Liverpool Echo assistant sports editor Andrew Greenhalgh is giving readers an insight into life as a born again Christian and journalist – something he says is a rare combination.

Andrew, (34), is penning Born Again Blog, an occasional online diary charting his quest to balance living a Christian life with his job in a tough industry, and also showing how faith and everyday life can go together.

The journalist was “born again” after meeting his future wife, Julie, a practising Christian, four years ago.

The couple married in August 2004 and Andrew was baptised last September – putting his previous life behind him and being “reborn”.

Andrew told HoldtheFrontPage: “I decided to write a blog about it after the editor appealed for more bloggers.

“I wanted to get my message out to people and show that Christians are not all sandal-wearing, long-haired ‘happy clappers’, we are normal people from all walks of life.

“There is a negative image generally about Christians and I thought this might do a tiny bit to help dispel that image. If I can help dispel that image for just one person I will be pleased.”

Andrew is ready to write about any subject he pleases, drawing on current news events or his personal experiences.

Among the topics he has covered already are the use of bad language and how God says swearing is wrong, and how in bad times it is easy to get angry with God and wonder why he can’t make everything right.

Andrew said: “I have never written a blog before so it’s a new personal challenge and an opportunity to do more writing as my job involves a lot of production work.

“I wanted to raise my head above the parapet. Journalism can be a cynical environment and there aren’t many Christians around – they certainly keep their heads down as far as I can see.

“I want to show how faith can fit in with life and help and affect you on an absolute tangible level.

“It’s not just about sitting in church on a Sunday and singing hymns. It is about giving yourself to God and how he can change your life.”