Recommended Books: Church and Theology
First Stone Ministries recommends this book....
Keep ReadingDiffering Views on Christianity, Identity and Homosexuality
Differing Views on Christianity, Identity and Homosexuality where there is an onslaught of the promotion of "gay Christianity" in the Church today. The differing view chart reveals the differences in belief and approach and is helpful for those who need to understand and be warned of those who promote false teaching, or lacking in fullness for HOPE....
New Study Reveals - AGAIN - No One Is Born Gay!
There have many studies to try and prove that people are born gay. NONE have given results, although much speculation in the media and from Hollywood since Simon LeVay's terrible study results released in 1991. A new study of a Human Genome-Wide Association Study of the largest sample ever to date, almost 500,000 reveal NO ONE IS BORN GAY!...
The Power of Humility and Confession: Characteristics of Freedom Realized
The amazing grace of God is poured out on those who humble themselves and confess their sins consistently. The power of humility and confession are the characteristics of freedom realized....
Christ's Voice - Giving Hope to The Church in Finding Freedom from Sexual and Relational Brokenness
Sunnyside Baptist Church desired to bless our community with Christ’s voice on the issues of godly sexuality and holy relating. We believe that Christ speaks through His Word and gives His Church truth for real freedom to those who identify themselves as sexual minorities, LGBTQ+ or any other type of sexual sin outside of God’s will. Jesus reveals His love to all by calling us all into a deep relationship, and by calling for our need to embrace a sincere faith producing repentance and genuine hope of salvation and renewal in our sexuality and relationships....
Hope for the Homosexual: First Stone Ministries
I have the privilege of talking with many people who minister to others in the area of sexual sin: the youth minister counseling hormone-charged teens, the pastor getting ready for a sermon on lust, the counselor meeting with sex addicts, or the brave soul reaching out to women in the adult industry. But no type of ministry is perhaps as overlooked, underfunded, and stigmatized as a ministry to homosexuals. ...
First Stone Ministries’ Position on ‘Gay Christian’ and ‘Spiritual Friendships?’
Restored Hope Network (RHN) respectfully disagrees with anyone who continues to identify as both ‘homosexual’ and Christian. Identification with Christ can and must displace an identity based on disordered desires. The New Testament repeatedly calls believers to repent of old identifications and to cleave to the new, true source of one’s identity...
The God Who Sees Me - Annette Morales' Testimony
The God Who Sees Me is Annette Morales' testimony. Annette went through discipleship pastoral care at First Stone Ministries and participated in the Living Waters support group for several years. Annette is now serving as a volunteer at First Stone Ministries in helping others recover from sexual and relational brokenness....
FSM & RHNs' Position on The Role of Christian Counseling for Persons w/ Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction
First Stone Ministries embraces the Restored Hope Network (RHN) Policy on the Role of Christian Counseling for Persons with Unwanted Same-Sex Attractions. This policy was developed by the RHN board 2016-2017 and was presented to the Member Ministries for a vote in June of 2017. This became the recognized policy of the RHN Network....
Spiritual Attack: Meant For Evil, Turned For Good
"How many of you feel that, within the last year, you’ve been through the most intense spiritual warfare you've ever experienced?" Almost the entire congregation raised their hands. It is as if the enemy knows that his time is short and he is coming against the people of God with great intensity. (Revelation 12:12)...
Public Response to False Claims Laid Against The TranZformed Documentary Being “Soul-Crushing”
This public response is answering a false claim, some distortions and the typical fake-news narrative by those who do not hold to a conservative Biblical orthodox view of human sexuality, The Gayly and Sara Cunningham. Before going into the details of their false claims...
The Terrors of Hell
The study of hell, understanding the theology of hell is very important for Christian maturity. Most churches today forsake the thorough teaching of hell. Therefore, unfortunately, allowing many so-called Christians to remain in sin, no repentance necessary, and believe they are going to heaven. It is not true. Only those who truly surrender their lives to Jesus Christ as Lord, bringing forth the fruit of repentance enter into heaven....
Fire! Fire!
We should never forget the extreme mercy of God in delivering us from hell by sending us His Son to die on the cross for our sins. It is so important to remind people of the reality of hell and eternity....
Perverting Grace - Red Flags to Alert You To Perverse-Grace Teachings
Perverse-Grace, Red Flags to Alert You to Perverse-Grace Teachings is to help people identify if they might be under a perverse-hyper-grace teacher. If you hear the following things being taught in your church or community you are under perverse-grace teaching. This is very important as it is a segue to the promotion of “gay Christianity.”...
Scandalous Good News
From Stephen Black: Andrew Comiskey gave a very timely message that serves as a prophetic warning to the Church. I believe this warning is especially needed for evangelicals that are more susceptible to the growing deception toward embracing “gay Christianity.” Evangelicals are more likely than ever before to embrace the mixture of the cheap-grace messaging, adding the validation of same-sex sexual orientation and then pouring in a once prayed, always saved message. The outcome of this mixture has caused many to embrace “gay Christianity.” Andrew Comiskey gives a warning as he shares his own story of how this “gay Christian” messaging infiltrated his own home through the “Spiritual Friendship” movement and Wesley Hill's book with the so-called celibate gays, who are calling for the Church to embrace “gay Christianity” as a dangerously deceptive and corrupting option....
Pornography Facts 2015
First Stone has compiled a short list of stunning statistics concerning pornography use among Christians including pastors as well as in marriage and children....
Hope and Wholeness
Laura Leigh Stanlake and Stephen Black teach "Hope and Wholeness" as an audio teaching in growing in maturity and freedom....
The Word of God Comes to Save Us
Stephen Black was the guest speaker at Abundant Grace Community Church in Gainesville, FL on January 17, 2016. He shared a message from the testimony of his life on how the word of God brought salvation....
A Grace-filled and Truthful Response Regarding "Gay Christianity"
After the ruling of the Supreme Court on June 26, 2015 Laura Leigh Stanlake, Director of Women's Ministries attended a local church service where a pastor gave a message in responding to so-called "gay marriage". There was a problem! Homosexual identity and Christianity were being integrated as one legitimate identity-- a "gay Christian" identity. Laura responded with this article in the Winter 2015 First Stone Newsletter....
Theology of the Body, Sexual Redemption and the New Evangelization
The emphasis of the beauty of God's divine intent and His divine creation brings clarity to Imago Dei - made in the image of God. This message was delivered on June 26, 2015 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania the very morning the Supreme Court gave their opinion on gay marriage in America....
So-Called "Gay Marriage" is No Marriage at All
I am hearing of this more and more—that a Christian has been invited to attend a "wedding" between two men or two women. It is usually from a relative, a close friend, or perhaps their own child. A Christian, who is faced with a decision whether to attend or not, processes through many questions with heartache. ...
Everyone Needs This Ministry - A Letter from a Pastor
A Letter from a Pastor Who Participated in Living Waters 2014-2015...
First Stone Ministries Attendance and Code of Conduct Agreement
This is an agreement that is between First Stone Ministries(FSM) and any participant or attendee to any FSM event, seminar, conference or group. This includes all public and/or private events. Participating, Attending or Registration to a First Stone Ministries Event signifies agreement with the event policies....
Friendships For God’s Glory and Our Good
It seems to me that our entire Christian culture is looking for the inspiration for connection. What is the best way to connect? What is the face we want to put out there that draws people? How do we connect with hurting people? What is the right formula for making “community” happen in our churches?...
Will the Church Show Justice and Mercy to the Same-Sex Attracted?
A Clarion Call for Genuine Salvation and Biblical Hope; Not Compromise! God commands us to love one another, yet only through the divine influence of the Holy Spirit living in us and moving us to love as the Lord Jesus Christ loves are we able to fulfill that command and walk out love. The Holy Spirit creates this kind of love within God’s diligent surrendered repentant people, enabling them to walk out true love without denying true justice. Only in His love can we avoid the great compromise of our age....
For the Love of a Father
A poem by James Ryle about a boy who becomes a homosexual and the need for the Church to act....
"This is the Way God Made Me" A Scientific Examination of Homosexuality and the "Gay
The trumpets were left at home and the parades were canceled. The press releases and campaign signs were quietly forgotten. The news was big, but it did not contain what some had hoped for. On April 14, 2003, the International Human Genome Consortium announced the successful completion of the Human Genome Project—two years ahead of schedule. ...
Affirming Biblical Orthodoxy on Homosexuality as Sin
The following article links are helpful in understanding the subject of homosexuality clearly communicated in the Bible as sin and are posted as encouragement and equipping for those who desire to have a clear Biblical response to the culture concerning homosexuality....
The Gospel According To Jesus Christ and the "Gay Christian?"
A Message to Pastoral Care Leaders Processing The Gospel and "Gay Christianity" This article is equipped with many end-notes of Biblical references to back up the emphatic statements and is a Bible study with over 150 verses on this subject. Please read the Scripture references with this article and let God’s word be your guide....
Responding to Pro-Gay Theology, Part I: Social Justice Arguments
This three-part series will address the pro-gay theology by dividing its arguments—or tenets—into three categories: social justice arguments, general religious arguments, and scriptural arguments. A brief description of these arguments will be provided, followed by a response/rebuttal to each....
Responding to Pro-Gay Theology, Part 2: General Religious Arguments
This three-part series will address the pro-gay theology by dividing its arguments—or tenets—into three categories: social justice arguments, general religious arguments, and scriptural arguments. A brief description of these arguments will be provided, followed by a response/rebuttal to each....
Responding to Pro-Gay Theology, Part 3: Scriptural Arguments
This three-part series will address the pro-gay theology by dividing its arguments—or tenets—into three categories: social justice arguments, general religious arguments, and scriptural arguments. A brief description of these arguments will be provided, followed by a response/rebuttal to each....
A Call to "Ex-Gays" to Press Toward the Higher Mark
There are a great many people in ministry whose personal healing has not reached a stage where it is safe for them to be a model or teacher for others who are seeking help. There, I said it!...
Breaking the Silence on the "M" Word
After ten years of celibacy, Jim (not his real name) had concluded that masturbation was his consolation prize - door number three in a world where the big deal of the day was behind door number one. "It was God's provision for single people and for those in sexually unfulfilling marriages," he surmised, concluding that it would be unfair for God to have made things any other way. "Even more," he thought, "it was necessary to maintain healthy physiology. After all, the Bible was silent on the issue wasn't it?"...
Finding the Will of God
Finding the will of God can be unclear and uncertain for many. God is not a physical person that shows up for a conference session to tell you exactly what to do. Any believer would welcome that in a crisis or during a difficult decision time, but the walk of faith with Christ doesn’t work that way....
How to Find God
William Booth loved others enough not only to tell them about Jesus, but to go out into their misery, filth, and darkness to share in their pain - that they, in return, might share in his joy in knowing God. It is possible for anyone who has a sincere desire to find God, to enter into that joy and peace He so freely gives to those who love Him. It is our prayer that you will read this with an open and searching heart - and that you will enter into a deep and loving relationship with your Father in heaven....
Christ's Voice - Giving Hope to The Church in Finding Freedom from Sexual and Relational Brokenness
Sunnyside Baptist Church desired to bless our community with Christ’s voice on the issues of godly sexuality and holy relating. We believe that Christ speaks through His Word and gives His Church truth for real freedom to those who identify themselves as sexual minorities, LGBTQ+ or any other type of sexual sin outside of God’s will. Jesus reveals His love to all by ca...
Keep ReadingFirst Stone Ministries’ Position on ‘Gay Christian’ and ‘Spiritual Friendships?’
Restored Hope Network (RHN) respectfully disagrees with anyone who continues to identify as both ‘homosexual’ and Christian. Identification with Christ can and must displace an identity based on disordered desires. The New Testament repeatedly calls believers to repent of old identifications and to cleave to the new, true source of one’s identity...
Keep ReadingPublic Response to False Claims Laid Against The TranZformed Documentary Being “Soul-Crushing”
This public response is answering a false claim, some distortions and the typical fake-news narrative by those who do not hold to a conservative Biblical orthodox view of human sexuality, The Gayly and Sara Cunningham. Before going into the details of their false claims...
Keep ReadingScandalous Good News
From Stephen Black: Andrew Comiskey gave a very timely message that serves as a prophetic warning to the Church. I believe this warning is especially needed for evangelicals that are more susceptible to the growing deception toward embracing “gay Christianity.” Evangelicals are more likely than ever before to embrace the mixture of the cheap-grace messaging, adding t...
Keep ReadingPornography Facts 2015
First Stone has compiled a short list of stunning statistics concerning pornography use among Christians including pastors as well as in marriage and children....
Keep ReadingA Grace-filled and Truthful Response Regarding "Gay Christianity"
After the ruling of the Supreme Court on June 26, 2015 Laura Leigh Stanlake, Director of Women's Ministries attended a local church service where a pastor gave a message in responding to so-called "gay marriage". There was a problem! Homosexual identity and Christianity were being integrated as one legitimate identity-- a "gay Christian" identity. Laura responded with this...
Keep ReadingGay Christian - Oxymoron
There is a serious error that is growing in the ranks of Evangelicalism. It has already permeated mainline Protestantism. It is a Trojan Horse in the Body of Christ––one that must be addressed. It carries the potential to change the Gospel we believe, teach and preach into a different gospel (Galatians 1:8), which is NOT the Gospel, but heresy. The implications are ...
Keep ReadingConcerning Our Transition from Exodus International to Restored Hope Network
We, the Board of Restored Hope Network, grieve the decision of Alan Chambers and the board of Exodus to close down this venerable organization. It feels like the unnecessary death of a dear friend. It would have been better for them to have stepped aside and allowed others to carry on the message of hope for transformed lives. Although the timing of the news was a surprise...
Keep ReadingSo-Called "Gay Marriage" is No Marriage at All
I am hearing of this more and more—that a Christian has been invited to attend a "wedding" between two men or two women. It is usually from a relative, a close friend, or perhaps their own child. A Christian, who is faced with a decision whether to attend or not, processes through many questions with heartache. ...
Keep ReadingWill the Church Show Justice and Mercy to the Same-Sex Attracted?
A Clarion Call for Genuine Salvation and Biblical Hope; Not Compromise! God commands us to love one another, yet only through the divine influence of the Holy Spirit living in us and moving us to love as the Lord Jesus Christ loves are we able to fulfill that command and walk out love. The Holy Spirit creates this kind of love within God’s diligent surrendered repentant ...
Keep ReadingFor the Love of a Father
A poem by James Ryle about a boy who becomes a homosexual and the need for the Church to act....
Keep ReadingWhen Did Idolatry Become Compatible with Christianity? Why It Matters.
Yesterday, March 26, 2013, during oral arguments in a landmark Supreme Court case regarding same-sex marriage, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia and pro-gay marriage advocate Theodore Olson had a discussion about the Constitution that sheds light on an issue within the church....
Keep ReadingAffirming Biblical Orthodoxy on Homosexuality as Sin
The following article links are helpful in understanding the subject of homosexuality clearly communicated in the Bible as sin and are posted as encouragement and equipping for those who desire to have a clear Biblical response to the culture concerning homosexuality....
Keep ReadingThe Bible - What We Believe and Why It Matters
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God; and therefore the supreme authoritative revelation of Truth for all Christian faith and life. We believe that devotion and obedience to God's Word is essential in bringing about the healing process and freedom from the bondage of sexual brokenness....
Keep ReadingOur Common Bond: The Presence of Idolatry and the Hope to Overcome
"It is impossible to understand your heart or your culture if you do not discern the counterfeit gods that influence them. "Do I truly know what the primary influences are that shape the desires of my heart or do I simply take the comfortable path of denial and reject any possibility that I could be enslaved to such an abominable thing as idolatry? Is my thinking really fu...
Keep ReadingWeapons of Spiritual Warfare
THE WORD OF GOD, Use the Scriptures, just like our Lord Jesus Christ did to overcome temptation in the wilderness. Jesus overcame the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life – (Matthew 4:1-11, 1 John 2:15-17), Know/Memorize the Scriptures and hide the Word of God in your heart to be ready for Satan’s attacks. – READ Psa. 119 to grow in-...
Keep ReadingWhy They Fall
The first week of November 2006 our nation was hit with a scandal in the headlines concerning the fall of a prominent Christian leader. I know this man’s work and was grieved deeply, as I have visited his church. Many participants and friends of our ministry have asked “why?” Since the scandal involved homosexuality, the questions started coming our way....
Keep ReadingChanging Perspectives on Homosexuality
Neil and Briar Whitehead once wrote: "So much of what people in the West now believe about homosexuality is not the truth. Misinformed people are quoting other misinformed people so that the blind lead the blind. It suits some people to believe what they do, but many others genuinely don't know what to believe and would welcome the truth if they only knew where to find it...
Keep ReadingLooking for Love
A poem on Father Hunger...
Keep ReadingBrokeback Mountain Brokenness
This is a difficult article to write as I have lived my own version of Brokeback Mountain. It was in 1982. It was mischievous, deceptive, sinfully alluring, shameful, painful and not without huge consequences to my life and also for the man with whom I was involved. Our families were deeply hurt and continue to deal with the shame of our choices from over 24 years ago. Th...
Keep ReadingResponding to Pro-Gay Theology, Part I: Social Justice Arguments
This three-part series will address the pro-gay theology by dividing its arguments—or tenets—into three categories: social justice arguments, general religious arguments, and scriptural arguments. A brief description of these arguments will be provided, followed by a response/rebuttal to each....
Keep ReadingResponding to Pro-Gay Theology, Part 2: General Religious Arguments
This three-part series will address the pro-gay theology by dividing its arguments—or tenets—into three categories: social justice arguments, general religious arguments, and scriptural arguments. A brief description of these arguments will be provided, followed by a response/rebuttal to each....
Keep ReadingResponding to Pro-Gay Theology, Part 3: Scriptural Arguments
This three-part series will address the pro-gay theology by dividing its arguments—or tenets—into three categories: social justice arguments, general religious arguments, and scriptural arguments. A brief description of these arguments will be provided, followed by a response/rebuttal to each....
Keep ReadingWhat would Jesus say to Ellen?
Last April I had an opportunity to proclaim that truth at the Vineyard Anaheim during a Sunday service. My pastor wanted me to respond to Ellen’s coming out of the closet. Her public confession provoked in me a greater passion to proclaim Jesus transforming love for the sexually broken. As Christ’s body, we alone possess the truth, grace, and healing power that can set...
Keep ReadingEx-Gay: Fact, Fraud, or Fantasy?
"Ex-gay" is a term which always brings a response. For the most part, the gay community believes this is a total lie. They deny that it is possible to become ex-gay. It is their belief that "ex-gay" is a fraudulent term. Most come from the standpoint that a homosexual orientation is inborn, that it cannot be changed. They frequently equate the homosexual orientation with b...
Keep ReadingAdvice To Married Men Struggling With Homosexuality...
The Christian married man bound by homosexuality bears a double burden. He lives under the power of a sin which brings self-condemnation and a feeling of alienation from God. He also lives with the knowledge that he is bringing a terrible hurt to another human being—his wife. But for this man, victory over homosexuality can bring a double blessing. He can be restored to ...
Keep ReadingWhat is a Biblical View of Transgendered People and Hermaphrodites?
Hello, I would like to know the biblical insight on transgenderism [Definition: appearing as, wishing to be considered as, or having undergone surgery to become a member of the opposite sex] and other sexual defects of the human body. There are lots of issues like hermaproditism and intersexualism [a set of medical conditions where the "sex chromosomes," external genitalia...
Keep ReadingFinding the Will of God
Finding the will of God can be unclear and uncertain for many. God is not a physical person that shows up for a conference session to tell you exactly what to do. Any believer would welcome that in a crisis or during a difficult decision time, but the walk of faith with Christ doesn’t work that way....
Keep ReadingThe Ten Commandments of Deaf Culture
For the non-Deaf (missionary, pastor, evangelist, interpreter, etc.) while in the presence of a Deaf person. Many people in the deaf community have suffered under sexual abuse and struggle with sexual identity problems. Please consider the following....
Keep ReadingJustice & Respect
Bisexuals. Lesbians. Gays. the very words are enough to make many Christians feel uncomfortable. That which used to be hidden in the closet has increasingly become a topic of public debate and even political activism. ...
Keep ReadingMason's Sayings On Prayer
John Mason's (1646-1694) sayings on prayer compiled by David Smithers with Awake and GO!...
Keep ReadingA Model For Hurting Parents
Last week we looked at the parable of the prodigal son from the perspective of what it teaches us about God’s abundant mercy toward sinners who repent. This was our Lord’s main reason for giving the parable, to teach the self-righteous Pharisees that God is rich in mercy toward every sinner who turns to Him....
Keep ReadingApart From Prayer We Can Do NOTHING!
Did you know that the Kingdom of God will not come apart from PRAYER? The unreached will never hear the sweet name of Jesus without the labor of someone’s Spirit-led prayers. Regardless of how things may appear on the surface, nothing of eternal value is ever released without somebody, somewhere PRAYING. Because prayer by its nature is often a HIDDEN work, being done in ...
Keep ReadingSeven Things I Wish Pro-Gay People Would Admit
Pro-gay advocates want everyone to believe that "ex-gays" do not exist. Pro-gay advocates are intolerant of people who legitimately want to walk away from a life of homosexuality. Here are seven things that pro-gay advocates have a difficult time addressing....
Keep ReadingHomosexuals and the Church
"Why don't you hateful people leave us alone? We're not hurting you," John thought, as an eerie sickness gripped his stomach. Then another thought struck him: "Who would want to follow a God like the one they're displaying?"...
Keep ReadingOffering Hope To Homosexuals
More and more when the issue of homosexuality is raised one hears responses like these: "Why can’t we just ‘live and let live’?" "Why all this bother about something that isn’t anyone else’s business?" "It isn’t for me, but who am Ito say anything about what goes on between consenting adults behind closed doors?" "Aren’t personal decisions about sex a private...
Keep ReadingHomosexual Sacrifice: A Word to the Church
As I share with people about the ministry of First Stone, these quotes are the repeated ritual I have heard so many times over the last 10 years....
Keep ReadingMarriage and the Power of Porn
Christian marriage is under attack on many fronts. One is the abandonment by the spouses of time with each other due to work, children's activities, and even commitments to the church. Other fronts are the ever-changing role expectations in the culture, and even the need for both spouses to work because of economic burdens resulting from poor financial planning and accum...
Keep ReadingWhen Someone You Love Is Gay
An event most people are totally unprepared for is the discovery that someone close to them is gay. Whether the confession of gayness comes from a son or daughter, husband, wife or close friend, the reaction is often the same: “What do I say to them now?”, “How can I help?”, and sometimes, “Could I be partly to blame for this situation?” ...
Keep ReadingIncest - The Family Secret
This is the true story of the actual experiences of a woman who was on staff for many years here at Last Days Ministries. After much prayer she chose to remain anonymous in respect for the other members of her family, and because of the relationships she is trying to rebuild. - Melody Green...
Keep ReadingBeginning Bible Study: A Study Through The Word of God
INTRODUCTION We have felt a need to develop a Bible study that will enable people to see clearly the JESUS OF THE WORD and then describe what a FALLEN AWAY CHURCH looks like. Therefore, this Bible study represents the first of several studies designed to TAKE YOU THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD TO EXAMINE YOUR BIBLE FOR YOURSELF....
Keep ReadingComenzando un estudiando con la Biblia - Un estudio de la palabra de Dios
Nosotros sentimos la necesidad de elaborar un estudio de la Biblia, para proporcionar al lector a Jesus Cristo “La Palabra”, y poder describir como es LA CAIDA DE LA IGLESIA. POR MEDIO DE LA PALABRA DE DIOS PARA QUE EXAMINEMOS EN NUESTRAS PROPIAS BIBLIAS....
Keep ReadingWho Needs Quiet Time? You Do!
The alarm clock rings. Fifteen minutes later, you roll out of bed. Late again. With toothbrush in hand, you step into the shower where you have what passes for "devotions" - a hasty, "Good morning, Lord." While getting dressed, you spot your Bible on the bedside table facing you like a leather-bound judgment. "One of these days," you say to yourself, "I'll get my act toget...
Keep ReadingThe Great Falling Away!
A warning about the great falling away of many in the Church in the last days, by Milton Green...
Keep ReadingPrayer
There's nothing more transfiguring than prayer. People often ask, "Why do you insist on prayer so much?" The answer is very simple - because Jesus did....
Keep Reading