Alannah Francis
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11 Bible verses on the beauty of God's creativity
We can experience the beauty of God's creation no matter where we are. Whether it's the birth of a new family member or the spiritual peace that we experience whilst out in nature, there are constant reminders of God's handiwork in our world.
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Why TV producers need to make more space for Christian faith on the small screen
In recent years a number of Bible-inspired blockbusters have made the big screen - Exodus: Gods and Kings, Noah and the upcoming Risen - and these cinematic adaptations from recent times are nothing new. But when it comes to the small screen, authentic everyday Christian experiences are severely lacking.
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Vatican cookbook dishes on food and life inside Vatican City
Have you ever wanted to know what the Pope's favourite meal is or what kind of dishes are regularly served up in the Vatican? Well, the wait is almost over. And not only will you be able to get an insight into the culinary tastes of Pope Francis, the residents of Vatican City and members of the Swiss Guard, but you'll also be able to recreate the meals in your own home.
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9 Bible verses on money, riches and spiritual wealth
As Christians, we know that becoming a follower of Jesus doesn't mean that we are free of all problems and pain, but that we are never alone when experiencing these things. Financial difficulties can sometimes increase the problems and the feelings of pain that we experience but financial wealth does not always eliminate them.
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How 'Miracles from Heaven' helped restore Jennifer Garner's Christian faith
Jennifer Garner has been speaking out about the impact that her latest faith-based film 'Miracles from Heaven' has had on her own Christian faith. Garner rarely speaks publicly about her faith but with faith, and Christianity in particular, being such a central part of her latest body of work, it was inevitable that she'd be questioned about her own.
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Could a less religious and more spiritual society be a good thing?
In the context of the survey conducted by Pew Research, spirituality referred to "the experience of a deep sense of spiritual peace and well-being" and "wonder about the universe". The experience of "spirituality" by those who aren't practising Christians could reveal that there is a desire to connect with a being greater than themselves.
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Consumerism within the context of Christianity
During the time of Lent, our minds are concerned with the concept of sacrifice, whether we're fasting ourselves or thinking about Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for us. In contrast, retailers, as ever, are focused on our continued consumption.
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Can textual data studies of the Bible and the Quran ever be helpful?
In light of negative attitudes towards Islam and the fact that this research was conducted by a company whose modus operandi is to analyse textual data, it's clear to see the motivation behind this task. But can we really learn anything from a textual analysis of religious texts? And is research like this more harmful than helpful?
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10 questions to ask yourself if you think you're at risk of becoming a cultural Christian
Some of us will have experienced times when we're essentially just going through the motions when it comes to our faith. It's understandable that we go through low points, periods of doubt or sometimes temporarily drift away from God. But how can we stop these occasional dry spells from leading to a permanent drought?
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How to tackle feeling uncomfortable during worship
It's not just new Christians that can struggle with worship. At my church, if the choir isn't present then there's a distinct lack of enthusiasm from the congregation when it comes to vocalising worship through singing hymns.
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Feeling lonely? Here are 11 Bible verses to reassure you that God is always with us
We don't need to be physically on our own to feel lonely. Many of us may have experienced some of our loneliest times when we were literally surrounded by others. During times of loneliness we can feel outcast, rejected and extremely isolated. But throughout all of this, God is still with us.
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3 Christians on why they fast during Lent and why you should try it too
Struggling with your Lenten fast? Never even given it a try? Maybe these personal accounts in which three Christians share their thoughts on fasting and its impact on their faith will inspire you.