I wrote in my January 13, 2013, article "Thoughts About Abortion," "Even in the hard cases abortion can be avoided. Rapists can be male or female."
Adolescent boys have been seduced by adult women with children resulting from these sexual unions. Not only should these children not be aborted because these children are human, also the existence of these children can be used as evidence of rape/incest.
On a social and personal level we do not like to discuss certain issues because they are surrounded by pecados (sins).
Some men have been date raped by their male boyfriends, and the reason they don't want to tell their wife is, "What are they doing with boyfriends in the first place?"
Leviticus 18:22 English Standard Version Bible says, "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." Proverbs 5:18-19 Contemporary English Version Bible says, "Be happy with the wife you married when you were young. She is beautiful and graceful, just like a deer; you should be attracted to her and stay deeply in love." Compared to God, who is eternal without beginning or end of life, we are all young.
God does not hate people who have same-sex sexual relations, same-sex romantic relationships, abortions, incestuous relationships, are rapists and other types of sexual/adulterous sins or any type of sin. God wants people to stop sinning and to start loving God, themselves and other people. Pecados (sins) are not sexy and sweet; pecados hurt and harm people.
Proverbs 28:13 Amplified Bible says, "He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy."
First tell God about your sins, and allow Him to heal you and to restore you to a right relationship with God and people. Also, allow God to lead you to the people you need to confess your sins to. James 5:16 Amplified Bible says, "Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]."
Are you involved in secret sins? Don't let Satan fool you with fear and other tactics. "Fear is a disease that eats away at logic and makes man inhuman," said Marian Anderson, a singer and civil rights advocate. People experience consequences from our sins; they may or may not know the source of problems. Tell the truth, so that the situation can be transformed for good for you and for others.
In Chinese culture the number 8 is associated with prosperity. What can be more prosperous than lives filled with love?
Love wins when rape, incest, adultery, abortion and other sins end.
Showing posts with label Lesbianism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lesbianism. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Coming Out
In the movie la mujer de mi hermano Ignacio is married to the drop-dead gorgeous, smart and kind, Zoe. Ignacio is highly successful in his work. Ignacio and Zoe live in a stunning house. One would think this would be the kind of couple that has sublime sex sometimes multiple times daily.
But Ignacio limits sex to Saturdays only.
While Ignacio has multiple issues, he doesn't present as an intentionally mean person. He goes to church and has a friendly relationship with the priest and his mother. In one scene Ignacio is concerned that a sexy, sleeveless black dress that Zoe wants to wear to church is not appropriate.
However, it's not her dress that is the problem, but Ignacio's failure to sexually satisfy his wife, Zoe. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:3 New Living Translation Bible, "The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs."
The Apostle Paul also writes in Ephesians 5:25 Contemporary English Version Bible, "A husband should love his wife as much as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it." Whenever we receive a now and eternal relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost (1 X 1 X 1 = 1), we are giving up control of our life and turning the control over to God. God is anti-self-centeredness. God is love and works through us to not only love God but also love ourselves and other people. 1 John 4:7-11 English Standard Version Bible says, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
Because Zoe and Ignacio cannot have a child biologically and Ignacio refuses to have sex with Zoe except on Saturdays, Zoe decides to have sex with Ignacio's brother, Gonzalo. Sex with Gonzalo feels divine with all the licking, sucking, touching and kissing that should be inside her marriage. But sinful sex outside marriage also causes Zoe to cry and to renew her efforts to have more sex with her husband, Ignacio, who she really wants but they don't know how to have a marriage relationship.
Zoe is sad. Jill Scott writes in her poem "Blue" from her book The Moments, the Minutes,the Hours The poetry of Jill Scott:
"I put food coloring in my bath yesterday
Sat in a pretty blue
Let the drops fall from my finger tips
Onto my breast and my stomach
I just wanted to look how I feel
Without you."
Turns out that Ignacio likes men sexually. Ignacio sometimes uses his business trips to have sex with men.
God wants us to receive Him, talk to Him about His Bible and to really learn how to overcome homosexuality, other forms of sex outside of marriage and other sins and to live in enjoyable, beautiful, good relationships. Yes, homosexuality and other forms of adultery can be given up without settling for an unsatisfying life.
Christopher Yuan was in dental school and had a time where he had anonymous sexual encounters with men daily. He was also an illegal drug user and dealer. But God, a mom who prayed and fasted for seven years for Yuan's deliverance, a prison sentence and a HIV diagnosis caused Yuan to go from prisoner to professor. Today Yuan teaches at Moody Bible Institute and has a speaking ministry (christopheryuan.com). Some ex-gays are single like Yuan. Others are married with children like Pastor Mike Goeke, who is married to Stephanie Goeke. The Goeke children are Margaret, Frances and Peter.
While we are all born with a sin nature, we don't have to stay naked without God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit (like water has three states: liquid, ice, gas/steam) living on the inside of believers. Every day is a good day to receive God and grow in relationship with Him and people.
Please share stories about coming out of sexual sin into sexual victory.
But Ignacio limits sex to Saturdays only.
While Ignacio has multiple issues, he doesn't present as an intentionally mean person. He goes to church and has a friendly relationship with the priest and his mother. In one scene Ignacio is concerned that a sexy, sleeveless black dress that Zoe wants to wear to church is not appropriate.
However, it's not her dress that is the problem, but Ignacio's failure to sexually satisfy his wife, Zoe. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:3 New Living Translation Bible, "The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs."
The Apostle Paul also writes in Ephesians 5:25 Contemporary English Version Bible, "A husband should love his wife as much as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it." Whenever we receive a now and eternal relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost (1 X 1 X 1 = 1), we are giving up control of our life and turning the control over to God. God is anti-self-centeredness. God is love and works through us to not only love God but also love ourselves and other people. 1 John 4:7-11 English Standard Version Bible says, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
Because Zoe and Ignacio cannot have a child biologically and Ignacio refuses to have sex with Zoe except on Saturdays, Zoe decides to have sex with Ignacio's brother, Gonzalo. Sex with Gonzalo feels divine with all the licking, sucking, touching and kissing that should be inside her marriage. But sinful sex outside marriage also causes Zoe to cry and to renew her efforts to have more sex with her husband, Ignacio, who she really wants but they don't know how to have a marriage relationship.
Zoe is sad. Jill Scott writes in her poem "Blue" from her book The Moments, the Minutes,the Hours The poetry of Jill Scott:
"I put food coloring in my bath yesterday
Sat in a pretty blue
Let the drops fall from my finger tips
Onto my breast and my stomach
I just wanted to look how I feel
Without you."
Turns out that Ignacio likes men sexually. Ignacio sometimes uses his business trips to have sex with men.
God wants us to receive Him, talk to Him about His Bible and to really learn how to overcome homosexuality, other forms of sex outside of marriage and other sins and to live in enjoyable, beautiful, good relationships. Yes, homosexuality and other forms of adultery can be given up without settling for an unsatisfying life.
Christopher Yuan was in dental school and had a time where he had anonymous sexual encounters with men daily. He was also an illegal drug user and dealer. But God, a mom who prayed and fasted for seven years for Yuan's deliverance, a prison sentence and a HIV diagnosis caused Yuan to go from prisoner to professor. Today Yuan teaches at Moody Bible Institute and has a speaking ministry (christopheryuan.com). Some ex-gays are single like Yuan. Others are married with children like Pastor Mike Goeke, who is married to Stephanie Goeke. The Goeke children are Margaret, Frances and Peter.
While we are all born with a sin nature, we don't have to stay naked without God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit (like water has three states: liquid, ice, gas/steam) living on the inside of believers. Every day is a good day to receive God and grow in relationship with Him and people.
Please share stories about coming out of sexual sin into sexual victory.
Monday, February 11, 2013
God and the Gay Lifestyle
Religious leaders wanted to stone to death a woman caught in adultery as recorded in John 8. In response to the leaders Jesus Christ said, ". . . Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her," and to the woman He said, ". . . I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more."
Sexual freedom is found when we are free of condemnation and harmful living, being led to be whole and to do good in a daily relationship with God. The religious leaders where trying to stone the woman based on texts such as Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 22 which discuss various sexual sins including sex outside marriage and the gay lifestyle which the 2000 Census reports one to four percent of gays make up the population of most U.S. cities. John 8 does not mention the man or woman who the woman caught in adultery was having sex with.
When Jesus implemented His earthly ministry more than 2,000 years ago He revealed the loving way to use the law. God loves us and tells us the way to live that will bring goodness and an enjoyable life for ourselves and others. Charlene Cothran is an African-American who was involved in gay-rights activism and lesbian relationships for nearly 30 years. God has been loving Cothran since way before she was born and was not content to allow her to live in darkness. God revealed Himself in a compelling way in 2006, and Cothran received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. Today Cothran is a licensed and ordained international minister and has founded a ministry called The EVIDENCE Ministry, Inc. Cothran says about EVIDENCE, "God has shown me that people who no longer want homosexuality and other sexual brokenness in their lives need to see the EVIDENCE of change in those who are now made free by simply believing and applying the Word of God to daily life."
Mike and Stephanie Goeke were married in September of 1994, but Mike bolted from their marriage in November of 1996 to build a homosexual lifestyle. Mike knew the difference between right and wrong, yet Mike chose to do things his way instead of God's way reminiscent of prideful ancient Egypt who had the knowledge of God but rejected it to chose to worship multiple gods which are really the glorification/deification/pride of man in their Egyptian Mystery System.
Mike's pride and rebellion didn't stop God from keeping His compassionate hand on Mike and Stephanie. After six months of separation, this couple reconciled. In 1999, they formed Cross Power Ministries. In 2001, Mike left the practice of law to go on staff at Stonegate Fellowship in Midland, Texas, as Executive Pastor. In 2005, Mike took the position of Executive Vice President and Church Liaison for Exodus International in Orlando, Florida. They moved back to Midland in December of 2006, and Mike is currently a pastor in the counseling department of Stonegate Fellowship. Mike and Stephanie have three young children named Margaret, Frances and Peter.
When Mike confronted Stephanie with his homosexuality, she could have fainted and fled from her marriage. Instead she forwent divorce and deliberately kept hope of reconciliation alive and diligently chased after God.
Love and courage are needed to confront people who choose to harm themselves and others through the gay lifestyle and other sins. Jesus showed in John 8 that confrontation need not be violent or disrespectful or unloving. Mike Goeke writes in his article "A Changed Life, A Changed Man" dated October 5, 2010, for the exodusinternational.org website, "On November 1, 1996, I left Stephanie a letter on the door telling her I was gay and that I wanted a divorce. After leaving Stephanie, I made up for lost time and jumped head first into the gay lifestyle. I was out and proud. I went to the Metropolitan Community Church and was determined to be a different kind of gay man – moral, upright and nonpromiscuous. I failed miserably and completely from day one. Meanwhile, the immediate rejection from Stephanie and my family that I expected did not happen. While no one accepted what I was doing as right, no one rejected me or cut me off. Stephanie had known nothing of my struggle and had no exposure to homosexuality, but she refused to pursue a divorce. She said “God put us together and I don't know how, but I know He can repair this situation."
God created our skin with delicate nerve endings that release into our bodies endorphins and oxytocin -- "feel good" chemicals. When a man and a man or a woman and a woman have sexual relations it feels good and is bonding.
Yet everything that feels good is not good. It also feels good to some to eat themselves into obesity. Obesity is a health hazard linked to multiple diseases including heart disease, diabetes and cancers. Homosexuality and lesbianism disfigure the beautiful sexuality that God created and in a marriage and family context denies the couple and the children the learning and appreciation of differences in a father and mother. "Vive la difference!"(Long live the difference (between the sexes)). Ravi Zacharias says in his sermon "Acceptance of Homosexuality in Christianity" that it is absolutely possible to have a homosexual orientation, be a Christian and not practice homosexual sex acts. Zacharias says, "Sex is a sacred gift of God" designed to be engaged in between a husband and wife. Christoper Yuan, an ex-gay who with his mother coauthored a book about his experience called Out of a Far Country and travels the world to speak about homosexuality, says in the November 26, 2012, article "Focus on "Holy Sexuality" -- Real Stories for November 2012" for the exodusinternational.org website, "Change is not the absence of struggles, it’s the freedom to choose holiness in the midst of those struggles."
Homosexual, lesbian, heterosexual sex outside of marriage, other sins don't stop God from loving us passionately. Pregnant women in predynastic Egypt wore tattoos as protective amulets on their abdomens, thighs and breasts. While we wouldn't want to worship the wrong one, God likes tattoos and people. Believers are Zion. Isaiah 49:16 Amplified Bible says, "Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me." God is willing and able to redeem us all and make us holy and righteous. Hebrews 10:10, 14 Amplified Bible says about those who have received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost, "And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). . . . For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy."
Many have come out of the gay life in a similar way that many heterosexuals have come out of a lifestyle of practicing partner sex outside of marriage. Coming out of sexual sin is not simple and is often not a short-term process. "Muchas personas han tenido que tragar sapos para estar saludables." ("Many people had to swallow toads (to go through hell) to be healthy."
Sometimes people go through a season of several times of entering and exiting the gay life before they leave it permanently. Minister and Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin was raped by his uncle at eight years of age; he became a homosexual; eventually, Jesus delivered him from homosexuality. McClurkin sings in his song "We Fall Down" from the album Praise Your Way Out: Songs of Inspiration & Hope, "We fall down, but we get up. We fall down, but we get up. For a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up."
Please share testimonies of coming out of the homosexual or lesbian lifestyle and into a vibrant relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. Please feel free to give details of the process of liberation. "Pasos cortos, vista larga." ("Short steps, long view.")
Robert, a former homosexual and current member of Courage, a support group for homosexuals and lesbians coming out of the gay life style and maintaining a life of Biblical sexuality, writes in his testimony for the website couragerc.com, "For me, same-sex lust has been a futile attempt to be who I am (my own man) by trying to possess another man. But instead of becoming whole, I'd simply be left as I was, and I would have abused the other man. In reality, I don't need to possess another man. Rather, by fixating on and uniting with Jesus and growing in friendship and virtue with other men, I can let God give me my own man, that is, myself . . . God wants each of us to confidently be the gifts-the men and women-He made us to be. He wants us to give ourselves away. Love is self-giving, not other-taking. We find our fulfillment in becoming like Christ, who gave us His all."
Dr. Derek Grier said in his January 13, 2013, mid-morning sermon, "The more I get to know God, the more I get to know myself."
Courage also has Courage Latino, Courage Italia and Courage French.
Cothran says as a lesbian there were times of joy and also times of intense loneliness, but today freed from a gay life and found in relationship with God, she says, "The peace and joy that I have I wouldn't trade for anything."
I once had a homosexual tell me he was against abortion, but in favor of anal intercourse. He began to tell me how to have anal intercourse. I cut him off with diversion, but now I think it would be better to deal directly with anal intercourse from a Biblical perspective. Please be my mitr (friend), if you are an ex-gay who has had anal intercourse or a heterosexual, please leave an on-line comment explaining your Biblical perspective on this practice.
The body of Jesus Christ should be equipped to handle a wide variety of issues, so that we can be used by God to spread His Kingdom widely. Bishop T.D. Jakes says something that should be applicable to all of us: "I believe my destiny is to help others reach their destiny." Here is an excellent video on equipping leaders from John Maxwell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLkRPmYBtX8. Please leave on-line comments.
Some sexual practices are different, but not diabolical. In the movie Dances With Wolves the wife of the Sioux holy man is on top of him making delicious while family and friends are sleeping in the same room! Other people are not participating in the marital sex, they are just present. In our current American culture, some parents complain that after having children, their sex life tanks. Please leave an on-line comment giving your views about the Dances With Wolves sexual technique and if you think it would help parental, marital sex life. Please also share other marital-sex practices among Native American tribes.
You don't have to be a Native American to share your thoughts on marital sex. Have you christened every room of your house with the marriage ménage à trois of God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ, God the Holy Ghost, a wife and a husband? Do you play spousal games like "Hide and Go Freak," Manos Arriba (Hands Up) or invent your own games?
For much of American history it was illegal for people of different races to be married. It wasn't until 1967, which just happens to be the year I was born, that interracial marriage in America was legal. Before it was legal Fred and Ann Jealous were a white and black couple. Benjamin Jealous, their son and a Rhodes scholar, is currently the president of the NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the country. Do you think interracial couples are still persecuted in America?
What are some wonderful ways we could welcome persons in the gay lifestyle and work with them to encourage a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost and then equip them for a Kingdom lifestyle?
Where are the tongues of fire falling on apostolic heads in the modern church age?
It seems like too many horror stories exist like The Beast and A Baptist instead of love stories like The Beautiful and Bold Bride. Of course in every section of the body of Christ and the world at large their are good and bad people.
Proverbs 11:25 Amplified Bible says, "The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered."
Money is not the only way to be generous, but it is a wonderful tool to advance the Kingdom of God. One word for cash in Spanish is efectivo. Luke 16:8-9 the Message Bible says, "“Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.”"
Sexual freedom is found when we are free of condemnation and harmful living, being led to be whole and to do good in a daily relationship with God. The religious leaders where trying to stone the woman based on texts such as Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 22 which discuss various sexual sins including sex outside marriage and the gay lifestyle which the 2000 Census reports one to four percent of gays make up the population of most U.S. cities. John 8 does not mention the man or woman who the woman caught in adultery was having sex with.
When Jesus implemented His earthly ministry more than 2,000 years ago He revealed the loving way to use the law. God loves us and tells us the way to live that will bring goodness and an enjoyable life for ourselves and others. Charlene Cothran is an African-American who was involved in gay-rights activism and lesbian relationships for nearly 30 years. God has been loving Cothran since way before she was born and was not content to allow her to live in darkness. God revealed Himself in a compelling way in 2006, and Cothran received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. Today Cothran is a licensed and ordained international minister and has founded a ministry called The EVIDENCE Ministry, Inc. Cothran says about EVIDENCE, "God has shown me that people who no longer want homosexuality and other sexual brokenness in their lives need to see the EVIDENCE of change in those who are now made free by simply believing and applying the Word of God to daily life."
Mike and Stephanie Goeke were married in September of 1994, but Mike bolted from their marriage in November of 1996 to build a homosexual lifestyle. Mike knew the difference between right and wrong, yet Mike chose to do things his way instead of God's way reminiscent of prideful ancient Egypt who had the knowledge of God but rejected it to chose to worship multiple gods which are really the glorification/deification/pride of man in their Egyptian Mystery System.
Mike's pride and rebellion didn't stop God from keeping His compassionate hand on Mike and Stephanie. After six months of separation, this couple reconciled. In 1999, they formed Cross Power Ministries. In 2001, Mike left the practice of law to go on staff at Stonegate Fellowship in Midland, Texas, as Executive Pastor. In 2005, Mike took the position of Executive Vice President and Church Liaison for Exodus International in Orlando, Florida. They moved back to Midland in December of 2006, and Mike is currently a pastor in the counseling department of Stonegate Fellowship. Mike and Stephanie have three young children named Margaret, Frances and Peter.
When Mike confronted Stephanie with his homosexuality, she could have fainted and fled from her marriage. Instead she forwent divorce and deliberately kept hope of reconciliation alive and diligently chased after God.
Love and courage are needed to confront people who choose to harm themselves and others through the gay lifestyle and other sins. Jesus showed in John 8 that confrontation need not be violent or disrespectful or unloving. Mike Goeke writes in his article "A Changed Life, A Changed Man" dated October 5, 2010, for the exodusinternational.org website, "On November 1, 1996, I left Stephanie a letter on the door telling her I was gay and that I wanted a divorce. After leaving Stephanie, I made up for lost time and jumped head first into the gay lifestyle. I was out and proud. I went to the Metropolitan Community Church and was determined to be a different kind of gay man – moral, upright and nonpromiscuous. I failed miserably and completely from day one. Meanwhile, the immediate rejection from Stephanie and my family that I expected did not happen. While no one accepted what I was doing as right, no one rejected me or cut me off. Stephanie had known nothing of my struggle and had no exposure to homosexuality, but she refused to pursue a divorce. She said “God put us together and I don't know how, but I know He can repair this situation."
God created our skin with delicate nerve endings that release into our bodies endorphins and oxytocin -- "feel good" chemicals. When a man and a man or a woman and a woman have sexual relations it feels good and is bonding.
Yet everything that feels good is not good. It also feels good to some to eat themselves into obesity. Obesity is a health hazard linked to multiple diseases including heart disease, diabetes and cancers. Homosexuality and lesbianism disfigure the beautiful sexuality that God created and in a marriage and family context denies the couple and the children the learning and appreciation of differences in a father and mother. "Vive la difference!"(Long live the difference (between the sexes)). Ravi Zacharias says in his sermon "Acceptance of Homosexuality in Christianity" that it is absolutely possible to have a homosexual orientation, be a Christian and not practice homosexual sex acts. Zacharias says, "Sex is a sacred gift of God" designed to be engaged in between a husband and wife. Christoper Yuan, an ex-gay who with his mother coauthored a book about his experience called Out of a Far Country and travels the world to speak about homosexuality, says in the November 26, 2012, article "Focus on "Holy Sexuality" -- Real Stories for November 2012" for the exodusinternational.org website, "Change is not the absence of struggles, it’s the freedom to choose holiness in the midst of those struggles."
Homosexual, lesbian, heterosexual sex outside of marriage, other sins don't stop God from loving us passionately. Pregnant women in predynastic Egypt wore tattoos as protective amulets on their abdomens, thighs and breasts. While we wouldn't want to worship the wrong one, God likes tattoos and people. Believers are Zion. Isaiah 49:16 Amplified Bible says, "Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me." God is willing and able to redeem us all and make us holy and righteous. Hebrews 10:10, 14 Amplified Bible says about those who have received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost, "And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). . . . For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy."
Many have come out of the gay life in a similar way that many heterosexuals have come out of a lifestyle of practicing partner sex outside of marriage. Coming out of sexual sin is not simple and is often not a short-term process. "Muchas personas han tenido que tragar sapos para estar saludables." ("Many people had to swallow toads (to go through hell) to be healthy."
Sometimes people go through a season of several times of entering and exiting the gay life before they leave it permanently. Minister and Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin was raped by his uncle at eight years of age; he became a homosexual; eventually, Jesus delivered him from homosexuality. McClurkin sings in his song "We Fall Down" from the album Praise Your Way Out: Songs of Inspiration & Hope, "We fall down, but we get up. We fall down, but we get up. For a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up."
Please share testimonies of coming out of the homosexual or lesbian lifestyle and into a vibrant relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. Please feel free to give details of the process of liberation. "Pasos cortos, vista larga." ("Short steps, long view.")
Robert, a former homosexual and current member of Courage, a support group for homosexuals and lesbians coming out of the gay life style and maintaining a life of Biblical sexuality, writes in his testimony for the website couragerc.com, "For me, same-sex lust has been a futile attempt to be who I am (my own man) by trying to possess another man. But instead of becoming whole, I'd simply be left as I was, and I would have abused the other man. In reality, I don't need to possess another man. Rather, by fixating on and uniting with Jesus and growing in friendship and virtue with other men, I can let God give me my own man, that is, myself . . . God wants each of us to confidently be the gifts-the men and women-He made us to be. He wants us to give ourselves away. Love is self-giving, not other-taking. We find our fulfillment in becoming like Christ, who gave us His all."
Dr. Derek Grier said in his January 13, 2013, mid-morning sermon, "The more I get to know God, the more I get to know myself."
Courage also has Courage Latino, Courage Italia and Courage French.
Cothran says as a lesbian there were times of joy and also times of intense loneliness, but today freed from a gay life and found in relationship with God, she says, "The peace and joy that I have I wouldn't trade for anything."
I once had a homosexual tell me he was against abortion, but in favor of anal intercourse. He began to tell me how to have anal intercourse. I cut him off with diversion, but now I think it would be better to deal directly with anal intercourse from a Biblical perspective. Please be my mitr (friend), if you are an ex-gay who has had anal intercourse or a heterosexual, please leave an on-line comment explaining your Biblical perspective on this practice.
The body of Jesus Christ should be equipped to handle a wide variety of issues, so that we can be used by God to spread His Kingdom widely. Bishop T.D. Jakes says something that should be applicable to all of us: "I believe my destiny is to help others reach their destiny." Here is an excellent video on equipping leaders from John Maxwell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLkRPmYBtX8. Please leave on-line comments.
Some sexual practices are different, but not diabolical. In the movie Dances With Wolves the wife of the Sioux holy man is on top of him making delicious while family and friends are sleeping in the same room! Other people are not participating in the marital sex, they are just present. In our current American culture, some parents complain that after having children, their sex life tanks. Please leave an on-line comment giving your views about the Dances With Wolves sexual technique and if you think it would help parental, marital sex life. Please also share other marital-sex practices among Native American tribes.
You don't have to be a Native American to share your thoughts on marital sex. Have you christened every room of your house with the marriage ménage à trois of God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ, God the Holy Ghost, a wife and a husband? Do you play spousal games like "Hide and Go Freak," Manos Arriba (Hands Up) or invent your own games?
For much of American history it was illegal for people of different races to be married. It wasn't until 1967, which just happens to be the year I was born, that interracial marriage in America was legal. Before it was legal Fred and Ann Jealous were a white and black couple. Benjamin Jealous, their son and a Rhodes scholar, is currently the president of the NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the country. Do you think interracial couples are still persecuted in America?
What are some wonderful ways we could welcome persons in the gay lifestyle and work with them to encourage a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost and then equip them for a Kingdom lifestyle?
Where are the tongues of fire falling on apostolic heads in the modern church age?
It seems like too many horror stories exist like The Beast and A Baptist instead of love stories like The Beautiful and Bold Bride. Of course in every section of the body of Christ and the world at large their are good and bad people.
Proverbs 11:25 Amplified Bible says, "The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered."
Money is not the only way to be generous, but it is a wonderful tool to advance the Kingdom of God. One word for cash in Spanish is efectivo. Luke 16:8-9 the Message Bible says, "“Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.”"
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sexual Dissatisfaction
Broken couples come in many varieties. A few varieties are divorce, a one-night stand, stayover, Living Apart Together (LAT), Living Together Apart (LTA,) friends with benefits, homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, sexless marriage etc. Stayover relationships are a monogamous relationship in which the couple sleeps together three or more nights weekly but does not live together. Living Apart Together (LAT) relationships are couples who live in separate residences, spend a few more nights together than stayover couples. Living Together Apart (LTA) relationships are couples who have children together, live together, but the love and sex is gone. Friends with benefits may or may not be in a monogamous sexual relationship. Some are in sexual relationships with people of the same sex. Some married couples have had zero to ten lovemaking sessions annually. Sexual sin through divorce, a one-night stand, stayover, LAT, friends with benefits, LTA, homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, sexless marriage or some other way is still sin. Romans 6:23 Amplified Bible says, "For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord."
God is for sex. He designed it. God set apart sublime partner-sex for marriage. Genesis 2:24-25 English Standard Version Bible says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." If one has partner-sex outside of marriage, then shame comes with it. If one refuses to have sex inside of marriage, then shame comes with it.
Whether we are married or not, sex bonds us to another person. Contrary to what we see in some entertainment and other aspects of American culture, no one changes sexual partners with the ease of changing our clothes. When a sexual relationship ends, it is the ripping apart of one person from another person spiritually, mentally and physically. Some are ripped apart internally and don't even know it. For example, many suffer from low self-esteem and insecurity rooted in sexual sin, but are unaware that sexual sin is the root of their problem. In the movie, The Ideal Husband, a single beautician, who is proud that she is dating a married man because the relationship has no strings and no commitment unlike her mother who was married four times and begged the husbands to stay, one day cuts the hair of a woman married 22 years. Over the course of the conversation she realizes she is chasing a man that is not that into her; she has little peace and is not loving herself. She ends up agreeing with the married woman that in romantic relationships some deal breakers are if someone knocks you upside your head or is married.
One way to define love is good choices, commitment and constructive action. Please leave an on-line comment giving your definition of love.
On another day a different single beautician in The Ideal Husband has her boyfriend come to her place of work and announce that he has received a job offer in Tampa, Florida, with twice the pay and better benefits. He asks her to move to Tampa and shack with him. To which she responds, "If we love each other, then there should be no other option than marriage." He says he wants to try living together before marriage. She says, "Roger, you been knowing me for five years now." He says no to marriage. She says, "Roger, I love you, but I love me first. I don't just want to be your temporary fix." They go their separate ways. She is secure in her relationship with Jesus Christ, but many are not.
Please leave an on-line comment about the plethora of discussion in multiple media about sexual insecurities.
When we have been sexually active, and then seek to live Biblical, we will probably experience a detox that is every bit as intense as what a detoxing drug addict experiences.
Sex is never just a physical act no matter how brief or long-term the sexual relationship. The Bible reveals that casual sex doesn't exist. Even in a one-night stand, sex is oneness or cohabiting. By studying different translations of the Bible, we may receive a fuller flavor of God's message to us. Genesis 38:26 Amplified Bible describes the one-night stand sex between Judah and Tamar, " . . . And he did not cohabit with her again."
Sexuality is a central part of the real us. The real us is God's home/sanctuary. God designed sexuality to be a sanctuary, a place of security, shelter and celebration to worship God. Biblical sexuality counsels singles to celebrate their sexuality without engaging in sexual relationships with others. Biblical sexuality counsels married couples to celebrate lovemaking as the sharing of each other with intense joy and participation in God's presence and each others presence.
The celebration of sexuality is missing in much of Christianity largely because many spend a lot of energy trying to cover up sex. God talks about sex and sexuality in the Bible openly, clearly, directly, truthfully and lovingly. Some Christians are not experiencing God's best in this area due to sexual sin. When God makes us whole, as He is healing us, God exposes us to the Light. Darkness, trying to cover up sex, is from the devil. Biblical sexual purity does not include a lifestyle of promoting ignorance and/or shame. God counsels us to get much clear knowledge, understanding and wisdom, and then give it to others through love.
Judah was not married to Tamar, yet the Bible says in Genesis 38:16-18 Amplified Bible, "He turned to her by the road and said, Come, let me have intercourse with you; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, What will you give me that you may have intercourse with me? He answered, I will send you a kid from the flock. And she said, Will you give me a pledge (deposit) until you send it? And he said, What pledge shall I give you? She said, Your signet [seal], your [signet] cord, and your staff that is in your hand. And he gave them to her and came in to her, and she became pregnant by him." God uses language like "intercourse" and "came in to her" to describe sexual intercourse. Yet some in Christianity confuse this type of language with lust or sexual impurity.
Instead of celebrating sexuality in a beautiful, Biblical, balanced way, some promote marital sex as mechanical, sex-for-money schemes and other bargaining, to be avoided as much as possible, to be tolerated rather than celebrated, never forgive sex outside of marriage that has been repented off, clinging to a self-conscious-body image and other negative ways that make marriage appear unattractive.
Studies indicate that 15 to 20 percent of American marriages are sexless, i.e. the couple has sex zero to 10 times annually. Please leave an on-line comment sharing any studies of sexless marriages finding the problem rooted in pornography, adultery or pre-martial sex. While Christopher Yuan is not married, he is an ex-gay who says seeing pornography as a child awakened homosexuality.
Sex is more than skin-on-skin. Sex is a relationship. Many marital problems are rooted in a lack of wisdom in choosing a spouse. Karl A. Pillemer, Ph.D. writes in the January 31, 2013, Huffington Post newspaper article, " 'Opposites Attract' Or 'Birds Of A Feather' -- What's Best For A Long Marriage?", "I've asked over 500 people married 40, 50 and more years what is most important for a long and happy marriage. To my surprise, their advice was nearly unanimous: Opposites may attract, but they don't usually make for great and lasting marriages. Based on their long experiences both in and out of romantic relationships, the fundamental lesson is this: You are much more likely to have a satisfying marriage for a lifetime when you and your mate are fundamentally similar. And if you're very different, the elders warn although that marriage can work, is likely to be much more difficult. I can hear some of you saying: But it would be boring if two mates were exactly alike in interests and personality! Although it may sound paradoxical, long-married elders agree that some differences can spice up a relationship. But not all aspects are equally important. There are many ways partners can be similar, but the elders say that one dimension is absolutely necessary: Similarity in core values." Pillemer also says research supports spouses sharing the same core values as key to long-term marriage and, "The research findings are quite clear: marriages that are homogamous in terms of economic background, religion and closeness in age are the most stable and tend to be happier."
God doesn't want His believers to get stuck on their sins or choosing the "wrong" spouse. God doesn't have a sour or shame-based view of sex and sexuality. God celebrates all the goodness of life. God is Life. God got over Judah's and Tamar's sexual sin and honored them by including them and one of their children, Perez, in the bloodline of Jospeh, step-dad to Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and the Son of God (Matthew 1:3)! If we've engaged in sexual sin, God can work with us to get over it and live celebrating God and the good, enjoyable life He has given us.
"When you married, God called you into a mysterious and unique relationship--a relationship in which you complete each other, in which two people become one through the physical and emotional intimacy of sex. As a husband and wife, you are called to serve each other, and that includes the privilege and responsibility of satisfying each other's sex needs. That is a need only you can fully meet for the other, and that need is part of God's will for you and your marriage. Satisfying each other's sex needs may feel more like a duty for you right now, but it is a duty God is calling you to respect. Monica, for your husband, the physical act of intercourse is an important and fundamental part of sex. You may not like that, but that's the way it is. That is the way God created your husband. So it is part of your responsibility to fulfill that. If you don't, something or someone else will. And the tears may flow, but you will bear part of that responsibility. If the physical is not part of it, then you don't have a sexual relationship. And in God's view, you really don't have a marriage. That's not what God intended. Hank, for your wife, the physical part is not going to work if the emotional and relational parts of your marriage aren't working. You may not like that, but that's the way it is. That is the way God created your wife. So it is part of your responsibility to fulfill that. If you don't, something or someone else will. And the tears may flow, but you will bear part of that responsibility. If the emotional and relational are not part of it, then you don't have a sexual relationship. And in God's view, you really don't have a marriage. That's not what God intended. Sex is part of a larger picture. A healthy sexual relationship grows out of your emotional and spiritual relationship with your wife," says Dr. Gary and Barbara Rosberg in their book, The 5 Sex Needs of Men & Women Discover the Secrets to Great Sex in a Godly Marriage.
Marital sex is good for your health. Having sex three times weekly reduces the chance for having a heart attack or stroke. Sex even reduces your chance of catching a cold or the flu and improves the quality of your hair, skin and nails. Sex boosts your immune system. Sexless marriage is sickening.
Please share on-line comments about the ways you or someone you know got over sexual sin and celebrated God, sexuality, sex and life.
God is for sex. He designed it. God set apart sublime partner-sex for marriage. Genesis 2:24-25 English Standard Version Bible says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." If one has partner-sex outside of marriage, then shame comes with it. If one refuses to have sex inside of marriage, then shame comes with it.
Whether we are married or not, sex bonds us to another person. Contrary to what we see in some entertainment and other aspects of American culture, no one changes sexual partners with the ease of changing our clothes. When a sexual relationship ends, it is the ripping apart of one person from another person spiritually, mentally and physically. Some are ripped apart internally and don't even know it. For example, many suffer from low self-esteem and insecurity rooted in sexual sin, but are unaware that sexual sin is the root of their problem. In the movie, The Ideal Husband, a single beautician, who is proud that she is dating a married man because the relationship has no strings and no commitment unlike her mother who was married four times and begged the husbands to stay, one day cuts the hair of a woman married 22 years. Over the course of the conversation she realizes she is chasing a man that is not that into her; she has little peace and is not loving herself. She ends up agreeing with the married woman that in romantic relationships some deal breakers are if someone knocks you upside your head or is married.
One way to define love is good choices, commitment and constructive action. Please leave an on-line comment giving your definition of love.
On another day a different single beautician in The Ideal Husband has her boyfriend come to her place of work and announce that he has received a job offer in Tampa, Florida, with twice the pay and better benefits. He asks her to move to Tampa and shack with him. To which she responds, "If we love each other, then there should be no other option than marriage." He says he wants to try living together before marriage. She says, "Roger, you been knowing me for five years now." He says no to marriage. She says, "Roger, I love you, but I love me first. I don't just want to be your temporary fix." They go their separate ways. She is secure in her relationship with Jesus Christ, but many are not.
Please leave an on-line comment about the plethora of discussion in multiple media about sexual insecurities.
When we have been sexually active, and then seek to live Biblical, we will probably experience a detox that is every bit as intense as what a detoxing drug addict experiences.
Sex is never just a physical act no matter how brief or long-term the sexual relationship. The Bible reveals that casual sex doesn't exist. Even in a one-night stand, sex is oneness or cohabiting. By studying different translations of the Bible, we may receive a fuller flavor of God's message to us. Genesis 38:26 Amplified Bible describes the one-night stand sex between Judah and Tamar, " . . . And he did not cohabit with her again."
Sexuality is a central part of the real us. The real us is God's home/sanctuary. God designed sexuality to be a sanctuary, a place of security, shelter and celebration to worship God. Biblical sexuality counsels singles to celebrate their sexuality without engaging in sexual relationships with others. Biblical sexuality counsels married couples to celebrate lovemaking as the sharing of each other with intense joy and participation in God's presence and each others presence.
The celebration of sexuality is missing in much of Christianity largely because many spend a lot of energy trying to cover up sex. God talks about sex and sexuality in the Bible openly, clearly, directly, truthfully and lovingly. Some Christians are not experiencing God's best in this area due to sexual sin. When God makes us whole, as He is healing us, God exposes us to the Light. Darkness, trying to cover up sex, is from the devil. Biblical sexual purity does not include a lifestyle of promoting ignorance and/or shame. God counsels us to get much clear knowledge, understanding and wisdom, and then give it to others through love.
Judah was not married to Tamar, yet the Bible says in Genesis 38:16-18 Amplified Bible, "He turned to her by the road and said, Come, let me have intercourse with you; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, What will you give me that you may have intercourse with me? He answered, I will send you a kid from the flock. And she said, Will you give me a pledge (deposit) until you send it? And he said, What pledge shall I give you? She said, Your signet [seal], your [signet] cord, and your staff that is in your hand. And he gave them to her and came in to her, and she became pregnant by him." God uses language like "intercourse" and "came in to her" to describe sexual intercourse. Yet some in Christianity confuse this type of language with lust or sexual impurity.
Instead of celebrating sexuality in a beautiful, Biblical, balanced way, some promote marital sex as mechanical, sex-for-money schemes and other bargaining, to be avoided as much as possible, to be tolerated rather than celebrated, never forgive sex outside of marriage that has been repented off, clinging to a self-conscious-body image and other negative ways that make marriage appear unattractive.
Studies indicate that 15 to 20 percent of American marriages are sexless, i.e. the couple has sex zero to 10 times annually. Please leave an on-line comment sharing any studies of sexless marriages finding the problem rooted in pornography, adultery or pre-martial sex. While Christopher Yuan is not married, he is an ex-gay who says seeing pornography as a child awakened homosexuality.
Sex is more than skin-on-skin. Sex is a relationship. Many marital problems are rooted in a lack of wisdom in choosing a spouse. Karl A. Pillemer, Ph.D. writes in the January 31, 2013, Huffington Post newspaper article, " 'Opposites Attract' Or 'Birds Of A Feather' -- What's Best For A Long Marriage?", "I've asked over 500 people married 40, 50 and more years what is most important for a long and happy marriage. To my surprise, their advice was nearly unanimous: Opposites may attract, but they don't usually make for great and lasting marriages. Based on their long experiences both in and out of romantic relationships, the fundamental lesson is this: You are much more likely to have a satisfying marriage for a lifetime when you and your mate are fundamentally similar. And if you're very different, the elders warn although that marriage can work, is likely to be much more difficult. I can hear some of you saying: But it would be boring if two mates were exactly alike in interests and personality! Although it may sound paradoxical, long-married elders agree that some differences can spice up a relationship. But not all aspects are equally important. There are many ways partners can be similar, but the elders say that one dimension is absolutely necessary: Similarity in core values." Pillemer also says research supports spouses sharing the same core values as key to long-term marriage and, "The research findings are quite clear: marriages that are homogamous in terms of economic background, religion and closeness in age are the most stable and tend to be happier."
God doesn't want His believers to get stuck on their sins or choosing the "wrong" spouse. God doesn't have a sour or shame-based view of sex and sexuality. God celebrates all the goodness of life. God is Life. God got over Judah's and Tamar's sexual sin and honored them by including them and one of their children, Perez, in the bloodline of Jospeh, step-dad to Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and the Son of God (Matthew 1:3)! If we've engaged in sexual sin, God can work with us to get over it and live celebrating God and the good, enjoyable life He has given us.
"When you married, God called you into a mysterious and unique relationship--a relationship in which you complete each other, in which two people become one through the physical and emotional intimacy of sex. As a husband and wife, you are called to serve each other, and that includes the privilege and responsibility of satisfying each other's sex needs. That is a need only you can fully meet for the other, and that need is part of God's will for you and your marriage. Satisfying each other's sex needs may feel more like a duty for you right now, but it is a duty God is calling you to respect. Monica, for your husband, the physical act of intercourse is an important and fundamental part of sex. You may not like that, but that's the way it is. That is the way God created your husband. So it is part of your responsibility to fulfill that. If you don't, something or someone else will. And the tears may flow, but you will bear part of that responsibility. If the physical is not part of it, then you don't have a sexual relationship. And in God's view, you really don't have a marriage. That's not what God intended. Hank, for your wife, the physical part is not going to work if the emotional and relational parts of your marriage aren't working. You may not like that, but that's the way it is. That is the way God created your wife. So it is part of your responsibility to fulfill that. If you don't, something or someone else will. And the tears may flow, but you will bear part of that responsibility. If the emotional and relational are not part of it, then you don't have a sexual relationship. And in God's view, you really don't have a marriage. That's not what God intended. Sex is part of a larger picture. A healthy sexual relationship grows out of your emotional and spiritual relationship with your wife," says Dr. Gary and Barbara Rosberg in their book, The 5 Sex Needs of Men & Women Discover the Secrets to Great Sex in a Godly Marriage.
Marital sex is good for your health. Having sex three times weekly reduces the chance for having a heart attack or stroke. Sex even reduces your chance of catching a cold or the flu and improves the quality of your hair, skin and nails. Sex boosts your immune system. Sexless marriage is sickening.
Please share on-line comments about the ways you or someone you know got over sexual sin and celebrated God, sexuality, sex and life.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Lesbianism, Homosexuality, Sexual Freedom
Religious leaders wanted to stone to death a woman caught in adultery as recorded in John 8. In response to the leaders Jesus Christ said, ". . . Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her," and to the woman He said, ". . . I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more."
Sexual freedom is found when we are free of condemnation and harmful living, being led to be whole and to do good in a daily relationship with God. The religious leaders where trying to stone the woman based on texts such as Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 22 which discuss various sexual sins including sex outside marriage and the gay lifestyle which the 2000 Census reports one to four percent of gays make of the population of most U.S. cities. John 8 does not mention the man or woman who the woman caught in adultery was having sex with.
When Jesus implemented His earthly ministry more than 2,000 years ago He revealed the loving way to use the law. God loves us and tells us the way to live that will bring goodness and an enjoyable life for ourselves and others. Charlene Cothran is an African-American who was involved in gay-rights activism and lesbian relationships for nearly 30 years. God has been loving Cothran since way before she was born and was not content to allow her to live in darkness. God revealed Himself in a compelling way in 2006, and Cothran received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. Today Cothran is a licensed and ordained international minister and has founded a ministry called The EVIDENCE Ministry, Inc. Cothran says about EVIDENCE, "God has shown me that people who no longer want homosexuality and other sexual brokenness in their lives need to see the EVIDENCE of change in those who are now made free by simply believing and applying the Word of God to daily life."
Mike and Stephanie Goeke were married in September of 1994, but Mike bolted from their marriage in November of 1996 to build a homosexual lifestyle. Mike knew the difference between right and wrong, yet Mike chose to do things his way instead of God's way reminiscent of prideful ancient Egypt who had the knowledge of God but rejected it to chose to worship multiple gods which are really the glorification/deification/pride of man in their Egyptian Mystery System.
Mike's pride and rebellion didn't stop God from keeping His compassionate hand on Mike and Stephanie. After six months of separation, this couple reconciled. In 1999, they formed Cross Power Ministries. In 2001, Mike left the practice of law to go on staff at Stonegate Fellowship in Midland, Texas, as Executive Pastor. In 2005, Mike took the position of Executive Vice President and Church Liaison for Exodus International in Orlando, Florida. They moved back to Midland in December of 2006, and Mike is currently a pastor in the counseling department of Stonegate Fellowship. Mike and Stephanie have three young children named Margaret, Frances and Peter.
When Mike confronted Stephanie with his homosexuality, she could have fainted and fled from her marriage. Instead she forwent divorce and deliberately kept hope of reconciliation alive and diligently chased after God.
Love and courage are needed to confront people who choose to harm themselves and others through the gay lifestyle and other sins. Jesus showed in John 8 that confrontation need not be violent or disrespectful or unloving. Mike Goeke writes in his article "A Changed Life, A Changed Man" dated October 5, 2010, for the exodusinternational.org website, "On November 1, 1996, I left Stephanie a letter on the door telling her I was gay and that I wanted a divorce. After leaving Stephanie, I made up for lost time and jumped head first into the gay lifestyle. I was out and proud. I went to the Metropolitan Community Church and was determined to be a different kind of gay man – moral, upright and nonpromiscuous. I failed miserably and completely from day one. Meanwhile, the immediate rejection from Stephanie and my family that I expected did not happen. While no one accepted what I was doing as right, no one rejected me or cut me off. Stephanie had known nothing of my struggle and had no exposure to homosexuality, but she refused to pursue a divorce. She said “God put us together and I don’t know how, but I know He can repair this situation."
God created our skin with delicate nerve endings that release into our bodies endorphins and oxytocin -- "feel good" chemicals. When a man and a man or a woman and a woman have sexual relations it feels good and is bonding.
Yet everything that feels good is not good. It also feels good to some to eat themselves into obesity. Obesity is a health hazard linked to multiple diseases including heart disease, diabetes and cancers. Homosexuality and lesbianism disfigure the beautiful sexuality that God created and in a marriage and family context denies the couple and the children the learning and appreciation of differences in a father and mother. "Vive la difference!"(Long live the difference (between the sexes)). Ravi Zacharias says in his sermon "Acceptance of Homosexuality in Christianity" that it is absolutely possible to have a homosexual orientation, be a Christian and not practice homosexual sex acts. Zacharias says, "Sex is a sacred gift of God" designed to be engaged in between a husband and wife. Christoper Yuan, an ex-gay who with his mother coauthored a book about his experience called Out of a Far Country and travels the world to speak about homosexuality, says in the November 26, 2012, article "Focus on "Holy Sexuality" -- Real Stories for November 2012" for the exodusinternational.org website, "Change is not the absence of struggles, it’s the freedom to choose holiness in the midst of those struggles."
Homosexual, lesbian, heterosexual sex outside of marriage, other sins don't stop God from loving us passionately. Believers are Zion. Isaiah 49:16 Amplified Bible says, "Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me." God is willing and able to redeem us all and make us holy and righteous. Hebrews 10:10, 14 Amplified Bible says about those who have received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost, "And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). . . . For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy."
Many have come out of the gay life in a similar way that many heterosexuals have come out of a lifestyle of practicing partner sex outside of marriage. Coming out of sexual sin is not simple and is often not a short-term process. "Muchas personas han tenido que tragar sapos para estar saludables." ("Many people had to swallow toads (to go through hell) to be healthy."
Sometimes people go through a season of several times of entering and exiting the gay life before they leave it permanently. Minister and Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin was raped by his uncle at eight years of age; he became a homosexual; eventually, Jesus delivered him from homosexuality. McClurkin sings in his song "We Fall Down" from the album Praise Your Way Out: Songs of Inspiration & Hope, "We fall down, but we get up. We fall down, but we get up. For a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up."
Please share testimonies of coming out of the homosexual or lesbian lifestyle and into a vibrant relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. Please feel free to give details of the process of liberation. "Pasos cortos, vista larga." ("Short steps, long view.")
Robert, a former homosexual and current member of Courage, a support group for homosexuals and lesbians coming out of the gay life style and maintaining a life of Biblical sexuality, writes in his testimony for the website couragerc.com, "For me, same-sex lust has been a futile attempt to be who I am (my own man) by trying to possess another man. But instead of becoming whole, I'd simply be left as I was, and I would have abused the other man. In reality, I don't need to possess another man. Rather, by fixating on and uniting with Jesus and growing in friendship and virtue with other men, I can let God give me my own man, that is, myself . . . God wants each of us to confidently be the gifts-the men and women-He made us to be. He wants us to give ourselves away. Love is self-giving, not other-taking. We find our fulfillment in becoming like Christ, who gave us His all."
Dr. Derek Grier, bishop and pastor of Grace Church, said in his January 13, 2013, mid-morning sermon, "The more I get to know God, the more I get to know myself."
Courage also has Courage Latino, Courage Italia and Courage French.
Cothran says as a lesbian there were times of joy and also times of intense loneliness, but today freed from a gay life and found in relationship with God, she says, "The peace and joy that I have I wouldn't trade for anything."
Sexual freedom is found when we are free of condemnation and harmful living, being led to be whole and to do good in a daily relationship with God. The religious leaders where trying to stone the woman based on texts such as Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 22 which discuss various sexual sins including sex outside marriage and the gay lifestyle which the 2000 Census reports one to four percent of gays make of the population of most U.S. cities. John 8 does not mention the man or woman who the woman caught in adultery was having sex with.
When Jesus implemented His earthly ministry more than 2,000 years ago He revealed the loving way to use the law. God loves us and tells us the way to live that will bring goodness and an enjoyable life for ourselves and others. Charlene Cothran is an African-American who was involved in gay-rights activism and lesbian relationships for nearly 30 years. God has been loving Cothran since way before she was born and was not content to allow her to live in darkness. God revealed Himself in a compelling way in 2006, and Cothran received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. Today Cothran is a licensed and ordained international minister and has founded a ministry called The EVIDENCE Ministry, Inc. Cothran says about EVIDENCE, "God has shown me that people who no longer want homosexuality and other sexual brokenness in their lives need to see the EVIDENCE of change in those who are now made free by simply believing and applying the Word of God to daily life."
Mike and Stephanie Goeke were married in September of 1994, but Mike bolted from their marriage in November of 1996 to build a homosexual lifestyle. Mike knew the difference between right and wrong, yet Mike chose to do things his way instead of God's way reminiscent of prideful ancient Egypt who had the knowledge of God but rejected it to chose to worship multiple gods which are really the glorification/deification/pride of man in their Egyptian Mystery System.
Mike's pride and rebellion didn't stop God from keeping His compassionate hand on Mike and Stephanie. After six months of separation, this couple reconciled. In 1999, they formed Cross Power Ministries. In 2001, Mike left the practice of law to go on staff at Stonegate Fellowship in Midland, Texas, as Executive Pastor. In 2005, Mike took the position of Executive Vice President and Church Liaison for Exodus International in Orlando, Florida. They moved back to Midland in December of 2006, and Mike is currently a pastor in the counseling department of Stonegate Fellowship. Mike and Stephanie have three young children named Margaret, Frances and Peter.
When Mike confronted Stephanie with his homosexuality, she could have fainted and fled from her marriage. Instead she forwent divorce and deliberately kept hope of reconciliation alive and diligently chased after God.
Love and courage are needed to confront people who choose to harm themselves and others through the gay lifestyle and other sins. Jesus showed in John 8 that confrontation need not be violent or disrespectful or unloving. Mike Goeke writes in his article "A Changed Life, A Changed Man" dated October 5, 2010, for the exodusinternational.org website, "On November 1, 1996, I left Stephanie a letter on the door telling her I was gay and that I wanted a divorce. After leaving Stephanie, I made up for lost time and jumped head first into the gay lifestyle. I was out and proud. I went to the Metropolitan Community Church and was determined to be a different kind of gay man – moral, upright and nonpromiscuous. I failed miserably and completely from day one. Meanwhile, the immediate rejection from Stephanie and my family that I expected did not happen. While no one accepted what I was doing as right, no one rejected me or cut me off. Stephanie had known nothing of my struggle and had no exposure to homosexuality, but she refused to pursue a divorce. She said “God put us together and I don’t know how, but I know He can repair this situation."
God created our skin with delicate nerve endings that release into our bodies endorphins and oxytocin -- "feel good" chemicals. When a man and a man or a woman and a woman have sexual relations it feels good and is bonding.
Yet everything that feels good is not good. It also feels good to some to eat themselves into obesity. Obesity is a health hazard linked to multiple diseases including heart disease, diabetes and cancers. Homosexuality and lesbianism disfigure the beautiful sexuality that God created and in a marriage and family context denies the couple and the children the learning and appreciation of differences in a father and mother. "Vive la difference!"(Long live the difference (between the sexes)). Ravi Zacharias says in his sermon "Acceptance of Homosexuality in Christianity" that it is absolutely possible to have a homosexual orientation, be a Christian and not practice homosexual sex acts. Zacharias says, "Sex is a sacred gift of God" designed to be engaged in between a husband and wife. Christoper Yuan, an ex-gay who with his mother coauthored a book about his experience called Out of a Far Country and travels the world to speak about homosexuality, says in the November 26, 2012, article "Focus on "Holy Sexuality" -- Real Stories for November 2012" for the exodusinternational.org website, "Change is not the absence of struggles, it’s the freedom to choose holiness in the midst of those struggles."
Homosexual, lesbian, heterosexual sex outside of marriage, other sins don't stop God from loving us passionately. Believers are Zion. Isaiah 49:16 Amplified Bible says, "Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me." God is willing and able to redeem us all and make us holy and righteous. Hebrews 10:10, 14 Amplified Bible says about those who have received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost, "And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). . . . For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy."
Many have come out of the gay life in a similar way that many heterosexuals have come out of a lifestyle of practicing partner sex outside of marriage. Coming out of sexual sin is not simple and is often not a short-term process. "Muchas personas han tenido que tragar sapos para estar saludables." ("Many people had to swallow toads (to go through hell) to be healthy."
Sometimes people go through a season of several times of entering and exiting the gay life before they leave it permanently. Minister and Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin was raped by his uncle at eight years of age; he became a homosexual; eventually, Jesus delivered him from homosexuality. McClurkin sings in his song "We Fall Down" from the album Praise Your Way Out: Songs of Inspiration & Hope, "We fall down, but we get up. We fall down, but we get up. For a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up."
Please share testimonies of coming out of the homosexual or lesbian lifestyle and into a vibrant relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. Please feel free to give details of the process of liberation. "Pasos cortos, vista larga." ("Short steps, long view.")
Robert, a former homosexual and current member of Courage, a support group for homosexuals and lesbians coming out of the gay life style and maintaining a life of Biblical sexuality, writes in his testimony for the website couragerc.com, "For me, same-sex lust has been a futile attempt to be who I am (my own man) by trying to possess another man. But instead of becoming whole, I'd simply be left as I was, and I would have abused the other man. In reality, I don't need to possess another man. Rather, by fixating on and uniting with Jesus and growing in friendship and virtue with other men, I can let God give me my own man, that is, myself . . . God wants each of us to confidently be the gifts-the men and women-He made us to be. He wants us to give ourselves away. Love is self-giving, not other-taking. We find our fulfillment in becoming like Christ, who gave us His all."
Dr. Derek Grier, bishop and pastor of Grace Church, said in his January 13, 2013, mid-morning sermon, "The more I get to know God, the more I get to know myself."
Courage also has Courage Latino, Courage Italia and Courage French.
Cothran says as a lesbian there were times of joy and also times of intense loneliness, but today freed from a gay life and found in relationship with God, she says, "The peace and joy that I have I wouldn't trade for anything."
Friday, November 2, 2012
Choose Principle Over Presentation
Nick Vujicic is married to Kanae, expecting his first child with his wife, an evangelist and a motivational speaker who was born without arms or legs and also heads the nonprofit organization Life Without Limbs. Vujicic wanted to star in a movie, but ended up turning down his first movie offer. He says in his book Life Without Limits, "How do you want to be remembered? I didn't want my grandchildren to one day discover a DVD of a movie in which Grandpa Nick curses, drools tobacco juice down his chin, and lives like a degenerate. So I said thanks but no thanks to that first movie offer."
Money, fame and power obtained from evil behavior can be tempting. The Apostles Paul and Barnabas said thanks but no thanks to a tempting, but bad offer. God used Paul to heal a man who had been born unable to walk (Acts 14). Instead of praising God for the miracle the Lycaonian people called Paul and Barnabas gods and wanted to make a sacrifice to worship them. Paul and Barnabas could have gone along with this situation since it presented that Paul and Barnabas were visible whereas God was not. Yet Paul and Barnabas chose principle over presentation. Paul said in response to the false worship in Acts 14:15 Amplified Bible, "Men, why are you doing this? We also are [only] human beings, of nature like your own, and we bring you the good news (Gospel) that you should turn away from these foolish and vain things to the living God, Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that they contain."
Choosing principle over presentation is not always popular. Even though Paul did a good deed and also told the truth, the Lycaonians stoned him. Vujicic sometimes suffers persecution for living a life that pleases God. So does Charlene Cothran. Today there is a push to legalize the sin of homosexuality and lesbianism through gay marriage and to present the gay life as positive even Biblical in contradiction to Scriptures like Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 22. There are also those fighting for principle over presentation in this area. One such person is Charlene Cothran, who lived the gay lifestyle for almost 30 years, but today is a Christian minister and heads The EVIDENCE Ministry, Inc. Cothran says, in her article Redeemed! 10 Ways to Get Out of the Gay Life, If You Want Out, "Many argue that each individual should determine for themselves what God intends for him or her. This would indicate that we each have a separate set of biblical rules to live by. This is untrue. If you are ready for change and willing to open yourself to the truth, God’s love can bring your current belief system in line with His Word. Jesus will cleanse and forgive all confessed sin from a willing heart. Homosexuality is only one of them. It is no greater sin than any of the others, but it is sin."
Please share about instances where principle was chosen over presentation.
Money, fame and power obtained from evil behavior can be tempting. The Apostles Paul and Barnabas said thanks but no thanks to a tempting, but bad offer. God used Paul to heal a man who had been born unable to walk (Acts 14). Instead of praising God for the miracle the Lycaonian people called Paul and Barnabas gods and wanted to make a sacrifice to worship them. Paul and Barnabas could have gone along with this situation since it presented that Paul and Barnabas were visible whereas God was not. Yet Paul and Barnabas chose principle over presentation. Paul said in response to the false worship in Acts 14:15 Amplified Bible, "Men, why are you doing this? We also are [only] human beings, of nature like your own, and we bring you the good news (Gospel) that you should turn away from these foolish and vain things to the living God, Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that they contain."
Choosing principle over presentation is not always popular. Even though Paul did a good deed and also told the truth, the Lycaonians stoned him. Vujicic sometimes suffers persecution for living a life that pleases God. So does Charlene Cothran. Today there is a push to legalize the sin of homosexuality and lesbianism through gay marriage and to present the gay life as positive even Biblical in contradiction to Scriptures like Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 22. There are also those fighting for principle over presentation in this area. One such person is Charlene Cothran, who lived the gay lifestyle for almost 30 years, but today is a Christian minister and heads The EVIDENCE Ministry, Inc. Cothran says, in her article Redeemed! 10 Ways to Get Out of the Gay Life, If You Want Out, "Many argue that each individual should determine for themselves what God intends for him or her. This would indicate that we each have a separate set of biblical rules to live by. This is untrue. If you are ready for change and willing to open yourself to the truth, God’s love can bring your current belief system in line with His Word. Jesus will cleanse and forgive all confessed sin from a willing heart. Homosexuality is only one of them. It is no greater sin than any of the others, but it is sin."
Please share about instances where principle was chosen over presentation.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Sexually Free
Religious leaders wanted to stone to death a woman caught in adultery (John 8). In response to the leaders Jesus Christ said, ". . . Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her," and to the woman He said, ". . . I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more."
Sexual freedom is found when we are free of condemnation and incorrect living, being led in a daily relationship with God. The religious leaders where trying to stone the woman based on texts such as Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 22 which discuss various sexual sins including the gay lifestyle. John 8 does not mention the man or woman who the woman was having sex with.
When Jesus implemented His earthly ministry more than 2,000 years ago He revealed the loving way to use the law. God loves us and tells us the way to live that will bring goodness and an enjoyable life for ourselves and others. Charlene Cothran is an African-American who was involved in gay-rights activism and lesbian relationships for nearly 30 years. God has been loving Cothran since way before she was born and was not content to allow her to live in darkness. God revealed Himself in a compelling way in 2006, and Cothran received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. The magazine, Venus, that she used to publish for gay rights is still being published but now is showing people how to come out of the homosexual and lesbian lifestyle and live a fulfilling and thrilling life in relationship with God. In addition to her magazine, Venus, Cothran is also a licensed and ordained international minister and has founded a ministry called The EVIDENCE Ministry, Inc. Cothran says about EVIDENCE, "God has shown me that people who no longer want homosexuality and other sexual brokenness in their lives need to see the EVIDENCE of change in those who are now made free by simply believing and applying the Word of God to daily life."
Love and courage are needed to confront people who choose to harm themselves and others. Jesus showed in John 8 that confrontation need not be violent or disrespectful or unloving.
God created our skin with delicate nerve endings that release into our bodies endorphins and oxytocin -- "feel good" chemicals. When a man and a man or a woman and a woman have sexual relations it feels good and is bonding.
Yet everything that feels good is not good. It also feels good to some to eat themselves into obesity. Obesity is a health hazard linked to multiple diseases including heart disease, diabetes and cancers. Homosexuality and lesbianism disfigure the beautiful sexuality that God created and in a marriage and family context denies the couple and the children the learning and appreciation of differences in a father and mother.
Many have come out of the gay life in a similar way that many heterosexuals have come out of a lifestyle of practicing partner sex outside of marriage. Coming out of sexual sin is not simple and is often not a short-term process. Muchas personas han tenido que tragar sapos para estar saludables (Many people had to swallow toads (to go through hell) to be healthy."
Please share testimonies of coming out of the homosexual or lesbian lifestyle and into a vibrant relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost.
Cothran says as a lesbian there were times of joy and also times of intense loneliness, but today freed from a gay life and found in relationship with God, she says, "The peace and joy that I have I wouldn't trade for anything."
Sexual freedom is found when we are free of condemnation and incorrect living, being led in a daily relationship with God. The religious leaders where trying to stone the woman based on texts such as Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 22 which discuss various sexual sins including the gay lifestyle. John 8 does not mention the man or woman who the woman was having sex with.
When Jesus implemented His earthly ministry more than 2,000 years ago He revealed the loving way to use the law. God loves us and tells us the way to live that will bring goodness and an enjoyable life for ourselves and others. Charlene Cothran is an African-American who was involved in gay-rights activism and lesbian relationships for nearly 30 years. God has been loving Cothran since way before she was born and was not content to allow her to live in darkness. God revealed Himself in a compelling way in 2006, and Cothran received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. The magazine, Venus, that she used to publish for gay rights is still being published but now is showing people how to come out of the homosexual and lesbian lifestyle and live a fulfilling and thrilling life in relationship with God. In addition to her magazine, Venus, Cothran is also a licensed and ordained international minister and has founded a ministry called The EVIDENCE Ministry, Inc. Cothran says about EVIDENCE, "God has shown me that people who no longer want homosexuality and other sexual brokenness in their lives need to see the EVIDENCE of change in those who are now made free by simply believing and applying the Word of God to daily life."
Love and courage are needed to confront people who choose to harm themselves and others. Jesus showed in John 8 that confrontation need not be violent or disrespectful or unloving.
God created our skin with delicate nerve endings that release into our bodies endorphins and oxytocin -- "feel good" chemicals. When a man and a man or a woman and a woman have sexual relations it feels good and is bonding.
Yet everything that feels good is not good. It also feels good to some to eat themselves into obesity. Obesity is a health hazard linked to multiple diseases including heart disease, diabetes and cancers. Homosexuality and lesbianism disfigure the beautiful sexuality that God created and in a marriage and family context denies the couple and the children the learning and appreciation of differences in a father and mother.
Many have come out of the gay life in a similar way that many heterosexuals have come out of a lifestyle of practicing partner sex outside of marriage. Coming out of sexual sin is not simple and is often not a short-term process. Muchas personas han tenido que tragar sapos para estar saludables (Many people had to swallow toads (to go through hell) to be healthy."
Please share testimonies of coming out of the homosexual or lesbian lifestyle and into a vibrant relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost.
Cothran says as a lesbian there were times of joy and also times of intense loneliness, but today freed from a gay life and found in relationship with God, she says, "The peace and joy that I have I wouldn't trade for anything."
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