The Voice

What an amazing thing it has been to witness our friend Koryn Hawthorn's awesome journey on NBC's hit show The Voice. 

Koryn has been a featured vocalist and worship leader here at Crossroads Church for a couple of years now. We all knew she was an incredibly talented young lady but it was just remarkable to see her advance week-to-week on the show. 

I think it really speaks to the fact that along with great talent, America needs/wants to be inspired. Although not all her song selections were Christian or Gospel numbers, she consistently chose songs that would provide inspiration to those who need it. 

I was one who was inspired! Inspired by her witness, inspired by her humility and inspired by her VOICE! 

The Hoey's in Hawaii!

This week we had the privilege of honoring an amazing couple! Marty and Anna Hoey have served as our Children's Pastors for twenty years! When they started back in 1995, there were around 150 kids worshiping at Crossroads. Today they minister to over 750 kids each weekend! The Hoey's are faithful, dedicated, hard working, effective leaders that we are so thankful we get to do life and ministry with! In honor of their 20 years of service, our board of directors is sending them on a two week vacation to the Hawaiian Islands! 

I'm a Great Uncle

No, I'm not bragging on myself. My nephew Jordy and his wife Lindsay just welcomed their beautiful little boy Judah into the world! We're so excited for them. 

My sister Holane and her husband Danny had their boys, Jeremy and Jordy before our kids were born. Donna and I got to practice our parenting skills on our nephews. Now they are married and having kids and we're getting to practice our grand parenting skills! (No pressure Robin and Chase - We're in no hurry!)

I remember what an impact my Great Uncles and Aunts had on my life when I was a young boy. I sure hope to provide Judah with the same kind of encouragement and example they gave to me.  

Back to Uganda

We put Robin on a plane back to Uganda this week. You might recall she spent five months there in 2013 working with the Watoto orphanage. That season captured her heart for the nation of Uganda and she is returning for a nine-month stint this time around. 

She will be laying the groundwork for a new ministry called The Wajumbe Initiative. A ten month immersion program for aspiring young missionaries. The concept is, before one commits to four years of Bible College and Language School, they can spend ten months immersed in a third world country daily doing the things missionaries do. This year Robin will connect with all the established missions organizations that Wajumbe will work in tandem with once it's started. She is also writing curriculum. Next year she will travel and recruit students for the school that we hope will begin in January of 2017. 

We are very proud of Robin and can't wait to see how this will all turn out! God has been so good, providing everything she needs for this year of preparation. 

Son travels, dad prays!

Yep, that's Chase. And yep, that's Stonehenge!

Chase and one of his best friends, Konner Arnaud, are on a two-month backpacking trip across the British Isles. When he first told us his plans, I was instantly elated and terrified all at the same time. 

Chase turned twenty-one in February. When I was his age, I would have never dreamed of taking such a trip. We grew up in two different worlds. I took my first international trip when I was thirty-six. He took his first international trip when he was thirteen. 

He checks in with us daily and sends us amazing pics of Castles and other iconic landmarks. He seems to be having the time of his very young life. I'm excited for my boy - And doing a lot of praying! 

Ford verses Chevy!

We purchased a new church utility vehicle last week. The one on the left is our new Chevrolet 2500. It is replacing our 2000 model Ford F-250 with over 250,000 miles! There's been an ongoing dispute between me and my board of directors about Ford verses Chevy for fifteen years! (I'm a Ford guy, they're all Chevy guys. lol) I guess we get to see now which is the better product! This Chevy has some large shoes to fill! 

The guy next to me is Rhett Wyatt our Properties Manager and quite possibly the best human being I know! 

Winter Park

Last week Donna and I enjoyed a wonderful vacation with friends in Winter Park, CO. Our trip began with a visit to our Crossroads Connection in Highland's Ranch where I preached the Sunday morning service and got to catch up with our church family there. Shawn and Amy Reine are doing a wonderful job pastoring the connection and it was so fun to meet new people and catch up with old friends.

After service, we headed north to Winter Park to get settled into what turned out to be the nicest condo we have ever rented in over twelve years of trips to Colorado! We shared the home this year with our dear friends Scott & Kara Holmes and Paul & Cindy Burke (who have skied with us the past three seasons) and new ski buddies Gary and Sandy Bentley. What a great week we shared with these friends! 

Monday dumped 4-6" of fresh powder on us and created ideal conditions Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday when the sun came out and temperatures soared up to 28 degrees! However, a snowstorm blew in Friday, eventually dumping another foot of snow on the Rockies. We were blessed to be able to get out and get back to Louisiana! 

On Wednesday we enjoyed a new mountain experience - Snowmobiling along the Continental Divide! Snowmobiling is a blast! Donna declared it her new favorite sport! The views were absolutely stunning! We will definitely include snowmobiling in future trips! 

On Thursday night we all headed out to do a little snow tubing. This activity turned out to be one of the highlights of the week. Several of the Burkes friends who were also vacationing in Winter Park last week joined us and helped us form a 25+man chain, sliding down the mountain at break-neck speeds! What fun.

One of the things we enjoy each year is Chef Scott & Kara's amazing breakfasts they get up and make each morning! Pancakes, French Toast, eggs & bacon, home-made biscuits - You name it! Each couple also takes turns cooking dinner one night. This not only allows us to save money, it also gives us more time to relax and enjoy the company of some of our favorite people in the whole world! 

Twenty-one!

My little boy is all grown up! Chase turned twenty-one today! I'm so proud of the incredible young man he has become. He and one of his best friends are getting ready to do a backpacking tour across the British Isles soon. It would have never even occurred to me to do something like that at his age, but he is an adventurous spirit! Here's a shot of him considering a manly mustache at twenty-one! What do you think?

God's Promises for Our Kids

1. Salvation

Acts 16:31, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household.” 

2. Faithfulness to God

Proverbs 22:6,Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from  it. 

3. Peace

Isaiah 54:13, All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.

4. Submission to parents

Proverbs 29:17, Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul. 

5. Health

Psalms 91:10, There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. 

6. Blessing

Proverbs 20:7, The righteous man walk in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

7. Wisdom

2 Timothy 3:15, …from infancy (they) have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make (them) wise…

8. Doing great things

Psalm 112:1-3, His descendants will be mighty on earth…

9. Safety

Isaiah 49:25, I will give safety to your children…

10. Prosperity

Psalms 115:14, May the LORD give you increase more and more, You and your children.

Andrae Crouch (1942-2015)

A true legend in Christian music went home to be with the Lord today.

In the 1960's, Andrae Crouch's music ushered in a new approach to worship within the body of Christ, setting the stage for the modern worship movement. It also broke down racial barriers that had stood for centuries! 

Great songs like My Tribute, Through it All and The Blood Will Never Lose it's Power made an indelible impression on my faith as a young child. 

We will miss his contribution to our services and celebrations for now, but I have little doubt we'll all join with one voice and sing those songs in that heavenly city one day soon and very soon!