Be Great by Choice: My Journey of Overcoming Homosexuality

By Kimberly Garner

When you allow faith to empower your life something amazing happens! Be Great By Choice offers a window into the journey of the author's struggle and acceptance that her life as a lesbian was displeasing to God. Real power in life lies within the ability to choose, but being able to see and discern with our hearts is a tool sharpened within our spirit. Every word written is a testimony of how God made Kimberly into the woman He desired her to be by renewing her mind, spirit, and heart. This book explores how the application of her faith developed over time and how she applied it to walk away from homosexuality. Although rooted in Christian doctrine, Be Great By Choice is a book of healing and spiritual guidance for all walks of life; not just people who identify within the LGBTQ community. God can move in your heart to promote you no matter where you are in life or what you've done. If you find yourself like the author in a position where you feel that good isn't good enough anymore, just know that you can choose to be Greater.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781642580228

Book preview

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Be Great by Choice

My Journey of Overcoming Homosexuality

Kimberly C. Garner

ISBN 978-1-64258-021-1 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64258-023-5 (Hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-64258-022-8 (Digital)

Copyright © 2018 by Kimberly C. Garner

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Dedication

God always works through an ordained structure. Now that I understand who I am, my purpose in life, and how it aligns with the will of God, I can walk boldly to the throne with confidence. I’d like to dedicate this book to From the Heart Ministries in Suitland, Maryland, under the direction and leadership of Pastor John Cherry, II and his wife, Rev. LaWanda Cherry.

I never stepped a single foot in the church, but for nearly one year, I’ve watched afar faithfully online as my walk with Jesus strengthened. My faith in my faith matured as I leaned on the Word of God and not my understanding. Thank you for providing sound doctrine, a haven for my heart to be restored, and inspiration and encouragement to believe and know that I am a new creature in Christ. Not only am I new; I am complete in Jesus. I am what God says I am; therefore, I will act accordingly. I will walk in my new life for I am saved, redeemed, and forgiven. I am a partaker in Christ, and my faith is strong. Therefore, I will not compromise, I will not quit, and I will not settle until my assignment is complete.

Amen.

Acknowledgment

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33, KJV) God had a way of supplying all of my needs along this journey.

When I lacked knowledge, He sent wisdom through His Shepherds who anchored me in the word. Thank you, Lawrence and Letatia.

When my mind was wavering, and I had little faith, He sent encouragement through seasoned Saints. Thank you, Mrs. Dupree and La Toyia.

When my flesh had a mind of its own, He brought into my remembrance my Godson and the role I have in his life. Being a Godmother is not a legal commitment but a spiritual one. Thank you, Isaiah.

When my heart was troubled, and I cried myself to sleep at night, He sent a comforter that gave me peace as I’ve never known before. Thank you, Jesus.

Preface

Dear Readers,

I was battling God’s command for me to yield to His will and leave behind homosexuality for roughly three months. Yes, that’s about right, because just three short months ago, I moved to China to teach abroad. That was when feelings of conviction intensified, and God’s voice became louder in the stillness of the night. I finally found the strength to put action behind my thoughts because I wanted to please God. The first major hurdle was to cut ties with someone I thought I had fallen in love with. As I curled up in a fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably, an e-mail came across my phone and provided the following words of comfort and direction:

At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. (Numbers 33:2)

It’s hard for me to put into words exactly why I felt the need to document my journey, but at that moment, I had confirmation that I needed to start writing. Initially, the writing was therapy, but then I began to notice that my thoughts were not of my thinking anymore and that God was answering my prayers. These answers were manifested through my writing. This book is a product and combination of God’s answers to my prayers and my experiences. This book will also serve as a book of healing for it is a step into my new life, a life filled with the love of Jesus Christ.

When I step back from my life’s story, I think it is incredible how God meticulously worked on my heart. I knew I had to share, but I wasn’t sure I could in the beginning. Instead, I decided to pick up a pen and merely speak my heart. I also knew that all my past experiences and relationships were preparing me for this decisive moment. Just like in the scripture, God commanded Moses to provide a framework that the Israelites emerging from the wilderness could retrace that forty-year journey in their thoughts and recall God’s faithfulness at each location.

I also felt the need to document my journey because I believed others could benefit from the decision I was making to make God my number one priority and the sacrifices of all throughout this book. As a historian, I feel it’s important to capture my journey in its purity. I could’ve decided to blog about it all, but there’s something that’s timeless about pen and paper. For me, it’s symbolic. Wars are often settled throughout history in the end through pen and paper, and this is my war. It has taken me some time to write my story, but I know it is not yet complete and that my best is yet to come. I am opening up a window into my tears and fears in hopes that it can bring comfort through someone else’s tribulations that may battle the stronghold of homosexuality.

For those who wish to no longer participate in homosexuality, if you’re committed to the process, you’ll lose yourself as well. The great news is that you need to lose yourself to become the person God ordained you to be. There is so much greater news than this that will come of your decision to allow the Holy Spirit to seize control of your life, and I aim to tell you all about it.

I want to be clear that this is not a book that condemns sexual preferences. Condemning homosexuality didn’t bring me any closer to God. In fact, it did the opposite. I was able to fellowship with the right people who did not demonize my lifestyle but, at the same time, did not compliment it either. Instead, they offered unconditional love and support. This is nothing more of an account of my journey. Take what you may of it. Know where I stand. I stand in a position of nonjudgmental discernment while striving to remain in a place of righteousness as much as possible. I ask not to be judged in the process because I am not judging you.

I want to thank you for picking up my book at this time. Whether you’re battling with homosexuality or not, I sincerely hope that my words resonate with you in a way that empowers you to live for God and not man.

Amen.

I

Open Letter: To Your Heart from Mine

To my brothers and sisters,

I am writing you this letter because I want you to know how much I truly understand why what you’re about to read may upset you. I’m writing not to apologize but to encourage you to walk in truth—not your truth, but what God has said and written to be true.