James Ballantyne

James

  • I needed in me, what God used to be.

    Those of you who have followed my writing for a while have either read or endured a few pieces from me about my faith, notably my evangelical upbringing and also more recently my stepping back from going to church. Trying… Continue reading

  • To the Shadows, Stranger and Friend

    Do I dare take myself into my own shadows? It won’t be a walk on the brightside Far from the lights into the wild spaces The lost areas Do I Dare? What am I afraid of? What might find me… Continue reading

  • Love feels Strong

    This piece could be written in a number of ways, from a number of starting points. But I want to keep it brief. And I want my heart to write to you. It arrived to me as I was writing… Continue reading

  • Careful, the universe might give you what you wish for.

    Dangerously there were two words that I started 2023 with. It was as if, they were the words that were about to shape my life, weirdly. One of the words I wrote about, a little bit. The other I didnt.… Continue reading

  • The Power of Jet:Lag (the game)

    There was a time in July/August of last year when I was going through a pretty significant mental spiralling, down down and down. I was plagued by the bleak thoughts of self criticism, self sabotage, blame and self loathing, all… Continue reading

  • There are no shortcuts.

    I had expectations for today. Last Saturday I was working, today I am not. When I was out walking during the week I was talking to a dog walker who was telling me about the Otters in Darlington on the… Continue reading