Healing the Wounds of Sexual Abuse: Jenny’s Story
In 2012 'Jenny' contacted me after seeing Andy Sorenson describe his experience of childhood sexual abuse. When I published Jenny's own story of pain, it struck a chord with many. It's time it was heard again. Please note that Jenny's story is graphic in places. But it is a story of hope and healing too
Why You Should Keep a Journal (But NOT Every Day)
If you’re a journal-keeper from way back, you’ll probably nod in sage agreement at these 7 great benefits of journaling. But if you’re thinking “Oh, journaling? I tried that once but couldn't keep it up”—then here are the reasons to give it another try. There's also 8 tips to get you started, and a sneak
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
064 A Miracle Story I Can Believe: Sean George Raised From the Dead
Miracles can be hard for the modern mind to accept. And I can be sceptical myself about 'miracle' stories. I've heard too many that proved to be bogus or didn't last. But Dr Sean George's story is remarkable. Medically documented and verified, it's one miracle I can believe. And it happened through the power of
How Express Checkouts Are Making Us Weak, & Other Discoveries
When I released my latest book 'Resilient', I was invited to speak at events and in chats with the media, about the book's message on how to become more resilient. One of those chats was with Hope 103.2 journalist Clare Chate, my former producer and good friend, who suggested we do a video interview. She
In Praise of Serendipity, God’s Sneaky Surprises
You know those happy coincidences or unexpected discoveries that take us by surprise? We call it serendipity. Not all serendipity is chance, accident or coincidence. A good deal of it is in fact divine. Like my miraculous little encounter as I stood, with aching legs and blistered feet, among the back pillars of Durham Cathedral
063 The Day I Interviewed Megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen
Fans adore Joel Osteen’s positive-thinking sermons. Critics say he’s more self-help guru than gospel preacher. When I sat down with Joel at the 2009 Hillsong Conference, I met a meticulously styled man with a friendly smile and courteous spirit. I put the critics' concerns to him, got some answers, left thinking well of Joel, but
Everything in This Cafe is Free—Just Like God’s Gifts
Imagine walking into a cafe, ordering a flat white and a piece of cake, sitting down at a table while they're brought to you, and then, after enjoying your morning tea, you go to pay the bil
Guilty Pleasures: Should I Or Shouldn’t I?
When BBC Radio 2 asked me to talk about guilty pleasures, it wasn't my obsession with 80s soul and funk music, or my tendency to eat Nutella from the jar, or the sneaky flavours I sometimes add to my coffee, that was my deepest concern. It was my habit of sitting in coffee shops for
061 Three Questions to Ask When God Seems Silent
Although Merryn and I tried to start a family for 10 years, and sought God diligently the whole time, one of the most perplexing things about our journey was God’s silence. We heard him speak on other things during that time, but never on our pursuit of a family. It was hard. Biblical heroes experienced