Sorted Magazine

Author: Val Fraser

  • Invitation: I’d like to meet you in person!

    Following the success of a six month pilot scheme Sorted Digital online magazine will officially launch at the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE), Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey from October 15-16th 2025. I’d like to meet you in person! Here is your free ticket!

    In order to accurately gauge existing good will I’ve intentionally refrained from promoting Sorted Digital during the six month pilot scheme. I’m excited about speaking publicly about it for the first time at CRE.

    Back in February 2025 it was announced that Sorted Magazine would become an online magazine called Sorted Digital published monthly via Substack. Within the first ten minutes of going live this announcement attracted two thousand views and a further ten thousand views by the end of the first day.

    Since then ten issues of Sorted Digital online magazine have been published over a period of six months achieving an aggregate total of 72,000 views. It has been read across 27 countries and 14 US States. For context, during my time as Digital Editor of the official Sorted Magazine website, traffic grew to around 84,000 views over a 12 month period. Current data indicates that Sorted Digital is on track to achieve an aggregate total of somewhere between 100-135,000 views over its first 12 months in operation. It’s a promising start which means Sorted Digital holds the potential to match the annual reach of the print magazine.

    Sorted Digital is a Christian ministry which aims to publish content to inspire, encourage and challenge. The healthy traffic numbers are very satisfying because they confirm what I believe; that Steve Legg’s vision lives on in the hearts of our readers.

    Engagement directly via Substack has been understandably tentative because it’s an unfamiliar platform for many UK readers. Switching from a glossy print magazine which pops through the letter box every two months to an email delivery is quite a leap. And yet dozens of readers have jumped on board with their likes and comments such as:

    “Thank you to Val for this bold vision that builds on the legacy of Steve Legg . . .”

    “. . . thank you: an inspiring and uplifting read . . .”

    “Thank you Val – it’s great to have Sorted back in a new format.”

    “Well done for this initiative – supporting you and cheering you on!”

    “. . . So happy this has been allowed and a great legacy for Steve.”

    The analytics reveal that around one hundred Sorted Digital readers have clicked the ‘share’ button attracting a further 719 views and additional subscribers. Knowing that these readers feel confident in the work I’m doing is priceless. I feel they are behind me and want to keep Steve’s legacy going into the future.

    I’ll be in attendance at the Steve Legg Arts Theatre and the Sorted Digital stand at the CRE Conference, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey on October 15-16th. Come and say hello! Here is your free ticket!

    Sorted Digital is free, sign up to receive the regular monthly issues, and occasional Sorted Specials here: Sorted Digital | Val Fraser | Substack

    Main Photo Credit: Vladislav Klapin via Unsplash

  • Announcement: Jeff Lucas joins Sorted Digital Talent Pool

    I’m very pleased to announce that Jeff Lucas has joined the Sorted Digital Talent Pool. Jeff is a prolific writer and longstanding, much-loved friend of Sorted Magazine. His bi-monthly column Lucas Aid was a regular feature of the printed version of Sorted Magazine for many years. Please do give Jeff a warm welcome!

    Jeff is very well known as an international author, speaker and broadcaster. His passion is to equip the Church with biblical, practical bible teaching, marked by vulnerability and humour. He has been privileged to address many conferences and churches worldwide. A former vice-president of the Evangelical Alliance UK, Jeff is a bestselling author of 34 books, which have been translated into many languages across the world. He broadcasts a weekly radio show with Premier Radio. He is a monthly contributor for the UK magazine Christianity. Jeff writes daily bible reading notes Life with Lucas in printed and digital format. Jeff is also a certified LifePlan coach, working with the Paterson Centre, Colorado. He and his wife, Kay, live in Colorado and England; they have two adult children and two grandsons.

    The more of Jeff’s carefully crafted writing I get to read, the more I’ve grown to appreciate his considerable talent. He is a rare treasure – one of those writers who wholeheartedly “gets” the Sorted ethos. At the risk of sounding corny, I have to confess that it’s a genuine privilege and honour to publish writing of such high calibre. All of us at Sorted Digital are pretty excited to have him on board!

    Jeff Lucas: “We believe in Val’s vision.”

    Jeff said: “I’m so delighted that Val is keeping Steve Legg’s vision alive with a digital version of Sorted Magazine. In its original magazine format, I believe that Sorted was the very best Christian men’s magazine in the world, and I’m totally confident that Val is going to continue the commitment to creativity and excellence which has been the hallmark of Sorted. I am thrilled to be able to continue as a regular contributor. We believe in Val’s vision. Our ministry will also be supporting Sorted Digital on a regular monthly basis, and we want to encourage others to help too. We look forward to what the Lord will do in the days ahead – men everywhere need Sorted Digital!”

    Connect with Jeff here: jefflucas.org and on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/Jefflucasuk

  • British Churches will gather to pray

    In a world fraught with uncertainty, organisers today announced the upcoming National Week of Prayer (NWoP) inviting individuals across the British Isles to return to the foundational practices that have historically united and strengthened communities in the United Kingdom.

    The tradition of national days of prayer has acted as a beacon of hope at pivotal moments in the history of the UK. Most notably, King George VI proclaimed a total of seven National Days of Prayer during World War 2. In response to these calls to prayer, churches across the UK and Commonwealth  were packed with ordinary people seeking God’s divine guidance and intervention, on their knees. These collective acts of faith demonstrated the strength of Christian unity and the power of prayer to overcome adversity. Following these days of prayer, God’s providence was demonstrated by miraculous  testimonies of deliverance in the war, including, God’s miracle at Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, and El Alamein.

    In 2024, the National Week of Prayer (NWoP) saw 20,000 people engaged in the call to prayer across the UK and Channel Islands. What has made NWoP so unique is the many organisations who have come together in an unprecedented show of unity centred on prayer.

    Representation has cut across party political lines, including Christians in Politics, Christians in Government, Christians on the Left, Christian Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Christian Fellowship and new YouVersion, CCLI, Christian Vision adding their support this year.

    Peter Lynas from the Evangelical Alliance says, “the NWoP creates a moment to gather across the UK to recognise what God is doing, to pray for lives transformed by Jesus, and for spiritual renewal across our nation and beyond.”

    Phil Loose on behalf of Spring Harvest commented “involvement in the National Week of Prayer is a beautiful opportunity to unite in faith and see the power of prayer bring hope, inspiration, and transformational change to our nation.”

    This year, people across the country are invited to join together in the National Week of Prayer, from 6-14 September 2025 or host a gathering for those local to you, to come together to pray. Sign up for an introductory webinar on 2 July at either 2pm or 8pm, to find out more.

    To find out more about National Week of Prayer 2025, visit: nationalweekofprayer.uk 

    Main Photo Credit: Jack Sharp via Unsplash

  • Friends of Sorted Magazine champion Sorted Digital online magazine!

    I’ve been astonished and encouraged by the many wonderful comments from friends of Sorted Magazine. When I first tabled the idea of a magazine published via Substack to Bekah Legg, and eventually to the whole team, I hadn’t a clue if Sorted readers would want to make that giant leap from print to digital. It seemed a lot to ask and I confess to being apprehensive about whether it would take off. I needn’t have worried at all, turns out you lot are far more tech savvy than I’d imagined! So many of you have come over to Substack and seem perfectly happy to read the magazine on your digital device.

    So I want to say a massive thank you for making the journey, for being part of this new adventure, thank you for your public and private messages of encouragement and especially for your prayers. These precious words mean so much to me, to Bekah and to the whole team. Here are just a few messages from the SD public comments section on Substack:

    “Thank you. Looking forward to seeing the project grow.”

    “I’m thrilled to see that Sorted Magazine is coming back in some capacity. It has been a fantastic magazine to share to the men’s groups I’m involved in. I’m very excited to see what the new version looks like and will be sharing with everyone possible.”

    “Looking forward to receiving the first instalment, thanks Val & team, every blessing!”

    “Great news, looking forward to the first issue. Only saying the other day that I missed the magazine. Will be praying for the team.”

    “Really well done Val.”

    “Great idea keeping the vision alive!”

    “Thanks Val and the editorial team for moving forward with Sorted Digital – looking forward to reading the first edition!”

    “Sounds great – glad you are continuing the mission!”

    “Looking forwards to the digital version. I do miss the magazines. So happy this has been allowed and a great legacy for Steve.”

    “Good ! I really like Sorted and it’s right that Steve’s legacy should continue.”

    “Brilliant … it was a really nice surprise to get the email. I have really missed my Sorted, and really looking forward to the digital version, sounds great and would like to support you – Val, in any way I can. Bring it on!”

    “So pleased to see Sorted reborn digitally. Looking forward to it.”

    “Well done for this initiative- supporting you and cheering you on!”

    Aren’t these readers wonderful?! Every now and then I sense a tiny glimpse of what it might have been like for Steve at the very beginning, all those years ago. Comments such as these have the power to propel a vision forward, because they reaffirm what God has already placed in the heart.

    The next issue of Sorted Digital will be out soon, if you haven’t already, please come along for the ride! Sign up for free here Subscribe to Sorted Digital.

    Here are some more stories about Sorted Digital online magazine:

    Announcement: A new future for Sorted Magazine – Sorted Magazine

    Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) shares Sorted Digital news – Sorted Magazine

    CRE update: Sorted, socks and All Saints, Stock!

    Bekah blesses Val’s venture – Sorted Magazine

    Announcement: Dave Hopwood joins the Sorted Digital talent pool – Sorted Magazine

    Main Photo Credit: Joao-Paulo-Carnevalli-De-Oliveira via Unsplash

  • Announcement: Dave Hopwood joins the Sorted Digital talent pool

    I’m so pleased to welcome the versatile and prolific writer, Dave Hopwood, to the Sorted Digital talent pool. Dave is the author of over 70 books including The Bloke’s Bible, The Shed, Sons of Thunder, Raging Grace and Diary of a Wimpy Christian. His writing is warm, intuitive, engaging and accessible.

    Full disclosure: Here at house of Fraser, we are huge Dave Hopwood fans and we’re feeling pretty giddy about this latest development. Sorted Digital is all about publishing quality writing which informs and blesses the reader, while gently pointing them towards the God of hope. It’s good to have Dave on board to help out with that.

    Hubs and I sometimes enjoy an hour or so when we just sit together in the same space, quietly reading. It’s a special time. Many of Dave’s books have featured in these sessions including some of those mentioned above. However, the silence would often be broken by some laugh out loud moments!

    Dave is very familiar with Sorted, having written for the print magazine from 2019 to 2021. He enthused: “It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be writing again for Sorted, and it’s so good to have Sorted Digital online magazine as a means of encouraging and inspiring our faith.”

    Dave loves communicating the Bible using contemporary media, humour and stories. He is author of a series of books retelling the Bible. He passionately believes that the Bible was and is aimed at ordinary people, and that it is earthy, funny and incisive in the way it tells of God’s interaction with the world. These days he spends much of his time retelling the Bible using anything that seems useful, TV, movies, internet, adverts, news stories etc. He speaks at various places and regularly publishes ideas and material via his website www.davehopwood.com

    Sorted Digital is published monthly via Substack and delivered by email. It’s free and the next issue will be out in April, sign up here: Subscribe to Sorted Digital

  • Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) shares Sorted Digital news

    Our good friends at the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) have shared the news about Sorted Digital online magazine with their supporters. CRE Press Officer, David Hall, reached out to Sorted Digital Editor Val Fraser to get the details. Val explained: “It was so lovely to chat with Dave and tell him all about the new project. He’s an old school journalist and really understands what the day to day work of an editor actually entails. I think we will be chatting again very soon!”

    Bekah blesses Val’s Venture

    Dave also included comments from Steve Legg’s widow, Bekah Legg, in his report. Bekah unpacks some of the organisational arrangements and gives her blessing to Val’s venture. Find the CRE newsletter and report on Sorted Digital here CRE update: Sorted, socks and All Saints, Stock!

  • Announcement: A new future for Sorted Magazine

    In September 2024 the founder and editor of Sorted Magazine, Steve Legg, went to be with Jesus. Before his death, Steve and his wife Bekah came to the difficult decision that the print magazine simply could not go on without Steve’s unique and sacrificial input. Following Steve’s death Bekah shared: “Now the race has been run. Steve has been, in his words, promoted to Glory. Please pray for those of us left behind as we face a future without our funny and faithful man – that we would continue to find joy in unexpected places and to find our security in the unshakeable kingdom of God.”

    Just a few days before the final print issue of Sorted Magazine dropped through letter boxes, God birthed a new vision in the heart of our Digital Editor, Val Fraser. She explained: “The vision of a digital future for Sorted Magazine had been burning in my heart for months. I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer and I finally plucked up the courage to outline a proposal to Bekah.”

    Now, many meetings later, Sorted Magazine has been lovingly re-imagined for you, our reader. We are calling it Sorted Digital. The editor of Sorted Digital, Val Fraser, is committed to faithfully upholding Steve’s vision for a wholesome magazine aimed primarily at a male readership. Sorted Digital will continue to offer all the great things which readers loved about Sorted Magazine.

    So what is different? Sorted Digital could be likened to a nimble, more frequent, mini version of Sorted Magazine. It’s lighter, leaner and faster than the printed version. It’s free to all (with an option to financially support). It’s monthly, shareable, paper-free, ad-free and algorithm-free. It’s an online magazine published via email (with an associated website). Expect to scroll through features, culture, cars, columns and humour, along with comment and conversations about life and faith.

    Bekah concluded: “I’m entrusting the future of Sorted Digital to seasoned media professional, Val Fraser, who has served Steve’s vision faithfully for almost five years. Won’t you join us for this new season? Whether you’re a longstanding reader or you’ve never even heard of us, we would love to have you on board. Existing email subscribers will automatically receive Sorted Digital online magazine. New readers can start receiving Sorted Digital online magazine (for free) by signing up here.”

    Main Photo Credit: Val Fraser

  • Health: Why quitting smoking is so hard, and what you can do to make it easier

    Smoking is one of the leading causes of death and disease worldwide. A study on global smoking prevalence among adults shows that this dangerous habit is more prevalent among men (32.6%) than women (6.5%). This means men are more likely to develop health problems linked to smoking, like heart disease and lung cancer.

    Concern about these increased health risks can be an important factor in motivating smokers to quit. Unfortunately, the CDC reports that of the 30-50% of smokers in the US who make at least one quit attempt every year, only 7.5% of them manage to succeed.

    However, smokers should not be discouraged from quitting because of low success rates. There are a few reasons why smoking cessation is difficult, and identifying them is the first step towards discussing strategies that can reduce smoking prevalence among men in particular and help them quit for good.

    Barriers to smoking cessation

    Among the primary reasons why quitting smoking is difficult is the addictive quality of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Aside from containing a mix of cancer-causing chemicals, tobacco activates men’s reward systems more than women’s, as shown in results from neuroimaging studies. Therefore, men are more likely to associate smoking with dopamine release and become dependent on its stimulating effects.

    The withdrawal symptoms that come with quitting smoking, especially when using the cold turkey approach, also serve as barriers to successful cessation. These withdrawal symptoms are experienced by both men and women and may be physical and psychological, such as headaches, nausea, and mood swings. The increased urge to smoke in order to alleviate symptoms is what contributes to slip-ups and relapse.

    Research on gender differences in smoking cessation found that the barriers to successfully quitting differ between men and women. Whereas women struggle to quit because emotional and/or stressful events trigger them to start smoking again, men are hindered by social and environmental factors.

    For one, the large availability of cigarettes can cause men to buy and smoke again even after quitting. Smoking was also associated with social activities and drinking alcohol, which makes it difficult for men to resist the urge when they find themselves in these situations.

    Strategies that help with smoking cessation

    Nicotine replacement therapy

    The finding that men smoke more frequently to reinforce its effect as a stimulant is consistent with the observation that men have a higher nicotine dependency. In this light, male smokers can turn to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) as a way to get nicotine delivery comparable to cigarettes but without the danger of addiction and harm to their health.

    Looking for nicotine pouches online can prove to be effective for smokers seeking a smokeless, tobacco-free alternative. The nicotine delivery provided by pouches is direct and fast-acting, as it only has to be tucked between the upper lip and gums to instantly relieve withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine pouches are also discreet; they do not emit any smoke, odour, or residue, hence allowing the user to satisfy nicotine cravings even in places where cigarettes and tobacco products are traditionally banned.

    Goal-setting

    Since smoking cessation is a healthy lifestyle change just like weight loss, the same strategies for staying consistent with weight goals can be applied to your cessation journey.

    When it comes to goal-setting, avoid being too vague by following the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) principle. For example, specify how many cigarettes you want to quit per day/week/month. You can also reinforce your emotional connection to this goal by drawing inspiration from your family and friends.

    Support groups

    We know social activities influence men’s smoking urges; you can also counteract this by applying a social context to your smoking cessation strategy. Nowadays, there are gender-specific support groups, both in-person and online, that can motivate you to quit smoking and make progress in improving your health.

    The benefits of quitting smoking on your health and quality of life will always outweigh the challenges. Even if you slip up from time to time, revisiting your reasons for smoking cessation will help keep you on track.

    Main Photo Credit: via Pexels