Barnabas Piper's Blog, page 35
November 23, 2021
Catching Up on Recent Happy Rant Episodes
We’ve recently launched a brand new website for The Happy Rant. You can keep up with new episodes there as well as seeing our new line of merchandise composed of high quality t-shirts, canvas bags, fanny packs and more.
EPISODE #367 – DRISKY BUSINESS, CRACKER BARREL CHRISTIANS, AND REFORMED MINGLEIn this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of topics:
DRISKY BUSINESS: evaluating Mark Driscoll’s Yoda tweeting techniqueThe practicalities of punching something evil in the faceCracker Barrel Christians vs. Whole Foods ChristiansReformed Mingle (not a joke): a new reformed dating siteEPISODE #366 – WRITING VOICE, IF WE COULD NOT FAIL, AND SPOUSAL APPRECIATIONIn this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie and Barnabas wander to and fro through three topics, specifically through 3 Patreon episodes:
How do you find your voice as a writer?What would we do if we knew we could not fail?What do we appreciate about our wives?HAPPY RANT SPORTS EPISODE #56 – BASE INSTINCTS, BAD FANTASY TEAMS, AND PLAYER EMPOWERMENTIn this episode of the Happy Rant Sports Podcast Ted and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of sports topics:
Ted’s alumni football gameThe base instincts of sports and competition (and how they bring out the worst in us)Disappointing fantasy football teams – the best and worse of this yearNFL Uniforms: the good, the bad, and the really uglyThe Ben Simmons situation and player empowermentNBA team chemistryThat one friend who wants to realign college footballEPISODE #365 – WRITING FAME, MLMS FOR MEN, AND SIDE HUSTLESIn this episode of The Happy Rant Podcast Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of topics:
Gospel Project writing fameWhat MLMs would work for men?Side hustles for ministryThe poverty reputation“I could make more in the marketplace”Working for money vs. working for purposeBe sure to visit Our Website Where You Can:Listen to past episodesOrder Happy Rant MerchandiseSponsors
We’re excited to be partnering with Visual Theology. They offer resources for studying, teaching, and better understanding scripture that are of amazing design and quality while being deeply faithful to the Bible. Ranging from books to curriculum to posters to apparel, Visual Theology’s materials are a wonderful way to see realities of God’s Word in a new way. It’s so easy to miss so much of what the Bible says because we can’t envision it, but they offer resources to help you, your kids, your students, and your congregants to do just that. Visit Visual Theology today and be sure to use the code happyrant at checkout to get a 20% discount.
Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.
We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.
October 28, 2021
New Happy Rant: The Last T4G, Listener Questions, and Resurrecting Vince Vaughn
In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of topics:
The final T4G – but why? And How are we feeling about it?A Piper name drop of the Rise and Fall of Mars HillThings we’re enjoyingWhat career would we do if we could do anything else?Do we care about James Bond movies?Vince Vaughn opinionsWho’s the most surprising fan of The Rant?SponsorsWe’re excited to be partnering with Visual Theology. They offer resources for studying, teaching, and better understanding scripture that are of amazing design and quality while being deeply faithful to the Bible. Ranging from books to curriculum to posters to apparel, Visual Theology’s materials are a wonderful way to see realities of God’s Word in a new way. It’s so easy to miss so much of what the Bible says because we can’t envision it, but they offer resources to help you, your kids, your students, and your congregants to do just that. Visit Visual Theology today and be sure to use the code happyrant at checkout to get a 20% discount.
We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.
Episode #364
October 14, 2021
New Happy Rant: Leadership, Brand and Finding Margin
In this episode of The Happy Rant Podcast Ted and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of topics:
The demographic of people who use “margin”Leadership brand vs. leaders we’d actually followHumility as a brandWhat does it mean to lead our family?The pitfalls of the five paragraph essaySponsorsWe’re excited to be partnering with Visual Theology. They offer resources for studying, teaching, and better understanding scripture that are of amazing design and quality while being deeply faithful to the Bible. Ranging from books to curriculum to posters to apparel, Visual Theology’s materials are a wonderful way to see realities of God’s Word in a new way. It’s so easy to miss so much of what the Bible says because we can’t envision it, but they offer resources to help you, your kids, your students, and your congregants to do just that. Visit Visual Theology today and be sure to use the code happyrant at checkout to get a 20% discount.
We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.
Episode #363
October 8, 2021
New Happy Rant: The Pied Piper and Heresy Rant
In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted Ronnie and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of topics:
Dutch Adam & EveJohn Piper the punching bagThe Pied Piper Book (hit piece on Piper)The Heresy RantThe New Yorker tote bag flexOther brand flexesSponsorsWe’re excited to be partnering with Visual Theology. They offer resources for studying, teaching, and better understanding scripture that are of amazing design and quality while being deeply faithful to the Bible. Ranging from books to curriculum to posters to apparel, Visual Theology’s materials are a wonderful way to see realities of God’s Word in a new way. It’s so easy to miss so much of what the Bible says because we can’t envision it, but they offer resources to help you, your kids, your students, and your congregants to do just that. Visit Visual Theology today and be sure to use the code happyrant at checkout to get a 20% discount.
We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.Episode #362
September 17, 2021
New Happy Rant: Live, Part 3 – Listener Q&A
In this LIVE episode of the Happy Rant, recorded at the First Baptist Church of Hurst, Texas, Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of topics, all provided by listeners. They range from meeting our wives to owning minor league baseball teams to the Mark Driscoll podcast.
SponsorsWe’re excited to be partnering with Visual Theology. They offer resources for studying, teaching, and better understanding scripture that are of amazing design and quality while being deeply faithful to the Bible. Ranging from books to curriculum to posters to apparel, Visual Theology’s materials are a wonderful way to see realities of God’s Word in a new way. It’s so easy to miss so much of what the Bible says because we can’t envision it, but they offer resources to help you, your kids, your students, and your congregants to do just that. Visit Visual Theology today and be sure to use the code happyrant at checkout to get a 20% discount.
Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.
We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.
Live Episode 3
September 13, 2021
New Happy Rant: LIVE, Part 2 – Baptistries, Baptism, the Gentrification of Souls, and the Whitest Things
In this LIVE episode of the Happy Rant, recorded at the First Baptist Church of Hurst, Texas, Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of topics:
Our amazing hostsBreaking down baptistriesPersonas of different views of baptismWhy is smugness so fun?The gentrification of soulsThe whitest thingsSponsorsWe’re excited to be partnering with Visual Theology. They offer resources for studying, teaching, and better understanding scripture that are of amazing design and quality while being deeply faithful to the Bible. Ranging from books to curriculum to posters to apparel, Visual Theology’s materials are a wonderful way to see realities of God’s Word in a new way. It’s so easy to miss so much of what the Bible says because we can’t envision it, but they offer resources to help you, your kids, your students, and your congregants to do just that. Visit Visual Theology today and be sure to use the code happyrant at checkout to get a 20% discount.
Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.
We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.
Live Episode 2
September 10, 2021
New Happy Rant: LIVE, Part 1 – Church Aesthetics, Buddies with Beth Moore, and Reformed “Us Weekly”
In this LIVE episode of the Happy Rant, recorded at the First Baptist Church of Hurst, Texas, Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of topics:
Hot or Not – 90s mega church aesthetics, being assertive, and reformedomThe psychology and pathology of buddying up to Beth Moore on social mediaFlustered by celebrityCelebrity accessibility ruins thingsThe reformed version of US WEEKLYSponsorsWe’re excited to be partnering with Visual Theology. They offer resources for studying, teaching, and better understanding scripture that are of amazing design and quality while being deeply faithful to the Bible. Ranging from books to curriculum to posters to apparel, Visual Theology’s materials are a wonderful way to see realities of God’s Word in a new way. It’s so easy to miss so much of what the Bible says because we can’t envision it, but they offer resources to help you, your kids, your students, and your congregants to do just that. Visit Visual Theology today and be sure to use the code happyrant at checkout to get a 20% discount.
Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.
We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.
Live Episode 1
September 1, 2021
He Reads Truth: Thomas’s Encounter with Christ
I have the privilege of contributing to He Reads Truth, a website of whose purpose is “To help men become who we were made to be, by doing what we were made to do, by the power and provision that God has given us to do it, for the glory of Jesus Christ.” They do this by providing scripture reading plans accompanied by reflections that can be accessed for free online or purchased as print books. This is one of the pieces I wrote for the Encounters with Christ plan.
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“Put your money where your mouth is.”
“Prove it.”
We’ve all heard people say these words before. We’ve likely said them ourselves. Phrases like these indicate skepticism. They express our doubts about a situation.
Here’s another phrase we’re likely familiar with: “doubting Thomas.” That’s someone who says those first three phrases all the time. He is a perpetual questioner, hard to convince and win over, needing incontrovertible proof before agreeing or believing.
That’s being awfully hard on the original Thomas, though. In John 20, Jesus appears to the disciples after His resurrection, but Thomas was not with them. Put yourself in Thomas’s shoes. You get back from running some errands or visiting family, and when you meet up with your friends again, what you hear is unbelievable. Literally, unbelievable. They insist that Jesus—the one you staked all your hope on, the one you saw die a criminal’s death—is alive. Who could believe that? Dead people do not come back to life. That is what the word “dead” means.
But your friends insist. You know they’re not insane and you can tell they aren’t pulling your leg. But dead is dead. Neither, though, can you just discount their sincerity. You say, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” You don’t believe, but you leave the door open in case the impossible happens.
That’s what Thomas did. Is that doubting? Yes, but it seems reasonable to me. After all, Jesus died and was buried in a tomb hewn of stone. And they were all witnesses to this fact.
What Jesus does next is beautiful; it’s exactly what Thomas needs in order to believe. Thomas said he would believe only if he could touch the scars in Jesus’ hands and side, so Jesus appears and shows Thomas the wounds. Jesus shows patience, grace, and understanding by giving Thomas what he needs to believe.
And Thomas does believe. He doesn’t cling to his skepticism or let pride get in the way. He doesn’t take time to come around. Immediately, Thomas responded with, “My Lord and my God!” That’s worship—the kind a risen Jesus deserves.
This passage closes with an exhortation from Jesus Himself, one that all of us who are doubters and questioners must cling to. Jesus says, “Those who believe without seeing are blessed” (v. 29). He isn’t calling us to blind, ignorant faith the way so many skeptics see it. He is calling us to trust His Word and promises.
Thomas had heard Jesus talk about dying and rising many times, yet still he doubted. We often do the same, but we would be happier and closer to Jesus if we took His Word to heart and simply believed.
Remember, He already proved His promises in His resurrection. What more do we need?
August 13, 2021
New Happy Rant: Self-Promotion vs. Self-Awareness
In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of topics:
TV size as a personality statementDonald Miller and car promotionsLoss of social cues when making marketing requestsThe muddying of business and personal in self-promotionHow to market our book without being the worst?SponsorsWe’re excited to be partnering with Visual Theology. They offer resources for studying, teaching, and better understanding scripture that are of amazing design and quality while being deeply faithful to the Bible. Ranging from books to curriculum to posters to apparel, Visual Theology’s materials are a wonderful way to see realities of God’s Word in a new way. It’s so easy to miss so much of what the Bible says because we can’t envision it, but they offer resources to help you, your kids, your students, and your congregants to do just that. Visit Visual Theology today and be sure to use the code happyrant at checkout to get a 20% discount.
Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.
We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.
Episode #358
August 5, 2021
New Happy Rant: Funny Again, Shyamalan Takes, and Weird Kid Names
In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas wander to and fro through a variety of topics:
Why aren’t we funny any more?M. Night Shyamalan takes and opinions – awesome or garbage?Jared C. the moviegoer and screenwriterKids with Weird namesTheologian names for kidsDock life and campingLIVE SHOW DETAILSSponsorsWe’re excited to be partnering with Visual Theology. They offer resources for studying, teaching, and better understanding scripture that are of amazing design and quality while being deeply faithful to the Bible. Ranging from books to curriculum to posters to apparel, Visual Theology’s materials are a wonderful way to see realities of God’s Word in a new way. It’s so easy to miss so much of what the Bible says because we can’t envision it, but they offer resources to help you, your kids, your students, and your congregants to do just that. Visit Visual Theology today and be sure to use the code happyrant at checkout to get a 20% discount.
Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.
We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.
Episode #357
