In His Time » From the Pastor’s Desk

Homosexuality – When Passions Are Confused Part I

lawrence — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:27:22 +0000

WHAT IS HOMOSEXUALITY?

Defining Homosexuality

Homosexuality is a persistent preoccupation with erotic encounters involving members of the same sex, which may or may not be acted out with another person. Put another way, it is making deliberate plans to entertain and cooperate in sexual fantasies or behaviors with someone of the same sex.

Homosexuality is vastly different from questioning our sexual orientation because of the presence of occasional same-sex attractions. Having the attractions are obviously part of the struggle, but they are not something for which we are morally responsible. It’s when we begin planning to entertain the attractions in fantasy or behavior that we cross the line.

In His Time stands with the Bible in the matter of homosexuality. The Bible teaches that we should love the person, but hate there sin. I have two people in my life that practice the homosexual lifestyle. One of them is my cousin she is a lesbian. On Christmas day I visited her dad and she and I played pool. I don’t approve of her lifestyle, but she knows that I love her. The next couple issue’s we are going to take a biblical look at homosexuality and the myths of it. Pastor Lawrence

In the midst of the horrors surrounding the World War II Holocaust, a teenage Jewish girl carefully recorded her frightening experiences and private inner thoughts. In a portion of her diary, addressed to the imaginary friend she had always wanted, she shares one of her most troubling secrets.

Feeling distant from her unsympathetic mother, Anne Frank writes of her confusing sexual attraction for females: “I remember that once when I slept with a girlfriend, I had a strong desire to kiss her, and that I did so. I could not help being terribly inquisitive over her body, for she had always kept it hidden from me. . . . I go into ecstasies every time I see the naked figure of a woman. . . . It strikes me as so wonderful and exquisite that I have difficulty in stopping the tears rolling down my cheeks. If only I had a girlfriend.”1

Anne Frank’s disclosure is a vivid example of the kinds of thoughts within many young people who occasionally experience this type of attraction. They’re both alarmed and excited in the fleeting moments or dreams when their bodies are sexually drawn to the same sex.

Some say that the presence of these attractions qualifies a person as a “homosexual.” But this isn’t true. Confused feelings about sexuality are not unusual among teenagers. The attractions exist, in part, for reasons outside of a person and do not mean they are abnormal. The existence of such feelings, however, signal deeper feelings of hurt, anger, and fear.

Like heterosexual temptation, same-sex attraction torments the lives of a significant number of teenagers and adults–male and female, single and married, churched and unchurched. It’s a struggle that cuts across all segments of population, economic status, and social standing.

For many, especially Christians, shame and a fear of condemnation drive the struggle underground, making it difficult to seek help and understanding. Some deny the feelings, hoping they’ll go away. Many others live with a pervading sense of hopelessness about the possibility for change. If the attractions turn into a preoccupation, the temptation to embrace homosexual behavior is great.

Adding to the struggle is a surging cultural acceptance of homosexuality and a misrepresentation of what the Bible says about homosexual behavior. These two forces have made homosexuality easier to accept as “normal.”

If you or someone close to you is weary of struggling with homosexual attractions or activities, the following pages outline a process of hope and direction for those exhausted by the enslaving grip of unwanted fantasies and/or behaviors.

We will also discuss the Bible’s view of homosexuality, and we’ll offer a level of understanding that can eliminate some unnecessary confusion surrounding the development of same-sex attraction. Some will find the material difficult to accept. But remember that Jesus promised to offer help and freedom to those who are willing to embrace what is true (Jn. 8:32).

God’s Greatest Desire By Pastor Redlin

lawrence — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:00:54 +0000

God’s Greatest Desire for the Dating Couple

When we think about the dating relationship a number of thoughts come into the mind. Recently listening to some high schools girls talking about their requirements for dating a guy, they came up with he has to be clean and he has to be sweet. It may not be very high standards but guys pay attention it is at least a good place to start! Take a shower and be nice and you are miles ahead of the competition.

So many dreams and desires are attached to the dating relationship that so often they crowd out the shouting of the Holy Spirit who is desperately leading in another direction. Personal dreams for the storybook romance that has the perfect ending of living happily ever after can shift your attention away from God’s leading. Parental dreams, which often turns into parental pressure, of finding a spouse and bringing in the long awaited grandchildren can easily distract a person from the will of God.

With all of the obvious distractions attached to the dating relationship, how can a person keep in tune with the will of God? I believe that the best way to avoid dating pitfalls is to live by one very important scriptural principle-to glorify God in all that we do. First Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us that we have been bought with a price and the end result is that we are to glorify our Savior.

Living by this principle answers so many dating questions. This also takes the relationship to a different plane. If you are living to please your God and glorify Him you find that the pressures of dating disappear. You may feel you have to make compromises to find a spouse. The Apostle Paul’s idea of living was found in Phil. 1:20. Whether he lived or died Paul wanted to see Jesus Christ magnified in his life.

I believe that living by this principle of glorifying God also helps set up the proper dating standards. Does the activity glorify God? If not then run away. Your highest calling is to glorify God not satisfy the flesh. By the way, if you are not helping the person that you are dating to glorify God then you are not fulfilling your proper responsibility either. Jesus Christ has to be first place (Col 1:18) or you will never have the proper relationship with a person.

Dating is a tremendously exciting time is a person’s life. How it is handled can make all the difference in the world, an eternal success or a lifetime of misery. Make sure that you are seeking the Glory of God.

Is My Guy Cheating on Me? Pastor Larry Jones

lawrence — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:40:38 +0000

On of the saddest things I have to do as a minister is counsel when someone has been cheated on. If its either in dating or in marriage. But one could thing about being cheated on in dating is that you know what you have. That person will not change with a wedding. Sadly many people don’t find out until they are married. So here are somethings to pay attention to if you thing that the person you are dating is not being faithful.

1. He’s superprotective of his gadgets.“The main way that trysts are found out is through the discovery of incriminating emails, IM chats, cell phone texts or bills,” says Pastor Ted Healmen of the Calvary Baptist Church. So if he’s being unfaithful, he may guard his gadgets or act really defensive when you innocently touch his phone or computer. It should be a giant red flag if he readily gave you passwords in the past, and now he’s more evasive.

2. He steps up the grooming. This is so obvious, but it’s a sign many women miss: “If your man starts grooming more without you requesting it, that could be an indication that he’s getting intimate with someone else,” says Healman. You can actually thank modern mass media for this tip off. Guys today are used to viewing manscaped dudes onscreen, so if he has another chick to impress with his appearance, he may emulate those ultra-trimmed guys. Another clue: He’s spending more time at the gym.

3. He smells different. “When he comes home, if he doesn’t smell the same as he did in the morning, and it isn’t the scent of soap in the gym or at your home, it may be because he’s showered at her place,” offers Healman. So pay attention, because in this case, that old saying “the nose knows” might very well be true.

4. Nothing fazes him anymore. “If he was short-tempered before, a combination of added intimacy and attention could be making him way more relaxed, even downright giddy.” Healman says, Inside the Hearts and Minds of People in Two Relationships”: “

“If your guy is suddenly going around all happy and whistling, then you need to find out why.”

5. He becomes suspicious of you. “If he’s normally a mellow type, all of a sudden he may want to know where you are all the time and with whom,” says Healman. “It’s the result of him realizing that if he’s cheating and it’s not that hard, you might also be getting away with it.” Also, beware of extremely detailed responses to even your most innocent “How was work today?” queries. He may be preparing epic answers because he’s terrified of getting caught.

Dating can hurt and the road of love is never easy. Please keep your eyes wide open. We are all sinners and we need to be careful not to give our heart away to soon without knowing the person. Use these five points and it will be less likely that you will be shocked if your boyfriend is dating another girl.

Comman Sense Advice By Pastor Jackson

lawrence — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:19:36 +0000

Everyone is on this site to find someone. And your dream to find love has taken you to Internet Dating. But there is I want to share with you as you contact and meet people on this site.

1 Be cautious sharing personal information. It is impossible for any dating website to guarantee that everyone on the site is good God fearing Christians. So it is my advice not to give to much personal information at first. Try to ask alot of questions and see if this person his heading in the same direction and have the same core values as you do.

2. Do your own research. After a while do a background check on someone. Sadly there has been horrible stories I have heard about someone meeting somebody on the Internet. And we all have heard about them. And you are totally responsible for your actions and not In His Time or any other dating website.

3. Be slow in your dating. I recommend that you call his Preacher and ask what he knows about him. I also recommend that you have a dating counselor. Someone that is older and wiser than you that could see things that you don’t as a single person. A good person would be your Pastor, if your Father is around, or a wise counselor in your church that you respect and would be willing to talk honestly about the relationship. But remember who ever you choose give them veto power in your dating relationship. When you meet that person I would recommend that you don’t go alone. Bring someone with you and meet in a public place. If the person ever tries to get you to meet him/her at a hotel or some private place, then forget that person as a possible dating partner and future mate. If they want to get physical with you don’t fool your self in thinking that it is love. It is lust and they probable messed around with some before you and will mess around with someone after you. A good person to bring with you is someone of the same gender as the person you are meeting.

These a some common sense advice I would give any of my church members or child, and it applies to any age. You can never be to careful.

Singleness of Heart. By Richard Tudor Hyles-Anderson Staff

lawrence — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:41:43 +0000

After 23 years of a wonderful marriage to my first wife, I suddenly found myself single again. My first wife had a sudden deadly heart attack and within an hour she was with the Lord.

I was an assistant Pastor with many ministries at our church in Michigan. My first wife went to be with the Lord on a Saturday night about 8 p.m. The next day I was in my place teaching my Sunday School class of young married couples, baptizing after the morning service and continuing my pastoral duties the next week.

I was not searching for a mate, I remained faithful to the Lord and His work as instructed in the Bible. It says, “he that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord”, also the same instructions for unmarried women, “the unmarried women careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit”. As a single perosn we are to care for the Lord’s work, this is our primary function for life.

God saw fit to allow me to meet Carol my wife now of almost eleven years. She also was involved in the Lord’s work at Hyles-Anderson college. As we dated she often said “my single was superior” to most other young female adults. She could say that because she was caring for the things of the Lord. We dated long distance from Michigan to Indiana for about four months until we knew it was God’s will that we be married.

Do not seek for a mate, be involved in your local church serving the Lord and His work and let Him bring your hearts desire to you.

“Keep thy hear with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life”. Proverbs 4:23