Author: Seth Barnes

How to rebuke someone biblically

Written by Seth Barnes on July 9, 2008. Posted in Discipling. 12 Comments on How to rebuke someone biblically

Because we humans are self-willed and prone to tell and embrace lies, we have to help each other by pointing out where we’ve gone off course. This is called a rebuke, and...

Youth leader from Jamaica trip responds

Written by Seth Barnes on July 8, 2008. Posted in Short-term missions. 4 Comments on Youth leader from Jamaica trip responds

Last week on one of our projects to Jamaica, three thugs broke into our compound and held our young people at gunpoint. The media called and wanted gory details. All they got...

God’s call to be courageous in Africa

Written by Seth Barnes on July 7, 2008. Posted in Eswatini / Swaziland. 4 Comments on God’s call to be courageous in Africa

While the orphan and AIDS statistics in Swaziland are beyond tragic, it affords those of us who follow Jesus an opportunity. We’ve been starting up the Nsoko Project, an orphan...

Persecution is supposed to be normal

Written by Seth Barnes on July 6, 2008. Posted in 42nd Generation. 2 Comments on Persecution is supposed to be normal

Just got back from Chad and Erin‘s wedding. It was beautiful in every way, most particularly because they are both radical Jesus-followers who will die for their faith if...

Why you and your spouse should travel the world together

Written by Seth Barnes on July 5, 2008. Posted in World Race. No Comments on Why you and your spouse should travel the world together

Here in Chicago where we watched what must have been a hundred fireworks displays in various communities from our hotel window. Karen and I just returned from launching a new World...

When you’re being poured out

Written by Seth Barnes on July 4, 2008. Posted in Abandon. 6 Comments on When you’re being poured out

I wanted to whine this morning. Karen and I got a bad cold (she in Cape Town, me two days later here in the Yucatan). So we were running a little ragged. It’s been a crazy week...

39 U.S. missionaries robbed in Jamaica

Written by Seth Barnes on July 3, 2008. Posted in Fighting your enemy. 10 Comments on 39 U.S. missionaries robbed in Jamaica

Maybe you saw this news story on Tuesday: American Christian group to end goodwill mission from crime-ridden capital KINGSTON, Jamaica – A U.S. Christian group said Tuesday...

What’s to be done about Africa?

Written by Seth Barnes on July 2, 2008. Posted in Eswatini / Swaziland. 1 Comment on What’s to be done about Africa?

One day while in Swaziland, we visited a grandmother named Flora who sat alone outside her hut. When we asked her about her family, she said, “All my children are dead.” We...

Dying of AIDS all alone in a shack

Written by Seth Barnes on July 1, 2008. Posted in Eswatini / Swaziland. 5 Comments on Dying of AIDS all alone in a shack

As detailed in Sunday’s blog, Karen and I just returned from Swaziland. Here was one of the more heart-rending visits we made: Pastor Gift ushered us into one typical...

The AIDS pandemic – view from ground zero

Written by Seth Barnes on June 30, 2008. Posted in Eswatini / Swaziland. 6 Comments on The AIDS pandemic – view from ground zero

As detailed in yesterday’s blog, Karen and I just returned from Swaziland. Here’s the story of a visit we made: Pastor Gift’s wife, Philele, led our little group...

We’re back from Swaziland – a report

Written by Seth Barnes on June 29, 2008. Posted in Orphans. 3 Comments on We’re back from Swaziland – a report

Karen and I are jet-lagged after flying all night across the Atlantic. I’m writing this while in the JFK airport on the last day of an 11-day trip to Africa, most of it in Swaziland. I...

Have that hard conversation now

Written by Seth Barnes on June 28, 2008. Posted in Dealing with junk in our lives. 2 Comments on Have that hard conversation now

If you go back far enough in our Barnes family tree, you’ll find a great-great grandmother who brutally squashed a budding romantic relationship. Reminds me of the scene out...

Can I watch an R-rated movie?

Written by Seth Barnes on June 27, 2008. Posted in Living Free. 11 Comments on Can I watch an R-rated movie?

A confession: I watched the movie There Will Be Blood last month. The critics all raved about Daniel Day Lewis’s performance. When I checked Plugged In for sex, violence and...

Vote for Jesus this presidential election

Written by Seth Barnes on June 26, 2008. Posted in Culture and Faith. 10 Comments on Vote for Jesus this presidential election

The presidential election season is on us, God help us all. So now we have four months of nonstop Obama & McCain. Lovely. Who do you as a follower of Christ pick? Do you...

Wrecked for the Ordinary update

Written by Seth Barnes on June 26, 2008. Posted in Culture and Faith. No Comments on Wrecked for the Ordinary update

Our online magazine for spiritual misfits Wrecked for the Ordinary is gaining some traction and providing some quality content. I highly recommend you check out this week’s...

Who should I make covenant with?

Written by Seth Barnes on June 25, 2008. Posted in Community and Covenant. 3 Comments on Who should I make covenant with?

When I was recently in Gatlinburg, TN, we walked by five mini-wedding chapels all sitting side-by-side. What a place to ratify a life-long covenant with the person of your dreams....

If Leah can do it, you can too

Written by Seth Barnes on June 24, 2008. Posted in Dealing with junk in our lives. 14 Comments on If Leah can do it, you can too

Ever feel like life is just too hard? Sometimes it feels like the deck is stacked against you and no matter how you try, you can’t win. You’ve tried in the past and it cost you. ...

Helicopter parents swooping to the rescue

Written by Seth Barnes on June 23, 2008. Posted in Parenting. 6 Comments on Helicopter parents swooping to the rescue

America has become the world’s first pediocracy – a nation run by children (and No, I don’t mean our politicians). The fathers abdicated their God-given authority...

Dr. Dawson’s 20 rules for healthy living

Written by Seth Barnes on June 22, 2008. Posted in Better Living. 2 Comments on Dr. Dawson’s 20 rules for healthy living

Some things actually help you to live longer. Science shows that they correlate to healthy living. Dr. Steve Dawson is one of the sharpest doctors I know. He lists the following...

Bless the impostor in your life

Written by Seth Barnes on June 21, 2008. Posted in Living Free. 18 Comments on Bless the impostor in your life

Item 1: An AIM staff member and leader criticized me behind my back, quit to join a nearby ministry, and hired away two of our best leaders. What do you do? Item 2: A church group...

The G42 Tribe: A look in the mirror

Written by Seth Barnes on June 20, 2008. Posted in 42nd Generation. 8 Comments on The G42 Tribe: A look in the mirror

Like metal filings to a magnet, a tribe is gathering. It looks a bit rag tag and broken, but in our spirits, we’ve seen a better day and are moving toward it and each other....

BreakThru Conference: Secrets of abundant living

Written by Seth Barnes on June 19, 2008. Posted in Dealing with junk in our lives. 3 Comments on BreakThru Conference: Secrets of abundant living

You know that God has made you for a reason, but life has thrown a thousand ropes over you. How do you break free of everything that is tying you down? We’ve found something...

Andrew Shearman: Becoming God with skin on

Written by Seth Barnes on June 18, 2008. Posted in 42nd Generation. 2 Comments on Andrew Shearman: Becoming God with skin on

Today Karen and I arrive in Africa – land of religious fervor and conflict. In places like the Sudan, the Muslims don’t just want to kick out the Christians, they want...

Shearman: God will give the inheritance to a generation

Written by Seth Barnes on June 17, 2008. Posted in 42nd Generation. 3 Comments on Shearman: God will give the inheritance to a generation

Today Karen and I leave for Africa. It is one long flight! You get on the plane and 18 hours later you step off, feeling much the worse for the wear. The good news is that we’ll...