six11ministries

alright - so i’ve been gone and absent minded about the blog.  but i see we’ve gotten many visitors none-the-less … which is sweet.  anyways, i have a few post to put up and hopefully a good discussion will start to brew.

until, then.  be well.  be loved.

Two views from two different perspectives.

First view:

I know it’s been awhile since I lasted posted on here - my apologies for that. A few weekends ago, I attended a prayer conference in Ohio. The speaker for the weekend, spoke about the power of prayer, the power of healing, and the power of our testimony. Needless to say, GOD stretched my level of faith in HUGE ways.

I’m sure we could all spend hours talking about the aspects of healing, the theology that surrounds it, and the questions that stir from this ‘hot topic’. And I’m sure we could equally discuss the levels of faith we each have; and how these levels seems to change based upon our position between the mountain and valley. Instead I want to talk about our testimony.

I have always believed that our testimony is powerful - full of “GOD-power”. I also have always believed that each one of us has a testimony, regardless of how we became a Christian. From the one who states, “I have always been a Christian” to the one who states, “I’ve been saved from the depths of hell”, if we are a Christian we have a testimony to share - because this principle rings true for all who are in CHRIST: we once were counted dead, but now we’re counted alive (Romans 6:23).

What is a testimony? In simple terms, it’s a GOD-story with untamed energy. Testimony’s proclaim the Glory of GOD, they tell of one’s journey from death to life, and they display the power of the Universe-Creator. Testimony’s rock - and if actually used, they can pin darkness down victoriously.

Now I’m sure this sounds like ’super-Christian’ jargon, but as silly as it may sound, this is truth: the power of one’s testimony is a valuable weapon. I love how Revelation 12:11 speaks about this idea of one’s testimony being a weapon:

They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb (JESUS), and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Recently, our church has been going through some trials and arguments - mainly dealing with GOD’S Word and homosexuality. At both meetings, I have chosen to stand and speak forth my testimony - what I know to be true. I have received many compliments, and I respond in the same manner: PRAISE GOD. My story is no more horrific than the next person’s. Yes it’s different and involves different situations; but the same power my story holds the next person’s story holds. So the focus shouldn’t be, who has the best story to share, but rather, who has the guts to share their story.

I’ll admit, I haven’t always been open to sharing my story - especially with those in the church. I was intimidated by man, and how man would reject me (or accept me) because of my testimony. In fact, it wasn’t until 2004 that I finally starting sharing my story in church interviews, applications, and with the church body. Again, I wasn’t ashamed of what GOD had brought me through, or what HE had done, but I was afraid of being rejected because I was from a ‘worser’ sin than most.

Though I have been finding quite the opposite happening. The more I am willing to forsake my own comfort and trust GOD, the more opportunities I have to share the Glory of what HE’S done … the more acceptance I am finding within the church body … the more powerful my faith has become. All of these experiences have sealed in me the belief that our testimony holds power - GOD-power. And HE’S waiting for each of us to tap into this truth.

Psalm 40 puts it this way:

I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

Check out that last part: many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Why? Because when we allow ourselves to be vessels of GOD’S Glory, strange things like revival begin. When we proclaim what GOD has done in and through us, people catch a hold of that and the Kingdom of GOD comes near; the salvation of CHRIST reaches beyond our imagination.

Our stories should never be far from our lips, nor far from our hearts. The message we have within us should be the message that Glorifies HIM who has given us such a message. May the LORD continue to rise up gutsy story-tellers …

i need a logo. i’ve done some rough sketches but nothing seems good enough … actually none of them are beyond 1st grade quality. it sucks because i took loads of art classes in high school. i actually wanted to be an art teacher for high schoolers (i know, a typical gay-guy occupation). over the years, since graduating, i’ve done a few paintings but nothing to really write home about. anyways, i don’t know why i’m going on about all of this, except to fill yet another post with information about myself.

i’m excited at starting this ministry. but then again, i’m extremely fearful of it.

i’m scared that i’ll fail.
i’m scared that what i have to say won’t be heard.
i’m scared that what i have to say won’t be good enough.
i’m scared of tackling this issue.
i’m scared of rejection.
i’m scared of being found out (a strange fear i know, but i’m being honest).
i’m scared of facing what’s around the corner.

i have no clue what i’m doing. all i know is that i have to do something. as the prophet jeremiah affirms, this message is like fire within my bones and i can’t keep it in any longer. so, to use an old familiar phrase: i’m coming out of the closet.

first off i must admit something. i’m a christian. and not a normal christian either. i’m a christian who is passionate about JESUS. i’m a christian who is not defined by a denomination. i’m a christian who upholds GOD’S word as truth; and a christian who lives out JESUS’ words of unconditional love. i’m a christian who is serious; and a christian who strives to be real and authentic. i’m a christian who is being restored from being broken; and a christian who forgives much because i have been forgiven much. i’m a christian, not by religion’s standards or man’s standards, but by JESUS’ standards. i’m the real deal.

just thought that needed to be said.

second, i must confess, i mess up a lot. i sin every day. i struggle with temptations, thoughts, actions, words, deeds, etc, etc, etc. i don’t sin on purpose but than again i don’t always stay away from sin’s door either - if you know what i mean. i wish i had my act together, but i don’t. and i guess that’s a good thing. because if i’m honest with myself, if i wasn’t so messed up, would i really need JESUS everyday? would i really need HIM at all? and when i honestly think about my answers to these two questions, i sit back and thank GOD that i’m so broken - cause i don’t want to live without HIM.

third, one of my biggest struggles, and one of the main reasons for this blog and ministry, is sexual brokenness — porn, sexual desires, etc. but mainly homosexuality . my heart is for those who are also sexually broken like myself. especially those who struggle with homosexual actions, thoughts, lifestyles, and looking for a better hope than this life seems to offer.

this is not a ‘gay-bashing’ site/blog/ministry and this is not a ‘pro-gay’ site/blog/ministry. rather i am just a guy who has found a better reason to live and hope for than what was offered to me before. i’m just a guy who has found freedom and life in JESUS. i’m just a guy trying to make it just like everyone else. i’m just a guy who wants to give back and minister to those who are striving to survive today.

like i said earlier, this blog is part of a ministry that i am starting: six11 ministries. the name is the only thing set … i don’t have a mission statement, i don’t have a five year plan; but i do have a vision and a purpose, and i most definitely have a passion. my goals, if i were to say right now, are:

1. to minister to those sexually broken
2. to encourage and empower those walking wounded to walk in freedom
3. to equip the church to effectively minister to those sexually broken
4. to equip the church in supporting and loving those who struggle with homosexuality
5. to establish a ministry that remains biblical and strong in a depriving world

like i said i don’t have the fine details tuned but i have the passion set into motion.

so why “611″ … because of two reasons. when i came out of the homosexual lifestyle (my testimony will come later), i used to travel down to Philly each week to attend a support meeting/bible study. the road i traveled down to Philly was Route 611. the second reason is because of this verse i came across a few years ago:

“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Paul is speaking about those who had been living in lifestyles that weren’t healthy or pleasing to GOD (basically sin), especially the homosexual lifestyle. he reminds them that the life they used to live is now different from the life they now live in CHRIST - simply put, they had traded a life of bondage for a life of freedom. and this my friends, is the backbone to six11 ministries.

anyways … i think that’s enough rambling for now. like i said, my testimony will be posted later … it’s long and rocky, but GOD is still my bestest friend.