Posted on 07/23/2009 2:48:08 PM PDT by nmh
Randy Thomas
July 23, 2009
Today, my fourth day of “staycation” I celebrate 17 years of freedom from my gay identity and worldview. I haven’t blogged about it every year of my blogging life but on the 14th anniversary I said this anniversary date was July 23rd but last year I got it in my head that it was the 24th.
Turning forty (and now I am forty “one-derful” according to a new friend) … ah well. I am sure the true anniversary date is July 23rd. Regardless, it is a great day to meditate and reflect.
To be clear, this is not my Christian “re-birthday.” I became a Christian two months before deciding to question and seek freedom from homosexuality defining who I am and how I behave.
Last week I did a number of interviews during the conference and I can’t remember which one it was where I shared about this anniversary date. But the reporter said, “so… are you going to like … you know … throw a party or something?”
::: laugh ::: I wish. Could you imagine? … oh the fun we could have with that scenario. ::: moving along :::
I told the reporter that no, there would not be a party or any big event planned. I usually just take time to meditate on the milestones that God has made in my relational life.
Homosexuality is hardly something that can be reduced to sexual behavior. It, mixed with gay ideology and a multitude of complex factors, could possibly define a person’s whole relational worldview, goals and perceived possibilities. It can quite possibly even define our relationship with God (example: God must be like _______ because my same sex attractions only afford these possibilities.)
It was all that, and more, for me … until 17 years ago.
On this day I remember the milestones of my post-gay relational journey. I remember the dark nights of the soul, joyous epiphanies as well as the mundane consistency of everyday life that is also life giving. I reflect on the friends who have come and gone, the ones who remain over the long haul and the ones yet to be.
I remember the various friends who have taken a post-gay journey as well. The marriages created/restored, the content celibate, the families formed or healed … and on and on. I’ll remember the two women I have fallen in love with (especially the last) during this journey. I will remember the mysteries revealed and other mysteries to be further explored. I cannot deny that I have seen and experienced God’s glory uniquely manifested in gender complementarity. Those lessons have and will continue to prepare me for eventual earthly marriage as well as symbols of how Christ (the Bridegroom) relates to His Bride (the Church.) I will be praying for my future wife even though I am content with the knowledge that I may or may not marry.
And throughout the day I will remember what it was like to fall in love with God and find my place in Him. Because of Christ alone, I am secure and steadfast. I remember what it was/is like to take my place as a man among men and a brother to my sisters in Christ.
There will also be meditations and an inventory of where I am at and what is on my heart. I will present that to the Lord, seek His wisdom and pray for His will to be done.
So while being gay (for me) was so much more than sexual behavior, I think I can safely say that all of our relational lives can be summed up in the eternal yearning in each of our hearts to “know and be known.” For me, I have found the only life giving answers are to turn away from self-sufficiency and humanistic systems of thought and run toward a sacrificial Savior whom I also know to be merciful and call Lord.
So no, no fancy parties but plenty to think about and joy to share.
If the guy is truly and adult, wants to make adult decisions in his life for right or wrong, he can't have it both ways. His parents have the right to spend their money as they see fit and to set conditions on the use of that money. He doesn't like it? He can work and make his own money.
Why is everyone assumng that the gay guy is not telling the truth? When does one technically beome an adult? Why was the mom hacking into her 23 year old sons e-mail?
And how come the son has not said himself that he was not coerced?
He's 23 years old, and he can make up his own mind.
Go straight and keep the ride, or go gay and sashay.
They didn’t want to cause any harm to the family. /s
That’s why they put their contact information (including business) on the web!
Plus, emails from the Faulkners
******
I know the Faulkners and they haven’t forced Bryce into anything. They are being nicer people about this than I would, that’s for sure!
I have a gay brother. Spent time with his friends and heard their stories. The gay guy is probably padding the story. Homosexuality is a mental illness. Do you believe people that don't know who they are?
I don’t believe that homosexuality is a mental illness.
Because I know the Faulkners and nothing these people are saying about them is true, NONE OF IT (including hacking into their son's email account)! The gay guy is lying along with all his gay friends he has recruited to trash the Faulkners by posting their personal contacts on the Internet!
They even called the Sheriff's department (who thought they were KOOKS) on the Faulkners. This is what the gay Gestapo does!
I still would like to know why the only comment from the son has been a written statement delivered by someone else. If he was not coerced in any way, why won’t he come out and say so?
Then you have been fooled. It is a deviant lifestyle.
I agree with that, totally.
When they are kids (I have 7).
A 23-year old is a grown man. Treating grown men and women like children (or "kids") is the source of great mischief.
Oh no, here we go with the noob moniker. Let me guess, in your world people have no knowledge of subjects that you proclaim deep knowledge of due to their join date on an internet message board, right? Where in my post did I say anything like being a homosexual does not cause physical harm and mental distress? Nor where did I argue about their guilt forcing them to pursue others into acceptance of their lifestyle?
I’d like to know why you think this young man’s life is anybody’s business.
I have yet to see any thing to prove that it is a mental illness. I’m not saying it is considered the norm, I’m just saying that it is not an illness.
She said Brett Harris, who created the “Help Save Bryce” Web site, had posted her phone number and home address, resulting in dozens of harassing calls and threatening letters to her home
Ah, those tolerant homofacists...........
Good luck if he’s able to change, but I’m not convinced it’s possible.
Why?
Can people only make one decision in their lives? Only one choice?
I am commenting on a website, about a news story. If this is what you think, then why are you posting here?
I've also known my share, and believe me, it is. And it's true, they *don't* know who they are.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.