The Cabin Fever Recordings Tour

Coming this fall: The Cabin Fever Recordings Tour

• Where? Gadsden Vineyard Church
• When? September 19, 2015 – 7:00pm
• Who? John and Marie Barnett and crew

*The idea for “The Americana Congregation” came about as a group of friends were discussing the idea for a collective place to share and experience our unique musical styles, influences, thoughts, ideas, plans and general mischief.*

*A place for those outside of the “norm” of the industrial church music machine where style, lyrics and context can be explored, encouraged and enjoyed as we journey off the paved road and follow the path of most resistance.*

*John & Marie Barnett and the Cabin Fever Band, The Americana Congregation, will be joining us for some praise & worship, Americana style. Often called “Roots Worship”, their music is a blend of country, rock, bluegrass, folk, and blues. At its core, it is honest & earthy, and deeply grounded in the Gospel. Many of their songs are featured on the recent CD Cabin Fever Recordings, which is available in the bookstore now.*

The Fog of Stupidity

 The Fog of Stupidity

“Your brother is never your enemy.” – John Wimber

I have seen for years where some people who experience the grace & charisma of God deceive themselves that they don't have to work on their character because God is self-evidently with them & working through them. Gifts are given to the Church because of our generous God, but gifts without character can do much damage. Therefore I've learned to look for people with character rather than people with gifting.." – John Wimber

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:1-2 NAS

Recently one of my Christian brothers decided to write an attack on our church and the people I pastor. I went through different emotions as to what I wanted to say to him. I put it aside for three weeks to get some distance from his tirade.

Three weeks later I find myself still full of love for him and others. Others? Yes. Since then other Christians I love have acted in very un-Christian ways toward fellow Christians.

As a pastor I start asking myself did I plant these seeds of dishonor and self-centeredness in my friends? At this point my thoughts are I may not have taught on acting this way but I also didn’t speak strongly enough about these attitudes and actions. So here’s some words to ponder…

We all are ALWAYS have the opportunity for the LORD to take us to His wood shed for some painful disciple. He loves us even as He switches our legs for our own good.

God has chosen to set a kind of Laws of Spiritual Physics in motion in His Kingdom. It doesn’t matter if you and I like them or not they’re still functioning.

Here’s one that we don’t believe:

WE ARE GOING TO REAP WHAT WE SOW. He said to treat others how you would like others to treat ourselves.

My friends who rant against His people or friends that shun His children are going to have a harvest come up in their own lives that won’t be any fun.

My friends must have selective memories. They have lost contact with humility and thankfulness. They have lost awareness of who their Father is. They must be in emotional pain or in a cloud of stupidity that has them disoriented.

I want to shake them and yell in their face, “Stop it! You are attacking your brothers and sisters. You are attacking the children of the High King of Heaven. What craziness makes you think that your thoughts and deeds aren’t going to go unnoticed?”

“Ouch!” you say. Great. Want change?

If you find yourself doing or saying or thinking like a jerk then you’ll have to move into a place of HUMILITY first.

Consider you are nothing but a pile of dirt and breathing for a few minutes on this earth because of God’s goodness. If you throw up self-protection thinking stuff like “I didn’t mean it” or “there’s grace for what I did” then never mind. Go ahead and put a spin on your attitudes and actions. You’re not ready.

If you are still reading then THANKFULNESS should start to over take you next. Maybe even tears. Now you are ready. Now real REPENTANCE is available.

You won’t know if it was real repentance until the next time arrives and you want to rant or shun your brothers and sisters but you DON’T do it.

Want to be great in the Kingdom of God, then be a servant of all. Jesus said that and I don’t think He’s kidding. He says all His children are the “Apple of His eye.” Go stick your finger into His eye and see what happens.

Farewell To Josh and Regine

   Josh and Regine Brady came to help us back in September 2014. We had met them and thought they were great people. They were gracious and came. We can't say enough about how wonderful they are as Christians. They taught many about praying for healing and how to get out there and pray for people outside the church.

   The last ten months went by so fast. They are moving to North Carolina.

   Josh is giving a farewell message Sunday July 5, 2015.

   Thank you Josh and Regine for all your hard work and loving on a people you didn't know.