Jesus-is-our-victory : Messages : 1329-1358 of 1372

Surviving Sexual Brokenness

Good Guys,

I doubt if there is anyone who does not on occasion doubt. At least himself. I know the illustration: we don't think about whether a chair is going to hold us up; we just sit. But I also know that sometimes we just miss the chair altogether and we're on the floor in pain and it is just there: a chair. A mocking chair.

I hope you will read this week's Signs of a Struggle blog post at: What Should We Do About Doubt?

God Bless,

Thom

#1330

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:58 am
Subject: But Still We Try to Reason Why

th2950

Good Guys,

I had five children. They wanted to know why. Why can't we go there? Why do we have to go here? Why can't I have this? Why do I have to have that? Why doesn't it work? Why can't we afford it? Why do the leaves fall?

Why did you? Fall.

Do you ever wonder why? I do. I hope you'll read the blog post and find out why. Here's the link: But Still We Try to Reason Why.

Please help launch my new book, "Who Told You You Were Naked?" The Counterfeit Compassion of Culture, just released and available for only $14.95 at Createspace on Amazon.com. Please go to the link and read about the book. I think you will definitely want this one! Let's arm ourselves against the lies of culture.

#1331

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:30 pm
Subject: "Who Told You You Were Naked?" is Now Available

th2950

Who Told You You Were Naked?: The Counterfeit Compassion of Culture

Good Guys,

I've always been thankful to be a part of this group and have enjoyed not only posting here over the past few years, but reading and being blessed by the posts of others.

I know we're all always looking for truth and encouragement in our struggles with whatever form of sexual brokenness intrudes upon our lives. That's why we share here. I wanted to let you know that my new book, "Who Told You You Were Naked?" The Counterfeit Compassion of Culture has just been released. Focusing on truth, hope, faith and grace, I think I've written a book that is encouraging, compassionate, and faithful to Biblical truth.

I love this group and I've learned so much from those of you who post and share. For that reason, I've come up with a special code you can use to buy the book for 20% off the retail price, saving you $3. I'm trying to make it as inexpensive as possible so you'll order it and share it. Just follow the link just below this sentence, which will take you to a special page instead of to the Amazon page, and then enter this code when you get ready to purchase: LF4DCNHS.

LINK: "Who Told You You Were Naked?"

CODE: LF4DCNHS

I'm thankful we have been traveling this journey together and I would love to hear how you are doing, and especially if you are needing prayer and support from me and the group members.

God Bless,

Thom

Signs of a Struggle

#1332

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:08 pm
Subject: The Counterfeit Compassion of Culture

th2950

Fact of the matter is, God does wag a "No . . . No. . . No . . . " finger in our faces. We just ignore it and say we didn't hear Him. Are we actually expecting God to sit by our bedside and read His Word aloud to us at night?

My blog this week features the Introduction from my new book: "Who Told You You Were Naked?" I hope you'll hit the link for the blog below and take a look. Also, when you get to the end of the blog, look for a code that will give you, as a member of the group, a 20% discount on the book. Thanks!

Here's the blog link: Signs of a Struggle.

God Bless,

Thom Hunter

#1333

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Thu Feb 2, 2012 2:15 am
Subject: Spiritual Abuse: A Darkness You Can Feel

th2950

Good Guys,

I really do hope you will take a moment to look at this week's post on spiritual abuse. The entire post can be viewed at this link: Spiritual Abuse: A Darkness You Can Feel. Here's a paragraph from the post:

"For those of you who have not wandered through the dark and seemingly-endless tunnels some men and women do -- of sexual addiction, homosexuality, pornography addiction, adultery or other form of sexual brokenness -- reach deep within and thank God for the grace that He has extended to allow you to avoid all that . . . and then extend that grace to those who dwell in an indefinable darkness. You don't have to understand it, but you can at least not add to the defilement the person feels already. Churches do have a tendency to do that: "Just in case you don't realize you are less than a donkey's ass, let us make one thing perfectly clear: you are. But we love you." (Church hate speech?)"

God Bless,

Thom

Please help launch my new book, "Who Told You You Were Naked?" The Counterfeit Compassion of Culture, just released and available on Amazon.com. Please go to the link and read about the book. I think you will definitely want this one! Let's arm ourselves against the lies of culture.

#1334

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Mon Feb 13, 2012 3:51 pm
Subject: The Life We Can't Erase

th2950

Good Guys,

Like stepping into an attic too long neglected, we can find that the clutter has taken control and there is scarcely room to stand while sifting through the memories that wouldn't bring a dime in a desperation garage sale of broken thoughts, distorted hopes and desperate acts.

Life gets cluttered, doesn't it?

I hope you will read this week's post: The Life We Can't Erase on Signs of a Struggle.

God Bless,

Thom Hunter -- "Who Told You You Were Naked?"

#1335

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:00 am
Subject: Remember Who You Are

th2950

"Who Told You You Were Naked?"

Good Guys,

Who are you? Or perhaps, who were you when you knew who you were? Back before you knew too much and heard too much and did too much and became all twisted up by the too much of living? Back before someone sat you down, or turned you down or stared you down or took you down or put you down and took the blessed image of God you are and told you who you "really" are.

I hope you will read more on the blog at this link: Remember Who You Are.

God Bless,

Thom Hunter

#1336

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri Mar 2, 2012 1:15 am
Subject: A Bridge Between Night and Day

th2950

Good Guys,

I know some of you don't like to click on links, so I'm going to try and post the whole blog post here this week. Hopefully then, you will click the link and go to the blog and read other posts. My whole goal is to encourage people who are dealing with any kind of brokenness.

God Bless,

Thom

The Guest House

Here's this week's blog post:

A Bridge Between Night and Day

In the soft moonlight of midnight, shadows dancing against the baby-blue wall of the nursery from a cottonwood tree moving gently in the nighttime breeze, it is party time. The baby is awake and searching for his toes, his pacifier, his blanket, his mommy or his daddy. He is ready for his day to begin; he wants to explore. Yes . . . in the soft moonlight of midnight. Smiling, cooing, laughing.

In the first 10 years of our marriage, Lisa and I had five babies: four boys and then, a daughter. It was common among them to go through a period when they would have their nights and days mixed up. The normal waking in the middle-of the-night with hunger pains or indigestion or a wet diaper was not a huge problem. You pick them up, hold them, mumble a few comforting words, or, if you're Lisa, sing a lullaby, play with their toes and hopefully they close their eyes before you do. That was all normal. It was the periods when they ignored the realities of time and began their day in middle of my night that were hard.

With all their potent body language -- whether red-faced bawling or cherub-faced giggling -- they would say with all the force of an eight-pounder: "You are not putting me down." "You are not leaving me in this dark room."

And we didn't. Not on those occasions where we knew the baby was just a bit mixed up; confused about the distance between day and night, oblivious to dark and light. These were not "I want" moments. These were "I need" times.

Sometimes we just need to yield ourselves to the "care for me" and "care about me" cries of those around us who are confused, even if our more common-sense mode tells us that perhaps we should just give them a pat on the back, flip the light back off and close the door. Cry your way through it; you'll be better for it. I'm tired.

Sometimes we are the crying child and sometimes we are the comforting one who flips on the light and stays at the side of the weeping and the wailing and the gnashing. And sometimes we're the child who lies awake and refuses to call out, or the busy and self-absorbed who walks straight down the hall and past the room in which the bewildered toss in fits and turns.

And then, there's God. He never lets go. His perfect love casts out fear. Sometimes we don't see it because of the shadows that cast strange thoughts within our minds, but He is always there.

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. -- Deuteronomy 31:8

Can you imagine what it would be like to go into our battles and know -- despite the pounding of our hearts and the furious flow of adrenalin -- that someone is at each shoulder, on our left and and on our right, at every step? What if we knew that there was someone right in front of us, fully armed and determined to take the charge? What if we had the assurance that behind us is someone who will catch us if we fall, and move before us so the battle we think is lost becomes a victory instead?

Imagine . . . and know.

I remember watching the movie Gettysburg a few years back. I'm not a huge Civil War buff and I have no desire to march in a re-enactment, but there is a stunning moment from that movie that has favorably haunted me from the time I saw it. It has even been re-enacted in my dreams, which is as close as I want to get to the reality of it.

I don't remember the battle, but I can't forget the scene. It is a pivotal moment and will turn the war. Two armies -- the North and the South -- awake from a night of encampment and begin to prepare for the major battle that will cost many of the brave men their lives. The armies will meet in the clearing, each marching out from the cool covering of the woods, the dark, shady comfort of the trees, into the blazing sun, bayonets at the ready, muzzle-loaders hoisted.

My mind always says. "Don't go!" Stay in the shade. Turn around. Hunker down. Maybe the enemy will go away.

They don't listen to me.

The men line up in formation, shoulder-to-shoulder, and await the command to move. It comes. They look into each other's eyes one last time and then focus on the eyes of the enemy, coming out of cover and heading for the clearing. And they move straight toward the enemy, aware that at some point they will be in hand-to-hand combat and one army will declare the clearing held.

Shots ring out. Men fall on the left and on the right and the fortunate ones march on, stepping over and around the bodies of the fallen. Soon, the closeness of the armies makes the long rifles useless to fire and the enemy begins to stab and thrust with bayonets. Before the battle is over, men are downing each other one-on-one with knives pulled from their belts. And many fall and die, wondering as they hit the dusty field whether they have done enough to protect their loved ones.

In the end, one army stands, depleted and exhausted, but victorious, despite the huge losses inflicted on them. Great sorrow is experienced in a determination for victory.

I don't like battle. I like the clear-blue skies unencumbered by the dark and emerging clouds that creep from the horizon and blunt the sun. I don't want to be close enough to look into the eyes of the enemy; maybe that's why he so often creeps up behind me.

What if our lonely marches toward the seemingly never-ending walls of defiance that threaten to annihilate us in the middle of the clearing are not really lonely marches at all?

Imagine . . . and know.

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. -- Deuteronomy 31:8.

The Lord Himself? Before us and with us? He never leaves? And yet, he knows we become afraid and are sometimes discouraged. That sometimes our days and our nights are so mixed up that we are in a constant swamp of greyness. That sometimes we want to cast aside our armor and just dig a hole and hide. He never leaves.

Sometimes God comes to us and meets our outstretched hands in moments of exploration as we seek to discover our place in the world. And he speaks in a quiet still voice. At other times, He stands before us and all around us in full battle gear as we gasp for our survival. And he goes through the rage with us as the enemy strikes and we risk stumbling to our faces flat in the field. He never leaves.

God is never confused about night and day. Evil and good. Truth and deceit. No clever costuming by the enemy can fool God. He knows the serpent's voice and is immune to its cleverness.

We could learn a lot from God. Duhh.

Like standing with each other so we could take the clearing instead of retreating to the woods. I'm sure some of those soldiers were more combat-ready and better-trained than the others, but they all marched in. Some were probably already pretty wounded from earlier battles. Some may not have slept the night before, robbed of rest by apprehension. Some may not have even liked the man on his left or right. Some may have been saints; others bound by sin. Yet, there they were, there for each other. Judgement could wait. Condemnation was on hold. They were too busy pointing bayonets in unison at the enemy to point fingers at each other. They were more determined to be a mighty army themselves than to shoot the wounded among them.

The church could learn a lot from them. And from God.

The army marches forward to victory because the weaknesses of each are overwhelmed by the combined strength of all. Even though the battlefield will sometimes melt down into chaos and confusion, the clarity of the mission remains.

Whether we are in the nursery wanting nurturing or in the clearing wanting a co-clobberer to enable our courage, we need to move forward.

We need a clarity of mission. We need to know where we want to be so we can make provision to get there, whether we limp across or leap across or get carried across.

We need to realize we don't live in a barn. I remember when I was a kid, my mother would sometimes peek into my room and tell me to get it cleaned up. "You don't live in a barn," she would say. I've thought about that in other ways. We talk so much about God opening doors, or we pull out the old saying that "when one door closes, He always opens a window." And these things are true. But, shouldn't we be closing a few doors in the meantime? Saying no to old habits and bad thinking? Eliminating destructive relationships that the enemy uses in our lives.

We need to be stronger for others. Those of us who struggle need to make darn sure that we are not enabling other strugglers. It is neither kind nor compassionate to play games along the edge of a cliff, to expose ourselves to temptations, to trim the hedges low enough to jump over, to put open spots in the boundaries, to keep relationships intact when we know we are headed for a fall. And I see that, all the time. People rarely fall alone. If you are a co-enabler, you're in co-denial.

We need to be ready to cross the bridge. One of my mother's -- and perhaps every harried mother's -- favorite sayings was "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." I often told my own kids "We'll jump off that bridge when we get to it." "When we get to it," is the dangerous part of the phrase. The men at Gettysburg knew the clearing was ahead. They paused, planned, tried to rest, shared a meal, strengthened themselves as best they could, cleaned their armor, organized and pledged to cross the clearing . . . all before they came to it. And they knew well in advance when they would "get to it."

When I was a little boy, the directions for crossing a street were to look both ways twice and then cross. It was less scary if a crossing guard was there, but it was nice to know that if the guard was not present, I knew what to do. As I got a little older, I found myself crossing in the middle of the block so I wouldn't have to wait on that crossing guard. And, on occasion, even if I did look both ways, and even if it wasn't exactly clear, I would dart out into the street and dodge a car or two and leap to the opposite curb. I had decided that the instructions were too much trouble and the crossing guard way too slow. It is "my" life, after all. I can do with it what I want.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" -- Matthew 16:24-26

My life? Mine? Not so much.

We can learn a lot from Jesus.

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. -- James 5:19-20

This was written to Christians with the full awareness that they were surrounded by people who might wander away from the truth and into the darkened room of deceit, an often-fatal error. We should be saying: "Not on my watch."

No matter how dark the room, He will not leave us in it. We may refuse to walk into the clearing with Him, but it will be our decision, not His. He is the light that shines in the darkness. He bridges the distance between night and day.

God Bless,

Thom

Signs of a Struggle

#1337

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri Mar 9, 2012 3:06 am
Subject: Mighty Warriors of Weakness

th2950

"Who Told You You Were Naked?"

Good Guys,

If evolution were reality, we'd have side airbags on our bodies that would inflate every time we approached a door through which we should not go. We'd have an early warning system to keep us from taking dead aim at personal destruction. Our high-beam headlights would free us from the fog of temptation that blocks out the beauty of what is real and good in our lives. That camera in the back would react and send a shrill warning when we found ourselves heading back down a treacherous path paved with the bad decisions of our past. Our GPS systems would have built in recognition for the paces oh we dare not go. Our Die-Hard batteries would never fail us, leaving us morally drained on the side of the road in desperate desire for a jump.

Please read the entire blog post at this link: BridgeBack Ministries

God Bless,

Thom

#1338

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Thu Mar 15, 2012 12:06 am
Subject: What Do the Gay People in Your Church Look Like?

th2950

Good Guys,

What do the same-sex attracted people in your church look like? Could they sit there looking like you, dressed like you, acting like you, worshipping in the pew with their spouses and children, or moms and dads, Bibles open, faces forward, smiles on, handshakes offered, singing alongside you in quiet despair? Are they hiding their pain and confusion behind their Sunday smiles?

I hope you'll read this week's blog post -- "What do the Gay People in Your Church Look Like?" on BridgeBack Ministries at this link: BridgeBack Ministries.

God Bless,

Thom

The Guest House

#1339

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri Mar 23, 2012 1:49 pm
Subject: Dear Christian: You're Scaring Them to Death

th2950

Good Guys,

I thought Christians would be better at ministering to the sexually-broken by now. I thought those of us who claim a desire to be Christlike would not look so personally at the sins of others, as if they bear them only to plague us. Yet, here we are, decades down a road He laid out for us and we're still ignoring the bodies by the roadside. We're so focused on those who proclaim their pride in their gayness that we miss those who want to forego all pride and proclaim freedom. Dear Christian: "You're scaring them to death . . . or ignoring them to tears."

I hope you'll read the entire post this week on Signs of a Struggle. The issue of the church's failure to address one of the most important issues of our time is not only stunning, but extremely dangerous. You can read the post at this link: "You're Scaring Them to Death."

God Bless,

Thom

#1340

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:36 am
Subject: When Life Gets in the Way of Life

th2950

Good Guys,

When it comes to the hope of overcoming any form of sexual brokenness, the question of how much change can be expected always comes up. Remaining also are the questions others have: Can you? Will you? Have you? Are you sure? How can I know? Will it last? And the demands: prove it.

So this week, I took a look at the expectations for change. I hope you'll read the post at this link: Signs of a Struggle.

God Bless,

Thom

#1341

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri Apr 6, 2012 3:00 pm
Subject: The Line Between Almost and Always

th2950

Happy Easter,

I like Easter because � despite all the silliness of the bunnies and boiled eggs � it is to me the most real of all the holidays we celebrate. It is the line between almost and always. Of any moment in history, it is the one that matters most. I don't quarrel with the Word of God; I believe it's true. No matter my doubts about the things of this world, I know that Easter � Jesus Christ's victory over death � transcends those shadows with the light of truth.

I know what it feels like to be unforgiven. I know what it feels like to be sort-of forgiven, like grace with small print. But because of Easter, I know what it feels like to be wholly forgiven forever. Not . . . almost . . . but always. (I hope you will read my entire post about the significance of the resurrection at "The Line Between Almost and Always."

God Bless,

Thom

#1342

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri Apr 13, 2012 1:41 am
Subject: At the Corner of Grace and Gray

th2950

The accept-me-as-I-am group (most struggling with self-acceptance) runs headlong into the I-can't-accept-you-until-you-change group, and under the watchful eye of a God who wants to accept us all as we are . . . and change us to be like Him . . . we wage a silly war.

And it all takes place at the corner of Grace and Gray.

I hope you'll read the post at this link: At the Corner of Grace and Gray.

God Bless,

Thom -- BridgeBack Ministries

#1343

From: "red_sixtyone" <rhowaito@...>
Date: Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:39 am
Subject: Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

red_sixtyone

I have been working on developing a close friendship with a man at work and am
experiencing some difficulties that I hope someone can give advice about.  I
started to become good friends with a married guy I work with.  He is not a
fellow believer but he knows I am.  He does not know that I struggle with same
sex attraction.  I am attracted to him physically but I am determined to be
friends without letting that interfere, learning to have healthy relationship. 
The problem I am having is that this friend likes to make very suggestive gay
jokes including some physical touching.  I can dismiss a lot of it because I
have seen him do the same thing to his other friends and it usually happens in
open view of others for laughs.  However he makes a lot of suggestive remarks to
me in private and I am beginning to suspect that he is actually being serious. 
I have heard him say many times that he is not gay, but he continues to make
sexually explicit comments all the same, even suggesting that If he were to ever
divorce and marry again he would marry me.

Am I blowing things out of proportion?  Are these really intended to be harmless
jokes?  Or is it possible that he is trying to tell me something or get me to
reveal something?  I want to find out but I am afraid to speak to him about it.
I am also scared because part of me wants him to be serious and I am not ready
to sacrifice the friendship to find out.

I just wonder if anyone else has experienced this kind of thing and if anyone
has helpful advice?
Thanks,

#1344

From: NewKnightRider <nmic28732@...>
Date: Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:38 am
Subject: Re: Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

nmic28732

I think you should assume that he's looking for a sexual encounter, and proceed accordingly. IMHO, he IS trying to have a physical encounter. Since you say, (quote) "He is not a fellow believer but he knows I am." then at least two scenarios come to mind:

He is anti-Christian, wants to make you fall, and then make a public spectacle of you.
He is a fellow struggler with SSA. By Divine Appointment made before the world began, Father brought you into his life. Under the outward behavior of jokes, and possible inappropriate touching, he is depressed about the hopelessness all of us in this group have experienced with SSA and homosexuality at one time or another. He is actually crying out to Father for help.

Scenario #1: He wants you to fail, because he wants to justify his belief that man created God in his own image, Christianity is a crock, and people who call themselves Christians are fools and deluded. Even if this is true, he's still a person for whom Christ died. He is still being drawn to Father by the Holy Spirit (John 6:44).

Scenario #2: He wants desperately for you to SUCCEED in standing up for Christ. He's reaching up to Father, and Father has answered his prayers by sending YOU to be the person gloriously and indescribably blessed by being the one through whom He reaches and ministers to your co-worker, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is a spiritual battle. The enemy of God is working hard to make sure scenario #1 is the outcome.

Father, through His Holy Spirit, is working hard to make sure scenario # 2 is the outcome. At stake is your effectiveness as a believer and an overcomer of SSA, and this man's eternal destiny (Eph 6:10-18).

Try to make sure you are never alone with him. If you're at work, and an unavoidable situation arises, simply do exactly what needs to be done, and only what needs to be done, and then return to your work station. If he makes a joke about homosexuality, try not to laugh, and don't hide the fact that you're not. Example: He says, "If I were to divorce my wife, I'd marry you." Your response: "Thanks, but I love God, and He wouldn't want me to do that." If you're active in a church with a strong men's group, invite him to church, and/or to a men's meeting.

You don't need to tell him about your challenges with SSA, at least for now. If you feel you would not be able to control yourself if the opportunity for a sexual encounter came up, then put as much distance between you and him as possible. (That's what the enemy wants you to do. Results: You lose an opportunity to glorify God. You wouldn't be as strong a Christian as you might have been. Your co-worker might die lost.) Remember, we still live in a fallen world. Father knows that. Father is giving YOU the priviledge of glorifying Him, by growing stronger in your faith and closer to Him, by awarding you with this challenge.

Mountaintop experiences are great, but it's only in the trenches when we're under attack that we grow stronger. Also, gold is not valuable until AFTER it has gone INTO and THROUGH the refiner's fire.

I love you! I praise God for you!

jeffnkr

From: red_sixtyone <rhowaito@...>
To: Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2012 8:39 PM
Subject: [Jesus-is-our-victory] Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

I have been working on developing a close friendship with a man at work and am experiencing some difficulties that I hope someone can give advice about. I started to become good friends with a married guy I work with. He is not a fellow believer but he knows I am. He does not know that I struggle with same sex attraction. I am attracted to him physically but I am determined to be friends without letting that interfere, learning to have healthy relationship. The problem I am having is that this friend likes to make very suggestive gay jokes including some physical touching. I can dismiss a lot of it because I have seen him do the same thing to his other friends and it usually happens in open view of others for laughs. However he makes a lot of suggestive remarks to me in private and I am beginning to suspect that he is actually being serious. I have heard him say many times that he is not gay, but he continues to make sexually explicit comments all the same, even suggesting that If he were to ever divorce and marry again he would marry me.

Am I blowing things out of proportion? Are these really intended to be harmless jokes? Or is it possible that he is trying to tell me something or get me to reveal something? I want to find out but I am afraid to speak to him about it. I am also scared because part of me wants him to be serious and I am not ready to sacrifice the friendship to find out.

I just wonder if anyone else has experienced this kind of thing and if anyone has helpful advice?
Thanks,

#1345

From: "Edmund Ortega"<eortega42@...>
Date: Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:48 am
Subject: Re: Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

eortega42

I just had dinner with a same-sex friend hosting two hetero friends. And we did not try to have a good evening amongst friends. We just ate and talked and went home. It is wise not to over-think it, right?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

-----Original message-----

From: NewKnightRider <nmic28732@...>
To: "Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com" <Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Apr 16, 2012 06:38:12 GMT+00:00
Subject: Re: [Jesus-is-our-victory] Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

I think you should assume that he's looking for a sexual encounter, and proceed accordingly. IMHO, he IS trying to have a physical encounter. Since you say, (quote) "He is not a fellow believer but he knows I am." then at least two scenarios come to mind:

He is anti-Christian, wants to make you fall, and then make a public spectacle of you.

He is a fellow struggler with SSA. By Divine Appointment made before the world began, Father brought you into his life. Under the outward behavior of jokes, and possible inappropriate touching, he is depressed about the hopelessness all of us in this group have experienced with SSA and homosexuality at one time or another. He is actually crying out to Father for help.

Scenario #1: He wants you to fail, because he wants to justify his belief that man created God in his own image, Christianity is a crock, and people who call themselves Christians are fools and deluded. Even if this is true, he's still a person for whom Christ died. He is still being drawn to Father by the Holy Spirit (John 6:44).

Scenario #2: He wants desperately for you to SUCCEED in standing up for Christ. He's reaching up to Father, and Father has answered his prayers by sending YOU to be the person gloriously and indescribably blessed by being the one through whom He reaches and ministers to your co-worker, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is a spiritual battle. The enemy of God is working hard to make sure scenario #1 is the outcome.

Father, through His Holy Spirit, is working hard to make sure scenario # 2 is the outcome. At stake is your effectiveness as a believer and an overcomer of SSA, and this man's eternal destiny (Eph 6:10-18).

Try to make sure you are never alone with him. If you're at work, and an unavoidable situation arises, simply do exactly what needs to be done, and only what needs to be done, and then return to your work station. If he makes a joke about homosexuality, try not to laugh, and don't hide the fact that you're not. Example: He says, "If I were to divorce my wife, I'd marry you." Your response: "Thanks, but I love God, and He wouldn't want me to do that."   If you're active in a church with a strong men's group, invite him to church, and/or to a men's meeting.

You don't need to tell him about your challenges with SSA, at least for now. If you feel you would not be able to control yourself if the opportunity for a sexual encounter came up, then put as much distance between you and him as possible.  (That's what the enemy wants you to do. Results: You lose an opportunity to glorify God. You wouldn't be as strong a Christian as you might have been. Your co-worker might die lost.) Remember, we still live in a fallen world. Father knows that. Father is giving YOU the priviledge of glorifying Him, by growing stronger in your faith and closer to Him, by awarding you with this challenge.

Mountaintop experiences are great, but it's only in the trenches when we're under attack that we grow stronger. Also, gold is not valuable until AFTER it has gone INTO and THROUGH the refiner's fire.

I love you! I praise God for you!

jeffnkr

From: red_sixtyone <rhowaito@...>
To: Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2012 8:39 PM
Subject: [Jesus-is-our-victory] Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

I have been working on developing a close friendship with a man at work and am experiencing some difficulties that I hope someone can give advice about. I started to become good friends with a married guy I work with. He is not a fellow believer but he knows I am. He does not know that I struggle with same sex attraction. I am attracted to him physically but I am determined to be friends without letting that interfere, learning to have healthy relationship. The problem I am having is that this friend likes to make very suggestive gay jokes including some physical touching. I can dismiss a lot of it because I have seen him do the same thing to his other friends and it usually happens in open view of others for laughs. However he makes a lot of suggestive remarks to me in private and I am beginning to suspect that he is actually being serious. I have heard him say many times that he is not gay, but he continues to make sexually explicit comments all the same, even suggesting that If he were to ever divorce and marry again he would marry me.

Am I blowing things out of proportion? Are these really intended to be harmless jokes? Or is it possible that he is trying to tell me something or get me to reveal something? I want to find out but I am afraid to speak to him about it. I am also scared because part of me wants him to be serious and I am not ready to sacrifice the friendship to find out.

I just wonder if anyone else has experienced this kind of thing and if anyone has helpful advice?
Thanks,

#1346

From: NewKnightRider <nmic28732@...>
Date: Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:18 am
Subject: Re: Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

nmic28732

I believe it's wise to trust the Scriptures, in which Father tells us:

Eph 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high[places].

1Pe 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Edmund, you're talking about a one-time event. It may or may not occur again. You were with friends in a relaxed atmosphere of your choice. You have the choice of whether to repeat the event or to decline. If you had handled it wrong, it could have easily been forgiven, at best, or you would have upset a few people, at worst. There wouldn't have been any economic impact. It doesn't appear that anyone came on to you or made inappropriate jokes.

"Red sixty-one" is talking about an on-going challenge. He's in a situation with a CO-WORKER. If he handles it wrong, there are disciplinary measures that can be taken by supervisors that would greatly affect his job and performance reviews, and thererfore future pay increases. Termination is also a possibility.

If he sees this as a blessing and a challenge from God, he'll learn that God is dependable and reliable. He could possibly have an excitement about life and about going to work that he might not have had otherwise. All of us need to believe that as Christians, Father is in full control of our lives. What happens to us, happens because Father has planned it so. Therefore, it's God's will that "Red sixty-one" work with this man. It's an opportunity for Red sixty-one to glorify Father, grow stronger in his faith, and for another lost person to repent and believe the Gospel. It's not an event thrust upon him as punishment for sin.

Whether you believe it or not, by Divine Assignment Father placed you in the position in which you would choose to go to dinner with your friend and two other guests. He orchestrated events accordingly.

Give Him glory!

I love you, too! I praise God for you!

jeffnkr

From: Edmund Ortega <eortega42@...>
To: Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2012 2:48 AM
Subject: Re: [Jesus-is-our-victory] Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

-----Original message-----

From: NewKnightRider <nmic28732@...>
To: "Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com" <Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Apr 16, 2012 06:38:12 GMT+00:00
Subject: Re: [Jesus-is-our-victory] Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

I think you should assume that he's looking for a sexual encounter, and proceed accordingly. IMHO, he IS trying to have a physical encounter. Since you say, (quote) "He is not a fellow believer but he knows I am." then at least two scenarios come to mind:

He is anti-Christian, wants to make you fall, and then make a public spectacle of you.

He is a fellow struggler with SSA. By Divine Appointment made before the world began, Father brought you into his life. Under the outward behavior of jokes, and possible inappropriate touching, he is depressed about the hopelessness all of us in this group have experienced with SSA and homosexuality at one time or another. He is actually crying out to Father for help.

Scenario #1: He wants you to fail, because he wants to justify his belief that man created God in his own image, Christianity is a crock, and people who call themselves Christians are fools and deluded. Even if this is true, he's still a person for whom Christ died. He is still being drawn to Father by the Holy Spirit (John 6:44).

Scenario #2: He wants desperately for you to SUCCEED in standing up for Christ. He's reaching up to Father, and Father has answered his prayers by sending YOU to be the person gloriously and indescribably blessed by being the one through whom He reaches and ministers to your co-worker, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is a spiritual battle. The enemy of God is working hard to make sure scenario #1 is the outcome.

Father, through His Holy Spirit, is working hard to make sure scenario # 2 is the outcome. At stake is your effectiveness as a believer and an overcomer of SSA, and this man's eternal destiny (Eph 6:10-18).

Try to make sure you are never alone with him. If you're at work, and an unavoidable situation arises, simply do exactly what needs to be done, and only what needs to be done, and then return to your work station. If he makes a joke about homosexuality, try not to laugh, and don't hide the fact that you're not. Example: He says, "If I were to divorce my wife, I'd marry you." Your response: "Thanks, but I love God, and He wouldn't want me to do that."   If you're active in a church with a strong men's group, invite him to church, and/or to a men's meeting.

You don't need to tell him about your challenges with SSA, at least for now. If you feel you would not be able to control yourself if the opportunity for a sexual encounter came up, then put as much distance between you and him as possible.  (That's what the enemy wants you to do. Results: You lose an opportunity to glorify God. You wouldn't be as strong a Christian as you might have been. Your co-worker might die lost.) Remember, we still live in a fallen world. Father knows that. Father is giving YOU the priviledge of glorifying Him, by growing stronger in your faith and closer to Him, by awarding you with this challenge.

Mountaintop experiences are great, but it's only in the trenches when we're under attack that we grow stronger. Also, gold is not valuable until AFTER it has gone INTO and THROUGH the refiner's fire.

I love you! I praise God for you!

jeffnkr

From: red_sixtyone <rhowaito@...>
To: Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2012 8:39 PM
Subject: [Jesus-is-our-victory] Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

I have been working on developing a close friendship with a man at work and am experiencing some difficulties that I hope someone can give advice about. I started to become good friends with a married guy I work with. He is not a fellow believer but he knows I am. He does not know that I struggle with same sex attraction. I am attracted to him physically but I am determined to be friends without letting that interfere, learning to have healthy relationship. The problem I am having is that this friend likes to make very suggestive gay jokes including some physical touching. I can dismiss a lot of it because I have seen him do the same thing to his other friends and it usually happens in open view of others for laughs. However he makes a lot of suggestive remarks to me in private and I am beginning to suspect that he is actually being serious. I have heard him say many times that he is not gay, but he continues to make sexually explicit comments all the same, even suggesting that If he were to ever divorce and marry again he would marry me.

Am I blowing things out of proportion? Are these really intended to be harmless jokes? Or is it possible that he is trying to tell me something or get me to reveal something? I want to find out but I am afraid to speak to him about it. I am also scared because part of me wants him to be serious and I am not ready to sacrifice the friendship to find out.

I just wonder if anyone else has experienced this kind of thing and if anyone has helpful advice?
Thanks,

#1347

From: "red_sixtyone" <rhowaito@...>
Date: Thu Apr 19, 2012 1:23 am
Subject: Re: Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship

red_sixtyone

Thanks guys for the responses. I am excited to think that perhaps God has much
bigger plans for this friendship than I thought.  I do want to be careful not to
over think things and create a lot of anxiety for myself.  I am choosing to
trust God more and more with my fears about this.  I really appreciate the
advice.  God has been very good to me and protected me from big mistakes with
this friendship.  It has brought excitement to my life, something I never
thought could happen because of my struggles with feelings.  Please remember me
in prayer as I look for the Spirit's leading me in the next steps.  There are
still so many unanswered questions so I will keep looking to the Lord and my
brothers in Christ for help.


--- In Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com, NewKnightRider <nmic28732@...>
wrote:
>
> I believe it's wise to trust the Scriptures, in which Father tells us:
> Eph 6:12   For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against  powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual  wickedness in high[places].  
> 1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
>  
> Edmund, you're talking about a one-time event.  It may or may not occur
again.  You were with friends in a relaxed atmosphere of your choice. 
You have the choice of whether to repeat the event or to decline.  If you had
handled it wrong, it could have easily been forgiven, at best, or you would have
upset a few people, at worst.  There wouldn't have been any economic impact. 
It doesn't appear that anyone came on to you or made inappropriate jokes.
>  
> "Red sixty-one" is talking about an on-going challenge.  He's in a situation
with a CO-WORKER.  If he handles it wrong, there are disciplinary measures that
can be taken by supervisors that would greatly affect his job and performance
reviews, and thererfore future pay increases.  Termination is also a
possibility.
> If he sees this as a blessing and a challenge from God, he'll learn that God
is dependable and reliable.  He could possibly have an excitement about life
and about going to work that he might not have had otherwise. All of us need to
believe that as Christians, Father is in full control of our lives.  What
happens to us, happens because Father has planned it so.  Therefore, it's
God's will that "Red sixty-one" work with this man.  It's an opportunity for
Red sixty-one to glorify Father, grow stronger in his faith, and for
another lost person to repent and believe the Gospel.   It's not an event
thrust upon him as punishment for sin.
>  
> Whether you believe it or not, by Divine Assignment Father placed you in the
position in which you would  choose to go to dinner with your friend and two
other guests.   He orchestrated events accordingly.
> Give Him glory! 
>  
> I love you, too!  I praise God for you!
> jeffnkr
>
> ________________________________
> From: Edmund Ortega <eortega42@...>
> To: Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, April 16, 2012 2:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [Jesus-is-our-victory] Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship
>
>
>  
> I just had dinner with a same-sex friend hosting two hetero friends.  And we
did not try to have a good evening amongst friends. We just ate and talked and
went home.  It is wise not to over-think it, right?
>
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone
>
> -----Original message-----
>
> From: NewKnightRider <nmic28732@...>
> >To: "Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com"
<Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com>
> >Sent: Mon, Apr 16, 2012 06:38:12 GMT+00:00
> >Subject: Re: [Jesus-is-our-victory] Trying to have healthy same-sex
friendship
> >
> >
> > 
> >I think you should assume that he's looking for a sexual encounter, and
proceed accordingly.  IMHO, he IS trying to have a physical encounter.  Since
you say, (quote) "He is not a fellow believer but he knows I am." then at least
two scenarios come to mind:
> > * He is anti-Christian, wants to make you fall, and then make a public
spectacle of you.
> > * He is a fellow struggler with SSA.  By Divine Appointment made before the
world began, Father  brought you into his life. Under the outward behavior of
jokes, and possible inappropriate touching, he is depressed about the
hopelessness all of us in this group have experienced with SSA and
homosexuality at one time or another.  He is actually crying out to Father for
help.
> >Scenario #1:  He wants you to fail, because he wants to justify his belief
that man created God in his own image, Christianity is a crock, and people who
call themselves Christians are fools and deluded.  Even if this is true, he's
still a person for whom Christ died.  He is still being drawn to Father by the
Holy Spirit (John 6:44).
> > 
> >Scenario #2:  He wants desperately for you to SUCCEED in standing up for
Christ. He's reaching up to Father, and Father has answered his prayers by
sending YOU to be the person gloriously and indescribably blessed by being the
one through whom He reaches and ministers to your co-worker, by the power of the
Holy Spirit.  
> > 
> >This is a spiritual battle.  The enemy of God is working hard to make sure
scenario #1 is the outcome. 
> >Father, through His Holy Spirit, is working hard to make sure scenario # 2 is
the outcome.  At stake is your effectiveness as a believer and an overcomer of
SSA, and this man's eternal destiny (Eph 6:10-18).
> > 
> >Try to make sure you are never alone with him.  If you're at work, and an
unavoidable situation arises, simply do exactly what needs to be done, and only
what needs to be done, and then return to your work station. If he makes a joke
about homosexuality, try not to laugh, and don't hide the fact that you're
not.  Example:  He says, "If I were to divorce my wife, I'd marry you."  Your
response: "Thanks, but I love God, and He wouldn't want me to do that."   If
you're active in a church with a strong men's group, invite him to church,
and/or to a men's meeting.
> > 
> >You don't need to tell him about your challenges with SSA, at least for
now.  If you feel you would not be able to control yourself if the opportunity
for a sexual encounter came up, then put as much distance between you and him as
possible.  (That's what the enemy wants you to do. Results:  You lose an
opportunity to glorify God.  You wouldn't be as strong a Christian as you might
have been.  Your co-worker might die lost.)  Remember, we still live in a
fallen world.  Father knows that.  Father is giving YOU the priviledge of
glorifying Him, by growing stronger in your faith and closer to Him, by awarding
you with this challenge. 
> > 
> >Mountaintop experiences are great, but it's only in the trenches when we're
under attack that we grow stronger.  Also, gold is not valuable until AFTER it
has gone INTO and THROUGH the refiner's fire.
> > 
> >I love you!  I praise God for you!
> >jeffnkr
> >
> >
> >
> >________________________________
> >From: red_sixtyone <rhowaito@...>
> >To: Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com
> >Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2012 8:39 PM
> >Subject: [Jesus-is-our-victory] Trying to have healthy same-sex friendship
> >
> >
> > 
> >I have been working on developing a close friendship with a man at work and
am experiencing some difficulties that I hope someone can give advice about. I
started to become good friends with a married guy I work with. He is not a
fellow believer but he knows I am. He does not know that I struggle with same
sex attraction. I am attracted to him physically but I am determined to be
friends without letting that interfere, learning to have healthy relationship.
The problem I am having is that this friend likes to make very suggestive gay
jokes including some physical touching. I can dismiss a lot of it because I have
seen him do the same thing to his other friends and it usually happens in open
view of others for laughs. However he makes a lot of suggestive remarks to me in
private and I am beginning to suspect that he is actually being serious. I have
heard him say many times that he is not gay, but he continues to make sexually
explicit comments all the
>  same, even suggesting that If he were to ever divorce and marry again he
would marry me.
> >
> >Am I blowing things out of proportion? Are these really intended to be
harmless jokes? Or is it possible that he is trying to tell me something or get
me to reveal something? I want to find out but I am afraid to speak to him about
it. I am also scared because part of me wants him to be serious and I am not
ready to sacrifice the friendship to find out.
> >
> >I just wonder if anyone else has experienced this kind of thing and if anyone
has helpful advice?
> >Thanks,
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

#1348

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:26 pm
Subject: Are You Hiding in Plain Sight?

th2950

When my children were little, they would hide in plain sight, or, at the least, in plain sound. Once, one of them covered his eyes and pronounced that since he could not see me, I could not see him. I think sometimes we approach God that way. We cover our eyes and take a little time out, as if He can not see us because we choose not to see him.

Are you hiding in plain sight? I hope you'll read this week's blog post at Signs of a Struggle. (Just click the link.)

God Bless,

Thom

The Guest House

#1349

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:37 pm
Subject: At the Statue of Jesus, Turn Left

th2950

Good Guys,

This week I'm taking a little temporary different direction on the blog. One of my best friends lost his daughter this week, only three days after the doctors discovered she had a brain tumor. Charity Hope was only 21, married less than two years, with a seven-month-old son. The question that went through my mind, of course, was why the prayers of thousands for her recovery were not answered in the way so many hoped. I hope you will read the blog and leave me your thoughts.

Here's the link: At the Statue of Jesus, Turn Left.

God Bless,

Thom Hunter

Bridgeback Ministries

#1350

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri May 11, 2012 7:21 pm
Subject: President Obama Takes Brokenness to the Bank

th2950

Good Guys,

This week's blog post is not as political as the headline makes it sound. However, the fact that President Obama has endorsed same-sex marriage does impact people who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction, and the fact that Obama tied his opinion to his faith, contradicts what many Christians believe. Still, Obama's decision provides a context for the major focus of the post, which is sexual brokenness. I hope you will read it for encouragement and support.

Greater men than President Obama have trivialized the Word of God, or even usurped it, for personal gain. It happens in the pulpit by timid, tepid preachers and it can certainly happen in the White House by vote-hungry presidents. That's why it is so important to know the truth for yourself so you are not misled by those who place little value on it.

Read the post at: Signs of A Struggle.

God Bless,

Thom

Bridgeback Ministries

#1351

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri May 18, 2012 1:12 am
Subject: These Scars Too Shall Pass

th2950

Good Guys,

Even in our own brokenness, even when we want to take full responsibility; sometimes we're clearly disappointed with God. Like David in Psalms, we want to know why He is so silent when we are so filled with groans. We want to know why He feels so far away. And, you know what? He's fine with us asking.

I hope you'll read this week's post on Signs of a Struggle: These Scars Too Shall Pass.

God Bless,

Thom Hunter -- BridgeBack Ministries

#1352

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri May 25, 2012 9:53 pm
Subject: Lead Us Not Into Confusion

th2950

Good Guys,

As I have said before, when I was doing wrong, I never perceived it as right, or even that I had a right to do it. I did it not because I had to or should, but because I wanted to and could. That doesn't make it right. And I didn't do it to fulfill some God-given destiny or proclaim some God-ordained identity. I did it to determine my own destiny and define my own identity. Very non-Christian is that, is it not?

As my generation grew up, we determined not to be so up-tight, and in the process of loosening, we became less up-right. Consequently, we raised a generation intent on discovery and acceptance to the point where the compass was passed not to a new generation but into the past, or into a drawer for safekeeping, I hope, so it can be called upon again when the strayness takes its toll and we throw ourselves into a "where-do-we-go-from-here" panic.

We need to turn back.

I really hope you'll read the post this week on Signs of a Struggle. Here's the link: "Lead Us Not Into Confusion."

In Him,

Thom

#1353

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Wed Jun 6, 2012 7:50 pm
Subject: The Summer of the Bully in the Barn

th2950

Good Guys,

Even after we survive our childhood, I think there are times when we just give in and see ourselves as others sometimes see us, as less than them, as somehow not put together quite right, as willingly astray, pleasurably-broken, struggle-embracing, skinny little creatures paralyzed on a ladder, ridiculed and diminished and deserving to be so.

We need to see ourselves as Jesus sees us. Jesus see us as complete. He doesn't toss us into stock ponds; He picks us up and wraps us in His arms and simply loves us. He doesn't wrestle us into forced surrender; He invites us to surrender and soothes us with grace and peace. He doesn't point and mock, reducing us to shame; He holds and hears and builds us back up with hope.

(Please follow this link to read the entire story: The Summer of the Bully in the Barn.

God Bless,

Thom -- BridgeBack Ministries

#1354

From: "nmic28732" <nmic28732@...>
Date: Sun Jun 10, 2012 7:18 am
Subject: Please be careful of the links!

nmic28732

I tried to email a moderator.  Two have "bouncing" underneath their email
addresses in the list of moderators.  Another moderator's Yahoo! ID is "Not
Available".

I realize that I may be doing exactly what I don't want to do, but PLEASE DO NOT
GO TO THE GROUP, "Religious Masturbators", especially if you are truly serious
about following Christ, and taking up your cross, daily (Luke 9:23).

Victory over homosexuality is difficult BUT IT IS POSSIBLE (Jeremiah 32:17 & 27;
Matthew 17:20 & 21:21).  If you've fallen, get back up, get right with God, and
get back in the game!   God is not mad at you if you've fallen! It is NOT a sin
to be tempted.  View every temptation as an opportunity to choose to submit to
God, and resist the enemy (James 4:7)!

NKR

Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)

#1355

From: "nmic28732" <nmic28732@...>
Date: Sun Jun 10, 2012 7:43 am
Subject: Some hard truth

nmic28732

No one is born homosexual or lesbian.

There is no such thing as a Gay Christian.

It IS possible to overcome the bondage of hommosexuality, and have the abundant
life and freedom that Christ says we can have, through Him.

JEREMIAH 32:17
Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great
power and outstretched arm.  There is nothing too hard for You.

JEREMIAH 32:27
"Behold, I AM the LORD, the God of all flesh.  Is there anything too hard for
Me?"

MATTHEW 17:20
So Jesus said to them, "...assuredly I say to you, I fyou have faith as a
mustard see, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it
will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

MATTHEW 21:21
Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, if you have faith and
do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if
you say to this mountain, 'Be removed, and be cast into the sea, it will be
done.  And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

nkr

#1356

From: Charles Martin <csmtft@...>
Date: Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:07 am
Subject: Re: Please be careful of the links!

beacon48

Brother, you are absolutely right! Religious Masturbators is no place for anyone who wants to resist gay temptations.

Thanks for your wise and true words about getting back into the game when we have fallen. Temptation is NOT sin and sin can be repented of and forgiveness can be received - I've proved it millions of times! The one thing we must never do is give up the struggle.

Charles

From: nmic28732 <nmic28732@...>
To: Jesus-is-our-victory@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, 10 June 2012, 8:18
Subject: [Jesus-is-our-victory] Please be careful of the links!

I tried to email a moderator. Two have "bouncing" underneath their email addresses in the list of moderators. Another moderator's Yahoo! ID is "Not Available".

I realize that I may be doing exactly what I don't want to do, but PLEASE DO NOT GO TO THE GROUP, "Religious Masturbators", especially if you are truly serious about following Christ, and taking up your cross, daily (Luke 9:23).

Victory over homosexuality is difficult BUT IT IS POSSIBLE (Jeremiah 32:17 & 27; Matthew 17:20 & 21:21). If you've fallen, get back up, get right with God, and get back in the game! God is not mad at you if you've fallen! It is NOT a sin to be tempted. View every temptation as an opportunity to choose to submit to God, and resist the enemy (James 4:7)!

NKR

Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)

#1357

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:58 pm
Subject: "Don't Put Me Down . . . "

th2950

Unfortunately, life is full of battles and we can't avoid them all. I hope you'll read this week's post on my blog: Signs of a Struggle.

In Him,

Thom

#1358

From: "Thom Hunter" <th2950@...>
Date: Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:47 pm
Subject: "Why Was My Voice So Small?"

th2950

Good Guys,

In light of � or in the darkness of � Jerry Sandusky's conviction for sexually-abusing boys who trusted him and were deceived and devalued, I thought I would share again my own story of childhood sexual abuse. I know that many who were sexually-abused as children remain silent about it out of shame. If we are able to take anything positive away from high-profile cases, it is that it increases awareness and also provides encouragement for those who need help to reach out so they can begin to move beyond the shadow of the pain.

If you'd like to read the story, just click this link: "Why Was My Voice So Small?"

In Him,

Thom -- BridgeBack Ministries

(P.S. -- my books are currently priced at 50% off for people in the group. Just go to the link next to my name above and you can order at the reduced price. Thanks!)