Christian Women In The UK

Women of the Bible: Michal Daughter of Saul

In this episode, we take a deep and reflective look at the life of Michal—the daughter of King Saul and the first wife of David. Her story, often overlooked, is one of love, loyalty, betrayal, and lingering bitterness. Scripture tells us that Michal loved David deeply. In a courageous act of devotion, she risked her own safety to help him escape when her father sought his life. She lowered David out of a window and even misled Saul’s messengers to protect him. Yet despite her love and sacrifice, Michal’s life was marked by instability and pain. While David was on the run, Saul took her from her home and gave her to another man—treating her more as a bargaining chip than a beloved daughter. Later, when David became king, she was taken back again, torn between households, men, and political motives. As the years passed, the fractures in her relationship with David became more visible. By the time she chastised David for dancing before the Lord, her heart was marked by disappointment and bitterness. Scripture notes that she remained childless until her death—symbolic of a life where joy had been stifled and where she seemed unable to enter fully into the worship and presence of God that surrounded the covenant community. In a time when women should have been protected and cherished by the men in their lives, Michal was repeatedly mishandled, misunderstood, and overlooked. Her story invites us to explore the emotional and spiritual consequences of deep wounds—how unhealed hurt can harden into bitterness, and how bitterness can distance us from God’s presence. Join us as we unpack Michal’s life, her pain, her choices, and the lessons her story offers us today. We reflect on how God sees and cares for those who have been wounded, how He calls us to process pain in His presence, and how He invites us toward healing so that bitterness does not take root in our hearts. This episode encourages an honest examination of our own hurts, pointing us back to the God who restores, redeems, and invites us into wholeness.

Truth, Grace &The Way We Speak

In this episode, we begin our conversation with the powerful reminder found in **Colossians 4:6**—a call for our speech to be gracious, seasoned with salt, and reflective of the character of Christ. As believers, we are commanded to speak truth, but to do so with grace, compassion, and humility. And before we can ever hope to communicate the gospel well, we must first recognise a foundational truth: **we are sinners who have received immeasurable grace ourselves**.We revisit **Matthew 12**, where Jesus reminds us that every careless word spoken will one day be brought into account. This sobering reminder urges us to slow down, reflect, and consider the weight and impact of our words—especially in an age when opinions are loud, emotions run high, and debates often eclipse Christlike compassion.As we unpack what it means to be **ambassadors for Christ**, we return to the heart of our mission: the **Great Commission**. Before anything else, our highest calling is to point people to Jesus—to bring them to the foot of the Cross where true transformation happens. We trust that the **blood of Christ**, which washes us whiter than snow, is the very power that changes hearts, renews minds, and shapes lives to look more and more like Him.Join us as we reflect on the responsibility and privilege of representing Christ in our everyday conversations. How do we balance truth and grace? How do we keep the gospel at the center? And how do we ensure our words draw people toward Jesus rather than push them away?This episode invites you to pause, reflect, and recommit to using your voice in a way that honours Christ—graciously, truthfully, and purposefully.

The Gift of Praise: In Good Times and Hard Times

In this episode, we take a heartfelt and honest look at praise—what it means, why it matters, and how we can genuinely praise God not only in the joyful, mountaintop seasons of life but also in the valleys when we feel weary, discouraged, or overwhelmed. We begin by exploring what praise looks like in the good times, when gratitude flows easily and God’s blessings feel tangible. But then we move deeper, asking the harder questions: How do we maintain a posture of praise when life is painful? When doors close, when uncertainty sets in, or when prayers feel unanswered? Through scripture, reflection, and practical insight, we talk about how cultivating a real relationship with God transforms our ability to praise Him. When we know His character—His faithfulness, His goodness, His mercy, His sovereignty—we begin to trust Him beyond what we see. This trust becomes the anchor that helps us call on Him in times of trouble and offer Him praise even when our hearts are fragile. We also explore the powerful benefits of praising God in hard times. Praise comforts us, shifts our internal posture, and lifts our gaze away from our circumstances and toward the One who remains unchanging. Praise reorients our hearts, reminding us that God is our sustainer, our source of strength, and the One who walks with us through every storm. It helps us see our struggles through a heavenly lens rather than a purely earthly one. And ultimately, we reflect on this profound truth: even if God never gave us another blessing, what Jesus accomplished on Calvary would still be more than enough reason to praise Him for the rest of our lives. Our salvation in Christ is secure. Our hope is eternal. And that alone gives us a firm foundation for worship. Whether you are in a season of celebration or facing challenges you never expected, this episode invites you to discover the transformative, healing, and life-giving power of praise. Join us as we learn what it means to praise God in every season—and how doing so draws us closer to His heart.

Doctrines: Complementing Guardrails Not Biblical Replacements

In this episode, we dive deep into the rich and sometimes misunderstood world of **doctrines**—what they are, where the concept originated, why they matter, and how they function within the life of a believer.We begin by exploring the roots of the word *doctrine* itself, tracing it back to its basic meaning: **a set of teachings or instructions**. We look at how doctrines developed in the early church, why the apostles used them, and how they have shaped Christian understanding throughout history. From foundational teachings that safeguard core truths to the more nuanced interpretations that have emerged across different traditions, we unpack how doctrine became an essential part of Christian formation and discipleship.From there, we examine the **various types of doctrines** you’re likely to encounter—core doctrines, denominational interpretations, theological frameworks, and even cultural or traditional practices that sometimes get labeled as doctrine. We talk through how to recognize the differences and how to approach each one with discernment, humility, and biblical grounding.A major theme in this episode is understanding doctrine’s **proper place** in the Christian life. Doctrines are valuable—they help us articulate our faith, understand Scripture more clearly, and guard against confusion or error. But they are **not** meant to overshadow the Bible itself. We discuss why doctrines should remain *subservient* to Scripture, always pointing back to biblical truth rather than replacing or competing with it.We offer practical guidance for how believers can engage with doctrine in a healthy, balanced way:* How to evaluate a doctrine without fear or defensiveness* How to appreciate differences without compromising truth* How to stay rooted in Scripture when encountering new or unfamiliar teachings* How doctrinal humility can actually deepen unity within the body of ChristWhether you're someone who loves deep theological study or someone who gets overwhelmed by the word *doctrine*, this episode will help you see how these teachings—when handled rightly—can enrich your faith rather than complicate it.Join us as we peel back the layers of doctrine, rediscover its purpose, and learn how to let biblical truth remain central in every part of our Christian walk.

Women of the Bible: Mary Wife of Clopas & Mary Mother of John Mark

this episode of our series on the women of the Bible, we explore the lives of two significant Marys: Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary, the mother of John Mark, who is widely believed to be the author of the Gospel of Mark—later known as Mark the Evangelist. We focus especially on the theme of hospitality in evangelism. Mary, the mother of John Mark, opened her home to the early church in the book of Acts, offering a safe and welcoming space for believers to gather and pray. We consider how her example of courageous hospitality may have helped shape her son’s faith, character, and passion for spreading the gospel. The episode also highlights the power of second chances. After John Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, Paul was hesitant to bring him again. Yet Barnabas saw potential where others saw failure. He advocated for John Mark, offering him another opportunity—and history shows that Mark rose to it. His story reminds us not to be people who quickly cancel or write others off, but to believe in redemption, restoration, and the possibility of transformation. Let’s be people who practice grace, extend hospitality, and believe in the power of second chances.