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Personal Commentary by SBM President Stephen Bennett
June 2007 Posts »
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It's been a while since I've posted here and that has been deliberate.
I've sat back like many others and just watched with sadness and frustration as the media and sharks have had a nonstop feeding frenzy. All one could do is pray.
Compromise and 'double speak' will always start a snowball rolling down a hill - and that snowball will only continue to grow.
It's the final hour in which real followers of Jesus Christ must proclaim the life changing, soul saving gospel of Christ WITHOUT compromise.
This world needs to know what some people call 'gay' - God calls sin.
People need to hear that unrepentant homosexual sin will lead one to an eternity in a place called Hell - a place the Lord is doing everything possible to keep men and women involved in that sin -- out of.
People need to know that God's Word never changes and it's God's Word alone that changes people.
Now since we all know the bad news... people can really appreciate the Good News: that God loves them so much, He sent His only begotten Son - Jesus Christ - to die an excruciating and humiliating death on the cross, so they could be completely forgiven, completely set free from the bondage of sin, and actually receive new life.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is actually very simple. It's man who makes it difficult.
"Pride comes before a fall." Whether one is a Christian or not, God's Word on that issue applies to all, whether one believes it or not. It would be wise for all to check our 'Pride Meters' continually and make sure they are very low in the 'humility' range.
As for these last few weeks, let's learn from this. God's Word is very clear -- let us learn to communicate His Word faithfully -- with simplicity and clarity as well.
Homosexuality is sin with consequences -- just like any other sin. And just like any other sin, Jesus makes a way "out" for everyone. We can be made new in Him, our sins can be completely forgiven and Heaven can be our eternal destiny.
Remember, what is impossible with man, is COMPLETELY possible with God. Let's never forget that.
Stephen BennettExecutive Director ~ SBM, Inc.1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Irene Bennett, SBM Media Relations, (203) 926-6960www.SBMinistries.org/media.html Sorry Exodus, Homosexuals Can COMPLETELY Change HUNTINGTON, CT -- Stephen Bennett, President of Stephen Bennett Ministries, a pro-family organization advocating for the traditional family, the protection of children and proclaiming the truth about homosexuality, condemned the irresponsible and disturbing remarks attributed to and made by Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, an organization claiming to be "The largest information and referral ministry in the world on homosexual issues." Bennett, along with many others pro-family leaders, were shaken Monday by Chamber's remarks and are eagerly awaiting Exodus International's official response to their President's misguided statements. In Monday's Los Angeles Times article, the writer alludes to a posed question to Chambers, possibly, "Are there really such people as ex-gays?" The writer, then based upon a response from Chambers writes, "Truth is, he's not sure he's ever met one." What's odd is that Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, is a supposedly a former homosexual himself. In the same article, one of the most troubling quotes by Chambers states, "By no means would we ever say change can be sudden or complete." What? Then what exactly does Exodus International offer as "hope" to individuals struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction and to families of homosexual-identified individuals? On CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer", the interviewer positioned Chambers as concurring there may be a "biological" basis for homosexuality. There is ZERO biological, scientific "evidence" for homosexuality to this date. The biblical evidence for homosexuality is very clear: it's sin. For Bible believing Christians, homosexuality is, was and always will be a sinful lifestyle - condemned by God throughout the Old and New Testament - a sin that anyone involved in, must repent from. Stephen Bennett, an ex-gay himself now for 15 years, happily married for 14 years to his wife Irene and the father of their two children, stated, "Frankly, I am shocked that the President of the largest information and referral ministry in the world on homosexual issues, would ever make such irresponsible and false public statements. If Mr. Chambers, a married man and father who once engaged in homosexuality himself, says he's never met 'a former ex-gay' or one who has 'changed completely', he's personally invited to our home in Connecticut to meet one. I'd also be happy to introduce him to numerous other individuals - all former homosexual men and women." Bennett once engaged in the homosexual lifestyle for 11 years with over 100 men - losing partners and friends to HIV/AIDS, until everything changed in 1990 - when he was confronted with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He dealt with his root issues and in 1992 completely changed. Stephen no longer struggles whatsoever with homosexual temptation. "Homosexuality is an outward expression of an inward conflict. When I completely dealt with my inward conflict, my alcoholism, cocaine addiction, bulimia AND homosexual struggle were completely gone," said Bennett. Stephen continued, "What we see here is the public divide of the pro-family movement. One camp believes 'dialoguing' with homosexual advocates and activists will bring about a happy middle ground and compromise for all. That, I'm afraid, will NEVER happen. You see, 'compromise' is not in God's dictionary -- and of course homosexual activists are loathe to compromise on their core beliefs. The other pro-family camp biblically believes homosexuality is, was and always will be a sinful lifestyle that individuals were not born with, yet a lifestyle they CAN experience COMPLETE freedom from. I am in that camp. I don't believe in encouraging a dysfunctional, dangerous and potentially deadly lifestyle, but COMPLETE liberation from it." Bennett ended, "Let the chips fall where they may. It's time the world knows where those in the pro-family movement stand. It was Jesus Christ alone who set me free from the sin of homosexuality - not an ex-gay group, not reparative therapy and not any psychologist. I was made whole by the Word of God and the blood of Jesus Christ shed for me on Calvary, and I will proclaim and offer that same hope, freedom, grace, truth and reality to all who seek it until the day that I die. I pray my brother Alan Chambers will grasp that same message. "For I am NOT ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ [Romans 1:16], for it was Jesus Christ alone who saved me, delivered me and set me COMPLETELY free from my sinful homosexual past."
There has GOT to be a "clarification" of some of the most troubling and disturbing remarks claimed by the LA Times to have been made by Exodus' President, Alan Chambers, in an article published today.
I have to say with every breath of my being, I believe Alan COULDN'T have said the things the LA Times claimed he did.
I would be shocked if he did.
Knowing the LA Times, I would have to assume they took almost ALL of Alan Chamber's comments OUT of context -- and made him look like he was saying something he never did.
Years ago, on WB's "The Ananda Lewis Show", Irene and I were featured, sharing our story. The show was "pre-taped."
One slight "inaccuracy."
Not only did they leave out the most important part (only a minute or so) how I got from point A to C, someone in charge of the screen captioning took the liberty to superimpose underneath us the caption, "Bennett and his wife pray every day he will never return to being 'gay'."
Neither Irene nor I EVER said such a comment. Yet to cast doubt upon us, WB did what they did.
We were victims of "pre-taping" or "interview-raping." Producers and writers can make you say whatever THEY want you to say.
Our prayers are with Alan and Exodus during this time, and I hope someone will publicly respond to these ludicrous so-called "quotes" the LA Times is claiming.
So Massachusetts' elected officials once again proved their ignorance and incapability to carry out one simple task that the people have been asking for years: to let the people vote.
For years, homosexuals (and the rest of the State of Massachusetts) have been living in the Land of Oz, pretending two "gay" men or two lesbian woman can get "married."
Sorry Dorothy, you still ARE in Kansas.
The Goodridge lesbians - plantiffs who started this "gay" marriage mess - broke up an left one another only two years after saying, "I do."
Obviously -- they didn't and a ten year old girl was left in the wake of these self-centered lesbians' destruction, while she has a REAL father somewhere, out there.
Just because the government is pandering to the P-Town crowd mentality, real marriage has been degraded and devalued and "playing house" has been elevated to "legal" status.
Give me a break. The entire State of Massachusetts is in a state of shambles.
Homosexuals may be having their hay-day thinking everybody believes "gay is OK" and things are just "peachy keen" in the Bay state. Just talk to a few residents and see how "embarrassed" they really are to say where they're from.
In a radio interview I did today in MA, I talked with a Conservative and Liberal. The lovely lib wasn't a lesbian, but a secular progressive mother of five. She has no problem with homosexuality.
Oh, Yeah? Just wait till her John, Tom, Paul, Ginny and Donna all decide they're "gay". We'll see how "progressive" she really is.
In fact, if just one of her kids end up down that path, I don't think she'll be too thrilled. I don't know of any parent who would be.
There's a large movement beginning to gain momentum nationwide to "re-stigmatize" homosexuality as being "wrong." It used to be until decades ago.
I'll never forget homosexuals demanding people to "Stay out of our bedrooms!"
People did.
Then, homosexuals - still "unsatisfied" - insisted on dragging everybody into their bedrooms: from the government, schools, churches... and yes, even the little children.
How will this Mass. mess eventually play out? Lord knows. Until then, our job continues: preaching the truth in a world that loves darkness rather than the Light.
Thank God, there are still people out there with consciences who see the futility of the "gay" lifestyle.
I "jumped ship" over 15 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. I just pray others aren't afraid of the water either. ~ Stephen Bennett
Thursday, June 14, 2007
AP/FOX News.com
MONTREAT, N.C. — Ruth Graham, who surrendered dreams of missionary work in Tibet to marry a suitor who became the world's most renowned evangelist, died Thursday. She was 87.
The wife of Billy Graham died at 5:05 p.m. at her home at Little Piney Cove, surrounded by her husband and all five of their children, said a statement released by family spokesman Larry Ross.
"Ruth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team," Billy Graham said in a statement. "No one else could have borne the load that she carried. She was a vital and integral part of our ministry, and my work through the years would have been impossible without her encouragement and support.
"I am so grateful to the Lord that He gave me Ruth, and especially for these last few years we've had in the mountains together. We've rekindled the romance of our youth, and my love for her continued to grow deeper every day. I will miss her terribly, and look forward even more to the day I can join her in Heaven."
Ruth Graham has been bedridden for months with degenerative osteoarthritis of the back and neck and underwent treatment for pneumonia two weeks ago. At her request, and in consultation with her family, she had stopped receiving nutrients through a feeding tube for the last few days, Ross said.
The family plans a private interment ceremony and a public memorial service. Those arrangements had yet to be made on Thursday.
As Mrs. Billy Graham, Ruth Graham could lay claim to being the first lady of evangelical Protestantism, but neither exploited that unique status nor lusted for the limelight.
Behind the scenes, however, Ruth Graham was considered her husband's closest confidant during his spectacular global career — rivaled only by her father, L. Nelson Bell, until his death in 1973.
Bell, a missionary doctor, headed the Presbyterian hospital in Qingjiang, China, that had been founded by the father of author Pearl Buck. Ruth grew up there and spent three high school years in what's now North Korea.
...so they say.
I want to wish my beautiful wife, Irene, a happy 14th Anniversary today, June 13th.
The last 14 years of my life have been the most precious and meaningful ones to me.
We are your average, traditional American family next door: a husband, a wife, two kids (a boy and a girl) and, well, a rabbit.
Life has never been better.
My 11 years involved in the homosexual lifestyle are a horrible nightmare. The immoral sex with numerous people, the bars, the drugs, the alcohol, the failed relationships, the pornography, playing "house" with my "gay" partners, friends and lovers dying from AIDS - a nightmare.
Today, I have peace. I have stability and responsibility. I'm a husband and a father, the provider, the one who pays the mortgage, the tuition, the bills and puts food on the table.
Thank God I have the One who is my Provider. Without Him, all would be futile.
So to all the naysayers out there, the militant homosexuals who tried to change, failed and now want everyone else to fail, I have one word for you: Jesus.
Jesus Christ loves you more than you'll ever know, and He's waiting for you with open arms -- no matter what you did in your past, no matter what you did last night -- and no matter what you're doing right now.
Jesus is the answer you've been searching for all of these years.
I thank my Heavenly Father and give Him all the glory, honor and praise, for changing me and delivering me from a sinful life -- something I could never do. I thank Him for my beautiful wife and my children - my family -- a REAL family.
Thank you Lord for loving me enough to die for me while I was yet a sinner, that I might have life and life more abundant; that I might be able to tell others what You've done for me, You are ready and willing to do the same for them -- TODAY.
Praise YOU Lord for 15 years of NEW LIFE -- and 14 years married to the most wonderful Christian woman, my wife Irene, and praise you for a family I could have never imagined.
I'm not ashamed to say - I love You, Lord, with all of my heart. -- Thank You. ~ Stephen Bennett
It's amazing how the Holy Spirit really speaks to us individually and corporately through the Scriptures.
Today, I was reading Psalm 83 - I'll get to that in a moment.
This weekend, we were blessed as a family to join Vision Christian Fellowship (VCF), a second generation Korean-American church in Queens, NY.
VCF is officially part of the United Methodist Church (UMC) denomination.
For the past two years, I was an official speaker during the breakout sessions as the UMC's Northeast Annual Conference at Hofstra University in Long Island (New York.) Though I am not part of the UMC denomination, they have had me not only at their annual Conferences - but many UMC churches which attended the Conferences.
The UMC denomination is fighting within itself to FULLY accept homosexuality as "natural, normal and a gift of God."
"..a gift from God?"
That's like the entire denomination declaring, "Adultery is a gift from God," or, "Drunkards are a gift from God."
Robert Gagnon, spoke this year. Google him - A MUST.
Back to the Korean-American church, Vision Christian Fellowship.
What a godly, humble, beautiful group of people who want to know one thing and one thing only: Jesus Christ.
I was the guest preacher this weekend filling in for the pastor as he was away.
I preached from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, shared my testimony, sang and also did a Q & A with the people.
One of the questions dealt with the UMC and its embracing the FALSE "gay" theology movement (by the way, Pastor D.L. Foster is back online with a new blog, dealing strictly with this heretical movement with many churches).
We had a great a GREAT GREAT Q & A, but boy, let the Word of God speak for itself: PSALM 83
1 A Song or Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. 2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. 4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. 5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. 9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: 10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: 12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession. 13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. 14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; 15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: 18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.
A SBM Official Press Release
Huntington, CT -- Stephen Bennett is executive director of Stephen Bennett Ministries, Inc., an evangelical Christian organization that helps individuals overcome their unwanted same-sex attraction - as well as provides support for parents, family members and friends of homosexual loved ones through the ministry's private, online support community - www.TheParentsGroup.com .
Bennett and his wife are also former radio talk show hosts for "Straight Talk Radio" (STR) - a daily, half hour weekday program that dealt strictly with homosexuality and it’s affects on society, from a Christian perspective.
On June 1, 2007, an Associated Press story reported a homosexual woman, Linda Carlson, filed suit against multi-million dollar online matchmaker eHarmony.com, for so called "discrimination" against homosexuals and bisexuals. Her application or "profile" was rejected because eHarmony.com does not offer matchmaking services for homosexuals. The online matchmaking service doesn't offer services for bisexuals, cross-dressers, transgenders, transsexuals, sadomasochists or polygamists either.
eHarmony.com only provides heterosexual matchmaking services.
"We've all seen the catchy commercials of heterosexual couples hugging and swaying to eHarmony's catchy jingle, 'This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)', followed by a chipper, older white haired man with glasses telling single viewers they could find 'the love of their life' at eHarmony.com," said Bennett.
It was no secret within the Christian community that the featured elderly announcer was none other than renowned Christian author and founder of eHarmony.com, Dr. Neil Clark Warren.
Warren got his major break from Colorado-based Focus on the Family, and longtime friend, Dr. James Dobson.
Stephen said, "During our radio days, we heard through our sources that Dr. Warren - also an author - was trying to obtain the sole rights to his books still under contract with the publishing arm of Focus on the Family. Our sources argued Warren was doing so because he was getting ready to offer 'homosexual dating services.' Warren claimed Focus' strong biblical beliefs and political activism, as well as the Focus on the Family name appearing on his book covers were 'a killer' to the new, growing direction and vision of eHarmony.com “
See www.theconservativevoice.com/articles/article.html?storyid=5917 .
“I was doing a news story for Straight Talk Radio News, so I decided to contact eHarmony.com’s Media Department directly for clarification for our broadcast. Never in a million years did I think I would get the man himself, Dr. Warren. I wasn’t going to miss out on this opportunity and I wanted direct answers,” said Bennett.
Bennett’s contact with Warren for STR was almost two years ago to the date in 2005.
Stephen inquired, "Dr. Warren, I am a Christian and former homosexual man now happily married for almost 12 years to my wife and we have two beautiful children. I’m a radio talk show host for Straight Talk Radio and I am calling for clarification on a matter. Is it true you are parting ways with Focus on the Family because you are now going to offer a 'homosexual' dating service?"
Bennett says Warren almost verbally 'ripped off his head' for asking such a question.
Stephen recounts Dr. Warren's terse rebuke very clearly:
"Are you going to believe those lies? Are you going to believe the gossip? Listen sir, I don’t know who you are, but I’ve been a Christian for a long, long time and eHarmony would never, ever offer a homosexual matchmaking service!"
Bennett replied, "So, you believe homosexuality is obviously and biblically a sin - like myself and Dr. Dobson, correct?"
Dr. Warren replied, "Of course I do! Who do you think I am?"
Bennett, founder of www.SBMinistries.org, a national organization that advocates for traditional marriage, the protection of children and proclaiming the truth about homosexuality, was shocked, dismayed and felt betrayed by eHarmony's ‘official’ public response to the homosexual class-action status lawsuit, published Friday by the Associated Press, which stated:
Stephen replied, "First, this ridiculous homosexual lawsuit is being based on the premise that eHarmony.com violated California state law barring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. There are numerous homosexual so-called 'dating' services. Why do homosexuals want to use eHarmony.com when it is strictly heterosexual? This is pure homosexual pressure once again to force the acceptance of homosexuality upon all of society.”
Bennett continued, “Secondly, eHarmony.com's ‘official’ statement in response to the lawsuit completely contradicts founder Dr. Neil Clark Warren’s public clarification for Straight Talk Radio to me. It’s a sad day when such a great organization as eHarmony.com seems to be caving into to pressure from the militant homosexual agenda."
"This is the real danger of the homosexual movement. If you don't accept, support and celebrate the homosexual lifestyle, you can be sued, silenced, and God forbid - if federal hate crimes legislation ever becomes law of the land - possibly be thrown into jail for your Christian, biblical beliefs that homosexuality is sinful, unnatural and unhealthy behavior," said Bennett.
Stephen ended, “I pray Dr. Warren - a Christian man who gave me a public statement for the media that e.Harmony.com would NEVER offer homosexual matchmaking services – is a man of his word and eHarmony.com doesn’t compromise God’s Word. I believe the entire reason the company has become so successful is because of the Christian, biblical principles it has upheld.”
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