tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34298771567699762022024-03-12T19:12:13.717-07:00Barnestorming - A Creative Look at Life & MinistryPastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-38710543893560702052010-09-03T07:33:00.000-07:002010-09-03T08:29:02.318-07:00Are you walking in gratitude?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/TIETaaZcFDI/AAAAAAAAAFs/iiP6MMYvkE0/s1600/images-2.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/TIETaaZcFDI/AAAAAAAAAFs/iiP6MMYvkE0/s320/images-2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512708763361743922" /></a><br />When Robinson Crusoe was wrecked on his lonely island, he drew up in two columns what he called the evil and the good. He was cast on a desolate island, but he was still alive--not drowned, as he ship's company was. He was apart from human society, but he was not starving. He had no clothes, but he was in a hot climate where he did not need them. He was without mean of defense, but he saw not wild beasts such as he had seen on the coast of Africa. He had no one to whom he could speak, but God had sent the ship so near to the shore that he could get out of it all the things necessary for his basic needs. So he concluded that there was not any condition in the world so miserable but that one could find something for which to be grateful.<div><br /></div><div>For many of us, when there is a slight disturbance in the force of our lives, we tend to forget to look for and discover the things we have. We can always find something to express our gratitude for...even if it is something menial or minor. Remember that God looks for and it pleased when we walk and abide in the spirit of gratitude...it is evidence that we trust God. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gratitude arises from the lived perception, evaluation, and acceptance of all of life as grace. the grateful heart cries out in the morning, "Thank you, Lord, for the gift of a new day." And it continues to express its gratitude as the blessings unfold. Brennan Manning, in his book "Ruthless Trust," suggests that "to walk in gratitude is a way of living that is inclusive, attentive, contagious, and theocentric." He continues by saying, "the antithesis of giving thanks is grumbling. The grumblers live in a state of self-induced stress."</div><div><br /></div><div>The Apostle Paul echoed these final instructions to the Thessalonians, "give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." The late Henri Nouwen captures the spiritual work of gratitude when he said:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives--the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections--that requires hard spiritual work. Still, we are only grateful people when we can say thank you to all that has brought us to this present moment. As long as we keep dividing our lives between events and people we would like to remember and those we would rather forget, we cannot claim the fullness of our beings as a gift of God to be grateful for. Let's us not be afraid to look at everything that has brought us to where we are now and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Make a conscious choice today to live and walk in gratitude...it will change your life!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Give thanks with a grateful heart!</div>Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-69856251072318577992010-08-25T07:03:00.000-07:002010-08-25T08:25:57.507-07:00Are You Willing to Wait?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/THU1VEB9-II/AAAAAAAAAFc/kYW4gYj-Dwk/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/THU1VEB9-II/AAAAAAAAAFc/kYW4gYj-Dwk/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509368355133192322" /></a>How are you at waiting on God? How do you determine if God is giving you the green light to move forward? Many believers make the mistake of adding up all the pluses and then concluding that God has given them the green light. Several factors go into making a decision from the Lord.<br /><br />It is important to do three things before you make a decision on a matter. First, <b>you should gather facts</b>. Fact gathering allows you to determine all the realities of a given situation. However, this does not ultimately drive your decision, but it can put a stop to it. For instance, if you were planning to build a shopping center and you knew the only way to lease the space was to rent to a porn shop, your decision would be made. God would not lead you to enter into unrighteous ventures.<br /><br />Second, <b>is the Holy Spirit guiding you in your decision? </b>"If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm" (Ps. 37:23). George Mueller cites that the steps are also "by the Lord." God puts hedges around us, but many times we bull our way through the hedges under the guise of tenacity and perseverance. This too is unrighteousness. One wise workplace believer stated that the greatest success one can have in business is to know when it is time to pull the plug rather than keep forcing a situation. Not all businesses last forever.<br /><br />Third, <b>has your decision been confirmed?</b> God has placed others around us to be used as instruments in our lives to confirm decisions and keep us from the deceit of our own heart. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses" (2 Cor. 13:1b). This is God's way of keeping us within the hedge of His protection.<br /><br />"Write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser."Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-91628694202095750472010-02-01T21:55:00.000-08:002010-02-01T22:17:50.291-08:00Getting God's Attention<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/S2fCx7aj2uI/AAAAAAAAAE8/U2qd6Y-i2wI/s1600-h/DSC02231.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/S2fCx7aj2uI/AAAAAAAAAE8/U2qd6Y-i2wI/s320/DSC02231.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433525638464264930" /></a><br />I am attending my first Pastor's School Conference in Phoenix, Az. Tonight, I witnessed something awesome and inspiring as a Parade of Ministries from Phoenix First Assembly of God. I was awestruck as thousands of people for over 2 hours of outreach ministries were paraded on the platform of this enormous church. One of the things that touched my heart was the wonderful testimonies of how the Lord saved and rescued so many from prison, drugs, broken homes, loneliness, suicide, you name it, it was covered. The atmosphere in the place was simply electric as I was caught up in the euphoria of Salvation!<br /><br />Pastor Tommy Barnett, who has been there 30 years, shared the vision that brought him to Phoenix and what he saw and what drives him today. Briefly, he shared how God led him to Phoenix because he desired to be in a place where you would never reach everyone. He also shared what has driven him since day one, "If I can get the attention of God, the impossible can happen." The conference is called the "Solutionary Conference," putting the words revolutionary and solution together. <br /><br />I wonder what would happen in my life and yours when we "get God's attention!"<br /><br />Consider the possibilities as ministry is rethought where permission is granted to begin ministries and maybe realize when a ramp is provided for the lost...they will come!Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-62285179743367663342009-06-18T12:10:00.000-07:002009-06-19T07:25:32.001-07:00Are You A Fan.....or a Follower?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SjuVzKYISyI/AAAAAAAAAE0/aVyY8rrUMOs/s1600-h/red+sox+fans.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349033688624024354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SjuVzKYISyI/AAAAAAAAAE0/aVyY8rrUMOs/s320/red+sox+fans.jpg" /></a> For the great majority of people, being a fan is energizing (especially when our team is winning), inspiring, and easy. Easy, because it does not require any effort, training, or commitment. It only takes a voice, a sign, a hat, t-shirt, bumper sticker and you are set. The downside to being a fan is that they have a great tendency to be unpredictable, unfaithful, and unhappy when their team is in a slump.<br /><br />Conversely, the follower stays the course, is undaunted, and not swayed by adversity. Being a follower of Christ requires that we have this kind of drive and determination, despite the circumstances or conditions around us. A follower of Christ does not win every game, (like the fan expects) but realizes that there is an entire season yet to play, an eternity with Christ to be gained!<br /><br />So which one are you? A fan who changes with the wind, or the follower who stays focused on whats ahead...I like the way the Apostle Paul put it:<br /><br /><em>"So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ--that's where the action is. See things from His perspective." Col. 3:1,2 Message</em>Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-21425843019825594202009-06-12T06:29:00.001-07:002009-06-12T07:06:00.454-07:00What Lies Beneath...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SjJdjRBi8nI/AAAAAAAAAEs/XYiqm59-jI8/s1600-h/Iceberg%25202.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 234px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346438568088892018" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SjJdjRBi8nI/AAAAAAAAAEs/XYiqm59-jI8/s320/Iceberg%25202.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Remember the last time you lost it emotionally? It might have been toward your wife, your children, a co-worker, or the guy who just cut you off this morning on your way to work. Each one of us struggle with the handling of our emotions, and some better than others. When was the last time you took an interior look at what lies beneath the surface of your life? And investigated the hidden places in your life...the places where the real struggles are?<br /><br /><br />I have been reading a provoking book for the past 6 months entitled: "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality." The author is Peter Scazzero, a Pastor in Queens, NY. Peter contends that, "It's impossible to be spiritually mature, while remaining emotionally immature." And goes on to flesh out reasons why so many Christians, even Pastor's struggle with emotional immaturity. He goes on to suggest that as an Iceberg is deceptive by its tip, so too is emotional health and spirituality when it comes to our lives. As the Psalmist cries out, "Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong--then guide me on the road to eternal life." (Ps. 139:23-4) The Message.<br /><br /><br />Even though you might have had many real and helpful spiritual experiences in certain areas of your life, instrinsically you could be suffering, even severely from emotional pain or anxiety. The good news there is help and hope for you...but it is going to take time to allow the Holy Spirit to unravel the layers of emotional pain and anger that has been buried deep within. You see, the Lord never stops the process of change in us...it may be stagnated by our stubbornness and free will for a time...but He never gives up on us...so let Him in completely and begin to let out the emotional pain...you will be more at peace with yourself and with God!</div>Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-13536372173972973672008-10-30T08:27:00.000-07:002008-10-30T08:50:52.461-07:00Who Will Get My Vote?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SQnT6g84wAI/AAAAAAAAAEk/tMPx7xXcjks/s1600-h/PROLIFE.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262970641790320642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SQnT6g84wAI/AAAAAAAAAEk/tMPx7xXcjks/s320/PROLIFE.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>With the election upon us, amid the countless speeches, rhetoric and campaign promises. So now what? How do we vote? What will be the factor(s) that will end the debate in our minds? Time is ticking... Recently, I came across an article by gentleman named Tony Woodlief (<em>Current Issue of World Magazine</em>) that I thinks bears consideration. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Here is an excerpt from that article:</div><div></div><div></div><div><em>"I have become something I once reviled: a single-issue voter. I used to think that a wise voter tries to discern each candidate's intentions on major issues, and then casts his vote based on an assessment of who will do the greatest overall good—or the least evil. I thought those voters who support a candidate based on a single issue—whether he will increase school funding, say, or lower taxes—were shirking their duty to consider the full ramifications of putting someone in office. </em><em>What good is electing someone who is "<strong>right</strong>" on one thing, I thought, if he gets everything else disastrously <strong>wrong</strong>? </em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em>This was the reasoning I used as I congratulated myself for wisely apportioning my votes based on utilitarian calculations. </em><em>Now I suspect this sort of calculation misses something. I've become convinced that a nation which sanctions the extinguishing of unborn children, and further, the outright execution of near-term infants, doesn't deserve admiration even if it gets every other policy right. It's certainly true that there are other issues that ought to concern Christians, like the sanctity of marriage, and how we treat the mentally ill, the elderly, and children who have been born.</em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em>But abortion is, in my view, the <strong>touchstone</strong>. Get this one wrong and your <strong>moral compass</strong> can guide you in nothing else. </em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em>Yet there is also painful clarity that comes with single-mindedness. Jobs, highways, schools, economic growth—none of these matter if we're willing to sanction murder to get them. Perhaps my mentality is a recipe for political isolation for Christians, for the losing of elections, and maybe even a loss of national greatness. I worry that the alternative, however, is to lose something far greater, which is our ability to discern good from evil, and to act accordingly."</em></div><div></div><div>Just something to think about as you head to the polls on Tuesday...</div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div>Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-76880804305786797622008-10-24T07:16:00.000-07:002008-10-24T07:39:17.419-07:00Medical Missions...San Luis, Mexico<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SQHZXc_PTeI/AAAAAAAAAEc/LyqpPrT3Dm0/s1600-h/DSC01488.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260724836687105506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SQHZXc_PTeI/AAAAAAAAAEc/LyqpPrT3Dm0/s320/DSC01488.JPG" border="0" /></a> This was our team from First Assembly who ministered medically and spiritually together with over 65 others from all over the country. We were working out of Bethel Orphanage, that has been reaching out to orhpans and the community of San Luis for over 28 years. Over 5,000 lives were touched through clinics consisting of medical, optical, dental, chiropractic and spiritual. Each person heard the gospel and over 1,061 accepted Christ! In the clinic that I was priviledged to be part of over 90% of those who heard the gospel received Christ. Additionally, rice and beans were given out to families and individuals as they left the clinics. For four of our ladies this was their first missions experienced and each one expressed how the trip opened their eyes to how the rest of the world lives, and that they would definitely want to serve the Lord on another missions trip. I'll never forget the words of Keith Green, who penned these words to song, "Jesus Comands Us To Go..." this sums up missions and every effort made to reach souls for Jesus! So when you get the opportunity to go....Just go!Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-42401579331875531572008-09-26T08:53:00.000-07:002008-09-26T09:42:39.956-07:00Fireproof...Your MarriageWant to rescue, or strengthen your marriage? Consider taking your wife or husband to "Fireproof," the new movie starring Kirk Cameron which opens tonight in theatres. The movie provides opportunities for dialogue around the issues of forgiveness, communication, the differences between men and women, pornography and the need for God's Love. So far, Fireproof has been getting tremendous reviews...here is just one.<br /><br /> <em>AmyPosted on September 25, 2008, I just got out of the theater two hours ago. This movie gives me the chills in a good way. My boyfriend of two years went to see the movie with me. I have prayed and hoped that this movie will give our relationship what it needs, the unconditional love, respect, putting God first in our relationship so that we may grow stronger together through God and each other. I pray that all married and non-married couples will see this movie to begin a healing and thought-provoking process to help bring marriage back to what it began as...two people coming together joined as One, the way that God designed it. God bless all our firefighters, EMTs, and policemen for the challenging work you do that takes you away from your loved ones. Please know that there is someone out there tonight praying for you and we appreciate all that you do. God Bless!</em><br /><em></em><br />Check out the website: fireproofthemovie.com for more information on this movement to grow marriages through Christ! So, no matter what your marriage looks like right now, there is hope, because there is nothing too hard for God! Get a babysitter, set the date, take her to dinner and go see this movie with your spouse...I know I will, and don't forget the popcorn!<br /><em></em><br /><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M5lSu6GkC2k&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M5lSu6GkC2k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-18355306861403499452008-09-25T08:42:00.000-07:002008-09-25T12:07:57.416-07:00A Great New Book....Crazy Love<span style="font-family:verdana;">I recently purchased this new book by a new author for me. It is called "<em>Crazy Love,"</em> by Francis Chan...Pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, CA. He is a Pastor who thinks out-of-the box, who seeks to challenge Christians away from a life being comfortable...to a life of risk and adventure...in pursuit of an authentic faith...a passionate love relationship with God. He asks, "Have you ever wondered if we're missing it? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss...Whether you've verbalized it or not...we all know something's wrong." </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Check out this short video introduction by the author;<br /><br /></span><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wvtNTUV9O50&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wvtNTUV9O50&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-41703056111445470292008-09-19T06:13:00.002-07:002008-09-19T10:06:32.076-07:00The New Extreme Rush...Swooping<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SNPZSPT10yI/AAAAAAAAAEU/z8IN-wH3-HA/s1600-h/nm_swooping_080917_mn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247776898187383586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SNPZSPT10yI/AAAAAAAAAEU/z8IN-wH3-HA/s320/nm_swooping_080917_mn.jpg" border="0" /></a> A few years ago I skydived from 14,000 feet. It was the ultimate rush! Experiencing the sensation of free-falling at 120 MPH was exhilarating! Reflecting on the experience, it was also a lesson in faith. Faith that I had the courage to actually jump from a perfectly good plane, faith that one of my five parachutes would open, and faith that I would land safely on the ground. My experience was successful...but now the rage to swoop down like an eagle or canadian geese into a pond that is only 3 feet deep...that would be a stretch for me and I'm sure for many. To top it off, when you swoop, you jump from 5,000 feet instead of a higher drop. A real faith tester...Huh. Maybe it will catch on, maybe it won't. If you have never skydived or swooped, here is your opportunity. I'm thinking about it (swooping)...how about you?<br /><br /><br />Check it out for yourself!<br /><br /><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5836492">http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5836492</a>Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-70837993768873459382008-09-11T06:46:00.000-07:002008-09-19T09:08:07.490-07:00Letting go...<span style="font-family:Verdana;">I came across this verse the other day. It comes from Psalms 32, it was the way Eugene Peterson put it that struck me:</span><br /><br /><p><em>"When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans...the pressure never let up, all the juices of my life dried up"....Then I let it all out, I said, "I'll make a clean breast of my failures to God." Suddenly the pressure was gone- my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared." (vv.3-5) Message</em></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">How often do we feel like this? Especially when it seems like life is literally sucking us dry by circumstances, sin and unresolved issues. The Psalmist here is providing us the remedy for the internal struggles and pain. He says, "Let it all out," empty yourself and let the Almighty fill you again with His goodness and love. I don't know about you, but this brings me "peace in the midst," of _______ (you fill in the blank). Check out the song by Sanctus Real, maybe it will speak to you as it has to me. </span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/06AgY5Xoavw&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/06AgY5Xoavw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p>Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-37438183179091565032008-09-08T06:33:00.000-07:002008-09-19T08:13:08.658-07:00What Matters Most<span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Have you ever asked yourself the question, "What do I value the most?" You see, when you experience changes to your life on any level, you encounter questions like the one above. In the past year, I have experienced some major changes in my life from a new focus of ministry,a new church family, an empty nest at home, to a changing of seasons ( I like to call this a change in thinking). Journeying through this has caused me to take notice of what matters most. I have often asked myself this question, sometimes without being able to answer it, and sometimes I can. I can honestly say that what I value today is radically different from what I have valued 5 years ago. In our society, even in the church, we place such emphasis on possessions and blessings, forgetting about "what matters most." Having had several opportunities to minister on overseas mission trips, where I have encountered many who have nothing, yet have everything.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I read a quote that really got me thinking, "</span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:85%;" >Don't accumulate possessions; accumulate experiences." </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Mark Batterson (Lead Pastor of National Community Church, Washington D.C.) blogged this on the Ethiopian outback late one night in his pup tent.You see, what matters most is the relationships we cultivate with each other, the trips we take to together, the time we spend together. These pursuits far outweigh any purchase or possession we could ever desire. Even though I'm in unchartered territory, yet I am thankful and looking forward toward the future, and for when my children come home for Thanksgiving!</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span>Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429877156769976202.post-82904438948857638382008-09-05T15:15:00.000-07:002008-09-05T18:05:19.610-07:00Welcome to my blog...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SMHWSlFXjqI/AAAAAAAAADs/7V-8d6x39d8/s1600-h/DSC00484.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SMHWSlFXjqI/AAAAAAAAADs/7V-8d6x39d8/s200/DSC00484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242707055916584610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xmZKbm0n5CU/SMGJclWcy0I/AAAAAAAAADM/RYeLP2BAbEo/s1600-h/chazown.jpg"></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >I'm Rick Barnes,<br /><br />Pastor of Christian Education, Worship, Drama, Life Groups (small groups),Senior Adult ministries and coordinate the overseas and home missions trips for First Assembly of God in Hermitage, PA. I have been an Ordained minister with the Assemblies of God for over 22 years. My wife Kathy (of 28 yrs.), is a Therapeutic Staff support and a Lead Mental Health coordinator for children who are mentally challenged also in Hermitage, PA. I have two children. My son Eric, is a Graphic Design major at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, where he is a Senior. My daughter Kari, is a Physical Education major at Evangel University also in Springfield, MO, where she is a Sophomore.<br /><br />My aim and desire with this blog is to share my thoughts and things that I have learned in ministry & life experiences.<br /><br />Recently, I have been reading George Barna's book, "Revolution," where Barna says that "an explosion of spiritual energy and activity," is taking place today. He continues to say that an "unprecedented reengineering of America's faith dimension," is occuring. I see this happening in our country and in my own life. Barna goes on to point out that these "Revolutionaries," desire basically 4 things:<br /><br />1. They don't like playing games<br />2. They are aggressive in their faith<br />3. They want more of God<br />4. They are very determined to "make a difference," with their lives.<br /><br />Reading and considering this has prompted me to re-evaluate my faith, my motives, my heart, my passion as I seek to follow the Spirit's leading. It has definitely challenged me to think differently.</span><br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ></span>Pastor Rick Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667948491762057008noreply@blogger.com1