Sorted Magazine

Category: Comment & Columnists

  • Faith: “I’m a sheep in wolves clothing”

    We set off to find a remote cricket club nestled in the wilds of Lancashire to hear Kevin Cockburn share his faith story. Around 60 people had gathered for the evening event. Kevin filled a table with his own supporters, his wife, family and friends. I’d never heard of Kevin before, so I had no idea who he was or what to expect.

    Kevin is a high energy detail person. He spoke for an hour or so without any notes, relaying the story of his life in chronological order, I’m sure he could have talked for longer. He spoke with considerable fervour and enthusiasm; unpacking the harrowing details of his young life growing up in a powerful, controlling and cruel religious cult. He shared some of their shocking practices, such as banishing and essentially kidnapping members. The cult wrought years of emotional trauma and damage throughout his childhood leaving his head “messed up”.

    During his teenage years, desperate for connections and love, Kevin fell into a tailspin of taking and supplying drugs which pulled him deeper and deeper into a life of drug dealing and serious crime. Many years later, Kevin still looks the part. Though he presents with that familiar stereotypical “hard man” image it was interesting to note just how many times throughout the evening he firmly declared: “I’m not a fighter.” At heart Kevin was, and is, a man of peace. As a young man, trapped in a world of criminals, he never wanted to hurt anyone, and feared being hurt himself.

    During his talk he referenced his love for his parents, his nan, his (now) wife and family. He openly admitted to feeling intense fear and loneliness during his years of crime, conviction and subsequent imprisonment. There seemed no ounce of malice in him. He wasn’t an angry young man, hateful of everything, but actually very caring, simply craving normal levels of love and belonging, and all of the things which growing up in a cult had taken from him.

    He shared his story, right up to the present day. Though Kevin is not a polished speaker, the remarkable story comes bursting out of him with such force, it almost seems to have a life of its own. His story carries its own dynamic energy, he shared it authentically and it is indeed gripping real life stuff. I think it’s one of the most dramatic and scary stories I’ve ever heard. I was on the edge of my seat more than once.

    He “plugged” his ten pound autobiography The Tattooed Saint, then quickly back tracked and offered it for free. Following his talk Kevin prayed for people, first as a group, then individually. When the room began to empty and I thought his work was done, I approached him and introduced myself as a journalist with Sorted Magazine. We chatted about exchanging details and while I was fumbling about for a pen in my bag he said: “Can you just hang on a minute?” and shot off to pray with a group of men across the very far side of the room. I rested against a warm radiator and observed him, from a distance, for about twenty minutes. This is possibly the first time I’ve encountered an author who prioritised praying for people over publicity. He was unaware that I was watching, so this wasn’t a performance. I’m convinced that Kevin Cockburn is absolutely the real deal; humble, genuine, authentic; a man whose life has been completely transformed by the hand of God. In Kevin’s own words: “I am a sheep in wolves clothing.”

    Kevin’s book is available here

    Main Photo Credit: Val Fraser

  • Comment: 83% of all UK 2023 drownings were male

    I’m never more conflicted than when I’m at the coast. Sitting in a remote pebbled gully, I watched the swell of turquoise water rise and fall, was lulled by the gentle rhythmic sound of the waves, ate my picnic lunch with good company and felt so safe and relaxed. Until an orange jelly fish the size of dustbin lid floated towards me like an alien creature and totally freaked me out! A sense of evil forboding washed over me, there were hidden dangers here.

    The beauty of the British Coast often belies its treachery. A week of walking coastal paths encompassed extreme beauty and extreme treachery. The scenery was so dramatic yet potential danger lurked at every turn. We encountered other, mostly sensible, walkers. But we also witnessed, what I will call “lads”, veering away from the marked path towards the steep cliff edge.

    Because of these recent first hand encounters I welcome HM Coastguard’s latest Coast Clever summer safety campaign to remind people how to stay safe and avoid the dangers and hazards at the coast. It includes a new film with singer and comedian Arthur Hill who finds out that it’s not funny to get cut off by the tide or caught out on cliffs.

    The campaign addresses four common risks at the coast:

    Tidal cut off; being surrounded by the sea when the tide comes in

    Offshore winds; winds that blow you from the land out to sea

    Stuck in mud; being trapped in mud or soft sand

    Cliff slips and falls

    The short Coast Clever film follows comedian Arthur as he takes up an invitation from HM Coastguard to discover for himself how to stay safe on the coast. He meets a coastguard rescue officer on a small pebbly beach at the base of a cliff. The scenario was that the tide was coming in and if he were cut off, he would need to be rescued. He bravely accepted the challenge to take part in his simulated rescue and scaled nearly 100 metres (over 300ft) of cliff in the capable hands of one of HM Coastguard’s highly trained specialist rope rescue teams.

    HM Coastguard responded to over 2,000 call outs to incidents of people getting cut off by the tide in the last three years†. New data from the annual UK-wide research commissioned by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, conducted by Assenti Research has shown:

    Only 36% of people perceive getting cut off by tide coming in as one of the biggest risks at the coast.

    74% of people admit they think they should check tide times when visiting the coast, but only 35% claimed they actually did on their last visit.

    Across the UK in 2023, males accounted for 83% of all drownings*. Due to this alarming fatality rate in men, this year’s Coast Clever campaign is designed to appeal to ‘lads and dads’ who may be more at risk. Survey data** also reveals younger men are less likely to call 999 for help in an emergency. 32% of males aged 16-35 would call 999 if they saw someone struggling in the water compared to 45% of males aged 36-plus.

    HM Coastguard’s top tips to stay safe and have an enjoyable day at the coast

    Check the weather forecast and tide times before you set off

    Cliffs can be unstable, so stay clear of cliff edges and bases

    Watch out for mud and if you do get stuck, lean back to spread your weight

    Avoid water sports in an offshore wind, when the wind blows from the land out to sea

    Tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back

    Take a fully charged mobile phone and consider taking a PLB (personal locator beacon) which alerts the emergency services from the remotest of locations

    In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

    Commenting on the Coast Clever campaign Claire Hughes, Director of His Majesty’s Coastguard said: “We want everyone to enjoy our fantastic coastline and beaches this summer. The happiest of memories are always made when you and your loved ones stay safe. Every summer, sadly some people don’t take home happy memories. Our latest Coast Clever safety campaign is a timely reminder to encourage people to take some simple safety precautions and of course if anyone is in difficulty to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

    Main Photo Credit: Val Fraser

  • Special report: Why did 1500 men gather in a field near Swindon?

    Each year around the time of the Summer Solstice, another significant event occurs. The Gathering is an annual men’s festival which has been run for over ten years by CVM – Christian Vision for Men. So why did 1500 men gather in a field near Swindon? Bob Fraser was one of them, he reports for Sorted Magazine:

    Bob writes: The Gathering is an annual men’s festival which has been run for over ten years by CVM – Christian Vision for Men. It always takes place in a field near Swindon. This year we saw an eclectic mix of activities like five-a-side football, sword fighting, wrestling, archery, axe throwing, climbing wall, Zorb football etc. and some indoor stuff like Scalextrix, board games, darts, and chess. There was an array of classic and high performance cars on display and a bar.

    Carl Beech (on stage) addresses the crowd in the main tent.

    It was something quite unique, and this year 1500 men booked in, many between the ages of 20 and 40. Free tea and coffee was available for the duration of the event. There was a doctor’s surgery, some inspirational stories, various seminars, some very silly moments, and a bag piper. Many of the men attending were from CVM groups located around the UK. Many others were invited along by a mate. I met several fathers who had brought their sons along. (you have to be over 18 to attend).

    A number of those I chatted to were part of an army of stewards. These are the guys who work behind the scenes looking after car parking, marshalling events, providing catering for the team and guests, keeping the toilets clean and helping set up and dismantle the site.

    Main sessions started off with Steve Legg (Founder of Sorted Magazine and all-round funny man) leading a sing-along and then hosting a darts competition. The Saturday evening main session included an international tug-of war competition, which England won, and a fancy dress theme, which this year was ‘Christmas’. There were some bizarre entries but the winning outfit was a close run thing between Bruce Willis and Baby Jesus, but Bruce Willis inevitably triumphed against overwhelming odds!

    But alongside all the fun and nonsense there was some more serious stuff about life, faith and hope. With his inimitable humorous style Carl Beech, CVM President, gave a clear and heartfelt call for men to respond to the Gospel. Nathan Blackaby, CEO of Christian Vision for men said: “This year was incredible. We saw about 120 guys come forward in response to the Gospel appeal from Carl, through the worship, the seminars, and the powerful testimonies.”

    There was live music, of course, and later on the Saturday night, a Madness tribute band performed, before the evening concluded with a huge fire pit to gather round. Main sessions saw worship from Graham Kendrick and the band, which this year included a pedal steel guitar player and a brass backline. Their version of Chain Breaker became a solid favourite of the weekend.

    John from Bolton was at The Gathering for the first time and had been really moved by the testimonies and all that Carl Beech had said. He also attended a seminar given by Tania Bright and Bekah Legg entitled What women want men to know. I attended that seminar along with about 400 others and afterwards John said: “I wish I’d known before I got married what I now know from attending that seminar!”

    Inside the mess tent at The Gathering 2024.

    Jonathan came for the first time with a group from Leyland near Preston. He compared The Gathering to other Christian festivals he’d been to and said: “There’s often an expectation to come as a model Christian man, whereas at The Gathering, it feels very open, very welcoming, and you can come just as you are.”

    Matt was another first-timer who enjoyed banter and conversation with other blokes: “I loved all the activities, the humour, the testimonies and all the activities on offer.”

    Many men don’t have much experience of worshipping with 1500 blokes. Neil from Leyland commented: “Worshipping with 1500 brothers in Christ was just amazing”. Andy from North Wales said: ”I’ve loved seeing Christian men coming together and being men! I’ve just had a go at the axe throwing and was rubbish at it! But we’ve come together and worshipped the Lord and it’s been great to be part of it!”

    Carl Beech (left) and Paul Gask (right) enjoying the Christmas fancy dress competition.

    Before I left the site to head home, I chatted with CVM Director ‘Gasky’ (pictured above right). He said: “I’ve had the privilege of serving with the CVM team and there’s been so many amazing stories of guys getting rid of all sorts of garbage that none of us is immune from, and surrendering it at the Cross. It’s been a fantastic weekend.”

    I believe that The Gathering truly is a unique event. Many blokes have already taken advantage of booking in already for next year’s Gathering at a discount rate. So many of the men I spoke to over the weekend were blown away by the atmosphere and had not come across anything like it before and were unsure how they might describe it to their nearest and dearest, or indeed their church friends when they get home.

    More info about The Gathering here: The Gathering (thegatheringformen.com)

    Booking info for The Gathering 2025 here: https://thegatheringformen.com/book

    More info about Christian Vision for Men (CVM) here: Christian Vision for Men :: Introducing Men to Jesus (cvm.org.uk)

    All photo credits: Courtesy of Bob Fraser (taken at The Gathering 2024)

  • Comment: Mental health tips for fathers

    Digital Editor’s Note: I’m pleased to welcome psychotherapist, Noel McDermott as our Guest Writer. Noel offers his advice to dads looking to stay on top of their mental health and improve wellbeing.

    Noel writes: Humans are amongst a very small number (about 5%) of mammals that have invested dads in childrearing activities and the only one from primates. This is because we have large brains, and our children are born too soon biologically and remain highly dependent for a very long time. From a species level the role of fatherhood has been pivotal in its survival, so no pressure there!

    Nevertheless, although most British homes are dual income these days, structural inequalities mean that often the family does rely on the income of the dad (and in this case male dads). So, earning and providing remain important areas of stress for dads. Being the primary earner can be an enormous pressure. Coupled with not wanting to worry their partner and increased isolation from social networks, as the family dominates, can lead to dads feeling overwhelmed. Life can become pretty narrowly defined for dad either at work or home with little outlet for social contact beyond that. Also, traditionally men as fathers, often don’t have the emotional support networks that mums might have.

    For example, a man may notice that a family and toddler group is often actually a mum and toddler group and if they turn up, they may be viewed with either suspicion or condescension. Often a male dad may become distressed when his partner expresses her frustrations at parenting. He may feel he can’t help or come up with solutions to these problems. Previous interests and activities can fall by the wayside, producing possible isolation and lack of regular exercise. 

    Noel’s Tips for Dads

    • Get involved with your kids and family no matter what. You will get health and wellbeing from that like nothing else.
    • Join support groups for dads and if one doesn’t exist, consider setting one up.
    • Get active, of the four pillars of lifestyle medicine regular active exercise is by far the most important.
    • Talk, you are not burdening your partner when you tell them you are worried about money, you are helping them understand why you are grumpy. That way they don’t have to worry they are the source of the problem.
    • Educate yourself psychologically, know the signs of distress, appetite issues, sleep issues, drinking, arguing and anger, isolation, concentration issues, being hopeless felling like a burden. Get help if you need it.

    Noel McDermott is a psychotherapist and dramatherapist with over 30 years’ experience within the health, social care, education, and criminal justice fields. More information here: https://www.mentalhealthworks.net/

    Main Photo Credit: Juliane Leibermann via Unsplash

  • Comment: Compassion UK challenges political leaders

    Compassion UK, a leading international child development organisation, has written to all nine of the leading UK political party leaders. Identifying a notable absence of focus on children in the campaign so far, Compassion UK is urging them to commit publicly to child-focused policies and transform the UK into a child-centred nation.

    Jonathan Prosser, Director of Innovation Lab at Compassion UK, made the personal appeal to the party leaders as the country prepares for the upcoming General Election, asking directly for a fundamental shift in policy formulation from whomever forms the next Government and Opposition in each of the four nations and for the UK as a whole.

    Prosser authored an article about this topic in the RSA Journal’s 270th anniversary edition that brings together experts from all over the world and sets out ten thematic priorities to enable country leaders to move from idea to action and impact. He said: “We have an unparalleled opportunity to position the UK at the forefront of a global movement by committing to become a child-centred nation. This commitment would not only foster domestic growth and wellbeing but also serve as a world-leading asset in foreign policy and diplomacy, delivering transformational outcomes for children.”

    In the letters, he calls on party leaders to create child-led policies by viewing them through the eyes of children; which would ensure their comprehensive development and wellbeing. He also highlights the need for a dedicated Minister for Children, ensuring foundational safety and resources, and valuing the social good of parenting.

    Prosser’s call is already garnering international attention, with requests for consultations from overseas government leaders and ministers. He explained: “Our 14 million under-18s in the UK must be given the world’s leading environment in which to blossom into adulthood with enhanced potential. This is not about achieving soft or vague outcomes; it’s about gaining a competitive advantage through better-equipped citizens living inspired lives.”

    With only a few weeks left until the new Government is formed, Compassion UK called on all parliamentarians to demonstrate leadership for the next generation, and commit to making the UK a child-centred nation, transforming millions of lives in the process.

    Main Photo Credit: John Lamb via Getty Images

  • Comment: Turning the tide of war

    D-Day 80 is a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. A series of major commemorations in both the UK and France will honour the brave personnel who risked their lives for freedom and peace. Bob Fraser has been following the media coverage of these events and here he reflects on what they mean to him.

    World War II photograph shows an aerial view of the various naval vessels around the beaches of Normandy in northernmost France. Shown here landing supplies such as tanks, military vehicles, weapons and troops; the Invasion of Normandy is considered the largest amphibious invasion in history.

    Bob writes: Many of us will have been watching the D-Day commemorations on TV. I can’t imagine what those involved would have gone through eighty years ago.

    The veterans who are telling their poignant stories now, are of course, all in their late nineties. One man interviewed was 104 years old and still articulate, still living independently. Many become emotional as they re-live the stories of their involvement; while remembering the comrades they served with, and remembering those they lost. The reminder to ‘never forget’ is a poignant message.

    My tenuous link with it all is my father, who was in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Following the evacuation of British and Allied soldiers from Dunkirk in June 1940, codenamed ‘Operation Dynamo’, there were lesser known evacuations from other ports further along the French Coast at Le Havre and Cherbourg. Saint Nazaire was a major port on the west coast of France and my father was deployed there as second in command to assist with evacuation of soldiers retreating from the advancing German army and get them safely back to Blighty.

    Digitally restored vintage World War II photo of American troops wading ashore on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.

    I can find little record of this, as opposed to Dunkirk, but the story goes that many soldiers weren’t able to get to Dunkirk in time for the evacuation, and made their way further along the French coast in the hope of rescue. As the Germans continued their advance, my father was waist deep in the sea water for long hours without much food, helping men to embark on rescue ships and head to safety. Not surprisingly, his health deteriorated to the point where he was hospitalised on his return to the UK. The Germans subsequently occupied the Port of Saint Nazaire and turned it into a fortress like base for their submarine operations.

    Sadly, My father was unable to take any further part in the war and spent many months convalescing in hospitals, before being discharged from the Navy. His health never fully recovered and my mum recalled that, in the twenty years they were married, he had a spell in hospital every year bar one. As a boy, I was shielded from much of this and I knew very little of the part he had played in the war. His poor health finally got the better of him when I was sixteen. He had never spoken about the war and I had never asked. It didn’t seem important to me as we were living in a time of peace. It never occurred to me that he had been an ordinary bloke doing extraordinary things to serve others in a time of war. It’s only in more recent years that I’ve tried to find out more about his life.

    US soldiers invading Omaha Beach on D Day

    As I reflect on not just my father, but all those who served in WW2, it’s helpful to listen to their stories. Most of them had no idea when they were going or where they were going until the orders were given. There was a long period of preparation and an anxious wait as D-Day approached. Most of the Veterans talk about just ‘doing their bit’ or being ‘no one special’, but many of them found depths of courage and sacrifice which they never knew they had. They became real heroes and their contributions made a significant difference and turned the tide of the war.

    It’s easy to talk about the futility of war but, as we can now understand a bit more clearly, there is sometimes a need to make a stand for a just cause and resist an enemy who is determined to occupy your land. Peace sometimes comes with a hefty price tag, and we do well to keep on remembering the courage and sacrifice which has bought our freedom.

    Find out more here: Discover D-Day – D-Day 80 (dday80.campaign.gov.uk)

    Watch the coverage here: BBC iPlayer – D-Day 80: We Were There

    Learn about exhibitions and events here: D-Day 80 Events | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)

    All Photo Credits: Getty Images

  • One in five people still waiting for the Bible in their language

    This year, Wycliffe Bible Translators celebrates the 700th anniversary of the birth of John Wycliffe, the man who first translated the Bible into English. While the anniversary is a celebration, it also acts as a reminder of the one in five who still lack access to a Bible in the language they know best.

    James Poole, Wycliffe Bible Translators’ Executive Director, explained: “John Wycliffe’s commitment to translating the Bible into the language that people know best was revolutionary. 700 years later the passion for Wycliffe’s vision of a world where everyone can know Jesus through the Bible continues to burn brightly.”

    John Wycliffe is a pivotal figure in history. His ground breaking work of providing the first English translation of the Bible continues to resonate across the globe. Despite so much progress to date in worldwide Bible translation, much work remains. An estimated 1.5 billion people representing over 6,000 languages are still waiting to receive the Bible in the language they understand best. Wycliffe Bible Translators is committed to all people having access to the Bible.

    Thought to have been born in 1324 in Hipswell, Yorkshire, John Wycliffe was a theologian, scholar and reformer. His passion for making the Scriptures accessible to ordinary people led him and his team to undertake the monumental task of translating the Bible from Latin into English by hand. Wycliffe believed that everyone should have direct access to God’s word. 

    He faced great opposition from the church at the time for his translation, ideas and teaching, but his conviction was strong and was not deterred. After his death, he was declared a heretic and his bones were dug up, burnt and his ashes scattered in the River Swift in Leicestershire. 

    Poole continues: “John Wycliffe argued that the Bible should be accessible to all, regardless of social status or education. His courage and vision continue to inspire our work today. There is now more Bible translation work in progress than ever before. We have a historic opportunity to get closer to the vision of everyone being able to know Jesus through the Bible.”

    John Wycliffe’s translation work opened the door to other English translations. He was also known as ‘the Morning Star of the Reformation’, given the influence of his teaching and work on others like Martin Luther, who translated the Bible into a form of German, as well as being the key figure in the Reformation.

    The last 12 months have been a record-breaking year for Bible translation. A new Bible was launched at a rate of one per month, a New Testament at the rate of one per week and translation work began in a new language at a rate of one per day. Komi Sena is a modern-day John Wycliffe. Komi is an Ifè translator, despite setbacks, the Ifè New Testament has been completed, leading to a surge in local churches. Komi enthused: “Translating the Bible is so important because many people don’t understand French, so they are not able to read and understand the Scriptures. And it does not change their lives when they do not understand it. Translation of the Bible also enables nonbelievers to hear the good news in their language.”

    Now, Komi and his team are working on the Old Testament, aiming for completion by 2026. Komi also assists other translation projects across Togo and Benin, highlighting the transformative impact of having the Bible in one’s native language.

    For more information on the charity and the 700th anniversary of John Wycliffe, visit wycliffe700.com

    To watch the Wycliffe Bible Translators feature on BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ please go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001z1f1/songs-of-praise-75th-anniversary-of-how-great-thou-art

    To watch the animation video celebrating the 700th anniversary of John Wycliffe go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJqPgS_mU0g

    Main Photo Credit: Aaron Burden via Unsplash

  • Comment: Foot in mouth syndrome

    I was on holiday in France some years back and, if I’m honest, my French isn’t up to much. I can just about cope with a “bonjour” and a “merci” when the situation demands. And I have been known to order a café au lait when I’ve been feeling supremely confident (and in desperate need of caffeine), but anything else I leave to my wife, who is far more capable in the language department.

    However, on this particular day, I’d taken it upon myself to pop, alone and unaided, to the shop for some lunchtime essentials. It would be fine, I told myself, I’d have no problem locating ham, bread and butter. What could go wrong?

    Just as I thought, I discovered my prospective purchases with ease and, having slipped them into my basket and feeling perhaps just a little giddy with my success, I decided the time was right to venture a question to the lady behind the till.

    I cleared my throat in readiness. I gave her a warm and relaxed smile and asked, in English with my best French accent, “Do you have pâté?”

    “Pâté?” came the quizzical reply.

    “Oui, pâté,” I reiterated, impressing myself with an actual full sentence in the lingo. Perhaps there was nothing to this foreign language lark after all.

    “The party is at six,” came the confident but confusing response.

    I blinked. My warm and relaxed smile froze, ever so slightly. “No,” I corrected, “Not party – pâté.”

    “Oui, the party is at six.”

    Puzzled by this misunderstanding, I turned to the trusty translator on my phone and dutifully typed in the word ‘pâté’, wondering if in fact it wasn’t a French word after all. The shop assistant waited patiently until I could show her the word.

    “Ah!” she said, smiling. “Pâté! Non, we do not have.”

    I was left mystified. My mouth probably hung a tiny bit open. I literally had no clue as to how my pronunciation had differed from hers. But clearly it had, somehow.

    However, what I’ve realised is that, when it comes to effective communication, it’s not just getting the accent right that matters.

    We’ve just had Sunday lunch, and I shove what’s left of the washing up in the sink and announce that I’m leaving it to soak (a classic manoeuvre that nearly always results in my entering the kitchen at a later point only to discover my wife finished the job and put everything away). What I should have said was: “I think these dishes need a soak. What else needs doing before we sit down?”

    Or yesterday, perhaps instead of my saying, “I’ll leave you to unpack the shopping, you know I’ll only put it in the wrong place” (note the emphasis on her having unreasonable and impossibly high expectations), I should have tried, “I’m rubbish at knowing where to put everything, tell me where it goes and I’ll do it.”

    What we say and the way that we say it matters. A lot. As men, we often struggle to communicate what we actually mean and sometimes we just use that as an excuse to not even try.

    We can be so good at making resolutions to join the gym, climb a mountain, or learn to use a power tool. Why not instead concentrate on getting our words out straight so that we use them to encourage, empower, and put a smile on the faces of those we love?

    It’s got to be easier than asking for pâté.

    Main Photo Credit: Tomas Jasovsky via Unsplash

  • Faith: Finding your sacred rhythms

    Many of us have interests where we commit time and energy and routinely engage with like-minded people: a rhythm, a ritual. It’s part of who we are.

    It’s almost 12:30pm; you’ve been to the pub, had the same drink you always have, chatted with the lads and made your way to Turf Moor, Harry Potts Way. The colours are on; scarf and woolly hat with matching badges. The chants are going up as you walk along with the boys, perfect! It’s match day, Burnley FC versus Fulham FC.

    Now you may not be a Burnley or Fulham fan, or even a footie fan, but the point here is to describe a kind of ‘sacred rhythm’ that week in, week out, whether cold, rain or sunshine, you show up for; rhythms that reflect the things in your life that you commit to, invest in, give to; the stuff that stirs you.

    You lay awake at night reading the fixtures, upgrades, signings, transfers, details. You invest time and energy in it, talking about it, watching it, being around it or exploring all the stats with your mates. These sacred rhythms are the stuff that sits deep in our lives, and bring us joy, identity, and shape how we see life.

    The concept of a sacred rhythm isn’t foreign to any of us, you don’t have to be ’religious’ to have this stuff working in your life. A rhythm like this is built on something you enjoy and have seen and experienced the benefit from doing.

    There was a book a few years ago called Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… and Maybe the World. A simple book that picked up on this sort of vibe, on routine, discipline, and a pattern in your life that gives joy, order, and purpose. I think sacred rhythms
    touch on this.

    Outside the world of sport, cars, films, music, and more, sacred rhythms can take on a spiritual perspective and angle too. The best example I can offer for this is from Jesus, in the Bible. Jesus had a sacred rhythm in his life of prayer, alone and early. The Bible often recorded moments where Jesus stepped away from the crowds and the masses, and got up before his mates in the early hours to go and pray to God, his father.

    This simple sacred rhythm on the surface seems so insignificant, but when I have tried it, I can say that this has been one of the most life-changing things for me. What are your sacred rhythms in life? How do they impact you?

    Digital Editor’s Note: We spoke to Nathan Blackaby about CVM’s annual men’s festival. Read the full story here: Faith: Gathering Ground – Sorted Magazine

    Main Photo Credit: Jon Tyson via Unsplash

  • Comment: Help for parents in the digital age

    A new parent hub to help families navigate the world of video games has been launched.

    Ukie, the leading video games industry body, has launched Ask About Games a resource designed to support parents, caregivers and families in navigating the world of video games. As technology continues to evolve, so does the landscape of parenting, with video game ownership now a reality for 70% of UK households. Ask About Games aims to equip parents with the necessary tools and knowledge to engage in meaningful discussions about fostering healthy digital habits for their children.

    Despite widespread belief among three-quarters of parents that parental controls are essential for safeguarding children, many parents have yet to fully utilise these protective measures. Four in ten parents admit they haven’t discussed online decision-making with their kids. Recognising this gap Ask About Games seeks to empower parents and families to activate these controls, which are readily available on all video game platforms.

    Nick Poole, CEO of Ukie, explained: “Our mission is to empower parents with straightforward, practical resources that make video game safety easy to understand and implement. By offering expert advice and clear guidance, we aim to help families ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming environment for their children.”

    Ask About Games is backed by the video game industry and designed to distil expert advice into digestible insights. Recognising the time constraints faced by parents, it serves as a one-stop destination for accessing top-notch tips, starting the power up pact, and game guides that help parents navigate the video game landscape. The platform also offers a user-friendly guide on configuring parental controls, ensuring families can enjoy gaming experiences safely and joyfully, as well as the option to search and find games that suits families.

    Andy Robertson, Founder of the Family Gaming Database said: “In today’s digital age, it’s crucial for parents to be actively involved in their children’s gaming lives. Our API provides an instantly searchable library of the latest video games for Ask About Games readers.”

    Main Photo Credit: Alex Haney via Unsplash