Can one book/movie like Fifty Shades of Grey set us back decades by degrading women and advocating masochism and bondage? Debbie Holloway of Crosswalk writes: "It takes very little research to realize that this glorified erotica is little more than a treatise on misogyny, manipulation, and abuse masquerading as a romance." Here are just a few instances of cruel and...
Type: Article
Author: Julie Barrier
Jesus cherished women! In a time when females were considered inferior to men and treated as property, Christ counted them among His most valued disciples and friends. I want you to look at four of “His Women,” healed by His mercy and grace, and learn how He cherishes YOU. I want you to intimately know Jesus, the real Jesus…not the Sunday School one, or the painted sissy...
Type: Article
Author: Julie Barrier
Topic: Preaching & Teaching
Preachers have provided us with a plethora of postulations. I think I have a pretty definitive answer to that question. Here are some lame ones. Was Jesus doodling to stall for time until He collected His thoughts? Give me a break. He was the Son of God. His thoughts were definitely collected. Was He writing in “sandskrit?” (Forgive the pun). Did Christ scrawl the names of...
Type: Article
Author: Julie Barrier
Topic: Preaching & Teaching
Atrocity and loss cause us to feel fearful, helpless and vulnerable in the face of an uncertain future. How can we help the poor, the refugee, the victim? What can one person do? You may not be Mark Zuckerberg, giving 99% of his Facebook shares (valued at $45 billion!!!) to charitable causes. But you can give your prayers, yourself and your wealth. Do not be...
Type: Article
Author: Julie Barrier
Vets tell us that our canines have the emotional and intellectual capacity of two-year-olds. I beg to disagree. Toddlers are much dumber than dogs, and I have hard evidence to prove it. (Just kidding!) But we can learn from both of them. And should. The average toddler spews strained spinach all over his Mom’s white blouse and smashes half-eaten graham crackers on the...
Type: Article
Author: Julie Barrier
Feeling grumpy, discouraged, disappointed or just plain grouchy? Perhaps you need a dose of gratitude. Paul tells to give thanks in everything. I’m not feeling it. But being joyful and grateful has nothing to do with feelings. I chatted with an 88-yr-old retired pastor yesterday. He had health problems out the wazoo. However, he wisely said, “You can choose to be...
Type: Article
Author: Julie Barrier
The slick, successful American church may have missed Him altogether. What if Jesus was asked to pastor your congregation. Would anybody come? And would they stay? A scruffy homeless dude pops through the door of the church house with his motley entourage. The trendy thirty-somethings sitting near the aisle gagged at the stench of their sandals reeking of foot odor. ...
Type: Article
Author: Julie Barrier
Topic: Jesus Christ
My mother-in-law was a nag extraordinaire. Helen spread negativity like oily peanut butter on bread. "Papaw," her doting husband, tuned her out 4 years after they married. Helen, bless her heart, took hen pecking to a whole new level. Her hubby felt belittled and featherless. He shut down emotionally. They cohabited but the romance was gone. I never saw them smooch. This...
Type: Article
Author: Julie Barrier
I never learned much about racial discrimination. As a child raised in the South, I was unaware of the stigma of separate bathrooms, swimming pools, or back seats on the bus. I am profoundly sorry for such ignorance. But this is why I never noticed. The black women in my life were my deepest, most cherished friends and mentors. I want to take a moment and introduce you to...
Type: Article
Author: Julie Barrier
Happy Birthday! Or is it? Do you feel discouraged and depressed with every passing year? I’ve heard many older people say, “My body tells me I’m old, but my brain tells me I’m still eighteen.” Do you feel older and wiser, or older and angrier? When we age, we can live the lie, “I can’t!” rather than “I can!” and “I will!” Aging is a fact of life. Bodies begin to break...
Type: Article
Author: Julie Barrier