Catalyst Recovery

Psalm 133:1-2
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down the beard, the beard of Aaron. Running down on the edge of his garments.

Seth Barber.....
My friend...
My brother....
If ever there was a verse that described the heart of God that should burn in everyone who claims to be a follower a Jesus....this describes Seth.
He and I have traveled a few years together. We've seen the good in each other, as well as the bad. We have encouraged each other...laughed with each other (not to mention at each other occasionally).

I was there at the beginning of his transformation. I was there the first day Steve Yarbrough brought Seth into the program at Rapha. The one thing I remember most about Seth, was thinking to myself, "Surely this young man doesn't have a problem." He just didn't look like what most people think someone in addiction should look like. But then again, there are no defining "Looks" so to speak. Like it's written in the book of I Samuel..."Man looks at the outside....God looks at the heart". God has seen Seth's heart and declared him to be a vessel He would use for His Kingdom.

If you talk with Seth, you'll find an individual who is an "all or nothing" kind of guy. By that, I mean that whatever he undertakes, he gives himself completely to it. No half steps, no halfhearted attempts. When it came time to answer God's call on his life, never has this attribute been so evident.  Seth doesn't just talk about recovery, he lives it.  There is a fire in him to share with everyone he meets. To love and draw into this fellowship of men and women, to show them that a better way and a better life is possible if they truly desire it.

Like all who are on this journey with Christ, there have been hard times...dark times in his life. But through it all, he has hung tough, and would not quit or give up. He wanted to....But he didn't. Should you think I am pumping the image of Seth Barber up to make him appear to be some kind of super man...I am not. Seth has truly found a POWER greater than himself who restored him to sanity. That Power has a name, and that name is Jesus.

Seth and his core leadership will be bringing Catalyst Recovery to Gadsden Vineyard this Sunday evening. They have been displaced from their regular meeting place, and we have offered them the use of the building. I know that you see the initials CR on the photo at the top of this posting, but that does not stand for Celebrate Recovery. Seth is in the process of building a new type of recovery meeting. It is a work in progress, but I believe it to be something that will be more beneficial in the long run.  Where as Celebrate Recovery is an incredible entry point into recovery, it was never designed to take people to that next level in this new life they will encounter. Seth seeks to become that place where people can plug in and understand exactly what living under the Power of Jesus really means. 

So.......
If you're free Sunday evening, come on out to Gadsden Vineyard and join us as we welcome Seth Barber and the leadership of Catalyst Recovery.
They will be serving pizza and drink at 5:30 p.m.
Main worship service will start at 6:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome.

God on you...
mb