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-   -   Born Gay? Or God's Call? (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=3597)

chosenbyone 05-13-2007 06:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Berkeley (Post 112397)
sorry.. that's what I told mom when I "outed" to her. I prolly shoulda said that, huh?

I have denounced it... I have asked for forgiveness.. I have been forgiven... I was refilled with the Holy Ghost... I'm complely through with it! Amen!

I read your post. Thank you. I'll respond to it soon.
I'm glad to hear that you have sought forgiveness. You know, you don't have to go through his alone, Berk. Many people that have struggled with sexual sins have a longer journey of deliverance than someone struggling with other sins. That is not to say that God can't deliver someone on the spot from what has them bound; however, history has shown for whatever reason, it doesn't occur very often for homosexuality.

There is no condemnation if you are in Christ and you are leaning on him fully trusting in your complete deliverance. You have many friends and I hope that you will find a godly brother to help you with this journey.

You don't have to do go it alone, Berk. You are always welcomed to PM me.

Thanks,
chosen

berkeley 05-13-2007 06:15 PM
Quote:
it is right after that horrible, miserable moment when all of their failures are brought to light that they actually feel the freeest. It is the first time in a long time they are no longer living a lie and trying to hide things. As painful as it is and embarressing as it is it gives them a point to have a new start from with all of their foibles and weaknesses exposed.
It is very liberating.

berkeley 05-13-2007 06:15 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chosenbyone (Post 112404)
I'm glad to hear that you have sought forgiveness. You know, you don't have to go through his alone, Berk. Many people that have struggled with sexual sins have a longer journey of deliverance than someone struggling with other sins. That is not to say that God can't deliver someone on the spot from what has them bound; however, history has shown for whatever reason, it doesn't occur very often for homosexuality.

There is no condemnation if you are in Christ and you are leaning on him fully trusting in your complete deliverance. You have many friends and I hope that you will find a godly brother to help you with this journey.

You don't have to do go it alone, Berk. You are always welcomed to PM me.

Thanks,
chosen
PM incoming...

ILG 05-13-2007 06:20 PM
If I was a person who had a problem with adultery....I would not PM men because I would be very careful (and I only PM on a limited basis as it is). Likewise I think there should be some boundaries for those in this struggle. I think those who struggle with homosexuality should counsel with someone who has always been heterosexual or maybe in groups. My opinion.

chosenbyone 05-13-2007 06:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CC1 (Post 112402)
Dan Scott really talked about in a sermon two important things I found interesting.

First he put forth the thought that while therpists and counselors are good at helping people come face to face with their issues only God can change the person.

Secondly he talked about how there comes a point in counseling when a person has to face the reality they don't want to face about themselves. Also the same situation with preachers and people that get revealed to be in gross sexual sins. He said that it is right after that horrible, miserable moment when all of their failures are brought to light that they actually feel the freeest. It is the first time in a long time they are no longer living a lie and trying to hide things. As painful as it is and embarressing as it is it gives them a point to have a new start from with all of their foibles and weaknesses exposed.

CC1,

Not too long ago, this topic was so strongly avoided due to the stigma attached to the sin. The church has found itself in a place where it could no longer ignore what has been buried for so long.

Our churches have always had congregants who suffered in silence and many of those were lost to a world that welcomed them with open arms. I believe that we can longer keep this a secret, and hiding what the Lord is dong in these people's lives. These testimonies need to be shared. The more people standing up to testify to what the Lord has done, the more those who are struggling will start reaching out and receiving the help and the support that they desperately need from their pastors and from the church.

berkeley 05-13-2007 06:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ILG (Post 112408)
If I was a person who had a problem with adultery....I would not PM men because I would be very careful (and I only PM on a limited basis as it is). Likewise I think there should be some boundaries for those in this struggle. I think those who struggle with homosexuality should counsel with someone who has always been heterosexual or maybe in groups. My opinion.
That is a very warranted concern. :)

chosenbyone 05-13-2007 06:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ILG (Post 112408)
If I was a person who had a problem with adultery....I would not PM men because I would be very careful (and I only PM on a limited basis as it is). Likewise I think there should be some boundaries for those in this struggle. I think those who struggle with homosexuality should counsel with someone who has always been heterosexual or maybe in groups. My opinion.
Well, in some cases your statement would be true. My response to Berk was that he needs to build himself up in the Holy Ghost and take time to reestablish a relationship with Christ before even thinking about reaching homosexuals.

Sister, I'm an old shoe and I trust in God and not man for direction. Your post almost suggest that someone who was delivered from homosexuality couldn't counsel other people who need that example of God's grace in order to bring about their deliverance.

It's almost like you saying that a minister who was delivered from lying, adultery or alcoholism shouldn't counsel others that want to be set free from those sins. There is much that the body of Christ needs to learn about homosexuality.

ILG 05-13-2007 06:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chosenbyone (Post 112413)
Well, in some cases your statement would be true. My response to Berk was that he needs to build himself up in the Holy Ghost and take time to reestablish a relationship with Christ before even thinking about reaching homosexuals.

Sister, I'm an old shoe and I trust in God and not man for direction. Your post almost suggest that someone who was delivered from homosexuality couldn't counsel other people who need that example of God's grace in order to bring about their deliverance.

It's almost like you saying that a minister who was delivered from lying, adultery or alcoholism shouldn't counsel others that want to be set free from those sins. There is much that the body of Christ needs to learn about homosexuality.
I'm not saying that it can't be successfully done. I am saying that an adulterous woman should not counsel alone with a male pastor (this is practiced regularly in churches as a precaution even with non-adulterous women!) It just makes sense CBO...nothing personal is meant by it and I did not mean to offend you. It's just that I believe that certain boundaries are appropriate in certain situations. I think two former homosexual males would be wise not to counsel alone together but with another present or in groups. Even if nothing innappropriate is taking place, false accusations are something on top of everything else to be concerned about along with the other concerns in that situation.

chosenbyone 05-13-2007 06:45 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ILG (Post 112408)
If I was a person who had a problem with adultery....I would not PM men because I would be very careful (and I only PM on a limited basis as it is). Likewise I think there should be some boundaries for those in this struggle. I think those who struggle with homosexuality should counsel with someone who has always been heterosexual or maybe in groups. My opinion.
I just wanted to clarify that there were many people that have left the church because they didn't feel that they could turn to their pastor (or other saints). I'm not bashing pastors in general, because I have a great pastor; however, I have seen pastors rail in the pulpit that homosexuals were bound for hell with no hope.

How could someone struggling with homosexuality who was exposed to that type of preaching feel comfortable going to those pastors for counseling? God will lead people who are desiring change to the right person to minister to them. God knows what He is doing and I for one won't stand in His way with my personal beliefs.

Thank you though for mentioning something that needed to be addressed this evening.

chosen

tamor 05-13-2007 06:52 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ILG (Post 112416)
I'm not saying that it can't be successfully done. I am saying that an adulterous woman should not counsel alone with a male pastor (this is practiced regularly in churches as a precaution even with non-adulterous women!) It just makes sense CBO...nothing personal is meant by it and I did not mean to offend you. It's just that I believe that certain boundaries are appropriate in certain situations. I think two former homosexual males would be wise not to counsel alone together but with another present or in groups. Even if nothing innappropriate is taking place, false accusations are something on top of everything else to be concerned about along with the other concerns in that situation.

I agree with you ILG. I think part of it is dealing with "familiar spirits". They know how, when, and where to push our buttons to cause us to react a certain way to certain situations.


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