Chiclayo – Prevost’s Pope Preparation

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

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

Hyssop – In History and Health

Last updated on: April 18, 2025 at 2:21 pm By Alice H. Murray

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The familiar account of Jesus’ crucifixion contains a reference to something which may not be familiar to believers. While on the cross, Jesus expressed His thirst. A sponge soaked in wine vinegar was lifted to Him on a hyssop stalk. The fact the biblical account specifically identifies the plant indicates its importance. So what is hyssop? Easter provides a wonderful time to learn more about hyssop – in history and health. What’s Hyssop? Hyssop is an evergreen plant native to... Read more

The Worth of Wilderness Wandering

Last updated on: April 13, 2025 at 6:05 pm By Alice H. Murray

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The Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt provides one of the most familiar and exciting stories in the Old Testament. But getting out from under Pharaoh’s thumb did not provide God’s people with an immediate happy ending. After gaining their freedom, the former slaves then spent forty years wandering in the wilderness en route to the Promised Land. While difficult, this experience proved valuable, and, in retrospect, the worth of wilderness wandering is evident. The Story of Wilderness Wandering The... Read more

Five Tips To Experience The Best Easter Ever

Last updated on: April 6, 2025 at 1:31 pm By Alice H. Murray

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On April 20th, Christians will celebrate Easter, the most important holiday of our faith. Other than attending Easter services, though, how do we observe this foundational season of Christianity? Are we merely caught up in the secular observances of Easter such as preparing Easter baskets and holding egg hunts? Five tips provide a way for Christians to experience the best Easter ever spiritually. Secular/Insignificant Celebration Of Easter? While celebrating Christmas seems to start earlier each year, Easter comes and goes... Read more

Via Maris – Man’s Route Versus God’s Route

Last updated on: March 25, 2025 at 2:51 pm By Alice H. Murray

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Planning for a journey, whether it be travel or one’s life, includes choosing the best route. Unsurprisingly God’s selection of the best path for His children may not be what we view as best. The story of the Israelites fleeing Egypt en route to the Promised Land offers a real-life example of the stark difference between man’s route versus God’s route. The Bible Story After enduring ten plagues, Pharaoh finally relented and let God’s people go as Moses had requested.... Read more

Bible and Christian Book Sales Are Soaring

Last updated on: March 21, 2025 at 2:45 pm By Alice H. Murray

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Read a good book lately? Perhaps that book was the Good Book. The Christian publishing industry takes in billions of dollars in sales annually, with purchases of the Bible currently soaring. Beyond Bible sales soaring, though, other faith-based materials from Christian publishers appeal to readers and impact the face and future of that publishing industry. The History of Christian Publishing Since Christianity’s beginning, Christian writing has existed although not initially in printed form. Early Christian writers focused on penning letters... Read more

What’s Precious? Rubies And Wisdom

Last updated on: March 7, 2025 at 8:25 am By Alice H. Murray

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Using the word “precious” typically evokes thoughts of gemstones. But are those physical items what’s really the most precious thing to humans? Not according to the Bible. What does the Good Book say is precious? Rubies and wisdom, but wisdom gets top billing. Precious Gemstones The characterization of precious means viewing something as valuable, important, or scarce. Only four gemstones in the world have traditionally been considered precious. These include diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. In the ancient world, rubies were... Read more

DOGE – Department of Godly Efficiency

Last updated on: March 2, 2025 at 6:21 pm By Alice H. Murray

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Waste, fraud, and abuse are the buzzwords resounding through the halls of government buildings in Washington, D. C. currently. Through creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly referred to as DOGE, President Trump embarked on a mission to eradicate their presence in federal government operations. But the federal government is not the only place waste, fraud, and abuse occurs. Believers could benefit from creating their own DOGE – Department of Godly Efficiency. Creation of DOGE On January 20, 2025,... Read more

What does Paul say godliness with what is great gain?