Family Updates

The summer has been good and a few changes have come about, so an update is in order!

-Half of our family is back in school. That's right, Noah, Isaac and Tara are back in school. Noah's in 4th, Isaac's in 1st, and Tara is going back to get her Bachelor's in Nursing. She currently is an RN and getting her Bachelors online through Grand Canyon University has all come together easily and naturally. She has received some grant money and scholarship. She's excited about going through the school process, and about the opportunities it will provide for the future.

- We had a great time with Brandon, Jenni, Riley and Ethan in Connecticut this summer. Barry and Barb flew up there with us as we spent a week in the beautiful New England area. The hospitality was great, and it was wonderful to reconnect with the East Coast Barnes family. Our week was full of fun activities in New London, and an exciting adventure day in New York City.

- Noah and Isaac are about to start their basketball season at the YMCA. Emily and Joshua are doing well with mom at home full time. And Bryce is still enjoying his teaching job at the prison. Everyday is a new experience in prison, and the opportunities are many to share the love of Christ with those who really need it!

- We continue to do BigFish, using our lives and homes as embassies of Christ's Kingdom. Please also pray for us as we've endeavored to start a chapter of MAMa (Mother's Against Methamphetamine) here in our county. Having adopted children who are affected by meth, and being in Arizona where Meth abuse is twice the national average, has sparked us to share Christ's love by helping those affected by this terrible drug. The chapter will provide support for families who have meth exposed children. We will be starting a Christ centered addiction "Overcomers" class at the prison Bryce works at. We'll be working along side Crises Pregnancy Center, and Hope Women's Shelter. And we'll be providing education to the local schools. We have a small group of us to start, so if your interested in volunteering or donating let us know.

-Barry and Barb are moving to Scottsdale down the street from Grandma and Grandpa Vogel. Please pray for them and the Vogel's. Carl and Alvena are well into their 90's and are in need of daily help and care. Barry and Barb will be close enough to help on a daily basis. We'll miss them living down the street from us, but the need over in Scottsdale is greater!

Please let us know how your doing so we can pray! God bless you all in your journeys.

Is Life without Cable Possible?

We recently came home from a full day out and about to snowy, staticy TV reception... no reception. I was scrambling trying to figure out what was going on. I went from our bedroom TV to the living room TV trying different things, but all to no avail. In the meantime, Tara's watching with a smile on her face. She's been talking about not having cable for a while now, and I've always had some sorry excuse to keep it on. The thing about it was, we were getting cable for free. We hadn't ordered it. It used to be offered through our HOA fees, but that was cancelled. Ours was never disconnected. In fact, we were upgraded to the 85 or so channel plan for some reason. So, we knew the day would eventually come that it would be turned off. That time has come.

For me, this has been difficult, and a blessing. I'm a sports fan, so I love having a game on, and watching ESPN. I also enjoy the likes of Man vs. Wild, and an occasional Sci Fi movie. These things aren't bad, but they don't mix well with my lazy tendencies. Honestly, when faced with the decision to veg in front of the TV, or pray/read/play with kids/work around the house/etc... what am I going to choose? (rhetorical question)

This week, I have finally finished a book I've been working on for a couple of months, and I started and finished another book. I have been writing here- three posts in a week is a record for me. And I feel much more fulfilled with how I'm spending my time. I knew it would good for me all along, but I was still holding on to that worldly comfort. Don't worry, I'm not turning into one of those "TV is from the devil" types, but I have to admit I'm not missing it very much right now. And if I really need to watch a game, it has to be at someone's house or at a sports bar or something. That means more opportunity for relationships! It's helped me consider, easier and without as much distraction, the things that really matter.

Simple is Profound

I believe simple is profound. Why? To keep life simple and to keep focused on just a few things that really matter is not so easy in a world that calls for all your time and attention towards the things that don't really matter. Simplicity really is a foreign concept to us in America. Busyness, complexity, stuff... is what we know. So to pursue, and achieve simplicity would be profound due to the fact that it is so counter cultural. God is the author of simplicity, not confusion. He confounds, but doesn't confuse. Look at the savior in a manger; consider the lilies of the field; and think about Jesus correcting his disciples by telling them to let the children come to him. These are just a few examples of simplicity taught and lived by our God.

A simple yet profoundly powerful community was the Moravian Village of Herrnhut founded by Count Zinzendorf and Christian David back in the 1700's in Germany. This was a simple, faithful community that God used to change the world. God is stirring in our hearts, and in the hearts of Christ followers around the world, to form cultural communities based on simplicity like Herrnhut. Simple, yet counter cultural concepts such as sharing everything, praying continuously, practicing hospitality, and getting back to complete dependence on God. And this is not to forsake the greater community around us or to isolate ourselves, but it is for the sake of the community around us and the lost. Growing bigger by getting smaller, and doing more by doing less is pursued so as to focus more on the needs of others, not our own.

Over the past 12 years or so, God has taken us on a journey of discovery and transformation. A journey meant to increase our faith, trust, and dependence on Him alone. As we enter into a new season of mystery, we are seeing certain sign posts from the saints of the past as well as prophetic sign posts which will lead us into the future. We are excited to pursue even more radical faith and community as we journey on... more to come!

The Order of the Mustard Seed

I just finished reading "The Lord of the Ring" by Phil Anderson. I am floored by the simple yet profound way the Moravians and Count Zinzendorf changed the world through Christ centered community living, and inward transformation. I was unaware of the way that small village (Herrnhut) in Germany was, and is still, at the heart of so many Holy Spirit movements... and this began back in the early 1700's. This story/history also strikes the same chord the Lord has struck in our hearts concerning community living and simple, hard working faith. Zinzendorf's faith adventures and fruits began with the simple commitment to be true to Christ, to be kind to all people, and to take the gospel to the nations. He and his young friends termed this commitment "The Order of the Mustard Seed," and their motto was "none of us lives for himself."

I have been challenged by the intense faith and trust of the Moravians, and am inspired to dive into prayer and scripture concerning what the Lord will continue to show us, and where He will take us as we pursue authenticity personally and collectively.

Jesus said:
"Listen carefully: Unless a seed is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a seed. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal." John 12:24-25