2 Timothy 1:7-8

I'd like to base this first post (besides my intro post) on what has always been one of my favorite scriptures.

Writing to his friend Timothy just months before his death, the apostle Paul says,

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;"

Paul was, at this time, literally a prisoner in Rome, but he is not deterred in his testimony by a trial and tells Timothy not to be either. This scripture gave me courage on my mission to speak to people, knowing that if I was too afraid to open my mouth, that was not of God--for He does not give us a spirit of fear.

That is the principle behind this blog. I have had a wonderful and happy, faithful life so far, despite living with same gender attraction. I have a fantastic testimony of God's ability to help those who face the struggle of testimony and temptation that comes with this affliction. Yet, until now I've never shared that part of my testimony with anyone before. It is hard to feel ashamed, but I've come to the conclusion that I just have too much ability to help others as long as I refuse to hide my candle under the bushel it has been under for so long.

I have to admit that I'm still trying to overcome a little bit of the spirit of fear. This is a whole new experience for me. This is the first time I've ever expressed myself on the subject of same gender attraction to anyone other than myself (and I haven't been that open with myself about it for very long either). But God has given me the power of love, and power, and especially of a sound mind persuading me to push forward with this endeavor.

My best,

Obadiah