In recent months, there have been many times where I’ve felt like shutting down the laptop permanently and walking away from the keyboard due to the apparent disregard for any of the words I’m impressed to write. Not because it’s “all about me,” but because there no longer seems to be any interest around me for God or Godly ways.
Christianity and Adventism seem like they were a phase we’ve grown tired of. Adhering to, or being drawn to holiness as instructed in God’s Word has nearly become a thing of the past. I believe there is a very simple reason for that, which I’ll reveal shortly.
We’re living in the center of the second Sodom about to be consumed by fire.
Prior to my conversion eleven years ago, there hadn’t been any practice or effort to write. I had taken a journalism class in high school, but I was lousy in my English classes, begging my instructor for a “D” instead of a dreaded “F.”
My childhood and youth were the most internally tortured years of my life. I was a freak in the eyes of others. There wasn’t a masculine bone in my body, and it seemed I would be reminded of that no matter what direction I turned within the sacred walls of church and private, Christian schooling.
If only I had realized that my “Protector” was Jesus. I couldn’t make sense of anything trying to see clearly through my constant tear-stained eyes. Was this really what life was going to be like? Could Christians who boasted of God’s love really be so cruel and insensitive?
At eighteen, while working for Loma Linda University Medical Center, I met Glenn Franklin, the roommate of one of the hospital orderlies. Within the first five minutes of talking to Glenn, he pointed out that I was “gay.” I had no recollection of the word or its meaning. He said; “You like guys, don’t you?” No one had been that in my face with the observation.
Growing up as a devoted, bible believing Adventist, I recognized that my attractions, if given in, would lead me down a perilous road. And I constantly wondered… how can that be? I didn’t ask to feel the way I was feeling.
In our first meeting, Glenn suddenly blurts out; “Adventism breeds homosexuality.” I’m sure my jaw was on the carpet. Given the pro-gay rally at La Sierra College in November and the gay Sabbath School class that has long met at the La Sierra church, I’d have to concur that Glenn was correct.
But this was 1973. I asked Glenn how he arrived at such a conclusion. He said; “You’re gay! I’m gay! And I go to school with a bunch of other gays at La Sierra College. The church is great at telling us that homosexual behavior is sin, but they don’t tell us what we’re supposed to do about it.” Glenn was absolutely correct! And they still don’t. ☹
And so I was off to my first gay bar with my new friend Glenn. I left God. And I left the church. I had found a community that, seemingly, realistically and perversely, wrapped their arms around me. You only need look around for a moment to recognize the power and so-called freedom that comes in numbers. Isolate someone and start asking some pointed questions and the onion is generally peeled fairly rapidly, revealing an abhorrent disturbance in someone’s past that Satan used to derail them. Often, all the way back to infancy.
Almost overnight, teasing, harassing and nights of sobbing myself to sleep, was replaced with my new found identity, embracing the very thing God’s Word warns against in every reference in His Holy Word. Someone told me about a group that was developing, called SDA Kinship, and that I should attend a meeting. Thinking I could keep some association or belief in God, I attended a meeting and quickly ascertained that humans were toying with, rearranging and reinterpreting scripture to accommodate our flesh. It certainly didn’t take an academic to figure that out.
I wasn’t interested in a new theology. If you were going to keep me as a “believer,” I needed answers that I would know came directly from the throne of Jesus. And that wasn’t being shared. Quite oddly and sadly, it’s not being shared today, except through a couple of bible-based ministries of those of us who lived in the depths of Satan’s lies and deceptions and were rescued by Jesus Christ Himself, not the church.
The “Great Controversy” is very much alive today. While I was selfishly trapped in my little world, looking for immediate ways to feel better, the great deceiver was busy working in your life too. His clever designs on us will seek to overthrow and counterfeit any instruction or caution from God.
Satan, now for thousands of years, has painted God as unfair and unjust. Through the mystical power of influence and spiritualism, he has manipulated man to blame God for every evil thing that originated from his own iniquity.
Whether you’re next to a chatty table in a restaurant you frequent, or have the television on, you witness God’s name being taken in vain, millions upon millions of times in a day. When something tragic occurs, God is immediately held responsible. Notice, we call them “Acts of God,” yet, in reality, they are catastrophes orchestrated by Satan and the third of holy beings cast out of heaven.
Satan has obliterated us with appetites and passions for pleasure. The list runs a gamut. There’s something for absolutely everyone. And we’ve instinctively, due to our natural bend toward sin, welcomed his subtle and even obvious efforts. His success is in appealing to our senses.
For me, the blissful escape of sensuality was packaged and distributed through sex. Through total disregard of God’s wholesome counsel, I became corrupted with the poisonous, addictive venom of God’s enemy.
What is it for you? Catastrophically, most of us are responding to more than one of his potent poisons. Food, pornography, gossip, hatred, anger, sexual encounters with or without a second party. Depravity runs rampant.
Take such effected individuals and put them in teaching and administrative positions, and you’ll eventually begin to witness the decline of the American empire. Worse… the depreciation and corruption of humanity which has replaced God with their own selfish kingship. Thus, labels like LGBT+ Adventist, or Gay Christian replaces God’s prescribed identity for each one His precious children.
The gifted messenger God lovingly provided, is increasingly hated. Sin-addicted souls cringe at the mere mention of “holiness” being replicated in humanity. Not ours… but His.
“Work on patiently; but rebuke sin firmly, and give it no sanction. The refuge of lies for the covering up of sin must be torn away, in order that poor deluded souls may not sleep on to their everlasting ruin. The world is soon to be left by the angel of mercy, and the seven last plagues are to be poured out. Sin, shame, sorrow, and darkness are on every side; but God still holds out to the souls of men the precious privilege of exchanging darkness for light, error for truth, sin for righteousness. But God’s patience and mercy will not always wait. Let not one soul think that he can hide from God’s wrath behind a lie; for God will strip from the soul the refuge of lies. The bolts of God’s wrath are soon to fall, and when he shall begin to punish the transgressors, there will be no period of respite until the end. The storm of God’s wrath is gathering, and those only will stand who are sanctified through the truth in the love of God. They shall be hid with Christ in God till the desolation shall be overpast. He shall come forth to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity, and “the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers
Well informed, infected souls are found advocating for the pacifying pleasures of sin in nearly every branch of Adventism today. Not shamefully, but celebratory, pushing for and campaigning for mutiny within. Following the ebbs and tides of whatever nonbiblical motivation is rising amidst this “Great Controversy.” All regard for the authority and trustworthiness of God is all but faintly visible.
“Christian Education” appears to be so, in name only, difficult to palpitate on campuses dedicated to the quests for success with an earthly focus.
Heaven? Who wants to go there? Especially if I can construct my own happiness here? However, such lasting “happiness” is a myth. Have we lost sight of Jesus and His master plan of happiness and the perfection of humanity, He offers to complete at His second coming?
If we cringe at “His ways,” what purpose would we have in heaven? How quickly would we take a look around and promptly say, I don’t want to be here?
Allow me to reflect on my original comment about no longer being drawn to “holiness.” I believe that as Adventists we’ve long promoted and held prophecy seminars about end-time events. Vitally important information. However, just as important and conspicuously missing, is a dedicated effort to cultivate intimacy with Jesus. Contemplating His wonderous, compassionate ways … falling in love with Him.
Instead, we’re a head-knowledge filled people with a love for the world and all it has to offer.
Worship is a routine formality that just happens to fall on the seventh day of the week. Would you withstand persecution for it? Would we currently withstand persecution for anything pertaining to God?
Church congregations are numbed by the pleasures Satan successfully offers.
I’m living proof of the damage of sin that separates us from God. Yes.. even since my conversion, I have fallen to familiarity with my past. That’s the damage sin does. Yet, I’m also proof of the reconciliation, restoration and redemption this is promised and possible through Jesus.
I often wonder, will I look back? Is there something I experienced and loved sooo much at one point in this sick world that I would want just one more glance before moving on? Or has Jesus captured and holds my full attention? It’s not about sinning just a little bit. It’s about falling in love with Jesus. Calling sin sin, and relinquishing it forever … for Him.
I invite you to obtain a copy of my recently published book, “Line by Line – A Biblical Analysis of Guiding Families of LGBT+ Loved Ones.” www.knowhislove.org
God bless and be with you.
****
Wayne Blakely
Know His Love Ministries
P.S. Glenn Franklin accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and confided in me that homosexual behavior is truly offensive to God. I fully expect to rejoice with him in heaven.
Testimony
“Hello Mr. Blakely,
My name is Erin Penrod and I am a student from Andrews University who attends the Village Seventh-day Adventist Church and was present for most of the recent seminar on sexual purity. I spoke with you on the Sabbath at the end of the meetings and you asked if I would write a paragraph describing my impression of the meetings and the blessings I received. Below is what I have put together. If it is too long please feel free to just use anything from it that is helpful :) I wasn't sure if there needed to be a context explanation at the beginning, but I didn't include one. I hope this is ok.
"I have noticed that the culture of youth I live in today is afraid to confront multiple perspectives of sensitive or controversial issues. Often society as a whole adopts a stance (typically in opposition to the Word of God) and is then insecure in its ability to explore any other position. This is unfortunate for many reasons, but primarily because God suffers loss when His children are not introduced to His heart through the beautiful truths of His word. The sexual purity seminar at Village was not only refreshing in its honesty and straightforwardness about Biblical truth, but also brought vital relevance to today’s culture by sharing this truth with a world that puts up walls when cultural norms are re-evaluated and moral stereotypes are threatened. Yet the blessing of this series went far beyond the testimonies and messages of the presenters; humble attitudes and genuine care for the individuals who came to the meetings were evident in all of the presenters’ actions. I was blessed by the vulnerability and transparency of these speakers throughout the course of the week. The love of Christ was poured out in a tangible and undeniable way in that place, and I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit made many advances in an environment which was so beautifully dedicated to Him.
The biggest message that I came away from these meetings with was that the mistakes of my past are not who I am, and never have defined me. The Creator of the universe made me. This means that my identity rests completely on His shoulders. I can choose whether or not to embrace His plan for me, but my will could never have the authority to change His will and who He made me to be. When I saw this through the meetings, I was overcome with peace and joy, knowing that my mistakes and habits are simply results of a broken connection with Christ, and that they can be replaced completely by loving Him. I am so grateful for this truth!"
Thank you again for being so willing to share how God has loved you and changed your life. God touched me so powerfully during these meetings and I saw Jesus through you in so many ways. Thank you.
Blessings,
Erin Penrod”