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

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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. --- 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...]

Let World AIDS Day Inspire and Inform

Photo Credit: The Guardian (click image to visit)

Today is world AIDS day. It is a day set aside to raise awareness of this terrible pandemic. It isn't simply a day where we remember the deadly toll AIDS has had on our generation.  It is also a day to highlight resources, ministries and efforts to prevent and find a cure. Regardless of whether you identify as one of the letters in GLBTQI, as an "ex-gay" or as a Christian on a post-gay journey, we all have known too many people who have died of AIDS and/or currently have loved ones and friends living with HIV/AIDS. I picked the picture for this post from the Guardian because it speaks … [Read more...]

Step Up, Speak Out Against Bullying – The Tragic Case of Tyler Clementi

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Everyone I have talked to that has heard about the recent rash of young people killing themselves as a result of bullying are deeply moved and heartbroken.  Considering the cases lately that are specific bullying due to a young person being perceived as or identifying as gay, many of us can personally relate to having had experienced/or are experiencing that in our lives. Truly heart breaking. I've been struggling with trying to find the words to capture the horror and deep sadness of the situation regarding Tyler Clementi but I found this amazingly powerful article by Todd Starnes. … [Read more...]

Why Does The Gay Community Refuse to Acknowledge Our Testimony?

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This question was left on my formspring service after I wrote this post on my personal blog.  I will answer it by parsing out the different points.  First ... How can people in the gay community make that claim dismissing a person once being gay? I think some (not all) make that claim just like Conservatives and/or Christians who used to claim (some still do) that there are no truly gay people.  What I have discovered is that people on both sides, actually people in general, are not usually happy with others whose identity and/or moral systems are based in direct opposite views to their … [Read more...]

Exodus North Atlantic Regional Conference September 17-19 in Endicott NY

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

Have you considered attending an Exodus conference?  Besides the annual Freedom conference, there are lots of other conferences held by Exodus and its member ministries every year.  One such conference is the North Atlantic Regional Conference, September 17-19 in Endicott, NY, where Joe Dallas will be speaking and I will be leading the music. Why should you consider attending a conference?  Hear what 2 people have to say about their experiences: “This was my first Exodus conference. I have been anticipating attending a gathering like this for many years, so I couldn't believe that … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

Parenting The Sensitive Soul

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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...]

Are You Happier Now Than When You Were Gay?

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...]

Reflections On The Exodus Freedom Conference

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...]

Alan Medinger Goes Home to Heaven – Leaves An Amazing Legacy

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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...]