Ethics & Christian living, Recommended books & reviews

Justice, mercy and humility: three ways to a transforming Lent

I see Lent as an opportunity to realign ourselves.  A time to re-commit to an integrity between who we are on the outside and who we are on the inside.  To seek a wholeness between the person that we present for the world to see, and the person we are when no one sees.  And faith… Continue reading Justice, mercy and humility: three ways to a transforming Lent

Ethics & Christian living

Relief and Hope in South Sudan – by Anna Chilvers

Anna Chilvers manages Tearfund’s emergency programme in the Juba area of South Sudan. Here she talks about not only their response, but more strikingly the response of local people and churches. Radical sharing The assessment we did in Katigiri (100km west of the capital Juba) at the end of January has led to us intervening there.… Continue reading Relief and Hope in South Sudan – by Anna Chilvers

Ethics & Christian living

R&R’s Advent Challenge 2013

Photo by Hakan Erenler on Pexels.com What does Advent mean for you? Advent is a time of waiting, of anticipation, to prepare for the celebration of Christmas.  If I am honest, rather than a time of waiting, it is a time normally smothered with extra busyness, more spending and an anxiety about getting more things done.… Continue reading R&R’s Advent Challenge 2013

Ethics & Christian living

It’s a 2 poppy day

This November I'll be wearing two poppies - the regular red poppy and the white peace poppy. White Poppies White poppies were first distributed in 1933 by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU) and are intended as a challenge to the 'continuing drive to war'.  In my recent post on Syria I quoted the founder of… Continue reading It’s a 2 poppy day

Ethics & Christian living

Our Addiction to Self-Promotion

A few years ago I was asked to speak at a conference for youth and community workers.  The person who had invited me didn’t know me well but had been involved in an online campaign that I had helped start. I soon realised my host was under a misapprehension that I was a lot more well-known than… Continue reading Our Addiction to Self-Promotion

Ethics & Christian living

Devon, Balcombe and Greenbelt: a fracking good summer – by Hannah Martin

I have just had a great summer. From a youth camp in Devon, to the anti-fracking protest camp at Balcombe and then onto the Greenbelt festival I participated in three very different communities.  It wasn’t a relaxing holiday, more the body-aching-wood-smoke-smelling-when-will-I-see-hot-water-again kind. But I think I was hoping to be uncomfortable.  I wanted to be… Continue reading Devon, Balcombe and Greenbelt: a fracking good summer – by Hannah Martin

Ethics & Christian living

A Bachelor of Science, but a Master of Procrastination – by Robbie White

Next week I will graduate from the University of Birmingham, marking the end of three exciting years full of some wonderful memories. However, there have been other times when I have felt less like a Bachelor of Science and more like a Master of Procrastination. A particular low was taking part in an all-day Fifa… Continue reading A Bachelor of Science, but a Master of Procrastination – by Robbie White

Ethics & Christian living

Jesus wouldn’t have a mortgage, so why do you? – by Nathanael Gillett

“And Jesus said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of one’s possessions.” (Luke 12:15) I’ll be up front with you - I don’t agree with owning a house. I’m not sure you’ll agree with me but here are my 3 reasons… Continue reading Jesus wouldn’t have a mortgage, so why do you? – by Nathanael Gillett

Ethics & Christian living

Imagine a world without work – by James P Brown

Imagine waking up one day... You feel a bit ill, and look at the clock, which doesn’t appear to be working. You press the light switch, but nothing happens. The toilet smells a bit, and when you go to wash your hands, no water comes out of the taps. You dress and go to get… Continue reading Imagine a world without work – by James P Brown

Ethics & Christian living, Recommended books & reviews

Do Hard Things – a rebellion against low expectations

Do Hard Things is an unusual book.  It was written by two teenagers for other teenagers. Its message is blunt and challenging: that young people should rebel against the culture of low expectations of what teenagers are capable of. The book starts like this: ‘Most people don’t expect you to understand what we’re going to… Continue reading Do Hard Things – a rebellion against low expectations