As I write this episode, I reflected on the past opportunities and ministries. But, I have also come to my current status in my journey. God still has a work for me to do, while I am waiting on my next miracle! Summer Camps As Summer Camp Directors, we implemented the agenda for each week and procured the necessary food supply and other requirements, along with the help of many other volunteers. Summer Camps came and went. A lot of preparations were involved in getting everything ready for campers to attend. These camps happened in the 4 weeks of July each year. It was a family camp, which included adults,…

In the 5th Episode of my Dad’s life journey, titled, “Beginning of His Ministry”, He spoke about how he was asked to become the pastor of the Tampa Foursquare Gospel Church, in Tampa, Florida. This post is in his words about becoming a Pastor, for the first time in his life, as well as other opportunities and challenges along the way. My First Pastorate My first pastorate was with the Tampa Foursquare Gospel Church. We had a beautiful parsonage, next door to the church. The congregation consisted of 23 people, which included our family of 6. There was $3.23 in the church’s bank account. With this, the church could not…

Prior to serving as pastors, we had many ministering opportunities. Of which, would have us traveling the east coast of the United States. Our family sang together and I would hold revival meetings or Sunday Services, whichever, the case would be. Prior To Serving As Pastors, Wife Purchases Piano Prior to serving as pastors, my wife, Margie didn’t work outside the home. As I insisted she be home to care for our children. However, later on she decided, she wanted to purchase a piano for our youngest daughter (Rita) and have her learn to play. My wife made that happen. She started work at the elementary school, just up the…

God’s Calling On My Life Let me digress a moment, from the time of our marriage. God’s call on my life, came early, and my fight brought misery. When I was about 8 or 9 years old and living in Florida, I gathered my cousins and sister around me. We sat on tree stumps, and I would preach, “Fire and Brimstone” to them. We played church, because we were taken on Sundays, to a small wooden church, that stood on limestone rocks and we drew from that. Remembering every Sunday, the Baptist preacher would always preach, “Fire and Brimstone” sermons. It was scary, but very effective. I didn’t realize that…

This episode is the third one in a series of post about my Dad’s Life Journey. At this stage, he is just getting to know who he refers to as “My Beauty”, my Mother, Margie Lee Currie. “My Beauty” We wrote to each other for about a year, before we were able to see each other. Writing at the time, was the only way I was able to get to know “My Beauty”. As I was reaching the end of my tour in the Navy, I purchased a 1947 Pontiac Sedan. The ship was stationed at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, when the day came, I was granted a three…

We will pickup where we left off from the first episode. This second episode is about the Navy Days Life of Dad. My Dad is, Dr. L. J. Barnes, however in those days, I’m sure he had a different title and other status code(s). This episode will probably relate more to those who understand the military service terminology. However, still a fun read! Did you miss the first episode? If so, click this link: https://lifeandbeautyafter60.com/is-life-hard-sometimes/ Navy Days Life -Sailor Experience! After twelve grueling weeks of Boot Camp, I gained 14 pounds. How that happened on unseasoned food, I’ll never know. The only reason, that would makes sense, would be because…

Is life hard sometimes for you? Admittedly, life can be hard, because as we are on our journey, things don’t always work out as we expect them to. Sometimes, you may think that it’s always a fight, no matter what you do. You know what I discovered? It is a fight! You fight to keep your finances under control, to keep yourself in good physical and mental health. In order for us to survive well, we subsequently, have to fight in order to accomplish the things you feel are important to you, such as: college degrees, new house, new car, financial stability, to win the love of your life, then…