Pornography, masturbation, sexual fantasy, lustful thoughts... They’re just men’s issues, aren’t they? The ways in which women struggle may often be subtly different to our male counterparts, but the fundamental issues of our sinful hearts seeking fulfilment in the wrong places are just the same.

David Bennett was attracted to other boys from the age of 14, and so had issues with Christianity because he felt if he was to become a Christian he couldn’t act on his romantic inclinations. He became a gay activist in Australia in support of gay marriage. But, “Jesus did not stay tidily out of [his] life.”

Some people who are single and/or attracted to the same sex find that physical touch is something they feel they lack. Therefore, feelings I began to have a few years ago took me somewhat by surprise. I became aware that I felt acutely untouched. I felt like I had a craving for physical intimacy.

Celibate same-sex attracted Christians, while accepting that they need to say “no” to their desires for sexual intimacy with another person of the same sex. They often long for healthy and godly ways of meeting their God-given hunger for connection and intimacy with others that will ease loneliness and physical isolation.

In his introduction, Paul Mallard shares with us some of the weighty family situations and disappointments his family have faced. His aim is to take us on a journey through the “Land of Disappointment” and onwards to a place of forgiveness, restoration and hope in Christ.

Keith recalls feeling envious of girls during my childhood - prior to adolescence - and seeking to mimic their play and appearance; he would have preferred to be a girl rather than a boy. In this honest article, Keith describes his journey through several marriages and mental health battles to eventually finding peace in his identity as a Christian.