All Opinion articles – Page 6
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Opinion
With 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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Opinion
My 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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Opinion
How 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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Opinion
Justin 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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Opinion
Christians 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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Opinion
Ministering 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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Opinion
When 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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Opinion
Superstition 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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Opinion
Finding 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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Opinion
GREAT 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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Opinion
I 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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Opinion
What 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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Opinion
Faith 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.
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Opinion
Five books to bring joy and laughter to our walk with God
‘If you have found your walk with Jesus has become a little serious, then here are five books that remind us that joy and laughter are all part of God’s design,’ says Kate Orson.
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Opinion
Britain’s favourite Mary Berry turned 90 last month and we reflect on the impact this famous Christian has had on the UK
Sophie Dianne celebrates a much-loved British cook, Mary Berry, on this special birthday, and considers what is known of her faith.
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Opinion
After a harrowing journey through cancer, the unbearable pain of losing a child, I found strength not in my own resilience alone but in the abiding presence of Jesus
‘Over time, I’ve learned that healing isn’t forgetting, it’s finding strength again. It’s rediscovering joy, slowly. It’s holding both sorrow and gratitude in the same hands. And it’s realising that God never wastes the hard things,’ says Mary Bourne.
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Opinion
‘I believe the lyrics of the worship song ‘Goodness of God’ are true, despite chronic sickness and birth trauma.’
‘It would be so easy to be angry or become bitter when we are dealing with chronic pain or sickness, and when life hasn’t turned out the way we thought it would, but for me holding onto God’s promises is what provides me with the strength to carry on and persevere, to continue to hope. Knowing that all things shall be made right eventually,’ says Charlotte Phillips.
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Opinion
Gwen Stefani has been actively sharing her Christian faith
‘To have people with a platform declare Jesus has changed their life, is now a bolder move than it would have been previously. To put your head above the parapet in this age of social media trolling is not for the faint hearted, but sharing our faith brings life,’ say Jemimah Wright.