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I Found Acceptance And Fulfillment in Christ – Real Stories for January 2011 by Rochelle

January 4, 2011 By Randy Thomas
dove

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. --- When I was growing up, I was always searching for something - something to learn, to fill, to numb, to distract me from myself. From a young age, I was certain there was something wrong with me and I needed to fix it in order for people to like and accept me. I was convinced I was unlovable, but believed if I just tried hard enough, I could correct my flaws and finally be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Gay, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Post-gay, Testimonies, The Father, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

From Devastation to Beauty – Real Stories for October 2010

October 20, 2010 By Randy Thomas
sun

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: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Thoughts On Church/Denominational Conflict

July 28, 2010 By Randy Thomas
pastorhands

This post was inspired by Matt Kaufman over at the Boundless Line.  He wrote, in response to the ELCA decision, a good question (emphasis mine): ... When should you leave a church on principle -- not for personal reasons (which we've talked about elsewhere on this blog), but for reasons of its doctrines or practices? And a follow-up question: Have you ever had to wrestle with this decision? That is definitely a tough question with plenty of potential variables.  In the 18 years I have been a Christian I haven't ever left a church on "principle" (when I have it has been for personal … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Equip, Exodus Blog, Exodus Church Association, Gay, Holy Spirit, Identity, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Lutherans, Post-gay, Religious Liberty, Sexuality, The Father Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Reconciliation” – A Movie That Will Challenge And Touch Your Heart

June 1, 2010 By Randy Thomas
Reconciliation the Movie

RECONCILIATION trailer from Chad Ahrendt on Vimeo. In a previous post, Gay Father + Christian Son = Reconciliation, I mentioned and showed the trailer for "Reconciliaiton."  I was excited that a movie coming from a redemptive Christian perspective was being made and looked forward to viewing it. The Director, Chad Ahrendt, sent a "screening" copy because I wasn't in Los Angeles to catch the premiere.  However, one of our leaders in the area, Carol Wagstaff with Living Stones Ministries, went and she emailed and left a voicemail very excited about the movie.  She said that it was very … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Identity, Member Ministry, Parents, Post-gay, Sexuality, Testimonies, Video, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

About John Paulk – A Brief Response To Rev. Cheng On The Huffington Post

May 28, 2010 By Randy Thomas
light in darkness

I read a blog post the other day by a Rev. Patrick Cheng PhD, for The Huffington Post. He basically said that ex-gays were going to hell and really, really deserved it. I never tell anyone they are going to hell. It wasn't the fear of hell that saved me. It was the kindness, mercy and love of God that led me to repentance. In the years I spent as a gay-identified man I didn't appreciate Christians telling me to "flip or fry." Today as an ex-gay man I still don't appreciate being told I deserve hell especially by a theologian who is selective about his tolerance, not to mention his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blogs, Church, Culture, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Identity, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Marriage, Media Mentions, Post-gay, Religious Liberty, Sexuality, Testimonies Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Around The World: Puerto Rico, Malawi and Brazil

May 18, 2010 By Randy Thomas
gloA

Here are three updates, from Puerto Rico, Malawi and Brazil, that landed in my inbox yesterday and today. Suspect in gay Puerto Rican teenager’s murder pleads guilty (link goes to gay media outlet): The man prosecutors contend brutally murdered a gay Puerto Rican teenager late last year has pleaded guilty. Juan José Martínez Matos, who had been scheduled to go on trial for Jorge Steven López Mercado’s death on Monday, May 17, confessed to the crime during a hearing in Caguas on Wednesday, May 12. Martínez told the court he understood the consequences of his actions, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Around the World, Bi-sexuality, Brazil, Culture, Educate, Exodus Blog, Gay, Identity, Lesbian, Malawi, Post-gay, Puerto Rico, Sexuality, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Afterthoughts On Jennifer Knapp – The Fullness of Grace & Truth

April 29, 2010 By Randy Thomas
Click Image to visit JenniferKnapp.com

The article I previously wrote concerning Jennifer Knapp "coming out" has now become the most visited post since we started this blog last August. Almost all of the tremendous amount of feedback was in agreement with the various points made in the post. Many appreciated the explanation of how temptation, if it is of any worth as a temptation, latches on to legitimate needs and points to sinful behavior as a way to meet those needs. Some people privately messaged that they appreciated the explanation of how love is a very important investment and rightly or wrongly, we cannot simply dismiss … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Educate, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Post-gay Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HopeFloats – Renee Dallas Starts Another Online Wives Group

April 28, 2010 By Randy Thomas
Click to Visit WifeBoat

Renee Dallas sent the following out via email: Join me for our next WifeBoat Online Support Group May 18th-August 10th I've had many woman ask me how they could possibly cope after finding out the devastating news that their husband had been using pornography, having an affair or feeling homosexual attractions. These grieving wives have often felt there was no place to turn to talk safely and openly about what they were dealing with. Family, friends, and career concerns have been some of the reasons why. That's why I started the WifeBoat Online Support groups. In the confidential … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Exodus Blog, God, Marriage, Online, Post-gay, Spouses, Support Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gay Father + Christian Son = “Reconciliation” The Movie

April 21, 2010 By Randy Thomas
reconciliaiton

I met Chad Ahrendt, the films Director on a recent trip to California and he shared with me the vision of the movie he was making and I have to say I was quite impressed with the vision and passion he has for the film. After seeing the trailer, I can't wait to see it. RECONCILIATION trailer from Chad Ahrendt on Vimeo. I asked Chad if he would send us a description to include and he wrote the following: RECONCILIATION is a movie that focuses on the broken relationship of a son, GRANT, and his father, JEFF, who haven’t spoken in 24 years. As Jeff doesn’t have long to live … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Homosexuality, Marriage, Post-gay, Purpose, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PBS Interview on Churches and Gay Youth

March 16, 2010 By Jeff Buchanan
Perdue

In a recent PBS Religion & Ethics segment on "Churches & Gay Youth," Pastor Bob Perdue of Old Dominion Baptist Church, an Exodus Church Association church in Bristow, VA, was interviewed by PBS correspondent Lucky Severson.  While the segment is generally unbalanced and one-sided in its perspective, Bob responds with a gracious and truthful point of view.  In preparing to post this article, I asked Bob to share a little of his personal story: I grew up in church and I grew up struggling with same sex attraction.  While the problem was not spoken about specifically, the concept of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Educate, Exodus Blog, Gay, Homosexuality, Sexuality, Southern Baptist, Television, Video, Websites, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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