Encourage — Exodus International Blog

Eighteen Years and Counting

July 23, 2010 By Randy Thomas

This is cross-posted on the ETC Blog. Here is an audio file (embedded at the end of this post as well.) *** Today is the day that I remember the actual moment in which I turned away from my gay worldview and began my Christian post-gay journey. This is *not* the day I became a Christian. I was born again before I turned away from homosexuality. The anniversary of accepting Christ as Lord and Savior is in the last week of May. So yes, I considered myself a "gay Christian" for the whole two months between May and July of 1992. During a prayer time 18 years ago the Lord (no … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Friendship, Gay, Holy Spirit, Identity, Jesus Christ, Post-gay, Sexuality, Testimonies, The Father Tagged With: AIDS, Bible, Change, Christianity, Christians, Church, Community, Counsel, Criticism, Ex-gay, Exodus, Faith, Family, Fear, Friendship, Gay, Gay Community, God, Heterosexual, Homosexuality, Identity, Intimacy, Jesus, Journey, Joy, Life, Love, Men, Ministry, Post-gay, Prayer, Relationship, Reparative Therapy, Sexual Orientation, Sexuality, Sin, straight, Teen, Testimony, Women, Worldview

Parenting The Sensitive Soul

July 22, 2010 By Randy Thomas

A mother sent me a link to this article, Parenting The Sensitive Soul, by Ricky Chelette who is the Director of Living Hope Ministries. She was deeply moved by it and was forwarding it on to some in her family. From the article: "I think my son wants to be a girl," the father blurted out through tear-filled eyes as he entered my office. He was an enthusiastic father, an articulate, well-educated man, with a passion for God and truth. His wife was with him, tears streaming from her face as she saw the pain in her husband's heart. She was a gentle mother with a deep passion for her … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Culture, Encourage, Exodus Blog, God, Identity, Member Ministry, Parents, Post-gay, Support, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Change, Educate, Family, Fear, Gay, God, Heart, Hope, Identity, Journey, Life, Love, Music, Needs, Pain, Parent, Ricky Chelette, School, Sin, Soul, Truth, Youth

When To Confront Someone’s Sin? – John Piper (Video)

July 21, 2010 By Randy Thomas

I am currently writing for a different project the topic of salvation and how some emphasize sin and hell to an inordinate degree. It's a tough one to write. I found this video late last night. I think it is important to note that Piper says that the importance of "confronting" sin in another increases among Christians to other Christians. That is what I understand from the scriptures as well. However, he also emphasizes that we have to be aware of our own spiritual walk with humility and meekness before talking with someone else about what he terms "destructive" behavior. Now, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Jesus Christ, Post-gay, Support, Video Tagged With: Christians, Feedback, John Piper, Love, Salvation, Sexuality, Sin, Video

NARTH vs British Medical Association, Brief Note on Alan Downing Allegations

July 19, 2010 By Randy Thomas

In no uncertain terms NARTH writes: The recent decision by the British Medical Association (BMA) to repudiate psychological care for clients with unwanted homosexual attractions is both unscientific and unethical. The research reveals that homosexuality is not invariably fixed in all people and that some people can and do change. Even the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation (though a biased group made up only of members opposed to sexual orientation change efforts) recently concluded that there is not enough evidence to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Exodus Blog, Gay, Professional Counseling Tagged With: American Psychological Association, Change, Christians, Counsel, Counseling, Exodus, Exodus Professional Counselors Network, Gay, Homosexuality, Life, NARTH, Sexual Orientation, Sexuality, Trust, Worldview

Same Sex Attraction/Identity by Michael Todd Wilson (Video)

July 16, 2010 By Randy Thomas

In this short six minute video Michael Todd Wilson (A member of the Exodus Professional Counselors Network) covers a lot of ground. He does a good job in explaining sexual identity. Thanks MT! Same Sex Attraction by Michael Todd Wilson from Johnson Ferry on Vimeo. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Identity, Lesbian, Parents, Post-gay, Professional Counseling, Sexuality, Video, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Counsel, Exodus, Exodus Professional Counselors Network, Heart, Identity, Michael Todd Wilson, Sexual Identity, Video

Are You Happier Now Than When You Were Gay?

July 14, 2010 By Randy Thomas

You Just Never Know What Could Happen Now Do You?

One of my young(er) friends on Facebook sent me a message that I have been getting a lot lately. Now that I have passed the 40 year old mark by two years the youngin's ask me "lonely old man" questions a lot. They don't say it like that and I am being humorous in phrasing it that way but it's true, I am getting older and have been celibate for 18 years this coming July 23rd. So they want to know if you can be happy, older and not pursuing or in a gay relationship. Wade (not his real name) writes in part: Are you happy? I know your probably thinking 'weirdo', but I'm not. Basically … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Post-gay, Support, Testimonies, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Church, Emotional, Encourage, encouragement, Exodus, Facebook, Faith, Family, Fear, Friends, Gay, God, Gospel, Grace, Heart, Holy Spirit, Hope, Intimacy, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Joy, Life, Love, Needs, Perseverance, Prayer, Relationship, Relationships, Romans, Scripture, Scriptures, Sin, Soul, Speaking, Study, The Gospel, Worship, Writing

Reflections On The Exodus Freedom Conference

July 13, 2010 By Randy Thomas

Joe Dallas - Freedom Conference 2010/LWO "Moving Forward"

Thom Hunter has a very inspiring post concerning his experience at the Exodus Freedom Conference a couple of weeks ago. Here is an excerpt from his blog post (linkage mine.): I wish every pastor in the country -- make that the world -- could hear Joe Dallas explain the differences between homosexual orientation . . . identity . . . and behavior. Orientation being involuntary, discovered. Behavior being what we do with that discovery via our free will. Identity sometimes foisted on us, sometimes embraced, but not who we really are. Not in God's created intent, but only in our fallen … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blogs, Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Jesus Christ, Post-gay, Support, Testimonies Tagged With: Alan Chambers, Change, Community, Conference, Encourage, Exodus Freedom Conference, Exodus International, Focus On The Family, Freedom, God, Grace, Heart, Homosexuality, Hope, Identity, Joe Dallas, Love, Pain, Sexual Orientation, Soul, Testimonies, Thom Hunter, Truth

British Comedienne, and Former Lesbian, Becomes Happily Married Mother of Four

July 12, 2010 By Randy Thomas

From How I Went from Committed Lesbian to a Happily Married Mother of Four: Looking at my four children racing around the garden with their father, it seems almost impossible to believe that only a few years ago I never imagined having a family. Or rather, when I did stop to think of myself as becoming a mother, I imagined the only way I'd do so would be through an anonymous sperm donor. Today, with five-year-old triplets, Thady, Frank and Orla, and a seven-year-old daughter, Saoirse, a husband and a home in a leafy London suburb, I could be viewed as the archehtypal wife and mother, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Catholic, Culture, England, Exodus Blog, Identity, Lesbian, Post-gay, Sexuality, Testimonies Tagged With: Addiction, Books, Criticism, Emotional, Emotional Dependency, Exodus, Facebook, Faith, Family, Friends, Friendship, Gay, Heart, Homosexuality, Lesbian, Lesbianism, Love, Peter Ould, Post-gay, Sexuality, straight, Truth, Women

Alan Medinger Goes Home to Heaven – Leaves An Amazing Legacy

June 28, 2010 By Randy Thomas

This morning many of the Exodus staff came home from the Freedom Conference to the difficult news that one of our beloved leaders and pioneers in the Exodus movement, Alan Medinger, has passed away. From Josh Glaser, Executive Director of Regeneration: Alan Medinger, Founder - Home Rejoicing, June 28th, 2010 Dear Friends, It is with great sadness we share with you that Regeneration's founder, Alan Medinger, passed away this morning, Monday, June 28th. Alan started Regeneration over three decades ago, and in the years that followed, he and his dear wife, Willa, were like a father and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Around the World, Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Friendship, Gay, God, Homosexuality, Jesus Christ, Post-gay, Testimonies Tagged With: Alan Medinger, Blogging, Compassion, Conference, encouragement, Exodus, Exodus Staff, Faith, Family, Freedom, Freedom Conference, Friends, God, Grace, Heart, Honor, Hope, Jesus, Life, Love, Regeneration, Rejoice, Soul, Support, Writing

Opening Night Encouragement – Exodus Freedom Conference “Moving Forward” (Video)

June 24, 2010 By Randy Thomas

I shot this video earlier this evening. It contains some encouragement from a few friends. Also, Alan did a fantastic job sharing about the founding of Exodus and honoring all of those involved in that process. He also shared very openly and authentically about his walk and life and the importance of God being our sole focus and the church coming alongside those who struggle with homosexuality. Very powerful. *** Don't forget, you can follow live updates, pictures and videos on our Facebook Page. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Encourage, Exodus Blog, Friendship, Gay, God, Lesbian, Post-gay, Support, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Conference, Encourage, encouragement, Exodus, Exodus Freedom Conference, Facebook, Friends, God, Homosexuality, Honor, Life, Sexuality, Video

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Eighteen Years and Counting

Parenting The Sensitive Soul

When To Confront Someone’s Sin? – John Piper (Video)

NARTH vs British Medical Association, Brief Note on Alan Downing Allegations

Same Sex Attraction/Identity by Michael Todd Wilson (Video)

Are You Happier Now Than When You Were Gay?

Reflections On The Exodus Freedom Conference

British Comedienne, and Former Lesbian, Becomes Happily Married Mother of Four

Alan Medinger Goes Home to Heaven – Leaves An Amazing Legacy

Opening Night Encouragement – Exodus Freedom Conference “Moving Forward” (Video)

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