Transformations
Volume
2
Let Us Sit At Their Well
By Al Stewart
By Rev. Danny Blackwell
In this issue you will be reading about some of the ways we can make a difference in the life of someone who struggles with homosexual tendencies. We are not alone, in Jer. 30:17 we read “ But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'because you are called an outcast…”
It is my prayer that you will find HOPE in JESUS afresh, through what you read. Also, if you have any questions or concerns we would love to hear from you. Further, we would love to hear your testimonies and prayer requests, fell free to contact us.
God Bless.
The Challenge to Impact the Unreached
To impact the unreached, one must see people as unreached!
“…You must see a person for whom the Lord Jesus Christ died and whom he can redeem. Don’t let their gender issues distract you.” Peter Lane, Exodus International, Australia..
There are a number of factors to consider when sharing Jesus with those in an alternate lifestyle.
First, we must keep our goal in mind. Our primary mission is to share Jesus and allow the Lord to do the changing.
Second, we must avoid bringing up homosexuality. Allow them to mention it first but be prepared through prayer, reading and research.
If they do ask you questions avoid arguments as this will do damage. Be transparent and honest if you cannot answer their question admit it.
Third, know your limits. Set boundaries in terms of time and space.
Follow up is essential. When the person from an alternate life style receives Christ, it is very important that we do all we can to help them grow in the Lord. That means spending time with them, going to church, helping them to overcome problems and helping them to find a new place to live, if needed.
Finally, be prepared for setbacks and opposition. It is easy to become discouraged when someone you have ministered to falls back into sin, due to temptation and enemy attack.
However, we must remember that for the person we have reached out to they may have never known any other lifestyle, but the gay lifestyle.
Thus, we must never forget that God is still working in the person’s life and we must pray for them regardless of the circumstances for the Lord is able.
End of October: Mood On Church Street
By Mrs. Alice Blackwell
Yes, a Saturday evening excursion down to Church Street here in Toronto proved to be very interesting indeed.
Being late October, the mood was party time for sure among all the participants and the street was closed to through traffic with the band striking up from a makeshift platform mid street. The crowds had gathered and the party was in full swing.
Let’s zoom in to this area in our mind’s eye and take a closer look at the partygoers as we try to edge closer to the hub of the entertainment. We find ourselves immediately caught trying to move upstream in the congestion.
Costumes of all types, elaborately put together, draw attention from all directions on these mostly young adults. I saw beautiful dresses, pink chiffon, wedding dresses and wigs not on beautiful models but on men, men dressed elegantly in women’s clothes. However some of these men looked like football players in dresses.
The absence of children is very noticeable and the people in general are happy and celebrating in a very aggressive style. This community is known for its alternate lifestyles and these are being flaunted in very militant fashion.
Suddenly, through the crisp cold air, from the stage, blasphemy breaks forth. We slip away from the revelling crowd. For us looking in from the outside, we ask ourselves some very pointed questions.
Why the celebration and what is the focus of it beyond being the time of the year that it is? We used to think that the celebration of Halloween was just for children but this is shedding very different light on the occasion. It is a time for blatant behaviour where anything goes in dress and all restraint is laid aside.
Having just left a prayer meeting at the church where I had been calling on the Lord to reveal Himself, my thoughts were meandering on the presence of the Lord, when I found myself face to face with this celebration.
My reaction was to immediately feel heart broken for these partying people because I know that the deepest needs in life cannot be met by throwing off all restraint in a party. In order to be reduced to this level of partying, the hurts from the past had to have been deep to cause such bizarre reactions and waves of almost unexplainable, unpredictable behaviour.
The need to be accepted motivated the partying like fuel to an already burning fire. The severe pain had driven these people down to the depths where they were hoping to find that balm for the soul to stop the ache and to fill the emptiness. The party was called masquer aid – so well named
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