To Be Six Again

I'm not saying this is true... but I'm not saying it's not. You tell me!

To Be Six Again:

A man was sitting at the edge of the bed... watching his wife, who was looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off, he asked what she'd like to have for her birthday.

"I'd like to be six again," she said, still looking in the mirror.

On the morning of her birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms and then took her to Six Flags theme park. WHAT A DAY! He put her on every ride in the park... the Death Slide, Wall of Fear, and every Roller Coaster there was.

Five hours later, they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. He then took her to McDonald's where he ordered a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, soda, and her favorite candy... M&M's. What a FABULOUS ADVENTURE!

Finally, she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted.

He leaned over to his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, "Well dear, what was it like being six again?"

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed.

"I meant my dress size, you idiot!"

The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he's gonna get it wrong.

Valentine - Schmalentine

No, I am not a scrooge. But yes, I think Valentine's Day is a way for a few companies to pay bills. From chocolate to cards and the ever-so-expensive flowers... they all cash in on February 14.

After our 30 Days of Sex (40 for me and Tammy), and all of the conversations, meeting needs, and physical love shared during that time... coupled with our 15 year anniversary where I got Tammy 15 dozen long stem roses... a box of chocolates just seems to fall short.

Now, I can just hear many of the women readers getting a little hot under the collar. But I say, men, let's do something MORE than flowers and chocolates. Express some real love. Push your wife's buttons, in a good way. What are her emotional needs? What is her 'love language?' Same for your kids.

Share some love guys... because it's right, not because you're supposed to on February 14.

PMS Buddy?

OK - I think there is now an app for just about everything. Have you heard about the Menstrual Calendar App for men?

It's a calendar that tracks the Menstrual Cycle of your wife (or girlfriend). They say it helps you keep track and be 'on guard' during those times when she... well... might be having less than a good day.

The concept goes further into simultaneously tracking the cycles of your daughter, mom, sister, secretary, etc. What do you think of that? Too over the top?

I don't know. I am blessed to have a spouse that is not overtly affected by the 'curse.' However, it seems that, if done with the right motives, this might be an effective way for a guy to give a gal in his life the 'benefit of the doubt' during her less sensitive moments during the month.

Certainly an interesting concept.

30 Days Of Sex (cont)

We are coming up on week 4 of the 30 Days Of Sex (taken from the Relevant Church in Tampa, FL - Paul & Susie Wirth's book cover is displayed here) and it has been a wild ride. I must admit, after the initial Sacramento Bee article, we have had overwhelming support from the media and extended friends of the church.

From the Fox 40 News piece we did last week, there was a gal overheard in her office who will be participating with her husband in the 30 Days of Intimacy. I know of an atheist couple that is actually going through it as well... go figure!

I am SO thrilled we decided to do this about a year ago. It has been good for the church and for the kingdom as numerous people are now closer to their God... closer in their marriages... and getting counseling in areas that have got away from them. GO GOD!

30 Days Of Sex

We are about to tackle our third week of 30 Days of Sex. You can see a video of me explaining this series at www.30daysofsex.com any time you'd like. You can also watch the first week's message at Impact Community Church... or the 2nd week right here. You might enjoy watching the video that precedes either message - it's totally goofy - classic Barry stuff.

One thing for sure, the media has eaten series thing up. Jennifer Garza from the Sacramento Bee was the first to break the story here. Since then, I have done a nationally syndicated show based out of New York at ABC News Radio.

Today, January 22, I will be doing a video taping at my office for a local TV station - Fox 40 News. In addition, I'll be doing a live radio show today as well at 3:40pm PST with KFBK Radio. You can actually click here and listen live (toward the right of the website) if you'd like to hear it.

Please continue to pray for Impact and for me as many people without all the facts have attacked and accused me and our church of all sorts of things... among those that I am the anti-Christ and a wolf in sheep's clothing. Just last week, I was just Barry. :) It's all good - but I would appreciate your prayers.

15th Anniversary Surprise – part 2

So Tammy was walking down the isle with me for our 15 year anniversary. Her brothers standing up with me and a couple friends standing up on her side. At center stage were 15 dozen roses in vases – obviously representing the 15 years of marriage we’ve accomplished. (I know, nice touch - thanks to Safeway - the greatest grocery store ever.)

We pause for a moment to let her to take it all in. Remember, she had NO idea any of this was going to happen. She just thought we were going to a fancy dinner or something. Little did she know what she was in for.

After Dave Wesley shared some scripture and kind stories that he recollected of doing ministry together with Tammy, it was time for the video. I recently drank the water and purchased an iMac. I scanned in a bunch of pictures that Tammy’s mom gave me dating back from Tammy’s infancy to when I met her. I, of course, had a bunch of pictures already in digital form since the time we got married and had two kids. I made a ‘video’ of all these pictures put to the song, “Stickwitu,” by the Pussycat Dolls. And let me tell ya, that went over AWESOME. I think my daughter and Tammy have watched that video about 30 times.

After the video, Dave had us say our vows. Of course, I was the one who wrote them because this was all a surprise to Tammy. So I said mine and then it was Tammy’s turn. Toward the end of her vows, I revealed yet another surprise. As she repeated after Dave, she promised to clean the house and pack our bags because we were headed on a four day cruise to Mexico leaving just two days later. THAT was how I revealed our big trip.

After the ceremony, we jumped in a limo and headed to Starbucks. If you know Tammy, you know the night has to include Starbucks. Then it was back to our house where, SURPRISE, our small group and the elders of the church had gathered for some of the best food ever – cooked by Jim Outman and his family. (By the way, Ryan Black took the video and Leslie Morris snapped the pictures back at church to commemorate our big day. Thanks you two.)

It was an amazing night and I’m thrilled that everyone helped me keep it a secret. This day and night was 9 months in the making. It was on my yearly “100 hours of prayer” that God revealed to me that I should not wait for my 20 year anniversary to do something big… I should do it on our 15th – so that is what I did. I suppose you could say, I was just being obedient. Regardless, a good time was had by all.

15th Anniversary Surprise – part 1

It was Friday, January 9^th, just 6 days before our actual anniversary. Tammy and her mom spent the day at Steve & Dana Pagano’s spa, The Retreat on the river.

Meanwhile, I and numerous other people kept the secret and several helped me put the final details together for the surprise of all surprises.

Just this past Christmas, I got Tammy an ‘outfit’ to wear at our anniversary dinner. So, she took the garb to The Retreat and was to meet me at the church because I had a ‘supposed’ meeting with Ryan Black in my office that was supposed to end at 5:30pm.

Most everyone in and out of our church had been invited to surprise Tammy arriving at the church between 5:15 to 5:30pm. The plan worked and my mother-in-law got Tammy at the church around 5:40pm.

I heard a little about Tammy’s day at the spa and then escorted her into the worship center to see what was going on. I told her there were all kinds of commotion going on in there and I wanted to see what was up. Oh yeah, and I gave her a 6-rose bouquet kind of thingie.

She was blown away. She saw the screen that said, “Happy 15^th Anniversary Barry & Tammy.” Then she saw the 18’ banner that said, “Tammy, Will You Marry Me… Again?” And then she saw her brother, Jason Pitts, who had flown in from Minnesota just to experience this night with us.

Needless to say, she was outrageously blown away and caught off guard. I walked her down the isle where Dave Wesley was ready to do the officiating and take our vows.

I’ll describe the rest of the story tomorrow.

Proposition 8 - Oh No You Didn't

The Pacific Justice Institute just released the information below. California is already being infiltrated by an intentional and strategic plan of 'education.' This is not a game kids. If Proposition 8 does not pass, there is no limit to the indoctrination that will take place.

This is NOT about a lack of rights. This is NOT about equality. This is spiritual. This is an erosion of the morality of this great nation. Grace is still in play. Acceptance and tolerance are still in our vocabulary. But Marriage... that is biblical. God came up with the idea. To redefine it to include homosexuals... that is not biblical - and frankly - it's just not right. Don't tell me about rights, insurance, or hospital visits. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about Marriage - created by God, approved by God, and blessed by God as a man and a woman becoming one flesh.

(I just found out from the PJI, the principal told their parent that they made a last minute decision to cancel "Coming Out Day"... interesting.)

For Immediate Release
Contact: President Brad Dacus (916) 857-6900

"Coming Out Day" Coming This Week to
California Elementary Schools

Hayward, CA – Parents at a K-8 charter school in Hayward were shocked to learn this week the extent to which their school is promoting gay and lesbian ideals to their daughter in kindergarten.

The parents were shocked to see a poster announcing that "Coming Out Day" will be celebrated at the school this coming Thursday, October 23. The school, Faith Ringgold School of Art and Science, chose not to tell parents ahead of time, but it is in the midst of celebrating "Ally Week," a pro-homosexual push typically aimed at high school students. When one mother asked her daughter earlier this week what she was learning in kindergarten at the school, the 5-year-old replied, "We're learning to be allies." The mother also learned that her daughter's kindergarten classroom is regularly used during lunchtime for meetings of a Gay Straight Alliance club.

Later this week, the school is slated to talk about families. The parents have noticed several posters promoting families, all of which depict only homosexual families. More controversial discussions can be expected through next week, as the elementary school continues to celebrate Gay and Lesbian History Month. On November 20, the school will host TransAction Gender-Bender Read-Aloud, where students will hear adapted tales such as "Jane and the Beanstalk."

These parents are being advised by attorneys from Pacific Justice Institute. Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, "Do we need any further proof that gay activists will target children as early as possible? Opponents of traditional marriage keep telling us that Prop. 8 has nothing to do with education. In reality, they want to push the gay lifestyle on kindergartners, and we can only imagine how much worse it will be if Prop. 8 is defeated. This is not a scenario most Californians want replayed in their elementary schools."

Any other parents whose elementary-age children have been subjected to pro-homosexual propaganda should contact Pacific Justice Institute for counsel and possible representation.

If you are able to support PJI, please click here to contribute now or visit www.pji.org/getinvolved.

Fireproof Movie - Still Rockin'

Fireproof opened up as the #4 movie in America. It is still in the top 10 today. WOO HOO!

The book, "Love Dare," that inspired the movie opened at #1 on the NY Times Paperback List. There are more than 2,000 testimonies of marriages saved (changed lives) uploaded to the movie's website.

ABC World News Tonight, Fox News, and CNN have all aired stories on this awesome film. If you haven't seen it yet, what's stopping you?

Proposition 8 - California's 2nd Chance

OK - let's try one more go around before we lighten it up a little.  Proposition 8 is once again trying keep the idea of "Marriage" between a man and a woman.  Some might think it is about bigotry or hatred or discrimination.  Oh, my friends - it's about so much more than that.  Let's not tell people how to live their life... but don't tell me how to define something that God has created.  The family... sex... marriage... these are all HIS creations.

To get a clearer picture of the ramifications of accepting marriage between anything other than a man and a woman - watch this video about what happened in Boston, MA.  And just so you know, it's NOT ok for you to talk to my kindergartner about homosexuality and marriage.  It's just not ok!  Case closed.

If you don't see the video above - click Proposition 8 Video. 

Fireproof - Insane Statistics

I had the privilege of emailing back and forth with a partner of Lovell-Fairchild Communications, publicity agents for Sherwood Pictures, about the church's latest film, "Fireproof."  Here is a copy of the email Julie Fairchild sent me.

Last week, Fandango reported that 40% of all ticket sales – ALL TICKET SALES – were Fireproof.  They were blown away!  

The Love Dare, the book in the movie, had already shipped out 600,000 copies before it officially hit the market this morning, and was ranked #11 on Amazon.com.  A 7th printing is already underway with tens of thousands backordered.

The box office numbers are $6.8 mil for opening weekend on 839 screens, putting FIREPROOF at #4 at the box office, just narrowly behind Lakeview Terrace which was #3.  To help with perspective here, the movies ahead of Fireproof had 3 or 4 times the number of screens and most of the films behind it did too.  The per screen average, a major indicator in Hollywood, was only a few dollars less than Eagle Eye, the #1 movie. (which cost 160 times as much to make)

Fireproof’s box office take is the largest of any film that has opened on less than 1000 screens this year (except Hannah Montana’s 3-D concert).  

But the real evidence of success is in all of our inboxes.  We’ve received an avalanche of email from people who have seen the film, and whose lives and marriages were affected.  MANY people in desperate circumstances have written to say they have hope.  Others have said, their marriage was literally snatched from divorce in the movie theater.  One woman wrote that she babysat for a couple who was certainly headed for divorce so they could go.  They called her from the theater and asked if she would stay over, that they wanted to go to the mountains after the film, and try to work things out so they could save their marriage.

While making films that are financially viable is important, Sherwood Pictures, an outreach of Sherwood Baptist Church, measures their success in changed lives.  Today they are rejoicing!
Julie Fairchild

My friends, this is nothing short of the power of God working right in front of our faces.  It is absolutely AMAZING what God is doing.  No one would have imagined a $500,000 budget with little to no secular advertising could turn these types of numbers.

Once again, if you have not seen the movie - PLEASE, GO SEE IT THIS WEEK!  I'd consider it a personal favor.  It would be absolutely incredible to not only see a Christian based movie hit it big, but to see more and more marriages enhanced or saved... let alone how many might choose Jesus for the first time because of this film.  Invite a neighbor and then let me how you liked it.

Fireproof - The Movie

Fireproof is the third movie from the producers of Facing The Giants.  Sherwood Baptist Church has topped their last two successful movies of faith with a tremendous way to reach OUT to your friends and family.

The movie stars Kirk Cameron.  You might remember him from the hit TV show, Growing Pains.  When Kirk got saved, he really went overboard with his Christianity.  Some might say a little too far.  In fact, if you've watched any of his Christian media lately, it's well over the top.  I love his enthusiasm and passion.  But his target audience is not likely to be drawn to his approach.

However, outside of a couple moments of 'over-acting' - the movie is fantastic.  And I wanted to write about it before others would sway me to downgrade it because of its origin (a church) and its technical value.  No, it's not a normal $100 million dollar production.  In fact, they did the entire movie for around $500,000.  Every actor volunteered their time... including Kirk Cameron. 

The point behind this movie is the Point.  It is a call to saving marriages and lives.  The message isn't hidden.  They flat-out preach the gospel during the flick.  But it wasn't in your face.  It was like you were caught up in the movie's story-line - but you could feel the Holy Spirit convicting everyone in the room.  Not only should Christians support this endeavor by viewing it on the Big-Screen - EVERYONE should check it out for the value it places on marriage.

After the movie, we stayed and watched the credits and talked about what we had just taken in.  I looked around and there was more than one couple sitting in silence... staring at the screen... in a zone.  My guess?  They were thinking one of two things: 1) We have a long, hard road ahead to fix our marriage, or 2) We need Jesus in our life.  Either way, they sat their stunned at what they had just seen.  It was like the ending of the Passion of the Christ for a handful.

Check out Fireproof this week.  You will be glad you did... AND you'll be supporting a movie that stands for God, Marriage, and Family Values.

PS - As a side note... tomorrow, I will be posting the most amazing stats about this movie... seriously, you are going to be absolutely shocked and amazed what God is doing... don't miss it!  Hollywood, TAKE NOTE!