At the Edge of the Cliff

All this talk about fiscal cliffs is maddening! The grandstanding of politicians on both sides of the aisle is enough to make you want to start a new party and be done with all of them! The very idea that we've gone back and forth on what's required to prevent America's economy from plummeting over some imaginary cliff and in the meantime seen these guys accept a pay raise for themselves is revolting! Who are these people? How can we replace them?

The great news is that God specialized in saving us from the cliffs of life!  Psalm 18:32-33 says, It is God who arms me with strength. 33 He makes my feet like that of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights (cliffs). Whether it's a fiscal cliff or a moral cliff, an emotional cliff or a relational one - He rescues us! Thank God our security lies, not in the hands of politicians, but in the hands of the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace!

How well do the kids in your life know the story?

The Will of the People?

Romans 13:1 says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." 

Many of us see this election as a reflection of the will of the people and we feel frustrated that Americans would desire a leader who stands for so many things we don't agree with. However, if we take God's Word seriously we recognize that Romans 13 states that the election actually reveals, not the will of the people, but the will of God Himself. Am I saying that God wanted Barak Obama to be President? It seems that way. "Why?" You might ask. We have no idea, but we have to trust that God has a plan.

As long as an opportunity exists to elect someone who represents those things the Bible upholds as godly virtues, we need to work toward seeing that candidate elected. However, once an election has taken place with a different outcome than what we wanted, we must accept the idea that for whatever reason, God has another plan.

So what is our assignment now? Simple. We must pray for our elected leaders. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul writes, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

We are a divided nation with lots of challenges. We must pray like never before.

A Church With Connection

The dream is now a reality! We planted our very first Crossroads Connection Church in Denver this past weekend! Our campus pastors Shawn and Amy Reine and their team did a phenomenal job! We had 157 people in attendance and 4 people gave their lives to Christ! Everyone loved  the church and pledged to be back next week!

This has been in the works for a long time. We cast vision for the church plant a little over six months ago and Shawn and Amy began to build our launch team. Lee and Bri Blakney have been a huge asset to the team, as have other Crossroads members who have relocated to Denver to assist with the plant: Lahti Arsement, Renee Hoey and Anna Carrier.

We are meeting at a beautiful middle school in Highlands Ranch. The commons area will seat over 500 and includes a very nice theater-style stage with currents. We put together a killer media package for the new church that consists of two projectors and large screens, lighting complete with stationary pars and moveable intels, a sweet sound system and stage design that is a mini-version of what we are currently using in Louisiana. What new church has all that? A church with Connection!