Barbie's Forecasts & Faith

2012-01-27T08:42:00.001-06:00

Barbie is away today and will return to the blog Monday.

(Barbie will be speaking Saturday in Natchez at the Hampton Inn from 10am-11am. She will present Rodan & Fields products and business for possible franchise owners.)

The Detractor

2012-01-20T08:46:00.004-06:00

One of the classes we are doing in home schooling our 8 year old Gracie is called Critical Thinking. It teaches logic in solving problems and equations. I was never a master test taker, so it's been quite the challenge for me to help her.

When doing Critical Thinking, one thing we're learning is there are numbers or words put into the problem which are designed to be detractors. They have absolutely nothing to do with obtaining the right answer and are set to get you off course. If you don't know what the detractor is, sometimes you can think it's important to solving the equation only to realize it leads you to the incorrect conclusion. Other numbers or words are pertinent to the answer. As a critical thinker, you have to determine which are important to solving the problem and which are not.

When you know in your heart God is telling you to work on a particular area of your life or to move forward with the commission He's given you, there are detractors along the way. I share some of the detractors--problems and those who gave me problems--in my first book "Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life".

Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

There have been many occasions in my own life when the detractors have come in the form of people, negativity, circumstances and even trials. Instead of focusing on them and allowing them to get you off course, stay focused on God. He knows how to solve the problem and how to get the right answer the first time!

The Judgemental Spirit

2012-01-16T07:42:00.004-06:00

Being in the public eye, I know what it's like to have critics. Whether it's my clothes, my hair, my weight, and most recently--the correct use of "farther" and "further"--someone always wants to point out something I need to improve or change. The person more likely to be the most critical: self-professing Christians. Oh, they may say they aren't being critical at all and just pointing out a flaw, but the judgemental spirit is written all in their words and actions. If you're like me, you can spot them from a mile away.

I want to share with you a Word straight from the Holy Spirit revealed to me this morning.

Psalm 50:16, "But to the wicked, God says: 'What right do you have to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's on. These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.'"

God makes is abundantly clear that He knows who those Christians are and He is not impressed. He takes it one step further (there's that word again!) and says "I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face".

If you are dealing with critics who claim to follow the Lord but follow you with their negativity, hold on to the promise the Lord has given in His Word and leave room for God's wrath.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at the Clinton Chamber of Commerce this Thursday.)

The Smell of Death

2012-01-13T08:44:00.004-06:00

A viewer called me the other day wanting the forecasted wind speed for the coming day because he was going duck hunting. I found myself having a flash back to my days growing up at home. My dad and brother would go duck hunting and bring back their find and commence to plucking feathers. Afterwards, the worst smell of singed feathers and flesh would permeate the outside. I can still smell that stench to this day. Yuk!

I wonder if the Old Testament temples smelled with their burning sacrifices? Figuratively speaking, the more death God smells, the closer He can come. The New Testament equivalent of death is repentance, brokenness and humility. It brings the manifest presence of God near. Acts 17:30 says, "These times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent." But we often avoid repentance because we don't like the smell of death in our lives or our desires. Although the smell isn't enticing to us, it is very enticing to God because it is a signal that He can once again draw close to those He loves.

What do you need to put on the altar to sacrifice? What do you need to get rid of in your life--a lying tongue, an extramarital relationship, a habit, an attitude? Even Elijah didn't ask for the fire of God to fall down on the altar until he had loaded it down with a worthy sacrifice. We've been praying for the fire to fall for too long, but we haven't put anything on the altar!

Not As 'All Together' As I Thought

2012-01-09T09:25:00.004-06:00

I'm a go-getter. If something needs to be done, I'll do it. If something mechanical needs fixing, I can't promise I'll fix it, but I'll at least try (and sometimes make it worse). My parents raised me to be independent and not to rely on anyone else to "fix" my life or my situation.

However, this personality trait of mine can sometimes be my biggest downfall.

I get tired of trying to make things happen, don't you? For some time, God has been convicting me to stop being in the conductor's seat and let Him take over. Now He wants to make it happen! In the same way you and I might feel embarrassed in a restaurant or grocery store when we see someone's children acting up and getting away with it, God feels the same way about our self-righteousness or pride. God is uncomfortable with it--in our home, in our workplace and in our church. We are not "as together" as we think we are.

Philippians 3:12 says, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Paul was basically saying, "Father, what are You doing? That's what I'll do."

But that takes quite a bit of repentance on my I'll-do-it-myself attitude. Repentance is the answer because it prepares the way for God to move and makes the road of my heart straight. Repentance prepares for His presence. In fact, you can't live in His presence without repentance.

How long has it been since you laid down everything that you've been trying to "fix", everything that occupied you, and ran down the road of repentance to pursue God?

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Brandon Baptist's ladies brunch this Thursday.)

All You Need To Do Is Rest

2012-01-06T09:06:00.003-06:00

"I feel like you are a lot closer to God and our Lord Jesus Christ. That's why I'm asking you to put me on your prayer list. I've had so many things go wrong in the last 2-3 months that I don't even feel worthy enough to pray for help. I try to do things by helping others and it always seems to backfire on me. I'm not doing something right or at least the wrong way. I don't feel comfortable telling anybody my weaknesses so I'm asking you to pray for help and healing for me."

I received the above email this week from a viewer who is obviously struggling. We all have issues that come up and hit us out of the blue; trials we weren't expecting.

The reason the children of Israel wandered in a small, triangular piece of land for 40 years was because of unbelief and restlessness. Hebrews 3:12 says, "See to it that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." Verse 19 says, "So we see that they were not able to enter (the Promised Land), because of their unbelief."

If you are a child of the living God, you must believe that He has a perfect plan for you and your best interest in mind. The children of Israel didn't "get that" because they were too busy second guessing God's ways. The Israelites thought they had a better plan in mind.

The next chapter of Hebrews tells an even greater message. Hebrews 4:1-10 are a just a few verses but it mentions the word "rest" a total of 8 times. The children of Israel didn't have faith, or believe, in God's guiding hand which got them stressed out, worried and frazzled, which did not allow them to rest in Him! Are you seeing the correlation here?

The stressors in life are going to come. It's a given. But if you believe God will get you through, even on the toughest days, you can rest (and have peace) that He's in control.

Limping Into 2012

2012-01-02T08:40:00.002-06:00

As I was driving to Neshoba County yesterday afternoon to spend the day with the family, in the quietness of the car I reflected on the past year. I began to think of what the Lord has been dealing with me on this coming year, the areas of which He wants to see me grow on a deeper level and the areas in my life He will be increasing, I couldn't help but notice a dog up ahead. The dog was limping and had it's front paw drawn up. The other dogs walking in front of him were able to navigate the roadway without hesitation, but he was being left behind. His lack of endurance was getting the best of him.

Although the New Year causes many to get excited in anticipation of the coming months and the changes ahead, some are already limping. They were limping at the end of 2011 and now they find themselves limping into 2012 and it's just a few hours old!

Romans 15:5 says, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourself as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Our God will give you endurance to hold on and keep believing and encouragement to square your shoulders and move forward.

Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Our God will give you hope and a settled confidence that the God who loves you will work night and day on your behalf as you trust in Him.

Whether you find yourself running or walking into 2012, you have God's Sovereign Word that He will help you climb the upward path, one "limp" at a time.

The Story in Nestor The Long-Eared Donkey

2011-12-19T08:48:00.003-06:00

Last night, I pulled up YouTube for my children to watch one of my favorite Christmas claymations--"Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey". I remember watching this special on television as a child and I've noticed over the years it is no longer shown (probably because it talks of the Christ child?).

It's the story of Nestor, a donkey born with extremely long ears. Nestor was constantly made fun of by the other animals in the stable. Through some circumstances, he and his mother found themselves on their own, kicked out of the stable trying to survive a blizzard. Nestor's mother dies in the cold and he's all alone. Tilly, a cherub, falls from a cloud and is sent on a mission to help guide Nestor out of the wilderness. On their journey, Tilly tells Nestor all he has to do is be obedient to the sounds he hears with his long ears because his ears hear sounds other won't. Tilly guides him to another land where Nestor is taken in by an animal trader. The animal trader quickly finds out he has "a dud" of a donkey in Nestor because of his long ears. However, Joseph and Mary happen upon this animal trader's tent needing a donkey to make the long trip to Bethlehem. They pick Nestor because he's short enough for Mary to climb onto; not because of his ears. Through a sand storm, Nestor hears the guidance from above and makes his way to Bethlehem. While there, it's obvious the inns are full. With ease, Nestor remembers how warm and cozy the stable used to be when he was younger and guides Joseph and Mary to a stable where baby Jesus was born.

It was a sweet story and I obviously appreciate it more as an adult than I did when I was a kid.

In your life, there will be various trials and hardships that will come. There will be plenty of nay-sayers and wrong decisions made along the way. Through all of the confusion and frustration of life, we must go back to what we know. For Nestor the long-eared donkey it was the stable. For us, it could be the simplicity of one of my favorite children's songs:

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus love me
The Bible tells me so!

Merry Christmas!

Stressed Out & No Where To Go

2011-12-16T07:21:00.003-06:00

Stress is delivered to our front door every morning. Turn on the television and you'll get a heaping dose of it. Watch people pass you by at the local store and you'll see it written all over their face. Whether it's the rush to get Christmas lists completed, losing a job, keeping up with daily activities or just trying to pack everything you can into the day, it seems we're all stressed up with no where to go!

I Timothy 1:7 says, "For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." When you are stressed, you are filled with fear. This drains your emotional power to have peace in your circumstances (a sound mind). In I Peter 1:13, Peter urges us to "Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober...." When a Roman centurion would "gird up the loins", he would pull his robe up to his knees and be ready to run and defend. It made him quick and kept him from tripping on his robe. What Peter is talking about here is the importance of being spiritually mobile or agile in order to protect your weak areas. For many, this is our mind, especially when stress comes in our life. When we wrap our minds around God's truth in knowing He cares for us and will take care of our needs and has plans to "prosper and not harm you" (Jeremiah 29:11), we are able to defend our thoughts from the devil's schemes to bring discouragement and hopelessness.

Through the stressors of the Christmas season, set your mind on being "girded", ready to do battle so when the negativity comes, you know how to bring the One who is victorious into the arena of your mind instead of allowing your thoughts to be controlled by despair.

(Barbie will be signing books Saturday from 11am-1pm at the Indianola Pecan House in Indianola. If your area store has sold out of her books, you can find them at www.barbiebassett.com .)

Going Home Another Way

2011-12-12T07:44:00.004-06:00

My 5 year old son Will and I had just left the store ordering his birthday cake for this week. The parking lot was full with cars waiting while their owners shopped and other cars were turning in to find a spot to park. The congestion was thick as smoke just in trying to get out of the parking lot. When I got to the intersection, I saw the traffic and knew what I had to do to get out--I needed to go another direction in order to get home at a decent time.

"I thought you said we were going home?" Will asked from his booster seat. "We are going home," I said. He paused for a few seconds. "But this isn't how we normally go home," Will said. "Sure, we can get home going this way," I said. "Just wait and see." Another minute passed and Will was still confused. "But mom, this is NOT the way home," he said. "Trust me, son. We can get home going this way," I answered. Within minutes, we made it to a place familiar to Will. "Oh, I see where we are now," he said. "You were right, mom. You DO know how to get us where we need to go!"

How many times in your life have you felt like God was leading you down a road that had a posted sign which read "Wrong Way"? Galatians 5:16 says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."

God sees what's ahead and knows the congestion, the slow downs and the delays to achieving His will in your life. He knows which detours and back roads to lead you on. We must fight the urge to jump out of the moving car, even when the scenery doesn't look right. There may be times when you look out the window of your life and think, This doesn't look familiar, God. I think you took a wrong turn in my life because this makes no sense. I thought you said you had a plan for me? A plan to prosper and not harm me?

But God is the driver and leans over to you in the back seat and says, I know exactly where I want to take you. It may be the long way around to you, but it's a direct path to Me. So, trust Me.

The next time you feel like God drove you to a dead end street, trust the One who created the map!

(There are only 1,200 copies remaining of Barbie's new book, "Carry An Umbrella When There's No Rain in the Forecast: 365 Days of Living by Faith". They are available at stores in Jackson, Kosciusko, Brookhaven, Mendenhall, Batesville, McComb & Yazoo City. Barbie will also be signing at the Indianola Pecan House in Indianola this coming Saturday from 11am-1pm. You can also purchase her books at www.barbiebassett.com .)

Difficulties Into Deliverance

2011-12-09T08:48:00.003-06:00

No one wants to suffer, whether it's emotionally or physically.

In John 9:1, Jesus' disciples met a man who was blind from birth. They asked Jesus who sinned--the man's parents or the man since he was born blind. Jesus replied in verse 3, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." Jesus basically told them they were asking the wrong question by asking why this adversity was allowed. The Savior then anointed the man's eyes with mud, which he was to wash away in the pool of Siloam. The man came back with his eyesight restored.

Even when Jesus rode a donkey through Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the people were exuberant with excitement waving palm leaves. But Jesus didn't share in their excitement because he knew his physical suffering was close at hand. In John 12:27-28, Jesus said, "Not My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name."

In literally one of the most horrific weeks of His life, Jesus didn't ask, "How can I get out of this?" but "How can God be glorified?"

God doesn't waste your suffering. The Lord knows how to turn our difficulties into deliverance and our problems into praise. He will glorify His name in the lives of His children, whatever their afflictions may be. Be more concerned for God's glory than for your relief.

(Barbie will be signing books in Yazoo City at Essco's today from 11am-1pm. Her newest book continues to sell out at her book signings. Check these stores for available copies:

Jackson: Lifeway Christian Store & Lemuria Books
Mendenhall: Mendenhall Grocery & Grain
Batesville: Promises & Praise
Brookhaven: Expectations
McComb: Edgewood Interiors
Yazoo City: Essco's

Or, they can be ordered at www.barbiebassett.com)

He Wants More

2011-12-05T07:44:00.003-06:00

My daughter Gracie shared with us after lunch Sunday some of her class lesson on the Israelites. In listening to what she learned, I realized the Israelites suffered from the same problem many Christians do today. They enjoyed the good preaching and teaching but weren't willing to move from there. Too many of us like to sit on our padded pews in a climate-controlled building where someone else will pre-digest what God has to say and then regurgitate it back to us in a half-digested form (perhaps we're afraid it may set too heavy on our stomachs?).

I've gotten to the point in my own life where I've started praying, "God, I'm tired of everybody else hearing from You! I'm going to lock myself away in a room and stay there until I get a fresh Word from You."

The early Church didn't have access to what we call the New Testament for many years. The Old Testament scriptures were expensive rolls that stayed locked up in synagogues. The only scriptures they had were verses from the law, the Psalms and the prophets that had been passed down orally from their relatives. So what did they have? They walked and talked with Him in such a rich level of intimacy.

God said in Exodus 33:14, "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest." I Chronicles 16:37 says, "Honor and majesty are in His presence; strength and joy are in His sanctuary."

God is tired of having long distance relationships with his people. He was tired of it thousands of years ago in Moses' day, and He is tired of it today. God really wants to have an intimate, close encounter with you today.

(Barbie's book continues to sell faster than anticipated! She will be signing copies in Vicksburg Tuesday, 11:30am-1pm at Crown To Heels. Barbie will be signing at the Raleigh Library this Thursday from 11:30am-1pm. And, she'll be signing in Yazoo City at Essco's this Friday from 11am-1pm.

In Jackson, they can be found at Lemuria and Lifeway Christian Store. In Brandon, Miss Priss boutique has a few copies. The Briar Patch in Carthage, Expecations in Brookhaven, Edgewood Interiors in McComb & the Mendenhall G&G all have a few remaining copies left. Her books can also be ordered at www.barbiebassett.com.)

2011-12-02T10:12:00.003-06:00

Barbie is away doing book signings. She will be emceeing the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation's Ag Ambassador Competition Saturday along with signing her books at the Jingle Bell Market in Pearl (Trustmark Park) from 11am-12:30pm. Then she will be traveling to the Briar Patch in Carthage signing books from 2pm-3:30pm.

Her books can also be found in Jackson at Lifeway Christian Store & Lemuria and on www.barbiebassett.com.

Giving God Your Time

2011-11-28T07:23:00.003-06:00

One week ago, I set out on my book tour with "Carry An Umbrella When There's No Rain in the Forecast: 365 Days of Living by Faith". I have been overwhelmed at the sales. In just over 1 week, almost one-third of the books have sold. Every store keeps selling out. It goes to show that God's people are hungry for more of Him.

Last weekend, I spent on the farm with my family and got to attend my home church, Crowder Baptist Church. The pastor talked about the importance of sharing our talent, treasure and time with God. Now, how many times have I heard this sermon? But I was more convicted this time around than I have ever been.

Malachi 3:8 says, "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings." Then God goes on to say in verse 10, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

As I looked at my own life, I began to see while I've been faithful in sharing my tithes and talents given by God in various ways to all people, I am failing miserably when it comes to the "time" part. Home schooling, speaking across the southeast, my WLBT career along with the book tour, working for American Family Radio, doing hundreds of other things that I won't list here and having a husband and being a mom, my schedule is packed. I'm lucky if I get a few hours of sleep a night. And because of all of this, I'm guilty of verse 8--robbing God---of my time.

Why do we feel like we can offer up a prayer here or there in the busyness of our life and think God is satisfied with that? Our spouse wouldn't be happy with a quick "hello" and perhaps a half-hearted hug as we ran out the door, so why do we think God is? The way circumstances around me are going, I need to be giving God the very BEST of my time--what is first, not what is left. When that happens, God promises to bless you in a was which can only be described as coming from Him.

(Barbie will be signing her books at Edgewood Interiors in McComb December 1 from 11:30am-1pm as well as being the guest speaker at First Baptist Ridgeland's ladies night out that night. On December 2, you can catch her at the Mendenhall Grain & Grocery from 11:30am-1pm. Over the weekend, she'll be in Pearl & Carthage. Check www.barbiebassett.com for specifics.)

A 'Happy Thanksgiving' Message

2011-11-21T09:15:00.004-06:00

The book tour kicked off Saturday in Brookhaven and what a day it was! The books sold out in just over an hour with just over 200 books sold. I was honored to meet some fine, sweet people along the way including meeting up with Rebecca Amic who I've gotten to see several times.

My website has been processing orders all weekend for the out-of-staters. And, I was able to personally give one of my editors a signed copy at church Sunday as a thank you.

Now as we gather with our families for Thanksgiving, I am praying that the "eyes of your understanding will be opened so that you would know the hope to which he has called you.." (Ephesians 1:17-22) I believe this scripture encourages us to see what God has already DONE for you and I.

Forget the turkey--I'm thankful for the Lamb!

(Barbie will be signing copies of her new book and her 1st book Tuesday at Josephine's on the square in Kosciusko. She will be signing at Lifeway Christian Store in Jackson this Friday, 10am-Noon and at Lemuria from 1pm-2pm. Both books are now available at www.barbiebassett.com .)

It's Here!

2011-11-18T07:36:00.006-06:00

"Carry An Umbrella When There's No Rain in the Forecast: 365 Days of Living by Faith" (retail $14.02) is now available. This daily devotional for college students and men and women of all ages shares how you can continue to have faith in God's provision for you even in the "dry spells" of your spiritual walk.

My first book, "Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life" has sold almost 6,000 copies in it's final printing. There are limited quantities of "Forecasts & Faith" left.

There are only 3,000 copies my new book, so not everyone who has bought "Forecasts & Faith" will be able to get this one. With the rush of the Christmas season, I can't guarantee there will be ample copies for Mothers Day next year.

In the Jackson area, the book is already available in Lifeway Christian Stores and Lemuria. It is also available to purchase on my website for the out-of-staters.

Thus begins the book signing tour, which kicks off this weekend in Brookhaven! I would enjoy visiting with you and taking pictures with you at any of these locations:

November 19, Book Signing, Expectations from 10am-Noon, Brookhaven
November 22, Book Signing, Josephine's from 10am-Noon, Kosciusko
November 26, Book Signing, Lifeway Christian Store from 10am-Noon, Jackson
November 26, Book Signing, Lemuria Books at Banner Hall from 12:30pm-1:30pm, Jackson

December 1, Book Signing, Edgewood Interiors from 11:30am-1pm, McComb
December 1, Guest Speaker & Book Signing, First Baptist Church Ladies Dinner, Ridgeland
December 2, Book Signing, Mendenhall G & G from 11:30am-1pm, Mendenhall
December 3, Book Signing, Jingle Bell Market from 11am-12:30pm, Pearl
December 3, Book Signing, The Briar Patch, 2pm-3:30pm, Carthage
December 6, Book Signing, Crown To Heels, 11:30am-1pm, Vicksburg
December 8, Book Signing, Raleigh Public Library, 11:30am-1pm, Raliegh
December 10, Book Signing, Essco's, 11am-1pm, Yazoo City

Sometimes You Have To Keep Your Mouth Shut

2011-11-14T07:49:00.003-06:00

When the Holy Spirit gives you a word in due season, be careful who you share that with.

Joseph learned the hard way. God gave him two prophetic dreams which excited him. I'm sure he was tired of being mistreated and talked about by his older brothers. So when he had a dream he would be someone important one day and told his brothers, the Bible says in Genesis 37:5, "they hated him all the more". When Joseph told his father Israel (or Jacob) the revelation God shared with him through his dream, his father "kept the matter in mind" (verse 11). Due to Joseph's mouth, he went through years of captivity and slavery. God brought him out of that once he changed his mouth, and you know the rest of the story.

I learned years ago when I'm given prophetic dreams or a word from God concerning myself, there are only certain people I can share that with. Those whom I thought I could share it with are the exact ones who have used it against me. At times, I've told no one and kept it to myself until the appointed time when God manifested it, or brought it to be.

The devil likes to use people who "don't get it" to spoil the word you've been given either through doubt, ridicule or through their ostracizing you. There are some people in your life who will never be happy for you and share the joy of God working in your life. Pray for discernment if God has revealed something specifically to you as to who, if any, you should share that with. Don't allow the devil to steal your joy like he did for Joseph.

(Barbie is the guest speaker tonight at Broadmoor Baptist & will be the guest speaker at First United Methodist in Clinton Tuesday. Her new book is set to arrive later this week which she'll be sharing details on an upcoming blog.)

The Purpose of an Angel

2011-11-11T07:56:00.002-06:00

I was honored to be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the Salvation Army's "Evening with the Angels" event last night as they recognized 4 people in the state who have acted as God's hands for others in giving their time, talents and love to other people in need. Completely unexpected, they gave me their "surprise angel" award and my husband offered the most kind tribute to me in his speech. So, I began to think more about the job of angels.

Anytime you see an angel mentioned in the Bible, they are sent with a Word from God. The word "angel" comes from the word anggelos. Angels are essentially ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14). When people in the Bible saw an angel, their typical response was to fall on their face in fear out of reverence and awe. The names of the 2 most notable angels are Michael and Gabriel.

The rest of the unnamed angels in Scripture carry out a variety of tasks for God: worship, praise, revealing, guiding, providing, protecting, delivering, strengthening, encouraging, answering prayer and caring for believers at the moment of death.

In no way am I comparing Christians to angels. However, you never know when God will deputize you to bring an encouraging word, a helping hand, or even use your financial resources no matter the amount to minister to someone else at their appointed time of need.

Always be prepared act as God's messenger when you hear the call.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Goodwater Baptist in Magee Saturday; Broadmoor Baptist in Madison on Monday & the First United Methodist Church in Clinton Tuesday.)

Try Not To Lose Your Focus

2011-11-07T08:32:00.005-06:00

Yesterday afternoon, my husband and I spent the day shooting skeet and targets.

Focusing is key, even with my bad eye sight. If I keep my hand steady and line the sight just so, all the while knowing what I'm shooting at, I'm a pretty accurate shooter.

But after shooting skeet with the shotgun, my shoulder took a beating. My accuracy wasn't the best.

It's still a good "pattern", but I could definitely tell the difference in what being tired and not focused will do for your trigger finger.

Romans 8:5 says, "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."

In other words, when you try so hard at fixing the issues in your life and you don't rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you lose your focus. You begin operating in the flesh instead of operating in the Spirit. The devil knows when you make that conscience choice because you become a threat to him and what he's trying to accomplish.

Don't let your weariness prevent you from focusing on the cross of Christ. Keep your eyes on God's Word and increase in your daily walk with Him and you won't miss the mark!

(Barbie will be the guest speaker tonight at the First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven. She'll also speak at the Salvation Army's Angels event Thursday night & she's the guest speaker at Goodwater Baptist in Magee Saturday morning.)

Gone But Not Forgotten

2011-11-04T08:28:00.004-05:00

It's been such a tragic week in central Mississippi this past week with the deaths of children and young people. I talk more about my brother's experience noted here in this video in my 1st book, Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weather the Storms of Life. Although there isn't much that can be said at a time like this, perhaps this video I did several months ago will bring peace to someone who has lost a loved one and also answer some questions.

http://vimeo.com/17366543

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Trinity Baptist Church in Vicksburg Saturday morning. She'll also be doing an "Aging With Style" event in Natchez at 1pm.)

2011-10-31T07:27:00.001-05:00

Barbie is away hosting the Halloween Blood Drive with editorial cartoonist and radio talk show host Marshall Ramsey. The blood drive started at 6am this morning and will continue until 6pm tonight. She will return to the blog this Friday.

(Barbie is also the guest speaker of the Mississippi Singing Churchmen's banquet in Jackson.)

This & That

2011-10-28T09:02:00.004-05:00

Central Mississippians have a chance this weekend to be the FIRST to screen a new movie that will be released in the Spring 2012. Jackson and a couple of other cities were pre-selected to "test market" the movie called "Octoberbaby". This movie is from the creators of "Facing the Giants", "Fireproof", and "Courageous". "Octoberbaby" is about a naive college student who embarks on a road trip to find her biological mother and discovers hope, love and forgiveness in the process.

The limited release of this movie will occur tonight, Saturday and Sunday at Tinseltown Movie Theatres in Pearl and the Malco Grandview Theatre in Madison. Check those theatres for times. If you're interested in supporting a movie that has a meaning and purpose, check it out and show up:

http://www.octoberbabymovie.net/

Monday is Halloween and a day I always look forward to because of the opportunity we have to make a difference in the lives of many by donating blood. This year's Halloween Blood Drive at Mississippi Blood Services proves to be another fun one as each donor receives Marshall Ramsey's limited edition t-shirt, free pizza provided by the Pizza Shack and is entered to win Malco movie theatre passes and an inflatable movie screen! Here is this year's commercial (oh, what a blast this was to work with Marshall & Dracula!):

Here is a sneak peak at the t-shirt Marshall has created just for the blood donors. As always, Marshall exceeds the expectations of his fans:

Doors open at 6am Monday at Mississippi Blood Services. I look forward to seeing you there!

(Barbie will be signing her first book, "Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life", Saturday from 1pm-2:30pm at Apricot Lane at the Renaissance in Ridgeland. This book has sold out of the retail stores & limited quantities are available for the next few months.)

Trusting God Is Not A Feeling

2011-10-24T08:10:00.002-05:00

I had a blast speaking at a room packed with women at First Baptist Raleigh Saturday. We had lots of laughs and hugs and I got to see some faces I hadn't seen in a while.

I was told about a young girl in the church who had recently made a public profession of faith and been baptized only to be bullied and made fun of my her classmates at school. It brought back old memories for me and just some of taunting I went through as a child and continue to go through as a grown woman. I even have the 'anonymous' posters to this blog who like to call me a religious freak every now and then.

To that young girl and anyone else who is made fun of because of their being a Christ follower, I say to God be the glory! Psalm 112:6-8 says, "A righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have not fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes." Isn't that why Christians are persecuted anyway--those who see them living out their faith are fearful of their own future here and in eternity?

Trusting God is not a feeling; it's a decision, even when the doubt and adversaries come.

(Barbie will be speaking at the Mississippi State University BSU Tuesday night.)

Abiding

2011-10-21T08:54:00.002-05:00

My parents have a small vineyard in their backyard with muscadine grapes. Those vines are always so full with grapes they begin to sag close to picking time. My children love to pick them off the vine and eat the fruit right there on the spot. What's happening on the inside of the vine is what counts.

Jesus said in John 15:9, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." Jesus was suggesting we find real love in His love. If we really abided in His love and time with Him, we would come away feeling so full, so cherished, that we would rush back to Him whenever we could.

You can read all of the devotions and Bible reading for years without actually abiding in the love of Jesus. Reading a book about a person isn't the same thing as knowing the person who wrote the book. Our challenge in abiding is to go from dutiful activities to a living, budding relationship with God.

Just as with the vine, in abiding, what happens on the surface doesn't count; what's happening inside does.

(Barbie will be speaking at First Baptist Raleigh Saturday morning & to the Mississippi State University BSU Tuesday night.)

Do You Have Peace?

2011-10-17T09:21:00.004-05:00

Peace is hard to define, but if you have it, you know it.

Even when the hounds of hell are belittling you, Psalm 91:1-2 spells it out: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.'"

Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." The Bible says God prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23:5). That means even through your darkest days of conflict with others, God blesses you for your enemies to see. (He did it all through scripture for His children; He's not finished yet!)

God's peace transcends the human resources you and I may try to use to bring ourselves peace.

God cannot fill a cup that's already full with everything else going on in your life. So how do you have peace in the presence of every circumstance? You allow God to be your refuge. Psalm 32:7 says, "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

If that doesn't make you want to shout "Amen!", then your shouter is broken!

(Barbie will be speaking at First Baptist Raleigh's ladies luncheon this Saturday. Dates for 2011 are almost gone! If you are interested in getting Barbie booked to speak at your event, go to www.barbiebassett.com and click on "Contact".)

Stop Caring What Others Think of You

2011-10-14T07:58:00.004-05:00

How long as it been since you've been so hungry for God that it consumed you to the point where you couldn't care less what people thought of you?

A lady viewer recently called the tv station and complained, "The blouse Barbie is wearing is too revealing. A Christian woman such as herself should never wear something like that." I think the producer who answered the phone was so shocked and offended by HER complaint, that the producer hung up on her!

It's time to rise up and pursue His presence and chase after God. God is uncomfortable with our self-righteous selves. We aren't as "all together" as we think we are. So what are we to do? John the Baptist suggested one thing: repentance.

Matthew 3:1-3 quotes him saying, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"

Repentance prepares the way and makes the road of our hearts straight. You cannot live in His presence without repentance. Repentance permits the pursuit of His presence. It builds the road for you to get to God or for God to get to you!

So here it is: how long has it been since you said, "I'm going for God"? How long has it been since you laid aside everything that ever occupied you and ran down the road of repentance to pursue God?

(Coming Soon: Barbie's new book, "Carry An Umbrella When There's No Rain in the Forecast: 365 Days of Living by Faith")

Prophetic Words

2011-10-10T07:39:00.002-05:00

The Lord is not against you. Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

I believe in the prophetic word. When I was given a prophetic word, I knew it was for my future and not my present. My mother and others have spoken prophetic words over me at a particular time and I knew it was coming from God. It propels you forward and repels things off like the attacks of the devil, temptations and other things designed to make you stumble (all the more reason for you to prophesy over your children, your home, your marriage and yourself).

A few weeks ago, we totaled my husband's truck in a head on collision with a black bear on our way to Florida. Last week, I had a head on collision with a deer at night. Having had a few days to think about both instances, I remembered some prophetic words spoken over me years and even weeks ago.

The devil may try to get you to second guess what God is doing in your life or the direction in which God is leading you. But this is not a time to be conferring with flesh and blood, but a time to get a Word from Heaven.

I think of the Passover story and how the Angel of Death passed over the homes and families of those who had the blood over their doorpost.

In the same way, God still has a future for you!

2011-10-07T09:08:00.002-05:00

Barbie had a collision last night with a deer. She is okay but is busy tending to personal affairs. She will return to the blog Monday.

High Entertainment Worship

2011-10-03T08:26:00.003-05:00

It seems like our church services today are designed to be more man-pleasing services set to itch a tickling ear and to be full of entertainment. Unfortunately, these kind of meetings have very little of our sacrificial love poured out to God who alone deserves our praise and worship.

I believe God would rather have moments with a few people who really love Him than for everyone to come and be entertained. It's like we're hosting a party for God in which we trade presents with each other while totally ignoring His presence.

Psalm 103:1 says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul." It doesn't say "O Lord, bless MY soul." God is tired of reaching into His pocket to dispense the blessings of His hand. He wants us to enjoy the fellowship with His face.

(Barbie will be speaking at MADCAAP's Hope for Today event Tuesday night & First Baptist Church of Vicksburg Thursday night. This event is SOLD OUT.)

Manifested Presence of God

2011-09-30T08:54:00.004-05:00

I traveled to San Francisco last week to be honored at the Rodan & Fields national convention.

I was fortunate enough to get a window seat on the flight to California. Looking at the cloud formations, there is no way a person cannot be moved in feeling God's presence. To know God's eye was on that cloud as it was building higher and higher into the sky was an overwhelming thought.

Psalm 32:8-9 says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you."
God is everywhere, but He doesn't turn His face and His favor everywhere. That is why He tells us to seek His face. Yes, He is present with you all of the time but how long has it been since your hunger for Him caused you to crawl up in His lap like a child and take the face of God to turn it toward you? God desires intimacy with you and His face should be our highest focus.

The Israelites referred to the manifest presence of God as the skekinah glory of God. When David talked about bringing the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem, he wasn't interested in the gold-covered box with artifacts inside it. He wanted the blue flame that hovered between the wings of the cherubim on top of the ark. That's what he wanted because it signified that God Himself was present. And wherever that glory or manifested presence of God went, there was victory, power and blessing.

I want the restoration of the manifested presence of God in my life. Just as when Moses was exposed to the glory of God, the residue of that glory caused his face to shine so much that when he came back down from the mountain, the people said, "Moses, you must cover your face. We can't bear to look at you."

Whatever or whoever is exposed to the manifested presence of God begins to absorb the very matter of God.

Who or what are you allowing yourself to be exposed to today?

(Barbie will be speaking in Oxford Saturday at Noon for "Girls Day Out" sponsored by Baptist Memorial Hospital. This event is SOLD OUT.)

2011-09-21T23:45:00.002-05:00

Barbie is away on business for a few days, but will return on Friday, Sept 30. You can check out www.barbiebassett.com to see where she will be next!

Are You A Hot House Christian?

2011-09-19T10:58:00.003-05:00

When I was growing up, my aunt had a greenhouse business. We often referred to it as a "hot house" because it was! During the busy planting season, or just to play around some days, I would help transplant tomato, marigold, periwinkle and numerous other vegetable and flowering plants in her hot house.

We would usually start by opening old pint sized milk cartons, fill them with soil, then separate the "baby plants" individually which had been grown in a larger container and place them into the milk cartons to grow bigger on their own. It didn't take me long to realize how easy it is to uproot one of those baby plants. Why? Because their roots weren't sturdy and deep yet.

Joshua 1:8 says, "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it." And just before Joshua was about to go into battle, God told him in verse 5, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life."

If you aren't staying in the Word daily and reading books that increase your faith, your roots can't grow deep. When the winds of change and criticism blow, you are easily uprooted just like those plants in the hot house.

There was a time in my life when the anonymous emails, letters, voice mails and even posts right here on my personal blog bothered me and hurt my feelings. Now that my roots in God's Word and my faith in Him is stronger, those critics don't bother me anymore because I know who they are and more importantly, who they are being manipulated by.

It's time we stop being hot house Christians!

(Barbie's speaking schedule is booking up quickly! Go to www.barbiebassett.com and click on "Contact Info" to contact her publicist if you're interested in Barbie speaking at your church conference, convention or banquet.)

This Kind of Faith

2011-09-16T08:09:00.003-05:00

Faith is trust.

God responds to your faith. He doesn't respond to need. If that were true, God would wipe out sickness and poverty in the blink of an eye. Neither does God respond to our pleading. But God responds to the faith He sees in our heart---to those who are 100% committed to trusting Him in all situations, at all times and for all things.

James 1:6 says, "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

Faith is not about what we can do for God. Faith is about what God desires to do for you, in you, and around you. Faith is believing God will act in His infinite wisdom and power on your behalf.

The devil's fiery darts are no match for this kind of faith.

It's Time To Trust Him

2011-09-12T07:22:00.004-05:00

I've been away for a while and had quite the adventure including hitting a black bear, meeting Christian singer Kari Jobe, spending time on the beaches of Destin and speaking to a sold out crowd of over 300 at Clear Branch Baptist Church in Wesson! It's good to be home.

I was able to have plenty of quiet time while away which was good for my spirit--moments to reflect and press ahead to where I feel God is leading. That doesn't come without some questions and thoughts of worry and anxiety, though.

One of the simple past times we enjoyed on the beach was watching the birds and their daily activities. The cutest were these younger birds which would race close to the water when they receded, but run as fast as their little legs would take them away from the surf when it pushed to shore. They would peck at the sand for their meal and the children had fun watching them operate.
All I could do was think of how anxious I was in knowing what the next step was for me in many different areas. In watching this little bird, I felt the Lord say "Trust me." When I tried to negotiate with the Holy Spirit and convince the Lord that I've always trusted Him and surely there was something else I needed to do? I kept hearing, "Trust me. If I provide for this little bird, I know the plans I have for you."

Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he not speak and then not act?" Whoa! When God speaks to you about a situation in your life or a promise that He's given, be sure He will act upon it.

So, why don't you trust Him!

2011-09-02T23:43:00.002-05:00

Barbie will be away for a while, but will return to the blog in a week. She will be the guest speaker at Clear Branch Baptist Church in Wesson on Sept 10.

The Lesson in the Rubber Snake

2011-08-29T09:41:00.005-05:00

Never let your 5 year leave his toys in your bathtub.

As I was preparing to clean house last week, I gathered my supplies together. I leaned over the tub to commence with my can of scrubbing bubbles when I almost jumped out of my skin!

I took a second look and realized it was Will's rubber coral snake. Silly! We don't have coral snakes in this area, I thought. I picked up the snake, put it in the small basket where he keeps the rest of his bath toys and got back to business.

Has something caught you off guard recently? Perhaps it was bad news at the doctor's office or at your work, your finances are looking bleak, or maybe even the relationship you thought was stable is on shaky ground.

When Joshua succeeded Moses, he had quite the daunting task ahead of him. He looked out and saw all of the nations before him and, no doubt, was overwhelmed with fear. Moses told Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Forsake means to 'leave entirely; to abandon'. If you've read Joshua's story, you know how it ended.

It is so easy to let fear grip you when you encounter something unexpectedly. Before you let that happen, take comfort in knowing God is with you and he will not abandon you. Don't let your fear get in the way of your faith.

And if you look a bit closer, you may see what you thought was worth being afraid of...really isn't after all.

The Power of Joy

2011-08-22T11:55:00.002-05:00

A viewer sent an email recently with a question:

"I know everything in your life can't be going as good as it appears it is. You're always smiling. How do you smile and seem so happy all of the time?"

This viewer is correct. We all have bad days, trials, hurts and various things that weigh heavy on our mind. However, joy is a choice you make.

You have God's promise, but it seems like nothing is changing--nothing is happening. You keep waiting, but you keep your joy level set on high because you are expecting to receive. James 1:2-4 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Joy gives you staying power. It helps you stay in a position of faith while God is working a miracle. If you rejoice and praise God while you are waiting for the answers to your prayers, you can smile through the dark days.

Your joy is a demonstration of your faith in the supremacy of God and His Word. Rejoicing is a demonstration that you believe God's promises and trust His faithfulness to do what He has said He will do. David said in Psalm 119:162, "I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil." How would you act if you discovered a treasure chest of gold? When we get thrilled with the Word of God is when it comes alive and we see supernatural results.

There is serious business being done in heaven when we rejoice in the Lord continually. There are answers to prayer, healing, and provision found in the amazing power of joy!

God Uses Burned Stones

2011-08-19T08:16:00.002-05:00

Nehemiah had watched the walls of Jerusalem crumble in fire at the hands of the Babylonians and felt called to rebuild the wall. With nothing left but rubble, he approached the throne of King Artaxerxes to ask for favors--Nehemiah wanted the King to send letters of recommendations to the area rulers for timber and supplies so the rebuilding could begin. Although the King did, the governors didn't oblige and were angry Nehemiah was helping the Israelites. Nehemiah pressed on with what was left of the wall.

Instead of using new building supplies, God wanted Nehemiah to use the burned rubble to rebuild the wall. After 52 days, the wall was completed. Nehemiah 6:16 says, "When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God."

If God has called you to do something, He will give you the faith in His promise to see it through. But He may want you to start with the rubble of what's left. He may want you to rebuild with the burned stones in your life. However, He will make your faith stronger than it was before where you can say, this work has been done with the help of my God!

Running Toward Or Running Away

2011-08-15T12:40:00.003-05:00

I remember growing up in our home how we would have to watch the number of long distance calls we made. A few minutes here and there would really add up! Now with various calling plans, we can now call people who were once considered long distance with no extra charge.

God is tired of having long distance relationships with His people. He was tired of it in Moses' day and He is tired of it today. He wants intimate, close encounters with us so that when people walk through the doors of our home, they feel His presence and begin to weep with wonder and worship Him the moment they enter.

Exodus 20:18 says, "And all the people saw the thundering, and the lightning, and the noise of the trumpet and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed and stood afar off." It's obvious what the people did, isn't it? Verse 21 says, "And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was." One ran in and the other ran away!

God was wanting the once close relationship He had with them before when they used to walk in the cool of the desert, when they used to sit and share His heart with them. God wanted more than just a long distance relationship with them but they said in verse 19, "let not God speak with us, lest we die." By running away, they were stating they weren't ready to live up to what God wanted for them.

It is a sad reality that many Christians don't have a real sense of the everlasting presence of God because they refuse to clean up the clutter in their lives. While God is calling them up to the mountain, they run in the opposite direction.

(Barbie's speaking is filling up fast for the last quarter & inquiries are being taken now for 2012. If your church or organization is interested in booking Barbie, please go to www.barbiebassett.com ).

Pruning Time!

2011-08-12T10:10:00.003-05:00

I have a few rose bushes I love watching bloom. My carpet roses take off this time of the year, but my most mature rose bushes are having a hard time this season. They are growing like crazy with tall stems and beautiful leaves but they aren't producing any roses. Although I don't like to prune in the hot summer months, it looks like I may have to do it to get them revived again.

We can have the outward appearance of being a mature Christian as we "look" the part. But maybe we haven't been tested to the point of it being evidently clear that we are or we haven't grown in our faith. We seem to know all of the answers but it's time for some growing to take place. James 1:3-4 says, "the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.." By the time the disciples wrote their epistles, they had learned to see every trial as a chance to perfect their trust in the Lord and multiply their effectiveness for Him.

God's pruning will intensify as His "shears" cut closer to the core of who you are. But God isn't trying to take anything away; He's trying to make room to add strength, productivity and spiriual power in your life. His goal is to bring you closer to the "mature and complete" image of Christ.

Pruning isn't fun and it often times removes things I thought were important, but I grow stronger every time I'm pruned and unessential parts are removed.

I don't know about you, but I welcome His pruning shears!

It's Time to Deal With the Culprit

2011-08-08T08:45:00.002-05:00

Have you ever been hurt by someone? Maybe it was something they said or did. I get it every day. I even have those who write vicious comments right here on my own personal blog. Exodus 22:9 says, "The one who the judges declare guilty must pay back double to his neighbor." Who is the judge in our life? Jehovah God. To keep from being hauled into see the judge, Satan tries to make you think it was Sally that made an offense to you, not Satan, or Larry instead of Lucifer. We don't nail the devil; we nail everyone else. You can find it all through the Bible.

Luke 13:10-17 tells the story of the crippled woman who had been crippled "by a spirit for eighteen years". Jesus healed her and the synagogue ruler was furious because Jesus healed her on the Sabbath. Jesus reminded them that they would untie their own livestock to lead them to water. "Then should not this woman, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?" (verse 16). Jesus napped the culprit.

Jesus said it again in Mark 8:33 when Peter said Jesus didn't have to die on a cruel cross. Jesus told Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Jesus called Satan out.

When Job began to lose everything, everyone else got blamed for it except the one who caused it. Job 1:13-19 puts the blame on the Sabeans, fire of God, Chaldeans, and a strong wind for taking away everything Job had. Not one person mentioned the REAL culprit--the one behind it all--Satan.

We stay puffed up and mad at people whom the devil used and not mad at the devil. Worse yet, don't lend yourself to the devil to use you in anyway to hurt or offend someone else. Satan will use your mouth, your money, your energy and your mind. He'll use it to condemn you. Release those who have hurt you! Deal with the devil. It's easier to have reconciliation and restitution when you realize the one that hurt you didn't do it anyway.

Has The Devil Taken Something From You?

2011-08-05T09:11:00.003-05:00

I've been away for a few weeks spending time with my family at the Neshoba County Fair and my mother's re-election campaign. What a whirlwind it's been!

If you're like me, you feel a greater intensity when it comes to spiritual warfare. Where there is warfare, there is a fight to the finish. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Jesus knew the thief personally as Lucifer in heaven. The thief isn't always violent. He is slick. The things he gets, he gets by fraud and by deception. The thief is empowered by you. Therefore, he has no power unless he gets it from you. But God said the thief must give it back in Exodus 22:1-9. If your joy has been stolen, your good name, your self-confidence or anything else has been taken from you, God is a judicious God and He will give it back to you.

Most people want to negate the Old Testament. They don't like what they read and they don't think it's relevant. There is so much to reveal about who God is in the Old Testament. God said in Malachi 3:6, "I the LORD do not change." Therefore, God takes theft seriously.

I Peter 5:8 says, "...Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Notice the word "as". The cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz acted like he was a roaring lion, but he wasn't. Stop believing in a big, bad devil and start believing in a bigger God!

If you notice, the devil starts out as a serpent in Genesis and ends up as a dragon in Revelation. How does he do that? By humans empowering him. The more attention and emphasis we give Satan, the bigger he grows. It's time to put an emphasis on the Lord who has already defeated him. Christ de-fanged the devil, so act like it!

2011-08-01T07:57:00.001-05:00

Barbie is still away at this time. She will return this Friday. Feel free to browse the blog & read the viewer comments!

The Pharisee or the Sinner: Which Are You?

2011-07-21T23:56:00.004-05:00

Gracie has a small gift box in which she keeps sheets of small paper with her writings on them. She has termed it as her "Jesus box". Will took it from her room yesterday and she had a fit. "Will has my Jesus box! It has all of the things I've given to Jesus!" she said. After scolding Will to give Gracie's box back to her, I found him sulking on his bed with tears streaming down his face. "I want to give Jesus a present, too, but I don't have anything. And Gracie's not gonna let me use her box!" Will said. Needless to say, it was a grand opportunity for me to explain to my five year old son how giving his heart to Jesus is the best gift he could give.

In Matthew 26:6 we read the story of a lady who entered the house owned by a Pharisee named Simon. She had an alabaster box made of marble with perfumed oil in her hand. Wordless and with many tears, she cleaned the feet of Jesus with the oil and wipe his feet with her hair. "Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor," the Pharisee said (verse 8). The disciples were just as shocked. But Jesus said ever since the lady walked into the house, she had been ministering to him while Simon had done absolutely nothing. Simon was too busy pointing out the lady's faults.

There are 3 noted in this passage: the Pharisee (Simon), the sinner (the lady) and the Savior. The Pharisee is happy with their religion; they are comfortable and don't see the need to change. After all, they take great pride in looking like they have it all together and pointing out the negativity in others. The sinner is tired, broken and ready for change and realizes their need for the Savior.

Of the two, which one are you? Are you content in your relationship with Christ and have just enough of the Savior to get by or are you ready to give up everything you have to get more of Jesus?

That's What Friends Are For

2011-07-18T09:51:00.004-05:00

I want to say a sincere 'thank you' to all of you who posted comments on this blog, posted on my Facebook page and sent emails regarding last Friday's blog. I won't share some of the negative comments sent to me in regards to last Friday's blog, but know that Satan is hard at work. However, I appreciate each and every one of you basically letting me know "you are not alone"!

I traveled to my parents over the weekend for a short visit. It is always good to get away and I look forward to disappearing for a while in the coming days.

While visting my home church, we sang a song I've sung for years growing up in Crowder Baptist. This time, the words made more sense to me than they ever have before:

Jesus is all the world to me;
My life, my joy, my all
He is my strength from day to day
Without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go.
No other one could cheer me so.
When I am sad, He makes me glad.
He's my friend.

Jesus is all the world to me,
My Friend in trials sore.
I go to Him for blessings and
He gives them o'er and o'er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain,
He sends the harvest golden grain.
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain,
He's my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me,
I want no better Friend.
I trust Him now, I'll trust Him when
Life's fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend,
Beautiful life that has no end.
Eternal life, eternal joy
He's my Friend.

(Barbie will be hosting a summer blood drive at Mississippi Blood Services this Thursday, July 21 called M*A*S*H in honor of our troops. Lunch will be provided free of charge from 11am-1pm by Applebees. Please come out and donate blood in honor of our military!)

The Hurt

2011-07-15T08:35:00.003-05:00

I have cried so much, I don't think I have any tears left.

Every day this week, I have received anonymous voicemails, letters, emails and Facebook messages from viewers commenting on my clothes, my hair, my weight and even my jewelry. Just when you think viewers have "moved on", they feel the need to share their critiques. I shared with my husband how I'm getting to the point of not wanting to go out in public for fear of what someone is going to say to me, not to mention having to pray myself into work every day. For just one day, I'd like for what I look like to NOT matter.

Several have told me how I need to develop thicker skin, ignore them, or delete them. That is so much easier said that done. Even the big name celebrities have assistants who read all of their fan mail and throw about 99.9% of it, so the celebrity doesn't have to read what is written to them. I don't have that luxury. In fact, we are encouraged to respond to every communication we are sent.

Why do we feel the need to give an opinion about something as mindless as superficial things? Jesus said in Matthew 12:36, "I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgement for every empty word they have spoken." This convicts me knowing the things I've said or emailed about others in the past and Jesus makes it clear how God feels about it.

Satan can't demand any changes from you. When you are being criticized, he's just a gnat in your ear trying to get you off course and distract you. The only one who can demand any changes in your life is Jesus Christ because he paid the ultimate price for you.

God's Leading Hand

2011-07-11T10:28:00.003-05:00

William and I had only been dating for 2 months when he asked if I would like to come spend a few days with his family at the Neshoba County Fair. I had always heard of the Fair, but thought it must've been some sort of raunchy gathering. I was nervous just in thinking of all of the infamous stories I'd heard about the Fair over the years. I just knew there wouldn't be anyone there I knew. But because I was in love and willing to do whatever I could to spend time with William and officially meet his parents, I agreed to go. There was one condition---I wanted reassurance he wouldn't leave me in a place I didn't know much about or with people I didn't know.

When Israel faced a serious threat from their enemies, Moses asked the Lord in Exodus 33:15, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here." Moses knew the value of having God lead him and the Israelites forward. In fact, Moses wanted to stay put if there was an outside chance that God was not going to go with them.

Obedience to God's will for our life teaches us to want the same thing as God wants. We want to be in God's will and not off on some winding trail that leads to serious trouble and disappointment.

If you aren't sure about the direction you're about to take, pray as Moses, "If Your presence does not go with me, then do not lead me up from here. Block my path and guide me so I will be in the center of Your will."

Fall Into Grace

2011-07-08T00:24:00.003-05:00

I've always liked the word "grace". It has a pretty sound to it, if there is such a thing. Growing up in the church and singing "Amazing Grace" for many years, we named our first child in honor of it.

We've witness famous preachers and celebrities make detrimental choices in their personal lives and have often said they fell from grace. I've made my share of unwise decisions over the years and had to deal with some of the same questions. However, I believe if you're a Christian, you don't fall OUT of grace but you fall INTO grace.

The book of Galatians is all about grace. Paul wrote to the Christians in Galatia, which is modern day Turkey, and tried to get them deprogrammed from the spirit of religion they had been caught up in. False teachings had convinced the early Christians they had to keep the ritual laws of the Jesus. Not to mention, many of them were having a field day throwing personal attacks toward Paul, but Paul chose to exhibit grace.

Galatians 1 & 2 tells of the history of the gospel and the opposition of the gospel. The true gospel is always opposed and will always be offensive. That's one way you can tell if it's the true gospel. The gospel will always slap a non-believer in the face and the Christian in the behind!

Galatians 3 & 4 tells of the doctrine of the new covenant through Jesus Christ. Paul even tells them in Galatians 3:1, "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified!"

Galatians 5 & 6 tells how we can apply what Paul has shared in the previous chapters. Paul was encouraging them to get ahold of the freedom Jesus brings and to walk in that freedom.

Proverbs 24:16 says, "...though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity." The world doesn't understand grace. Why? Because they don't have it. You can't give away something that you don't have as a non-believer.

When I fell out of grace, I found out I've got help. There was no need to stay on the ground wounded and depressed. The crutches God uses to get you walking again is grace.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker and singer at the Woodville Methodist Church's women's conference Saturday.)

Shake Off The Dust

2011-07-01T08:01:00.003-05:00

Our oldest, Gracie, turns 8 years old today. Someone asked me yesterday if I ever spank Gracie? Very rarely....she's a very obedient child, has a tender heart and seems to think through the consequences before she acts. This person was shocked that "I" spank and told me how horrible corporal punishment is and the damage I've done.

Not everyone will agree with your beliefs, convictions or calling. Nevertheless, you must move on just as Paul and Barnabas did.

Persecution followed these men everywhere they went. There was nothing they could've done to make their opponents believe their message of hope in Jesus Christ. But that didn't stop them from pressing on. Acts 13:51 says, "So they shook the dust from their feet in protest again them and went to Iconium." That means they didn't let their enemies stop them from preaching, but they made the choice to move on and not linger in a place filled with hatred. Did they leave bitterly or with disdain in their hearts? The answer is no. Acts 13:52 says they were "...filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." They didn't let their opponents break their spirit. They saw moving forward as an opportunity to experience new blessings, not failure.

Maybe there is a situation you need to leave behind you or perhaps it is an unfruitful relationship. Don't look back with hurt feelings and unforgiveness. See this as your chance to enter into a fresh season with a new opportunity ahead. But you won't know until you shake the dust off!

The Best Discovery To Make

2011-06-27T09:37:00.003-05:00

As I was driving back from last week's photo shoot and thinking about the release of my second book, my mind began to wander. Has my first book made that much of an impact on people's lives? Why do I think my second book will? Have I spent all of this time working on the writing structure and pouring my heart into sharing spiritual insights for it all to be wasted? After mulling over this uncertainty for several hours, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Moses' burning bush experience.

Moses was tending sheep when he went to Horeb, the mountain of God (also called Mount Sinai, where he would be given the Ten Commandments much later). Moses' first step gives insight that he was looking for answers in going to the mountain of God. Moses saw the burning bush and looked deeper.

God spoke to Moses through the burning bush and told Moses he had been chosen to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery. But Moses began to doubt. In Exodus 3:11 Moses asked, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" God responded in verse 12, "I will be with you." God's answer wasn't good enough for Moses so he pressed in further. It's almost like you can hear Moses saying, "That's all nice and kind of you, God, but I need to know how I'm supposed to explain this to your stubborn children. You've gotta give me something else to get their attention." God cleared it up for him in verse 13, "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM'.."

You can be fired from your position. Your performance can fail. Your popularity can fall. Your possessions can fade. When this happens, you better know who you are in Christ. Just like Moses did, the best question we can ask is "who am I?" But the best discovery we can make is who God is.

God wanted wanted to change the world through Moses--and He did-- but God had to change Moses first. God has not changed in His pursuit of a personal, intimate, transparent relationship with His children.

God is ready to change the world around you through you, but He has to change you first. Discover who He is today.

Finally Friday!

2011-06-24T08:10:00.006-05:00

This week I had a few fun days shooting the cover picture of my next book set to release in October. Photographer Clay Spann in Dothan, Alabama shot my first cover and I wanted him to do the next one as well. What girl doesn't enjoy someone else doing her hair and makeup? Here are some behind-the-scenes snap shots:

This morning from 10:15am-11am (Central Time), I'll be interviewed by Marvin Sanders & Tim Wildmon on "Today's Issues" on American Family Radio. If you want to know which station is your local AFR radio station, click here for a list of their national affiliates. Just click "station list".

The Lord has taught me quite a bit this week about positioning in Christ. I hope to share that with you Monday!

2011-06-20T10:53:00.001-05:00

Barbie is away shooting the cover for her next book. She will return this Friday. Enjoy your week and keep the Son shining in your life!

Those Comments

2011-06-17T08:37:00.003-05:00

Have you ever gotten one of THOSE emails--the kind that hurts your feelings and makes your smile drop? With the advent of social media, we are all more accessible through email, Facebook and Twitter. Someone is always offering "constructive" criticism (is there really such a thing?) or making a comment about you that cuts to the core. Immediately, you feel the need to defend yourself.

Some of the criticism lately involves my hair, my clothes, wearing a cross necklace and not to mention, a peanut butter stain on my pants given by one of my kids' good-bye kiss--thanks to the viewer who HAD to point it out to me, just in case I didn't know.

The next time someone offers you some friendly advice on how YOU need to change, here are several things to keep in mind:

1) Not every critic needs a reply, especially when they are sent anonymously. Don't let their comment derail you from the position God has placed you in and concentrate on that. Satan likes to throw stones and hide. Even more so, he enjoys using Christians to do his dirty work. 1 Peter 2:15 says, "For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men."

2) Respond in the spirit and not in the flesh. It is so much easier to hurl an insult back, isn't it? When people say hurtful things to you or about you, they are dealing with something much bigger in their own life. Hurting people hurt other people, so don't take it personally. 1 Peter 2:23 says, "When they hurled their insults at Jesus, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." God sees. God knows who is honoring Him, so leave room for His wrath.

3) Show mercy to the offender. How many times have I said something that didn't come out quite the way I wanted? Then again, maybe it did and I've found myself needing forgiveness. If it hasn't happened in your own life yet, one day you will need mercy from someone who you have hurt deeply. The only way to receive it when you need it is to practice showing mercy to those who have hurt us. Psalm 103:17 says, "But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him and his righteousness unto children's children."

Is Your Soul Prospering?

2011-06-13T08:44:00.002-05:00

Everyone wants to be blessed but fewer want to be obedient.

God told Abram (later to be called Abraham) in Genesis 12:2 "I will make your name great and you will be a blessing." God not only wants to bless you but He wants you to be a blessing to others around you! And many times, God will bless you just to see what you'll do with it.

I dearly love each one of my children. I will do everything I can for their good. But some of my blessings are based upon their obedience. Some of the blessings they want may not be what I deem to be good for them, so sometimes I have to protect them from what they may want. Why? Because I know how they'll use it if I were to give it to them.

The devil has blinded the world so much when it comes to the Lord's blessings. The world seems more concerned with what they'll have to give up instead of what they'll gain.

Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it." When God blesses your soul, you have peace in the middle of crisis.

God is a covenant God. He has not changed since the day He made a promise to Abram. Allow Him to prosper your soul today!

Coincidence or Intentional?

2011-06-10T08:50:00.002-05:00

Earlier this year, I commited to giving offerings during the 3 Jewish festivals: Passover, Shavuot & Sukkot.

This week, Shavuot was celebrated in Israel. And, you've probably noticed increased violence in the Middle East over the last few days, too.

When you deal with the church, you're dealing with God's grace. But when you deal with Israel, retribution is swift because it is the apple of God's eye. Despite what we may think about Israel and their actions, they cannot be intellectually understood but are to be discerned. And should our leaders and President mishandle Israel, America will pay the price. Don't take my word for it--read the Bible for yourself.

God is not a happen-stance God, nor a God of coincidence. He is, however, intentional

An article written in World Net Daily was passed on to me last week. You can see it here by clicking on this link. Although the natural disasters may not be related, the author certainly makes an interesting argument. I've also pasted it below.

Bible prophecy may have a bad name in the light of Harold Camping's misguided date-setting, but the biggest sign of the end may have been overlooked in all the rapture hysteria of last weekend.

Once again, we've seen the U.S. hit with a series of deadly superstorms following Barack Obama's pledge to return Israel to pre-1967 borders.

Just days after Obama insisted Israel must give up lands it won through military victory with its enemies, some 200 people were killed by a tornado in Joplin, Mo.

There's a pattern here.

We saw it in Katrina, when George Bush forced Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. In fact, as everyone from Israeli rabbis to U.S. senators have noted, it seems to happen every single time the U.S. pressures Israel to divide the land.

The phenomenon was best documented by Bill Koenig, author of "Eye to Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel."

Koenig points out that nine of the 10 costliest insurance events in U.S. history followed dramatic calls by U.S. officials for Israel to make land concessions in bids for peace with its neighbors. He points out with startling detail how six of the seven costliest hurricanes in U.S. history followed such events. He points out how three of the four largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history followed such developments.

Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, even terrorist attacks have hit America often within 24 hours of calls by U.S. officials for Israel to withdraw from Jewish land.

What does this have to do with prophecy?

It goes right back to Genesis and God's pledge to bless those who bless the children of Israel and curse those who curse them.

That is a prophecy that has seen every empire of the world come and go – yet Israel remains. It may be chastened by God. It may be dispersed. It may be divided according to His will. But God has punished every nation that has come against Israel. Each one has been judged.

You can choose to believe it or not. It won't make any difference.

But he that touches the apple of God's eye will pay a price: "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye." – Zechariah 2:8

If you want to understand prophecy, don't listen to Harold Camping – keep your eye on Israel and study your Bible.

In God's economy, there is Israel and then there are the other nations.

It was through Israel He chose to reveal Himself to the world – eventually through the birth, life, death and resurrection of His own Son.

And His Son is coming back to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It's no surprise where He will return and where He will reign – in Jerusalem.

Trying to understand God and His Son Yeshua apart from Israel is a tall order – because that's how He revealed Himself to us.

His ways are not our ways, and our ways are not His ways.

We can only understand Him through His revelation.

I don't know exactly what date He will be coming back.

I'm not sure exactly when He is going to call out His children.

But I do know it's near.

I know it's near because Israel has been rebirthed as a nation – a prerequisite that simply wasn't in place until 63 years ago.

The Bible predicts all kind of turbulence and chaos surrounding Israel in the latter days. It will nearly be destroyed. But Israel's long-awaited Messiah will save it. He will destroy Israel's enemies. He will reign for 1,000 years.

As Zechariah 12:8-10 reveals: "In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

And one shall ask Him, "What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends" (Zechariah 13:6).

Don't Be a Giant Offender, But A Giant Killer

2011-06-06T09:36:00.002-05:00

I wrote last Friday how I'm tired of wimpy prayers. I'm wanting the spirit of might to rest upon me.

You and I are not called to be a giant offender but a giant killer.

When David set out to face Goliath, he didn't care whether or not he offended the giant--he was there to take care of him once and for all. David said in 1 Samuel 17:45-47, "You come at me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

The iron shaft on the end of Goliath's spear weighed 15 pounds alone. Anyone willing to kill a giant who has that is no wimp, friend! But David had the spirit of might on him.

God gives us circumstances, or giants, to practice on every day. If David would've been scared off by the lion and the bear when he was younger, he wouldn't have been able to face a giant later in life.

So, how do you stand in the face of adversity? You ask God to give you the spirit of might.

Authority in Prayer

2011-06-03T08:42:00.004-05:00

I'm tired of wimpy, namby-pamby prayers.

Mark 1:22 says, "The people were amazed at his (Jesus') teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority.." Some people mistake authority for loudness or being boisterous. When you speak with authority, you have power; what you say backs up who you are. You truly KNOW what you know!

When Joshua prayed, his prayers had authority only because Joshua had an intimate relationship with God and the Holy Spirit knew it! Joshua 10 tells the story of when the sun stood still. Word had gotten around to the Amorite kings how successful Joshua had been at Jericho. When the kings of the Amorite cities heard Joshua had made friends with the people of Gibeon, they became worried because they knew how big Gibeon's army was. So the king of Jerusalem, Adoni-Zedek, convinced the other kings to join him and attack the city of Gibeon.

Joshua received word from the people in Gibeon that they were being attacked and needed help and Joshua headed west with his army to assist. God told Joshua not to worry, that He would defeat the Amorites for him. God rained large hail stones on the Amorites and many of them died without even being touched by a sword. But Joshua needed a bit more time to defeat the last remaining fighters. Allow me to let my imagination take over for a second....

God, we've almost got the devil whooped, but it's getting late in the day and we need to get this over and done with before it gets dark. Can you give me a little more time and do something for me?

Joshua prayed in verse 12, "O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon." And God stopped the universe just for Josh to give him more daylight! Verse 14 says, "There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!"

Joshua already had the spirit of wisdom. You can read about his early beginnings as a spy for Moses and the children of Israel and see wisdom written all over him. But Joshua also had the spirit of might. How did he get these? By spending time with God, being led by the Holy Spirit and asking for it!

So, I'm no longer praying "sissy-fied" prayers. I'm praying with authority for wisdom and might!

A Monday to Remember

2011-05-30T09:33:00.002-05:00

Thank you to the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country so that I may have the freedom to express my most intimate, spiritual lessons on my blog. And thank you to the countless mothers, fathers, spouses and children who have loaned their loved one to serve our country, not knowing whether they would return. I honor you all today and every day!

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at the Flowood Chamber's Ladies Breakfast this Wednesday.

Barbie has been encouraged to expand her business to other parts of the state and beyond its borders. If you know of anyone who may be interested, email barbie.bassett@comcast.net for more information.)

A Mother's Concern

2011-05-27T09:01:00.002-05:00

The tragedies from the last few weeks' weather events are taking a toll not just on the victims but on the younger viewers. Yesterday I received this email from a parent:

"In 2008, a tornado came through our area. My daughter's grandmother had taken her to Northpark Mall. While they were there, a man came over the loud speaker and told everyone to take cover. The lights went out, people were screaming and she was very upset and scared. Since that time, we have done everything we can to tell her God is in control. When she sees disasters like Smithville (MS) and Joplin (MO), it is hard for her to understand why God does the things that He does. And honestly, as an adult, I sometimes wonder myself. Don't we all? It broke my heart the other night when we were enduring another round of severe weather when she turned to me and asked, "Momma, I'm losing my faith in God." Barbie, I cried. How do you explain this to a child? She watches you constantly and you seem to calm her down more than another other meteorologist on television. Please pray for her to overcome this debilitating fear of the weather. It is so bad, her teachers are concerned she may never get over it."

This viewer's daughter is not alone. Even our own 7 year old Gracie has gotten quite emotional over the last few weeks seeing the devastation on the news. So much so, I've become more alert to turning the television off!

I don't fully understand why God allows this to occur to seemingly innocent people. However, I think about how merciful He has been in many other cases. For instance, even though this spring has been full of severe weather, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has only had 1 reported tornado this year, which is unusual. I also think about how much more destruction we would be dealing with if God would to take His hand of mercy off us.

When Gracie gets upset, we stop what we're doing and we all say a prayer so she hears us ask the Lord to grant peace to the hurting and show us how we can help. Instead of asking why God allows bad things to happen, perhaps He is putting the rest of us in a position to minister to those who have been affected? Many questions we won't get the answers to this side of heaven.

Psalm 125:2 says, "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever more."

Even through the destruction and fear, God is still in control.

More To Come

2011-05-23T09:25:00.002-05:00

My heart breaks for the people in Joplin, Missouri. My husband and I listened to the scanner traffic with the help of the internet last night. Some things I could decifer on my own in figuring out what the police, fire and EMTs were saying. At other times, I'd have to ask him what they were referring to. Each time, I just shook my head and walked away.

According to the NWS, the Joplin tornado was the deadliest single tornado with 89 deaths (so far) in the U.S. since June 10, 1953 when 94 people died in Worchester, Massachusetts. In the years 2000-2010, there were 605 tornado fatalities in the U.S. So far in this year, there have been 450+ fatalities.

I spoke at Leaf River Baptist Church in Pineville yesterday and talked about the intensity in which events will happen--not just with the government, bombings and financially, but with the weather. Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and tornadoes have always been, but the frequency and strength are about to increase; some in places that have never experienced such disasters. Some people call me crazy for even mentioning that, but I've been asking the Lord for the spirit of revelation for quite some time. I'm quickly learning God will give you what you ask for!

So what do we do? We pray. We pray for those who have been affected in asking God to heal their hurts and hearts. We pray for Him to use us in some way in the tragedies. And, we pray for a hunger in reaching the lost like we've never before.

Jesus said in John 16:22, "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

Meantime, northwest Mississippi will run the risk of seeing severe weather Wednesday night and Thursday from the same system causing severe weather across the midwest. Please stay tuned to the weather updates and I'll be keeping you informed on WLBT, on Facebook and Twitter @BarbieBassett .

The Spirit of Wisdom & Might-Part 2

2011-05-20T08:42:00.004-05:00

As I mentioned in my Monday blog, I believe we are entering a season in which we will be dumbfounded at the events going on around us. People will begin to fail you, counsel once considered solid won't be because it will be mixed with earthly wisdom and not the wisdom of God. Earthly wisdom won't work anymore because it isn't wisdom sent from the Holy Spirit. The days are coming in which you will need to know what to do, even in the smallest areas of your life.

Luke 24:13 tells the story of two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus. As they were discussing the events of Jesus' resurrection, he came up and started walking with them. He ate with the disciples and verse 31 says "then there eyes were opened and they recognized him.." What was secret before, they learned just by walking with Jesus.

I want to know what God is doing and where God is going. John 14:26 says the Holy Spirit "will teach you all things.." There are days when the Holy Spirit may tell me something I need to know for tomorrow!

I don't know about you, but I need a fresh word from God every single day. Wisdom will make you more invigorated as you grasp it and it brings you joy as it is confirmed you are a child of God. When you receive wisdom, it means you are in tune with God and we need wisdom for the day. It's almost like God is sharing undisclosed information with you when you get wisdom. You will need it today; even more tomorrow and even more than that the day after.

Are you asking for God the spirit of wisdom and might today?

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Leaf River Baptist Church in Pineville this Sunday.)

The Spirit of Wisdom & Might

2011-05-16T08:37:00.003-05:00

I believe we are entering into the last days if we had not crossed the threshold already. We've all see the world events happening more rapidly over the last year, but I believe the natural disasters and such will begin to happen with more frequency and with a greater intensity like we've never seen before.

Last week, I completed a 4 day fast. I felt convicted to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (if you've seen the national news in the last 24 hours, you know why) and I felt the urgency to pray for the spirit of wisdom and might--both of which I'm learning more about.

When Jesus spoke the parables and preached in his hometown synagogues, the people were amazed in Matthew 13:54 asking, "Where did this man get this wisdom..?" Wisdom comes from God.

Might is supernatural power that only God can give. Daniel praised God in Daniel 2:20 saying, "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his."

Isaiah 40:28-31 says, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Wisdom is knowing what God wants to you do next; might is the God-given power to do it! I believe these are two of the greatest gifts you and I can ask for right now.

I'll be sharing more of what the Lord is teaching me regarding these two in the coming days.

(Barbie is doing a business launch with Rodan & Fields this Saturday, May 21 in Ridgeland. If you are looking for a career change or to supplement your income, send her an email for an invitation, barbie@wlbt.net)

What Happened to the Rain?

2011-05-13T15:11:00.007-05:00

We had a 70% chance for thunderstorms today, some which were expected to be strong. As you've been watching the cold front moving in from the west, no doubt you've heard about the heavy rain and severe weather that has plagued the Midwest over the last 2 days. With the Mississippi River bulging due to flooding, we were all heavy with concern for today's coming rain. We knew more rain would exacerbate the swollen creeks, rivers and the Mississippi delta all the way down to Natchez.

As the rain moved closer towards the Mississippi River, the humidity dropped, the atmosphere stabilized and a few sprinkles fell; not the heavy rain that was expected. Now you can blame me and say "your forecast was wrong" or you can see it for what it was--God's protective hand of mercy!

(Barbie will be speaking at Shady Grove Church of God's Ladies Night Out in Magee on Saturday.)

Satan's Beatitudes

2011-05-09T08:37:00.002-05:00

I ran across this the other day and thought I'd share it with my blog readers.

We all know Satan cannot create anything of his own, but he tries to copy God's works. The following is a list of Satan's beatitudes:

1) Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend a few hours a week with their fellow Christians--they are my best workers.
2) Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked--I can use them.
3) Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church--they are my missionaries.
4) Blessed are the trouble makers--they shall be called my children.
5) Blessed are the complainers--I'm all ears to them.
6) Blessed are those who are bored with the minister's mannerisms and mistakes--for they get nothing out of his sermons.
7) Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church--for he is part of the problem instead of the solution.
8) Blessed are those who gossip--for they shall cause strife and divisions that please me.
9) Blessed are those who are easily offended--for they will soon get angry and quit.
10) Blessed are those who did not give their offering to carry on God's work--for they are my helpers.
11) Blessed is he who professes to love God and have a relationship with God but hates those who have done him wrong--for he shall be with me forever!
12) Blessed are you who, when you read this, think it is about other people and not yourself--I've got you, too!

Follow Instructions!

2011-05-06T08:21:00.003-05:00

Seeing the flood waters rise this week in our state and keeping a close eye on the situation with my parents in my hometown of Marks has many of us on the edge.

In seeing many of the pictures and video on WLBT, I can't help but think about Noah and what he experienced. It was termed the Great Flood for a reason. Genesis 7:21 says, "Every living thing that moved on the earth perished--birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind."

The ark was a huge vessel--300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. The word "cubit" comes from the a Hebrew word meaning "forearm," because the Hebrews used their forearm in determining the length of a cubit. It was generally the distance from the elbow to the middle finger. That means the ark was approximately 450 long (one and a half football fields!), 75 feet wide, and 45 feet tall. The ark would've had a total area of 100,000 square feet--that's slightly more than 20 standard basketball courts. Some estimate the ark would've been able to hold 520 modern day railroad boxcars.

When God told Noah how to build the ark in Genesis 6:15, He knew how large the ark needed to be in order to house all of the land-living animals because He created it all! There was no room for fudging. Noah could've skimped a bit on the calculations and thought, "It doesn't REALLY matter if I don't follow God's instructions to the 't', does it? I'm sure I can still fit the family and the animals in it. After all, if I build it too big, it will be too heavy to float. Or, maybe it WON'T float. So, I'll just do it my way and no one will know the difference."

Obedience non-negotiable in God's eyes. Luke 6:46 says, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"

But Noah didn't second guess God. Instead of relying on his own experience and knowledge, Genesis 6:22 says, "So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him."

Imagine how the story would've ended if Noah would not have obeyed God in the specifics of building the ark?

What instruction is God giving you today? He knows what's ahead for you and He knows exactly what you need to float on the high seas and not be consumed by the stormy waters.

This & That

2011-05-02T09:01:00.004-05:00

More thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, tonight and Tuesday as another strong cold front moves closer to the state. Although the tornado potential looks small, please keep your weather radio on as warnings could still be issued for severe thunderstorms, flash flooding and tornadoes.

I spoke in Memphis over the weekend and stayed at my parents in Marks. I could not get over the rising flood waters. They've been through this before, but all accounts point to the waters getting higher and worse than it has ever been. I took a few pictures of the waters along Highway 6 between Marks and Batesville, which normally shows dry ground. The water is coming from Arkabutla Lake, which has over-flowed and moved into the smaller rivers like the Coldwater, Tallahatchie, Bobo and others. Imagine what could happen should the Mississippi River levee break!

Everyone needs your prayers as this flooding could be the worst in the state's history. With tornadoes last week and enormous flooding this week, we are all weather weary. Mark 4:37, 39 says, "And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full..And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, 'Peace, be still'.." Do you need Jesus to say that for your personal storm? Tell him now.

Meantime, our country is celebrating the death of a terrorist. There is one worse than he. Make sure you and your family are watching out for Satan's deception in every area of your life. More importantly, make sure you are sharing the Gospel. You are a missionary by default and times are about to get much tougher than what we've experienced thus far.

Finally, I'm thrilled to announce that I have joined the American Family Radio Network (AFR) as their national meteorologist for their 190 stations across the country. Just to be a part of the "family" of Dr.James Dobson, Dennis Rainey, Tony Perkins and many others will give me an opportunity to share my faith and offer encouragement to a hurting world is a responsibility I don't take lightly. I'll be able to do this from Jackson and will be a guest on many of the AFR shows. Pray for me as I take the next step in following where the Lord is leading.

(This is the LAST WEEK to get Barbie's book shipped for Mothers Day. If you know someone who is going through a personal storm or perhaps you need encouragement and inspiration, order now by clicking on the link to the left. It can be personalized when you order. Her book is no longer available in stores as they have sold out!)

A Reflection on the Storms

2011-04-29T08:50:00.005-05:00

Whether you know someone who is picking up the pieces or if you've looked at the incredible footage on television, the storms this week have certainly left a mark on everyone's heart.

Tracking storms for hours on air without a break during a 36 hour time period wears heavily on me physically, mentally and emotionally. There is nothing like reliving the memories of November 2001 for me and my neighbors, seeing what's headed in a town's direction and knowing how their lives will forever change because of one weather event.

Several people have asked why April has been such an active tornado month for Mississippi. The most active months for tornadoes occur from April to June. So, we've only just begun. However, there are several reasons why this April has been so stormy.

The jet stream has been blowing at 150 miles per hour! Combine that fast moving stream of wind with the breezy conditions we've had at the ground level, and you have plenty of shear to work with. The second factor is we are currently in a La Nina weather pattern. The air in the Pacific Ocean is a bit cooler and this has off set the jet stream causing it to dip into the southeastern states. Next, the warm air blowing over the Gulf of Mexico continues to bring in plenty of humid, unstable air. And lastly, the southwestern states have been dealing with a drought. The dry air at the mid levels of the atmosphere (roughly 9,000 feet up) acts as a "lid" or a cap and contains thunderstorms at a certain point. When that cap finally breaks, the storms explode into the violent ones we've seen, similiar to lifting the lid off a steamy pot of boiling water. All of these together over the southeastern states have equaled an April of historic proportions.

From a spiritual standpoint, I still see God's hand reaching down to comfort everyone affected. Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Those who are picking up the pieces and burying their loved ones have broken hearts today; they have a crushed spirit. They are at their lowest of low.

I don't understand why storms come and the world is often turned upside down. But I do know God is still in control and He is bigger than any storm that we've ever faced.

Pray for those who have been affected by the storms. If it's within your power to help, then act in a way God would have you whether it's donating time, money, items or taking a day to gather with some friends and help the victims pick up the pieces of their lives. This is our chance to be God's hands and feet and minister to the broken hearted and spread some "Son"shine.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker Saturday at the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries convention in Memphis, TN.)

More Severe Weather

2011-04-25T08:36:00.008-05:00

Get ready for a rocky start to the work week!

A strong cold front is slowly making progress at moving closer to the state. Although the front is stalled west of the Mississippi River, the power behind the front is over west Texas and New Mexico. Therefore, severe weather is possible tonight through Wednesday afternoon.

Severe weather is possible overnight tonight as the cold front moves closer to the delta counties. Find your county on this map and see what is expected:

The cold front moves a bit closer to the state Tuesday afternoon and the threat for severe weather will increase Tuesday night into Wednesday. Here is the NWS graphical depiction of the time frame and what's expected.

Notice both of these rounds come into the overnight hours--the worst times. By Wednesday, the cold front will finally get the "kick" it needs to move east. Strong storms will be coming to a close.

It is uncertain whether or not the cold front will produce squall lines or supercells similar to what we experienced just over a week ago. Some portions of the state may not even see a drop of rain, while others could witness tornadoes, damaging winds, hail and downpours. This system will be evolving and changing as it moves east, so I can't specifically pinpoint the exact time frame for it's arrival in your county nor can I tell you which counties will experience the worst.

However, I can urge you to have a weather radio with S.A.M.E. technology which is county specific and suggest you stay on top of the weather changes by keeping it tuned to WLBT, to our Facebook pages and follow me on Twitter @BarbieBassett. Severe weather season in Mississippi shouldn't be taken lightly!

(Barbie will be speaking Wednesday at the Mississippi Farm Bureau Administrative Professionals luncheon. She will be in Memphis Saturday speaking at the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries convention.)

The Lesson in Peter Cottontail

2011-04-22T08:49:00.002-05:00

The stomach virus has made the rounds through the Bassett family this week, so we've stayed put. My sister gave us a copy of the 1970s clay-mation classic "The Legend of Peter Cottontail" for the children to watch. It had been years since I'd seen it. While we don't talk about the Easter Bunny at our home, I've always loved bunny rabbits and thought it would be something different to watch.

It tells the story of Peter Cottontail who lived in April Valley. Colonel Wellington B. Bunny, the retiring Chief Easter Bunny, names young Peter his successor despite Peter's propensity for boasting and telling fibs, which is exemplified when his left ear droops. Peter, who has dreamed of being the Chief Easter Bunny almost his entire life, gladly accepts. But not everyone in April Valley is happy with the Colonel's decision. January Q. Irontail, an evil, reclusive rabbit villain wants to be the Chief Easter Bunny, but only so he can ruin it for children everywhere. Irontail proposes that Colonel Bunny hold a contest between himself and Peter to see who can deliver the most Easter eggs to April Valley. The day of the contest, Peter overslept and lost the contest. Peter comes upon a French caterpillar named Antoine who introduces Peter to a time machine which enables Peter to go back to Easter and retake the contest. Through various events, Peter reaches every holiday EXCEPT Easter. Irontail sabotaged Peter's attempt to make things right and colored all of Peter's eggs green. After many failed efforts, Peter finally managed to give the green eggs away on St. Patrick's Day, since they are the appropriate color for the occasion. As a result, Peter is crowned Chief Easter Bunny.

It's a cute story with a lesson that I've never discovered until now.

Satan would have you believe your past is your future. If that were the case, Jesus died on the cross for your sins and mine for naught. God told Isaiah in Isaiah 43:18-19, "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

God said He is doing a new thing in the life of His children---not a yesterday thing or a last year thing, but a NEW thing and it's ready to burst through for you and me, for those who are earnestly seeking God's will.

We don't have a time machine like Peter Cottontail in which we can use to go back and undo our past. However, we can press through whatever adversity has come our way and make it into a colorful display of God's grace and mercy for all to see.

If God tosses our sins into the "sea of forgetfulness", then let them lay at the bottom of the ocean floor!

2011-04-18T08:48:00.003-05:00

Barbie is away today taking care of one of her sick children. She should return to the blog Friday. Remember, if you're looking for a Mothers Day gift or an encouraging word, you can purchase "Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life" by clicking on the book to the left. It can no longer be found in stores and is in its last printing. It can be personalized however you wish.

Friday's Severe Weather

2011-04-15T09:14:00.005-05:00

Today's storms need to be taken seriously. This storm has already had a history of fatalities out west, injuries and massive damage. Much of the state is under a tornado watch until 3pm. The most intense storms will be north of I-20 and east of I-55. These storms could include damaging wind gusts up to 80mph (which could bring down trees and power lines), strong tornadoes and hail larger than golf balls. Here is the NWS' graphic depiction of the timing of the storms. You can find your county here:

The worst of the storms will be out of the WLBT viewing area after 6pm. Anytime you wish, you can look at the WLBT radar by clicking here. You can also follow my micro-weather updates by following me on Twitter @BarbieBassett and "Liking" the Barbie Bassett WLBT page on Facebook.

More storms are possible next week. If you don't have a weather radio yet, perhaps the active weather will convince you to get one soon!

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at the MFWC State Convention Saturday morning at 7am and speaking at First Baptist Church of Flora Saturday at 9:30am.)

Severe Weather Monday

2011-04-11T08:32:00.004-05:00

It's getting to be a weekly event it seems--severe weather! We are in our spring time severe weather season, after all.

Storms could be strong to severe this afternoon as a cold front enters the state. Storms will fire along the Mississippi River around Noon and continue east throughout the afternoon. These storms should be along the I-59 corridor from Meridian to Hattiesburg by 7pm tonight. Here is the NWS' graphical depiction.

Storms could contain high winds, heavy rain, quarter size hail and a quick spin-up tornado. Please have your weather radio on this afternoon until the storms have passed you by. I'll be on WLBT and will keep you updated.

Temperatures will cool slightly behind the cold front Tuesday.

(Have you gotten your Mothers Day gift yet? Order Barbie's book today & have it shipped. The book can no longer be found in retail outlets and can only be found here. This last printing of 'Forecasts & Faith: 5 Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life' are going fast! Barbie will be speaking at MSU's Assault Conference Tuesday & at the Flowood Chamber's Administrative Assistants luncheon. She will be the guest speaker at the MFWC statewide convention & FBC Flora's ladies brunch on Saturday.)

Cut It Out

2011-04-08T07:29:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago, I noticed my roses weren't looking sporty. It was time to pull the old pruning shears out. For the small twigs that need to go, I used hand-sized shears. Some of those branches had a larger circumference and forced me to use more of my own strength in order to cut through the dead parts, so I had to use the much larger pruning shears. When God prunes us, He isn't just trying to take away. He's faithfully at work to make room to add strength, productivity and spiritual power to our life. James 1:3-4 says, "For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." God's goal is to bring you and I closer to the "perfect and complete" image of Christ. Every trial you face and every cut of the shears is an opportunity to let God work in your life for abundance in every way. If you invite Him into your circumstances, He will keep the promise He made in Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." You should see those same roses now!

Severe Weather Monday

2011-04-04T08:33:00.005-05:00

Severe weather has already caused damage to our west over the last 24 hours which is always a sign of what's to come for us.

With an intense jet stream bringing plenty of moisture and instability to the area. Temperatures will soar into the 80s ahead of the cold front today and drop significantly Tuesday.

This system was expected to move in a bit later tonight from previous computer model runs, however it has sped up dramatically. Now this appears to be a mostly daytime event, which is better (in my opinion).

All modes of severe weather are possible including hail, severe storms, tornadoes, heavy rain and damaging winds. Winds will be sustained 20-30 miles per hour out of the southwest today with much higher gusts. Winds could gust to 60-70 miles per hour in the stronger storms. This is enough to cause power outages and damage to property!

Here is the graphic depiction from the NWS of today's timing. Please find your county shape and note the estimated time of arrival. Take note that school will be letting out for some and others will be in the middle of afternoon drive when the severe weather rolls in:

Please have your weather radio on until the severe weather passes your area. I'll be on WLBT with the latest updates as well as sharing micro-weather updates on Twitter @BarbieBassett and the WLBT First Alert Weather Facebook page.

Being Broken Doesn't Prevent God From Working

2011-04-01T07:47:00.004-05:00

Do you know of anyone who is dealing an adverse situation that has lasted for too long? The bleeding woman in Luke 8 had been considered unclean for twelve years. Not only was she shunned, but she had spent all of her money and all that she owned, trying to find a cure. She was hurting physically and emotionally. But God heard her cry for mercy and He knew exactly when her healing would take place. He knew her name and He also knew in her desperation she would see the Lord and reach out for him.

When you and I are faced with a trial, we do what this woman did--we run from person to person until we think we've found the help we need. Finally when we get to the point of giving up, we cry out to Him and confess our need. We realize God has been beside all of the time, just waiting for us to turn to Him. When the woman touched Jesus' robe, she was healed physically, spiritually and emotionally.

The brokenness of your life doesn't prevent God from loving you. He wants to heal every area of your life and mend every sorrow you have and He wants you to know He has a plan for your life that goes beyond the hurt and frustration you are feeling. God will move on your behalf and bring you to a point of peace and rest in knowing He is in control of all that is beyond your human ability.

(Barbie will be speaking at the Mississippi Hospital Association today & Flowood Baptist Church's sold out ladies luncheon Saturday.)

Walking Through Your Valley

2011-03-28T08:19:00.002-05:00

I've been increasing Gracie's memory work in these last 5 weeks of home school. This last week she's been memorizing Psalm 23 which is a passage I'm sure you know well: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no even, for You are with me." (verses 1-4) Notice David didn't say, "If I ever get through the valley." He said, "Though I walk through." When you walk through something, sometimes your pace is faster and sometimes your pace slows down. But, you don't stop. You keep walking. David was focused on God, not on the shadows that bring fear nor on the trouble, but only on the Lord. Are you walking through a difficult time and wondering if you'll get through it or not? The devil will try to convince you that you won't make it, but you will. Trust God, obey Him and then watch to see what He will do on your behalf! (Barbie will be speaking and signing books at First Baptist Batesville Tuesday night and also speaking at the Marks Rotary Club. This Friday, she will be speaking at the Mississippi Hospital Association. Saturday she will be the guest speaker at Flowood Baptist Church's ladies luncheon.)

When Others Attack

2011-03-25T07:55:00.004-05:00

Have you found yourself licking your wounds when others attack you, speak maliciously against you or mistreat you with their comments? I live with this every day and while you may think it begins to slack off, it doesn't. We immediately feel the need to defend ourself and give the other person a piece of our mind. But Peter said that's quite the opposite of what we should do.

I Peter 2:19-21 says, "For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

Peter was urging slaves to be submissive to their masters in this chapter. When someone hurts your deeply, you almost become a slave (so to speak) to their words and actions. How? Because you think it to death, can't get past it and disdain toward that person grows in your heart. When you make the choice not to retaliate, you are conscience of God. Even more so, the offending person is made mindful of God because you are not waging a similar war against them. Instead, you are waging a spiritual war in not letting your flesh get in the way.

Leave room for God to have the final word. Leave room for Him to do battle.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker tonight at the Pocahontas Baptist Church ladies dinner. She will be speaking Tuesday night at First Baptist Church Batesville.)

Don't Stop Swimming!

2011-03-21T08:13:00.003-05:00

I was in college when I saw my first Olympic size swimming pool. My eyes couldn't even begin to take it all in! I was accustomed to kiddie pools, above ground pools and smaller in-ground pools and to see a pool so enormous was a treat. To swim it in was something different though. It was old hat for my friends. They dove right in and could make it to the other side in a matter of seconds. I was just hoping my arms and legs could survive! When you're in the middle of a pool that size, you can't just stop swimming. You've got to look ahead to the other side.

In Mark 4, Jesus had just spoken to the crowd using various parables. Night had come and He was ready to get in the boat and leave. Jesus told his disciples in Mark 4:35, "Let us go over to the other side." While out on the lake, a storm came and a large wave washed over the boat. All the while Jesus was sleeping. His disciples woke him up and asked for help and you know the rest of the story.

When Jesus told the disciples, "Let us go over to the other side", he said nothing about stopping midway and drowning. Although He didn't promise an easy boat ride, He certainly said nothing about dying, drowning, or giving up. When He said, "Let us go to the other side", He meant they would indeed make it and He would be with them, but no one in the group thought about the choice of Jesus' words.

How many of us stop along the way and become frightened by the storms and circumstances around us?

Jesus was the one who told the disciples to leave the area where they were and to row to the opposite side of the lake. In other words, there will be times in your life when God leads you out onto a stormy sea. The sky gets dark, the lightening crashes all around you, and the waves get higher and higher. You have no idea how you'll make it through, but God knows. He is the One who led you to this point and no matter how rough the waters become, He will carry you to safety.

Whatever you're facing today, God is urging you to keep rowing to the other side.

Are You Strange to Others?

2011-03-14T08:30:00.004-05:00

Have you ever felt singled out for no apparent reason? If you're a reader of my blog, you know the criticism I face on a daily basis. The negativity multiplied last year when my book was released.

The things viewers have complained about the most, I changed. For instance, they complained about my pregnancies, I'm no longer pregnant. They complained about my weight, I've lost 60 pounds. They complained about my clothes, I bought new ones. They even complained about my long hair, I've donated it 3 times. Just last week, a lady called to inform me that the hair on the right side of my head was longer than the left side!

I once looked up the meaning of my name. Barbie is derived from Barbara which means in the Greek "stranger, an alien in the land". How fitting that someone once told me people are not criticizing you; they're criticizing the Jesus in you because you're different.

2 Timothy 3:12 says, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Another way to put it: the anointing will not keep the criticism from coming, but the anointing will make you not care about the criticism.

If you find yourself being criticized by mean-spirited people, press on. You're a stranger in the land you are just passing through!

Here is a video I did with the Beacon staff on this subject. If your computer won't let you watch it, you can click here to see it: http://vimeo.com/17366631

Responding in the Spirit from Mississippi College on Vimeo.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

2011-03-11T09:22:00.002-06:00

We all have decisions we're facing. They never seem to go away, do they? Some seem more urgent than others, but every decision you are facing is important to God. He wants to give you direction and guide you through the choices ahead so you won't make a mistake. If you're like me, you'd like to have a crystal ball so you could see 5, 10 or 15 years down the road BEFORE you made your decision.

In Acts 16:6-10, Paul was headed to preach in Asia Minor but the Holy Spirit spoke to him and stopped him. "They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithunia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."

Did God not care about those other cities? Sure He did; He just had a different plan in mind. He knew the direction He wanted Paul to go and redirected Paul and his friends. Paul would later travel though Asia Minor and many would be saved, but this wasn't the time for it to happen.

Timing is everything to God. He knows exactly when to hold us back and when to motivate us forward. However, to hear His guidance, we must surrender our plans and be willing to wait, perhaps indefinitely, until He leads us to the next step. Waiting is an active step of faith and obedience.

(Barbie will be speaking at the Mississippi Student Council Convention this weekend in Starkville.)

An Earthly Mind vs An Eternal Mind

2011-03-07T08:40:00.004-06:00

I've been so surprised lately at the number of people, including some Christians, who are not living with an eternal mind-set. They are more concerned with living for the day and are not considering what God wants them to do. They haven't seen God's glory and goodness being poured out for them because of their earthly mind-set.

God cares for you or He would not allow disappointments to come your way. Ask any athlete and they will tell you victory comes with some pain. In a similar way, we are being trained to serve God and honor Him with our lives. He wants to teach us to be compassionate, to love and pray for those who have hurt us. Although when you hurt, He hurts, He will use whatever problem or adversity we face to draw us closer to Him.

1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." When God gives you strength to go through whatever it is, it is not a self-induced strength. Is is a God inspired strength that comes when we humble ourselves before God. This means we submit our lives to Christ, trusting Him to take care of every problem and trial we have.

God will always listen. He is committed to answer your cries for help. He see your prayers as faith in Him and He will move on your behalf! Go through your day with this in mind!

(Spring Break Special from Rodan & Fields: Do you have brown spots and dullness from years of sun damage on your face? Reverse it and get your skin into shape for spring with the Reverse regimen, Anti-Age night serum, and the Enhancements mineral peptides powder with brush. This is over $300 in value, but Preferred Customers get it for $225. Email barbie@wlbt.net for details. This offer ends April 30!)

March Comes In Like A Lion

2011-03-04T08:09:00.007-06:00

It seems like I've talked more about weather lately than anything else! The old saying how March comes in like a lion seems to hold true as we could see strong thunderstorms today through Saturday.

A strong cold front will move closer to Mississippi later this evening spawning thunderstorms. These storms could contain hail and damaging winds. Here is a graphical depiction from the NWS (click the picture in order to make it larger):

Heavy rain is possible Saturday. Considering we ended February with a 2.60" deficit, rain will be welcome for most of the state. Storms could intensify again producing severe thunderstorms, hail and damaging wind gusts. At this time, the risk for tornadoes is small, which is good news. Here is the graphic depiction from the NWS for Saturday:

Temperatures will drop behind the cold front Sunday so don't go to church unprepared! Meantime, another cold front bringing storms to the area is expected next Wednesday, so this is shaping up to be a busy start to March!

As always, you can follow my weather updates on Twitter @BarbieBassett and "Like" my Facebook page called "Barbie Bassett WLBT". Please be sure to stay tuned to WLBT for the latest weather information and have your NOAA weather radio on.

A Great Day for Great Lengths

2011-03-01T08:36:00.015-06:00

There are no words to describe how inspiring Great Lengths day was for me personally. Every hair donor had a reason for enduring months, even years, of growing their hair out for this cause. The women who will receive the human hair wigs will probably never meet her donor this side of eternity, but it didn't seem to bother the men, women and children who cut their hair.

I want to thank St.Dominic Cancer Services for sponsoring Great Lengths and for housing the wigs in their 'wig room'. And a great big thank you goes to the Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics, Nails & Cosmetology in Clinton for hosting the event.

I spoke with several cancer survivors who had lost their hair through cancer treatment and were able to receive a wig through the Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program. They all had one things in common: a grateful heart for those who donated hair for their wig. One cancer survivor even decided to give back for the gift she was given 3 years ago and had her own hair cut yesterday for someone else.

One 7 year old girl donated in honor of her classmate who has leukemia. Her classmate was supposed to cut her hair for her, but her friend was put back into the hospital yesterday morning. I watched as the stylist cut her hair for her instead, but you could see her friend weighed heavy on her heart. Here is kind-hearted Lauryn Jones after her cut:

I witnessed husbands cut their wives hair, children cut their mom's hair, and sibling get their hair cut in memory of another sibling who had passed away. Just when you think you've had a bad day, you see bald cancer survivors walk in and cut their friend's hair who are donating in their honor. Here are just some of the many pictures taken throughout the day:

Kendall Johnson donated his hair....

Teresa Allred from Brookhaven let me cut her hair (and she was all smiles

after I butchered it!):

Friends Stacy Seago grew her hair in honor of her friend Brandy Boyd who is battling a brain tumor removed. Brandy has already lost most of her hair, but she was gorgeous!

My hair tends to be highly criticized among our viewers (along with many other aspects). Several years ago, I decided to turn what is often talked about into something positive that could be used for others. It was also a teachable moment for me to my oldest daughter, Gracie, in how you're never too young to have a tender heart in giving when there is a need. Here are our before & after pictures:

My friend and cancer survivor Stella McNeer from Raleigh cut my hair. Stella lost her hair during her cancer treatments and received a Pantene's Beautiful Lengths wig. Her "chemo curls", as she puts it, have grown back and so has her hair. It was a humbling moment for her to have been a wig recipient and see the throngs of donors stream through the doors. Here we are after the final cut:

There were so many people who made this day such a success and it began with the hair donors. I honestly tried to take pictures with anyone who asked, tried to thank everyone personally and tried to listen to every story told to me. While I was being pulled in many different directions at once, I was still grateful to every single person who selfishly gave of their time. If I didn't get to speak to you, I sincerely apologize. Although my husband may totally disagree, I wish that I could've been cloned just so I could have had 15 minutes with every person, but that wasn't an option.

Although the poundage of hair is being weighed, at the end of the day we had 1,010 people donate their hair for Great Lengths. As far as we know, this is the largest number of hair donations in 24 hours to a charity. Thank you, Mississippi, for growing, cutting and sharing for your friends.

You Get a Second Chance

2011-02-25T08:50:00.003-06:00

The day is drawing near--the hair cutting day for WLBT's Great Lengths, that is. This coming Monday, February 28, over 1,000 people and I will gather to have their hair cut to be made into wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer. You can watch the event throughout the day on WLBT. I look forward to having my own locks chopped during the 6pm news!

Lilly Faith has had her moments lately. I think she may be entering the "terrible twos" a bit late since she's getting close to turning three. I've become so predictable now in that she knows the consequences in not listening. She's beginning to understand if she doesn't listen to what I'm telling her to do, she will miss out on a possible opportunity and perhaps a form of discipline will follow.

Forty years after the children of Israel had turned away from the land God had given to them, He brought them back to the very same place. There are times in our life when we may refuse to do what the Lord has asked us to do. We may have missed it initially due to our own ignorance or perhaps we were disobedient. We may be focused on our own desires and wants, but He guides us to turn us in another direction. Just as He did with Israel, God will sometimes bring you back to the point at which you disobeyed Him, only to give you a second chance.

The closer you are to God, or the more intimate you are with Him, the greater your discernment of His will is. Isn't is amazing how a little adversity can get us more focused on searching God's will for our lives?

Psalm 32:8 says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."

If you don't learn the lesson you need to the first time, God will do what He did with Israel---He will bring you back to the same point at another time to see if you are willing to listen. All you need to do is to obey Him and go forward, without hesitation and by faith.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Oakdale Baptist Church's ladies luncheon Sunday, February 27.
NOTE: Just a few more days left to take advantage of the February Valentines special on becoming a Preferred Customer of Rodan & Fields. Pick an anti-aging, anti-acne, rosacea or sun damage reversal product, click on the logo at the top of this page, get 10% off and free shipping for life. Email barbie@wlbt.net with questions!)

Waiting is an Action Verb

2011-02-21T08:11:00.002-06:00

Tom Petty used to sing a song that said, "the waiting is the hardest part". In catching up with a friend last week, she said how she and her husband were hanging on waiting for God to move in their life. Sickness had run rampant in their home this year, her husband is still without a job after months of being laid off and she was exhausted.

Psalm 62:5-8 says, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour our your hearts to him, for God is our refuse."

There are season in our life when problems will come, many times with warning. It sounds as if David was in one of those spots when he wrote this psalm. David was about sixteen years old when Samuel anointed him king, but he was thirty when he took the throne. A lot of rough times happened in those years while he waited and he faced one difficult situation after another.

Most people's idea of waiting is just to sit around and do nothing. But from God's perspective, waiting is an action verb. We may think we aren't gaining ground, but we are. In God's eyes, we are gaining the most important ground because we're learning to trust Him in the darkest moments of our lives.

Waiting for God's best means you're willing to remain right where you are until you sense Him leading you on to the next step. Waiting is an act of obedience which always leads to blessing. There are also times when God will indicate almost immediately that you need to keep moving. However, at other times, it is imperative to wait for His hand to lead because He knows His plan for our lives. If we move without His guidance, we could miss His best and also end up missing a greater blessing!

(Barbie will be the guest speaker tonight at Copiah-Lincoln Community College's BSU banquet. Thursday she will travel to Gulfport to speak at the Women in Higher Education Conference.)

What God Says About Egypt

2011-02-18T08:42:00.003-06:00

(Note: I am far from being a Biblical scholar and theologian. However, I believe we are entering a season in which the Holy Spirit will give you a heads up on what is coming. The revelations in the Bible may offend you. If so, take it up with God since He wrote it.)

I've watched with great interest the news coming out of Egypt and the revolution that has recently taken place there. As you know, Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations. It is the place where Pharaoh was dealt ten plagues or judgments in the days of Moses. It is rich in history and I believe, for some reason, God has a favor toward Egypt. He has a special place in his heart for the land of Egypt and the people there. If you look in the Bible, the prophecy regarding Iran, Babylon, Syria and other Arab nations isn't good, but Egypt is positive and you can find it in Isaiah 19:19-25.

Verse 19: "In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD." Anytime LORD is capitalized in the Bible, it is referring to Jehovah God and no one else. A pillar is a memorial or where something significant happened. It says a pillar will be built to the LORD and not to Buddha, Mohammad, Allah or whoever. As people come in to the country near the border, they will SEE the God of the Bible lives.

Verse 20: "And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them." This monument or pillar will be a witness to others and the people will cry to the Lord. Many of the young people currently in Egypt were educated in America and they know about God. Could they be the ones to do this? I don't know. But it also says someone, possibly more, will be raised up by God and he/they will be a modern day Samson, Gideon, Moses and deliver Egypt!

Verse 21: "And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform [it]." In other words, God will be known to Egypt. Notice the Bible doesn't mention other Arab nations.

Verses 22& 23: "The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together." Assyria is the modern day Jordan, Kurdish area and part of Saudi Arabia. A revival will affect those areas and it says a highway (or possible path) will link Israel with those countries. This highway will be a holy place where the people in that area will worship the living God!

Verses 34 & 25: "In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, [even] a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed [be] Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance. When God calls you blessed, He's not blowing smoke. He even calls the people in Egypt "my people".

Just before Jesus was crucified, the people were asking him how they would know of his return. He told them in Matthew 24:24-25, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before." Jesus said the things happening in the world would deceive even those in government, those who make major decisions. It's almost like they will be oblivious to what's really going on in the Middle East and they will see it as a government uprising because people are unhappy about the economy and such. But notice, Jesus said he has told us about these things. The Bible will never surprise you. The Bible prophesies about the future in advance. The things happening around us are not news events, but they are prophetic events.

I believe we will begin to see on television the things playing out here in the scriptures. Leaders will emerge. Some will be led by God; one will be led of Satan. The stage is being set and God has His construction hat on. These are exciting days because you and I may actually get to see the glory of God manifest in ways we could never have imagined!

The Right Words for Valentines

2011-02-14T08:03:00.003-06:00

I wasn't aware until recently how the weather had actually kept many scheduled blood donors away this winter. Those who would normally donate cancelled due to severe weather, ice and snow in the last two months, so it's fitting today's blood drive get the reserves back to where they should be. Would you consider dropping by Mississippi Blood Service's Lakeland Drive location today and donating? Remember, when you donate you'll be entered to win those diamond watches from Carter Jewelers valued at over $3,000, Olga's Fine Dining gift certificates and you could possibly win a car provided by Watson Quality Ford. The Pizza Shack will be offered FREE lunch today and make sure you get your t-shirt signed by Marshall Ramsey while he's there a Noon. Give a gift from your heart today!

As a child, I loathed Valentines Day. Every year, we would decorate a brown lunch bag, tape it to our desk at school, have a party with cupcakes, then deliver paper Valentines to our classmates. Although we were supposed to give everyone a Valentine, somehow I always up short.

One year, a school club sold colored carnations for $2.00 to raise funds. A red carnation meant "I love you", pink meant "I like you", and a white carnation meant "friendship". I watched as several of the prettier and thinner girls in my class walked away with arm loads of carnations from their admirers. Before the day was over, I was given an anonymous red carnation. The utter excitement I felt knowing someone loved me was overwhelming! Was it from the guy I'd had a crush on since Kindergarten? Maybe it was a guy in the class ahead of me? While leaving that afternoon with my carnation in had, a classmate said, "I see you got a red carnation. I bet it is from your mother." I felt like I had been hit in the stomach with a bowling ball. Not that I didn't love my mother, but I really wanted the carnation to be from a boy and not my momma. I never really cared for Valentines after that experience in fifth grade as it was obvious my classmate didn't think I deserved a carnation from someone other than a relative.

We are careful to teach our children not to run with sharp objects and not to hand scissors to someone with the blades facing them. Sharp words hurt, too.

Proverbs 15:4 says, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life.." Are you guilty of using your tongue to cut, wound or criticize? Others may see you as someone who spews words laden with blades instead of words of healing and encouragement. Go about your week speaking words of love, hope and faith to those who have been cut too often by the carelessness of others.

Are You Revolving?

2011-02-11T07:54:00.003-06:00

On Monday, February 14 editorial cartoonist Marshall Ramsey and I will be hosting a Valentine Blood Drive at Mississippi Blood Services on Lakeland Drive. Carter Jewelers has donated a pair of his & her's diamond watches valued at over $3,000 to be given away to one donor. Olga's Fine Dining has given us several "dinner for 2" gift certificates and all donors will be entered to win a car from Watson Quality Ford. Donors have enjoyed collecting Marshall's t-shirts for these blood drives and you don't want to miss out on this one! So, please take a moment on Valentines Day and donate blood and give a gift from your heart.Gracie has been learning about the solar system this week and the various aspects of the planets. She looked at a model of the solar system to see how the Sun is the center and all planets revolve around the Sun. Due to Mercury's close proximity to the Sun, it is the warmest. Because Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune & Pluto are so far away, they are colder.

Psalm 105:4 says, "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." When God is the center of your life, everything you do, everything that comes out of your mouth and even the things you purchase will revolve around Him and His will for you. Staying close to God will keep us warm in the light of his glory and grace. The farther away we are from Him, the colder, desperate and lonelier our life will be.

Are you going through this winter shivering because you've moved away from God and stopped revolving around Him? Or are you keeping your heart, your thoughts, your quiet time, your actions revolving around Him and enjoying the warm light He brings this season in your life?

Wednesday Snow Update

2011-02-09T08:57:00.005-06:00

I don't normally blog on Wednesdays, but with snow in the forecast I've decided to post an update here.

Central Mississippi has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning while portions of the WLBT viewing area have been put under a Winter Weather Advisory. This warning means we could see significant snowfall amounts which could make travel difficult overnight and early Thursday. Areas north of I-20 could see 2"-3" of snow. The Mississippi delta counties (yes, hometown friends, that includes you!) could experience 3"+ of snow! Areas between the I-20 and Highway 84 corridor could see a light dusting upwards to 1" of snow. The precipitation will start as rain and make a quick change over to snow as temperatures drop and the precipitation moves east.

Here is the latest graphical depiction from the NWS. Find your county here but note, this COULD change. Click on the image to make it larger.

You can follow my up to the minute updates on Twitter @BarbieBassett, find me on Facebook at on the Barbie Bassett WLBT page or on the WLBT First Alert Weather page.

This could be a pretty snowfall, so enjoy!

Here Is What Others Should Be Asking You

2011-02-07T08:23:00.004-06:00

While my husband and father-in-law watched the Super Bowl last night, I was typing away on another portion of my book. I walked into the room long enough to see the end of the game when confetti was blowing all over the field. I noticed the sideline reporters scrambling for the football players with microphones in hand. They were pushing and shoving, hoping to be the first to ask their all important questions. When the trophy was presented to the Green Bay Packers coach, he was asked the secret to his team's victory. "Their great resolve," he said.

The resolve you have to persevere through the trials and circumstances in your life should be newsworthy to those around you. Believers and non-believers should flock to ask questions like, "How were you able to make it through your darkest days? Why did you keep trusting Jesus? How were you able to keep your focus on God's Word?"

Jesus said in John 15:16, "I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."

We should live our lives in such a way that those around us want to know our secret in keeping our joy, peace and resolve.

(Valentine Special: Become a Rodan + Fields preferred customer through PC Perks this month and I'll pay your shipping plus give you 10% off immediately and every 60 days. Choose an Anti-age, Reverse, Unblemish, Soothe or AMP MD Roller regimen or select at least $80 of separate product. Click the above Rodan + Fields logo link at the top right of this page. Questions: email barbie@wlbt.net)

Friday's Winter Weather Update

2011-02-04T08:37:00.002-06:00

After a night of slipping and sliding for most central Mississippians and hours of being stuck on "the stack" interstate combination of I-20/I-55, most are ready for the weather to improve!

Another batch of freezing rain/sleet will move over the state this morning. Temperatures are already warming, so much of this will change over to just a cold rain later in the day. The delta counties could see a few more snow flurries before the day is done as the bulk of the precipitation will move across the northern one-third of the state. However, if you must drive anywhere this morning, please slow it down. Bridges and overpasses are icy, although most have been treated by road crews. Click on the WLBT First Alert Radar and you can see what the current situation is. Remember, it is interactive so you can zoom over any location and make it do just about anything by picking your options.

The weekend will be much better! We're looking for cool sunshine Saturday and Sunday. But just as I mentioned this week on WLBT, winter is far from being over. Another potent system is expected to move in Wednesday and Thursday, so we may have another icing/snow event on our hands.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Centreville Baptist Church's ladies luncheon Saturday. This event is sold out with a waiting list. Call the church is you would like to get on list.)

Tuesday's Severe Weather

2011-02-01T07:57:00.003-06:00

A storm system will move into Mississippi today causing wind gusts up to 60-80mph! This type of wind force can cause significant damage. Strong tornadoes are possible throughout the state, so please have your weather radio on throughout the daylight hours. I do believe once the squall line sets up, it will race quickly across central Mississippi and should be into western Alabama by 7pm.

Expect the weather to deteriorate across areas west of I-55 from 11am-2pm. Areas east of I-55 will be affected from 1pm-5pm. Here is the latest graphical depiction from the NWS:

I'll be with you on WLBT throughout the afternoon and early evening hours as well as on Twitter and the WLBT First Alert Weather Facebook page.

Severe Weather Tuesday?

2011-01-31T08:46:00.004-06:00

I traveled to Crowder Baptist Church, my home church, yesterday to attend the 93rd birthday party luncheon for my grandmother. Her Sunday school class was among many of the people in attendance in addition to 6 of her 8 children, grand children, great-grand children and a few great-great grandchildren! My grandmother has been completely deaf since the age of 11, but that didn't stop her from enjoying her big day!If you've been watching the weather over the last few days, you know we're expecting severe weather Tuesday. This storm will affect almost 48 states before it's over with! Many will get snow, ice, rain and severe storms. In central Mississippi, we are looking for the possibility of heavy rain, tornadoes, hail with damaging winds being the primary risk. Temperatures will drop 25 degrees immediately behind the front late Tuesday and early Wednesday. I wouldn't be surprised to hear of a few snow flurries early Wednesday morning north of Highway 82. Here is a graphical depiction from the NWS:Keep in mind these times are approximate and could easily change as we get closer to the event. Nevertheless, have your weather radio on and keep it tuned to WLBT as I'll be covering the weather for you. Remember, you can always follow me on Twitter @BarbieBassett and become a "fan" of the WLBT First Alert Weather Facebook page. I also have a page on Facebook called "Barbie Bassett WLBT" that you are more than welcome to join.

Why Does Adversity Come--Part 3

2011-01-28T08:22:00.004-06:00

I ran into a cancer survivor at the gym this week who told me she received one of the Beautiful Lengths human hair wigs last year. She gushed about how it made her feel to know that she "looked" normal to everyone else although she was completely bald underneath her wig.

As of today, the WLBT Great Lengths event is one month away. If you have not signed up yet to donate 8 inches of your hair with me on February 28, there is still time. Click HERE to do so and grow, cut and share!

I'm still quietly listening to the Holy Spirit as to why God allows adversity to come our way. When David was sixteen, he was anointed king of Israel but he didn't take the thrown immediately. He had a giant to fight and even spent years hiding in caves with a group of party poopers. David spent years waiting on God to place him in the position God had given him. Why did it seem as though God was dragging His heels then? It could be that we learn our greatest lessons in the toughest times.

Even the strongest athlete must spend hours in training. The same is true for the most gifted singer, pianist and artist. But because this training takes commitment and effort, many give up before they see their goals achieved. They don't see how the difficultly and hardship are preparing them for the blessings that will eventually come their way.

During the long days when we feel hung out to dry, we must remember God could be sifting us for an even bigger opportunity down the road and for the work He wants us to do.

When You Need Favor

2011-01-24T08:28:00.002-06:00

When I began speaking at conventions, banquets, seminars and other gathering years ago, I assumed my invitations would stay regional--invitations would come only from groups who received the WLBT signal and who knew who I was. Boy, was I wrong. The speaking requests I've been receiving over the last few months have taken me out of central Mississippi to places who can't watch me give the weather each night, even out of state. Just when you think you have God all figured out, He proves He can expand your mission field if you're willing to go.

After Saul had a close encounter with God on the road to Damascus, he began preaching in the synagogues. The Jews thought Saul was a traitor. Just a short time before, Saul was persecuting Christians and now he was telling others about Jesus and they weren't happy about it. The Jews conspired to kill Saul, but he was tipped off to it. Acts 9:25 says, "But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall." Saul was able to escape being killed by an angry mob and keep preaching.

Saul didn't let the fact that he was being hunted get in the way of his faith. Whatever God is urging you to do, He has already provided for it to happen. Your worry need not take over; your faith does. When God calls you for a purpose, rest assured He will provide favor for the task at hand.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker tonight for the Clarke County Chamber of Commerce Banquet near Meridian.)

Why Do You Love Him?

2011-01-21T07:45:00.002-06:00

There is a show on television we enjoy watching as a family that reveals the secrets of some of the most famous magicians. A masked "magician" shows how the tricksters use mirrors, slight of hand, and beautiful girls as props to pull off their most mind-boggling tricks. It's actually quite interesting.

I would venture to say we all want to be healthy, happy and prosperous. No one wants hurt or failure in our life. Unfortunately, we often want God in our life only for what He can do for us. We want a heavenly magician. I've been convicted recently of loving Him sometimes for the wrong reasons.

In Acts 8, we find the story of Simon the Sorcerer. Simon was known as the Houdini of Samaria. People came from all around just to see what Simon was going to do. He was a one man show and made good money with his magic.

One day, Jesus' disciples were preaching the Gospel and baptizing many in Samaria. Simon watched as the Holy Spirit came upon the people and he wanted that kind of power. Simon was willing to pay for it. He said to the disciples in Acts 8:19, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter saw through Simon the Sorcerer and rebuked him. Simon didn't care as to the Source of the Holy Spirit (God); he wanted the power for business reasons only. He wanted to add this power to his arsenal of tricks.

Some want God to be their life's magician. They find themselves not loving God for who He is, but for what He can do for them. If I love my husband only for the gifts he can give me, then my relationship with him is superficial and not genuine because there will be holidays, birthdays and anniversaries that pass when he may not give me the present I desire. When the presents don't come, my love for him won't diminish because I love him regardless of what he can do for me.

Have you failed in your reasons for following God? Love Him for the unexplainable, unconditional, everlasting love He has for you, not for what you want Him to do for you.

Why Does Adversity Come--Part 2

2011-01-17T08:02:00.002-06:00

One of the toughest part in being a parent is....being the parent and having to discipline your child! But how sweet it is when your child realizes why you disciplined them and they crawl up in your lap to love on you anyway.

The second reason why God may allow adversity in our life is so that we will turn to Him. Nothing gets your attention any more than an expected storm in life. Some Christians start their spiritual walk on fire for the Lord, but then they begin to think they can handle life on their own. They get distracted in believing the devil's lies that they really don't have to seek God in trivial matters. Their devotion wanes and problems grow. Their problems multiply and they become tired and confused. The distance between God and the once on-fire Christian may seem like miles apart. But the reality is, God is standing by waiting to be called out to. When you do, He will answer.

Just like any loving parent, perhaps God allows adversity to come in order to draw us back to Him. He loves you and knows that if you keep going down the same road, you will experience even greater heartache and hurt. In drawing us back to Him, we become aware of His love. Then He is able to build a personal relationship with us as we crawl in His lap.

Why Does Adversity Come?

2011-01-14T09:03:00.003-06:00

When I listen to Maggie and Howard as they are reading their news copy in the studio, I'm reminded we are living in a world that doesn't operate according to God's principles. With crazed shootings, economic down turns, and war on the streets and in the family, I'm even more encouraged to "put on my armor" as outlined in Ephesians 6 because with the emails, phone calls and comments I get, people are always wanting to spar with me.

Satan will try to convince you he's the one in control, but God has the final control. Nothing catches Him off guard and there is no task too great or too small for Him to handle. The very fact that the check you thought would come Monday has not arrived concerns Him, but there are times when He allows us to wait for His answer a little longer than we'd prefer. In my own life I'm learning God allows problems and difficulties for several reasons which I'll be sharing with you over the coming blogs.

One reason is our priorities get out of whack and God could be allowing adversity to show us how to readjust them. Jesus told his disciples in Luke 12:22, "Do not worry about your life." That was easy for him to say! The people in Jesus' day were living under the strict rule of the Roman government. It was hard for the average person to make a living because of high taxes and political oppression (sound familiar?). The people didn't realize Jesus was the Messiah. They were looking for hope and change, but in their government, not for their life.

Many people are living lives today far from what God had in mind for them. They are so deep in situational ethics, trapped in sin and spend most of their time trying to justify their lifestyle. We can try to make the broken pieces fit, but they never will until our hearts are fully His.

Allow the adversity you're going through to make you focus on putting God back in the driver's seat of your life. God is never out of control no matter how dark or stormy your life may seem.

(Barbie will be speaking to the singles tonight at First Baptist Church, Jackson.)

Weather Recap

2011-01-10T09:04:00.004-06:00

What a weekend!

As the regular readers know, I post on this blog on Mondays and Fridays. When there is the possibility of significant weather in the forecast, I post updates in between like I did this weekend. I hope you've been able to follow my thoughts during this process and know a bit more about what to expect for your area.

When it was apparent I would be working Sunday and our church services were cancelled, the children and I had "church" at home (William had already traveled north to assist his fellow employees). I told Gracie she could pick any story from the Bible and I would give a children's' sermon on it. Big mistake! Gracie picked the ten plagues as the sermon topic. Imagine giving a short talk on the importance of the ten plagues? Before we sang our songs, I asked Will what could we learn from all of those plagues. He said, "To listen to God." Short, sweet and to the point, I guess. It was fun to watch all of them listen, give their comments on the plagues, pray and to sing their children's' songs before I had to leave for WLBT.

As thought before, the snowfall came down hard across north Mississippi. I've seen some beautiful pictures of 4"+ of snow! Across central Mississippi, we had snowflakes mixed with freezing rain and sleet. We have approximately 0.10"-0.50" of ice on power lines, trees and surfaces. Therefore, many schools cancelled classes today. South of Highway 84, there was plenty of rain mixed with freezing rain and sleet. Those locations have 0.10"-0.25" of ice accumulated. Power outages are scattered across the viewing area with 1400 Entergy customers without power.

I slid back home (literally) after 1am this morning. The bridges and overpasses were horrible last night and early this morning. The glaze on the trees, mailboxes and grass has a see-through shine to it and would make some pretty pictures. With temperatures not making it out of the 30s, it will be a raw day. Jason Case in Lincoln County sent me this picture of one of his pine trees covered in ice.
Now to change subjects, I'd like to ask you to vote for my sweet friend Sarah Beth James. Sarah Beth is the reigning Miss Mississippi. She is in Las Vegas now competing for the title of Miss America. I began working with Sarah Beth on interview when she entered the local Junior Miss competition in high school. She went on to compete in Miss Mississippi and won the title on her third try. She is as genuine as they come and has a heart for the Lord. Please go to this link to see her video on her platform, or critical issue, and press the "Like" button. Your vote will go to Sarah Beth. Then you can watch her this Saturday on television as she competes for Miss America.

Winter Weather Update-Sunday

2011-01-09T08:38:00.005-06:00

The precipitation has moved into the state and is already causing travel problems. Accidents are being reported across central Mississippi and in the WLBT viewing area as ice is accumulating on surfaces, roads and bridges.

Measurable snowfall is expected along areas closer to the Highway 82 corridor. Snow could be mixed with sleet at times. Areas as far south as Yazoo County could still see snow. Along I-20 down to Highway 84, looks to be more of an icing situation with freezing rain as a possibility. Snow cannot be ruled out completely, but temperatures could be too warm to see measurable snowfall. Counties along and south of Highway 84 will see mostly a rain event, however sleet and freezing rain could mix in at times.

This type of weather will increase throughout the afternoon, evening and overnight and should end by Noon Monday. Here is the latest graphic depiction from the NWS. As you can see, it changed just a bit from yesterday. Whatever falls today will re-freeze overnight making travel even more difficult Monday morning. You will need to watch WLBT and keep checking WLBT.com for details on business, school and road closures.

You are being asked to PLEASE stay off the roads as power crews will need to access areas and emergency vehicles need to the roads.

This system is still evolving so stay weather aware. Even the slightest change can affect your weather for the good or bad.

I'll be working at WLBT today and will keep you upated there!