Hey Friends,

We got our website back up and working.

http://www.familylife.cc

Enjoy.

Pastor Joe

Hey Friends,

We’re doing some construction on our website.
It’ll be back up completely by Monday.
This affects the following domains:

• http://www.familylife.cc
• http://www.talktomelord.com
• http://www.talktomelord.org
• http://www.josephbarlow.com
• http://www.josephbarlow.org
• http://www.empowerchicago.org we’re not using this one anymore
• http://www.empowerchicago.com we’re not using this one anymore either

Also,
This Wednesday April 11th is our last day on WYLL AM 1160 in Chicago.
However, the Lord has opened a door for us in several other states including

• Montana
• Hawaii
• North Carolina
• South Carolina

We’re excited about what the Lord is doing and looking forward to good solid growth in this ministry.
Blessings on you all!
Joe

Here’s something I had on my heart to share with you.
Let me know your thoughts.
Joe

I recently spoke about how to avoid strife. This is a pretty big issue. It tears up a lot of homes. But as in all things the Word of God holds the answer.

You might want to take some time and listen to either the radio broadcast about this or last week’s sermon.

Learning how to win against strife and bring peace into your home is extraordinarily valuable and important.

Here’s a few definitions of strife that I made up; see if these help:

• Strife is contending for what you demand and aren’t willing to wait for.
  

• Strife is you giving vent to the devilish, fruit of the flesh, selfishness and pride, therefore communicating accurately the devil’s true nature to those around you in an attempt to get them to submit to you and your desires.
  

• Strife is you being knocked off your throne, not getting to reign anymore and whining about it.
  

• Strife is you having to fend for yourself
  
• Strife is you not trusting God enough so you have to get your own
  

• Strife is taking not giving
  
• Strife is hating not loving
  
• Strife is fear not faith
  
• Strife is doubt not hope
  
• Strife is pride not humility
  
• Strife is anger not gentleness
  

• Strife is the devil’s attempt to get your Christian home to look like hell so that your children don’t want to live there anymore.
  

• Strife is the devil’s attempt to get your faith to look like phony so that your children don’t want follow it.
  

Here’s a few scriptures about this:

Pro 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Pro 10:12 KJV
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Pro 15:18 KJV
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Pro 17:1 KJV
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Pro 17:14 KJV
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

• AMP The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles [from a crack in a dam]; therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarreling breaks out.
  
• MSG The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.
  
• GNB The start of an argument is like the first break in a dam; stop it before it goes any further.
  

Pro 20:3 KJV
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Pro 22:10 KJV
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Pro 26:20 KJV
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Pro 26:21 KJV
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Pro 28:25 KJV
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

Pro 29:22 KJV
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Pro 30:33 KJV
Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

Jam 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Jam 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

Jam 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Jam 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Jam 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Jam 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Jam 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Jam 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Jam 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

Jam 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Jam 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Jam 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

I hope this helps. Strife is no fun and it gives the devil an open door into your home.

Hey Friends,

I wanted to share with you something that has been a great blessing in the life of my family for the last several years. It has kept us safe from all kinds of serious problems that many other people deal with.

Take a few moments to read this passage of scripture, it talks about The Passover.

The Lord showed me a way to apply this to our daily lives. Read on…

Exo 11:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.

 

Exo 11:4 And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

Exo 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

 

Exo 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

 

Exo 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

Exo 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

Exo 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

Exo 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

 

Exo 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

Exo 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

Exo 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

 

Exo 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

Exo 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Exo 12:24
And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

 

We see that the Lord told them to kill the lamb and spread its blood on the doorposts of the house. In the New Testament it talks about how we are covered with the Blood of Jesus.

You see, this Old Testament story about a lamb was an analogy or a foretelling of Jesus. When the lamb was slain and the blood was displayed (to prove that death had already come to that place) then destruction did not come to that house.

What I do, usually before I go to bed, is just speak out of my mouth: Father I thank you that (I name each person in my family) are covered with the blood of Jesus. No harm befalls the righteous. No disaster comes near our tent. Father I thank you that our house and our van and our car and our property are covered with the blood. The Passover happens here!

In other words, no destruction can come to us because we are covered with the blood of Jesus!

I remember one night, years ago, when Nancy & I got into some strife before going to bed. Because of the distraction I went off to sleep without praying. Later that night, Nancy called me into the room just next to our bedroom and said, “Someone’s out there.” I looked out and I could see someone breaking into our car.

1Peter 1:2 (Amplified) Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts].

 

My friends, I have accepted the work that Jesus did for me. He purchased salvation, which includes preservation, healing, prosperity and being rescued from hell. Since I believe this I claim every right afforded by what He purchased. I declare the blood of Jesus is on me and my family, our church and ministry.

The Passover happens here!

I’ll skip the normal blog apology of being sorry for not posting in so long (although I am).

This passage caught my eye in my reading this evening:

This is a true desire in my heart: to really only work

• to serve Him,
• honor Him and
• represent Him accurately.

With each step of obedience I feel like I’m drawing closer to the end of who I am and becoming more of an accurate representation of who I’m trying to represent.

Some steps He calls us to take are not easy.

If we were robots we’d simply do as commanded.

Yet we have emotions, personalities, desires; we are such complex beings.
Yet He still wants obedience. It helps us to conform to Him.

Meditating on this passage above shows me that Jesus went through this same process that I’m going through.

Not always fun, but always rewarding.

He is Love!

I want to be more like Him.

From Tuesday, January 30th

Son, being alone with me is a critical part of our relationship. Look for the times to dedicate to only me.

You’ll find them,

I’ll provide them. I love you Son.

Fear not your future.

I’m already there and all is well.

Hey Friends,

I want to start sharing some journal entries with you. Many have shared how hearing my conversations with God has really helped them. I hope these help you.

Blessings

Joe

 

Thursday March 2^nd, 2006

Son, my will is accomplished as you walk in love and are led by my spirit. Do as I tell you Son and all will be well

Friday March 3^rd, 2006

Son, continue to put things in order. My spirit is on you for that. Enjoy your day.

Son, I need to thank you for the conversation with MMMMM. You spoke my heart to him. He knew he was loved yet received the correction I had in store for him. Thank you Son for being faithful to my heart and speaking on my behalf.

Monday March 6^th, 2006

Son, my plan is still unfolding. Don’t think that you see it all but be eager for me to reveal more to you. Watch and see but I have many delightful blessings in store for you.

Tuesday March 7^th 2006

I am doing a work Son. I am exalting myself higher in the earth this day. I am letting man see my glory and my strength. What I do may surprise you. But know that I only act by love. Be ready to pick up that which falls from this great shaking.

Wednesday March 8^th 2006

Son, walking in my ways-few do- but I will have my way-I will have my own-who call on my name and perform my will

Thursday March 9^th 2006

I love you Son. Pray in the Spirit and write my plan-you’ll see the blessings flow.

We had a Men’s Fellowship tonight and the topic was relationships. When I got home I wrote this:

Relationships

Men struggle with relationships. Children don’t have near as much trouble with them as grown men do. What is it that we’re learning that is producing socially maladjusted humans, incapable of having a heart to heart relationship that is meaningful, nurturing, lasting and fruitful?

Boys Don’t Cry

I remember coming to school in 4^th grade having forgotten to bring some sort of potted plant for a group activity. I remember crying and my teacher rebuking me for crying. Subconscious take note: crying is bad! It’s looked down upon by those around you! You won’t be accepted if you cry! Fear speaks next: “Yeah that’s right! You know you don’t want to be lonely. Do the things that will make you socially acceptable and desirable.” Crying I’m done with you. You haven’t served me well.

Hide Your Heart

At some point along the way we take our heart and hide it behind some pretty serious and strong defenses. It becomes so difficult to be who we are that we begin to doubt that who we are is really worth being.

When there is lack of a polarizing force in our lives, one who is desirable to imitate, trustworthy and virtuous; we look for something to connect with. Anything interesting will substitute, we can make it work as long as it will hold our interest and give us purpose. We don’t know who we are so we’re looking for definition candidates.

If we’re fortunate enough to find out our personal giftedness (some never do) we can put all of our eggs in that basket. We can draw our personal definition from that.

A godly, loving trustworthy father should be that polarizing force in our lives; the one who tells us or defines for us right and wrong; the one who speaks into our lives and tells us who we are; the one who has the insight to look at us and see the gem or gems inside us; the one who takes (or makes) the time to speak to us and grant us purpose. That is what a father should do. That is a major role for him; at least in a child’s life.

Men’s hearts are hidden because the man not only wants it hidden but because it loses so much value in his sight that he may not even know where he hid it.

The Answer

Although I had a father who did the positive things I mentioned above there are many to whom this being described above doesn’t exist. It’s just a dream or a worthless fairy tale. Surely someone like that couldn’t exist in this life! Au contraire! I knew him. He was my father. He did speak into my life and at just the right time when he was helpless to continue and fulfill this role in my life I switched fathers. I came upon a new relationship that filled every gap. That gave me purpose.

I met Him through His Son, Jesus. I love the Lord. He’s everything to me. My heart is free to come out and play. I’m free to be who I am. I am not alone. My father loves me and approves me. He likes me.

I’m satisfied with who I am. I got this from my Father(s).

Love ya

Joe