This is my next to the last post at VOX. I am moving to Word Press because outsiders can't comment here. I'll let you know where I am once the jump is complete.
I have loved this place.
The issues are many for those who are attempting to make changes in their lives. Whether a person is trying to stop eating foods that are ill-advised or attempting to stop speeding in their cars, there are many decisions and reaffirmations of the goal required in order to successfully navigate through the emotions, physical, mental and spiritual obstacles that present when trying to make a change. This is no different for someone who is trying to make healthy choices in relationship. Randy Thomas at ETC: Everyday Thoughts Collected has written on the topic of leaving emotionally destructive relationships. I appreciate his clarity and wisdom. Enjoy the article and let me/him/us know what you think.
This story aired while we were at conference. This is a new experience for all of us. For me, it was amazing that our stories were respected. It is very usual that when someone who has left homosexuality tells their story, the media generally reports it in a way similar to this:
"Today we talk to some Oklahoman's who claim to have left homosexuality."
This slant is the typical way our stories are told. What we say comes with qualifiers and a bias that suggests a question. I rejoice that we were correctly represented overall.
Many years ago I did an interview for the local TBN station's "Praise The Lord" show. Even that interview wasn't this kind or concerned with correctly representing our story.
Dr. Scott Jones participated in this story as well. He has stated in his personal blog that his position was not correctly represented. Out of respect for him, I am including a link to his post so that you can see what he felt was not said correctly. Please do me a favor and read his comment. I've felt what he feels too. He feels that the story was slanted. I can only assume that he is right. It really was favorable to our stories.
I will say that the story opened with comments of controversy and opposition and stated the popular position regarding those who try to change. I will point out that Dr. Jones' comments (as edited) stated that he sees no purpose or benefit for people seeking change. He also indicated that there were both theological and medical reasons to oppose the case for change. In short he states that seeking change in the area of homosexuality is unscriptural and harmful.
Today, I rejoice that it wasn't theology nor medicine which determined my course but an intimate, on-going relationship with Jesus Christ which has determined my journey. I also rejoice with my brothers and sister who are walking this journey with me.
This morning's devotional were led by Stephen Black. (He's my boss, so I didn't take a picture of him.)
He spoke of the parable of the sower and the seed. (Luke ) I caught the picture. I've been praying all day for the ground of our hearts and yours to be well prepared so that we can receive the seed (The Word of God) and bear fruit.
Stephen pointed out that the interesting things about this story is that Jesus said if they didn't understand this story then would wouldn't understand others. What was the deal? See was being planed everywhere! The Sower was doing His job. The SEED was doing its job. It seemed that it was determined to do what seed should do. Grow!
So what was the deal then? It was the soil. The soil represents the heart in this story. The seed is the word of God. Sometimes is can't bear fruit because the ground is too hard. Something it can't bear fruit because the soil is rocky (affliction and persecution) and while the seed springs up quickly it cannot plant deeply and, therefore, dies. Some seed fell in soil that was good but other things came along to choke the life out of it--worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke it out.
Wow! Take the soil of our hearts and prepare it to receive well and to bear fruit!
A wonderful time of musical worship. Whew!
We heard the story of Jaye Thomas. He spoke inspirationally of the end of his old life.
The evening keynote was Anne Graham Lotz. This woman does have an uncommon gift of God to preach salvation and grace. Her opening thought was a quote from Zephaniah 3:19 when God said, "I will rescue the lame..." I forgot what she said just after that because THAT made me cry.
She elected to speak about the Holy Spirit last night. I'll try to avoid the doctrinal points over which people may disagree; however, she said a lot.
She gave a great illustration of a man who went to the hardware store to buy the best saw he could buy because he had some work to do. He took their recommendation of an excellent chain saw and went home. A few days later he returned to the store all disheveled, dirty and dog tired. He said that he was having a hard time with the saw...and the work was very difficult. The man at the counter said he was curious about that...and pulled the cord and the saw whirred to life. The customer was shocked. He hadn't known to activate the power!
She asked the question: "Have you been trying to do this without ever activating the power?" John 16:5-15
From there she spoke of the character and personality of Holy Spirit...revealing again that He is the one who reveals and extols Jesus. The Holy Spirit doesn't lie, doesn't deceive, doesn't betray. He is just like Jesus. He is not mean, not rude, not bitter, not sinful...He is the spirit of truth. When he talked about Jesus' promise that when he left he would send another counselor....she elaborated. She said that another means another one of the same kind. Jesus comforted them with the promise that we would come to them another way. Then, at Pentecost, he did. He come in power and filled that room. The beauty of Pentecost was that they were NOT alone.
The response time developed slowly but some were saved and many come determined to take God's offering to help them.
I attended a special interest group targeted at women who are in leadership. It was a good opportunity to hear the interests, callings and work of other women in ministry. Melissa Ingraham decided to do it and I'm just so grateful.
Of particular interest to me was a woman who is working with women who have been living on the streets!
We spent a good deal of the time talking about resources created for women coming out of sexual bondage (there are not that many) and we talked about the challenges of growth.
Thanks Melissa.
Brenna Kate Simonds shared her story this morning. I really enjoyed listening to this women to whom I've become acquainted through the virtual world. She was engaging, enjoyable and full of the Lord. She really shared the unashamed story of Jesus setting her free.
The worship team is great! Lately, I haven't had many opportunities for corporate worship like this. I'm loving it. The worship leader is Marianne Adams (formerly of the group Sierra) and she very skilled. So is her whole team. That is one, very unified group of worshipers. They shared a song that I'm going to find and learn. The very sweet lyrics were, in part:
Jimmy Evans was the keynote and really good. His basic message was that sexuality is central to God's purposes in our lives. He emphasized that when God created mankind it is recorded that they were naked and unashamed. And then it records that when mankind sinned, they hid. When God came looking and engaged them He said, "Who told you that you were naked?" A simple thought is that he offered was that when we sin, we open the door for Satan to speak/teach us about our sexual lives.There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise.
All my delight is in You, Lord
All of my hope
All of my strength
All my delight is in You, Lord
Forevermore.
Another simple thought Mr. Evans offered was "If you can't say 'no' then you are in bondage." Simple but true. Shame in God-ordained sexuality is from the devil. God isn't ashamed about sexuality because HE invented it.
That was good. It was a refreshing invitation to see things how God seems them. Sex is good.
I met Karen Keen and my first impressions were good.
Randy Thomas wrote a bit about the first night of the conference so I'll send you there for information.
One of the opportunities at this conference is a formalized, morning devotional. On Wednesday morning, Tony Moore shared from Mark 10. Here is the story of Jesus bringing the little children to himself and making them an example to everyone else. Tony spoke about becoming like a little child. He emphasized especially the part when scripture records: Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Tony said that we usually stop at the challenge to become like these little children but this a description of HOW to do that. We must allow Jesus to take us in his arms, to lay his hands on us and to bless us. He said it is in the character of God and cited the story of the prodigal son...and the Father's response when he say the estranged son coming back home. The Father ran to his son...and began to lavish love on his rebellious son. Then, Tony said something on the side which I've been thinking about since the devotional time. Tony said, "Compassion. Come away passion." Wow.
I will be doing a little bit of live blogging from the Exodus Freedom Conference next week.
Stay tuned.
