Tag: listening

New Podcast Episode – Happy New Year

On By josephbarlowIn MinistryLeave a comment

Or click this link to go to the podcast.

Hey Friends,

I’ve been quite focused on my podcasting more than blogging recently. So I wanted to let you know about the podcast and at the same time start blogging more.

Besides the podcasts here’s a couple thoughts for you.

Honing The Flow

I had dinner with my daughter Sarah last night. She took me out to a fancy restaurant as a Christmas present. We always have excellent talks, we challenge each other and the food was off the charts delicious.

While we ate she said something about my music that kind of hit me and challenged me. I need wisdom from God on how to implement it, but she said, “You need to become your favorite artist.“

Think about that for a second. I need to become my own favorite artist. I need to love the music that I make more than anyone else’s. From an artist’s point of view that means I can’t just lay back. I need to be pushing my own music forward more, being more creative, honing my product to be the best, making sure that the flow that’s coming from within me is what I absolutely love. This is not necessarily an easy process.

When I was pastoring this principle was true. I enjoyed my own teaching more than anyone else’s. The reason I don’t feel this was self-centered, prideful or negative is that when I was teaching I was also listening and learning. My guess is that when I was preaching and teaching 40-60% of what I would teach would be new to me as well. Because I was listening to the Lord at the same time as I was sharing. It was a prophetic flow. I still teach this way. But because I’m listening while I’m teaching I still need to go back to listen to the messages again to learn the very things that I was teaching. I needed to give myself time to digest them, enjoy them and implement them. The discovery process was prophetic and beautiful.

I guess I don’t really need to change systems, this same system that I used when I was teaching is and can be the same system I use as an artist. For me, all my art/music doesn’t come from me, it comes through me. Just like my teaching, I just need to turn on the faucet and let it flow. Invite it and allow it to come through me. I’m going to enjoy that so much. Can’t wait to get started. But it’s 4:08 AM so I can’t be playing my guitar or piano right now; it would wake the family. But I’ve got to make the time, position myself in the right place at the right time with the right attitude and the right equipment and the right emotional atmosphere to play; turn on the flow and just allow God’s gift to flow through me.

I hope this blessed you. It did me.

Today Was THAT Day

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Well you never expect it to come. You know it will but you don’t know when. Will it feel different? When the day dawns on THAT day – will you know it? How do you prepare yourself? How do you make yourself ready for THAT day?

It’s 10:08PM right now. My Mom died this morning at 11AM. So it hasn’t been a full 12 hours yet. But today was THAT day.

I just turned 53 a few weeks ago. We came to have dinner with my Mom the day after Mother’s Day. Just two weeks ago. What a great time. Well, if you knew her, you’d know what I mean. With her you were always welcome, accepted and respected. She could talk to anybody and ask you the best questions. She was easy to talk to. Loving and accepting. She didn’t need to do all the talking, she loved to listen, that’s what made her a great conversationalist. So out to dinner at her favorite place. She had the stuffed pepper. I hate stuffed peppers. But she enjoyed hers. Nancy & I sat on either side of her at the booth.

We loved Teresa.

Later when we took her home she told us straight: “I’m ready to go!” We knew what she meant and we had heard some similar conversations before but she looked in good health. She was up walking around seemed to be doing fine. But when we said our goodbyes I had that feeling; that feeling you want to reject as insignificant or not valid; I had that feeling that this was it, this was my last time to see her. God was warning me. I didn’t want to acknowledge it. I wanted that impression to be wrong.

But we got the text last week: she broke her hip. Surgery planned, should be no problem. Surgery successful but got to keep her asleep an extra day, had a blood clot. Got to thin the blood a bit, easier to do when she’s sleeping. Today, text: turn for the worse, infection they can’t control, kidneys shut down, only ventilator keeping her going. 11am email: She’s gone.

My first response: you may think crazy, but I was elated! She’s walking the streets of Gold. She gets a hug from Jesus! God answered her prayer. We found out later she had prayed right before surgery, “Lord, take me now.” God had answered her prayer.

She was faithful. She showed up, got to work and kept on going.

I remember one time my older brother, Michael had run away from home. He got to the end of the street, she confronted him: “You’re not getting out of this! We’re going through this together.”

She showed up, got to work and kept on going.

That’s why at 87 she has over 80 descendants, some impacting the world very powerfully.

She didn’t quit.

She finished her race.

I’m having quite a proud moment for her right now. I love my Mom. I’m very proud of her.

Well done Teresa! Well done.

Your loving Son, Joseph 10th of 14.

Lead Strong

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Journal, Teaching, Word From GodLeave a comment

Not everything you do is supposed to be met with rave reviews. You are called to listen to my voice and move forward with what I say. So hear me Son. You are obeying me. You are listening to me and seeking my will. You have found favor in my eyes. Continue with boldness. Don’t let what people say drag you down. You are mine. I am yours. Continue with the plan I’ve given you and don’t back down. Let the others conform to what I’ve given you, as the leader. I will test them through it. Son, I’m with you. Fear not. Be bold, confident, knowing that all of heaven is backing you up. And we are not weak. March forward right over the Devil’s forces. My power is manifest.