Disqus - Latest Comments for Stephen_Black

Re: From Orlando to Atlanta to Chicago – Exodus Freedom Conference Blogging

RThomasETC — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:29:20 -0000

The gift of smart aleck-i-ness? :)

Thanks.

Re: From Orlando to Atlanta to Chicago – Exodus Freedom Conference Blogging

Stephen_Black — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:13:18 -0000

Randy... dude, you are hilarious to read! Truly!

You have the gift!

Re: Alan Chambers Responds to Gay Pride Month Declaration

Stephen_Black — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:37:38 -0000

Amen... and that is indeed worth celebrating!

Re: Prop 8 & Gay Marriages Upheld

Stephen_Black — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:24:36 -0000

Hey Randy: I am sorry I have not got back here to your blog sooner. It just doesn’t seem possible that I posted this above 2 weeks ago… that’s crazy! Is that real?

I am sure you can relate; things have been really busy lately with closing a group and starting a new one; and so many new people. Several personal issues to keep me very busy as well; I am a dad of three adult children and one granddaughter that all live at home; a very busy place.

RANDY--
Your reply to me was well received; and I find you to be an excellent and insightful writer. Thank you, sincerely. Besides, I really like you and your perspective; and enjoy the challenge from godly people pursuing Jesus who see things differently than I do. I think it wise to listen and be challenged; and as you know, I also like to challenge  Please know that I really do receive your gentle and loving correction… you sound like my wife – great minds think a like.

I really enjoy blogging; but don't always have the time to devote to it. I love writing and trying to make a difference for HIS sake; especially on these issues so near and dear to us who have left a gay identity. I have been very hurt and discouraged lately by Christians, but I have also been very encouraged as well by Christians. I have recently received some of the biggest compliments of my life and ironically some of the deepest verbal assaults over the subjects of gay marriage and hate crimes. I expect it from those who do not follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as King of their lives. The trolls have left me alone for the last month, until last week when we had to call the police. Strange but that is becoming apart of my new norm. Is that sick? Strange lives we are living. However; those who communicate that they love God, and actually know me, and turn around and to be so mean is very sad indeed. Many lessons being learned over the last few years concerning betrayal - truly; and I am not being melodramatic. We are living in a time that I see as a great falling away, just as the Scripture predicted.

TO PETER-- I read over Randy’s reply and I would have to say he conveys my thoughts as well. We are very like minded when it comes to the issues of homosexuality, and the “ex-gay” position. Neither of us like identifying ourselves as “ex-gay” although I don’t mind communicating to help in a sound bite as there are those who will completely understand that I once lived as a gay man and no longer do; and btw, I haven’t for almost 27 years.

The only thing I would add is that I do not struggle with my same-sex attractions (SSA) and desires to act out sexually like I once did. In truth, I very rarely desire or have the ideas of temptation that I want to be with a man sexually as I once live, which was almost out of control. However, I do have all my memories intact; and I can find attractive men, attractive. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I say, “so what!” It is unrealistic to believe that a man who once lived as a gay man for 8 years would have complete memory and/or feels absolved or zapped out. God does not promise this in His salvation relationship. God promises grace, which is empowerment to overcome and live above a once life controlling issue. I actually do live in freedom. The issue of gay marriage is not threatening to me based upon my past desires and life. It certainly is not based upon any remote attraction or current desire that might creep in from remotely time to time. It might be very difficult for you to grasp; but I have actually had such a profound encounter with God; that has caused me to believe so deeply that it actually has transformed my life. I truly believe in the commandments, precepts and statues of the Bible. I believe the Bible is inspired by God. I know that may seem far out to you. However it is what has changed my life. Therefore gay marriage is a violation against the ONE I love. It is a violation against HIS divine intention and order for sexuality. He created all of us heterosexual in our biology and physiology. (Although there may be deformities HIS norm is heterosexuality). This belief system is acquired by faith. I know that faith can seem so ambiguous, but it is real over time for those who are consistent and who believe. Faith actually does turn to reality for those who believe over time. So Peter, as you might be able to conclude, I am convinced by my faith in God. If they make gay marriage legal tomorrow across all 50 states and make it illegal for me to speak out about my life story of freedom from homosexuality, I will not be silent. I will always proclaim what I believe from the Bible and my new life experiences over the last 27 years. I have actually encountered God, I know HE IS real, and I would rather die believing in obedience to His commands than feel sorry for dying to my selfish desires for any human appetite that is in contrary to His will. This is called self-control, and I am pursuing His control in my life. I hope that helps reveal my position.

BTW… you have not revealed troll like characteristics that I can see. If you start calling for picketing my home, getting my home address and phone number posted on the internet and call for a group of gays to harass me, then I would say you were a troll. This has been going on in the last year of my life. You actually seem genuine, which is always appreciated on Randy’s blog and on mine. You will find Randy to be very reasonable.

Re: Prop 8 & Gay Marriages Upheld

RThomasETC — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:55:23 -0000

Stephen - this is like a full on blog post dude. ::: laugh :::

Knowing you for as long as I have, I know you are not a mean person and I love ya'. What I am about to share is not driven by anything other than that brotherly love and care.

I can understand why people (especially if they don't know you personally) think your mean from your writing. It can be overwhelming (in volume and sometimes tone) and it often has a lot of very heavy buzzwords that are immediate dialog stoppers.

People think I am mean quite often and that is never my intent but I need to listen to them. I don't always engage people that make a career out of mischaracterizing me :)) but if they send me an email I am going to read it even if I can't respond. Then I need to make adjustments where appropriate or clarify my intent when I do stand up for myself. And honestly, sometimes I am unrighteously angry and I have to step back and apologize. If we are going to be bloggers/writers we get "sharpened" quickly and often, righteously and not.

It's one of the ways God makes us better communicators.

And as cool as the OT prophets were/are ... they were not living on this side of the Cross having the benefit of wisdom gained from Jesus' earthly ministry. The NT apostles and Jesus' teachings had much more emphasis on personal relationship. He didn't just preach at us, He walked among us and carried our burdens. His first command was for us to repent and yet people wanted Him in their homes, at their parties ... Grace and Truth, Truth and Grace. One without the other is only half truth and God doesn't honor half truths. But I know I am not telling you anything you don't already know.

Another test I apply to myself that you might consider is that being "prophetic" (Truth teller) is always provacative in varying ways and degrees. Especially in our current morally ambiguous culture. Yet, sometimes provocation stands on its own in direct opposition to the Prophetic. If hyperbolic talking points are contextualizing our presentation of the "Truth" we've lost the ability to speak to unbelievers in a way that will even have a chance of making sense. And can quite often provide unnecessary, distracting and sometimes harmful stumbling blocks. That's my opinion anyway.

Re: Prop 8 & Gay Marriages Upheld

Stephen_Black — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:39:13 -0000

I guess I am just “other world” on my views on this issue. Perhaps am I too conservative for my own good? I feel I am merely trying to live out this Christian life with integrity, yet it seems to get me in a lot of trouble these days. If not stalking gay activists "reporters" threatening our home and well-being, then on the other side I have "Christians" telling me I am mean, and need to be more tolerant.

Okay so for me, this isn't just the rule of law, or even that the justices acting appropriately for me, although I am glad that they upheld the vote of the people and the constitution of California with Prop 8. I cannot embrace the idea that homosexuality is legitimate at all in society, or that gay identified people have the same right to marriage. I know, very unpopular. I believe marriage is an ordination from God for one man and one woman.

No doubt that LGBT people will view this as rejection and want to rant at me. I expect that. But when "Christians" rant. It grieves me.

How does one bring a truth that is so black and white from God’s word that calls for the laying down of one’s idol? Will it not be perceived as rejection, no matter what kind of idol? No doubt our attitude and delivery must be kind; but boldness is not unkind, or mean, and even the prophetic deliver of the prophets of old were considered anointed by scholars. Yet when you study their contexts it would be considered mean by todays' standards. However I wonder if today’s Church would consider it unkind in dealing with “man’s ways” as Elijah or Jeremiah did? As an "ex-gay" I don't associate myself as "ex-gay" in my identity and try not to sympathize with anything that our Great God and King Jesus calls evil. Is this lacking compassion? Possibly, however, I call my own sin evil and cannot minimize it with the idea of so called compassion, and then have a clear conscience before my King, and neither will I minimize others sin when it brings destruction, just because I can relate to it from my own broken past. My desire is to approach things Biblically and lovingly; I feel the Body of Christ MUST take a salty stand. I unfortunately take the less popular position on the gay marriage licenses: they should be made voided, despite the lament that would ensue. Unkind? Isn’t unkind to leave a culture or a people in deception? How can you have it both ways, some to marry and others can't? You cannot have it both ways, it is not just; or perhaps we just give in completely, with either way, isn’t it compromise?

Gay marriage or not, this entire situation was a planned debacle by those in authority in San Francisco. They began this process of twisting the law and caused chaos by their desire to revamp culture. As long as I can draw breath I will never compromise on Biblical integrity even as it becomes more and more unpopular under a banner of “relevancy.” Yet I certainly believe we should be relevant. My heart’s desire and my longing are with the Apostle Paul to love in such away as revealed in Romans 9:1-3, unceasing grief in prayer for their salvation… and yet be to accursed from Christ so others may be saved is still a goal that I cannot utter in truth, possibly I am there for my family. I pray that God would pour out a real revival on our country so as to crush this discussion nation-wide in HIS holiness changing all our desires to please Him above all. Wishful thinking? Perhaps, however God is amazingly powerful! I hope that all of my service and leadership is in the fear and wisdom of God, pleasing HIM first and then may I be filled with the Holy Spirit to make a difference in a very broken world with HIS love that compels people to love GOD. God help us all!

Re: Of Bridges and Rivers - Living In Dynamic Friendship

RThomasETC — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:29:03 -0000

I have got to go to bed but I wanted to tell you I will respond more tomorrow. I had some good experiences out of it but I also had some really bad experiences as well. The best "good" was a few of the friendships that have maintained since then and the education gained from successes and failures of my own and others during my time there.

Again, more tomorrow.

And about that "sweetie" thing... I don't know about all that ... ::: laugh :::

Re: Of Bridges and Rivers - Living In Dynamic Friendship

Stephen_Black — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:23:16 -0000

Unfortunately my experience with BA, was there needed to be the compromise of Biblical integrity for agreement in relationship with me. I remember having several discussions with different individuals and it seem there was a call for me to let go of Biblical integrity. It became too frustrating and there was too much strife. I remember a meeting where it was very angry in Chicago several years ago. My heart goes out to people who embrace "another gospel", one that does not conform us to godliness and abandoning a self-centered world for the better, a Christ-centered world - a Lordship Gospel. I personally believe the gay gospel is deception.

For those seeking Truth being involved as a gay in BA may be a helpful avenue to a deeper relationship with Christ, as it has been for those who started seeking God in a "gay" church and then finally surrender to Jesus as Lord. God can and does USE things, but that does not mean a stamp of His blessing on it. I just see Him longing for us and His love draws us out of darkness. What an amazing God!

Anyway...

I am glad you had a good experience and that you were able to establish a good friendship.

You just a sweetie :-)

Re: Washington Activists Threaten Voter Intimidation During Petition Process

RThomasETC — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:56:36 -0000

Hi bro Stephen. I agree with the lack of common sense and not just an absence but a hostile attempt to destroy and Judeo-Christian influence in public policy and culture. I don't know about the Nazi analogy. When Christians start being forcibly ghettoized and their civil liberties not just taken away but their humanity stripped to the point of making us less than human needing to be purified by the elites and then shoved into gas chambers or ovens... then I think the Nazi analogy works. To use it now is a dialog stopper and I don't think is necessary.

You state:

I thought the ethics of a free society and in voting was to provide a private non-intimidating environment so that the majority of the people could have their will over a few tyrannical intolerant individuals. So where's the tolerance now?

That is spot on. We are afforded the actual "right" to not be forced to tell others who we vote for or how we vote. I learned that in civics somewhere. I have one friend who absolutely refuses to tell anyone but his wife who he is considering to vote for and actually votes for. He just does it. I think that is cool ... for him :).

Re: Washington Activists Threaten Voter Intimidation During Petition Process

Stephen_Black — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:43:24 -0000

Hey brother Randy! It is ironic that there are people that actually believe that murder is justified be it from a right of left point of view in circumventing the rule of law. The comment left for you did not make sense. It seems there is a complete lacking a lot of common sense in policies and law making in our country, certainly lacking Judeo-Christian laws which is where moral law originated in our government. The intimidation factor is akin to tyranny and tactics used by the Nazis. I thought the ethics of a free society and in voting was to provide a private non-intimidating environment so that the majority of the people could have their will over a few tyrannical intolerant individuals. So where's the tolerance now?

Re: Can I Vote for this Guy for President?

RThomasETC — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:32:55 -0000

Glad you agree.

Re: Can I Vote for this Guy for President?

Stephen_Black — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:22:33 -0000

BTW... I could have done without sexists remarks as well... It justs makes it harder for many to listen to, again he made a LOT of excellent points, topics that should be discussed and debated.

Re: Can I Vote for this Guy for President?

Stephen_Black — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:20:14 -0000

He makes a LOT of great points that people REALLY need to think through!

Re: Can I Vote for this Guy for President?

RThomasETC — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:01:31 -0000

OH ... but don't get me wrong. I really liked the "speech" overall.

Re: Can I Vote for this Guy for President?

RThomasETC — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:53 -0000

I could have done without the "milkshake and thighs" comment and the indirect reference to Pamela Anderson's boob job.

Re: Can I Vote for this Guy for President?

Stephen_Black — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:22:45 -0000

This guy is terrific! He says it like it is! AMEN BROTHER!

Hilarious!

NOBAMA!

Re: The Economic Meltdown Timeline That Leading Democrats Don’t Want You to See

RThomasETC — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:13:07 -0000

Dave Ramsey is cool and very intelligent.

Re: The Economic Meltdown Timeline That Leading Democrats Don’t Want You to See

BTCarolus — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:47:12 -0000

Stephen, term limits make politicians *less* accountable to voters. Accountability in a democracy is established via the idea that do well, you will be re-elected, do poorly, you will be voted out. If you make it so that a senator can only serve two terms (12 years total), then once their second term starts, they will not be accountable to the voter for anything that they do. And I'm sorry, but "legacy" is not a driving motivator for the average politician. So if you put term limits in place, every incumbent will be free to defer decisions, vote for quick fixes, etc., knowing that their successor will have to deal with it.

In political systems where there are term limits in place already, politicians still run for consecutive terms, they don't space them out as you're suggesting they would. Also, it usually takes at least a year for a newly elected official to learn how to function within whatever body he is elected to. By the time he has acclimated and can start pointing things out to 'the incumbents" he is an incumbent himself.

The best way to get rid of career politicians, is to get rid of politics as a career. Originally the congress was filled with people who actually had to work for a living (this is what the much-maligned white, male, property owners did). Their work in congress came with a small salary to make up for the time spent doing government business, but they still had to make sure that their own farm/business was still functioning. Usually by running it themselves. It's the living wage Congress has voted itself that allows for career politicians.

Re: The Economic Meltdown Timeline That Leading Democrats Don’t Want You to See

Stephen_Black — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:20:29 -0000

The pressure of being accountable to voters and what a person's legacy would be while in Congress. However, this also give new participants in the process the ability to continue to point out the problems of the incumbents and improve. I hope that makes sense :-) God bless!

And quite frankly... I am tired of careerer politicians who do not actually have the people of the USA as their priority... It has become congressmen thinking "ME as a god of the Congress. What I say is good for the people." It must be changed.

Re: The Economic Meltdown Timeline That Leading Democrats Don’t Want You to See

BTCarolus — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:28:33 -0000

"term limits would bring a greater level of accountability"

How so?

Re: The Economic Meltdown Timeline That Leading Democrats Don’t Want You to See

editorgal — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:17:45 -0000

Love that quote. Try to live that quote! Mostly, pray He shines through my cracked & broken self!

Re: The Economic Meltdown Timeline That Leading Democrats Don’t Want You to See

Stephen_Black — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:44:03 -0000

Amen sister... be the light, be the salt, evangelize and if necessary use words. :-)

Re: The Economic Meltdown Timeline That Leading Democrats Don’t Want You to See

Stephen_Black — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:42:26 -0000

Sorry sis... I don't agree... term limits would bring a greater level of accountability... and that is what is needed first.

There must be a promotion of character and integrity. I cannot see another way around making sure the people of the USA can police it as voters. It is out of control in the Christless, immoral self-centered narcissistic generation. We need a sweeping Revival, so until then... we need term limits.

Re: The Economic Meltdown Timeline That Leading Democrats Don’t Want You to See

Stephen_Black — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:39:09 -0000

Exactly... no reason not to have term limits... and it could be once out, you rest and re-run after 2 or 4 years. I would be very satisfied with that... it needs to happen... Congress is untrustworthy!

Re: The Economic Meltdown Timeline That Leading Democrats Don’t Want You to See

Stephen_Black — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:37:37 -0000

Dave Ramsey has some great ideas that are circulating around the Internet. It is laid out well on his web site. We need to hold the Congress accountable. I hope each of you will call, as I have to voice opinions on this matter... FINALLY it seems they are actually listening to the citizens out of fear of being voted out of office! I do not want me, or my children or grandchildren to have to pay for this mess! IT IS SO WRONG!

http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/fed_bailout/3_ste...

This is a very sound plan!

GOD HAVE MERCY ON US! Oh Lord hear our prayer that Congress will act with wisdom!