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What is God like, and does he welcome us? In this talk, Liz Nixon looks at a story Jesus told about this which shocked religious people but should encourage us. If we have ever thought we have to perform for God and earn his love and acceptance, can this story help us reconnect with him and people who think life with God is not for them?
Read MoreShould people get what they deserve? In this talk, Joanna Moss looks at Jesus’s teaching on grace and ways to treat people better than they deserve. This includes giving things we need too, like forgiveness and restoration. If we receive these from God, can he enable us to give them freely and change our world?
Read MoreWhat does it mean to say that God is present in our lives, and what difference does this make? In this talk, Claire Lynch looks at three ways we can find this presence: as Christ in creation, as Christ in Jesus and as Christ Jesus in us. By learning to find God's distinctive qualities in our mixed up world, can we also find the power to overcome fear, pain and brokenness?
Read MoreWhat can you do that you love to share? In this talk, Bern Leckie looks at Jesus’s story about people trusted with incredible resources that they managed to multiply. It’s described as money, but is it really something else? What if we can overcome the things holding us back from sharing our talents, like comparing ourselves with others, and what if we can’t? Can this warning and encouragement from Jesus help us to grow good things in our relationships and ourselves?
Read MoreIf you could tell God what you really think, how much of it would be nice and how much would be angry, driven by rage, hatred or fear? Bern Leckie looks at how King David opened up his thoughts and emotions, and what journey God was taking people on to fix the problems David saw.
What difference does it make to see David and the law of his time as part way through that journey, not the destination? If that journey points to Jesus, and the law’s purpose is fulfilled with him, can he show us what God wanted for us all along, and could that surprise us?
Read MoreHow and when did God start getting involved in your life? Bern Leckie looks at David the Psalmist’s view that he didn’t have to do anything for God to do wonderful things with him. If we believe that we start life as originally sinful, broken, faulty ‘fixer uppers’, we might always think that we need to do something special to earn God’s acceptance. But when we look at how David credits God for making him wonderfully, can change how we relate to God and what we believe about ourselves too?
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 MoreIf we believe in God, why would we try to run away? Bern Leckie remembers being confused about God's acceptance and forgiveness as something we might have to keep earning, but finding that God went to some lengths to be found for who he is. Does David's praise show the size of God's love and grace instead as something too big to be earned? And can we enjoy God's presence lighting up darkness in our lives too?
Read MoreHow does it feel to be searched and fully known? Bern Leckie reflects on the experience of being found out for things we'd rather hide, but also known intimately by someone with complete love. King David showed vulnerability in his relationship with God, and ultimately found this wonderful and liberating. Can we share in his experience?
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 MoreWhat is faith about? In this talk, Jordan Seng from Bluewater Mission Church in Hawaii looks at how they have built up so many stories of seeing God do amazing things, not just because they believed but because they put their faith into action and tried. This isn't the same as succeeding - sometimes the pressure to feel we must succeed puts us off trying, and that might be the root of our problems. Jesus can give us the encouragement to try. Can we build a culture of trying and, even in celebrating spectacular failures, see more of God's kingdom goodness than ever before?
Read MoreWhen we need physical healing, we know how to get help, but what happens when we experience pain which leaves us emotionally hurting, mourning or broken? In this talk, Owen Lynch looks at different sources of emotional pain and the typical choices we make when we experience them. Are we complicating our healing from pain by refusing to deal with it? Can we recognise how people look to God with pain in the writings of the Bible, and build a culture which helps us too?
Read MoreHow different can the world look from our neighbours' point of view? Dan Green asks pastors from God's House International Centre, a multicultural church in the middle of Bristol, about their recent experiences. The expectations brought by different cultures and the history of conflict between countries and races can create stresses and divides we might not have seen or imagined. But by connecting, engaging, listening, immersing ourselves and sharing life in each other's spaces, can we learn how to mend some of the divisions?
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