Posts tagged as:

Church

The Fine Line is the event that my friend and colleague Yvette Schneider spoke at. I love the part where she shared her story (about 68 minutes in.)

The whole video is a very interesting way to approach this issue from a Christian perspective geared toward young people. Miles McPherson does a great teaching on what Biblical marriage is.

Watch The Fine Line and let me know what you think.

{ Comments }

This is an interesting article (emphasis mine and thoughts after the jump) …

(CNN) — It used to be called “the love that dare not speak its name” — particularly in Hollywood, where the revelation of homosexuality was believed to be a career-killer.

Clay Aiken recently announced he was gay on the cover of People magazine.

Now, out gays and lesbians are as casually visible as the cover of People magazine, which has recently run stories on Ellen DeGeneres’ wedding to Portia de Rossi and Clay Aiken’s decision to discuss his sexuality.

So, in a time when self-declared bisexual Tila Tequila can have a highly rated MTV show on looking for a partner of either sex, Lindsay Lohan talks about her relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson and “Star Trek’s” George Takei can have a very public wedding with his longtime partner, is coming out still a big deal?

Publicist Howard Bragman, author of the forthcoming “Where’s My Fifteen Minutes” (Portfolio), says that it is.

“Every person that comes out is another barrier coming down,” Bragman, who is openly gay, told CNN.com. Acceptance by the mainstream public, he observes, is easier but by no means automatic, particularly when issues such as gay marriage are at stake. “I look at it as a long-term process. The revolution is over — now it’s an evolution.”

[From In Hollywood, sexuality is less secret, still can be big deal - CNN.com]

[click here to continue reading …]

{ Comments }

I’mLATEI’mLATEI”mLATE!!!!

MOVEMOVEMOVE!!!!

GOGOGOGO!!!!

::: see a cop car at the last second :::

oh … dang it!

[click here to continue reading …]

{ Comments }

The press release

Exodus Launches New Web Site for a New Generation

Orlando, FL- Exodus Youth, a division of Exodus International, launched a new look for their youth web site today seeking to better meet the needs of a new generation seeking biblical answers about sexuality.

The improved web site, www.ExodusYouth.net, has not only been redesigned to meet the needs of a more blog-savvy, technically advanced generation, it’s doing so in a new way. For over thirty years, Exodus International has been reaching out to those seeking to bring their same-sex attraction in line with their faith. Now, the organization is looking to continue the same ministry to young people in a way that is more authentic and aware of the real-life struggles they face today.

[click here to continue reading …]

{ Comments }

Two really good developments. First one below and the second one after the jump.yeson2pic.jpg

I got this via email Wednesday.

FLORIDA’S MAJOR LATINO FAITH COMMUNITY LEADERS ANNOUNCE SUPPORT OF AMENDMENT 2

MIAMI- -Florida’s Latino faith community leaders, Diocese of Miami Auxiliary Bishop Felipe J. Esteves, El Rey Jesus Church Pastor Guillermo Maldonado, Riverside Baptist Church Pastor Otto Fernandez and other Latino ministers joined millions of Floridians in their support of Amendment 2 (The Florida Marriage Protection Amendment) when they announced that marriage is, has always been and should remain the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife today at the Miami-Dade Courthouse in Miami on Monday September 30, 2008.

The major Latino faith community leaders joined other faith community leaders and thousands of churches across Florida who support the common sense of having people and not judges define marriage in Florida. More than 426 Florida leaders have endorsed the Yes2Marriage.org campaign effort in support of Amendment 2 and will vote “Yes on 2” on Nov. 4. The leaders endorsing the marriage amendment include businessmen, pastors, community leaders, bishops and legislators.

[click here to continue reading …]

{ Comments }

My friend and colleague Andy Comiskey is pointing to the good of marriage being what it has always been … (my thoughts after the jump.)

The Greater Love Story

September 27, 2008 by Andy Comiskey

Marriage is pre-political. It did not originate in any one nation, under any one government. It was born in the heart of the Creator. He created humanity as male and female and described them together as manifesting His image upon the earth. God dared to represent Himself in the union of one man for one woman.

That is audacious! Knowing our propensity for misusing power in the name of love, God entrusted humanity to manifest who He is in how man honors woman, and how woman honors man. Marriage is the main and plain of that manifestation; it is the window on earth of something akin to God, the Creator Himself!

But creation is only the first part of how significant marriage is in the divine plan; redemption rounds out the powerful good of man for woman and woman for man.

Jesus describes Himself as the bridegroom who gave Himself up (His death on the cross) for His bride, the Church. He will come again in order to become one with her. In the meantime, He as the bridegroom is serving and loving us, His bride, in order to make us ready for His return. That return is the consummation of God’s plan of redemption that began on the cross.

Marriage matters: it conveys the essence of who God is, and how He is towards us, His people. Theologian Christopher West writes in The Love that Satisfies:

The Bible begins in Genesis with the marriage of the first man and woman, and ends in Revelation with another ‘marriage’: the union of Christ and the Church…The whole story of our salvation is contained between the love initiated by the bridegroom and the response of the bride…These nuptial bookends area key for interpreting all that lies between. (p.12)…

[From 40 Days of Devotion]

[click here to continue reading …]

{ Comments }

I watched Alan share his testimony tonight LIVE from here in Orlando to a whole bunch of churches out in California rallying for support of Prop 8. Prop 8 would constitutionally define marriage (in that state) as being between one man and one woman. Also, my new co-worker (who is absolutely amazing) Yvette Schneider, will be doing something similar targeted to youth and young adults the weekend after this one. She is a fantastic speaker and very intelligent.

Exodus is not the political machine activists try to make us out to be. Our public policy involvement is a very small fraction of what we do … if we do it. These events are the first in a very long time of advocating for specific policy issues. Even here we share the same message we share in non-public policy events.

[click here to continue reading …]

{ Comments }

The Gay Legacy?

by Randy on September 22, 2008 · Comments

This is an interesting (albeit biased toward redefining marriage) article. My thoughts after the jump … (emphasis in quote mine)

… These are typical faces of the gay and aging—a growing population often overlooked by mainstream advocates. Gerontologists haven’t traditionally viewed sexual orientation as relevant to their work—and, according to a study by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, most national health surveys of elderly citizens fail to assess sexual orientation. But gay seniors confront unique challenges: they’re twice as likely as straights to live alone, and 10 times less likely to have a caretaker should they fall ill. Older gay men are at high risk for HIV, and many suffer the psychological effects of losing friends to the AIDS crisis. (See our report on HIV and aging.) Many face discrimination in medical and social services, and on top of it all, they’re less likely to have health insurance: one survey, by the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law, at UCLA, estimates that gay seniors are half as likely to have coverage as their straight counterparts.

[From Long Invisible, Gay Seniors Seek Respect, Services | Newsweek Culture | Newsweek.com]

[click here to continue reading …]

{ Comments }

I don’t want to hear about Palin being a speaking in tongues demon hunter with a gun license. I don’t want to see some horribly vindictive photographer who thinks its cool to trick McCain into a shot that casts him in a bad light so she could photoshop him with bloodthirsty fangs. I don’t really care what the deep brain trust triad of Lindsey Lohan, Chevy Chase or Matt Damon think. I don’t want to watch Bill O’Reilly with his arched eyebrows say “O COME ON …” I don’t want to listen to Glenn Beck telling me to buy two years worth of non-perishable food stuffs and yell on and on and on about stupid Economic bailouts.

I know they are stupid … stop yelling at me about it. OH and when the bombs go off you can be a part of my tribe but please … stock up on anti-depressants or something.

[click here to continue reading …]

{ Comments }

Picture 1.jpg

Yesterday I was on the Chris Fabry Live! Show (Moody Broadcasting) concerning the story of famous Christian singer Ray Boltz. It was concerning how Mr. Boltz is now saying that he is gay and finally at peace with pursuing homosexual relationships.

It wasn’t the best interview I’ve ever done and I think it is in part due to the fact that the whole thing is so sad to me. Let me explain, I feel awful for him that he felt so isolated and suffered from shame. It’s sorrowful that he didn’t feel like he could be honest and transparent with others unless it was to embrace a gay identity and worldview.

[click here to continue reading …]

{ Comments }