#3 How do you know when God is actually leading?

What idea has been dormant in the recesses of your mind, deep down in your soul? Can you daringly and confidently reside through and by the promises of God? Can you take one step of faith, pause, and patiently wait for the next step to unfold? Can you allow the next step to be wholly orchestrated by God? God wants to use what you have, nothing more. God, however, does want you to try. Don’t worry. He will train you, as you go.
Will you tell others with the words of your own mouth, that, “God helps me plan, perform, and imagine?” How do you know when God is actually leading? “Think; pray; read the Bible; listen; get quiet; listen to the angels singing their songs…for you… and the people you know.”
Whether you perceive yourself to be virtuous or flawed, you do have the seeds of creation residing somewhere deep down inside your soul. You are a potential natural genetic witness for God. God created you. What would you like the outcome of that witness to be? I encourage you. Have endurance; prepare for progress; seek the company of encouragers (over-comer encouragers, like me); draw closer to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. In the last verse in the song, “What a Friend we have in Jesus,” are the words, “Thou wilt find a solace there.” Peace is the enormous component and the most important ingredient of the Bluegrass Gospel Jams. The peaceful portion arrives, and makes its mark, from choosing and singing gospel songs. A Bluegrass Gospel Jam event is an exceptional inspirational encounter. I can tell. I can feel God’s holy spirit moving throughout the gathering. I see smiles, too.
On the Gospel Jam trail, “True Peace” is the first and the last solid stepping-stone on the path. The underbrush in the middle… is our journey. Problems are temporary. True peace is permanent. Music illuminates the path of peace. My observation is that Bluegrass Gospel music causes scripture to come alive. Somehow, supernatural peace just seeps in… when you play and sing along with God’s gospel band. “Come on in, join right in, shake an egg… and have some fun… at the Good Old Gospel Jam!”
“If I can…you can!”

#2 When I was scrambling out of my rock-bottom depths of despair

Inspire
When I was scrambling out of my rock-bottom depths of despair, the Bluegrass Gospel Jam was there. Even when my spirits were stagnantly sinking into the livid waves of anger, turmoil, and incapacity to make decisions, the Jam became my anchor for hearing from God. For my part, I had no hope to cling to. Bluegrass Gospel Music began supplying soothing balm for my uneasy essence. In my Jeep, no matter where I was headed, as I drove, I listened to bluegrass gospel songs. Songs and melodies kept me focused upon the unknown comeback trail that I didn’t even realize I was traveling upon. Then the leader of the Gospel Jam quit. I lost my grip on my therapy.
Bless
The silent blessings that gradually flowed my way encouraged me to begin thinking about starting over. At the time, I didn’t even know what the term “starting over” meant. I initiated my own Bluegrass Gospel Jam concept. I began writing booklets about the “Pursuit of Peace.” My principles of peace began emerging through the trials and tribulations I stumbled upon. I began putting faith principles into action steps. I started learning how to crawl through all the adversities. Philippians 4:11 “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him (the Lord) who gives me strength.”
Encourage
There is always a companion you can cling to. God always has an outstretched hand. Regardless of your situation or predicament, you can begin to converse with God. Communication is a two way street. You can talk to God, but you also have to begin listening. Fact: uncomplicated prayer unleashes powerful results. 
Help
Become an eyewitness. Observe how God sends people your way to help you in your time of need. If you need help, then begin helping others. It’s astonishing how God works when you quit concentrating upon yourself. In the Bluegrass Gospel Jams, amazing songs and gentle spirit emanate from the musicians when we concentrate upon the audience. “We put a song in your heart and a tap in your toe.”  We touch people’s hearts. No one goes to sleep at the Gospel Jams. Help comes when you exercise genuine belief and faith. May God inspire you, bless you, encourage you, and help you. All it takes is a thimble-full of mustard seed faith to begin. The old angry depressed way can drive you crazy and make you continually troubled and worried. The new exhilarating path of faith can lead you to true peace and fulfillment. Take time to pray…it is the source of happiness.

Here is a good source to find and print out words for favorite old time gospel songs:
Click Here to locate song lyrics with chordstarget=_blank

#1 Why Should You Participate In A Bluegrass Gospel Jam?

Encouragement 
Nature is all around us, all the time. Yes, even in busy cities and towns, flowers, trees, and singing birds abound.

Traveling through tangling traffic keeps people speeding up through life. Time spent in hurrying activities supplants activities that promote peace and sincere joy.  In today’s fast paced world, over-scheduling events, “worrying,” places pressure on both youngsters and adults. When do the kids get a chance to play in the field down the street? When do adults interrupt their “texting” and take time to enjoy their surroundings?

I was fishing at a lake. A ten-year-old boy was fishing beside me. He received a cell phone call telling him that he needed to come back to camp for supper. Kids are now tracked in every activity. Typically, the kids of today aren’t allowed, any more, to make their own decisions.

Just like nature, music is all around us. There are music melodies residing in our souls, waiting to appear. To appreciate music, one has to slow down. Nothing heals and soothes a hurting spirit than a tune written by someone else who has already traversed the valley of despair.

Bluegrass Gospel Music was created early on, during hard times, in the mountains, where the entertainment was encouragement-centered, from one place to another, with folks gathering together and creating the soul-soothing music that has endured for generations.

Participation

The uniqueness of a Bluegrass Gospel Jam is that beginners, audience, and experienced musicians gather together and make a “joyful noise unto the Lord.” Everyone is allowed a turn at choosing the song to be played. Audiences are included in choosing the songs. Having egg shakers available gives every person an opportunity to participate.

More and more, musicians are beginning to share how the song they have chosen, has made an impact on their life at a crucial time. Church happens automatically at the Jams. Everyone senses the Holy Spirit’s wooing. We welcome folks in to share the words, spirit, and music of God. We are a movement, not an organization. We plan ahead, but God supplies the attendees, musicians, and harmony. 

Opportunities

Bluegrass Gospel Jams are all about testing our beliefs about God. How else can you reason why musicians and spectators show up at the Jams? Sure, lots of people will show up at an event that has a big-name band. What’s the difference between a big-name band and a Bluegrass Gospel Jam? Practice. 

On faith, we show up and practice to the best of our ability. We begin and continue to improve. Great gospel music emanates throughout the building. We get invited to other venue events. We say, “Yes,” when we are invited.

Skill is appreciated but not required. No auditions necessary. We encourage you when no one else will say a kind encouraging word to you. We welcome people in. We work on proclaiming our faith by demonstrating our faith with positive action steps. Someone will always shake your hand, welcome you, and ask your name, with a warm hearty welcome to come on in and join in.

Copyright ©            2011 Ron Camerrer

“Outpost Ministry with no walls…”

Secular Music In God’s House

The Bluegrass Gospel Jams are structured so that musicians and audience are all encouraged to come and participate. The same is true of different levels of musical experience. Beginner musicians, intermediate musicians, and performer quality musicians, are all invited to mingle and socialize together. To become part of the jam, there is no “audition” required. A Bluegrass Gospel Jam can be simply described as a big continual encouragement invitation. We simply share the gospel through the medium of music. When we gather together, something miraculous occurs every time: “Harmony through participation.”

We attract and welcome new believers, fringe believers, and non-believers. It’s a very simple concept, really. We are a welcoming “Outpost Ministry.” Before each Jam, I say a prayer asking that God will send the people (musicians and audience) whom God wants to come. I do the inviting, coordination, and encouraging. God supplies the attendees.

Our foundation principle:
“These are not my Jams. These are God’s Jams.”

Here is the essence of an email I received from one of the performer musicians.

Subject: Jam

Ron, missed you at Princetowne yesterday. It was a good jam, very crowded, I almost left the jam before it started, but ran into Don and Carrie on the way out, whom I had invited at church that morning. Funny how God works sometimes.

The last hour was country music. It reminded me of Newcastle. I have nothing against most country music. I sing it every Wed at the Wharton Senior Center. However, it reminded me of the jam at the Harmony Church. Key word, Church. Secular music doesn’t belong in God’s house. And towards the end some folks ran out of Gospel songs. If you are the leader, would you talk to the Pastor at the Harmony Church to say something about his church being the house of God and this is just a Gospel jam to praise the Lord. I would hate for this to turn out like the jam in Newcastle and Princetowne, which is OK for them, No churches being used there. He may lose a couple of musicians but he will keep a few too. Thank You.

Ron’s Response
Hi Brad,
I appreciate your input on the Jams. We do need a word of explanation here. Since the Princetowne Jam started, it has never been an official “Bluegrass Gospel Jam.” Several years ago, the person organizing the Princetowne Jam actually did not want any connection with the “Bluegrass Gospel Jam.” She wanted it to be separate.

However, when I started going to Princetowne, so I could improve my guitar playing skills, I noticed that the majority of the musicians had originally attended the Gospel Jams. I did get to meet new musicians and invited them to our regular gospel jams. In fact a lot of those new musicians are now regular participants in the gospel jams. I do advertise the Princetowne Jams because I have been asked. You will notice that I don’t advertise them as a “Gospel Jam.”

The Newcastle Jam, also separate from the official Bluegrass Gospel Jam arena, was started up by some “secular folks” who started becoming regular gospel jam participant supporters. In fact, until they were exposed to the gospel jam concept, they played and sang in bars. Their lives have turned around in a now positive and rewarding atmosphere.

I am the leader, originator, and organizer, and head encourager for the “Bluegrass Gospel Jams.”

Contrary to your belief, I believe the Bluegrass Gospel Jams encourage participation from musicians who might never have been to a church before, or they might not even be Christians. My goal is to attract those folks into a welcoming environment and to rub shoulders with practicing Christians. The Bluegrass Gospel Jams are an “Outpost Ministry… with no walls.”

Yes, I do allow country and western songs if those songs get new musicians and spectators to participate and join in. I believe this is an extended part of praising the Lord. So I roll some with each person so that they continue to return and play and sing gospel songs.

The Gospel Jams are not designed to be an internal clique of Christian musicians. In my opinion, we are not performers but volunteer musicians who get to share. We make it easy for someone to get involved with practical everyday Christianity. I love to see unsaved people come in because a musician they know has invited them to come. So… I respectfully disagree with your statement, “Secular music does not belong in God’s house.”

This is the hardest part of the Jams… to convince the musicians, both performer and participants, that this is a good way to invite people into church. I feel the same way towards beginner musicians of all age levels and experience.

As I said, I do appreciate your input. I just needed to clarify for you what my goals and aspirations are for the Bluegrass Gospel Jams. I appreciate your understanding and I appreciate your concern. I enjoy getting feedback. Sometimes the Jam leadership gets very lonely. Maybe some day, we can get together for coffee, if you would like.
Thanks,
Ron

Reply from Brad

Thank you and forgive me for being so narrow minded. You point is well taken and I believe you are right. Exposing all musicians to the Gospel is a good thing, especially when a testimony is given, I don’t know what I was thinking, perhaps being selfish to only want to play Gospel. Thanks for your reply, it was well written and received, Coffee would be great. Brad

Share Your Faith Through Music

Share Your Faith Through Music

Have you ever asked yourself how you can purposely become an ambassador for God? Have you ever wondered what your mission for God could be?

One good way is to share your living faith with others. Another good way is to become a dynamic encourager. Becoming a Bluegrass Gospel Jam leader can help you both ways.

Within your grasp is the golden opportunity to reach an untapped audience of fringe believers and beginner believers. You also receive silver-lined opportunities to encourage “rusty musicians” (musicians who haven’t played for a long time). You can encourage these old-time players to bring their instruments out of storage and rediscover their musician skills. Bluegrass Gospel Jams are powerful magnets for attracting performer musicians.

The challenge of getting musicians of all skill levels to assemble together is a rewarding experience. It’s a tremendous- but possible- task. In many ways, musicians are almost always the same. They are always reluctant to get up front and play a song because they feel inadequate to perform. At the jams, encouragement without regard to being perfect helps musicians develop courage.

When you step out and minister to others through Bluegrass Gospel music, God gives you an extra measure of faith.  When you are doing God’s work, you can be a witness for God. Can you become a spirit-led organizer? Can you put your faith into action?

The hardest part of any new venture is the first step. “Try” is the next step. “Peace” is the final outcome path upon which you travel.