Coffee with Creamer

Barry wades into Psalm 93, one of the shortest psalms with 93 words. In this flood we’ve got transience and permanence, power and purpose, and faith and action. You would think the strength of the flood would swallow us, but instead that strength provides a refuge for us to pour our lives out for others, […]

Barry heads back from his mind-bending journey into the land of opposites. He covers a few ironies from opposite perspectives and reminds us that only a radical irruption in the environment can avert the inevitable collapse of our interest into selfishness at one level or another. Thank God, God is into radical irruptions.   Scriptures: […]

Heavy on the science and philosophy, Barry dives into a mind-bending journey to the land of opposites. Opposites can have more in common than we think. Even when we are at odds with someone, that commonness allows us to sit down and share a conversation with them, something that can make us more like Christ. […]

Psalm 92 reminds us that life is short but a Christian’s presence can be enduring. From our perspective, our lives are here today, gone tomorrow, like husks. However, God’s people are the kernel, filling the world with his presence. And we do our best work shouldering the world’s purpose on the day we rest.   […]

There may not be any stupid questions, but there are wrong ones if we want to follow Jesus. Sometimes we have a goal in mind but ask the wrong question to get us there or, worse yet, have the wrong goal to begin with! A little humility might help us start to get both right […]

Looking for shelter? Barry walks us through Psalm 91 and reminds us that God’s pinions are plenty strong and faithful enough to provide the protection we need in the midst of our inevitable troubles. What is confusing is that his plan sometimes looks more like a sacrifice than salvation.     Scriptures: Psalm 91 Ex […]

Barry highlights a character often found in stories that brings help to the world. In Scripture we see angels, donkeys, prophets, church leaders and believers fill this role. Are you ready to recognize these characters in your life and perhaps become one for others?       Scriptures: Gen 21:15-20 Numbers 22:22-30 1 Kings 13:14-19, […]

Throwing out the baby with the bathwater wouldn’t be a “proverb” if it wasn’t such a common practice. This episode focuses on holding onto the painful experiences of others while fighting the circumstances that put them there. Referenced Episode: The Value of Decisions: Part 1 with Rachael Denhollander and Tiffany Thigpen  

Barry walks through Psalm 90, pointing out lesser contrasts like the one between transient humanity and durable mountains, to draw our attention to the greater contrast between Almighty God and each person, each grain of dust. The good news is that the power in that contrast is also God’s to use with the dust. Scripture: […]

Barry revisits his question-and-answer series, this time focusing on the process of change in relationships. This could be a church, a business, or a couple—anywhere there are people. We know the honeymoon phase will pass, but still find it odd that it does.       Book: On Revolution, Hannah Arendt Scriptures: 2 Cor 7:1; […]