Alannah Francis
-
Are you letting little white lies get in the way of being Christ-like?
When we spend so much time and energy trying to minimise something, it's usually a sign that there's something wrong.
-
Forget the filter: How to embrace our flaws on social media and in real life
As Christians, we're wonderfully made by a glorious creator but our actions can sometimes suggest that we don't think God got it quite right with us. Whether it's applying a filter to appear "more flattering", or hiding the reality of our day by omitting the challenges and emphasising the envy inducing content, we're effectively saying that our lives and our bodies are in need of an edit.
-
Who are you talking to? 5 ways to achieve intimacy in prayer
At this year's Hillsong Colour Conference, Pastor Robert Fergusson raised two issues that prevent us from doing this â not really knowing who God is and not knowing we are in relation to him. Below we'll look at how to over come these two problems and three other common obstacles to intimacy.
-
Mother's Day: 3 things we can learn about motherhood from Mary
Ahead of Mother's Day, Working Mother magazine revealed their list of the 50 most powerful mums of 2016. The magazine sites "immense income" and "professional stature" as key criteria for women who make the shortlist. But what does being a powerful mum look like in a biblical sense?
-
Pentecost 2016: 5 things to pray for in the run-up to this key date in the Christian calendar
Prayer is one way that we can get ourselves ready to mark such a monumental event. Here are some ideas of what to pray for in the lead up to Pentecost.
-
Mother's Day gift ideas: a mini guide to ethical buys
It's Mother's Day in the US on May 8 and while many of us make an effort to show and tell our mums how much we love them all year round, when it comes to Mother's Day, choosing a gift which really encompasses her personality can be tricky. Why not pick a present that symbolises not only your love for her but her love for others this time around?
-
Feeling out of place? Eight Bible verses to remind you that you belong to Jesus
A sense of belonging is something that many people crave, especially in a world where the feeling of disconnection from others is commonplace and displacement is a huge problem. Here are eight Bible verses which reveal who we belong to:
-
Taming the dragon: 5 steps to overcoming lust
Whether it's an unhealthy desire to eat excessive amounts of food or consume copious amounts of alcohol, lust amplifies the desires we have to do things that ultimately lead us to separation from God. Because of its multi-sensory nature (it can stimulate us mentally, emotionally and physically) and its association with pleasure, it can be difficult to get under control.
-
Shakespeare or Scripture? See how well you know your Bard from Bible with our simple quiz!
As commemorations of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death come to an end, try your hand at our quiz and see if you know your Scripture from your Shakespeare.
-
God wants you to be happy: 10 Bible verses on laughter
Ahead of World Laughter Day on Sunday 1 May, here are 10 Bible verses which teach us the different ways that laughter is spoken about in the Bible
-
Wedding season is almost upon us! Here's how to survive if you're a single Christian
While it's standard practice for couples to take a marriage preparation course, there's no such equivalent for their single guests - who will attend on average three weddings a year. So, what can single Christians do to get through wedding season with their joy and self-worth in tact?
-
'If you ignore your neighbour, you're ignoring God': Nine Bible verses on loving others
The close proximity that loving your neighbour has to the first and greatest commandment is evidence of its significance. It's one instruction that we can't afford to ignore. Here are eight Bible verses which illustrate why we should love our neighbour: