Author - Fr. Barnabas Powell

The Purpose of the Cross


Years ago a Protestant mega-pastor wrote the book "The Purpose Driven Life." The subtitle was "What on Earth am I here For?" Great title and a great question. The content of the book was helpful in places and, frankly, a bit theologically shallow and even questionable in places. But,...

Clash of the Titans


Sometimes it's inevitable; that clash of strong willed people. And, to be honest, it's a good thing IF you have the discernment to mine the gold in such events! The truth is conflict is unavoidable IF you actually hold to timeless principles. The inevitable spirit of the age that dismisses...

A Mother’s Love


I suppose the whole world couldn’t contain the poems, stories, and memories we children collect about our mothers. I know I owe much of my good qualities to the brave lady who raised me and my little brother. And the one quality I always remember is that, no matter...

We Did Not Yield!


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...

Can You Recognize God?


I’m convinced everyone wants to know God. Everyone. Even the most radical atheist or hedonist wants to know God above everything else. In fact, I’m convinced a man is an atheist because he is so angry that the God he longs for at the very core of his being...

Don’t Make Me Stop This Car!


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...

The Signs of True Apostleship


Steve Jobs said ” Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.” So true. Most of us are far too comfortable with mediocrity or “that’s good enough.” Because of this, we get a life that never is pressed to discover its...

Listen!


“Um, sorry, what did you say?” That’s the response I get many times when I’m talking to my younger brother. His hearing took a beating years ago when he was working at a car body repair shop. The steady noise combined with his serious work ethic to damage his hearing,...

Humble AND Obedient


“We are of one mind about this.” I heard his words and I understood each word and its meaning, but I had never heard this put this way before – “of one mind.” What did he mean? But, hey, I was a kid of 22 and the situation was...