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 | Blogs > JustMe506 > ...Undercurrents > ...Children of a lesser God? |
...Children of a lesser God?
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When Sheila Walsh invited those in homosexuality to accept Christ because he died for them, she also urged them to find a church home. Several months later, she received this story in return. Through listening to Sheila, a young man who had lived in homosexuality for many years had accepted Christ. He went to a church and talked with the pastor. The pastor turned him away. As tough as this will be to share in a Christian forum, I will do it. The need is more urgent than my desire to stay silent. I have struggled with same sex attraction in the past. I have at times had attractions to women who were attracted to me. I don't remember crushes on women that weren't expressing homosexual feelings. I also have strong sexual feelings for men. In exploring *why*, I've come to the conclusion that my feelings for women come from a lot of fears of rejection. I don't want to give those reasons up to public consumption and debate. In a nutshell, SSA feelings are less frightening and overwhelming (for me). One of my favorite speakers is Sy Rogers. He has so many beautiful stories of his process of leaving his homosexual identity behind; Christian men that loved him unconditionally, others that allowed him to have crushes on them, and most of all, the loving fellowship & insight he received. What a beautiful, exceptional thing that pastor missed out on! Stories like Sy's point me towards how exciting it must have been in the week of God's creation of the Earth. We receive a front row seat to the creative healing power of God in those that are "transformed by the renewing of (their) mind". Sy has a message page in where he talks to Christians that are struggling with their weaknesses. What he says is applicable to us all, no matter our issues. Here are a few quotes he noted. It is the nature of each of us to be rather base, proud, ambitious, full of a great deal of appetite, judgments, rationalizations and opinions. If something does not come into our lives to humiliate us, then surely all these things will undo us. The Lord, by means of our small failures, lets us know that it is His majesty which frees us from great faults. These are the ways He keeps us humble and vigilant. Michael Molinos, 1675 Thank you, Jesus, for unmerited favor. Psalm 34:15 leaves me chuckling in wonder sometimes, "..the Eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." ..Because even our righteousness is a free gift from God. 
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10/10/2009 11:39 pm |
Again, an excellent post... so full of truth and things that are not acceptable or able to be talked of in most churches.. I have always said their is a bit of curiosity in every woman, be it bi-curious, socially-bi or well, anyway, women are touchy feely to women, just the way they are. OK OK, I am not going to say ALL I guess as that gets me all beat up .. but Who in their right mind would not be curious and love women.. sheesh they are the beauty of the world and what makes the world go round I tell you... I would a whole lot rather have a wife who might agree if I say.. wow that is a great looking woman than a wife who would beat me with her purse for even noticing.. not that I notice much as my woman is my everything. But then of course I have never been homophobic and have not had any issue with even meeting with women couples having coffee talking with them about their drams even considering moving in with a couple of couples of them.. OK, so I don't pretend I am going to necessarily try to live life the way some feel it should be lived. I guess it is best I don't say much here other than I have also seen many many churches that will not or are afraid to deal with things or certain ministries in their churches.
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5/13/2009 1:25 pm |
I think you hit it, they don't have a clue what to do. But that's weird too. My pastor would not be like that. I go to a First Baptist Church in the south. Fundamental for sure. Fundamental has gotten a bad name. My sister is liberal and I am conservative. She's pretty new as a christian, and was afraid of conservatives. Now she is going to a bible based church and seeing we're not those ppl who stand out with "turn or burn" signs. Where do these ppl come from? They came here to AR. where I live from Ok. and did that on main street against gays one yr. I was horrified! My boss was lesbian (unbeliever too) and I said I can not believe this, where are they from? I was glad they weren't from here. Anyway, just hope you know real conservative christians are not like that. "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still" Corrie Tenboom
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 5/13/2009 6:42 am |
Hi JustMe506 - welcome to the blogs and I appreciate your post. It's very sad to me that a new believer was turned away - I know that would not have happened in the church I attend...I have very compassionate and loving pastors, thank God. I wouldn't stay in a church that wasn't headed up by LOVE. I totally appreciate your comments about your personal experience with homosexual feelings. Though I've never been attracted to a woman in 'that' way, I can understand how it happens to some. Women are awesome! We all relate much better to each other, I think. After all, didn't John Gray say that men are from mars, women from venus?  Walking, and praising and trusting my Lord for the rest of my life 
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5/12/2009 7:00 pm |
If I remember correctly, Alan Chambers had quoted that story in the Exodus International newsletter. 90% of pastors are wonderful. Most are scared..just scared. They have very little background in this type of ministry or they're brought face to face with their own fears. To be fair, I've seen brand new Christians go to the extremes in choosing churches. Some who are sick of their old life will choose a fundamentalist church so far away from their past that they end up tied up in knots.
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5/12/2009 6:51 pm |
Wow, I can't imagine a pastor turning a new christian away like that. Especialy if he was willing to leave a continual sin behind. I had to leave continual sin behind. Several...and still being shown more to repent for, and turn from all the time... What's up with that pastor?!  Also nice to meet you and welcome.  "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still" Corrie Tenboom
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5/12/2009 1:38 pm |
Thank you for your thoughts, longingForMore. I do appreciate and understand your concerns. My current church I wouldn't speak openly. At a previous Baptist church, the response..umm...varied. There's more to this that is too long for a post. I'll put up a blog on it.
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5/11/2009 6:05 pm |
Yes, she is. I remember hearing her at a Women of Faith conference. She's so open and real about her life and her struggles. That's the thing with most Christian "celebrities". The more famous they become, they seem to be more down to earth. Nope, not a mom.
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5/11/2009 4:57 pm |
I believe that anything that isn't according to God's design for us is the result of our first not receiving what was intended. Rejection or abuse by man can potentially have you looking for affection where it's available. At that stage of the game, I believe you have to just accept Christ's love for you and let him take it from there. I feel sorry for the man that was rejected by the church, because we're all redeemed into the body of Christ once saved. God doesn't conform us all in one day, and we're left with the task of ministering grace to one another in the name of Christ. Unfortunately, there may not be a church to accommodate that, but it's our job to love the person, not their sin. I think some things are better not sharing in your local church because it would distort their thinking of you. Confessions should remain with those that you trust. God bless you for sharing.
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5/10/2009 4:29 pm |
Sheila Walsh is awesome! I watched her already. Happy Momma's day if you are a momma. If not, there are Chockie Chip Cookies and Milk in the Foyer!  Christians are like Timex watches. We take a lickin', but We keep on tickin'! Steve
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