What My Great Grandmother Taught Me About Living Dangerously
My Great Grandmother Alice was one brave woman who can teach us a thing or two about facing our problems. Her husband Walter was a good man, but with one vice: he liked his drink too much for her liking. Here’s the ingenious way she dealt with it.
God Has a Dream for the World. And There’s a Place for You in it
God has a dream for the world. We don’t know exactly what this dream will look like, but we've been given a glimpse: a world of healed wounds, of radiant beauty, of restored harmony, of peace, environmental restoration. And it's a dream that can inspire our dreams too…
The One Question the Dalai Lama Couldn’t Answer. Can You?
I once went to hear the Dalai Lama give a public talk. He spoke on the importance of compassion, then took questions from the audience. The last question came from the MC: “Your holiness—what is the meaning of life?” The audience leaned in as he stared at the ground, quietly thinking about his answer…
Are Angels Real? These Stories Will Get You Wondering
When I raised the topic of angelic encounters with my social media friends, I was expecting some nice stories about lights in the sky and perhaps a few kind strangers. Instead, their stories truly opened my eyes…
Is Spock a Christ Figure? After 50 Years of Star Trek, Some Think So
It was fifty years ago this week when the sci-fi pop culture phenomenon Star Trek, first hit TV screens. While it's mostly largely secular humanist in outlook, that hasn't stopped religious themes slipping into Star Trek's storylines, sometimes quite overtly. In fact, its most beloved character has done some very Christ-like things.
Need Better Friendships? Here Are Four Things That Make Them Rich
'Who can you call in the middle of the night when everything has gone wrong?" When I first heard this question some years ago it shook me to the core. I didn't have an answer. Even recently, I've found myself in need of deeper friendships. So I did some thinking and came up with a
When Looking in the Mirror Isn’t Pretty
We’ve all had days we’d rather not see our reflection in life's big metaphorical mirror. Catching a glimpse of our true selves can sometimes leave us unimpressed. I had one of those moments one day at a 'driver survivor' rest stop in Australia. I'd rather not tell you, but I've already shared it on BBC
Hate Will Not Have the Final Say. A Note of Hope in a Tragic Week
British MP Jo Cox's murder yesterday sent the nation into shock, halted the EU referendum campaign, and sparked spontaneous vigils last night. It came just days after another history-making tragedy, the Orlando shooting. The loss of a young wife, mother, politician and humanitarian, applauded by all as a woman of astounding compassion, and those lost
Can You Be Born Again Through a Pair of Jeans? Plenty Of Us Think So
I saw an ad the other day. The headline read, 'Be born again.' It was for a plastic surgeon. It's not the first time advertisers have promised eternal life. Levi's jeans once did the same. And yet, science has proven what Jesus taught centuries ago: material things will never satisfy spiritual needs
To Help a Friend with Depression, Here’s the Best Thing You Can Do
When I was asked to speak on mental health for BBC Radio 2's Pause for Thought segment, I consulted my brilliant Facebook community. They shared deeply and with insight on just how we can be more accepting of those who suffer this way. The starting point? See people as bigger than their illness