Author: Seth Barnes

Mixed motives require a bait and switch

Written by Seth Barnes on August 14, 2006. Posted in Short-term missions. 2 Comments on Mixed motives require a bait and switch

We don’t come to Jesus perfect. We come compromised, messy. We have to start somewhere. Whoever really comes to Jesus to die? Usually we’re thinking about where we hope to spend...

Stop comparing yourself to others

Written by Seth Barnes on August 13, 2006. Posted in Dealing with junk in our lives. 6 Comments on Stop comparing yourself to others

At the end of His ministry, Jesus was preparing two of His top disciples, John and Peter, for his departure. Jesus told Peter, “Follow me.” Peter (perpetually...

What a poignant story this is

Written by Seth Barnes on August 13, 2006. Posted in Living Free. 2 Comments on What a poignant story this is

Here’s the most poignant story I’ve heard in a long time. My friend and coworker Scott Borg’s brother went to the wedding of JB & Emily Burrows last week. They...

Three youth groups that work

Written by Seth Barnes on August 12, 2006. Posted in Youth Ministry. 1 Comment on Three youth groups that work

If you’re a youth pastor, you have to wonder, “How do we disciple young people like Jesus did in today’s society?” The answer is, you can’t; our culture is set up to fight you tooth...

Pattern living

Written by Seth Barnes on August 11, 2006. Posted in Spiritual Formation. 1 Comment on Pattern living

“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” Phil 3:17 One of the reasons that living the kind of life...

Doing our bit for global warming

Written by Seth Barnes on August 10, 2006. Posted in Simplicity Liberates You. No Comments on Doing our bit for global warming

Karen and I have turned off the A/C this summer. We’re not greenies, but we’re wrestling with what is an appropriate lifestyle as a world citizen. There’s a lot...

Here’s how the Church ultimately wins

Written by Seth Barnes on August 10, 2006. Posted in The Holy Spirit is on the move. 3 Comments on Here’s how the Church ultimately wins

An article in today’s Wall St. Journal begins remarkably: “The commission with which Jesus charged his Apostles is decidedly unambiguous. “Go forth,” he commanded,...

Get my Prayer & Fasting email

Written by Seth Barnes on August 9, 2006. Posted in Vulnerability and me. 3 Comments on Get my Prayer & Fasting email

If you want to get my daily Prayer & Fasting Email for the next 22 days, send your email to VickiGross@adventures.org. Here is today’s: Good morning fasters and prayer...

Good news from India this morning

Written by Seth Barnes on August 8, 2006. Posted in Missions. 7 Comments on Good news from India this morning

For those following Samuel Thomas’ situation in India, I just received the following email this morning: “Hello saints, What a powerful God! Praise the Lord, we finally...

Strong covenants

Written by Seth Barnes on August 8, 2006. Posted in Community and Covenant. No Comments on Strong covenants

There is a sign on a road in Monument, CO that describes a desirable property being developed. Lots are being sold on which homes will be built. One of the benefits this development...

On being spiritual

Written by Seth Barnes on August 7, 2006. Posted in Spiritual Formation. 4 Comments on On being spiritual

Floyd McClung wrote the following: “One can be a missionary and be unspiritual, and a businessperson and be deeply spiritual. One can avoid attending church on Sunday...

The beauty of simplicity

Written by Seth Barnes on August 7, 2006. Posted in Simplicity Liberates You. 2 Comments on The beauty of simplicity

I bought some knock-off Tommy Hilfiger dock shoes for around $12 in Lima, Peru in 2002. I can’t wear the darn things out, so I keep wearing them. It’s part of my overall...

Why fast and pray for a generation?

Written by Seth Barnes on August 6, 2006. Posted in Mobilization. 2 Comments on Why fast and pray for a generation?

Today begins the month-long fast for at least a hundred young people who will be going overseas for a year (and we hope many others like you who will join us). Time to ask the question:...

Daring to dream big dreams

Written by Seth Barnes on August 5, 2006. Posted in Dreaming. No Comments on Daring to dream big dreams

We all ask God questions. Here are my top four that humans ask: 1. Do you exist? 2. Are you good? 3. Do you care about me? 4. Can I trust you? This last question is loaded. We struggle...

Here’s a big dream

Written by Seth Barnes on August 5, 2006. Posted in Dreaming. 2 Comments on Here’s a big dream

I’m a dreamer by nature. Along with some friends, I’ve been dreaming about getting a training facility in Colorado that would give our single people a place to live in...

Fasting – wrestling with your mind and body

Written by Seth Barnes on August 4, 2006. Posted in Spiritual Formation. 4 Comments on Fasting – wrestling with your mind and body

So we’re on the fourth day of this fast, asking God to wake up a generation (or at least a remnant). Most people, I believe, are starting two days from now – on Sunday. It’s amazing...

Is fasting always a private thing?

Written by Seth Barnes on August 3, 2006. Posted in Spiritual Formation. 1 Comment on Is fasting always a private thing?

One of Jesus’ key teachings is that we should not do good things to be noticed by men. If we’re doing a good thing, our motive should be to please God. Matt. 26:16-18 tells us to...

Answering the call of God

Written by Seth Barnes on August 2, 2006. Posted in Finding your call. 2 Comments on Answering the call of God

A man or a woman’s response to salvation is just the start. At some point, there is a call from God to that man or woman. The call of God usually comes as a result of the call...

What kind of fast?

Written by Seth Barnes on August 2, 2006. Posted in Mobilization. 2 Comments on What kind of fast?

We’re fasting and praying that God would awaken a generation of young people. Most people are beginning on Aug. 6. I list the following kinds of fasts in approximate order of challenge. Fast...

The meaning of a trumpet blast

Written by Seth Barnes on August 1, 2006. Posted in Mobilization. 4 Comments on The meaning of a trumpet blast

It was customary, the Bible tells us in 2 Samuel 11:1, when the spring time came, for the kings to go to war. Kind of an odd little ritual, it would seem. Their armies...

A call for fasting and prayer for the next generation

Written by Seth Barnes on July 31, 2006. Posted in Mobilization. 1 Comment on A call for fasting and prayer for the next generation

If a trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 1 Cor. 14:8 “Current trends show that only 4% will be evangelical believers by the time they become...

What can camping do to help self-absorbed young people?

Written by Seth Barnes on July 30, 2006. Posted in Youth Ministry. 1 Comment on What can camping do to help self-absorbed young people?

In a past blog, I said that there are limits to what camping can do for self-absorbed young people who have never learned to give. A reader wrote me with this question: What would...

Debriefing in paradise

Written by Seth Barnes on July 29, 2006. Posted in Spiritual Coaching. No Comments on Debriefing in paradise

If you can do it, find a nice place to debrief cheaply. One of the things I like about the World Race are the cool places they get to do their debriefs. Like, on the island of Brac,...

What is your “one thing”?

Written by Seth Barnes on July 29, 2006. Posted in Discipling. 3 Comments on What is your “one thing”?

If you saw the movie “City Slickers” you’ll remember Curly who tells Billy Crystal’s character that he needed to learn what his “one thing” is. That is, he needed...