Freedom from Homosexuality – A Letter to OKC Gazette Editor
Several years ago I meet Louis Hommel who had already started his journey with God in walking away from homosexuality. I had the honor and privilege to spend time serving Louis in discipleship care and support group ministry within First Stone Ministries. I am so proud of how consistent and diligent Louis has been in seeking Christ as Savior and Lord of his life and his sexuality. Many of us who have left homosexuality behind embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ Gospel communicates clearly that we must deny ourselves and live our lives separate from the desires of the world, the flesh and sensual powers. As people who used to identify as gay; we are on a journey looking for eternity and not the momentary pleasures of this life that is offered by the “gay” Gospel proponents. The “gay gospel” is a false gospel and a dangerous message Biblically. However, there is hope! I want to share with you the excellent letter written by Louis Hommel that he shared with the Oklahoma City Gazette. The letter was published a few weeks ago, however it was edited down. Therefore I asked Louis’ permission to post the entire letter, here it is:
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A Letter to the Editor by Louis Hommel
In his letter last week Thomas Furlong makes a valid point, homosexuals are no different from other sinners and since all of us have fallen short of the glory of God, this is a message of hope! For many people who are Christian by identity and troubled by a homosexual inclination, the church’s message that it is sinful is a message of hope because God can help you stop sinning. The Church does not condemn people with a homosexual inclination by labeling it sin, it empowers them to gain control of their lives. This is not a theoretical argument because there are people who choose to leave homosexuality and have chosen the church to help them. Tolerance and respect for diversity is not a one way street and we should practice real compassion by giving them the respect they deserve. They have not been “led astray” by the church and “tricked” into adopting so called “homophobic” attitudes. They are discouraged by their experience of living a gay life and have chosen to leave of their own free will. When we blame the church we overlook these people and fail to realize that the church is meeting their demand to provide ministry for them.
In Mr. Batchelder’s letter he claims that the American Medical Association, The American Psychological Association, The American Psychiatric Association, and the National Association of Social Workers claim that homosexuality is neither sickness nor sin. Sin is not a topic for psychology, psychiatry, social work or medicine. It is a topic for theology, which is a legitimate field of study and an authentic body of knowledge. Since theology is not a matter of opinion, we can no more decide for ourselves what is and is not sinful than we can redefine the value of pi as 3.17. All the major world religions are in agreement on the sinfulness of homosexuality, even though they made the decision separately thousands of years ago. It is this consistency in doctrine that has made religion so important in people’s lives for so many centuries.
Meanwhile psychology is less than 150 years old and has changed its mind several times on many topics including homosexuality. (Anyone remember lobotomy surgery or LSD enhanced psychotherapy, how about nude encounter groups?) Now some psychologists imagine that they are the governing body for religion? They must still be running around stoned and naked!
Religion is the guide most people choose for deciding how to live their lives. If you doubt this drive around your neighborhood and count the number of churches versus the number of counseling centers. Most psychologists can only dream of filling an arena like Billy Graham did, let alone write a book as popular as Rick Warren’s “A Purpose Driven Life” As for these organizations that claim that homosexuality is a natural trait and not a mental illness, it should be pointed out that they are professional associations and not governing bodies. It is individual states that govern licensure through licensing boards. The truth is that many psychologists offer reparative therapy for unwanted homosexual inclinations. To find out more visit the National Association for Research and Treatment of Homosexuality (www.narth.com) . Here you can find out what scientific research really shows about homosexuality. For those who may be interested in learning about 12 step recovery from homosexuality you can visit Homosexuals Anonymous at: www.ha-fs.org. (There is also help with an entire network of Christian ministries world-wide called Exodus International www.exodus.to).
For anyone who is offended by this letter, let me be the first to welcome you to America where all people have their first amendment rights to freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion and freedom to petition. I know all five rights very well because I use them on a regular basis and encourage others to do so too!
Louis Hommel is a contact person for Homosexuals Anonymous in the Oklahoma City area. He is an advocate for the right of people to choose to leave homosexuality and embrace heterosexuality. Louis is a graduate student of psychology and is working on his internship in reparative therapy. Louis can be contacted at: okccourage@yahoo.com.
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First Stone Ministries’ Staff Proclaims Freedom from Homosexuality!
There Really Is Something to Celebrate this Month! The Gospel of Jesus Christ!
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Staff in photo from left to right:
Stephen Black, Andrew Franklin, Laura Leigh Stanlake and Joseph Thiessen.
Annual Exodus National FREEDOM Conference
I am attending, participating and serving at this years’ conference! I am very excited to be apart of a wonderful team of speakers, ministers, and professionals. I am equally exciting to see God moving in all of our hearts as we hunger for MORE of Jesus Christ and the power of His Spirit to give us grace and freedom to overcome our struggles and our griefs.
“Father, help us who minister to be ONE in Your Spirit and cultivate a desire to fulfill Jesus’ prayer in John 17 in the entire Church! Father make us ONE in holiness, truth, grace and mercy for Jesus’ sake! Amen!”
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“Exodus International comforts the hurting, strengthens the weak, and encourages those who are struggling. Without judgmental-ness or self-righteousness, they love sinners to the Cross and just give them Jesus.” ~ Anne Graham Lotz
Watch This Video of Hope!
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I have been to over a dozen of these conferences over the last 18 years. I thoroughly enjoy being with hundreds of people from a common background – relational and sexual brokenness; many desiring understanding and freedom from homosexuality. The power felt in the auditorium of hundreds of people of weakness worshiping God and reaching out to Him for help is an amazing experience I wished everyone I know could experience. The worship experience alone is worth coming to an Exodus conference; as you will experience God in the power of the Holy Spirit during those times. The teachings are also a wonderful time of equipping. You will also experience encouragement in the fellowship of people from around the world. This is a top notch conference, and is life changing for those who desire freedom.
I have personally been on my own journey of freedom from homosexuality now for over 26 years; and this conference is one of the most amazing experiences of hope and encouragement a person can have in overcoming homosexuality. I want to personally invite you to attend this conference if at all possible. You will not regret it. I am also plan on teaching at this conference this year.
A word about this location: Wheaton College Campus is an amazing place to have a conference. There are several beautiful things to see right there on their campus; The Billy Graham Center, The C.S. Lewis Library and you are only 30 minutes from Chicago. I also want you to know that the cafeteria at this campus is one of the best in the country. Please make your plans now! Sincerely in HIS love and service, Stephen Black, Executive Director, First Stone Ministries.
Have you ever considered attending an Annual Exodus International Freedom Conference? click here for registration and detailed information: www.exodusfreedom.org
Check out other Exodus related upcoming conferences: www.exodus.to/conferences I am excited to announce that First Stone Ministries will be the hosting ministry for the Exodus Mid-Central Regional Conference, October 2-4 this year in Oklahoma City. Save the dates now, October 2-4, 2009 in South Oklahoma City. More details to come.
Experience One Worship Song at last year’s conference
Freedom from Homosexuality!
Ex-gay Leaders Speak Out about FREEDOM from Homosexuality! There is help! There is freedom!
The Coming Out 4 Good YouTube Ex-gay videos have launched, with many more to come! I am very excited for the truth to be told. There is freedom in dying to this self-centered world we live. Jesus has called us to deny ourselves. There are many who are walking in denial of what Christ says, and are embracing deception in a “gay gospel.” They teach God loves you as an indication of approval for their sinful lifestyles. This was prophesied to happen in the last days, people running after teachers to tickle their ears and give them “another gospel” which is one of selfish indulgence. There is no gay gene that we are aware of to date with millions of days spent to prove it! All of this deception of denial about sexual sins only leads to destruction as is written in the Scriptures.
“You can be certain of this, you should be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vices or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]–for he [in effect] is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. You can be sure of this that no one who practices adultery, fornication, homosexuality, prostitution, lying, stealing, reviling, idolatry, covetousness or things like this will have any inheritance in God’s Heaven.” Eph 5:5 (Amp, and modern versions). (click to see 1 Cor. 6:9-11)
I really like what the late Keith Green used to say, praying prayers isn’t what saves you! Everyone prays prayers in every religion, it is loving and adoring Jesus Christ as God and King; surrendering to HIS LORDSHIP, believing in HIS sacrifice that saves us. Truly believing in HIS sacrifice alone and not in ourselves. We surrender ourselves to HIM! This is salvation to have true fellowship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus loves us so much. He gave Himself completely to save us from the penalty of death and hell. The Scripture goes on to tell us the truth about being in denial.
Let no one delude and/or deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for all these sins], you cannot practice these sins and love God, for through these things sinful practices the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience. So do not associate or be sharers with them. For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light. Eph 5:6-8
It is not how you start a race but how you finish determines IF you win. Let us run the race in such a way as to win!
He who overcomes will receive the crown of life which the Lord promises to those who love and obey Him. James 1:12-13 & Rev. 2:10
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click picture to watch First Stone Ministries Freedom from Sexual Brokenness Video
Left to right: Joseph Thiessen, Laura Leigh Stanlake, and Stephen Black
There is hope for those who desire freedom! Jesus Christ did not die in vain. He died so that we can live a life free now, and to have eternal life. His compassion reaches to the Heavens. God does not desire for anyone to suffer but for all to come to Him in full surrender. He loves us all. He wants us to love Him in return, with our wholeheart and with our whole-life.
Seven Things I Wished That Pro-Gay People Would Admit
1. I wish they would admit that many people are not happy with their homosexuality or lesbianism, and that this conflict is internal, based on legitimate, intelligent religious and moral convictions–not just the result of a so-called “homophobic” society which is forcing guilt upon people who don’t conform to a heterosexual ethic.
Stop throwing out the cheap, inaccurate labels like “internalized homophobia” to explain our motivations.
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2. I wish they would acknowledge that homosexuals and lesbians can experience significant change in their sexual feelings and desires, even though they may never be totally heterosexual in their sexual thoughts and feelings.
Be honest enough to admit that such change is significant and genuine, even if it isn’t complete.
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3. I wish they would acknowledge that many former homosexuals and lesbians have found a greater measure of peace and satisfaction after leaving a gay or lesbian lifestyle than they ever experienced while embracing homosexuality.
Not all “ex-gays” are miserable, plotting how to secretly fulfill their homosexual lusts without being caught.
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4. I wish they would acknowledge that many former homosexuals and lesbians have genuine joy in their marriages.
Most former gays and lesbians don’t get married in a futile attempt to “escape” homosexuality; they marry as a natural consequence of resolving that issue in their lives.
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5. I wish they would acknowledge that all people have as much right to pursue a heterosexual lifestyle as they do to pursue homosexuality.
Former homosexuals and lesbians should not be harassed and castigated by the gay community. But I have never heard any gay or lesbian leaders speak out against the violence (such as bomb threats and physical/verbal abuse) which some people perpetuate against Exodus ministries.
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6. I wish they would stop equating our decision to leave homosexuality with “hatred” and “bigotry” against gays and lesbians.
We don’t hate gays; we simply desire to live free of homosexuality. Don’t put nasty labels upon our motives. That’s being judgmental and unfair.
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7. I wish pro-gay religious leaders would admit that their endorsement and promotion of monogamous homosexual relationships is a facade.
Many–probably most–men and women involved in long-term partnerships are not sexually monogamous, but gay churches don’t discipline members for committing “adultery” outside their “gay marriage.” Neither do they discipline gays or lesbians who have sex before entering into a “holy union” with their partner.
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Bob Davies is the Director Emeritus with Exodus International, as Bob was the Executive Director with Exodus International from 1985 -2001. Alan Chambers is the current Executive Director of Exodus International.
Copyright 1997 ~ Used with permission from Bob Davies
‘Gay Marriage’ in The Heartland by Andy Comiskey
April 4, 2009
While we were sleeping, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously overturned the state’s ban on ‘gay marriage’ on grounds that it was unconstitutional. Most believers I spoke with in and around Iowa knew little if anything about the Court’s deliberation. Those who did seemed sleepy in their response. And uncertain. Even getting information about the case was difficult and yielded little. To most, ‘gay marriage’ seemed outside the realm of possibility in Iowa.
Time to wake up. Marriage has now been redefined in the heartland: the ruling represents the mainstreaming of ‘gay marriage’ in the USA. As one activist put it: “If Iowa with its common sensibility can do this, why can’t we do this in other states in the country?”
Just as halting ‘gay marriage’ in CA inhibited such action elsewhere, Iowa’s brash judicial action will quicken the resolve of activists to overturn ‘gay marriage’ bans in other states.
How did a state in the heartland become only the third in the nation to redefine marriage for its citizens? And the first in the Midwest?
The answer lies in the power of gay legal activists who target states that look like good prospects. Like Iowa. In spite of its 10-year-old ‘gay marriage’ ban and ‘common sensibility,’ Iowa has a liberal political history, including gay adoption. Iowa also makes it hard for citizens to overturn any Supreme Court decision with a constitutional amendment. State lawmakers must approve any proposed amendment twice over a two-year period before it gets to voters. That means that the earliest Iowans can vote to overturn ‘gay marriage’ would be 2012!
Enter Lambda Legal, a New York-based gay rights organization. Vying for a date with the state Supreme Court, these activists in 2005 filed a lawsuit on behalf of six gay couples who could not marry in Iowa due to its ‘gay marriage’ ban.
A lower court heard the case in 2007 and ruled that the ban was unconstitutional due to the judge’s belief that ‘homosexuality is unchangeable’, that ‘gay parents will not impact the development of their kids’ and that ‘homosexuals are politically powerless.’ All false, especially the last point: gays in Iowa have Lambda Legal, the most powerful reps I know.
The lower court’s ruling was ’stayed’ then appealed to the Supreme Court, which heard the case last January. I could tell by the hearings that the Court was more inclined toward Lambda Legal than the traditional voice. On Friday, the Court announced that it had unanimously redefined marriage. One decision by one court and the most basic institution of the state changes for all of its citizens.
Lambda Legal is currently servicing other states in passing ‘gay marriage’ provisions. In the Midwest, Minnesota and Wisconsin would be the most vulnerable to ‘gay marriage’ due to its liberal political traditions. Like Iowa, their Courts are primed for the likes of strategic activists like Lambda Legal.
What can we do?
1. Wake up! ‘Gay Marriage’ bans can be overturned. We need to be aware of what is going on in our states and take measures to ward off the strategies of groups like Lambda Legal.
2. We need Constitutional Amendments that define marriage for good. We can pray and fight for Iowans over the long haul as they begin the long push toward overturning the Court’s decision with one such amendment. The majority of Iowans and the rest of the US public are still not in favor of ‘gay marriage.’
3. Make the truth known about why marriage matters. Our focus is not ‘anti-gay’; it is pro-marriage. Tell the truth about how marriage best represents to kids; they need man and woman together in order to grow into wholeness. And how God can restore homosexuals to wholeness. If we don’t tell the truth in love, false justice built on false presuppositions advances.
4. Pray. This is in truth a holy war, based on love and reverence for God’s design and the Designer Himself. In a month, Desert Stream will release ‘Honor Marriage for the Good of All’ , a prayer-guide for churches who want to pray wisely for marriage in our land, while seeking God’s heart and strategy for broken people who need healing.
5. Seek true justice and compassion: in this Holy Week, let us pray that we might be please Jesus in surrender to His purposes, including His heart for marriage. Join Desert Stream this week as we pray and fast that neither New England nor other targeted states in the Midwest will fall to ‘gay marriage.’ Also, that the CA Supreme Court will uphold Prop. 8. (Its decision is not yet known.)
“All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
“Since we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.” (2Cor. 5:11)
“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber.” (Romans 13: 11)
USED WITH PERMISSION © 2009 DESERT STREAM MINISTRIES
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Who is Andy Comiskey?
This article is from Andy Comiskey’s blog.
