Barry heads to Psalm 75 for what seems to be a summary of a hundred other passages. In this case, we get a lesson on geography: while mountains and valleys may beautify the earth’s surface, they mar the complexion of mankind. Scriptures: Psalm

Sacred Center: Rerouting...

13 days ago 41m 14s

Barry covers Psalm 74 where we have significant grief coupled with significant hope. As you might imagine, we bring the grief to this equation and God the hope. We are also introduced to this strange truth: the wall that separates us from harm

Caution: Uneven Path

20 days ago 45m 23s

Barry leads us down Asaph’s path (Psalm 73), as we embark on a journey fraught with confusion and envy, doubt and worry. What’s shocking is how common this journey is for believers and how welcoming God is when you finally reach home. Scripture

A Poor Substitute: Part 2

27 days ago 42m 26s

Barry concludes his focus on David’s prayer for Solomon in Psalm 72. Our part to play in the Good News is both simple and challenging: look at God’s holiness, which is seen in his compassionate care for self-destructively debilitated creatures,

A Poor Substitute: Part 1

Apr 24th, 2024 42m 41s

Barry invites us to a poignant moment between David and Solomon, when the man after God’s heart passes the kingdom to his son. His number one reminder is to follow God through obeying his law, and what that law centers on is perhaps a little su

Power to the People

Apr 17th, 2024 49m 40s

Barry talks about the advantages and disadvantages of democracy. While it is certainly most comfortable blaming leadership, we must admit, our leadership simply reflects our desires and fickle decision-making. People may be the problem, but peo

What Not to Wear: Part 2

Apr 10th, 2024 42m

Barry concludes the story of 1 Samuel 16-21 focusing on the Chosen one and how others respond to him. We do have a choice, which both Saul and Jonathan evidenced, but thank God there is no overcoming His purposes. Scriptures: 1 Sam 16-21 Luke 1

What Not to Wear: Part 1

Apr 3rd, 2024 44m 38s

Barry highlights a few details in the story of David and Goliath that may surprise us. David’s strength lies in taking up the tasks he has been given and leaving God’s tasks to God. Waiting on God is sometimes the most challenging task of all.

Donne with Death: Part 2

Mar 27th, 2024 29m 51s

Barry reads The Day from poet John Donne, where we are reminded of our value and God’s promises through the most somber of occasions. Funerals are just a believer’s step toward what’s next. Poems/Book: The Day, John Donne Scriptures: Psal

Donne with Death: Part 1

Mar 20th, 2024 38m 41s

Barry explores John Donne’s poetry, revealing the dangers and hope associated with death. These poems are a great reminder of why Christ-followers celebrate Easter. Poems/Book: The Day, John Donne, Holy Sonnets 10 and 17, John Donne

Being the Blizzard

Mar 13th, 2024 46m 33s

Barry discusses something we should all know but can sometimes easily forget. The more we learn about things like belief, truth, relationships, wisdom, and maturity, the more we begin to realize all the things we don’t know about those same top

Fight or Flight Control

Mar 6th, 2024 56m 22s

Barry talks about a less than pleasant human behavior—allowing fear to lead us to control others through rhetoric and conflictual interactions. Acknowledging God’s sovereignty allows us to let go of the “control” that we really don’t have anywa

All Day Long

Feb 28th, 2024 51m 2s

Barry covers Psalm 71, highlighting that in David’s very best moments, what might have looked like his apparent strength to others was actually his dependence on God. In this description of David’s “strength” we see a golden nugget: the further

Love or Nothing: Part 2

Feb 21st, 2024 37m 49s

Barry covers the very good news of the gospel: God loves you. This love is the grounding for the commandment and invitation to love others. This “others” will include all kinds: those who are easy to love, those we are afraid to love, and those

Love or Nothing: Part 1

Feb 14th, 2024 45m 8s

On this Valentine’s Day, Barry starts a series focused on love. How important is this thing anyway? What is it not? What does it produce? And what drives it? God answers all these questions in his son, and we ought to be taking notes in prepara

The Human Coin

Feb 7th, 2024 45m 46s

Barry walks us through an addendum to the On Purpose episode (131), highlighting the differences between being human and being a human. While all humans are equally valuable, God’s purpose for each sets them apart. Scriptures: Psalm 139, 116; G

Out of This World

Jan 31st, 2024 48m 48s

We may prefer our day-to-day experiences, to understand and measure out our lives with coffee spoons. But Barry reminds us that God is beyond understanding. The fact that our relationship with God is the most fulfilling thing we can experience

On Purpose

Jan 24th, 2024 49m 33s

Barry revisits a well-known set of verses in a somewhat less known Psalm for Sanctity of Life week. While Psalm 139 does indicate that our beginning is “fearful and wonderful” it also explains why our end is sacred. Scriptures: Psalm 139, 1

Year In, Year Out: Part 2

Jan 17th, 2024 48m 9s

Barry highlights newsworthy events from 1984 to the present. These events gave shape to America. Will only the events shape 2024, or will we determine the outcome? Articles: The Biggest News Story Every Year Since 1950, 24/7 Wall St.; A Guide t

Year In, Year Out: Part 1

Jan 10th, 2024 43m 34s

Barry walks down Decade Lane a bit, starting with 1954 to talk about events occurring in the world that shaped America. As we look at our future through the past, a question comes to mind: is time hurtling us down the path, or do we have a say

The Way We Were

Jan 3rd, 2024 47m 19s

In Psalm 63, Barry traces a pattern that leads to praise through some very difficult times. Picture the context of a wilderness with the strength of a memory that enables us to relive the faithfulness of God. It’s strange that the loss of somet

Salt of Gaza

Dec 27th, 2023 44m 29s

Barry talks with Dr. Scott Bridger about Christians in Gaza, their struggles during wartime, and why their presence is necessary if peace is ever to come to the region. We must cheer the gospel on as we see the teachings of Jesus offer the worl

Born King of the World

Dec 20th, 2023 47m 39s

Barry looks at Matthew 2’s account of the birth of the world’s King. His entry into the world brought down the powerful, lifted up the lowly, and invited in the outsider. And it still does. Scriptures: Matt 2, 4:12-17 Micah 5:2 James 4:1-10

Might Makes Rights?: Part 2

Dec 13th, 2023 49m 53s

Barry finishes up his discussion of the hot topics free speech and vulnerable people groups. Despite the dilemmas and conflicts that emerge he reminds us to act first in the interest of others, and last in the interest of self. Article: https:/

Might Makes Right?: Part 1

Dec 6th, 2023 45m 38s

Barry brings up two hot topics: free speech and vulnerable people groups. How does a society protect both at the same time and, more importantly for us, how should Christians think of these topics in the light of our calling to be peacemakers?