I’ve just returned from a wonderful holiday in France with the family, and am reintegrating into normal life, and looking ahead to a busy term! One of the highlights about the holiday was an upgrade in our accommodation, which gave us a nicer-than-expected outside seating area, perfect for long afternoons and evenings reading (accompanied by…
Category: Writing
Sentienced to Death (A Short Story)
I woke up yesterday in a state of panic. Complete disorientation. You know the feeling, I’m sure. Nothing made sense. Couldn’t tell where I was. Who I was, even. What day it was. It was like awakening from a drunken stupor, with an almighty hangover. So I’m told. Gradually I took in my surroundings and…
Stanley and the Sacraments
My first read of 2023 was Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci. I received it for Christmas and devoured it greedily. It’s a lovely, heart-warming memoir about life, food, memory and family. Whether or not you’re particularly a fan of Stanley Tucci, or knowledgeable about Italian food and culture, it’s just a delight…
School of the Spirit
In April 2021 Helen and I moved to Oxford, following a series of unexpected prophetic words and dreams. If you’re not bored of having heard the story, you can catch some of it here and my one year update here. It’s been quite a journey, working out precisely why God has called us here, and…
On Riding and Reading: A reflection (and confession!) about C.S. Lewis and Cycling.
Since moving to Oxford two years ago, I have been aware of two looming inevitabilities. The first is that I must become a cyclist since, as the road signs around me brag relentlessly, ‘Oxford is a cycling city.’ And the second is that I really must read C.S. Lewis. I put both off until this…
The Host. (A very short story).
His lips turned an icy blue. A shocking contrast against the crimson rising around his neck and cheeks. His whole body screamed in silent convulsions. At first unnoticed. Then slowly awareness began to spread among the other guests. Is he…?Should we…? One hand clutched his throat. The other shot out and began flailing around, seeking…
The call to (de)influence: an article and an interview.
The other week I wrote a piece for Connecting with Culture, the weekly email from London Institute of Contemporary Christianity (LICC). In it, I reflected on the rise of ‘deinfluencers’, and the dual role of Christians to deinfluence and influence, through a combination of prophetic critique and joyful celebration. If you fancy a read, you can…
Romans: A Letter that Makes Sense of Life
The book of Romans is arguably the most important letter ever written. But for many readers – and certainly for many preachers – it can be a daunting book to dive into. So for those keen to explore this letter, Andrew Ollerton’s latest book is a fantastic resource.
A line I hate. A line I love.
A line I love, and a line I hate. In 15 words or fewer.
The Messiah formerly known as Prince of Peace
It’s nearly Christmas. Which means it’s that time of year where Isaiah 9 gets its annual outing. This is an amazing chapter, prophesying the birth of the Messiah, who will bring great light to people walking in darkness. And he shall be called, ‘Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ (Isaiah 9.6) There is so much in…
Liam Thatcher 