Overcoming Homophobia

confession

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...]

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

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...]

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

QA

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...]

Telling Your Story: Sharing Your Struggle With Family at the Holidays

family

The holidays can be intense time.  Food, family, fun - and often friction.  It’s also a time when those of us who are struggling to overcome same-sex attraction may choose to “come out” to our families. I came out to my dad as gay-identified at around 15 or 16, then a post/ex-gay at 25, and then as an Exodus ministry leader probably around 29 or 30.  He raised me as a single dad from when I was an early teen, and my mom was in and out of the picture.  At one point, a family member out’ed me to my mom, but she & I never talked about it since our relationship has always been … [Read more...]

The Old Is Gone, The New Has Come – Christmas Letter from Alan Chambers for December 2010

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 serviceplease sign up here. — Dear Friends, Merry Christmas to you!  A season I dearly love is upon us and I am working very hard to cherish it more than I ever have before.  Each year I set out not to get too caught up in the festivities of the season because the reason for the celebration goes far beyond the music, the parties, the decorations and the gifts.  We all know that the reason to … [Read more...]

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

My Wedding Day

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...]

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

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...]

From Devastation to Beauty – Real Stories for October 2010

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...]

New Book “Naked Surrender” by Andy Comiskey

naked surrender

Today I want to post an interview I did via email with Andy Comiskey about his new book titled "Naked Surrender."  I have posted the interview exactly as it happened.  There has been very little editing (spelling, formatting.)  Also, all emphasis (bold and italics are mine.  Without further ado :) ... First of all, congratulations on your new book.  The provocative title is "Naked Surrender: coming home to our true sexuality." When you say "Naked Surrender" is that both literal and figurative?  What does it mean to "come home" to our true sexuality? Andy: 'Naked surrender' refers … [Read more...]

Love Won Out Rockford Illinois this Weekend

Click to Visit Love Won Out Website

Love Won Out is this weekend! <-- The exclamation point denotes genuine excitement.  I have been to many of LWO's and am blessed at every one.  Here are a couple of examples of why: One parent, who recently attended a Love Won Out event, said, “God spoke to me about my need to show more love and acceptance towards our son who is gay and to trust Him to use this in my own life to grow me to be all He wants me to be.” After attending the event, one man wrote, “I came to the conference ready to give up, walk out of my marriage and pursue a gay lifestyle. The conference gave me hope … [Read more...]