Christian, how can you be happier?
Andrew Wilson
Date posted: 24 Aug 2026
In a comprehensive new study of happiness for the everyday Christian, Andrew Wilson weaves Biblical, theological, philosophical, psychological, and sociological methods to answer six major questions about human flourishing in our broken world. In these two extracts, he explores what joy is, and how time can affect our happiness levels.
Human beings have complex emotional lives, and it is very common for us to experience (for example) deep happiness and shallow unhappiness at the same time.
culture watch
Ann Droid: A comedy, but profound
Rebecca Chapman
Date posted: 24 Aug 2026
Britain now has a Minister for Artificial Intelligence. Kanishka Narayan became minister for AI when Andy Burnham created the role in his new Cabinet.
Narayan has warned that “people are right to worry” about the impact of technological change, but that he was “going to work every hour, every day to try to make sure it goes right”. Meanwhile, our new Prime Minister has himself promised to fix adult social care. If you put these two issues together, you get the BBC’s new surprisingly moving six-part comedy drama Ann Droid. At a time of polarising political views that can feel like they lack nuance, this is a show that provokes laughter, and tears, that will make you ask questions about AI’s value as well as its risks, and what it means to be human.
meditating on 1 Peter
How can I be 'prepared to give an answer'?
Tim Vasby-Burnie
Date posted: 21 Aug 2026
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3v15)
You may well have heard a talk on this verse, explaining that the Greek word behind “answer” (or “defence”) is where the word apologetics comes from.
Why you should be praying for your local schools
Matt Wan
Date posted: 19 Aug 2026
Praying for our schools has never been more important than it is today.
More than 95% of young people are not engaged in a local church, yet 99% of them are in mainstream education. As we head into a new academic year, what an opportunity schools give us to show the Christ’s love to the next generation!
Imposter syndrome: Will it exist in heaven?
Andrew Drury
Date posted: 18 Aug 2026
Imposter complex can be debilitating. It can come to the surface when we walk into a gathering and immediately feel that we do not belong. We may tell ourselves that we lack sufficient knowledge, the correct credentials or qualifications, or simply do not have the required skills.
This feeling can arise at work, but it can also surface on a Sunday when we gather with others for worship. We may feel in awe of others’ skills, maturity and abilities, and wonder what, if anything, we have to offer.
pastoral care
Talking politics
Helen Thorne-Allenson
Date posted: 17 Aug 2026
Never talk about religion or politics – that’s the rule of polite conversation, I believe. The advice steers us away from talking about things that might cause controversy because controversy can leave people hurt – and it is an inescapable fact that talking politics can indeed be tricky, explosive at times.
Conversation about policies, parties and particular issues can divide brothers and sisters in Christ, it can break relationships and fuel distrust. But as Christians who care deeply about the people around us, who are committed to praying for our leaders (1 Tim.2 v1-2), and who are passionate about justice and protecting the vulnerable (Micah 6v8), it’s quite tricky not to talk about politics. Indeed, whilst temporal things are nowhere near as important as eternal things, the huge impact that governments have on the big issues of our day means that it’s essential to talk politics at least from time to time.
Reclaiming attention: Today's defining challenge?
Glynn Harrison
Date posted: 17 Aug 2026
Why am I finding it so difficult to get started on this article?
It isn’t writer’s block. A scribbled outline is sitting on my desk. I know roughly what I want to say. Yet every two or three minutes my attention drifts. I find myself reaching for my phone, reading an email, following an unrelated information trail (a quick glance at the weather forecast and I’m soon watching Arctic puffins), double-checking facts, glancing at yet more “breaking news”. Perhaps not all in the same morning, and I exaggerate a little, but you get the idea.
imperfect parenting
The importance of stories
Katie Holloway
Date posted: 15 Aug 2026
Several months ago, somebody told me that when she became a Christian, she stopped reading fiction. My first thought was: “That’s a shame”, but then I realised that actually she’s been missing out on an awful lot. So you may be pleased to hear that I recommended some good novels to her!
This year is the UK’s National Year of Reading, which is described as “a UK-wide campaign designed to inspire more people to make reading a regular part of their lives”. This can’t come too soon, as statistics about declining literacy rates are alarming. We obviously want to encourage strong literacy amongst our children, the benefits being multifaceted: improved focus, better mental health, increased vocabulary (statistics: literarytrust.org.uk). As Christians, the implications of this are clear: improved literacy will help with Bible reading, study and discussion. But it goes deeper. Stories for the sake of stories are important too. Statistics show that facts presented within stories are remembered up to 22 times more easily than facts alone (johnmillen.com). Our brains were designed for stories.
everyday theology
What is God’s holiness?
Michael Reeves
Date posted: 14 Aug 2026
This is what it looks like to be in God’s presence: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke” (Isa.6v1-4).
In the presence of the Lord, everything trembles. The foundations of the thresholds shake; the pillars of heaven are overcome by the tremendousness of His glory. The very seraphim cover their faces to shield themselves from the overwhelming sight of God’s unveiled majesty.
Scandals, porn and gossip – is there any hope?
James Burnett
Date posted: 14 Aug 2026
I was out for an evening jog. After two miles, the old coastal path became an arthritic and cracked limb: loose stones, potholes and seaweed-tuft puddles covered the route. Then it happened – my scandal!
A huge stone gave way underfoot sending my lofty frame into a nosedive, my arms and legs fraying against gravity like a seagull smacked by a golf ball. Would I break my right arm, had I broken my left foot? I stumbled for eight strides, but levelled out and kept on running (until the pain was unbearable).
everyday evangelism
How holy do you have to be to share the gospel?
Gavin Matthews
Date posted: 13 Aug 2026
There’s a popular meme: Noah was a drunk, Jonah ran away, Sarah laughed at God, Thomas doubted – and yet God still used them: and you think he can’t use you?”
Yet many Christians hesitate to share their faith because they feel unworthy. The meme contains truth, but not the whole truth. Scripture not only shows God using sinners; it also calls believers to radical holiness; and how many ministries have been wrecked by scandals? Aware of our own failures, we often feel uncomfortable presenting ourselves as God’s representatives or calling others to be reconciled to Him.
faith and life
Hobbies: Some ferry important questions...
Craig Bryant
Date posted: 12 Aug 2026
It’s five o’clock in the morning and I am 300 miles from my home town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. I find myself wandering through a Welsh port, in pitch black, joined by a man I met ten minutes ago.
As we walk, with my wheeled suitcase trying its best to wake up the entire street, Paddy begins to open up to me about his onward travel plans and his exceedingly long wait at Pembroke Dock train station. In that half an hour he tells me about his recent cancer diagnosis, and I share with him my faith in Jesus and say that I will pray for him.
defending our faith
Opening the Bible G.A.T.E.
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 12 Aug 2026
There is clear evidence of an upsurge in Bible purchases. More people want Bibles. Younger people are buying Bibles. Bibles are being eagerly sought particularly by those who have never read them and may feel that they are missing out.
We see anecdotal evidence for this at our church and no doubt plenty of stories can be shared around the country. A teenager visited our church for the first time recently, desperate to buy a Bible. He didn’t want to be given one for free. He wanted to pay for it, having never had a Bible before.
history
Philip the forgotten?
Michael Haykin
Date posted: 11 Aug 2026
William Carey, the Particular Baptist from the Midlands, is often regarded as the pioneer voice in English-speaking circles for the urgent need to take the gospel beyond the cultural horizons of western Europe.
But it is very evident that Carey’s iconic status in this regard has overshadowed earlier figures who had a similar passion, one of whom was Philip Doddridge (1702–1751). Doddridge is a tremendously important figure in the development of British Dissent in the 18th century, as it moved away from the somewhat insular world of late 17th-century Puritanism and became a key participant in the Evangelical revivals of the 18th century and the global expansion of Christianity.
As a visiting Australian, what I see among UK evangelicals is disturbing
Peter Adam
Date posted: 10 Aug 2026
I am an Australian, from Melbourne. I studied and worked in ministry in England from 1972–1982, and have visited many times since then to do ministry here in England.
What has amazed and disturbed me on my visit in 2026, is the widespread occurrence of mutual criticism and condemnation in the media, both print and online, among Evangelicals. I am aware of many external pressures on Evangelical, Biblical Christianity. But here is a destructive and sinful weakening from within.
a Jewish Christian perspective
The limp is not normal...
Joseph Steinberg
Date posted: 8 Aug 2026
I was recently taken to see a film about a group of people on a long march. It was a bit gruesome for my liking. If a person slowed down too much, they were shot. It reminded me of the Nazi death marches of the Second World War.
One thing from that film made an impression on me that I cannot forget. One of those on the march lost a shoe. As soon as I saw the shoe break apart and come off, I shuddered. “Oh no!”
Time to slow down? Taking your foot off the pedal
Billy Hill
Date posted: 7 Aug 2026
The Eagles were one of the most successful bands in musical history selling over 200 million records worldwide. Their first hit, Take it Easy, was a song about letting go of stress, avoiding self-inflicted pressure and enjoying the moment. It’s a lesson we could well learn today. It seems, in this media-drenched, increasingly pressurised and frantic time, we have lost the art of slowing down.
Today we live in a world where everything is based on speed – fast transportation, fast Internet access, fast news, fast food. The Bible predicted this is what would happen. God told Daniel that in the last days “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Dan.12v4). Is that not a picture of society today?
the Bible in action
How the Bible transformed a bully
Martin Horton
Date posted: 6 Aug 2026
Talking to teenagers at church about the value of studying God’s Word was not something I was looking forward to. How would they relate to me? Do they even understand what I do? In their eyes, I’m just that older guy who stands up every now and then to share stories about Bible translation. I talk about how millions of people don’t have the Scriptures in their own language, and I can almost feel them switching off.
So, no, the prospect didn’t fill me with joy. But then, while preparing my thoughts, I read Yoke’s story. “I love God’s word because I have seen with my own eyes how it changes lives,” she says.
