Kerina Hall Blog

First, my apologies to those of you who actually have green eyes.   I’m really referring here to the monster of jealousy.   If you are going to use your God-given gifts and talents, if you are going to make an impact in your world, or pioneer any kind of work, it is vital that you slay this creature; and do it – as we say – “like yesterday!” This creature is very pervasive and troublesome; always turning up unexpectedly and from unexpected places. What is this creature’s goal?   To destabilize your purpose in life and disrupt any projects you have going.   And how is this achieved?   Actually, in number of ways: Criticism is the major one, the kind that is unnecessary; and ‘seemingly helpful’ suggestions on how to improve and better what you are doing.   The result can be catastrophic and you could be left doubting your ability and with a shaken confidence in yourself. Having said that, we must be able to discern between helpful and hurtful criticism? Here are some

I’ve always had a “thing” for minors: minor keys and minor chords – major joy!!   To me minors add that “sweetness” to music.   No music should be without them!   They somehow bring a reflective mood to music. To major on minors in music is one thing; but to do so as it relates to life is a “note of a different colour.” The non-essentials of life are what I refer to as minors.   Sometimes we can magnify those things which are not important – such as externals like our facial features, body type, etc., to the detriment of internals – like our character, relationships with family, friends and others. In a world obsessed with image and appearance, sometimes it is necessary to examine things which are really important – the intangibles. Magazine articles and books which deal with having the perfect face, figure, and hair are in no short supply.   But how many are dedicated to beautifying our inner person? Thank God the Bible does just that, as well as a host of Chris

For the Cross will always represent        The love God had for me When the Lord of glory, heaven sent Gave all on Calvary Just for me… “Just for Me” by Donnie McClurkin Arguably, one of my favourite songs.   Why?   Well, great melody aside, it reminds me of Christ’s love for me and the victory procured for us by his cruel death on the cross. It is a great reference point for Christians.   One that lets us know that in difficult times victory is imminent, regardless of present circumstances. Yes, salvation came at a great price: the death of innocence – the holy, sinless Son of God, our Saviour. It continues to be a great topic to write and sing about. It really is a fulfillment of Genesis 3:15:   “   And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. ” Christ’s heel was bruised, yes, but He bruised the devil’s head.   Hallelujah!! So while our he

I know you’ve heard the following conversation: “How are you today?” “Fine.” Now imagine this instead: “How are you today?” “I am becoming.” “Becoming what?” “Becoming all that God wants me to be.” That, my friend is a bold declaration, and one I’ve been using recently.   These are not airy-fairy empty words but a statement of faith and confidence in a sovereign God.   It is the resigning of the will to Him and what He has designed for your life. Also it is placing the burden (which really is no burden at all!) on God to accomplish His purpose. Does this mean that your life is perfect and you won’t make mistakes?   Of course not. The process of 'becoming' is not error- or trial-free.   Rather, it is from the trials and errors that we learn what God expects of us, and what pleases Him. Here is a case in point:   Writing is a process which consists of editing, revising and restructuring of words and ideas. (If only yo

“Hands that reach out will matter most                       Surviving what soon will rust…”                           from the poem “Cyber Reality” by Kerina Hall If you’ve been asleep for many years like the mythical Rip Van Winkle, you’ll be surprised to know that we are in the age of smart technology – smart phones, now smart TV’s. Sometime ago in the local press there was an article delineating the virtues of smart Tv’s.   It is apparent that the TV remote will soon be a dinosaur – obsolete.   For these Tv’s are operated by the use of voice commands and hand signals.   (As old folks would say “What a thing!") While this is intriguing, I can’t help but be concerned that the human voice and hands may develop an exclusive use, i.e., touching gadgets instead of human beings. God has created us to interact socially with one another.   Hands were made to assist us in such actions as holding, lifting and reaching for objects.   We also use

There is a brief infomercial that sometimes runs on T.V. which I find to be rather interesting.   No doubt it was inspired by Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist.”   There are a group of boys eating what looks like porridge.  One boy has the “audacity of hope” to ask for more. The headmaster looks around incredulously and bellows “More?” To which the person serving says apologetically, “Well, he did say ‘please.’” The headmaster then nods thoughtfully in agreement, “Yes, and ‘thank you’.” The boy’s wish is granted and suddenly a host of other boys are being served seconds.   Presumably, they too have asked for more. You know, we too can and should ask God for more.   More faith, more courage, more of anything in which we are in need. God knows our needs and is willing to supply them, but we must ask.   1 John 5:14, 15 says, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:   And if we kn

"But forgetting 'The Forgotten Melody'  the crime of the century"                                                  from the poem Legacy Musicale                                                           by Kerina Hall "Just because it's called "The Forgotten Melody" doesn't mean that you forget to practise it!"  The strident tones of my piano teacher striking my ear as I strike more than a few wrong notes, trying to play classical composer  Albert Loeschorn's "Forgotten Melody." I must admit, it wasn't one of my favourite pieces, so I probably put off practising it. Wrong move! That's the result of procrastination: mistakes! Thankfully, I've learnt my lesson.  ( Now I just need to learn when to stop practising!) However, for  musicians, artistes, practise is the key.  And this applies to anyone interested in perfecting his or her craft.  You must practise consistently.  Somehow repetition helps