“For It is God Who is at Work…”

“How do you do it?”  Perhaps you get that question as often as we do.  Our friends Barry and Victoria Ward do over 300 music programs a year.  Sue, in an assisted living facility, sends out cards, helps with Bible Studies and shares the Good News of Jesus daily.  Ginny, mostly homebound and on oxygen, prays for nearly 100 Christian workers by name a day.  Don and Josie, both in their 80s drive to fire and police stations to provide New Testaments and Devotionals to First Responders. And so many more!

So how do we do it?  One day as I was reading through Philippians I ran across “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).  It struck me, that’s how all of us keep going in the Lord’s work!  No matter how busy the schedule, or how weak our physical condition might be, He gives us the grace to continue.  The only requirements are being willing to serve Him and be dependent on His strength to accomplish it.  And of course, give Him the glory He alone deserves.

The past few weeks Melva and I have had schedules that we could meet only through His strength.  Your prayers continue to be channels through which that grace flows, THANK YOU!

May Activities: The first part of May was spent catching up on things locally. Then, Melva’s sister Val had a heart attack followed by a quadruple bypass.  May 12, we headed to Denver where I dropped Melva off to be with her sister where she will stay until things get more settled.  

After dropping off Melva and praying with Val, I drove to Guthrie OK to hold 8 days of services at Abell Community Church north of Guthrie.  Abell is a “small country church with a big heart”.   The services went great with singer Barry Ward, saxophone “prayer” Russell Davis, collegiate wrestler and now Fellowship of Christian Athletes staff Travon Smith, and more sharing in the services.  I also had the privilege of meeting with a group of area pastors as well as long-time friends!  A special highlight was good friend Jerry Linson and I meeting and praying with a local OK Fire Chief and Assistant Chief.  We presented them with fire New Testaments and Devotionals and they have requested 150 of each to make available to their department!  Please pray the Lord will use each copy to encourage and draw these first responders to Jesus.

Upon returning to Gunnison, I had the privilege of working with three families in preparation for memorial services this month. I consider it a privilege to serve these families and ask you to prayer for the services.  Yesterday, May 30, I shared at the Pitkin Community Church. The Lord was truly present!

Family: It looks like Melva and I will have to defer any celebration of our 50th Wedding Anniversary (June 6) to a later date.  All but our Scottish clan will be here in July but we want the Scottish connection to join us as well.  With Melva caring for her sister it would be hard to do anything right now.  Stephen (husband of our daughter Joy, father of Hannah and Bethan) was able to preach in London recently and it went very well.  Our son Steve in Los Angeles (with wife Annie, children Samuel and Abigail) has been praying about a new job.  He has been asked to work for three weeks on a Christian video project for the Alpha series.  Last month we asked you to pray for our son Tim and Sara’s children Elizabeth and Sydney.  Sydney had some concerning test results.  After you prayed, a second series of tests were made and came back much more favorable!  Daughter Rebekah along with husband Nick and daughter Kailani were able to take a trip to visit Nick’s parents in California. Thank you for your faithful prayers for our family!
Upcoming: Celebration of Life Services June 5th, 12th, and July 3rd.  Tin Cup Community Church June 6 and September 5th.  Sargents Community Church June 20 and July 4th.  A wonderful wedding June 19th in Pitkin.  I serve as our local professional rodeo Chaplain July 15-17 and we hold our Rodeo Church service July 18.  Lord willing, we will hold services at 1st Baptist Church in Delta, CO October 24-31 and return to Abell Church near Guthrie OK November 7-14 to hold a Bible Conference.  Please pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be upon us as we share!

Finances:  Our God is truly Jehovah Jireh (“The Lord will provide”-Genesis 22:14).  Every need is being provided for abundantly.  His faithfulness working through each of you is helping so many!  Thank You!   Note: With Melva being out of town, donation receipts will be delayed several weeks.  Sorry ☹.

Prayer Requests:  For the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be upon us as we share His glorious gospel.  Please pray especially that I will be bold and clear in presenting the plan of salvation and calling for a decision.
Please pray for Melva’s sister Val and her family.  Not only is Val recovering from the heart attack but 2 of their children are expecting babies in the next few days and the third one is in Israel till June 11.  And, please pray that I will use my time as the Lord would lead. Thank You!

By His grace and to His glory!  Rick and Melva Barton

Abell Church Junior Orchestra

Duet

Gideon & Businessman John Kellogg (l) & Pastor Billy Boyd (1)

Retired Coach & FCA Director Chuck Bowman