There are some that feel that his "giving in to the temptation of sin" and "succumbing to the homosexual lie" wipes out every shred of value that his music ever had in the world and that he should be "shunned from the body of Christ until he repents and changes his ways because he can not receive forgiveness until he actually repents from the sin. Five New Testament scripture verses have been quoted again and again: 1 Corinthians —10, 1 Corinthians —11 , Matthew —40 , Matthew , and John Each one of the passages applies to this and gives Christians much to think and pray about.
Living a gay lifestyle is equated by some Christians to having an open marriage or cheating on a spouse. They believe that it's supposed to be only one man and one woman in a relationship. Whether someone was born gay because God made him that way so he has no choice is compared by some Christians to being born in a family of alcoholics with a predisposition to the condition.
However, it's never been definitively proven by science that alcoholism is a physical disease or has a genetic component.
Regardless, a person can choose not to drink or limit their drinking. Many Christians choose not to condemn Ray Boltz. They are not without sin , and so they know they are not in a position to cast the first stone.
No one is without some sort of sin in their lives. They see the rejection of homosexual persons as going against the very grain of Jesus' preaching to love your neighbors as yourself. Doesn't all sin separate people from God? Didn't Jesus die on the cross for all people's sins?
Aren't people really defeating the purpose of sharing their Lord and savior when they're beating someone over the head with hatred and using the Bible as the weapon of choice to do it? Ray Boltz is still a brother in Christ.
Ultimately, each person will answer for his or her choices on Judgment Day. Many take inspiration from Matthew — This is the first and greatest commandment. I just pray that you continue to let God use you as he so powerfully has all of my christian life!
Lord Bless you and your family. I just listened to your song, "Don't tell me who to love. God loves you, he loves everyone. I love my husband, but my DNA is made to love a man-so is yours-there is nothing wrong with God's plan. He made you who you are-be proud and continue to love our God. Please continue to write and sing-this is a true gift! People, please do not judge and please listen to the song that I mentioned.
God Bless-peace, love and not hatred. You all appear as robots programmed to utter words you've been brainwashed to believe repeatedly. You're ALL shocked, mortified, disgusted, praying, suggesting I don't even know where to begin. I had no idea that Ray Boltz had came out that he was gay. I just happened to be looking to buy somemore cd's of his and had came across some sights that took me to articles saying he is gay. I'm shocked and mortified that this is true. I love his music but I won't be buying anymore of his cd's.
I will keep him and his family in my prayers. Ray stop making excusses for your life style you are a disgrace to the christian community. I wept throughout the day I read about your sexuality. I remember how we use to weep togather as a family each time we play your song. I was shocked with this announcement. I know my family and friends will be too We a group of six traveled to Anchorage to see you years ago from Kodiak.
Never in my wildest dream was I ready to hear this announcement from you. I will be praying for you and others like you. You all who are commenting and leaving hateful comments are extremely rude. Why don't you focus on the message in the music rather than someone's personal preference? What about the child molesters who "give their lives to God" unfortunately even though we may never forgive them, if they are right in their heart then God accepts them; so all of you who have posted hateful comments need to look inside YOUR OWN heart and take a look in the mirror as well.
None of us are perfect and many would call your OWN actions hypocritical as well. This is precisely why so many are put off by "Christians" I sang The anchor holds at my mothers funeral. She lived those words, and it is sad that the writer doesnt. We all deal with trials and temptations in this life, the Word tells us will, but we have an advocate with the Father that interceeds on our behalf. If you choose to sin, and it is a choice, dont blame God.
Take responsibility for your actions but as Charles Spurgeon quoted, " God will not allow His children to sin sucessfully, He will either remove them, or chasten them harshly.
He wants nothing more than to welcome home His children, but He will not let us hurt His kingdom. I pray that you will return to the fellowship with the Father and regain the faith of those of us who have used the words of your songs as a healing balm.
I dont understand how someone that had such an annointing of thr Holy Spirit on their life could turn their back and blame it on God. We all like sheep have gone astray, but the shepherd left the ninety and nine to go after the lost one. I pray that as God calls you back to Himself, as His word proclaims, that you will hearken to that Still Small Voice and return to the Father for forgiveness and restoration that can only come from Him.
I can only imagine how Satan is trying to use this to try and steal what is Gods, but we have to fight him daily and remember that the victory is already won.
It was won at Calvary. Trust that truth and dont allow Satan any power in your life. My our loving Father be glorified in what Satan means for evil. Ray I have just learned that you are GAY. I would like to say that as a gay man leaving with HIV that your music has been an inspiration to me in ways that you can never imagine.
As a gay man growing up singing Southern Gospel Music my whole life, The Anchor holds always gives the peace of mind to know that God is my Anchor and that gives me great strength every day. If you ever make to Birmingham Alabama I would love to meet you in person and be able to say thank you.
You are truly a man Annointed by God to write such wonderful music. Hope to here from you. Your always in mine and my partners prayers. Keep up your good work. Forever greatful Jerry. I can not believe that you, someone I grew up listening to, someone my parents used as an instrument to bring themselves and their children closer to God, could do something like this.
You know in your heart that homosexuality is wrong. But it's easier to give in to what Satan is using to tempt you with than to stay away from it, huh? It took him an awfully long time to get you to give in, but he did. I just wish you had been the man of God that you made yourself out to be in the public eye and commanded him behind you.
We are tempted every day, with many different things They don't give in to the sin and teptations of the flesh and break hearts And when they do mess up, they make it right with God and others; they don't justify it by saying God approves of their sin. You're a coward. Dear brother Ray I am really taken by surprise to see a man who sung from his heart, soul and mind for God.
A man who has fired up many troubled hearts for God. A man who is extra ordinarily talented to glorify Him through music. How can you say that God made you like that? How can you blame God? Oh my God how you ever got caught in such a blasphemy? Please, please come out of your compromised Christian life. Homosexuality is SIN and you need to condemn it.
Please repent and come back. God will restore you as nothing has ever happened. He will renew you in your heart and soul. He will never leave you, you cant run away from His presence.
It is my heart cry that you repent and come back. I will pray for you as I have cherished yours songs for years and always felt drawing closer to God listening them. May God's mercy be extended on you. Hi Bro. Like the Lord said; "He hates sin but loves sinners!
It is not about you! We are called for a purpose and that is to obey what God has called us to do! Remember, much is given much is required of us! You are a brother and never will you be a sister to us! This life is temporary, what matters most is our eternity. God's Word never changes We pray for your deliverance. In Jesus' Name! Hi Ray, I learned about your admission of giving in to temptation about six days ago.
My first reaction was to condemn you of being a hypocrite and stop listening to your songs, but then the Lord reminded me that I was the hypocrite. He reminded me about how many times He used your songs to draw me closer to Him.
So I decided that, by God's grace, I will pray for you as fervently as I pray for my family. Please, Ray, don't give up on God because he will never give up on you.
The devil knows that, and that is why he is hell-bent on getting us to quit on our Lord. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt I will never leave you nor forsake you He loves you and will continue to fight for you, just as He's been doing for me. He has won the war Ray; please allow Him to win the battle for you. Dearest Mr. I'd be heart-broken to see you perish for eternal life. Please come back to Jesus.
In His Everlasting Love, Ann. I'm disappointed and disgusted. May you seek the face of the Lamb who died for our sins. I agree, we are all sinners, but don't say that your new lifestlye is something God would approve. You don't know the Lamb that washed my sins away. The bible declares that all have sin and fall short to the glory of God. Boltz your music have inspired me through trails and hardships, remember that 1st Timothy says that in the last days many will depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
I pray for transformation and spiritual revival in your life. The same blood of Jesus that wash your sins away when you first came to Christ will be the same blood that will wash away your sins even now, all you have to do is get on your needs and ask Jesus for forgiveness and turn away from you sins He will come in to your heart and make you a brand new person again.
For if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May the peace of God be with you. Dear God, I was taught that Jesus accepted all people regardless of wealth or race. I pray that you will open all of our eyes.
Please help those who are dealing with the struggles of homosexuality, bless them and comfort them. Please help those of us who don't understand others to avoid casting judgment and shame. You are the one true God whom we all were created after. Please help us look at our sins before we judge others where they are in their walk with you. You are a mighty God and I fear that we as christian cast judgments so often that we are leading people away from you Lord. Jesus taught us that the prostitutes and those willing to not judge will be the first to enter the kingdom of Heaven.
Please help us understand each others differences and use us to lead other to you and not away from you. In our holy name, AMEN. I have destroyed all of your music and I encourage all Christians that believe in the Word of God and Jesus Christ to do the same.
I believe you are one of the Anti Christ, along with alot of so called Christians. Our country needs to get back to the Word of God and not the word of man. Why did you live a phony lie? Was it because you couldnt make it in pop music where you would have fit in better I wish I had never taken mykids to see you years ago. You have hurt them and alot of people that believed you were a real Christian. I pray that you will turn from your wicked lifestyle, before you die of aids. No thank you.
Ray may burn in hell Real christian Youre a disgrace, you are leading a whole generation of youth straight to the gates of hell with you. With much appreciation for your family's ministry, past, present, and future. I understand wha t Ray went through I been there myself. God love us the way we are , not thae way the so called christians think. Tho shall NOT judge. I will pray for Ray and his family during this low time.
Just remember when looking back on this situation, Ray, and you only see one set of footprints in the sand. It's not because you were walking through this alone, it was because God was carrying you threw it.
God Bless. The song "The Anchor Holds" was playing on the radio; God really put the truth of that song in my heart. Just like that little anchor that holds that big ship, God holds on to us. There have been many times in my Christian life that I almost "drifted" away, but Thank God, His anchor held on to me. Ray, the Anchor will hold in your life too if you will let it. Please don't drift too far from shore. Hello, Ray! My son, Timothy listens to your "Pledge allegiance to the Lamb" as do I and it fills his heart.
It is truly inspired and you know that as well as I do, don't you? Ray, I struggle with pornography and am taking an online course at www. You certainly have a tremendous talent. I walked away from our Lord back during the Vietnam war after the loss of a girlfriend and blamed Him for my loss so I turned to pornography once in awhile to rebell against God.
You know something? He never left me. I left Him! Well, there were consequences to my sin although He did forgive me and in December of I had a 30 day experience that led me back to God but not before it scared the pee wadding out of me!! I love you Ray just like Tim, your wife and your children yesyou know as well as I do that in spite of the divorce they still love you now don't you?
You haven't forgotten how to pray just like David never forgot. Listen to the Holy Spirit, Ray. He is still there inside you! You know it!!!!!!
Listen to Him and all you have to do is sit down some place quiet--close your eyes say ""Jesus, it's me--Ray--I just need a little help, would you please help me? I'm a little embarrassed and ashamed but I know you can help me. Please Father. Take me hand. He will. We love you. You know what? You are going to come back and when you do just like myselfyou will be stronger than ever and don't you worry about the music industry or Christian community!!! God will take care of that.
You simply do what you are told to do. I'm waiting for you, Ray!! So is your God and there are no stones to throw for my sins are ever bit as great but theyas yours are forgiven as well. You have only to ask, repent and come back! Now what are you waiting on? See you soon.
Very soon!! I was in tears when I played your song "Thank You". I thought about what you have given up due to the weakness of flesh. Since learning about your falling away, I have given my life back to Jesus. The pleasures of this world are not worth losing our souls over. Satan is fighting hard for your soul because your musical ministry was such a blessing to thousands of people. Dear Ray, I was so shocked to hear about you and your trouble you are facing.
Your songs have lifted my heart many times when life was not so good. Please Pray to God to ask Him to lift this evil from your life, Did you ever stop to think that God was testing you? God does give us free will and lets us make our own choices in life God inspired you so much what a great gift He has given to you to have reached out to so many People who needed to hear the Love of our Savior I pray now that you go back into your life, listen to your words that God put into your brain and fall on your knees and ask Him for His forgiveness.
Ray -- God bless you and all that you are. Coming out was not easy for you but there are people out here who still love you, who still feel the anointing God placed on your music and that music is just as anointed and powerful today as it was yesterday, today and tomorrow. Stay strong in the Lord.
My heart and prayers go out to you. I won't be one of those that is standing in line to stone you. Christianity should be different from any other religion. We should copy the example of Jesus Christ who condemned not but gave an opportunity to all to change. I am sure that most of us are cumbered with a heavy load and the shenanigans of life but to say the truth it doesn't help much to share it with brothers and sisters in church because it shall be published.
The disease is aggravated. May we as Christians pray hard for one another for the love of God. Now, he says he's found peace. For Carol Boltz, her husband's revelation upended her life, her status in the community and her faith.
She struggled, at first. But she, too, has adapted, after a spiritual journey that she credits with broadening her perspective and leading to new understanding and friendships. She still lives in the family home in the country near Albany, Ind.
I knew it from when I was a little child. Throughout, she stayed close to Ray. After he came out publicly in a interview with the Washington Blade, a gay newspaper in Washington, D. Musically, he hasn't looked back. In , Boltz recorded a new album called "True," that reflects his evolving faith and more open life.
Carol and Ray Boltz now have seven grandchildren. Ray is a doting grandfather, his ex-wife said, and the family often gathers for meals at a local Pizza King restaurant when Ray and Franco visit. And, like her ex-husband, she fears Indiana will send a hurtful message to other non-traditional families by passing the amendment. What House Joint Resolution 3 says: "Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana.
A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized. What it changes: It would elevate Indiana's current law banning same-sex marriage to the Indiana Constitution and likely would prohibit the state from recognizing civil unions or other similar arrangements.
Where it stands: Legislators passed the amendment in on a vote in the House and a vote in the Senate. Now a required second round of legislative review is under way.
HJR3 was introduced in the House this year and awaits a vote in the Judiciary Committee as soon as the coming week. What's next: If both chambers pass the amendment with the same wording this year, it will go to Indiana voters in November. Facebook Twitter Email. Gay marriage ban: The case against. By Jon Murray jon. Ray Boltz, who sold about 4. In an interview with the gay magazine The Washington Blade , Boltz said he came out to his family and some close friends in December , but only now decided to go public with the news.
I know I am. Boltz is perhaps best known for his song "Thank You," about a dream in which a Christian thanks the Sunday school teacher who led him to Jesus. It was the GMA song of the year in Boltz also told The Blade that he doesn't want to get into debates about Scripture and has no plans to "go into First Baptist or an Assembly of God church and run in there and say, 'I'm gay and you need to love me anyway.
It's not like God made me this way and he'll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be — I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself.
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