Discerning Wise and Foolish Behavior

Last updated on: June 3, 2025 at 4:57 pm By Lee Ann B. Marino

The parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) illustrates the importance of being ready when Jesus returns. In an immediate sense, it shows us the importance of wise behavior and the consequences of foolish behavior. A number of parables illustrate points much like this same one, often in connection with eschatological themes. Why is such important when we think about our relationship with God? Why is wisdom important – especially in light of foolish behavior? Words on the... Read more

Looking at God Beyond God as Father

Last updated on: June 3, 2025 at 7:12 pm By Lee Ann B. Marino

Perhaps the most common reference we see to God – outside of using the term “God” – is the idea of God as Father. This is a Scriptural idea, one powerful in its reference point. As with every image, title, and concept of God, it exists to teach us things about God in language we can understand. Throughout history, the image of God as Father has inspired faith, artwork, song lyrics, and more as people muse on the concept of... Read more

Six Reasons People Attend Church That Aren’t About Doctrine

Last updated on: May 4, 2025 at 10:27 pm By Lee Ann B. Marino

In many churches I’ve attended, it’s often implied that people attend a church because they believe in the doctrines of that group. Though an unchallenged notion, statistics often reveal that many churchgoers don’t attend religious services for doctrinal reasons. While doctrine is definitely part of why many find themselves at home among church fellowship, it’s not the only reason. There are many in this world who seek haven in church for different reasons, none of which have to do with... Read more

Don’t Neglect Christian Hospitality

Last updated on: May 4, 2025 at 10:27 pm By Lee Ann B. Marino

Once upon a time, a discussion online encouraging ministers to go overseas caused me to think about international ministry travel. The discussion got very interesting as multiple individuals from overseas started making bold requests for people to come to their groups and assemblies. A discussion to encourage American ministers to seek God about going beyond their comfort zones quickly turned into a commercial for every foreign ministry to petition Americans to work for them. The requests were, and are, always... Read more

Stories of Rebirth: The History of Ancient Flood Myths

Last updated on: May 2, 2025 at 7:17 pm By Lee Ann B. Marino

Most growing up in church are familiar with the Biblical Old Testament story of Noah and the flood. It is what’s classified as a “flood myth.” As the Bible tells us, humanity’s wickedness led to a great flood, one which wiped off just about everyone on the planet. The exception was the righteous Noah and his immediate family (sons, daughters-in-law, and wife). Given over one hundred years for humanity to turn around, Noah’s obedience to God rendered him righteous, and... Read more

5 Biblical Figures Who Experienced Mental Health Episodes

Last updated on: May 15, 2025 at 12:48 am By Lee Ann B. Marino

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This means during the month of May, we should pay special attention to fostering mental health among congregations and fellow Christians. While the past few years have inspired many great conversations about mental health, we can always do more to end the stigma surrounding it. When people experience mental health episodes (whether ongoing or periodic), there’s no shame in getting help. The more we discuss mental health in a healthy way, the better we,... Read more

Christian Women: Surrounded by so Great a Cloud of Witnesses

Last updated on: May 4, 2025 at 10:26 pm By Lee Ann B. Marino

Lucy Burns was a suffragist. She was arrested, beaten, and thrown in jail without cause by police. Her crime? She was a woman with a message the powers that be did not like. She broke no legal laws, only the social mores of her time. While we may not hear much of her in history class, Lucy Burns was a history maker. Are you aware that Christian women have the call to be just that – to be history makers?... Read more

We are Called to be Christian Leaders in Unity

Last updated on: April 19, 2025 at 5:56 pm By Lee Ann B. Marino

Most of us know the great command we have to edify the church, Christ’s body. Leaders in particular hear this command in their callings. Ephesians 4:11 speaks of the leadership offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, and bids us to all work together as Christian leaders in unity. We work in the edification of the church until Jesus Christ returns. In edification, we build up the body and reach maturity this side of heaven. The call to leadership... Read more

Why Trees Matter Across the Religious Spectrum

Last updated on: April 19, 2025 at 5:56 pm By Lee Ann B. Marino

Did you know that trees hold spiritual relevance across religious lines? Throughout the world, trees are important symbols of religious faith, inspiration, and spiritual devotion. With the upcoming observance known as Arbor Day, people worldwide stop and pause to consider the value and necessity of planting trees. Dating back to Spain in 1594, Arbor Day reminds us all that trees are an important of our ecological system. In a spiritual sense, trees teach several different values to people of various... Read more

Parables Outside of the New Testament

Last updated on: January 29, 2025 at 7:13 pm By Lee Ann B. Marino

Last week, we explored the world of New Testament parables. The parables of Jesus are among the most famous stories in the Bible. Short, sweet, to-the-point, and relatively easy to understand (at least most of the time), parables are great stories that illustrate important points of faith. As an unexpected surprise, however, there are parables outside of the New Testament! the tradition pre-dates New Testament times. Likewise, there are various examples of parables – or stories like them – both... Read more