Joe Barnett

God Wants to Be Your Friend

God wants to be your friend. That seems strange in a way because people of different social, educational, or economic levels seldom become close friends. Presidents don’t generally pal with peasants. Research scholars don’t normally fraternize with grade-school dropouts. Seven-figure executives don’t ordinarily socialize with the homeless. There are refreshing exceptions, but we usually form […]

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Lift Me Up

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.     —John 14:27 The Texas Star Flyer on the Pleasure Pier in Galveston, Texas, is a gigantic cylinder, to which swings are attached by cable. The cylinder rotates, ascends, and accelerates until strapped-in riders are spinning at hair-raising speed 230 feet in

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The Verdict

After a long time the master . . . returned and settled accounts.       —Matthew 25:19 In Jesus’ parable of the talents (Mt 25:14–30), he said gifts are given to “each according to their ability.” The two-talent servant was not required to produce at the level of the five-talent servant—but he was expected

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Are You Ready?

You don’t know the day your Lord will come.   —Matthew 24:42 In Matthew 25:1–13, Jesus told a story about ten bridesmaids. He said five of them were wise because they were prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom to begin the wedding banquet and five of them were foolish because they weren’t. It’s really

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