Search results for Phil Knox
“Be great friends”: a renewed call to deepen friendships amid COVID-19
One of these was highlighted by a BBC article that was published last week. It explained that our new rhythms and patterns “could have some long-term effects on some friendships”. As a result of lockdown, less office working, limited physical gatherings in churches and bans on mass gatherings, it…
Phil Knox
In this together – a call for generational unity
In the last few weeks young people and young adults have been specifically addressed by government and media and warned to behave responsibly. The warnings may be valid and appropriate but all to easily slide into blame and accusation. Jesus’ prayer for His church was that we would be one (John…
Phil Knox
We go again: why persevering in mission still matters in this season
With the infection rate still high and many families struggling to educate and even feed their children, the feeling across the country at the moment is one of struggle and lament. This week we wade through ‘Blue Monday’, the so-called most depressing day of the year. Christmas cheer is fast…
Phil Knox
Your connection is unstable: why our friendships need nurturing and treasuring more than ever
During that time there had rarely been a day when it had not adorned my finger and, having lost it, I genuinely felt its absence on an almost hourly basis. I would wring my hands longingly, my eyes scanning every shelf and surface for a glimpse of burnished jewellery. I must have searched under the…
Phil Knox
Snowflakes, pressure cookers and Captain Tom
What is happening in us is as important as what is happening to us during this relentless season of pain and loss. We can emerge from the pandemic with greater endurance and less fragility if we recognise and embrace the work it is doing in us. There’s a video on YouTube that has been viewed more…
Phil Knox
Is the ‘missing generation’ still missing? Welcome to the conversation
Today marks the launch of a new resource from the Evangelical Alliance to help us navigate the changing landscape as we emerge from effects of the global pandemic, especially with regard to young adults. Exactly a year and a week ago, I flew to Abu Dhabi to speak to a conference of hundreds of…
Phil Knox
Viral: a generation poised for rapid faith-sharing
I remember the moment my wife and I posted our first baby scan picture to Facebook. We took a deep breath and hit 'post' simultaneously. We joked about who would receive the most likes. There was no contest. She won. Within minutes, hundreds of people had offered their congratulations. This…
Phil Knox
Back to the future: Maximising mission on re-entry
The ‘new normal’ has been unlike anything that we were used to before. Some of us haven’t stepped into a church building in over a year. Many of us have had to show admirable restraint while listening to ‘How great Thou art’ and only humming or whispering the words behind our masks. Few of us have…
Phil Knox
The nation’s favourite hymn
I’m a pretty average singer. On the scale of ‘tone deaf to Pavarotti’ I’d place myself precisely at the half-way point. Those who have ever sung in the pew or terrace in front of me would agree that I’m more about quantity rather than quality. And in the last year I have desperately missed singing…
Phil Knox
We are all Kevin McCallister
In the Knox house, next week we will wrap presents while getting angry with Alan Rickman for breaking Emma Thompson's heart in Love Actually. Soon, hopefully with at least one eye on the football, I will have to endure The Holiday. Then, Bruce Willis will throw Alan Rickman off the Nakatomi tower…
Phil Knox
4 life-changing habits for good news people in a bad news world
The top three resolutions people make are to lose weight, get fitter or eat more healthily, not surprising after the season of Christmas indulgence, but these are aspirations that tend only to benefit the one making the resolution. My encouragement to you is to implement some rhythms that will…
Phil Knox
Take heart
The problem was I was just about to preach. I needed a moment to compose myself. For years now, my newsfeed is full of some of the worst news of my lifetime. I’ve begun to stop checking it to guard my emotional health. We must lament and pray. But today I want to bring some balance to your…
Phil Knox
Standing on the shoulders of giants
You don’t need to scroll too far down your news feed to find a story that points to the divisions in our society. Our fractured nation is full of ruptures across divides of politics, race, wealth and worldviews. But one area of division that is often overlooked is that between the generations. I…
Phil Knox
Why we need the best of friends
Why friendship, why now? I am convinced God is speaking to His church about this issue. In so many ways, friendship is timeless – we will always reflect the relational nature and design of our Creator. We were made for it. But at the same time, friendship is timely – it is the need of the hour.…
Phil Knox
