June 10, 2013

Excerpts from the article “Power to Change 3: The Awakening Church” on Andrew Comisky’s website: “Changing deep patterns of sexual desire, behavior and motivation require the support of an entire community: it takes a village, Jesus-style. Any program or therapy is only as good as the greater community of faith surrounding the one seeking change. Perhaps that is why the enemy of sexual integrity seeks first to divide and weaken the church. If Jesus’ body falters toward those with same-sex attraction, no community of healing exists.”

“But when local churches become advocates of grace and truth for the gender broken, healing rises like sun breaking through clouds. And I am pleased to say that the church is rising in this hour to mobilize for such healing. (more…)

June 4, 2013

Reconciliation Ministries has republished an essay based on Proverb 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Here is an excerpt: “Are you frustrated or angry at God because your trial is still going on. Like many of you, I’ve had to wrestle with the questions of “why?” Why did God allow…? Where was He when…? Didn’t He care that…? As I receive more healing, I realize that it is through the trials that He has given me many gifts of the heart. If we embrace the trials, we will grow closer to Christ and know more of Him than we could ever dream possible if our lives were unchallenged. Jesus doesn’t rewrite history, but He can redeem it. Our present trial may not end, but He can calm the raging seas of our soul.” (more…)

June 4, 2013

JONAH [Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing] website gives an update on the SPLC lawsuit against them: “On Tuesday, May 28, 2013, FCDF [Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund ] filed a motion to dismiss the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) “precedent setting” lawsuit targeting what it calls the fraudulent practice of “conversion therapy”. SPLC is the anti-religious bully that has targeted this small Jewish nonprofit organization that, but for the FCDF, lacked the financial resources to defend itself in court. The SPLC filed their “first of its kind” lawsuit in the nation against JONAH. The SPLC has launched a nationwide campaign to deprive people struggling with same-sex attraction, the opportunity to exercise their right to self determination by seeking help from organizations like JONAH. (more…)

June 3, 2013

Excerpt from the article “Power to Change 2: A Fortress of Friends” on Andrew Comisky’s website: “Gender integration requires ‘grace with faces’: those walking partners we discover in the healing community who satisfy our deep longing for same-gender identification and intimacy. Here we discover the love/hate relationship we actually have with our own gender. Holy and humble friendships help us navigate the fear of rejection, the threat of desiring too much, and the surprise discovery that that we are actually good gifts to out comrades. Deeper still, we realize that our ‘homosexual’ needs are not erotic at all but rather deeply emotional.” (more…)

May 27, 2013

Excerpt from the article “Power to Change” by Andrew Comisky on Comisky’s website: “Pentecost is all about the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is about the power to change. I need to change: I needed it 35 years ago in the grip of homosexual addiction and I need it now as I consider the pervasive anti-change mindset of our culture toward persons with same-sex attraction.”

“A malaise broods over the earth today, scrambling moral reality to the degree that even good Christians cede ethnic status to ‘gays’ and laugh like the world at anyone’s effort to change his/her homosexuality. The salt has lost its savor, the Gospel its power, as the church limply lays hands on seriously confused people and confirms them as ‘gay.’” (more…)

May 22, 2013

The following excerpts from the article “More Americans Linking Homosexuality with Birth” by Michael Foust are from the Baptist Press News website: “WASHINGTON (BP) — A record number of Americans believe homosexuality is morally acceptable and is something people are born with, according a new Gallup poll.” (more…)

May 16, 2013

The following statement by Anne Paulk on the Restored Hope Network Facebook page has been reprinted in its entirety: In responding to the news piece in OneNewsNow today, there are a couple of things that I, Anne, would like to clarify. www.onenewsnow.com/culture/2013/05/15/restoring-hope-for-homosexuals

First, as far as “replacing Exodus International,” Restored Hope Network simply continues to hold to the traditional Exodus view–prior to the current leadership–that men and women can repent and be transformed into new creatures in Christ. This implies obedience and agreement with God’s sexual ethics. Homosexuality is not approved by God in the scriptures and falls outside of God’s plan for human sexuality. (1 Cor 6:9-11, James 1:13-16) The only expression of sexuality that is blessed is that of one man and one woman uniting in marriage. This was affirmed in Genesis and reaffirmed by our Lord in Matthew chapter 19. (more…)

May 15, 2013

The following article “Restoring Hope for Homosexuals” by Charlie Butts on the onenewsnow.com website has been reprinted in its entirety: A new Christian-based organization has now been birthed to help homosexuals leave the lifestyle. Anne Paulk, a spokesperson for the Restored Hope Network, lived the lesbian lifestyle until she found Christ 28 years ago. She tells OneNewsNow her group hopes to replace Exodus International — an organization that once had a biblical purpose but is now trying to please homosexual activists rather than Christ. According to Paulk, Exodus International has embraced an extreme theology related to grace.

“It was kind of an error in the thinking of once saved always saved, saying that a person need no longer confess or repent from their sin, particularly confess,” she explains. “So, it removes the cleansing power of 1 John 1:9, which says, ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'” (more…)

May 13, 2013

At one time in her life Rosaria Butterfield was a lesbian college professor with a goal of persuading Christians to the LGBT point of view. How she came to be a Christian and leave her lesbian identity is testimony to the power of the Bible and Christians who took the time to engage her in a spirit of truth and love. Her advice to Christian students includes advice every Christian can use. The following excerpt is the last paragraph of Rosaria Butterfield’s article “Engaging gay activists on campus: A primer” published on the Intercollegiate Review website: “Christians befriended me when I was their staunch enemy. They didn’t identify with me. They identified with Christ, and then walked the long and winding road to me. They trusted that God was bigger than me—and they were right. Don’t ever doubt that in the smallest act of faith and obedience you are planting, or watering, or tilling, or harvesting a legacy of Gospel truth. To God we give the glory!”

May 13, 2013

Excerpts from the article “Truth Ascending” on Andrew Comisky’s website: “Like you, I look upon many indignities in our world today, especially those concerning the dull and irrational misinterpretation of homosexuality. That has resulted in ‘gay marriage’ victories from New Zealand to France, and in several states in the USA.”

“Amid the deadening clamor to redefine marriage, the voices of the faithful can also be heard. Are we listening? I have been amazed in the last several weeks as I have heard those who listen to the Spirit and who declare His beauty in marriage.” (more…)