Life

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  Revival can come at any moment

  At the right hour, God will open the floodgate and release the cleansing river into society. This was the promise of Jesus.

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  How slowing down can help us to get further

  To slow down and occasionally to stop altogether appears counterintuitive in a world where there is always something to do. The question is – how much are we actually getting done running at full speed and what is the cost?

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  Why we're putting a red dragon in our nativity scene

  I imagine some of you will be shocked that we have decided to add such a grim character to our sweet nativity scene but it actually comes straight out of the Bible in Revelation Chapter 12.

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  Christians should be 'generous' about people's preferred pronouns, says JD Greear

  Megachurch pastor JD Greear thinks Christians should be generous when it comes to how to address transgender people.

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  Depression: men far more at risk than women in deprived areas

  Men living in the most deprived areas were 51% more likely to experience depression than those living in areas that were not deprived. Interestingly, the results did not reach statistical significance in women.

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  How to guard your attention in a world full of distractions

  We know that we are supposed to treat our finances, gifts and talents, close relationships, career, and time as if they belong to the Lord. Yet, there is one spiritual commodity of coveted value in the 21st century that many of us have not yet placed under the umbrella of Christ's lordship. This is our attention.

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  It's hard to take no for an answer, even when it's from God

  There are times when 'no' is the best answer for us, even if we don't realise it at the time.

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  We shouldn't be surprised if we are rejected by this world

  If we really don't conform to the pressures and standards of this world, then we shouldn't expect to feel loved by this world.

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  We ignore the church fathers at our peril

  Our church fathers shaped Christianity as we know it, and handed us clearly articulated explanations of doctrines including the Trinity and Christ's nature. Yet we still seem to ignore them.

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  Marriage is more about commitment and less about romantic attraction, says John Piper

  Theologian John Piper has encouraged asexual individuals to "accept your present indifference to sexual desires" and remain open to relationships, as marriage is fundamentally based on commitment — not romantic attraction.

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  Self-harm: boys are less likely to be admitted to hospital

  Self-harm is one of the most important risk factors for suicide. Although rare in young people, suicide is still the leading cause of death in males and females aged 10-19 years in England and Wales.

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  Our hidden sin can be deadly

  After we discover our own hidden sins and we confess them before God, it is not the end.

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  Is sarcasm sinful?

  Am I communicating something beneficial through my humour, or am I simply taking the easy way out, mocking and ridiculing someone to shame them out of disagreeing with me?

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  Peter Pan syndrome is bad for our faith

  He sacrifices personal relationships and adult responsibility in exchange for eternal youth and imagination. Posing the question, what are the dangers of refusing to grow-up?

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  Are we following the real Jesus or the 'other' Jesus?

  Following the 'other jesus' means picking and choosing the bits of Jesus that you like and ignoring the parts that you don't