Let's face it, we live in a society that has exalted radical uncertainty to a virtue. Where the "really sophisticated" people pride themselves on being able to "see all sides" of an issue without ever coming down clearly on a position. The modern thinkers fear being labeled "fundamentalists" or "close minded" and fear this so…
Fr. Barnabas Powell
"I'm sorry, I don't believe you." With that, I watched as our suspect in a series of robberies squirmed in his interrogation seat. My chief of detectives was a master at this kind of questioning, and all our evidence showed this man was the one who had been breaking into several shopping strips in our…
I love action movies, but I confess, sometimes, my ability to suspend my disbelief and go along with some outlandish scene is pretty near impossible. Usually, the idea that something like this could really happen is just too remote even for my imagination.
Sometimes we Christians fall into the same trap about our lives and our…
A recent election saw one politician insist that the supporters of the other politician were a "a basketful of deplorables." Well, of course, the other side jumped all over that and insisted that they weren't all deplorables! Ah, politics, what a sport!
But what's the dividing line between the acceptables and the deplorables? Is there…
It is claimed that the great Dwight L. Moody once declared "If it's new, it's not true." Of course, I've always found that funny coming from the mouth of a Protestant!
But is this a solid saying?
It is if we keep the perspective that God is eternal, and if the Eternal God wants a…
When did this happen? When did up become down and right become wrong? I'm watching the absolute unraveling of sanity as this precious couple on TV is being threatened to lose their job BECAUSE of the church they attend. When did this become OK? By the way, this hasn't happened because of something they did,…
"I'm their leader! Which way did they go?" I have a cap with two bills on it, one in the front and one in the back with that slogan on it. It's funny because it's so often true.
Leadership is always such a rewarding and challenging calling. In fact, if you could get most leaders to…
He was visibly shaking. It wasn't from fear. He was furious. You see I had just stopped this very nice car because of a traffic violation right in front of me. As I walked to the driver's side window, the man was shaking, he was so angry. "Do you know who I am? he asked.…
Ever Wondered how to stay focused on Faith between Sundays?
Being Orthodox on Purpose takes focus, but how do you stay focused between liturgies, between Sundays? Fr. Barnabas' new book "A Faith Encouraged" is designed to help you stay faithful during your busy work week. 52 work week devotionals all designed to keep you from…
It was insulting. It was hurtful. And, to make matters worse, it wasn't fair. I was shocked when someone I truly cared about started saying some very hurtful things about me to someone else. I guess my ego was so big that I believed no one would ever do such a thing to me. But…