Some of you have asked about Rudy. Lately, I've had numerous inquiries about Rudy and the Nahuathl Indigenous stoves he builds. Rudy is in good health, but as many of you have heard, Mexico is a hot bed of controversy because of the drug cartels and the associated killings.
We have many friends that live in Mexico and many more who live in the United States, but still have family throughout Mexico. Some areas are affected more than others certainly. Caution and awareness are two words that spring to mind. There are dangerous places throughout the world. Many of the United State's large cities like Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, (to name a few) have areas that would be best avoided. I think the same is true in Mexico.
The good people, the uneducated, the helpless, the poor, and the average person trying the best they can to carve out a decent life for themselves are always damaged by the effects of the uncaring, the criminals, the evil people (if you allow me to use that term).
So the news from Rudy is that he and the people in the region have been greatly impacted in a negative way.
The following is from Rudy's latest e-mail:
"We've had some very hot and windy weather. The Nahuathl natives feel that we are in for a very dry season. The old natives say that this hot and dry wind is bad and they are right about it. All the creeks and streams are nearly totally dried. Not much water is left in water springs. Even our three rivers are way down in their normal level."
Rudy then went on to say in one of the towns where we do our medical missions; the local police station was under attack. Grenades were even thrown, but didn't explode! It's a very sad and troubling state of affairs in this once peaceful and beautiful region of Mexico.
Rudy goes on to say, "I am still doing what little I can to keep my work with the Nahuathl people. Stay well and healthy. May God bless you always."
Regardless of the hardships, Rudy always ends his correspondence with a blessing to everyone.
I'll be sending Rudy more donations this week to continue his work. I'm always happy to be the conduit to get funds to Rudy and to aid the Nahuathl people.
If you would like to donate please visit our Missions of Hope website at:
http://www.missionsofhope.com/donate.html
Please continue to send good intentions, beautiful, peaceful energy and prayers for the good people in Mexico and throughout all the troubled regions of the world.
Thanks for all your help!
Blessings,
Dr. Rick Barrett
P.S. "There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life -- happiness, freedom and peace of mind. They are always attained by giving them to someone else." Peyton Conway March.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
What's A Certified Music Practitioner? Find out by looking at the YouTube video I just posted.
Just posted a video to YouTube. I speak to Gail Best, a certified therapeutic music practitioner. After life changing events, Gail, a talented musician, reconnected with God and found her purpose in life. She shares her gift of healing through music with the sick and dying. I believe you'll be touched by what Gail says. I think you will also be touched when you hear a sample of her music. If you have an infirmed friend or family member, I highly encourage you to contact Gail. She is a blessing to those in need.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Mexico, Mariachis and Mom
In November, Mary and I were fortunate to celebrate my mom’s 87th birthday with her in the coastal city of Mazatlan, Mexico. She has been a huge blessing in my life. Not only is she a great mom, but also a best friend.
No opportunity was spared to tell everyone we could that it was her birthday. At first, she didn’t want anyone to know, but as she was showered with compliments and treated like a VP, she opened up to it nicely; it started in the Continental Airlines President’s Club and upgrading her to first class. She was thrilled…it was her first time and the flight crew treated her like a queen, after they found out…
…that’s right…it was her 87th birthday.
In Mazatlan, Mary and I became friends with Johnny Brown, the owner, of a wonderful restaurant…Los Zarapes. We enjoyed it so much, we ate there several times. The food, service and atmosphere were outstanding. Once Johnny learned it was mom’s birthday, he and his crew treated her like she was their mother too! They showed her a great time with music, dancing, and a special meal. These guys really know how to have fun and throw an impromptu party, and they truly seemed to enjoy mom as much as she enjoyed them. Though one of them said she reminded him of his grandmother…she didn’t like that comment too much.
Luckily, I captured some of the festivities on video. I even got mom’s permission to share all of this with you. I think you’ll love it.
Check it out at
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| Mom, Johnny Brown, Mary and Rick |
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| Johnny, Mom, Rafaellle and waiter |
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| Rick and Johnny |
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| Johnny and Rick |
By now, you may be asking, “What’s mom’s secret to health and vitality?”
It’s not easy to point to just one thing. There are a number of factors. Some are readily identifiable; others will remain a mystery to me. Certainly we can’t count family history; her parents died at 57 and 64 years of age. I am confident that a strong faith, love for God, and a prayerful spiritual life path have been factors.
Good solid relationships; she has friends that span her entire life since she was a young girl. Having meaningful long term relationships create peace, stability, and certainly strong bonds that satisfy the heart at a deep level. What else?
· A long and loving marriage.
· Mom loves to make people happy and always gives the best of herself in countless ways, but especially showing her love through food. (She has always been a magnificent cook and baker.)
· A deep abiding faith in God.
· A very physically active youth and adolescence. She was a gymnast, and also worked hard since childhood. Mom was always involved in jobs that were physically demanding. She is a hands on person at home as well. Assisting in home repairs, yard work, painting, etc. There was never a physical task that mom wouldn’t participate in. She still cleans her own house, cooks, and bakes and does yard work.
· As an adult, she became very interested in nutrition, learning as much as she could about good nutrition and vitamin, mineral and herbal nutritional supplementation. She was on the forefront of taking vitamins and minerals…way before it became popular.
· Chiropractic—though she found this much later in life, she enjoyed the benefits of regular chiropractic care well before I chose that path as my vocation. Naturally, she enjoys regular chiropractic treatments under my care. Not a bad situation to have her son as her chiropractor, right?
Perhaps mom has even been given special grace by God to stay with us this long and in such superior condition. That, of course, is a matter of faith and belief that won’t be answered in this lifetime.
My mom is an inspiration to me on many levels…how to act, how to love, how to persevere, how to…be. Perhaps she will inspire you too!
I say, live life to the fullest, eat, drink and be merry. Do it with honesty, integrity, and allow God to be part of the party. And I say go to Mazatlan. Visit Los Zarapes and tell Johnny…Mary, mom and I sent you. You’ll be treated like family, experience friendly people, wonderful food and maybe Johnny will even buy you a drink!
If you haven’t clicked on the video yet, here’s the link…enjoy!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Meeting World Renowned Organist, Pavel Kohout
Did you know there is no musical connection between Bach and Bachman Turner Overdrive? I'm sure you did. If you like organ music you need to go to a performance by Pavel Kohout (www.pavelkohout.org) He was fantastic and is considered one of the most brilliant representatives of the new generation of European organists. Pavel is from Prague in the Czech Republic where much of my family lives. After the performance, we attended a very nice reception at the Czech Center Museum http://czechcenter.org/ in his honor where I had the privilege of speaking with him for quite a while and yes, I spoke some Czech. We had a great time. Czech out his music (pun intended) at http://www.pavelkohout.org/listen-pavel.html. You'll enjoy it, even if you're a hard core Stevie Ray Vaughan or Joe Bonamassa fan like me!P.S. Wonder if mom has saved any recordings of my organ music! If so, I'll send it to Pavel. Maybe I can play in Prague, too.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
I'm Benign!
I know most people don’t have the guts (pun intended) to speak about their colon. But I do. I just had a colonoscopy. Found: One small polyp. Removed: one small polyp. Results…
Colon cancer can be cured or prevented.
According to the experts, the most effective approach to prevent colon cancer from developing is screening. However, I believe we should start preventing cancer well before screenings through a healthy lifestyle. This means good nutrition with a high antioxidant diet. Lots of fruits and veggies!
Since it’s hard to eat the massive quantities we need, I suggest good whole food products like Greens First by Wellness Watchers Global, LLC. http://www.greensfirst.com/3368 and Youth Juice http://barrettchiro.ourworldnetwork.com/. These are two products I use, but there are other good products available also.
Colon cancer rarely causes symptoms. This was true for my sister. A routine colonoscopy identified a problem. We didn’t know the extent of it until the surgeon said, “I just removed a tumor the size of a tangerine.” Can you imagine having that in your colon and not knowing it?
Mayo Clinic says one out of every 17 people will develop colon cancer. That’s scary, too! It’s the third leading cancer killer in the U.S. –about 50,000 people per year.
Ninety percent of people developing this type of cancer are fifty plus years of age. So that leaves ten percent who develop it younger. A good friend of mine lost his sister to this disease at 27 years of age! It’s tragic and does happen!
Risk factors include smoking, a high fat, low-fiber diet, sedentary lifestyle, and inflammatory bowel diseases and, of course, living in a toxic world. Since there’s a connection to inflammation, do everything possible to reduce it in the body especially the gut. In fact, inflammatory processes are behind most health problems. Even good foods can be harmful and create inflammation. A simple food allergy/sensitivity test will suffice and yield wonderful information as to which foods to avoid. Call my office if you want this test done. We’ve been using food allergy testing for about 16 years.
Also, use of high quality enzymes for digestion and repair. I use Transformation Enzymes out of Houston, Texas. http://www.transformationenzymes.com/
I know, most people don’t like to think about their colon and especially talk about it. We just eat, poop (sorry) and keep on going. “Out of sight, out of mind.” But please start taking your colon seriously. This really is an easy one to pay attention to. It really can be a matter of life and death. Get your colon checked…now!
I hope this has been helpful.
Wishing you great colon health!
Dr. Rick Barrett
It’s benign! So great news…I don’t need another colonoscopy for five more years…YEAH! Considering my sister had a large tumor removed two years ago, I was at risk.
Colon cancer can be cured or prevented.
The majority of polyps are benign…though, some can be cancerous.
According to the experts, the most effective approach to prevent colon cancer from developing is screening. However, I believe we should start preventing cancer well before screenings through a healthy lifestyle. This means good nutrition with a high antioxidant diet. Lots of fruits and veggies!Since it’s hard to eat the massive quantities we need, I suggest good whole food products like Greens First by Wellness Watchers Global, LLC. http://www.greensfirst.com/3368 and Youth Juice http://barrettchiro.ourworldnetwork.com/. These are two products I use, but there are other good products available also.
Colon cancer rarely causes symptoms. This was true for my sister. A routine colonoscopy identified a problem. We didn’t know the extent of it until the surgeon said, “I just removed a tumor the size of a tangerine.” Can you imagine having that in your colon and not knowing it?
Mayo Clinic says one out of every 17 people will develop colon cancer. That’s scary, too! It’s the third leading cancer killer in the U.S. –about 50,000 people per year.
Ninety percent of people developing this type of cancer are fifty plus years of age. So that leaves ten percent who develop it younger. A good friend of mine lost his sister to this disease at 27 years of age! It’s tragic and does happen!
Risk factors include smoking, a high fat, low-fiber diet, sedentary lifestyle, and inflammatory bowel diseases and, of course, living in a toxic world. Since there’s a connection to inflammation, do everything possible to reduce it in the body especially the gut. In fact, inflammatory processes are behind most health problems. Even good foods can be harmful and create inflammation. A simple food allergy/sensitivity test will suffice and yield wonderful information as to which foods to avoid. Call my office if you want this test done. We’ve been using food allergy testing for about 16 years.
Also, use of high quality enzymes for digestion and repair. I use Transformation Enzymes out of Houston, Texas. http://www.transformationenzymes.com/
I know, most people don’t like to think about their colon and especially talk about it. We just eat, poop (sorry) and keep on going. “Out of sight, out of mind.” But please start taking your colon seriously. This really is an easy one to pay attention to. It really can be a matter of life and death. Get your colon checked…now!
I hope this has been helpful.
Wishing you great colon health!
Dr. Rick Barrett
Saturday, November 13, 2010
In Search of the Virgin Mary; The Medjugorje Chronicles
Medjugorje--Prayers Answered?
Our prayers, once again, seemed to be intensified by commingling with an international legion of people, who were praying and seeking God in the town, at the church and on the mountain...everywhere.
Paul had also brought a small but simple wooden cross with him. On it we were asked to write the names of additional people to be prayed for. This cross was also lovingly carried up Cross Mountain.
A few members of our group were inspired to climb the mountain barefoot. Thus intensifying the harship of the climb while showing their willingness to sacrifice and endure suffering for Christ.
We encountered many barefooted people on the trail doing the same. I applaud their sacrifice and dedication. This was not an easy path, but a rock strewn swatch cut through brambles almost as though an earthquake had heaved jagged rocks up through the surface of the earth.
In the Catholic Church there is a tradition of prayer and meditation called the Stations of the Cross. There are fourteen stations depicting the final hours leading to Jesus Christ’s death. Positioned at various points along the rocky trails of Krizevac are beautiful large bronze reliefs of these stations of cross, by an Italian artist. Some of the stations are:
Trekking up the mountain, carrying our red bag of petitions and small cross, we stopped at the Stations of the Cross. There we read from a booklet about Jesus, reflected on his suffering, prayed, and meditated about how each station relates to experiences we may have had in our lives.
Atop Mount Krizevac towers a formidable thirty foot tall concrete cross, erected in 1933 to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of the Passion of Jesus. It is a beautiful spot with a spectacular view of Medjugorje and the surrounding area.
This was the destination for the burial of our petitions; a befitting place, though not the site where the Virgin had first appeared to the six children.
A palpable sense of peace and tranquility could be felt there, and yet at the same time, one could sense the pain of people who overcame hardships to journey to Krizevac to place their troubles, fears, burdens and pain before God. Again---a sobering experience.
There people prayed, while others placed petitions, and even photos at the base of the cross. Many picked up small rocks to take home and some simply dug up some dirt with their hands from the holy site.
It has been reported by many people...pilgrims...towns’ people...priests and nuns that the Virgin Mary has been seen at Krizevac...at the cross! Mary has told the visionaries that she has allowed people to see her there praying before God. These glimpses of her are rewards to strengthen the faith of people.
You may be wondering if I saw Mary there. The answer is no… but something unique...definitely supernatural did occur... somewhere else. I will share that story with you later.
There was no absence of time spent collectively or individually in prayer and worship. Everyday there was mass at St. James church in the heart of Medjugorje and other churches throughout various communities and more opportunities to pray for our petitions.
Next to the church was a very beautiful outdoor area designed for quiet reflection and prayer. Stone walls and shrubbery surrounded it. Central to this, a large crucifix stood atop a cascading fountain of water. Here, hundreds of votive candles were lit for the intentions of the prayerful. 
I found myself drawn to this area on several occasions—mostly at night when it was the most quiet and peaceful. The glow from the red votive candles was beautiful. There, I lit candles and once again, placed everyone's petitions in God’s hands.
One night I even endured the rain. But somehow the candles didn’t seem to mind as they continued to glow brightly.
In my essay, “In Search of the Virgin Mary” written a few weeks ago, I invited you to partake in my journey to find the Blessed Virgin Mary, find God and simply discover what Medjugorje holds for those that pilgrimage there.
Reporting about my journey won’t be as simple as I first thought. I’m still processing information and emotions that both my logical mind and my spiritual self have received during my Medjugorje experience. I’m confident I’ll be doing this for a long time, as more is revealed to me. So, I’ve decided to chronicle the trip in a few essays accompanied by photos to expose you to some of what we experienced.
An invitation was also extended to send me prayer petitions that I would bring to Medjugorje. Thousands of people around the world received that essay…
…and the response was overwhelming!
This is where the journey begins…
Reading the e-mailed prayer petitions were actually uplifting and draining at the same time. I felt emotionally spent...they were that moving!
Why?—Because of the openness and purity with which they were written. Entrusted to me were people’s inner private thoughts and feelings about the pain and suffering they or their loved ones were enduring. Stories of physical pain, cancer, drug, alcohol and pornography addictions, family issues, depression, loss of jobs and homes, estranged family members and so much more.
In one petition, a woman wrote that her mom was in the hospital, suffering with cancer. She read my letter “In Search of the Virgin Mary” to her mom, and it made her smile. She went on to say that before she was able to send her prayer petition to me, her mom passed away. And although her mom no longer needed prayers, she was sure that mom was in heaven praying for us! This was incredibly touching!
Many people also sent sealed petitions to me. Regardless of how they came; I was honored and humbled by the trust that was placed in me to deliver them. To be the messenger delivering to God—the hopes, dreams, needs, and desires of people is a task and responsibility not taken lightly, and I am thankful for that opportunity.
Still others weren’t requesting anything for themselves, but sent their blessings and prayers for a safe and rewarding journey for our group. This, too, was gratifying and humbling to be in the hearts and minds of so many.
More prayer requests came via e-mail even while we were on our journey. Rest assured, all those petitions were prayed for too!
Prayers, of course, are not bound by time, space or physical location. The moment a prayer petition is thought, God knows the intention, and the heart that requests it.
When we gathered together and collectively prayed for everyone's petitions, I sensed a special power...a heightened energy that surrounded us.
It was quite exhilarating being part of this group of people, who with a common purpose, throughout each day of our journey, joined in unity to pray for all our intentions and for peace and love to reign in our world. This was intensified when we were in Medjugorje where the Blessed Virgin Mary has been said to appear and a veil of holiness seems to encapsulate the village.
The energy was incredible! I have no doubt that our prayers were and are, being answered.
So what did we do with the petitions?
Well, they were all placed in a special red bag that Paul, our group leader, had brought with him.
Each day, one person in our group volunteered to safeguard the bag carrying it with them for as long as they wished before handing it over to someone else. This ensured the petitions were always in the forefront of our minds, for quiet reflection and prayer.
As others before us, both Mary (my wife), and I were fortunate bearers of this honorable responsibility—charged with dutifully carrying out our assignment with respect for the contents of those petitions. Even when I wasn’t carrying the red bag but could see it with another person, I had a sobering sense of duty and allegiance to those petitions, as well as a feeling of reverence for them. After all, they represented the lives of so many people.
After days of carrying the bag of petitions, a day was picked to deliver them to the top of Mount Krizevac (Cross Mountain) to be buried and prayed over.
It was a vigorous climb, therefore, some of our group opted out and rightfully so. As we climbed, our modest cross was passed from one person to another symbolically re-enacting Jesus carrying his cross. It, also, represented the burden of carrying peoples' names and petitions being offered to God.
A few members of our group were inspired to climb the mountain barefoot. Thus intensifying the harship of the climb while showing their willingness to sacrifice and endure suffering for Christ.
In the Catholic Church there is a tradition of prayer and meditation called the Stations of the Cross. There are fourteen stations depicting the final hours leading to Jesus Christ’s death. Positioned at various points along the rocky trails of Krizevac are beautiful large bronze reliefs of these stations of cross, by an Italian artist. Some of the stations are:
•Jesus condemned to death
•Forced to carry his cross 
•Falling the first time
•Simon forced to carry Jesus’ cross
•Jesus stripped of all his clothes
•Nailed to the cross
•Taken down from the cross
•Jesus is placed in the tomb
Trekking up the mountain, carrying our red bag of petitions and small cross, we stopped at the Stations of the Cross. There we read from a booklet about Jesus, reflected on his suffering, prayed, and meditated about how each station relates to experiences we may have had in our lives.
Atop Mount Krizevac towers a formidable thirty foot tall concrete cross, erected in 1933 to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of the Passion of Jesus. It is a beautiful spot with a spectacular view of Medjugorje and the surrounding area.
This was the destination for the burial of our petitions; a befitting place, though not the site where the Virgin had first appeared to the six children.
A palpable sense of peace and tranquility could be felt there, and yet at the same time, one could sense the pain of people who overcame hardships to journey to Krizevac to place their troubles, fears, burdens and pain before God. Again---a sobering experience.
There people prayed, while others placed petitions, and even photos at the base of the cross. Many picked up small rocks to take home and some simply dug up some dirt with their hands from the holy site.
It has been reported by many people...pilgrims...towns’ people...priests and nuns that the Virgin Mary has been seen at Krizevac...at the cross! Mary has told the visionaries that she has allowed people to see her there praying before God. These glimpses of her are rewards to strengthen the faith of people.
There was no absence of time spent collectively or individually in prayer and worship. Everyday there was mass at St. James church in the heart of Medjugorje and other churches throughout various communities and more opportunities to pray for our petitions.
I found myself drawn to this area on several occasions—mostly at night when it was the most quiet and peaceful. The glow from the red votive candles was beautiful. There, I lit candles and once again, placed everyone's petitions in God’s hands.
Carrying the petitions for days…hiking the rugged terrain to the top of Krizevac…the willingness to endure some discomfort perhaps even a little hardship for others, even those you don’t know is strangely satisfying.
Yet, at the same time I was always keenly aware that any troubles I’ve encountered in my life are minuscule by comparison to so many who suffer real and long lasting hardships. It was heartening to witness the strength, character, courage and faith of so many of our pilgrimage group.
I knew of at least three of our companions who were suffering from a variety of cancers…brain, breast and metastatic. One young woman with cancer has been living two years longer than the doctor’s prognosis! There was a myriad of other health problems in our group and even one with a pacemaker, yet no one ever complained. They all displayed great strength and fortitude.
I was inspired by my mom, who was the oldest person on the journey just a few weeks from her 87th birthday. She is challenged by glaucoma, but was willing to endure some hardships for her faith...out of love.
The solidarity of many, praying for the needs of others, is profoundly powerful. Who’s to say what touched God’s heart? And why, and for whom petitions will be granted?
Since our return, I’ve learned that God was working on our petitions while we were away. The day after, I was told of three people (not on our trip) whose petitions were granted while we were still in Medjugorje! At least one of these with verifiable health complaints was supernaturally healed.
So the petitions were delivered! They were, and continue to be... prayed for. Some have been answered, and I’m confident many more will be answered still. I hope and pray yours are granted...soon. If they are, please let me know. I hope you'll share your story with me.
Soon, I will be writing more that may challenge your beliefs, test your boundaries, push some buttons, or…at the very least...have you question my sanity. For others, it may just reinforce your faith.
What I’ll reveal is something I’m still attempting to understand myself… but perhaps never will. It is intriguing and, I believe, worth waiting for. Hopefully, you will feel the same.
I know you're still wondering if I found the Virgin Mary...but you'll have to wait a little while longer for that answer.
I know you're still wondering if I found the Virgin Mary...but you'll have to wait a little while longer for that answer.
By the end of The Medjugorje Chronicles, I certainly hope you deem the journey worthwhile. Perhaps even taking away something of value for yourself. Maybe you'll make the trip to Medjugorje or simply be encouraged to continue your path to God.
I’ll write more In Search of the Virgin Mary; The Medjugorje Chronicles soon.
Stay tuned!
Blessings,
Dr. Rick Barrett
Sunday, September 26, 2010
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