Apr 23
2026
Holding Love and Truth When It’s Challenging
In this thoughtful article from First Stone Ministries, the author — a parent personally navigating a child's gender identity questions — examines how cultural pressure has redefined empathy as agreement rather than understanding. Drawing on Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 13, and the cautionary example of Aaron, the piece calls believers to hold love and truth together without yielding to coercive demands. True empathy, the author concludes, does not affirm what is contrary to God's will — it points people to Jesus.
“Boundaries with Adult Prodigal Children” explains how God models clear boundaries and consequences, and how Christian parents can follow His example with their wayward adult sons and daughters. Drawing from personal experience with three prodigal children, the author outlines house rules, financial limits, and key areas like communication and living arrangements. The article encourages parents to stop enabling, surrender their children to God, and hold firm in love, trusting His greater care and purposes.
“Surrender Your Child Back to God” speaks directly to hurting parents of prodigal children, using the parable of the prodigal son to offer hope and direction. The article urges parents to stop trying to control their child’s repentance and instead surrender the child to God, confess personal sin, and pursue Christ wholeheartedly. It emphasizes that salvation belongs to God alone and encourages parents to focus on worship, discipleship, and the broader mission of making disciples.
“Hope for the Homosexual” outlines First Stone Ministries’ approach to helping individuals overcome homosexuality and sexual struggles through faith, counseling, and support groups. Featuring the story of Stephen Black, a former homosexual transformed by his relationship with Christ, the article emphasizes that change is possible with biblical guidance and community. It documents the ministry’s origins, its compassionate approach to sexual brokenness, and testimonies of lives changed, ultimately offering hope and practical help rooted in Christian conviction.
This marriage resource list from First Stone Ministries brings together a carefully chosen collection of books covering every key dimension of Christian marriage — from pre-marital preparation and understanding gender differences to building emotional intimacy, affair-proofing a relationship, and experiencing sexual fulfillment within God's design. Authors include Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn, Willard Harley, Emerson Eggerichs, and Ed Wheat, among others. Together these titles form a comprehensive library for couples seeking to build strong, godly, and deeply satisfying marriages.
“Unhealthy Relationships Among Women and the Journey to Freedom” examines how women’s friendships can drift into emotional dependency or inappropriate intensity, often rooted in unmet childhood needs or relational wounds. The article uses real-life examples to illustrate how exclusivity and boundary issues develop. Practical, faith-based steps are offered for recognizing unhealthy dynamics, seeking support, grieving losses, and establishing new relational limits. Emphasizing God’s desire for healthy connections, the piece encourages honesty, spiritual growth, and a journey toward relational wholeness.
“Marriage and the Power of Porn” reveals how pornography undermines Christian marriage by damaging intimacy, distorting perceptions, and fostering secrecy. The article discusses why sexual sin is enslaving, progressive, and difficult to defeat alone, emphasizing the necessity of confession, accountability, and biblical counsel for recovery. Practical advice encourages spouses to foster honest dialogue and resist blame-shifting. Ultimately, the hope of the gospel is highlighted: true restoration, reconciliation, and victory over bondage are available in Christ for struggling couples.
“Relinquishment: What Does It Really Mean To ‘Let Go’?” examines the challenging journey of giving up control over loved ones and outcomes, using biblical examples like Hannah and Abraham. The article clarifies that true relinquishment is not abandonment but trusting God’s sovereignty. It outlines key steps—facing limitations, releasing expectations, giving freedom of choice, and embracing emotional freedom. Ultimately, relinquishment brings deeper security in God, liberates us from guilt, and enables healthier, more compassionate relationships rooted in faith.