Do you remember what happened to so-and-so? Usually, we remember the last thing that happens to a person. Unfortunately, the final episode in our life may not be the most representative of our entire life. Benjamin Franklin once said, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, but only one bad one to […]
Author Archives: kenbarnes
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren;even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my […]
“Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Matthew 11: 3 NLT) John the Baptist in prison In your spiritual journey, have you had some unfulfilled expectations? Has God done things you did not expect or did not do things you were expecting? Join the club. Even John the […]
“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: You have said, ‘I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest.’ (Jeremiah 45:2-3 NLT) Baruch was the young scribe that wrote and read to the […]
Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. (I Timothy 3:16a NLT) The incarnate Christ will always be a mystery. The Bible is not a science textbook. It reveals God to us, yet, authentic faith and pure science are never contradictory. The great […]
An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship. (Acts 9:10 NLT) The kiss of friendship can often feel like a slap in the face. Most of us do not like to hear things about ourselves that are not flattering. The truth is that no one is perfect. At times, even our best friends need […]
Now there was a believer[a] in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. (Acts 9:10 NLT) Ananias and Saul Ananias was an obscure Biblical character. Though, in spite of his relative anonymity, he became a disciple that instructed the great Apostle Paul. He experienced a common problem […]
“A time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will punish all those who are circumcised in body but not in spirit. (Jeremiah 9:25 NLT) We often put a fresh coat of paint on wood that looks good but has started to rot on the inside. The paint job looks fine, but it does not solve […]
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Unique events can change the cultural mindset of a whole group of people. One of those events happened on Sunday, September 24th, 2017. On that Sunday, most people in the Steeler Nation were looking forward to the game with the Chicago Bears. We were 2-0, and there was great anticipation for a successful season. Then […]
Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. (Isaiah 50:10-11a NLT) Have you ever been in total darkness? It […]