What Kind of Fool Am I?

Years ago, Sammy Davis Jr sang a song called, "What Kind of Fool Am I?". The lyrics included, "What kind of fool am I? Who never fell in love? It seems that I'm the only one I've been thinking of." As I was preparing this month's newsletter, this theme kept coming back to me. What kind of fool would I be to think: there is no God (Psalm 14:1a), that He doesn't care for me (1 Peter 5:7), that I am left alone to face life's struggles (John 14:16-18), that there is no plan or purpose for my life (Jeremiah 29:11), or that I have no assurance of my salvation and eternal life (1 John 5:11-12).

Then, I wonder what kind of fool I am to think we can do these wonderful ministries in our own strength. As we enter our 55th year of ministry and 53rd year of marriage (June 6), we are more in awe than ever of our Lord's grace. A huge part of that grace is the godly men and women He has surrounded us with. Some have gone ahead into the dwelling place He has prepared for them.

Others, like you, are still with us, encouraging, praying for, and setting examples for us of zeal and holiness. Please pray with us that we will forsake foolish thoughts and press forward in and by His grace alone.

March went by sooo quickly! I taught skiing two days a week, led a weekly Bible study for ski instructors, taught a weekly Systematic Theology class, preached on Saturday Nights, and held Sunday afternoon Chapel Services on top of a chairlift. Melva did ministry receipts and paperwork, helped with crafts at the nursing home and visited shut ins.

Ski Area Ministry: We've had great attendance at the Mountaintop Chapels this year, averaging 25 or more with around 70 on Palm Sunday and Easter. On Easter morning, I was still struggling with what the Lord wanted me to share on the mountain. I read an interview with that renowned theologian Billy Ray Cyrus (of "Achy Breaky Heart" fame) who reminded me that Easter was all about John 3:16. He was right and that was my message. Our weekly ski instructor Bible study has truly been a blessing as well.

Saturday Night Worship: What a wonderful, wacky, bunch we have on Saturday Nights as we go verse by verse through books of the Bible. We video the services so let us know if you would like the link by email. Full disclosure: They're "unpolished".


Upcoming: Lord willing, we will be sharing in the following places. Please pray for these services!
April 14     Colorado Springs     Ministry Update Dinner @ Mimi's on Academy
April 20     Edmond OK     Ministry Update Lunch @ Johnnies Hamburgers
April 21-24     Guthrie OK     Revival Services@ Abell Community Church
May 26     Pitkin CO     Worship Service @ Pitkin Community Church
June 2     Tin Cup CO     Worship Service @ Tin Cup Community Church
June 9     Pitkin CO     Worship Service @ Pitkin Church (tentative)
June 30     Tin Cup CO     Worship Service and Music program following
July 11-14     Gunnison CO     Cattlemen's Day Chaplain and Rodeo Service
August 1-3     Colorado Springs     Rick Barton Ministries Board Meeting
September 1     Tin Cup CO     Worship Service @ Tin Cup Community Church
September 29     Pitkin CO     Worship Service @ Pitkin Community Church
October 20-23     Guthrie OK     Bible Conference@ Abell Community Church


Finances: By God's grace and your faithful support, we were able to send a gift to 18 "alumni" missionaries, pastors of small churches, and missionary widows. We send this gift to help them establish or bolster their retirement and/or emergency savings. One widow who served with her husband in Bible translation wrote that she had been praying about how to pay her property taxes, and the gift came. You are making a difference! As God's word says, "you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:11)

Family: Everyone seems to finally be healthy! We would ask you to continue to pray for our granddaughters Hannah and Bethan in London. They are having a difficult adjustment with their move from Scotland to London, and for our daughter Rebekah, husband Nick and granddaughter Kailani. They haven't gotten involved in fellowship and serving the Lord yet. Thank you for praying for our family!

Prayer Requests: Please pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit as we share locally and in Oklahoma. Please pray for both our voices to recover fully, they were weakened through our sicknesses this winter and haven't fully recovered. Please pray the Lord will reveal those who are to fill in behind us and share the ministry with us. Thank you! Your prayers really do work!
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By His grace and to His glory, Rick and Melva Barton

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