The Barnabas File

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry! Actually, I did a little bit of both. I had just received a letter from the conference planning committee of our National Fellowship of churches asking if I would teach a seminar at the upcoming national conference. This is how the letter read: You have been suggested by the conference committee to share a workshop at this year’s conference because of your experience in this particular topic. Would you be willing to lead us in a workshop entitled, “Fighting Feelings of Failure!” As I pondered the request, I thought to myself, “Evidently others know more about me than I really wish them to know!” Most speakers are invited to come and share because of their success or expertise in some particular field or proficiency – but from more than 1400 pastors in our Fellowship I was selected to speak because of my success with “failure!” [Read more…]

“Should such a man as I flee?” -Nehemiah 6:11

The above text grabbed my attention as I was recently reading one of the heart piercing chapters from V. Raymond Edman’s delightful book, “The Disciplines of Life.” You will recognize them as the words of Nehemiah who had been called of God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The enemies of Nehemiah were planning a conspiracy against him trying again and again (6:4) to tempt Nehemiah to leave his port of duty distracting him with enticing alternatives. Nehemiah was not to be diverted. Though pressed in spirit, both emotionally and physically, he remained focused on the will of God for his life. It was hard dirty work rebuilding the walls. The people he had to work with grew weary and tired. They complained and criticized and had to be pushed. He was constantly putting out “little fires” among the workmen, and then came the attractive invitation to leave his calling and join the opposers in the temple where there would be safety from the threatening enemy (6:10). After the fifth invitation (6:5) to leave the work, though weary and worn, he says, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” (6:11). [Read more…]