Author: Fr. Barnabas Powell

Fr. Barnabas is the parish priest at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, Georgia. He is also host of Faith Encouraged Live on Ancient Faith Radio and author of the Faith Encouraged podcast.

Grieved Into Repenting

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Queen Elizabeth once said, “Grief is the price we pay for love.” And that is true, in part, but not the whole picture. In fact, I’m convinced in our modern world of therapy and “positive thinking” we run the risk of falling into the false notion that we should never “feel” bad or sad. And that mistaken way of thinking always leads to disaster as we never learn how to grieve well.…

How You Think Makes A Difference

· Fr. Barnabas Powell
It shouldn’t be surprising to any of us. How we think, what we think, when we think, and when we don’t think, shapes our choices, our priorities, and our actions. It seems that this observation is self-evident, and yet I have to confess that I haven’t really examined how and what I think nearly as often as I should. That’s why I want to recommend you read the book “Our Thoughts Determine…

From A Human Point-Of-View

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C.S. Lewis, in The Weight of Glory, writes: It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you say it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare.…

From The Heart – Sunday Homily

· Fr. Barnabas Powell
Do you know what kindles the anger of God? Knowing this answer is an invitation to allow the Faith to become more than just a hobby or behavioral modification program. But to be so transformed by God’s forgiveness to forgive others.

We Must ALL Appear Before the Judgement Seat

· Fr. Barnabas Powell
Ever wonder how words lose their meaning? I have. I think of how society redefines things to suit their current thinking. But this isn’t a new phenomenon at all. We, humans, do this all the time. In fact, a famous president of the United States defended himself from serious charges by reminding his questioners “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” The same challenge exists today with the…

Awake To Anticipate

· Fr. Barnabas Powell
You remember when you were a kid and Christmas seemed to take forever. My mom used to use that old tried and true way to get me and my brother to behave through the year: “Boys, Santa is watching and Christmas is just (fill in the blank) away!” Well, the older I got the shorter that line would get me to behave! And Christmas seemed to come quicker and quicker as my birthdays increased!…

Being Ready for THAT GREAT DAY!

· Fr. Barnabas Powell
Standing in line at the supermarket is such an education. As I’m placing my grocery items on the conveyor belt and watching them slide toward the cashier, I glance toward the ubiquitous magazines there in the check-out line and read headlines screaming at me that Big Foot has been seen again, the latest Hollywood starlet has been cheated on or has cheated on her spouse, an aging actor tells all, and (most…

The One Fatal Flaw – Sunday Homily

· Fr. Barnabas Powell
This one flaw in our lives keeps us from setting proper priorities and having healthy relationships. That’s why the Faith has as its central focus the medicine that heals a human from this fatal flaw. Are you willing to learn how to confront this flaw and allow the Holy Spirit to heal you and change you!

The Difference Between Inspiration and Motivation

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What’s the difference between Inspiration and Motivation? Well, Inspiration usually comes from the outside. I’m inspired by that act of charity, or that life well lived. Motivations, however, are usually internal; that set of desires and drives that either keep me on track or send my life down a dead end. My best friend used to say “No life is a total waste. It can always serve as a bad example!” What…