All Opinion articles – Page 3
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OpinionI didn’t think I had an addiction to technology but my Lent fast revealed the truth
‘When we take it back to basics and consider what it means to be human - our right relationships with God, with each other, and with the earth – we can see through the mirage,’ says Ailsa McKinlay.
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OpinionBlack Mirror’s Bête Noire episode shows the ugly face of revenge
‘When you are actively plotting ways to seek revenge and hurt the person who hurt you, as is the case in this Black Mirror episode, it’s clearly an indication that you have not forgiven that person,’ says Maxine Harrison.
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OpinionWhich songs referenced aspects of the Christian faith this Eurovision?
‘Eurovision remains a testament to its original mission, an idea conceived nearly 70 years ago to foster inclusivity across Europe post-WWII by celebrating diversity through music,’ says Alex Noel.
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OpinionPeople in the Bible lived well into their hundreds, but the oldest known woman in the world today is 115. What are we doing wrong?
‘Remember David’s words of wisdom: ‘All the days ordained for me [are] written in your book’ (Psalm 139:16). Some of us may have a three-volume tome on God’s shelf, others a simple paperback. Let’s take courage and comfort from knowing that however numerous our days, they are all safely in God’s hands,’ says Jenny Sanders.
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OpinionGREAT SEXPECTATIONS: I want to find a husband so should I church hop in my city to look for what is available?!
In our fortnightly column ‘Great Sexpectations’ we answer your questions on sex, faith and intimacy. Drop us an email on womanalive@premier.org.uk and ask us anything. Here, Dr Kathrine McAleese answers someone who wants to know if visiting new churches is an acceptable way to find a husband.
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OpinionWith the advancement of technology in a post-COVID world, there has been a rise in online Christian fellowship communities, and I am here for it
‘Online Christian communities are a great supplement to being spiritually fed by a local church. You can find nuanced Christian communities with like-minded people and speak more deeply on topics that maybe local churches may not,’ says Maxine Harrison.
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Opinion‘Faith is the most important thing in my life, and the reason behind my success’ says Alison Hammond
Alison Hammond reminds us of the importance of gratefulness, and the power of the Bible, says Jemimah Wright.
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OpinionMy thoughts on Netflix show Toxic Town and why we need to stop blaming Eve for everything
Because they [the characters in Toxic Town] blamed themselves, it prevented them from speaking up sooner and from questioning what was going on around them,’ says Michelle Tant.
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OpinionHow perfume entrepreneur Jo Malone studied the Bible and met her husband
Jemimah Wright considers what is known of Jo Malone’s faith.
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OpinionJustin Bieber’s wife asks for prayer for his mental health
This week is Mental Health Awareness week, and Lucy Macdonald says, ‘It takes courage to speak up. But when we do, we make space for others to do the same. The Church can be a place where honesty is welcome, pain is not judged, and healing is seen as a process, not a performance.’
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OpinionChristians should be saddened by the language political parties use for illegal immigrants
‘Wherever you stand on this issue, as Christians we should always return to God’s word as we examine our attitudes towards those seeking refuge,’ says Danielle Finch.
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OpinionMinistering to younger generations is important, but working with older people will teach you the importance of slowing down
When she was ordained, Rev Dr Anne-Louise Critchlow wasn’t looking forward to visiting care homes as part of her work, but in doing so she learned to value time.
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OpinionWhen gossip is disguised as prayer
‘How many of us ask more questions than we really need when someone asks us for prayer. Do we really have to know the intricacies of the situation when God knows all and we can lay it before him?’ asks Samantha Bailie-McMurdock.
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OpinionSuperstition is socially acceptable, but Christians don’t need to be superstitious
‘Whilst most superstitions indicate a desperate plea to divert misfortune, some promote happiness, such as ‘seeing two crows together’ signifying a forthcoming positive occurrence and picking up a penny where ‘all day long you’ll have good luck’. Although tempting to recite such optimistic rhymes, it credits a fabricated prediction rather than God-breathed prophecy. It can be a snare to place trust in a reality deviating from Christ,’ says Hannah Wickens.
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OpinionFinding rest as a Christian woman while building a business and birthing a baby
‘As women, we carry layers of responsibility - some seen, others hidden. We’re birthing babies, building businesses, holding up households, and holding space for everyone else. The weight is not just physical, it’s mental, spiritual, and emotional. And when you’re in the thick of it, even rest feels like a luxury,’ says Salomé Criddle.
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OpinionGREAT SEXPECTATIONS: I know what I want in a husband, but should I lower my expectations?
In our fortnightly column ‘Great Sexpectations’ we answer your questions on sex, faith and intimacy. Drop us an email on womanalive@premier.org.uk and ask us anything. Here, Marcia Dixon answers a woman in her late twenties who is worried she will never find a husband.
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OpinionI thank God for my mother (who is also my best friend)
‘In this mother-and-daughter relationship, we are fiercely for each other, fiercely opinionated and fiercely determined to set an example for what a mother-daughter relationship could and should look like,’ says Jessica Stark.
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OpinionWhat is the “true purpose” of marriage for Christians?
‘Jesus never forced anyone to follow him, yet his unwavering love transformed lives (Luke 22:42, Galatians 5:22–23). You can’t control your husband. But you can let the Holy Spirit shape your own heart and responses,’ says Suze Gurmeseva.
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Opinion‘God carried me when I was told I needed to terminate my pregnancy’
‘At a routine check up on the baby, a few days before our planned C-section, her heart rate kept disappearing. Distressed this was the end, I agreed whole-heartedly to an emergency C-section as our church community prayed fervently over Zoom,’ says Beth Appleby.
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OpinionFaith is not the only thing I have in common with world famous actress, Olivia Colman
‘If I ever meet Olivia Colman (one can dream) I would love to chat to her about school, and our experiences of drama classes with Mr Hands, but I would also ask her about her faith, and encourage her that the God she worshipped in chapel choir at school, is the same God who wants a close walk with her today, and to bless her even more than she knows,’ says Jemimah Wright.
