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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


Elevated Avocado Toast
One of my favorite meals to make is toast. I even wrote a whole cookbook a few years ago called Let’s Toast, full of my toast recipes, that I never published and keep just for my own personal use. Sweet toast, savory toast, fresh toast, all the toasts. I wanted to share a new recipe I made up last week because it turned out soooooo good. It’s high in protein, loaded with nutrients, and absolutely delicious. The only thing I didn’t have enough time to do this time, but will de

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Jan 121 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


Anglican Prayer Beads
A simple, Christ-centered prayer practice, rooted in Christian history, for anyone who wants to pray slowly. What are Anglican prayer beads? Anglican prayer beads are a modern Christian prayer tool designed to help people pray with intention, repetition, and attention. They are sometimes described as a “Protestant rosary,” but that phrase can oversimplify things. Because of this, Protestants often feel comfortable using them, and Catholics may also use them as a supplemental

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Jan 96 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


How I Got Same-Day Vet Care Without Leaving Home
I know this post isn’t directly faith-related but caring for animals is a huge part of my life, my home, and honestly, my ministry. If you’ve been around here for a while, you know my entire Instagram account is videos of my pets paired with Scripture. Loving them well, stewarding them responsibly, and doing the best we can with what we have matters deeply to me. This week, I found something that genuinely helped my family, so I wanted to share it in case it helps yours too.

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 31, 20254 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


The Best Modest Dress Brands (Ethical & High-Quality Options)
Over the past year and a half, I’ve been on a mission to dress more modestly and to wear more dresses and skirts. Surprisingly, finding modest dresses that aren’t made in sweatshops or mass-produced for brands like Amazon or SHEIN has been much harder than I expected. After months of research, I’ve put together a list of wonderful places to shop for modest dresses — and in some cases, other clothing items for yourself or your daughter. My hope is that this saves you the time,

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 25, 20254 min read


The 12 books on my 2026 “to-read” list
Every year, I set a few personal goals to achieve on a monthly basis. Things like going on at least one hike, dedicating time to one volunteer activity, and finishing one book. Usually, I pick each book as the months go by, but for this coming year I’ve decided to plan ahead and choose all 12 books in advance. Over the years, I’ve collected quite a few that I haven’t gotten around to reading, so it’s time to catch up before I let myself buy any more. I want to finally make my

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 22, 20252 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


Is Islam Really the Fastest-Growing Religion?
This question led me down a rabbit hole. After the assassination of Charlie Kirk this year, it felt like a lot of people were suddenly talking about God, church, faith, repentance, and America “getting back to its Christian roots.” I kept seeing posts about revival, full churches, bible sales being at an all time high and people turning to Christ in their grief and fear. At the very same time, I was hearing on various podcasts and social accounts that Islam is actually the f

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 13, 20254 min read


My best friends … an eye opening revelation
Something amazing happened during my Lectio Divina yesterday. It brought me to tears and has completely changed the way I will live my life moving forward. Let me rewind to give you some background and context. I’ve always had a hard time making friends. Don’t get me wrong, I HAVE friends (most from childhood and young adulthood), but I’m kind of an introvert (despite not seeming that way), and I prefer hanging out with people one on one or in very small groups. People also t

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 11, 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


A Collection of Elegant Alcohol-Free Drinks
5 famous drinks, with a non-alcoholic twist It’s been a while since I posted a recipe, so here we go! :) Featured drinks: • No-jito • Cos-no-politan • Sans-gria • Piña Con Nada • Bellino I don’t drink and I haven’t for many years. Not because I think nobody should ever drink (Jesus literally turned water into wine), but just because I personally choose not to. My reasons are kind of a mix — part health & part personal conviction. Back in the day, I used to travel a lot and m

Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Dec 6, 20253 min read
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