To ORU ELI and others from the infamous Markius Barnes

[markiusbarnes]

ORU ELI,

When I first got wind of your post on this site I was very upset because I couldn't understand why you would post something so far from the truth? But I went back an observed some of your other postings and anytime Markius Barnes was mentioned you had something negative to say about me as a person and as a basketball player. Then I reminded myself that they hated Jesus so why should I think I was immune? Your opinion of my basketball game is your opinion and I respect that but how can you judge a persons character that you don't know? Even more so who are you to judge Markius Barnes? (He or she without SIN cast the first stone.)

Now I will be the first to admit that I was and am far from perfect, but who walking this earth is? I can also say I had attitude issues and my character was far from Christian during that time in my life (but stealing has never been an issue). The main reason I chose Oral Roberts University over the other 10 or more school recruiting me was because I wanted to change and be a better person because I knew I had to change for me and my two younger brothers!

Let me help you understand Markius Barnes #10 that you are so quick to judge?

At the age of 8yrs I saw my mom try and commit suicide with a .38 special; the neighborhood I grew up in was filled with drugs and violence. I can remember finding drug needles in the field next to my house that played inn and sleeping under my bed because there would be gunfire, or even coming home from school to no electricity or food. By the time I was in middle school I was surrounded by gangs, domestic violence, alcohol, and drugs... I can remember having a gun pulled on me at the age of 13 teen because I beat I guy playing bumper pool at a local center. Shortly after that my parents’ divorced and I moved out and lived with a team-mates family. Through high school I did as I pleased and the only things in my life that were important to me were my brothers and basketball. After high school I had scholarship offers but no grades so I end up working, partying, and living wild. After doing this for a year and giving up on my basketball dreams I saw people shot, killed, and turning to drugs! That's when I knew I had to do something with my life or I would end up dead or in jail. So shortly after that I went to an open tryout and earned a scholarship. During that time I was angry at world and had trust issues with my parents and the people around me. Mix that with a street mentality because I thought that was the only way to survive and there you have the Markius Barnes #10 you saw from 2000 to 2002.

The funny thing is I saw a lot of the same stuff I grew up around at ORU but on the other hand I can say I saw and met a lot of good people that help me grow in so many ways. Like Kyle Stewart and Casey that prayed for me when I was struggling and taught me how to pray. Or Dave Sumrall and Josh Atkinson that taught me how to dress and got me out of my urban saggy gear! And there are too many other people to mention them all.

The point of this is not for you to feel sorry for Markius Barnes but to hopefully open your eyes, hearts, and minds. And instead of tearing down players that play or played for ORU that you may not like because they remind you of Markius Barnes. Uplift them and pray for them because you never know what they went through in there journey to ORU. I don't blog (well I guess I do now) but every blog I hear about is negative and the funny thing is the ORU blog is not much different in a lot of ways. As a proud graduate of ORU that is somewhat troubling and I would hope that in the future we can blog with some of the standards that Oral Roberts University was built on…

And to ORU ELI, when I first sent you that private message I was in a bad place and wanted to grab you with these supposed “Sticky Fingers” but it is funny how God can speak to you. I was reading my Gun & Ammo magazine after I sent you that message and there was a quote from the bible next to an assault riffle I was looking at. “They That Plow Iniquity And Sow Wickedness Shall Reap The Same.” JOB 4:8
The offer remains but from a peaceful place because me being angry at you makes me no different than you and would only take me two miles backwards… I will be praying for you and I hope you will do the same for me.

For those who want to know how I am doing the answer is Awesome. I was blessed enough to live in Europe and get paid to play basketball after graduation. I am currently married with 2 kids, a dog, and a very big backyard! Not bad for that crazy #10 that everyone seems to hate. LOL! God Is Good! I also have been training and coaching athletes in the summer and the funny thing is I focus more on making sure that there attitude and character is far better than mine was. I currently have players playing at Texas, 2 @ Baylor, Texas A&M, FIU, TCU, Grambling, Saint Mary’s, Arkansas, Central Michigan, SFA, Bowling Green, and several other schools.

Also, thank you to the staff members for deleting the posting and thank you as well to everyone that responded.

God Bless,
Markius Barnes

[Bogus Smith]

Markius:

Congratulations to you, your family and your life. YOU are the reason "we play the game" at ORU. I'm glad to see that ORU made a difference in your life and that you had teammates in basketball that took the time to be a teammate to you in life.

I could go on for a long time on this, but thank you for taking the time to write "your blog". I hope you will continue to interact with us here on the message board as you have time. Come back and see us in Tulsa during homecoming or whenever you can.

Blessings to you and your family.

[ORUIsbig]

Everyone seems to hate?? No way Markius. We love you! Its awesome that you came on the board. Welcome. You were the "fro" before Larry Owens. I remember the epic battles with Michael Watson. Thanks for the update on your life. Hope you stay in touch

[eaglefeather]

Thank you! Thank you!

This is "THE" reason we support ORU Athletics. I think the other scholarships are wonderful but we choose to support the athletic programs instead because we have watched with joy the young men and women that have come to the ORU sports programs that would "NOT" have had an opportunity otherwise. The changes in attitudes and character during their stay is actually visable to the naked eye and I rejoice!

Thank you Markus for sharing your heart with courage and forthrightness. Isn't God good to make a place for many with a cry in their hearts and he goes before them preparing the way and leading them to ORU. I say Glory to God for our athletic program.

[theeagleman5]

Good post, Markius!...God bless you and as an ORU alum from the 70's, TheEagleman thinks you are what ORU is truly all about....I am glad that you spoke up on this issue and it was best that you said what needed to be said.......so, now for the really big question...is Oakland or ORU going to win tonight?....

[dchief42]

This is good to hear Markius...happy that you are doing well....people are always quick to judge someone else..but i glad u didnt let it get to you....we miss you over here man...u and your family shud come out to one of the games sometime. You were one of my all time favorite players

[tmh8286]

Great to hear from you, Markius. As I posted in the other thread before it was taken down, it's WONDERFUL to have an ex- player join us on the board. I'm sorry that you found uncomplimentary posts on here - I think most people on the board have nothing but fond memories of your time at ORU. Please don't think that fans look at you as "that crazy #10 that everyone seems to hate". I will tell you, there is nothing that us old dogs love to hear more than an athlete say that they "are a proud graduate of ORU ".

Your story truly represents what ORU is all about. The transformation you describe is inspirational to us all. Thanks for checking in, and for reminding us that our discussions on this board reflect not only on us individually but also on the university that we all support.

[oruvoice]

Markius Barnes +1. Great story. Mine is similar, yet not nearly as tough.

I came to ORU as an 'unsaved'. And, I had lots of ORU students put me down for it. It's all good, though. Seems like you have a good handle on things and not bitter towards ORU. Major props!

[ORU Eli]

Wow...been busy all weekend and just thought to myself "wonder what's going on with the ORU message board..." Didn't have any idea this is what I'd find. I haven't posted much lately and planned on taking an extended hiatus from the board simply to tend to other more pressing things going on with me right now, but it's obvious I need to say something about this.

Markius...the main thing I want to say is you're absolutely right that my comments were out of line and I whole-heartedly and genuinely apologize. What I heard really doesn't matter because it's the past and most importantly I was not directly involved and the minute I say anything it's nothing but mean-spirited gossiping against someone who played for the university I love. Whether I was involved or not really gives me no right to say anything about it or bring your name into it on a public forum such as this. As far as yours or any other player's game goes, I sometimes I have a lot to say. I have a tendency to shoot off my mouth, and 99% of the time am unapologetic for my opinions because typically if I have criticism it's meant to be constructive. However, though I don't actually remember making the "sticky hands" post that you refer to(I'm not saying that I didn't make it...I just don't even remember, it was that casual, so I don't even remember what prompted me to bring it up) I know I've made multiple negative comments about you in the past. I have some running jokes and you've been one of them, undeservedly so. I mean this when I say I saw every one of your home games, and while I didn't always agree with every decision you made on the court (that's never going to happen with anyone), I honestly had no doubt that you put your heart into each game you played. I think that was evident to everyone that saw you play. I simply have let my feelings based on hearsay affect how I felt about you as a person and player and obviously that seeped out on the board. I don't say this for anyone else's benefit but yours - I regret anything negative I've said about you and I ask you to forgive me. I really never even considered that you would read my comments but I'm glad you did as it brought something to light that I need to take note of and change about myself. I'm very glad that you are a Golden Eagle and most importantly, a brother in Christ.

[markiusbarnes]

First of all I want to thank everyone that responded to my post. Thank you and I appreciate everything that was said.

ORU ELI, I accept your apology and will respond to your text (When I checked my phone it. was too late to respond.) One thing I learned from the streets that I still apply to my life is "believe half of what you see and none of what you hear". Now don't get me wrong much of what you heard was more than likely true but stealing? Didn't have to and that has never been my demon. Now, sex, alcohol, and occassional smoke when basketball season was over? That shoe fit me at ORU and I post the truth about Markius because there is someone else that is and has struggled with all the same things and much more..

My main goal was simiply to make us all mindful of what we post and show how "Christians" judge people that are not"Christians" when they should be praying for them and reaching out to them.

And as far as your thought on my basketball game. I pay it no mind because I have always said. Its easy to sit in the stands and say what someone should do especially when YOU couldn't do it if your life depended on it or else you would be out there.. LOL!

Peace and Blessings!!

[Old Titan]

"Group hug!!"

Seriously, in the bigger picture, let's all take this thread as a cautionary tale: please think twice - then think again - before making even a casual comment on the message board regarding someone's character.

It's just irresponsible, and it violates the User Agreement of this forum.

Unless, of course, you're attacking me or Voice: there, as always, it's open season.

[oruvoice]

Exactly.

OT...You suck.

[Old Titan]

Exactly.

OT...You suck.

Right back at ya, BBQ-breath.

[tmh8286]

Exactly.

OT...You suck.

Right back at ya, BBQ-breath.

Ahhhh - we're all just one big, happy family . . .

[dchief42]

i agree Markius lol...i always thinkn the same thing...i watch someone make a bad play an i like why they do that...then i think..well..i prob woulda did that same thing...an had other things happen as well lol

[Old Titan]

So, #10: you wouldn't happen to be coaching any small forwards with mad hops & can shoot the "3" that maybe you could send our way, now would ya?

[ORUTerry]

We could also use a 6'10" shot blocker....

[markiusbarnes]

I tried to send ORU a 6'10 kid that starts at Baylor, a 6'8 guard at Bowling Green, and my 6'3 little brother?! But I guess none of them were good enough?

[Old Titan]

I tried to send ORU a 6'10 kid that starts at Baylor, a 6'8 guard at Bowling Green, and my 6'3 little brother?! But I guess none of them were good enough?

Ouch...

I'm assuming (hoping?) the first two simply preferred those other schools over ORU, and we didn't just totally flame on them...

[dchief42]

aww man...looks like we could have used all of them...If your brother has any of the ability that you had, we definitly should hav looked at him harder

[markiusbarnes]

Could have got all three of them. (and my brother was a better shooter,defender, and maybe more athletic than me).. But I will say you had Caleb at the time and maybe they were expecting the 6'10 to be that good then and he wasn't? But he will be a first round draft pick this year or next God willing.. The 6'8 came on kinda late and you already had a transfer guy but I think he didn't qualify?

But any how there are some very good players now at my old junior college and I have been talking to my old coach so maybe that will workout?

[darrenj]

You have a forward there that i'm sure ORU would be very happy to have. Hopefully you can put in a good word for them.

[Old Titan]

Would be pretty cool if we got him, after all this conversation - the power of the message board strikes again!