Cynical (adjective): distrustful of human sincerity or integrity; doubtful as to whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile; synonyms: sceptical, doubtful, distrustful, suspicious, disbelieving, scoffing, pessimistic, negative, hardened, world-weary, disillusioned, disenchanted, jaundiced, bleak. Let’s be honest, sometimes it’s hard not to be cynical. An endless news cycle of disease, corruption, violence, and exploitation frustrate our enjoyment of life and wear away at our optimism. Sometimes it’s hard not to close our newspapers or shut down our social media apps in the morning without a resigned sigh. But is this the way it should be? Should Christians walk through life with a permanent scoff and hardened scepticism? Dan DeWitt, author of Life in the Wild: Fighting for Faith in a Fallen World, suggests not. He provides 5 reasons

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt… (Colossians 4:5-6) Recently, these verses struck a chord in my heart in a fresh and profound way. I was reading Colossians chapter 4 and I was struck by Paul’s zeal for sharing the gospel with outsiders (especially in verses 3-6). I mean, here he is, in prison, and yet his prayer request was something quite different to what you or I might have asked. He said to the Colossians, “pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison” (Colossians 4:3). This almost seems ridiculous to me. Paul is

I write with the hope that together we can raise the necessary funds to purchase an electric drum kit for the Youth Shed. Why? Well, each week Youth and Kids Church meet in the Youth Shed to run their weekly worship services. I am sure you would agree with me that it is wonderful our young people can corporately worship together each week. I also think you’d agree that we want to make sure the Youth Shed has adequate resources to make this possible. Over the last twelve months there have been a number of people working behind the scenes, investing their time, energy, and resources, to make some big improvements to the Youth Shed sound and audio-visual equipment. These changes have enabled Youth and Kids Church to do

This week I was sitting and listening to a man who has lived over three times as long as me (he is 96-years-old). It was a joy to hear him describe times that I have only heard about in documentaries and books. I was especially fascinated when he recalled what it was like during World War II. But, there was one thing that he said that really stuck with me. He was reflecting on the difficulties we face today and he said, “Times were just so much more simple when I was young”, as if simplicity was the answer to our problems. I reflected on that thought while I was driving home. I think we have to admit that our world has grown more complex. Even my Dad can

Have you ever read the Old Testament? Are you currently reading it? Do you understand its general thrust and message? I know for many of us the answer is ‘no’. It could be that we’re simply daunted by its size. It could be that we’ve tried to read it before and came to a grinding halt somewhere near the beginning of Leviticus. It could be that we’re just put off by the title itself; the word ‘Old’ doesn’t seem to imply either importance or relevance. And it certainly doesn’t help when prominent church leaders suggest, as one did recently, that Christians ought to “unhitch” the Old Testament from their faith. So, what is the importance and relevance of the Old Testament? Why should you spend precious time poring over