StephenBarkley.com

I’ve got to admit it’s getting better, (better) A little better all the time (it can’t get no worse) I have to admit it’s getting better, (better) It’s getting better since you’ve been mine — The Beatles (Lennon/McCartney), “Getting Better” from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Why do we feel so compelled to own [...]

It is the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most human beings live only for the gratification of it. — Aristotle Have you ever been faced with a choice between what you want and what you need? A new CD or rent? A doughnut or a shiny apple? An extra canoe trip or family [...]

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 [...]

Bartender, please Fill my glass for me With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free After three days in the ground — David J. Matthews, “Bartender” from Busted Stuff © 2002 For the renewed presence of God, there is a new set of rules. Just like Moses received the Law on Mt. Sinai, [...]

Confession is a divine sadness which leads to divine joy. — Dietrich Bonhoeffer Repentance. It sounds very religious. Somewhat medieval. Definitely uninspiring. We’re told daily to look to the future, to move on, to leave the past behind. But God challenged Israel to take the past seriously. It wasn’t as simple as moving on for [...]

Every Harlot was a Virgin once. — William Blake, “To The Accuser Who Is The God Of This World” Last Sunday I preached an awkward message.  I’ve been preaching through Revelation, taking every image and symbol as it comes.  Last week was chapters 17-18. The Whore of Babylon. To compound matters, our junior church program was over [...]