BRAINSTORMING...

"To reach people no one else is reaching - we have to do things that no one else is doing!" (C Groeschel)

I have made it to the 'TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN' (Flagstaff) and I'm PLANNING AWAY! Brainstorming and seeking some GOD MOMENTS as I 'LAY-OUT' the Vision of COC for 2010! Trying desperately to LISTEN to GOD's VOICE and diligently WATCHING to see where He is WORKING - so I can take the COURAGE to LEAD COC to go join Him! I'm pretty excited so far - and I'm anticipating some GREAT THINGS from God through COC in 2010! Here's a few little 'snipits' for the 3 people that read my blog... (can't give too much away)

1. FREAK-ENOMICS

2. LOCATION?

3. IDENTITY

4. DNA

5. GO FISH

6. "BACKSTAGE"

7. UNDEFILED

8. "SERVE" Sundays

And the LIST keeps growing...

TWO MORE DAYS OF VISION - Yes!!!

Family Focus...

PLEASE...PLEASE...PLEASE... Keep praying for GINGER! She has passed SIX Kidney Stones in a week! She is AMAZING and I'm a better man - because of her! She needs GOD's GRACE wrapped around her DAILY as she carries this BURDEN! Would you join me INTERCEDING (often) God's Throne Room for her?

Kiddos are awesome! Boys are READY for Christmas Break - MY whole family will be here this coming Christmas - going to be a GREAT TIME!

Someone PLEASE tell me...

Have you EVER seen ANYTHING more ADORABLE?

Sunday Snapshot...

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Series

(Wk3) The Woman In The Crowd

Colossians 1:15 says 'No one can see God - but Jesus Christ is exactly like Him!'

The purpose of JESUS' life - here on earth - is to give us a "SNAPSHOT" into the Heart of God! Every ACT - MIRACLE - SACRIFICE that He demonstrated - gives us a VISUAL IMAGE of WHO GOD IS!

WHAT IF?

Jesus was really WHO He said He was?

Would it change your IMPRESSION of Him?

You don't want to miss this Sunday - as we take a look at a Woman who had enough courage to ask... WHAT IF?

MISSOURI in November...

I think the ONE THING I miss the most about the Midwest is the SEASONAL CHANGES! In Arizona - where you can GOLF EVERYDAY (which ROCKS) - you must sacrifice what most of America is allowed to experience... SEASONS! I mean... take for example - DECEMBER (Christmas) - outside of about a 40-50 degree temperature difference (which is GREAT mind you) - NOTHING LOOKS DIFFERENT OUTSIDE - it's still the DESERT!?

We touched down in Missouri this past Thursday Night and TREES where present - missing their wardrobe (leaves) of course - since it's FALL here! Another thing... GRASS is present (in AZ - about the ONLY place you'll find Grass is on a Golf Course)! It's nice to come back time to time - but I must say to my FRIENDS & FAMILY in AZ - I'M STOKED TO BE WITH YOU ALL - YOU ROCK!! (And the GOLF ROCKS too!)

Anyways... WE (Ging/Charis/Myself) are in MO to MARRY a couple of our College Students who were in our Ministry @ HSBC! Brandon (Ivy) & Rachel (Konnerup)... actually the ceremony was last night - and everything went well! What a COOL EXPERIENCE and AWESOME PRIVILEGE to officiate the Wedding and share in their lives! We are proud of them both - and are excited to see what God's gonna do with them as they continue to prepare for MISSIONARY work!

Of course... the other TWO (Barrett) Kiddos stayed back in the 'Copa with Nana & Papa! Isaac SOOOOOOOOO wanted to come to see his cousins (Colton & Gibson) - but AIRPLANE RIDES just aren't for FREE!? Caleb doesn't so much as mind though - at least what we can tell?! He's pretty preoccupied with other things - such as... PULLING FIRE ALARMS AT SCHOOL!?!??!? YEP... that's what he did last week! YEP... that's what he'll do if you lose track of him for 5 seconds!! It's AMAZING that boy has all of his body parts still in tact!!

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT...

FIRST IMPRESSIONS...

(Wk2) The Demon-Possessed Man (Mark 5:1-20)

Our GO Pastor (Mat Balgaard) is 'BRINGIN' THE HEAT' this weekend in my absence - and I'm gonna miss what's gonna ROCK - I'm sure!

My only hope is that his "VISUAL" (Prop) is not what he was hinting it might be - PREACHING NAKED with nothing but CHAINS!? Of ALL my staff - he's the one that just MIGHT DO IT!? (lol)

All kidding aside...

YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT A LIFE BEING CHANGED from PRE-Jesus to POST-Jesus?!?!?!

DON'T MISS IT TOMORROW!

I wonder what the Demon-Possessed Man's FIRST IMPRESSION of Jesus was?

12,000 easy...

What can I say - except the FACT that GOD IS AMAZING!

COC's Maricopa Trick-or-Treat 2009 CAME and WENT last Saturday - as so did about - um...

12,000+ PEOPLE

This event/MINISTRY was the largest SINGLE EVENT ever held in the City of Maricopa!

GOD SHOWED UP!!

What an AMAZING OPPORTUNITY for us to extend a HAND OF LOVE to our community!

We are so thankful to God for WORKING in this Ministry & giving us the courage to go JOIN HIM in it!

All in all - we had OVER 225+ COC SERVANT MINISTER'S who came out and SERVED our Community this NIGHT!

THANK YOU CHURCH OF CELEBRATION - you clearly "MADE HIS NAME MORE FAMOUS" last Saturday Night!

Family Focus...

Here's some PIX I promised - (btw) I'm married to the HOT PUNK-ROCKER!!!

Cindy Lauper & Little Red Riding Hood!

Slash & 'Lil Penny!

Sunday Snapshot...

New SERIES start this week-

(Wk1/Nov08) THE BLIND MAN

One of the GREATEST SAYINGS in ALL of Scripture...

(JB paraphrased - of course!)

"DUDES... I don't know a whole lot - but there's one thing I can say quite confidently - this morning - when I woke up - I couldn't SEE A THING! Now... after this Jesus guy came into my life - I CAN SEE EVERYTHING!"

"I once was blind - but now I see!"

John 8 - Jesus says He is the LIGHT of the World!

John 9 - He PROVES it!

DON'T MISS IT!!!!!!!

Maricopa TRICK or TREAT 2009...

Huge weekend for the COC!

Maricopa TRICK or TREAT 2009 is here - UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Our very first year (2007) - we saw over 4000+ Maricopans come out!

Last year (2008) - we saw over 8000+ Maricopans come out!

This year (2009) - we've relocated to the City Park (Pacana) and are expecting 10,000+

Please be in PRAYER for AmAzInG things to happen!

Family Focus...

Isaac's recouping from a tough "FLU" week! Over 103 degree temp for 3 days - missed his Halloween Party at school today & pretty bummed! BUT... he's feeling better and it looks like Maricopa Trick or Treat will be a GO! He'll be attempting to defend his costume contest win from last year! Watch out for the ROCKER!

Caleb's Halloween 'git-up' is lookin' SWEET! He's goin' as a HIP-HOP Artist! "Fitty-Cent" ain't got NOTHIN' on... 'LIL' PENNY!' (We'll try and get some PIX up next week!)

Charis is heading into 2009 Halloween as the most BEAUTIFUL "Little Red Riding Hood" that you've ever seen!

(Ck out this beauty...)

And GING... well - let's just say the 80's are not dead as she will raise the roof in PUNK ROCK!

(Guaranteed PIC of that next week!)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT...

Last week of MOUNTAIN MOVING...

RESPONDING TO GOD'S PRESENCE!

Let's just say... IT'S A WEEK YOU DON'T WANNA MISS!

MOVING MOUNTAINS can only take place with FAITH!

FAITH is a response not only to WHAT God DOES but also to WHO God IS!!

Do you REALLY... BELIEVE that Impossibilities are POSSIBLE?

SEE YA SUNDAY!! (Oh... SATURDAY TOO! (Trick or Treat 2009))

Two-Way Communication...

Fun week - started off with a 'Round' at Francisco Grande with Pop, Gary & Tom Blevins! Fun time - as well as a GENEROUS DAY - a day where the Course truly 'GAVE BACK!' See... the course has a POND on the 16th - which usually is very 'Greedy' in taking many a golfer's donations (Golf Balls)! However... this day - the POND was rendered meek & mild - SHE WAS EMPTY - DRAINED - BARE-BONED! And when I mean DRY (since any absence of H20 in the Desert requires about 12 hours to be completely waterless) - able to be walked on! Here' what I mean by 'She was GENEROUS' - in about 20 minutes worth of searching... I was able to find 3 DOZEN Pro V-1's - those are about $4 a ball - quick math - well over $120 worth of golf balls in 20 minutes - the only thing I can say is... THANK YOU FRANCISCO GRANDE for 'Giving Back!'

Sunday Snapshot...

MOUNTAIN MOVING... (Wk4) TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION

Excited... Mat (Give/Go Pastor) is bringing it this week!

It's an HONOR to be able to speak to God!

How exactly does God speak to us?

1. The Word

2. His People

3. Holy Spirit

The best way to HEAR...

Psalm 46:10... "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!"

That means... STOP TALKING & LISTEN!!

WHEN YOU PRAY...

A week OFF for the Barrett KIDDOS! FALL Break has come to Maricopa! Both Caleb & Isaac have had a week off - and there TIME has been busy! Isaac has been VERY BUSY 'Riding Bikes' and hanging out with Nana & Papa! Caleb actually had a NIGHT 'all by himself' with Nana & Papa - and LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

Last night was - what I've been told - A MUST for Phoenix 'Folks' - we frequented ORGAN STOP PIZZA in Mesa! The MUSIC - LIGHTS - BUBBLES absolutely MESMERIZED Caleb & Charis! Isaac wasn't anticipating having much fun - but it was everything we could do to get him to leave when that time came! Pretty cool place! Not a BIG FAN of the Pizza - but the ATMOSPHERE was 'PRICELESS!'

I am currently in 'Beautiful' San Diego - attending our Regional Conference's (CONVERGE SOUTHWEST) Board of Trustees Meeting! A new post I was elected into this past Spring! New adventures - gonna get to play some GOLF tomorrow AM with our District Minister - a 'PERK' that comes with the placement! Incredible WEATHER on the coast - however... I LEFT SOME PRETTY REMARKABLE WEATHER back in AZ this AM!

Sunday Snapshot...

MOUNTAIN MOVING Series / WK3- "WHEN YOU PRAY..."

LUKE 11:1... One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, on of his disciples said to him, “Lord, TEACH US TO PRAY…”

Jesus then SHARES the "WAY TO PRAY" - Matthew 6:9-13

OUR FATHER… Never forget that you are God's CHILD through Jesus Christ!

WHO ART IN HEAVEN… Remember that you are praying to THE "Mountain Mover!" Nothing is too difficult to Him! Set you eyes on His ABILITY - not your worth!

HALLOWED BE THY NAME… Don't allow your prayers to become a WISH LIST - Worship God and Praise Him when you come to Him!

THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN… Submit YOUR will to GOD'S will!

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD… Lay ALL your concerns out, whether Big or Small!

FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS… Be sure YOU are NOT THE OBSTACLE for Unanswered Prayers!

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL… Pray for Protection & Victory over TEMPTATION!

FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY FOREVER… End your prayers with MORE WORSHIP!

AMEN… Let it be so.

In a condensed VERSION of the Lord’s Prayer – Jesus says this…

Pray REGULARLY! -Not IF you Pray... WHEN you Pray!

Pray PRIVATELY! -God is not IMPRESSED with Public Displays of Piety!

Pray SINCERELY! -God is not IMPRESSED with Formulas!

Pray SPECIFICALLY! -Recognize Him as your Heavenly Father (Daddy) and share your HEART!

At some point in time – if you desire to have an INCREDIBLE PRAYER LIFE – you need to deal with your sins – SPECIFICALLY!

Don't forget... Jesus never taught His disciples how to PREACH - but rather how to PRAY!

IN GOD'S PRESENCE...

To EVERYONE out there - Thanks for PRAYING for Ging! She still has a MOUNTAIN TO MOVE! It just so happens that God has asked her to GO THROUGH HER MOUNTAIN!

I'm praying that she has the health to go to WOMEN'S RETREAT! She is such a blessing to so many - ministering to many - MY PRAYER is that she can go and be MINISTERED TO!

SHE ROCKS & SHE IS MY HERO! Now... to only get better at communicating that to her with my actions!

Sunday Snapshot...

MOUNTAIN MOVING...

Psalm 139 (NIV) 1) Lord, you have searched me and you know me. 2) You know when I sit and when I rise -
you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3) You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4) Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely oh Lord. 5) You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand up on me. 6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8) If I go up to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9) If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10) even there, your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11) If I say, “Surely the darkness will hid me and the light become night around me,” 12) even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for the darkness is as light to you. 13) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16) your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17) How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18) Were I to attempt to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. 19) If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20) They who speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21) Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22) I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24) See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

When we are IN GOD'S PRESENCE - we will begin to understand His OMNISCIENCE, OMNIPRESENCE, OMNIPOTENCE, and PROVISION!

Please understand... God doesn't require our praise for to REASSURE HIM ~ He requires our praise to ENCOURAGE & INSPIRE US!

It's time that we stop spending all of our time EXPLAINING HIM and begin to just BE IN AWE OF HIM!

Do you REALLY… BELIEVE your Impossibilities POSSIBLE?

Remember what Luke 1:37 says… "FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!”