by Susan Barnes | 17 Aug 2023 | Short Devotion
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:26-27 In his final hours, Jesus...
by Susan Barnes | 7 Aug 2023 | Spiritual Lessons from Children
“It will only sting for a minute,” said the doctor while giving the injection. Once outside my son said, “my arm is going to hurt forever.” I smiled and assured him it wouldn’t. So often when I have been in pain, I’ve felt like it...
by Susan Barnes | 20 Jul 2023 | Short Devotion
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 Jesus distinguishes friends from servants, by the information...
by Susan Barnes | 15 May 2023 | Short Devotion
“Jesus’ brothers said to him, ‘Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.’ … even his own brothers did not believe in him.” John 7:3-5 We often underestimate the...
by Susan Barnes | 8 May 2023 | Short Devotion
“‘The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life’ … From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” John 6:63, 66 Jesus’ teaching is too much for many, then and...
by Susan Barnes | 10 Feb 2023 | Book Reviews
Virtual to Reality is a fantasy telling of the Gospel story. By coming at the story from this unique angle, the author Monica Ryan has the opportunity to share spiritual truth in a novel way. The story begins with a brief introduction of the main characters. The...
by Susan Barnes | 5 Dec 2022 | Short Devotion
“Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16 Christian...
by Susan Barnes | 26 Aug 2022 | On Reading & Writing
Lately, I’ve been taking a slow journey through Mark, only reading about 10 verses a day. This slow approach encourages me to think more deeply about the passage. During the week, I read chapter 10:13-22, about Jesus blessing the children and the rich young ruler, who...