Homosexual activists reject out-of-hand any research that shows homosexual behavior, generally speaking, is unhealthy compared to normal sexuality. At some point, however, pro-“gay” advocates need to explain why so many homosexuals are dying so young. (And you can’t blame it on “homophobia” — you know, those anti-gay bastions of Norway and Denmark…) When they do, we’ll relay their explanations to you. –Peter LaBarbera

PHILADELPHIA, April 3, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Studies have shown that years of smoking shortens the lifespan of the smoker from 1 to 7 years. Recent analysis of the age of death in Norway and Denmark for gays who are legally married suggests that engaging in homosexual behavior reduces lifespan by 24 years!

So reported Drs. Paul and Kirk Cameron at the annual convention of the Eastern Psychological Association on March 23.

“What justification is there for condemning smoking and endorsing homosexuality?” asked Dr. Paul Cameron, of the Family Research Institute, a Colorado-based think tank. “Today, all across the Western world, school children are being taught the acceptability of homosexuality and the wrongness of smoking.

According to the Cameron research, married gays and lesbians lived 24 fewer years than their conventionally married counterparts.

In Denmark, the country with the longest history of gay marriage, for 1990-2002, married heterosexual men died at a median age of 74yrs., while the 561 partnered gays died at an average age of 51.

In Norway, married heterosexual men died at an average age of 77 and the 31 gays at 52 yrs. In Denmark, married women died at an average age of 78 yrs. compared to 56 yrs. for the 91 lesbians. In Norway, women married to men died at an average age of 81. v. 56 for the 6 lesbians.

“The consistency of reduced lifespan for those engaging in homosexuality is significant,” said Dr. Cameron. “The same pattern of early death turned up whether we looked at obituaries in the U.S. or deaths in marriage. Given the greatly reduced lifespan for homosexuals, school children should be strongly and consistently warned about the dangers of homosexuality even more so than smoking. Those school districts which are introducing pro-gay curricula need to rethink their priorities.”

Paul Cameron, Ph.D. Kirk Cameron, Ph.D., presented “Federal Distortion of The Homosexual Footprint.” Paul Cameron, a reviewer for the British Medical Journal, the Canadian Medical Association Journal, and the Postgraduate Medical Journal, has published over 40 scientific articles on homosexuality. The EPA, is the oldest regional Psychological Association in the United States. At its Philadelphia convention members presented the latest advances in scientific work to colleagues.

Read the full report by the Camerons:
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007_docs/CameronHomosexualFootprint.pdf  

News Release
Americans For Truth
www.americansfortruth.org

For Immediate Release, April 4, 2007            

Americans For Truth President Peter LaBarbera accuses the homosexual group Soulforce of intimidating Christian colleges by demanding a “dialogue” with them and then protesting at those colleges, like Bob Jones, that refuse. He called on Soulforce to apologize for linking faithful Christians who believe the Bible’s clear teachings against homosexuality to “spiritual violence,” and chastised Soulforce for exploiting the genuine, black civil rights movement.

GREENVILLE, S.C.—  on the campus of Bob Jones University, target of a Soulforce protest –– Americans For Truth President Peter LaBarbera today accused the radical homosexual activist group Soulforce of engaging in an intimidation campaign masquerading as a quest for “dialogue” — against Bible-believing Christian colleges.

“Genuine dialogue doesn’t come under threat of an angry protest,” LaBarbera said. “Imagine if your biggest critic demanded a ‘dialogue’ with you and then warned that if you didn’t bend to his wishes, he’d show up at your doorstep with 20 protesters. This is what Soulforce is doing to American Christian colleges as part of its unbiblical effort to win acceptance for changeable behavior that God condemns.

“The truth is, Bob Jones, and every other Christian college on Soulforce’s target list, have nothing to apologize for and nothing to negotiate on the homosexual issue,” he said. “There is no more reason to engage in ‘dialogue’ on this question than any other sexual sin.”

He said some Christian schools have unwittingly helped advance the idea that homosexuality is a “special sin” by allowing Soulforce activists on to their campus to present students with their heretical views –– including: “Biblical authors are silent about homosexual orientation as we know it today.” (The Bible discusses homosexuality in terms of sinful behavior, not “orientation”; for more analysis from Rob Gagnon, Associate Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and one of world’s leading authorities on the Bible and homosexual practice, go to www.robgagnon.net.)

In accusing Soulforce of distorting the Bible’s “crystal clear” teachings on homosexuality, LaBarbera said, “They deny Christ’s power by denying the possibility of change –– even though Jesus Christ has helped many former gay men and lesbians overcome homosexual urges.”

Soulforce also “demonizes faithful Christians by linking them to ‘spiritual violence,’” LaBarbera said. “Equating obedience to God to ‘violence’ is a bullying tactic designed to create a victim status of homosexuals. Soulforce owes all of Christendom an apology for essentially calling God (and His Word) a liar.”

LaBarbera also accused Soulforce of “ripping off the black civil rights movement –– even appropriating the 1960s ‘freedom riders’ name (Soulforce calls its bus tour activists ‘Equality Riders’) –– when in fact the two movements have nothing in common.” He said the tactic is ironic since most African Americans deeply resent equating their civil rights struggle with homosexual activism, and as a group they more strongly oppose “same-sex marriage” than whites.

TAKE ACTION: Find out if your child’s middle or high school is participating in or endorsing the homosexual “Day of Silence” Wed., April 18th and remove him or her from school that day to protest the promotion of unhealthy and immoral lifestyles to our young people. For more information on HOW to find out about the Day of Silence in your kids’ school, go to www.NotOurKids.com.

By Peter LaBarbera

WARNING: Graphic, pornographic-like descriptions of homosexual perversions are contained in this flier for “boyz”— so why was it being distributed to young men? Why are homosexually-tempted teenagers being told that they are “superstars” and that “being queer is a gift”? And why are they being coached on how to “safely” perform sodomitic sex acts like anal sex, homosexual oral sex and even “rimming” — (licking their “partner’s” anus) — yet they are NOT told how deadly these immoral homosexual behaviors can be?

It’s time for everyday Americans to face the reality of homosexual perversions being promoted by “gay” activist adults to impressionable children. If you want to know why Americans For Truth so strongly oppose pro-homosexual youth/school campaigns like the “Day of Silence” (Wed., April 18th), study this “100% Hate Free” flier — created by Chicago’s leading “gay health” organization and passed out to teen boys at a homosexual street fair. Like me, you will probably get angry when you read it, but better to be angry and informed than naive and uninformed about the evils being promoted to young people in the name of “gay pride.”

Parents simply have no clue as to what lies behind that lavender curtain of tolerance and the dangers that lurk there. Depraved homosexual acts that were once taboo and unspeakable among adults are now being taught and promoted openly to kids. Folks, this is pure evil.

Anyone who has monitored the homosexual, bisexual and “transgender” movements (as I have done for the last 15 years) will not be shocked by this. GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which launched the Day of Silence, should be banned from schools for the reckless corruptions of youth it has already been a part of — see the story of their 2000 Massachusetts “Fistgate” scandal HERE. Again and again I have seen firsthand how recklessly homosexual activist adults promote their destructive lifestyle to minors. Such corruption of youth is unconscionable, but it serves the needs of the hyper-sexualized “gay” adult male subculture. (To be sure, there are homosexuals who will share our horror at this flier.)

Please carefully read each of the facsimile pages below of this “queer pride” flier that targets teenage boys with the message that it’s “cool” to be “gay.” Print it out and show your friends. Our online copy is hard to read, so we have transcribed the wording on each page below. This flier was distributed by the Howard Brown Health Center, the leading homosexual-oriented “health center” in Chicago.

Of special note [PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: ALL THAT FOLLOWS, HOWEVER DISTASTEFUL, IS BEING GIVEN AS ADVICE TO TEENAGE (OR YOUNGER) BOYS]:

• Page 2: “You’re queer, you’re a SUPERSTAR”;
• Page 3: “Being QUEER is a gift”; promotes schools “gay/straight alliance” clubs;
• Page 4: Encourages youth to “come out” as “gay”: “Coming out is all about being freer and happier”;
• Page 5: Guides “boyz” on how to perform oral sex on a male “safer” [WARNING AGAIN: GRAPHIC CONTENT, BUT THIS WAS BEING PASSED OUT TO YOUNG MEN!] The flier even guides “boyz” on how to “safely” perform the heinous act of oral-anal “sex” (“rimming”): “…by putting a DENTAL DAM over your partner’s pleasure holes before you get down for a good licking”;
• Page 6: More homosexual perversion: guides the boys on how to prepare their body for anal penetration — by using lubricated “dildos,” etc. This is disgusting but read it if you can: youth should be told to avoid unnatural homosexual acts at all costs, not taught how to do them! And why after decades of “safer sex” instruction are “gay” men still dying in the prime of their life? Could it be that various homosexual sodomies are so lethal that they will never be “safe”?
• Page 7: Advocates sex without condoms after a period of “monogamy” is established between partners, but “Agree to tell each other immediately if you do stray into risky sexual behavior outside of your relationship.” (True fidelity is extremely rare among homosexual men.) Once again tells boys that “Being QUEER is something SPECIAL…Now go find some GAY, BI, TRANS teems and other COOL PEOPLE to CELEBRATE YOURSELF! SPREAD THE WORD, STOP THE VIRUS, and SHARE THE PRIDE!

___________________________

Cover:

Text: “100% HATE FREE — Pride — Because KNOWLEDGE is POWER — GUARANTEED TO LIFE SPIRITS, BREAK DOWN STEREOTYPES AND CHALLENG BIGOTRY!”

Page 2:

Text: “Superstars — BEING DIFFERENT IS DEFINITELY A PLUS! Being different is what makes you a SUPERSTAR! Especially if you’re young, queer, and proud, just like millions of other GAY, BI, and TRANS teens. OK, so you’re HERE, you’re QUEER, you’re a SUPERSTAR. Now what? Hopefully we can answer some of those questions. — Respect with a capital R — First off, respect yourself, and expect others to respect you. We are ALL UNIQUE and SPECIAL. If someone is RUDE to you because they have a problem with your QUEER PRIDE, remember that there are a lot of other people who are caring, welcoming, and respectful. For more info on where you can get in touch with QUEER-FRIENDLY folks and fun spaces for GAY, BI, and TRANS teens, check out the back of this brochure.”

Page 3:

Text: “[a question of self] — love — Second thing, LOVE YOURSELF! And others will come to LOVE you. Start by getting to KNOW YOURSELF and BEING COMFORTABLE with who you are. Get together with people who bring out the best in you. Find people who know that BEING QUEER IS A GIFT, but also a challenge. Two places to go for a dose of QUEER PRIDE: gay student alliances and support groups. And don’t forget to find yourself a QUEER-FRIENDLY doctor to keep your body and mind in good shape. STAY HEALTHY, STAY HAPPY! Start with the listings on the back of this brochure.”

Page 4:

Text: “breaking down the closet door — Third, think about COMING OUT. It could really take a huge load off your mind. You won’t have to keep your feelings to yourself anymore. And that will make your life a lot more livable. Coming out is all about being freer and happier. But you may want to wait if you live with parents who can’t understand or if coming out might put your life in danger. Try to get some advice from other GAY, BI, and TRANS SUPERSTARS. Ask them what it was like for them to COME OUT and stay out! And remember to look at the back of this brochure for info on support groups that can help you along the way.”

Page 5:

Text: “SAFER SEX — The Basics — [next to picture of condoms] It’s important to know that you don’t have to have sex to be GAY, BI, or TRANS. Being QUEER is about a lot more than just sex. You don’t need to cave in to people who pressure you into having sex. Third, if you’re wondering what SEX is like for GAY, BI, or TRANS SUPERSTARS, be sure to read on and play it safer! —

SAFER SEX 201 — SEX is SPECIAL. Especially if you’re OK with yourself, your body, and your partner(s). SEX can make for a really GOOD TIME. But there are some RISKS, like HIV and STDs. So take care of yourself: PLAY SAFER. Here’s HOW YOU CAN DO IT. Let’s start with ORAL SEX. HIV can be spread through oral sex. But using a CONDOM makes it much safer. You don’t like the condom? You can still play it safer if you AVOID CUM and PRECUM. Work your guy’s balls and shaft; move away from the head of his penis. If you still get some cum in your mouth, SPIT, DON’T SWALLOW. And remember NOT TO BRUSH your teeth for a few hours before or after ORAL SEX. Finally, when it comes to other STDs and ORAL SEX, play safer by putting a CONDOM on your guy’s joy stick. Or by putting a DENTAL DAM over your partner’s pleasure holes before you get down for a good licking. BI and BI-CURIOUS BOYZ, AVOID VAGINAL FLUIDS because they can spread HIV too. Ask some of the folks listed on the back of this brochure. Get the facts so you can make up your own mind. We don’t judge anyone.”

Page 6:

Text: HIV and STDs can also be spread through ANAL SEX. Before you get someone else to go up your butt, spend some time getting to KNOW YOUR OWN BUTT first. Start with your fingers, maybe a lubed-up PINKY. Work your way in and around till you can take two fingers. You can also try a lubricated DILDO or a BUTT-PLUG. And if you decide to share, put a new condom on the dildo each time you, or a buddy, takes it in. Want the REAL THING? Make sure you get your guy to work up your butt before he goes in easy. If you’re not relaxed and comfortable, it’ll hurt. So get him to work it good. Hint: You can never use too much lube. Not only is it safer, it helps everything feel better, too.

— healthy, happy sex — Remember: UNPROTECTED ANAL SEX is very RISKY, just like UNPROTECTED VAGINAL SEX, so play it safer! Use a LATEX CONDOM with lots of WATER-BASED LUBE every time you take it UP THE BUTT and every time you fuck someone.

— drugs — You don’t have to get drunk or high to party like a SUPERSTAR. Mixing chemicals and sex is a VERY RISKY thing to do. Sure, some drugs can make the music sound better and alcohol might make you feel less insecure around people, but DRINKING AND TAKING DRUGS DON’T MAKE YOU A QUEER SUPERSTAR! It might be tempting to use drugs to escape the homophobia from people who don’t respect us, but ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS CAN MESS WITH YOUR THINKING and even take you on A ONE-WAY TRIP TO THE E.R.! If you still want to use ’em, keep some condoms handy where you party, plan ahead. Tell your partner(s) straight up that you PLAY SAFER. You could also USE LESS stuff. Drink less or not at all if you think you might be having sex, or go check out drug-free venues and activities put on by QUEER support groups. The listing on the back of this brochure will be useful.”

Page 7:

Text: “lovin your man — OK, so you don’t want to play the field? Feel like it’s time to have JUST ONE GUY, just one and only one BOYFRIEND? That’s not something new for GAY, BI, and TRANS teens. It’s called m-o-n-o-g-a-m-y. And it’s a way of PLAYING SAFER. Here’s HOW YOU COULD DO IT, if you’re in a relationship, and thinking about losing the condoms. 1-Discuss monogamy with your partner. 2-After six weeks of monogamy, go TOGETHER and get HIV and STD tests. Keep using barriers or behaviors to prevent the exchange of semen/cum. 3-Pick up your results together and then give the condoms four more months (it’s a long time, but this way the test is most accurate). 4-At that point (around six months), get tested one more time. If you are both comfortable with your status, monogamy and have open communication in your relationship, then you can drop those condoms. 5-Agree to tell each other immediately if you do stray into risky sexual behavior outside of your relationship. It’s important to do this BEFORE you have sex again with each other.

— a final word — BEING QUEER is something SPECIAL. Something to CELEBRATE. Your SEXUALITY isn’t everything, but it makes you WONDERFULLY DIFFERENT. Now go find some GAY, BI, TRANS teems and other COOL PEOPLE to CELEBRATE YOURSELF! SPREAD THE WORD, STOP THE VIRUS, and SHARE THE PRIDE!”

Back Cover:

Text: “PLACES WITH A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON — It’s not always easy to go it alone when you’re young and queer. Here are some places where you can go to get the help and support that you might need. Check ’em out. And pass on the word to other GAY, BI, and TRANS teens who might also need a helping hand. — Place sticker with appropriate adolescent referral services here.

— If you have any other questions about HIV/AIDS, feel free to call: Howard Brown Health Center’s Gay/Bi Men’s HIV Prevention Project, 3651 N. Halsted Chicago, IL 60613, 773.871.3300 stopaids@howardbrown.org, www.howardbrown.org”

by Daniel T. Zanoza, National Director, Republicans For Fair Media

COMMENTARY

On April 18th, a number of public schools across the country will hold a so-called “Day of Silence.”  The day was originally promoted by an adult homosexual advocacy group, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) with the intent of ending discrimination against students who were allegedly harassed because of alternative sexual lifestyles.

Though I do not support special rights for homosexuals, I do believe the concept of silence in our schools concerning the subject of homosexuality is appropriate.  In fact, I feel there should be silence 365 days a year–when it comes to the discussion of how individuals have sex.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if school children were not bombarded with propaganda from special interest groups, like GLSEN, which promote unhealthy and, some times, deadly lifestyles?

However, there are those who are using our nation’s public schools to advance their political agenda.  What was once considered unlawful private behavior is now being presented to children–in the third grade or earlier–as “normal.”

Some say we are living in a changing world, but who is doing the changing and for what reason?  Children’s lives should not be complicated as they try to understand why Johnny has two “mommies.”  It is sad when children are subjected to such psychological trauma.  Our nation’s young people should not be forced to share the collective guilt created by adults who put sex above the welfare of their children.

It is no secret that some believe the best place to change society is through our public schools.  Homosexual groups admit this is part of their agenda.  They feel children who have been taught to believe in moral truths need to be re-educated.  These special interest groups do not respect the religious beliefs of parents and their mission is to socially re-engineer society.

Thankfully, Americans are starting to fight back.  Led by a national coalition of pro-family organizations called “Not Our Kids,” parents are being encouraged to boycott the Day of Silence.

“The Day of Silence is a homosexual propaganda event that turns schools into ‘gay’ advocacy centers,” said Peter LaBarbera, President, Americans For Truth and Director of Real Civil Rights Illinois. “Education has already drifted too far from the basics.  Now many schools, under the rubric of ‘tolerance,’ are pushing a pro-homosexual ideology that discriminates against students holding a moral viewpoint opposed to immoral homosexual acts.

“At the very least, schools should be neutral on controversial issues like homosexuality,” LaBarbera continued.  “Sadly, many teachers and school administrators have now taken the side of the ‘gay’ movement–and are abusing their authority by influencing students in that direction.  The result is that kids are highly ignorant about key aspects of homosexuality: the tremendous health risks (especially for males), the rampant promiscuity, the fact that thousands of men and women have abandoned the ‘gay’ lifestyle, and the historic Judeo-Christian opposition to same-sex behavior.

“Parents can send a message to school administrators that they’ve had it with politicized, amoral education by pulling their children from any school that endorses or encourages the Day of Silence.  Parents, not schools, must guide the moral decisions of our children, and this is one small step in that direction,”  LaBarbera concluded.

What seems most apparent is those who call for “tolerance” are least tolerant themselves.  Homosexual special interest groups are openly attempting to become the surrogate parents in our society.  They believe their morals transcend those of others.

Read the rest of this article »

Look who’s “coming out the closet” now? Liberals who despise the essential doctrines of Christianity? No surprise that homosexual clergy (an oxymoron in a true Bible-believing church) are leading the war against the Christian Gospel. –PL

BUDAPEST, Hungary, Apr. 2 /Christian Newswire/ — According to a recent World Net Daily article, Pastor: Idea Christ Died for Sins Insane, homosexual priest, the Rev. Jeffrey John is planning to speak on BBC radio regarding his disdain for the view that Christ died for the sins of the world. Reverend John, who was denied a position of Bishop in 2003 because of his long term homosexual relationship is planning to state his views during Easter week in which that “leading gay cleric will tell listeners to BBC Radio 4 that Christianity’s traditional teaching on Christ’s crucifixion for the sins of mankind is ‘repulsive,’ ‘insane’ and makes ‘God sound like a psychopath.'”

Phil Magnan of Biblical Family Advocates responds to Reverend John’s statements saying, “The words of the Reverend remind me of the warnings of 2 Peter 2:1-2, which says, ‘But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them,… Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;’ Sad to say, the Reverend is following the usual pattern of those who refuse to accept God’s Word for its clear teachings regarding homosexuality and end up even denying the saving work of Christ.”

“These false and ungodly teachers twist the scriptures to their own destruction and according to the book of Jude “turn the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ into licentiousness” even ending up denying Christ Himself. You cannot have Christ without His atoning work. Without that atoning work we cannot presume to be in right standing before God. Without question, Jesus Christ condemned all unlawful sexual relationships in Matthew 15:19, which according to the Law of God that He wrote, included homosexuality.”

Biblical Family Advocates is very concerned about Rev. Jeffery John’s statements that will lead many into sin and false teachings. The website of Biblical Family Advocates offers teachings as to “Why Same Sex Relationships Are Wrong and Hurt Society.” It addresses many of the false arguments that the pro homosexual religious community attempts to use to lead many astray and shows how the Bible is clear on the matter of homosexuality.
 

HB 1826, a homosexual “marriage” bill (minus the “M-word”) — masquerading as a “religious freedom” bill — has cleared a committee hurdle in the Illinois House. The bill’s homosexual activist sponsor, State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), says HB 1826 would “protect” the religious freedom of churches and those who have a moral objection to homosexual behavior. But Harris’ view is contradicted by a legal analysis of the bill by Illinois constitutional attorney Paul Linton. CWA’s Matt Barber, Policy Director for Cultural Issues, and analyst Martha Kleder discuss with AFTAH’s Peter LaBarbera the homosexual activists’ crafty attempt to sell this radical “gay marriage” bill as a “compromise” measure that “protects” churches.

Click HERE to listen to the interview online.

You can also download the interview by going to the CWA site.

Linton: HB 1826 would “empty the institution of marriage of all substance” 

Memorandum

Date:  March 19, 2007

To:  Illinois pro-family groups, including Illinois Citizens for Life, Americans For Truth, Illinois Family Institute, CWA of Illinois, and Real Civil Rights Illinois

From: Paul Linton, Esq.

Re:  Analysis of Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1826

Introduction

Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1826, if enacted by the General Assembly, would create civil unions in Illinois for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples.  The Amendment would “deconstruct” the meaning of marriage in two vital respects:

First, it would allow same-sex couples to enjoy “all the same protections, benefits, and responsibilities under law . . . as are granted to spouses in a marriage.” § 105(a).  This is contrary to the longstanding public policy of Illinois (and, until very recently, every other State in the Union and every other country in the world) to confer such “protections, benefits, and responsibilities” only upon married couples who, by definition and the very nature of marriage, are opposite-sex. 

Second, it would allow opposite-sex couples to enjoy “all the same protections, benefits, and responsibilities under law . . . as are granted to spouses in a marriage,” § 105(a),  see also §§ 105(c), 106, 201, without actually being married, a legislative novelty that has not been adopted in any other State, including those States that have enacted civil unions statutes (Connecticut, New Jersey and Vermont) or their equivalent (California’s Domestic Partner Act).  Opposite-sex couples (who, of course, may marry under current law) are included for the twin purposes of diluting the meaning of marriage and blurring the distinction between opposite-sex and same-sex relationships (by calling them by the same name).

Amendment No. 1 would empty the institution of marriage of all substance, leaving only an empty form (i.e., the name, “marriage”) as a “consolation prize” for those who oppose same-sex “marriage.”  Marriage, however, is more than a name–it is an institution that is fundamental to the existence and continuity of societies throughout history, in all times and places.
 
Legal Land Mines

Apart from the public policy reasons for opposing Amendment No. 1, which are discussed below, there are legal reasons for opposing the Amendment, as well.

Read the rest of this article »

Dear AFTAH Readers,

Please be a part of the wonderful story of former lesbian Charlene’s Cothran’s rebirth in Christ by subscribing to her magazine VENUS — which has been transformed from a publication that celebrated “gays and lesbians” to one that tells that stories of people like herself who have overcome homosexuality with God’s help. Subscriptions to VENUS are $19.95 per year for four issues. — Peter LaBarbera

THE RESURRECTION!, published in VENUS magazine 

by Charlene E. Cothran

Venus Magazine Publisher

When I asked God to come into my heart, I knew that EVERYTHING would change and I thank Him for the opportunity to bare my cross for Christ’s sake.  Oh, I’d been persecuted before, jeered at and rejected, but not for Christ’s sake.  It was for MY sake, for the right to hold on to MY own sinful pleasures and wave them, in the form a rainbow flag, in God’s face.  But the Lord is so loving, patient and merciful that He gave me one last chance to make things right. 

I shared my new convictions and VENUS’ new mission right away with our advertising agencies.  One executive was particularly kind and reassured me that our clients would probably stand by us. But eventually, letters and emails from gay organizations found their way to the advertising director’s office of several major corporations with whom we have done business for years. 

Think About it

I was counseled, ‘we’ll give you a week to carefully think about what you are doing.’  They were basically saying,  O.K. you’ve given your ‘testimony’ but now go on publishing the old VENUS, affirming gays and lesbians, and reassuring them to be proud of who and what they are.   There was no need for time to think.  God himself knew that I meant it when I gave complete control of VENUS Magazine to Him, to be used for His exclusive glory.  However, in my spirit, I also knew that it was just a matter of time before I would receive the news that the company’s income was gone. 

Reading page after page of negative email, letters, and blog entries began to wear at my joy.  My countenance began to fall.  Satan laughed right in my face; ‘Look at you now, ‘saved’ huh? Your old friends don’t want anything to do with you, your local church community wants to ‘wait and see’ how ‘saved’ you’ll be next year this time, and by next month you’ll have no more money coming in, after all the years you’ve worked to build this thing. You are such a fool.’    To counter these negative thoughts — rebuke Satan — I began to fast and pray, and to call on the name of the Lord.  I prayed, Lord I need you; Don’t let it be so, don’t let my enemies appear to have won.

I Trust God

During my fast, the Lord spoke to me in a passage of scripture, Jeremiah 17:7,8 and said ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’   I emerged with a revelation and understanding of what a commitment to God truly means: It means we must TRUST Him totally, completely, unconditionally. My strengthen renewed, my joy restored, I can face, with Godly confidence, whatever comes my way; all because I TRUST GOD!  What a wonderful gift!

Sure enough, on that Monday morning, we received several faxes cancelling all current and future advertising in VENUS.   All praises be to God, I couldn’t even get upset!  Then, NOTHING happened for three days.  The phones didn’t ring, no emails or no letters, not a word from anywhere.   It was as though the business had died that Monday. 

On The Third Day

On Thursday morning, I sat down at my computer and I could hardly believe my eyes.  Hundreds of new emails waiting to be read, with subjects like ‘Thank God for Your Testimony’; ‘This has Changed My Life’, ‘Redeemed! So Powerful!’.  I cannot begin to express the joy that flooded my soul.  I cried and typed responses for hours and hours, but they just kept coming! Sometimes I had to just get up and walk around and praise God out loud! God had sent His ARMY to encourage me!   Thank you Jesus!  God fearing people from all of the world wrote to say, ‘We are praying for you, God is preparing to use you in a mighty way.’  The Lord had opened a window and continues to pour out a blessing I hardly have room to receive!

I believe with all my heart, this Easter season, that the Lord burried the old VENUS Magazine, then in three days He resurrected it unto Himself, changed it, and placed His blessing on it.  We are  perusing nearly 1,000 new emails, and letters, and will post as many as the Lord approves.

Click HERE to read some of the wonderful letters Charlene has been receiving from people all over the world — including one from one of her former contributing writers! We will continue to bring you exciting news from Venus magazine and Charlene’s new life.