Let’s Talk About Identity
Each of us play many roles in life, which each contribute to our identity. But what if you can't take on the role you always wanted, or lose one that you've played so well? Thankfully, there is an identity available to each of us that can never be lost. I had known about this identity,
What a Little Girl Named Phoebe Can Tell Us About Ourselves
A few weeks ago I spoke at a secular conference for childless couples—an audience of men and women wondering what to do with their lives now they may not become parents. After I'd spoken, a woman approached me in tears. “I've been wondering all day why I came," she said, "but now I know. I
Life has Three Journeys. The Second is the Hardest, But it Can Transform You
In his insightful little book The Second Journey, Gerald O'Collins divides life into three phases. The first is from childhood to adulthood, the third from old age to death. In between is the 'second journey': a path of great restlessness, questioning and even disillusionment that can nonetheless transform us for good. Here's an overview of
When You Stop Repeating the Lies and Start Believing What God Says About You
A troubled home life. Feelings of insecurity. A longing for love. Self-hatred. For Malcolm Duncan these feelings developed into a destructive morning mantra he would repeat in the mirror throughout his earliest years. Then one night he had an experience that changed everything. Malcolm's moving story shows what can happen when we stop repeating lies
What is the Gospel and What’s Your Role in it? Introducing the Awakening Project
Christians talk a lot about ‘the gospel’. We talk about hearing the gospel, believing the gospel, sharing the gospel with others. But what is the gospel? When I went onto the streets to see who could tell me, I got answers like: It's something to do with the Bible and church
To Help a Friend with Depression, Here’s the Best Thing You Can Do
When I was asked to speak on mental health for BBC Radio 2's Pause for Thought segment, I consulted my brilliant Facebook community. They shared deeply and with insight on just how we can be more accepting of those who suffer this way. The starting point? See people as bigger than their illness
We are More Than Our Greatest Success or Worst Failure
Frank Sinatra will forever be remembered for the song My Way, even though he hated it. The same thing happens to celebrities and politicians all the time as one song, controversy or policy failure becomes lodged in public memory. But there is more to them than that. And there is more to you than others
A New Earth. A New You
Can changing your name change your life? Yes and no. The Christian vision offers something even deeper: a new earth and a new you with a new name thrown in too. Episode 7 in the Unseen Footprints article and podcast series.