Moderating the Voices Within: Building Consensus Among Your Internal Constituents

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

If you hear voices in your head, you are not alone.

In her poem, “The Voices Within,” Emily Dickinson described her internal dialogue like this:

The voices that live in my head,
Whispering secrets, softly they tread.
They murmur and sigh, never at rest,
Filling my mind with their constant quest.

Most of us, if not all of us, are perpetually engaged in a conversation with the collaborative and competitive voices within. Perhaps there are voices that taunt you or haunt you, and those contenders need to be disciplined, silenced, or converted. But there can also be voices that help you to find direction, make decisions, and affirm your sacred worth.

Learning to dialogue with these voices is one of our most important life skills.

Regardless of the wisdom around the table, a successful board meeting is rarely unanimous. Whether in a corporation, a church, or a city council, thoughtful decisions usually emerge after vigorous discussion. Different perspectives are expressed. Risks are identified. Opportunities are explored. Questions are asked. Ideally, the participants do not seek perfect unanimity but sufficient consensus to move confidently toward a common goal.

Perhaps our inner lives function in much the same way. We often speak of “following our heart” or “listening to our inner voice,” or even being attentive to the “still small voice,” but I suspect we do not possess a single inner voice. Rather, each of us hosts an internal committee, composed of voices shaped by our experiences, emotions, memories, hopes, fears, convictions, and faith. Every significant decision becomes something of an internal board meeting.

Years ago, while serving in Kentucky, my dear friend, Bob Lockhart, who was a wise and beloved, yet crotchety, retired pastor, told me that from his perspective, each of us has multiple constituents within who are arguing their case, and that those constituent voices lobby until a majority comes to an agreement, and that is when we make a decision.

That explanation helped me understand that we do not have an inner voice, but a cacophony of inner voices. When we make decisions, the goal is for those inner voices to reach a consensus, which leads to action, although the voices are seldom, if ever, unanimous.

Some members of that internal committee are extraordinarily helpful. One voice urges caution. Another inspires courage. One reminds us of our responsibilities. Another dreams of new possibilities. One values stability. Another longs for adventure.

These voices are not our enemies. In fact, they often protect us from impulsive decisions. Problems arise, however, when one of the haunting or taunting voices dominates the conversation while silencing all the others.

For example, when anxiety takes control, it convenes an emergency meeting where every agenda item becomes a potential disaster.

When anger chairs the meeting, every discussion becomes a debate about fairness.

When guilt presides, every decision is filtered through past failures.

When pride occupies the chair, every proposal must somehow enhance our reputation.

None of these voices should be allowed to dominate our decision-making process. The Apostle Paul understood this internal struggle. “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15). Paul recognized that the Christian life involves an ongoing conversation between competing desires. Spiritual maturity is learning which voices deserve influence and which must yield to Christ.

The psychologist Viktor Frankl observed, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” Wisdom grows in that space. Rather than reacting to the loudest emotion of the moment, we learn to pause, reflect, pray, and discern.

I am convinced that although the voice of faith, which could also be called the voice of the Spirit, is not the only voice we hear, it should be designated as the voice that presides over all the other voices.

Nehemiah modeled this beautifully. When King Artaxerxes noticed his sadness and asked what troubled him, Nehemiah tells us, “I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king” (Nehemiah 2:4–5). It was only a brief prayer, but it reveals a disciplined heart. Before speaking outwardly, Nehemiah listened inwardly for God’s direction. He allowed the voice of faith to moderate the voices of fear, uncertainty, and opportunity.

Decision-making improves when we refuse to let the most emotional voice cast the deciding vote. Instead, we invite every perspective to be heard while making sure to keep faith at the head of the table to preside over the meeting.

Dallas Willard wisely wrote, “The first and most basic thing we can and must do is to keep God before our minds.” When Christ occupies the chairperson’s seat, fear becomes prudence instead of panic. Ambition becomes stewardship instead of self-promotion. Grief becomes love remembering. Anger becomes righteous conviction rather than destructive resentment.

The goal is not to eliminate the many voices within us. God has given us emotions, memories, imagination, reason, and intuition as valuable gifts. The challenge is to bring them into proper relationship under the lordship of Christ.

Healthy decision-making is less about achieving unanimity among our internal constituents than it is about building enough consensus to move forward faithfully. There will almost always be lingering questions, unresolved tensions, and minority opinions. That is part of being human.

But when Scripture informs our minds, the Holy Spirit shapes our thinking, and prayer quiets our souls, the internal conversation becomes healthier. The competing voices gradually become contributing voices, and what once sounded like confusion begins to resemble harmony.

The next time you face an important decision, imagine convening a meeting of your internal constituents. Let fear speak but not dominate. Let wisdom ask its questions. Let experience offer its counsel. Let hope imagine possibilities.

Then, before the vote is taken, invite faith to present the closing argument.

The internal voices will not go away. So, learn to hear and discern those voices wisely.

Emily Dickinson concluded her poem with these words:

So, I listen, I ponder, I try to make sense,
Of the myriad voices, their presence immense.
They shape my thoughts, they shape my art,
The voices within, an inseparable part.

Holy Terra Firma! Noticing and Savoring the Sacred Moments in Life

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

The Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins observed, “The world is charged with the grandeur of God.”

Hopkins believed that God’s presence saturates the ordinary day-to-day world. If we have eyes to see and hearts to perceive, every sunrise, every act of kindness, every note of beautiful music, and every expression of genuine love can become a window through which we glimpse the sacred and the holy.

Perhaps that is why God so often chose ordinary places to reveal His extraordinary presence.

Moses was tending sheep when he encountered the burning bush. Jacob was sleeping on a stone when he dreamed of a ladder reaching into heaven. The disciples were mending nets, walking dusty roads, sharing meals, and sailing across the Sea of Galilee when they discovered that they were standing in the presence of the Son of God.

The sacred has always had a way of surprising us. Scripture tells us that when Moses approached the burning bush, God said, “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)

Notice that the ground itself was not inherently holy. God’s presence made it holy.

The same is true today. Sometimes the holiest moments are not experienced in a sanctuary or viewed through the prism of stained glass. There are occasions when seemingly ordinary moments become sacred—a sunrise bursting over the horizon, a conversation with a friend, the breaking of bread, listening to music, telling a story, rekindling a cherished memory, or serving someone in need. In those moments, we sense the Divine Presence and become aware, if only for a fleeting instant, that we are standing on holy ground.

I tend to call that sacred space “Holy Terra Firma.”

I was in seminary when I first heard of Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth-century Carmelite monk who spent much of his life working in the monastery kitchen. Washing pots and preparing meals hardly seemed like sacred work, yet he discovered profound communion with God amid the clatter of dishes and the routine of daily chores. His classic work, The Practice of the Presence of God, reminds us that God’s presence is not confined to cathedrals. The kitchen can become a sanctuary when our hearts and minds are attentive.

The beloved poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning expressed a similar truth: “Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees takes off his shoes.”

Her imagery intentionally echoes Moses before the burning bush. The world is filled with holy moments, but too often we hurry past them without noticing.

Music has long helped us recognize these sacred encounters. Some of our most beloved hymns and songs remind us that holy ground is not merely a geographical location but a spiritual experience. Bill and Gloria Gaither’s beloved song “Holy Ground” declares, “We are standing on holy ground.” Likewise, “Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place” by Lanny Wolfe has encouraged worshipers for generations to recognize God’s nearness. Even traditional hymns such as “Be Still, My Soul,” “Near to the Heart of God,” and “Open My Eyes, That I May See” invite us to become more aware of God’s presence in the ordinary rhythms of life.

Perhaps that is why certain songs move us so deeply. They awaken our awareness that heaven often touches earth in the most unexpected places.

Jesus certainly understood this. He transformed ordinary meals into sacred fellowship. He turned common fishing boats into floating classrooms. He made dusty roads into places of discipleship. He changed a rugged cross into the doorway of redemption and an empty tomb into the birthplace of hope.

Everywhere Jesus went, ordinary places became extraordinary because He was present.

The same invitation remains before us. The challenge is not that God has stopped speaking. The challenge is that we have become distracted by the clammoring noise around us. Our calendars are full. Our phones constantly demand our attention. Our schedules seldom allow us to linger long enough to notice the sacred that quietly surrounds us.

The psalmist offers to us a timeless invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Stillness creates space for wonder. Wonder awakens gratitude. And gratitude opens our eyes to God’s presence.

I’ve heard quite a few motivational speakers and inspirational preachers say, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” Many of those breathtaking moments are, in reality, holy moments.

Today, slow down. Watch the sunrise. Listen carefully to a child’s laughter. Share an unhurried meal with someone you love. Visit a friend. Offer encouragement to someone who is weary. Serve a neighbor in need. Pause long enough to hear the music that stirs your soul.

You may discover that what appeared to be an ordinary Tuesday was, in fact, a sacred appointment with God.

After all, holy ground is seldom marked by signs. It is recognized by hearts that have learned to notice the presence of the One who walks beside us every day.

So, watch your step! The ground you are standing on at any given moment could be Holy Terra Firma!

(This column is based on a sermon I preached at the First Baptist Church in Pensacola on July 12, 2009.)

From Sea to Shining Sea: A Prayer for Independence Day 2026

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

Gracious God, author of liberty and giver of every good gift, we come before you this Independence Day with a spirit of gratitude and celebration. Two hundred fifty years ago, a fledgling nation dared to declare that all people are created in your image, endowed with rights no earthly power can rightly take away. From the mountains to the prairies, thank you for holding our nation together through all the seasons of this quarter-millennium.

Yet even as we celebrate, we come humbly, for we know that gratitude without honesty is hollow. We confess our sins, both as a nation and against one another. Forgive us for the times we have wielded freedom as a weapon instead of a gift to be shared. Forgive us for the walls we have built where you call us to build bridges — walls of suspicion, contempt, and pride that separate neighbor from neighbor, family member from family member. Forgive us for the harsh words spoken too quickly and the listening ear withheld too long. As your Word promises, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14). Hear us now, Lord, and heal our land.

We pray for those who lead us — in this nation, our states, and our communities. Strip away, we ask, every hint of selfish ambition and self-interest that so easily takes root in seats of power. Clothe our leaders instead with moral integrity and political wisdom, that they might govern not for personal gain or party advantage, but for the true good of all people, especially the most vulnerable among us.

We pray for the great gulf that divides so many of your children — by politics, by race, by class, by conviction. Heal it, Lord, and create among us a spirit of unity. Where we have made enemies of those who simply see differently, restore us to one another. Teach us, we pray, that working with one another and truly listening to each other accomplishes so much more than working against each other. Give us the humility to hear before we speak, and the grace to disagree without being disparaging.

And in this season of loud allegiances, remind us that our first and highest loyalty belongs to you alone. From sea to shining sea, may our allegiance to you, O God, rise above our loyalty to any other alliance, affiliation, party, or platform. Let our citizenship in your beloved commonwealth shape our citizenship in our beloved nation, and not the other way around.

Finally, in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, who identified himself with the hungry, the stranger, the imprisoned, and the forgotten, we pray for the least of these among us — the poor, the sick, the lonely, the overlooked. Give us eyes to see them as you see them, and hands willing to serve them as we would serve you.

As we mark two hundred fifty years of this nation’s story, make us responsible stewards of the freedom we have inherited and faithful servants of the One who makes us free indeed. Forge in us the faith and courage to become a more perfect union, a nation that truly pursues liberty and justice for all.

We pray in the name of the One who teaches us to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgives you.” (Ephesians 4:32)  Amen.

10 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, we stand at a remarkable moment in our nation’s history. Two and a half centuries of freedom, sacrifice, innovation, and growth have shaped who we are as a people. Independence Day 2026 invites us to pause, reflect, and celebrate not just with fireworks and parades, but with intention and gratitude. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a proud patriot, or simply someone who loves this country, here are ten meaningful ways to make this milestone birthday unforgettable.

1. Read the Declaration of Independence. Take an hour this week to sit down and actually read the Declaration of Independence in full. Too often, we know only the famous opening: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” But reading the entire document reveals the grievances, the reasoning, and the courage of the founding generation. You will find it moving and instructive. Let the words of 1776 speak to your heart in 2026.

2, Revisit the Great Speeches of Previous Presidents. Listen to or read great speeches from American presidents throughout our history. From Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to FDR’s Four Freedoms, from JFK’s inaugural address to Reagan’s challenge at the Brandenburg Gate, these speeches capture defining moments and illuminate American ideals. Spend an evening listening to one or two of these speeches. Notice how the language differs from today. Reflect on the challenges faced and the courage required. You might discover a phrase or a principle that speaks directly to your life today.

3. Visit a Historical Site, Museum, or National Park. Plan a trip to one of the great historical sites, museums, or national parks near you. Whether it is a presidential birthplace, a museum of American history, a battlefield, or a national park that showcases the natural beauty of our land, immerse yourself in the physical places that tell America’s story. Walk where patriots walked. See the documents. Stand in the spaces where history happened. Bring your family. Make it an adventure that teaches and inspires all ages.

4. Teach Your Children About American Heroes. Use this anniversary as an opportunity to teach your children or grandchildren about American heroes and their stories. Go beyond what they learn in school. Share stories of ordinary people who did extraordinary things. Talk about the suffragists who fought for women’s voting rights. Discuss the civil rights leaders who sacrificed for justice. Explain the contributions of inventors, artists, and activists. Help the next generation understand that America is built on the contributions of people from many backgrounds and walks of life, all working toward a more perfect union.

5. Volunteer in Your Community. Celebrate America by serving your community. Volunteer at a local food bank, mentor a young person, clean up a park, or serve in an organization that helps those in need. The true greatness of America is not just about freedom; it is about people who care enough about their neighbors to serve them. By volunteering, you embody the spirit of civic responsibility that the founding generation called us to. You put love into action. You make your community stronger.

6. Attend a Naturalization Ceremony. One of the most profoundly American experiences is to witness a naturalization ceremony where immigrants become United States citizens. These ceremonies remind us of the immigrant dream that has always been central to our nation’s identity. Watching people from dozens of different countries stand and pledge allegiance to the United States, tears streaming down their faces, will stir your heart and remind you why this country is worth celebrating. Many courts hold public naturalization ceremonies. Check your local federal courthouse for dates and times.

7. Host a Meaningful Conversation with Neighbors. Invite neighbors over for a picnic, a barbecue, or an ice cream party. Instead of letting the conversation drift to complaints and grievances, intentionally steer it toward meaningful discussion. Ask: “What does America mean to you?” or “What are you most grateful for about living in this country?” or “When have you witnessed the best of American values?” These conversations can deepen friendships and create connections across differences. In a divided time, simply gathering and talking with people is a form of patriotism.

8. Support Local and Small Businesses. Celebrate American entrepreneurship by intentionally shopping at local and small businesses in your community during this season. Every small business owner is part of America’s story. They are dreamers and risk-takers. They create jobs. They invest in their communities. By supporting them, you are celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit that has always been at the heart of American success. Visit that local bookstore, patronize the family restaurant, shop at the farmer’s market. Make your dollars count for local impact.

9. Exercise Your Freedom to Worship. One of the great freedoms we enjoy is the freedom to worship at the church of our choice, or not to worship at all. Regarding religion, there is neither compulsion nor prohibition. One excellent way to celebrate this monumental anniversary is to attend church and join with others to worship God. Unfortunately, there are countless others around the world for whom religious freedom is still a dream and not yet a reality.

10. Reflect on Freedoms and Express Gratitude. Set aside time for personal reflection. Find a quiet place—a park, a church, your backyard—and simply think about the freedoms you enjoy and often take for granted. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. Freedom of assembly. Freedom to pursue your dreams. Freedom to live without fear of persecution. Not everyone in the world has these freedoms. Millions of people throughout history have died defending them. Let that reality sink in. Express gratitude to God for these gifts. If you are a person of faith, pray for our nation. If you are not, simply carry a sense of gratitude and wonder in your heart.As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, let us do so with intention and depth. Yes, enjoy the fireworks and the parades. rill the hot dogs and make the homemade ice cream. But also take time to honor the profound significance of this moment. We are celebrating a nation founded on ideals of freedom, justice, and human dignity. We are celebrating the sacrifices of those who came before us. We are celebrating the diverse people who make up the American story.

Our nation is not perfect. And these days, some of those imperfections are more glaring than at other times. Mark Twain wittily reminded us that “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” And so, we are celebrating the hope that, despite our imperfections, we can continue to form a more perfect union.

These ten suggestions offer ways to make your celebration of America’s 250th birthday memorable, meaningful, and transformative. In doing so, you honor not just a date on the calendar, but the ideals and people that make this great nation what it is.

Sweet Liberty: Treasuring the Blessings and Responsibilities of Freedom

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

During our nation’s quest for independence, George Washington cautioned, “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”

Now, 250 years later, as we celebrate the blessings of our nation and reflect upon the freedoms we enjoy, it is worth remembering that liberty is both a priceless gift and a profound responsibility.

Freedom is not merely the absence of restraint; it is the opportunity to choose what is good, honorable, and life-giving. The Apostle Paul understood this distinction when he wrote: “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14)

Paul reminds us that Christian freedom is not self-centered; it is others-centered. We are set free not simply to do as we please but to become the people God created us to be and to bless those around us.

Our nation’s history beautifully illustrates this truth. On July 4, 1776, the members of the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, boldly affirming that all people “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” Those words were revolutionary. Yet the founders also understood that liberty would endure only if citizens exercised virtue, accepted responsibility, and remained committed to the common good.

Freedom has never been free. It has been purchased by the sacrifices of soldiers on distant battlefields, preserved by courageous citizens willing to defend justice, and strengthened by generations who understood that rights and responsibilities always travel together.

President Ronald Reagan famously observed, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”

His words remain as timely today as when they were first spoken. Every generation must decide whether it will cherish freedom enough to preserve it.

Yet as followers of Christ, we celebrate an even greater liberty. Before we were citizens of any nation, we were captives to sin. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been set free from guilt, shame, and the fear of death. As Jesus declared, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

That freedom changes how we live. Christian liberty does not give us permission to ignore others. Rather, it compels us to love more deeply, forgive more readily, serve more generously, and live more faithfully.

William Wilberforce was the British parliamentarian whose Christian faith fueled his decades-long campaign to abolish the transatlantic slave trade. He understood that freedom was not something to be enjoyed selfishly while others remained in bondage. His faith inspired him to spend his life extending liberty to those who had none.

Wilberforce once wrote, “Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success.” His perseverance reminds us that genuine freedom often requires sacrifice, courage, and unwavering conviction.

The same is true in our daily lives.

Freedom means choosing integrity when dishonesty would be easier.

Freedom means choosing forgiveness over bitterness.

Freedom means choosing generosity over selfishness.

Freedom means choosing service over self-interest.

That is exactly what Paul had in mind when he urged believers to “serve one another through love.”

Perhaps that is why the old spiritual “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” includes the memorable phrase, “Sweet land of liberty.” Liberty is indeed sweet—but its sweetness is found not merely in what it allows us to do, but in what it enables us to become.

Someone wisely said, “Freedom reaches its highest purpose when it is used to glorify God and serve others.”

May we never take our freedoms for granted.

May we cherish the liberties secured by those who came before us.

May we faithfully preserve them for those who will follow us.

And above all, may we use the greatest freedom of all—the freedom we have in Christ—to love our neighbors, serve our communities, advocate for liberty and justice for all, and glorify the One who has truly set us free.

Now that is sweet liberty!

The Four Freedoms: When Music Gives Voice to Liberty

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

George Bernard Shaw insisted, “Liberty is the breath of life to nations.”

As our nation celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year, those words remind us that freedom is much more than a political ideal. It is a precious gift that must be cherished, practiced, protected, and preserved. Freedom has inspired countless acts of courage, sacrifice, and service throughout our nation’s history, and it has also inspired some of our most moving music.

Amanda and I had the joy of spending this past weekend in Pensacola, Florida, where I had the privilege of returning to preach at the First Baptist Church of Pensacola, a congregation I was honored to serve as pastor from 2005 until 2017. Returning always feels a bit like coming home. We were blessed to reconnect with dear friends and worship alongside people who continue to hold a special place in our hearts.

The weekend concluded on a particularly meaningful note as Amanda joined the Festival Chorus and Orchestra for the annual Pensacola Patriotic Celebration on Sunday afternoon. Under the gifted direction of Scot Cameron, the choir and orchestra presented “The Four Freedoms,” a stirring musical by renowned composer Joseph M. Martin. The cantata was beautifully framed by several beloved hymns and patriotic anthems celebrating America’s heritage, creating an afternoon filled with gratitude, inspiration, and worship.

Martin’s work draws its inspiration from one of the most significant speeches in American history. On January 6, 1941, nearly a year before the United States entered World War II, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed Congress and articulated a vision for a world founded upon four essential human freedoms that should belong to every person, everywhere.

Those freedoms continue to speak powerfully to our generation.

Freedom of Speech reminds us that truth flourishes where people are free to express their convictions respectfully and without fear.

Freedom of Worship affirms the priceless privilege of worshiping God according to the dictates of one’s conscience. As followers of Christ, we understand how extraordinary that freedom truly is and how many believers around the world continue to worship amid great hardship in regions hostile to religious expression.

Freedom from Want expresses the hope that every individual can enjoy life’s necessities and the opportunity to live with dignity.

Freedom from Fear envisions a world where peace replaces violence and where families can live without constant anxiety over oppression and war.

Through soaring melodies and inspiring lyrics, Joseph Martin transformed Roosevelt’s timeless vision into a compelling musical testimony. The presentation celebrated America’s past, but it also challenged us to consider our responsibility for America’s future.

As I listened Sunday afternoon, I was reminded that music has an extraordinary ability to unite hearts. Long after a speech has been forgotten, a song often continues to echo in our memories. Music not only entertains; it teaches, inspires, and preserves the values that shape a nation.

The timing of this presentation could not have been more fitting. During this week, as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our great nation, The Four Freedoms gave voice to our celebration. Yet it also reminded us that freedom is never something to be taken for granted. Every generation must choose to practice these freedoms responsibly, protect them courageously, and preserve them faithfully for those who follow.

President Ronald Reagan wisely observed, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”

His words remain as relevant today as when they were first spoken. Liberty survives not by accident but because ordinary citizens exercise it with wisdom, gratitude, and responsibility.

As Christians, however, we celebrate an even greater freedom. Jesus declared, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Political freedom is one of God’s greatest blessings, but spiritual freedom is God’s greatest gift. Through Christ we are set free from the power of sin, the burden of guilt, and the fear of death.

Perhaps that is why this concert was so meaningful. It reminded us that the greatest songs not only celebrate our country’s freedoms—they point us toward the One who is the source of all true freedom.

May we celebrate this historic anniversary with gratitude, renewed patriotism, and an unwavering commitment to use our freedoms not merely for ourselves, but for the good of others.

And may we leverage our freedoms to align with and advocate for those for whom freedom is still a dream yet to come true.

Pancakes, Pizza, or Pintos: 10 of Our Favorite Places to Eat When Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

One of the highlights of every trip to the Great Smoky Mountains is deciding where we’re going to eat. Amanda and I have been traveling to the Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville area for more than forty years. Through the years, we’ve watched restaurants come and go. Some of our longtime favorites have sadly closed their doors, while many newer establishments have opened that we have not yet had the opportunity to try.

One thing hasn’t changed: we generally prefer locally owned restaurants over national chains. We enjoy discovering places with personality, history, and friendly service. Mountain hospitality is still alive and well in East Tennessee, and we’ve experienced it time and time again around the dinner table.

Here are ten of our favorite places to eat (in no particular order) near the Great Smoky Mountains:

  • Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant (Pigeon Forge)

If you’re looking for breakfast, this is our favorite place to start the day. The pancakes are legendary, the portions are generous, and the service is consistently excellent. This week we visited Sawyer’s new location on Wear’s Valley Road, which offers the same good food and service as the location on the Parkway. Whether you prefer a hearty country breakfast or a short stack of pancakes, Sawyer’s is dependably delicious.

  • Best Italian Café & Pizzeria (Gatlinburg)

When we’re craving Italian food, this is usually our first choice. Nestled among the shops on the south end of Gatlinburg, Best Italian offers delicious pizza, pasta, garlic rolls, and a relaxed atmosphere. After a day of walking around town, or after returning from a scenic drive in park, Best Italian is a great stop for dinner.

  • The Old Mill Restaurant (Pigeon Forge)

No list of Smoky Mountain favorites would be complete without The Old Mill. The historic setting, Southern cooking, homemade breads, and old-fashioned charm make this one of the most iconic dining experiences in the region. We especially enjoy introducing first-time visitors to this Smoky Mountain tradition.

  • Owens Restaurant (Dandridge)

Located in Tennessee’s second-oldest town, Owens Restaurant offers excellent food in a comfortable setting. Their lunch menu includes daily “meat and three” specials. They also feature multiple flavors of fried pies in addition to other desserts. Owens may not receive as much attention as some of the restaurants in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s one of those places that locals know and visitors are glad they discovered.

  • Captain’s Galley Seafood Restaurant (Dandridge)

Whenever we’re in the mood for seafood, Captain’s Galley is a dependable choice. The portions are generous, the food is consistently good, and the atmosphere is welcoming. We could make meal just off the basket of homemade hushpuppies they bring to every table upon your arrival. Captain’s Galley has become one of our regular stops when we’re passing through Dandridge.

  • The Peddler Steakhouse (Gatlinburg)

For a special meal, it’s hard to beat The Peddler. The riverside location, outstanding steaks, and excellent service make it one of Gatlinburg’s signature restaurants. Their salad bar is bountiful and their bread is served hot out of the oven. It remains one of our favorite places to celebrate a special occasion.

  • Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant (Sevierville)

Applewood combines great food with a unique experience. Every meal begins with their famous apple fritters and apple butter. The country atmosphere and consistent quality keep us coming back year after year.

  • Mel’s Diner (Pigeon Forge)

Sometimes you’re simply looking for comfort food and nostalgia. Mel’s Diner delivers both. The classic diner atmosphere, burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes make it a fun place to enjoy a casual meal.

  • El Paso Mexican Restaurant (Sevierville)

When Mexican food is on the menu, El Paso is one of our favorite choices. The service is friendly, the portions are generous, and the menu offers something for everyone. I tend to favor their fiesta fajitas.

  • The Diner (Sevierville)

The Diner has become another of our favorite stops. The extensive menu means everyone can find something they enjoy, and the classic diner-style atmosphere makes for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. Their daily special might include a specialty burger, a spaghetti platter, or fish and chips.

Part of the joy of traveling is discovering great places to eat. While there are certainly many excellent restaurants throughout the Smoky Mountain region, these ten are just a few of our personal favorites over the years.

What we appreciate most isn’t just the food. It’s the friendly faces, warm hospitality, and local character that make each visit memorable. After more than forty years of visiting the Smokies, we’ve learned that some of the best vacation memories are made around the table.

And who knows? Perhaps on our next trip we’ll discover a new favorite to add to the list.

Memorial Day: Reflecting on the Cost of Freedom

On By barrysnotesLeave a comment

(photo of Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS Pensacola)

Memorial Day is more than a Monday holiday bookended by backyard cookouts and summer travel. It is a sacred summons that encourages us to stop long enough to ask, “What did our freedom cost?” and “Who paid the price?”

Freedom is among the most beloved words in the American vocabulary. We speak of it freely, sing about it proudly, and assume it instinctively. But freedom has never been free. It has always been purchased at great cost, with courage, with sacrifice, and with blood. The men and women memorialized on this day knew that cost intimately, and they paid it anyway.

In a culture addicted to comfort and allergic to cost, we need Memorial Day more than ever. Not merely as a ceremony, but as a confrontation, a kind of holy interruption that calls us back to what truly matters. As President Calvin Coolidge once said, “The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.”

This Memorial Day, consider these reflections on the price of freedom:

  • Freedom was secured by ordinary people who did extraordinary things.  We tend to mythologize our heroes, polishing their stories until they gleam. But most of those who gave their lives were not statues or monuments. They were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, neighbors and friends who chose duty over self. In the struggle to preserve and protect our freedom, ordinary men and women rose to stand in the gap. We owe them our remembrance.
  • The cost of freedom is written in Scripture as well as in history.  The ancient world understood that great things are purchased at great cost. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the servant who would be “wounded for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). The Apostle Paul, writing from a Roman prison, urged believers to stand firm in “the freedom with which Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1), knowing that such freedom was not theoretical—it was paid for. Whether the arena is spiritual or civic, freedom requires a sacrifice.
  • Gratitude is the only worthy response to sacrifice.  John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”  Wearing a flag pin or posting a patriotic meme is easy. But genuine gratitude is more demanding. It asks us to live with integrity, to vote with conscience, to serve our communities, and to refuse to squander what others died to give us. Gratitude, rightly practiced, is not just a feeling. Rather, it is a discipline.
  • Grief and honor belong together on this day.  For thousands of Gold Star families, Memorial Day is not a celebration, but an anniversary of loss. An empty chair at the dinner table. A folded flag on the mantel. A name etched in marble. We honor them best not by turning away from that grief but by standing in it with them. The Psalmist wrote, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants” (Psalm 116:15). What is precious to God should not be passed over lightly by us.
  • The next generation must learn the cost or will never know the value.  Ronald Reagan warned with prophetic clarity: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”  Our children will not inherit a passion for freedom by accident. They will inherit it from us or they will not inherit it at all. Take them to a veterans’ cemetery. Read them the letters of soldiers who wrote home from the front. Tell the stories. Sing the hymns. Show them that some things are worth dying for, precisely because they are worth living for.

There is an old hymn of the faith that begins, “When I survey the wondrous cross.” Isaac Watts understood that remembering a sacrifice—truly beholding its cost—changes the one who remembers. This Memorial Day, may we survey what has been given on our behalf. May it humble us. May it move us. May it change us.

This Memorial Day, let us do more than enjoy a 3-day weekend. Let us pause at a grave marker. Let us speak the names. Let us teach our children that the flag flying over their school and their town square was purchased by men and women who chose to stand between danger and those they loved. Let us recommit ourselves to a life lived in appreciation for that gift.

Freedom is not free. But it is ours. May we never take it for granted.

(Barry Howard is a retired pastor who currently serves as a leadership coach and consultant with the Center for Healthy Churches. He and his wife reside on Cove Lake in northeast Alabama.)

Life Lessons for Graduates: 12 Travel Tips for the Journey Ahead

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Graduation season is always emotional. Caps and gowns fill auditoriums. Proud parents wipe away tears. Grandparents beam with pride. Students celebrate years of hard work while simultaneously wondering what comes next.

High school graduation is both an ending and a beginning. One chapter closes while another unfolds. For many graduates, the future feels exciting, uncertain, intimidating, and hopeful all at the same time.

I think some of the best counsel for this season of life comes from from Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Those verses remind us that life is not navigated merely through intelligence, ambition, or talent. Life is best navigated through trust in God’s guidance.

With that in mind, here are twelve pieces of spiritual advice I would offer to every high school graduate.

1. Trust the Lord in all seasons.

Trust God not only during victories, but also during disappointments and uncertainty.

Life will not always unfold according to your plans. Dreams may shift. Doors may close. Unexpected detours will arise. But faith means believing that God still walks beside us even when the road becomes difficult.

As Corrie ten Boom wisely said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Sometimes God’s greatest work happens in seasons we never would have chosen for ourselves.

2. Ask honest questions.

Healthy faith is not afraid of honest questions.

Throughout Scripture, faithful people wrestled with uncertainty. Moses questioned God. David poured out doubts in the Psalms. Thomas asked for evidence after the resurrection.

Questions are not signs of weak faith; they are often pathways toward deeper faith.

James 1:5 reminds us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.”

Never stop seeking truth, wisdom, and understanding.

3. Learn to be at home in your own skin.

One of the greatest challenges facing young adults today is comparison.

Social media constantly pressures people to measure themselves against curated versions of other people’s lives. But God did not create you to become a copy of someone else.

Psalm 139 says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Brené Brown advises, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.”

Learn to embrace the person God created you to be.

4. Never waste a mistake.

You are going to make mistakes. Everyone does. The important thing is not whether you fail, but whether you learn and grow from failure.

The Apostle Peter denied Jesus, yet grace restored him and transformed him into a leader of the early church.

Mistakes can become classrooms of wisdom if we allow them to teach us.

5. Invest wisely and focus on treasures that do not have an account number.

Learn financial responsibility early in life. Save wisely. Avoid unnecessary debt. Practice generosity.

But also remember that the greatest treasures in life are not material possessions.

Integrity. Friendships. Faith. Love. Compassion. Character.

Jesus taught in Matthew 6:20: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

Some of the most valuable things in life cannot be purchased.

6. Don’t be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone.

Growth rarely happens in comfortable places.

Abraham had to leave home.
Peter had to step out of the boat.
Esther had to risk speaking up.

You may feel nervous about college, a new career, or unfamiliar opportunities. That’s normal. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is moving forward despite fear.

C. S. Lewis observed, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”

Do not let fear shrink your future.

7. Be proactive in caring for your physical and mental health.

Your physical and emotional well-being matter.

Get enough rest. Exercise regularly. Talk honestly about your struggles. Seek help when you need it.

There is strength—not weakness—in reaching out for support.

In a culture where many people feel exhausted, anxious, and isolated, self-care is not selfishness; it is stewardship.

8. Stay connected to a spiritual community.

Faith is not meant to be lived alone. Wherever life takes you, stay connected to a church family and surround yourself with spiritually healthy influences.

Hebrews 10:25 encourages believers not to neglect gathering together.

A coal separated from the fire eventually grows cold. Community helps sustain faith during difficult seasons.

9. Don’t let the labels others attach define you.

People may underestimate you, criticize you, or attempt to define you by your failures.

But labels do not determine identity.

David was labeled “just a shepherd.” Zacchaeus was labeled “a sinner.” Mary Magdalene was labeled by her past.

Never allow someone else’s opinion to limit what God can do through your life.

10. Cultivate and nurture friendships intentionally.

The people closest to you will influence your future more than you realize. But meaningful friendships don’t happen by default.

Proverbs 13:20 encourages us to “Walk with the wise and become wise.”

Some friendships inspire growth and wisdom. Others quietly pull people toward destructive choices.

Pay attention to who shapes your values, habits, and priorities.

11. Practice kindness in a harsh world.

We live in an age often marked by outrage and cruelty. Choose kindness anyway.

Be encouraging. Be compassionate. Be willing to listen.

Maya Angelou observed, “People will forget what you said… but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Kindness leaves a lasting imprint on the world.

12. Navigate the turbulence of life with discernment and perseverance.

Life will not always be smooth skies and gentle winds. There will be unexpected storms, emotional turbulence, disappointments, and moments when the future feels uncertain.

In those moments, resist the temptation to panic or make impulsive decisions.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

As author Max Lucado counsels, “You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good.”

There will be seasons when life feels turbulent. Hold steady. Pray carefully. Think wisely. Keep going.

Storms do not last forever, and perseverance often becomes the bridge between where you are and where God is leading you.

As you step into this next chapter of life, you will carry far more than diplomas and transcripts into the future. You will carry values, memories, relationships, faith, and the lessons that shape character.

The road ahead will include both breathtaking mountaintops and unexpected valleys, but do not walk it alone. The same God who guided you through childhood, classrooms, friendships, victories, and disappointments will continue directing your paths.

So dream boldly, love deeply, serve joyfully, and trust God completely.

Planting Seeds: 7 Reasons I Enjoy Having a Vegetable Garden

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(stock photo)

There is something sacred about stepping into a vegetable garden early in the morning while the dew still clings to the leaves and the soil smells fresh from the night air. A garden is never merely about tomatoes, beans, squash, or cucumbers. It is about hope, patience, stewardship, and joy. Every spring, when seeds disappear beneath the dirt, I am reminded that some of life’s greatest miracles begin unseen.

As English horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll once said, “A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness.”

Early in our marriage, we had a vegetable garden almost every year. When I retired from full-time work, I decided to cultivate a spot in the corner of the backyard for small garden. Yes, I realize that I can probably purchase vegetables at the farmers’ market for less than the cost of the seed, the tomato plants, the fertilizer, the tiller, and the time invested. But there is something about cultivating the soil and nurturing the plants that makes life richer.

Here are seven reasons I like to have a vegetable garden:

1. A Garden Reminds Me That Growth Takes Time

We live in a microwave culture that demands instant results, but gardens refuse to cooperate with hurry. You cannot rush a tomato plant or bully green beans into growing faster.

Gardening teaches the spiritual discipline of patience. Seeds germinate underground long before visible evidence appears above the soil. That truth applies to life as well. Character, faith, healing, and wisdom often develop quietly before anyone notices.

Years ago, one of our neighbors once planted watermelons. Every morning, his little boy ran outside expecting giant watermelons overnight. His father simply smiled and said, “God grows watermelons one day at a time.” That may be one of the most profound theological statements I have ever heard. Most of the seeds we plant in life do not grow overnight. They need to be cultivated and nurtured over time.

2. A Garden Keeps Me Connected to Nature

There is something grounding about getting your hands in the dirt. Modern life often disconnects us from the rhythms of creation, but gardening reconnects us with the wonder of the natural world.

Naturalist Thomas Berry advised, “Gardening is an active participation in the deepest mysteries of the universe.”

A vegetable garden becomes a front-row seat to miracles: tiny seeds becoming flourishing plants, blossoms turning into food, bees pollinating flowers, and sunlight transforming into nourishment. Gardening reminds us that creation still sings the glory of God.

3. A Garden Improves My Mental and Emotional Health

Researchers increasingly recognize what gardeners have known for centuries: gardening is good for the soul. Recent studies and therapeutic programs show gardening can reduce stress, improve mood, and foster a sense of peace and accomplishment.

During the pandemic, many people rediscovered gardening as a refuge from anxiety and uncertainty. Seed companies sold out because people longed for something living and hopeful.

One friend told me that after difficult days at work, he walks straight to his garden before entering the house. Pulling weeds and watering plants helps him “leave the stress in the dirt.” I understand exactly what he means.

As author May Sarton observed, “Gardening is an instrument of grace.”

4. A Garden Teaches Responsibility and Stewardship

A neglected garden quickly reveals neglect. Plants need attention, nourishment, watering, and care. Gardens remind us that good things flourish when nurtured consistently.

That lesson extends far beyond vegetables. Marriages, friendships, churches, and communities thrive when people faithfully tend them.

During World War II, millions of Americans planted “Victory Gardens” to supplement food supplies and support their communities. By 1944, home gardeners were producing a significant portion of the nation’s vegetables. The movement demonstrated that ordinary people, working small plots of ground, could collectively make an extraordinary difference.

Sometimes changing the world begins with simply tending what is already in front of you.

5. A Garden Gives Me Healthier Food

There is no greenhouse tomato quite like a home-grown Better Boy picked moments before dinner. Garden vegetables simply taste better because freshness matters.

Gardening also changes your appreciation for food. When you have spent months watering, fertilizing, and protecting a plant, you waste less and give greater thanks for every meal.

Chef David Chang noted that gardening connects us to “math, chemistry, reading, history.” I would add gratitude to that list.

A garden reminds us that food is not manufactured in stores. It is cultivated through labor, weather, patience, and grace.

6. A Garden Creates Memories Across Generations

Some of my fondest memories involve gardens: grandparents shelling peas and shucking corn on the porch, children proudly carrying oversized cantelope into the kitchen, families sharing extra vegetables with neighbors.

Gardens have a remarkable way of bringing generations together. Grandparents pass down wisdom. Children learn responsibility. Families create traditions.

One of our great nephews has autism. He also likes to have a small garden. To anyone else it looks like a minor thing. To him, it is therapeutic joy. Gardens teach children the joy of participating in creation rather than merely consuming it.

7. A Garden Gives Me Hope

Every garden begins with faith. You place seeds into dark soil believing life will emerge. That simple act becomes a yearly reminder that endings are not always endings and barren seasons do not last forever.

Writer Alfred Austin beautifully captured it: “The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.”

A vegetable garden quietly preaches resurrection every spring.

Perhaps that is why I keep planting a small garden year after year. Long after the plants are barren and the vines have withered, the garden leaves behind lessons about patience, stewardship, gratitude, community, and hope.

And honestly, there are few things in life more satisfying than eating a tomato sandwich made from a tomato you grew yourself.