Anxious for Nothing

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Second Sunday in Lent

Carla Miner (she/her)

Pastor

Allied Christian

“...For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for

disaster, to give you a future and a hope...” – (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)

[God] has made everything beautiful in its time... (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV)

These Bible verses have been following me around, stubbornly, for the last four months. And these last four months have been...something. In that time, I’ve graduated seminary, completed clergy licensing school, accepted my first pastoral appointment, and – almost immediately – resigned from that appointment. Needless to say, it’s been a lot. And my mental health hasn’t remained unaffected.

If you’re reading this devotional, then you probably already know that it’s Bisexual Health

Awareness Month. So, let’s talk about Bisexual health – specifically, B+ mental health. Did you

know that our Bisexual+ siblings experience worse mental health than their peers? The Human Rights Campaign reports that Bisexual adults report “double the rate of depression and higher rates of binge drinking” than heterosexual adults. And our Bi+ siblings “are also more likely to engage in self-harming behaviors, attempt suicide or think about suicide than heterosexuals, lesbians or gay men.”

What are we, as allies and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, to do about this? I don’t

know, but I have a thought: I recently learned that our brains may only be capable of processing one emotion – either anxiety or gratitude – at any one time. This is because one part of our brain processes both of these emotions – and so, our brains can only process one of these emotions at a time. If this is true, then maybe we can improve our mental health outcomes by training our brains to focus on the things we’re grateful for – instead of all the things we’re anxious about. I’m willing to give it a try! Are you?

Today, I’m grateful to serve a God whose plans for us are good, and who makes everything

beautiful in its time. What are you grateful for? I’m praying that whatever it is, it brings you an

absolute joy that casts out all your anxiety! Be at peace.

URGENT: Protect Trans Passport Access – Submit Your Comment Now!

Dear Friends,

The U.S. Department of State is threatening Trans people’s ability to obtain accurate passports. This could create dangerous barriers to travel, identification, and basic rights.

We need you to act now. Three federal comment portals are open, and we must flood them with opposition to these harmful changes.

🚨 Take action in 3 easy steps:1

Main link:https://transequality.org/news/freedom-fly-passport-access-action

1️⃣ DS-82 Passport Renewal (Due: March 20) → https://action.transequality.org/a/freedom-fly-take-action-step-one-securing-our-rights

2️⃣ DS-5504 Name Change & Corrections (Due: March 20) → https://action.transequality.org/a/freedom-fly-take-action-step-two-securing-our-rights

3️⃣ DS-11 First-Time Passport Applications (Due: March 17) → https://action.transequality.org/a/freedom-fly-take-action-step-three-securing-our-rights

💡 Important Notes:

✔️ You can use an alias when submitting a comment, but an email is required.

✔️ Each comment should be slightly unique (we provide a template to help!).

✔️ Share this email with friends—every comment counts!

Together, we can stop these dangerous rule changes. Thank you for taking action!

Press Release - US Supreme Court to Consider Conversion "Therapy" Bans

March 11, 2025 - Westerville, OH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The United States Supreme Court announced on Monday, March 10, 2025, that it would hear arguments in Chiles v. Salazar et al. The case, brought by a counselor who identifies as a Christian and who, while not guaranteeing any specific results, nevertheless works from her definition of a "Christian" worldview with clients who share that worldview, particularly regarding sexuality and gender identity. She argues that a Colorado law that regulates the practice of "conversion" therapy by certain licensed professionals violates her First Amendment rights of free speech and the free exercise of religion.

The US 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for the state, arguing that the law regulates the professional conduct of counselors, not their speech.

LOVEboldly categorically rejects the idea and use of conversion "therapy." We believe God creates LGBTQIA+ people just as they are and does not require them to change their sexual orientation, deny their gender transition, or detransition. In addition to our theological perspective, we lift up the significant body of research that has debunked conversion "therapy" as junk science. Indeed, the lived experiences of conversion "therapy" survivors shows that conversion "therapy" is more akin to torture than any form of therapeutic intervention.

LOVEboldly implores the US Supreme Court to rule for the state and to uphold bans on the practice of conversion "therapy."

In Ohio, thirteen cities have taken the step to ban conversion "therapy" within their jurisdictions. There is currently a bill in the Ohio General Assembly, Senate Bill 71, which aims to ban conversion "therapy" statewide.

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