For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12

Ah, yes, Ann. Thanks for your comments on hope. Well said.

Why are so many of us married to our singular either-or opinion on change? It’s really not the degree of change that is the real point. It’s viewing SSA like any other brokenness resulting in temptation that may lead to sin. We’ve got science/psychology pitted against ministry/discipleship (the ministry of reconciliation).

Where on earth is there more of an all-out war of terminology, precept and conscience — accept in the realm of abortion? Look at both those issues. Sexually driven and self-centered (for the most part) with a potentially devastating impact on lives. Abortion takes out a large segment of society that never sees the light of day. Gay affirmation, without even knowing what the struggle of self-denial might yield in one’s spiritual life, is also a travesty, IMHO.

Alan Chambers tried to accomplish this refocusing in his book, I think. He may have partially succeeded.

Ah! But that depends on what you mean by “works”. It may not heal the disease, but it may heal the fear. Prayer always works. Sometimes, the answer is yes. Sometimes no. Sometimes not yet.

Amen. And studies I am aware of, even on blind, intercessory prayer, have yielded different results than what Lynn indicates.

LOL. Thanks for taking part. And hey, sometimes the manure helps the fruit grow…

Yep, that’s the point. We need to remember it (the manure) is a means to something productive and not get distracted by it.