Unconditional Surrender by Gwen Gibson – Real Stories for August 2010

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This testimony appears in both our offline and online newsletters.  To receive testimonies like this along with the full newsletter online via email or offline through the postal service please sign up here. --- Unconditional Surrender by Gwen Gibson I struggled with same-sex attraction for nearly twenty years. In college I hung around lesbians and developed lesbian friendships. Finally one asked me, “If you aren’t homosexual, why do you hang out with lesbians?” It was like she held a mirror up to my face and said, “Who are you, and why are you here?” In my twenties, … [Read more...]

Facebook Flashbacks and Friendship

Friends

Facebook is crazy.  And  little bit scary. Almost every significant (still living) relationship I have ever had is represented in my friends list.  It's been an astounding adventure to reconnect with people from almost every stage of life from my past to present. It all started in August of 2008. Two years ago I was on sabbatical and had a thought, "Hmmm... I wonder if my high school friends have found facebook yet?"  Two hours later I had found 15 of them and was quietly tripping out on how much life had changed for some and was completely the same for others.  This has led to a roller … [Read more...]

False Prophet Fred Phelps and The First Amendment

Funeral Protests

It's just amazing that the ACLU joined forces with the Phelps gang on this one: Judge: Mo. funeral protest ban unconstitutional By CHRIS BLANK - Associated Press Writer JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A federal judge Monday ruled that Missouri laws restricting protests near funerals are unconstitutional. Missouri legislators passed two laws in 2006 in response to protests at servicemembers' funerals by members of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan. The church contends the deaths are God's punishment for the U.S. tolerating homosexuality. U.S. District Judge Fernando Gaitan ruled the laws … [Read more...]

CNN Belief Blog Interviews Alan Chambers About Prop 8 and Gay Rights

Photo Credit CNN

From ‘Ex-gay’ ministry on gay marriage's chances after Prop 8 ruling ... “It’s disappointing that a judge would rule against the will of the people,” says Chambers, author of Leaving Homosexuality. “That’s the greatest tragedy.” For 34 years, Exodus has told gay and lesbians that they can be “delivered” from homosexuality through faith in Christ, professional counseling and support groups. But how will groups like Exodus fare if fewer Americans believe that homosexuality is a sin, and if gay marriage becomes an option? Chambers acknowledged that “our culture is changing” … [Read more...]

What Is The Gospel Response to Prop. 8? – Christianity Today Quotes Alan Chambers

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From What Is The Gospel Response to Prop. 8? : Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International: I believe that God is calling his church to a place far above the arguments surrounding what is sin and what isn't. We cannot avoid the glaring scriptural truth that there is, and will always be, a right way and a wrong way concerning just about everything we can imagine. And, yet, I believe that our attitudes towards people (internal and external) are just as important as our positions on the issues at hand. So, when I first saw the news that Prop. 8 had been overturned, my very first thought was, … [Read more...]

Suicide Rates Among Gay Community Increase

despair

From Deseret News: SALT LAKE CITY — As the number of suicides among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations continues to increase across the nation, concern among the Utah LGBT community has begun to push the issue into the spotlight. In July, Utah's LGBT community lost at least three members to suicide, including a 28-year-old man whose death was mourned by more than 300 people during a candlelight vigil on the steps of the state Capitol. Two other suicides of well-known members of the LGBT community, also gay men, have occurred in the past month. Though the problem is well … [Read more...]

Happy 1st Blog/Facebook Birthday Exodus!

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It's hard to believe we have had this blog, and complementary Facebook page, for a full year as of today! I am very glad to see this blog succeed. We had one serious attempt to have a ministry blog in the past that just didn't quite work.  So with lessons learned and the advent of social networking ... this blog took off right out of the gate! While I don't know that our blog will *ever* be a top dog blog like Instapundit (who knows really? :) ) we don't do this for "the numbers."  Regardless, I am a stats-a-holic so here are some statistical tidbits that those who do read this blog might find … [Read more...]

Prop 8 Decision Imminent – Life Goes On Regardless of “Winner”

prop 8

UPDATE 4:49 PM EDT: Judge rules Prop 8 unconstitutional. When Alan decided a couple of years ago to pull Exodus out of public policy I was in total agreement.  That whole realm fascinates me and has since I was in High School (Youth in Government Club.)  We, Alan and I, gave it our best effort for about 4 years and learned plenty of lessons. The point of today's post isn't to pile on and throw another round into the echo-chamber of talking points you will hear again and again and again and again ... and again and again ... and again ... Of course I am aware of the importance of today's … [Read more...]

New Resource from Exodus International

Homoin18min

Discussing Homosexuality In 18 Minutes (DVD) "How do we talk about homosexuality?"  Pastors, church leaders and ministry workers everywhere are asking this question.  In this strategic DVD distributed by Exodus International, Jeff Buchanan will address topics such as: "Can sexual orientation be changed?" "Can you be a Christian and still be gay?" "How can I reach out?" Discussing Homosexuality In 18 Minutes is designed for group interaction.  Questions are provided for group participation once the video is completed.  Participants will have the opportunity to share personal perspectives … [Read more...]

Dear Gay/Porn Forum User

confession

Yesterday's post on the disenfranchisement of Christian therapists and clients from professional counseling had a surprising source of linkage that drove a decent amount of traffic to the blog. The sources of the links: Two gay/porn sites.  And I think it comes as no surprise I won't be linking back to them. :) I didn't investigate them to figure out what the purpose of these sites were or what is being said but given the URL of the addresses it was kind of obvious what the overall sites are about. So ... sincerely ... welcome! I can't quite figure out why yesterday's post would be … [Read more...]