Creative Ways To Share The Good News With North Korea

Last updated on: July 6, 2025 at 2:43 pm By Alice H. Murray

North Korea, referred to as the Hermit Kingdom, isolates itself to the extreme from the rest of the world. Its government tightly controls the country’s borders. Political isolation is one thing, but Christians do not want North Koreans kept from hearing about Jesus. As a result, believers have used creative ways to share the Good News such as by bottles, balloons, broadcasts. Background On North Korea The eastern Asian country of North Korea occupies the northern half of the Korean... Read more

Mahmoud: Parents’ Religious Freedom In Education

Last updated on: June 29, 2025 at 10:49 pm By Alice H. Murray

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Mark Friday, June 27th as a red letter day at the US Supreme Court. Not only was it the last day of the term for the highest court in the land, but the justices released a handful of highly anticipated decisions. Among them was Mahmoud v. Taylor, arising from the reading of LGBTQ+ books in public elementary school classrooms. Parents turned to the courts when denied the opportunity to opt-out their children from this instruction based on religious objections. The... Read more

Marked Man? Ayatollah Khamenei

Last updated on: June 22, 2025 at 7:59 am By Alice H. Murray

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With turmoil in the Middle East, one man sits in the bullseye. He’s not just any man. He’s the supreme leader of Iran, a position held in his grip for over three and a half decades. The marked man? Ayatollah Khamenei. What should we know about this religious/governmental figure and why is he an assassination target? The Government of Ayatollah Khamenei Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is Iran’s supreme leader, its head of state, and the highest political and religious authority of... Read more

Need To Be Calm In Today’s World? Try The Serenity Prayer

Last updated on: June 15, 2025 at 10:47 pm By Alice H. Murray

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Today’s unsettled world offers little in the way of calmness and peace. War continues to rage in Ukraine. Israel and Iran are exchanging missile volleys. Airplane crashes result in tragic deaths. Political divisions in the United States run deep giving rise to protests requiring military intervention. All the average person can really do in the midst of such strife is to pray. Need to feel at peace? Try The Serenity Prayer. The Benefits Of Prayer In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul... Read more

Of Faith and Fishermen – Destin’s Blessing Of The Fleet

Last updated on: June 10, 2025 at 8:45 pm By Alice H. Murray

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Think no connection exists between fishing and faith? The New Testament might indicate otherwise with at least four of Jesus’ disciples—Peter (also called Simon), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), and John (James’ brother)—working as fishermen. In modern times, the vacation destination of beautiful Destin, Florida offers a bridge between fishing and faith with its decades-old annual Blessing of the Fleet. Fishermen In Jesus’ Day In Bible times, fishing was a common occupation, especially around the Mediterranean Sea and... Read more

Immigration Impacts Religious Workers

Last updated on: May 31, 2025 at 6:29 pm By Alice H. Murray

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News stories on immigration currently focus on the apprehension of individuals illegally in the country captured for deportation. Nevertheless, those foreigners aren’t the only ones immigration laws concern. In fact, foreigners legally in the US as religious workers now face being forced to leave the country too. As a result, immigration impacts religious workers negatively as well as the churches and people they serve. Immigration And Foreign Religious Workers Foreigners legally entering the US include many religious workers. In fact,... Read more

Pope Leo’s Augustinian Order – Foundation For His Papacy

Last updated on: May 25, 2025 at 5:49 pm By Alice H. Murray

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Newly installed Pope Leo XIV brings more than one first with him to the high religious office. Not only is he the first pope in history from the United States, but the former Cardinal Prevost/Father Bob is also the first pope from the Order of St. Augustine (OSA). While the spotlight has shone on the significance of the new pope’s name to what his papacy will be like, the roots of his religious order provide insight as well. Pope Leo’s... Read more

Chiclayo – Prevost’s Pope Preparation

Last updated on: May 16, 2025 at 7:30 am By Alice H. Murray

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The announcement of the first pope from the United States stunned the world on May 8, 2025. But while now Pope Leo XIV calls Chicago his hometown, Chiclayo, Peru holds a special place in the former Cardinal Prevost’s heart. And that South American location greatly contributed to Prevost’s pope preparation. Prevost’s Peruvian Connection Born on the South Side of Chicago in 1955, Robert Prevost was ordained in 1982. He later traveled to Peru as a missionary, specifically being assigned to Chulucanas during 1985... Read more

Sistine Chapel – Past History And History In The Making

Last updated on: May 7, 2025 at 12:13 pm By Alice H. Murray

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All eyes are on the Sistine Chapel this week as the College of Cardinals convenes for a conclave to elect the next pope. The centuries old chapel has played an important role in the Catholic Church’s history and will now be the site for history in the making. Learning more about the Sistine Chapel adds to the awe and mystery of the newsworthy location. What Is The Sistine Chapel? The Sistine Chapel serves as the pope’s own chapel, and principal papal... Read more

Mennonites Make Their Mark In Belize

Last updated on: April 29, 2025 at 1:51 pm By Alice H. Murray

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Hearing the word Belize may evoke thoughts of palm trees, scuba diving, and Mayan ruins. Mennonites, however, are highly unlikely to be associated with the Central American country. But surprisingly, this religious group maintains a presence there, and Mennonites make their mark in Belize. Belize Basics Located on the northeastern coast of Central America, the tiny, subtropical country of Belize resembles a rhombus in shape. Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the south and east, and the Caribbean Sea to... Read more