Category: Uncategorized

A Funny Email

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Hey Friends,

This came in my email today. 

True or not, there’s truth here.

Enjoy, 

Joe

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In Florida , an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter & Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews & observances of their holy days. The argument was it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized day(s).

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, ‘Case dismissed.’

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, ‘Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter & others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur & Hanukkah. Yet my client & all other atheists have no such holidays.’

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, ‘But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant.’ 

The lawyer said, ‘Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists.’

The judge said, ‘The calendar says April 1st is ‘April Fools Day.’ Psalm 14:1 states ‘The fool says in his heart, there is no God.’ Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day.

Court is adjourned!  

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The Power of Questions

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized3 Comments
So, what would you think if I did a whole blog post and only asked questions?
Would you read it?
Could you get anything out of it?
Would you be willing to try????
  • So, what’s your name?
  • How old are you?
  • How did you vote in the last election?
  • What are your plans for eternity?
  • What are you doing after high school?
  • When was the last time you had an intelligent, enjoyable conversation?
  • What would you like for Christmas?

Have you ever considered the power of questions?

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if there were no periods or exclamation marks, just question marks?
Do questions open up a void or a vacuum demanding an answer?
Aren’t vacuums so powerful that they’ll draw anything available into them?
What if you ask the wrong person the right question?
Will you get the right answer?
Do questions create tension in our thinking?
Do questions lead to learning?
When was the last time you asked an intelligent question?
Do you think you could learn better if you asked better questions?
Do you know what you need to learn?
Do you know what questions to ask?
What if you ask the right person the wrong question?
Will you get the right answer?
Have you exposed yourself to the body of knowledge necessary to get you where you want to go?
Do you think knowledge will just come to you without you pursuing it with a question?
What if you asked God a question?
Would He reply?
What if you didn’t know what to ask Him?
What if you asked Him what you should ask?
What do you think?
Did you get anything out of this blog post?
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What’s Normal?

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Do you live a normal life? Do you want to?

If there was such a thing as a normal life, what would it look like?
Remember that the word normal means conformed to a norm. A norm is a set way, it’s predefined by someone.  
If you decide the way your life should be and you make it that way that’s one thing. 
But, if you’re living your life in a way that conforms to the rest of the world or some predefined pattern that you don’t like then it’s time to change things.
Do you like your life?
You might want to take a moment and assess what you like about your life and what you don’t.
For me, when I think of a normal life I think of what normal Christianity should look like. If I’m walking like Jesus walked then I’m living the normal Christian life. If I’m not living like that then I’m not conforming to the norm that I really desire. I want to be like Him. I want to live like Him. I want my life to reflect God’s love, His glory and as many of His attributes as it can. 
For me, normal is a good thing. Because for me, normal is defined by Jesus Christ and His word.
Love y’all!
Have a normal day!
Joe
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Prayer Makes A Difference

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Almost two weeks ago the Lord put it on my heart to meet with some of my team for five days in a row for two hours of prayer a day. Today is day four and we’ve been experiencing some amazing blessings.

Answers to questions have been coming forth. Things are falling in place or being put in place.
I’m seeing God’s hand in some very awesome ways.
God loves us and wants to move in our lives but sometimes we’re not making enough room for Him to work.
Pray my friend.
It doesn’t cost you, it pays you.
Love ya
Joe
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When Kids Are Scared

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Hey Friends,

One of my kids came up to my bedroom last night saying he had a scary experience in his bedroom. He said he felt like something was closing in on him and he felt something trying to clamp onto the top of his head. He was obviously scared and wanted to come talk to me about it.
I prayed for him and took authority over the spirit of fear. Then I explained to him a little bit about how demonic power operates. I told him that this was just a demon trying to bring fear into his life and that demons are only fallen angels. We have authority over demons, but we have to take and use that authority.
I told him that I was a little boy too once. I used to think alot of thoughts and pray alot too. One night when I was in my basement bedroom by myself I had prayed to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I prayed in tongues for the first time that night. 
The Bible says that the enemy comes immediately to steal the word that is sown in our hearts. That night after praying in the Spirit my room was suddenly filled with an evil presence. I was only 13 years old at the time. I remember being so scared. I remember saying “Jesus, you have to save me.”
Immediately I saw a little picture in my mind of Jesus holding my head against His chest with His other arm extended behind me to ward off all evil. All the fear left instantly. I knew I was safe in Jesus and that I had received His Holy Spirit.
Relating this to my son last night his face seemed to brighten. I said, “Son, the difference is when I had that experience I called on the Lord to save me and He did. You called on me which is OK because I’m here to help you, but it’s time for you to call on the Lord. The Bible says that those who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
He seemed fine and confident after that but he still wanted to hang out up in our bedroom. With my encouragement he returned to his own room. 
He’s doing just fine.
Blessings on you all 
Hope you’re doing well.
Joe
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Lift Up Your Voice – Let It Be Heard

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Friends,

Today I read an article about the Church of England apologizing to Charles Darwin for misunderstanding his theory of evolution. 
Normally when I read something like that I just shake my head at the foolishness, but Jesus spoke something to Paul the Apostle in the Book of Acts that made me want to say something:
Act 18:9  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 
Act 18:10  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 
So after you take these words to heart lifting up your voice is something God actually wants you to do. So I did.
I simply posted a comment on the article. Here’s what I have to say to the Church of England:

This is a road-marker or a sign post for the church of England. Your faith is not evolving it’s eroding. Concerning survival of the fittest: your faith is not strong enough for you to survive. You’ve classified theory as fact and the basic tenets of your faith as theory. Your foundations have been destroyed. If you turn back to the scriptures and seize upon its teachings and make them your foundation rather than the theories of the age then your faith will be well-founded and your chances of surviving will return. If you let every theory challenge and destroy your faith you’re just like sand on the seashore and every wave degrades you. I believe the Lord’s arms are outstretched to you desiring you to turn to Him, but if you reject His Word then you surely have rejected Him. Those who truly believe the Word of God and act on it will have an abundant harvest of souls to present to our King, Jesus Christ, and all you will have is empty buildings.

Well friends, 

Blessings on you

Joe

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Get Ready For A Tumultuous Ride

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

If you follow politics or just the elections you know we’re not riding on a calm lake right now.

Psalm 33:12 says: 
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

Proverbs 29:2 says:  
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: 
but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. 
As Christians there is no biblical doubt that we are to seek a righteous ruler; 
one whose heart is truly turned to the Lord.
The days ahead are going to be very interesting as the one who thought he had a free ride to the White House finds he has a battle on his hands. And as a great majority of Christians who had very little hope about this election are now feeling energized and empowered because they may end up honestly having a righteous ruler.
Keep your hearts during the days ahead because the chances are you’re going to see some ugly things come to the surface. Real tests bring core issues to the surface. People can wear a mask when things are smooth sailing but real character comes out under pressure. 
Let’s watch and see what happens.
Be in prayer
Guard your heart
Pray And Vote!
Blessings
Joe
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History Will Prove Us Wrong About…

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Hey Friends,

Some of the things I’ve seen in the news lately have bugged me a bit.
I know the abortion issue has been raging for years, but when people start picking on the likes of me because I’m happy about a pro-life candidate, I guess it got under my skin a bit so I’m writing this:

I believe everyone in the USA is against slavery.
Everyone sees how unjust it is and inhumane. From history’s vantage point we see the shame on our nation.

Why is it that the country’s eyes are blinded to the injustice of abortion?

I believe history will prove America wrong. We as a whole were wrong about the way we thought about abortion. When we as a nation thought it was OK to kill a human for convenience sake – we were wrong.

I believe this is a time that is worse than when slavery was normal and worse than when Hitler was killing his masses.

History will show the deep shame of killing your weakest.

I can not vote for someone who is for abortion – it is a litmus test!

Lord, grant this country repentance so that as a nation we can see the evil of this sin and turn away from it. In Jesus’ Name I pray!

Thanks for reading
Joe

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