Jeremy Thomas introduces us to the idea of an Anam Cara (the Irish term for a soul friend), but points to Jesus as the ultimate soul friend for every Christian.

Doreen Taylor has a message for the folically challenged - losing your hair means you're loved. And that's all part of becoming real.

Rachel Sheehan draws inspiration from Malcolm Duncan's poem, God gazers, and challenges our busyness. Dare we stop and gaze? It could make all the difference.

Simon Martin gives us an imagined response to Genesis 3.8-14, and the real tragedy of the fall.

Philip Anderson muses on the return to the British Library of one of the greatest manuscript bibles of the so-called Dark Ages. The Bible, though, he wants to say, is about piercing light, not darkness at all.

Peter Walker shares a story of failure from his early life, and takes inspiration from Daniel and his friends as they face fire.

Neil Cook is reminded of a trip into the bamboo forests of Malaysia, and retells the parable of the Bamboo - an example of laying down your life.

Lesley Hughes shares the experience of having Boxing Day as her birthday, and encourages us to look forward to the biggest party of all.

David Brooke goes low-brow with a reflection on comedy underdog stories and the choosing of the disciples.

Sam Nicholson reminds us that as Proverbs says: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” For her, that Jesus laughed goes without saying!