After the Burning of Notre Dame, Let’s Look at the Cross
Last year, on a visit to Antwerp’s Cathedral in Belgium, I was struck by one of its artworks. Struck, because it seemed so out of place with the rest of the cathedral’s pieces. Struck, because I wasn’t sure if it was a joke or even sacrilegious. But as we head towards Easter while the world
Why and How to Do a Mini Pilgrimage
This year as many as 300 million people will go on a pilgrimage. What’s interesting is that this figure has been rising every year for the past decade, and it’s not only religious people who are doing it. Why are so many everyday people feeling the call to make a ‘meaningful journey to a sacred
Busyness is a Bully, Comparison is a Tyrant. I Say, Enough
Busyness is a bully at the best of times, stomping around, wanting the playground to itself, chasing peace away first, then patience, kindness, joy, and self-control. But this bully becomes a tyrant when it teams up with comparison. Here's how the two work together. Let's say 'enough!' to their lies.
Marry Your Trial with Your Talent to Bring Something New into the World
I made a number of discoveries while writing The Making of Us, one of the most impacting being that the trials of life can release our best gifts into the world. All it takes is some creative merging of those trials with our God-given talents. In this short video I unpack the idea with some
The Making of Us
When life takes one too many unexpected turns, do you find yourself saying, “I don’t know who I am anymore”? In the wake of shattered dreams, do you wonder how you will keep going—and if you’ll ever find purpose or joy again? Part pilgrim’s journal, part call to reflection, The Making of Us reminds us of
Leather-Clad Preacher to Outlaws: The John Smith Interview (1942-2019)
In recent days the world has lost a great hero of the faith. John Smith, legendary Australian preacher, commentator, evangelist and founder of the God's Squad Motorcycle Club has died after a long battle with cancer. He addressed the United Nations, nearly faced execution in the Philippines, and followed a radical call to reach outlaw bikers
The Making of Us Audiobook
What makes us who we are? How do we adjust when things don’t go as we hoped? Can we recover if we make a choice that’s less than perfect? In The Making of Us I explore these questions and more by telling a story of two friends walking through the rugged beauty of England’s north.
The Hand That Spins the Galaxies Wants You Here. Introducing The Creed
One autumn morning not long ago, I walked to an Oxford cafe, took a window table, and pulled out my journal. I wanted to craft a statement - a creed of sorts - that would pull together what I'd learned while writing my new book The Making of Us. Something that captured what matters most in
Life has Three Journeys. The Second is the Hardest, But it Can Transform You
In his insightful little book The Second Journey, Gerald O'Collins divides life into three phases. The first is from childhood to adulthood, the third from old age to death. In between is the 'second journey': a path of great restlessness, questioning and even disillusionment that can nonetheless transform us for good. Here's an overview of
Get More from The Making of Us
There are many lessons hidden within The Making of Us story, lessons that can help you become the person you are made to be. To help unearth and apply them to your life, here are some practical exercises, podcasts and other tools you might find helpful.