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  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "Human Identity and the Family of God"
    Hello Michelle, I agree with the reply from Darris McNeely. You don't mention the specifics of your family situation. Homosexuality and transgender issues may have some gender identity overlap, but are generally different issues. Most people who are homosexual know they are male or female and are comfortable with their biological gender. People with transgender issues tend to feel distressed about their biological gender. There are families in the Church of God who are affected by both issues. I am a member of the Church of God; and I have struggled with homosexuality for most of my life. Although I still experience same-sex attraction, I live as a celibate Christian man similar to other single men in the church. Over the years, experiencing some kindness and encouragement from brethren has been helpful to me to maintain a repentant Christian life. You may know that there are various books on both homosexuality and transgender issues written by people who have struggled with these issues, but are committed to living Christian lives. Perhaps you would find some of these books helpful. Michael
  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "An Unrecognizable America?"

    I appreciate the messages of both of Scott Ashley’s articles (“America At A Crossroads…” and “An Unrecognizable America”) in the Nov/Dec 2020 issue.

    These social issues are painful and difficult to talk about. The way I understand Mr. Ashley’s articles, they are not an expression of contempt or hostility toward people. Nor it is advocating support for political involvement in man’s society, but simply a warning message about the danger posed by the confused and unsound thinking that is becoming entrenched in our modern culture, as man’s societies drift farther and farther from God.

    While both major political parties are flawed, it has become evident that “one party” in particular seems to be embracing organizations with ideas and goals that are accelerating America’s decline. By pointing this out – it is not a call to embrace the Republican Party. It is simply a message to be aware, alert and to respond to God’s call to live a Christian life despite the confused culture whirling around us.

    The last paragraph of Mr. Ashley’s second article seems to sum up its intent: What should we do? “Pray. Draw close to God. Prepare yourself spiritually for what lies ahead.”

  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "The Key of the Kingdom of God"
    Thank you Mr. Kubik and Mr. Szymkowiak for your sermons and articles. Yes, we need to remain faithful and persevere that no man "take" our crown. As we know, God has called all of us for a purpose bigger than just our own salvation - with the crown being both a future reward and also a symbol of our responsibility now not to give up and quit when things are tough or even confusing. Yes, we need to preach with courage and tell people what sin is. We need to do that with wisdom - going beyond just condemning - and really caring about the people we are preaching to. Mr. Szymkowiak: Thanks for your helpful articles on Breaking Free about how building and maintaining a relationship with God facilitates a person's ability to cope with pain and conflict. I know from years of struggling with homosexuality that both a relationship with God and Christian friendships in Church are critical to achieving long term repentance to a Christian life. God has intentionally called people from all walks of life in every human circumstance to grow on a journey of Christian conversion to eternal life in God's family Kingdom. A wonderful calling that all of us must remember.
  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "The War on Marriage and Family"

    Thank you for writing this article.

    As a Christian man who has been struggling to cope with homosexuality for many years, I understand the human reaction of the gay activists. They perceive Christianity as only condemning and wanting to hurt them. Although the Church of God has a responsibility to preach and live according to biblical standards - just condemning won't change things. It's easy to tell people that they are sinning. What is difficult is knowing how to help others change their circumstances.

    As you may know, this issue isn't just about immorality. It is a manifestation of an entire broken society and broken relationships. The issue of homosexuality won't be going away because pain is driving it. Treating people with cruelty (as Christianity has traditionally done) will only deepen the anger and mistrust that many gays have toward religion.

    As you mentioned in your article, it is only with the return of Jesus Christ - and His compassion and mercy, as well as tough-love correction - that will lead to the healing of mankind, as man is finally led away from sinful, destructive life-styles and into God's way of living.

    Thanks, again.

    Michael

  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "Hope for Homosexuals"

    Thank you, UCG author, for making this statement to Jacob: "Having SSA is not a sin as long as the person does not act on it and engage in sexual interaction with anyone. " I'm 65 now and have been in the Church of God since the 70s. As a young man (from my late teens into my 20s and beyond) I spent years grappling with shame, fear and anger feeling condemned for just feeling SSA - but not knowing how or being able to change it. Had I understood that God wasn't condemning me for my SSA per se, I would have saved myself years of anguish and pain that literally took years to recover from. I had some encouragement from brethren, but it was only after an answered prayer where God showed me that He really loved me (by letting me discern what His nature is like) that I finally began to cope better with my circumstances. God does love people who struggle with homosexuality. Knowing this truly does make a critical difference in helping cope with difficult circumstances of any kind.

    An article on Breaking Free site that I would recommend:
    http://breakingfree.ucg.org/content/no-matter-what-serious-problems-you-have-deeply-personal-relationship-god-

    Regards,
    Michael

  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "Hope for Homosexuals"

    Hi Jacob,
    I agree with the comments of the UCG author and Skip Miller. Temptation or attraction per se, is not sin. It is wrong behavior (any kind immoral behavior) that is sin. I've experienced SSA most of my life. I'm now 65 and still have SSA, but I live as a celibate single Christian man in my UCG congregation.

    Regarding the article: I agree with some of what is said. As stated in the article, I believe that homosexuality is driven by valid human needs that have been sexualized from childhood (for many if not most people). Because of these developmental factors, resisting SSA can be very difficult and painful. However, as you may know "reparative therapy" is controversial. Some people say they've been helped by it. Others say they have been hurt. In my view, the article should be understood as the viewpoint of the person being interviewed. Although I happen to agree with some of what is said, any decision regarding reparative therapy must be made solely by an adult individual without coercion.

    Please consider reading the following article:
    https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/the-human-side-of-homosexuality-from-one-who-has-struggled

    Regards,
    Michael

  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "Seduced By Conventional Wisdom?"
    Hi Robert, thanks for your comments explaining the complexity of homosexual emotional orientation. I agree with you that homosexuality is much more complicated than just having sex for the experience of sex. The psychological/emotional aspects are not comparable to an addiction to drugs. While behavior is a choice, for most gays same sex attraction is something we've felt from childhood, as the erotic same sex attraction simply emerges during puberty. For most, it is not something that we consciously deliberated about or "learned" as some people seem to think. It does feel natural and is generated by a deep emotional need for love and affirmation from others of the same-sex (ideally, a father or mother) which has become sexualized. The struggle to resist acting on homosexual yearnings can be very painful (especially for young men), as there is an eroticized emotional urgency to fill those valid unmet needs. People don't have a need for drugs, but we do have a need for love, touch and connection. People making an effort to leave or stay out of the gay life deserve support and encouragement from fellow Christians. See my earlier comment above under michael9776.
  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "Homosexuality and Same Sex Attraction (SSA)"

    Hello Mr. Hooser,

    Thanks again for writing this article back in 2010. I've read it before and then again tonight. It is honest, well written and still timely. As a Christian man who has had a longtime struggle with SSA, I appreciate the encouragement and respect - and understanding - about this difficult struggle. I'm older now, so things aren't as difficult for me now. But, for young men the struggle with SSA can be intense and very painful (because it is a "love" issue that is sexualized). Christian men and women in the Church of God who struggle with SSA truly do need encouragement and support to keep their faith and continue living their lives according to God's standards.

  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "How Do Kids Deal With Homosexuality in Our World?"
    Thank you for your sermonette on the issue of homosexuality. I have been in the Church of God (WCG and UCG) for over 40 years. I have struggled with homosexuality since childhood. Homosexuality is a very difficult and painful human issue. It won't be going away in this society because pain (rooted in broken relationships) is driving it. As you know, there is a need for compassion and kindness toward the people who struggle with this issue, while still upholding and teaching biblical standards of sexuality within heterosexual marriage. Thanks for telling the kids to not tell jokes, not to make fun, and to be respectful, while still holding to God's standards.
  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "Seduced By Conventional Wisdom?"
    As a Christian man who has been struggling to cope with homosexuality for many years, I understand the human reaction of the gay activists. They perceive Christianity as only condemning and wanting to hurt them. And honestly, it is easy to just preach about homosexuality being a sin. Churches have done that for centuries. Although the Church of God has a responsibility to preach and live according to biblical standards - just condemning won't change things. It's easy to tell people that they are sinning. What is difficult is knowing how to help others change their circumstances. This issue isn't just about immorality. It is a manifestation of an entire broken society and broken relationships. The issue of homosexuality won't be going away because pain is driving it. Treating people with cruelty (as Christianity has traditionally done) will only deepen the anger and mistrust that many gays have toward religion. Only with the return of Jesus Christ - and His compassion and mercy, as well as tough-love correction - will mankind finally be led out of our collective sins.
  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "Don't Send Sin Underground"

    Thanks for your article. Yes, there is a need for a kind and gentle church culture where brethren can cautiously share their trials with other brethren. And, I see the church growing in that direction. But, for some trials and sins - especially involving sexual situations - one must be very careful about sharing. But - the need to share is there - if one has true and trusted friends amongst brethren who truly care and respect each other.

    God called me into His Church over 40 years ago - despite my longtime struggle with homosexuality. It has been a very difficult Christian journey to live a life out of the gay lifestyle. I remember my early church years - the pain and isolation was excruciating.
    Fortunately, I have had a few brethren over the years that I could share with. But, one must use wisdom and be cautious about sharing. Back in April 2004 and again in September 2016, I wrote articles published in The Journal about the human side of this issue. A few brethren contacted me. They wanted to share their own stories or stories of their children. It is an issue that won't be going away in society - or in the Church of God. Cautious sharing and caring is needed.

  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "The Orlando Tragedy, Part 1: Who and What is Responsible?"
    Hello Mr. McNeely, As someone who has struggled for many years with homosexuality, I was relieved to listen your BT Daily discussion about the terrorist attack in Orlando. Thank you for caring and showing respect for the victims of the attack and pointing out the true source of the evil mindset that inspired it: Hatred from Satan the Devil toward God and all mankind. It is so good to know that our Creator has a wonderful plan for mankind - even though most don't yet understand - but will in God's own time. Although man will endure much suffering from now until Jesus Christ comes back to save us alive - it is so good to know that Satan won't prevail much longer. Michael
  • michael9776
    michael9776 in "What Should Christians Think About Gender Identity Issues?"
    Hello, I am a UCG member who has struggled with homosexuality since my childhood years. I didn't "choose" to have same-sex attraction. The feelings have been with me since before puberty. It was very difficult and painful coming into and staying in the Church, as I struggled, as a young man, to follow God's way of life and the Church's teachings. As an older man, things are not as painful as they were in past years. The UCG has also become kindler and gentler in how it tries to help people who struggle with homosexuality, to live repentant lives. The trans-gender issue is not the same as homosexuality, per se. Most homosexuals are not confused about their biological gender, and grasp that issue any better than most heterosexuals. However, I don't doubt that people who experience trans-gender confusion face quite difficult challenges should they be called into the Church of God. I happen to know a heterosexual man who wants to be male but is a cross-dresser. He doesn't understand why and he struggles with his issue - yet God called him into His Church. I care about this man and I try to encourage him to not give up his Christian calling. Michael