Encourage — Exodus International Blog

Inaccuracy Shrouds Kirsten Power’s Article

November 18, 2010 By Jeff Buchanan

The following was submitted to USA Today as a Letter to the Editor last week in response to Kirsten Powers article "Hypocrisy shrouds the gay marriage debate." The letter has not been published in their paper as of yet. --- Inaccuracy Shrouds Kirsten Power’s Article As the Director of “Day of Truth 2010”, I am disappointed with the inaccurate perspective of Kirsten Power’s article. Voicing disapproval of homosexuality was not the focus of this event but rather exercising the right to present an alternative message and educating individuals about their choices. For these … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blogs, Church, Culture, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Homosexuality, Identity, Marriage, Media Mentions, Print, Religious Liberty, Sexuality, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Christians, Church, Compassion, Day Of Truth, Debate, ECA, Exodus Church Association, Exodus International, Exodus Youth, Gay, Homosexuality, Jeff Buchanan, Letter To The Editor, Scripture, Sexuality, Teen

“I Am The Vine and My Father is The Gardener” – David Fountain’s Testimony

November 17, 2010 By David Fountain

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. — I love this description of God as “The Gardener.” As someone who made a lifelong decision to embrace the process of change over 13 years ago, I can certainly relate to how God chooses to reveal Himself by this title. Night after night, I would beg God for freedom from my struggle with same-sex attractions. I knew that my feelings and attractions were outside of God’s … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Holy Spirit, Homosexuality, Jesus Christ, Post-gay, Support, Testimonies, The Father Tagged With: Change, David Fountain, Exodus, Freedom, God, Grief, Holy Spirit, Life, Love, news, Online, Parent, Porn, Prayer, Sin, Testimonies, Testimony, Victory

What’s in a Name? The Story of Brenna Kate Simonds – Part 2

November 12, 2010 By Brenna Kate Simonds

Yesterday, I shared the first half of my story. This is the second half. I had just become a Christian. In one sense, I felt hope, but at the same time, the labels were still haunting me. Even though at the time I could not voice what was going on, I continued to spiral out of control with my eating and relationships. I was so desperate for love that I entered into a relationship with an 18 year old woman with a drug problem (I was 24 at the time). After 3 months, this woman (having been raised in a Christian home) said to me, “Listen – the Bible says you must either be hot or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bi-sexuality, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Holy Spirit, Homosexuality, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Marriage, Post-gay, Purpose, The Father, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Abuse, Addiction, Bible, Biblical Sexuality, Brenna Kate Simonds, Change, Christians, Church, Counseling, Ex-gay, Family, Fear, Friends, Friendship, God, Gospel, Grace, Homosexuality, Hope, Identity, Jesus, Lies, Pain, Relationship, Scripture, Sexual Abuse, Sexuality, The Gospel, Therapy, Transparency, Trust

What’s in a Name? The Story of Brenna Kate Simonds – Part 1

November 11, 2010 By Brenna Kate Simonds

Brenna with a mohawk from having her head shaved

A Christian speaker recently reminded me that words are a container for power. The book of Proverbs says “reckless words pierce like a sword”, “the words of the wicked lie in wait for blood”, and “when words are many, sin is not absent”. In the Bible, words & names are very important. Throughout my life, I allowed people and circumstances to label me, name me, and define who I am. I was born prematurely in May of 1975. I was given a 50% chance of survival and rode in an ambulance to a hospital 50 miles away since the hospital where I was born did not have premie … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bi-sexuality, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Friendship, Gay, God, Holy Spirit, Homosexuality, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Marriage, Post-gay, Purpose, Support, Testimonies, The Father, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Abuse, Addiction, Bible, Biblical Sexuality, Brenna Kate Simonds, Change, Christians, Church, Counseling, Ex-gay, Family, Fear, Friends, Friendship, God, Gospel, Grace, Homosexuality, Hope, Identity, Jesus, Lies, Pain, Relationship, Scripture, Sexual Abuse, Sexuality, Therapy, Transparency, Trust

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

November 9, 2010 By Randy Thomas

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...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Homosexuality, Identity, Jesus Christ, Marriage, Post-gay, Sexuality, Testimonies Tagged With: Anger, Change, Christians, Coming Out, Conference, Confidence, Exodus Freedom Conference, Exodus International, Family, Freedom, Gay, God, Gospel, Heterosexual, Holiday, Homosexuality, Hope, Jennifer Knapp, Jesus, Joe Dallas, Journey, Life, Love, Marriage, Men, Post-gay, Science, Sexuality, Sin, Worship

From Devastation to Beauty – Real Stories for October 2010

October 20, 2010 By Randy Thomas

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. --- From Devastation to Beauty - Stephanie Goeke When Mike walked out on our marriage in 1996, my reality, hopes and dreams were shattered. I had grown up in a solid Christian home and had come to believe that my joy and fulfillment would be found in being married and having children. The past years have been spent experiencing God’s faithfulness – not faithfulness to my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, God, Marriage, Post-gay, Spouses, Testimonies Tagged With: Change, Exodus, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, Giving, God, Heart, Hope, Joy, Life, Love, Marriage, Testimonies, Trust

“Consider it Pure Joy …” – Letter From Alan Chambers for October 2010

October 20, 2010 By 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. --- Today I was meditating on James 1. The whole chapter is rich, but several verses leapt out at me, due to my recent attendance at the funerals of two of Exodus International's most valued women leaders. James 1:2-4, 12: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Friendship, God, Marriage, Member Ministry, Post-gay, Spouses Tagged With: Alan Chambers, Alan Medinger, Conference, ECA, Encourage, encouragement, Exodus, Exodus International, Family, Friends, God, Grief, Heart, Jesus, Joy, Life, Love, Marriage, Ministry, Nancy Brown, Regeneration, Spouses, Testimonies, Willa Medinger, Wives, Women

Memories of Bullying

October 13, 2010 By Brenna Kate Simonds

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...]

Filed Under: Around the World, Bi-sexuality, Church, Culture, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Homosexuality, Identity, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Parents, Post-gay, Purpose, Sexuality, The Father, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Abuse, Brenna Kate Simonds, Change, Church, Coming Out, Community, Compassion, Family, Freedom, Friends, Gay, Homosexuality, Jesus, Love, news, Research, Respect, School, Sexual Orientation, Sexuality, Sin, Stigmatization, Teen, TN, Tragedy, Truth

Jesus Likes Me This I Know

October 11, 2010 By Mike Goeke

Jesus Likes Me This I Know Mike Goeke, October 2010 I am sort of a weird guy. I prefer the term quirky, but semantics aside, I am weird. My interests are not typical (or maybe I should say that they are not stereotypical) of your run-of-the-mill guy. I remember sensing that I was different at about age 5. In many ways, my early years were spent feeling odd and yearning for friends and some sort of acceptance. These days, I don’t worry so much about being weird. For the most part, I am comfortable with myself. I can still feel lonely at times, and I can feel like that little 5 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Friendship, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Post-gay, Support, Testimonies, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Change, Church, Faith, Friends, God, Healing, Heart, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus, Joy, Lies, Life, Love, Relationship, Sacrifice, Sin, Truth

Finding a Safe Place– Real Stories for September 2010

September 22, 2010 By Randy Thomas

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. --- I am a wife of a man with undesired same-sex attraction struggles. Together we have attended two Exodus conferences. Through the ministry of Exodus, God showed me that He truly cares about human brokenness. He loves homosexual men and women. He also loves my husband and desires to free him from his past and present pain, fears, and shame. The Exodus Freedom conference … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, God, Holy Spirit, Homosexuality, Jesus Christ, Marriage, Post-gay, Spouses, Support, Testimonies, The Father Tagged With: Change, Church, Conference, Exodus, Exodus Freedom Conference, Family, Fear, Freedom, God, Healing, Homosexuality, Honor, Hope, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Joy, Life, Love, Marriage, Men, Ministry, news, Online, Pain, Parent, Relationship, Sexuality, Support, Testimonies, Testimony, Victory

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Inaccuracy Shrouds Kirsten Power’s Article

“I Am The Vine and My Father is The Gardener” – David Fountain’s Testimony

What’s in a Name? The Story of Brenna Kate Simonds – Part 2

What’s in a Name? The Story of Brenna Kate Simonds – Part 1

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

From Devastation to Beauty – Real Stories for October 2010

“Consider it Pure Joy …” – Letter From Alan Chambers for October 2010

Memories of Bullying

Jesus Likes Me This I Know

Finding a Safe Place– Real Stories for September 2010

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