Dr Paul Allen

Sometimes, even if we know that something is wrong, it can take a bit to see the ugly side. Like anything else that Scripture warns us about, anxiety also has some very damaging effects.  The New Testament word for anxiety, 'merimna', is also translated as “care” or “worry.” Because anxiety is real and prevalent in our world, so is the impact. And while anxiety may come from imagined scenarios, real and present issues, or a sense of impending doom, a life of perpetual anxiety makes it impossible to love God and neighbor as we should. Regardless of the cause or source, anxiety disrupts life on multiple levels. PHYSICAL EFFECTS There is a reason that Jesus asked, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matt. 6:27). We all know that anxiety is not the key to healthy longevity. Feeling scared, feeling down, and losing sleep is just the beginning. While conditions such as chronic pain, disability, or long-term illness can spawn anxiety, things

A Muslim migrant in Rome recently  stabbed a Christian man  in the throat for wearing a crucifix around his neck. The assailant, a 37-year-old Moroccan, is accused of attempted homicide; " religious hate " is cited as an "aggravating factor" in the crime. This is hardly the first "religious hate" crime to occur in the context of the cross in Italy. Among others, A Muslim boy of African origin picked on, insulted, and eventually beat a 12-year-old girl during school  because she too was wearing a crucifix .  A Muslim migrant  invaded an old church  in Venice and attacked its large, 300-year-old cross, breaking off one of its arms, while shouting, "All that is in a church is false!" After a  crucifix was destroyed  in close proximity to a populated mosque, Cinisello Balsamo's mayor said  concerning the identity of the culprit(s) : "Before we put a show of unity with Muslims, let's have them begin by respecting our civilizatio