On My Mind

Salt of the Earth . . . Light of the World

By Joe Barnett / May 6, 2017 / Comments Off on Salt of the Earth . . . Light of the World

Matthew 5:13-16 You—yes, you—are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Jesus did not say become the salt of the earth; he said you are the salt of the earth. He did not say become the light of the world; he said you are the light of the world. Salt of […]

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You Stumbled . . . Now What?

By Joe Barnett / April 8, 2017 / Comments Off on You Stumbled . . . Now What?

My song leader and I were perched on the front pew, prepared to lead the congregation in song and sermon after communion, which was being served from the platform seven steps up. Beginning his descent with trays of filled cups, our server tripped and launched into a headfirst dive, zeroing in on two petrified parsons […]

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You Are Living Well When . . .

By Joe Barnett / March 4, 2017 / Comments Off on You Are Living Well When . . .

You are living well when . . . . . . You let go of the past, enjoy the present, and face the future with faith. . . . You focus on your responsibilities instead of your rights. . . . You map your course thoughtfully, knowing that reputation is easier retained than recovered. . […]

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All Alone

By Joe Barnett / February 4, 2017 / Comments Off on All Alone

It was a beautifully manicured patch of green in Llano Cemetery, where the county buried its unknown dead. Who was “Infant Lara” I wondered, and why did she die alone? And why did he whose bones were beneath the stone that said “Unknown” die alone? I had been called to say words over another unknown. […]

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Pause Points

By Joe Barnett / January 7, 2017 / Comments Off on Pause Points

A Pause Point is where you deliberately call a time out to think about what you are about to say or do before you say it or do it. OK, here we go—seven Pause Point questions to ask before you speak and seven to ask before you act. Pause Point Questions Before You Speak Mom […]

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No Room for Gloom

By Joe Barnett / December 3, 2016 / Comments Off on No Room for Gloom

The bigwigs huddled in secret, hatching a plan to arrest and kill Jesus. But they had a problem: pilgrims were pouring into Jerusalem by the tens of thousands to observe Passover, and they were in a frenzy of excitement about Jesus. Jesus had to be eliminated. “‘But not during the Feast,’ they whispered, ‘or there […]

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Jesus’ Last Visit to the Temple

By Joe Barnett / November 5, 2016 / Comments Off on Jesus’ Last Visit to the Temple

It had been a rough day for Jesus in the temple. First, the Pharisees tag teamed with the Herodians to snag him in a trap about paying taxes to Caesar. Then it was the Sadducees, with a cockamamie story about seven brothers dying one after another, each marrying the left-behind widow. Their “gotcha” question was, […]

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Do You Believe I Can Do This?

By Joe Barnett / October 8, 2016 / Comments Off on Do You Believe I Can Do This?

Jazz pianist George Shearing was born blind, but crafted a remarkably successful career. Self-pity wasn’t in his DNA. He fearlessly navigated crowded downtown sidewalks with his dark glasses and white cane. At a busy London intersection during rush hour one day he was hoping some compassionate soul would help him across. Someone tapped him on […]

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Don’t You Care?

By Joe Barnett / September 3, 2016 / Comments Off on Don’t You Care?

Mark 4:35-41 They were terrified! They had been in lots of storms, but never one like this. Most of them were experienced mariners. They had grown up around water, were professional fishermen, knew how to handle a boat. But they were no match for this storm. Jesus was sound asleep, and that rubbed them the […]

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The Danger of Delay

By Joe Barnett / August 6, 2016 / Comments Off on The Danger of Delay

Story Number 1. “Follow me,” Jesus said.  He said he would, but but he wanted to wait until his father died and he had banked his inheritance (Lk. 9:59). Another said, “Count me in … but first I need to be sure my family is OK with it” (Lk. 9:61). Jesus was now on his final trek […]

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