Barnabas Powell's Blog, page 52
February 1, 2022
Is It An Empowerment Problem?
What confuses me most about today’s societal chaos is the whole idea of “empowerment.” It strikes me as so very misplaced and wrongheaded. Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand the motivation of wanting to correct a feeling of powerlessness. I’m just convinced that the current method being championed by those who keep on insisting they are defenders of the powerless is simply wrong. their methods don’t, in the end, address powerlessness…
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January 31, 2022
A Deficiency of Love!
“Excellence” is a term we hear a lot in sports and in business. And that ties the word to an idea of achievement or progress. But there is also an application of “excellence” when it comes to your relationship with God, and that has little to do with achievement or progress and everything to do with growing in love for God and others! Look at our lesson today in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31; 13:1-8…
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January 28, 2022
Knowing Yourself is True Wisdom
The great, ancient philosopher Lao Tzu said “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” And I would, arrogantly, add that the first step in mastering yourself is truly knowing yourself. And that, my angels, is much more profound than what any of us might imagine. Of course, this is what’s behind all the Divine Mysteries of the Faith; the confrontation with…
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January 27, 2022
The Exclusive Message of Christ
It’s never been “popular” to confront our very prideful and “autonomous” societies with the exclusive teaching that the only way to God the Father is through Jesus Christ. In fact, most societies and cultures have reacted rather badly to this message from the Christian Faith. And yet the scriptures and the teaching of the Church are unavoidable; Jesus Christ is the only “door” to eternal life and relationship with God. Even writing…
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January 26, 2022
Timeless Wisdom
In 1968 The Zombies recorded a song called “Time of the Season.” In it, there is a great lyric: “What’s your name? Who’s your daddy? Is he rich like me?” It was meant to communicate the moment in time of protest, a slap at the arrogant rich, and a move away from the hypocrisy the younger generation saw in the wealthy and even middle class of America at the time. Plus, it’s…
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January 25, 2022
The Plain Truth
Someone can be truly sincere AND sincerely wrong. It doesn’t help good people to be more concerned about their fragile feelings and ignore the danger they are in by heading in the wrong direction. Sometimes, speaking the truth in love is unpleasant and unwelcome. But love DEMANDS I care more for the other than their opinion of me. Recently I told my own daughter that I am OK with her not liking…
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January 24, 2022
A Special Message From Fr. Barnabas
Getting Back My Health Dear Friends of Faith Encouraged Ministries, I wanted to write you and let you know two very important things: First, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your faithful support over the last two years. You have been the backbone of our ability to continue on even in the face of both external and internal challenges! The external is easy! This health crisis around the world…
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NOT Dressed For The Occasion
It’s not just my recurring dream (nightmare, really) but it has been found to be a common dream for much of humanity. You know the one I mean: I’m standing at a fancy party with either my pajamas on or no pants! In other words, I am NOT dressed for the occasion. How embarrassing! And that’s why this is such a common dream of we humans. We fear being embarrassed! And why…
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January 21, 2022
Don’t Be Anxious!
Well, the truth is I was worried (OK, actually worried and scared). I had never faced anything like this before and all I had ever heard was this situation was serious. And it was. But as I stood there waiting to face the music I so dreaded, I noticed something. My anxiety and fear were making things worse. These emotions and feelings were clouding my judgment, and that was dangerous. You see,…
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January 20, 2022
Staying Faithful
Our busy lives really do challenge us in keeping our priorities in the right order, don’t they? We moderns are a complicated mishmash of schedules, opportunities, affluence, and “freedom.” And that multiplication of events, desires, hopes, and advertisements don’t seem to be slowing down. It seems that each new day brings a new barrage of invitations, exhortations, and marketing all meant to fill up every available moment of our day with “You…
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