Category Archives: profiles
Exlesbian’s book gives truthful “behind the scenes” look at lesbianism
Editor’s note: From what seems to be a complex web in a life of bondage, a beautiful story of redemption emerges. Brittany Ursery used to be what lesbian subculture calls a “stud”. Then, she submitted her life to Jesus Christ and He changed everything. Now, a passionate advocate for freedom and deliverance from “the lifestyle”, the talented 22 year old wrote a book about her experiences “The Truth Behind the Scenes.” [website] And she graciously granted GCM Watch an interview about the book and her life after lesbianism.
Gay Christian Movement Watch: Part one of your book describes a sort of preconditioning you went through as a preteen. Things like name calling, your hormones, even distancing yourself from your family. Do you think that’s the path a lot of kids follow into homosexuality without knowing it?
Brittany Usery: Yes, based on what I’ve been told by quite a few youth I’ve talked to, they are preconditioned to accept homosexuality because of those circumstances. Just the other day a young lady told me how she always thought her sisters were more pretty then her, and how she used to get teased. She figured since nobody accepted her she would just rebel and turn to homosexuality. So those factors can and do influence a young person’s choices about their sexuality.
GCMW: For a person so young, your book is surprisingly insightful. Where does that come from?
BU: That’s a great question. After God brought me out of the lifestyle, various people that knew me asked about the change. So instead of telling everyone individually, I asked God how do I share it with a multitude of people at once. So he told me to write it down. So at that moment I sat at my laptop and before I knew it God brought my past to my remembrance and God basically wrote the book, and just used my fingers. He knew I was a willing vessel. But the insightful part just comes from whatever God had me write. I look back at my book sometimes and just know that God had to write that, because I can’t even duplicate some of the stuff that was said
GCMW: Is Behind the Scenes mostly for people your age or do you think its better for parents to read it and get some knowledge?
BU: The demographic age of the book is intended for people 14 and up. I suggest if the child has an immature mind, that the parent read it first, because I don’t want the book to do damage. The first few chapters when I express the rules in the gay community is definitely for parents, so that if they over hear their child saying certain words they will know what’s going on.
GCMW: You’ve described yourself as an EX-Stud. To some people that’s a radical thing. Why do that?
BU: I identify as an ex-stud, because when people see “studs” [female lesbians who appear to be men or masculine], they see them as rough hardcore females trying to emulate guys. So when they see me and they try to imagine me as a stud, all they can say is God is good, because I no longer have those stud qualities. Also you have to be bold in the life to be a stud, because of the identity issue. But as a fem or female that looks and acts like a regular heterosexual female they won’t get as many stares and evil looks; because their identity isn’t distorted as much as studs.
GCMW: Being an EX-stud do you need to work harder on your appearance and mannerisms than other women who get saved and is that important?
BU: Well before I got involved in the life, I was never sure how to portray myself as a feminine girl. So the only thing I have tried to work on is changing my voice back to feminine. While in the life I trained my voice to sound masculine, so that I could get more girls. Besides that I don’t struggle with wearing heels, I know how to go to the shop and get my hair done, and feminine clothes don’t bother me.
GCMW: Are there really “rules” in the homosexual subculture? And what purpose do they serve?
BU: Yes, there are rules in the African American lesbian lifestyle. For instance, studs don’t date each other. Roles within relationships must be flexible and two fems [lesbian who is feminine in appearance] can be together because society accepts that. These are unwritten rules that no matter where you go, they just come into play. When I look back now on the life and I see how juvenile we were, I just laugh. The rules are set forth to determine the popular lesbians from the not so popular ones. It’s definitely more in the young gay communities. Once you get past the age of 30, you no longer abide by the rules.
GCMW: That’s very interesting. And why do you think these “rules” exist?
BU: Well they do provide the subculture with a measure of structure, attention and popularity. But really homosexuality and its role rules they follow is a defacto existence. If they simply lived and loved the way God planned and intended those rules would not have to exist.
GCMW: Tell me about your own deliverance. I mean was there something in particular that broke it for you or it was just God’s time that you come out?
BU: Well, it was both. On august 8th 2007, I was at home by myself, washing dishes and I heard a voice. Very clear, the voice said “you need to call your youth pastor or today is going to be your last day on earth.” I heard the voice, but didn’t pay it any mind and continued washing. The voice repeated itself a second time. Then I stopped and allowed my mind to retrace. When I was 19, God spoke to me and I didnt listen and the result was me getting hit by a car. On august 8th, I ignored again but God spoke the same thing to me one last time. Finally, I got up and went to my mom’s room to find my youth pastor’s number and called her, but there was no answer. While in my mom’s room, something I cant explain in words came over me. I began to cry uncontrollably, all this pain and hurt from my childhood came up. The room seemed like it was spinning. I couldn’t stop crying. I called my sister and I couldn’t even explain what was going on. She called my mom and my mom came home. When my mom got there, the crying had stopped somewhat. But after I calmed down I felt this peace that I hadn’t felt in so long. It was a “chains being broken” peace, a “no longer bound” peace, an “eye opening” peace. My mom got the bible and laid it on me. And I said “Im out, Then my mom said, “you are free, no longer bound by that life”.
I went to work and asked to leave early so I could go to church. And now when I think about it, I know I was cleaned up because on my way to work and after I didnt even desire to listen to that music that had once polluted my ears. When I got to church I told my youth pastor what happened and she said she knew God designed me to be a leader, and the same way I turned females out in the church, I would direct them back to Christ. So the next day I got my hair done, bought girl clothes and did the girl thing. But I wasn’t fully sold out until the next day, when the most amazing thing ever happened to me. August 10th, I was at work. I didn’t tell anybody in the gay lifestyle about my transformation, because I didn’t want them to bring me back in. But while at work, I got a phone call saying “we are going to kill you today”. I went and found a bible in the store and started quoting the only scripture I knew. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I told the Lord I know you didnt just deliver me for me to die. As time went by, I forgot about the phone call. Ten minutes before time to leave there was a knock on the door and 5 girls outside with bats ready to assault me. I nervously changed into some feminine clothes, (out of my work uniform) and got ready to leave the store. I was the third in line. As we walked out the store I heard the girls say, “where’s Brittany, where’s Brittany? I guess she didnt come to work today.” As soon as I got in my car I began praising God that his angels encamped around me and protected me from the enemy and they didn’t even recognize me. That’s when decided to go 150% for God and not look back. God delivered me from homosexuality Aug 8th 2007, but everyday I’m free from satans attacks.
GCMW: What’s your passion now that you have a book out and you’re sharing your testimony with others?
BU: I remember being asked what my passion was my senior year of high school, and all I was interested in was girls and basketball. Now my passion is doing the will of my Father, and if that means going out and sharing the gospel through my testimony, I’m willing to go. My main passion is just letting people know that freedom is possible, and there’s a God out there that loves them and wants a relationship with them.
GCMW: Is it important to tell others that you came out of lesbianism? You could just be generic about it. So why be specific?
BU: I like to be specific because homosexuality is one of those taboo topics which nobody really wants to discuss. So when you see a young lady like me, out here proclaiming freedom from something that to most people is unchangeable, people start to tell others, the message spreads and more people can become free.
GCMW: Brittany for females who are still in the lifestyle kicking it and saying sex with another female is cool, what would you tell them?
BU: Well, I give them the breakdown of my testimony. Then I explain to them that God gives people what they want. The due penalty for sin is death. So they will have to make the decision on their own. It also depends on the situation, because the Holy Spirit has directed me other ways on what to say. So when it really comes down to it, it’s whatever God wants me to say.
You can purchase [$15.00] The Truth Behind the Scenes at Brittany’s website.
Soon I will be done: Gospel singer Abertina Walker passes
CHICAGO – The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Gospel singer Albertina Walker of Chicago died on Friday at the age of 81.
Born in Chicago in 1929, Walker began singing in the choir of West Point Baptist church at the age of 4. Walker was urged to pursue a gospel singing career by the woman who became her mentor, iconic gospel great Mahalia Jackson. Walker launched her official career at age 22, when, urged by Jackson, she formed her group the Caravans. She was a fixture in body and spirit at Chicago’s Gospel Festival since the event’s inception, both solo and with the Caravans.
Walker had been battling emphysema, and died Friday morning in a Chicago hospital, where she had been since late August.
Walker was noted 
by those in the black gospel music industry as an influential and “iconic” fixture in the black gospel music world for decades but in 2007 had an unpleasant public brush with the gay christian world and its musical tentacles. Walker agreed to perform at lesbian bishop Yvette Flunder’s nefarious Fellowship Conference. GCM Watch broke the story in June 2007 with controversial results.
After learning of our story, GCM Watch was contacted by Walker’s granddaughter who stated that the gospel singer was in essence tricked by Flunder’s camp into performing at the event. Tina Nance said that Walker was “quite upset” at being booked at a gay church conference and would put policies in place to prevent it from happening in the future.
“My name is Tina Nance and Albertina Walker is my Grandmother. I came across this article while visiting her today for her Birthday. Let me first say that my grandmother did not know the background of this organization until after the event, had she known this information she would not have been a part of this program. When she learned of this information, after the fact she was quite upset, but by then it was too late. The management company that books the CARAVANS has made the appropriate changes to their process to ensure that this situation does not occur in the future.
Furthermore, I do not understand why my grandmother was singled out when she appeared at this event as part of the Caravans not as a soloist. I realize that her name is perhaps the most recognizable on the flyer, but it would’ve been responsible to mention that she performed with the Caravans and not as a soloist. My grandmother does not in anyway support or promote this lifestyle, this was very simply a case of her not being given pertinent information. Finally, I would like to add that Albertina Walker is possibly the easiest artist to contact on Earth, it would not have been at all difficult for a responsible journalist to reach her.”
You can read the entire story and our response to Tina Nance here.
READ right now: A life Redeemed
GCMW Note: Let us not forget that in the midst of a nation obsessed with force feeding us the notion that homosexuality is good, right and the best thing since a nickel loaf of bread, God is doing awesome things.
Even if homosexuals get every “right” they have ever lusted for, there will always be those who will find out that rights do not satisfy the brokenness of the human heart.
Where do you go when you have gotten all that you wanted only to discover it does not alleviate the pain, the hurt or restore your self worth?
There’s only one place to go. Or better stated only one person to go to. That’s why I wanted to share this testimony a young African American man in California sent to me a few days ago. Its a horrible story of confusion and spiraling out of control because of the lust for sin, and yet it is a breath taking story of the glory of God.
Read Marcos Antonio’s story in his own words and know that sin can only produce death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ.
A life Redeemed
I was 14 years old the first time I hadnt really told anyone about the attraction I was feeling toward other guys. I told my friend that I was “bisexual”, revealed it to her through this anonymous gay affiliated website. She accepted me, and I had begun to accept it as well, though not fully. My family then, one would say was quite ”religous”- but then not so religous. I grew up with a form of Christianity; I learned to pray, believe in God and liked to seldomly attend church. When i had began to accept the fact that I had these desires for men in me, I instinctively knew they were wrong. There was no one person in my life who really beat me in the head with a Bible, it was a truth I personally felt and knew it went against God. Because I was afraid, I chose not to speak about it. Which really hurt a lot more then the thought I had of protecting myself by not speaking, later on in life. So I confided in a few friends about it, but obvisouly with my outrageous actions, it was quite obvious what others identified me as. Whether it was in school or a stranger on the street, and also from home. From 14 to my late 16′s, I pushed myself in and out of the Christian faith to dabble into the typical high school party scene. I knew it was wrong for myself, but I didn’t really care. I didn’t care about God, Jesus Christ, or anyone, just me.
When I turned 17, my senior year, I decided to make a decision to fully live out a true Christian life, so I stopped doing all that I used to do. I began to read the Bible on fair occasions, go to a local church, youth Bible studies, and even hang with other professed Christians at the youth pastors house for another small Bible study. I thought I was a really good kid, but inwardly and secretly, I was a complete hypocrite. I gossiped about friends, tore them down inwardly and outwardly with my words, I didn’t have a real heart for anyone but for myself, I was a really jacked up friend. I struggled sexual thoughts of other men in my head, and I gave into them through masturbation and pornography. There were things in my life that I knew God was calling me to let go of, the music I listened to specifically, tv shows I watched, but I ignored Him. I wanted to just do what I wanted. Through the struggle with an attraction towards other guys, i would pray for God to take them away, so i could fully live a heterosexual life, which actually was not the lifestyle He was calling me, unbeknownst to me, because when He would stretch out His hands through someone to help me, I rejected it, out of fear.
This went on until I graduated high school in 2008. That summer, the battle within myself just got too much. Thoughts, dreams, felt like they would never end. So I was like “God, im not doing this anymore, maybe when i’m 25, then I’ll get married have kids, and do the whole ‘Christian’ thing.” So I did what was so eager in me to do, let go and live how i wanted to live. I also came out to my mom and step dad, which was really hard. But they never treated me any differently, they still loved me. For 8 months, I trashed myself. Before I turned 18 i was already out on the Hollywood streets looking for guys to be with. Young, old, it didnt really matter, I craved attention from any guy. When I turned 18, I began to hit the gay club scene. For the first few times, I was so desperate for my lust that I would take the public transit out to Hollywood, and indugle every bit of the night away, with no real way home. I immediately became promiscuous, and I didn’t care. I forgot about Jesus Christ, I forgot that at any moment I could die and end up in a place eternally separated from Him. A few weeks after, I met a few guys who introduced me to gay bath houses. I was a regular ever since. He later introduced me to extacy, as clubs got more boring, I used that to fuel me. Because out of everything I was trying to fill myself up with, in the end, it didn’t matter. It was like drinking fresh water only to have a huge whole in your stomach and it pour right out. I was never filled, never satisfied, never obtaining what I wanted. I remember one night at this hugely popular gay club, standing on the second floor and looking down at everyone, and feeling so empty. Thinking “this is my life”, I was very depressed. Clubs were no longer filling me like they once had been.
I knew what I wanted, but I forgot what I needed, the love and mercy of a Father. There was on one occasion that I became broke, and so to fulfill my vain desire of a dream I had then, I decided to prostitute myself off to some random guy. I had hit a even sickening low. I was following my hearts desires and all it was returning me with were regrets, and more heartache then before. I didn’t really know where else to turn, so I kept drinking, kept clubbing, kept giving my body to strangers I didn’t even know. I was looking at times for a man to love me, but daily rejecting the only man who could ever love me the way I needed to be loved. I became ruthless to my parents, not caring about their authority, and just using them for money. I remember a time when after a late night fling I ended up walking down the street in Hollywood in the morning, drunk and vomiting; no money, no nothing to get me home, just messed up, regretting the night before. Though I said I would stop, I didn’t. Nothing could stop my lusts from just continuously taking over, even though i knew it would still leave me sad and insecure, and empty.
It was April 24, 2009 a Thursday, when I hit an all new low, and for once, a true high., As usual, I was going to go to L.A. to do what I usually do. I had met a guy I was interested in online and we decided to meet, I did this regularly. I went off to L.A., visited the usual bath house, and met up later on with that guy. We drove to his house and we were immediately all over each other. He then introduced me to what I thought was some sort of medicine he said was for his A.D.D., I found out later it was crystal meth. I started doing what I never normally did, I cursed and cursed, letting of all morality I still somewhat held onto. There were other men in the house who I was also throwing myself all over. I also began to vaguely mention that i had been a Christian, but wasn’t anymore because I liked guys. The guy I was with needed to leave, so i stayed until he was going to come back. It was now around 11:30 p.m. at night. When he came back, his composure was completely different. Different then when I had first met him earlier. He was in rush to get us to leave, with his persuasiveness, I left with him. The moment we walked outside of the door, he started to infer about my previous Christianity, I was shocked to the fact of why he would even bring it up, then he casually told me that I needed to “repent”– I was in some mad awe shock. Seriously. I couldn’t believe what had just come out of his mouth.
As we got into the car, he began to tell me how, when he left, for some reason there was a Bible in his car, and he began to read it, pray, and something told him to get me out of the house. I was real scared. For the next two hours, was constant yelling and screaming, him trying to explain to me, and tell me to give my life to Christ, and me fighting, confused and scared. While we we’re driving on the freeway towards Long Beach ( my stepdad was a minister and I wanted to talk with him )- God really began to soften and call my heart, and I really began to think. The reality of the situation I was in, that I was living a life in direct disobedience to God, everything I was doing. And a fear of Him began to creep in. But I kept fighting against giving up my life to Him, I was scared and didn’t really know what was happening. The fact that I was on drugs was something that was also clinging in my head, and that the guy was too. But somehow I knew it didnt matter, Christ started speaking to my heart and mind, either i was going to stop fighting, or I would never give my life to Him, my heart would be so hard that at 25, if i were still alive, I would be totally and completely depraved. With just a hope for hell. So I made the decision to finally let go, and believe in the call that was happening now, and the life He was offering. I cried out to God, the guy and I both, for forgiveness. And after, I experienced this incredible amount of peace within me heart, like a huge weight that had burdened me for so long was finally lifted, i felt truly alive. And I knew i was forgiven, I knew what God had just done in me, and I left the streets full of tears knowing that God was going to carry me through it all. Drugs were not going to be a factor.
A year and about 3 1/2 months later, by the grace of a great Father, I am here living my life for Him now. He began to show me what true love really is, and how deeply and preciously that was displayed for me on the cross. For all that I did, it didn’t matter how grotesque, there was forgiveness and redemption because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross. He died for all the sins I committed against Him, and rose from the dead to give me strength to overcome them all. The power of a Mighty God is amazing. Through Him I am conquering over every thing that will separate me from Him and life He was called me to live. Its not some repetitive therapy or counseling I went to, just a the reality of a loving and faithful God in my life. He began to work in me and is continuing to work in me. I live my life firmly believing in Him, never letting go or looking to turn back to a messed up life. I began to realize that not only with the life I was living was I hurting myself, but ultimately Christ, who bore all my sin. I was hurting the and rebelling against the very God who gave me life and breath, who even though I am sinful, continues to feed me and care for me. I know this real love and I don’t need to seek out emptiness in another man, there is only one who could ever comfort and complete me, and thats Christ. I can’t begin to tell you how much freedom I am experiencing, and true healing. My life belongs to Christ. I wanna dance for Him and praise Him all day long, and occasionally sing (LOL). With every gift He has given me.
This is a testimony to a true and living God who delivered me out of a lie, out of bondage, fear, and death. If He had not came for me that night…I know exactly where i would, either dead, or trying to drink water with a huge whole in my stomach at some gay club. Im glad He came to my rescue, and the reailty that He is rescuing so many other people from this life as well. Its amazing. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2C1:3)
It’s not a hetero life, but a holy one. “And you can take that to the bank”- lol. : )
I pray that this blesses, encourages, shed light to any and everyone. Also that if you have a testimony, you would share with the world and be unashamed of what Christ has done and is doing in your life, and stand for truth in this world. Feel free to share this with the world.
Dottie Rambo manager sets the record straight on late singer’s beliefs
In an exclusive email to Gay Christian Movement Watch, the long time manager of the late singer Dottie Rambo said she did not support “inclusionism” nor did she support her daughter and son in law’s progay church ideology.
Larry Ferguson and his family, traveling with Rambo at the time, were all injured in the fatal bus crash. He was managing the singer at the time of her tragic death and requested GCM Watch publish his exclusive comments in response to a story which appeared on our site in May 2008.
“I would like to publicly state that Dottie Rambo didn’t subscribe to the “Doctrine of Inclusion”. Dottie believed the only way to Heaven was through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior. She lived every word she sang and walked in the truth. Dottie showed unwavering love to anyone she came in contact with no matter their faith, belief, life styles, or celebrity. Nearly everyone that made her acquaintance usually left hearing the Gospel message and knowing she was a compassionate loving Christian. Dottie Rambo was no respecter of persons . Dottie believed there was a Heaven and there was a Hell and would not employ or entertain conversation to the contrary.
This being said she and her daughter Reba and son in law Dony McGuire DID NOT share beliefs concerning Christian teachings. I’m not speaking of one particular issue but nearly an entire life body of work and ministry. Though Dottie lived in Nashville, TN where her daughter’s church is located she refused to go to the church due to their doctrinal teachings as she believed they were contrary to God’s word. She never attended one service at the church her daughter pastors and was adamant that she never would. This was a very public choice that Dottie shared with fans, friends, colleagues, audiences, pastors, and congregations. Dottie loved her daughter very much though their ministries and personal lives were separate.
If you will go back over the last few decades and view Dottie’s appearances you will find that her daughter is sparsely seen with her. As her manager Dottie directed me to never book her on an appearance with her daughter or son in law. On a few tribute television specials honoring Dottie, her daughter appeared on the programming as I didn’t want to explain their strained relationship personally and doctrinally with producers of programing.
Dottie Rambo’s fans were an eclectic group of individuals that include traditional church goers and those outside the church. She showed immense love and appreciation to every person she came into contact with. I can’t stress this enough. Her ministry was to share with broken people that they too could overcome great physical illness, divorce, loss of family, sin, and hurt through the power of Jesus. Dottie never consider herself a preacher, but her songs were sermons in themselves. “He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Needs” sums up her message.”
The comments stating that Dottie Rambo had embraced the gospel of inclusion were posted by Pastor Kevin Gallagher.
“Dottie Rambo didn’t always support the gay movement, but with her continued slide to a more secular and worldly lifestyle over the later years….probably due to some input and influence from her hyper liberal daughter and son in law, Dony and Reba McGuire.
With her open embracing of the gospel of inclusion came her open acceptance of the gay and lesbian lifestyles.”
Gallagher made those comments on June 24, 2008 and sadly passed away June 25, 2010.
About Larry Ferguson
Larry Ferguson, a Louisville, KY native dreamed as a child of working in the music business. His family and friends were often forced to listen as he attempted to entertain or give them the latest scoop in entertainment news.
Ferguson was represented by Alix Adams Modeling Agency throughout high school during which time he won a contest which landed the teenager his television debut as the guest co-anchor opposite Kirby Adams on WHAS-11 TV, the Louisville CBS affiliate, on it’s local based magazine show “Louisville Tonight Live”.
By mid teens Ferguson became involved in Southern Gospel and Country music promotion. Before adulthood Larry had already started his own highly successful concert promotions company “Larry Ferguson Promotions”. It was at this time Ferguson began bringing in America’s favorite Country and Gospel groups to the Louisville, KY area. In later years Larry would bring Legendary Gospel figures such as Jake Hess to packed venues and eventually work with his favorite Gospel artist Dottie Rambo.
DA Truth’s example of true repentance
The past couple of years have been chocked full of headlines about the sexual sins of church leaders. Few have openly repented. Some have resigned from positions to save face, but thankfully true repentance is not dead in the church. Repentance is what God requires when we sin. Its no secret that gospel rapper Emanuel Lambert aka DA Truth acknowledged last November that he committed adultery and consequently resigned from his music ministry. Its been about eight months since those revelations and I for one was very touched and heartened to read this latest statement released on his website.
“I’m coming to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as a brother, a friend and co-laborer in the gospel. I’d like to start by thanking you all for your love, prayers and support. For every one that has been wondering where I’ve been, I say with all sincerity that I have been at the foot of the cross, seeking the heart of God, reprioritizing, realigning myself with Him and reuniting with my wife, family and friends.
I have sought forgiveness from my wife Nicole Lambert for breaking my vows and the covenant that I made before God, abdicating my responsibility as the priest of my home and forsaking my responsibility as a husband and a father.
I owe more than an apology to my two daughters Carlise Jackson and Summer Lambert. I would never want a man to do to them what I did to their mother. In this area I have been an example of what not to be. I am saddened and deeply shamed by my actions.
To my personal ministry team, I realize that my actions have compromised the integrity of our mission and call but I am so grateful that you have forgiven me and I am looking forward to how the Lord is rebuilding us as a community and will use that to minister healing to His people and the world at large. ” [full statement]
God bless this young man and those who are directing him back to restoration. I read the entire statement and there was no obfuscating or word play to make him look good. There was no casting blame and “you who are without sin” sermonizing. Like a man of God he bowed down and confessed his own sins. The reason I call it true repentance is because true repentance is never face-saving. And true repentance is evidenced by obedience to the process of restoration.
I want to say openly to Emanuel: God is pleased with your humility, submission and your willingness to openly repent for what you have done. Like probably a lot of people who didnt know you personally, it hurts and is disappointing to hear of a brother’s sin, especially one so promising. Yet, obeying what the scriptures tell us to do when we sin is not punishment but a glorious testimony. I don’t know if you will read this but I’d like to share with you a couple of scriptures that tell us the benefits of repentance.
1. Repentance proves that you love and know Christ 1 John 2:1-5
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
2. God promises that he will respond to our repentance with overwhelming grace 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
I look forward to you getting back in your place and letting God take you to a higher plain. To every other young man who is been tempted by sexual sin, heed the words of David:
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalms 119:9
Michelle Smith is what grace is all about
From the Sunday Guardian in Trinidad and Tobago:
Reverend Michelle Smith’s story is unusual. Maybe a little shocking. She says that she used to be a lesbian. And now, she’s not. “I used to be one of those who said that the Bible was ambiguous, because I wanted to justify my lifestyle,” she argued. “But God did something to me and I can’t deny it.” God or no God, Smith’s experience certainly doesn’t fit the status quo for either side of the fence. In fact she has received serious criticism from the Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Bisexual community (GLTB), and she’s been largely ignored by T&T’s versions of the mega-church. Most GLTB believe that if you’re gay, you’re born gay, and no amount of licks, shock treatment or holy water can change that.
Smith certainly never tried to change during the 26 years she spent as a lesbian. She dressed like a man, worked her way up to being a top dog in Jamaica’s drug industry and by all accounts was the life of the gay party. “I loved being a lesbian. I thought I was going to die a lesbian,” Smith said honestly. “I never had a problem getting women. I had penis envy; if anybody called me a woman, I would be so upset.” A photo of her former incarnation shows her with a butch haircut, grim expression and male clothing. A very different person to the gorgeous-haired, grey-suited, make-up wearing woman sh
e is now. Most women learn to cultivate outward femininity during puberty; Smith is now learning to do it at age 41. But it wasn’t her desire to change her gayness that drove her to Christ, she added. It was the fact that no matter how many women she wooed and won, no matter how much money she made, it was never enough to fulfil her.
“I came to Christ at a point in my life where I felt so much emptiness. You keep hoping for a relationship where someone will love you unconditionally, and you’re not getting it.” And while searching for something to fill that void, she pursued Christianity, with no intention of giving up her lifestyle. Once she began a relationship with Jesus, Smith said, her lesbianism became an issue: not for people in the church, but an issue between her and her God. “He was telling me, ‘All or nothing,’” Smith said of her conversion. “I didn’t have anything to lose.” It’s been six years since the Jamaican left the life of a lesbian behind. It’s ironic that becoming a Christian and leaving the gay life has brought her more isolation, a harder life materially.
Click here to read the entire article or click picture for larger view.
Order Michelle Smith’s book “From lesbianism to grace” here. To read more about how grace works for the believer go here.
