My name is Tony Horton

[ExgayBiz]

I am a ex-gay wanting to be recieved in the same loving way Abeline Christian Universty did SoulForce

[awediot]

Hi Tony,

You may recognize the name. I am pleasantly surprised to see you here. I hope you were able to take my E-mail with a grain of the salt of the earth, however it was intended. It sounds like you can understand the sensitivity and defensiveness at work here, and I hate to say, with some of more outspoken and blunt folks here, you may have that gift of a (x-gay) thick skin we all build up, put to the test. There is much going on with the X topic at the moment (sure you've noticed), and you may take the compounded, symbolic brunt of it...
Just please believe that the only one God is at work in ways we can not fathom, in ALL of us. We are all asking the same questions, and though may arrive at quite different answers sometimes, the sincerity and longing for peace, love and growth is familiar to all...

Welcome, enjoy, teach what you can and learn what you can't... See you in the funny papers.. (Awediot) Dean

[keltic63]

welcome to the forums Tony! we have great discussions here!

[Rick336]

Hey Tony,

Welcome to the group. I am new to SoulForce also. In the short time I've been a member I've felt right at home among many happy, healthy gays and lesbians. I hope you will too.

Rick

[closetcougar]

Welcom Tony,
I have a friend who went through reparative therapy several years ago and is now married with children. He's a really good guy.

[Jennifer5]

Welcome! Glad to see you here! I hope we can learn many things from each other.:)

[ExgayBiz]

I am getting married June 24,2006

Please sign my guestbook.

http://tonyandkathy75159.tripod.com/

[Zerbie]

Blessings and well wishes. May it lead to the very best for both of you. :pray:

[Jennifer5]

Best Wishes!!!:)

[ExgayBiz]

Thanks to all for signing my guest book

[ExgayBiz]

Everytime I post scripture that say homosexuality is wrong the moderator delete's it. This is unfair. I know ACU ALLOWED YOU TO TALK. Why aren't I allowed to talk?

[ExgayBiz]

Sorry to say I never recieved your e-mail

Hi Tony,

You may recognize the name. I am pleasantly surprised to see you here. I hope you were able to take my E-mail with a grain of the salt of the earth, however it was intended. It sounds like you can understand the sensitivity and defensiveness at work here, and I hate to say, with some of more outspoken and blunt folks here, you may have that gift of a (x-gay) thick skin we all build up, put to the test. There is much going on with the X topic at the moment (sure you've noticed), and you may take the compounded, symbolic brunt of it...
Just please believe that the only one God is at work in ways we can not fathom, in ALL of us. We are all asking the same questions, and though may arrive at quite different answers sometimes, the sincerity and longing for peace, love and growth is familiar to all...

Welcome, enjoy, teach what you can and learn what you can't... See you in the funny papers.. (Awediot) Dean

[Jennifer5]

Everytime I post scripture that say homosexuality is wrong the moderator delete's it. This is unfair. I know ACU ALLOWED YOU TO TALK. Why aren't I allowed to talk?
The reason things are edited is because for many people, this is the only safe place they have, and we can't let that die. We're all happy to talk reasonably with each other, but not the place to tell us that we're wrong... talk with each other learn from each other, but if you're not open that this might not be the place you want to be. Sorry to be like this... it's just my opinion.

[keltic63]

Everytime I post scripture that say homosexuality is wrong the moderator delete's it.

you actually found some that say homosexuality is wrong?

next thing you'll be telling us is that we shouldn't eat shrimp and lobster, and that women shouldn't speak in church, or that we shouldn't wear clothing that is made from 2 different fibers!

[awediot]

The "X-Ex-ecks Gay Response" contains the entire letter and how it came about... I sent it prior to posting it here and got no indication that it didn't work. Sorry... Dean (Awediot)

[ExgayBiz]

I see, so you were only at ACU to push the homosexual agenda. This is all the proof I need for the ACU staff. Thanks for the information. You want folks to liseten to you, but you have no intention on listeneing to them. I told ACU to not enable you with any more visit's because you are only there to push the homosexual agenda


The reason things are edited is because for many people, this is the only safe place they have, and we can't let that die. We're all happy to talk reasonably with each other, but not the place to tell us that we're wrong... talk with each other learn from each other, but if you're not open that this might not be the place you want to be. Sorry to be like this... it's just my opinion.

[Jennifer5]

What I said was that we are willing to talk together and learn from each other, but this needs to remain a safe place. Maybe you don't understand what I'm saying because you don't have to deal with the things that people around here deal with every day. You're probably worried about planning your wedding or keeping everything at work running smoothly... a lot of people who are here, don't feel like it's even safe to put their real name. Everyday they worry about someone finding out that they're gay and they'll lose their job. They're worried they might be kicked out of school, or rejected by their church and family. Maybe someone else is able to explain this to you in a way that you'll understand what I mean... but you live a very different life.

[ExgayBiz]

No matter how you spin it, the double standard is proof you are only wanting to push the homosexual agenda. If you want to change and live for God feel free to contact me.

What I said was that we are willing to talk together and learn from each other, but this needs to remain a safe place. Maybe you don't understand what I'm saying because you don't have to deal with the things that people around here deal with every day. You're probably worried about planning your wedding or keeping everything at work running smoothly... a lot of people who are here, don't feel like it's even safe to put their real name. Everyday they worry about someone finding out that they're gay and they'll lose their job. They're worried they might be kicked out of school, or rejected by their church and family. Maybe someone else is able to explain this to you in a way that you'll understand what I mean... but you live a very different life.

[ExgayBiz]

I will contact everyone you plan to visit and let them know your intentions.

[Jennifer5]

Bravo! You think that you know everything about Soulforce because a 15 year old girl told you her opinion... it's my opinion, and I don't speak for a group. Think what you want but you got your information from one person and that one person can't even legally drive yet. A lot of good that does you. Maybe you would be better off talking to some of the other people around here.

[ExgayBiz]

Do your parents know you are hanging around homosexuals on a forum? You are not of age. Be careful !!!!!!!!!!!!


Bravo! You think that you know everything about Soulforce because a 15 year old girl told you her opinion... it's my opinion, and I don't speak for a group. Think what you want but you got your information from one person and that one person can't even legally drive yet. A lot of good that does you. Maybe you would be better off talking to some of the other people around here.

[Jennifer5]

Where do you get these ideas? Why would someone be afaid of such a loving group? It's not contagious. They're just peopel. What to you really have against it? Do you even know anyone who is openly gay and okay with that? Why are you so concered about these things?

[ExgayBiz]

Visit my site and see http://exgay.biz

Where do you get these ideas? Why would someone be afaid of such a loving group? It's not contagious. They're just peopel. What to you really have against it? Do you even know anyone who is openly gay and okay with that? Why are you so concered about these things?

[Jennifer5]

yeah a website... that says a lot. Off the top of your head, what you think right now... how would you anwser those questions?

[awediot]

Bravo! You think that you know everything about Soulforce because a 15 year old girl told you her opinion... it's my opinion, and I don't speak for a group. Think what you want but you got your information from one person and that one person can't even legally drive yet. A lot of good that does you. Maybe you would be better off talking to some of the other people around here.


BEAUTIFUL!



From the mouth of babes... Jennifer! You are a darling and sidelined my post that said it no better and much less kindly... Thanks:love:

[ExgayBiz]

Do your parents know what you are doing?

yeah a website... that says a lot. Off the top of your head, what you think right now... how would you anwser those questions?

[awediot]

Hey Tony

Why don't you stop digging for dirt from a smart kid making you look like an old fool and answer some of the more relevent posts? There's plenty of other things to address...

[Jennifer5]

What do you mean "Do your parents know what you are doing?"
I'm not doing anything. Are you really unable to anwser those questions?



Thanks Awediot!:love:

[ExgayBiz]

Gays and God: Confronting the Homosexual Agenda




Until relatively recently, the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality was not a matter of controversy among those who profess to subscribe to the Judeo-Christian ethic.
But due to the change in the attitude of the culture and the success of homosexual activists in portraying the issue as one of hate and homophobia versus love and toleration, a number of major religious groups have capitulated to political correctness. The struggle over how to regard homosexuality is causing deep divisions in denominations as conservative members fight against the efforts of their liberal leaders to lead their respective churches into accepting the homosexual lifestyle as fully compatible with the will of God.

Areas being hotly debated are the ordination of open homosexuals to the clergy and church sanction of same sex “unions.”

Back in 1980, the general synod of the rankly liberal United Church of Christ officially approved the ordination of active homosexuals, becoming the first church to do so. But several years ago, a number of bishops in the Episcopal Church began violating church policy by ordaining homosexuals and published a letter in which they said, “As it can be for heterosexuals, the experience of steadfast love can be for homosexual persons an experience of God.” Infamous Episcopal Bishop of Newark, New Jersey, Reverend John Shelby Spong-who openly questions the virgin birth, and denies the deity and resurrection of Christ-for years has been an outspoken proponent of ordaining practicing homosexuals and of the church blessing homosexual unions.

In his 1991 book, Rescuing the Bible From Fundamentalism, Spong opined about the apostle Paul:

Nothing else, in my opinion, could account for Paul’s self-judging rhetoric, his negaive feeling toward his own body, his sense of being controlled by something he had no power to changehis drivenness to a legalistic religion of control, hisattitude toward women, his refusal to seek marriage as an outlet for his passions-nothing else accounts for this data as well as the possibility that Paul was a gay male.

The United Methodist Church, the nation’s second-largest denomination, is embroiled in controversy over acceptance of homosexuals in the church and appointment to the ministry. In 1995 there was a homosexual symposium held at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. Foundry is an historic church where past presidents have visited and worshipped, from Abraham Lincoln to Bill Clinton. The symposium featured Bishop John Spong repeating his charge that the apostle Paul was a “self-hating, gay man,” speculation about Jesus being a “drag queen,” a declaration of the Ten Commandments as immoral, and male couples holding each other and kissing in the pews. Mark Tooley, who attended the conference, reported that United Methodist minister Harry Kieley declared, “Jesus is speaking as a gay man to the church today.”

Other examples abound. The Presbyterian Church, USA is steeped in controversy over “a decision on June 15 [2001] by the PCUSA’s policymaking body, the 560-member General Assembly, to strip moral requirements from the denomination’s ordination standards and make it possible for sexually active homosexuals to be ministers, elders, and deacons.” It appears that more conservatives in denominations-having to deal with members who are largely ignorant of the Bible and remain unwilling to take a stand for truth on even the most fundamental moral matters-will continue to lose battles with movements within their churches to sanction homosexuality. With each compromise, the name of God is blasphemed, homosexual activists in the religious world gain increased credibility and momentum, the homosexual agenda is furthered, and precious souls-rather than being rescued from their sin and given hope of overcoming their bondage through Christ-are led further down the pathway of darkness to eternal ruin. Instead of offering resistance to our moral decline, some of our misguided, apathetic, and rebellious religious friends are further facilitating our headlong plunge into the depths of depravity. Their promotion of the homosexual agenda is especially despicable because they are doing so in the name of Christ and bringing shame on all who wear his name.

Justifying Perversion

How do people who profess to believe the Bible justify their support for a practice which the Bible unequivocally condemns? A standard approach to handling the texts dealing with homosexuality is to allege that they were written in a time when men did not have the correct understanding of human sexuality that we allegedly do today. Reverend Don Fado of St. Mark UMC in Sacramento, who performed a highly publicized ceremony joining UMC conference workers and lesbians Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton in a “holy union,” has said that Paul taught in the book of Romans that homosexuality was unnatural, “but now we understand that it is natural, even in the animal kingdom. That pulls the rug out from under Paul. His cultural perspective was limited.” That pulls the rug of inspiration out from under all of the bilical writers; it is an utter rejection of the inspiration of the Bible. If Paul was in error on the matter, then he was not writing under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, as he claimed to be (1 Cor. 2:10-13; Eph. 3:3-5), and therefore nothing he or any of the biblical writers said can be trusted. When the biblical text cannot be made to fit their views, modernist theologians simply tell us the word of God is merely the word of men. Paul Sherry, one time president of the 1.4 million member (as of 1998)

United Church of Christ, takes a similar approach. Sherry has urged UCC pastors to encourage their members to accept homosexuals and has acknowledged that homosexuals in the church have prodded him to “read the Bible again with new eyes and listen to the Holy Sprit with new ears.” He said,

We have had to examine long-held assumptions about those few passages of Scripture that appear to speak about homosexuality in the light of transforming interpretations from widely respected Bible scholars and teachers.We have begun to recognize how our fearsand our society’s deeply entrenched bias [against homosexuality] have often distorted and nearly silenced the Bible’s liberating and inclusive voice. Read the Bible with “new eyes?” Listen with “new ears” to the Holy Spirit? Abandon our long held assumptions for new interpretations of respected scholars? The Bible’s liberating and inclusive voice? It sounds like Sherry has taken a page from our new hermeneutic and change agent brethren. Actually, it is our brethren who have imbibed this kind of rot from liberal denominational theologians and served it up in all its nauseating glory to our people, many of whom have eagerly swallowed it down. The same approach that denominationalists and brethren alike have used to justify rejecting the biblical pattern for the organization, worship and exclusive nature of the church works just as well for “rethinking” (the liberal’s euphemism of choice for “rejecting”) scripture’s pronouncements on sexuality.

Gay Churches: All you need is “love”

Imagine a church for adulterers, where people who enjoy violating their marriage vows can feel welcome and find affirmation. Or how about one to serve the spiritual needs of pedophiles, where child molesters are offered non-judgmental acceptance in a community of faith. Unthinkable? It was just as unthinkable to most people a generation ago-even a decade or so ago-that there could be such a thing as a homosexual church. The idea of a “Christian homosexual” is oxymoronic, like “Christian terrorist” (or “humble Texan”). But “gay churches” for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) community are becoming common.

The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Churches, founded in 1968 by the Reverend Elder Troy Perry to “serve the religious, spiritual and social needs of the homosexual community confront homophobia and promote the interests of the lesbian/gay community,” now boasts more than three hundred congregations in sixteen countries, almost all of them in the United States. The largest UFMCC is Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, with an active membership of over two thousand and which at one time had an annual budget of 2.4 million dollars. In his book,

Holy Homosexuals: The Truth about Being Gay or Lesbian and Christian, Cathedral of Hope senior pastor Reverend Michael Piazza said, “Yes, you can be gay or lesbian and Christian! You can be the happy, healthy, and holy person God created you to be,” and “When will the Church finally be brave enough to say with Paul, _in Christ there is neither Jew or Greek, slave or fee, male or female,’ gay or straight. God has enough love for all.”

Unlike their modernist allies in academia, many homosexual churches claim to believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. How, then, do they deal with the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality? Pro-gay theologians claim the passages commonly used to condemn homosexual practice are misapplied, misunderstood or mistranslated. From the pro-gay viewpoint, the Law of Moses and New Testament texts condemning homosexuality are dealing with ritual fornication connected with temple prostitution and the rape of young boys associated with paganism, not consensual, committed, loving homosexual relationships. Their arguments, however, ignore the fact that the Law of Moses, in the broadest terms possible, condemned homosexuality itself-not merely the pagan or cultic expressions of it-and the fact that Paul said same-sex fornication involves men “leaving the natural use of the woman,” making any homosexual activity “unseemly” and abominable in the sight of God. This makes the claim made by some homosexual apologists that great characters of the Bible-David and Jonathan, Naomi and Ruth, and even Jesus and Lazarus-were homosexual not only ludicrous, but eblasphemous.

By far the most popular and appealing plea for the notion that God approves of homosexuality is one which involves redefining the very nature of God himself.

A promotion for Revered Piazza’s book noted above makes an ironic charge:

Fundamentalists have created God in their image. What if God has qualities other than being “right wing, upper middle class, white and male?” In this revised and updated edition [of Holy Homosexuals], Rev. Piazza challenges us to look at God from a different angle. It is, in fact, the homosexuals and their apologists who have fashioned God into their image, demanding that we look at him from a different angle than the one from which scripture presents him. In our age of moral relativism in which each individual must be free to determine or himself what constitutes right, tolerance-actually, a perverted concept of it-is extolled as the ultimate virtue, while the ultimate sin is intolerance, or judging the conduct of others. For those who want to do as they please and still want at the same time heaven’s approval, God must be made to fit this philosophy. Therefore, God’s love for man-rather than meaning God cares for and desires the salvation of all people-has been radically redefined as an approval of all behavior (excluding, of course, the refusal to approve all behavior). In turn, man’s love for God-rather than being demonstrated by obedience to his will-is reduced to mere subjective sentimentalism.

Media empress Oprah Winfrey once shamed a member of her studio audience for condemning homosexuality by saying, “The Jesus I believe in loves everybody.” Yes, Oprah, Jesus loves everyone-rapists and pedophiles included. He is tender and compassionate, longsuffering and kind, and gave himself to die that we might be forgiven. But he demands that we repent of sin and conform our lives to his will or suffer the judgment of God (John 12:48; Rom. 2:1-11; 2 Thes. 1:7-9). God is love; he is also a “consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). The same apostle who said, “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Cor. 16:14) also said by the Spirit of Christ, “Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators...nor adulterers, nor homosexuals will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

When love is equated with uncondi-tional acceptance, condemning sin is regarded as hateful. In his book, Stealing Jesus, homosexual Bruce Brawer makes the charge that fundamentalists’ denunciation of homosexuality is a contradiction to the love of Jesus Christ. He states that “legalistic Christians” have “warped Christianity into something ugly and hateful that has little or nothing to do with love,” and accuses them with stealing Jesus to “yoke his name and his church to ideas, beliefs and attitudes that would have appalled him.” Thus are opponents to homosexuality declared to be hatemongers. But God hates-not people, but the sinful things people do (Prov. 6:16-19). And we are to “abhor that which is evil” (Rom. 12:9). Hating sin is not hating the sinner (Rev. 3:19). The sad irony in Brawer’s remarks is that while Jesus loves homosexuals, it is their behavior he finds appalling, and-more grievous still-their attempts to make him sanction it.

By Tyler Young

[ExgayBiz]

Why I Left The Homosexual Lifestyle

The reason why is simple. I want to spend eternity in heaven. Our life is a vapor. We're not on this earth long (James 4:14). We are here to serve God and do His will (John 6:38) and if we are faithful unto death He will give us the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). It's a small price for us to pay when you consider eternity.

I wasn't born gay and neither were you. It was a path I chose, a sexually perverted choice on my behalf. If I was born that way, others, such as child molesters, drunkards, adulterers, thieves, could claim the same thing. Even if you think you were born that way, God still condemns it. He wouldn't make you that way and then condemn you to hell. It was your choice, so turn from it. Even if you still have the desire after you have repented, fellowship with Christians, personal prayer, and studying God's word will help you refrain and stay right with God. You may never have a heterosexual relationship and you may be single the rest of your life, but as stated above, life here on earth is a vapor. We aren't here long but we have heaven to look forward to if we remain faithful unto death.

God is very clear about homosexuality: "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6: 9-10). "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22).

God loves everyone and wants us to be saved, waiting patiently for us to repent (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9).

I heard the truth of God's word and through obedience to the gospel, I was added to the "church of Christ" (Acts 2:38, 47).

Denominationalism had me confused for years, and then I heard the truth and my life changed. You, too, may transform your life through the power of the gospel (Romans 12:1-2; Romans 1:16). The only "cure" for sin is the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-6) and sincere obedience to it (Romans 1:16; 6:17).

What I feel is my testimonial is how I live today. I don't go into detail about my past because it is just that, my past. I have been out of the homosexual life for almost seven years. One thing I will say about my past is, I was happy being a homosexual. I wasn't unhappy. I am now happier than I was then, now that I live for God. I was the typical homosexual. I had a few relationships and many sexual encounters. I was a bar fly. I got mad if anyone said my way of life was wrong.

I shook my fist in God's face most of my life, blaming Him, cursing His name, when people tried to show me the truth. And now I see nothing but His love for me. I no longer curse Him, but praise His holy name. I'm happier now than I've ever been in my life. God has given me the peace that passes all understanding which comes from studying His word and fellowship with my Christian friends (Philippians 4:7).

You can also reach this point if you have an honest heart and have the desire. You have to make the effort and meet God on His terms not yours.

Everyday I open my eyes I thank God He gave me another day to repent.

Tony Horton

[ExgayBiz]

Homosexual Propaganda

I write this article in love, but I am sick to death of hearing homosexual propaganda. This lifestyle is a death sentence. It destroys your health (from AIDS) and brings eternal death of the soul unless one repents (turns away from it and turns to God).

The punishment for any sin (unforgiven) is eternal separation from God (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Can a person change? God's word says he can. I have been out of that lifestyle for six years.

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

"And such were some of you"! Yes, a person can change. And like other sinners, a homosexual can be sanctified by the blood of Christ. God tells us He loves us and wants everyone to be saved, and that He waits patiently for us to repent (1 Timothy 2:3,4 and 2 Peter 3:9). We are all free moral agents with a choice to live in sin or to live for God (Romans, chapter 6).

The bottom line is that homosexuals will not enter the kingdom of God unless they repent and turn to Christ.

I was homosexual and I know not to allow the media to fool me into believing it is a healthy alternative lifestyle. Most homosexuals have had so many sexual partners they have lost count. Many can say their number of partners is in the hundreds.

Even though AIDS is killing people (including me), the homosexual community continues to spread disease through frequenting bath houses disguised as health spa's, and having countless sexual encounters in one evening. They have sex in public bathrooms and in parks. They experience sexual acts that would make a decent person become sick at hearing about them. The sexual acts are so perverse, I can't put them in print here.

Activists will tell you that the homosexual lifestyle is not all about sex. I say this is a lie. It is all about sex, sexual perversion.

Most homosexuals realize how perverse their lifestyle is. But society no longer has enough convictions to push good morals, so not enough of society cares to do anything about this plague. People fear backlash from the activists. The homosexual lifestyle has become politically correct due to a lack of courage to stand up to sin. It has become 'unfair' for anyone to say that it is wrong or unacceptable. In fact, this article will fall mostly on deaf ears, because when it comes to morals, many people no longer have any.

To portray the homosexual lifestyle as wholesome and acceptable, as the Media does, is simply to ignorantly parrot untrue homosexual propaganda. The truth is that the homosexual lifestyle is an alternative life of degrading and harmful sexual perversion.

Tony Horton

[ExgayBiz]

Ex-Gay! Alive to God and Dead to Sin!

To refer to oneself as "ex-gay" is a sure way to ruffle feathers in the homosexual community. It always brings a response. For the most part, the gay community believes this is living in denial. Most cling to the homosexual propaganda that orientation is inborn, and cannot be changed. This is nothing but lies.

What do we mean by 'ex-gay'?

Romans chapter six explains it best:

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:1-4).

"Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God" (Romans 6:11-13).

Dead to sin and alive to God. Being ex-gay is a choice to no longer dwell in sin but to live for God.

What about temptation? Can an ex-gay stumble and go back to living in sin?

First we need to understand temptation:

God doesn't tempt man (James 1:13).
Resist Satan and he will flee (James 4:7).
God will help us endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Pray for strength (Matthew 6:13).
Enduring temptation helps you grow (James 1:2-4).
Weak Christians may fall (Luke 8:13).
God will deliver us (Revelation 3:10).
Christ was tempted (Hebrews 4:15).
Christ will help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
Why is man tempted?

Because of his own lust (2 Peter 2:18).
Satan seeks to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8-10).
Satan tempts us (Luke 22:31-32).
The world is a temptation (1 John 2:15-17).
Riches are a temptation (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Matthew 13:22).
Effort and dedication are required.

It took time to train your mind that sodomy was OK and it will take time to train your mind in the ways of the Lord: "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Even if you still have the desire after you have repented, fellowship with Christians, personal prayer, and studying God's word will help you refrain and stay right with God.

I have been out of the homosexual lifestyle for many years now and I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. God has given me the peace that passes all understanding which comes from studying His word and fellowship with my Christian friends (Philippians 4:7). You can also reach this point if you have an honest heart and have the desire. You have to make the effort and meet God on His terms not yours.

Why does the term 'ex-gay' threaten the gay community?

It shows that change is possible and that one remains homosexual by choice.

Change is real, but God doesn't change the unwilling. We are free moral agents with a choice. You have to want change. No zapping it away, no miracles here. It requires daily dedication and repentance. You have to pick up your cross daily and walk with Him.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:16, 17).

Tony Horton

[ExgayBiz]

Transformation

Remember, Christianity is a religion that requires one to utilize the reasoning ability of the mind. Because of this transformation of the mind, someone who does change his/her mind must also change the lifestyle of the body to conform to the will of God (read Romans, chapter 6, especially verse 6, and Galatians 2:20). The Christian is one who, through humble submission to the will of God, allows his/her body to no longer be owned by the power of sin, but by the power of God given to all who believe and obey Him.

Christianity is a total transformation of life: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1-2). We have a responsibility to grow (2 Peter 3:18), so that in the end the soul might be saved (Matthew 25:23; John 14:1-6; 2 Timothy 4: 6-8; Revelation 2:10).

God's nature will not allow Him to accept anyone who has not obeyed from the heart the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, His nature also will not allow Him to reject any who come to Him through and by means of that same gospel. Whoever is forgiven by God and continues to follow Him is also accepted by God (Romans 5:1-11; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:1).

"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:8-10). "....and such were some of you" (1 Corinthians 6:11). The past tense verb "were" proves that change is possible.

"Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

Tony Horton

[Jennifer5]

Now you've really got to be kidding me... what is this all about. I know you didn't right that off the top of your head... what you're thinking right now... you just copied it from somewhere else. Come on get real, all I asked was that you post what you are thinking right now off the top of your head... can you really not do that simple thing?

[ExgayBiz]

Biographical Information

Tony Horton

Tony Earl Horton was born at Dallas, Texas on June 17,1957.

He was raised as a Baptist in Seagoville, Texas. When he started having homosexual desires he was told that the reason he could not change was that he was not sincere enough in his prayers.

Speaking about this period in his life, Tony comments: "I was waiting for God to zap the homosexual urges from me. Of course that did not happen. Being ignorant as to the way God works in our lives, I thought that if there was a God He played favorites because I knew I was sincere in my prayers. When God didn't answer my plea to change me, I turned from God."

In 1980 Tony moved to the gay district in Dallas, Texas known as the Oaklawn Area. In 1986 he moved to California. There he was part owner of a store that sold Vietnamese music.

In 1993 he learned that he had AIDS and moved back to Dallas.

One day in 1995 he decided to go and sit with his mother at church because he knew that would make her happy. In the meantime, she had been baptized for the remission of sins and was attending the Seagoville Church of Christ. Tony knew that everyone at the congregation knew he had AIDS because his mother had asked for prayers on his behalf.

Tony describes what then happened: "Ferman Carpenter was the preacher and he asked after services if I would like to come visit him one day. I thought the worst but he was so friendly I decided to go visit him. He said something that I will never forget. He said we can disagree and be friends. We studied together for over a year and then I finally obeyed the gospel on May 22, 1996."

In 1997 Tony put an article on the Internet entitled, "Why I Left The Homosexual Lifestyle." He got so much good response that he decided to start an Internet outreach and support group called "Christians No Longer Gay Living For God" (cnlglfg.com) to share God's good news with those who have lost their souls to homosexuality and other sex-related sins. His material was ridiculed by 'gay activists' but many people who were looking for answers were helped. In 2003, because of deteriorating health, Tony had to turn the leadership of the project over to someone else.

[ExgayBiz]

You will not enter the kingdom of heaven. That is what I am concerned about. (Your soul)

Like I said does your parents know what you are doing?


Now you've really got to be kidding me... what is this all about. I know you didn't right that off the top of your head... what you're thinking right now... you just copied it from somewhere else. Come on get real, all I asked was that you post what you are thinking right now off the top of your head... can you really not do that simple thing?

[awediot]

Jen,

He cannot think off the top of his head. You confounded him. Shoot. Point. Score!... Game Over..


Tony...STOP... the link to your site was plenty. Don't reproduce it word for word here. You look silly and desperate...

[ExgayBiz]

(Fact) Some Christians actions show the souls of homosexuals are not worth much. Why you ask? ...ExGay.biz

Seven examples below will explain

1. (Fact) When a child has trouble in this area most parents won't even talk about it. They think it is to disgusting to think or talk about. The child can not even find someone to talk to at church.







2. (Fact) I am a living example: Even though I repented and turned from the homosexual life, it is clear most Christian still do not accept me as a brother. They are appalled by my presence/past and they wish I would not have started a Church of Christ ex-gay outreach. Most when I asked if they would link to my site (including congregations), they would not. If you love the soul's of all men and want to link to my site feel free to.


3. (Fact) From talking to hurt exgay's I have found because Christians continue to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to the souls of lost homosexuals,the lost homosexual has a reason to say, why would I want to be a Christian and be around those that think they are holier than Thou.


4. (Fact) The homosexual agenda is in our face and Christians can no longer ignore it by being silent.


5. (Fact) This ugliness has made it hard to want to be around other Christians. I find it hard to trust anymore. Even though I have not shed any blood as some of the apostles did, I am hurt.



6 . (Fact) I will continue to reach out and do the things God would have me do, to educate on this matter, but I am still deeply saddened and hurt by it all.


7.(Fact) My heart goes out to those that want to leave the homosexual lifestyle because many will treat them like they are trash. God help them if they let it be known they have aids. Anyone having trouble with homosexuality in their life and are reading this, I want you to know we can still find peace so hold your head up and keep your eyes on God, not the ugliness of man. See verse below.


Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

[ExgayBiz]

I am not desperate or confounded. I am just sad if you all continue to live as homosexual you will not go to heaven


Jen,

He cannot think off the top of his head. You confounded him. Shoot. Point. Score!... Game Over..


Tony...STOP... the link to your site was plenty. Don't reproduce it word for word here. You look silly and desperate...

[awediot]

[quote]2. (Fact) I am a living example: Even though I repented and turned from the homosexual life, it is clear most Christian still do not accept me as a brother. They are appalled by my presence/past and they wish I would not have started a Church of Christ ex-gay outreach. Most when I asked if they would link to my site (including congregations), they would not. If you love the soul's of all men and want to link to my site feel free to.[/quote}

I am appalled you assume the role of judge and jury in the name of God. I am ashamed to have you associated with a religion I love and believe. You are doing no good...

[Jennifer5]

You will not enter the kingdom of heaven. That is what I am concerned about. (Your soul)

Like I said does your parents know what you are doing?
Wow! One of the most childish responses. You know what if that's the kind of attitude gonig on in Heaven, I don't want anything to do with that place... I'd rather just die and have everything be over... but you know it doesn't just work that way. my soul is fine. I think for myself and follow my heart. Anyway what kind of english is that.... does your parents know what you are doing? ..... it's..... do your parents know what you are doing?..... you don't even type like someone who knows what he's doing.

[awediot]

How dare you... I will have nothing so blasphemous to answer for as you just stated. Save your fear for yourself.

[ExgayBiz]

I am concerned for your soul. Do you have aids? If you keep it up you will have aids like I do.

[quote]2. (Fact) I am a living example: Even though I repented and turned from the homosexual life, it is clear most Christian still do not accept me as a brother. They are appalled by my presence/past and they wish I would not have started a Church of Christ ex-gay outreach. Most when I asked if they would link to my site (including congregations), they would not. If you love the soul's of all men and want to link to my site feel free to.[/quote}

I am appalled you assume the role of judge and jury in the name of God. I am ashamed to have you associated with a religion I love and believe. You are doing no good...

[awediot]

my lack of respect for you has nothing to do with becoming straight. Good for you... it is the self rightousness I'm sick of people using to attack christians for. you are seething in it and your reformation into straightness seems a step backward...

[ExgayBiz]

But my sweet friend it will not be over when you die. You will burn for ever in the lake of fire.

Wow! One of the most childish responses. You know what if that's the kind of attitude gonig on in Heaven, I don't want anything to do with that place... I'd rather just die and have everything be over... but you know it doesn't just work that way. my soul is fine. I think for myself and follow my heart. Anyway what kind of english is that.... does your parents know what you are doing? ..... it's..... do your parents know what you are doing?..... you don't even type like someone who knows what he's doing.

[ExgayBiz]

Well then it is your choice, we are all free moral agents.


my lack of respect for you has nothing to do with becoming straight. Good for you... it is the self rightousness I'm sick of people using to attack christians for. you are seething in it and your reformation into straightness seems a step backward...

[awediot]

I am sorry to hear that. no i don't... do you think you deserved it? or it was God's punishment?

[Jennifer5]

Are you really that blind.... do you even know how you got AIDS? It has nothing to do with being gay. How can you still think there's a connection... come on really... how can you not know that... do your research... seriously.

[ExgayBiz]

No you reap what you sow though. I was careless in a time a disease will take my life. It is not God's punishment. It was just bad choices on my behalf. After all this is not a gay disease.

I am sorry to hear that. no i don't... do you think you deserved it? or it was God's punishment?

[awediot]

thank you for telling me that... it explains very much...

[Jennifer5]

Well... if gay isn't okay then for me that isn't the way... I don't mind... I'll worry about it when I get there...

[awediot]

but you cannot project you life onto us... so give it a rest

[Jennifer5]

Sorry for jumping on that one Tony! I am very sorry, and I know now that I was wrong on this one... sorry for being insensitive... I didn't mean to be like that:love:

[ExgayBiz]

I am really just concerned for your soul's.

Surely you must see that from my site. I do love you all. I also know the church has failed when it comes to the lost soul's of homosexuals. I know the pain and hurt.

[awediot]

then take it into account with your damning words before you stick your foot in your mouth or you will "help" no one

[ExgayBiz]

Sorry for jumping on that one Tony! I am very sorry, and I know now that I was wrong on this one... sorry for being insensitive... I didn't mean to be like that:love:

I know you did not my sweet friend. I am sorry if I come across mean. I really love you all. I cry for you all daily.

[awediot]

you are repeating the churches mistake

[ExgayBiz]

If you are honest. you know the Bible is clear that homosexuality is wrong. I can not appologize for what God has said.


then take it into account with your damning words before you stick your foot in your mouth or you will "help" no one

[ExgayBiz]

No my careless and reckless life is what I am reaping.


you are repeating the churches mistake

[awediot]

it is not your place to question my honesty. Take the bible as you see fit. and I shall do the same. But I must also listen to my mind and heart and the things God has told me... You are free to doubt that, as I am free to think you are stuck in a Book that is True, but imperfect.

[awediot]

then you do think it is punishment. What did you do so bad?

[ExgayBiz]

Jennifer thanks for being so kind to me. If you ever want to talk send me a e-mail. You will find it on my site at http://exgay.biz

[ExgayBiz]

then you do think it is punishment. What did you do so bad?

I see all the post have been deleted. I knew this forum was not open. It is just here to push the homosexual agenda

[awediot]

answer my question

[ExgayBiz]

Jennifer thanks for being so kind to me. If you ever want to talk send me a e-mail. You will find it on my site at http://exgay.biz

I never said that and you know it. But of course after they have deleted my post no one but God will know the truth.

[ExgayBiz]

Well I am going to bed

[awediot]

you said you were reaping (aids?) what, for your reckless life style. If that is not punishment, it is the permanent lesson

[Jennifer5]

I looked and didn't see where any post had been deleted. What exactly do you mean... they don't just delete people's posts around here... come on keep talking with us.... we want to learn what you have to say.

[awediot]

yeah yeah, seen your site. you are single minded

[awediot]

thanks tony.. another time. appreciate the honesty..g'night

[ExgayBiz]

I looked and didn't see where any post had been deleted. What exactly do you mean... they don't just delete people's posts around here... come on keep talking with us.... we want to learn what you have to say.

Jennifer I have to get up early. I will be banned tommorow. I have already been warned. Nice to have met you.

[Jennifer5]

Wait... what do you mean banned...warned???

[ExgayBiz]

Wait... what do you mean banned...warned???

The moderators already warned me. Good night my friend.

[Jennifer5]

Tony, they won't make you leave if we're all just talking together... they won't mind if we all talk reasonably... stay... please

[awediot]

tony, if you'd learn to pull back, i would advocate for you. I believe you have much to offer. you may be right and will use it for fodder... remember you were treated honestly, knew the expectations and tone needed. look to yourself before blaming and writing off this whole experience.

[Jennifer5]

yes please, I'll advocate for you as well

[ExgayBiz]

Oh!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love to stay. Good night to the both of you. If they delete my post like the moderator said he will keep doing, then their is really no point in staying. Come back tommorrow and you will see the post are deleted.

[ExgayBiz]

Love you both good night

[awediot]

good night and God Bless... sorry to see you think i'm leading people to destruction... dont believe anyone could love that.

[Jennifer5]

Good night!:love:

[ExgayBiz]

good night and God Bless... sorry to see you think i'm leading people to destruction... dont believe anyone could love that.


Well I do not mean it ugly. I really do care.

[ExgayBiz]

Good night!:love:


Good night

[awediot]

how can I take it any other way? If you think I am doing that (which you just posted) and claim to love me... sleep on it and wonder why this site would ban you... maybe your time here was not a total waste. maybe it was meant for you...

[Jennifer5]

you have to look carefully... but you can always find something positive about every situation!:)

[ExgayBiz]

how can I take it any other way? If you think I am doing that (which you just posted) and claim to love me... sleep on it and wonder why this site would ban you... maybe your time here was not a total waste. maybe it was meant for you...


:D good night

[awediot]

good night... and congrats on the wedding... May God bless you both.

[Jennifer5]

yes, congratulations!

[Jamie McDaniel]

This thread is being closed and ExGayBiz has lost his posting privilege.

Yet rather than remove the posts which violate the guidelines (http://www.soulforce.org/forums/faq.php?faq=soulforce_faq_item#faq_soulforce_faq_i tem1), I'm going to leave them up. Perhaps someone smarter than me can eventually figure out how to allow ex-gays to participate while keeping them from abusing gay people, our families, and heterosexual friends.