Ever thought of Psalms as just a book of hunky-dory descriptions about how lovely God is? Think again. Psalm 38 describes a journey from crushing discipline to deliverance. The surprising part is that the journey begins and ends in the same place.     Scriptures: Psalm 38 2 Cor 12:7-10 Luke 18:1-8

At times we can have a negative view of culture, especially as believers because we know this is not our home. Barry talks about why culture, and our respective communities actually hold us together.       Referenced Episodes: The Problem with Others Is that They Are Also People, Ep 8; Disagreeing to Agree, Eps […]

The idea that we have transmitted as much individualism and American heritage in our faith as we have gospel shouldn’t shock us. The early church faced the same challenge with Judaic tradition, which was delivered from God himself after all! So what does one do about this? Barry makes a few suggestions to manage this […]

Given the choice between duty and authenticity, Barry talks about faithfulness less as the power to overcome our old nature and more as living authentically as the person we are going to be than the person we used to be.       Book: Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant Scripture: Rom 8:29 […]

Barry talks about the relationship between God’s faithfulness and our faith. Psalm 33 reminds us that miracles, deliverance, and the like are simply eruptions of God’s ongoing, underlying love and interaction with the world.       Scriptures: Psalm 33 Acts 17:25 Deut. 7:6-8 1 Cor. 11:23-26  

God knows how hard it is for us to hear what we need to acknowledge in order to change, which is why Jesus used the phrase “Let these words sink into your ears.” Barry talks about how challenging hearing can be for us, methods people use to be heard, and the lengths God went to […]

Just as our Messiah did, we are to care for others even at our own expense. Barry talks about altruism, some of the hurdles it faces, why it is so important for the world, and what it should mean for believers.       Scriptures: Matt 26:39 Romans 5:6-8 Phil 2:1-4   Referenced Episode: Control […]

What do drooling on one’s beard and finding victory through praise have to do with one another, you may ask? Barry talks about the background of Psalm 34 and the elements that lead to heartfelt praise: Praise rises when need becomes faith, faith becomes hope, and hope is in God.   Scriptures: Psalm 34, 52 […]

Have you noticed how many times you can repeat the same argument with your loved one and the outcome never change? Barry talks about seeing the structures or system behind a particular argument/situation in order to bring about lasting change.     Link to sign-up for the Texans for Life Annual Benefit Dinner Scriptures Ecc. […]

Information may be freer, but truth—not so much. Barry describes how we can see the truth and cling to it, while also improving our Spidey sense to recognize when something is wrong with the words we have received.     Scripture: 1 Samuel 28 Philippians 1 John 8:31-32