This is a list of recent blog posts which I found interesting. That I found them interesting doesn't mean that I necessarily agree with or endorse all of the ideas presented in the posts, but that I found them to be thought-provoking. They may benefit you as you prayerfully consider your area of shepherding and stewardship, which has been given to you in trust by the Lord. (They are listed in no particular order of interest.) Please post your comments to discuss any article that strikes your interest. If you have any recent blog posts that you would like to nominate, please send the link and your reasons for nominating that post to .

Big News from Exodus International

This week saw some interesting news about Exodus International. For those of you who have not heard, Exodus International, a ministry devoted to "converting" homosexuals back to a heterosexual lifestyle through the use of reparative therapy, announced that they were closing their doors. The President of Exodus states that their efforts were "wrong," have "hurt" others, and simply didn't work.

We welcome this honest admission from Exodus International. Those within the Biblical Counseling Movement knew that these efforts were, indeed, harmful and wrong. Their efforts were wrong because they did not closely follow the Scriptures, but utilized a man-made system of psychotherapy and assumed the notion that they could actually "cure" people, something that only God can ultimately do. Those who embraced the Exodus lie did suffer, and many were left wondering if they were all alone still experiencing homosexual urges after allegedly being "cured" by Exodus.

It is important to remember that God condemns the homosexual lifestyle as a deviation from the created order. It is sinful to indulge in the homosexual lifestyle. At the same time we must remember that individuals who struggle with same-sex attraction are no different from those who struggle with pornography, struggle with lying, struggle with stealing, fail to properly honor mother and father, struggle in going to church on Sunday, not tithing, failing to read their Bibles on a regular basis, and those who neglect praying and talking to God. In short, those who struggle with homosexual urges are no different from all the rest of us who struggle with our own unique sins on a day to day basis. They are no worse than any of us, and we are certainly no better than they.

The news this week serves to remind us that cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy does not work. The secular psychological approach to "treating" deviant behaviors, what the Bible calls "sin", will never succeed. The only one who can help us is Jesus Christ. The only answer for our struggle is found within the pages of Scripture. And the only absolute deliverance we are ever promised is in the Resurrection. We live on in a world devastated by sin, marked by suffering, and ending in death. Deliverance will come some day, but let us all embrace our individual struggle today. Let us all fight the good fight of faith against indwelling sin. And let us be careful to lovingly embrace our brothers and sisters who struggle against same-sex attraction. One day we will be healed. Until that day comes, let us strive to honor the Lord.

'Ex-gay' group Exodus International shuts down

This is from BBC News. Exodus International has a Canadian affiliate located in Toronto, and there have been many Canadians who have gone through Exodus over the years. As a result, this news story has implications not only in American Evangelical circles, but in Canadian Evangelical circles as well.

GAYCHURCH.ORG features the largest gay and lesbian affirming Christian Church directory in the World.

Both of the United Churches in Kamloops are featured on this list: Kamloops United Church and Mount Paul United Church. What is interesting is that the United Church, as well as all others who take membership in gaychurch.org, takes the position that there is nothing wrong with the homosexual lifestyle. Indeed, they affirm it as a legitimate lifestyle choice. There are no other Kamloops Churches featured on this church directory, which means that the United Church is most likely all alone among our Kamloops churches in affirming the gaychurch.org agenda.

Exodus International Closes

Baptist Press interviewed leading Southern Baptist in Exodus International Closes. 

Exodus International

Jeremy Lelek of the Association of Biblical Counselors and of the Biblical Counseling Coalition has penned a well-reasoned, comprehensive, and compassionate biblical response in Exodus International: Another Reason We Must Trust Sacred Theology Over Man-Made Theory.

Back to Egypt for Exodus International?

Denny Burk not only provides his response, but also links to numerous other posts and resources in Back to Egypt for Exodus International?  

After Exodus

Christianity Today has compiled “snippet” quotes from leading Evangelicals who have responded to the closure of Exodus International. Read their collation in After Exodus.  

Response to Announced Closure of Exodus International

A new group—Restored Hope Network—filed this press release Response to Announced Closure of Exodus International.