Barnabas Powell's Blog, page 15
April 12, 2023
The Peace of Palm Sunday – Sunday’s Homily
On this Palm Sunday, as we prepare to walk with Christ during His final days before His voluntary passion on the cross, the Normal Orthodox life is one of peace that passes understanding. It is this heavenly peace that Christ gives us that keeps all the external chaos and troubles of life away from our hearts as we rest in God’s love for us.
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This Isn’t Magic – Holy Wednesday
On this Holy Wednesday: Let us pray to the Lord, O Lord who, in Your mercies and bounties, heals the disorders of our souls and bodies, do the same Master, sanctify this Oil, that it may be effectual for those who shall be anointed therewith, unto healing, and unto relief from every passion, every malady of the flesh and of the spirit, and every ill; and that therein may be glorified Your…
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April 11, 2023
The Negligence of Ignorance – Holy Tuesday
On this Holy Tuesday: Let us pray to the Lord. O you who observe all things with your eye that never sleeps, who afford us such saving lessons in your desire to grant mercy to all who seek it: We give thanks to you for raising us from bed and sleep to enjoy the light of another day. Receive this morning worship we offer you as we continue to follow the passion…
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April 10, 2023
Overcome Mediocrity – Holy Monday
On this Holy Monday: I want to share with you some prayers that have helped me reorient my mind during this Holy Week to contemplate, for my salvation, the mysteries of this week as we walk with the Lord towards His holy death, burial, and resurrection. So, the devotionals will be a bit shorter and with one focus. Good strength this week. Let us pray to the Lord, O you who observe…
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April 7, 2023
A Good Wife Is More Precious Than Jewels
My grandmother once told me “Son, a good woman is hard to find.” The longer I live, the more I think that it’s the fault of bad men that this saying may be accurate. But what does that even mean after all? Good according to what measure? Is it looks? We all know that physical beauty is fleeting. Is it intelligence? Using what standard? All of this feels so arbitrary. No wonder…
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April 6, 2023
Living A Sober Life is Normal Orthodoxy
In my old law enforcement days, I served on the DUI Task Force in our local community. This was when Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) was just getting started and there was a real push to get impaired drivers off the road. We had to do extensive training on just how alcoholic beverages or any intoxicant affected a person’s ability to safely operate their car. One tool we had was a car…
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April 5, 2023
A Good Name is Better Than Riches
“Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes, they don’t tell the truth, smiling faces, smiling faces, tell lies, and I’ve got proof…” The Temptations did this song in 1971 and it’s a favorite. But its message is all too familiar. Sometimes, a friend turns out to be no friend at all. Sometimes, the smiling mask someone wears hides an evil and jealous intent. And too often we learn about this the hard way. It…
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April 4, 2023
Are You Foolish or Wise?
Drama! I confess I am not a fan of drama in my house. And here I am living with three women! I guess the joke’s on me! And one of them is a teenager and the other is a pre-teen! I’m doomed! OK, before I get in real trouble here, let me say that I have noticed the older I get, the more I like quiet and smooth sailing. And yet, I’m…
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April 3, 2023
Save Your Life!
Why is it I keep having to learn wisdom the hard way? I mean, it isn’t like I haven’t had wise men and women and friends who have offered wise counsel. I’ve seen how bad choices can really wreck a life and then I’ve watched myself make those SAME BAD CHOICES! What gives? Well, what gives IS our common, human struggle. Our will, our “want to” is weakened by fear and death.…
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March 31, 2023
An Everlasting Salvation
If you’ve spent any time with me at all, you know I’m a big fan of asking the “WHY” question when it comes to our motivations for living. In fact, I’m convinced that no one sticks with a pattern of life that is effective without really understanding WHY it is effective. And that’s because the spiritual life is a marathon, not a sprint! And you can only endure a marathon if you…
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