One of my many thought after C3 conference

Joyce 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God wants is for us to realize that we were made in His image, to look like Him and be in relationship with Him as He originally made us.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. Original

Really Excited about this

Here 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.

Who will "Lead" Us

Ive 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!

Almost Done!!!

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.

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.

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

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!!!