Five must-have apps for Christian women

We are often at our most reflective during the beginning and ending of a year. We find ourselves taking stock of what we have done and what we could have done.

This is a great exercise but can lead to disappointment and lethargy if it’s not channelled properly.

As we are still a few short months into the new year, I decided to share five apps that are a great arsenal for Christian women.

You may find that you already have some of these, which would be great. I have also included examples of apps you can get in each of these categories.

I believe having the right resources is the first step to making better changes and improvements in our lives.

Here’s to a better you.

 

Five apps you should have on your phone today

These apps have been categorised under five broad areas with examples and personal suggestions under each.

1. A Bible app

The Bible is one of the most important resources available to a Christian.

You will notice that I didn’t say it’s the most important and the reason is simple – the Bible is not the essence of Christianity, God is.

Even where we do not have access to a Bible, we will still have access to God.

The Bible is an incredible guide that gives us a glimpse of God’s heart, through the ages. And it is one way in which the Holy Spirit reveals God’s will and promises to his children.

There are quite a few Bible apps and related resources. Here are a few suggestions:

Youversion – includes over a 100 Bible translations and thousands of Bible plans and devotionals. Always a great choice.

IF:Equip – the IF App is a treasure trove of high quality, curated Bible plans and devotionals. One of the reasons why I love this app is that it is structured as a teaching experience. I’m not just reading a devotional but learning. Right now, I’m doing an IF study on the history of the church. It’s called Anno Domini.

Did I mention that many of the studies include audio and video elements? It’s truly a fantastic resource.

2. A Notes App

How do you record things that come to mind? Where do you store new ideas, interesting facts and even your goals?

It’s been said that one of the most powerful ways to get something done is to ‘write it down’.

I fully subscribe to this.

My Dad used to tell me that I can’t always trust my brain to remember everything. He was so right.

But beyond the recording thing, a notes app can provide a means for collaboration, working on personal projects, on the go and trying new things. It’s always a win-win-win.

There are so many options out there, including the notes’ function that comes with most mobile phones. Here are a few additional ideas:

Evernote – allows you create folders and store notes in each folder. I have been using Evernote since 2013, and in that time, I have created over 60 folders and hundreds of notes. For instance, I often start a draft blog posts on the app, including this one.

You can also store website links, videos and other resources on the app. I believe they have free and paid options. I’m using the free option.

Google Docs – anyone who has ever collaborated on a work project is probably familiar with Google Docs. It took me awhile to join the GD train because of my love for Microsoft word but I couldn’t deny that the functionality of GD made it a better option for collaborative work.

Simple note – simple note is a very basic and ‘simple’ app for note taking. I often use this app when I’m in my reflective zone or want to journal online (I usually use a paper journal).

 

3. A Reference App

If you’re anything like me then you often come across new words that leave you stumped. You may promise yourself that you will check it up later but never do.

To combat this, I added a dictionary/thesaurus app and it’s been one of my go to apps.

A reference app provides a quick resource guide to check/confirm information.

It could be a list of search terms in a particular area – I once got a reference app of Psychology terms. Lol. There are similar apps for different fields of interest.

The obvious and more general options are:

Dictionaries/Thesaurus – I use the Merriam Webster’s dictionary, which is free. You can also try Oxford dictionary etc. Though I think you may have to pay for these.

Concordance.

4. A Productivity/ Wellness app

A productivity app is simply an app that increases your output or makes your life easier/more focused. Some productivity apps may be time based, like the pomodoro timer apps that help you focus on tasks for a specific amount of time.

It could also be an app that organises different parts of a work project. Slack and Trello are some popular options.

Maybe you need a virtual planner or task list such as Todoist, Remember the Milk, and Evernote.

Some productivity apps can also block distractions or limit web usage. The Freedom app can limit your access to certain websites and resources.

Rather than having too many apps, you can streamline the areas in which you need help.

Perhaps, your major concern is on time management- a timer or website blocking app may be the way to go. You could also try out a wellness app if you’re trying to exercise regularly or monitor your eating and sleeping habits.

Be willing to try out different options till you get what works for you.

5. A Learning App

‘If you’re not learning, you’re dying.’

I’m trying to remember where I heard that but it may be that I just made it up. But the lesson is clear.

One of the biggest gifts of being alive in the 21st century is that we have unlimited access to knowledge. There is so much to learn, and a lot of it for little to no money. Wouldn’t it be sad if we didn’t make the most of this opportunity?

This is not a call to go crazy by signing up to courses you don’t need or don’t intend to continue but an invitation to improve your skills and achieve your goals.

Are there particular things you want to learn or improve on? Probably. Most of us have a long list of things we want to be better at but hardly ever take the necessary action. 

One major area is language learning.

The average person wants to speak more than one language but never really takes it seriously. There are so many options out there.

I have used Duolingo in the past. It’s great for basic learning and the game structure makes it fun. Other options include Memrise, Busuu and Rosetta Stone.

For more general courses, you can try online learning platforms like Cousera or EdX. Through these platforms, you can access the most complex – coding, robotics, mathematics to the most mundane – de cluttering, work habits, amongst others.

 

Bonus app category:

6. A Reading App

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Dr Seuss

Gosh! I love books.

As someone who currently reads about a dozen books a month, most of it online, I know how important reading apps can be.

Reading is one of those gifts that keeps on giving. Depending on the type of book and the quality of the writing, reading gives us a chance to be entertained while learning new concepts and improving our vocabulary. It’s another win-win-win.

I not aware of many reading apps out there though I assume there will be. But here are a few options to check out:

Kindle – connected to the Amazon account. You can’t buy books on kindle but it’s a great platform to read books from a wide array of categories.

iBooks – this is an all-in-one option. You can buy books directly, read books and also download books from other sources to the platfrom. iBooks usually comes with the IPhone but I hear you may be able to get it on the Android store.

iBooks also provides free titles. Most of the books in my iBooks library are free. Many of them are classic fiction, contemporary fiction(especially romance, many are a bit dodgy), biographies and productivity books.

Libby – Libby is another great option though I don’t believe it’s a stand-alone app. I got my Libby account through my local library, which uses the Overdrive book catalog. You can find our if your library is part of the Overdrive Library catalog, or if they have some other relationship.

Okada Books – This platform has a huge array of African titles and books by African authors. Most of the books are moderately priced and very affordable.

 

Finding the app that is right for you

While I have shared information on 6 different types of apps that you should consider getting, it is good to remember that you make the ultimate decision.

You get to decide what you need and when you need it. You may even find that you prefer analog options to digital apps. That’s okay too.

What truly matters is that we make the most of the moments, using our time and opportunities wisely.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV

Do you have any other apps you have found helpful? Do share in the comments.