Home and Sick

I have been home sick for a couple of days so I have watched more tv than usual. I need to rant just a bit.


1. The campaign for president is not that negative or mean or either side. The media and the Democrats whining about it a distraction and a way to try to use public shame to cover up concerns by either party. Stop the whining and just make your point.

2. The campaign is petty. I don't care that the RNC spent 150,000 on wardrobe, make over, etc for the Pallen family for the campaign trip. Its not difference than 2 million dollars of advertising by Obama.... Again another distraction. Argue the points not the wardrobe.

3. There is a profound difference between the Obama and McCain tickets. The difference is not so much economic but philosophical and social. The congress has to come along and make all the economics work out. But the power of the presidency will have more to do with how Americans view the world and how our social relationships are governed. Everyone wants to reduce the impact to the individual. The greatest impact will be broad and societal more than individual. Obama will move us more toward what is currently the social liberal agenda items. He will want to always play nice and we will become more and more like France. McCain, while hardly a social conservative, will steer towards a more independent and dominant America - much more like England historically. So where do you want to go?

As for me... God please don't send us to France.

Gotta soak in it to love it.

I am sitting here listening to the IHOP prayer room. Matt Gilman is singing through Rev 5:1-4. He began to sing how "we love darkness rather than the light." I continued to dwell on that thought. I know that mankind, as a whole, loves darkness. I know that I have loved darkness. If fact there are still places in me that would love on darkness.

But why do we love of darkness so much and love the light so little. Wouldn't we say the light is better than the darkness. Why so much affection for the lessor things. Why a battle to love the light. Why isn't love the light the easy love.

Then I remembered a conversation with Pastor Nicholls from Mission of Grace. We were talking about why people held so tightly to the celebration of Halloween. He argued it was because they had so little experience of the presence of the Holy Spirit. When you experience the power and holiness of God - evil is more clearly obvious.

Little experience of the light makes the darkness more appealing and easier to love.

So much time is spent on the darkness, so much money invested in the darkness, so much of everyday life invaded by the darkness. And I am talking about the everyday dull darkness.


How much time do we have in the experience of the Holy and Powerful God - in the light. What? Maybe once a week if things go well on Sunday morning?

If we don't roll around in the light with the same investment as the darkness we will never love it more.

Our faith is not practiced much. Our weeks aren't full of encountering God. So the love for the light slips from our heart. I am compelled all the more to night and day prayer. Places where worship does not stop. Places were we soak often in the light and love it all the more. Places for people to practice their faith everyday = all the time.

I want to be a lover of the light.

Kathy or the boat?

Kathy every time!

Pastoral Tension

There is a tension within the church over the function of a pastor. Is the pastor the primary dispenser of what has come to be called pastoral care? Does he tend directly to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals? Some have called this chaplaincy… visiting, soothing, engaging the life crisis of those under their care.

Or is the pastor the key leader, the CEO of an organized group of Christians, the chief of a tribe? There is no doubt that God has called Christians together and that were there is a gathering of people there is need for structure and leadership. In this role the pastor is the voice of the community, he is the echoer of the vision, he tends to the whole more than the specific pieces. As leader he directs, manages, monitors, establishes standards, and strategies the course.

Yet there is call to the pastor. He is the one that is to devote himself to prayer and the word. Although this is often quoted as what is wanted of the pastor what do people really consider as it meaning to be devoted to prayer and the Word? It would seem logical that to be devoted to prayer means simply that – one that prayers and prayers a lot. Much time is spent before the LORD. The apostles delegated the ministry to the widows to others so that they could be devoted to prayer? What did they actually do then? I think they spent time interceding but more importantly seeking the present word of the LORD for the work of the kingdom. The people of God were given a task of continuing the work of Jesus. That required time listening, discerning, and sharing: What I have come to understand as the prophetic ministry. Attention to the word would be the preaching and propagation of spiritual truth.

Thank God I am not an Island

I am impressed this week that so much of the richness of my life is not what I possess in my self but what comes from family (immediate, extended, and heritage), the people I work with, the people I worship with, and the civil community I live in.

I don’t think I am alone in this. As the end result of the American ideal (independence) we are not much. Although this is not a novel insight or one that is weak in publication. It is one that is seen, validated, and ignored for the idolized pursuit of self.

Trying to find the words

Church must shift directions within the hearts of men and woman or will only continue our course toward impotence and irrelevance. The enemy’s ploy is to keep us busy entertaining ourselves and worrying about our dissatisfaction. We are occupied, even saturated, with activity that is frivolous. Even after coming to Christ we turn church in to a spiritual Disney land. What can we consume from this body we have joined ourselves with. What will serve my desires? What will it provide me that I can’t provide for myself? Is it meaningful to me? Even those charge with stewardship over the church ask, “will it suit the people that are constantly looking for something to feed their never ending needs?” Will the want us? How can we change so that will want us? What can we promise them that will catch their fancy? Then they will come and we will be…. Something (do we even know).

While true Christian community meets needs, it is a place of love and care. But these are byproducts of a people joined together in a mutual giving of themselves to Christ Jesus himself. The momentum of the church can not be, I have friends here, but I have to be here because Christ is compelling me to give of myself. I am drawn to this body, the body has not wooed me.

Our spiritual engines are in reverse. And while we definitely have motion, we are either trying to go forward while in reverse OR going moving only closer to ourselves. Have we made the fulfillment of ourselves the ultimate end?

Jesus has the in losing our life we find it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer has that only the one that as abandoned everything to Jesus can know how completely saved by grace he is. St. Frances says that it is giving that we receive.

Can we change the direction of our spiritual engines and stand together as the body of Christ because we are committed to Christ. Can we draw give money and time voluntarily because we are compelled by the purposes of God. Does our devotion to Jesus ring so loud in hearts that we re-order our lives in such a way to be before the LORD for long hours, that we don’t measure one another as friends as much as co-labors in serving Christ. In other words the value of the people that are with us, isn’t no close of a friend do we feel toward them (or them to us) but we see the their value as someone else committed to the purpose of Jesus – one more to labor alongside of for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.

Jesus I need to understand this more and need to able to explain this better. Please give me the words. I see it in my mind – let it come out of my mouth with power.

Rainy days are for vacation too

It is quite cold today, cloudy and windy. This day seems well suited for reading and resting. Joshua and Bethany finished recorded the song that will be submitted to the compilation CD. I am very proud of her. I pray that God gives her the insight to match the talent that she possesses. Then she will not just achieve by will achieve great things. I see many early signs of such insight. I will continue to be before the LORD on her behalf.

I jumped into the biography of Count Zinderdorph, The Lord of the Ring. It has been an easy read and equally inspiring. I am moved by the fact that so much mission work went your from both Germany and England. What hot coal beds of faith in the middle ages. God was doing so much and in such strong ways during these times.

It amazes me how the religious climate shifts any given region. Places that were once bastions of zeal for Christ fade in a short generation and are replaced by division and even war. I guess it is both a testimony of the frailty of mankind as well as the night and day effort of Satan and his forces.

The history of the Moravians is compelling. What part will I get to play in a modern move of God. I do not want to sit and watch it pass me by. I don’t need to be at the head of it. I just want to be a part.

Sundays and Vacation

Sunday morning included the arrival of Jeremy from College. We had a good brunch and then some family worship. It was very moving to see my kids take leadership in worship. Josiah at 10 willing leads out in prayer. It is good to see his spirit come alive with the Holy Spirit.

This was mothers day and the McCoys joined us for the day. We spend a great ride on the boat and some good fishing. Chris Baliko also joined us. He graciously was the bearer of the “things we forgot list.” He has been gracious to accommodate our family and to join into the fun.

I am proud of how my family is able to include other people into their lives and experiences. Jeremy, Tim, and Chris are not received as invaders but additional companions on a journey. I hope they are as comfortable with us as we are with them.

The evening closed with a few minutes of watching the “Call” from Jerusalem on God TV. I continue to be stirred by the efforts of prayer that are going on. What is God up to and how will it continue to effect my world? That is my prayer tonight.

Vacation Begins

We have arrived to discover the Lake House is better than I expected. It is well fitted for 14 and sits in the back of a cove rather than on a peninsula. This has afforded us some protection from the wind allowing us better water sports.

The travel was short and I only caught one ditch with the boat trailer. Of course this scared me deeply. I feared I had damaged a dear friends boat before I ever got it in the water. Gratefully there was no damage. We launched the boat and immediately began the fun. It is my plan to be in the water as much as the weather will permit.

Our first 10 hours on the water have been a total blast. Everyone is braving the chilly water for some time being pulled behind the boat. The evenings are already filled with games, great conversation, and good food.

I Know Nothing of Worship

So I am preaching through the book of Malachi. Its this little minor prophetic book at the end of the Old Testament. Hey, its a minor prophet but it is pushing me all over the place.

Last night, after hours of sermon preparation on chapter one and the sacrificial system, I have this sudden realization. In the sacrificial system the people would bring the very best of their flock, the animal that would breed in and strengthen their herd for future prosperity. That high quality animal was brought to the temple and then burned.

Burned up, not given to a widow or orphan. Burned up. Its like taking you highest paycheck of the year bringing it to church on Sunday and burning it up as an act of worship. Do that today and people will be diving for fire extinguisher shouting how foolish and psychotic you are. You would be labeled a fool. But that is what they did. Just burned it up so no one could use it.

As I realize that was designed act of worship and honor to God I have to admit that I don't know "something" about worship. It does point to two things:

1. God is greater than your greatest asset - so He worthy.
2. God is our greatest asset. We can burn out our best and still prosper.

I want to worship like that.

Am I deluding myself

wow, I am hurting. I wonder if I am just doing things wrong. Of course I don't know what would be "right." Maybe I am just having my own little pity-party. I probably am.

I try to extend myself to people, when they are in difficult and hard places. When others would throw their hands up and not invest in them, I invest and make a place for these people. At least I think I do. The last few days have been filled with reminders of how those very people reject me. They are very free to accuse me and critique me of weaknesses. Some feel free to write me off totally.

I need to know LORD, What do I do wrong? Do I exploit, control, demean?

I won't be able to know if I fall into self-pity.

The Tombley's are Geek's

The last couple of weeks have demonstrated some interesting things about our family. First, we had to make a last minute run to the bookstore so that my son, Micah, could get the book in a series he just finished. Secondly, we watched an MIT lecture in physics for family entertainment. You could actually hear us SHHH each other while listening and making guesses on the next iteration of a formula. Josh says we are really only geek wanna-bees because we really wish we understood it all.

Hail to Chucky Cheese

Tonight I took my three youngest kids to Chuck e Cheese. I haven't been there in a long time. Well we enter the chaos and I suddenly realize how old I am. While I am sitting there I am having all these strange thoughts.

1. No wonder so many kids have ADD. This is like an incubator for hyperactivity.
2. This is like a pre-school disco-tec.
3. I think I see two adults at the one game that my be need gamblers anonymous.
4. Someone texted me and asked if was crowded and I replied that there were as many people as left Egypt with Moses.
5. Then I started a long line of obnoxious texts to my friends drawing correlations between Chuck e Cheese and life in the desert. For example: We were under the cloud of neon to comfort us. Prophet Chuckee would come out and lead the way with his red shirt levite employees helping us make our offerings at the automated alters. Golden Calfs where being built when Chuckee didn't come out in time for the kids to be pacified.
6. This is truly cheap fun, not inexpensive, but shallow.
7. The animals that sing are as scary as the beast in the book of revelation and they only sing songs from the 80's.
8. While I went to the bathroom, Chuck ee started singing "Taking Care of Business" from the stage.

Ground Hog Day on Crack

I just saw Vantage Point. It was an action packed movie and kept me on the edge of my sit. It was an unusual way to film a movie, but an interesting way to tell a story. It lived up to its name.

But I do agree that it is like Ground Hog Day on Crack... good call Baliko.

Time with the Trinity

I continue to struggle finding the full 10 hours that I would like in the prayer room. But I have really enjoyed the time in there. Recently I have been beginning my time standing before the LORD by reading then praying Hebrews 1:1-3. I can't seem to get away from my fascination with these verses and what they reveal about the supremecy of Christ.

I think I understand the Trinity more than ever. What once were good words about Jesus now have a depth of meaning to them. Jesus is the "radiance of the glory of God." I often thought this just meant that Jesus "glowed" like God. But it is joined with Jesus' creating the universe and holding everything together by his command. Jesus, before incarnation, doesn't just glow like God. He is the glow. He is the Light of God, the Word of God. The word radiance should be capitalized "R"adiance,denoting proper divinity. It was the Radiance of God that created and sustains. It was the Radiance of God that came and it is the Radiance of God that was incarnated in the flesh, making sacrifice for us. The Radiance of God, still incarnate sits at the right hand of the father. The best way to describe him now in human terms is, the Son.

I see it in my head and in my heart so clearly. The Father and the Son are one. If you have seen the Son you have seen the Father.

That is just plain cool.

Still a single issue voter?

With activist teenagers in my house politics are a common discussion. Super Tuesday roles around and off to the polling booth we go. I will admit that I haven't found a candidate that I was extremely fond of and I thought had a chance of winning. But I am committed to the process and would not sit out this or any election. I would choose from what was there.

The days before I thought of voting for Hillary Clinton, which would shock many people. But that vote was really a vote against Obama. And as I stood before the polling table I realized the "playing" the system wasn't the right thing to do. If I was going to vote for Hillary I need to seriously think she was my candidate of choice.

I have voted pretty consistently republican in the last decade - not because I think God is a republican. In fact it irritates me when people complain about Christian's being "blindly" republican. Because of that I have this inner drive to vote democratic. Why? Because on many issues I am in fact closely aligned with democrats. But... and there is always a but.

There are certain issues that end up trumping my other concerns. It trump issues that I care about. What is the trumping issue. Not homosexuality as some of you might think. The two issues are issues around LIFE and Parental Rights. As I stood at the polling booth I knew I had to vote for the person that most supported the issues I MOST was concerned about.

I wish that the issue of LIFE was taken out of the Supreme Court and Presidential election. The country would be better off. Because as long as the Supreme Court is making law in regards to abortion and other life related issues; as long as Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life; and as long as the president appoints the Justices this issue will trump all other issues.

Why? I believe that a culture that will allow abortion on demand is a culture not concerned with the equal rights for all human beings, but a culture that is inherently self-consumed. A culture that propagates an ideology in direct contradiction with the declaration of Independence, the constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. I would also throw in the the laws of God - inherently immoral.

So here I am giving up other issues in order to speak for LIFE. Still a single issue voter. And frustrated.

Bring in the Grey Haired

Today I had the honor of joining a group of city leaders for breakfast and prayer. The group was brought together by Bob Collins the senior pastor at World Outreach Center in the northern part of town. Bob has pastored their for 34 years. I was struck by many things as I sat around the table with him.

First, he is happy. Too many of my friends in ministry are not happy.

Second, he is still in love with Jesus. He isn't cynical, disillusioned, or sarcastic. He has seen failure and success and he just loves Jesus, people, and the church.

Third, he is stable. Some of that stability comes from being around so long. Maybe that is what we are missing these days. Where are the people that have long tenure in leadership. I know the Church is missing something with the lack of tenure we see in pastoral leadership. Consumerism in religion, like in business, has caused us to be driven more by trend than by tenure. It might boost creativity but at the cost of stability.

I sat there and enjoyed just being with him - having someone to look up to - someone to respect. I found a need within me to have wise, passionate, selfless elders around me. I hope to spend more time with him.

Punk Monk #2

I love the "rule of life" as expressed in the Boiler Rooms. It comes largely from historical monasticism, especially the Moravians. We will be integrating into the life of LivingStone.

millennial shift

Oh ya... I think I have returned to pre-millennialism. I still don't believe in a pre-trib rapture, but amillennialism seems to only be a place to hide from the crazy things that pre-trib premillennialists say and do. But I can not hide. I am absolutely convinced that Jesus is coming back and pretty convinced that it will be literal.


You know I never got the point of a literal millennial reign. Why would Jesus come back for 1000 years only to release Satan yet again and have all hell break loose - again. Once he is back why isn't it all just OVER? What I discover about God is that He makes happen what He intends. He created the earth for a people he wanted to know and be known by. He intended to rule over it. We messed that up. He said He would put all government under JESUS. Well, he usually means what he says.

It makes sense that Jesus would come and rule for 1000 (or a full measure of time) to fulfill his intention to govern the creation and its people. What would be freaky... is if it is after 6000 of recorded human history and it is a "sabbath" rest of humanity.

IHOP Leaders Summit response

The leadership summit was a well spent weekend. I was especially glad to have Kathy join me. I loved sitting with her during the teachings - sharing a part of my world she often hears about but doesn't get to see. It is rare that she gets to come along because of the large responsibility we have at home with a big family. But this time she slip out with me and Joshua ran the house. Of course some friends helped and took the little girls - (thanks McCoys) and the older girls were all at the Revolve Tour. So it was boys weekend at the Tombley's. (I think they actually spent most of their time at the monastery. )

I was extremely impressed with Alan Hood from Kansas City IHOP. He was very grounded theologically and he spoke with wisdom as well as a reconciling spirit. It was good to see some New Testament references too :)

Unfortunately I feel the local church gets the shaft in some of these discussions and prayer efforts. This is both an expression of immaturity and frustration on the part of people that love prayer. I will not let it stop what I think HOPE is called to do.

Number 1 thing learned? Teach and teach again the reason for a house of prayer. I think I have the scope of it. But there is so much more to really digest and learn to articulate. I am all the more convinced that we are called to have NIGHT and DAY prayer at LivingStone Monastery and HOPE.

Punk Monk #1

I am reading book given to me by a brother in the LORD, Adam Carrier. The title is Punk Monk by Andy Freeman and Pete Greig. The book tells the story of the boiler room movement which is 3 millennium monasticism centered around 24/7 prayer. I am shocked at the similarities of what is happening at HOPE and the elements that make up this movement of mostly young people from the punk scene. Now, one of my sons is in the punk scene, but not me. But could God being calling me to 3 millennium monasticism, not in name but reality. I think so. What will that look like

A slow stirring

There is a slow stirring in me. A freshness that is coming to me. I have labored in the last, probably 3 years, with a heaviness. I have not given up nor have I doubted what I was suppose to do, but I have done it without the spark of the Spirit that I love. Why that heaviness came I do not completely know. The simple answers don't stand up to the test of scripture and truth. I have long given up the search for why and just tried to keep my eyes on Jesus.

About three years ago a friend broke fellowship with me and our church. I found out later he commented to several people, including one of our elders, that I had lost my anointing. Of course I was terrible hurt by that comment on several accounts. What kind of person is a friend only when you are "anointed." I wanted him to be a deeper friend than that. Its not like I had abandoned the faith or had some great moral fall. In fact I was sacrificing for Jesus, working hard to listen, admitting my mistakes... I was giving all I had. I believe that Jesus was satisfied with my offering, even in its weakness. That was my consolation in the pain. Sometimes I felt like the widow with two mites. God was faithful and showed his favor in so many other ways. But even my gratitude did not return the spark, that I guess my friend called the "anointing". Sadly, in the heaviness of those days sin was harbored in my heart. For that I have regret.

Beside the personal offense, I was frustrated at trying to be a Spirit filled leader. I don't know how to make up "anointing". Even if I did, I would not. I would rather have heaviness than fake the power of God. I want the power of God to come in prayer, in worship, in preaching but I will not make it up. All I knew is to do what I am called to do. If the Holy Spirit is all over me then praise God. If what I offer is dry to me or others, so be it. I will still offer it to the LORD. I am in this for the long hall. There were many days that I fought with syncism and anger at believers driven by consumerism. I warred with the fear that at any time all that I was doing would come crashing down. I even had moments were I wondered if I was holding something together out of self-importance rather than a call from God.

But as of late, as I turn toward day and night prayer, I feel that heaviness lift away. I feel that power slowly returning - the anointing, I guess. I continue to work on being pure in heart and not harboring sin, even that which is unseen. I look to reconcile with those I have offended (in my business that is easy). I will not focus on the power, I will just let it come however God wants. I have learned to value the dry laborous days as well as Spirit packed explosions.

I am encouraged by the words of St. Francis of Assi, "True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice."

What will this stirring bring. I pray it is as strong as only God wants. I pray it is as full as only God wants. I pray it is visible as only God wants. I pray it advances the kingdom of God more than me.

Jesus I truly love you. I am at awe that you are real.

Ex-Gays: Controversy and a Question of who is mentally Ill

Ex-Gays?

Rich Nathan
Congregational Email - February 2008

Ex-Gays?

Everything about homosexuality is controversial. What causes homosexuality is controversial. The definition of what homosexuality is, is controversial. Whether there can be a change in one's sexual orientation so that a homosexual can become heterosexual or in anyway cease to be homosexual is controversial. The therapeutic attempt to change a client's homosexual orientation, even when a client desperately wishes to change is controversial. In fact, there is even a controversy about whether a therapist or counselor should ever assist a client to change, even when asked.

Dr. Stanton Jones and Dr. Mark Yarhouse, two professors of psychology at Wheaton College (almost certainly the most respected evangelical university in America), have recently written a ground-breaking and, of course, controversial book titled Ex Gays in which they, through a carefully executed clinical research study, attempt to answer two enormous questions.

Is it possible for people to change their homosexual orientation?
Is the attempt to change one's homosexual orientation potentially harmful?
It is rare that I do a book review, but I believe this book is a hugely important addition to the current literature on homosexuality and ought to be widely read.

The Percentage of Homosexuals in America
According to what is likely the most extensive study of the sexual orientation of American adults conducted by Dr. Laumann, about 2% of males and 0.9% of females experience a consistent, persistent, same-sex attraction. We commonly refer to this consistent, persistent same-sex attraction as "a homosexual orientation." Among these, an even smaller percentage of adults identifies himself or herself as gay or lesbian, that is, they take on the sociocultural identity as "gay."

The Setting for the Study
The "diagnostic Bible" of the mental health professions is called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). In the first edition of the DSM in 1952 homosexual orientation was labeled as a personality disorder. During the 1960's new editions of the DSM began to move homosexuality away from being categorized as a psychological disorder. In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association voted to remove homosexuality from the DSM as a disorder altogether. Today, the DSM-IV-TR (2000) not only has removed homosexuality from being categorized as a disorder, but has come up with a new diagnosis, "Sexual Disorder Not Otherwise Specified" (NOS). Within the Sexual Disorder NOS, one of the criteria is "persistent and marked distress about sexual orientation."

In other words, a few decades ago, to be homosexual was to be disordered. Now, to be distressed about one's sexual orientation and to want to change is to be disordered. Thus, according to the most recent DSM, individuals who want to change their sexual orientation are now considered pathological.

Further, according to the American Psychological Association's official website, homosexuality is not changeable. And therapists are warned that assisting clients to change their sexual orientation is potentially harmful to the patient. While therapists are not currently banned from assisting clients to change their sexual orientation, they are strongly warned about the potential of increasing client depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior through attempts to change one's sexual orientation.

The Biblical Material
Drs. Jones and Yarhouse are not only psychologists, but are also very thoughtful biblical scholars. They make a wonderfully convincing case for homosexual behavior as well as premarital sex and extramarital sex being unequivocally condemned by the writers of scripture. Their book, Ex-Gays?, does a very nice job of unpacking the scriptural treatment of homosexuality. In addition, Jones and Yarhouse do a very credible job of setting homosexuality in the wider biblical setting of God's purpose in giving us the gift of sex.

The Study
Using the very best scientifically recognized research methods, Drs. Jones and Yarhouse recruited 98 subjects, who had been participating in Exodus International groups across America. 90 of the subjects believed themselves to be born-again. 8 of the subjects said they were not born-again. All of them were seeking to change their homosexual or lesbian sexual orientation via Christian meetings, worship, journaling, individual counseling, and small group accountability.

Findings
The study measured individual change in sexual orientation using a battery of generally recognized scales for measuring sexual orientation. Through individual interviews and quantitative analysis, Jones and Yarhouse found the following:

15% of the sample group experienced complete resolution of their homosexual orientation and were converted to heterosexual attraction. In other words, these folks were saying, "I'm healed; I rarely experience homosexual desires and I enjoy a good sex life with my spouse (or am dating and am very attracted to my love interest)."
23% of the research subjects experienced "success via chastity." These subjects reported that feelings of homosexual attraction are almost entirely gone and they no longer feel unduly tempted. They are confident of continuing progress. So, these folks were saying, "I'm healed; I rarely experience homosexual desires and I'm very content to enjoy healthy male and female relationships without necessarily trying to become 'heterosexual.' God may bring about further change in the future."
29% of their subjects would be described as "continuing in the program." They have experienced some diminishing of homosexual attraction, but their desires have not dramatically changed. They are hopeful and committed to the change process. These folks were saying, "It is still very much of a struggle and my sexual orientation has not changed a lot, but I am experiencing healing in many emotional ways and I am confident in the path I continue to pursue with Christ."
15% of the people offered non-responses. They were saying, "I have not changed my experience of sexual attraction at all. I'm discouraged and not doing much on this at the present. I still want to change, but maybe I need a different approach."
4% were classified as failure: confused. These people had no significant sexual orientation change and have given up on the change process. They do not know whether they will try to change in the future or go back into the gay lifestyle. They were confused.
8% of the people could be classified as failure: gay identity. These people have given up on the change process and re-embraced their gay identities.
Now, one might ask why a higher percentage of people than 38% (success: conversion, plus success: chastity) did not experience radical change in their sexual orientations. But as Drs. Jones and Yarhouse point out, sexual orientation is an incredibly complex human behavior. And if we compare the change these individuals experienced with the change that other individuals in therapy experience, with respect to chronic depression, or chronically troubled marriages, the change in sexual orientation is actually extremely high. The vast majority of people who are chronically depressed do not suddenly become happy never to experience depression again. And the vast majority of people who are in chronically bad marriages do not suddenly discover wonderfully happy and untroubled marriages. Most complex human behaviors are stubborn and require diligent effort to make even moderate changes.

Jones' and Yarhouse's study further found that there was no evidence to support the claim that harm was caused to any of the subjects who attempted to change their sexual orientation. In fact, the one consistent finding was that individuals engaged in changing their homosexual orientation actually experienced less psychological distress in their lives and more joy.

Conclusion
Many of us have friends, colleagues at work, or family members who self-identify as gay . If you want to read the best of the current research on homosexuality from a sympathetically Christian perspective that is also scientifically objective, you cannot do better than to read Ex-Gays? I would strongly encourage college students, in particular, to pick up this book and review its findings since this research will conflict with what is commonly taught in college psych classes. And if you are struggling with issues concerning homosexuality, and you are asking the question, "Can I change?" or can a loved one change, you must read this book! You will find yourself very encouraged to personally pursue a God-honoring, God-pleasing life of sexual purity.

Politics all around

First, I am tired of the presidential election. Do I really need this much time to decide who I want to vote for. Even before the instant communication technology of the 21st century the country didn't take this long to make a presidential decision. So what is happening? Are we becoming more informed decision makers?

Unfortunately I don't think so. We are relying on advertising technics to turn the minds of people rather than ideas. We are getting a president by popularity - by the people. But is that what the founders had in mind? It seems we have reduced the election process of the president to the level of selling cereal to children on Saturday morning.

Simply HOT

I have been busy during the holidays and haven't gotten to put down one post on my blog.  I have thought of many blog topics but of course by the end of the day my brain is ....   well lets say weak.

So here is my first offering.

This morning I was standing in the shower when suddenly someone else in the house decided they wanted some of the cold water supply.   I wish there was a signal they could send before they sap the cold water pressure...  but its always a surprise.    And this morning was no different.    As the water scolded my body and the steam filled the shower I had a quick thought.

Thank you for hot water.  I love taking baths with hot water.   I hate cold showers.  I have to work very little to have hot water and have it on demand.    I know it is a simple thing.  But I was just grateful.     

I hope that I am as grateful this next year for the more simple things.

From information age to recommendation age

"I recently heard someone say that “we are leaving the Information Age and entering the Recommendation Age.” And I think this is very true. We are so overwhelmed with choices in this information/entertainment glut of a culture that we increasingly depend on filters to help sift through it all. Often it is a friend we trust or a blogger who shares our tastes, or an aggregate site (rottentomatoes.com or metacritic.com) that provides a consensus. Sometimes “75% fresh” sells a movie better than one critic’s glowing, four star review."  FROM RELEVANT MAG

I suspect that this is true and the source of our recommendation source will once again be able to shape our thought by having the power to select.  Will we have the discern to choose a well our source or will we even exercise the energy to do so.  How many times do you google past the first page or two?  Does our recommender become the one that teases or appeases us best - telling us what we only want to hear.  

The freedom to have so much information now has overwhelmed us.  What will we do now?  

I am a proud parent

Bethany and Zachary are playing at the coffee house for the veneration film festival.   It was a sweet time.  The music was good, the coffee was good, and the films were great.  I love my church.

Making Fleece Quilts

Hannah teaches her sister to make fleece quilts.  This year we are all going to make our own quilt.  Maybe that will help us keep the heat lower.

Our Front Porch group rocks

I have decided to take our monthly Front Porch meeting up a notch.  The whole family jumped in and the group stayed till it was all cleaned up.  We had a great time.    More pictures of the whole group are coming.  We had fun just setting up.

October Apple Making

The family had a great time processing 100 pounds of apples in apple butter, apple sauce, apple jelly, and sliced apples.   The Brown's joined us for endless apple cutting.  The kids pitched in and boy were memories made.     What will we do next.