20 down, 120 to go

The countdown continues....

As I make my way along the twisted and treacherous highway that has been labeled "Mercy's Senior year", I cannot help but wish it would slow down and speed up at the same time. Slow down so that I can enjoy the views and take in the scent of the rain as well as the glorious rays of sunlight. Speed up so that I can reach my destination and start on the next path that God has for me. Slow down so that I can enjoy the times with family and friends, take deep breaths of life- sustaining air and drink deep of the water, that is Christ. Speed up so that I can see the end results, so that decisions will have to be made............... and on and on........................

So as I come to Today, Sunday, September 25th, a day filled already with fun, food fellowship, and friends ; and one that promises more of the same, I see that it is worth it to make myself slow down... Slow down to give a smile, a hug, and a pillow pet to my sister as she turns 22. Slow down to text with my brother who is on the front lines of the culture war as he goes to college. Slow down and spend 20 mins on the phone with my sister I haven't seen in over 2 months. Slow down to give my brother a hug as he congratulates me after a close volleyball loss. Slow down to make those memories with my family, slow down to remember them.

With only 120 school days left, the highway speed limit keeps increasing and my vehicle, that is life, is keeping right up with it. With School 5 days a week, Volleyball 4 days, Running 3-4 days, work about 2 days, Piano once a week, and Choir every other week it seems as if I only get to blink in between Sundays when I get a respite and come before God to find peace among the craziness. but despite the intense speed, God has been good, teaching me a new life lesson every day and giving me time to nurture my relationships with family and friends...

In school, I am taking aton or super interesting classes, one of them being German Studies. I thought to give you a taste of what I am learning I would share with you the paragraph I wrote last week.

Ich ging einkaufen. Ich fuhr mein Auto zum Supermarkt. Im Supermarkt kaufte Ich Milch, brot und andere Lebensmittel. Auserhalb des Supermarkts, sah ich meine Freundin, Rebecka. Sie hat auch Lebensmittle gekauft, Ich ging aus den Supermarkt und ich ging auf die Bank und die Post. In der Post, fand ich einen Brief von meiner Schwester. Ich fuhr nach dem Park, um meinen Brief zulessen. Gegenueber dem Park gab es ein Cafe. Ich ass in dem Cafe. Ich trank Kaffee und ass Schokoeis mit Schlagsahne. Ich wurde krank, nach ich ass. Ich ging nach hause und ich lag mich in meines Bett. Ich schlief acht Stunde. Wann ich wachte, war es shon Morgen.

(If you don't understand any of this you can email me and I will give you a translation ;) :) )


I am also taking an Oratory class for which I have a speech due tomorrow which I have not done/finished/started yet...............................

Besides this somber fact, the weather outside is calling my name even as it makes me smile...

Tschuess,
MFB

Adventure in the Big City!

This afternoon as 2 of my brothers and I sped through town, as fast as 5 o'clock traffic would allow :), I was imagining a nice quiet late afternoon in a nice restaurant with my Aunt, Friend, and Brothers with lots of good food and a time for creating memories for each of us to carry in our hearts through the long months of separation that begin as of this Saturday as my brother Jacob will be headed back to Hillsdale to undertake his sophomore year of undergraduate studies. However, even though the evening took some unexpected twists and turns, there were many memories made and 5 smiling faces at the end of our little adventure.

The adventure began the moment we stepped foot in the Restaurant....

As the door quietly swished to a stop we were informed by the head waitress that since we were under 21 and this restaurant was technically a bar (they had a bar area but it was not a "bar" and our Aunt already had a table reserved on the patio) that we had to leave the premises. When I them pointed out my Aunt seated at her table and informed her that we were here to meet her, she said the rule still stood and that we needed to leave. My aunt saw us and came over to see what the hold-up was; she then decided that she would pay for the food she had already ordered (the appetizers) and we would take it to go. The waitress said that that would be fine but that Jacob, Justin, and I needed to wait outside....

So we waited outside and tried not to look too awkward (quite a feat as we felt quite awkward :))

Our food and ourselves were ready to go in about 7 minutes, so the next decision we had to make was where to eat. There were some park-type benches along the curb across the street so we sat there and began to dig-in while my Aunt picked up the tab. When she came to join us, we saw that there was not enough room for her on the bench so we decide to walk up the street about 30 feet and sit on the "Thomas Hammer Coffee Co." Patio and enjoy our food a wee bit more comfortably. But alas, the sign on the window informed us that the Patio was for "valued customers of THCC only". So we decided that the only logical answer was to sit down and become "Valued customers of THCC". Which we did with a purchase of 2 glasses of sparkling cider and 2 iced coffees.

When we had cleaned up then last of the nachos and mini quesadillias, another decision demanded our attention: Where to eat dinner. Along 8th street, where we were at presently, there were a variety of restaurants and we settled on either the Pizza Parlor or the Mexican Restaurant. After walking a while half-a-block, thouroughly investigated both establishments, and a time period of indescission, we all settled on having Mexican. After we ordered and sat down to enjoy our meals of burrito, salad, and nachos; we spent the free time inbetween bites of food discussing our observations about the steady stream of people that were walking, biking or driving on the road in front of us. There were various couples as well as a motorcyclist who was trying to pick some one up; the buisness men and the boys in shorts and t-shirts; the families out for a pleasant bikeride in downtown Boise as well as people just out enjoying the wonderful weather.

The evening came to a close as my Aunt and friend had to leave to keep an appointment, however just for "old times sake", Jacob took Justin and I to Fanci-Freeze downtown and we all had soft-serve cones.

The evening, in spite of and because of, its many "abnormalities" and "spontaneities" was super fun and a time I will not be forgetting anytime soon :)

Year 2

As August 2011 quickly retreats towards the cesspool of months past, the view ahead reveals coming attractions that both excite and daunt.

First, Boise State football is peeking its beautiful head above the horizon of our lives. It now bears down upon us with the exhilarating speed of a runaway train. A Blue and Orange blur of beauty and power, destination: Georgia Dome, September 3rd. All Aboard!!!

The train and I are headed for a crash course meeting in Toledo, OH on September 16th. The countdown to 2 and 0 begins now.

Second, the excitement of a fall sports season reminds that Fall is indeed on its way and the school year is beginning far and wide. This Saturday (Aug. 27), I embark on perhaps my most harrowing mission to date. I begin my second year at Hillsdale College. My first year of College presented many challenges, provided many learning experiences, opened up new friendships, and fulfilled my fullest expectations. This year I expect more of the same... with a few changes coming that I hope will enhance my experience towards perfection (maturity) in Christ Jesus.

On the school side of things, I am mostly clear of Hillsdale's core requirements, allowin me to focus on the special calling on my life. With that in mind, I am taking two Politics course this semester moving me towards that major. These are Introduction to American Foreign Policy and Regimes: Classical and Modern. To say that I am looking forward to these would be a gross understatement. Not far behind are my two philosophy courses: Ancient Philosophy and Modern Philosophy. These will put me in a position to pursue either a minor or major in this discipline. Rounding out my academic coursework will be a University Physics class. This class serves the purpose of fulfilling a core requirement and giving me a final insight into my decision whether to pursue a minor in this science.

New to this year, I am a member of the George Washington Fellowship. This program is put on by the Kirby Center wing of Hillsdale focusing on research of Constitutional issues. The benefits of this program are both monetary (tuition scholarship) and practical (through it I am automatically accepted to the Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program, giving me the opportunity to intern in DC sometime during my Junior or Senior Year; my plan is for Spring 2013). Not without its costs, I am expected to spend 10 hours a week on "Constitutional Research Service". This will be a large time commitment, basically like adding another class, but I am looking forward to the experience.

Back to the tried and true, I once again plan to participate with the Hillsdale Rugby Football Club. Last year, I learned rugby and enjoyed it immensely. It provides ample opportunity for physical exercise within my budgeted time schedule.

As far as new goals for this year, I plan to: 1. Get more involved with clubs on Campus and make wider connections among those with similar interests; 2. Start a campus chapter of the national organization Young Americans for Liberty, creating greater opportunities for political involvement; 3. Develop deeper friendships; and 4. Deepen my relationship with Christ and use my knowledge to help those that God has given me moment to influence.

All in all, this year is shaping up to be one of the busiest of my life. Your prayers are definitely appreciated. I find great thrill in the amazing plan of God in my life and generally.

Lastly, I hope to keep greater contact with many of you this year so feel free to contact me on Facebook, by e-mail, or via this blog.

Jacob Barrett
Virtue Rejoices in the Challenge.

NFL 2011 Power Ranking

Preseason

1.Green Bay 0-0 32
2.Pittsburgh 0-0 31
3.Chicago 0-0 30
4.New England 0-0 29
5.NY Jets 0-0 28
6.Baltimore 0-0 27
7.Atlanta 0-0 26
8.Seattle 0-0 25
9.New Orleans 0-0 24
10.Philadelphia 0-0 23
11.Indianapolis 0-0 22
12.Kansas City 0-0 21
13.Tampa Bay 0-0 20
14.NY Giants 0-0 19
15.San Diego 0-0 18
16.Oakland 0-0 17
17.Jacksonville 0-0 16
18Miami 0-0 15
19.St. Louis 0-0 14
20.Detroit 0-0 13
21..Minnesota 0-0 12
22.Houston 0-0 11
23.Washington 0-0 10
24.Dallas 0-0 9
25.Tennessee 0-0 8
26.San Fransisco 0-0 7
27.Cleveland 0-0 6
28.Arizona 0-0 5
29.Cincinnati 0-0 4
30.Buffalo 0-0 3
31.Denver 0-0 2
32.Carolina 0-0 1

Welcome to this Sunday edition of the Everything Barrett blog.

Our Top news story tonight is the dread realization that school is starting on Aug 22nd. Having gotten fully prepared this last weekend, it is now for us to wait this week living in the shadow of the impending doom of the start of school... or something like that :)

In other news, Jacob is coming home this week and spending a whole week with us before he goes back to college....

Volleyball and Football have started practicing and games start at the end of August. Both teams have new coaches and things are definitely looking good :)

Other things on the agenda, this week include: Choir, Family time, work, Azure, and friends weddings.

Encouraging you to have a good week and to seek God in all that you do, this has been your host, Mercy Faith.... Good night.

Family Reunion 2011

This last weekend was our family reunion. It was one of the most amazing times that our extended family has had in a long time.

We kicked the weekend off with a bike trip down the Hiawatha Trail. We had times for Volleyball and Huckleberry picking; jet skiing and boating; talking and playing games. We also had times for sharing about ourselves and learning about others. We had times for sharing of God's work in our lives and for hearing of others' growth in The Faith. It was a time of getting reacquainted with cousins we had not seen for years and a time of meeting ones we hadn't met before. It was a time to grow closer to each other and closer to God. There was a time to celebrate the blessing God has given us in Family and the Faithfulness shown there. The many anniversaries that were celebrated were a huge example of the Faithfulness of God. My Grandparents celebrated their 55th, my parents their 30th, my Uncle and Aunt their 27th, my other Uncle and Aunt their 28th, and my cousin and her husband their 7th. What a testimony! :)

But the biggest feeling that I left last weekend with was complete undeserving of the wonderful family that God has given me!!! To be surrounded by people who love me and love God was the most amazing experience.... I am truly blessed!!!

Daily Bible Reading: July 18-24

This week we cover Numbers 6-10. We will read about the Nazarite vow, the completion of the
tabernacle, the 12 dedication celebration, the institution of the Levitical priesthood, celebration
of the Passover, and the organizing of the congregation of Israel to move on. The life of the
nation of Israel foreshadows much of the life of the Christian. I pray that our devotionals will
help you see these connections and that they in turn will encourage your faith and edify your life.

Remember the specials we are offering this month (Already Gone and Already Compromised).
Not only will you be further equipped to walk a faithful Christian life and to help your fellow
believer to see the dangers for them and their children that surround them in today’s culture, but
you will be helping this ministry as well with your purchase. Additionally, as with each and
every purchase of our monthly specials, we pass a 20% savings on to you. Details and ordering
instructions for this month's specials can be seen at the end of this e-mail.

May God continue to bless and guide you and your family,

David Barrett, Director

Biblical Worldview Learning Center

david@biblicalview.com

208-377-2367

Date: July 18

Reading: Numbers 6:1-27

The Nazarite vow was a special vow that an Old Testament Israelite could enter into if he or she
felt called to enter into a special time of devotion to the Lord. There was no set duration of the
vow; it was a personal commitment for each individual who entered into it. During the time of
the vow, the person was required to abstain from certain things. In particular, he or she had to
abstain from anything that was from the vine. That would include dried or fresh grapes or the
wine made from the grapes. They would also stay away from any strong drink. Additionally, he
was not to cut his hair and could not participate in the burial of a person (even a relative) or be in
the presence of a dead person.

A Nazarite was probably pretty easy to spot with his long hair and special eating prohibitions.
Other Israelites would easily recognize a Nazarite and know that here was a person that was
taking very serious his relationship with the Lord.

We can learn some lessons from the Nazarite. First, we can see that there could be, and probably
should be, times in our lives when we pull back from the "normal routine" of life and concentrate
on our relationship with God. We can grow in our spiritual life and strength by having times
when we overtly focus our attention on God, Who He is, and our relationship with Him.

Secondly, we should realize that as Christians we, in a sense, always have an identification
with the Nazarite of old. You see, we are marked in a special way by Christ, and identified with Christ. Thus, we, too, need to draw back from some of the things that the world would
consider "normal." Things that would confuse our living testimony to the world of our love
for, and commitment to, Jesus Christ should be eliminated from our lives. Our focus, like the
Nazarite’s focus, should be to please God in every way.

This leads to a third and final connection between us, as believers, and the Old Testament
Nazarite. Again, you could spot a Nazarite. You knew by his looks and his life, that he was a
Nazarite. We, as Christians, should be so marked that others can identify us as different from the
world and committed to a God pleasing life. One of the greatest witnesses to our life testimony
you and I can receive is when someone who does not know the Lord in a loving and saving way,
looks at us and says, "You're different than everyone else, why is that?" With that question, the
Holy Spirit just may open the door for you to give a clear testimony to your life in Christ and
receive a new brother or sister in Christ.

Date: July 19

Reading: Numbers 7:1-29

Verse 1 tells us that the time of these events we are reading about in Numbers 7 occurred on the
day the tabernacle was finished and the immediate days following. You may remember that
when you read the Book of Exodus, it ended with the completion of the tabernacle. Exodus
chapter 40 tells of Moses setting up the tabernacle, putting all the furnishings inside and
anointing each part. Verse 33 of that chapter in Exodus ends with these words, "So Moses
finished the work." The final 5 verses of Exodus 40, which end that book, tells us nothing more
of that day's events. We find those events in this chapter of the Book of Numbers that we are
reading today.

The Book of Numbers tells us that the princes of Israel brought offerings for the tabernacle
that were given to the Levites for their service. They also had a 12-day long dedication service
for the altar of the tabernacle. The Israelites were very excited about what they had just
accomplished for the service of God. Because of that excitement, they were very willing to give
of themselves. What is important in any work of God and in any thing we do, is our long-term
commitment, and not just the excitement for the moment. As we read through the story of Israel,
we will want to see what their long-term dedication is.

It is exciting whenever anything new gets started. It is easy to be committed to new and exciting
ideas or activities. But, it is the long-term that really demonstrates our character and true
commitment. Ask God for endurance to stay committed to the things that are honoring to Him
and purposeful for your life.

Date: July 20

Reading: Numbers 7:30-59

The daily dedication continues as each prince of each tribe of Israel brings his offering for the
dedication of the altar. The altar represents the place of sacrifice for sin. It is the place where the appeal to God goes up for acceptance before Him. Now that Jesus has come and is our
eternal sacrifice before God for sin, we are to bring the sacrifice of praise and prayer. Bring
your "sacrifice" to God in prayer and thank God today for His forgiveness of your sins and
praise Him for His love and care over your life.

Date: July 21

Reading: Numbers 7:60-89

The twelve days of dedication for the altar come to a completion at the end of chapter 7. Day
after day, each prince of the tribes of Israel, brought his offering for the dedication service. Each
brought silver and golden utensils and bowls. Each brought a meat offering, incense, a bull,
ram and lamb for a burnt offering. Each brought a goat for a sin offering. And, each brought
two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five lambs for a peace offering. What a tremendous
amount of items and number of animals that were brought. The total amount is given for us in
verses 84 – 88. The amount is almost overwhelming.

God is not interested in those kinds of sacrifices and offerings from us today. He wants the
sacrifices of praise and the offering of a pure and willing heart. Seek God and ask Him for the
kind of heart He desires you to have. Give God the praise He deserves.

Date: July 22

Reading: Numbers 8:1-26

All having been dedicated over the past 12 days, it was now time to institute the Levitical priests
for service in the sanctuary of the tabernacle. In this chapter, the instruction for that cleansing
service was given, and the service was done. The Levites, a people set aside within Israel by
God, were now ready to carry out their duties within the tabernacle.

All must be clean and holy to come before God. That is why the special cleansing and sacrifices
had to be done for the Levites so that they could participate in any such activities for the people.
We know, however, that there is nothing we can do by ourselves to actually make us clean
enough before God. We are all affected and made unclean by sin. Only through Jesus Christ can
we be found acceptable before God.

The cleansing of these Levites was for a time of service. The cleansing we can receive in Jesus
Christ is for all eternity.

Date: July 23

Reading: Numbers 9:1-23

On the first day of the first month of the second year after the Israelites had come out of Egypt,
the tabernacle was finished and all set up. In the 7th chapter of this book, we read how they had
a 12 day dedication period for the tabernacle and especially for the altar. Now, the 14th day of the first month is approaching and that is the anniversary of the night that all the first born of
Egypt were killed and when Pharaoh told the Israelites to leave his land. This is the anniversary
of the Great Exodus, when God brought Israel out of Egypt.

You probably remember that Israel had a special feast that night in Egypt. They were told to kill
a lamb and spread its blood on their doorposts and on the overhead part of the door. That blood
protected their household from being struck by God and the killing of their firstborn children and
animals. That was the Passover event and the meal they ate that night was the Passover meal.
Now, a year later, they are being reminded to eat this Passover meal as the Lord instructed them
to do.

The Passover Meal is not a command that we, as Christians, are instructed to follow. But, there
are other commands that God has given to us to follow that remind us of the perfect Passover
Lamb, Jesus Christ. In particular, we have the Lord's Supper that we are to partake in on a
regular basis. You read about the last Passover supper that Jesus had with His disciples before
His death when you read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The Lord's Supper of the
New Testament Church is rooted in the Passover and based on this last meal Jesus had with His
disciples.

The Passover Meal of the Old Testament reminded the Israelites of their great deliverance
from bondage in Egypt. The Lord's Supper of the New Testament reminds us of our great
deliverance, through Jesus Christ, from the bondage of sin.

Date: July 24

Reading: Numbers 10:1-36

With such a large crowd of people there needed to be a communication device to alert the people
to many different things. They needed to be brought together as an assembly at times and they
needed to be alerted to war at times. Thus, God instructed Moses to make two silver trumpets
that would be blown and give the different signals for the people.

After having camped for many months and building the tabernacle, it is finally time to move on
in their journey toward the land of Canaan. Thus, Moses had the trumpets blown and the signal
given to assemble and prepare to leave. What we read about in several of the previous chapters
begins to take place as the different groups responsible for breaking down and carrying the
tabernacle begin to work. This, again, would be an exciting time for Israel as they finally get to
move on in their journey.

Our spiritual lives can be like this as well. We can feel like we are settled in and doing the same
type of thing over and over again. Maybe this is all that God has planned for us. Then, the
time comes when God tells us to move on to another project or place. We need to be ready
to hear God’s voice as He directs us in our Spiritual "journey" in Him. His primary way of
communicating with us will always be through the reading of His Word.