Relationship — Exodus International Blog

Of Life and The Yellow Lights

January 21, 2011 By Randy Thomas

I really dislike approaching yellow lights. I am not a driven Type-A personality but I just don't really care for in town driving ... and not getting my way ... ummm... When it comes to yellow lights, do I hurry through and possibly get a ticket or run over that confused looking squirrel? It never gets cold here so when it does repeatedly, the wildlife and native Floridians don't quite know what to do. Do I hurry through or do I just stop on a dime and scare the guy in the Lexus behind me talking on his phone way to close to my bumper? If the light is green I can just keep on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Encourage, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Post-gay, Support Tagged With: Change, Confidence, Emotional, Jesus, Journey, Joy, Life, Men, Mom, Radio, Relationship, Relationships

Homophobic Stigmatization vs True Homophobia

January 12, 2011 By Randy Thomas

The previous post clearly involved a true case of homophobia and a general response on how to overcome it. In response on our Facebook page, Melissa said: Most who call homosexuality a sin or stand up against the gay agenda are called homophobic! There are many complex agendas and some powerful ones coalesce into pro-gay cultural momentum across the board in all sectors of society. When people minimize the complexity of that reality (minimizing it to simply, "The Gay Agenda"), we set ourselves up to be easily stigmatized with false labels. Maybe if we put down our pointing fingers/verbal … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Encourage, Gay, God, Homosexuality, Identity, Lesbian, Post-gay, Religious Liberty, Sexuality Tagged With: Anger, Bible, Christians, Compassion, Culture, Educate, Exodus, Facebook, Faith, Fear, Fred Phelps, Friends, Gay, God, Grace, Heart, Homophobia, Homosexuality, Identity, Journey, Judgment, Life, Love, Muslim, Post-gay, Redemptive, Relationship, Sacrifice, Sexual Identity, Sexuality, Sin, Speaking, Stigmatization, Study, Truth, Worldview

Overcoming Homophobia

January 10, 2011 By Randy Thomas

B writes: I have a severe case of homophobia to the point of my body physically reacting to it. I shake, I get angry and my heart beats very quickly even at the mention of it. I know the issue isn't the sin itself it's repentance and those whom identify with homosexuality are no different from me. I know all the textbook answers but I'm struggling to fix myself and I can't seem to find any help or advice that doesn't involve the social annoyance with Christians. Hi B, thank you for sending in your message. With regards to the inordinate and even bodily reaction to the anger you feel, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bi-sexuality, Church, Culture, Educate, Gay, God, Holy Spirit, Identity, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Post-gay, Purpose, Sexuality, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Abuse, Anger, Change, Christians, Compassion, Confession, Counsel, Counseling, Exodus, False Gospel, Fear, Freedom, Gay, Giving, God, Grace, Guide, Healing, Heart, Homophobia, Homosexuality, Hope, Identity, Life, Love, Protest, Redemptive, Relationship, Sacrifice, Sexuality, Sin, Testimonies, Trust

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

January 4, 2011 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. --- 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: Addiction, Community, Exodus, Forgiveness, Giving, God, Heart, Hope, Joy, Lesbian, Life, Love, Mom, Needs, news, Online, Parent, Pornography, Prayer, Relationship, Satisfaction, Soul, Teen, Testimonies, Testimony, Trust

How Do you Pick Up The Pieces After A Child “Come Out” During the Holidays? – Real Answers for January 2011 by Terri Brown

January 4, 2011 By Terri Brown

This article appears in both our offline and online newsletters. To receive articles like this along with the full newsletter online via email or offline through the postal service please sign up here. --- It is quite common for gay-identified individuals to “come out” to their family during the Christmas holidays. Many parents may now be left with a plethora of emotions and questions. How do you pick up the pieces, face the New Year and return to some kind of normalcy while reeling from what is perhaps shocking news? First, understand that while this may have taken you by … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Educate, God, Holy Spirit, Identity, Jesus Christ, Marriage, Parents, Post-gay, Purpose, Q & A, Sexuality, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Anger, Books, Change, Christmas, Conference, Educate, Exodus, Family, Friends, Gay, God, Grief, Heart, Holiday, Holy Spirit, Homosexuality, Life, Love, Love Won Out, Parent, Rejoice, Relationship, Sexuality, Speaking, Support, Terri Brown, Trust, Truth

Together Everyone Accomplishes More – Letter from Alan Chambers for January 2011

January 4, 2011 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. --- Dear Friends, How many of you have a resolution for the New Year? Without going crazy, I usually try to pinpoint one or two areas where I hope to make improvements each year. This year I have decided to work on keeping life simple. You may remember that our mission at Exodus for 2011 is Simplify, Amplify, Intensify. I began sensing the Lord's encouragement in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Equip, Exodus Church Association, Gay, God, Identity, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Marriage, Parents, Post-gay, Purpose, Sexuality, Spouses, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Addiction, Alan Chambers, Biblical Sexuality, Church, Conference, Counsel, Educate, Encourage, Exodus, Facebook, Friends, Giving, God, Hope, Joy, Life, Ministry, Online, Parent, Relationship, Twitter, Young People, Youth

Avoiding Pitfalls During The Holidays – Real Answers by Angela Buchanan

December 9, 2010 By Angela Buchanan

This article appears in both our offline and online newsletters. To receive articles like this along with the full newsletter online via email or offline through the postal service please sign up here. --- The holiday season is a particularly challenging time for me. How can I prepare myself to avoid pitfalls that can easily sabotage my joy and peace? First of all, set realistic expectations. Christmas is a wonderful season, but sometimes we expect so much we can’t help but feel depressed and disappointed when it is over. The anticipation builds for months and then it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Parents, Post-gay, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Bible, Change, Christmas, Church, Exodus, Friends, God, Heart, Holiday, Holidays, Hope, Joy, Life, Relationship, Relationships, Social Networking, Support

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

November 17, 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. — 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...]

Filed Under: Bi-sexuality, Church, Culture, Equip, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Homosexuality, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Marriage, Parents, Post-gay, Spouses, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: Alan Chambers, Christianity, Church, Culture, encouragement, Exodus International, Exodus Youth, Faith, Family, Freedom, Friends, Giving, God, Grace, Homosexuality, Journey, Life, Marriage, Men, Ministry, news, Online, Parent, Pastors, Podcast, Prayer, Relationship, Satisfaction, School, Sexuality, Sin, Truth, Young People

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

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Of Life and The Yellow Lights

Homophobic Stigmatization vs True Homophobia

Overcoming Homophobia

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

How Do you Pick Up The Pieces After A Child “Come Out” During the Holidays? – Real Answers for January 2011 by Terri Brown

Together Everyone Accomplishes More – Letter from Alan Chambers for January 2011

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

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

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