StephenBarkley.com

Faith is beautifully contagious. — Madeleine L’Engle (The Genesis Trilogy) File this one under commands ripped out of context. Has anyone ever told you it’s unchristian-like to get a tattoo? The reason probably came from the Torah. Hear the word of the Lord: You shall not . . . tattoo any marks upon you: I am [...]

Reverence or the fear of the Lord in the Old Testament means specifically faithfulness and obedience to the covenant demands of God and this is synonymous with true religion. — David Peterson (Engaging with God) Jesus told a story about talents. Let me refresh your memory. A master goes on a trip. Before he leaves, entrusts [...]

While ours is the responsibility rightly to handle the Word of God in preparation and exposition, yet it remains the Spirit’s sword, and not ours. — Sinclair B. Ferguson I’m not very good at delegating. There, I’ve said it. My secret’s out. I work hard at doing it, but it’s tough. It would be much simpler just [...]

Easter thus means “Jesus is Lord.” The phrase has depths of meaning not always seen in a tradition in which the affirmation has become a commonplace. Jesus is Lord. Rome is not. The domination system is not. — Marcus Borg (The Meaning of Jesus) I grew up in Bancroft, Ontario, Canada. It’s a beautiful town, surrounded [...]

Help us, poor and wretched souls who cry unto Thee and earnestly seek Thee according to the grace which Thou hast given us by the Holy Spirit, who with Thee and the Father liveth and reigneth, blessed forevermore. Amen. — Martin Luther When God shuts a door, he does a good job. His work would make Mike [...]