Devotional | You’re Not Here to Think…You’re Here to do as You’re Told!

“You’re not here to think…you’re here to do as you’re told!” These words were fired at me like bullets from a rifle, causing me immediate injury. Of course, I laughed about it afterwards with my school friends, but in reality, the teacher who shot those words at me in class over forty years ago, caused …

Devotional |Though The Fig Tree Does Not Bud

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, verse 18- yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God …

Devotional | Waiting for the Tanks – Lessons from the Old Testament Prophets

Devotional by Karen Rees “In this world you will have troubles. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 I was reading the Old Testament books of prophecy during the early months of Hong Kong’s demonstrations against the serious erosion of guaranteed freedoms. At first, the demonstrations were massive peaceful protest marches. We …

Are You Lost, a Local, or Both?

Have you ever been lost? Have you sat in your car or stood on a street corner, looked around, and wondered where to turn next? Getting lost is not uncommon when we are in unfamiliar surroundings. However, we expect to know how to get from Point A to Point B in our neighborhoods without difficulty, …

Devotional | Trusting in the Process of Life’s Journey

Oftentimes, it is easy to forget that it is the journey we are supposed to value and enjoy as much as the desired outcome. I find myself wanting the job finished, the research done, the piece written, instead of pausing to genuinely relish the process. It makes me wonder if there’s a part of me …

Devotional | Those Small Decisions (Have Eternal Consequences)

Devotional by Karen Rees Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.  Psalm 119:2 Hello, skunk. One Sunday afternoon while we were on summer holiday from primary school, my brothers and I went for a walk on our farm.  We met a skunk.  When this small animal feels threatened, …

Devotional: The Expectation of Success

One of the most beneficial things a writer can do is attend a conference. These events provide novices and published authors with networking opportunities, social events, and instruction for learning skills needed to navigate the business side of writing. After attending a couple of conferences and finishing my first novel, I was encouraged to request …

Devotional | Sleeping In The Wilderness

Devotional by Karen Rees “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” Matthew 6:25 Imagine that your stomach is full, it’s bedtime, and you’ve just …

Devotion: This Designer Doesn’t Offer Discounts

For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV Shopping in a luxury boutique intimidated me, especially on my budget. I usually looked for discounts not designer labels.  I worried about feeling unsophisticated in a shop that sold merchandise I …

The message must get through

The Urgent Message The War Is Finished, But Some Are Still Fighting Today is Remembrance Day, celebrated in Australia, UK, New Zealand, USA and other places around the world. The Armistice was signed, apparently, at 5.30am on November 11th 2018, so as to give time for the message to reach the various fronts for a …