Barnes Christmas 2020 Update + Good News!
Hi. It’s the Christmas season. And what a weird season it is in 2020! All the holiday stuff that many of us do has been edited and curtailed. Many of us typically celebrate Christmas with our families and now we’re not even doing that.
Christmas is going to be quiet around the Barnes house as our married children will be spending it in Ireland, California, Florida, but not here. And who can blame them? Their in-laws live in beautiful places in spitting distance of gorgeous ocean views. And we alternate Christmases with them.
What do we have? Well, in Georgia we have special senate elections. Every day in the mailbox are more flyers telling us to vote. Shouting at us! Telling us how dire this election is! Making us crazy.
Better to leave the state if you can. Better to leave the state of mind that we’re all in if you can.
So, I’ve done that. I have changed my mentality about the virus from one of extreme caution to “all systems go in 2021.” In January I’ll be flying to Nigeria (for a project I’ll tell you more about later) and the Dominican Republic. And if this makes you nervous on my behalf, I get it.
But I encourage you to join me. It’s time. Things are looking up and we need to look squarely at a reality that is quickly changing. Worried about when you’ll get the vaccine? I no longer am. The data is coming back on the efficacy of Ivermectin as a prophylaxis and a virus-killer. Check it out here and here. One study shows it is 96% effective at keeping you from getting sick.
Yes, I’m an early adopter and most people are going to proceed more cautiously than me. I see something new that might help the world, do some quick study, and then begin to share it. So check it out for yourself – it’s good news backed by trustworthy doctors, not quacks.
And that brings me back to Christmastime. I’d like to correlate our current reality to the reality of the holiday we’re celebrating. There was plenty of bad news in Palestine. The year 0 A.D. was not a happy time for its citizens. You think we’ve got problems with our government? The Romans were making life miserable in Palestine. Killing people indiscriminately.
And then with Jesus’ birth, good news arrived.
So this Christmas, we’ve got some really great news to share. Despite the worries and bad news that the press daily trumpets, our news is that there is a God in heaven who loves his children and is desperate to get them back. A God who has a plan and wants us to join him in its implementation.
Our news is that there has never been a better time to be alive. We have greater opportunity and more resources than have ever existed in history! These are not platitudes – I really believe this stuff and if you have trusted Jesus, I want to encourage you to hit the re-set button from doubt to faith.
It’s a time to see with the eyes of faith, to lean into the reality we’ve been given and the reality that we are called to introduce to the planet. Yes, 2020 has been hard, but it has set us up for what’s coming. Let’s prepare for what may be the best year of your life in 2021!
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Thank you, Seth, for reminding us how, even as we labor prayerfully for those deeply impacted by Covid, Christmas changes everything starting with ourselves.
Yes, it is possible to wish you a very Merry Christmas in 2020!
Welcome back Seth. I agree. Faith not fear. Press in and press on until we can not.
Agreed. Faith: Yes. Fear: No.
Merry Christmas Seth & Karen! Miss you both.
I don’t think I’m wrong and that many will agree that this must be one of the very best post you ever posted. Well, let’s make it the top 10. What a wonderful and positive post!!! Thank you Seth. I look forward this coming year to see you in our beautiful country and many others. Stay Blessed my friend – you are in my prayers!!! Have a very blessed Christmas and a most wonderful New Year – keep growing in faith and strength.
Way to go. Let’s all step into the calling on our lives. Faith over fear. The enemy has wreaked havoc this year. He may win a few battles but not the war. Jesus has already defeated our enemy. We must step into the victory. Live and love intentionally growing God’s kingdom.
Go Go Go!!
Hi Seth
I too have been praying for a new level or faith and trust in God. I want to see the power of God demonstrated as we minister to the people. We’re going back to Matamoros on the 26th to do
an evangelistic outreach with WOTC Ministries so please join us in prayer for a real revival to take place in the peoples hearts.
Richard
Thanks, Leo. Hope to see you this year. Have a wonderful Christmas!
I like the way you live your life, Melinda. No regrets!
You’re a hero to many, Richard. Thanks for caring for the least of these as you do.
Amen Seth! Thank you. I always look forward to reading your blogs, they are so encouraging and truly build people up. A reflection of the voice of Truth! I will be praying for all your endeavors, how exciting.
Thank you for sharing hope in these crazy times. Yes to FAITH! Hearing what the Lord is saying to do and doing it. Blessings on the coming year.
Seth, thank you for your constant encouragement, for always spurring us towards greater faith. Excited for your adventures ahead 🙂
You’re welcome, Michelle. Hope all is well with you!
Great reminder! Thanks!
Amen! Travelled back and forth between Africa and the USA 3 times this year, and flew across the USA 3 times as well. I wasn’t reckless, but prayed and used wisdom and kept my immune system as strong as possible and went with what God told me rather than what fear was prescribing. It is time to be more concerned about living life than merely preserving life. I’m not advocating foolishness, but acting on wisdom that comes from above, and promoting faith over fear. Thank you for this post and thank you for sharing about Ivermectin!
“I went with what God told me” is a wonderful phrase and a guide to truth and life! Thank you for sharing.
Great post, Seth! I will be joining you in spreading confidence among those whom God has called for service and outreach— Kingdom work!
May we be compelled by Christ, energized by His holy and perfect call on our lives to seek and save the lost.