Coffee with Creamer

Barry heads to some uncomfortable scriptures to begin a conversation about community. Just when we think scripture limits itself, we realize the limit is the hardness of our hearts. Thank goodness (literally) God created community to soften those hearts by providing a place to belong.       Scriptures: Judges 15:18-20 2 Chron 10:19 Gen […]

Barry follows up on the conversation with Rachael Denhollander and Tiffany Thigpen, asking why we sometimes find ourselves doing the opposite of our own chosen values? Two examples, racism and sexual abuse, provide the opportunity to look at this moral failure more closely—and find a strategy in Scripture to make the right decision. Scriptures: Luke […]

Barry interviews Rachael Denhollander and Tiffany Thigpen about the recent case in Kentucky and the amicus brief submitted by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Executive Committee of the SBC, and Lifeway. Hearing the witness of these women and the information and statistics they share will open your eyes and break your heart. Scriptures: Micah 6:8, […]

Barry highlights the limitations and importance of intellect, calling believers to acknowledge and baptize all parts of the Christian soul: volition, emotion, and reason. Scripture: 1 Cor 15:12-20; Rom 8: 29-35, 12:1-2; Psalm 65:11  

Barry covers Psalm 66, choosing an Old Testament account in Israel’s history to highlight the fact that God is good, powerful, and loves us. God uses difficult times to make us holy and for the world to see his power in our transformation. Someone may want to create singing telegrams to remind us of these […]

Barry speaks about the Israel-Hamas conflict with Dr. Scott Bridger, Dr. Sarah Spring, and Jenna Coombs, who spent time in Israel and Palestine recently as part of Criswell College’s Global Learning and Service Experience. The conversation hinges on how meeting human beings changes our engagement with the affairs affecting them. Article: Hamas-Israel Conflict: Here’s What […]

Barry relieves our discomfort by finishing up the dinner table discussion of religion and politics. However, he invites us to keep the tension going by acknowledging the inherent contrast between multiple values Christians hold: personal liberty, benevolence, and submission to authorities. Believe it or not, holding that tension in humble hands can bring about peace. […]

We have all heard there are three things one should never bring up at the dinner table, and Barry is beginning a series about two of them. How should Christians think through politics and religion, and should e’er the twain meet? Join us after a potentially uncomfortable meal for some Coffee with Creamer. Books: Songs […]

Imprecision may be the bane of our existence, but it is also the reason we have hope. Thank the Lord we have someone who can reach into our imperfect world and lives. So, what then is our job? Our job is to pursue the righteousness (justice) we know only He can achieve. Article: “For 25 […]

Although it may not always be at the forefront of our minds, imprecision surrounds us—mostly because of the “us” in this equation, rather than everything else. The good news is that our certainty is not necessary for truth to prevail, nor should we give up the pursuit of truth because we are finite.     […]