Letter from Hell

My Friend

Hey Gang, Here's a really good article I just read on youth builders. I know a lot of teens have talked to me about the issue of homosexuality. i want to be a help for all those who are struggling and who want to learn how to help. Check it out and get back with me on the blog.

Amos

I recently faced a dilemma: A friend of mine has come out of the closet about being a homosexual. He says he's been gay since he was 12, and now he's almost 18. Although my friend became a Christian five months ago, it hasn't changed his sexual orientation. My problem is, I don't know how to approach him in a kind, loving manner and tell him what the Bible says about homosexuality. What can I do?

You do have a difficult dilemma. Homosexuality is a very complicated and misunderstood issue. We, as Christians, have not done a very good job of presenting biblical truth in a kind, loving manner. Many Christians have either made fun of homosexuals or have been mean to them. Neither of these methods will ever bring the love of God to anyone.

The dilemma we have lies in the fact that the Bible is quite clear in regard to sexual sin. And that’s any sexual sin--not just homosexuality. It’s interesting that there are at least 17 references to different types of sexual sin in the Bible, and only three (or at most five, depending on your interpretation) of those references deal with homosexuality.

So, according to the Bible, there is no big difference between the sin of homosexuality and any other sexual sin--premarital sex, for instance. The word sin in Greek, the language the New Testament was written in, literally means to "miss the mark." And all sexual sin is missing the mark of God’s standards.

From my experience, I’d guess about 10 percent of the youth population has struggled with what we call gender identity confusion. Your friend is not alone in his struggles. However, I am also convinced that most people who believe they are homosexual are not. Let me give you some important information on homosexuality.

Sexual abuse is a key factor in homosexuality. Studies show that as many as 58 percent of homosexuals have experienced some kind of sexual abuse as children. Many others who call themselves homosexual were either physically or emotionally abused. Also, many homosexuals suffer from sexual addiction. With the ease of obtaining pornographic materials from the Internet, videos and magazines, some people experiment with homosexual behavior because of what they’ve seen and read.

A lot of Christians, including myself, believe that homosexual behaviors are preventable and treatable. Many people who experiment with homosexual behaviors are simply confused. Although the issues can be complicated, young people who struggle with homosexuality can move on to a healthy heterosexual marriage with the help of good Christian counseling.

I would also ask your friend to call Exodus International, a Christian organization committed to helping free people from a homosexual lifestyle. The telephone number of Exodus is 260-784-7799.

From my own experience talking with students, I would guess that your friend has a great a deal of sexual identity confusion. Since your friend has recently become a Christian, I think that if he wants to, he will be able to seek the truth about his sexuality and receive the help he needs. Your job is to do what you said you could do: Be kind and loving, yet share your understanding of Scripture.

One thing we know about those who struggle with this issue is, the earlier they can get help, the easier it is to live a lifestyle that is glorifying to God. Please know it is never too late to get help and never too early to make wise and godly decisions about our sexuality. I commend you for caring for your friend in such a sensitive way.

What's up

Hey everyone, Just wanted to wish all of you a great Thanksgiving. May all of you have a great time with your family. Also, I am stoked about the upcoming events. check out the events on the blog.

10th and 11th graders- Evening of the ages, Dec 2 at the church

9th graders- Progressive dinner, Dec 19th

I am looking forward to seeing you.

Everything :: Lifehouse

A connection with Revelation with Daniel...

So the other day God showed me some stuff in Revelations and then in Daniel and how they are somewhat connected...which I never saw......hopefully this makes sense and if you have anything to add or comment on please tell me!

In Revelations 1 it starts to describe John's vision from God that he had of Jesus and what is to come.

"..and among the lampstands was someone like a Son of Man dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and with a golden sash around His chest. His head and hair were white like wool as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet like bronze glowing in a funernace and His voice was like the sound of rushing water." Revelation 1:13-15

First off this is actually talking about JESUS! "like the Son of Man" refers to Him and Jesus even refers to Himself as that in Matt. 26:64; Luke 21:27; and John 1:51. Let's dig deeper....

• His white hair showed His wisdom and divine nature (Daniel 7:9)
• "Blazing eyes" symbolized judgment of all evil.
• The golden sash reveals Him as the high priest who goes into God's presence to obtain forgiveness of sin for those who believe in Him.

WOW! So how does the book of Daniel go along with this?? Well actually Daniel had somewhat of the same vision in Daniel 7...way before Christ even came to earth! I think that is so cool! Look at this:

"As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair on His head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all blazing. A river of fire was flowing, coming out before Him. Thousands upon thousands attended Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated and the books were opened." Daniel 7:9-10

Can't you just imagine this? The Judge or the Ancient of Days, the Lord Most High, walks in with clothing white which revealed His glory and holiness. Thousands upon thousands of people are around and are standing before the throne....everyone is seated. And the Book of Life is opened... That is what this passage is speaking of its talking about the judgment before God Almighty and how the book of life will be opened and everyone will be judged. Revelations 1:3 tells us that the time is near. And Hebrews 9:27 says, "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." We've got one life, how are you going to use it?

So the Book of Life is opened, what happens next after that? Look:

"In my vision at night I looked and there before me was one like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, and nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

Again the Son of Man is Jesus Christ and the Ancient of Days is the Lord Most High. Here's more...

• The clouds of heaven portray the Son of Man as divine. Throughout scripture clouds represent His majesty and awesome presence! God's glory even appeared in a cloud in Exodus 16:10 and 19:9 at the giving of the law at Sinai.

It says that every nations, peoples and men of every language worshiped Jesus! Psalm 72:11 says, "All kings will bow down to Him, and all nations will serve Him." Revelation 7 even talk about the great multitude that no one could count worshiping and praising God. (more to come in a later blog :-D) What a WONDERFUL day that will be!!!

The last verse talks about that His kingdom will never pass away or be destroyed....Hebrews 12:28 says, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so, worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." AMEN!!!!!!

So yeah this is kinda long but I wanted to share with you all this stuff and thought that it was all just amazing!

Saved to Serve,

Erin