Battling same sex attraction

[Jibaholic]

God Bless you.

I don't have gay tendencies but I can relate. I used to be submissive and had been since I was a little kid. My parents divorced (no regular father-figure in my life) and my mom is very liberal. I was raised to be a post-feminist nice, effete "man" and I grew up with a sense of inferiority to other guys. Basically the old "nice guy vs. bad boy" dynamic.

But as a I got older I was able to start raising myself, basically. I got hooked on snowboarding and move to the mountain to ride every day. It may not be football, but I ended out in the hospital many times trying new tricks. I taught myself to be tough. I wasn't the best athelete but I learned to love competing with other guys athletically. If someone beat me then I'd work twice and hard until I was better.

Eventually that rubbed off on my personal life. I felt like meeting women was a lot like sports. You compete with the other guys and the woman will choose a man who rises above the pack. I may not have always been that man but I learned to love the process of competing in that arena, whereas before I was terrified.

And at that point my old weakness just melted away. The submissiveness just doesn't work for me anymore.

That's my take on the gay thing. I have never met a gay man that I would consider to be an "alpha male". That doesn't mean people that have tendencies in that direction are any less intelligent or athletic (heck, look at all the gay dancers, I'm sure they are people that can turn the double play or go up and make the catch over the middle), but they have completely opted out of the game of competition among men. They just don't have the stomach for it.

You don't have to be the best (I'm not!), but you have to be willing to take your lumps and get back in the game and compete again.

as a footnote, my wife is a Christian and she led me to the Lord. But I don't think the transformation started with God. In the same way that people say "It takes a bigger man to walk away from a fight", it was only when I was genuinely able to get out there and get in the fight that I was able to walk away from it, put my trust in Jesus, and turn the other cheek.

[Graybeard58]

Alcohol was my master.

Freed by the grace of God for 23 years now.

[k2blader]

Christ is the only Answer bump!

[polymuser]

People are continuously tempted to commit all manner of sins. Fighting it is a constant battle. The liberal concept of 'anything goes' aims to eliminate the guilt and feeling of (healthy) shame that results from sin.

Keep fighting. Keep praying.

A real church is a hospital for sinners. We require regular visits, self-appraisals, and ongoing treatment.

[Zechariah_8_13]

God bless you Joe, and thank you for your vulnerability and honesty.

God certainly has even more incredible things in store for you!

[Free and Armed]

Glad to see you've confronted your problem and dealing with it. Just remember we're all slaves to sin, and that sin can come in many forms. Mine is alcohol.

[DirtyHarryY2K]

Homosexual Agenda Ping.

Welcome aboard Joe, I'm pinging the list here so everyone can come and introduce themselves and welcome you to FR.

I salute your courage and honesty and pray that the Lord will strengthen you in your walk and bless you with victory in your battle with homosexuality. We are here to help you in any way possible.

As you can see there are some replies that have been removed by the Moderators, just ignore the the negative comments and carry on.

If you want on/off the ping list see my profile page.

[freedumb2003]

Good for you for seeing the issue and responding.

Don't let a few rabble-rousers (or flat out idiots) mess with your head. Looks like the AM is all over them anyway.

You will find an endless well of friendship and support here.

[joedownthestreet]

"...just ignore the the negative comments and carry on."

Thank you and God bless.
How can I ignore the negative comments though? They are as much a blessing to me as the supportive ones. I am being persecuted for being in the Light!!!!! Now I know I am with the Lord. Amen?

[joedownthestreet]

Thanks. They don't bother me. In fact, it blesses me to be persecuted. If you can call it that. I am an anonymous blogger to them. This takes no courage on my part. Just faith that I am doing the right thing.

[DirtyHarryY2K]

Let me clarify, There's a difference between those that see the error of their ways and are repentant and seeking truth and those that are still blind and unrepentant.

Ignore those that cannot (or will not) discern the difference.

[DBeers]

Thanks. They don't bother me. In fact, it blesses me to be persecuted.

I know what you mean. We each have our cross to bear and some just don't get it and possibly will never understand what can be and is realized by choosing to bear it.

You have my prayers and well wishes.

[scripter]

those who struggle with it need to know the truth.

Indeed!

There are a number of us here trying to do the same. That is, tell the world that change is possible. There are some here who have left the homosexual lifestyle. And there are some who try to deny the very existence of former homosexuals. In other words, we have a very diverse group here.

Here's an alphabetical listing of various places folks can get help:

Abiding Truth
Becoming Real
Choice 4 Truth
Christians No Longer Gay Living For God
Courage
Courage Online
Desert Stream
Eagles Wings Ministry
Exodus
Find Out
Gay to Straight
Help for Jewish Homosexuals That is Consistent with Torah Principles
Homosexuality and Gender
JONAH
Living Hope
Living Stones Ministries
Love Won Out
Matthew Manning
NARTH
National Listing of Help
New Hope Ministries
One By One
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays
People Can Change
Portland Fellowship
Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality
Realty Resources
Regeneration Books
Stephen Bennett Ministries
Transforming Congregations
Witness Ministries

Freepmail me anytime.

[gidget7]

Good luck to you!! We pray the Lords voice will be heard by many more, via the website you posted.

Most of us here don't hate gays, but we do not give gay behavior our endorsement either. We don't judge as that is the Lords job, not ours, nor do we condone.

The most unfortunate thing these days, is the reluctance to allow the word you are trying to spread!!

[John O]

Welcome Joe,

there are several ex-homosexuals that post here, and a huge crowd of people interested in making more of them.

God bless and keep you and help you to be strong

[little jeremiah]

The love and mercy of God can set us free, and nothing else will. I have been freed of habitual drug use, alcoholism, and wild promiscuity. Among other vices. God can change any heart - if we beg Him.

[Halls]

Welcome to FR. Glad to know your relationship with Christ is the most important and He will guide you to make the right choices.

By the way, are you at all attracted to the opposite sex and would you like to get married and have kids some day?

[Judith Anne]

You are on my prayer list for overflowing blessings. ;-D

[joedownthestreet]

At this point in time, no, I have no attraction to the opposite sex. It is my hope that this will come in time and if it is the will of God, yes, I would love to get married and start a family of my own.

[joedownthestreet]

Thank you Judith. I can use all the prayers I can get :)

God Bless