Category Archives: overcomers
Jackie Hill’s love letter to a lesbian
Tweet
Rising Exlesbian Christian poet and spoken word artist Jackie Hill has penned a poignant but powerful letter to women who identify as lesbians. Via Desiring God blog, the peice is too good not to print in its entirety. After you finish reading, send this love letter to a lesbian you know and love.
Dear ______,
I just want you to know that I understand.
I understand how it feels to be in love with a woman. To want nothing more than to be with her forever. Feeling as if the universe has played a cruel joke on your heart by allowing it to fall into the hands of a creature that looks just like you.
I too was a lesbian. I had same-sex attractions as early as five-years old. As I grew up, those feelings never subsided. They only grew. I would find myself having crushes on my female best friends, but I was far too ashamed to admit it to them — let alone to myself.
At the age of 17, I finally made the decision to pursue these desires. I entered into a relationship with a young lady who became my “first.” The first time we kissed, it felt extremely natural, as if this feeling is what I had been missing all along. After her came another woman and then another woman. Both relationships were very serious, each lasting over a year. I enjoyed these relationships and loved these women a lot. And it came to the point that I was willing to forsake all, including my soul, to enjoy their love on earth.
In October 2008, at the age of 19, my superficial reality was shaken up by a deeper love — one from the outside, one that I’d heard of before but never experienced. For the first time, I was convicted of my sin in a way that made me consider everything I loved (idolized), and its consequences. I looked at my life, and saw that I had been in love with everything except God, and these decisions would ultimately be the death of me, eternally. My eyes were opened, and I began to believe everything God says in his word. I began to believe that what he says about sin, death, and hell were completely true.
And amazingly, at the same time that the penalty of my sin became true to me, so did the preciousness of the cross. A vision of God’s Son crucified, bearing the wrath I deserved, and an empty tomb displaying his power over death — all things I had heard before without any interest had become the most glorious revelation of love imaginable.
After realizing all of what I would have to give up, I said to God, “I cannot let these things or people go on my own. I love them too much. But I know you are good and strong enough to help me.”
Now, at the age of 23, I can say with all honesty that God has done just that. He has helped me love him more than anything.
Now why did I just tell you about this? I gave you a glimpse of my story because I want you to understand that I understand. But I also want you to know that I also understand how it feels to be in love with the Creator of the universe. To want nothing more than to be with him forever. To feel his grace, the best news ever announced to mankind. To see his forgiveness, that he would take such a wicked heart into his hands of mercy.
But with that in mind, we’re in a culture where stories like mine either seem impossible or hilarious, depending on the audience. Homosexuality is everywhere — from music, to TV, even sports. If you’d believe all that society had to say about homosexuality, you’d come to the conclusion that it is completely normal, even somewhat admirable. But that is far from the truth. God tells us that homosexuality is sinful, abominable, and unnatural (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:8–10). But if I were to be honest, sometimes homosexual attractions can seem natural to me.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this may be your dilemma as well. You see what God has to say about homosexuality, but your heart doesn’t utter the same sentiments. God’s word says it’s sinful; your heart says it feels right. God’s word says it’s abominable; your heart says it’s delightful. God’s word says it’s unnatural; your heart says it’s totally normal. Do you see that there is a clear divide between what God’s word says and how your heart feels?
So which voice should you believe?
There was a time in my walk with Christ where I experienced a lot of temptation about falling back into lesbianism. These temptations caused me to doubt God’s word. My temptations and desires began to become more real to me than the truth of the Bible. As I was praying and meditating on these things, God put this impression on my heart: “Jackie, you have to believe that my word is true even if it contradicts how you feel.” Wow! This is right. Either I trust in his word or I trust my own feelings. Either I look to him for the pleasure my soul craves or I search for it in lesser things. Either I walk in obedience to what he says or I reject his truth as if it were a lie.
The struggle with homosexuality is a battle of faith. Is God my joy? Is he good enough? Or am I still looking to broken cisterns to quench a thirst only he can satisfy? That is the battle. It is for me, and it is for you.
The choice is yours, my friend. I pray you put your faith in Christ and flee from the lies of our society that coincide with the voices of your heart — a heart that Scripture says is wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Run to Jesus instead.
You were made for him (Romans 11:36). He is ultimately all that you need! He is good and wise (Psalm 145:9). He is the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). He is kind and patient (2 Peter 3:9). He is righteous and faithful (Psalm 33:4). He is holy and just (1 John 1:9). He is our true King (Psalm 47:7). He is our Savior (Jude 1:25). And he is inviting you to be not just his servant, but also his friend. If lasting love is what you’re looking for anywhere else, you are chasing the wind, seeking what you will never find, slowly being destroyed by your pursuit.
But in Jesus, there is fullness of joy. In Jesus, there is a relationship worth everything, because he is everything. Run to him.
Former ‘leftist lesbian’ professor leaves homosexuality for Jesus
Praises to Christianity Today which published the incredible story of a self described “leftist lesbian” professor who once despised Christians. A remarkable story explaining how the love of God completely changed her life. Rosaria Champagne Butterfield writes that as a lesbian she demonstrated the typical hate for Christians many homosexuals irrationally display. But her quest to prove that her hatred was justified opened a door to God that couldn’t be closed.
It demonstrates God’s ability to break through the hardness of the human heart and the fortresses of wayward ideology and the lies that surround it.
Although now she is a married mother Butterfield says her former life “lurks in the edges of my heart, shiny and still like a knife.”
How she felt about Christian believers:
“The word Jesus stuck in my throat like an elephant tusk; no matter how hard I choked, I couldn’t hack it out. Those who professed the name commanded my pity and wrath. As a university professor, I tired of students who seemed to believe that “knowing Jesus” meant knowing little else. Christians in particular were bad readers, always seizing opportunities to insert a Bible verse into a conversation with the same point as a punctuation mark: to end it rather than deepen it. Stupid. Pointless. Menacing. That’s what I thought of Christians and their god Jesus, who in paintings looked as powerful as a Breck Shampoo commercial model.”
Her view of self, her lesbian partner and the homosexual community she was a part of:
“After my tenure book was published, I used my post to advance the understandable allegiances of a leftist lesbian professor. My life was happy, meaningful, and full. My partner and I shared many vital interests: aids activism, children’s health and literacy, Golden Retriever rescue, our Unitarian Universalist church, to name a few. Even if you believed the ghost stories promulgated by Robertson and his ilk, it was hard to argue that my partner and I were anything but good citizens and caregivers. The GLBT community values hospitality and applies it with skill, sacrifice, and integrity.”
On why she finally decided to read the Bible:
“I began researching the Religious Right and their politics of hatred against queers like me. To do this, I would need to read the one book that had, in my estimation, gotten so many people off track: the Bible.”
Why she accepted a dinner invitation from an “enemy”:
“With the letter, Ken initiated two years of bringing the church to me, a heathen. Oh, I had seen my share of Bible verses on placards at Gay Pride marches. That Christians who mocked me on Gay Pride Day were happy that I and everyone I loved were going to hell was clear as blue sky. That is not what Ken did. He did not mock. He engaged. So when his letter invited me to get together for dinner, I accepted. My motives at the time were straightforward: Surely this will be good for my research.”
Although she struggles, change begins to grip her:
“I started reading the Bible. I read the way a glutton devours. I read it many times that first year in multiple translations. At a dinner gathering my partner and I were hosting, my transgendered friend J cornered me in the kitchen. She put her large hand over mine. “This Bible reading is changing you, Rosaria,” she warned.
With tremors, I whispered, “J, what if it is true? What if Jesus is a real and risen Lord? What if we are all in trouble?”
J exhaled deeply. “Rosaria,” she said, “I was a Presbyterian minister for 15 years. I prayed that God would heal me, but he didn’t. If you want, I will pray for you.”
I continued reading the Bible, all the while fighting the idea that it was inspired. But the Bible got to be bigger inside me than I. It overflowed into my world. I fought against it with all my might. Then, one Sunday morning, I rose from the bed of my lesbian lover, and an hour later sat in a pew at the Syracuse Reformed Presbyterian Church. Conspicuous with my butch haircut, I reminded myself that I came to meet God, not fit in. The image that came in like waves, of me and everyone I loved suffering in hell, vomited into my consciousness and gripped me in its teeth.”
Finally submitting to the power of Christ and accepting the love of Christ:
“Then, one ordinary day, I came to Jesus, openhanded and naked. In this war of worldviews, Ken was there. Floy was there. The church that had been praying for me for years was there. Jesus triumphed. And I was a broken mess. Conversion was a train wreck. I did not want to lose everything that I loved. But the voice of God sang a sanguine love song in the rubble of my world. I weakly believed that if Jesus could conquer death, he could make right my world. I drank, tentatively at first, then passionately, of the solace of the Holy Spirit.”
Resisting temptation is a part of healing from homosexuality
David Kyle Foster dismantles the ludicrous logic of gay activists who use seriously flawed logic to deny healing from homosexuality and the believer’s obligation to RESIST all temptation. Resisting temptation, no matter what it is, is an act of submissive obedience to the will of God. Watch, listen and be empowered.
ON Atlanta TV tonight
Pastor DL Foster and other members of the Overcomers Network will appear on “Atlanta Live” tonight at 7pm to discuss the organization’s mission, projects and vision. Atlanta Live is a popular interview segment of WATC TV which airs in over 1 million Atlanta area households.
The program will re-air the next morning (Tuesday) at 7am. You can watch live stream online www.watc.tv
Overcomers Network launches new website
Aiming to increase membership and visibility, The Overcomers Network (ON) has launched a new website, twitter and youtube channel. The organizati
on hopes to further their message of advocating sexual holiness through biblical discipleship, fellowship and good works.
“I’m excited about the expansion and development of the Overcomers Network as we continue to serve our communities. The commitment of this organization continues to impact lives that will strengthen families, support communities, and bring hope to the world. As Overcomers so many of us have been forced into silence, so together we foster the bonds of sisterhood and brotherhood where everyone knows that their story matters and the voice has a place to be heard. We have walked out our freedom and continue to trust God to be bold witnesses of his delivering power and love.”, said Nakisha Thomas, Assistant Director.
Organized in July 2010, the ON currently has fellowship and discipleship groups meeting in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Memphis, Orlando, Columbus-Ft Benning, GA, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Dallas, Mobile-Pensacola and Chattanooga.
GCMW releases its “12 Heroes of the Faith” list for 2012
As 2012 comes to a close, GCM Watch takes time to honor and highlight the uncommon faith and courage of men and women from across a spectrum of occupations and backgrounds came face to face with the wall of social intimidation and threats from the gay rights bullies. Inspiring us all, these 12 heroes have risen up and made significant impact even during times where homosexuality, a state supported vice, carries real penalties for those who oppose it. These men and women show us that holding fast to God’s word and standing strong in the face of persecution is what honors God. May God bless, keep and prosper these heroes of the faith.
1. Pastor Robert Anderson, pastor of Colonial Baptist Church in Randalstown, MD came under fire when he cited a key passage
of scripture which says homosexual activity is “worthy of death”. Gay rights groups immediately began pressuring Pastor Anderson to disavow his remarks, which he refused to do. [read more]
2. Mr. Don Cathy, president of Atlanta based Chick Fil A set off a blazing national firestorm when on a Christian radio interview, he defended male-female marriage and said that God was not pleased with how America was moving away from his relational model. Homosexual activists went into attack mode and accused Cathy and his successful food chain of “homophobia” and “hatred”. They mounted anti CFA pr campaigns which backfired after millions of Americans rallied around Cathy and CFA on Aug 1st, rewarding their stand with record breaking sales. [read more]
3. Pastor Patrick Wooden, pastor of Upper Room COGIC in Raleigh, NC was a key leader in the successful effort to amend the North Carolina state constitution banning homosexual marriage. Despite personal contravention from President Obama and his black clergy surrogates, Pastor Wooden rallied thousands to preserve male-female marriage while remaining steadfast and unmovable under a numerous attacks from proObama black clergy, the NAACP and gay activists. [read more]
4. There weren’t many black pastors willing to speak out against Obama’s obsession with homosexual marriage, but one Kansas City, MO pastor did. Rev. Jarvis L. Collier of Pleasant Green Baptist Church, outlined five points as to why the president had all but lost his standing and what little racial and moral capital he had upon entering the White House. Rev. Jarvis reminded us as to why homosexual marriage is a civil threat to every community of people. [read more]
5. Pastor Margaret Court, the top seeded tennis star from Australia and 62-time Grand Slam champion (24 singles, 19 women’s doubles, 19 mixed) did what every pastor would do. She told the truth about homosexuality. “Politically correct education has masterfully escorted homosexuality out from behind closed doors, into the community openly and now is aggressively demanding marriage rights that are not theirs to take,” she said. Her truth drew the ire of numerous tennis luminaries such as Billie Jean King and lesbian Martina Navratilova who called the truth “frightening”. Gays activists attempted to bar her from participating in tennis related events, but Court remained strong in faith and conviction. “There is no reason to put forward alternative, unhealthy, unnatural unions as some form of substitute,” she said. [read more]
6. Like a true champ, University of Nebraska Assistant Coach Ron Brown faced down angry rhetoric and hateful mischaracterizations after he challenged same sex marriage at an Omaha city council meeting in April. He warned council members they would be held to “great accountability for the decision you are making.” Sensing “The question I have for you all is, like Pontius Pilate, what are you going to do with Jesus?” Brown asked. “Ultimately, if you don’t have a relationship with him, and you don’t really have a Bible-believing mentality, really, anything goes… At the end of the day it matters what God thinks most.” The veteran coach didn’t retreat or minimize his stand. Instead he remarked it would be an “honor” to be fired for his beliefs. [read more]
7. Dr. Jamal Hopkins was enjoying a standout career as a professor at Atlanta’s Interdenominational Theological Seminary. That is until a homosexual rights coworker became enraged that Hopkins had shared a book with his class about homosexuality from a biblical perspective. The woman began a vicious and false campaign to deprive Dr. Hopkins of his career and his position. [read more]
8. Kirk Cameron, star of the unforgettable 80s sitcom “Growing Pains” emerged as a leading voice of evangelism through his Way of the Master series. But after an appearance on a CNN talk show, he became the target of gay rights smears. Why? Because he said: “I think that it’s unnatural, that it’s detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.” [read more]
9. Mr. An
thony Falzarano after living a life as a homosexual partner of a well known government official, Anthony found Jesus Christ and founded Parents and Friends of Exgays. He became a passionate and vocal advocate of change from homosexuality even until his death in 2012. His confrontational demeanor caused homosexual activists to both fear and yet despise him. But as a faithful servant and dedicated husband, Falzarano consistently worked to educate and raise awareness about freedom from homosexuality, even having to rebuke Exodus International and its president for false teachings. Rest in peace faithful servant. [read more]
10. Bishop Mark J. Lawrence, the bishop of the South Carolina Episcopal diocese, courageously defied the vindictive ruler of the Episcopal Church and led his flock to safety. Lawrence was the target of homosexual activists aka “gay christians” in the Episcopal church because he refused to accept their sinful acceptance of homosexuality. Sadly, the Episcopal organization has become almost unrecognizable as a Christian denomination. [read more]
11. Kiana “Kiwi” Dennis was a top lesbian nightclub promoter whose success was unrivaled in her home state of Michigan where she had built a top level entertainment venue for gays. But she left it all to follow Jesus Christ and afterward a period of growing discipleship established Blood, Sweat and Tears ministry to help other gays and lesbians who wanted out of “the lifestyle” find peace, joy and healing in Christ. [read more]
12. Citing his biblical beliefs, the mayor of Portsmouth, Ohio quickly rejected a homosexual city councilman’s invitation to join a gay rights political group and set off a developing war of words. According to the Portsmouth Daily Times, Kevin Johnson sent Mayor David Malone an email telling him to get on board the gay marriage train but was met with quick and stiff resistance. Johnson wanted the mayor to sign onto a gay marriage support statement simply because other mayors had done so. But the mayor flatly refused to comply, inspiring other public officials to remain true to their convictions. [read more]
