Life
43 pieces filed under this heading on the old site. For a surer way to what you are after, browse by book of the Bible.
Recommended Reading: Graciousness, John Crotts
Reading should be shared as all joys ought to be shared. Those joys also include self-discovery and self-improvement. But, let’s not get carried away with the focus on self since it is God who changes us internally.
Creation: Critical to Biblical Faith
The Master’s University invited me to speak in chapel on February 21, 2024 as part of the 30th Creation Summit. For that chapel I chose to address the student body and faculty on the topic of biblical faith as related to biblical creation. My text: Hebrews 11:1–3.
From Greeley to Heaven: Stephen Ong (1949–2023)
On November 28 Stephen Ross Ong graduated to heaven from Greeley, CO. Horace Greeley (for whom the Colorado city was named) had said, “Go West, young man,” and Stephen lived out that advice by leaving his Indiana birthplace for Colorado.
A Pilgrim’s Look Ahead
Leaping from 2022 into the unknown territory of 2023 could be likened to an airline pilot’s anxiety when faced with the necessity of landing a 747 safely in the Alaskan bush. Or, it can be likened to the proverbial “leap in the dark.” Taking leaps of faith challenges all of us as Christians. We know
Christmas Meditation
Something Special For me the Christmas season has special meaning on two different levels: the spiritual and the familial. Every year celebrates two corresponding realities: the love of my Savior and the love of my wife. My final Christmas separated from my Savior took place in 1961.
A Biblical Worldview
Many people today feel like they are adrift in a deep and expansive sea of competing worldviews. They are searching for truth and meaning for their lives. Too often, however, they ignore the greatest treasure they have access to for building their own worldview — the Bible.
Dr. Greg Harris
My dear friend and former colleague at The Master’s Seminary recently received attention as an alumnus of Dallas Theological Seminary. I recommend the brief, but deserving, tribute to his ongoing writing ministry. Follow the link below to the DTS alumni page. The page also includes a listing of Dr.
Truth and Christmas
Many of us receive gift cards and money as Christmas gifts and wonder what we should purchase with those gifts. Ah, but some of you might still be trying to get in a last-minute Christmas gift and might want to give a book (hard copy or digital) to someone. The two books I will highlight
Memories of Dr. James E. Rosscup (1934–2020)
As I enter yet another time of remembrance at the death of another friend and colleague, the experience brings to mind a mosaic. Yes, a mosaic like those on the ancient synagogue floor in Sepphoris near Nazareth in Israel.
In Memoriam: Darrell Victor Beddoe, 1941–2020
Families travel life’s pathways experiencing highs and lows, mountains and valleys. Through the journey, God knits us together, producing many blessed experiences and memories.
Memorial: Dr. Myron J. Houghton (1941–2020)
My friend and former colleague, Dr. Myron James Houghton, passed into the presence of his beloved Savior on July 13, 2020. God chose to take him home by means of COVID-19, which both he and his twin brother, George, had contracted.
Praying the Psalms: Psalm 13
Praying the Psalms brings songs to the heart. As the psalmist speaks, his words join with the music arising from his harp like incense rising toward heaven. Nothing prepares us for corporate prayer like personal prayer.
Dr. John C. Whitcomb, Jr. — In Memoriam
As he slept the night of February 5, Dr. John Clement Whitcomb, Jr. entered his Savior’s presence to hear his Lord’s “Well done, good and faithful servant.” For me he was a spiritual cedar of Lebanon, one of the giants of the faith who impacted my life for the past 57 years, especially as mentor
Lessons on Hope for Suffering Saints
In a fallen world filled with conflict, uncertainty, sorrow, death, and disease God’s people often face suffering. God’s Word in both Old and New Testaments offers hope.
Shalom Living for God’s People
In 2014, as part of my participation in the ministries of Abraham Lincoln Foundation of Albania (ALFA), Robb Provost (ministry director) asked me to prepare and present a study about “shalom living” from the Old Testament.
Back Up and Running in 2018
Sometimes things don’t go exactly as we plan. Those situations become the times “that try men’s souls,” as someone once so aptly announced.
My Recent Blogs External to DrBarrick.org
Over the past month I have produced some blog posts for ParkingSpace23’s blog and The Master’s Academy International (TMAI).
My Recommendations: Books of the Week, September 17 — Drs. Thomas & Toussaint
On September 5 Dr. Stanley D. Toussaint entered glory and the following day Dr. Robert L. Thomas went to heaven as well. Interestingly, both men were born in 1928 (Dr. Toussaint in Minnesota and Dr. Thomas in Georgia).
The Self-Existence of God: What does it mean? Why does it matter?
When someone uses words like “the self-existence of” anything, it sounds like something philosophical and esoteric.
Home with the Lord: Dr. James A. Barrick (1948-2017)
My post on ParkingSpace23’s blog this week expounds 2 Timothy 4:6-8 in regard to my brother Jim’s sudden and unexpected death on August 11. On August 15 I conducted his memorial and graveside services in Cody, WY. Jim had pastored First Baptist Church there for the past 28 years.
Blessing–Even in Affliction
Sometimes our lives seem as fragile as a bluebell clinging to its perch on an ancient chapel’s stone wall. The prophet Jeremiah caught the deep emotional pain disobedient Jerusalem must endure as the Lord brings upon her the covenant curses as discipline.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, July 9
No greater subject for our contemplation exists aside from Jesus Christ Himself. We all need to spend significant time meditating on our Savior’s work and His role in our world, our life, and our future.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, June 26
Pastoral leadership in corporate worship requires both passion and wisdom. John Newton was just such a pastor. He not only pastored his church through his sermons and letters, he also wrote worship-filled hymns.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, June 19
Seven weeks ago I recommended the Grand Canyon companion to this guide book in the True North Series.
Identifying the imperatives in Biblical Narratives
Narratives occupy a large portion of the Bible, whether its pages record the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph or the wanderings of Israel in the wilderness, or the events surrounding the judges and kings of Israel, or the stories of Ruth or Esther.
Identifying the Imperatives in Biblical Narratives
Narratives occupy a large portion of the Bible, whether its pages record the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph or the wanderings of Israel in the wilderness, or the events surrounding the judges and kings of Israel, or the stories of Ruth or Esther.
How much seminary training does a missionary need?
A sense of urgency characterizes nearly everyone who believes that God has led them to become missionaries for the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result, many consider going to the mission field with either minimum training or with no formal training at all. Why go through years of seminary training?
“Song of the Bow”: A Biblical Meditation for Memorial Day
Memorial Day marks the national commemoration of those American warriors who gave their lives for our nation on the field of battle. We take the time to honor their memory, to decorate their graves, and to remember their sacrifice.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, May 22
What do Charles Spurgeon, George Müller, and Hudson Taylor have in common? Let’s count the ways: (1) All were fervent evangelical Christians? (2) All served Christ with all that they had. (3) All left behind a tremendous legacy of faithfulness and godliness. (4) All were based in England.
What will happen on September 23, 2017?
Dawn breaks on Saturday, September 23, 2017 … then what? Some people will spend the entire day looking upward, awaiting the return of Jesus Christ. Why?
Memories of Mom
Three years ago today, my mother left Colorado for the last time–all the way to heaven itself. At the age of 90 she still looked as she does in this wonderful picture of her that I took just about nine months earlier. That smile and the twinkle in her eyes stay with me even today. Mothers are one of
A Dispensational Discourse: Interview
Coming March 11. Over the past year I have written a number of blog posts for Dispensational Publishing House. Recently, Paul Scharf interviewed me by phone for this biographical post.
True Spirituality, Dealing with Addiction, and Self-Help Manuals
Counseling individuals with various types of addictions presents an ongoing challenge. How can you best help them to help themselves? How can you encourage them? What resources do you recommend?
Hi-def Leadership in a Hi-def World
The attributes of godly leaders occupies a good deal of Scripture. Sometimes we find it necessary to synthesize the biblical teachings on leadership in order to sharpen our understanding of its seriousness and its challenges.
Happy New Year!
Blow the Shophar! It’s a New Year! ParkingsSpace23 has published my most recent blog post. It consists of a brief study of the New Year as presented in the Scriptures–especially Leviticus 23:23-25. The post serves as a New Year greeting and New Year prayer for all readers of my blog.
≈ ≠ =
This ancient inscription caught my eye as I walked through the Pergamon Museum in Berlin in November 2015. The inscription above the raised hand says, “I am Barrakib, son of Panammu.” King Barrakib ruled in Sam’al (modern Zincirli) in Turkey.
Troubled Times Call for Honest Hymns
When we face difficulties in this life, we usually turn to someone or something for comfort, encouragement, hope, direction, and/or advice. As believers, we often open our Bible to the Psalms. Forty years ago I had experienced several long nights of pain and inability to sleep.
Enemies of Truth Willingly Falsify
Isn’t it amazing how truth attracts falsehood and how enemies of truth will even manufacture a falsehood as their weak attempt to battle truth? Jesus pointed to the source of such falsification when He said that Satan was “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
The Doctrine of Inerrancy and the Work of Translation
Bible translation proceeds upon the basis that the base text possesses value. A high view of Scripture moves the translator to higher accuracy in translating the text, greater care in making certain the message does not get skewed, and a consistent reverence for God’s revealed Word.
New lectures available.
In addition to Hebrew Grammar (or beginning Hebrew), Dr Barrick also teaches Hebrew Exegesis and Old Testament Introduction. The Hebrew Exegesis class continues on from Hebrew Grammar II.
Revelation 22:6-21–Epilogue
As the Book of Revelation comes to a close, the reader encounters Jesus Christ in a new fashion. Christ Himself speaks, revealing His final promises, instructions, invitation, and injunctions. Here we find His threefold declaration that He is coming back to Earth quickly.
Revelation 21:9-22:5–The Holy City, The New Jerusalem
The final vision that John receives reveals details concerning the New Jerusalem. Readers normally ask two questions: (1) Does this city exists in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ or in the Eternal State? (2) Who are its citizens?
Grand Canyon 2012–The Year of the Waterfalls
Psalm 42:7 declares, “One deep stream calls out to another at the sound of your waterfalls” (NET).