Forward in Christ, the official magazine of WELS, is continuing its coverage of the topic of homosexuality with a profile of Suzie Neas, a WELS woman who left the gay lifestyle with the help of the Holy Spirit.

"I shared my story hoping that some can relate and those wanting lasting peace and relief from the heavy burden of same-sex attractions will find it by humbly confessing before God," says Neas, a member at Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, Madison, Wis. "The Holy Spirit works to change the heart of anyone who is penitent."

Neas left the homosexual lifestyle behind seven years ago. "I denied, rationalized, and justified my behavior for too long," she says. "Through hearing God's Word, the Holy Spirit worked in my hardened heart, softening it so that I could see the error of my ways."

Now she is talking to Bible study groups, high school students, and others about her journey. She says, "I encourage anyone who has a loved one who embraces this lifestyle to love them always, but you do not have to love or accept their behavior."

This is the second article in a series on leaving the gay lifestyle. The first article shared the story of Scott Barefoot, a member at Grace, Falls Church, Va., who left the gay lifestyle seven years ago after discovering he had HIV/AIDS.