Faith Archives - Jovan Barrington

September 24, 2019September 24, 2019

My Faith Challenge

What is a challenge to your faith? We were instructed to choose a partner and ask this question to one another in a Bible class recently. At first, I was a little stumped by it. When my partner asked me, I drew a blank and then proceeded to answer, “nothing.” “Nothing” was my initial response but then I self-corrected and shared a challenge that I had forgotten about but that it has not forgotten me. It’s a challenge that just lingers in the shadows and every-so-often will reveal itself in the most opportune moments. Usually, it’s when I am in the pits of self-doubt.

August 6, 2019August 6, 2019

A Prayer for Our Nation

Holy Father, we mourn with those who have suffered loss through gun violence.

We pray against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

We no longer wish to be ensnared in believing that we are powerless to make a difference in human suffering and senseless violence.

July 30, 2019July 30, 2019

Holy Spirit Keep Pouring

Ana and I were using our King Soopers fuel points the other day. We pulled both cars up to the pump to fill both tanks and maximize our discount. We had enough points for 40 cents off per gallon. While I was pumping her tank I pulled the hose about as far as it would go and the gas stopped flowing. We both debated on whether or not there is a limit to how many gallons you can pump. But then I looked up the hose and there was a kink that was restricting the gasoline from pouring into the tank. I went up the hose and removed the kink and the gas started flowing again.

July 23, 2019July 24, 2019

Camping: The Holy Spirit in Community

My family and I recently went on our first camping trip in Colorado. Really, it was our first ever family campout. My kids loved it! One of the main reasons they loved it was because we went with friends. Honestly, if we had not been invited to go with them we probably wouldn’t have done it. But since we did we experienced something beautiful and created a lasting memory, one our family may never forget.

July 9, 2019July 9, 2019

The Holy Spirit: Conviction & Courage > Caution

I recently saw someone comment on a social media post about God being the cause of our wonder. Someone commented, “The church of Christ could use some mysticism.” Followed by someone else who said, “…I believe an exercise in caution is worth consideration.” This is a common posture towards the Spirit, caution. But I believe we must take a new posture; conviction and courage.

June 25, 2019June 26, 2019

Keep in Step: Following the Spirit in Uncertainty and Discomfort

My father is deceased, in fact, June 14^th is the anniversary of his death. I have fond memories of my dad.

June 18, 2019June 18, 2019

Unstoppable Prayer

Prayer is the overarching keystone practice in having a faith that won’t quit. Jesus tells the story of a man who knocks on a friend’s door in the middle of the night because he is hosting a late night traveler and has no bread to offer him. The friend first tells him to go away, but eventually gives the man some bread not because they are friends but because of the man’s persistence. When your prayers are persistence your faith perseveres.

May 28, 2019May 28, 2019

ChristiansNSneakers: The Shoes of Peace

A new Instagram account that recently popped up called PreachersNSneakers has already amassed over 100,000 followers. The account was started by a 29-year-old graduate student living in Texas. As a self-described follower of Jesus and a follower of shoe culture, he noticed a worship leader wearing expensive shoes while watching a YouTube video. He decided to dig deeper and discovered that many pastors and worship leaders had expensive tastes in trendy shoes and clothing.

May 7, 2019May 7, 2019

Nothing Can Stand in the Way of You Following Jesus

Leaving home for Mobile, Alabama gave me visions of an ocean’s worth of possibilities, the endless freedom of setting my sails to the wind and plotting my own course.

Instead what I was greeted with was a long dusty desert road of poor choices, failures, and an abandonment of all things spiritual.

Yet, it was on this path that I was found.

April 23, 2019April 23, 2019

Raised to Life: Looking in the Right Place

Looking for love in the wrong place.

When I was in college, I was looking for love in all the wrong places. I thought I would find love in teen night clubs or in a bar. But people aren’t looking for love when they go to those places, they’re looking for fun. This is why you are disappointed when you don’t find the relationship you’re looking for. You’re looking in the wrong places.