Reflections by Karen Roach

Grieving with Hope

The song ‘With Hope’ by Steven Curtis Chapman is one that I use to encourage friends experiencing grief along with the words of Psalm 34: 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Recently I have learnt of the death of 4 people who impacted my life […]

On Reaching 50!

I was moved beyond words can express today. A lady offered me a seat beside her on the bus home. She started a conversation telling me how beautiful my skin is and asking what I use on my face. I told her I don’t use anything expensive but remember starting the cleanse, exfoliate, tone and […]

Crossing the Bar – Home by Another Way

As a teenager growing up in Jamaica, one of my favourite TV sitcom was ‘Cheers’ .From 1982 to 1993, Cheers was America’s television equivalent of the corner bar where everybody knows your name. The cast includes laid-back Sam Malone, a former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox who owns and runs Cheers, a cozy […]

Confessions of a Missionary in Training

God has a way of choosing the most unlikely persons to do his will. Time and time again we read about people who God has called and who have responded by either complaining, making an excuse or running away. At times I’ve felt like Isaiah when he encountered God  “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I […]

Thought for the day: What’s your passion?

We are passionate people. In fact God created us to be – ‘in his image’ and we serve a passionate God. A sinless Saviour, passionate enough to die on a cross, a most cruel and disgusting punishment reserved for criminals. While a crucifixion was an execution, it was also a humiliation, by making the condemned […]

A simple but profound prayer

I don’t really enjoy blogging. To me it’s like writing a sermon. It takes too much out of me and I only do it if I am asked to or have to. I have written many blogs and find every reason not to post them, some I have lost accidentally or intentionally. But like a […]

I’m Coming Out!

When I decided to move to London in 2010 it was with two aims – moving away from and experiencing more than a village and suburban lifestyle as well as taking my spirituality to another level. I had no idea what God had in store for me. I’d worked for years in London but never really lived there […]

Love That Will Last

A week ago while lying in bed, I had an amazing experience of God’s love –so much so I couldn’t move. Nothing can be compared to it – not love from a mother, father, husband, wife or a friend. It was so overwhelming I almost asked God to take it away but instead I fell […]

Keep going. Not far to go now!

The most painful thing is when people you’ve confided in, trusted, those who have prophesied great words over your life then suddenly turn and question your integrity. It is like been blind-folded and asked to swallow sweets only to realise that it’s a sharp edge knife. ‘With their mouth they bless, but in their hearts […]

The Voice of Truth

I had no idea until today that yesterday 14th September marked 8 months since I arrived in South Africa. That’s all good as I celebrated in style without realising – a weekend in Gordons Bay visiting friends and for Urban Voice – Gordons Bay launch and then  Worshippers Arise Concert at UWC – Bellville where […]