Barry highlights a few details in the story of David and Goliath that may surprise us. David’s strength lies in taking up the tasks he has been given and leaving God’s tasks to God. Waiting on God is sometimes the most challenging task of all. Scripture: 1 Samuel 16-21  

Barry reads The Day from poet John Donne, where we are reminded of our value and God’s promises through the most somber of occasions. Funerals are just a believer’s step toward what’s next.       Poems/Book: The Day, John Donne Scriptures: Psalm 44, 116; Mark 8:34-38

Barry explores John Donne’s poetry, revealing the dangers and hope associated with death. These poems are a great reminder of why Christ-followers celebrate Easter. Poems/Book: The Day, John Donne, Holy Sonnets 10 and 17, John Donne  

Barry discusses something we should all know but can sometimes easily forget. The more we learn about things like belief, truth, relationships, wisdom, and maturity, the more we begin to realize all the things we don’t know about those same topics. Humility is what we need if we want to be lifelong students.     […]

Barry talks about a less than pleasant human behavior—allowing fear to lead us to control others through rhetoric and conflictual interactions. Acknowledging God’s sovereignty allows us to let go of the “control” that we really don’t have anyway.       Scripture: Philippians 4 Article: 2023 SBC: Constitutional amendment on women serving as pastors approved […]

Barry covers Psalm 71, highlighting that in David’s very best moments, what might have looked like his apparent strength to others was actually his dependence on God. In this description of David’s “strength” we see a golden nugget: the further we seem to be from God’s presence, the nearer we are to experiencing his power. […]

Barry covers the very good news of the gospel: God loves you. This love is the grounding for the commandment and invitation to love others. This “others” will include all kinds: those who are easy to love, those we are afraid to love, and those who don’t love us. If we don’t love others this […]

On this Valentine’s Day, Barry starts a series focused on love. How important is this thing anyway? What is it not? What does it produce? And what drives it? God answers all these questions in his son, and we ought to be taking notes in preparation for how we treat our neighbors.       […]

Barry walks us through an addendum to the On Purpose episode (131), highlighting the differences between being human and being a human. While all humans are equally valuable, God’s purpose for each sets them apart. Scriptures: Psalm 139, 116; Gen 9; Lev 19; Acts 3, 2 Cor 1:4-6; Mk 5  

We may prefer our day-to-day experiences, to understand and measure out our lives with coffee spoons. But Barry reminds us that God is beyond understanding. The fact that our relationship with God is the most fulfilling thing we can experience means we must also be intentional to welcome inexplicable encounters.