Joe Barnett

God made all things.   —Romans 11:36 Meandering 4,132 miles, the Nile is the world’s longest river. It played a crucial role in the development and sustenance of Egyptian civilization. Greek historian Herodotus wrote that “Egypt was the gift of the Nile.” Wouldn’t you know that some inflated ego would take credit? Sure enough, Pharaoh, […]

We . . . always mention you in our prayers.                    —1 Thessalonians 1:2 In a recent essay, my friend Gene Shelburne gives a tip of the hat to the grand old hymn Count Your Blessings, but he fears we overlook the hymn’s advice to “name them

First get rid of the log from your own eye.                        —Matthew 7:5 What’s needling you? Your boss? A co-worker? Someone in your church? ___________________? Fill in the blank. At some point, I’ve struggled with each of the above. But none of them qualify as

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.                                     —Proverbs 18:24 Your friends are foundational relationships. Some you’ve known for years—perhaps since the fourth grade. Some are recent but fill your soul with a feeling that

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.               —Romans 12:6 “You can be anything you want to be.” “You can do anything you want to do.” Neither of these frequently-quoted statements is true. Some things are beyond the reach of our knowledge and skills. But here’s

Stop judging others.    —Matthew 7:1 A new year is a good time for resolutions. Here’s a handful that will help us make a U-turn when we catch ourselves wallowing in judgmental mud. I resolve to remember that I will be weighed on the same scales that I use in weighing others (Mt 7:2). I

Do not fear; I will help you. —Isaiah 41:13 You don’t know what you will face in the next twelve months, but whatever it is, you won’t have to face it alone. You can let your weight down on that because of a promise and because of who made it. Who made the promise? God.

Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand!     —Psalm 89:13 World War II had been spreading its slaughter for four months when, as 1939 wound down, King George VI reached out to the ears of British citizens in a BBC radio broadcast. He closed his speech with the preamble to Minnie Louise Haskins’

[Forget] the past and [look] forward to what lies ahead.          —Philippians 3:13 The Magic Slate was one of my favorite childhood Christmas gifts. I could write or draw on the Slate’s plastic sheet, then peel the sheet back, and everything on the page would magically disappear. And then I could start