Greg: A Personal Plea
S T O R Y Greg: A Personal Plea My name is Greg, and I am a Seventh-day Adventist living in California. Most of my formative education has been through the Adventist Church—from elementary school through university. My parents divorced when I was 9, so spending time at Dad’s house filled with stacks of pornography
Read MoreToni: Only Deceiving Myself
S T O R Y Toni: Only Deceiving Myself I am the youngest and only girl of five children. I was named by and after my father, who wanted a fifth boy—that is how I got the name Toni! I remember not feeling welcome at home at an early age. My brothers were jealous of
Read MoreBook Review: Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story
B O O K R E V I E W Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story Christopher Yuan, professor-at-large in biblical studies at Moody Bible College, suggests that holiness, especially holy sexuality, is God’s will for everyone. He maintains that the biblical framework reveals (a) our true
Read MoreJoshua: False Identity
S T O R Y Joshua: False Identity From a young age, I was extremely insecure about my looks and my personality. My hobbies and interests were considered more feminine, and I envied and admired the more masculine guys who seemed so confident around the girls. To complicate matters, I was exposed to pornography at
Read MoreWhat the Bible Really Says About LGBTQ+
What the Bible Really Says About LGBTQ+ This article is adapted from the video presentation, “What the Bible Really Says About LGBTQ+” by Pastor Mark Finley. In our quest for truth today, we challenge a societal norm. Does the message of the Bible align with the current rise and acceptanceof the LGBTQ+ community, or does
Read MorePornography: a rising phenomenon
Pornography: a rising phenomenon From the time we wake, our senses are bombarded with images and sounds from our phones, television, internet, and news outlets. Some is positive, but others are harmful, exposing us to ideas and images that we would not naturally choose. One insidious influence that is increasingly pervasive in our digital age
Read MoreBree: A Life of Joy, Health, and Wholeness
S T O R Y Bree: A Life of Joy, Health, and Wholeness Growing up in a predominantly male home was difficult for me. I felt a void because my need for motherly and feminine affirmation wasn’t met in relatable ways. I observed the women in my family being diminished and silenced. Yet because I
Read MoreMichael: Rewriting the Narrative
S T O R Y Michael: Rewriting the Narrative The development of my sexual identity was greatly impacted by the way I perceived my father’s masculinity and my struggle to adequately understand my own. A sensitive boy, I was drawn to the arts and connecting with others on an emotional level, but in my private
Read MoreLinda: Longing for Affection
S T O R Y Linda: Longing for Affection When I was born, my mother was conflicted about having a daughter instead of a son. As a young child, my mom’s unspoken desire influenced my life, and my mother and I never fully connected emotionally. I remember feeling frustrated by her expectations while at the
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