by Vella Karman | Feb 19, 2025 | Belonging, Bonfires & Stars, Soli Deo Gloria
On Sunday, my pastor talked about real relationship with God versus religion. He put it this way: religion is a relationship with rules. Faith is a relationship with God. (Those weren’t his exact words, but they’re close enough.) It’s so easy to trade a...
by Vella Karman | Feb 5, 2025 | Author News, Soli Deo Gloria
God has told me over and over again that He did not make me for an ordinary life. He’s told me in different ways, places, and times. But I’ve always felt sure it’s Him. I’m more certain of this than almost anything else in my life. But my life might...
by Vella Karman | Jan 29, 2025 | Belonging, Bonfires & Stars
I thought being part of a team would be completely different. I’m not sure if the dream let me down…it’s different than reality. As part of my writing apprenticeship, I work in an office for 40 hours a week. It’s set up like a job: five other...
by Vella Karman | Jan 22, 2025 | aWkwaRd, Belonging, Lone Wolves
It’s easier to meet online friends than in-person friends. You don’t have to worry as much about eye contact, existing friend groups, or even rejection. But maybe your parents think face-to-face connection is better. They might have a point…God designed us without...
by Vella Karman | Jan 15, 2025 | Author News, Belonging, Bonfires & Stars
I’m working on a huge project right now. I’m the managing editor for Fantastical Summer, a collection of summer-themed magical realism short stories from different authors. It will be released in May 2025 and for the next two weeks, submissions are open. Writers...
by Vella Karman | Jan 10, 2025 | Soli Deo Gloria
The day I went to the doctor’s office, I almost didn’t get out of the car. A friend drove me, and when she pulled into the parking lot, I didn’t move. I stared at the building, not really seeing it, refusing to move from the safety of my stubborn statue-like...
by Vella Karman | Dec 18, 2024 | Author News, Belonging, Year Recap
What people have found most helpful this year, all in one post. It’s almost the end of 2024, and I wanted to compile my best posts for you. These are the ones people have reached out to thank me for, commented on, or remembered. To be honest, most of my...
by Vella Karman | Dec 12, 2024 | Author News
My little secret… First off–my friend released a book!! If you love steampunk, struggle with the voices in your head, or have a thing for dragons, it’s your lucky day. You can grab it on Amazon now. (So proud of you, Alli.) But here’s the thing...
by Vella Karman | Dec 11, 2024 | Belonging, Bonfires & Stars
There has been a moment with each of my family members where I thought there was no way our relationship could survive. Too hurt. Too broken. Too messed up. I’d hurt them and they’d hurt me and all that compiled hurt was too much. There was no way we could ever...
by Vella Karman | Dec 4, 2024 | Belonging, Bonfires & Stars
We think we’re better than them, those nonchristians out there. It’s a tragedy. Jesus was better than all of us, and he didn’t go around sticking his nose in the air. As is, they’re better than us at creating community. I just read The Good Earth by Pearl S....
