2 Tim 3: 1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
(I wrote this in April of 2019 and it’s just as needed if not more so now in March of 2020)
Welcome to 2019.
The inspiration for this blog entry was a post about an 18 minute video made in the most disrespectful manner with the most heartbreaking motive. It’s called ” The Stand-In” and it’s the story of a Mom who changes her mind about attending her gay son’s wedding, and it sings the praises of a woman who is determined that every parent who does not come into alignment with their child’s sexual and relational brokenness, and celebrate it, needs to be shamed and rejected by their children under the guise of what else? Love.
What prompted me to write this was the little description of the video which, to me, sounds diabolical and manipulative.
“The Stand-In” tells the story of Bryan, a young man whose wedding is turned upside down when his biological mother refuses to attend at the last minute.”
My heart is grieved at the powerlessness I see these precious parents experience as their children not only proclaim loud and proud about their decision to be LGBTQ+, but also that if the parents love them, then the only choice available for them to make is to embrace their child’s decision and affirm every broken, subsequent choice they make. This brings back a flood of memories for me, when, as a young teenager, upon my parents divorce becoming final ( an event I was super excited about due to my intense dislike and resentment, which is called defensive detachment, towards my Father) I proceeded to drag my Mother through the most horrific of experiences over and over again, and I rebelled against her authority, force feeding her my life, my relationships with men who were mostly twice my age if not three times my age, and every gay whim I happened to have, I drug her through it all. I made it impossible for her to say no….. and I regret every single moment. I repent to her from time to time when I come across parents stories of grief, rejection and mistreatment, and the great pain I hear them going through.
So, back to this short video. I was incensed when I saw that it was being produced. There’s SO much deception around this issue of parents being told that to be a good parent they have to show love to their rebellious children by celebrating their sin. Good, Christian Moms and Dads that actually believe the Bible are ostracized, labeled as hateful, they are misrepresented on purpose to the outside world ( including other family members) and are made to go through this emotional torture to beat them down into submission to the will of their child, and everyone that supports his or her rebellion. The woman being celebrated has capitulated against biblical truth to bow down to her sons Idolatry and the world, (the fallen world according to the Bible). I am so grieved by this, for I was once one of them, and understand the mindset and depravity that exists in immorality and wickedness. Eventually I became so desperate to be free. In His incredible kindness, Jesus reached down into my miserable life and brought me out of darkness and set me free from a gay identity. Praise Him!
I work for First Stone Ministries, I’ve been here full time for two years this past February. I lead our Parents, Friends and Family Support group and love everything about it. I am also a men’s minister just out of the gate really, and so I continue to grow in my giftings and in my calling to serve Jesus through serving others, doing pastoral care, Biblical Discipleship and proclaiming my testimony. I press on towards the goal, running the race, and coming alongside every hurting parent and doing whatever I can to comfort, console, empathize, equip and educate to help them stand firm in the word of God and yet encourage them to love their kids fiercely. This is a fight to the finish and the enemy knows this. We must fight for those who don’t yet know how to or that they even want to, fight for. I’m not sure that all will make it but they are all worth fighting for to the very end. That’s what Jesus did, so lets follow in HIS steps.
Here’s a link to First Stone ministries new video: https://youtu.be/1f8exYT4h_4
and here is my testimony as well: https://www.firststone.org/articles/post/discovering-my-true-identity
As a full time staff member I am required to raise my own support. Please prayerfully consider supporting me monthly so that I can continue to flourish in my position as a men’s minister. https://www.firststone.org/donate
This Earthen Vessel 