We All Need a Barnabus

I spent the weekend with my "Barnabus". In the previous blog, I shared about a man named Barnabus, who is introduced in the book of Acts. With every mention of his name, the Bible speaks something of his encouragement of others. He is Mr. Encouragement, in fact his name means "son of encouragement".

Susie is my Barnabus. She is Mrs. Encouragement, "daughter of encouragement". We have been dear friends from the moment I met her 13+ years ago. I treasure our times together and count them like gold to my spirit and soul. There is no mask I have to wear~ to pretend things are ok when they are not. I am able to be open and honest about hurts or wounds or trials I am going through. This weekend, it was good to be with my encourager....to share what's on my heart and know that I am in a "no judgment zone" and to listen to her words that bring life, not death to my situation and my heart.

How do you know if you have been "touched" by an encourager?

• Encouragers lift you up, not bring you down. When you leave their presence, you feel like you can do anything!






• Encouragers, even in silence, lift you up.






• Encouragers believe in you, even if no one else does.






• Encouragers support you, not criticizes.






• Encouragers see the potential in you when others may see the problems.






• Encouragers believe in you.






• Encouragers put words into actions; they are not just lip service.






• Encouragers' words fan the flames of your spirit.






• Encouragers challenge you~ to be better, stronger, more holy; living a great life of faith.






• Encouragers care for you~ with words, affirmation, prayer & action.






• Encouragers live in the "no judgment zone".






• Encouragers always see the glass half full, not half empty!






• Encouragers smile MUCH! They bring joy to your life.

When you have been with an encourager, you will probably think: I want to be more like that! We all need a Barnabus. I am so very thankful for my "Barnabus".

Encouragement

Sunday morning, bright and early, in the hot sun, Greg and Katelyn
were in a speed triathalon in Papillion, NE. They swam, biked, then
finished with a run. I am not one for competition, so I chose to be the "cheerleading" section for my husband and daughter. And as usual, I found myself encouraging every biker that rode past me and every runner as they began the run. And the most fun was standing at the finish to cheer each one on as they crossed that finish line! I am a natural-born cheerleader; to cheer someone on and encourage them to be faster, go harder, get stronger, live holy, etc. This is my call; this is who I am.

I have found myself in many instances of cheering or encouraging others: at soccer games (Kate is a goalie); at golf tournies (both Greg & Jon play); at swim meets (Jon is a swimmer); at Bible Studies (to encourage women and men in their pursuit of God); with my husband in his work; with my sister in her parenting of teenagers; with my younger friends parenting newborns and toddlers; with my daughter, Lindsay, at her teaching job; with Jon (my 13 year old) as he desires puberty to begin! I could go on and on.

There is a man in the Scriptures whose name means "son of encouragement", Barnabus, who is introduced in the book of Acts. We could call him Mr. Encouragement because at every mention of his name (in Acts), the Bible also mentions something of his encouragement of others. I look very forward to meet him and talk with him in heaven, because I too, feel that encouragement could be my middle name!

Over the last several years, I have begun to call myself "KLOVE", positive and encouraging! God has been revealing to my heart that in these days in which we are living the need for encouragement is great. So, my question to you is:

In your sphere of influence, who could use a word of encouragement this week?

Love Check-Up

How are you doing in the love category? Let's take an inventory from I Corinthians 13. Let God give you a check-up:

*Love is patient (vs.4): Love never gets impatient and does not have a quick temper. It accepts others and does not work to change them.

*Love is kind (vs.4): Love is always considerate, recognizes the needs of others, and seeks to meet them. Love is actively creative in contributing to the lives of others.

*Love does not envy (vs.4): Love is never jealous or possessive. Love allows others to be free to be themselves, and to make their own choices. Love encourages others to reach their full potential.

*Love does not boast (vs.4): Love is never conceited or anxious to impress. Love does not seek to create an image. Love seeks to glorify God over self; love doesn't care if it does not get credit or reward.

*Love is not proud (vs4): Love is never arrogant. Loves does not make sarcastic remarks that put others down.

*Love is not rude (vs.5): Love always has good manners. Love respects others. Love does the right thing.

*Love is not self-seeking (vs.5): Love does not desire to control. Love does not gratify self nor act selfishly. Love never insists on its own way. Love never pouts. Love does not use others to promote themselves. Love does not expect life to revolve around oneself. Love allows others to be exalted over self and is content to be hidden.

*Love is not easily angered (vs.5): Love is never touchy, angry, irritated or resentful. Love is not easily hurt. Love does not get upset on its own behalf. Love does not take things personally.

*Love keeps no record of wrongs (vs.5): Love overlooks the faults of others and does not bring up the past nor keep a score card of suffering.

*Love does not delight in evil (vs.6): Love does not dwell on the failures of others. Love is never happy with sin or injustice. Love does not gossip.

*Love rejoices with the Truth (vs.6): Love is always happy with the success of others. Love actively seeks fellowship with others.

*Love always protects (vs.7): Love never comes to the end of its endurance. Love always supports and understands. Love covers the weaknesses of others.

*Love always trusts (vs.7): Love is ready to believe the best. Love does not stumble over the inconsistencies of others.

*Love always hopes (vs.7): Love believes in the worth of others as persons. Love does not easily give up when relationships are hard. Love has perfect peace in God who is in control. Love never feels hopeless.

*Love always perseveres (vs.7): Love never runs out. Love loves the unlovable. Love can survive anything and endures even when it is not returned.

*Love never fails (vs.8): Love never quits nor comes to an end even when times are hard. Love is committed to obedience to God. Love conquers all.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another (Romans 13:8).