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April 2009 Highlights
- Sex: Morally Neutral?
- You Can Help His Way Out
- Our Office and Support Groups Have Moved!
- Make Us One! Exodus International Freedom Conference
- Pastor Phillip Lee LIVE at UBC
- What's Coming Up?
- Now on DVD: Homosexuality and the Reality of Change
- Bakersfield Christian High School and Azusa Pacific University
- IT'S ABOUT LIFE: Food Ministry to Those Impacted by AIDS
- His Way Out Ministries Services
By Pastor Phillip Lee
Of all the challenges that we face as the Church in today's society, sexuality is undoubtedly one of the greatest. Yet, the Church has not always been quick to accept - or even recognize - the challenge. In fact, at various times the Church has denied, ignored and, perhaps rightfully, feared it. However, if as Christ-followers we value our call to be the salt and light of society, then we must come to terms with the rapidly changing sexual scene around us. Undeniably, the scene is an alarming one.
What accounts for the sexual shifts in our society? Today, anything goes. There is no right or wrong. Not only this, but personal morals are equated with legal rights. In the 1960's "sex makes free" was a familiarly found graffiti. Sex was often viewed and hailed as a universal "fix" for loneliness and human emptiness. Today, sex is looked on more and more as a constitutionally guaranteed right - a right to fulfill one's biological drives however one sees fit, a right to dismiss, if not discard a spouse for greener pastures, and a right to pursue any sexual orientation one desires. Sex is also viewed as something that is morally neutral. Fulfillment of sexual needs is put on a level with fulfillment of other bodily needs like eating and sleeping. It is merely part of good nurturing for the body.
When God created us both male and female, He knew that we would need instructions on how to use our sexuality for good - so we could lead full, happy, complete lives. In fact, study the Bible and sex is one of the topics mentioned most often. Yes, the Bible is filled with sex and within its pages God not only gives us timeless instructions about sex; He also includes the results of what happens when His rules are broken.
It seems to me that an obvious question to pose is: Does a perfectly loving Father somehow get pleasure in making arbitrary, pointless rules? Or, is there something in particular about sexual sin that does a huge amount of damage to a man or woman?
Anything we do that affects one part of our being (such as our body), also affects the other parts of our being (soul and spirit). As a result, when we commit sexual sin, which is war against our own body, as well as sin against God, we bring negative consequences upon our soul and spirit as well. The Apostle Peter made this point in 1 Peter 2:11, when he pleaded: "I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." That's why I believe to define human sexuality just in physical terms misses the most important aspect of human sexuality - the spiritual. Sexuality is not just something that joins our bodies; it also involves the joining of our spirits. Therefore, since our sexuality links the spiritual to the physical, no amount of 'just physical activity' can ever create or offer the wholeness for which we all long.
Trust me - God is no prude. He doesn't get embarrassed. He clearly explains what works best and what He had in mind for His gift of human sexuality. As a loving Father, He wants us to be happy. So, He gives us instructions that will produce the full, satisfying lives we desire. In fact, key principles about sex are found in the first two chapters of the first book of the Bible.
After reading that God was the Creator of sex (Genesis 1:27), we then see how it was to be used: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed" (Genesis 2:24-25). From this brief overview we learn several important principles. First, we see that the foundational definition for a family is one man with one woman. The biblical model for families is always one man with one woman. It is never a man with another man or a woman with another woman.
From the Genesis 2 account we also note that the man and woman who left family to become a new family unit were to "become one flesh," including intimacy and sexual relations (1 Corinthians 6:16). This is the only context - with one's spouse within marriage - in which God sanctions sexual activity. He declares sex within marriage to be holy, honorable and good (Hebrews 13:4) while condemning all sexual activity outside of marriage - including homosexuality, premarital sex and adultery.
Ultimately, those that consider God's instructions about sex, specifically staying within His holy boundary lines for sexual expression, somehow are too restrictive and bring a halt to an individual's happiness ironically reject the very instruction that leads to the greatest human happiness.
At the beginning of this year, His Way Out Ministries kicked off a new series titled Maintaining and Restoring Sexual Purity. I titled the discipleship/teaching series as I did for a number of specific reasons. Let's remember, that 'recovery,' recovery form anything was God's idea, and not ours. He thought up 'recovery' and then woke us up so we would get with the program. The Apostle Paul told the Philippians, "It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). So, even our desire to abandon sin comes from Him. He is also the One who sustains recovery. God not only began this process within each and every one of us, He promises also to sustain it, even when we are discouraged and possibly ready to throw in the towel. After all, we are the work of His Hands. What He began, He promises to complete.
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:3-6).
From All of Us at His Way Out Ministries...
Bringing hope, comfort, and encouragement to individuals, families and the Church facing the issues of homosexuality and AIDS.
To each of you who continually bless us by your encouragement, ministry participation, monthly financial support, offerings and prayers...we remain truly grateful!
Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries
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You Can Help His Way Out
His Way Out Ministries is one of the few places people can go for sensitive help regarding same-gender attraction and related issues. Your financial support enables us to fight the good fight. Without a doubt, we at His Way Out Ministries need to be stronger than ever, ready to face the challenge of this generation with truth and integrity. We are more committed than ever to proclaiming the Lord's transforming power through our lives, and equipping the Church to authenticate that healing. Your support helps us to make known the relevance of Jesus and His Church to broken lives. Would you please prayerfully consider sending a donation?
Send your check to:
His Way Out Ministries, 1412 17th Street, Suite 313, Bakersfield, CA 93301
(Checks should be made payable to His Way Out Ministries)
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Other ways you can help:
- Add His Way Out Ministries to your prayer list.
- Ask your pastor to check out our website.
- Tell your friends about His Way Out Ministries and encourage them to visit this web site.
- Encourage your pastor to consider hosting a seminar or inviting His Way Out Ministries to speak at your church.
- Ask your church to consider adding His Way Out Ministries to its missions budget.
- Show our teaching DVD or Video: "Homosexuality and the Reality of Change" to your Sunday School class.
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Our Office and Support Groups Have Moved!
New Office Location
We have moved! For some time, His Way Out Ministries has been in need of additional office space for the daily facilitation of our ministry and room to grow. As a result, we have relocated our office to downtown Bakersfield, the Haberfelde Building, 1412 17th Street, Suite 313, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Our new phone number is (661) 321-9551.
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All of us at His Way Out Ministries remain truly grateful to Brimhall Road Assembly of God for the many, many years of housing our ministry. The congregation's generosity and contributions have been and remain significant.
New Support Group Location
Beginning Saturday, November 1, 2008, all His Way Out Ministries support groups will meet at Chester Avenue Community Church located at 1509 South Chester Avenue (corner of Ming Avenue and South Chester Avenue). Chester Avenue Community Church has been an integral part of His Way Out Ministries from our beginning and has graciously offered their facilities for the expansion and facilitation of our support groups. We are very grateful!
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Make Us One! Exodus International Freedom Conference
July 14-18, 2009 - Wheaton, IL
The International Freedom Conference is Exodus' largest annual gathering where nearly 1,000 people impacted by homosexuality unite together for five powerful days of worship, teaching, and ministry. For individuals struggling with or affected by homosexuality, the conference promises to be a life-changing experience where you will find real answers, hope, and freedom. Pastors, ministry leaders, counselors, educators, and seminary students are also invited to attend this one of a kind conference to learn more about how to minister biblical truth and grace to a world impacted by homosexuality.
For more information about the conference or to register your attendance, please visit Exodus Freedom Conferences or call (888) 264-0877.
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Pastor Phillip Lee LIVE at UBC
On Sunday, October 10, 2007, Pastor Phillip Lee spoke to the congregation of University Baptist Church on the subject What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?
You can Listen LIVE to the 6.2 MB, 36min, MP3 at this link.
Give it a few moments to begin downloading and it will play. Windows 95/98 users make sure your Windows Media Player (or other MP3 software) is up to date. Right-click and choose "Save Target As..." to save it on your computer. (If Internet Explorer attempts to save as .mpga you can change it to an .mp3 file type.) You can then play it later or copy it to any MP3 portable player.
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What's Coming Up?
Maintaining & Restoring Sexual Purity Series
"God gave me these drives and desires so it must be okay to satisfy them." As Christians, we are not free to behave sinfully in order to satisfy every drive and appetite of our flesh. In God's eyes, there is only one place that sex is appropriate and that is between a man and a woman who are bound to one another in marriage - period.
One way to recognize a Christian today should be by his or her sexual purity. However, many would agree that it is difficult to maintain purity in a culture obsessed with sex and permissiveness toward all forms of sexual expression. Maintaining and Restoring Sexual Purity is available to men and women that struggle with sexual and relational brokenness (heterosexual and homosexual), wives whose marriage has been impacted by pornography, adultery, or homosexuality, and parents rebounding from the shock and dismay of a child or loved one involved in homosexuality, and those desiring to understand the complexities of sexual brokenness thereby enabling them to be more effective in ministry to the sexually and relationally broken.
April 4th - Sexual Identity Confusion (Homosexuality)
God does not create homosexuals. If He did, He would have no business judging their behavior as sinful and unnatural - something he spends a great deal of time doing in His Word. Therefore, with homosexuality being an 'acquired behavior,' what are the contributing factors which enable same-gender attraction? Is there a way out of homosexuality? What about the 'born that way' notion and theory? Our discipleship/support group meeting is held at Chester Avenue Community Church, 1509 South Chester Avenue in Bakersfield beginning at 9:00am and concludes at 11:00am.
April 18th - Grief, Disorientation, Loneliness
How's this for a promise: "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19)? Do you believe it? Saying good-bye to any behavior or leaving behind that which has become all too familiar and comfortable, often results in experiencing grief, possibly becoming disoriented and combating loneliness. What are the spiritual and practical steps one can take and apply to overcome grief, disorientation and loneliness? Please see details listed for April 4th for meeting location and times.
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Video: Homosexuality and the Reality of Change
Homosexuality and the Reality of Change presents a biblical perspective on the homosexual behavior with honesty and compassion. The 50 minute video contains information on: Can Homosexuals Really Change?, Will the Person Become Heterosexual?, How Long Does Change Take?, Exposing the Roots of Homosexuality, HIV and AIDS, Biblical and Scientific Evidence for Change, and much, much more.
This video is an excellent resource for teachers, churches, pastors, support group leaders, or anyone desiring a clear, comprehensive understanding of homosexuality.
The Good News of Jesus Christ and His love, acceptance, and forgiveness, His power to heal and restore has brought hope to many struggling with homosexuality. If you know someone struggling with same-gender attractions Homosexuality and the Reality of Change can help.
Videos are available on VHS or DVD at a cost of $20.00. To order your video...give us a call today.
We recently received, and watched, the video you sent us. It was excellent. We will be sharing it with other people at our church. One part that especially ministered to us was when Pastor Lee said from Philippians 1:6 that God is never going to give up His job of working in our life to conform us to the image of Christ. It helps makes sense of life's trials. Thank you for your ministry...Tom & Catherine
Preview "Homosexuality and the Reality of Change"
2min 38sec, 1.3MB, QT.mov
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Bakersfield Christian High School and Azusa Pacific University
Recently, His Way Out Ministries had the privilege of sharing with students and faculty at Bakersfield Christian High School and Azusa Pacific University. Actually, this was our third opportunity to be on the campus of BCHS and our sixth opportunity to be at APU. Once again, students and faculty were enlightened on the complexities of same-gender attraction from a biblical perspective and through the sharing of personal testimony. Students from both campuses had excellent questions regarding homosexuality with the majority of questions centering on "How do we reach those involved in homosexuality or what many refer to as the gay lifestyle?" The open format and relaxed environment at both schools provided the opportunity for transparent, honest and frank discussion regarding homosexuality with students from both institutions expressing their appreciation to talk about such an important issue.
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IT'S ABOUT LIFE
Food Ministry to Those Impacted by AIDS
AIDS profoundly impacts one's life whether that person has been infected by it or they are a family member or a friend of someone who has. The social stigmas, fears and especially the "aloneness" associated with AIDS makes it oppressive to live with. "IT'S ABOUT LIFE" is a crucial part of His Way Out Ministries. Because His Way Out Ministries is committed to compassionately communicating God's heart through a caring Christian community, His Way Out Ministries will be a receiving house for non-perishable food items. This will assist those with AIDS to maintain a balanced diet and good nutrition. Two major considerations in food donations for folks with AIDS are speed and ease of preparation. An appetite sometimes doesn't last long and the item has to be readily accessible and speedily prepared for the patient to be able to enjoy it.
We invite churches, companies, ministries, corporations, individuals, and the entire City of Bakersfield to join with us in caring. Offer your support by donating the below listed items.
| Canned tuna | Canned soups |
| Canned ravioli | Canned pasta products, e.g.Spaghettio's |
| Hamburger Helper | Peanut butter |
| Hamburger Helper | Peanut butter |
| Jams and jellies | Breakfast cereals |
| Breakfast bars | Fruit cocktail |
| Canned peaches | Top Ramen |
| Cup o' Noodle soups | Canned potatoes |
| Canned corn | Macaroni and cheese mixes |
| Rice 'o Roni type mixes | Chili beans |
| Tomato paste, Tomato sauce | Spaghetti sauce |
| Potted meats | Canned stews |
| Instant potato mixes, e.g., scalloped | Instant oatmeal variety packs |
| Kleenex | Paper towels |
| Toilet paper | Popsicles (not frozen) |
| Instant breakfast drinks | Spaghetti |
His Way Out Ministries is located in The Haberfelde Building in downtown Bakersfield, California; 1412 17th Street, Suite 313. Items will be distributed in cooperation with other outreaches in our community. This is a continuous, on-going ministry. For further information, please call (661) 321-9551. God Bless You for your giving.
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His Way Out Ministries Services
- Consultations
- Family Support Group
- Individual Prayer Ministry
- "Time Out" Discipleship Series
- Ministry Support Network
- Speakers available to address Christian groups
- "Moving On" Advanced/Closed Support Groups
- "It's About Life" Ministry to Those Impacted by AIDS
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