I’m Suffering. Is God Punishing Me?
Ever since writing Resurrection Year I've received hundreds of emails from people sharing their broken dreams and heartaches. In some, I've noticed a subtle belief that their trials are divine retribution of some kind—a punishment for their mistakes or wrongs. If you've ever felt the same, you're not alone. But the feeling needs to be
Is Spock a Christ Figure? After 50 Years of Star Trek, Some Think So
It was fifty years ago this week when the sci-fi pop culture phenomenon Star Trek, first hit TV screens. While it's mostly largely secular humanist in outlook, that hasn't stopped religious themes slipping into Star Trek's storylines, sometimes quite overtly. In fact, its most beloved character has done some very Christ-like things.
Need Some Direction? Well Don’t Just Pray. Move.
As a young, new Christian, I was struggling to find my path in life. For two years I’d prayed about how I should serve God, yet I still had no clear direction for my life. Until one day, I learnt what Jesus said about making good choices… and my whole approach changed.
One of The Best Things You’ll Hear Today: You Are Known
In a world of global connections but ever-declining intimacy, of burgeoning cities with more and more alienated souls, of billions of individuals who secretly wonder if anyone really cares, here is a truth that heals and liberates: you are intimately known.
Need Better Friendships? Here Are Four Things That Make Them Rich
'Who can you call in the middle of the night when everything has gone wrong?" When I first heard this question some years ago it shook me to the core. I didn't have an answer. Even recently, I've found myself in need of deeper friendships. So I did some thinking and came up with a
Need a New Dream? Here’s 12 Questions to Help You Find One
Ever since I wrote a book about starting again after a broken dream, I've found myself answering lots of questions about them. 'How can you turn a broken dream into a new beginning?' 'When should you let a dream die?' And this one especially: 'What if you don't have any dreams for your life? How
When Looking in the Mirror Isn’t Pretty
We’ve all had days we’d rather not see our reflection in life's big metaphorical mirror. Catching a glimpse of our true selves can sometimes leave us unimpressed. I had one of those moments one day at a 'driver survivor' rest stop in Australia. I'd rather not tell you, but I've already shared it on BBC
In a World of Ideas, How Can We Find the Authentic God?
As any psychologist can tell you, our understanding of God is vitally important. Many are held captive by an imaginary deity shaped by fear, pain, past, or our own desires. These humanly-inspired gods always fail us, or forever holding us in torment. So the question is, what is God really like? How can we spot
Where Do Your Ideas About God Come From?
As a primary-schooler I contemplated God and felt trapped. At the time my parents were in one of the world’s more zealous religious sects, I was being raised according to its tenets, and the God of this faith was difficult to please. We all hold an image of God in our minds. So who is
Political Differences Are Ripping Us Apart. Here are 3 Ways to Intervene
Britain's historic vote to leave the European Union has taken the nation, and the world, by surprise. The ramifications are far-reaching and will be played out for years. Only time will tell whether Brexit is good for the country or Europe as a whole. But what is most alarming now is the hostility the decision