Tough Week!

Is it me, or does it seem that there just isn't enough time in the day, week, or year anymore? I know there is adequate TIME, because God created exactly the amount we need, I just am really bad sometimes at prioritizing my time according to His schedule! I don't always manage it appropriately, I must admit!

It's been a tough go so far this week! I am currently in Colorado where I attended the funeral of a young man, age 32. Jeremy Pierce lived a GREAT LIFE! Ginger and I were in our first ministry in Lakewood, CO - we had a family somewhat adopt us - the Pierce Family. They became very dear to us, and we have been blessed by the friendship! Last week, VERY UNEXPECTEDLY, Jeremy was taken home! What a great young man! Please be in prayers for the Pierce Family as they attempt to move on!

I get back tomorrow, and have about a half day in the office before I head out the next morning for our annual MAN CAMP (COC) in Williams, AZ! I'm really looking forward to 'hanging out' with the men of COC! It should be a great time!

I definitely miss my family and the time that has eluded us this week! Hope to MAKE IT UP soon!

MY SECRET IS GETTING CLOSER TO BEING REVEALED! I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER I CAN KEEP IT! EACH DAY BRINGS NEW ANXIETY, FEAR, AND ANXIOUSNESS! I WILL BE REVEALING IT SOON!

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT...

We close out our LOVE AFFAIR Series this week! It appears to be impacting a lot of Marriages, and hopefully prepping a lot of future Marriages!

This week's message speaks directly to God's Original Plan of LONGEVITY - Till Death Do We Part!

Marriage is a Journey!
Marriage is a Lifelong Process!

“Marriage isn’t as much about FINDING the right person, as it is about BECOMING the right person!”

Remember The GOAL of Marriage! ~Two Will Become One~Genesis 2:24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the TWO ARE UNITED INTO ONE! Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes 4:9-10…Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.

Come on out and join us as we take a look at the TEN STEPS TOWARDS A "TILL DEATH DO WE PART" Marriage!

TWO WEEKS ALREADY!??!?!?

Where does the time go? Please - if you have an answer to that question - I'd be willing to PAY FOR THE ANSWER (not literally)!! It's been two weeks since my last post!? WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?!? Well...I do have a logical reason for that - I have been gone the past week and a half and have had LIMITED INTERNET ACCESS - and knowing that I'm not the best at posting as frequent as I'd like - that adds a little to the controversy! Nonetheless - I AM HERE!!

Took a brief 'Sabbatical' - that's CHURCHY talk for "A BREAK" - for a few days at first! Then headed to GARY & NICHOLE'S Wedding (Odessa, TX) - it's official folks - the infamous G-SHACK has accomplished what's eluded him for some time - MARRIAGE! Gary is the Admin/Youth Pastor here at COC, I've know Gary for over 10 years, since I coached him in HS Football & Baseball. He married a "GEM" (Nichole Birkelbach) - continuing the reality that MEN DO MARRY OUT OF THEIR LEAGUES!

But, I'm back - been in the office ALL WEEK! Studied today for the April 27th Message, and am taking another LEADERSHIP DAY tomorrow, I'll be attending a Maximum Impact (John Maxwell) ADVANCE LEADERSHIP SIMULCAST at Cornerstone Christian! Looking forward to gleaning some LEADERSHIP TIPS!

I HAVE A SECRET...I HAVE SOME "NEWS" COMING IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO - I JUST NEED TO WAIT FOR A FEW THINGS TO FINALIZE BEFORE I CAN SHARE - SO MAYBE THIS WILL INTRIGUE YOU ALL TO CHECK THIS BLOG MORE FREQUENTLY - AND TO URGE ME TO POST MORE OFTEN! NONETHELESS - IT'S HUGE!! JUST WAIT!!

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT...

A couple on their 50th wedding anniversary, summed up their long and happy marriage. The husband said, “I have tried never to be selfish. After all there is no I in marriage.” The wife responded, “ For my part, I have never corrected my husband's spelling.”

We're heading into the FOURTH WEEK of a Series called...LOVE AFFAIR
We've had great response to this Series thus far - as we focus heavily on the MARRIAGE and how to Prepare for it and Maintain it!

This week - We'll be taking a look at the FOUR ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS that God established for a Great & Godly Marriage!

Unfortunately - we as IMPERFECT people have made a mess of His Perfect Design! Therefore...
PAIN happens and FORGIVENESS is either Given or Not!?
In the response, FORGIVENESS must be Received or Not as well?!

GRACE is that KEY INGREDIENT to make right what has been wronged!

WE MUST TAP INTO GOD'S GRACE IN ORDER TO DO WHAT WE ARE NOT CAPABLE OF DOING -- FORGIVE!

GOD NEVER WASTES A HURT!
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO SAVE WHAT YOU THINK IS LOST!!

Hope to see you Sunday as we look closer at THE VALUE OF FORGIVENESS!

Back for some more...

Here I am! Thanks for hanging with me! I appreciate the patience exuded by WHOEVER reads this blog! Sorry again for the lapse in posts, sometimes time just sneaks away!?Actually, last week was pretty CrAzY in the Barrett House! My wife's family came for a couple days of a visit...and my Dad, Sister, 2 Nephews & Niece made an impromptu trip from Missouri out to AZ for Spring Break as well! It was REALLY nice seeing everyone, and we had a good time together. But anyone who knows what company is like, it's AWESOME, but 'daily routine' absolutely banishes from your scheduling!

Isaac had a GREAT time seeing cousins, and SWIMMING! He's doing so well in school this year, I am so proud of him! Daddy got to go to his Parent/Teacher Conference yesterday and was REALLY impressed with his progress and inteligence! I know most parents feel the same way about their kids, it's pretty special! He still can't wait for 'Tackle' Football to start, and appears to be really liking swinging the GOLF CLUBS! NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caleb is my special little bro! School is still going well for him, he absolutely LOVES going each and every day! He's quite a 'handful' at times, that's for sure! But he's doing great! Whenever he looks up at ya and gives ya that smile with about 73 dimples, you can't help but MELT!

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT...

A young minister was faced with his first wedding ceremony. He sought counsel from an older preacher. The experienced man told the young man everything he needed to do and made one final suggestion: "If you ever forget what you are supposed to say," he advised, "just quote Scripture. It’s always appropriate to quote Scripture." The young man did a great job in conducting the marriage ceremony, until he pronounced the young couple husband and wife. At that point, his mind drew an awkward blank. He did not know what to say. He remembered the advice of the old preacher to quote Scripture, so he quoted the only verse that came to his mind. It was, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Unfortunately these mistaken words are all too often true. Many couples do enter into marriage not knowing what they do or how to do it. Many couples have little knowledge of how to pursue a successful marriage. I heard it once said… “Marriage is like twirling a baton, turning handsprings, or eating with chopsticks. It looks easy until you try it." It does take work!! After all…being married and having a successful marriage are two different things.

We’re starting a new series at the Church of Celebration last week called LOVE AFFAIR! Love, as it should, begins in the HOME. In a society which screams contradictions to how the Bible actually defines MARRIAGE, I’ve found quite often that people are desperately seeking a reprieve. They desire what God wants for them, but their choices represent otherwise. God first seeks for you and me to live wisely and be Sprit-Controlled. This is where we first must make a change. Committing our lives to Christ completely and falling back in love with our wife and/or husband naturally follows.

Four-year-old Suzie had just been told the story of Snow White for the first time in her life. She could hardly wait to get home from nursery school to tell her mommy. With wide-eyed excitement, she retold the fairy tale to her mother that afternoon. After relating how Prince Charming had arrived on his beautiful white horse and kissed Snow White back to life, Suzie asked loudly: “And do you know what happened then?” “Yes,” said her mom, “they lived happily ever after.” “No,” responded Suzie, with a frown, “they got married!”

As you may have discovered in your marriage…‘Getting Married’ and ‘Living Happily Ever After’ are not necessarily synonymous. I challenge you to start working on making them synonymous again!