This is very much a book for parents of children who have taken what the book calls an ‘unexpected detour’. The author, Lori, has 25 years’ experience working with parents and families and the focus of the book is on her relationship with her adopted daughter Courtney, who struggles with gender identity and same-sex attraction.
Articles that advise on how best to support and care for friends/family/church members etc
In this article Ed and Jonny, two TFT members, discuss the benefits of accountability apps on their smartphones. In particular, they look at the dangers of smartphones and how these apps function and motivate pure online behaviour. There is also discussion of their effectiveness and their limitations.
I’ve always been pretty open about my struggles with sexuality, so I was up front from the start when I arrived at my church 9 years ago. In those days, there were only a few of us and we met in the minister’s house, so it was very easy to get to know people and build positive relationships.
God knits each of us together in a unique and individual way. In a fallen world, this means that a person’s experience of same-sex temptations will be – at least to some degree – unique to them. Inevitably, then, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to supporting people.
In "Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors and Friends", Mark Yarhouse gives honest and accurate answers to parents, pastors and friends who have questions about homosexuality. He carefully develops a useful and clear three-tier distinction between "same-sex attraction", "homosexual orientation" and a "gay identity."
Being in an accountability relationship has been a source of great blessing in my life and, therefore, writing an article on the topic is a positive step forward for me. I am aware, though, that this subject is not always one that is met by others with the enthusiasm I view it.