Pushing the "Pause" Button

"True Confessions": I have been guilty of breaking one of our Lord's commandments, and for a long time. No, it's not stealing or adultery or one of the others that often snare the Lord's workers, it's the one about taking a sabbath day for rest, reflection, and worship. Let me give you an example, here's our schedule last weekend:

Friday: In the morning, I visited a man in jail who told me he had prayed God would help him and I showed up. He received Jesus as his Savior and Lord! Friday night, I taught a systematic theology class. Saturday: we held a funeral service as well as our Saturday Night Worship Service. Sunday: We sang, and I preached in Tin Cup CO. Then we attended a funeral and visited two folks in the nursing home. During the week we prepare for services, and minister to individuals, drive them to the doctor, etc. Granted, not all our weeks are that busy, but many are. As a result, making time for a day off becomes difficult. And yet, we know we must!

Jesus and His disciples encountered the same problem. In Mark 6:29-34, a lot of things happened.
Jesus was teaching and healing non-stop, John the Baptist was beheaded and John's disciples reported for duty to Jesus (The right thing to do when our leader is taken away or we change churches). Jesus calls all the disciples together and tells them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves." You may remember, as they went, the people saw them and got there first. Instead of being frustrated, Jesus had compassion and ministered to them. I guess my point is, we need to take regular rest times, but it does not always happen as we plan
. Please pray that we, and you, know when and how to
press the "Pause" button!

June happenings: We had the privilege of holding services in Pitkin (1x) and Tin Cup CO (3x). The week before Father's Day we visited friends in the hospital and hospice care on the Colorado front range and ended up in Esterbrook WY to celebrate their "Buckboard Sunday." Locally, we held a celebration of life, Saturday Night Worship services, hosted Aaron and Andrea Taylor- alumni missionaries, and sent out more firefighter New Testaments and Devotionals to TX, PA, and FL. I also took the Forest Service firefighting "Pack Test." My "Pack Test" is a 2-mile timed walk with a twenty-five# lead vest. I passed but tripped trying to speed up at the end and "bruised my ego badly," The Lord uses your prayers and support to allow us to do these things, Thank You!

Family: Joy and Stephen (Hannah and Bethan) continue to minister in London. Hannah recently spent a week serving in a Christian Camp in Scotland where she had a wonderful time with friends. Bethan is doing very well in school and activities. Nick and Rebekah (Kailani) are keeping busy with their restaurant "ZINO" in Edwards CO. If you are in the Vail area, you must enjoy a fine Italian meal there. Kailani graduated from preschool and is enjoying the summer. Steve and Annie, (Samuel and Abigail), are doing well in Los Angeles where they recently led worship in their church. Tim and Sara (Elizabeth and Sydney) are going strong in Los Angeles as well.


Upcoming:
July 11-14     Gunnison CO     Cattlemen's Day Chaplain and Rodeo Service

August 1-3     Colorado Springs     Rick Barton Ministries Board Meeting

August 5-19     London/Inverness Visting Stephen and Joy, Hannah and Bethan

August 20-29     Secret Place     Rest and Study

September 1     Tin Cup CO     Service at Tin Cup Community Church

September 8 & 15     Delta CO     Services at 1st Baptist Church

September 29     Pitkin CO     Service at Pitkin Community Church

October 20-23     Guthrie OK     Bible Conference@ Abell Community Church
*These are in addition to our Saturday Night Worship Services and Systematic Theology class. Your faithful prayers sustain us!

Finances: Melva and I continue to be in awe as the Lord provides our personal and ministry finances. Through your faithful prayers and giving, we can pay the bills, send out thousands of 1st Responder and Cowboy New Testaments, help others in need, support missionaries, and minister without charge. We want to give a special "shout out" to those of you who have supported us in prayer and giving for decades. Churches and individuals, no matter how large or small the amount, you have held our arms up and we are sooooo grateful! (Exodus 17:11-13)

Prayer Requests: 1. For the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be upon us as we share God's glorious gospel. 2. For our children and their children to love and serve the Lord. 3. For the continued healing of my knees. 4. For Melva and me to know how and when to push the "Pause Button".

As we celebrate our country's freedom, may we pray the Lord raises up godly leaders who will honor Him and lead our country in paths of righteousness!

​We love you! Rick and Melva

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