Don't Believe Everything You Hear or Read -- Part 1

Please don't believe everything you hear or read!  I know we've heard that all our lives but we often get sucked into articles or conversations that appear reasonable but are not.  I want to focus on this in several posts in the coming days because of how dangerous this can be and because we are all susceptible to being guilty of doing it. 

An example would be the New York Times article on July 6, 2012:  "Rift Forms in Movement as Belief in Gay 'Cure' Is Renounced," by Erik Eckhom. 
 
Horrible Wording:  "Gay Cure!"  Where in the world did that come from?  Exodus International has never ever used that wording in its entire history.  But this is commonly used by media as they strive to identity who we are and what we do.
 
There is a statement that is passed around in Exodus circles that is profound:  "The opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality . . . its holiness!"  We primarily focus on spiritual truth as we walk with individuals and their family and friends who have been impacted by same-sex attraction issues.  We focus on Christian discipleship and on walking with others toward a deeper authentic love relationship with GOD.  Our view is that we are not primarily physical beings or sexual beings but that we are primarily spiritual beings created for the glory of GOD.
 
Another example is the MSNBC interview Alan Chambers, the President of Exodus International, conducted on Monday, July 9, 2012.  As the program was coming on the host introduced the segment by saying, "The leader of the 'pray the gay away' organization now believes there is 'no cure for being gay.'"  That is totally erroneous!  Exodus International has never ever identified itself as a "pray the gay away" organization.  That does not at all describe who we are and what we do, though we certainly believe in the power and effectiveness of prayer in dealing with all issues of life. 
 
I understand we may have misunderstandings and even disagreements but it is critically important that what we communicate is true and not false or misleading whether intentional or not.
 
More to come!

Deeply Grateful for Exodus International

If for one moment I thought Exodus International embraced any level of gay ideology I would be out of here. I have been involved with Exodus since 1999.  I have heard the heart of Exodus over the years & I have read most everything publicly written from Exodus.  I have never doubted our biblical convictions about homosexual behavior.

Our message is clear and has been consistent: the Bible teaches that all sexual expression outside of marriage between one man & one woman is sinful and contrary to His plans & purposes for us. Also, we are called by GOD to engage our culture because we are confident that "the gospel of Christ is the power of GOD unto salvation to everyone who believes" & the very gates of hell shall not stand up against the onslaught of God's word and His people.

Those who are blinded by the Enemy will never come to GOD out of conviction but they will come running to Him as they are overwhelmed by His irresistible grace & love.

Fear & unbelief cause us to retreat in offense from the vulgarity of our culture but GODLY confidence & belief empowers us to engage it.

A Perspective: What Exodus Is Trying To Say

While attending a conference team meeting at the Exodus Freedom Conference I heard Alan Chambers say something like:  "The world [media] doesn't understand us even though we give them everything we possibly can."  I totally get what he was saying. 

Much of the world doesn't understand our message because our message is of a spiritual nature and is discerned only by those who have spiritual ears to hear.  However, it really hurts when other believers do not get our message either; and many do not.  I want to make a simple point to address one aspect of our message.

I have been involved with the issue of same-sex attractions (SSA) in some way my entire life.  I have been involved with SSA issues openly for nearly 17 years.  During this time I have spoken to a lot of people about sexual issues.  Sometimes I merely want to have the tires on my car rotated or I simply want to read a book on my flight to wherever.  But the issue comes up all the time!

I can't remember ever hearing any male say to me that they have absolutely no sexual temptations or impure sexual thoughts.  Every male I've ever spoken with about sexual issues has confessed to me his personal battle with sexual lust issues.  Some of these men are deeply spiritual men and some of them are serving in ministry in some capacity. 

Just because a person loves Jesus and is truly Spirit-filled does not mean all their sexual temptations, battles, struggles and lusts toward the opposite gender instantaneously go away.  However, their sexual temptations do not control them and do not define them.  And it is critically important that they are transparent with at least some trusted community of faith.  It is important for the Church to extend God's grace in such a way that no one feels pressure to put on a mask or to remain hidden in a closet and in bondage.

Why would we expect things to be any different for a person who battles with same-gender attraction issues?  Just because a person loves Jesus and is truly Spirit-filled does not mean all their same-sex temptations, battles, struggles and lusts instantaneously go away.  However, their sexual temptations do not control them and do not define them either.  And it is equally important that they have opportunity to be transparent with a community of faith somewhere so as not to continue wearing a mask or living in the closet and in bondage!

For over 45 years I wore a mask and I lived in a closet!  As a result I made many serious mistakes and lived a dysfunctional life and caused great harm to many people as well as to myself.  I will NEVER return to the closet again.

The desire of my heart is to love GOD with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind.  A fruit of that desire has been to walk in the freedom of truth, authenticity and transparency in the midst of my battle against SSA issues without compromising what GOD's word says about homosexual behavior.  In this kind of walk I am finding freedom and I am experiencing healing.

I can't control what the media or culture thinks or says about me.  But CHURCH, please do not pressure me to wear a mask or to live in a closet.  I will not! 

I am thankful for a community of faith I attend in Nashville, TN, that not only allows me to walk in transparency but expects it!  Thank you to my Restoration Church family and thank You LORD for this incredible gift!

GOD's Message to the Church: Repent!

“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." -2 Chronicles 7:13-14

If there is a sin that is most grievous than all others, and I believe there is, I believe it is the sin of unbelief . . . “whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).  Unbelief is the essence of all sin.  This was the sin of the Fall . . . Adam and Eve chose to believe the lies of the Enemy rather than the truth of GOD (Genesis 3).  We, more times than not, continue to walk in unbelief . . . for some crazy reason we often believe the enemy’s lies rather than the truths of our loving Father.

Those of us who are followers of Jesus have what I call “blanket belief” in GOD and “blanket love” for GOD.  On any given day in any given church if you were to take a poll on Sunday morning as to who loves GOD and who believes GOD almost every hand would be raised.  But we often do not walk in what I call “moment-by-moment belief”.

 Our unbelief causes us to breach the Greatest Commandment: “You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37; Deuteronomy 6:5).  Everything flows from our relationship with GOD.  Did you read that statement carefully?  EVERYTHING flows from our relationship with GOD.

 Unbelief thrusts us into common sense effort and human flesh as we personally face adversity.  Unbelief thrusts us into human ingenuity, business tactics and strategy as we strive to “grow” our churches.  Unbelief subtly corners us into the walls of independence, arrogance and humanism.  Unbelief breeds pharisaical judgments and condemnation upon those for whom GOD’s redemptive plan was ordained from the foundations of the world.

 As we walk in unbelief we become offended by the culture that surrounds us and we withdraw ourselves from it rather than being “provoked to engage” it (“The Next Christians,” by Gabe Lyons).

 Belief, on the other hand, compels us to love GOD with all our heart, soul and mind.  Belief, on the other hand, drives us to trust GOD with all our heart, soul and mind.  Belief, on the other hand, causes us to collapse into a state of divine rest in the very arms of our Father Who is greater than the enemy.

 Belief produces within us genuine brokenness and humility.  Belief drops us prostrate with our faces in the mud crying out to our GOD.  Belief relentlessly pursues GOD in all things.  Belief abruptly and powerfully turns us from unbelief and toward rest in the bosom of the One True and Living GOD.  Belief provokes us to proclaim loudly and walk boldly in the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is the power of GOD unto salvation . . . not politics . . . not programs . . . not strategies . . . not humanism. 

 Belief disrobes us from the garment of flesh and brings us naked before the world and our GOD and in our nakedness we cry out, “I am not ashamed of THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, for IT is the power of GOD for salvation to EVERYONE who BELIEVES . . . (Romans 1:16)” and upon this rock, the gospel of Jesus Christ, GOD is building His Church to breach the depths of hell and the very gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). 

 Let us heed the call of GOD to repent of unbelief and let us march forward clothed only with Holy Spirit and “with all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on [behalf of one another] in the opening of [our] mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which [we] are ambassadors in chains; that in proclaiming IT [we] may speak boldly, as [we] ought to speak (Ephesians 6:10-20).”

The Exchanged Life: "Can I Be Gay & Christian" -- Part 2

The previous post & the following post are a result of dialog with a new friend who is a Christian but continues to battle with "extreme homosexual desires."

I sincerely pray and seek GOD but I continue to have strong homosexual desires.  What’s wrong with me?

“The Exchanged Life:  Can I Be Gay and Christian?” – Part 2

Spending time alone with GOD is a great thing & one of the most important things we do. But we must be warned when we turn to solace with Him the Enemy will rise up as never before. This was Jesus' experience & so we can be certain it will be ours (Matthew 4:1-11).  The Enemy also knows exactly what buttons to push when he attacks us, just as he did with Jesus. We call this spiritual warfare & it is bloody, violent & vicious (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18).

This is why we also, in addition to solace with GOD, need to have unworldly intimacy with others who will insist that we walk in authenticity in order that they might relate to us with authentic unconditional love (John 8:31-32; Hebrews 10:19-25); the agape type that is only possible by Holy Spirit producing it in us & through us (Galatians 5:22-23). Most Christians really do not even understand what I'm referring to because they have never been taught this radical kind of Christian faith.

It is ALWAYS wrong to repress & deny in any context whether it be in an Exodus-type ministry or in a church setting or with human counsel. Again, it is critically important to find a fellowship of believers who will insist that you walk in authenticity, truthfulness & honesty. Within this dynamic there is freedom & opportunity for Holy Spirit to do His incredible divine work (John 6:28-29; John 8:31-32).

You will experience sexual battle within your soul. This is where spiritual warfare takes places (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18). The scripture does not lump soul & spirit together. These are two separate entities that make up the triune nature of every human being (body is the third entity). Our soul is made up of our mind (thinker), will (chooser) & emotions (feeler) (1 Thessalonians 5:23).  This is where the enemy attacks & this is where our life-long battle takes places. Redemption is GOD's work of maturing & healing our soul. I repeat, this is a life-long process.

We certainly are sexual beings; GOD created us that way & it is good. But in this fallen & broken world, as a result of the Fall & Original Sin, sex has become an idol that the Enemy has recognized as one of his most potential weapons. The Enemy isn't nearly as concerned about external "sinful" behaviors as we are in the Church. The Enemy's desire is to continually tempt us in our flesh & soul to love anything more than we love GOD Himself. This is the essence of the Fall & Original Sin. This is what makes "sinful behavior" so wicked & evil . . . it breaks GOD's heart because we love something or someone else more than we love Him and therefore we are missing out on our ultimate purpose.

You see, we are sexual beings, but we are primarily spiritual beings. GOD created us in His own image. GOD is Spirit, therefore, we are spirit. It is only as our spirit is in perfect union or relationship with GOD as Spirit that we fulfill our ultimate purpose and that we embrace our true identity (Genesis 1:27).

As long as we identify ourselves in any other way we will never embrace our true authentic identity. It doesn't matter what we want to call it . . . gay, fag, queer, homosexual, homosexual constitution, heterosexual, etc. As we identify in these ways we open up our soul to the enemy's attacks & we believe His lie rather than what GOD has declared & the work He has already done through His redemptive act.

I also still struggle with same-sex attraction & at times I experience extreme lusts, but this is not who I truly am. In Christ Jesus I am not gay, a fag, a queer, a homosexual; I'm not even ex-gay. In Christ Jesus I am a son of GOD, brother to Christ Jesus, righteous, redeemed, perfect, holy, blameless, forgiven, justified, sanctified, accepted & acceptable, loved & loveable, who just happens to struggle with SSA issues. I choose to embrace who GOD says I am in Christ & I choose to enter into this warfare against the Enemy to believe.

The Exchanged Life: Can You Be Gay & Be a Christian?

The Exchanged Life

I basically take the view about same sex attraction (SSA) as I do anything else that any fallen & broken individual may be dealing with in life.  SSA certainly isn't the only issue I deal with, it is one of many.  My view is that all of our brokenness, temptations and sinful behavior are the result of the Fall . . . Original Sin . . . we were all born with this Adamic nature . . . I like to call it "Adam's spiritual DNA" (Genesis 3). 

 Redemption is about GOD's love for us and His desire to have an intimate relationship with us.  I can't understand why GOD wants that but I believe it's the reason He created us in the first place. What happened in redemption . . . Jesus' death, burial, & resurrection . . . was that He (Jesus) paid the penalty for the Fall and it's results and EXCHANGED our sinful nature with His righteousness (Romans 3:21-26; Romans 6; and the Exchanged Life -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21). As a result, we who are in Christ, no longer have Adam's spiritual DNA but we now have inherited Jesus' spiritual DNA--the very life of Jesus Christ living His life within us and through us by Holy Spirit:  righteous

(2 Corinthians 5:21); set free & liberated (Galatians 2:4); justified & redeemed (Romans 3:24); forgiven (Ephesians 1:7); sealed (Ephesians 1:13); sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2), holy (Ephesians 1:4); perfect/complete (Colossians 2:10); blameless (Ephesians 1:4); accepted (Romans 15:7); son/daughter (Galatians 4:7); seated in Heaven already (Ephesians 2:6); etc. This is absolute reality, not simply our "position" . . . it is our new identity . . . who we are in Christ (Romans 6).

As Paul taught in Romans 7, just because we love Jesus and have been filled with Holy Spirit and have inherited Jesus' spiritual DNA, a new identity in Christ, doesn't mean all our temptations, struggles, disease, suffering, sinful behavior are instantly zapped and cease.  We still continue to live in a fallen and broken world, we continue living with a fallen and broken body that is susceptible to fleshly lusts and desires, and the Enemy is still alive and well (Romans 7). But the good news in the midst of this journey is that Jesus has set us free from this “body of death” (Romans 7:24-25) and there is “now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).  Our life in this world is an on-going process or journey or great adventure of pursuing GOD & His purposes for us . . . pursuing His purpose of why we are here, why He created us. I believe this life-long process and purpose is to grow in an intimate love relationship with GOD. As we continue on this journey of spiritual growth and maturation in our authentic love relationship with GOD we become more and more truly satisfied with GOD, our True Love and Lover. As John Piper puts it . . ."GOD is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

So my focus is NOT on any external sinful behavior, nor is my focus on external lusts, desires and temptations. My focus is on pursuing GOD and falling more in love with Him. John Elderedge describes this process and relationship well in his incredibly wonderfully titled book, "Sacred Romance." This is what GOD desires for us and from us . . . to experience a "Sacred Romance" with Him. I absolutely love that concept.

GOD's heart is broken when we allow anything in this life or this world to become our focus, our love or more important to us than our relationship with Him, regardless of what that "thing" might be (sex, food, materialism, other relationships, religion, etc.). Anything that we put before GOD becomes an idol. I think our sexuality, our sexual needs and our need for relationships with others have become idolatrous for most people. The book of Hosea is a good example of this. I believe this is truly the story of the entire Bible. The Bible could be titled, "Sacred Romance."

I also believe that as we grow in an authentic intimate love relationship with GOD our desire for anything in this world diminishes, becomes less and not nearly as satisfying because being truly satisfied in the LORD is so overshadowing and all encompassing; nothing can compare (2 Corinthians 5:1-9; Philippians 3:4-21).  So why would I want to settle for a lesser lover like homosexuality or any other worldly distraction?

A major mistake we have made in the Church is to focus on worldly issues and sinful behavior rather than focusing on growing in our relationship with the LORD.  I believe a person can be truly born again and continue to battle with SSA just like truly born again people continue to battle with many other sinful issues like pride, gossip, anger, envy, jealousy, etc.  I believe a person can be truly born again and also embrace a gay-identified lifestyle because they have been blinded by the Enemy, just as many born again believers have been blinded by the Enemy to many of their sinful behaviors and attitudes that they embrace.  The entire Bible deals with this continuing battle that all people experience, including those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Redemption doesn’t instantly rid us of sinful behavior.  If this were true we would not be dealing with spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18).  Think about your own life dear believer.  You are truly born again so are you now living a perfect life?  Can you honestly say there is no sinful behavior or attitude that you have embraced?  Are you truly intentionally striving to rid yourself of every sinful behavior and attitude? (Don’t put your focus there; it’s a losing effort!)  Could there possibly be something in your life that is contrary to GOD’s plan and purpose but you may be blinded to by the Enemy and therefore you are embracing it?

No, redemption does not instantly rid us of sinful behavior but redemption does instantly re-create us to be all that GOD created us to be:  righteous, holy, blameless, sanctified, perfect, justified, forgiven, loved and loveable, accepted and acceptable, sons/daughters of our Father in Christ Jesus.  Praise His Holy name for His redemptive work and purposes!

The Exchanged Life - Can You Be Gay & Be a Christian?

The Exchanged Life

I basically take the view about same sex attraction (SSA) as I do anything else that any fallen & broken individual may be dealing with in life.  SSA certainly isn't the only issue I deal with, it is one of many.  My view is that all of our brokenness, temptations and sinful behavior are the result of the Fall . . . Original Sin . . . we were all born with this Adamic nature . . . I like to call it "Adam's spiritual DNA" (Genesis 3). 

 Redemption is about GOD's love for us and His desire to have an intimate relationship with us.  I can't understand why GOD wants that but I believe it's the reason He created us in the first place. What happened in redemption . . . Jesus' death, burial, & resurrection . . . was that He (Jesus) paid the penalty for the Fall and it's results and EXCHANGED our sinful nature with His righteousness (Romans 3:21-26; Romans 6; and the Exchanged Life -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21). As a result, we who are in Christ, no longer have Adam's spiritual DNA but we now have inherited Jesus' spiritual DNA--the very life of Jesus Christ living His life within us and through us by Holy Spirit:  righteous

(2 Corinthians 5:21); set free & liberated (Galatians 2:4); justified & redeemed (Romans 3:24); forgiven (Ephesians 1:7); sealed (Ephesians 1:13); sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2), holy (Ephesians 1:4); perfect/complete (Colossians 2:10); blameless (Ephesians 1:4); accepted (Romans 15:7); son/daughter (Galatians 4:7); seated in Heaven already (Ephesians 2:6); etc. This is absolute reality, not simply our "position" . . . it is our new identity . . . who we are in Christ (Romans 6).

As Paul taught in Romans 7, just because we love Jesus and have been filled with Holy Spirit and have inherited Jesus' spiritual DNA, a new identity in Christ, doesn't mean all our temptations, struggles, disease, suffering, sinful behavior are instantly zapped and cease.  We still continue to live in a fallen and broken world, we continue living with a fallen and broken body that is susceptible to fleshly lusts and desires, and the Enemy is still alive and well (Romans 7). But the good news in the midst of this journey is that Jesus has set us free from this “body of death” (Romans 7:24-25) and there is “now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).  Our life in this world is an on-going process or journey or great adventure of pursuing GOD & His purposes for us . . . pursuing His purpose of why we are here, why He created us. I believe this life-long process and purpose is to grow in an intimate love relationship with GOD. As we continue on this journey of spiritual growth and maturation in our authentic love relationship with GOD we become more and more truly satisfied with GOD, our True Love and Lover. As John Piper puts it . . ."GOD is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

So my focus is NOT on any external sinful behavior, nor is my focus on external lusts, desires and temptations. My focus is on pursuing GOD and falling more in love with Him. John Elderedge describes this process and relationship well in his incredibly wonderfully titled book, "Sacred Romance." This is what GOD desires for us and from us . . . to experience a "Sacred Romance" with Him. I absolutely love that concept.

GOD's heart is broken when we allow anything in this life or this world to become our focus, our love or more important to us than our relationship with Him, regardless of what that "thing" might be (sex, food, materialism, other relationships, religion, etc.). Anything that we put before GOD becomes an idol. I think our sexuality, our sexual needs and our need for relationships with others have become idolatrous for most people. The book of Hosea is a good example of this. I believe this is truly the story of the entire Bible. The Bible could be titled, "Sacred Romance."

I also believe that as we grow in an authentic intimate love relationship with GOD our desire for anything in this world diminishes, becomes less and not nearly as satisfying because being truly satisfied in the LORD is so overshadowing and all encompassing; nothing can compare (2 Corinthians 5:1-9; Philippians 3:4-21).  So why would I want to settle for a lesser lover like homosexuality or any other worldly distraction?

A major mistake we have made in the Church is to focus on worldly issues and sinful behavior rather than focusing on growing in our relationship with the LORD.  I believe a person can be truly born again and continue to battle with SSA just like truly born again people continue to battle with many other sinful issues like pride, gossip, anger, envy, jealousy, etc.  I believe a person can be truly born again and also embrace a gay-identified lifestyle because they have been blinded by the Enemy, just as many born again believers have been blinded by the Enemy to many of their sinful behaviors and attitudes that they embrace.  The entire Bible deals with this continuing battle that all people experience, including those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Redemption doesn’t instantly rid us of sinful behavior.  If this were true we would not be dealing with spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18).  Think about your own life dear believer.  You are truly born again so are you now living a perfect life?  Can you honestly say there is no sinful behavior or attitude that you have embraced?  Are you truly intentionally striving to rid yourself of every sinful behavior and attitude? (Don’t put your focus there; it’s a losing effort!)  Could there possibly be something in your life that is contrary to GOD’s plan and purpose but you may be blinded to by the Enemy and therefore you are embracing it?

No, redemption does not instantly rid us of sinful behavior but redemption does instantly re-create us to be all that GOD created us to be:  righteous, holy, blameless, sanctified, perfect, justified, forgiven, loved and loveable, accepted and acceptable, sons/daughters of our Father in Christ Jesus.  Praise His Holy name for His redemptive work and purposes!