HopeForAll Autumn Winter 24

HOPE
F O R A L L
AUTUMN/WINTER2024
FAITH
IS RISING
SIGNS OF A GROWING
BELIEF IN GOD
OLYMPIAN
CHAMPION
THE GOLDEN FAITH
OF ADAM PEATY
EMOTIONAL
INTELLIGENCE
THE TRUE SOURCE OF JOY?
GIVEAWAYS
INSIDE

MORE
THAN MEETS THE EYE
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2 HOPE
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christianity.org.uk
Find answers to your questions
about Christianity
in this issue
AUTUMN/WINTER2024
I
n this issue of Hope for All, we explore stories of
prayer, generosity, joy and resilience. Coldplay’s
song ‘We Pray’ sparks reflections on the power
of prayer, while Adam Peaty shares how faith has
shaped his journey. You’ll also find insights on emotional
intelligence, the impact of generosity, and a fun alpaca
adventure for kids, with a chance to win an alpaca walk!
Plus, don’t miss our other exciting giveaways.
Hope for All is published by Hope for Every
Home Ireland. You can find out more about
us at www.hopeforeveryhomeireland.org.
The magazine points to the hope found by
people who follow Jesus. To find out more,
use the QR code, ask the person who gave
you this magazine or you can contact me
at ireland@hopeforeveryhome.org.
LJ Watt
Hope for Every Home Ireland
FIND OUT
MORE
7
10
4 WE PRAY
Is Coldplay's latest
release a modern cry
of hope?
7 FAITH IS RISING
Justin Brierley says
there are signs of a
growing belief in God
16 IS THERE MORE
TO THE SIMPLE
WREATH?
Crafting symbols of
hope and promise
18 EMOTIONAL
INTELLIGENCE
The true source of joy?
14 24
10 THE POWER
OF GENEROSITY
Discovering how
Generosity can
transform your life
12 WINTER RECIPE
Winter warmer brownies
14 THE JOY OF
INSIDE OUT 2
Tim Bechervaise
reveals what he learnt
from watching Pixar’s
latest film on emotions
21 FREEDOM
IN FAITH
Andrew’s journey to
transformation
22 ALPACA
ADVENTURES AND
JOURNEYS WITH
JESUS
Kids story time
24 OLYMPIAN
CHAMPION
The Golden Faith
of Adam Peaty
HOPE 3

WE
PRAY
COLDPLAY'S MODERN CRY OF HOPE?
JANICE ARMSTRONG CONSIDERS HOW CHRIS MARTIN’S LYRICS MAY SPEAK
TO OUR NEED FOR HOPE AND THE SPIRITUAL ACT OF PRAYER - EVEN IN A
WORLD THAT SEEMS TO HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM CHRISTIAN IDEALS.
Infectious energy, vastness and a sense
of spectacle showcased Coldplay’s
unique ability to connect people in
song. 80000 people united in what
felt like a once-in-a-lifetime shared
experience. It was sublime. As a sea
of hands were raised and the flashing
wristbands synchronised with the beat
of the music, two thoughts flickered
through my mind: Why don’t I feel
comfortable singing like this in my local
church? And that this is what I hope
singing in heaven feels like… It all felt
quite spiritual.
But Chris Martin does not claim
to be a Christian. In an interview with
Howard Stern he describes himself
as “an all-theist,” saying, “My God,
for me, is all things and all. God is
everywhere and everyone and it’s also
the unknowable, the vast majesty behind
everything.”
At Croke Park, he shared his spiritual
thoughts as their latest single, ‘We Pray,’
was performed for the first time with its
collaborators. Perhaps their most overtly
religious song yet, ‘We Pray,’ sparks the
question: In a world that seems to have
moved beyond the rigid framework of
Christian morals, does prayer still matter?
Chris Martin seems to think so and his
lyrics express personal prayers of hope: ‘I
know somewhere that heaven is waiting’
and ‘I know somewhere we’ll feel no
pain.’ What stands out is their presenttense
simplicity—not I prayed, I want to
4 HOPE

Prayer is an exercise of hope.
The hope that someone is listening.
pray, or I love to pray, but simply, I pray.
In its most basic and rawest form,
we all pray. We pray as we face our
hopes and fears, for the constant and
deep longings of those things that weigh
heavily on us. We pray as we savour
awe and gratitude, the soul’s response
to the wonder of the world. We pray as
we process our inner world and seek to
express it. It’s cathartic.
Be it prayer, meditation, journalling,
mindfulness, or manifesting, the process
of pouring out our thoughts can be
transformational. CS Lewis said, “I
pray because I can’t help myself. I pray
because I’m helpless. I pray because the
need flows out of me all the time, waking
and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It
changes me.” Coldplay recently took to
Instagram to encourage this, inviting fans
to add their verse to ‘We Pray.’ Over 2000
responses filled the comments thread with
outpourings and prayers for the struggles
and sufferings of a world in need.
Pete Greig eloquently said, “It
expresses the prayer of a generation
which no longer calls itself Christian, but
cannot stop calling out to Christ for help,
hope and justice.’” But prayer is more
than just writing out words or declaring
thoughts aloud. Prayer is an exercise of
hope. The hope that someone is listening. So
maybe we should think of prayer less as
the traditional ‘on your knees’ moments
and more as an ongoing communing
with God throughout our day. As Chris
Martin expresses, it’s a present-tense
kind of prayer - one that is concerned
with the little things of the day as well as
the big because there is someone who listens.
That we could be like the Psalmist
and declare, ‘Because he bends down
to listen, I will pray as long as I have
breath!’ (Psalm 116:2).
Learn more about
prayer and how
its power can
transform you.
SCAN HERE
HOPE 5

CAPTURING MOMENTS. CREATING MEMORIES
WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY
IRELAND
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ENQUIRE OR SEE A
PORTFOLIO OF FILMS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE
6 HOPE
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HOPE CULTURAL ANALYSIS
CC BY-SA 3.0
FAITH
IS
RISING
DESPITE THE
STATISTICS OF CHURCH
DECLINE AND PUBLIC
ANTAGONISM TOWARDS
CHRISTIANITY,
JUSTIN BRIERLEY
SAYS THERE ARE SIGNS
OF A GROWING BELIEF
IN GOD.
was stunned last
November when Ayaan
I Hirsi Ali announced she
had become a Christian.
Why? Because she is one
of the last people I ever
expected to embrace faith.
Ayaan was arguably
the most famous female
atheist in the world.
Having rejected the
fundamentalist Islam she
grew up with in Somalia,
she became an outspoken
critic of religion along with
other well-known atheists
in the mid-2000s, such
as Richard Dawkins and
Sam Harris. However, in
HOPE 7

a viral article titled ‘Why
I am now a Christian’,
Ayaan explained she came
to realise that everything
she values about Western
civilisation is built on the
Judeo-Christian tradition.
Some accused Ayaan
of embracing Christianity
for purely cultural reasons.
However, in subsequent
interviews she describes a
personal journey to faith
in Christ that came after
a period of depression.
In her article she wrote:
‘I have also turned to
Christianity because I
ultimately found life
without any spiritual
solace unendurable
— indeed very nearly
self-destructive. Atheism
failed to answer a simple
question: what is the
meaning and purpose of
life?’
THE END OF NEW ATHEISM
Ayaan Hirsi Ali announced
her conversion shortly
after I published my book
The Surprising Rebirth Of
Belief In God. In many ways
I felt her extraordinary
story was a vindication
of the thesis of the book.
Some eighteen years ago,
I began to host weekly
radio conversations
between Christians and
non-Christians, at a time
when ‘New Atheism’ was a
dominant cultural force.
Anti-God books were
topping the bestseller lists
and for several years it
became fashionable to be
an atheist and to dismiss
religion.
But as the years wore
on, more and more of
the non-believers I met
were choosing to distance
themselves from this
aggressive form of nonbelief.
New Atheism grew
old pretty quickly, with the
movement suffering an
internal implosion.
In ‘The Surprising
Rebirth Of Belief In God’
podcast documentary
series, I chart the rise
and fall of New Atheism
and the growth of a new
conversation among
secular intellectuals who
are reconsidering the
value of Christianity.
Examples include Jordan
Peterson, a psychologist
whose lectures on the
Bible are reaching millions
of people, and Louise
Perry, a secular female
rights advocate who came
to startlingly Christian
conclusions in the course
of writing her book The
Case Against The Sexual
Revolution.
In addition to this,
there have been a number
COME
TO
FAITH
of examples of high profile
artists, authors, influencers
and footballers such as
Raheem Sterling, Kat Von
D and Paul Kingsnorth,
embracing Christian faith
as adult converts. Even
Richard Dawkins has been
choosing to call himself
a ‘cultural Christian’ in
recent months.
IS THE TIDE TURNING?
Psychologists have
identified a growing
‘meaning crisis’ in our
culture. The Christian
story that once gave many
generations of people a
shared sense of meaning,
purpose and identity,
has gradually faded from
view. In its place has come
a ‘be who you want to
be’ philosophy of selffulfillment.
But we weren’t
8 HOPE

designed to live in a ‘create
your own adventure’
world. We are all searching
to be part of a story that
is bigger than ourselves.
However, the stories we
are currently reaching for
to fill the God-shaped hole
are not enough to sustain
us. People are exhausted
by a never-ending search
for identity and the culture
wars it creates.
Fuelled by social media
and smartphone addiction,
this meaning crisis is
also producing a mental
health crisis among young
people as rates of anxiety,
depression and suicide
have rocketed to an alltime
high. This is not the
way we were meant to live,
and I believe that many
people are beginning to
realise it. Along with many
others, I have noticed
evidence of a spiritual
hunger bubbling up again
in the hearts of many
people. Let me spell out
just three examples:
There’s a spiritual
hunger bubbling
up again in the
hearts of many
people.
CC BY-SA 3.0
BUMPER EASTER
ATTENDANCE
1 Over the Easter period,
many church leaders
reported a surge in church
service attendance. Jamie
Bambrick, associate pastor
of Hope Church Craigavon
in Northern Ireland,
catalogued a number of
examples with a thread
on X (formerly Twitter)
that included churches
reporting hundreds of
conversions, significant
growth in people
attending Alpha courses
and evangelistic ministries
reporting a surge in
response. Bambrick says
his own church, without
doing anything different,
has experienced a surge in
growth over the past year.
He attributes this partly to
a ‘normie revival’. Those
uncomfortable with a
culture swinging in wildly
progressive directions
are coming to church for
a sense of stability in a
chaotic-feeling world.
2
THE ASBURY
AWAKENING AMONG
GEN Z
When students
spontaneously began to
gather for 24 hour prayer
and worship in the chapel
of Asbury University in
February 2023, it led to
thousands more flocking
to the small town to be
part of an ‘awakening’
led by Gen Z. There was
no hype, no celebrity
leaders, just young people
desperate for the presence
of God. Since then,
similar gatherings have
emerged worldwide, with
multiple surveys revealing
that Gen Z are far more
spiritually ‘open’ than
their Millennial and Gen X
predecessors.
3
HOPES OF REBIRTH
Some of these
observations are
anecdotal, others are
backed up by hard data.
What can’t be denied
is that the atmosphere
around the ‘God
conversation’ has changed
dramatically since the days
when New Atheism was in
fashion. Nowadays I am
encountering a surprising
number of people calling
themselves ‘lapsed
atheists’. These are people
who having been let down
by the empty promises of
secularism, and are willing
to give Christianity a try.
I believe the tide of faith
is turning. People need a
story to live by, and the
church still has the most
beautiful and compelling
story that has ever been
told.
HOPE 9

Discover
what the
Bible has to
say about
generosity
SCAN
THE
POWER OF
GENEROSITY
GENEROSITY IS OFTEN SEEN AS A NOBLE AND SELFLESS
ACT, BUT IT’S ALSO ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL
WAYS TO ENRICH YOUR OWN LIFE. FAR FROM BEING
JUST AN ALTRUISTIC GESTURE, GENEROSITY BENEFITS
BOTH THE GIVER AND THE RECEIVER, DEEPLY ROOTED
IN THE TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE AND REFLECTING
THE HEART OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. EVEN IF YOU’RE
UNFAMILIAR WITH THESE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES, IT’S
CLEAR THAT GENEROSITY CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE
IN REMARKABLE WAYS.
THE SCIENCE OF
GENEROSITY
Research shows that
generosity not only
benefits others but also
greatly improves your
own well-being. It can
reduce stress, boost
your immune system,
and even increase your
10 HOPE

"FOR IT IS
IN GIVING
THAT WE
RECEIVE."
– Francis of Assisi
lifespan. By focusing less
on ourselves, generosity
builds confidence, fights
loneliness, and gives us a
deeper sense of purpose.
Both science and
experience show that
generosity is key to
happiness. Generous
people are generally
happier.
*A University of Zurich
study found that those
who give to others report
greater happiness than
those who spend money
solely on themselves.
It is similar to the joy
we experience when
giving to loved ones.
Whether it’s money,
time, or handmade items,
cultivating generosity can
lead to greater happiness.
So, how’s your
“generosity meter”?
*(Soyoung Q. Park, Thorsten Kahnt,
Azade Dogan, Sabrina Strang, Ernst Fehr,
Philippe N. Tobler. A neural link between
generosity and happiness. Nature
Communications, 2017; 8: 15964 DOI:
10.1038/ncomms15964)
GENEROSITY IN THE BIBLE:
A CALL TO LOVE
The Bible is filled with
teachings on generosity,
urging believers to give
freely and with joy. As
2 Corinthians 9:7, says,
“God loves a cheerful giver,”
reflecting the idea that
giving is not just a duty but
a source of joy. In the story
of the Good Samaritan
(Luke 10:25-37), Jesus
highlights the importance
of helping those in need,
powerfully demonstrating
how generosity can break
down barriers and create
connections.
….God’s own nature,
as seen in John 3:16 states:
“For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and
only Son.” This ultimate
act of giving serves as a
model for how we should
live—giving not just out of
abundance but sometimes
out of sacrifice, knowing
that it can bring about
transformation and hope.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF
GENEROSITY
Generosity has a beautiful
ripple effect, inspiring
others to do the same.
A simple gesture - like
leaving a kind note or
buying lunch for a friend,
can brighten someone’s
day and inspire them to
pass on the kindness. Every
act of generosity, no matter
how small, can spark a
chain reaction of kindness
and compassion, creating
a more connected and
compassionate community.
OVERCOMING THE
BARRIERS TO GENEROSITY
Despite its benefits, many of
us struggle with generosity,
either fearing we won’t have
enough or simply getting
caught up in the busyness of
life. As Anne Frank wrote in
her diary, ‘No one becomes
poor by giving.’ And the
truth is, we are wired to
give. When we set aside
our fears and doubts, we
often find that generosity
comes naturally.
Start with small steps
- whether it’s offering a
listening ear, volunteering
your time or giving a
helping hand. These small
acts of kindness can have a
big impact.
GENEROSITY: A PATH TO
SPIRITUAL FULFILMENT
For Christians, generosity is
more than just a good deed;
it’s a spiritual practice that
draws us closer to God and
to each other. The Bible
teaches that when we give,
we participate in God’s
work, bringing hope and
healing to others.
Remember, it’s not
about how much you
give but how you give. A
generous spirit doesn’t
require wealth — just a
willingness to share what
you have, whether that’s
your time, attention, or love.
So, ask yourself: How can I
be more generous today?
Through a kind word, a
helping hand, or a simple
act of giving, you have the
power to make the world a
better place.
Have you a story of generosity you can share with us?
Email: ireland@hopeforeveryhome.org
HOPE 11

HOPE WINTER RECIPE
WINTER
WARMER
BROWNIES
INGREDIENTS
- 230g chocolate chips
- 110g of cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp instant coffee
powder
- 230g unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or
canola
- 380g white sugar
- 130g brown sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp salt
- 6 eggs
- 130g plain flour
DIRECTIONS
1. Place the chocolate,
40g of cocoa, instant
coffee, and oil into a
bowl.
2. Melt the butter in a
pan over medium
heat until it boils.
3. Pour the melted
butter into the bowl
with the chocolate
mixture, stirring
until the chocolate
melts and everything is
combined.
4. 4. Preheat the oven to
160°C (electric) or 180°C
(gas).
5. In a mixer, combine the
sugars, salt, vanilla extract,
and eggs (add the eggs one
at a time while whisking).
Whisk for about 10mins
until the mixture is light
and creamy.
6. Gradually add the
chocolate mixture to the
egg mixture, whisking
continuously.
7. Sift in the flour and
remaining cocoa powder,
gently folding it in by
hand until combined.
8. Line a rectangular baking
tray with baking paper.
9. Pour the mixture into
the tray and bake for
approximately 40mins.
10. Remove from the oven
and let cool completely
before cutting.
ABOUT
JADE
“When I was around
seven years old, my
parents came to
know Jesus Christ
through a friend and
started attending a
Pentecostal church in
Brazil. My encounter
with Jesus came at
the age of 14 when I
was baptised together
with my nowhusband.
Since then,
I have served Jesus
every day, growing
in knowledge and
faith and desiring
that Christ be known
and loved by the next
generation.”
Jane is from
Balbriggen and
attends SMC
North church.
www.smcnorth.ie
12 HOPE

HOPE 13

HOPE FILM FOCUS
THE
JOY OF
INSIDE
OUT 2
TIM BECHERVAISE
REVEALS WHAT
HE LEARNT FROM
WATCHING PIXAR’S
LATEST FILM ON
EMOTIONS
I
t’s rare to come across
a film that’s both fun
and educational, and
universally liked by adults
and children alike. Nine
years ago, Inside Out – a
film regarded by many as
peak Pixar – did just that.
Earlier this year, its sequel
was released. Like the
first, the main character
is Joy – and although the
film wasn’t created with a
spiritual message in mind,
there are instances where
deeper truths emerge,
subtly pointing to the
Christian truths of our
identity in God.
In the first film,
released in 2015, we
were given a fascinating,
humorous and profound
insight into the human
mind, as the story followed
11-year-old Riley dealing
with the upheaval of
moving. The sequel invites
us into Riley’s mind again
as she, now aged 13, copes
with puberty. But whereas
the first instalment
revolved around five
key emotions – Joy,
Sadness, Disgust, Anger
and Fear – the second
also features Anxiety,
Envy, Embarrassment,
Ennui and even the
odd appearance from
Nostalgia.
In typical Pixar
fashion, the characters are
delightfully portrayed,
none more so than
Anxiety, who painstakingly
seeks to get Riley to fit in
14 HOPE

with her peers at an ice
hockey camp. Although
well intentioned, it
pushes other emotions
to the fringes, with the
five original emotions
flung from Riley’s mental
headquarters. This
includes Joy, who had
led the intrepid gang
in creating a glowing
spherical web known as
Riley’s ‘sense of self’, which
centred around her being
a good person. But with
Anxiety at the controls, it’s
at risk of being undone.
A battle for Riley’s
mind ensues, until Joy
leads a charge to restore
order. This climaxes
with her overcoming
Anxiety, who had become
RILEY FOUND JOY IN
ACKNOWLEDGING
THAT LIFE
INVOLVED NOT
ONLY GROWING UP,
BUT MESSING UP.
paralysed by fear, such was
her desperation to have
Riley fit in.
But to get there, Joy
needed her own epiphany.
‘I don’t know how to stop
Anxiety,’ she says. ‘Maybe
we can’t. Maybe this is
what happens when you
grow up – you feel less
joy. But I do know this:
Riley will never be herself
if we don’t get this back to
headquarters.’
The film closes with
Riley realising that, in
her attempts to look cool,
she had strayed from
who she was, damaging
her wellbeing and closest
friendships. She pulls
through with a stronger,
more rounded ‘sense of
self’ – warts and all. And
the anchor of this is Joy.
For Christians, joy is
the anchor of the Biblical
message. Jesus told his
early band of followers, ‘I
have come that they may
have life, and have it to
the full’ ( John 10:10). It's
little wonder, then, that
when the angels appeared
to shepherds after Jesus’
birth, it was with ‘good
news that will cause great
joy for all the people’
(Luke 2:10).
What makes this good
news so joyous is that Jesus
came to deal with all that’s
wrong in our world – and
that starts in each of our
hearts. Like Riley, we want
to believe we’re good
inside, but the reality is we
all make mistakes.
In Inside Out 2,
Riley found joy in
acknowledging that life
involved not only growing
up, but messing up. And
when she did, it need
not define her – and it
need not take away her
joy. The same goes for a
Christian’s identity, but
in a far deeper, more
beautiful and wondrous
way, because at the centre
of the story is Jesus – who
for the ‘joy set before
him’ went on to endure
the cross – so that every
person who believes
in him can find joy in
knowing they are loved
by God and forgiven for
every wrongdoing. In this
freedom, we can be our
truest self.
HOPE 15

IS THERE
MORE TO
THE SIMPLE
WREATH?
T
he wreath has long
been a symbol of
the unending—a
circle of greenery with no
visible beginning or end.
In ancient times, it stood
for the eternal cycle of life,
as evergreen wreaths were
laid on the graves of the
early Christian martyrs,
whispering of a hope: a life
that extended beyond the
grave.
As we enter the
darker days of autumn
and winter, the days
draw in -nature curling
up, seemingly ready to
rest before the return of
spring's longer and warmer
days. Only the lush
evergreens of the forests
and woodlands remain. As
they cast colours of green
onto our landscapes, these
grand trees remind us that
not everything dies; the
hope of spring remains.
In the heart of winter,
we prepare for another
kind of hope. We light
our candles and enter a
time of waiting, looking
forward to the promise of
a birth. A birth, a life and a
death that assures us of the
Maybe we
are crafting
symbols of
hope, symbols
of waiting and
of the promise
that began
with Jesus.
16 HOPE

CREATE
YOUR
OWN
wreath's message: eternal
life. Perhaps one of the
most well-known verses in
the Bible, from John 3:16,
reminds us, "For God so
loved the world, that He
gave His only Son, that
whoever believes in Him
should not perish, but
have eternal life."
And so, as we gather
greenery and weave our
wreaths, maybe we create
more than decorations for
our doors. Maybe we are
crafting symbols of hope,
symbols of waiting and of
the promise that began
with Jesus.
We can make wreaths
at any time of year,
but they are especially
beautiful adorning our
doors throughout autumn
and winter. Taking time
out to create and craft
something of our own can
bring solace, creative work
and a welcome respite
from our busy days.
Take a look in your
garden—what needs
pruning or cutting back?
Using what is local and
foraging gently and with
thought for the plant,
we can create a simple
yet beautiful wreath to
decorate our homes.
YOU'LL NEED
- a wreath base
- scissors or secateurs
- some string or
gardening wire
- foliage
DIRECTIONS
1. Wind your string or
wire around your
wreath base. We will
only cut this when the
wreath is complete.
The key to a sturdy
wreath is to keep the
string or wire tight as
you wrap it around
your foliage.
2. Cut your foliage to
around the length of
your hand and gather
into a posy.
3. Lay this on the base
and wrap the string
around it several
times, tightly and
securely.
4. Create another posy
of a similar size, lay it
just over the base of
the previous one and
wrap the string around
again.
5. Repeat this process,
moving around the
wreath base in the
same direction and
laying the posies on
top of each other
as you wrap. Keep
holding the wreath up
as you go. Check that
the wire is tight and
To find out more about how to
decorate your home seasonally,
find Janice on Instagram at:
@GATHEREDTHREADS
that no foliage will fall,
keeping an eye out for any
gaps or spaces you might
have left. This means
the finished wreath will
look even the whole way
around.
6. When you get back to
where you started, simply
tuck the last posy under
the first, turn the wreath
over and tie off
your string.
7. Pop it
somewhere
you can
admire it and
where you
remember
its
promise.
HOPE 17

Self-aware people know
their strengths and
weaknesses and are not
embarrassed by either.
EMOTIONAL
INTELLIGENCE
THE TRUE SOURCE OF JOY?
E
xam result season
now feels like a
dim and distant
memory! Envelopes
were ripped open, and
grades were read - grades
that reflected sleepless
nights and countless
hours of study. For our
young people, academic
achievement seemed
like the only thing that
mattered in getting to the
next stage of their journey.
But how important is it
really? In a world where
IQ feels like everything,
the importance of our
emotional intelligence,
or EQ, is perhaps slowly
rising. And not only for
our young people.
There is a growing
emphasis on emotional
well-being for
all of us, both
at home, in our
workplaces, and
in the online
world. Living in
today's world
requires tact and
skill and this is
where emotional
intelligence
becomes important.
WHAT IS EMOTIONAL
INTELLIGENCE?
Emotional
intelligence, or EQ, is
the ability to recognise
and understand our
emotions, how they
impact others, and
how we perceive
the emotions of
those around us.
18 HOPE

This awareness can help us
to manage relationships
more effectively.
Relationships are
key to success. We
are not designed to
do life alone; even
the most introverted
personalities flourish
in the community.
Recent research shows
that the mortality
impact of being
socially disconnected
has a similar risk to
smoking up to fifteen
cigarettes a day! This
should send health
alarms ringing but it is
a problem that can be
easily changed without
crazy costs or medical
intervention.
Simply showing
up and connecting
with others can help.
Being in community
with those around
us provides a sense
of belonging and is
central to the human
experience. Developing
relationships and taking
time to understand
how and why we
react to others in
certain ways is a sign
of self-awareness,
something that
many believe is a
critical component
of emotional
intelligence.
Self-awareness is
not to be confused with
confidence! Instead, it is
a person’s ability to look
HOPE 19

honestly at themselves.
Self-aware people know
their strengths and
weaknesses and are not
embarrassed by either.
They do not let feelings
get in the way of decisionmaking
and trust their
intuition. In short, an
emotionally intelligent
person is a relational
person.
And the importance of
this is being seen in many
aspects of our lives.
Employers increasingly
recognise that emotional
intelligence is just as
important as cognitive
ability or technical skill.
The good news? It can be
learned and developed.
The challenge? It begins
with accepting we are not
already perfect. Ouch!
This truth may seem
harsh in our world of
filtered, ten-second clips
of perfection, but it stands
-perfection is over-rated
and unrealistic. Social
media platforms and
algorithms promote an
unattainable standard of
success. Those courageous
enough to look inward,
rather than using filters
to chase a perfect status
or profile, are more likely
to achieve greater selfawareness
and personal
happiness (often described
as joy) than any number
of likes or followers could
bring.
Happiness is fleeting
and often limited
by circumstances,
environments, or moments
in time whereas joy is a
state of being that endures
hardships and trials.
JOY IS A JESUS TRAIT
It is something Christians
should ooze from
their very veins, but
unfortunately, it is not
always evident. While
excuses are not justified,
a reasonable explanation
is that Christians are
still human—imperfect
pilgrims striving to follow
Jesus’ example. They strive
but fail simply because He
was supernatural, born of
the Spirit, and they are not.
Jesus was calm, able to
control His reactions and
solve problems. He fed
thousands, told relatable,
direct stories, and lived
a life marked by service,
kindness, truth and
humility. In many ways,
Jesus embodied the very
traits we now define as
emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence
may now have a name, a
definition and examples,
but I can’t help wondering
if it is just a new name for
characteristics that Jesus
modelled.
The modern world can
seem frantic and a little
out of control. Our news
reels and feeds are full
of crises and critics who
point fingers and attribute
blame. Little or no time
is given to peacemakers
or problem solvers, as the
sensationalised headlines
drive clicks, create
spin, and make
money.
In many ways,
Jesus embodied the
very traits we now
define as emotional
intelligence.
As we absorb these
news headlines and
articles, EQ traits like
calm, control, positivity
and purpose can seem
out of reach. We can slip
easily into despair. But
there are answers to be
found; we can turn to the
pages of the Bible as it
challenges and encourages
us, developing and
shaping our character so
we can be more conscious
of ourselves, our world,
and how we live with
more compassion and
connectedness.
SO, HOW DO WE LOOK
AHEAD?
Only you can decide how
you show up for yourself
and others every day.
Your impact and influence
matter. Your success and
worth cannot be defined
by any cognitive or
emotional intelligence
ranking. EQ and IQ may
be considered important,
but your value is in who
you already are.
20 HOPE

F
R
E
E IN
D
O
M
A
FAITH
ANDREW’S
JOURNEY TO
TRANSFORMATION
ndrew’s life felt tough.
“It was an absolute
mess,” he says,
recalling his battles with
depression and anxiety,
which led to sleepless nights
and medication. Despite
trying different ways to find
peace, nothing seemed to
fill the emptiness.
Like many, Andrew
tried to find peace through
different things, but nothing
seemed to fill the void.
Occasionally, he’d attend
church but still felt uncertain
about where he stood.
Then, after a particularly
tough night, something
shifted. “I’d been wrestling
with the idea of faith,”
Andrew remembers. The
next morning, he got down
on his knees and prayed
honestly for the first time
he could remember, asking
Jesus to come into his life.
That’s when everything
started to change.
That moment marked
the beginning of a
transformation. “I felt like
I’d been given a new heart,
a new mindset. I felt I had
begun healing from the
inside out,” he explains.
Over time, Andrew
began to see this healing
in different areas of his
life. The broken pieces of
his life came together. He
experienced healing in his
relationships and eventually
met a woman who would
TAKE A STEP OF
FAITH, REACH
OUT TO GOD,
AND SEE THE
DIFFERENCE HE
CAN MAKE.
become his wife. "I’m so
blessed to have her," he says.
She’s been a gift in this new
chapter of my life."
He also lost the desire
for harmful habits like
smoking and drinking,
feeling a newfound sense
of freedom and that he
had broken loose from
every chain.
Now, Andrew hopes his
story encourages others
who feel lost, hopeless or
broken like he once did.
"If you’re struggling, I
want you to know there
is always hope," he says.
"It doesn’t matter how
far gone you think you
are—Jesus can turn your
life around, just like He
did for me. Don’t wait
for the perfect moment;
that moment is now.
Take a step of faith, reach
out to God, and see the
difference He can make.”
Andrew’s life has been
completely transformed,
and his story is a testament
to the power of faith and
the hope that comes when
you open your heart to
Jesus. Today, he is active
in his community, serving
as a chaplain with Sports
Chaplaincy, Ireland, and
attending his local church
in Portadown.
COME
TO FAITH
HOPE 21

STORY
TIME
READ TIME 4 MINS
ALPACA
ADVENTURES
AND JOURNEYS
WITH JESUS
Recently I was asked if
there was anything
I’d like to do for my
birthday. Well, there was
something I had wanted to
do for a long time! You see,
for years, I have collected
anything with alpacas on it,
mostly mugs. There is just
something about alpacas
that makes me smile!
Perhaps it’s their cute little
faces, super soft hair, their
big brown eyes or that
mop of curly hair that sits
right on top of their head.
Whatever it is about them, I
love it all! Anyway, for years
I had wanted to meet and
walk an alpaca.
When we arrived at the
alpaca farm we were
introduced
to 6 adorable
alpacas in various
shades of brown
and cream. I was given
Americano to walk, a
happy, friendly little chap.
He was quite content to
walk with me, as long as I
kept feeding him leaves and
wild blackberries. Almost
instantly we became alpaca
amigos!
Unfortunately, no such
relationship was struck
up between my husband,
Lindsay, and his alpaca…
He was given Espresso
to walk, a lovely but shy
and somewhat nervous
alpaca, who did not want
to go anywhere fast
and especially not with
Lindsay. He spent most of
the journey stopping and
starting and giving out the
odd moan to let everyone
know that he did not like
the look of Lindsay, much
to our amusement!
Fortunately, Espresso
did seem to like my son,
Nathaniel, and he was able
to take over the reins for a
much smoother walk.
22 HOPE

In the Bible, we read about
many people who walked
with God. We hear about
Moses, who walked with
God through the wilderness,
and Enoch, who appears
in Genesis, the very first
book of the Bible. Some
of the best-known people
are those who walked with
Jesus. One of them, Peter,
even walked with Him on
water. What does it mean to
walk with Jesus? Simply, it
is getting to know Jesus and
becoming more like Him. We
can do this by reading the
Bible and praying each day.
1 John 1 v 7 says, ‘But if we
walk in the light, as He is in
the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the
blood of Jesus his Son
cleanses us from all sin.’
We must trust Him and
follow where He leads,
remembering He knows the
path ahead much better
than we do. How comforting
it is to walk with someone
who knows the way ahead!
It is our job to listen, obey
and stick to His path. We
run into trouble when we try
to run ahead or lag behind.
The terrain may not always
be easy, sometimes it might
be steep and rocky, but
Jesus will always be there to
catch us when we fall.
He is inviting you today, will
you walk with Him? Only He
knows where the journey will
take you.
WIN AN
ALPACA WALK!
Simply take a picture of your
completed word search and email it to
ireland@hopeforeveryhome.org.for
your chance to win an alpaca walk.
(Adult must accompany child)
WALK
MOSES
ENOCH
DISCIPLES
JESUS
PRAY
BIBLE
OBEY
WE MUST TRUST GOD
AND FOLLOW WHERE HE
LEADS, REMEMBERING
HE KNOWS THE PATH
AHEAD MUCH BETTER
THAN WE DO.
HOPE 23

HOPE SPORTS
THE
GOLDEN
FAITH
OF ADAM
PEATY
THE AWARD-
WINNING SWIMMER
IS TRUSTING IN GOD
AFTER A TURBULENT
FEW YEARS
24 HOPE

Interviews with athletes immediately
after they’ve competed are rarely
interesting. The usual questions
are asked, and the same soundbites
emerge. But when Adam Peaty was
interviewed after winning silver in
the men’s 100m breaststroke final at
the 2024 Paris Olympics, he offered
something a little different. ‘I’m a very
religious man and I asked God to show
my heart,’ he said. ‘And this is my heart, I
couldn’t have done more.’
It's worth taking a few steps back to
highlight what an astonishing reaction
this is. Adam Peaty is a triple gold-medal
Olympic champion, Britain’s greatest
swimmer. When he won gold in the
100m breaststroke at the 2020 Tokyo
Olympics, he made history by becoming
the first British swimmer to defend an
Olympic title. At the time, he
said: ‘Some people may see
second as a victory. People
celebrate second. But for me
that’s not good enough.’ But
three years on, he beams with
pride at finishing second – and
he talks about God.
To find out how he got
there requires taking a few
steps further back. Between
competing in Tokyo and Paris,
Peaty separated from his long-term
partner (the mother of his son) and he
struggled with fitness and form. It led to
a breakdown that involved depression,
anxiety and heavy drinking, as well as
an ADHD diagnosis, culminating in
him withdrawing from racing in March
2023. ‘A good friend of mine said a gold
medal is the coldest thing you will ever
wear,’ Peaty said last year. ‘It's the coldest
thing because you think it will fix all
of your problems. It will not.’ It’s quite
the statement for someone who’s also
won eight World Championship gold
medals, 17 European Championship gold
medals and four Commonwealth gold
medals. But it explains his reaction after
I’d rather have
my faith and my
relationship with
Jesus than have
gold.
winning silver this summer. He has a
contentment that lies outside of what he
achieves in the pool.
Central to this is his newfound
Christian faith. He began attending
church in February 2023 with Ashley
Null, an Olympics chaplain. ‘I’d gone
in there pretty much with my hood up,’
he explains in an interview with The
Times. ‘I felt a huge sense of peace,
calmness, grounding and perspective,
belonging even. It felt like I was home, in
a place where people understand there’s
a higher level to this very superficial
world.’
The spiritual awakening helped Peaty
to pull through his difficult season and
return to the pool, and it continues to
sustain and enlighten him amidst the
demands of elite swimming. He prays
daily and regularly attends
church. ‘For me, the only
fulfilment and the only peace
is every Sunday at church,’
he told the BBC. Even as he
swims, Peaty’s faith is quick
to spot. Tattooed across his
abdomen is a cross above the
words ‘Into the Light’. The
pool is Peaty’s stage and front
of centre, before millions, is
his faith. It’s testament to the
deep and enduring impact Jesus has had
upon his life, one no longer defined by
medals.
The tattoo was prominently showing
in an Instagram post Peaty shared after
winning silver in Paris. ‘I’ve continued
to fight and find new ways to enjoy
something that has broken me to the
core and to end up with an Olympic
silver through all of that is an absolute
blessing,’ he wrote. ‘I’m more proud of
the man and athlete I am from last night
than I have been across my entire career.’
He closed with ‘My heart is full’ and
words from the Bible, ‘Trust in the Lord
with all your heart and lean not on your
own understanding; in all your ways
HOPE 25

For me, the
only peace
is every
Sunday at
church.
acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct
your paths.’
In another
interview with
The Times, days
after competing
in Paris, Peaty
shared: ‘I’d rather
have my faith
and my relationship with Jesus
and come second than have gold,’
before talking about how he wants
his legacy to be his support of
athletes who grow up without the
resources to pursue their dreams.
It’s a goal that again speaks of ‘the
different person’ Peaty now claims
and shows to be.
TO GOD
BE THE
GLORY
PEATY WAS NOT
ALONE AMONG THE
ATHLETES AT THE
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
BEING OPEN ABOUT
THEIR FAITH IN JESUS.
HERE ARE A FEW
MORE…
• The viral photograph of Gabriel Medina,
the Brazilian surfer, pointing to the sky
as he celebrated a 9.9 score, an Olympic
record. Sharing on his Instagram, he
wrote: ‘I can do all this through him who
gives me strength.’ (Philippians 4:13)
• Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, of the
USA, gave glory to God - writing on
Instagram: ‘In my mind what kept
repeating were the words ‘Trust in Jesus’.
I didn’t know what the outcome would
be, but I did know He was who I wanted
to lead me through the journey.’
• Julien Alfred from St Lucia, the winner of
the women’s 100m, said in an interview:
‘I prayed to God that, whenever I win, I
will give you the glory always, so I thank
God for bringing me through, for giving
me the strength to come so far. Father, I
give you the glory.’
Teen Challenge (UK) and
Tiglin Challenge (ROI) helps
people overcome addiction,
homelessness, and life-controlling
issues. If you or someone you
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• South African swimmer Tatjana Smith
won gold in the 100m breaststroke and
afterwards wore a t-shirt with the names
of all those who helped her. God, Jesus,
and Holy Spirit were on the top.
• Whilst competing, Rayassa Leal, the
Street Skateboarding bronze medallist
from Brazil, used sign language to share
the words of John 14:6. Afterwards,
she said: ‘For me it is important; I am
Christian, I believe a lot in God.’ She
continued: ‘There I asked for strength
and sent a message to everyone, that God
really is the way, the truth, and the life.’
26 HOPE

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HOPE 27

THE
JOY OF
THE LORD
IS YOUR
STRENGTH
NEHEMIAH 8:10
28 HOPE
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