Anna interviews her friend Anna Risbridger about life in her 20's and the challenges and joys it brings.  They talk about transitions and choices, moving, making friends, churches and seeking God's guidance and contentment in each one. Anna shares some of the challenges of the 'Is this all there is?' syndrome of working and the daily grind and talks a bit about the temptation of identity building in each new area of life.As well as some top tips for how those the other side of our twenties can help those we know in that stage of life.Anna R's verse that has helped her  learn to find joy as we fix our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12 v1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.Book recommendation: 'Is this it?' By Rachel JonesPlus Anna and Charley share their favourite festive foodie treats!

Anna chats to Charley about the issue of Miscarriage.  A topic that has been in the news a lot recently with some high profile people talking about their experiences.Anna shares her personal experience of her own miscarriage and they talk about what Christians can say of importance into the conversation.  As 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage chances are there are a lot of people around that have been touched by this.Verse for the episodePsalm 139 v 13-1613For you created my inmost being;    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;    your works are wonderful,    I know that full well.15 My frame was not hidden from you    when I was made in the secret place,    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;    all the days ordained for me were written in your book    before one of them came to be.If you want to explore more https://www.sayinggoodbye.org/ is a great place to start, for information, for stories and for ideas for commemorating life lost.Books include; 'Held' by Abbie Wedgeworth https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/26451/held'Ours' by Eric Schumacher offers biblical comfort for men grieving miscarriagehttps://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/ours'For all who grieve' Navigating the Valley of Sorrow and Loss by Colin S Smithhttps://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/25826/for-all-who-grieve 

Anna speaks to Liv Chapman from EMU music about the role of music in faith corporately and individually.  She shares some of her own experiences of living on different continents and how its helped her longing for a heavenly home.We hear how she thinks through what to write songs about, how the new EMU album 'Joy in Sorrow' came about and how it can help us to lament.Check out how to support the work of EMU music, buy their new album and partner with Liv at www.emumusic.com 

Charley and Anna talk about what is prayer and what it's not. Why we find it so hard to pray and what things might help in pursuit of a better prayer life.Verse for the episode is 1 Thessalonians 5 v16-18'Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.'Resources recommended include:Paul Miller 'A Praying Life'Timothy Keller 'Prayer; experiencing awe and intimacy with God'Julian Hardyman 'Fresh Pathways in Prayer''Prayers of an Excellent Wife' by Andrew Case'Praying through the Bible for your Children' Nancy Guthrie'I'm Praying for you' Nancy Guthrie'The Valley of Vision; Puritan Prayers'App;  Prayermate

In this episode we talk about why gratitude is such an important topic for this moment in history.Biblical ideas of gratitude and why its more than the mumbled grace at the dinner table or the forced thank you cards we make the kids write.We think about what stops us from being grateful including affliction, doubt and busyness. Finally we talk about how we can show gratitude/make the choice to be grateful despite our circumstances.We go to a few places in the Bible in this episode, here are the verses from Habakuk;Hab 3 17-19. 'Though the fig tree does not bd and there are no grapes on the vines….yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.'We talk about a few books we have enjoyed reading on this topic:Peter Maiden 'Radical Gratitude'Mary Moehler 'Growing in Gratitude'Paul Mallard 'The Grace of Gratitude'

We introduce ourselves for new listeners and catch up a little on our Summer. We introduce this coming series. 

In this episode Charley shares some of her experience's as a thirty something singleton.We talk about how the Christian's view of singleness as a gift from God is different from that of the world's and maybe different from our heart's.Then we talk about some of the Myths of Singleness that Sam Allberry highlight's in his book '7 Myths of Singleness.'We think about how Churches and Friends can best look out for those who are single before ending with a section about how to do singleness well.Note: This episode is not addressing the issue of dating.Verse of the Episode;1 Corinthians 732-3532 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. Resources; Sam Allberry '7 Myths of Singleness'Marshall Segal 'Not yet Married'

Our amazing friends Doreen and James talk about their story of adoption. They also remind us of the amazing picture of God adopting us and encourage us to all rejoice on this amazing truth. Practical hints and tips for supporting families adopting in the church too. This episode was recorded in April, so Anna talks about snow! 

What is Self Care?Hot topic at the moment as lots of us are struggling to transition back to ‘normal life’ after pandemic lockdown, especially with navigating the increased demands on time with outside commitments.  How can we look after ourselves?We go through the positives of Self Care and look at a few examples of it in the Bible before thinking about how we can expand our definition to include soul care.We start to examine some of the potential problems Christians might have with self care if it tips over into self indulgence. As well as the dangers of self denial and a saviour complex.We finish by trying to draw out some principles for finding a middle way by following Jesus' example and offer some questions to help us all examine where our own hearts are in this issue.Only God’s care can help sustain us and help make us more like Christ with or without self care strategies.

We recorded this just after Easter so our encouragements are from a few weeks ago. We interview Charley's friend Salome Laschinger who is a counsellor therapist who works with children and young people in schools as well as adults in private work. She shares her tips on how to keep mentally well and how to help others who might need counselling and how to choose one. She shares how her faith impacts her work.  In the episode Salome mentions her favourite scripture for counselling as The Serenity Prayer, whilst this is based on biblical principles it is not actually found in scripture.