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Israel, Gaza, and the Bible
First off, I want to say clearly that I am not a Zionist. That being said, I do support a Jewish homeland for historical, ethical, and security reasons. I oppose antisemitism and support Jewish safety. I affirm Israel’s right to exist as a modern state. I am also not okay with what is happening in Gaza. The suffering and starvation of civilians is wrong, and no covenant, government, or security claim excuses it. What I do not believe is that modern Israel is the kingdom of Go

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
2 days ago6 min read


LET’S TALK ABOUT THE EARLY CHURCH
For years, honestly, for decades, I’ve found myself curious about what the earliest Christians actually did. I’d read Scripture, look up passages, talk with friends who wondered about the same things, and think out loud about what church must have been like before buildings, denominations, and traditions developed. But I never did a super deep dive into the history behind it. I looked at the biblical pieces… but not always the context. Lately, something in me finally wanted t

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
7 days ago11 min read


Vespers: Trust at the Close of Day
Evening has always carried weight in the Christian life because evening is a threshold. It is the moment when labor ends, when vigilance fades and when the day is no longer something we can manage. Evening does not demand reflection or stillness from us; it exposes the reality that we must hand the day over. The ancient word for this hour is Vesper. Vesper comes from the Latin vespera, meaning evening. It does not mean night or sleep. It names the span of time after the sun h

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Jan 254 min read


Lent
What it Lent? How do Christians practice it, and how to approach it with clarity and conscience. Every year, Lent comes around and it tends to surface questions. Some are practical., some are theological and some are deeply personal. I have asked many of them myself. What exactly is Lent? Is it biblical, or tradition layered on top of Scripture? Why do some Christians observe it seriously while others avoid it entirely? And how do different traditions, including Messianic Jud

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Jan 248 min read


Children
Throughout Scripture, Jesus makes something unmistakably clear; children matter deeply to God. Jesus did not treat children as an interruption or a footnote. He welcomed them, defended them, and used them as living examples of faith. “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:14 “Whoever welcomes one such child in My name welcomes Me.” - Matthew 18:5 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Jan 104 min read


Did Jesus Really Go to Hell? Understanding What the Bible Actually Teaches
Did Jesus Really Go to Hell? This entire study began because I was reading through the Apostles’ Creed. One of the oldest summaries of Christian belief and a single line stopped me: “He descended into hell.” It made me pause. Honestly, it wasn’t a pause, it stopped me in my tracks. I grew up hearing different teachings, and suddenly I wondered… What does this actually mean? Does Scripture say Jesus went to hell? Why does the creed use that wording? That simple line led me int

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Jan 55 min read


Did Jesus Really Whip People or Tell His Disciples to Carry Swords? A Deep Dive Into Two Misunderstood Passages
I was recently having a conversation with my husband and two of his young friends. We were talking about the scripture, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” — Matthew 5:5 We were discussing how the word “meek” is often misunderstood today. Many people hear it and assume it means “weak,” “soft,” or “easily pushed around,” but that is not what Jesus meant. In the original language, meekness refers to power under control; like a trained war horse: strong, di

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Jan 44 min read


Why I Created My Newest Podcast “As You Lie Down”
I’ve struggled with insomnia on and off since high school. Over the years, I’ve tried many Christian sleep podcasts and bedtime routines. Some were helpful, most weren’t. The most common problem with podcasts and youtube sleep vidoes was loud ads. There is nothing worse than finally relaxing, only to be jolted awake by an unexpected advertisement or sudden shift in volume. For a sleep-focused podcast, that felt especially disruptive. You will never find that here. I wanted t

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Jan 15 min read


Five Groups That Call Themselves “Christian” — But Are Not
Beware, brothers and sisters and also beware if you are seeking. Scripture warns us repeatedly that not everyone who uses the name of Jesus is truly following Him. Some groups look Christian, sound Christian, quote Scripture, and even claim to be the “original” or “restored” church; yet they present a different Jesus, a different gospel, and a different path to salvation. Jesus Himself cautioned us: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly a

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 29, 202512 min read


Did Jesus Found the Catholic Church?
Did Jesus Found the Catholic Church? One of the most debated questions in Christianity is whether Jesus Himself founded the Catholic Church, or whether the Catholic Church developed later as one expression of the Christian faith. To answer this well, we must look carefully at Scripture, early Church history, and how different Christian traditions understand continuity with the apostolic Church. What Jesus Established (AD 30–33): Jesus did not leave behind a Vatican, canon law

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 28, 20254 min read


A Beginner’s Guide to Advent Wreaths
A Beginner’s Guide to Advent Wreaths: History, Meaning, Traditions, and Prayers (Catholic & Protestant) If you’ve been in the Christian world for any length of time, you’ve probably heard the word Advent. And like me, maybe you’ve always associated it with Advent calendars full of chocolates, tiny toys, or little gifts. I’ve been aware of Advent since childhood… but honestly? My understanding stopped at calendars. I never realized it had any spiritual depth, any history, or t

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 27, 20257 min read


Was Jesus Crucified on a Cross or a Stake?
Was Jesus Crucified on a Cross or a Stake? A careful look at Scripture, language, history, and why this debate persists From time to time, Christians encounter the claim that Jesus was not crucified on a cross, but on a simple upright stake or pole. This idea is often presented as a correction — sometimes even as a test of faithfulness — implying that much of Christianity has been mistaken or even deceived for centuries. Every decade or so, I’ll hear someone bring this up aga

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 27, 20257 min read


My Worship Rollercoaster
Is There a “Right Way” to Worship? Buckle up, this is going to be a bumpy ride . . . These are my thoughts, questions, and the search for what God really wants** Is there a right way to worship? What does the Bible say? What is worship, biblically speaking? How did they worship in the Bible? How do God and Jesus say we are to worship? Did Jesus worship? And then the whole thing with David dancing—was that worship? What was going on there? I know he’s known for dancing before

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 22, 20257 min read


I’ve been thinking…
Let’s have a Real Conversation About Catholic Teaching, Mary, Jesus’ Siblings, Tradition, Purgatory, Saints, and the Reformation. OK, so I’ve been thinking … A lot, actually. And since this is my little corner of the internet, I figured I’d just sit down and invite you into my brain for a minute (or many minutes 😅). This is not polished theology or me thinking “I have it all figured out.” This is me, Bible open, tabs open, heart open; trying to understand what’s true. I’m no

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 6, 202511 min read


What Is Prayer?
What is prayer? Understanding the word and the practice made me completely change the way I pray, as well as the way I view prayer. If you ask ten different people what “prayer” means, you’ll likely hear ten different answers. Some think of it as asking God for help. Others picture a quiet moment of reflection. And many people (even Christians) aren’t always sure how to define it. So let’s begin with the simplest starting point, the dictionary. According to the Merriam-Webste

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 5, 202510 min read


When the Words of Jesus Turn Your World Upside Down
“I Came to Bring Fire . . .” - Luke 12:49–53 Recently, I was listening to the daily readings on one of my Bible apps when a passage I’ve read/heard countless times suddenly jumped out at me. It stopped me in my tracks, as if I were hearing Jesus’ words for the first time. “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give p

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Nov 30, 20255 min read


Why I am vegan and what the Bible has to say about that . . .
Why I’m Vegan And How I Found Peace With It Biblically People often ask me why I’m vegan, and the truth is simple and deeply personal: I’m vegan because I love animals SO MUCH, and because I care deeply about the planet we are leaving behind for future generations. Animals have been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve raised them, rescued them, cared for them, and cried over them. I’ve seen their intelligence, their fears, their emotions, and the way

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Nov 30, 20254 min read


A Catholic–Orthodox–Protestant Glossary for the Confused (and Curious) Christian
As a cradle Catholic who converted to being a Protestant more than 20 years ago, and who is now Catholic-curious again (attending Mass for the past three months) I’ve found myself diving deep into topics that never sat well with me before and even contributed to my conversion out of Catholicism in the first place. But something surprised me when I returned to Mass as an adult. I don’t actually remember most of Catholic terminology from childhood. Words are being used that fee

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Nov 24, 20255 min read


The Biblical Practice and Purpose of Fasting
Fasting is one of the most misunderstood practices in modern Christianity. To some, it sounds ancient or extreme and to others, it’s something their church mentions at the start of the year and then forgets about. But throughout Scripture, fasting was never about performance, it was about presence. It was how God’s people humbled themselves, sought His guidance, and made space for His voice when life felt too heavy or unclear. In Scripture, fasting means abstaining from food

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Nov 24, 20257 min read


Blessed Are the Meek: What Jesus Really Meant
I recently learned something about the word “meek” that absolutely delighted me and it instantly became one of my(many) favorite discoveries in Scripture. As someone who lives on a farm and has always had a deep, lifelong love for horses, this connection struck my heart in a really special way. When Jesus said: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” — Matthew 5:5 …the Greek word behind “meek” — praus — was often used to describe a trained warhorse. Not a we

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Nov 20, 20253 min read
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