Allison Barron

The Bible is such an integral book to Christianity, yet we often take verses out of context. These seven verses are commonly misunderstood.

I spent a lot of my childhood combing the Bible for rules on behavior. It was easier to see the world in black and white than deal with confusing moral questions. I didn’t ponder what the most loving act was in each situation — I just followed the rule …

Here’s what my fiancé and I are doing to streamline our time management and give us enough rest so we can make it through each week.

Sometimes friends don’t know how to listen well. I’ve seen five types of non-listeners in action, and here’s how they’ve affected my emotions.

The TV show “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” brings up issues of individuality and worth. And I can’t help but wonder why God cares about me when He’s got so many other people to think about. I am just a tiny speck in His universe, after all — one among many. Do I really matter to Him?

If I’m suffering, I want it to have a purpose; if there’s meaning in the pain, won’t that help me through it? Maybe I’m doing something wrong. Or maybe not.

Fear can be disabling. Dating can be scary because it means allowing him to love me — and sometimes that’s the hardest part.

Because I’m a perfectionist, I punish myself when I fail. It would be easier to stubbornly move forward without learning or addressing my shortcomings.