Why I Wrote RESTORED HEARTS

My burden in writing Book 2 RESTORED HEARTS in the Born for India trilogy:

1. To present a mix of conviction and compassion, truth and grace. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reveals both of these aspects when it addresses the issues of homosexuality along with a list of other sins the Corinthian believers had been delivered from.

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Yes, homosexuality is a sin, but it is a sin no worse than any other sin.

2. To show that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Jesus invites us ALL to come and find cleansing through His shed blood.

3. To show that we can be delivered from all manner of sin through the name of Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor.6:11).

4. To provoke believers to show compassion to the person who may be sitting right next to them in the church pew and struggling with same-sex attraction, but will not speak up for fear of being pounced upon.

As a Christ-follower, I desire to reach out to people with healing words. Prayerfully those words will always be a mix of biblical truth and grace, welcoming the sinner home into the arms of Jesus.

God's Grace, and the Homosexual Next Door

Since publishing RESTORED HEARTS, Book Two in the Born for India trilogy, which profiles a Christian man’s struggle with homosexuality, I have been on the lookout for additional resources that address the restoration and freedom one can experience in loving relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s Grace and the Homosexual Next Door is just such a resource.

Alan Chambers and the leadership team at Exodus International combine their stories and expertise in this compelling, compassionate book addressing the issue of outreach to the homosexual. Exodus is a Christian organization that serves as an arm of the local church to minister to men, women, and youth who struggle with unwanted homosexuality.

God’s Grace and the Homosexual Next Door opens with a twenty-question quiz to test the reader’s knowledge about homosexuality. Answers are then given throughout the book chapters with the same quiz posted at the back of the book with answers and brief explanations. A helpful Resource List is also included at the end of the book.

As I read through the testimonies, studies, and sound, well-researched material, I noted several key themes:

1) Healing of homosexuality, and any sin for that matter, takes place in the context of community, i.e. a loving body of believers.

2) There is no hierarchy of sin. ALL sin is abominable to God. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Therefore, homosexuality is no worse than any other sin.

3) Homosexuality is a relational dysfunction. It results from a person trying to meet a God-given need for love and acceptance in an ungodly way.

4) The opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality—it’s holiness.

5) The best evangelism to the homosexual is done through friendship.

Eye-opening chapters include topics such as demystifying homosexuality, developing a Christlike attitude toward homosexuals, the change process, understanding the three degrees of homosexuality, the church’s attitude toward homosexuals, five things not to do when reaching out to the homosexual, and ministry to homosexual young people and to the lesbian. The book closes with 25 questions and answers about gay ministry and five stories from those whose lives have been transformed by Jesus Christ.

The book challenged my thinking, broke my heart, and moved me to become more sensitive to those who battle unwanted homosexuality. Among the many valuable quotes was Mike Haley’s comment: “I have never met a woman or man who left homosexuality who didn’t do it without taking the outstretched hand of someone else. Because we’re broken relationally, we’re restored relationally” (p.199). What a powerful reminder to reach out in faith rather than retreat in fear when considering befriending a homosexual neighbor, coworker, or family member.

I highly recommend God’s Grace and the Homosexual Next Door if you have a heart that longs to minister to this hurting population of people.

The Love Won Out conference

What a moving and meaningful day at the Love Won Out Conference! Thank you for your prayers. The speakers were humble, gracious servants of our Lord. God answered many of my personal prayers.

Here are some highlights of my weekend:

• Joe Dallas asking me to autograph a copy of Restored Hearts for him.

• Getting copies of Restored Hearts into several other key leaders’ hands:

Melissa Fryrear—director of gender issues for Focus on the Family/Public Policy division

Alan Chambers—President of Exodus International to which a portion of book sales will go. This is currently the largest Christian organization that reaches out to those who struggle and their families.

Dr. Bill Maier—Vice President at Focus on the Family and psychologist-in-residence

Mike Goeke—pastoral counselor to those struggling with same-sex issues

Nancy Heche—mom, speaker, and author whose husband died of Aids and whose actress daughter had a three-year relationship with Ellen DeGeneres

• Placing Restored Hearts into the hands of a visibly hurting family whose son was very much trying to look like a girl. They traveled all the way from Minnesota to attend the conference.

• Meeting and sharing with a middle-aged couple who just found out their son has a homosexual lover

• Meeting another mom who wants to take action in her community against the gay agenda

• Thanking the Focus on the Family team for the opportunity and privilege of serving alongside them as part of their counseling network

• A loving message sent to those who picketed Saturday. Several leaders went out on the sidewalk to talk with the gay activists. Police guards were posted at the church doors. Thanking the Lord for our safety.

Continue to pray for the impact of the conference and for God to use Restored Hearts however and whenever He chooses.