Friday, December 31, 2010

New Africa Art

These are kids in line waiting for food. I started drawing this a few weeks ago off and on, the pic is not done yet but very close. The drawing is about 24x18. I took a photo of these kids when I was in Africa and always wanted to draw or paint the image.











Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Guys Retreat Recap



All of Our Guys getting ready to head home

Getting ready to start the night Session

Bethany Retreat Center, so thankful for there service, amazing church!
Getting Ready to Head out
Me and My Brother
My Boy Adam throwing down the word, Encountering Others!!!
Pastor Jason Laird throwing down the word Encountering God!!!!

Notes

Howel Park outreach

Friday, December 17, 2010

Studying for Guys Retreat


One of my favorite things about Epic student ministries at my church is the guys Ministry. I love getting together with a bunch of young men on fire for God, there passion to see Jesus lifted up is contagious and there heart to see others come to know Him is inspiring. This weekend the 17th and 18th I'm really excited because it's our first Guys retreat in a long time. Today's day and age we see so few Men getting involved in Church. They are lining the walls in sports bars and athletic stadiums but so few are on the front lines of God's kingdom. It's such a privilege and honor for me to be apart of what God is doing at our church and in the young men at Epic that I could not imagine doing any thing else with my life other than serving. I sat down this week and looked at the topic, Encounter Yourself!!!! God how do you want me to share your word on this, what do you want me to say. Barton share your story!!! That's all I herd, and all I laughed about to because these past few years have been an amazing encounter with myself. Truly learning who God is in my life and who he sees me as not who I have made myself to be. I made my Cinnamon tea and broke out the Good book and began studying, God place in me your Heart!!! It's amazing how when you sit down in Gods word and truly let it pierce you the words of God will convict and challenge your every motive and aspiration. I Love His word and have often been convicted of not reading enough, but the great thing is that God uses his word no matter when you read or what it always comes to life in your heart and will draw you to be more like Him. Often studying as a teacher of the word makes you realize one thing. I need to be way more a student than anything else!!!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Controversy with Santa


OK, first let me start off saying I know this is a touchy subject and some people get really offended and some people really don't care, but I want to share my opinion soley because I like to see what peoples thoughts are and how they feel on the issue. The older I get the more I honestly dont like the thought of Santa, not as a fun Christmas story or who the real guy was that started the whole thing, But! With Santa becoming something that so many parents make about there own personal joy than the moral issue it becomes after something we taught as truth now becomes a lie. I have a problem with Parents or people in General starting a belief in a child all the while knowing that several years after they start that belief they know they will tell that Child that the belief is not actually real! It's not a matter of me being anti Santa that's not it at all, to me Santa is just like a Disney character's it's just a fun experience, imagination and harmless fun. But the problem is that many people get offended when there child learns about Santa not being real and then the parents get angry with whomever it happened with, if not themselves and then wondered why they had to spoil all the fun or upset the child. Was that not something that was going to happen anyway. No matter who tells the child, parent, kid at school because of some conversation, or other means, the fact that the child was told it was real then told otherwise no matter how you word it there will be some type of let down. Anger, trust issues, etc, whatever, it is because we have to create this image and make it exciting that of course there will be problems when the child learns otherwise. My stance is that people cant get upset if what they are teaching knowing it is not true spoils a child's experience when they find out from whomever, even if it was not the intended person to find out from. It's not the truth either way so it's going to hurt either way. Secondly I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, I feel as though us as Americans, myself included, often get to caught up in the commercialized and industry image of Christmas. We put a created image and idea ahead of the original purpose, Jesus then family. Alot of people say well why would you want to spoil the kids fun. I think that's a funny statement because you already know one day you will have to anyway. They cant be 50 yrs old still thinking there is a Santa we would think something is wrong with that person, but we don't think something is wrong to tell a child there is a Santa and make them believe that it is truth. We want to make Christmas exciting so we create something that eventually disappoints, we put it first then make the very thing that Christmas came from second. If Christ stays first there will never be a moment where you have to say it's not real. Plus, Jesus came for all of us not only good little boys and girls. Again I think Santa is a fun part of Christmas as long as it's not first, or taught as a truth and made out to be a manipulation tool to get a child acting good or bad. I don't want to teach my child that lying is wrong then give them a great example of how to, and then make it ok. Again these are my personal beliefs. I have some friends that feel this way some don't. For me personally, I remember using it as ammunition against my parents when I was little. Then they would tell me something and say it was the truth and I would bring the whole you lied to me about Santa deal. Now this only lasted for a little while while I was little but it's the fact that for me that's what it created. Some kids don't get this way some do, but I just don't understand putting yourself in a situation where you have to explain your way out of it. And then parents get upset when there kids get upset. Parents or people say I would never do anything to hurt my child or so in so. But we create something that we know will eventually hurt them. In the long run I think people spend way to much time fighting and arguing about something that's not even real and there on the shelf is Jesus saying I started this whole thing. If I was the center it would not be an issue. It's just funny to me how something so innocent and seemingly good can and has been made an idol, really and truly that's what it has become. How much more is Santa talked about than Jesus in your own home. Is it just a religious thing, or is He your center. Is Jesus a religious tag mark that we as people can associate with or do we really Follow Him, Love Him, Obey Him. I don't want to sell short on Christ to much is getting His place already. The world replaces the very name that Started Christmas with holidays. Making it's king Santa. Now Christ is forbidden and Santa is glorified. It burdens me!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Simple Thought

Either we are Content are we Covet, Paul said with little or much I am fine. I believe it's because He knew Jesus was the only thing that never Changes, He could rely on Christ with a lot or little! Regardless of what we face we should Be Content with the Everlasting rather than Covet the temporary!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Next Generation


This picture is of two things, 1.) Our core leadership class of High school students and 2.) The unfinished space for kids ministry at Healing Place Church.
I've been thinking about this photo for a few days now, the next generation, and how the church would look if there was no investment in the future. There is a passage of scripture in Mathew 19:13-15 where Jesus is talking to the disciples about little children and how we can learn from them, children believe with there whole hearts and we must believe like them if we want to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. I believe as we get older there is a tendency to let time steal our dreams, get more complacent, and look for comfort. But there is something about kids, they want to play in the rain, get muddy, take risk's, go after it with everything inside of them. When I look at this photo I think of how beautiful this combination is, the youth who are on fire, and the older who are full of wisdom and knowledge. When the church has an investment in the two without putting them in separate categories amazing things can happen. The youth should learn for the previous generation all that they can so the can make that fire useful. And the previous generation should remember there former passion so that the flame can burn even more now, and use that wisdom to help those coming up. When you see a room like this it cannot be done without both sides. The torch has to be passed, the children of future generations must know about Jesus and grow up in His ways. And the only way to do it is to take that fire and combine it with understanding and you can build some amazing things that God will use for His glory!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Passing of my Best Friend

Jordan Gautreau
by Barton Pickens on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 4:15pm

"In these past few days I've thought over and over again about how I would tell the world about you Jordan. But many times I would try to express to them my words, and I would only speak tears. Like so many others there are many things I could say, so many stories I could share. You are my best friend, and you know all my struggles and fears, and yet you stood with me despite them. I want to tell them this story, it's one I 'll never forget, and one I believe you would want the world to know, now that you are home. About a year ago Jordan called me up and asked me if I wanted to go and see a movie with Him. It was such a funny thing because he had not even told me what the movie was before he began saying, now if you don't want to see it I totally understand. I was laughing because the majority of the time when Jordan and I saw movies together it was just me and Him by ourselves and it was a chick flick, haha. Yes, we watched chick flicks quite often, and when you go to the movies together to see them sometimes it can be quite awkward. I remember Jordan pulling up to my house so we could ride out to the theater together, now this is where it gets good. I walk out wearing a pair of dirty old military boots, jeans I had not washed in a few weeks and a Marine Corp sweater with a fresh military haircut. As Jordan gets out of His car He has on a pair of black chuck Taylor's, gray skinny jeans, a white dress shirt with a silver vest over it, a scarf around His neck, the black hat he always wears, and of course His mountain beard. It was such a funny sight the two of us going to see a chick flick. As we got to the Movies we started thinking how could we slip in unnoticed. Maybe we should go in a few minutes apart, ok txt me what row your on that way i can just come in and sit down, ok, that will work. As we figured out our strategy we realized how cheesy we sounded and decided to just man up and go in together. We had done this before no big deal. After grabbing some snacks we headed in! I have to say as soon as we came around the corner we were the only two dudes in a packed house full of girls, and we ended up sitting right in the middle of them all! You could not have written it any better how funny that was. As the movie went on we laughed all throughout the show, and louder than anyone else. After all was said and done we went back to my house to hang out and eat, talk about life, why the guy should have gotten the girl, and just enjoyed each others company. And this is the memory I want to share. Jordan after a few moments into our conversation looked over at me and simply said, I appreciate you! I know these are not your type of movies but you still go anyway just to hang out with me. I will never forget that. Not only did Jordan live a relentless life for Jesus fully committed to the cause of Christ but he valued those around Him, always telling others how much they meant to Him, showing others how much Jesus valued them through His life and words. I know that Jordan would have been shocked by the number of people that came to His service. He would never think that or say that he impacted that many lives and many more that were unable to come. They all came because Jordan valued them through His service, and we were all impacted. The story He would want me to share with you would be to tell others how important they are to you. Let them know you value them and appreciate them, tell them how much you love them. It is so short the time we have, and let us learn from such a great example like Jordan how to value others. How to show them they matter and that Jesus loves them. I believe this is what He would want told. Jordan, there is so much I want to tell you right now and so much I wish i could say, but I want you to know more than anything how much I appreciate you, and Love you, and miss you. And look forward to the day when we can share our brotherhood once again."

www.jordanslegacy.com

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Encounter Yourself

The word Encounter is such a unique word, some of the definitions mean to come face to face, or to confront an enemy, or a conflict with an opposing force. When thinking about this word with yourself it carries a much greater weight to it. The Bible talks about us being two separate people, the Spirit, and the Flesh, but often I think Christians forget we are a soul with a body not a body with a soul. We war so often with these two persons. There is apart of us that See's a child being picked on we want to go and defend them, and the other side of us says oh what will people say or do if I stand up for that child. There is apart of us that says I'm so tired of the same old addictions and I want to be free but another side of us that tries so hard to pull us right back into the same pain we are sick and tired of. Many people will try to put some type of scientific reason or intellectual answer to why this is or justifications other than the what the Bible says but no one can deny these impulses or internal urges. I often find it funny when Parent's wont curse around Children but do so in there absence, as if self admitting that what they are doing is wrong but as they get older truth for them is not truth for the child. Truth cannot be relative or it is not absolute. Encountering Yourself means taking a hard look at what we are in comparison to what Jesus wants us to be. Do we really follow Jesus, or do we really lead ourselves. There are a couple of things that I have been thinking about when it comes to Encountering ourselves. 1. A Big mirror and a small mirror. The Word says what Good does it do for a man to look at a mirror seeing what needs to be fixed and then walks away forgetting to fix anything. I know for myself I often take a small mirror, that way I can only see a little bit, I'm able to move it to the areas that I want to work on and I have control of. I don't have to look at the rest. But I know God wants a big mirror, so we can examine our whole self. We cant avoid the big picture or what we try to hide. We constantly try to achieve and excel so we wont confront the void and emptiness inside, we spend so much time trying cover our mistakes and seem perfect because we don't want people to know that we don't have it all together and that we are tired from trying to always be perfect. We try to always be funny because we want to be the center of attention because we don't want others to know we feel alone and depressed. Encountering ourselves is often a messy ordeal, but Jesus gives us one of the greatest examples of encountering our self than any other. When Jesus goes to the garden in the last hours of His life it's an amazing story of how we Encounter ourselves. 2. Jesus was faced with the greatest decision of His life, do I give up my life like God is asking me or do I go with my flesh and turn away. Often when we face difficult situations no where near the cost of death why do we bail out and run, Jesus could have but instead He decided to obey the Father and face His flesh, and literally crucify it. His word says we are to crucify our flesh daily so that are flesh will not live but Christ will. We are to confront our enemy and war with our flesh, Face it, encounter it and like Jesus say not our will but Father yours be done. Not our will but but Father yours. When we want to be mean not our will but Father yours, let us show Love. When we want to Gossip, Father not our will but Yours let us speak positive and encouraging words. When our flesh man wants to take control Kill it let Gods spirit have control. Not our will but Father yours be done. Encounter yourself! And find out who's will has control the flesh or our spirit. And keep in your mind always the example of Christ. Father not my will but yours be done!!!!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Honor Goes Down

Honor Goes Down

We tend to send honor up.

We turn Ps into VIPs, rooms into greenrooms, and Americans into idols.

But here's the paradigm shift with Jesus.

He sent honor down.

Those who were last became first, those who had least gave most, and those in the lowest seats got promoted.

I saw this on another guys blog It really smoked me , I'll defiantly be chewing on this for awhile.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

My Tribute to Dave Ohlerking

In life there are men that we read stories about that have shaped the course of History

Where deeds of bravery have been left in scrolls for all generations to read

Where stories of Compassion have moved countries and nations towards action

stores of faith so strong that the very life given them they were willing to lay down

and lives so full of Love that Fathers and Mothers will lay at night beside there children and remind them of what they have done

many of these men we can only read stories of, and dream of what it would be like to have know them

to learn from them and to have been in the very midst of there bold presence

to have seen with our own eyes that bravery, that faith, that compassion, that Love.

Yes, to have known men with hearts so full of passion that the very earth they walked was carved by there character

to have known men that when they spoke, one word was more than a thousand and anchored itself in the well of our souls

to have known men like this would have been such an Honor, to have witnessed these stories written in person would have been such a priveledge, and to have seen that Love would have been such a gift.

Seven years ago I was blessed with such a gift

Priviledeged beyond words to have seen such a story

and given more than an Honor to have known such a man

If Hebrews had empty pages to fill you could take his life and paint the words

for his life has shaped my story, and for those that have known him they would say the same as well

I could write for days and not put in words what he has shared in life

nor tell a story worthy enough of the one he had written

but I can only say I will never forget his story,

and never forget the life that was written,

God blessed us with such a man,

and graced us all with more than a legend,

Jesus thankyou for such a story,

and thankyou for such a friend!



Dave Ohlerking

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Loneliness for Fellowship

As of late this has been a very lonely road, Im not sure when the last time I have felt like this has been or how long ago I have gone thrue a season like this. The funny thing is Im surrounded by many people all the time, my beautiful wife, amazing friends and family but all the same it has still been one of the loneliest times of my life, and I believe there is a very significant reason for this. I have been doing alot of training in the last few months for an event we have been working on to raise money and awareness for the Orphans in Africa, and during this training I can often spend anywhere between 5 to 7 hours by myself a day for 5 days a week, getting mentally and physically prepared. This loneliness I feel in my heart I have often compared to the struggles of Paul, and even Jesus. There are things that God has put in the hearts of His special utensil's that often times the only ones who understand it are them and them alone. It becomes a weight that only they bear and a burden only they can truly understand, not because they are more important to God than others absolutely not, but to me because they are the ones who let down there walls to feel the sting of other people's pain, they let it mark them, they did not hide or shelter there hearts from reality, but they embraced the struggles and drank in the terrible injustice of another persons hurt and sorrows, yes I know we are to let Jesus carry our burdens but I also know that Jesus had a constant burden for the people and we are to have His heart towards people as well. It's amazing how brutal Africa has tormented my heart, I often feel overwhelmed by the movies that play in my mind over and over again from what I have seen and how heavy and sick I feel many times walking through the streets of America knowing I can never turn off the comparison switch in my heart. There have been many times in the last 4 yrs when I have not slept because I cannot stop thinking about the more than 50 million orphans in Africa, and if Im honest it's hard for me to talk to someone complaining about there steak not being cooked just right when I have seen kids that have never tasted anything but rice and beans once a day. I'm just being honest. I think about Jesus and the last moments of His life the weight that was on Him and what He knew he had to finish, no one else understood, as a matter of fact the ones closest to Him all went to sleep but in His heart it was concrete and there was no other way. Ive thought about great men like Martin Luther who stood strong through the great test of trial and persevered and changed history. Yes, there has been great loneliness trying to help 50 million children or simply even one, even those closest to me at many times have been the ones furthest away. The more you let it mark you the more your eyes see differently and your heart focuses on others, your views change from other people what was important no longer is and now what wasent is the only thing that is important. You begin to know the fathers heart and all the things we see as "so important" begin to fade away as so temporary and empty. I get on my bike and ride thinking about them, how can we send shoes,soccer balls, toys, clothes, anything, it's always there. I have seen many people that have come back with such a desire to make a difference and sadly within a few weeks it becomes a distant memory swallowed up in the American dream. We cant be those people, once we have seen it we are now responsible for it, weather it makes us alone or not. But i'll finish up with this, it has been a long test for me to keep faith in what God has laid on my heart trying to bring hope to the children by making people aware, especially when there is such a competition with all other things pleading for peoples attention. With this test in front of me I have been fasting and I have noticed so strongly that when I sit down to get alone with God I'm mean instantly I can see how my flesh trys to go watch tv or go outside or just daydream it's a war to get intimacy with God. I was so convicted by this because it tells me that that is what my flesh is used to being feed, and that's what it runs to when I get alone with God if I had been training my flesh more to be alone with God more daily when I go to fast it would be dead to those things and craving the father. While carrying this weight and knowing what God has placed in my heart my one desire has been to known Jesus in His suffering and loneliness. He is not far from me but is familiar with all our sorrows and troubles. This has carried me, knowing that my Savior has for us endured His loneliness so that we could see His ultimate plan and then we could have fellowship and no more loneliness. I pray that in this season it is not loneliness that we focus on but fellowship, that He suffered to bring us, and once we have fellowship we can share it with others. Especially the children.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

IF IT COST YOU!!!!!!

If you could feed a Child that was Hungry would you?
If you could care for a widow that needed help would you?
If you could rescue a child from Human trafficking would you?
If you save and Orphan from starvation would you?
If you could stand up for someone who was just made fun of in public would you?
If you saw someone who was homeless and you could feed them would you?
If a kid at school was alone and you could comfort them would you?
If your neighbors were elderly and you could cut there grass would you?
If the kid down the street needed help with homework and you could help would you?
If the cashier at the store was having a bad day and you could be nice would you?
If you could pay for the meal of the couple beside you at the restaurant would you?
If you teacher at school was having a bad day at school and you could encourage them would you?
If it cost only 5 dollars a month to feed a child in Africa and you had the money would you?
If someone needed a ride to church every week but did not have the gas to pay you would you?
If your parents needed help Friday nite and it kept you from going out would you?
If your bonus at the end of the month was enough to get that thing you wanted but was also the amount to pay for that child in Honduras education for a year would you?
If Homeless outreach was on Saturday nite but so was the football game would you?
If you could pass out bottles of water on Saturday morning or sleep in would you?
If someone needed help and you were off the clock would you?
If someone you knew was lost and needed to know about Jesus and you could tell them would you?

IF IT COST YOU EVERYTHING FOR ANY OF THIS WOULD YOU?

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Just Do Something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was almost 4 years ago that God really birthed this idea of doing something for Childrenscup in my heart, and to be honest at the time I had no clue or even idea what I was going to do. I knew that after going to Africa and seeing the children and hearing the sounds of Suffering and witnessing the hands of injustice I could not just sit idly by in a church pew any more, or to be even more specific I could not just settle with doing church outreaches anymore. I love doing Church outreaches and all the events that we do with all my heart but I also knew it was not taking me outside of my own comfort zone. Going beyond what someone else set up for me and stepping out in my walk with God personally. Making my own life an outreach and my own heart an access to people more than just an allotted time period on the weekends. There was a burning desire in me to do more and to reach more and to settle for less. As I began searching for different ideas about what to do and possibly how to raise money for the kids there began to be this overwhelming sense of barrenness, this sense of I have no resources, no connections, no equipment or even idea of what to do or how to even go about doing anything. But the one thing I did know was this, every great story in Gods word came from people ( ordinary like you and me) stepping out in blind faith. I had this thought in my mind we have to JUST DO SOMETHING we cant sit around and think all the time or talk about how great it would be to actually do something. I wanted my faith and my relationship with God to be shown through my Heart first and then through my hands actively doing his work (Reaching)! I did not have a clue where to start but I watched and learned and began to ask questions. I prayed and read and started having ideas and in my heart. Faith started to grow and passion built it self by being active. You cant build a fire unless you blow a little wind into the coals, and the more wood you add the more air you will need to help it grow. I really believe that this day and age God is looking for and raising up more people who are wiling to just do something. Weather that means just simply serving on the weekends by holding a door open at church or putting together a huge food drive it does not matter. God is looking for those that are willing to Just Do Something, so my challenge to you is that that thing you feel burning inside you to do Go and do something with it for God. Ask Him how and what and He will show you, He wants to because he Has a plan and a purpose that He wants to work through you.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Symptoms of Pride

I find it so funny when Moses says to Pharaoh when would you like me to ask God to remove all the plagues and Pharaoh's response was, tomorrow. Why is it some times just for pride's sake we will put off freedom in order to prove a point that only cost us more pain. I mean is this not a perfect example of how we all sometimes make the worst decisions in the midst of the worst circumstances just to prove a point that really only proves how stubborn we are, when we could just humble ourselves and save alot of embarrassment and grief later on or even at that very moment in front of alot of people. Pride is a funny thing, the desire to be something or apart of something that is made to look better and greater than it really is or even could be. Everyone has this desire to be noticed and admired but why is it that we take it to the point of self idol ism or false representation. Lying to glorify ourselves and seem greater than all others. Pharaoh in all his "greatness" showed just how dumb we can all be, everyone knows how bad the situation is and knows it could be so much better if we would just change our attitude or even think about someone other than our self for once. Pride, it's ironic how the Bible says this is what comes before the fall and yet we try so hard to stand independent and in front of everyone with all the pride we can muster. Pharaoh taught such a good lesson God's grace and freedom is right there if we will just let God be God and realize that we are not. I've herd it said like this, Until we create our own universe and existence to life in 7 days then we better just let the one who did be in charge. HAHA I just pray that my life will line up to how much I agree with that

Monday, July 5, 2010

Another Chewer

You ever wonder why people spend so much time after they have messed up asking God to forgive them, when they spend so little time with God before they mess up they are not able to withstand the temptation?

This is something God has been speaking to me about in my own life really convicting and helping me change so many things in my life. Making adjustments and corrections in ones life is always good to keep you aligned with God. It's His little way of saying I love you and want us to have a healthy relationship, as His word says (I discipline those I Love).

Monday, June 14, 2010

Something I've been chewing on

I did not want to post anything big or long this week, I just wanted to post this one thing it's very small but alot to chew on, it's been stirring my heart for the past couple of days. Hope you like it.


Why do we ask God questions about why there is violence in the world, or poverty, or hurt? Isn't it GOD who should be asking us why there is violence, poverty, or hurt in the world? Francis Chan

Sunday, June 6, 2010

How IronmanforOrphans all began

In 2007 after coming back from my first trip to Africa it was really hard for me to process all that had taken place and all that I had seen. There was so much poverty, and so much need I really did not know what to do or where to start, but deep down inside I knew that once I had seen it I had now become responsible for it. While on the plane in the middle of the nite I spent a lot of time thinking of Ideas and ways to bring attention to need of Africa, the people and the orphans. At the time the United Nations issued a study that by 2010 there would be close to if not over 50 million orphans in the continent of Africa unfortunately that number has come to pass .In 2010 the United nations issued new reports that there were over 50 million orphans in Africa and over 26 million of them were aides orphans. I have had the amazing privilege to travel to several different countries in Southern Africa with Children's Cup international Relief to see and be apart of hands on relief efforts that go on daily to these countries. Children's Cup International relief takes care of close to 30 thousand children a day in Swaziland, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Swaziland in particular has the highest percentage of Aids in the world, it is estimated that one out of every two has this horrible disease. When Dave Ohlerking the founder and President of Childrens Cup issued a statement at the mid of 2009 that much of the care that we provide to the children of these countries would be drastically cut back due to financial support and the economic crisis facing so many people, myself along with several others came together to form the IronmanforOprhans team. With long nites and many hours planning and gathering ideas on how to bring attention and support to Children's Cup we came up with the bike, run, walkathon called( Ironmanfor Orphans). I myself will bike for a set amount of hours representing the Orphan crisis in Africa, but we also wanted as many people as possible to be apart by coming out to bike, run, or walk for however long they wished to help raise and show support for Children's Cup, and the Orphans of Africa. So now that the vision is starting to take place our hope is that many of you will find a place on the team and be apart of something that we believe will bring a renewed hope to so many in need. We thank all of you so much who have joined so far and we will continue to keep everyone up to date as to all that is scheduled and taking place in the near future. Again thank you and God bless.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Pain of the Mission Field

There is a section in the New Testament where Paul is sharing his internal struggle with friends that he is about to leave, he knows he will probably never see them again until they get to Heaven and they know it as well. Before Paul departs there is much crying and weeping and anguish in there hearts about the loss and separation they are about to feel. Honestly that's how I feel right now, I have never felt that way towards any other mission trip before in my life, Africa I know I will see again. And God lets me revisit there every day in my heart because it stole a piece of me and kept it for itself. But I know that's where I'm called. It gets harder every trip I take because I feel that anguish in my heart towards the people in the field and having to leave them. For me the sacrifice is not the leaving all that we have here in the states but leaving the people that have taken pieces of my heart and kept it for themselves on the field. I feel the loss knowing that I may only see them again if God allows and if not then my heart is full of sorrow until that day. How beautiful are the people that lay there lives down for the Gospel and how beautiful are those that give up home, country, and comfort to see the Kingdom of God advance. It tears at my heart to part with them, and only wait on God to give another day of fellowship. For me The Pain of The Mission Field is having to part ways with those who for only a short period of time dug a well so deep in your life that when you pull from it, it is only Gods heart of Joy and love. It amazes me how you can be born in a country and not even feel at home, but when you go to the least of these you never want to leave, my soul misses all my dear friends on the field, and knows that weather here or in Heaven one day all the saints will sit together, and fellowship where the sun will never set!!!!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The new Logo for Ironman for Orphans

This is the new Logo for IronmanforOrphans it's an exciting step that brings us one step closer to bringing hope to so many orphans in Africa. Thanks to an amazing team that has worked long hours and sat through so many meetings things are finally starting to move foward. More updates will be on the way but for now hope you enjoyed the logo. Also check out the new facebook page and get updates on IMFO to see what going on.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

14 days till Honduras

Thanks to the amazing Heather Stewart I was able to gather a few pics of the sights and adventures of Honduras from her facebook(She is a full time Missionary there). We have 14 days till we leave, and in all honesty I have a totally different level of excitement for this missions trip than any other trip I have ever been on. One of the reasons has to do with the history of how it all got started in Honduras and the 2nd has to do with I have never been there. There is a new level of expectation and a new level of spiritual preparation that has been on my heart. I think alot of times when you go to a place more than once you can let your guard down or casually coast into the place thinking I've been here done that. It's always a new challenge spiritually to go into a new place, the smells are different, the sights are different, the culture is different, you cant do things the same that you can do in places you have been before. But the great thing is you get a chance to grow in ways you would not have been able to being in places your familiar with. I love new trip's because God allows you to see what He is doing in the world and how there are believers all across the world, beautiful people everywhere serving and following Jesus. It helps you see the big picture. I love meeting new people and getting to hear there stories and life journey at the end of the day you realize more often than not even though you came to help them they are truly giving you so much spiritually. I'm really excited and looking forward to what God is going to do, in filling us up then pouring us out, because the main thing is Jesus and our purpose is others.

(Just a few pics of what Honduras looks like and some of the areas we will be going to).



Sunday, April 25, 2010

Arc All Access is Here

About Registration Speakers Schedule Exhibitors Contact/FAQ News All Access Twenty Ten was born out of a heart to connect church leaders, encourage church planters and champion the cause of Christ through healthy local churches. It's a place for church leaders to connect, church planters to be encouraged, and where all who attend will be inspired and equipped to serve their cities effectively. Join us in these strategic days for this high-impact conference.





Brian Houston
Hillsong Church


Chris Hodges
Church of the
Highlands


Craig Groeschel
LifeChurch.tv


Dino Rizzo
Healing Place Church



Priscilla Shirer
Going Beyond


Rick Bezet
New Life Church


Robert Morris
Gateway Church


Stovall Weems
Celebration Church



Tommy Barnett
Phoenix First
Assembly of God


John Maxwell
Author/Speaker


Miles McPherson
Rock Church
& Academy


Greg Surratt
Seacoast Church


info@relatedchurches.com | (205) 981-4566© All Rights Reserved. Association of Related Churcheswebsite by PlainJoe Studios

Thursday, March 25, 2010

First service in the HPC ARENA





What a night!!!!!! The first service in the new HPC ARENA, it has been such a long wait but there is a scripture in Zachariah that comes to mind that says despise not the small beginnings. When I think about all that we have gone through as a church and all that is going to take place here that scripture fits so well. The biggest trees in the world start out as a small seed, the tallest building in the world starts with one drawing, the greatest ministry in the world started in a manger. Even though things started out small the became strong and great over time because of there growth and perseverance. The wait was well beyond worth it because it has taught us so much and grown us to where we are now. It is such a privilege to be here in Gods house and such an honor to serve at HPC. It's my church family, and it's our way of life, reaching the world by serving one!!!!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

More Art Im working ON

Just thought I would share with you some new Art I'm working on, the pics are a little blurry from the camera but the art in still in the works. As you can tell most of my stuff lately is all Africa, but as the old saying goes once you have been there you will re visit it in your mind everyday after that. Africa it gets in your blood.



Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Peters Comparison

There are many times in ones life where we are faced with a little nasty human problem. Comparisons! I often feel there is a tendency to judge the season your in by the standard of someone Else's joy, grief, prosperity, success, or failures. It's honestly hard to not get distracted with Comparison when you have seasons that don't seem as "good" as other people. You may feel as though your doing something wrong which could be the case, but there are other times where Gods plan of refinement by fire does not match our idealistic walk as a comfortable Christian. You if your like me can feel like your left out, and everyone else is just flying by you. God why am I not moving forward, why am I not advancing, why do I feel like everyone else is so much better than me now? Honestly! we as people behind closed doors ask ourselves these things, it's nothing to be ashamed of. But if you live your life by these questions and let it dictate the value of who you are then there is an issue. I don't know why but I have been seeing this alot lately with friends, family, and especially myself! It really is funny to me how we as people will become insecure about ourselves just by how someone Else's life looks. And we let that determine our self worth and our value just because we want what there outside appearance and possessions look like, to be what we find our significance in . Why is it that we compare ourselves to others almost always by the way things look on the outside first, instead of what God is developing us into. We see big houses but we don't see lots of dept, we see fancy cars but we don't see marriages falling apart, we hear how much someone has great accomplishments but we dont see there dad telling them they will never be anything. Why do we compare ourselves to someone Else's possessions or place in life when we dont have a clue most of the time what it took to get that, or what they are losing to have it. We are worried about what people think, why? Why do we care? If we do get it all but then it all gets stripped away then do we lose our significance again. Are we found in what we have or what we do, or by who we are and how we live? Especially as a follower of Christ the inward should be what is our place of security and our outward expression of confidence. If I preach then great, if I mop floors even better, if I serve in parking awesome, if I'm a missionary to Africa spectacular. Our worth is not in what we do but who we are in Christ. What you do will always change but He does not. Our significance is found in Him! John 21:15-23 is such a good example of Comparison. Peter is comparing himself to John and questioning Jesus about how fair he thinks Jesus is being. Peter will eventually give his life for Christ and John will live an old age but Peter is not to happy with the fairness of this decision. I LOVE HOW JESUS RESPONDS: If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? YOU FOLLOW ME. Oh if we could only so this deeply in our hearts. Jesus calls each of us into a special plan and purpose and it is His will. We were found by Christ, we gave our hearts to Him, now, the only thing we need be concerned with is Follow Him. If we could just follow Him the way He asks us to we don't need to be concerned with comparison because that is not in our plan. His will is tailored for us and no one else, so why do we desire someones else's plan is it truly for wanting to serve Christ or to serve our own Glory. I hope and pray that we can be the FOLLOW ME people, that's His heart. That's His plan!

Friday, February 26, 2010

The Rescue in the Darkness

It has been a while sense I have done any poetry but this one has been burning in my heart for a while. The story is about Man and his struggle with the flesh and the spirit and Jesus that rescues.

My Heart is held captive by the tent where it dwells and the fire that feeds it has been locked behind stone. Why has this shell not been shaken of its hold, or its grip not been torn of it's claim. This wild passion longs for release but only silence is herd, and desperation turns violent as these two men come to fame. Why does this war wage only to see ground taken and then ground regained. If I could run faster then I surely would go or if I could swim farther then I would let sea call my name. These two men that besiege me one is truth that lives free and the other that calls me gives death with eyes that cant see. OH how I long for the sword will cut through the night piercing the darkness pouring in me true light. In the battles they face one cries out in despair but the man of great darkness gives pain with no care. The chains that once bound me had torn through my skin but after I'm free there I return once again, why all this pulling that claws in my chest in chasing His light this tent gives me no rest. I see His grace giving life in my soul and His truth that sets free on my heart it lays hold. But this man that beckons me in his heart there's no life only darkness that binds me and a path filled with strife. In these two men one can see death that is free and in the core of his heart knows his eyes can now see. But the man that wages war his hatred is strong and the life that he gains is death without song. Oh heart, oh heart, The One that is calling can see these two men, He knows there's a battle that neither can win. His Army stands ready war they will wage but The One that is Calling steps on to His stage. Into the darkness He fought them and called me by name He slayed all the dragons by His sword covered in flame. He saw me in the distance battling within one longing for life the other for sin. By His hands He had grasped me pulling me tight to His chest in the midst of His presence I felt life giving rest. His arms covered in justice and His hands drenched in Grace He plowed through the darkness putting shame to there face. As He broke through the night darkness no longer I'd see only His grace abounding and His Love that sets free. With His body He ransomed me and fought through the night He called out my name and carried me to His light. Oh heart Oh heart only night did I see but because of His Blood Oh Heart your now free!!!!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Wonderful memories of being a Kid

This is a very speacial post to me because it brings me back to when I was a kid and (Cartoons actually had class unlike todays junk) actually spent time watching cartoons. I remember being at my grandmothers house watching these old Disney cartoons my grandmother would record, she would have the firplace going it would be real cold outside and we would crawl up in some blankets on the couch or on the carpet on the floor to watch them. Such good memories I would laugh until it hurt. It was such an exciting thing to see the Disney logo come on tv in it's stripped design with the featured shows for that day in front of it. My grandmother had an old tv framed in a big wood carved box it still works to this day. It has to be some of my greatest memories growing up and spending long summers in Mississippi staying up late watching these old classics. I know I posted a lot but these are some of the ones I could find after seeing one on an old vhs we had. I half to be honest I watched every one and so many more I love them all and hope you enjoy them to. I wish Cartoons still had this kind of Character and class but all good things must come to an end I guess. Anyways Disney did such an amazing job and I Hope you enjoy.
Mickey Donald Goofy(Boat Builders)


Goofy Golf

Mickey Donald Goofy (GHOST Scare)

Mickey and Pluto

Goofy Football

A Disney Christmas

Donald Hockey Champ

Goofy Dance

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Reminds me of my Dad( He's a Chef)

This is absolutely hilarious. I used to love watching this guy growing up. My Dad is a chef so I always think about him when I see this he is as goofy as this guy to I guess that's where I get it from.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Sneak Peak to My New Book (Red Boots)

Where The Story Begins
Adventure, risk, death defying moments, thrills that will make your adrenaline pump through your veins, if you are hoping to find all of this while reading, you will. This entire book is full of true stories from my life that in the process of writing I was full of thankfulness to God for the grace and protection he has had on me. But so much more than all of those things is a story of how God used all of that to bring me to one little boy across the world in a small country in Africa. I will tell you stories of my days in the Marine Corp, stories of the mission field, stories of wild animals and crazy friends, stories that will make you laugh and many that will make you cry, but most important of all, the story of a little orphan with the only name I remember, Red Boots. I hope to take you on a personal journey of life experiences that I believe God used to shape me and mold me for a special task, a task that is much greater than me and a task that requires many people far greater than my self to carry out. This journey I hope will inspire you to seek out Risk, faith, Adventure, and selflessness all for Gods kingdom to reach those that are thought unreachable, to share with those that are hurting, broken, poor, homeless, Orphaned, Widowed, forgotten, those that are looking for life, looking for Purpose, looking for Love, looking for what they don’t even know, Jesus. In all of these stories Christ drew me close into his arms and taught me that others are why he lived, that others are why he died. I hope you catch this passion, I hope you are a fisherman that will lay down your net and hear the call. The Call of Christ, the call to others. Red Boots, there are very few memories that I have in my life that are more beautiful than this one. My number one would be the day I gave my life to Christ, my number two would be the day I married my beautiful wife Heather, three would be the day I became a United States Marine. But this memory, this scene that always plays in my mind is very different, very special. I remember standing outside of a chain link fence peering through some barb wire and a locked gate. There were little children running around everywhere, all playing throwing rocks kicking dirt just doing what little kids do, have a great time. As I moved through the entrance down a small slope to the care point I saw a little boy standing by himself on the path to the playground, he had a huge grin on his face and on his feet were a big bright pair of Red Rubber Boots. I will never forget it, the moment he saw me come around the corner he took off towards me, jumped on me as high as he could and wrapped his arms around me. I was in complete shock, absolutely stunned to think that this little boy has never met me, has now clue who I am, doesn’t know any of my past, my issues, struggles, fears, sins, or failures and yet devoted his Love to me without second thought. I had been to Africa before with total different experiences but this trip opened my eyes to everything that was hidden in me the first time. This little Orphan showed me Jesus, and at this moment I understood why he said what you have done unto the least of these you have done unto me.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

The Heart of a Veteran

My Journal entry from a few days ago, ever sense I have been out of the Marine Corp I have made a concious effort to tell all veterans that I see in public thankyou for there service. This was a conversation I had with a man that has really touched my heart for the WWII Generation, here is what I wrote in my journal from that day.
Thinking about a man I met at Cracker Barrell a few Days ago that served in WWII named Mr. Murry .I walked up to him and told him thankyou for his service and what he did, he teared up and said to me thankyou for remembering because so many have forgotten. havent stopped thinking about it sense

Sunday, January 10, 2010

TREK



So really cool story, if you have been following my blog you know about my desire to do a fundraiser for Childrenscup.org our care points in Africa for orphans. My plan has been to do a 24hr bikeathon called Iron man for Orphans. I have a road bike already but after four years I'm ready to upgrade. For a few months I have been learning about new bikes and studying narrowing down my decisions and after a long time I narrowed it down to two bikes cervelo and trek. I have always liked cervelo but how can you pass on the tradition and legacy of a great bike like trek. After much consideration I went with cervelo because the Trek model I liked it would take me more time to save up for. Well such a cool story, I'm sitting with my mom talking about bikes and I happened to show her the trek I liked and she said oh by the way I have been doing a real estate deal with a guy who owns a bike shop and he said if we ever were interested in bikes just let him know. Then she told him about me and he said tell him just send me some info about the bike he likes and will get to work on it. I was like what! Are you serious how awesome is that! It was such a blessing, I have always loved trek and Lance Armstrong has always been my favorite athlete, just the effort and technology put into trek bikes to me top quality. So Trek is the choice, Model 2.3 Madone preseries. The first time I had my hand on the bike it was twice as light as mine no weld points vi sable and so much cleaner. I'm really excited about it and will definitely keep you posted on it.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Cervelo it is


So after a good bit of research I have made up my mind, Cervelo. I have to confess I have done a really bad job with learning about my bike and have done more work towards learning about my nutrition and exercise. But in the last year I have tried to learn alot more about bike mechanics, aerodynamics, and the diffrence between good bikes and great bikes. After all this research I realized how much of a diffrence knowledge in the bike arena makes, and how much I did not know about bikes. But I have always liked Cervelo and Felt, and of course Trek, but I have always liked the design and style of Cervelo. This is the S1 series of Cervelo that I really like, I have tried it out several times and several other bikes as well and this is the model I found to be my best fit so with all that I'll keep you posted on how it goes. And by the way have a happy new year.