When I am wrestling with hard things in my life, I am thankful that I know just who to call. My phone holds more than one number of a mentor or other kind of accountability partner who I know will have my back. Accountability can come from multiple people and these people can serve inContinue reading “The Value of Accountability”
Author Archives: bamarinelli
The Whole Armor of God
Paul makes very clear the truth that only part of God’s armor won’t do. In order to be fully protected against the enemy, we need to be fully covered. Every part of the armor has a purpose in this battle, or we become vulnerable to the devil’s schemes.
Pursing Patience
I found God encouraging me to be patient while he works through my circumstances. He impressed upon me strongly that I needed to actively pursue patience in order to get through the hard things I am going through.
Mentally Thriving Through the Holidays
My experiences with bipolar disorder and anxiety have taught me to plan ahead, to be okay with saying, “No,” and to live in the moment. These strategies can help those who struggle with mental illness–not just get through the holiday season–but to thrive.
How Disunity Among American Christians is Harming the Gospel
America is a divided nation and the enemy is having fun stirring the pot of dissension. Are we headed for another civil war? One would think that Christians would be united in this fight, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Rather than uniting in biblically sound positions, Christians are leading the charge toContinue reading “How Disunity Among American Christians is Harming the Gospel”
Why Keeping the Sabbath is Important
The reality is, the pace of American culture cleverly blankets the sin of not keeping the sabbath day holy.
Are You Really A Christian?
I grew up calling myself a Christian because I went to church and prayed sometimes. I knew about Jesus, but I didn’t really know Jesus. I wasn’t a true Christian. I felt distant from God and didn’t understand his great love for me. I’m not alone. According to the 2023-2024 Pew Research study on religionContinue reading “Are You Really A Christian?”
How to Take Mental Health Days
Are you burnt out from your busy schedule? Are you having a hard time maintaining focus on the tasks at hand? Do you struggle to have motivation to go from one thing to the next? These are just a few signs of many that you may need a mental health day. According to Harvard HealthContinue reading “How to Take Mental Health Days”
The Lie of “I Am Enough”
The phrase, “You are enough,” is found on mugs and t-shirts and floats around in memes all over the internet. It sounds positive, warm, fuzzy, and encouraging. Afterall, don’t you want your life to be worth something? The problem is, saying “You are enough,” isn’t biblical and it rejects the gospel of Jesus Christ. TheContinue reading “The Lie of “I Am Enough””
How to Approach Mental Health in the Workplace
Not only do both employers and employees need to have a better understanding of mental health and how to approach it in the workplace, but we also need to put together a plan for our own mental health.
When God’s Answer is No
Have you ever felt like God is silent when you pray to him? Maybe you’ve gone years praying and never seeming to get an answer.
God’s Call to Discipleship
God calls us to disciple others in different ways in different seasons of life.
How Can I Help? Living Out Prayer
In my experience, the times when I have most needed practical help, all I got was a lot of, “I’m sorry you are going through that, I’ll pray for you.” Hearing this response over and over really stings when no one tacks on an additional, “How else can I help?”
What is a Truly Repentant Heart?
Do you have a truly repentant heart? What are the dangers of being unrepentant?
Finding Security: From the Tower of Babel to Jesus Christ
How has being understood and known caused you to turn from God? Let’s take a look at the well known story of the Tower of Babel from Genesis 11:1-9 to examine this question.
Finding Fruit in Patience and Surrender
Patience and surrender, when done right, will bear fruit in all areas of life.
Is Self-Love Biblical?
Today’s American culture promotes “self-love” as something we need to embrace in our everyday life. However, this way of thinking ignores what Jesus did for us on the cross and his purpose for our lives.
For When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong
Suffering has been a natural part of life since Adam and Eve. We’ve all experienced suffering. Each person’s suffering is unique and affects everyone differently. We can learn from Paul through his letter we call the book of 2 Corinthians.
Running the Race of Faith
Steadfastness, or patience, in the original Greek is an active verb, meaning that we don’t wait on the Lord by sitting idly by. Steadfastness is acted upon by working hard through whatever lays in our path, much like one would train for a marathon.
Finding Joy in Life’s Trials
Joy is not a feeling, but rather a gift from God, given to us through the Holy Spirit. We must become intimate with God to learn how to utilize this gift, even when our life looks bleak.
The Christian Response to Controversy
How do we become a light for Christ in a world of sin? This is an especially difficult question when that sin is parading as light. I believe there are a few things Christian need to consider and hold closely to our hearts when interacting with non-Christians.
The Problem of Idolatry in America
We look to our church leaders and the leaders of our country to be role models, but are we taking their prominence in our lives too far?
God’s Gift of Perseverance
Perseverance is a gift from God. We just have to have the right perspective. Let’s take a look into Biblical examples of perseverance, and then think about how God directs us to persevere.
The Dangers of Joking About Mental Illness
Joking about mental illness minimizes the seriousness of the disorders, shames those who are suffering from them, and prevents people from getting the help that they need. Not to mention, the Bible clearly says that making fun of anyone in any way is a sin.
The Disobedience of the American Church
Lately I’ve been feeling convicted about my obedience to the Lord. It’s not that I’m being intentionally disobedient, but I am not being intentionally obedient either. I’m not stopping throughout my day to touch base with God to see if I’m on the track of righteousness. So, as I’ve started to make it a habitContinue reading “The Disobedience of the American Church”