Summer 2019 “Let him who is without sin cast the First Stone” And Jesus also said, “Go and sin no more.” John 8 this issue Feature Article P.1 Professional Perspective P.3 Paedo-Alert System P.4 AFA Conference P.5 LW National Training P.6 Support Groups & Staff P.11 Freedom Realized Webcast P.12 by Stephen Black, Executive Director First Stone Ministries “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” – St. Augustine June 2019 was the worst “Pride Month” in recorded history in the United States and in westernized cultures. I know, as I left homosexuality and all the chaos surrounding it in 1983. I have observed closely the LGBTQ+ pride movement from the ’70s through our current Testimonial realities of pride worship in our day. Beloveds of God, historically there has never been a more decadent display of pride, perversion, pedophilia, transgenderism, sadomasochism and videos are being now, even the pride of beastiality is marching down our streets in major cities in the United States. There is a banner that is waved over this culture of flamboyant and blatant worship curated at of Baal, Jezebel, and pride. It is called the “Rainbow Flag” by some; however, it is rightfully being called by a new and increasingly popular name – “Pride Flag” or “Pride Banner.” firststone.org I want to share with you what I believe the Lord has shown me in the last several years concerning the “Prophecy of Pride” from Scripture and an understanding of the meaning behind this “Pride Banner.” Vexillology Before getting into the prophecy of pride, I want to give some background to writing this article. I started my journey of the study of flags several years ago. Most people that I have approached with the subject of Vexillology,(1) have not heard of it, or smirk or laugh at the sound of the word. Have you ever heard of the study of flags or banners? Vexillology is the interesting study of flags, banners, the history behind the flag, the symbolism of a nation, state, people or political group. There is symbolism in the colors and designs placed on a flag. In the study of flags, one will find that the flag represents a people group, a country, a subset group or a cause in many different ways. It is relevant to this article, “Prophecy of Pride,” to know that a flag has meaning. However, because of space and because of what needs to be addressed concerning this article, I will not go into any more detail about Vexillology. continued on page 2 THIS PUBLICATION This publication is produced by First Stone Ministries (FSM). Since its founding in 1976, FSM has been an independent nondenominational, Christ- centered, para-church Nineteen years ago, after my father passed “God Our Freedom.”(3) God gives a victory organization. We are a full- away on Christmas Day, I started to pursue an banner over sin and death for those who love time ministry with ordained interest in Vexillology. Not long after, I visited Him. There are other banners in scripture of ministers and discipleship staff the International Flag Store in Norman, OK love, of salvation and of victory described in (3) and are governed by a Board where another Mr. Black promoted this interest. the Bible , and God desires His name to also He reminded me of my father and gave me a be recognized as “The Lord is My Banner” – of Directors to ensure financial gift set of flags as a memorial to my father. I “Jehovah Nissi” in Exodus 17:15. The Bible and ethical operations. We are was there to purchase new flags to fill up the reiterates that flags and banners have meaning also accountable to an advisory stand I purchased from him. We were visiting and represent something significant, mainly, board. about flags as I was filling the stand with the the people groups they represent. This is flags of the states I had visited as a new hobby. important to know that the Bible refers to flags We discussed how others collected flags. I told with prophetic meaning. Our primary purpose is to lead him I was hoping one day to have the sexually and relationally all 50 states of the United States Introduction to the broken into a liberating collected. We talked about visiting some of the 16 amazing territories “Prophecy of Pride” Now to the subject at hand—the relationship with Jesus Christ as of the United States as well, and to “Prophecy of Pride” as revealed in Savior and Lord. Discipleship collect a flag from those visits. He our day. This prophecy parallels and restoration in every area of loved the idea. Mr. Black was very with end-time prophecies as is knowledgable and encouraged me one’s life is stressed; however, revealed throughout the Bible. to get a textbook, one he described My writing today will focus there is detailed emphasis as the very best book written on primarily on New Testament on overcoming all forms of this subject. He had been a student passages found in the words of sexual brokenness including of Vexillology his entire life, so he Jesus and in Peter’s epistles and knew a lot. He provoked me to also look into homosexuality, sexual abuse from Genesis. the history and study flags. I have thoroughly and addiction to pornography. enjoyed the textbook he suggested, FLAGS I have been cringing for years at the sight of – Through The Ages and Across the World. any pride banner and at what some naively (2) There is much to learn about the history of call a “rainbow banner”. Ever since knowing and understanding of the symbolism of flags Christ and leaving homosexual sin, I’ve had and banners from this book. disdain when I see pride flags It is important to understand flying. It is a recoiling idea that flags have meaning as we to me that this pride banner study to understand this ironic supposedly communicates “Prophecy of Pride.” ideas of diversity, love and God’s rainbow. This so-called TO CONTACT “Rainbow Flag” or “Rainbow First Stone Ministries Banners in The Bible 1330 N Classen Blvd Ste G80 Banners and flags in the Bible Banner” or “Pride Flag” or Oklahoma City, OK 73106-6856 is also a subject to consider “Pride Banner” is the symbol of www.firststone.org in this “Prophecy of Pride.” the sin of pride. The Creator of the Universe sees it as a symbol 405-236-4673 o There is powerful meaning of sinful pride and rebellion. 405-236-4672 f behind a banner from scripture [email protected] as revealed in one of God’s It’s important to know some covenantal names. He is called history about this “Pride “Jehovah Nissi” which means: Banner.” It is said to be created “God Our Banner,” “The God of by the ‘Gay Betsy Ross’(4) Our Victory” or “God Who gives His people – Gilbert Baker, a known drag queen and facebook.com/FirstStoneMinistries the Victory Banner” and the final meaning, flamboyant homosexual from Chanute, Kansas. continued on page 7 2 | Celebrating 43 Years of Ministry! Perspective From A Professional’s Visit to First Stone Ministries for A Pastoral Counseling Intensive G.R.’s Testimony I first heard about First Stone Ministries and Stephen Black As I have come back in early 2017 from Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays, to terms with PFOX. I have spoken with Stephen by telephone several the pains and times over the last few years. During this time in my life, trauma that I I was in a same-sex marriage. I was emotionally, mentally, experienced at spiritually and financially abused. My now ‘ex’ husband was an early age, basically leeching off of me and forcing me into bankruptcy. God was able to bring it all to the I had been battling depression in this same-sex marriage, had surface to begin seen numerous therapists, and was popping a variety of anti- the healing that depressants. I had reached a point in my life where I wanted truly needed to to die. I remember going to a church one Sunday in March of take place—a 2016. A pastor not only prayed for me but invited me to talk deep inner- to him. I explained my story and, from that point, I decided healing of His it was time to accept Jesus Christ as Lord. love to wash away all my shame and sexual sin. I had to I have been talking with Stephen Black over the last couple confront my demons so that I could move forward in my of years. He suggested that I might come down to Oklahoma faith. I secretly had always fantasized about being married to City for an intensive, pastoral care session. I live in the a woman and having a large family; however, I had bought Northeastern part of the US and my work schedule made the devil’s lie that I was “damaged goods” and that no woman it difficult to come. However, in February of this year, I would want me. I had always felt that I was a closeted flew down to Oklahoma City for six nights. The staff at First heterosexual, but the therapists that I had during my middle Stone Ministries (Stephen, Jim, Joseph, and Laura Leigh) and high school years told me to “embrace and accept” my was amazing and professional. They all made me feel at homosexual identity even though there was something that home.