Weekendlinks

Verse of the Week

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Matthew 12:18–21

Hymn of the Week

1 If you but trust in God to guide you
and place your confidence in him,
you’ll find him always there beside you
to give you hope and strength within;
for those who trust God’s changeless love
build on the rock that will not move.

2 Only be still and wait his pleasure
in cheerful hope with heart content.
He fills your needs to fullest measure
with what discerning love has sent;
doubt not our inmost wants are known
to him who chose us for his own.

3 Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving,
offer your service faithfully,
and trust his word; though undeserving,
you’ll find his promise true to be.
God never will forsake in need
the soul that trusts in him indeed.

— Georg Neumark

“Classic” Christian SSA

Spiritual Friendship: Celibacy and Loneliness

 

Christian SSA

Traveling Nun: Finding Love in the Church When You’re Gay, Christian, and Celibate

“Christian community must provide a viable path for expressing love outside of marriage. Without it, we’re just as ‘anti-love’ as all the caricatures portray. . . . Far too many Christians substitute nice behavior for love. Therefore it’s no wonder that “finding love in Christian community” feels so shallow compared to finding love through a marriage.”

Truth & Love: The desert has the biggest sky

“The experience of same-sex attraction can often land you in this desert place.” Here are five practical approaches to life in the spiritual desert.

Walls Down: Affirm Identity

“The Bible makes it clear that a person can deny certain sexual/relational desires (outside of God’s design) and still be fulfilled and at peace with themselves.”