Have you ever felt so distant from God that you were convinced he could no longer hear your prayers? Feeling far from God is one of the most painful experiences in the Christian life, and it often intensifies during seasons of suffering. For those wrestling with broken relationships, unwanted desires, or sexual sin, this sense of distance can feel especially heavy. Today’s episode from Catherine Krasinski encourages believers who feel like they’ve been abandoned by God. She examines the common causes of this experience, why God allows us to feel his seeming absence, and why Jesus can sympathize with our experiences of feeling forsaken. “He is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘in him we live and move and have our being.’” - Acts 17:27-28 Read along → https://harvestusa.org/when-god-feels-far-away-hope-for-struggling-believers/
The word “queer” has an interesting history. Initially used to describe something as strange, odd, or peculiar, since the 2000s, it’s become an umbrella term in LGBTQ+ vocabulary to refer to someone who does not experience sexual or romantic attraction to the opposite sex and/or does not identify with or accept the gender binary of male and female. In today’s episode, Ellen Mary Dykas points those wrestling with feelings or experiences that make them feel “other” or tempt them to embrace a queer identity to Jesus, whose gospel and cross offers us a better way to understanding our story and identity. Read along with today’s episode → https://harvestusa.org/jesus-and-queerness-the-cross-and-the-q-of-lgbtq/
Pastors, do you feel equipped to disciple and care for those struggling with same-sex attraction in your congregation? Today’s episode from Keith Seary presents four practical, biblical doctrines that pastors should keep in mind as they consider how to disciple someone struggling with same-sex attraction. At times, it can feel challenging to help someone if you haven’t experienced similar temptations. But Keith reminds us that our deepest battles as God’s children are common to man, and the answer we all need is found in One Savior, Jesus Christ. Read along here → https://harvestusa.org/help-for-pastors-caring-for-same-sex-strugglers-one-savior-common-challenges-and-helpful-doctrines/
As a parent, you’ve faithfully taught your children from a young age what God says about His design for sex. So what do you do when, on your daughter’s 18th birthday, she leaves home to live with her boyfriend? Today’s episode from Keith Seary helps parents prepare to offer godly, biblical direction to their adult children with gentleness and respect, even amidst their wandering. He calls parents to entrust their children to the Lord since there is always hope that he will begin a new work in their lives. Read along with today’s episode → https://harvestusa.org/help-my-adult-child-wont-listen-to-my-directions/
“It began as an innocent friendship—at least I thought so. I admired her: a strong kind, beautiful woman. I didn’t think of it as sexual; I just wanted closeness, to be wanted. My desires deepened, and the emotional boundaries blurred. I thought about her constantly, craved her attention, and was jealous when others were close to her. One day, a casual touch from her felt electrifying— and terrifying. What was this feeling? Was I physically attracted to her? It went no further physically, and I put some space between us, but I felt hooked . . . entangled emotionally in something unhealthy and dangerous. -A. C. (former women’s discipleship group member)” Today’s episode from Ellen Mary Dykas walks us through her experience of ministering to countless women who have wrestled with unhealthy and sinful same-sex attachments. She helpfully lays out a wide range of heart postures and behaviors that indicate when attachment has veered into sinful territory. She also clarifies what godly attachments involve, ending with a hope-filled way forward for repentance in God-honoring relationships. Read along with today’s article here → https://harvestusa.org/women-and-same-sex-attachments-longing-for-a-true-home/ -- 📣 Giveaway! 📣 During the month of February, we’re giving away five copies of Sex in a Broken World: How Christ Redeems What Sin Distorts by Paul David Tripp. Click here to enter for a chance to win this excellent title: https://gleam.io/MaynL/sex-in-a-broken-world-giveaway Entries close on February 28. Winners will be randomly drawn on March 2 and notified by email. You must be able to provide an address within the United States to be eligible to claim a prize if your name is drawn.
“She’s hot; she’s not.” “I hate his shoes.” “She has a pretty face, but she’s too tall.” “I don’t like his hobbies.” Have you had these thoughts as the glow of your phone illuminates your face late at night? Dating apps can be a means for bringing about Christ-centered marriages. But what are you sowing in your heart with your use of these apps? On today’s episode, Caitlin McCaffrey asks six diagnostic questions to help you discern if your use of dating apps is wise and intentional or veering your heart off track towards selfish and sinful desires. Read along with today’s episode: https://harvestusa.org/help-im-addicted-to-dating-apps/ — 📣 Giveaway! 📣 During the month of February, we’re giving away five copies of Sex in a Broken World: How Christ Redeems What Sin Distorts by Paul David Tripp. Click here to enter for a chance to win this excellent title: https://gleam.io/MaynL/sex-in-a-broken-world-giveaway Entries close on February 28. Winners will be randomly drawn on March 2 and notified by email. You must be able to provide an address within the United States to be eligible to claim a prize if your name is drawn.
In the dialogue on gay desire in the broader church, two terms rise to the surface: attraction and orientation. Lack of definition has caused much confusion and debate among God’s people. The stakes are high, because gospel clarity is lost or found for sexual strugglers based on how we define these terms as pastors, counselors, and friends. This is a gospel discipleship issue for the church today; therefore, precision and compassion are paramount. On today’s episode, Caitlin McCaffrey dives deep into the importance of language. If the words we use to discuss these issues are not rooted in God’s Word, then we are building on a faulty foundation that will inevitably fail. She carefully walks us through how to think about two common, yet deeply misunderstood words. Read along with today’s episode: https://harvestusa.org/attraction-and-orientation-defining-our-terms/ 📣 Giveaway! 📣 During the month of February, we’re giving away five copies of Sex in a Broken World: How Christ Redeems What Sin Distorts by Paul David Tripp. Click here to enter for a chance to win this excellent title: https://gleam.io/MaynL/sex-in-a-broken-world-giveaway Entries close on February 28. Winners will be randomly drawn on March 2 and notified by email. You must be able to provide an address within the United States to be eligible to claim a prize if your name is drawn.
Brothers and sisters in Christ who legally wed a same-sex partner, yet have come to realize that same-sex marriage is outside of God’s will, are faced with a costly path of repentance. Not to mention numerous practical questions as they sort our their newly invigorated faith and present circumstances, especially if children were brought into the same-sex partnership. On today’s episode, Ellen Mary Dykas shares three clear steps of faith for you to take while offering wisdom and counsel for tough decisions and grey areas you may face on the path of obedience. She ends the episode with a short exhortation to Christians to be ready to proactively love and care for those who have come out of same-sex partnerships and resolved to follow Christ. Read along with today’s episode: https://harvestusa.org/walking-in-repentance-after-same-sex-marriage/ — 📣 Giveaway! 📣 During the month of February, we’re giving away five copies of Sex in a Broken World: How Christ Redeems What Sin Distorts by Paul David Tripp. Click to enter for a chance to win a copy: https://gleam.io/MaynL/sex-in-a-broken-world-giveaway Entries close on February 28. Winners will be randomly drawn on March 2 and notified by email. You must be able to provide an address within the United States to be eligible to claim a prize if your name is drawn.
Is it possible for someone who isn’t attracted to the opposite sex to have a truly fulfilling, beautiful, biblical marriage? If we’re honest, when we think of our brothers and sisters who battle against exclusive same-sex attraction, we often assume that marriage simply isn’t an option for them. We think they should probably just accept that God wants them to remain celibate. After all, “How can you marry someone you’re not attracted to?” But this reveals a very shallow understanding of attraction, marriage, and God’s work in the lives of his children. Today’s episode by Mark Sanders teaches us that attraction is much deeper than instinctual sexual desire and what makes for a truly beautiful marriage is not butterflies in your stomach, but a lifelong commitment to sacrificial love. Love that is only made possible through the liberty of first being loved by Christ. Click here to read along with today’s episode: https://harvestusa.org/same-sex-attraction-and-a-beautiful-marriage/
Why should you quit porn? Because Jesus is coming back! God designed our hearts to be motivated by future realities. As human beings, we’re wired to make sacrifices in the present in the hope of attaining some good in the future. We embrace the pain of diets and exercise now, hoping to achieve long term health down the road. Similarly, if you’re struggling with porn, the promise that Christ is coming again should be a powerful motivation to quit porn. On today’s episode, Mark Sanders shares five ways the promise of Christ’s return should motivate our present obedience. Click here to read along with today’s episode: https://harvestusa.org/dont-look-at-porn-because-jesus-is-coming-back/