by Susan Barnes | 25 Sep 2023 | Spiritual Lessons from Children
“I can explain everything,” said my teenager the night after an impromptu party. Surveying the kitchen—the broken glass, empty chip packets, the half-eaten cake and the muddy footprints—I doubted that they would be able to explain any of the mess in a way...
by Susan Barnes | 20 Mar 2022 | Short Devotion
“So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged.” 2 Corinthians 7:12-13 Paul...
by Susan Barnes | 27 Feb 2022 | Short Devotion
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart … Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:1 & 16 Paul could have lost heart considering...
by Susan Barnes | 21 Dec 2021 | Quoting Other Writers
Rule 12 / Pat a cat when you encounter one on the street Peterson encourages his reader to look for moments of joy amongst the difficulties of life, such as patting a cat. He relates the story of his daughter’s painful struggle with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She...
by Susan Barnes | 6 Jun 2021 | Short Devotion
Read more of my short devotions on this blog or on Pinterest. “But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” Acts 12:24 At the beginning of the chapter, Herod appears to be in control – persecuting believers, killing James, putting Peter in prison – and...
by Susan Barnes | 26 Jan 2021 | Devotions OT
“And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.” 2 Samuel 9:13 Previously Mephibosheth lived at Lo Debar, and even the name of the place sounds depressing. It means “no pasture.” It was an empty and barren...
by Susan Barnes | 6 Dec 2020 | Short Devotion
Read more of my short devotions on this blog or on Pinterest. “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!” Luke 12:49-50...
by Susan Barnes | 21 Jul 2020 | Guest blogs
Travis Barnes lives in central Victoria with his wife and two daughters. He is an associate minister with the Churches of Christ denomination. Travis loves to help people find their God-given calling and encourage people to walk with Jesus into the unique adventure he...