Be a Barnabas

Are you a Barnabas?

2011-05-27T21:36:00.002-05:00

It's simple really. A few words of encouragement can lift up a friend and change the future while words of disapproval, cynicism and disbelief can easily send a person and their dreams plummeting into the pit we all know so well.

Barnabas first appears in scripture in Acts 9:27 when the disciple known as the Son of Encouragement introduces us and his fellow believers to Saul, a murderous Jewish leader who'd met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. While the other disciples refused to speak with Saul out of fear, Barnabas gave a troubled new Christian a second chance. Without Barnabas, would the world know two thirds of the Bible? Would we have Paul, the greatest evangelist who ever walked this earth?

Probably not.

Barnabas' words of encouragement to Paul and the new members of the church paved the way for Christianity as we know it. Simple words of encouragement were all it took to spread the love of Jesus Christ to a sad and discouraged world.

When the time arises, and God asks you to step up to the plate and spread His words of love and encouragement, are you a Barnabas?

I know it's hard. In our society today, we tend to lean more to "down to earth," to "reality" and to "keeping your head out of the clouds." But, why? The word encouragement is written 59 times in the New International Version of our Bible. In every case, it was to spread God's word and keep the church and its members going through persecution and hardship. God mentions constantly for us to encourage one another. He knew we all needed it. That time is now.

Be a Barnabas is a place for love and encouragement in day-to-day life. Originally, this site was geared toward single parents and their children, which is still a key force for BaB and will be a focus for our content. But, don't we all need encouragement? Parents. Children. Teens. Tweens. Pastors. Leaders. Politicians. Writers. We all need encouragement, especially encouragement with God. So, stay with me, visit me often and sign up for my blog alerts for weekly words of God's encouragement straight from the pages of the greatest book ever written.

Be encouraged. Be strong and strive for your dreams in God's service. And remember: It doesn't matter where you've been. It matters where you're going.

In His Service,

Chelle

Back to Life

2011-05-19T22:03:00.005-05:00

It's been a long time. I haven't been on this site in a while. The in-person lunches ended a year ago. I think it was harder on me than I thought to not do the lunches anymore. It was a beautiful season, and I have many brothers and sisters in Christ now that I would never have had the blessing to know. I am so grateful for that time, and for the new time this ministry is in now. God has a new plan for Be a Barnabas TM, and I can't wait to see where He takes me AND us! Welcome along for the encouraging ride of your life!!!!

I came back to the site tonight and had no idea that I had posted 51 times to this blog! Amazing. And, most definitely God! I scrolled back through the years, and found this post I wanted to share.

I am an encourager. I want to be God's kindness and love to the world. I want to be the woman God created me to be. I invite you along with me on this journey.

Enjoy...

Originally posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008.

Gimme a G!

Gimme an O! Gimme a D! What's that spell?

Okay, I will admit, I get really excited about being God's Cheerleader as I wave my pom-poms high in the air wishing I could do basket tosses without seriously injuring myself. But, seriously, can you really be overly enthusiastic for God?

I think not!

That is why today at Be a Barnabas, we will focus on the good, the bad and the ugly of being an encourager for God. Being a cheerleader isn't always back flips and cheers. Sometimes, you are trudging through mud getting your cute little skirt and matching tennis shoes all yucky. That's right, I said yucky.

Sometimes in life we say things we don't mean. We either phrase it incorrectly, use the wrong word alltogether, or let our words bypass our filter and send the sludge out for all to hear.

I recently had a friend make a comment about a turning point in my writing career. This short yet innocent remark did its best to send me plummeting in a tailspin diving under my covers to hide my head in writing shame. Did she mean it as such? No.

But one thing's for sure, it made me wonder how many times an innocent remark escaped my lips instead of staying on my tongue where it should have died in the first place.

OUCH! Makes me want to hide behind my pom-poms. I know I've done it, and I'm sorry for it and humbly repent.

Our words are power. They create life…or bring death. I choose life. And, through this, I am eternally grateful to my friend for helping me realize it so I may guard my tongue as Christ commanded. Remember when James said that both fresh water and salt water cannot flow from the same spring? (See below)

The wise Solomon once said, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4 NIV)

This week, I will consider all my words before they escape into the air with crushing potential. Once it's out there, it's out there never to be taken back, and now with e-mail, it can be forwarded. Scary thought isn't it? ;o)

Until next week, keep praising, keep encouraging, and keep those pom-poms flying high.

In His Service~

~Chelle
God's Cheerleader

James 3:9-12 (NIV)

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

To God be the glory...

It's Super Bowl Sunday at VLC Waco!

2010-02-04T14:42:00.001-06:00

Howdy, folks!

This Sunday from 5pm-9pm is our annual Be a Barnabas Super Bowl Party!

Bring your favorite snack to share and join us in the coffeebar at VLC for food, fun and football fellowship!

See you Sunday!

~BaB

When in need, dial 91:1

2009-11-23T21:09:00.007-06:00

Hey, everybody!

God has placed on my heart to share something with you. On the night before our wedding, I was viciously attacked by the enemy. It was quite obvious that he did not want me to get married and have the life God wanted for me. I was so sick. My poor friends who stayed in the hotel with me may never be the same. LOL

But, my friend Jackie came to my side with her Bible and said, "When you need God, you dial 911." And, proceeded to read Psalm 91 over me, starting with verse 1.

I hadn't really thought about Psalm 91 since then. It's been over a year and a half now, and God brought this verse back to my attention.

But, why? Was I under attack? Was something going to happen that I didn't know about? Who knows. But, God does. And, I was obedient, and read it day after day after day.

Then I realized, He wants me to trust Him. It all comes down to trusting Him. To hiding under His wing and allowing HIM to work in my life. That he will cover me. That I am safe under His shadow. That if He is my covering me, the fiery arrows of the enemy cannot penetrate Him and get to me. He is my strong fortress and shield. He is impenetrable. He is GOOD! He protects us. We have nothing to fear as we nestle under His wing.

When I need encouragement, I read the words below and change the he's to you's, or I even change the pronouns entirely and say aloud, "Because I love you, Lord, You will rescue me. You will protect me, for I acknowledge your name. I will call upon You, and You will answer me. You will be with me in trouble. You will deliver me and honor me. With long life you will satisfy me and show me your salvation." Amen! These are God's promises. His words are true. Our God cannot and will not lie. EVER! And, as we pray the Psalms over our lives, God will give us hope in His arms. He is our hope and our salvation.

¹⁴ "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

I feel as though someone is in fear tonight. In fear of the future.

Our beautiful, precious, loving Father has everything worked out. I urge you to read Psalm 91 and read it out loud boldly declaring God's promises over your life. And, do not be afraid to declare His word over your life again and again and again. Let it sink in. Steep yourself in His promises. They will take hold and be written on your heart. Do not be afraid, for God is with you. He walks you beside still waters. His Word is TRUTH. Our God is POWERFUL. He is pure power. He spoke the world into creation. He is the beginning and the end. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The promises He wrote in His book so many years ago are STILL His promises! He is not too old, or out of style. His Word was not for that time only. He is the God of the Bible. And, His miracles and promises are to be seen today. Speak His Word boldly over your situation. Ask the Holy Spirit to pray through you. Be real with God, and He will be real with you. Enter into His presence. He is full of joy, release and rest. Become one with our Savior. He wants to become one with you so badly. Let Him in.

Trust Him. Trust Him with everything. With your job, your finances, your laundry, that turkey who will fry for the first time on Thursday. ;o) Trust Him.

I realized on Sunday how ungrateful I am for all the blessings God has given me. Without Him, I am and have nothing. I am thankful for so many things, most importantly, that He chased after me. And, that I've learned--finally--to stay tucked neatly and passionately under His wing.

To be used by Him,

~Chelle and BaB

October's Lunch - What a blessing!

2009-10-19T09:13:00.004-05:00

Wow! Sometimes I wake up so tired and drained that I wonder how I'll make it through the day let alone how I'll serve God and His children. But, however I feel doesn't matter.

Our God is a mighty, wonderful, gracious God who places us in His hands and gets the job done!

I was beat down and in a daze. But, I gave it all to God, and He made yesterday's Be a Barnabas one of my favorite lunches yet. God was there in all His glory! We ate in abundance -- God stretched the food to feed 42 of His children! We sang songs in praises of our King, and Tracee led a lesson on the Five Love Languages so we may all know how to better love one another. It was a glorious day!

And, to top it all off, one of our members, Fidencia, was BAPTIZED! Congratulations, Fidencia! The angels in heaven as well as all your friends on earth celebrated and rejoiced yesterday! We love you!

Thank you, Ricky, for the brisket and rolls! And, thank you to Tracee, Jen, Michael, and Judy for providing the rest of the food.

Our next lunch will be November 15th! I hope to see you there. God is so good!

May your week be blessed and filled with Christ's love!

To be used by Him,

Chelle and BaB

October 18 - Be a Barnabas and Brisket

2009-10-12T20:17:00.002-05:00

Hello!

This month's lunch will be on October 18! Come ready for brisket, homemade rolls and all the best fixin's! We will have worship and the Word following lunch.

I've missed seeing everyone and look forward to Sunday!

If you have friends who'd like to join us, pass on the info! We'd love to meet them!

See you Sunday! God bless!

~Chelle and BaB

July Lunch to Coincide with Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

2009-07-15T14:29:00.004-05:00

Hello!

This Sunday, Be a Barnabas will participate in the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to help defer cost for students traveling to Orlando for the National Fine Arts Competition. The lunch will be held in the gym immediately following the 10 a.m. worship service.

We have been guaranteed free tickets, but if you would like to donate, the cost is $5 per person. Please e-mail me if you would like tickets to the event. Our small group will meet after we finish eating.

I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!

To be used by Him,

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

Our God is a Matthew 6 God - Part 3

2009-06-23T20:44:00.007-05:00

My stomach growls as I go on hour three. "God, please be with me in this fast. Show me what you have for me and what direction I must take." I grab my water bottle in hopes that its contents will quench my thirst and quiet my protesting stomach.

And, I'm only on hour three.

Fasting is not my favorite thing to do. I think I worry about it too much. I worry my blood sugar will drop, and I'll get dizzy. I worry that I'll be nauseous and miserable. I worry that my stomach will growl so loudly that God and everyone will hear.

Why do I bother to worry? Who knows. It's what I do.

For some reason, I feel that God didn't intend for it to be this way. Why are we predisposed to worry? To worry about everything. From what we are going to wear tomorrow to how the bills are going to be paid, no matter how big or how small, we worry. But, in Matthew 6, God so loved us that he laid it all out. An outline of how to be, of how to pray, of how to give all of cares and worries to our loving Father. He truly loves us. Oh, how He loves us!

This week, let's focus some more on fasting, and how God intended it to be.

Matthew 6: 16-18 says...

¹⁶"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

From my study of Matthew 6, I've learned one thing about God. He created us to worship Him and truly wants it all about Him. His glory. His kingdom. He created us to worship Him and proclaim His glory to the nations. He did not put us here to crave approval from our friends or co-workers. He put us here for His glory -- that is where the reward is. He repeatedly says throughout Matthew 6 that our reward is in heaven, not on earth. He reveals to us through this chapter how to act, what to do, and what our reward will be for obedience to Him. God made it so easy. Drink in His words this week. Drink them in and invest in your future in the Kingdom of Heaven.

To be used by Him,

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

Movie Night this Friday at VLC Waco

2009-06-08T17:36:00.004-05:00

Hello!

Friday Nights Lights will host a weekly Family Movie Night at VLC Waco each Friday through the summer. Meet at the gym behind the church at 7 p.m.

This week's feature will be Love Comes Softly starring Catherine Heigl and directed by Michael Landon, Jr. The movie is based on the popular Christian-fiction series by Janette Oke. I've seen this movie and love it! I can't wait to see it again surrounded by all my friends.

See you on Friday!

Chelle :o)

Our God is a Matthew 6 God - Part 2

2009-06-08T12:17:00.015-05:00

Prayer. For some of us, it flows off the tongue shaking the foundations of heaven. But for others, we get stuck, or maybe even think too much about it. In this week's scripture, Jesus tells us exactly how to do it. How easy is that? My comments are in blue.

Let's break it down:

Matthew 6:5-15

5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

~Once again, Jesus addresses the "heart issue" behind our actions that we spoke about last week. Are you praying to touch the heart of God, or are you praying to be heard, to feel important, or to show others how smart you are?

6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

~Matthew 6:8 is one of my favorite verses. He knows my needs even before I know them. And, I need a lot. LOL Or at least I think I do. He knows my every need. He knows I need food. He knows I need shelter, and he knows what clothes I like to where. Dad is so good! And, he always knows what's in style.

The next section is the best part! It's all about prayer and Jesus lays it all out. No parables. No tests. Jesus even says "this is how you do it"! How easy is that!

9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
God is GREAT! Always praise Him first regardless of the situation.

10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
God may your will be done on earth in my life just as your will is always done in heaven.

11Give us this day our daily bread.
God, you know what I need even before I need it. Please provide for me what you feel I need.

12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Lord, please forgive me of my sins. I'm sorry. I will forgive others as you have forgiven me.

13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Lord, please keep me safe today as I resist the temptations of the enemy. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer. This is the first thing I ever memorized because it was so very important for my mom that I know it. I was three years old.

Now, let's look at the final two verses in this section:

14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Forgiveness: It's more than sayin' sorry. (Sorry, I had to throw in a movie line. :oP) I've noticed something recently about Jesus: When it's important, He repeats it.

In fact, forgiveness is so important, that it will be the subject of a future blog.

I hope Part 2 is beneficial in your faith walk. Please post any questions or observations below, especially if you are feeling the Holy Spirits leading.

Love y'all!

To be used by Him,

Chelle and BaB

Our God is a Matthew 6 God - Part 1

2009-05-30T14:27:00.027-05:00

Today is the first day of a new series here at Be a Barnabas. God placed on my heart several months ago the scriptures and lessons found in Matthew 6. To me, this chapter is the foundation of our faith. In Jesus' own words I learned to be humble, how to pray and why I should give all of my worries to God.

Over the next few weeks, we will break down this chapter. Please share your thoughts and the lessons you learned by posting a comment below. I pray this time is an inspiration to you as we renew our faith in Christ Jesus. I also encourage you to read these words for yourself in your own Bible. To me, it is so much more powerful to hold God's Word in my hands. It gives it new life as I read and flip through the pages. I've provided the scriptures to our first lesson below for you as well, and I pray that God blesses you richly as you draw closer to Him and His Word.

Matthew 6:1-4

Giving to the needy.

1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

When I first read this, I was puzzled. What about those faith-based organizations that continually solicit funds, have commercials everywhere and "announce with trumpets" the good things that they are doing for the poor and needy of the world?

Is this all wrong?

It depends. God has used these people. God is using these people. But, one question stands out to me as I reflect on Matthew 6:1-4:

What is my focus?

That is what Jesus is telling us here. He is not telling us not to put the word out. He is not telling us not to show others what the needs are in our community. He is not telling us to serve the needy and keep their needs quiet.

But, He is telling us not to be boastful, not to be prideful, and to love and serve with humility. He is telling us to keep our hearts in the right place. To love and serve His children for His glory, not our own.

Proverbs 11:2 (NIV) states: When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.

Pride is an ugly thing, and it is so easy to slip into it that often we don't realize we are in it until we are steeped in a sticky mess. Where do you seek your reward? From above? Or, from man?

I pray I always seek my reward from the Father. I pray that it doesn't matter to me who sees me work, worship or my good deeds. I pray that my heart and focus are set above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:3).

If you find yourself suffering from pride today, it's okay. Just ask God for forgiveness and step forward in a new day of service. We all fall short. I've experienced pride, but the key is to know it, and to ask for forgiveness and get back in step with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus is so good and forgiving. I am nothing without Him (John 15:5). No matter how far you've stepped out of line, God is there waiting with the road map and the neon signs to get you back on track.

I pray God's blessings over you and your family this week. May He prosper you in all things for His service.

To be used by Him,

Chelle and BaB

Dinner and a Movie Night at VLC Waco!

2009-05-29T10:42:00.003-05:00

Hey!

Tonight is dinner and a movie night at VLC Waco! Friday Night Lights will host a potluck dinner and a showing of Flywheel, the first movie from the team who produced and directed Facing the Giants and Fireproof.

Bring a dish of your choice (if you can) and be at the gym behind the main building by 7 p.m. Invite all the friends and family you want!

See you tonight!

Chelle and BaB :o)

He Loves Us. Oh, how He loves us!

2009-05-19T13:06:00.001-05:00

My dear friend and fellow writer, Jackie Castle, posted a powerful lesson to her blog today along with a song that makes me feel I'm nestled in the heart of God. I encourage you to check it out. So powerful and worshipful! Be sure to mute the music in the sidebar before you listen to the You Tube video.

http://www.instillplaces.blogspot.com/

He loves us...Oh, how He love us,

Chelle :o)

National Day of Prayer TOMORROW May 7th

2009-05-06T17:51:00.002-05:00

On May 7th, our nation will come together in prayer. That is MY prayer anyway. Please spread the word to pray for our families, our president, our leaders, and our nation. And, please pray for all those serving for our country both here and abroad. May God bless them richly for the freedoms they fight for.

In prayer,

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

A blessed evening filled with worship

2009-05-03T22:01:00.003-05:00

Hello!

Tonight was the first of what I pray is many City Wide Worship Nights that was held at VLC Waco. Three churches came together to worship and praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What a blessing!

If you had to miss it, I definitely encourage you to make it to the next one. It was a beautiful night of worship. Seeing so many people from our community come together in one place, at one time with no denominational lines, was a true testament of the glory of our God. God is GOOD!!!!

May He bless you richly this week and always.

Chelle :o)

City Wide Worship Night THIS SUNDAY!

2009-04-30T20:35:00.003-05:00

Hellooooooooo!

What a blessed week it has been! Please be in prayer for God's anointing over our nation and for those suffering from H1N1. With God's grace and our prayers, this illness can and WILL be eradicated world wide. Praise GOD!

I want to invite all of you to attend the first (that I know of) City Wide Worship Nights! I'm so excited that this is happening, and what a blessing it is that it will take place at VLC Waco!

Four pastors and worship teams from churches in the Waco area will join together on Sunday night, May 3, 2009, at 6 p.m. to share the joy of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I pray all of you can make it, and encourage you all to attend. I've never experienced churches in one city coming together for a night of being in the Word and song -- joining in fellowship to worship our Lord. Sounds truly biblical to me! I can't wait for Sunday! If you can make it let me know. We can all sit together if you want. Let me know if you are interested so I'll know how many seats to save.

God is GOOD!!!!! And His mercy endures FOREVER! Pastor Kevin will also be starting a new series this week entitled "I am Jonah." I know I've been "Jonah-like" at times. Have you?

May God bless you richly this week! See you on Sunday!

Love,

Chelle :o)

March Madness BaB Single Parent Lunch THIS SUNDAY!

2009-03-10T14:22:00.002-05:00

Where: The gym at VLC Waco
When: Immediately following the 10 a.m. worship service
What's in store: Free Food, Fun and Fellowship with the Single Parent Families of VLC Waco

Why: Because we love you!!!

I hope to see all of you there! Come hungry!

Love y'all!

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

Next Small Group Meeting on Sunday, March 8th

2009-02-25T22:34:00.007-06:00

Good evening!

Our next small group meeting will be next Sunday, March 8th in the coffee bar at VLC Waco. Please note that we will not be meeting this Sunday as the schedule shows.

Time: 5 p.m.

Childcare will be provided during our meeting.

I'm excited to see what God has in store for us in 2009! If you haven't checked out the new video devotionals, I encourage you to do so! I've really enjoyed them, and God shows me something new about His love everyday through them. To check them out now, click here.

I can't wait until next Sunday!!!! God is doing amazing things, and I am so humbled to be a part of it all!

Have a blessed week!

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

Where Never is Heard a Discouraging Word

2009-02-16T13:06:00.009-06:00

Happy Monday!

A strange thing happened to me yesterday morning. As I was setting up for our Valentine's Be a Barnabas Lunch, I heard a little voice say:

"No one will show up."

"Why are you even doing this?"

"You might as well just pack it up and go home."

The lovely "voice of discouragement" reared is always ugly and often-effective head.

That is when you know you are in ministry. :o)

I am not safe from these thoughts any more than you are. We all hear them. Even for a self-proclaimed God's Cheerleader, the spirit of discouragement can infiltrate my thoughts and, try as it may, it wants desperately to send me off course and not on the path God has for me. Does this ever happen to you? I bet it does.

Because our Father is fabulously wonderful, He sent a little message through Pastor Kevin yesterday in a special prayer during service for those experiencing discouragement. I knew in that moment that God knows me, and He knows what I'm going through every second. He knows you, too.

So do not despair. When you are on God's path, the enemy will use whatever tactic he can to make you doubt, worry and teeter in the wrong direction. But, by focusing on God, our paths are clear and our burdens are light. He promises that.

Philippians 1: 5-6 tells us "because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

He has begun this good work in you. And, what God starts, He completes. Thank God for that! :o)

May your week be blessed and your service to the Lord be pure.

To be used by Him,

Chelle and Be a Barnabas
God's Cheerleader

February Be a Barnabas Lunch THIS SUNDAY!

2009-02-09T10:52:00.005-06:00

Hello, my fellow Barnabi! (Is that Barnabas plural? LOL)

I pray you and your children are having a blessed week. I am e-mailing to remind you of our February Valentine's Day Be a Barnabas Lunch this Sunday immediately following the 10 a.m. worship service. This month's feast is Hot Dog Extravaganza with all the fixin's! Plus, some yummy desserts! I hope to see all of you there!

Take care and God bless!

Chelle and Be a Barnabas :o)

New Video Devotions Now Online

2009-02-02T21:59:00.003-06:00

Hello!

I pray your week is blessed and you are trusting in the Lord!

Pastor Kevin posted the link for VLC's new daily devotionals. Check it out and make it a family event!

Praising Him always,

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

Be a Barnabas SUPER BOWL PARTY!!!! Sunday at 5 pm!

2009-01-30T12:08:00.003-06:00

Hello!!!

Even though the Cowboys did not make it to the Super Bowl this year, we still love a party!

When: This Sunday, Feb. 1st
What Time: 5 p.m.
Where: The Coffee Bar at VLC

Why should you come?

Fun, Food, Fellowship, and a 63-inch TV!

And did I mention that childcare is provided?

If you would like to bring snacks or drinks, please let me know! I can't wait to see y'all!

Go, Steelers!

Be blessed!

Chelle and BaB

First BaB Lunch of 2009 THIS SUNDAY, Jan. 25th!

2009-01-19T18:45:00.000-06:00

Howdy!!!

I can't believe it is already January 19th already! And, it's already our first Be a Barnabas Single Parent Lunch and Fellowship of 2009!

When: This Sunday, January 25th in the gym immediately following our 10 a.m. worship service.
Who's Invited: Single parents and their children. If you have a friend you would like to invite who doesn't go to VLC, please feel free!
What's on the Menu: Chili with all the fixins!

AND....

We will be celebrating the launch of our new BaB Small Group! I hope to have more details on Sunday. I heard we will be meeting in the coffee bar though! Direct access to God's presence, comfy couches and caffeine!

Please be in prayer for the ministry and for God's perfect will to be done. I miss seeing all of you! I hope to see all of you and your children on Sunday. If you have any questions, please always know you can e-mail or call me anytime.

Love y'all! Have a very blessed week!

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

--
Be a Barnabas
Single Parent Ministry of VLC Waco
www.beabarnabas.blogspot.com
www.vlcwaco.com

Mark your calendars now...

2009-01-07T10:46:00.002-06:00

for our next Be a Barnabas lunch! Our first lunch in '09 will be on Sunday, January 25th immediately following the 10 a.m. worship service. I look forward to seeing y'all there!

God bless!

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

Merry Christmas to all the Single Moms and Dads out there

2008-12-22T12:48:00.018-06:00

As a writer, often I wonder where to start. Should I start at the climax of the story and blast my reader smack dab into the middle of chaos, tragedy, love or whatever God has in store for my story that day? Or should I work my way backwards leaving my readers in suspense?

Today, I want to start at the beginning...in chronological order. I was born and raised in a tiny Texas town where single motherhood was unheard of and "happily" married couples were the norm.

My how times have changed.

It is no surprise to tell you that the national divorce rate was 45% in 2002. Is it growing? It seems like it, but I saw an article today that the nation's divorce rate has steadily decreased since 1979. Praise Jesus! But, as it is based per capita, I wonder if this coincides with an increasing population or the fact that many people are choosing to live together instead of making it official under God. hrmmmmmmmmmmm

What I do know is: God loves the widows and the orphans (James 1:27; Deuteronomy 10:18). He mentions over and over again in His word that Jesus came that we may have life and have it IN FULL (John 10:10), which in other translations is with ABUNDANCE. Abundance in the Lord. Wow. What a blessing. He also said in John 6:63 that His words are life.

In this human-ness we live in divorce happens. Life happens. Husbands and wives go to war in far off lands. Husbands and wives just leave. They even die. But God loves us and lifts us up and holds us in His mighty and comforting hands...even when we don't feel it or believe it. He is there. And He brings life. He brings life whether you are married, divorced, a widow or a single person who has a child. He does not discriminate and is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:33). He placed you here to raise His children on earth. He knew what He was doing all along. Our Father is good like that. ;o)

Allow His abundance and love to wash over you this Christmas season. Allow Him to show you His miracles for you that are bigger and better than you could ever ask or think. He is good. And His promises are true. Believe it. He believes in you. :o)

And always remember, Jesus is the reason for season. Whether you accept Him as your savior or not. He came here for you. He was born and made man, took on all your sins and died on the cross for you so you may have eternal life. Accept Him into your heart. Proclaim His name to the nations. Or to the people next door. God is good, and His mercy endures forever.

Merry Christmas and much love,

Chelle :O)

The Challenges of Single Parenting

2008-12-22T10:48:00.007-06:00

Each week, I receive a single-parenting article from the wonderful people at Crosswalk.com. I wanted to share this one with all of you.

If you would like to sign up for this service, visit www.crosswalk.com/newsletters/ and click the box next to Crosswalk Single Moms Connection.

I love its description:

Articles of encouragement and support for single moms

Which is totally what we are about at Be a Barnabas! I know it says "single moms" in the title, but I know you single dads out there will get a lot out of the weekly articles, too.

I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did. May God bless you and your children richly this new year.

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

Facing the Challenges of Single Parenting
Robert D. Jones, M.Div., D.Min.

Single parenting is a very hard job, so you certainly need clear guidance. And the Bible does speak to you from cover to cover. "Good," you reply. "I've been looking for some help. Give me some verses aimed at single parents that tell us what to do with our kids."

Sorry. The Bible doesn't always answer questions in the way we ask them, or give us truth in the categories or format we want. There are no "ten commandments" in Scripture that exclusively address single parents.

What should we make of the absence of biblical commands specifically for single parents? Let's begin with a more fundamental question: Were there any single parents in the Old and New Testament faith communities? Surely, yes. Then why were they excluded from biblical counsel on how to parent? The answer: They were not excluded. When God spoke to his people, he spoke to married parents and single parents without distinction. In other words, the general commands given to all parents pertain to you. Single parents are not a special subcategory.

What are God's directives to parents? Christian authors summarize biblical parenting duties in various ways, but most include the following:

• Provide physical and emotional care

• Provide verbal instruction

• Provide physical discipline

• Model dependency on Christ that grows into his likeness

• Pray for and with your children

You will not be able to give as much time, energy, skill, and creativity to these five tasks as two parents could. But God does not expect double effort from you. You cannot do, and must not try to do, the work of two adults. But what you should do, in dependence on God, should include these five ministries toward your kids.

Further, while you may receive help from others--your parents, friends, church family, and so forth--you remain the God-appointed parent of your children. Do not concede to others this authority, responsibility, and opportunity. There is no biblical doctrine of "grandmother's rights." In God's providence you, not your mother, are parenting the children God has entrusted to you.

Pay Attention to Your Children's Response to Your Single Parenthood

It is wise to monitor how single parenting affects not just you, but your children as well. In whatever way you became a single parent, in the same way your children have lost a parent. You are not the only one needing help to respond and adjust wisely. Your child's other parent has died (if you were widowed), or has left the home (if you were divorced), or may be unknown to your child (if you have not revealed the biological parent's identity). Do you know how your children are handling the event that left them with just one residential parent?

Here you must reject a pair of lies. First, do not lose sight of your child's responsibility to love, trust, and obey God despite unpleasant circumstances. A broken home does not excuse unbelief, rebellion, ingratitude, or idolatry. Teenage rebellion is, at the end of the day, rebellion. And rebellion is sin, to be compassionately but wisely confronted.

Second, reject hopeless notions that "doom" your children to future problems simply because they lack two married parents, or because of the negative influence their other parent may exert. Your children are not "victims" or "products of broken homes." They are people--people in God's image--who can know Jesus, follow Jesus, and live meaningful lives that please him. Along with my own testimony, I can name several other godly men and women who grew up with only one parent.

Consider Timothy in the New Testament. We meet him in Acts 16:1 where we learn that his mother was a believer in Christ, but his father apparently was not. What future did this hold for this young man? Listen to his spiritual "father," the apostle Paul, describe what God brought about despite a non-Christian dad:

• "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5).

• "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14--15).

God used a godly mother, a godly grandmother, and a godly mentor to teach and model the gospel for Timothy. He can use similar influences in your child's life, confirming the apostle's encouraging promise in 1 Corinthians 7:14: "For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy."

What steps might you take as a single parent when your ex-spouse exerts a negative influence on your kids?

• Entrust your child to God. Remember that God owns your child. You are a steward, not the owner. Humbly ask God to work directly in your son or daughter's life, and to use other means of grace to save, protect, and strengthen him.

• Appeal directly to your ex-spouse to change, restrain, or curb offensive behavior, out of love for your children. If that fails, pursue other recourses of appeal or accountability. This might include provisions in your shared parenting agreements for counseling or mediation, or enlisting the help of friends or extended family. In severe cases you may need to contact the police or child protective services.

• Continue to model and teach the gospel to your children, reflecting Christ-likeness that will contrast and counteract in refreshing ways the unbeliever's lifestyle. Ask God to help you walk according to the Holy Spirit--to demonstrate the Spirit's fruit and make Jesus attractive to your children as they face their own forks in the road. In some cases you may need to caution and advise your children before or after they spend time with their other parent: "Daddy may do some things differently than I do. I do what I do because I am trying to follow Jesus. Your dad at this point is not seeking to follow Jesus. Respect your dad, love your dad, and pray for your dad. This is how you should handle it if he..."

• Remind your children that each of them must also decide if they will follow Jesus. They cannot blame any parent, or anyone else, for unbiblical modeling.

• Invite one of your pastors or elders to sit down with you and your children to give them a biblical perspective on what happened in your marriage, how God looks at you and your ex, and how God wants the children to treat each parent as they shuttle between two houses. This is especially vital if your children are being given a sinfully biased perspective on these matters.

In the midst of this, God has given you a practical opportunity to teach your children about his sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness. You cannot resolve all the problems your children might face, but you can convey a rich, big picture of God and his ways. Connect them to the God of all hope, the Romans 8:28--29 God who brings hope and purpose to your life and theirs.

Excerpted from the booklet Single Parents © 2008 by Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation. Used by permission of New Growth Press. Excerpt may not be reproduced or downloaded without prior written consent.

Robert D. Jones, M.Div., D.Min., is an assistant professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and an adjunct professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was written counseling articles, the booklets, Angry at God?, Forgiveness, Bad Memories, and After Adultery, and the book Uprooting Anger.

Fun, Food and Fellowship with a lot of Chicken Spaghetti

2008-12-21T21:17:00.004-06:00

Hello!

Today was our Christmas luncheon. What a blessing it is to get everyone together and relax even if only for two hours. I was so blessed by everyone who attended, and we met some new faces and made some new friends in the process.

The food was as always FANTASTIC!! Thank you to all my volunteers who slave away in the kitchen and make sure it is ready for Sunday lunch. THANK YOU!! We could not have our luncheons without you.

Mark your calendars now for our first lunch in 2009! I can't believe it is already here! I hope to see you on January 18th! If you have any questions, please e-mail me anytime at beabarnabas@gmail.com

May God bless you and your family richly this Christmas and may 2009 be bright and beautiful!

To be used by Him,

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

BaB Lunch THIS Sunday, 12/21

2008-12-18T10:36:00.003-06:00

Howdy!

Just a reminder that our next Be a Barnabas Single Parent Lunch and Fellowship is this Sunday. December 21, at VLC Waco. Our free food and fellowship fun time will follow the 10 a.m. church service. We will meet in the gym.

I can't wait to see y'all!

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

The Cross - Arthur Blessitt Brings Christ's Love to the World

2008-12-02T19:22:00.006-06:00

Arthur Blessitt is a blessing from God. On Christmas Day in 1969, he woke at 5 a.m. with a message from the Lord to take the 12-foot-tall, 45-pound cross off the wall of his coffee shop and carry the cross on foot to God's children throughout the world.

On March 27, 2009, Mr. Blessitt's miraculous story of Jesus' love will be in theaters. (View the trailer here.) I would love to get a group together to see this, so if your interested, please e-mail me at beabarnabas@gmail.com. I'll cry. Just a warning. LOL

God is so good. Let's glorify His name and support Christian film making.

Here are some interesting facts I learned about the cross at www.blessitt.com:

Carried in 52 countries at war

Number of different countries cross carried - 315
Times arrested or in jail for carrying the cross - 24
Most apt country to be arrested in - USA
Most apt city to be arrested in - Hollywood, CA

The cross has been turned away from being left overnight at more than half the churches requested, but has never been turned away from spending the night at a bar or nightclub in 38 years around the world.

I will pray at the foot of this cross while you sleep anytime, Arthur Blessitt!

Let's rejoice and praise the Lord for the Good News He is spreading by using His servant Arthur Blessitt.

To be used by Him,

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

"I want to clearly declare, Jesus is my Savior and Lord. I totally seek to follow Him, love God with all my heart and love others as myself. The Holy Spirit of God dwells in my heart and I know the constant, never changing presence of God. Jesus promised in Matthew. 28:20:'I will be with you always.' How wonderful!"

~Arthur Blessitt, Follower of Jesus Christ

Simple Blessings and a Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T13:22:00.003-06:00

Good afternoon!

It's the day before Thanksgiving, and I have two things on the brain:

Cranberry sauce and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade!

I am so excited about nestling on the couch with a cup of coffee and watching dancers dance and Snoopy float by. Awwwwwww...Thanksgiving.

But, I'm reminded of something this year that I haven't been in a long time. Maybe if ever during Thanksgiving. For so long it was just a holiday with turkey and dressing to me. But this year, something has changed.

I truly have gratitude. Gratitude to God.

Gratitude that God has blessed me with a wonderful husband, cherished family and friends, and a church family that I truly adore and honor. God is so good and I am so thankful. Without Him, I am nothing and nothing matters. Thank you, Father, for delivering me and seeing me through everything. You are AWESOME!

May each of you have a joy-filled Thanksgiving full of God's blessings and thankfulness in serving the One True God.

Take care and God bless! Gobble Gobble. Or, in my case tofu, tofu!

Chelle and Be a Barnabas :o)

First Be a Barnabas Lunch a Total Blessing

2008-11-17T20:49:00.002-06:00

It finally happened...

Yes, on Sunday, November 16, we enjoyed Free Food, Fun and Fellowship at our first Be a Barnabas Single Parent Lunch and Fellowship at VLC Waco. I was so blessed. Meeting all the parents and their children touched my heart. Everyone has a story. And, I am so glad that I had the chance to sit and listen to them all.

I would not have had the chance to sit and meet everyone without the help of my "Barnabas's" (or would that be Barnabi? LOL) who brought food, washed dishes and put all those tables up (Thank you, Hubby!) What a blessing you are to me and to the single parents of Central Texas!

This is only the beginning. Our next Be a Barnabas lunch will be on December 21 immediately following our 10 a.m. worship service. For more info and directions, visit www.vlcwaco.com and click on the Be a Barnabas link. If you do not have a church home, we would love for you to come and visit and enjoy lunch.

That's all I have for now. Stay tuned for articles, tips and other odds and ends that God lays on my heart to share. Until then, be blessed, be encouraged and be loved by God.

To be used by Him,

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

At BaB, We Salute Our Veterans

2008-11-11T13:42:00.004-06:00

Today is one of those days. It's one of those holidays that is so good yet so sad to me at the same time.

We salute you. The brave men and women who serve our country preserving our founding values and keep us safe. A heartfelt THANK YOU! goes out to all of you.

And to those who stay behind raising children alone while your spouse is preserving our liberties, I know it is hard, being a single parent who technically isn't "single." But, you are still holding down the fort alone and we honor you as well. Thank you for YOUR sacrifice, your loyalty and love for your spouse, your children and our country. May God bless you and your family.

With much love,

Be a Barnabas @ VLC Waco

It's Finally Happened!!! Be a Barnabas is now at VLC Waco!

2008-11-05T14:21:00.009-06:00

I am still in shock and awe. To see God working still amazes me no matter how many times I see it.

With great joy, I want to share with you the latest news from Be a Barnabas.

We are now a real, live ministry encouraging single moms, dads and their children in Central Texas!

God is so good! Be a Barnabas is now a ministry of VLC Waco.

We are here to support, encourage and love God's children. If you are a single parent from any background and any circumstance, please join us at VLC Waco the third Saturday of each month in the gym behind the church for Free Food, Fun and Fellowship. Let's get to know each other and see what God has in store.

If you have any questions, please e-mail us at BeaBarnabas@gmail.com or call the church office at (254) 662-5552.

And, please know, we understand that life brings about seasons. And, just because you are married doesn't mean you're not raising children alone. Spouses go to war. Spouses go the jail. Spouses work too often, or simply aren't there. We love you whatever season you are in. And, we would love to meet you.

If you are in the area, and you would like to serve in the ministry. Please e-mail us.

What we need:

Spiritual moms and dads to serve as mentors
Food provided for our meetings
Food servers and clean-up angels
Monetary donations for emergencies (tax-deductible)
Car and home repair specialists
So much more, I can't even think of them all.

Again, I am so grateful of our Father who put this all in to place. Praise Him!

Encouraging God's children in a discouraging world,

Be a Barnabas

Congratulations, Marcia Gruver and Diamond Duo!

2008-10-31T17:38:00.005-05:00

Hello and Happy Friday!

Be a Barnabas is all about encouragement, so today, I'm here to encourage my fellow writer Marcia Gruver. Marcia signed a three-book deal in 2007 with Barbour Publishing. Go, Marcia! What a blessing! Her first book, Diamond Duo is now on the shelves. Click on the book title to be sent directly to her site on Amazon.com.

My favorite part about this book is Marcia based this fictional account on a true-life unsolved murder case in Jefferson, Texas. I love historical unsolved mysteries, so when I found this tid-bit out, it made this book a must-read for me!

I began reading this book and fell in love with one character in particular -- Sarah. She stands out with superior dialogue and likeability. I am eager to keep reading and find out her fate. I hopes she doesn't die in the end. I just hate that. LOL

While you are out in cyberspace, check out these other witty bloggers and their interviews with Marcia Gruver on life and writing. And, be sure to check out Marcia's personal blog by clicking right . . . here!

Take care and God bless!

Chelle and Be a Barnabas

P.S. I'll have MAJOR news soon on Be a Barnabas! Sign up for my blog alerts. I don't want you to miss anything! God is so good and is working, working, working!

And now for those blogs to check out:

A Latte and Some Words

A Little Bit of Sunlight

Anne Greene

Be a Barnabas

Book Splurge

BookingIt

Cara’s Musings

Erica at ShoutLife

Fictionary

God With Us - Finding Joy

Horizontal Yo-Yo

Janice Olson

Lighthouse Academy

Marthawrites

Mary Connealy - real life

My Christian Fiction Blog

Net’s Notes

On The Write Path

Pam Krumpe

Patti’s Porch

Readin N Writin

Relz Reviewz

Tamara Lynn Kraft

Terri Tiffany

The Friendly Book Nook

The Writer’s Tool

Writing by Faith

BaB is International! Well, at least North American!

2008-10-27T11:23:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it! God's message is going to places that not even I could imagine, ask or think. Isn't there a scripture about that somewhere? ;o) And, leave it to my my mom to find it! On a recent search for her little girl's pen name online, she found this article all the way in Canada! That's "write"! CANADA!! God is encouraging His children across the globe! What a great Dad!

Here is the article if you would like to check it out:

Cheering on Your Kids

Praising Him all day, every day!

Chelle and Be a Barnabas :o)

National Make a Difference Day - Saturday, October 25, 2008!

2008-10-21T11:17:00.004-05:00

Hello, Be a Barnabas readers!

I pray you are having a blessed week so far. I wanted to let y'all (Can you guess I'm from Texas?) know about a great way to serve in your community this Saturday.

On Saturday, October 25, 2008, millions of people across the country will participate in National Make a Difference Day. USA WEEKEND Magazine created this event to encourage neighbors to help neighbors throughout their communities.

From picking up trash to mowing a widow's lawn, there are tons of ways to show God's love in our World. Need ideas? Visit USA WEEKEND for their cool Idea Generator.

Are you a Barnabas who helps out in your community? Let us know what you're doing by commenting below.

May God bless you richly for your service for His children,

BaB Ministries :o)

Watch Your Mouth

2008-10-13T15:53:00.003-05:00

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

OUCH! This scripture found in James 3, is a testament to the trouble our tongues can get us into. Have you ever let something slip from your lips that should have been thought about first? I know I have. And, wow. The problems that can come about when I forget to filter!

I'm notorious for "open-mouth-insert-foot" syndrome. I often let my emotions rule me allowing words to burst forth that I didn't think about or--in most cases--mean.

I knew I had a problem...and I gave it to God. Are you in a situation where your words get in the way? Are you negative, argumentative, or simply not feeling you are the person God created you to be? Today, let's pray together that our words will be of God and not of the enemy and that Jesus may assist us in controlling this slithery serpent full of poison.

Heavenly Father, please today enter into my soul and take hold of my tongue. Give me discernment before I speak and may all my words be Your words. To lift up and encourage your children. To edify them, not to crush them. Please allow me to see all lives and situations as you do. And fulfill in me what it is to be a Christ Follower.

In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN!

Wash us clean, Lord! Wash us clean! May we be more like You.

Hallelujah!

October 2008 - Words

2008-10-06T13:07:00.003-05:00

Hello, fellow Barnabi (Is that Barnabas pluraled?)

This month, God has layed on my heart to focus on the power of our words, how simple they are, and how easily they can come crashing down around us.

In Ephesians, Paul writes:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Ephesians 4:29

Let no unwholesome talk come out of our mouths. What constitutes unwholesome talk?

Let's see...foul language? I would say yes. Sarcasm? Definitely. Gossip? Oh, yeah.

Am I guilty of any of this? Of course! We all are! And, as much as I hate to admit it in public, I've been known to fire off a curse word as fast as lightening when I get heated up about something. I hate that I do it. I hate that is it still second nature to me. But, I pray about it and with the help of the Holy Spirit, a listening heart, and a husband who is my accountability partner, I now hear "stop cussing" usually before it erupts from my mouth. and, when I say erupt, I mean erupt.

You may be wondering why I am telling you this.

Because, I am not special. I am not perfect. Yet I am still a child of God.

And He loves me in spite of how "human" I can be. In spite of my past. In spite of how I used to live and breathe. But, now, as a Christ follower, I follow Jesus. And, you can, too.

This month, I'll write about our words, our goofs and how wonderful our Father in Heaven truly is. And, I'll be honest about it. I didn't find Jesus at age three. I found him 25 years later after a lot of junk. Plain ol' junk. But, I know how it is without Him. And, I'll never go back.

God is faithful and true and HE LOVES US. Believe that. He loves us no matter how we act or what we've done. Invite Him into your heart and allow Him to do His work inside you. I am so blessed that I did. I'll share my stories with you soon.

Have a blessed and joy-filled week. Until I write again...

Dawn
God's Cheerleader

Gimme a G!

2008-10-01T13:45:00.010-05:00

Gimme an O! Gimme a D! What's that spell?

Okay, I will admit, I get really excited about being God's Cheerleader as I wave my pom-poms high in the air wishing I could do basket tosses without seriously injuring myself. But, seriously, can you really be overly enthusiastic for God?

I think not!

That is why today at Be a Barnabas, we will focus on the good, the bad and the ugly of being an encourager for God. Being a Cheerleader isn't always back flips and cheers. Sometimes, you are trudging through mud getting your cute little skirt and matching tennis shoes all yucky. That's right, I said yucky.

Sometimes in life we say things we don't mean. We either phrase it incorrectly, use the wrong word alltogether, or let our words bypass our filter and send the sludge out for all to hear.

I recently had a friend make a comment about a turning point in my writing career. This short yet innocent remark did its best to send me plummeting in a tailspin diving under my covers to hide my head in writing shame. Did she mean it as such? No.

But one thing's for sure, it made me wonder how many times an innocent remark escaped my lips instead of staying on my tongue where it should have died in the first place.

OUCH! Makes me want to hide behind my pom-poms. I know I've done it, and I'm sorry for it and humbly repent.

Our words are power. They create life…or bring death. I choose life. And, through this, I am eternally grateful to my friend for helping me realize it so I may guard my tongue as Christ commanded. Remember when James said that both fresh water and salt water cannot flow from the same spring? (See below)

The wise Solomon once said, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4 NIV)

This week, I will consider all my words before they escape into the air with crushing potential. Once it's out there, it's out there never to be taken back, and now with e-mail, it can be forwarded. Scary thought isn't it? ;o)

Until next week, keep praising, keep encouraging, and keep those pom-poms flying high.

In His Service~

Dawn Michelle Michals
God's Cheerleader

James 3:9-12 (NIV)

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Are you a Barnabas?

2008-09-12T13:59:00.007-05:00

2008-08-06T11:33:00.004-05:00

I saw this today on one of my dear friend's blogs. It brightened my day and gave me a pep in my step.

Joshua 24:15 (NIV)
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

My house will serve the LORD. When times are tough and nothing seems to work, I will lift my voice in praise to my heavenly Father. He will come through. He always does.

Lift up your hands and voices today, not to ask God for anything, but to rejoice in the work He has already performed in our lives. He is so good and faithful. He is the perfect Dad.

May God bless you richly this week and always!

Be a Barnabas

Special Event Benefitting Single Moms - Houston, Texas

2008-07-31T20:34:00.000-05:00

For those of you who live in or near the Houston, Texas, area, just a quick reminder of our first annual Meet the Christian Author Night tomorrow (Friday, August 1) from 6 to 9 p.m. at Woodsedge Church, 3333 South Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, Texas.

As if the opportunity to get up close and personal with the authors of your favorite books were not enough, monies raised from the sales of books, food, and auctions will go to support single mothers in our community. Under the guidance of Lynda Phinney, the nonprofit group has, among other things, provided women with much needed car care, home repairs, and back to school expenses.

"We've even allowed their children to "shop" for them at Christmas time," says Phinney, who also expressed her desire to do much more for single mothers and their children.

If you live in the area, please be sure to check out this event. Many of my close friends will be among the authors donating their time for this much needed cause. Let Be a Barnabas know if you attend! Post your comments below.

In His Grace~

Dawn and Be a Barnabas

It's a New Day at Be a Barnabas

2008-07-30T13:07:00.003-05:00

It's been a long time coming, but the site is now re-activated and new blog postings will now be coming each Wednesday.

Be a Barnabas is a safe haven for single mothers and their children. We will encourage you, support you and be there in the tough times and in those "fireworks" times when life is great and miracles are happening. In either case, I want to hear from you. This site is about you and for you. Your input is a necessity.

As a single mother, you may feel abandoned, hopeless or even out of God's will. But, please know, you and only you are the one God chose to raise His children on earth. He knew exactly who to choose. No worries. God is with you every step of the way. Know that He is there guiding you in the darkness. His beacon of light is all you need. He is the father to the fatherless and a defender of the widows (Psalm 68:5). Your children have the greatest father that you could ever imagine.

In the coming weeks, we will focus on God's encouragement for His saints. Be ready and have your bibles close by.

In Him is everything,

Dawn and Be a Barnabas

Be an Encourager

2007-09-25T17:09:00.000-05:00

Everyone needs encouragement as we at Be a Barnabas are quick to point out. I wanted to share with you a powerful teaching I heard today from Pastor Jack Graham from Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.

Pastor Graham reflects on encouragement and being a People Person thus using Barnabas as his example.

Follow this link and click "On Demand." Then click the Powerpoint Radio tab. The sermon is entitled "Becoming a People Person" and aired on 9/25/07.

http://www.jackgraham.org/site/c.dgKJLSOyEnH/b.488325/k.C9B/watch__listen_online.htm

May God walk before you and bless your socks off every step of the way.

Purchase Mary DeMuth's new book today!

2007-07-26T15:34:00.000-05:00

Mary's heart is in touch with the love of God. Her new release, Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, is not only for the traditional Christian family. I want to encourage single mothers to pick up a copy. Come back soon for the book review!

A little about the book straight from the source:

BAB: Mary, how would your new release relate to single mothers? Is it a book they can apply to their unique situation(s)?

MED: The book stresses the importance of going to Jesus first as the best way to parent. So it’s absolutely applicable to the single parent. I don’t come forward with several steps to becoming the perfect parent. Instead, I share how important it is to be filled to overflowing with Jesus and His presence in order to fill our kids. I discuss the importance of the dinner table and conversation and there’s a chapter about coaching your older kids. All these things are transferable to the single parent.

In a way, and this will sound counterintuitive, single parents have an advantage. They know they need Jesus. They know they need His guidance. And because they know this, they are more apt to run to Him, begging Him for strength. The key to great parenting isn’t our own parenting skills and prowess, it’s our ability to admit our weakness SO THAT Jesus can be strong. When Jesus shows up in our parenting, lives are changed, including our own.

The book we've been discussing, Authentic Parenting in a Post-Modern Culture, by Mary DeMuth is available now. You can purchase your autographed copy directly from Mary at the link above. I encourage you pick it up today!

2007-07-23T13:37:00.000-05:00

Mary E. DeMuth's new book, Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, is now available for purchase! Meet Mary and read her crazy blog here.
Stay tuned for the book review and interview with Mary!

Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture

by Mary E. DeMuth

Harvest House, July 1, 2007

To purchase, click here.

Welcome to Be a Barnabas.org

2007-07-02T14:03:00.000-05:00

Hello and welcome to BeABarnabas.org, a place for single mothers and their children to experience encouragement and community.

Please check back for articles and updates. And, please feel free to comment on your dreams and ideas of what YOU want this site to become.

God bless you,

Be a Barnabas