Author page: Fr. Barnabas Powell

A Focused Life is Hard Work! There's just no substitute for contemplation. But it seems our modern world is moving at such a break neck speed that contemplation is impossible! That's why authentic faith is the "last, true, rebellion" and the hardest and most rewarding path to being truly human! Listen to what Abba Evagrius says "A…

When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan... "Now Appearing!" I read the words with a mixture of pride and embarrassment! You see, this was part of a sign advertising a book signing I was doing in an area. Ugh! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to be a "published author." Frankly, coming from the…

Is it Good News or Bad News? It's BOTH! Christ is born! OK, I've got good news and bad news, and, it turns out it's the same news. Confused? Don't be. One man's Good News is another man's bad news, and, as usual, it depends on the condition of your desires and your perspective. Take the financial markets, for…

Are you living an "examining" life? Christ is Born! Socrates sees the wisdom in living a wakeful life when he says "ὁ δὲ ἀνεξέταστος βίος οὐ βιωτὸς ἀνθρώπῳ - The unexamining life is not worth living for a human being." Notice the continual action implied in the original. This wisdom, planted in we humans by our loving Creator,…

The Keys to Making the Invisible Visible! Christ is born! "To Make the Invisible Visible." These were the words of a catechist to a catechumen when he was asked why would God become a man? The Christian Faith is unique among all world religions in this mystery of God in the Flesh. Oh, to be sure…

Are you Being Born Again? Christ is born! "You must be born again." Hey, where I'm from, that scripture is as well worn as John 3:16. In the '70's fad of the "Jesus Movement" (anybody who was paying attention at all to the culture of the early '70's knows this) being "born again" was all the rage.…

There is a great story about St. Paisios dealing with some folks who were scandalized by this or that event or behavior in the Church. He then tells the story of the honeybee and the fly: I tell them that if you ask a fly, “Are there any flowers in this area?” it will say, “I…

Christ is born! Glorify Him! "You can pick your friends, but you're stuck with your relatives." That's an old saying around these parts and it reflects a reality that sometimes your family can embarrass you. Truth be told I actually try to embarass my daughters when we are in public. I'll dance or sing out loud…

Christ is born! Glorify Him! I always wonder at those who constantly insist "You can't judge me." Of course I can't. Besides, I don't need to judge you. We always judge ourselves. Our words, our actions, and our thoughts all contain all that is needed to "judge" rightly the true state of our souls. It is…