Are you a Barnabas?

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,

Dawn Michelle Michals and Be a Barnabas ™

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

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

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

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!

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!

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.