Barry talks about what we do right, what’s okay, and what we should do more of when observing Memorial Day, and uses 3 poems to do it.       Poems: “In Flanders Field”, by John McCrae, “Iron” and “Statistics” by Carl Sandburg

People often follow a few steps when personally encountering the Problem of Evil: from complacency, to discontentment, then contentment, and lastly to thankfulness. It is by no means an easy journey, but faith can lead the way.       Scriptures: Psalm 10:1 Psalm 80:4-6 Habakkuk 1:2-4 Acts 1:6-8 James 4:4-10 Habakkuk 2:2-4 Philippians 4:11-13 […]

Barry begins a discussion of the Problem of Evil, which studies the question of how to reconcile the concepts of a good and all-powerful God with the existence of evil and suffering in the world. We are often tempted to doubt our faith when a theoretical argument turns practical in moments of suffering.     […]

What do severe thunderstorms, earth-swallowing floods, decimated forests, and teeth-shattering earthquakes have in common? They all evoke the voice of God. Feel a little frightened? No need—God uses that voice to give strength and peace to his people.       Scriptures Psalm 29 1 Samuel 5:1-5 Genesis 1:6-8 Psalm 30 1 Kings 5 Numbers […]

Barry talks about why it is important to consider the ramifications of a choice before one needs to make it. He covers some fundamental aspects of ethics, reviews what ethics can’t do, and explains why on earth he is talking about what most people often ignore.     Scriptures Romans 2:12-16 Psalm 15:1-5   Referenced […]

Why is it that sometimes we bring about the very thing we are trying to avoid? Barry provides some all-too-true examples and encourages us to be the kind of people that keep the faith, sacrifice our own will, and love our enemies instead of clinging to the delusion that we can control our lives and […]

Sometimes we can be dualistic in our thinking—especially when it comes to us and our competitor/adversary. However, Barry reminds us that there are often three options: we win, they win, and modus vivendi.     Scriptures: James 4:11-12, 5:7-10; 1 Peter 3:13-17, 4:1-5; Jeremiah 29:7   Book: Eisenhower in War and Peace, Jean Edward Smith […]

Barry talks through Psalm 28 and leads us to the time-worn and yet sometimes surprising message that we are separated from those who face judgment only by the grace of God, without anything to earn it on our part. And then what naturally follows: If we can receive this grace, then so can those we […]

Barry finishes up a two-part series in response to a question from a listener: How do we get along with others whose Christian and non-Christian beliefs are in opposition to ours, both within Protestantism and across the lines? Part two covers our interactions with Christian non-Christians and Christian Christians. We promise: it will make sense […]

Barry talks with Andrew Hébert, author and lead pastor of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas about his new book. Shepherding Like Jesus challenges Christian leaders, pastors, and churches to highlight the right things in leadership—things like humility, purity, sympathy, and reconciliation.       Book: Shepherding Like Jesus: Returning to the Wild Idea that […]