FANTASY ISLAND

- Maybe you think that by locking us all up on an island your problems will disappear? I'm sorry to tell you but that's a fantasy that won't work, because we will not all go away. Some of us are sitting next to you in your pews. Yes, in your churches. Years ago I heard a statistic that 1 of every 10 people was gay. Can you imagine what those statistics are today? That means that when you look down your 40 person church pews 4 homosexuals are statistically sitting among you. That's right, we're sitting next to the gossip, the alcoholic, that adulterer, that liar, the thief, we are sitting next to YOU. I remember when I had first become a Christian and I was hanging out with some friends at a get together, they were disccussing an Oprah show that had featured lesbians and their lifestyle choices. People were making comments on how disgusting THOSE people were. The problem was I was one of THOSE people. You see, you just haven't noticed us because we are scared to death to call out for your help. We raised our hands, we walked down the isles, we said the prayer, and we experienced forgivness, BUT we haven't been able to break free of Church bigotries and homosexual phobias. We hide in the Church closets afraid of being found out, all the while hoping that someone will dare to share their story about how they broke free of our unwanted desires. Please don't be fooled in saying not in my church. Where do you think we go to find redemption? The same place you sinners went. The bible does not say "the wages of homosexuality are death." It says, "the wages of sin are death." Last time I looked that was all sin. I venture to bet that you can find more than 15 verses that name various sins, or you can just read 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and find a whole slew of them: the unrighteous, fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, sodomities, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, and yes, even the homosexuals. No, none of them will inherit the kingdom of God, at least not without repentance. But when a homosexual repents they are not met with the same laudeous applause the drunkard receives. The Church has all the patience in the world for the alcoholic, you know, "Just take it one day at a time." But the Church wants an instant miracle when the homosexual repents. I want the Church to WAKE UP, I want the Christian struggling with their homosexual desires to WAKE UP. There is no over-night cure for homosexuality, NO, not even the blood of Christ. Please don't misunderstand me, redemption is instanantaneous by the blood, but I'm here to tell you change does not come so quickly. We did not become homosexual over-night and we will not become heterosexual by morning. Very often in the eyes of Christians we are not really seen as changed, cured, or healed of homosexuality unless we become married, heterosexual, child breeding individuals. Unfortunatley it's usually only then that we will find acceptance. It's the only way they can be sure we won't fall off the gay wagon. Often times it's the only way we can be trusted in their ministries. Church, why do you think we remain so silent? Not because we don't exist, but because we exist in the fear of being found out, of being judged, of being seperated from you. We are one of you, we are forgiven, and we will find change, but it's a difficult road to walk alone. Can you please help us out? For those stuggling with their homosexual desires know that the Church is not God and for every negative encounter you face, His heart is broken, but God is faithful to His children and in His timing will come those Chritians who will take up the fight along with you. I am so grateful for those who, in spite of their fears, threw aside their phobias and reached out to me. I'm forever in debted to them for became the loving and healing hands of God in my life. They weren't afraid to touch me, to love me, to hug and hold me. They cried with me some even wept with me. And they prayed, prayed and prayed, both with me and for me. They became my friends, my brothers and sisters and my parents in the family of Christ. So, thank you J.C. (Jesus Christ) ,G.K., C.R., A.R., F.D., J.S., S.S. and K.B. for hanging with me all these years on this bumpy road. As I fought for my healing in Christ, You truly were the support beams that held me up and secured the foundation of Christ under my feet. - - - - - end