FAMILY FOCUS... (Sacrifices Must Be Made!)

WOW! I'd love to start off this Family Focus with a 'Declaration' of how GREAT everything is going in the Barrett Fam - however... it seems like I always have that one PERSISTENT prayer request that I'm asking ALL my Friends & Family to continue PRAYING for - GINGER!! We sure could use your PRAYERS in regards to her health! Those KIDNEY STONES are really causing CONSTANT & NAGGING PAIN that just doesn't seem to be subsiding! It looks as if there is one or two or three (who knows?) that are causing some blockage and that creates PAIN that NEVER ENDS! She is really struggling emotionally and we need some INTERCESSORY PRAYERS from some of our 'Mountain Movers' out there! She is going to be able to take a bit of a break this next week - and my prayer is that she can get some REST & PEACE during that sabbatical!

Kiddos are doing AWESOME! The boys just finished SPRING BREAK week & we had some fun spending time together for sure!

Isaac & Daddy did a couple AM BREAKFAST's @ The Duke - followed by some moments of MALE-BONDING on the Driving Range! That KID has got a knack for GOLF for sure - maybe that's HIS GAME!?

Caleb enjoyed doing what he does best - DESTROYING HIS BED! For those of you who know - he is "8" now - but with his Special Needs we still have to keep him somewhat confined at night - so he's still in his original CRIB - which is now held together by 23 SUPER-Heavy Weight Zip Ties & 3 Rolls of Duct Tape! (MacGyver would be PROUD!) My Uncles (Dan & Denny) are in the process as we speak in constructing him a NEW & IMPROVED (SAFETY-PROOFED) BED - which will be very much welcomed!

Charis - SHE ROCKS MY FACE OFF! Love that smile - that giggle - that wiggle & that style!

Last weekend - I was able to take a couple days & head to PALM SPRING for a CHURCH-PLANT Fundraiser & Indian Wells Golf Resort (LG Skins Game is held there) - sponsored by our Regional Conference - Converge Southwest! A pair of 85's were held in tact through both rounds and that's not too bad when those GREENS (Oh... those GREENS!?!?) - a TWO-PUTT is Spectacular! What can I say... SACRIFICES MUST BE MADE!!

(Hope you enjoy the FOLLOW-THROUGH look - PARRED this Hole!)

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (GO FISH Series)

Our BIG IDEA this Series... How willing and ready are you to FOLLOW 'THE WAY' and GO FISH?

Has your BOBBER disappeared? (1 Peter 3:15) ALWAYS be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have!

Here’s what we discovered ‘in a nutshell’ last week… Mt 4:17-20 - Jesus’ little/BIG idea - "FOLLOW ME!" WHY?! So I can MAKE YOU (what you aren’t) - FISHERS OF MEN!

FOLLOWERS eventually FISH – if they’re really FOLLOWING!

The reality is this… It’s gonna take some GUTS to FISH!

Here’s what you need to know about your MESSAGE…

CHRISTIANITY is not INTUITIVE!

It’s not a THEOLOGY – a PHILOSOPHY – a MORALITY – a CODE OF ETHICS – or a SET OF VALUES!

-Christianity is something that is grounded & founded in HISTORY!

-Christianity is not about a BELIEF SYSTEM – it’s based around an EVENT!

The only way to know something about HISTORY is for someone to TELL YOU / SHARE WITH YOU / EXPLAIN TO YOU – EXACTLY - WHAT THAT HISTORICAL EVENT WAS! (It can’t be conjured up or made up!)

The TRUTH is – the very FIRST FOLLOWERS – the very FIRST “FISHERS FOR MEN”… Had NO GUTS either!

UNTIL… ACTS 4:23-29

We will see the “A-HA” Moment which beats ALL “A-HA” Moments in regards to FISHING & FISH GUTS that you’ll ever see!

Join us this week as we look closely at this “A-HA” MOMENT in HISTORY where the first FOLLOWERS of ‘THE Way’ realized that they were not just meant to be spectators of this PLAN – they were MAJOR PLAYERS in HIS PLAN!

See you on SUNDAY!

Church of Celebration / 9A & 10:45A

(Maricopa Wells Middle School)

FAMILY FOCUS... (Treasure every moment!)

It is with heavy heart that I post today. A good friend of mine this past weekend - tragically lost his 34 year old wife. She was taken from this life in a car accident on Saturday evening - leaving behind her husband & three small children - all under the age of 10. These kinds of unexpected deaths leave many with speculation & confusion as to WHO is in control of life. It is in these moments that we MUST realize that - though we may have convinced ourselves that we have CONTROL of our lives - we are NOT in CONTROL - never have been & never will! Leaving us with a comforting thought - if perceived accurately - GOD IS IN CONTROL - always has been and always will be!

These are the moments that we MUST seek His counsel as a refuge - when the answer to - the all to obvious question is... WHY? I don't know much about this life - I don't claim to have answers for much of anything - however... it's in these moments that I rest assured in God's Sovereignty and in His promise that He CAN & WILL provide me with a... "PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING" - when I do ask WHY?

As my heart grieves for my friend Greg & his beautiful children - I find myself gaining better perspective with the TREASURE the Lord has given to me... GINGER - ISAAC - CALEB & CHARIS! It is in these moments that I MUST do everything in my ability to TREASURE EVERY MOMENT with them - for I KNOW NOT how many more MOMENTS I may have to TREASURE!?

Every death is a tragic loss - yes. Unexpected deaths - such as this one - take many years to heal from. The one thing that we can CELEBRATE in this unexpected passing is this... Death on earth brings loss to man - however... Death of a FOLLOWER OF THE WAY may be our loss - but it sure is heaven's gain! We REJOICE in knowing that Leigh Ann is with our FATHER & she is doing great right now!

Please PRAY for my friend Greg Tonkinson & his precious children... Caden - Bailey & Malia!

Please PRAY for them this Thursday & Friday as they say their earthly farewell & PLEASE pray for them in 6mos - 12mos - 24mos... as they continue to TRUST in JESUS in providing His continual promise of a... "PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING!"

MY TREASURE...

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (GO FISH Series)

Brand new SERIES starting this week!

(OUTREACH EMPHASIS MONTH)

(Wk1) FOLLOW ME...

Dave Ferguson writes in his book The Big Idea… “The effective teacher is like a person who takes a strong rope – ties one end around the Big Ideas of Scripture – ties the other end around the major Themes of Life – and then through the power of the Spirit struggles to pull the two together!” Through the life of Jesus – we see the ultimate effective teacher who didn’t confuse people with a lot of little ideas. Instead… He presented on BIG IDEA with a clear CALL to action… Matthew 4:17-20 "From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19"COME, FOLLOW ME," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him."

I can’t help but notice what Jesus DIDN'T SAY to Peter or Andrew… 'Come – be Christians.’ Don Everts puts this BIG IDEA (Simple Concept) into perfect terminology in his book – Jesus with Dirty Feet… "Jesus was not a Christian. He never asked anyone to become a Christian… never built a steepled building, never drew up a theological treatise, never took an offering, never wore religious garments, never incorporated for tax purposes. He simply called people to… 'FOLLOW HIM.' That’s it. That - despite its simplicity - is it. He called people to 'FOLLOW HIM.' The RESPONSE… dropping familiar nets and FOLLOWING – in FAITH – this sandaled Jewish man. It is never more than that! Two thousand years of words can do NOTHING to the simple - basic reality of Christianity. First steps… taken by two brothers."

Peter & Andrew’s Theology was as pure as it gets! Jesus said… “FOLLOW ME.” AND THEY DID! As we’ve clearly seen - Jesus was not a COMPLICATED man - His call was not a CONFUSING call… 'FOLLOW ME.' The SIMPLICITY and CLARITY of this BIG IDEA - "FOLLOW ME" - was what catalyzed a MOVEMENT of Christ Followers into Action! It’s why MANY are still worshiping a Jewish Carpenter today!

The action of 'FOLLOWING' leads to one response… "FISHING FOR MEN!" What exactly does 'FISHING FOR MEN' mean you ask? I gotta believe that these SIMPLE MEN (Peter/Andrew/James/John) didn’t have a CLUE as to WHAT Jesus was talking about - being "FISHERS FOR MEN!" However… the amazing thing is this - a few chapters later - by the end of the New Testament - these guys (simple/ordinary/not too special) became JUST THAT - "FISHERS OF MEN!" These four guys understood clearly that it wasn’t just meant to 'FOLLOW.' To 'FOLLOW'… meant to "FISH!" To 'FISH'… meant "FOR MEN!"

Here’s what this all means… ‘Jesus Christ didn’t come from heaven to earth and die on a cross to make us NICE… He did so to make us DANGEROUS!’ At some point in time – we must stop making it our goal in life to arrive at death safely! Remember what the GOAL of the Gospel is… to 'LIVE IT' - not just 'AGREE with IT!' 'FOLLOWERS' eventually 'FISH' – if they’re really "FOLLOWING!"

Our BIG IDEA this Series...

How willing and ready are you to FOLLOW 'THE Way' and GO FISH?

See ya SUNDAY!!!

(Maricopa Wells Middle School / 9AM & 10:45AM)

FAMILY FOCUS... (Skiing - in ARIZONA!?)

I got to take a rare opportunity yesterday (March 01st) and SKI -- ARIZONA!! I know... most of the time when you think of ARIZONA - you might ONLY think one thing... "It's HOT there - isn't it!?" Well... yes it is - about 7-8 months out of the year - it's FREAKING HOT to say it mildly! (Which isn't so bad - b/c GOLF goes down in rates nearly 75%) However... in the Winter months - the elevation of Arizona is from one extreme to the other and in the HIGH COUNTRY (North/Northeast) - the elevation reaches upwards 6000-8000 feet - and that produces ONE THING in the WET Season - SNOW (lots of it)! And boy have we had a WET WINTER here in Arizona - even the DESERT is GREEN - it might need to be MOWED soon! We were able to break away for a DAY (COC Staff Guys) and head up to SUNRISE Ski Resort (NE AZ) and Ski for the day on about a 48-60 inch base - IT ROCKED!!!!! I've been Snow-Skiing quite a bit and the SNOW yesterday rivaled ANYTHING I've ever seen in Colorado - not too mention (minus) the TRAFFIC on the SLOPES - wasn't a bit busy!!! Totally wanna give a 'shout-out' to our good friend TOM BLEVINS for hookin' us up at his brother's cabin for the night!

A look on the lift...

To cap it all off - we hit GRUMPY JAKE'S BBQ on the way back down the 'Mountain' - which is nothing short of spectacular! Truly some of the best BBQ I've ever had - who would of 'thunk-it' - a little 'HOLE in the wall' in SHOWLOW, AZ!!! Un-STINKIN-Believable! If you're ever in that neighborhood - do yourself a favor... http://grumpyjakesbbq.com

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (IDENTiTY Series)

Week 4 / LORDSHIP

Stealing the words of Louie Giglio in his book... i am not but i know I AM

"Scripture tells us that, 'By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. He Spoke, and IT CAME TO BE; He Commanded, and IT STOOD FIRM.' In other words, God created the cosmos without even lifting a finger! When He created the heavens, He did it all without the aid of a 'how to make a universe' kit, and existing photo, a template, or a diagram. God was CREATING in the truest sense of the word, speaking the world into existence out of ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!'

THIS is OUR GOD - OUR LORD! God knows everything about everyone! It makes perfect sense that His name should be I AM. And even more sense that my name is i am not!

The amazing thing is this... even though you ARE small - you are HIS most loved & prized of all creation! He has been pursuing you with relentless passion & patience!

Stop putting GOD 'in a box' that diminishes His Lordship! It's time to truly understand your IDENTiTY in its purest essence! After all... the 'size of your box' is proportional to your FAITH!

WHO DO YOU PLAY FOR?

In case you've forgotten - let me remind you... 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; the Old is GONE, the NEW HAS COME!'

FAMILY FOCUS... (Are there ROCKS ahead?)

Second straight week of TWO BLOG POSTS from PJ! I never cease to AMAZE myself!

Do you remember the PRINCESS BRIDE where Fezzik & Inigo are having a RHYMING conversation? Inigo asks Fezzik... "Fezzik, are there ROCKS ahead?" To which Fezzik replies... "If there are - we all be dead!" This type of conversation happens almost WEEKLY in the Barrett household! Ginger just can't keep from PASSING her Kidney Stones! So many FAITHFUL people PRAYING - DAILY - for my sweet wife and for that - I am grateful! I ask you humbly to continue doing so! We desperately need STRENGTH & GRACE that only the Lord can provide - and often! We thank you for your FAITHFULNESS - please pray for ours!

Isaac... The MUSTANGS are 3-1 baby! Another VICTORY under the belt this past week - and the TEAM did GREAT! Very proud of my LEFT TACKLE - he's showing signs of GROWTH in his FOOTBALL SKILLZZZZZ!

Caleb... Doctor's Appt today! Got the SEVERAL things FINALLY taken care of for him! RX for... 1) In-Home Speech Therapist 2) In-Home Occupational Therapist 3) Diapers 4) Pediatric Opthamologist & Pediatric Urologist Referrals 5) Handicap Decal Authorization 6) HepA Shot 7) SUCKER!!!! That's a mouth-full! He did GREAT - all except getting his ears checked - not a BIG FAN of having his EARS played around with!

Charis... CrAzY nuts about this little girl! She is getting to be quite the BUCKET full of ENERGY! And now she is PRAYING - in some unknown language - and I've got a Baptist background!? It's AMAZING! Next time you see me with her - ask us to PRAY and you can see it for yourself - it ROCKS!!