Kerina Hall Blog

“These are the times that try men’s souls.” (Thomas Paine, ' The American Crisis' ). We in the 21 st century would certainly agree with this statement.   Daily, it seems we are faced with news of some disaster: Meteorites falling from the sky, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, political unrest, economic instability, shootings, etc. The world is in a state of turmoil – physically, socially, economically, and morally.   And it continues… This, of course produces stress; many are uncertain about what the future holds. I have found that the Bible is a great source of help in times like these.   It is realistic. It acknowledges that there will be difficult times and depressing situations, but it offers hope as well. Consider the words of Jesus:   “ In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer ; I have overcome the world.” It is possible to be buffeted by external forces and yet be peaceful internally.   The world represents any an...

 One of my books displayed at Expo    Welcoming writers and guests at the Expo     With Gospel Artiste-Dramatist Karlos Cobham    Sing-a-long with the evening's master of ceremonies, Stanfield Taylor, and audience  The Barbados Christian Writers Expo 2013, held on February 02, 2013 at the Collymore Rock Church of the Nazarene. This event showcased the works performing and displaying writers. ©Kerina Hall  

It was indeed a sad day.  Our once beautiful croton plant was now covered with black mold on both leaves and stems.  It had become a food depot for a multitude of big-headed ants which had built a huge nest underneath the pot which housed the plant. While my husband went to work removing it to see if anything could be salvaged, he was struck (and stuck!) by thorns of a green, and healthy growing plant in the midst of the crotons. Sure, we had seen this plant but hadn't paid attention to it; and we certainly had not seen (or felt) the thorns! Interestingly, this young plant was completely mold free.  As we examined it we came to the conclusion that it was a young lime tree.   And so it was re-planted somewhere else ....with great expectations, I might add! But, what as unexpected blessing for the new year! just think, we would not have known about this tree if we had not removed the croton from the pot. Just goes to show that out of bad and dismal situa...

Old Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve.   Call it what you will, another year is retiring while a new one is beginning. At this time of year we tend to be reflective…Did I accomplish all of my goals/dreams in 2012? If you haven’t there is hope: a new year means new opportunities.   And let’s face it… is there anyone who has indeed accomplished all they intended to this past year? Instead of feeling guilty and discouraged we should give thanks to God for what we were able to achieve. What have you accomplished this year?   Were you able to recover from some illness, or overcome some financial challenge?   Did you experience new areas of growth, personally, or corporately?   Are you in the process of doing so?   Or was it a hard, difficult year? You know, in spite of everything you made it to the end of 2012.   So many others haven’t.   You have the blessing of life.   That is something for which to be thankful. As the Ne...

“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law…” (Galatians 4:4). God’s timing is always perfect.   The time and circumstances of the birth of Christ was no coincidence.   It was all a deliberate act of God. He was born to lowly parents.   Mary and Joseph were ordinary people like you and me.   The Jewish nation was under Roman rule.   His birth occurred in a stable, not a palace. But why?   What was God up to by choosing to send His Son into these less than ideal circumstances?   And why at that time? I believe it was for the purpose of identification.   Jesus, the Saviour of the world, came in the form of man in order to relate to us at our lowest point.   He came to be part of our less than ideal situations; to redeem and set us free from sin; to show us a better way of living. It was God’s appointed time that the Saviour was born.   This was the time ...

    “Long ago in Bethlehem was born Messiah King, Prophets had foretold Him – heaven’s offering.”                 from song ‘Celebrate Messiah King’ by Kerina Hall Somehow I never tire of the old but inspiring story of Christ’s birth.   It is the greatest story ever, equaled only by the story of His death and resurrection. For me it is the story of the ultimate hero; the ultimate rescue mission.   There is no other greater act of selflessness and love than that of Jesus coming to this world, and giving His life for mankind. This should always be the centre of our Christmas celebrations.   This is why it is important to read the story of Christ’s birth; also, to attend Bible-based Christmas productions, and programmes which centre on Christ’s birth. They remind us that without Christ there would be no Christmas. ©Kerina Hall

                             We are God’s messengers, sent with the message of salvation. This thought came to me as I read (for the umpteenth time) the story of the birth of John the Baptist, God’s messenger who prepared the way for Christ’s coming, warning people to repent of their sins. One thing is required of a messenger: that he or she must deliver the message sent – faithfully! We see this as we read of the angel Gabriel’s message to Zacharius telling him of the birth of John.   “…Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John” (Luke 1:13). And in verse 17 God’s heavenly messenger says of His earthy messenger, “ And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom ...