The Big "E" - Encouragement

A New Day

This incredible sunrise photo appeared on my friend Stephen Weber's devotional web site Daily Encouragement today. Just seeing the picture caused the following lines to well up in my spirit. I trust they will bless you. Check out Stephen's site here.


SUNRISE

The sun arose this morning
And God is on His throne
No need to fret or worry
The Father loves His own.

So bid farewell to doubting
And welcome trust anew
Rest in the truth of scripture...
The Father cares for YOU!

~ David W. Fisher
January 29th, 2008

That Night

Mary conceived
Joseph protected
Innkeeper accommodated
Straw cradled
Baby slept
Cattle lowed
Shepherds watched
Angel announced
Shepherds trembled
Angels sang
Shepherds visited
Mary pondered
Salvation birthed
Mankind delivered
Prophecy fulfilled
God smiled.

~ David W. Fisher
December 19/07

No Pat Answers

This morning Carol and I were briefly discussing how annoying (and angering) pat answers can be when one is in the midst of a difficult and trying situation.

Years ago I remember reading a book entitled NO PAT ANSWERS penned by the well-known novel writer Eugenia Price. It cut me to the bone because I had been guilty of just that...giving out pat answers to all who would listen. I naively thought I knew it all.

Now, many years later when I actually DO know it all...honestly, I'm just kidding!

The older I get the more I realize just how little I DO know. I have discovered that indiscriminately dispensing pat answers for the problems of others is not wise and often can be very damaging. Usually the hurting friend we want to help just needs a loving pat on the back, a listening ear or a loving note of encouragement saying that we care.


But aren't the scriptures God's truth on every matter? Yes they are! But to load someone down with a bucket full of Bible verses without adding a large dose of compassion and empathy could drive them deeper into the depths of despair.

We need discernment when dealing with those who hurt! Watch what you say! A kind deed done in love will mean more than empty words even though the words are truthful.

NO PAT ANSWERS PLEASE!

Barnabas Takes a Blogging Break

Dear friends, it's been awhile since I posted an encouraging word here on The Barnabas Blog. Things have been very hectic over the last few weeks and my health issues have slowed me down considerably.

For the next few weeks I'll be taking a blogging break from The Barnabas Blog but I will continue to post on a daily basis (usually) over at Pilgrim Scribblings. Please be sure to check that site on a daily basis. There will be lots of encouragement available over there for all my Pilgrim Pals.

Thanks for your visit to The Barnabas Blog. I'll let you know on Pilgrim Scribblings when I'm up and running again.

God bless you abundantly, dear friends!

Visit us at Pilgrim Scribblings: http://www.pilgrimscribblings.blogspot.com

Knowing the Triune God

Here's more from Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers:

"Acquaint now thyself with Him." - Job 22:21 (KJV)

If we would rightly "acquaint ourselves with God, and be at peace," we must know Him as He has revealed Himself, not only in the unity of His essence and subsistence, but also in the plurality of His persons. God said, "Let us make man in our own image". Let not man be content until he knows something of the "us" from whom his being was derived.

Endeavour to know the Father; bury your head in His bosom in deep repentance, and confess that you are not worthy to be called His son; receive the kiss of His love; let the ring which is the token of His eternal faithfulness be on your finger; sit at His table and let your heart make merry in His grace.

Then press forward and seek to know much of the Son of God who is the brightness of His Father's glory, and yet in unspeakable condescension of grace became man for our sakes; know Him in the singular complexity of His nature: eternal God, and yet suffering, finite man; follow Him as He walks the waters with the tread of deity, and as He sits upon the well in the weariness of humanity. Be not satisfied unless you know much of Jesus Christ as your Friend, your Brother, your Husband, your all.

Forget not the Holy Spirit; endeavour to obtain a clear view of His nature and character, His attributes, and His works. Behold that Spirit of the Lord, who first of all moved upon chaos, and brought forth order; who now visits the chaos of your soul, and creates the order of holiness. Behold Him as the Lord and giver of spiritual life, the Illuminator, the Instructor, the Comforter, and the Sanctifier. Behold Him as, like holy unction, He descends upon the head of Jesus, and then afterwards rests upon you who are as the skirts of His garments. Such an intelligent, scriptural, and experimental belief in the Trinity in Unity is yours if you truly know God; and such knowledge brings peace indeed.

- C.H. Spurgeon

Bonhoeffer's Prayer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this incredible prayer for his fellow inmates while incarcerated in a Nazi prison awaiting his death.

MORNING PRAYER

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Sharing David's Shelter

Chuck Swindoll's thought for today in my desk calendar reads as follows:

"Can't find a refuge? Why not share David's shelter? The One he called My Strength, Mighty Rock, Fortress, Stronghold, and High Tower.

"The God of my rock: in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Savior." - 2 Samuel 22:3 (KJV)

Today I'm choosing to share David's shelter! Why not come along as well, dear friend!

I've Been There

How often have you heard someone say, "I know what you're going through, I've been there", when you know that they have never experienced what you're facing. Empty, shallow words! When someone who has actually plumbed the depths of despair comes alongside you, you "know" that they understand what you're going through. There's a unique bonding of spirits. This has happened to me often and as recently as a couple of weeks ago, I sat down with a friend and realized that he knew exactly what I was battling.

Elizabeth Skoglund (see link at the left) has penned an extremely helpful book, "Bright Days, Dark Nights" in which she tackles subjects like depression, loneliness, anxiety and change. She quotes extensively from the writings of the great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon who was no stranger to extended periods of dark depression. The following quote was illuminating and reassured me that when we go through the dark valleys, we are fitted and equipped to take the hands of others and lead them through when they face similar situations.

Spurgeon writes:

“I often feel very grateful to God that I have undergone fearful depressions of spirits. I know the borders of despair, and the horrible brink of that gulf of darkness into which my feet have almost gone; but hundreds of times I have been able to give a helpful grip to brethren and sisters who have come into that same condition, which grip I could never have given if I had not known their deep despondency. So I believe that the darkest and most dreadful experience of a child of God will help him to be a fisher of men if he will but follow Christ. Keep close to the Lord and He will make every step a blessing to you.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

Whatever the mountain that looms before you or the valley that you're struggling through, understand that a loving Father is walking every step with you and will use this "dark" time to enable you to help others. You are NOT alone. Take His hand and trust His heart.

God's Way is Perfect

This morning I read Amy Carmichael's poem THY WAY IS PERFECT in her book of collected poems entitled MOUNTAIN BREEZES.

She writes:

"Long is the way, and very steep the slope;
Strengthen me once again, O God of Hope.

Far, very far, the summit doth appear;
But Thou art near, my God, but Thou are near.

And Thou wilt give me with my daily food,
Powers of endurance, courage, fortitude.

Thy way is perfect; only let that way
Be clear before my feet from day to day.

Thou art my Portion, saith my soul to Thee,
Oh, what a Portion is my God to me!"

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him." - 2 Samuel 22:31 (KJV)