Coffee with Creamer

The bad news: there are times when things are so bad we can run out of words and faith. Good news: in those moments the Father, Christ, and his Spirit never run out of exactly what we need. God’s steps are on our path even when we can’t see them.       Scriptures: Psalm […]

Barry moves from the nature and importance of art to our individual and shared experience of it. It is those vulnerable moments, when we are surprised by beauty, irony, or humor that can open our souls to understanding and God.    

Barry starts a new series about a Christian and art. In his description of art, he indicates that it is expressive, subtle, and relatable. It’s that last element that allows for more than information to pass from one more-than-rational-being to another. Art: Guernica by Pablo Picasso, Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons, Iliad by Homer  

Barry heads to Psalm 75 for what seems to be a summary of a hundred other passages. In this case, we get a lesson on geography: while mountains and valleys may beautify the earth’s surface, they mar the complexion of mankind. Scriptures: Psalm 75 Gen 4:10 Luke 16:19-25  

Barry covers Psalm 74 where we have significant grief coupled with significant hope. As you might imagine, we bring the grief to this equation and God the hope. We are also introduced to this strange truth: the wall that separates us from harm can be the very place where we encounter greatest danger.     […]

Barry leads us down Asaph’s path (Psalm 73), as we embark on a journey fraught with confusion and envy, doubt and worry. What’s shocking is how common this journey is for believers and how welcoming God is when you finally reach home. Scripture: Psalm 73  

Barry concludes his focus on David’s prayer for Solomon in Psalm 72. Our part to play in the Good News is both simple and challenging: look at God’s holiness, which is seen in his compassionate care for self-destructively debilitated creatures, and reflect it back to fill the earth with His glory.       Scriptures: […]

Barry invites us to a poignant moment between David and Solomon, when the man after God’s heart passes the kingdom to his son. His number one reminder is to follow God through obeying his law, and what that law centers on is perhaps a little surprising.       Scriptures: Psalm 72, 1 Chron 22:11-13, […]

Barry talks about the advantages and disadvantages of democracy. While it is certainly most comfortable blaming leadership, we must admit, our leadership simply reflects our desires and fickle decision-making. People may be the problem, but people are also the solution. Scripture: 2 Tim 4:3-4  

Barry concludes the story of 1 Samuel 16-21 focusing on the Chosen one and how others respond to him. We do have a choice, which both Saul and Jonathan evidenced, but thank God there is no overcoming His purposes. Scriptures: 1 Sam 16-21 Luke 12:49-53 Gen 12:1-3