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After bad times, how can we bounce back with hope? In this talk, Owen Lynch looks at what the Bible says about God’s love being poured out into our hearts. Did we earn or deserve this? Is there anything we have to do to receive it? If not, and if we can count on God’s unconditional love, can that hope give us a basis for whatever comes next in life?
Read MoreWhat do you want your household to be known for? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at how we can decide this and create a culture rather than having things just happen. It's also up to us how to develop spiritual lives in our families, and Mal has lots of practical ways to do this, and find time when it seems to be scarce. What will you choose to try?
Read MoreHow many selves do you have, and how are they different? In this talk, Owen Lynch looks at how easy it can be for us to split ourselves into different parts, being one way with people in church and a different way at home or work, for example. Could this be creating emotional tension which undermines our relationships and even threatens our health? What can we do to bring our different selves together and live more emotionally healthy, integrated lives?
Read MoreWhat can we do that is healthy for others to copy? In this Fathers’ Day talk, Mal Calladine continues our series of looking at long term relationships as family. What are the benefits of having a goal for our households? When things go wrong, can we rebuild stability with some CPR - consistency, predictability and reliability? And how much difference can it make to share the words, “I love you,” “I believe in you,” “I’m sorry - forgive me,” and “I’m praying for you”?
Read MoreWhere can we find peacemakers and what can we learn from them? Dan Green interviews Dan Morrice, author of "Finding the Peacemakers", a book first inspired by the stories of Chilean miners trapped underground and sustained by faith and miraculous provision which was largely unreported at the time. Dan Morrice also interviewed peacemakers in the Middle East and his home city of Bristol and shares what we can learn, practise and pass on from their experiences.
Read MoreWhen problems come up in family relationships, are we more focused on correction or connection? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at different ways we relate to each other as family, in community as well as biological families. We can choose different styles of relationship, such as being authoritarian or permissive when we are parenting, but we might need to learn how to find a middle, more life-affirming way to avoid pain and stress. What can we do to improve how we connect emotionally? Can Jesus' stories and personal example help?
Read MoreWhen facing disagreements, divisions and injustices, what can we do constructively? In this talk, Dan Green looks at a story Jesus told about what it means to be a good neighbour, and considers examples of what we can do today. Speaking out, respecting differences, putting others ahead of ourselves, practising hospitality and serving in the midst of conflict can all make a difference. Can God empower us to do this, not in our own strength for our own agendas, but to be part of what he wants to do to restore and reconcile “all things to himself”?
Read MoreHow can weakness be a strength? In this talk, Owen Lynch shares about vulnerability and looks at how God has used lots of people with different character flaws. When we are concerned about our areas of weakness, could we find that we are uniquely suited for roles and relationships we had never dreamed possible?
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be family and neighbours? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at how Jesus' close relationships with family and neighbours worked, and how this can help us reimagine what is possible in our relationships too.
Read MoreWhy are Jesus' followers called towards reconciliation between people? In this talk, Dan Green looks at a range of Jesus' teaching from the "greatest commandments" of loving God and neighbours to how Jesus develops this in surprising ways. Can we really love our enemies? What if it's harder than we thought to distinguish "us" from "them" in life? Is there a power strong enough to change our minds and turn us into peacemakers?
Read MoreHow much racial injustice do we see, and how can we respond? In this talk, Dan Green looks at racism in our past and present, the events which may have made us more aware of it recently, and some practical steps we can take to change, listen and build better relationships for the future.
Read MoreWe can look nice and spiritually sorted on the surface, but what's going on underneath? In this talk, Owen Lynch looks at what affects our emotional health which is often hidden from view until it bubbles up into occasional outbursts of impatience, anger or pain. Growing our awareness of what causes that pain can help us, not just to manage it but to outgrow it with God's help.
Read MoreHow can we grow and support each other in committed relationships? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at ways the Bible tells us to treat each other when we have shared covenants or commitments to relationship. What does it mean to be two people of the same mind? How can we more live in harmony with each other? And what does submitting to one another look like in a healthy relationship?
Read MoreHow good can it be to trust people to stretch us? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at more ways the Bible tells us to treat one another - these ones are for within relationships of trust. Sometimes we need challenging or instructing, other times we need correction or the chance to confess where we have made mistakes. Can we get better at doing this lovingly and prayerfully so our lives can be better?
Read MoreWe could all use some encouragement right now, so how can we get better at encouraging each other? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at what the Bible says about this and lots of examples of people who are good at encouraging. There are lots of practical ideas for building people up, comforting and serving people, and sharing difficult things too.
Read MoreWhat can we do to improve the quality of difficult relationships? Can we get better at accepting other people? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at more of the Bible’s instructions on how to treat one another. As simple and familiar as they might sound, putting them into practice can be a real challenge, but there are huge benefits for us, our neighbours and our culture.
Read MoreHow can we build our lives better around looking out for one another? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at four instructions from the Bible we can apply in all of our relationships where we make any kind of connection with people. What does it mean for us to love one another, greet one another, show hospitality to one another and be kind and compassionate to one another? And if God empowers us to do this better, what difference can that make?
Read MoreNow that our world has changed, we can't go back, but what do you want to be better going forward? In this talk, Owen Lynch looks at how 2020 has changed our situation, making us feel like exiles prevented from meeting together. Looking at the story of the temple built in Jerusalem after years of ruin and exclusion, it seems God had bigger priorities than meetings. What exactly can we do now to build our lives and communities back better?
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