by Joanne Gilchrist

Is summer a time to shut the world out or go on new adventures? Or do you simply need permission to rest?

As an extrovert with two introverted children, I find the summer holidays a very strange period of time.

People hibernate in the summer - did you know? I used to think the school holidays was a good time to catch up on friendships and playdates but the opposite was true. So instead, when my kids were very young, we filled our summer with activities. Those were the days! It’s changed in the last few years, especially with the stress of my teenagers’ exams. Now, I’ve come to embrace the holidays as a time to change pace and slow down.

Whether filling summer with activity or slowing down, both are opportunities to focus on faith; both my own faith and that of my children.

Interview with Andy Geers & Joanne Gilchrist.

Andy Geers is the founder of charity Discipleship Tech and the maker of a new mobile game “The Serpent and the Seed”. Joanne reviews this new app with highlights from playing it with her 7 year old and asks Andy how the idea for the game came about.

by Lucy Rycroft, the Hope Filled Family

I’m not fussed whether my children can tell you which biblical women married into royalty. But I am fussed whether my children can discern God’s voice in this noisy world, where anyone can have a platform and anyone can try to persuade my children to believe their particular philosophy.

Let’s not assume that children understand deep theological terms – but let’s look for creative ways to explain them.  Here are some (less than perfect) ideas:

·      Redemption – buying something back, paying a ransom

·      Gospel – Good News

·      Justice – Getting what we deserve

·      Mercy – Not getting what we deserve

·      Grace – Getting what we don’t deserve

·      Righteous – Made right with God

·      Atonement – Jesus is punished in our place

·      Justified – Just as if I never sinned

From toddler to teenager, what are the best Christian apps in the app store? Read our reviews and recommendations to help you make the best choice for your child’s screen time.

by Angela Jelf, writer, poet, mum of 2

There are two stories in the New Testament which I think capture the dynamic power of forgiveness so clearly. Interestingly, both of these stories share the same three elements:  Dinner, a sinner, and a Saviour.

Story number one takes place when a Pharisee named Simon invites Jesus round for a meal. … As they are reclining at the table, things take an interesting turn.

by Angela Jelf, writer, poet and mum of four

Looks like we made it through January.  Phew!

Were you one of those people that started the New Year by embarking on a new diet or exercise programme?  If so, are you still going strong?  Or like me, did your good intentions begin to slip several days ago?

by Janet Wilson, Dernier Publishing

As Christian parents, none of us ever think that our children are going to leave the church. It’s unimaginable!

But the reality is, around half of all children who are brought up in church, walk away from the faith of their parents. That hurts, doesn’t it?

Most people nod and smile politely when they ask me what I do, and I tell them I’m a publisher of Christian fiction for young people, but when I applied for a visa to visit a certain country in SE Asia a few years ago, I had a totally different reaction.

by Joanne Gilchrist, author of God for Kids app and books

I think the line from the Westminster Shorter Catechism “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever” is inspired. It is an excellent answer to the overarching purpose of the human race. But that’s not enough. In those moments of personal crisis when we question our purpose, direction and even existence, we need a deeply personal answer from our deeply personal God. 

by Amy Scott Robinson

“As I once wrote in a series of Tiny Advent Poems, Advent is like turning out the lights before you bring in the birthday cake. The celebration afterwards is just not the same without it.”

by Jenny Sanders, Children's Author

Have you ever seen a caterpillar turn into a butterfly? Nature is amazing! A butterfly looks completely different from a caterpillar. It seems like a brand new creature; that’s because it goes through a massive change. The caterpillar hides inside a chrysalis for two to four weeks before it breaks out and emerges, totally transformed.

The butterfly becomes strong by pushing its way out of that chrysalis. If you try to help it by taking the outer covering off, it may never be able to fly because it won’t have grown strong enough. That struggle is what makes it the beautiful creature it is.

by Margi McAllister

God is no good at limits. Giving is what He does.

A while ago I was commissioned by Lion Publishing to produce a book about Women of the Bible. I started with Mrs Noah (yes, I know what you’re thinking, but there must have been a Mrs Noah) and worked my way up to Lydia. I really took to Lydia.