Fr. Barnabas Powell, Author at Faith Encouraged Ministries

As Sheep Among the Wolves

BlogSeptember 15, 202328Views 0Likes 1Comment

Don't kid yourself, the spiritual life is no cakewalk. And by that I mean there is a real struggle involved. To put it like our Orthodox Fathers said - it is war. But not the war we think of nowadays. No, this is a "war" with myself where I have to commit to a purposeful, attentive,…

If I Be Lifted Up

BlogSeptember 14, 202310Views 0Likes 0Comments

The old saying is "There ain't no way to put lipstick on a pig." It meant that no matter how hard you try, you can't make a horrible situation better by pretending it isn't "all that bad." It just doesn't work. It's like the awkward conversations with those who have had a family member pass.…

The Power of a Firm Foundation in Christ

BlogSeptember 13, 202316Views 0Likes 0Comments

Why do you think the way you think? In other words, what forms your opinions, priorities, and actions. Why do you choose what you choose? All of these questions go to the foundation of how you live your life. And if we don't periodically examine the foundational formation of how we think and live, we…

“One Man Should Die for the People”

BlogSeptember 12, 202313Views 0Likes 1Comment

Have you ever heard of the story of the donkey who saved a prophet’s life by talking to him? And you thought your dreams were strange! Seriously, this powerful story in the First Testament is worth your time! Read the whole story in Numbers 22. To make a long story short, Balaam is something of a…

Cure for the Troubled Soul

BlogSeptember 11, 202316Views 0Likes 1Comment

In our nihilistic age, with all the turmoil of our society from pandemics to politics to violence in the streets, we moderns seem to be having a crisis of purpose, a crisis of meaning! I was having a conversation the other day with a dear, educated man, who also happens to be an ordained clergyman…

Thinking Like Jesus Thinks – Happy Marymas!

BlogSeptember 8, 202313Views 0Likes 1Comment

How do you think? Or, a better question is, What has formed the way you think? SDcientists call this question "epistemology" from the Greek word "episteme." How you think flows from what has shaped how you think. So, what do you allow to shape your thinking? Because how you think, and what you think shapes…

Knowing Your Freedom in Christ

BlogSeptember 7, 202314Views 0Likes 3Comments

There was a day when I relished a good theological argument. Jousting with this or that “opponent” over this or that doctrine was as much fun as it was challenging. My favorite fights were over questions about the Trinity or predestination or even the very question about what was salvation anyway. I’d pour over scriptures…

The Stone Rejected Has Become the Cornerstone – Sunday Homily

BlogSeptember 6, 202319Views 0Likes 0Comments

Your life is a gift from the God Who loves you. The Creator has allowed you to be His tenants of His world, and all He asks is that we remember that our life is gift and return gratitude to the Creator, not for His benefit (He needs nothing) but for our benefit. When confronted…

How Can Suffering Make You Perfect?

BlogSeptember 6, 202311Views 0Likes 0Comments

The word “asceticism” is something of a mystery to our modern way of life. We have lived with such plenty and such amazing comfort and ease for so long that now we assume that all of life is meant to be pain (and even effort) free. Just consider our attitudes towards marriage. We assume that…

It Isn’t Easy, But It Is Good!

BlogSeptember 5, 20239Views 0Likes 0Comments

Every parent has heard themselves say this at one time or another: “If you two don’t stop bickering, I’ll stop this car and punish you both!” I mean, surely I’m not the only one! Please tell me I’m not the only dad that has threatened this! Seriously, as parents, we really do set expectations of behavior…

Author page: Fr. Barnabas Powell

Fr. Barnabas Powell

As Sheep Among the Wolves

If I Be Lifted Up

The Power of a Firm Foundation in Christ

“One Man Should Die for the People”

Cure for the Troubled Soul

Thinking Like Jesus Thinks – Happy Marymas!

Knowing Your Freedom in Christ

The Stone Rejected Has Become the Cornerstone – Sunday Homily

How Can Suffering Make You Perfect?

It Isn’t Easy, But It Is Good!

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