A BLOG BY ALAN CHAMBERS

Quoted in Christianity Today

Check out the latest from Christianity Today Online.  A number of Christian leaders are quoted in the article on The Gospel Response to Prop 8, including yours truly.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

God's Grace for George Rekers & Jo-Vanni Roman

Cross-Posted from Exodus International Blog

It is being reported widely throughout the media that Dr. George Rekers, husband, father, NARTH Board Member, scholar, theologian and Baptist minister (to name just a few of the highlights), confirmed that he hired a 20 year-old man to accompany him on a 10-day European mission trip and extended vacation.  As it turns out, that young man happens to be a prostitute, as well.  And while there has been no allegation of sexual misconduct, Dr. Rekers actions, at best, lacked an enormous deal of discernment.  At worst, he is guilty of leading a double life, even if just in motivation.

  Despite the familiar human desire to throw the stone in my hand at Dr. Rekers, I cannot. He is a human who seems to have made a mistake.  He is a Christian who seems to be guilty of practicing what he has preached against.  It is that fact that alone causes the deepest feelings of anger to arise no matter what side of the debate one falls. Regardless of any sexual impropriety, his actions were not above reproach and that has hurt his, until now, excellent reputation. This fiasco has also fueled speculation and doubt about the lives of others who have chosen to pursue a life in Christ above their sexuality - people like me, and those I represent at Exodus. And while Dr. Rekers may be guilty of things beyond those he has admitted, he deserves no less grace than I or any in the gay community now reveling over what must feel like a victory beyond their wildest dreams in their campaign to prove that people affected by same-sex attraction cannot and should not do anything but embrace a narrow view of their same-sex attractions by adopting and celebrating a gay identity.

 And, what about the young man, Jo-Vanni Roman, at the center of this controversy.  The carnivorous gay bloggers and their followers seem most concerned with the downfall of a man, a marriage and a movement; not to mention the titillating photos and full bodily description of this boy barely out of high school.  While I can put myself in the shoes of those who are angered by the potential hypocrisy of the Rekers’ story, I cannot understand the gay communities’ lack of regard for this 20 year-old boy who has been prostituting himself to anyone who “asks” and “pays”.  While the gay community seems hell-bent on forcing everyone to be tolerant of their “just like everyone else” lives they seem completely incapable of showing Jo-Vanni Roman any compassion or care that this kid is so desperate for love or money or care that he would stoop to dehumanizing himself with anyone who can afford to use and abuse him.  That’s no less disgusting.

  Well, it’s time for the Church to rise up and show that the counterfeit really isn’t the best kind of community.  While it has been common in the Christian community to cast stones, extend the left foot of fellowship and shoot our wounded; the tide is changing.  And, I for one am inclined to extend a hand to George Rekers, the man, and offer him help.  He is, after all, a husband and father.  We have seen other devastating situations in families turn around.  Maybe this is the crisis that will lead George Rekers to find the healing he has been looking for, but afraid to admit he needed.   

And, Jo-Vanni, if you or anyone like you is reading this, call us.  We will listen because we care.  The one thing we absolutely know is that there is a God who loves, redeems and restores completely. Whatever the damage that has been done, people whom Christ loves and gave His life for are in need. As part of the Body of Christ, Exodus International helps those in need - no matter who they are or what they've done—even those who will seek to criticize us for this very offer.

It's Hard to Hate a President that You Pray For

My wife, kids and I have been praying almost daily for Barack, Michelle, Sasha, and Malia Obama since they became the First Family Elect of the United States.  We had voted for John McCain and, frankly, were very nervous about an Obama presidency.  During the campaigning process I was very vocal about my support for McCain and my opposition to Obama.  This is the United States and I am very thankful for the right to speak my mind freely.  People of every race, creed, color, orientation, political affiliation, and religion should always have that right.  There is no harm in having or expressing an opinion.

 However, infinitely more important than being able to express my opinion as an American is my desire as a Christian to care about people’s hearts above those right or wrong opinions.  And, while I am, as a citizen of the United States, regularly and carefully sharing my thoughts with our elected officials I am far more often simply praying for the people voters have entrusted with leading us.

 I am sure that the concept of hating a president or elected official isn’t too far from many people’s minds these days.  The media has always been very quick to show the stories of those who seem to hate a president.  I hear from people daily who hate President Obama’s policies and trash him all day long for them.  Sometimes, maybe often times, I sense that conservatives, more specifically for the purposes of this article, evangelical conservatives, hate this president’s policies and try to defeat them more than they love the man as their neighbor and pray for his heart.  I know for a fact that if I didn’t pray for Barack Obama and his family daily that I would be guilty of the same thing.  It is my praying for the Obama family that keeps me from sinning against them with a reckless tongue.

 I have written before about Former Governor Jesse Ventura’s comment that religion is a crutch for the weak.  In the case of praying for Barack Obama my faith is more like a brick wall for me.  I am weak and I willingly and gladly admit it.  I am too weak not to pray for the daily strength to overcome the sin of unhealthy criticism.  I am too weak not to pray for the ability to love my fellow man with which I have so many deep disagreements.  I pray because I must.  I pray because I will fail miserably if I don’t.  Having failed far more times than I care to number, I daily choose to succeed.  In this particular case, I am choosing to succeed at loving and praying for a president that I don’t agree with, that I didn’t vote for and for his heart that I do not understand. 

 God loves Barack Obama and his family as much as He loves me and mine and wants them for His own—if they aren’t already.  I cannot judge him because I haven’t walked a step in his shoes let alone a mile.  So, as a citizen I will be proactive in sharing my opinions, but far more often my wife, four-year-old son and daughter and I will bow our heads, quiet our hearts and pray this prayer:

 Dear Jesus, This morning we pray for Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Malia and Sasha Obama to come to know you if they don’t already.  We pray that President Obama would become the best Christian president this nation has ever known.  Guide him, protect him and help him to seek you.  We pray for his cabinet and administration and for every decision he will make for our country today.  We trust you, Lord.  Amen.

 

 

Steven Furtick, Ted & Gayle Haggard and Elevation Church

A few months ago I stumbled across a blog that intrigued me.  The post I read was insightful and I forwarded it to the entire Exodus Leadership Team worldwide.  I went back the next day and the next and finally decided that it was going to be one of the only blogs that I was going to read each day.  I am so glad that I made that decision.  You can check it out for yourself.

Last week as I read that blog I was surprised to see that its author, Steven Furtick, who is also the pastor of Elevation Church, was hosting Ted and Gayle Haggard during the weekend service.  I was pleasantly surprised.  As I stated in an email to Steven's assistant, "I am grateful when any church with so much to lose does something so risky for the sake of grace."

On the Elevation site I found the MP3 of last weeks service and wanted to share it here.  It is rare to hear a pastor share my thoughts on this issue almost word for word, but Steven did. 

Let me know what you think.

Uganda and Beyond

There has been a lot of talk lately about Uganda and their laws which criminalize homosexual behavior.   This is not a position that I understand or support.  And as I have been in touch over the course of the last month with numerous church officials in Uganda I have shared my thoughts on that--some agree with me and others do not.  Thinking about Uganda and talking with people there about this caused me to wonder what the laws are like in other deeply religious countries.  My friend Randy Thomas did a quick search and found the following:

 BRAZIL

Report: One LGBT Person Killed Every Two Days in Brazil

http://www.towleroad.com/2009/04/report-one-lgbt-person-killed-every-two-days-in-brazil.html

IRAQ

Fliers, Videos Reveal Ongoing Death Campaign Against Iraqi Gays Iraqi Gay Men Face Lives of Hell

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8005420.stm (via towleroad)

Report: Iraqi Militia Killing Gay Men with Painful Anal Glue Torture

http://www.towleroad.com/2009/04/report-iraqi-militia-killing-gay-men-with-painful-form-of-anal-torture.html

 http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=90236

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/six-gay-men-killed-iraq/story.aspx?guid={68D2C2DD-93A0-4E7B-BAE6-A51A9B7003C5

IRAN

A life or death decision - Mehdi Kazemi is a gay teenager from Iran.

He sought sanctuary in Britain after his boyfriend was hanged for homosexuality. So why is Britain so determined to send him back to Tehran – to almost certain execution?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/a-life-or-death-decision-792058.html#a

So, while some others are only talking about Uganda---probably because they want to link it to Exodus--I was grateful that www.Towleroad.com was covering a multitude of stories on the atrocities being carried out against gay or perceived-to-be-gay people around the world.

So what's the answer in these countries?  I don't know.  Sadly, there seems to be no good way to respond because coming at this from a Christian viewpoint in Muslim countries is pointless.  And while others jump on the bandwagon of the United Nations and government sanctions I cannot support going in to a country and forcing them to deal with this issue as the gay activist community would suggest.

Like what is needed with the issue of bullying in the public school, can't a broad coalition of non-like-minded people band together and say, despite our agenda (and we all have one), "violence against people who are different from what is considered normal is wrong and must end."  No religious or social cause is promoted, just love and respect for our fellow man.

Is that possible in today's agenda driven society?  I'm interested.  I really am.

Rosie's OUT!

Many of you may have heard the wonderful news: Rosie will be leaving ABC's The View whenthe season ends in June.  I just have one parting thought for Ro: Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!

If we're lucky maybe Diane Sawyer will join her.

Imus & Tigers & Rosie, OH MY!

Okay, I just need to pose a question: Why isn't Rosie  receiving the same public rebuff that Imus is receiving?  To be sure, Imus's comments about the Rutger's Women's Basketball Team were offensive, inappropriate, immature and racist.  Rosie's comments were offensive, inappropriate, anti-American and all around crazy, yet she still has a seat at the table on ABC's The View.

I believe that our society has rightly criticized Imus, that sponsors of his show were right to pull out and that NBC was right to cancel the simulcast.  But, the same punishment is fitting for Rosie.  Is she still secure in her job because ABC is afraid to fire a millitant lesbian?

I loved her old talk show and I love Ellen's talk show now, so don't think that my disgust for Ms. O'Donnell has anything to do with her homosexuality. 

Seriously, Congressmen, What About the Children?

Everyone is trying to cover their own butt related to the Mark Foley scandal.  Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats are calling for investigations to see "who knew" about the predatory emails that former Rep. Foley (R-FL) was sending to high school age Congressional pages.  I just read that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert said there was nothing more he could have done and House Majority Leader John Boehner say that he thought the "ball was in (Hastert's) court" concerning the 2005 allegations. 

Regardless of who is talking about this situation, be it the media, Republicans or Democrats, NO ONE is mentioning the children.  Frankly, I care far less about who knew than I do about these young men who were violated by Mr. Foley.  Where is the apology from the House leadership of both parties to these young men and their families?  Where is the assurance that this won't happen again? This shines a spotlight on the absolute selfishness of our leaders and highlights their lack of regard for anything but their own personal wellbeing.

The little faith that I had in our elected leaders is quickly dwindling.

Shame on Good Morning America, Democrats & Republicans! What About the Children?

Former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) is in big trouble for his alleged inappropriate (at best) emails to underage congressional pages.  As if the story isn't shocking enough, it just keeps getting worse.

This morning Good Morning America's Chris Cuomo reported that there is a chance that Republican Leadership has been aware of Rep. Foley's issues  for the last 5 years and that Congressional leaders had reported inappropriate behavior as recent as 2005.

The anchors, reporters and contributors of GMA seemed almost giddy when reporting that this case might have negative political implications for Republican leadership, the President and that it could cause the Democrats to win control of both the House and the Senate when the people go to the polls in 36 days.  It seems that the Dems are going to milk this crisis for all the political capital that it is worth in an attempt to win seats.

Regardless of who knew what and when, this is about wrong vs. right.  Rep. Foley has a problem that is far bigger than his public office or whether or not this will hurt his fellow Republicans at the polls in November.  Shame on GMA, Democrats and Republicans alike for even thinking about politics at a time like this.  That is disgusting.

Rep. Foley is accused of attempting to molest children---possibly having succeeded in his attempt(s).  Pedophilia is a sickness that needs to be addressed in our over sexed culture.  If Rep. Foley is found guilty of these charges then he needs to go to jail and to seek therapy. 

If Republican leadership did indeed know of Rep. Foley's past indiscretions then they should also resign and face charges for withholding information on crimes against children.  If that means Republicans lose seats this year or even the White House in 2008 then so be it.  Children come first.  End of discussion.

Lastly, this morning I was reading a gay weblog where the blogger "hoped" that Foley was innocent because being found guilty might not bode well for the GLBT community.  As with the Dems and Republicans, who cares how this affects the GLBT community or any other group for that matter.  How about hoping that Foley is innocent for the sole purpose that it means children weren't hurt.

Will July 4th be the Next Anniversary Hijacked by the Gay Political Elite?

Forgive me if that question offends you, but after watching the over coverage of the Massachusetts same-sex marriage battle and the under coverage of the 50th anniversary of a true American hallmark, the Brown vs. the Board of Education victory, I believe no holiday is safe from being usurped.

Fifty years ago, on May 17, 1954, this country witnessed the end of segregation in our nation’s public schools with the renowned court case Brown vs. the Board of Education. You’d think there would have been more media fanfare of this important milestone. Black Americans, both those who led the courageous fight to see racial oppression and inequality end and those that today benefit from that liberation, deserved better. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much reported on the anniversary of Brown vs. the Board of Education on the nations airwaves because members of the Gay Elite hijacked a legitimate civil rights triumph with their battle for same-sex marriage in Massachusetts and trumped Black Americans for coverage.

Hijacking has become commonplace for members of the Gay Elite. For instance, in the 1950’s ‘gay’ was a term commonly used to describe happiness and joy. In the late 1960’s homosexual activists stole the word from the American language and today ‘gay’ is synonymous with the word homosexual. It may seem insignificant to you, but I assure you commandeering a word meaning ‘happiness’ was extremely calculated and helped to begin the watering down process of how our society views homosexuality and those who identify as homosexual.

Another example of this hijacking involved the rainbow. Once a secular and Christian symbol for promise and hope, today the only rainbow stickers, signs and flags you’ll find are on the bumpers, porches and t-shirts of those who identify as ‘gay’. Indeed, there is no mistaking the move towards equating the rainbow’s message of hope and promise with the gayness of homosexuality. In the early 1990’s when I was living as a self-identified homosexual man, the ‘gay’ community co-opted another term; this time it was one that carried far more weight and had much greater worth: the word family. In my ‘gay’ days we began to identify our own as ‘family’.

The polls in America are clear: black, white and Hispanic, Republican and Democrat, male and female Americans overwhelmingly support marriage as the union involving one man and one woman for one lifetime. Yesterday, however, homosexuals became beneficiaries of an incredibly successful and well fought campaign to overhaul the way America views them. Fifteen short years ago homosexuality was a moral taboo, an inappropriate topic of conversation on sitcoms, in the news, at the dinner table and in public. Today, same-sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts and on its way to your state, town and neighborhood, like it or not. The incredibly organized, politically powerful and well-funded Gay Elite have won this battle that will redefine the foundation of what every society since the beginning of time has held dear: marriage. The amount of opposition homosexuals felt as they fought to redefine marriage felt about as powerful as a strong breeze on a warm day at Disney—you know, the home of the annual ‘Gay Days’ event that draws tens of thousands of ‘gays’ to Orlando on the first Saturday of June.

I believe we have only ourselves to blame. While a faithful few have been battling to preserve marriage by trying to rally the troops at great personal cost, unfortunately the majority of conservative Americans, politicians and even Christians have seemingly sat idly by and done nothing. Many Americans were content to watch this on the news and chose not to stand up for what they believe. Honestly, I believe that a great number of Americans are apathetic, inwardly focused, embroiled in their own perversions or so passive that it would take a catastrophe to move them. If you do not know what to do, ask those of us who are on the forefront of this battle and we will gladly put you to work!

It’s not too late. I believe that our only hope is for the Church to rise up, put its hand up to the advancement of immorality, inside and outside the Church, and its hand out for those needing to be liberated from the captivity of sexual sin. Hero Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best: “The Church is neither the master of the state nor the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state.” I am praying that America’s conscience is restored and that the Church is victorious.