Members Articles :: Western PA Sexual Wholeness Network

Members Articles

? WHAT IS CHANGE ?

When IS becomes WAS change happens.

CHANGE IS A CHOICE.

and that can be done in a split second.

The decision to walk away from the gay lifestyle is CHANGE

The willingness to keep it is something else.

CHANGE ISN'T A FEELING

KNOWING what is right and DOING what is right is the goal.

PRAY to make the right choice

STAY close to God to keep it.

___________________________________

Bravehearts / Wives

Perhaps you have had your suspicions about your husband for years. Maybe he has disclosed his Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) ‘struggle’ with you in a tearful, heart-breaking conversation. Or, perhaps, you discovered evidence on the computer or his phone. Discovering the reality of your husband’s struggle with his sexual identity or behavior can turn your world upside down.

For many wives, when our husbands ‘come out’ about their struggle, we find ourselves shoved into the closet and unable to share the heartbreak, fears, and uncertainty with church family, relatives, or friends. You may feel alone, isolated, angry, and shamed.

We all long for understanding, compassion, and respect; and, sometimes it's easiest to find this among others who share our same situation. Wives of men who struggle SSA are in a unique situation, both within the Church and in the world at large. Scripture condemns homosexual behavior, churches often ignore individuals or families dealing with sexual issues and our western culture has largely embraced homosexuality as part of the spectrum of normal sexual expression.

Where does this leave the Christian wife of a man who struggles with his sexual identity/behavior?

This is where a support group can help.

Bravehearts’ Wives will be starting a regular support group for women married to men who struggle with SSA and other sexual identity issues. The goal of the group is to offer a safe, confidential community in Christ where you can share your story, struggles, fears, and journey. The group is not intended as a replacement for or alternative to professional counseling and pastoral care, nor are we providing structured therapy. We are here to listen, empathize, and pray for

you.

from Parents of Adult Children

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5, NIV)

One Sunday I broke down in tears at a prayer meeting at church and asked what I could do to restore my adult son to me. He had made some chiling decisions and I was powerless to change him. A dear, older woman hurried across the room, sat down beside me and slipped her arm around my shoulder. "Your parenting in the flesh is over," she said softly. "It's time to parent him in the Spirit. Pray for your son and trust God to do what you cannot do — and He will," she added confidently.

I was set free that day. Gradually I began to see that God, who reconciled His relationship to His children through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, would surely give me and all mothers and fathers who asked for it the grace to reconcile our changing relationship with our adult children. I have found that such grace has helped me and others to incorporate three helpful steps into our parenting process. And they work! Today, 20 years after that life-changing day, my son is a fine, responsible adult, who has become one of my dearest friends. From Karen O'Connor, Focus On The Family

A partiscipant of one of our programs

Don't despair! There is hope and help for those struggling with same-sex attraction, and for those who are walking the pathway along side them, parents, spouses, relatives, and friends. Contact one of these people or organizations and be reasrred by the message of victory and peace that they have to share with with you. With God as your guide and with His people supporting you the future is bright.

Once a victem of SSA ----now husband and father. To God be the glory. There is a way, The Way of Jesus Christ

I'M GAY !

Way back in the "Old Days" like 1960 folks screamed,"What" and all hell broke lose. After the sixties and the sex revolution everything changed. Around 1990 political correctness, the gay pride movement, diversity training, and law suits threatened our Christians values. Many churches caved endorsing homosexual behavior as genetic, therefore natural and no longer a sin. Now everybody hug and let's get on with our lives.

Not so fast! What does God say ?

The answer is "NO" to the behavior.

Temptations, thoughts, feelings don't count. It's the action not the attraction that is sinful. Sadly for centuries the church treated behavior and attraction as one and the same. Interesting Jesus never had a problem distinguishing between the two. He "forgave" their sins and told them to "flee" temptation.

So here we are today. Confront or conform!

A family from our church seeking help for their fifteen year old contacted the school counselor and was told to back off because the student's orientation was gay. The parents explained they were Christian but that was fuel for the fire and Child Protection Services was contacted. Confront or conform.

A high school teacher from our church had a kid confide they were gay. A cry for help or a trap for a Christian teacher---- who knows. Pray for guidance but play it safe-- sounds like a contradiction.

What do we say when the kid says I'M GAY!

According to the exgays-----don't lose them but don't confuse them.

When a kid says "I'm gay"

1. Show interest and ask questionons.

When did they know

Who else knows

What are they thinking

Do they want help?

2. Assure them they are not outcasts

. This is a "feeling" that isn't their fault

Feelings do change.

3. Make certain they know you will not abandon them

4. Offer to help

Express your feelings--- you wish they didn't have to deal with this.

Check out information about SSA

Harvest USA is a good source

Show them testimonies of the exgays

Pray ---if you can----Dear Lord I know you love him and have a plan for his life.

Remember---With God all things are possible, and don't forget it!