Baby Sam and his grammy
Feb 21, 2005
Feb 17, 2005
Feb 15, 2005
Feb 12, 2005
He's Arrived!
Jen tried to make me promise not to post a blog. But . . . I never quite said I wouldn't. For those who stop by once in a while, Sam has arrived! He is 7 lbs 7 oz; 19 in. Doctors broke Jen's water around 7:30 and Sam was born at 9:42. More details to come.
Feb 10, 2005
Alarm Bells
Sitting in Arnies. Contractions five minutes apart. Forty-five seconds long. Will the meal be interrupted by a trip to the hospital? No. Jen and I finished our "last-date-before-Sam-is-born" food and headed over to the mall for a stroll. Alarm bells are sounding but the car's still in the garage.
There was reason to believe "it" might be happening. I am dilated to 4 cm and 80% effaced. But I was glad to have the night out with my husband!
There was reason to believe "it" might be happening. I am dilated to 4 cm and 80% effaced. But I was glad to have the night out with my husband!
Feb 9, 2005
Baby Sam's Coming to Live with Us!
February 9, 2005
Sam is due tomorrow! Don’t cross your fingers, though. The “experienced” among us know such projections are sketchy at best. We will tell you this: Ben’s prognostication skills are up for trial. He woke up yesterday morning and said, “Baby Sam’s coming to live with us.”
Sam is due tomorrow! Don’t cross your fingers, though. The “experienced” among us know such projections are sketchy at best. We will tell you this: Ben’s prognostication skills are up for trial. He woke up yesterday morning and said, “Baby Sam’s coming to live with us.”
Feb 1, 2005
Redefinition Afoot
Nine days till the due date. Amazing, God gives us nine months to choose names, prep the nest, and get used to the idea of a new baby, but a life we could never imagine has metamorphosed and is about to break open. The change . . . redefining. And life will not stop to take a breath. The hours will still pass by in minutes, the minutes in seconds. Each second will lay a new strand of meaning and purpose across our existence like a web under construction. The simple complexity of marriage, love and birth shuts my mouth in wonder.
Jan 28, 2005
Jan 27, 2005
New Things
2 Timothy 1:12-14
But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Dear Friends, January 2004
Greetings. As you stand at the border of a year completed and a new one underway, we hope you sense the Father’s sovereign hand drawing you forward. Jen and I are writing to convey how we personally have perceived His call in the past few months. Your continued friendship gives us hope you will hold our family in your thoughts and prayers.
Most of you know of my work in Fountain of Life church from 2000-2004. As an associate pastor, I devoted significant time to youth ministry and was privileged to complete a second master’s degree in theology. With Fountain of Life’s blessing, Jen, Ben and I (and soon-to-be-born Sam) have set our vision on serving Christ’s Kingdom while completing further studies beginning in fall 2005.[*] Till then, God has me serving Corinth Church near Grand Rapids, MI and revising a one-volume Bible commentary for Zondervan Publishing. We want to share how we see God working in our lives and the American Church.
Anyone who has spent time surveying emerging intellectual and youth culture realizes a change is afoot. The so-called “generation gaps” now seem to be canyons. Church leaders and parents struggle to help young people navigate the borders between Church and Culture. Many are frustrated in their efforts. Some, unfortunately, have thrown up their hands in defeat.
Most of us could tell at least one story of a Christian, college-bound student leaving home with great aspirations. Tragically, a semester or two later, this same young person returns home, questioning their basic convictions or even their faith. Another potential leader in the Kingdom consumes poisonous thought, embracing a faulty worldview. Some students will emerge from the clouds of doubt. But increasingly, many do not. In the aftermath of such stories, it is tempting to despair.
But I believe we have great reason to HOPE. Those conversant with Western history realize it is impossible to recount the past 2,000 years without considering the Gospel’s dramatic impact. The greatest music, art and intellectual insights of our culture were expressed by people conformed to Christian truth and Christ’s character. Imagine the coming generations navigating the borders between Church and Culture with inspired wisdom, creativity and conviction. Imagine what would happen if our kids became “culture-creators” rather than “culture-consumers”!
Jen and I want to ask for your prayers over the next months. We are increasingly convinced my time in church ministry, academics, music and publishing has been a preparation to address these issues. Thankfully, this conviction has been confirmed in numerous ways. We are so blessed to be surrounded by a circle of trusted counselors. More than anything, I thank God for my prayerful, wise and supportive wife. Together, we look forward to seeing what He will unfold.
Lord willing, we will soon share the vision for a new ministry we hope to begin within the year. It will be called Borderlands. For now, we will convey the initial mission statement:
Borderlands serves the Church’s mission by helping Christian individuals, families and communities, conceive, embody and communicate truth in contemporary culture. We do this a) by publishing insightful literature and other media; b) by planning relevant seminars for local churches and communities and c) by providing significant discipleship experiences for committed learners.
Friends, we do not believe the Church is called to retreat! Instead, we are called to the borders, shining the light of biblical truth on existence (Ps. 119:105), helping people make sense of their situation. May we continue to announce a new kind of life, one possible in Jesus alone. We must forge new forms of discipleship for a new kind of challenge. Jen and I pray Borderlands will help to do this. Please, pray for us as we begin to build partnerships in birthing this new ministry.
In His Grace,
Adam and Jen Barr
P.S. We welcome any questions or input you might have. You can contact us in any of the following ways:
1430 Hidden Valley Dr. #6
Kentwood, MI 49508
atbarr@hotmail.com
(616) 827-8462
[*] I hope to complete a PhD in Theology, concentrating in apologetics (graduating in 2008). Apologetics is the effort to express Biblical truth in convincing ways to non-Christians. It involves both a clear understanding of Christian truth and a grasp of the culture. Lord willing, I will be studying at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.
But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Dear Friends, January 2004
Greetings. As you stand at the border of a year completed and a new one underway, we hope you sense the Father’s sovereign hand drawing you forward. Jen and I are writing to convey how we personally have perceived His call in the past few months. Your continued friendship gives us hope you will hold our family in your thoughts and prayers.
Most of you know of my work in Fountain of Life church from 2000-2004. As an associate pastor, I devoted significant time to youth ministry and was privileged to complete a second master’s degree in theology. With Fountain of Life’s blessing, Jen, Ben and I (and soon-to-be-born Sam) have set our vision on serving Christ’s Kingdom while completing further studies beginning in fall 2005.[*] Till then, God has me serving Corinth Church near Grand Rapids, MI and revising a one-volume Bible commentary for Zondervan Publishing. We want to share how we see God working in our lives and the American Church.
Anyone who has spent time surveying emerging intellectual and youth culture realizes a change is afoot. The so-called “generation gaps” now seem to be canyons. Church leaders and parents struggle to help young people navigate the borders between Church and Culture. Many are frustrated in their efforts. Some, unfortunately, have thrown up their hands in defeat.
Most of us could tell at least one story of a Christian, college-bound student leaving home with great aspirations. Tragically, a semester or two later, this same young person returns home, questioning their basic convictions or even their faith. Another potential leader in the Kingdom consumes poisonous thought, embracing a faulty worldview. Some students will emerge from the clouds of doubt. But increasingly, many do not. In the aftermath of such stories, it is tempting to despair.
But I believe we have great reason to HOPE. Those conversant with Western history realize it is impossible to recount the past 2,000 years without considering the Gospel’s dramatic impact. The greatest music, art and intellectual insights of our culture were expressed by people conformed to Christian truth and Christ’s character. Imagine the coming generations navigating the borders between Church and Culture with inspired wisdom, creativity and conviction. Imagine what would happen if our kids became “culture-creators” rather than “culture-consumers”!
Jen and I want to ask for your prayers over the next months. We are increasingly convinced my time in church ministry, academics, music and publishing has been a preparation to address these issues. Thankfully, this conviction has been confirmed in numerous ways. We are so blessed to be surrounded by a circle of trusted counselors. More than anything, I thank God for my prayerful, wise and supportive wife. Together, we look forward to seeing what He will unfold.
Lord willing, we will soon share the vision for a new ministry we hope to begin within the year. It will be called Borderlands. For now, we will convey the initial mission statement:
Borderlands serves the Church’s mission by helping Christian individuals, families and communities, conceive, embody and communicate truth in contemporary culture. We do this a) by publishing insightful literature and other media; b) by planning relevant seminars for local churches and communities and c) by providing significant discipleship experiences for committed learners.
Friends, we do not believe the Church is called to retreat! Instead, we are called to the borders, shining the light of biblical truth on existence (Ps. 119:105), helping people make sense of their situation. May we continue to announce a new kind of life, one possible in Jesus alone. We must forge new forms of discipleship for a new kind of challenge. Jen and I pray Borderlands will help to do this. Please, pray for us as we begin to build partnerships in birthing this new ministry.
In His Grace,
Adam and Jen Barr
P.S. We welcome any questions or input you might have. You can contact us in any of the following ways:
1430 Hidden Valley Dr. #6
Kentwood, MI 49508
atbarr@hotmail.com
(616) 827-8462
[*] I hope to complete a PhD in Theology, concentrating in apologetics (graduating in 2008). Apologetics is the effort to express Biblical truth in convincing ways to non-Christians. It involves both a clear understanding of Christian truth and a grasp of the culture. Lord willing, I will be studying at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.
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