He found victory over gay lifestyle

By Charles Gardner —

James Parker had a shocking start to life – abandoned at birth, incubated and later subjected to childhood abusers, he was a victim of very unhappy circumstances.

Feeling same-sex attraction at 14 and unsure what to do about it, he phoned the Lesbian and Gay national helpline for advice.

They ‘confirmed’ he was gay and that his only option was to pursue a homosexual lifestyle; it was the only road to happiness, they told him.

When he turned 18, he immersed himself in the gay community, entering a long-term relationship with boyfriend Steve and at the same time using and being used by more than 200 male partners. He also saw it as his duty to challenge those who questioned such a lifestyle.

But at university, he was greatly impressed by the integrity and devotion of Christians he met and decided that he, too, wanted God to be at the center of his life.

“I came to the tough realization that I needed to break off my relationship with Steve. But I knew that I also needed to forgive those who had hurt and abused me, including my birth parents, to release myself from the pain and misery they caused.”

And it was around this time that a Bible verse spoke powerfully into his life. It was from the prophet Joel (chapter 2, verse 25) who wrote: “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.”

To his great surprise, he began dating women, got married and then experienced the “indescribable joy” of becoming a father.

He admits he still has rare moments of same-sex attraction. “But Jesus Christ, in his death on the cross, has taken my victimhood upon himself. I’ll leave readers to decide whether they think I’m a victim or a victor.”

James is now based in Western Australia where he works as a counselor for people struggling with their sexual identity.

See also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wajG-KPPz_0