Adam Barnett

Me Fact #5: I'm Blessed

I was sitting down talking to my sweet wife a few days ago and we began sharing how amazed we are at what God has done in the last 5 years (our 5th anniversary is in August).  Every sentence we said started with, "Can you believe that...?!?"  For example: 

• We are redeemed and set free in Christ! 
• We are madly in love and are each other's best friend 
• We are anticipating the arrival of our first daughter, Ellie 
• We are loved by an incredible family (all of which love to laugh!) 
• We are surrounded by a phenomenal group of friends 
• We are fulfilled by different ministry roles that we get to fill 
• We are a part of a home church that loves it's community 
• We are continuously reminded of God's provision (home, food, etc.) 
• We are constantly playing (you name it, we do it!) 

This, of course, is not to brag.  It is simply my way of showing that no matter how much crud hits the fan from time to time, we still have multiple reasons to be joyful and grateful.  There is a song we sing at church that says, "In and out of season... no matter what happens, you are still God."  So true, and plenty of reason to enjoy every breath!!!  

Me Fact #4: I'm Selfish

If you think about it, most (if not all) situations in which we choose to sin, it is because of selfishness.  It is because we want to fulfill our flesh, reputation, thoughts, wallet, etc. instead of fulfilling the heart of the Lord.  We're all guilty of this.  

One of my greatest frustrations is this: if Christ is IN me, why do i routinely choose not to demonstrate him with a selfless attitude, but instead, think of myself instead of others?  Interesting... and frustrating. 

Lastly, marriage definitely revealed to me that I'm selfish.  From huge things (like spending money on a vacation, etc.) to small things (like picking up the other person's dirty dishes!), you have to make a consistent effort to put the other person first! Easier said than done. 

All that to say, this is something that I'll continuously work on and hopefully improve!

Me Fact #3: I'm Terrified of Sharks

If there is one thing that I hate (other than Satan), it would be sharks.  Even though I do swim in the ocean, if you're ever with me, I keep my eyes peeled for fins.  A few years ago we were swimming in the Indian Ocean and swam about 100 yards to a reef.  When we got there, I realized that my friend, Laurie, was bleeding profusely from her knee.  She cut it on the coral.  Immediately, I got back in the water and swam for shore.  There's no way I'd ever be swimming next to someone who is bleeding.  

I've also heard it said that if you go swimming in the ocean, all you need is a knife and a friend.  That way, when you see a shark, you stab your friend in the leg and swim away as fast as possible.  

I simply hate the fact that there's a fish that can chew me up and swallow me.

Me Fact #2: I'm (very) Forgetful

Let me clarify... I don't forget things like my anniversary (#5 coming up shortly, by the way!), my wife's birthday or other important things, like closing the garage door.  But, my wife and I joke about how forgetfulness is definitely one of my primary spiritual gifts.  I'm so good at forgetting stuff that it has to be a gift from above. 

Here are a few examples: 

• I found out my cousin was pregnant and never told my wife.  I forgot. 
• Every time I leave the house, I leave something behind and it makes me mad. 
• When I travel, I rarely remember to pack a toothbrush or deodorant.    
• If you tell me any piece of information, there's a 54% chance I'll forget it!   

So, this is definitely something that I'm forced to work on.  Be patient with me.  

Me Fact #1: I'm Claustrophobic

I have an idea... I'm going to post some random facts about me for the next week or so that few people know.  Some might think this is conceited to just talk about myself, but really, I'm just going to embarrass myself a little.  We'll see what I come up with, but I'll start with the fact that I'm claustrophobic.  (which has made many of my bus and train rides overseas very miserable!)  My friend, Michelle, has this crazy desire to go to Spain and participate in the Running of the Bulls.  She emailed me this picture - I could NEVER handle this.  I'm not talking about running with bulls - that sounds like a blast.  I'm talking about standing with thousands of people like sardines - no thank you.  So, if you like getting up in other people's business, go to Spain.  

Chicago and Kidney Stones

It's been a crazy week.  A good week, but a crazy and exhausting one:

• Went to Chicago for 5 days to spend time with Andrea's family.
• Chicago Cubs vs. Minnesota Twins = Milton Bradley's big mistake.
• Played the Harborside Golf Course in Chicago... incredibly difficult course.
• Played at the Hinsdale Golf Club - my first time to ever have a caddy.
• Andrea's first baby shower, followed by my brother-in-law's wedding shower.

We got home last night and I went to the hospital.  Waiting to pass some kidney stones.  I'm terrified right now, but at the same time, relieved that it wasn't something worse!

Am I Good Enough?

Honesty to the extreme: I've been dealing with some personal feelings lately of inadequacy and lack of worth.  In my private life, there are things that need constant "tweaking" in order to please Jesus (i.e. Do I love my wife the way Christ loves the church?  Do I exemplify Christlike qualities like forgiveness, gentleness, patience and kindness?  And on and on...)  So, why in the world am I in ministry, again?

The truth is that I'm given the feeling that some people just don't believe in me.  Thoughts that resonate in my mind, to name a few:  You're only 25 years old... You don't know this, or you don't know that.  Or, you're not ready for this.  Or, that wasn't good enough.  Or, I don't have the time for you right now.  Or, you have a lot to learn.  Or, you need to learn to discern the difference between passion and "calling."  These are the things I feel most of the time.  You can probably credit this to my desire to please man rather than the Lord a lot of the time - a pathetic excuse for my tendency to be a workaholic.

So, why has God allowed me to serve in ministry?  Why do I get to make phone calls each week to hurting people?  Visit the hospital?  Plan mission trips?  Have coffee with people fighting addictions?  Encourage parents with rebellious teenagers?  Pray with people?  Celebrate victories with people? 

Why?  Because I'm not good enough, I guess!  This scripture (1 Corinthians 1:26-31), recently spoken into my life by a close friend, explains why I AM INSUFFICIENT for this and why the opinion of critical and discouraging people and the negative thoughts I have should no longer matter in my life.  And, why all that matters is my obedience to God: 

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.  Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'"  

So, Lord, take my stupidity, lack of influence, foolishness and weakness and replace them with your wisdom, influence, perception and strength.

The "B" word

It has been a long day when it comes to things that the Lord keeps putting in my mind.  One of my newest hero's, Don Overton (who has encouraged me more in a few weeks than I've felt in years!) spoke this morning at Staff Chapel.  He spoke about the Sabbath... and how few people honor it, especially people in ministry.  We often fill what should be a time of rest with our JOB.  Although ministry is so rewarding, the truth is - many times it can consume you more than anything.  It can easily consume your thoughts, schedule, relationships, and even your down-time.  It eventually, if you're not careful, leads to the unnecessary "B"-word... busyness.  This word has successfully become a cuss word in my life, mainly because of how pitiful I feel when I say, "I'm too busy to do this... I'm too busy to do that..."

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God."  In Isaiah 30:18 it says, "Blessed are those who wait on the Lord!" 

Here's the painful, yet sobering truth -- when I don't make time to rest in the Lord, wait on him, listen to his voice... when I neglect these things, other things suffer as well.  Let me explain some of these thoughts that I've had today:

• My planner (schedule) reflects my priorities.  Is the Lord my most important daily appointment or do I consider only as important as other meetings?
• Can I effectively lead my wife and usher her into the presence of the Lord if I'm not making a sufficient amount of time for myself to spend with Jesus?
• Are the other things that should be so important to me (primarily family) suffering to my busy lifestyle?  Do they feel unimportant or unloved due to my schedule?
• Is my busyness cutting into the things I value most?

Lord, help me fix this part of me so that I can be more effective for you and more loving to others!

Things that Fascinate Me

There are a few things that I simply cannot wrap my mind around. They fascinate me. Let me know if you are in agreement with my list of amazing things! (Or if you just worry about why my mind gets consumed with such weird stuff)...

1. A Boeing 747-400 that weighs 393,000 pounds can fly.
2. How bees can produce honey.
3. Watching cranes in action (the machine, not the bird).
4. Really talented ice-skaters - I don't understand how you get good at this.
5. Hearing an orchestra (all the instruments coming together).
6. A wasp sting (how something so small can cause such great pain).
7. The structure of a parking garage.
8. Barefoot water-skiing.  (my wife is really good at this)
9. The Giant Squid (I saw one get dissected on tv last week...)
10. The new car smell.  All different cars at some point smell the same.

I'M HOME!!!

I came home early!  While I could never imagine myself "rushing" my time in Africa (because I love it there!), I also couldn't take another day away from my wifey!!! 

I had a great time hanging out with the Kanakuk team and being a part of this project!  As the week went on, the schedule got more relaxed and the intensity of meetings and everything else lightened.  So... I called my travel agent and said something like this: "I prayed last night to God to give me strength because I missed home.  God told me it was ok for me to go home.  So I know there's a plane ticket available for me.  I need to book it today!"  She did.  And I flew home (after sprinting to catch a few planes and losing my luggage... again).

Andrea walked in the door and I was standing there with a few dozen roses.  She dropped her purse and screamed.  I think I scared her a little bit, but after convincing her that it wasn't a dream, she gave me the kiss that I traveled across the world to receive!!! 

Thanks for all your prayer and support during my time in Mozambique and Rwanda!  I hope that you have enjoyed updates from our time there and were challenged and blessed as you read about how the Lord moves on that wonderful continent.