Coffee with Creamer

Barry bemoans the fact that sometimes our best efforts with the Good News are only a means to some things we errantly think better. He invites us to develop a different mental model as he describes some learning experiences in the development of his own ministry.       Scripture: Proverbs 11:30 Luke 9 & […]

Barry covers the most distinct Psalm so far, Psalm 45. In it, we observe a bride love a groom, Israel worship the Messiah, and the church desire the Redeemer.         Scriptures: Psalm 45 Judges 5:28-31 Isa 37:14-20 Heb 1:7-14 John 19:39-40

Barry talks about the concept of self-improvement and the ways in which people offer something of value to the world. Often, we focus on improving our weaknesses and just let our strengths ride. The better way may be to trust our weaknesses to others’ strengths.       Scripture Rom 12:3-8 1 Cor 12:4-11 1 […]

Barry invites Dr. Everett Berry, Professor of Theology at Criswell College, to talk about the development of protestant denominations. Were the splits rooted primarily in doctrine, carpet color, or the cultural influence of time and place?    

In evangelism, we often feel like we must reason someone into the kingdom of God, removing nearly all their doubts. Barry recounts what did lead him to faith, what did not, and what has kept him there.         Scripture: 1 Tim 2:10-13 Referenced Episode: Ep 86 Belonging via Rejection  

Barry walks us through Psalm 44, the journey of someone who is feeling the physical and emotional strain of suffering. At the start of the episode Barry asks us what one thing convinces us that we are loved by God. By the end of the episode, we receive a beautiful but uncomfortable invitation to follow […]

Barry finishes this series pointing out what should be the main focus of ministry: people. Not simply the minister, the conflict, the moralism, or the popularity, but the people. That was Christ’s focus and it should be ours.   Scriptures: Eph 4:11-12 Micah 6:8 Matt 22:37-39            

Barry continues his trip down memory lane to share some things he has learned the hard way through his many (many!) years in ministry and teaching scripture. Some of the surprising juxtapositions include balance over simplicity, patience over victory, and tension over resolution.         Scriptures: John 14:23 Luke 11:37-52 Micah 6:8 Matt […]

Barry takes a trip down memory lane prompted by his recent 60th birthday to highlight an important issue. In sharing his experience of race relations growing up in Texas he hopes that people younger than him will learn what he did not—until he was much older than he should have been. Article: Gov. Greg Abbott […]

Because every person is made in the image of God, we should admit that others are valuable regardless of what they can offer us. Some of the most significant contributions to society may bring the least economic gain. And sometimes the greatest test of how much we value others is actually how much we deny […]