Author: Seth Barnes

When you can’t go on anymore

Written by Seth Barnes on December 18, 2011. Posted in A broken world. 6 Comments on When you can’t go on anymore

Some people never seem to catch a break. Take Ann for instance. Life was already hard for Ann, a resident of Nairobi, Kenya. First, her father was killed...

My Kingdom Journeys book

Written by Seth Barnes on December 16, 2011. Posted in Writing Blogs and Books, Journeys. 23 Comments on My Kingdom Journeys book

When we started the World Race in 2006, we sensed that we were onto something. As the three vans left Matamoros for Chiapas and ports south, who knew what adventures lay ahead? Five...

The importance of traditions

Written by Seth Barnes on December 15, 2011. Posted in Community and Covenant. 4 Comments on The importance of traditions

The song “Tradition” in Fiddler on the Roof gives us the downside of doing the same traditional way. For a good modern example of that, talk to young people about their...

Where to find safety

Written by Seth Barnes on December 14, 2011. Posted in Comfort and Pain. 7 Comments on Where to find safety

One of the Christmas memories that our kids cherish the most was the memory of building an elaborate fort out of blankets and overturned chairs and furniture on Christmas eve. They’d...

Hover over the chaos

Written by Seth Barnes on December 13, 2011. Posted in A broken world. 7 Comments on Hover over the chaos

Chaos seems to be the state of nature. Everything loses heat and dies; then chaos ensues. The world began in chaos and seems to tilt that direction. At least it does at my house...

It’s not fair

Written by Seth Barnes on December 12, 2011. Posted in Parenting. 2 Comments on It’s not fair

As Karen and I launch our kids out into the world, the question of keeping things even for them financially comes up. You may be like us: You want to be fair, but it doesn’t...

Adventures 2011 report on fruit

Written by Seth Barnes on December 9, 2011. Posted in Missions. 2 Comments on Adventures 2011 report on fruit

Adventures has had a great year (2011). We have an amazing staff who care passionately about the ministry. Here’s a brief summary: Fruit • Thousands discipled and their...

Creating a safe place

Written by Seth Barnes on December 8, 2011. Posted in Leadership. 4 Comments on Creating a safe place

When I fail as a leader, what bothers me the most is if I’ve failed to create a safe place. A leader is responsible for the atmosphere in her team. It’s one of the most...

5 People who will help you grow

Written by Seth Barnes on December 7, 2011. Posted in Spiritual Formation. 6 Comments on 5 People who will help you grow

Your father If he’s an encourager and brings out the best in you, you’re blessed. Most people are in some ways working through father issues. Some people, God bless them,...

What does it mean to be radical?

Written by Seth Barnes on December 6, 2011. Posted in Radical Living. 2 Comments on What does it mean to be radical?

What does it mean to live in a “radical” way? In his book “The Radical Disciple,” (as summarized by David May), John Stott has some thoughts: 4 Struggles...

‘Who will care for my orphans?’

Written by Seth Barnes on December 5, 2011. Posted in Orphans. 8 Comments on ‘Who will care for my orphans?’

God wants to expand our hearts so that his orphans will fit. Several years ago, he confronted me with the proposition that his orphans were going to start taking over my life. He...

Brokenness needs grieving

Written by Seth Barnes on December 3, 2011. Posted in A broken world. 7 Comments on Brokenness needs grieving

When kingdom journeys do their job, they take you to a place where you see your brokenness and from there, to depend on God. But to get out of brokenness, you need to be able to...

Distractions and heroes

Written by Seth Barnes on December 2, 2011. Posted in Reaching Your Destiny. 6 Comments on Distractions and heroes

Two thoughts for you today: You were made to be somebody’s hero. Yet along the way to fulfilling that call on your life, you face distractions. These two facts remind me...

Conflict resolution skills

Written by Seth Barnes on December 1, 2011. Posted in Leadership. 1 Comment on Conflict resolution skills

We were a group of five elders in a church of about 600 people. Our pastor lacked people skills and we had to figure out what to do with him. We sat around the room looking at one...

We need to set women free!

Written by Seth Barnes on November 30, 2011. Posted in Justice issues. 13 Comments on We need to set women free!

I’ve long thought that we need another shot at the women’s liberation movement. The first one had a lot of good points to make. But it was too shrill and combative....

Oh Wow

Written by Seth Barnes on November 29, 2011. Posted in Finding your call. 4 Comments on Oh Wow

“OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.” Steve Jobs, the most powerful businessman of modern times lay dying. His sister sat beside his bed as he caught his last breaths. Here was a...

Back to normal

Written by Seth Barnes on November 28, 2011. Posted in Identity issues. 5 Comments on Back to normal

Monday morning after four days of guests, parties, games and food. Up early and getting back to normal. Normal is not another leftover pumpkin pie binge in the morning. It’s...

Black Friday & the omnivore’s dilemma

Written by Seth Barnes on November 25, 2011. Posted in Simplicity Liberates You. 6 Comments on Black Friday & the omnivore’s dilemma

It’s crazy out there in mall parking lots today as manic shoppers storm stores everywhere. It started here in Gainesville two days ago when people began dragging their lawn...

Thankfulness: the antidote to pessimism

Written by Seth Barnes on November 23, 2011. Posted in Better Living. 8 Comments on Thankfulness: the antidote to pessimism

We live in a season of falling expectations. We doubt that our future will be as good as our past. Unemployment is persistently high. We know we’ve splurged on debt and know...

Your wildest dreams

Written by Seth Barnes on November 22, 2011. Posted in Dreaming. 8 Comments on Your wildest dreams

What are your dreams? How wild are they? Christin Chiles, a 22 year-old Florida native, was unaccustomed to dreaming wild dreams, but lately, she’s been learning how. Growing...

You can’t disappoint me

Written by Seth Barnes on November 21, 2011. Posted in Identity issues. 1 Comment on You can’t disappoint me

How many people walk around feeling like they’ve disappointed their parents? How many of you feel like you could never quite live up to expectations? Do you often feel like...

Praying dangerous prayers

Written by Seth Barnes on November 19, 2011. Posted in Prayer. 18 Comments on Praying dangerous prayers

Sometimes when you pray (and sometimes when you don’t care to pray), God seems to delight in asking questions that you respond to at your own risk. He asks Isaiah, “Whom...

Finding your voice

Written by Seth Barnes on November 18, 2011. Posted in Finding your call. 4 Comments on Finding your voice

My dad diagnoses diseases. He’s a world class pathologist who gives the gift of life every day he goes to work in the lab in Kenya. Several years ago someone invented some...

Answer to your prayer for our team

Written by Seth Barnes on November 17, 2011. Posted in Prayer. 12 Comments on Answer to your prayer for our team

Thank you for praying! Amazing answer to this request for prayer. I cut & pasted a portion of the leader’s skype report below. Your prayers made a huge difference! ———————————– I...