Last year I bought a GPS for my car. GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It was designed to help travelers locate and reach their destination. Since I am in charge of the outreach ministry for my local church, it comes in handy when I am looking for addresses. It is also helpful when I travel out of town.
Shortly after purchasing my GPS, I was invited to Detroit to preach and do a book signing. Before leaving home, I programmed the address to where I was going in Detroit into the system. The trip was going smoothly for the first few hours, but then I was directed to turn onto a road that I was not familiar with. I had driven to Detroit many times before, but I had never gone that way.
The farther I drove, the more uncomfortable I became. I called a friend of mine that drives cross-country for a bus company and told him my dilemma. He said although the highway that I was on would get me to Detroit, it was not the route that he would have taken.
I drove for about another hour when I spotted a gas station. I pulled in and asked the attendant how to get to Detroit. He told me that I was on the right road. I drove for a few more hours without seeing a road sign that mentioned Detroit or Michigan.
I was almost ready to turn around when I spotted a state trooper. I pulled over and told him that I was trying to get to Detroit but my GPS obviously had me going the wrong way. He said that I was almost there. He told me to just keep going. Before long, I was in Detroit. Not only that, I had reached my destination without going through the high traffic areas.
God has a GPS too. I call it God’s Positioning System. Before we were born, God programmed our destination into His GPS. Sometimes we get off course. Sometimes we don’t like the route that He has chosen for us. But God puts His people in positions that He wants us to be in so that we can get to where He wants us to be.
When you pray, ask God to make you sensitive to His GPS, and then follow His directions. If you are not sure about how God’s GPS works, read the instruction manual that He has provided. It is called, The Holy Bible.
- Rev. Burton Barr, Jr. (Author of "The Hoodlum Preacher" and "Amazing Grace: The Storm Is Passing Over")
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
There Is No Plan B
One of my favorite television programs is “The Practice.” Although it is no longer in syndication, I still watch the reruns. The law firm that is portrayed on the program is known for a courtroom maneuver that they call, “Plan B.” That is when they call one of the victim’s relatives to the witness stand and bushwhack him, accusing him of committing the crime that their client is charged with.
In our lives, we often resort to our own version of Plan B. It is a backup plan that we have in our mind or proposal in case the original plan fails. If we cannot get the job that we want, we go to Plan B. If we cannot get into the school that we desire or pursue the degree that we dreamed of, we resort to Plan B.
Plan B has become a cop out to many of us. If a task seems too difficult, or it looks like we might not reach our goal, we give up and look for Plan B. Our motto is, “If at first you don’t succeed, go to Plan B.”
Jesus gave the church a commandment before He left. He told us to make disciples. In Acts 1:8, He said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” We must be looking for a Plan B, because 95% of church members have not lead one person to Christ. Instead, we complain about how messed up the world is.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” It is time for us to stop playing church and start being the church. There is only one way that we can change this world. There is no plan B.
- Rev. Burton Barr, Jr
In our lives, we often resort to our own version of Plan B. It is a backup plan that we have in our mind or proposal in case the original plan fails. If we cannot get the job that we want, we go to Plan B. If we cannot get into the school that we desire or pursue the degree that we dreamed of, we resort to Plan B.
Plan B has become a cop out to many of us. If a task seems too difficult, or it looks like we might not reach our goal, we give up and look for Plan B. Our motto is, “If at first you don’t succeed, go to Plan B.”
Jesus gave the church a commandment before He left. He told us to make disciples. In Acts 1:8, He said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” We must be looking for a Plan B, because 95% of church members have not lead one person to Christ. Instead, we complain about how messed up the world is.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” It is time for us to stop playing church and start being the church. There is only one way that we can change this world. There is no plan B.
- Rev. Burton Barr, Jr
Sunday, January 17, 2010
"Happy Birthday Dr. King" by Rev. Burton Barr Jr. & KOBALT BOOKS
Today, we will celebrate the life of one of the greatest men that this world has ever known, Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. To many, he was known as a dreamer. Some called him a dreamer because of one of his most famous speeches. Others say that he was a dreamer because of the kind of world that he envisioned.
A world where men and women of all races, creeds and colors were treated with dignity and respect. A world where people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. A world where all people, regardless of their nationality, could achieve whatever goals they strived to obtain. That is the kind of world that Dr. King dreamed of.
When I was a child, my father took me to Soldier Field in Chicago to see Dr. King one Sunday afternoon. I remember sitting in the bleachers, hanging onto his every word as he spoke to the roaring crowd. But it was not until I saw what he and so many people of color had to go through in the south that I realized just how special this man really was.
I watched Dr. King being punched, spat upon and pelted with stones as he led peaceful marchers down southern streets. My heart wept as I read the letter that he wrote while he sat alone in a Birmingham jail cell. A segment of society did everything that they could to shatter the dream of Dr. King and an entire race of people.
On an April evening in 1968, an assassin killed the dreamer, but he could not kill the dream. It lives on in many of us. Happy birthday Dr. King. Thank you for giving us something to dream about.
- Rev. Burton Barr, Jr.
A world where men and women of all races, creeds and colors were treated with dignity and respect. A world where people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. A world where all people, regardless of their nationality, could achieve whatever goals they strived to obtain. That is the kind of world that Dr. King dreamed of.
When I was a child, my father took me to Soldier Field in Chicago to see Dr. King one Sunday afternoon. I remember sitting in the bleachers, hanging onto his every word as he spoke to the roaring crowd. But it was not until I saw what he and so many people of color had to go through in the south that I realized just how special this man really was.
I watched Dr. King being punched, spat upon and pelted with stones as he led peaceful marchers down southern streets. My heart wept as I read the letter that he wrote while he sat alone in a Birmingham jail cell. A segment of society did everything that they could to shatter the dream of Dr. King and an entire race of people.
On an April evening in 1968, an assassin killed the dreamer, but he could not kill the dream. It lives on in many of us. Happy birthday Dr. King. Thank you for giving us something to dream about.
- Rev. Burton Barr, Jr.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Just Do It
Just Do It
Last week I told you about some of the programs that I was part of with Rev. Jesse Jackson. While I was praying and meditating about what I was going to write about this week, I remembered the very first program.
When I walked onto the stage with Rev. Jackson and the rest of the ministers, I thought I was just going to sit in the background and enjoy the program. But when it came time to start, Rev. Jackson asked me to open up and get things going. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, but I started walking to the podium.
I turned to ask Rev. Jackson for some direction, but before I could open my mouth, he said, “Just do it.” I walked back to the podium and looked at the audience. I was still confused as to what was expected of me, so again I turned to Rev. Jackson who was seated behind me. But again, he looked at me and said, “Just do it.”
As I returned to the podium, I whispered a prayer, asking God for His help and His guidance. I opened the program, made a few remarks, and then turned things over to Rev. Jackson. I later found out that he wanted me to take part in his Christmas program in Chicago, but first he wanted to see if I could handle myself. I thank God for helping me pass the test.
My friends, sometimes you will be called upon to do some things. It might be on your job, at your school, in your church, or in your community. How will you respond? My advice is to ask God for His help and His guidance, and then, just do it.
Last week I told you about some of the programs that I was part of with Rev. Jesse Jackson. While I was praying and meditating about what I was going to write about this week, I remembered the very first program.
When I walked onto the stage with Rev. Jackson and the rest of the ministers, I thought I was just going to sit in the background and enjoy the program. But when it came time to start, Rev. Jackson asked me to open up and get things going. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, but I started walking to the podium.
I turned to ask Rev. Jackson for some direction, but before I could open my mouth, he said, “Just do it.” I walked back to the podium and looked at the audience. I was still confused as to what was expected of me, so again I turned to Rev. Jackson who was seated behind me. But again, he looked at me and said, “Just do it.”
As I returned to the podium, I whispered a prayer, asking God for His help and His guidance. I opened the program, made a few remarks, and then turned things over to Rev. Jackson. I later found out that he wanted me to take part in his Christmas program in Chicago, but first he wanted to see if I could handle myself. I thank God for helping me pass the test.
My friends, sometimes you will be called upon to do some things. It might be on your job, at your school, in your church, or in your community. How will you respond? My advice is to ask God for His help and His guidance, and then, just do it.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Just Do It
Last week I told you about some of the programs that I was part of with Rev. Jesse Jackson. While I was praying and meditating about what I was going to write about this week, I remembered the very first program.
When I walked onto the stage with Rev. Jackson and the rest of the ministers, I thought I was just going to sit in the background and enjoy the program. But when it came time to start, Rev. Jackson asked me to open up and get things going. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, but I started walking to the podium.
I turned to ask Rev. Jackson for some direction, but before I could open my mouth, he said, “Just do it.” I walked back to the podium and looked at the audience. I was still confused as to what was expected of me, so again I turned to Rev. Jackson who was seated behind me. But again, he looked at me and said, “Just do it.”
As I returned to the podium, I whispered a prayer, asking God for His help and His guidance. I opened the program, made a few remarks, and then turned things over to Rev. Jackson. I later found out that he wanted me to take part in his Christmas program in Chicago, but first he wanted to see if I could handle myself. I thank God for helping me pass the test.
My friends, sometimes you will be called upon to do some things. It might be on your job, at your school, in your church, or in your community. How will you respond? My advice is to ask God for His help and His guidance, and then, just do it.
When I walked onto the stage with Rev. Jackson and the rest of the ministers, I thought I was just going to sit in the background and enjoy the program. But when it came time to start, Rev. Jackson asked me to open up and get things going. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, but I started walking to the podium.
I turned to ask Rev. Jackson for some direction, but before I could open my mouth, he said, “Just do it.” I walked back to the podium and looked at the audience. I was still confused as to what was expected of me, so again I turned to Rev. Jackson who was seated behind me. But again, he looked at me and said, “Just do it.”
As I returned to the podium, I whispered a prayer, asking God for His help and His guidance. I opened the program, made a few remarks, and then turned things over to Rev. Jackson. I later found out that he wanted me to take part in his Christmas program in Chicago, but first he wanted to see if I could handle myself. I thank God for helping me pass the test.
My friends, sometimes you will be called upon to do some things. It might be on your job, at your school, in your church, or in your community. How will you respond? My advice is to ask God for His help and His guidance, and then, just do it.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year, from Rev. Burton Barr Jr.
I want to take this time to thank all of you for your support last year. You have truly been a blessing to me. I pray that this new year brings you all of the joys and blessings that you can imagine.
While we were eating breakfast this morning, my wife asked me what was my most memorable day in 2009. Without giving it a single thought, I said, “Christmas morning.”
As some of you might know, I have spent the last eight Christmas mornings in one of the local jails, giving hope to the men and women that are incarcerated. People ask me why would I rather spend Christmas in jail with criminals and jailbirds instead of spending it at home with family and friends. My answer is simple. I was once a criminal and a jailbird myself.
I remember Christmas morning in 1985. I was an inmate at the Cook County jail in Chicago. I was depressed at the thought of spending another Christmas in jail. No family. No visitors. No hope.
Then I heard that Rev. Jesse Jackson was in the gym with a group of people from different churches for a Christmas program. When I reached the gym and saw all of the people that were on the stage and I heard the message of hope that Rev. Jackson preached, my life was never the same.
In 2002, I was on a program with Rev. Jackson in St. Louis. I told him how he had changed my life on Christmas morning at the Cook County jail in 1985. He invited me to go to the jail and be on the program with him that Christmas. I went to Chicago that Christmas and the next.
Although I was given an open invitation to go the Cook County jail with Rev. Jackson every Christmas, I thought about the men and women that were incarcerated in St. Louis, where I live. Therefore, I have spent the last six Christmas mornings at the Medium Security Institution in St. Louis.
So next Christmas morning, while you are sitting around the tree, opening the gifts that you received, say a little prayer for Rev. Jackson and the people that are with him at the Cook County jail in Chicago. While you are at it, say a little prayer for me, and the people that are with me in the Medium Security Institution in St. Louis.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
- Rev. Burton Barr Jr.
While we were eating breakfast this morning, my wife asked me what was my most memorable day in 2009. Without giving it a single thought, I said, “Christmas morning.”
As some of you might know, I have spent the last eight Christmas mornings in one of the local jails, giving hope to the men and women that are incarcerated. People ask me why would I rather spend Christmas in jail with criminals and jailbirds instead of spending it at home with family and friends. My answer is simple. I was once a criminal and a jailbird myself.
I remember Christmas morning in 1985. I was an inmate at the Cook County jail in Chicago. I was depressed at the thought of spending another Christmas in jail. No family. No visitors. No hope.
Then I heard that Rev. Jesse Jackson was in the gym with a group of people from different churches for a Christmas program. When I reached the gym and saw all of the people that were on the stage and I heard the message of hope that Rev. Jackson preached, my life was never the same.
In 2002, I was on a program with Rev. Jackson in St. Louis. I told him how he had changed my life on Christmas morning at the Cook County jail in 1985. He invited me to go to the jail and be on the program with him that Christmas. I went to Chicago that Christmas and the next.
Although I was given an open invitation to go the Cook County jail with Rev. Jackson every Christmas, I thought about the men and women that were incarcerated in St. Louis, where I live. Therefore, I have spent the last six Christmas mornings at the Medium Security Institution in St. Louis.
So next Christmas morning, while you are sitting around the tree, opening the gifts that you received, say a little prayer for Rev. Jackson and the people that are with him at the Cook County jail in Chicago. While you are at it, say a little prayer for me, and the people that are with me in the Medium Security Institution in St. Louis.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
- Rev. Burton Barr Jr.
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