedback was exuberant agreement with the decision. However, there were a few who didn't like the decision.  Some of those who disagreed were very thoughtful about their disagreement and … [Read more...]

Exodus International Releases Control of Day of Truth Back to friend Alliance Defense Fund

Day-of-Truth

Exodus International Releases Control of Day of Truth Back to friend Alliance Defense Fund After 4 years of supporting the Day of Truth initiative and 1 year of spearheading the effort, Exodus International is returning the event to the Alliance Defense Fund.  ADF will likely find another group to run the event or end it altogether.  Created in 2005 by the Alliance Defense Fund as a response to the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) annual Day of Silence, Day of Truth was an effort aimed at encouraging conservatively-minded teenagers to respectfully engage fellow students … [Read more...]