tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80109968249767404252024-03-12T21:08:08.121-07:00Barton PickensBarton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-57435144899662881812011-07-23T15:42:00.000-07:002011-07-23T15:44:13.566-07:00NBC 33 INTERVIEW FOR ONE FOR THE ORPHAN<a href="http://www.nbc33tv.com/br-laginappe/24-hour-bike-ride-to-raise-funds-for-kids-in-africa">http://www.nbc33tv.com/br-laginappe/24-hour-bike-ride-to-raise-funds-for-kids-in-africa</a>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-82954865680299494652011-05-31T16:52:00.000-07:002011-05-31T16:57:16.378-07:00One for the Orphan new Updates<a href="http://youtu.be/tfwtoW9ft_U">http://youtu.be/tfwtoW9ft_U</a>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-25776341198320590732011-04-28T14:36:00.000-07:002011-04-28T14:41:11.263-07:00One for the Orphan Update<a href="http://youtu.be/K5r1w2JZI1U">http://youtu.be/K5r1w2JZI1U</a>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-54111406113197741062011-04-11T13:17:00.000-07:002011-04-11T13:18:25.325-07:00Guess Who's Here<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiiqhVWOrH1kfeHmGaJ8b_qq7xzPyXl5O6Ep2JCAjzpJHAGDVH7kZxrsMi3i9dglbfi1dxlZbgXSGGz38xucQSSXsXPg1XXnGrpnsIarOblnt40LqZEyisXOhBLQ3SVpSyza1gzBXj-KG/s1600/one.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594422908053782162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiiqhVWOrH1kfeHmGaJ8b_qq7xzPyXl5O6Ep2JCAjzpJHAGDVH7kZxrsMi3i9dglbfi1dxlZbgXSGGz38xucQSSXsXPg1XXnGrpnsIarOblnt40LqZEyisXOhBLQ3SVpSyza1gzBXj-KG/s400/one.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><div></div>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-2112078956575500982011-04-08T16:41:00.000-07:002011-04-08T16:43:45.731-07:00One for the Orphan Update !!!Just a quick update, up to this point we have raised over 6,000 meals for the children. We have a little less than 30 days left. Really excited and cant wait to see what all takes place in the next few days! Go check us out at <a href="http://www.onefortheorphan.com">www.onefortheorphan.com</a> we would love to have you partner with us and make a difference in the lives of Children in Southern Africa.Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-4211846466668153642011-03-30T10:29:00.000-07:002011-03-30T10:52:07.037-07:00Our NEW WEBSITECheck it out www.onefortheorphan.comBarton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-48678616015163952072011-03-30T10:24:00.001-07:002011-03-30T10:26:53.338-07:00Childrens Cup Updates<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6ADtmS1NK8Y" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="349"></iframe>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-46700134403173183222011-03-28T11:08:00.000-07:002011-03-28T11:09:48.810-07:00Our New Promo Video for One For The Orphan<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21553132" width="400" frameborder="0" height="225"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/21553132">One For The Orphan Promo v2</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user290419">Healing Place Church</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />Here is our New Promo Video for One for the Orphan check out the site www.onefortheorphan.com get involved, and help change the life of an Orphan in Africa.Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-43248822900711210892011-03-23T10:13:00.000-07:002011-03-23T10:14:09.082-07:00From Pastor Steven Furtick ( This is Awesome )<p style="margin: 1em 0pt 3px;"> <a rel="nofollow" name="1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;" target="_blank" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/stevenfurtick/%7E3/nLT3pWz3ea0/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email">Can we skip this scene?</a> </p> <p style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); margin: 9px 0pt 3px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 140%; font-size: 13px;"> <span>Posted:</span> 23 Mar 2011 04:16 AM PDT</p> <p>There’s a reason we love movies about people overcoming adversity. A reason why we’ll sit through 100 minutes of depressing scenes for 2 minutes of payoff at the end.</p> <p>It’s because those depressing scenes make the victory and the payoff at the end that much more <strong>meaningful</strong>. And <strong>possible</strong>. Without the adversity, there wouldn’t be much worth watching. Or worth cheering for when the adversity is conquered.</p> <p>What’s interesting is that what we look for in movies we avoid at all costs in life. The life most of us would prefer is a movie no one would want to see. Including ourselves.</p> <p>Here’s what I mean.</p> <p>Have you ever found yourself facing a season of setback and challenge, thinking:<br /><strong>God, can we skip this scene?</strong></p> <p>If you have, you’re not alone.</p> <p>Joseph would have said it while spending 13 years in slavery and prison.<br />The apostles would have said it when they were being persecuted for the gospel.<br />Even Jesus said it before the cross when He was in the garden of Gethsemane.</p> <p>So it’s understandable to have this feeling. Who wants to go through hell? Who wants to go through adversity? It’s ok to watch on a screen. But who wants to go through it in their own lives?</p> <p>Yet what we have to realize is that it’s these very moments that make the payoff we’re waiting for worth it. It’s these scenes that build character. That setup for the big breakthrough and climax.</p> <p><strong>It’s the scenes that we all want to skip that produce the endings we all want to experience.</strong></p> <p>It was Joseph’s time in slavery and prison that put him in a position to save his family and an entire nation.<br />It was the very persecution that the apostles would have wanted to skip that ended up being the catalyst for the rapid spread of the gospel.<br />It was the cross of Jesus that provided salvation for all who would believe.</p> <p><strong>Nothing of great worth comes at a low cost.</strong> The hardest scenes of your life are the necessary stepping stones to the greatest breakthroughs and victories of your life.</p> <p>I know that doesn’t make them easy. I know you’d still like to skip them. But you can’t.</p> <p>And it’s the scenes that you’d prefer to skip that God is using to orchestrate an ending you wouldn’t want to miss.</p>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-62117260737698338632011-03-21T12:37:00.000-07:002011-03-21T12:52:14.841-07:00This means Alot<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55z0Elsg03lDfufXI6D8Q99r3qvmziUxzpSAouQqai1KusJab1Vg69jttbQIo77sL5I6zu0_eXNhIDZ2MGP1ksWGnCjb3I-qnMWYVJF-XqGsev1Jlqt-AXd9NrhsOHL54DjxCYm9viUsA/s1600/CIMG2559.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55z0Elsg03lDfufXI6D8Q99r3qvmziUxzpSAouQqai1KusJab1Vg69jttbQIo77sL5I6zu0_eXNhIDZ2MGP1ksWGnCjb3I-qnMWYVJF-XqGsev1Jlqt-AXd9NrhsOHL54DjxCYm9viUsA/s400/CIMG2559.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586620209642005426" border="0" /></a>I found this old Photo a few days ago, I drew this picture of the Children Of Africa for Dave Ohlerking (right) and the Ohlerking Family. Many of you know that Brother Dave and Mrs Jean Ohlerking started Childrens Cup<a href="http://childrenscup.org/"> childrencup.org</a>, a ministry that takes care of 30,000 children daily in Southern Africa and several other countries. Brother Dave passed away several months ago but his influence on my life and the time he shared with me I will never forget. There are not enough words to express the impact He had on some many people's lives. What an Honor to be near His story<br /></div>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-43836334992900173062011-03-18T08:27:00.001-07:002011-03-18T08:27:17.252-07:00We are now LiveHey Great news, we are now Live on our website<a href="http://onefortheorphan.blogspot.com/www.onefortheorphan.com"> www.onefortheorphan.com</a> . Our Promo Video is almost done and will be up shortly, but for now, Check it out tell us what you think. Stay connected and will keep everyone posted to upcoming events, we are only 49 days out so lot's of work to be done. Again thanks for all the support, we could not do this without you guys.Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-24443255100138444042011-03-07T09:02:00.001-08:002011-03-07T17:17:32.854-08:00One for the Orphan UpdateReally great news, our promo Video shoot is finally done, now we are getting ready to go live with the website soon. There is still alot of planning left and promotion to go but the team is making huge headway and clearing some big obstacles. If you can, go connect with the One for the Orphan facebook page on the side bar or go to the new <a href="http://onefortheorphan.blogspot.com">onefortheorphan.blogspot.com</a> page and link up. We would love to keep you updated with whats going on and all the updates. Thanks again, One for the Orphan Team!Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-47015757505241085092011-03-03T07:41:00.000-08:002011-03-03T07:42:23.968-08:00Practical Hope and Tangible Love (ONE FOR THE ORPHAN)Africa is a tough place. There are millions of kids with no support network and no parents to take care of them. Imagine being 10 years old and you are responsible for your two younger siblings. Imagine being unwanted, unloved and forgotten. That's Rosa's story, that's Lindiwe's story, that's Namile's story, that's Sibusiso's story and the story of millions of other African children. The call to action is very real when you look one of these children in the eyes. We must do something. We must sacrifice to give the orphaned and vulnerable children opportunity. We must give our love. I believe in this. I've seen transformation. I've seen what a meal, a hug and a word of encouragement can do. I've seen what a little bit of medicine can do to a child with AIDS. As a member of the One for the Orphan team I challenge you to sacrifice a little in order to give life, hope and love. Oh and here at One for the Orphan that life, hope and love is given in the form of practical things such as water, medicine, and food. It makes a difference, it changes lives.Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-12169660469698077122011-03-02T09:33:00.000-08:002011-03-02T10:10:01.541-08:00OppositionHave you ever set your heart on something only to hear from others that don't have anything better to do tell you why you should not be doing it, or your doing it wrong, or why don't you do something else. Opposition comes in many ways, often from people closest to you. There intentions are usually good only wanting the best for you, but in the end it's only negative towards your dreams. I'm not saying don't listen to critism at all I'm simply saying don't let all critism be the rutter to your boat. I had a conversation with someone who could not stop talking about how much need we have in America, how we need to stop focusing on other countries and start helping our own. There are poor people on our streets, kids without education, etc. Dont get me wrong, I completly agree and believe that we should help the people here, and put our energy and time into making a difference in our own cities and nation. But it struck a nerve when I asked that person, well what are you doing to help? There reply was two fold: 1.) When the Holidays are here or the community puts on an event I get involved. 2.) There needs to be someone in charge of giving others the ability to get more involved throughout the year. I could not help but think of two things in my mind at that very moment: 1.) Twice a yr feel good community service will not make a difference. 2.) I hear excuses to why you cant make a difference or help someone. It's often people that are not doing anything to actually help someone that are the first to tell you why you should not be helping those in another country, and then tell you why you should be helping people here. If there is a dream in your heart don't let the little voices of opposition keep you from the bigger voices of Desperation!!! Stay true to what is in your heat, make a difference the way you know how, and don't change to meet some other persons goal of seeing you bow down to them. It's the people that complain about whats not being done that have the most excuses when asked what are they doing about it. Each person has a gift, a niche, a form of influence with someone. Use your gift the way you know how to make your difference. Sometimes the biggest force of opposition only needs a sling and a stone, not much to work with but take what you have and it can make a big difference!Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-19665231046679290562011-02-21T16:13:00.000-08:002011-02-21T16:26:24.283-08:00One of my many thought after C3 conferenceJoyce Meyer spoke one of the Night sessions and she made a comment that completly stopped me in my tracks. You were born an Original dont die a copy! It's amazing to me to think that God cared about us so much that He took His personal hands and molded us personally for an original, authentic, intimate relationship with Him. It's funny how we take this Authentic thing he made, look at other peoples gifts and talents and then make our selves look like them and then present ourselves to God. God look at me arent I better now dont you love me more are you impressed. And all God wants is for us to realize that we were made in His image, to look like Him and be in relationship with Him as He originally made us. He dosent want our attempt to be something we are not. If the very creator of the universe and the heavens and earth thought we were good enough the first time lets not mess it up. He cant have a real relationship with a copy he wants time with the original. He wants our love not someone elses love, our hearts not someone elses Heart. The World needs originals, thank goodness Jesus did not look at a pharisee and say I want his talents and gifts, boy I wish I could be like those guys. Lets be who He made us. OriginalBarton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-46368819669126921972011-02-11T08:36:00.000-08:002011-02-11T08:50:50.459-08:00Really Excited about thisHere are the new Logos for the Event in May we are doing for Children's Cup International Relief. Really excited about this and cant wait to see what God allows from all the Hard work and efforts put into the event. I'll be doing a 24 hr bike ride to raise awareness about the Orphan Crises in Africa. Over 53 million Orphans are currently in the continent of Africa alone. The website will be open soon, so stay connected and visit the facebook page One for the Orphan.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_9Y1p0d6rAGIeS98pWnsdLgEsgTitXrSsdtYrXfnHh75WDBLPE87XWlqlhcLlcOBgMix737kaLInCz95VhYVizV-QNbJIFFPU-o4v-twfkcq57oCvxwWicNyAIJ-DwmvILOUgFPiEtmj/s1600/1.bmp"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_9Y1p0d6rAGIeS98pWnsdLgEsgTitXrSsdtYrXfnHh75WDBLPE87XWlqlhcLlcOBgMix737kaLInCz95VhYVizV-QNbJIFFPU-o4v-twfkcq57oCvxwWicNyAIJ-DwmvILOUgFPiEtmj/s1600/1.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_9Y1p0d6rAGIeS98pWnsdLgEsgTitXrSsdtYrXfnHh75WDBLPE87XWlqlhcLlcOBgMix737kaLInCz95VhYVizV-QNbJIFFPU-o4v-twfkcq57oCvxwWicNyAIJ-DwmvILOUgFPiEtmj/s400/1.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572472328729907426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19o9o0oIANxbaEJSzZB-D66a-KjM8fDEgSEdXaM5Qc1kfeK1MKqNDvnPSNmVgo5QECr6WocEsWXzCHJO64NRjzfSh3MccKAvQVbHrRL2LLfJA7b1fraznklpmwfCf2CyNvO6LdqwM7y4w/s1600/2.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19o9o0oIANxbaEJSzZB-D66a-KjM8fDEgSEdXaM5Qc1kfeK1MKqNDvnPSNmVgo5QECr6WocEsWXzCHJO64NRjzfSh3MccKAvQVbHrRL2LLfJA7b1fraznklpmwfCf2CyNvO6LdqwM7y4w/s400/2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572472337086534146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDe0wuMXvPmpTqOCaLMO-urZtbHOh2YfMfuO1MtQpYRntxgSJWXV_q7nUS6KsiRkLAamnQxPbHLEFelhaibmJDaw-t-mglf_DYhaMQ5JkC6a3PJDjVOVhkYohRq7uspeHcX5HQLp6QYCo/s1600/4.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDe0wuMXvPmpTqOCaLMO-urZtbHOh2YfMfuO1MtQpYRntxgSJWXV_q7nUS6KsiRkLAamnQxPbHLEFelhaibmJDaw-t-mglf_DYhaMQ5JkC6a3PJDjVOVhkYohRq7uspeHcX5HQLp6QYCo/s400/4.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572472331149710610" border="0" /></a><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" />Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-58261245616252487212011-01-12T12:11:00.000-08:002011-01-12T14:07:23.608-08:00Who will "Lead" UsIve been thinking about this thought (Directional Leadership) for a while a while now. Alot of times I see leaders or someone designated as a leader because of age or outward"characteristics" that seem influential be put in the place of leadership. When it comes to leading I've always thought it funny to ask someone to lead. Or make a request of someone to lead. Not that doing that is not required sometimes, some leaders are hidden and don't realize the potential that is there yet and it takes others to bring it out of them. But I'm mean someone who is already in leadership in general being asked to actually lead. There are times when an authority will ask leaders under them to step up and take over an area but I cant understand an Authority already asking a leader to lead when he or she is in the supposed position. My main point is groups, Aka (Connect groups,cell groups,tribes,small group,house meetings, etc.) I think when your considered a "leader" it should not entail in another leaders time schedule, (A. Motivate leaders to lead today). I don't mean this in a negative way, of course all leadership has higher leadership leading them. But it should not take someone else to tell a leader to motivate, dream, plan, inspire, teach, build. If someone has to ask you to lead a group but there was never a thought of leading a group to begin with, or a desire to lead, or because you had the title leader you said well I have to because that's my job then I think this is the difference between position and purpose. How as leaders can we expect others to jump on board with us and follow us and be apart of what we are doing if we ourselves have to be motivated to do it. There should be in our hearts as leaders a desire to be faithful and good stewards with time, and talent, and resources. I would not want to follow someone that seems like they have been put into that position because they could not find someone else to do it. Nor would i want to follow someone who has there own agenda or is a man pleaser. If we are disciples of Christ that means we should do what Christ told us to do ( Go!!!! AND MAKE Disciples) it's not, would you like to lead, I have all of these incentives to give you if you would. I don't want to be called a leader and be someone who gives people what they want instead of what they need. I know we are all guilty of that to an extent but it's no different than a doctor, why would you go to see whats wrong, pay, and then tell him before he does any work whatever you find I don't want to know what it is or how to fix it. You wouldn't, you would want the most accurate and helpful information to help benefit you life as possible. Same as leadership although there are many different levels of leadership. Leaders should see what is not there and fill it in, they should look for the questions not being asked and get the right answers. Your will replicate what you are and if it takes others to get you going then those that follow you will become people that need to be motivated. I want to do a better job at this, not because someone asked me to but because as a Disciple of Jesus Christ I should want to. Do all things as though we are doing them unto the lord. This should be our desire, to show Christ in all things we do!Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-46293363307249082972011-01-04T10:54:00.000-08:002011-01-04T10:58:30.728-08:00Almost Done!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zEpIwbFShJuc1ipNeSRzChO5dQylMWL56o6c2Ja-NHKXahBMEkByZiTfAki32zJmApPbtX37DikKubaTQCX_VXX9XipJG9pPXc8ChH_28wfF2qBrUeR6qGPZQ5vSVVR__ve6TI1iaSsH/s1600/random+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558406841074766738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zEpIwbFShJuc1ipNeSRzChO5dQylMWL56o6c2Ja-NHKXahBMEkByZiTfAki32zJmApPbtX37DikKubaTQCX_VXX9XipJG9pPXc8ChH_28wfF2qBrUeR6qGPZQ5vSVVR__ve6TI1iaSsH/s400/random+023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCApBbmzw4qkG6cUbU3UQxsW4VYcm9gaw25OPTiyeK9ilShBcdOGl-Po91mAn0OpF95w03wo2x-Uw1J_NG0xybjl-S68WE3IJOkUKkbY1G_KqmXufs_EsEl53_31OV9WMLJ-FyFlUQYjcX/s1600/random+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558406834865152898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCApBbmzw4qkG6cUbU3UQxsW4VYcm9gaw25OPTiyeK9ilShBcdOGl-Po91mAn0OpF95w03wo2x-Uw1J_NG0xybjl-S68WE3IJOkUKkbY1G_KqmXufs_EsEl53_31OV9WMLJ-FyFlUQYjcX/s400/random+022.jpg" border="0" /></a> I just finished the bowls the children eat out of, now the last thing is taking the dirt that I took from swaziland and making it into mud so I can paint it for the ground.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-28662683869106274042010-12-31T17:27:00.000-08:002010-12-31T17:43:01.586-08:00New Africa ArtThese 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.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlf4O0aHL4zzxpjRK8w3HCjfg4tFGuHAYMzgDM44gD9qfh-YIx5CvlexdXB83rU3S82LUcnI9aorcLHI1az_hH7gOHjO17Q6epasQDmUWbpJhskWZSPk6pWTXqOd3I1UcVktUb5GvqbqK/s1600/random+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557023674199352290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlf4O0aHL4zzxpjRK8w3HCjfg4tFGuHAYMzgDM44gD9qfh-YIx5CvlexdXB83rU3S82LUcnI9aorcLHI1az_hH7gOHjO17Q6epasQDmUWbpJhskWZSPk6pWTXqOd3I1UcVktUb5GvqbqK/s400/random+021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_V9N0j2v37WW5NpQdYzAdUMJAOoqtA8lN14NZs_CJA8VCtlv4zqwFQpwnLYiWLTA732gBXJpBUbS4t4q79SYVNvfnooAm-ry1FxLnWtdMW_Qlgt8DqXUKPX2xByDDq_MLK55p3z8TbbKf/s1600/random+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557023669166791650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_V9N0j2v37WW5NpQdYzAdUMJAOoqtA8lN14NZs_CJA8VCtlv4zqwFQpwnLYiWLTA732gBXJpBUbS4t4q79SYVNvfnooAm-ry1FxLnWtdMW_Qlgt8DqXUKPX2xByDDq_MLK55p3z8TbbKf/s400/random+020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB2XYJEaaterRgqKnGPDX_-ZD_2S24CdXpJnrp9ZresLTirhqEhofepzHW7J7IJ8wYDwMB7xc3DvCjwg-M6mYGwhS7YSAqC3HcLCqK-U4NIpg1AF1d_CfXY7F1oODtKu-l0LuCBXbMFt5/s1600/random+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557023664160600514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB2XYJEaaterRgqKnGPDX_-ZD_2S24CdXpJnrp9ZresLTirhqEhofepzHW7J7IJ8wYDwMB7xc3DvCjwg-M6mYGwhS7YSAqC3HcLCqK-U4NIpg1AF1d_CfXY7F1oODtKu-l0LuCBXbMFt5/s400/random+019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF2_dfsfip4Kf5x0CU1D-rmvIPhQv9POlSwhJdWxWEaiNf1I40JNOOSfkHzr4kEZB3kaZjcFAeerN7i55IME0YYc1EbZitr42YBZGpxDhEGJ6hosHtSBoFL0YUq-XYHxI5naR9KoP2GAm/s1600/random+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557023661443964578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF2_dfsfip4Kf5x0CU1D-rmvIPhQv9POlSwhJdWxWEaiNf1I40JNOOSfkHzr4kEZB3kaZjcFAeerN7i55IME0YYc1EbZitr42YBZGpxDhEGJ6hosHtSBoFL0YUq-XYHxI5naR9KoP2GAm/s400/random+018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-79891763832590804412010-12-21T14:06:00.000-08:002010-12-21T14:22:38.403-08:00Guys Retreat Recap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzizguJly1sUhCtXQt2gkhfldOejWT-CglkM-8BF996HitKd1hAEP_DsbNO2j7t7fGjoyPt-E5X-DPCbn94pE_u3Sa5jFM7d2lImgwFwuBd0af_9qEHowuOIFbhWakUVAiG5wtWh_Q195H/s1600/guys+11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzizguJly1sUhCtXQt2gkhfldOejWT-CglkM-8BF996HitKd1hAEP_DsbNO2j7t7fGjoyPt-E5X-DPCbn94pE_u3Sa5jFM7d2lImgwFwuBd0af_9qEHowuOIFbhWakUVAiG5wtWh_Q195H/s400/guys+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553262529907090594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />All of Our Guys getting ready to head home<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxgK3UpzjlfWg0VrGXzlJR4wtmhaPtyWGIMrJFCpk3LUt_wL7cNqFfnB7UUgu42TTzmLGF29Fp7pHFC5xkgAujBJ23Z6FpF1JTzd0pnx1Vrqaihvca9doqDv6O2EIgZa8JySMjUwhJNij/s1600/guys+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxgK3UpzjlfWg0VrGXzlJR4wtmhaPtyWGIMrJFCpk3LUt_wL7cNqFfnB7UUgu42TTzmLGF29Fp7pHFC5xkgAujBJ23Z6FpF1JTzd0pnx1Vrqaihvca9doqDv6O2EIgZa8JySMjUwhJNij/s400/guys+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553260772092019090" border="0" /></a>Getting ready to start the night Session<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVPO8rFGr5G6H9wnUc3QftY6_m0NZOBxe_rYjoXPjWIZaK8fPSpTPBJMsF5KFZop8YMROgl-G7AUabW-ki9tF_Xwlj9tPEJANSvqKdxFXg3md0d5VY89H_N3jutdznFaUBzYEKYmbPUPP/s1600/guys+10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVPO8rFGr5G6H9wnUc3QftY6_m0NZOBxe_rYjoXPjWIZaK8fPSpTPBJMsF5KFZop8YMROgl-G7AUabW-ki9tF_Xwlj9tPEJANSvqKdxFXg3md0d5VY89H_N3jutdznFaUBzYEKYmbPUPP/s400/guys+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553262073514874258" border="0" /></a>Bethany Retreat Center, so thankful for there service, amazing church!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjWlNnhKgoukoQ_jXZmKD6s5M5-L5e6CltU9tcrU4lt3Zlg-eb-GJOPXlelJKzv5rxXi_ZryJXOd21mvJnqIHflItONlAIrDI6kPW3KDW2R7fOpX_-ONfdE7DH0eiSsjJpOZLghOAxTgj/s1600/guys+9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjWlNnhKgoukoQ_jXZmKD6s5M5-L5e6CltU9tcrU4lt3Zlg-eb-GJOPXlelJKzv5rxXi_ZryJXOd21mvJnqIHflItONlAIrDI6kPW3KDW2R7fOpX_-ONfdE7DH0eiSsjJpOZLghOAxTgj/s400/guys+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553262069118831490" border="0" /></a>Getting Ready to Head out<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg662yoJhATcgNwmb7nE3e2W_a-61juRnAxu-PvlGvsc9RYa67sk2vjiXwbhjwExr7uHSc8UDPNpplUOnqhJM4lGSr3xA4BBtV0-k3pW-T4rDOiCYdPfd0yylSZtwDeFz8Afg-U8Umjyp7s/s1600/guys+8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg662yoJhATcgNwmb7nE3e2W_a-61juRnAxu-PvlGvsc9RYa67sk2vjiXwbhjwExr7uHSc8UDPNpplUOnqhJM4lGSr3xA4BBtV0-k3pW-T4rDOiCYdPfd0yylSZtwDeFz8Afg-U8Umjyp7s/s400/guys+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553262069103575634" border="0" /></a>Me and My Brother<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtTzcp4EFI4rxLwR03q2bAdYCC0cRoMUoTj_mFaEfcsA5t9fJIIjQQ1Rw9FeRKzIAPW58uRLhMskgpujyKt-aoN5vLDO7_0fl-tEYW9B8QbckeB8q5gNlPWuTua3Tzzpi1xFQcnncq3jq/s1600/guys+5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtTzcp4EFI4rxLwR03q2bAdYCC0cRoMUoTj_mFaEfcsA5t9fJIIjQQ1Rw9FeRKzIAPW58uRLhMskgpujyKt-aoN5vLDO7_0fl-tEYW9B8QbckeB8q5gNlPWuTua3Tzzpi1xFQcnncq3jq/s400/guys+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553260991328379266" border="0" /></a>My Boy Adam throwing down the word, Encountering Others!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU3pgk8Uk3aOAbxKLVHW3l39El7O_L1CX1Bp5mN2IGhSTFifUCVQ5LP7H_CjKMHr2due0vRaIxOSNzNfmDYwzKWr0L3B6vFZA2qyqdDWtbbnj7R8qr7fX1kxtvaIwTAP0Kw5ul3QJ3WH6/s1600/guys+4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU3pgk8Uk3aOAbxKLVHW3l39El7O_L1CX1Bp5mN2IGhSTFifUCVQ5LP7H_CjKMHr2due0vRaIxOSNzNfmDYwzKWr0L3B6vFZA2qyqdDWtbbnj7R8qr7fX1kxtvaIwTAP0Kw5ul3QJ3WH6/s400/guys+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553260987043102226" border="0" /></a>Pastor Jason Laird throwing down the word Encountering God!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G4VTz862_nQjeSgSCmIujK1g7ec_TO8QOgFuWSL1rgo2sEj7JMtz3amCxQWw193IYh-83QS9ds_a9DAPvJFNmjy9Sx7Pwrhp1DuY2xYdwaTf9qFXkGYenDercB_IIRZiBPjrUHsdjtIV/s1600/guys+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G4VTz862_nQjeSgSCmIujK1g7ec_TO8QOgFuWSL1rgo2sEj7JMtz3amCxQWw193IYh-83QS9ds_a9DAPvJFNmjy9Sx7Pwrhp1DuY2xYdwaTf9qFXkGYenDercB_IIRZiBPjrUHsdjtIV/s400/guys+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553260779027164594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxgK3UpzjlfWg0VrGXzlJR4wtmhaPtyWGIMrJFCpk3LUt_wL7cNqFfnB7UUgu42TTzmLGF29Fp7pHFC5xkgAujBJ23Z6FpF1JTzd0pnx1Vrqaihvca9doqDv6O2EIgZa8JySMjUwhJNij/s1600/guys+2.jpg">Notes<br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWX4cA7vh-3Uz_ANia3n9ApDqycni1pz66zvHKaT4uJ3ZtYrMPCrf-kI0yW3o9tRL4Rpobu2FQ92TVM-730yDpAgjWt4iHDu8unXRF1zlXRQwBFmSm0ECLx0cm5YauKzJRZ6T4s_XY9vC/s1600/guys+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWX4cA7vh-3Uz_ANia3n9ApDqycni1pz66zvHKaT4uJ3ZtYrMPCrf-kI0yW3o9tRL4Rpobu2FQ92TVM-730yDpAgjWt4iHDu8unXRF1zlXRQwBFmSm0ECLx0cm5YauKzJRZ6T4s_XY9vC/s400/guys+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553260760390234658" border="0" /></a>Howel Park outreach<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTWdWI250vMAZQjhViKuqzhqoZKh4l2X4eWWByx7_Igdpsm5jjCKDqXc_hm9nb92rENSZyjf2aDHDim6ZY0CG_m6BjeA8lWI3sx4edciLPOf1599sX82QshsWCXoBKFKyzF8_LdnPT7e5/s1600/guys.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTWdWI250vMAZQjhViKuqzhqoZKh4l2X4eWWByx7_Igdpsm5jjCKDqXc_hm9nb92rENSZyjf2aDHDim6ZY0CG_m6BjeA8lWI3sx4edciLPOf1599sX82QshsWCXoBKFKyzF8_LdnPT7e5/s400/guys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553260757115618754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GG6Bm74wHTUvz51MToqFKoDQlCqBdYrpPL9ZZAqwnpFE6t5PebxUrgYOksKMHD0Jo5J0QXJ4lAK0-975wZ4XCWPRAVe0sjFgJyW6DEcdPfyg-uJInJBq5h1NmxXSbrW4CcT8Qawq6wxm/s1600/guys+retreat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GG6Bm74wHTUvz51MToqFKoDQlCqBdYrpPL9ZZAqwnpFE6t5PebxUrgYOksKMHD0Jo5J0QXJ4lAK0-975wZ4XCWPRAVe0sjFgJyW6DEcdPfyg-uJInJBq5h1NmxXSbrW4CcT8Qawq6wxm/s400/guys+retreat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553260755331498658" border="0" /></a>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-31420832561938903032010-12-17T08:04:00.000-08:002010-12-17T08:45:24.177-08:00Studying for Guys Retreat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24eROiJMlbzZdxMD3PRsJ6OXx8KxZpGdIlWzur4EBWALSD9QfCra-0DDRpFGt91_tjg8gRvT8uvZu3UUHcTioVTrior5KJLfLDXSrLOHg8oKo9r7oN74fa84xtR4rmlVx8TDYu-QuipbM/s1600/Picture+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24eROiJMlbzZdxMD3PRsJ6OXx8KxZpGdIlWzur4EBWALSD9QfCra-0DDRpFGt91_tjg8gRvT8uvZu3UUHcTioVTrior5KJLfLDXSrLOHg8oKo9r7oN74fa84xtR4rmlVx8TDYu-QuipbM/s400/Picture+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551683262587935218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6nLPwoBimUETPa3ppiDtDN6sar-xu9dEGu1FIgaP0fcyNnms6J6GxfBN49QBg4FYBP4betiqbjLrJDZkrXhPPXIAbrJjcMeUb_r9jzfdxMoiw280QLKiIhfPEE6FBoE9UjSYd9xFE-qH/s1600/Picture+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6nLPwoBimUETPa3ppiDtDN6sar-xu9dEGu1FIgaP0fcyNnms6J6GxfBN49QBg4FYBP4betiqbjLrJDZkrXhPPXIAbrJjcMeUb_r9jzfdxMoiw280QLKiIhfPEE6FBoE9UjSYd9xFE-qH/s400/Picture+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551683259116025842" border="0" /></a>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!!!Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-70470164288685126642010-12-14T11:47:00.000-08:002010-12-14T13:41:48.932-08:00Controversy with Santa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6woLD66yJ4wumE2_cddpH1RMWf1QUkKiK_q4NbFcgGgTpt360GE4kbzXIOWddy7ZVuSCyI0B-YGRXJVzrU6oAB0khgBNDidFqqMQlOhIwgbSczgXX4tBIw4stsUrXtTUh3ZCQJSLZAfsN/s1600/997Santa_Claus.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6woLD66yJ4wumE2_cddpH1RMWf1QUkKiK_q4NbFcgGgTpt360GE4kbzXIOWddy7ZVuSCyI0B-YGRXJVzrU6oAB0khgBNDidFqqMQlOhIwgbSczgXX4tBIw4stsUrXtTUh3ZCQJSLZAfsN/s400/997Santa_Claus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550628217191345618" border="0" /></a><br />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!Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-91421771447004398222010-12-08T11:48:00.000-08:002010-12-08T11:56:32.878-08:00Changing my Standards<div style="text-align: left;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7lMqscv6bYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7lMqscv6bYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div>Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-23130340793574077182010-12-02T08:14:00.001-08:002010-12-02T08:14:27.649-08:00Simple ThoughtEither 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!Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010996824976740425.post-1334796986198055252010-11-18T14:45:00.000-08:002010-11-19T11:48:46.897-08:00The Next Generation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpdUL95hqDnhwzCcCi9NPD1wZW3f9oeLADJxAZUxgasNxCboGRZbRM1jNFQTmrV68I27YWXBHli1nWpyNoyk3t66R68LKdWkQ6_hkK7sQCg0QAhRZEpshMY-PzqzYFQw3-J4b5IU4J18B/s1600/random+048.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpdUL95hqDnhwzCcCi9NPD1wZW3f9oeLADJxAZUxgasNxCboGRZbRM1jNFQTmrV68I27YWXBHli1nWpyNoyk3t66R68LKdWkQ6_hkK7sQCg0QAhRZEpshMY-PzqzYFQw3-J4b5IU4J18B/s400/random+048.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541024900776531266" /></a><br />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.<br />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!Barton Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135629869281090946noreply@blogger.com0