| Throw papa from the train...? [message #1731] |
Tue, 29 April 2008 22:07  |
 watchman
Messages: 16
Registered: April 2008
Location: North Carolina |
Junior Member |
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I am a Christian who went to the Glory barn from 1976-1980's. I was introduced to the Glory Barn through some Friends who attended Huntington College with me in 1976. I spent time with Rick Neff, John Federonic, and John Houser. I seem to remember eating with Rick and Glen Stesh one night long ago.
Dr. Freeman at the time was the only one teaching with any authority and I still consider his core teaching valid today. I had several instances where I believed God for different things and had to suffer both from the members of the Barn thinking I wasn't "Barn" enough and yet took "faith" chances that cost me dearly. I had an accident involving a horse early one morning, lost the value of a new car, and paid the payments on the car for three years afterward. God showed up to help me but not in the way that was expected.
Don't misunderstand me, I rejected some of the more risky teaching because I had a background in the Bible and ultimately considered some of the teaching presumptuous. I was outspoken about this and was told that I had a "spirit of the denominitional system". I have to say that the main leaders never said this. I asked many questions of Dr. Freeman in meetings and he was never short with me. He answered me very diligently without a hint of rudeness.
I many times wondered how God could allow many in the Barn to suffer. Most of the friends I knew from there were great people to spend time with, honest and serious in the Lord.
It wasn't long that I was becoming increasingly concerned about Dr. Freeman's criticism of other ministers and Christian leaders. The list of people he criticised included: Billy Graham, K Copeland, K Haggin, O Roberts etc, etc. There seemed to be noone that was exempt from his criticism. One could only assume that he thought that he was the only one who had the true word, even though signs of Gods hand followed all of these men. Apparently "touch not my annointed", applied to everyone but HF.
About 15 years ago, I was prophecied over by Sharon Stone of Christian International. She revealed some amazing things some of which is now unfolding in my life. This is a portion of what she said:
"...I heard a real caution of God and I saw where there was even some around about you that thought critical of spiritual leaders. And I say where they felt like because they prayed more and they had the word of God that they felt as if they knew more than some spiritual leaders in some situations and I saw where the Spirit of God says son, guard yourself."
Of course, HF eventually purged that bookstore of everything not of the "faith message" saying he didn't want everyone to develope into a patchwork quilt. I believe that my time with the Glory Barn and the Faith Assembly was "of God," but I believe that there was a judgement on HF because of the attacks he and others made against various leaders that were essentially his competition.
God has giving me many prophetic dreams (18 the last two weeks). In the past he has allowed me knowledge of the events of 911 in 1994 through dreams. I help run a homegroup body in my home. I consider the Glory Barn a huge part of my development in the spirit. I believe "all are moderate" and this is one of the scriptures that I used to resist being sucked into the full grasp of the more "human" teachings of the Barn.
I believe HF deserves respect as does those Christian leaders that he so efficiently denigraded. I bought up many tapes and books from HF recently and consider them very important to understanding Gods word. But I put them in their place as HF was only moderate although pretty knowledgeable in some areas. I consider many different teachings and wont be throwing Hobart Freeman's books out anymore than the other materials.
I would enjoy any thought many of you have on the matter and consider Barners "old friends."
David
Watchman
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| Re: Throw papa from the train...? [message #1732 is a reply to message #1731] |
Wed, 30 April 2008 00:40  |
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william
Messages: 1451
Registered: January 2006 |
Senior Member
Administrator |
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Hi David,
Welcome to the forum!
I knew Glenn pretty well; I believe he was from Huntington.
It's good to hear from so many who were affected by the teaching from FA. There are a lot of stories from a wide assortment of personalities. For some it was a negative experience and others came away with a pretty good foundation.
I was 18 when I first heard HEF, newly saved, and not very mature, but God was gracious. The first few years I had no exposure to any other Christian groups, which, in hindsight, might not have been the most healthy thing, but on the other hand, I feel like I got an excellent foundation that I might not have otherwise received, if circumstances had been different.
When it comes right down to it, I don't think I would have changed much. All of those experiences played a part of who I am today.
Speaking of the Bookstore, I wonder what ever happened to Hank?
Anyway, good to have you aboard!
Blessings,
William
I want to believe!
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