A Word From Joe Barnett
This site is about words.
First, about God’s authoritative, inspired Word.
Second, about my non-authoritative, non-inspired words—nevertheless, written in hope that they will encourage those who read them, and above all that they will point the reader to God’s Word.
Here are the regular features you will find here.
- Today’s Walk in the Word. A brief devotional that appears Monday through Friday. Each entry is based on a single verse of Scripture, followed by my comments related to it, and ending with a summary aphorism. To access the latest devotional click on "Today’s Walk in the Word" below. To access previous messages click on "Archives/A Walk in the Word" in the top menu.
- On My Mind. Messages on varied topics that appear on this site at least once a month. To access the latest entry click on "On My Mind" below. To access previous messages click on "Archives/On My Mind" in the top menu.
Each of these features can also be fed directly to your email box if you wish. Just click here to sign up.
And yes, you are permitted—in fact, encouraged—to pass along any of these messages to those you feel will benefit from them. Just click on the “Forward to a Friend” button. Your participation in this way makes this “our” ministry instead of “my” ministry.
If you find anything here that brings you, or those with whom you share these messages, into a closer relationship with the Lord, I praise God and thank him for permitting our paths to cross.
Thanks for dropping by. I hope you will do so often.
Today's Walk in the Word
Camouflage
By Joe Barnett |
Watch out for false prophets. —Matthew 7:15 War introduced us to camouflage. Battleships, harassed by elusive submarines, hid behind screens of smoke—camouflage. Guns were veiled in bushes, soldiers were covered with twigs and hay, vehicles were painted with designs to disguise their identity—camouflage. But camouflage is older than war. […]
Attitude Regulates Influence
By Joe Barnett |
Be made new in the attitude of your minds. —Ephesians 4:23 Everybody knows that an exemplary Christian must be pure in speech and conduct. Dirt under the fingernails in word or walk is fatal to Christian influence. Spoiler alert! Some who are […]
You Don’t Have to Say “Yes” to Every Request
By Joe Barnett |
Teach us to number our days. —Psalm 90:12 He thought he knew better than I how I should use my time. Perceiving my reluctance to dive into something he wanted me to do, he asked, “Do you have anything on your schedule more important than this?” “Yes, I […]
Aim for Balance
By Joe Barnett |
Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. —Matthew 10:16 The serpent is the logo of the evil spirit; the dove is the logo of the Holy Spirit. Strange as it seems, each has something that we’re to copy. Ancients considered the serpent the wisest critter around. There may be something […]
Remembering the Past
By Joe Barnett |
Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. —Deuteronomy 32:7 Here’s a small sampling of the honors bestowed on legendary contralto Marian Anderson: 1955 – The first African American to sing with the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York. 1957 – Sang at the inauguration of President […]
Irritations
By Joe Barnett |
Do not be quickly provoked. —Ecclesiastes 7:9 Traffic jams Long lines Stuck zippers Interruptions Dead batteries Loudmouth cell phone conversations in public places _______________ _______________ The last two spaces are left blank for you to mentally fill with a couple of things that irritate you. I saw this plaque on a secretary’s […]
