Let me tell you all a little story. (Names have been change because I can’t remember everyone’s names)
My family and I moved to Dallas in 1985. If you remember the 1980’s was right at the beginning of the whole AIDS epidemic and Dallas had (and still does) quite a large gay community.
There was a man in our church in his late 20’s/early 30’s who was a really great guy. We will call him Bob. When we moved to Dallas Bob was one of the guys that came over and helped us get moved in. My older sister was already in Dallas, and her roommate (Sherry) and Bob were dating. Both were a little older than your average single person but really great people and everyone was very happy for them.
Eventually Bob asked Sherry to marry him. She agreed and the wedding day was fast approaching when Bob got sick. Let’s not forget that this was in the early days of AIDS when people were dying left and right and everyone was afraid that you could get it from shaking someone’s hand.
Bob had contracted AIDS. Before he came to the Lord, Bob was gay. Once he came to the Lord, he changed everything about himself that was unbecoming of a Christian. It was some years later that he and sherry began to date. What none of us knew was this insidious disease was lurking beneath the surface. Thank God it came to light before Sherry and Bob got married.
Let me say this clearly. Bob was a member of my church family. He was a great Christian man who lived a Godly life once he came to Christ. However, the lifestyle that he lived before becoming a Christian killed him. Such is the nature of sin. Once we found out that Bob had AIDS the church rallied around him. Like everyone else in America, we didn’t know how one could contract AIDS but we rallied around Bob. We prayed with him. We visited him in the hospital. When he came to church we were there for him and did not avoid him.
Sherry was so wonderful during that time. While they didn’t marry, she stayed with him and took care of him. Our church, a UPCI church did not abandon this guy and when he died we were there at the funeral crying. He was one of us, and is to this very day. I will see him in heaven one day.
The thing of importance here is that Bob forsook the sinful homosexual lifestyle. He became a new creature and lived as such until the day he died.
Some here have expressed reservations related to Chosenbyone’s story. The reason for those reservations is related to a lack of the above “things of importance”. I am with those looking
Others have expressed dismay in those who have reservations. I don’t get this at all. This is not a hospice people. This is a community of Apostolics. We do not condone the homosexual lifestyle as something that is accepted by God. No one is being uncaring or showing a lack of compassion by asking for clarity concerning the things that are important to all of us. Like it or not, Chosenbyone has left a lot of holes in the story. Those holes matter. That doesn’t mean anyone is uncaring, unkind, or somehow being ugly to someone who is obviously hurting.
I for one, hope we get some answers and some clarity.
I most certainly am NOT condoning homosexuality in ANY form of the word. Nor do I think God accepts it. So what if ChosenOne gives you the answers you seek...what then? That is my question. Are you gonna 'cut him off' so-to-speak and refuse him prayer and concern?
To me, in this venue, being what it is- it should make no difference in HOW we treat ChosenOne. It is a public forum. Anyone can post here. Right? I'm not gonna send him money, nor offer to fly thousands of miles to minister to him- it's not costing me anything to listen, and to PRAY.
I guess I'm not seeing the BIG picture maybe. It's different if you have invested monetarily, or emotionally in someone...but such is not the case here- at least not from where I am standing. Investing spiritually is something all saints are called to do- no matter the outcome.
Just my thoughts...I've been wrong before. *smile*
I most certainly am NOT condoning homosexuality in ANY form of the word. Nor do I think God accepts it. So what if ChosenOne gives you the answers you seek...what then? That is my question. Are you gonna 'cut him off' so-to-speak and refuse him prayer and concern?
To me, in this venue, being what it is- it should make no difference in HOW we treat ChosenOne. It is a public forum. Anyone can post here. Right? I'm not gonna send him money, nor offer to fly thousands of miles to minister to him- it's not costing me anything to listen, and to PRAY.
I guess I'm not seeing the BIG picture maybe. It's different if you have invested monetarily, or emotionally in someone...but such is not the case here- at least not from where I am standing. Investing spiritually is something all saints are called to do- no matter the outcome.
Just my thoughts...I've been wrong before. *smile*
I most certainly am NOT condoning homosexuality in ANY form of the word. Nor do I think God accepts it. So what if ChosenOne gives you the answers you seek...what then? That is my question. Are you gonna 'cut him off' so-to-speak and refuse him prayer and concern?
To me, in this venue, being what it is- it should make no difference in HOW we treat ChosenOne. It is a public forum. Anyone can post here. Right? I'm not gonna send him money, nor offer to fly thousands of miles to minister to him- it's not costing me anything to listen, and to PRAY.
I guess I'm not seeing the BIG picture maybe. It's different if you have invested monetarily, or emotionally in someone...but such is not the case here- at least not from where I am standing. Investing spiritually is something all saints are called to do- no matter the outcome.
Just my thoughts...I've been wrong before. *smile*
well there you go.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
His word burns in my heart like a fire...Fire Fall Down
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,853
CBO, your silence on the matter a day after you posted this really does not help your cause and only helps raise doubt...after posting such revealing personal information, my thought would be that you would be glued to this thread reading and responding to the comments here and clarifying any doubts which are legitimate. I will admit, however, their delivery was not the best one used....they could have changed their approach while still getting to the heart of the matter.
Now I have some questions I'd wish you would clarify for me. In your statement below, one could interpret what you say to mean that God makes people gay...is that what you are implying?
Quote:
Originally Posted by chosenbyone
I'm no saint by any stretch of the imagination, I'm just a product of my maker's hands.
Now, to those that are doubting CBO, it seems that he is condemning homosexuality by saying that these gay ministers are an obstacle to those they are helping because their (their meaning the gay ministers) lifestyle is testifying to the dying person that they believe homosexuality is okay. So it seems that CBO is making a call out for godly ministers to take up the role of these well-intentioned gay ministers who are obstacles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chosenbyone
Through my ministry, I've worked side by side with many people including gay ministers. Many who meant well by devoting their time to AIDS suffers, but became an obstacle to their salvation. Without the power of the Holy Ghost and the authority of Jesus' name the devils won't leave those on their death beds. He almost has them for eternity.
More proof that CBO believes that there is a hell for sinners:
Quote:
Originally Posted by chosenbyone
I've witnessed souls that at the very last moment screamed Jesus, Jesus! The screams of one bound for hell. There are people on this forum who have been deceived if they think there is no hell. Sit beside a bed of a man who saw the demons coming for him, who earlier denied there ever was a Christ and yet spent his last bit of energy screaming in terror for mercy.
More proof that CBO believes first and foremost in truth...
Quote:
Originally Posted by chosenbyone
God wants us to live in liberty and grace, but don't comprise the truth to the point that deception.
His word burns in my heart like a fire...Fire Fall Down
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,853
BE AWARE EVERYONE: Although CBOs silence does not help his cause, let it be known that the last time he logged onto this forum was at 9:42pm yesterday and that the first objection by Newman was around 11:24pm....so CBO gets the benefit of the doubt that he has not read these comments...
SO DONT JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS JUST YET ON CBO, although the silence raises doubt there is proof he did not see this thread yet...
In all fairness to CBO he may be away from the computer today. I have been away from the forum for several weeks now.
After reading the initial post in this thread I have a lot of sympathy, compassion but like others several questions.
Unless one has the most unsympathetic family in the world it is reasonable to assume that a man with AIDS who has "lost his family" did so because AIDS was contracted through sexual sin and breaking the marital vows.
I can't imagine a wife abandoning a husband who contracted AIDS through a blood tranfusion, needle,etc.
Regardless of the details I am touched by the post and I am glad that the poster recognizes the importance of God in his life.
I believe the concern of many is that in recognizing God he is not deluded to believe that a homosexual lifestyle is not a sin and is acceptable to God.
Ultimately one is no better off acknowledging God if he continues to walk in sin willfully than the atheist who curses God til death.
Hopefully the author will clarify some things in a followup post. I am hoping the full story is that he has repented of his sexual immorality and sin and has made things right with God.
I feel great pain in my heart for a man who has lost everything he once held dear. Thankfully God is always there for us and the Holy Ghost can be the comforter it was promised to be.
chosenbyone, thank you for your courage to post a great testimony. I do not know you, but I feel compelled to keep you in my prayers. It takes alot of courage to tell people what you are going through, and yet it is wonderful to know that you are being faithful. Thank you for your testimony Bro.
I most certainly am NOT condoning homosexuality in ANY form of the word. Nor do I think God accepts it. So what if ChosenOne gives you the answers you seek...what then? That is my question. Are you gonna 'cut him off' so-to-speak and refuse him prayer and concern?
To me, in this venue, being what it is- it should make no difference in HOW we treat ChosenOne. It is a public forum. Anyone can post here. Right? I'm not gonna send him money, nor offer to fly thousands of miles to minister to him- it's not costing me anything to listen, and to PRAY.
I guess I'm not seeing the BIG picture maybe. It's different if you have invested monetarily, or emotionally in someone...but such is not the case here- at least not from where I am standing. Investing spiritually is something all saints are called to do- no matter the outcome.
Just my thoughts...I've been wrong before. *smile*
Actually, that is the importance of the unwillingness to accept everything at face value. I know for a fact that there are posters that extend themselves beyond a prayer. After all faith without works is dead.
So I think it fair for posters to know the score before they invest into the life of someone who may or may not be what is posted.
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