It may not be 2022 quite yet, but we’re already looking forward to leaving the old behind (looking at you, Omicron) and moving on to what’s ahead. If you’re looking to make New Year’s resolutions or just to start fresh in some areas of life in 2022, here are some of our favorite reads to help you make meaningful progress.... continue reading
Spending time with family can be, well, hard. Even if you have great relationships with the people you spend your holidays with, they may have expectations you can’t (or don’t want to) live up to. You may get picked on for being the youngest, or the oldest, or otherwise black sheep-ish.... continue reading
Every family does Christmas differently. My wife’s family would open their presents at the kitchen table, each opening one gift at a time with a few words of surprise and comment from others. I found it a bit intense (and the moment her mom held up her new knickers will live with me forever). We grew up with all of us opening our presents at the same time. It worked for us. Until the wrapping-paper blizzard. In that moment, it felt like my family were ripping through each present without gratitude or any sense that someone had generously given it to them.... continue reading
This year there is an opportunity to use Christmas carols to draw people together again. We may still need to be creative in how we do that, and we certainly need to consider how to help people feel safe and comfortable when they may not have sung in public for nearly two years—but this Christmas we have a chance to put the local church carol service back at the heart of the community.... continue reading
There’s something wonderfully warming about receiving a handwritten card or letter. Having endured multiple lockdowns over the last 18 months, the importance of letters, parcels and personal signs of relationship over physical distance has been brought into sharper focus. Every card that was sent or received symbolised connection that couldn’t be expressed in other ways.... continue reading
Right now a lot of people are turning away from or changing their beliefs, not based on theology but based on compelling narratives that they’ve heard. Stories are literally shaping the way people think about God and sex and sin and money.... continue reading
For many of us, prayer is a struggle. There are plenty of reasons for this: we aren’t sure prayer works; we don’t know how to reconcile prayer with God’s sovereignty; we’ve had unanswered prayers in the past. But one of the most common obstacles goes deeper than all that: many of our prayer struggles arise from a fundamentally wrong view of God. We see God as reluctant and distant. Sure, he listens to us, but it’s not his favourite thing to do—and honestly, it requires a lot of patience on his part. ... continue reading
They’re few and far between, aren’t they, those days of transcendent joy? You’ve probably experienced a few of them in your life—when the guy you liked finally noticed you; when you got accepted to the college you’d been dreaming of; when you slept well, woke up late and knew the vacation was just beginning. But a life can’t all be highlights, and I’m sure you’ve had more than one moment of wondering, “How do I keep a feeling of contentment on the ordinary days, let alone the difficult days?”... continue reading
It was both a thrill and a very strange feeling to be asked to lead a group of new Christians (or “almost Christians”) through Need to Know (NTK). After years of wanting a resource to help people who have recently become Christians (or for whom the gospel had recently started to make sense and grip them), now the rubber had finally hit the road!... continue reading
As summer gets into full swing, many churches offer fewer events like Bible studies and weekly kids’ programs. This is just part of the busy season of vacations, weddings, grad parties, and more. But, the Church itself doesn’t close for summer. God’s still working in and through his people. Many are still in need of the gospel. Fellowship is as valuable as ever (even if it takes place in gardens for a time). ... continue reading
