Life Matters

A selection of thoughtful articles that confront common problems and issues that we all experience.

Latest Articles

  • An anxious woman

    Anxiety attacks? 03 May 2012

    We all experience anxiety but how can you handle it?

  • ANZAC biscuits

    ANZAC Day traditions 19 April 2012

    ANZAC Day traditions; do you know where they come from?

  • The easter bunny

    Who is the Easter bunny? 04 April 2012

    Our Easter traditions make a lot more sense on the other side of the world, where they originated...

  • Email etiquette

    Email etiquette 30 March 2012

    Probably the best advice for email etiquette is ‘type unto others as you would have them type unto you’.

  • How can i remember names?

    How to remember names? 12 March 2012

    Just like playing the piano or taking up a sport, remembering names takes practise—until eventually we can make it look easy! Here are some practical exercises that really help:

  • Brainstorming

    Brainstorming 28 February 2012

    To ‘brainstorm’ means using the brain to storm a creative problem. A great brainstorming resource is A Whack on the Side of the Head, by Roger van Oech.

  • Valentine's Day kiss

    Finding true love? 09 February 2012

    Sigh. It’s that time of the year again when ‘love, true love’ is promoted on every heart-adorned shop window.

  • Back to school child

    Back to school 26 January 2012

    Facing a new school year is a major life change and it can be stressful. So how can you help your child through this?

  • gift box

    Re-gifting (with integrity) 25 January 2012

    Re-gifting is passing on your unwanted items as if they were new. How can you do this with integrity?

  • Time clock

    Budgeting your time 25 January 2012

    Live by the time-tested motto: ‘eight hours work, eight hours recreation, and eight hours rest’.

  • Granny with spoon dispersing advice

    Eco Tips From Your Granny 10 January 2012

    Being more eco-friendly doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, you can start by going back to how your grandparents did it.

  • New Year Revolution

    New Year Revolution 01 January 2012

    For anyone wanting to make changes this year, Dr Alana Wilson has a message: ‘You can do it. It’s always possible to change.’

  • Woman holiding a present in front of parents

    Gift Giving with Less Stress 12 December 2011

    Simplify the tradition of gift-giving and recapture the joy of Christmas along the way.

  • Family meal time

    Family mealtimes 03 December 2011

    A study by the Families Commission reports that taking time to share a family meal has far-reaching health and wellbeing benefits for young people.

  • Andrew Strugnell at Machu Picchu

    Man vs. World 31 October 2011

    It’s important to be mindful that there are things bigger than ourselves, and give back with our resources and skills.

  • Man with a rugby ball

    Shooting at Two Goals 06 September 2011

    Jesus said, ‘You cannot serve both God and money’ (Matthew 6:24), so would he say the same thing about God and sport?

  • What our readers say

    What do our readers say? 14 August 2011

    Readers feedback on life's questions.

  • Jar of m&m candy

    How to Spend Money 07 July 2011

    Author of The New Zealand Household Budget Kit Sylvia is passionate about budgeting. She says a budget is what allows the adventure to happen.

  • Woman doing yoga

    Is Yoga Okay? 26 June 2011

    Yoga has exploded in popularity. But should Christians partake?

  • Greaving crowd

    After a sudden death 27 March 2011

    The grief of those bereaved in natural disasters, road accidents, violent crimes or suicide is different.

  • Wedding Rings

    Torn between two lovers... 12 February 2011

    Some personal and biblical insights on the ‘spiritual singleness’ of marriage to a non-Christian.

  • Prison wall

    Break Free from Porn 09 November 2010

    Everyone has at least one area of weakness. For some, that area of weakness is pornography.

  • Give the Gift of Time 18 April 2010

    Alison Shaw, coordinator of the New Lynn branch of Senior Services, with hints for helping the elderly avoid social isolation.

  • blueprints

    A Blueprint for Life 24 March 2010

    The Easter story is not just for the weekend.

  • Schoolchildren cheering

    Looking at Balance 25 January 2010

    One school lesson, reinforced by timetables and bells, is the importance of balance: fitting a variety of tasks and experiences into a day.

  • Empty glass

    Why do Salvation Army soldiers choose not to drink alcohol? 22 October 2009

    Salvation Army soldiers (members) adopt a lifestyle free from alcohol and tobacco. They also abstain from addictive drugs.

  • Wine glass full of water

    When did you last believe in Jesus? 09 October 2009

    Step out into new dimensions of faith and see what God will do.

  • Aged man sitting on bench

    What’s lost is nothing to what’s found 03 September 2009

    One of the great benefits of aging is having time to reflect.

  • Earth heart

    Environmental Habits 30 April 2009

    To reduce our nation's environmental footprint requires a decided attitude shift for many of us.

  • Kelly Jenkins and her family

    Hope Beyond the Blues 05 March 2009

    Post-natal depression was waiting on the other side of childbirth.

  • A couple kissing on the television

    At the Movies 09 February 2009

    Are we just passive observers at the flicks?

  • Deer butting heads

    Resorting to Force 12 November 2008

    To not use force need not be unmanly - it may be the most heroic and brave thing you can do.

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