This is not how we imagined it

// Words of hope for all those facing disappointment

Written by Amy Turner

Hope refound

// We often pray for our own desires to be fulfilled, but what about those of Syria?

Written by Amy Merone

Bowie, Rickman and collective grief

// We look at death and long for more...

Written by Laura Campbell

On the longest night of the year

// For a friend.

Written by Gemma Brown

Why God wasn’t meant to be just an idea

// The story of an $75million-inheriting 18-year-old who never set foot outside of his penthouse apartment.

Written by Pete Waugh

My hope for today

// The first week of Advent focuses on the theme of hope, so this week, we are too. Today's post examines how to hope when your dreams don't come true.

Written by Joanna Wright

Family is a factory of hope

// Every 22 minutes a child in the UK is taken into care. That is desperately sad.

Written by Phil Green

The day I lost hope

// As I stared at the ashes where the flame had been, I decided that I was finished. Later that day, I tried to take my own life.

Written by Rachael Newham

The problem with being pro-something

// Being 'anti-something' is easy.

Written by Cameron Stewart

Hope is a big word

// A reflection on a depression and mental health a whole year after Robin Williams' tragic death.

Written by Nick Welford

This is hope…

// What does real hope look like? I mean, more than simply being optimistic or even at times denying that things...

Written by Hilary Walker

The perils of hope

// "Being hopeful is risky. But it’s a risk we should take."

Written by Phil Green

Spiritual abuse: why the Church needs to pay attention

// For some people, the experience of being in church can lead to hurt, pain and distrust.

Written by Lisa Oakley

A very British way to lose a cricket match

// ... conditional hope is a very British thing too, hoping that something special might happen, but holding back a reservoir...

Written by Danny Webster

A better way: Durham – speakers wanted

// "We’re not sure where the answers will take us. But we’re certain that we’ll all be on that journey together."

Written by threads

Take a walk on the dark side

// "Perhaps we need to enter into our own darkness, to acknowledge the shame we feel and allow ourselves to be...

Written by Katherine Maxwell-Rose

Are we just here for a better life?

// I've moaned at God about the fact that other people’s daily bread comes from Waitrose.

Written by Emily Bowerman

Hope

// Three pregnancies. No babies.

Written by Ruth Garner

The art of lament

// We can feel real disappointment and even anger when good plans and intentions fall short.

Written by Ash Barker

Make a wish

// Our dream is that the Church will be a place where stories are told of broken things made whole.

Written by Chine McDonald