by Susan Barnes | 5 Apr 2023 | Women in the Bible
“‘Mary!’ Jesus said.She turned to him and cried out, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is Hebrew for ‘Teacher’). ‘Don’t cling to me,’ Jesus said, ‘for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God...
by Susan Barnes | 20 Oct 2022 | Women in the Bible
In recent years much historical sexual abuse of women has come to light. But why did they stay silent for so long? Many didn’t feel safe sharing their experiences. They were afraid they would be blamed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, for wearing...
by Susan Barnes | 6 Oct 2022 | Women in the Bible
Disappointments are a part of life. Many of my annoying disappointments concern jobs I’ve applied for but wasn’t selected. Having a quiet, introverted type of personality, means I don’t do well at interviews. I also don’t do well with spontaneity. Even though I...
by Susan Barnes | 21 Sep 2022 | Women in the Bible
In the Biblical story of Miriam, we find the overlapping accounts of three siblings, Miriam, who is the oldest, then Aaron and Moses. From a biblical perspective, it’s quite rare to find three prominent people in one family. The birth order of Miriam and her siblings...
by Susan Barnes | 7 Sep 2022 | Women in the Bible
Recently I read the history of the Mercy Ships ministry and was surprised by how often they experienced what seem to be unnecessary delays. The founder, Don Stephens, first dreamt about a ship that would be a floating hospital when he was nineteen. He envisioned a...
by Susan Barnes | 7 Jun 2022 | Women in the Bible
My husband and I have moved often. We were both living and working in Geelong when we married. Two years later, my husband received a promotion in his bank employment and we moved to Gippsland. We enjoyed living there but a drought caused a downturn in the town’s...
by Susan Barnes | 24 May 2022 | Women in the Bible
Last year on a beautiful autumn afternoon I was driving to my home near the Snowy Mountains in Australia, and I saw the season’s first snow on the mountain peaks. It looked like white gelato. I live the perfect distance from the mountains. Far enough away to avoid...
by Susan Barnes | 29 Mar 2022 | Women in the Bible
I became a Christian as a result of going to a church youth camp when I was fourteen. None of my family or friends practised Christian faith. The only Christians I knew were a few teenagers from the church youth group, which was especially difficult during school...