I used to look down on the families that didn’t seem like they had it all together. I had the perfect family. I had parents who loved each other, and a sister who I accepted I would be stuck with. And then I watched my life unravel. I remember walking into church the Sunday after my dad left and being overwhelmed by countless looks of pity, daunting questions like “How are you doing?” and responses like “I’m so sorry”. They were all trying to help, but I was trying to forget. I wanted everything to stay the same.... continue reading
I’ve always been protective, especially of my mom. I remember as a kid, maybe only 4 years old, walking into the middle of the road we were crossing and sticking my little hand out as a stop sign to let my mom cross. As I got older, my protective instincts grew stronger, as I made sure every door was held open for my mom and that no one accidentally bumped into her. So when my dad left my family, I felt helpless. I couldn’t protect my mom from this. I couldn’t protect my sister from this. I couldn’t even protect myself.... continue reading
Is there really a “quiet revival” among young people in the UK? The news broke recently that the Bible Society’s 2025 report The Quiet Revival has turned out to be based on faulty data. The report proclaimed an extraordinary rise in churchgoing and spiritual interest, especially among young people. Its retraction has left some feeling discouraged about what might be happening to young people’s faith and spirituality. But I want to give you three very clear reasons to feel optimistic.... continue reading
“Who are the people (living or dead) you would invite to your dream dinner party, and why?”
Ah yes, the classic icebreaker that has been putting us on the spot for centuries! With just a handful of names, your answer can reveal whether you’re a deep thinker, an intellectual, an activist – or, as in my case, none of the above. It’s designed to encourage you to think about who you admire, offering insight into what makes you tick and what’s important to you.... continue reading
“The Bible says, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. But an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind!”
My 13-year-old friend spoke with righteous vehemence. She was angry: angry that a God who is supposed to love justice would give such an outrageously unjust rule. Angry that this is the character of the God she is continually being told she ought to give her life to. “How dare he?” her eyes seemed to say. And even, “How dare you?”
She had been thinking about this for a while and getting angry about it. And she had been doing so all on her own.... continue reading
Just how much care went into the artwork featured in The Kingdom and the King Storybook Bible?
Illustrator Catalina Echeverri is dedicated to grounding her designs in rich theology, biblical truth, and as much historical accuracy as possible. Every detail of her illustrations is carefully considered—from facial expressions and skin tones to objects and symbolism.
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They laughed behind cupped hands, grade-school whispers assessing her dress. Look! It’s as big as a tent! Peter’s face reddened as he accepted his forgotten lunch bag from his mother’s strong hand. Her face glowed, Scandinavian accent thick as she spoke love over her son in broken English. I dangled upside down from the playground bars, observing this heavyset woman adorned in a shapeless house dress swishing past her ankles. ... continue reading
One area that seems to be particularly in the crosshairs of progressive governments is schooling. The moral formation of the secular education system is designed to produce model citizens who will help us move towards a more just and equitable society. So far, so good. That’s what a Christian education system desires also. Yet their methods are at odds with each other. Christianity’s doctrine of human flourishing is now regarded as part of society’s problem, not part of its solution.... continue reading
It’s unfortunately common to hear that church is one of the hardest places to be in the midst of hardship. Maybe you have limped into church, weighed down by things like sadness, fear, or disappointment. Yet the place you hoped to find healing and refuge left you feeling hurt and alone. As the body of Christ joined together in praise, you felt dislocated in your pain.... continue reading
The moment we honestly consider that there is a day on the calendar that will indeed be our last day, suddenly 80 years of life—4,200 Sundays—feels very, very short. The Scriptures that teach us that God has numbered our days (e.g. Psalm 139:16) exhort us to do likewise.... continue reading
