Biden and Paul on the Economy

Socialism is increasing, and it's sticking its neck father out into the open. Biden, today, didn't even try to mask his socialist comments.

''We want to take money and put it back in the pocket of middle-class people,''

Take from who? The "rich."

Biden suggested today that it is the patriotic duty of wealthier Americans to pay more takes. Why? So the government can redistribute it to the less wealthy. God help us!

Here's an article about the Biden quote
click here

Granted, Biden while making over $300,000 a year has only give $319 a year on average over the last ten years. Looks like he doesn't even believe in his own words. (reference)

Now, there's one man who understands that government isn't the solution, it's the problem. That man is Ron Paul, and he should be president. Here's a youtube clip of his statement about the economy.

Holy Week in Sept

This past Sunday at Status was one of the most meaningful experiences I think we've shared together in a long time. One of the things I love about our community is that we are willing to step into new things together and believe that we will see God in them. I have heard dozens of stories from people about that night, and has we have continued meeting together every day this week, God has continued to show himself to the hearts and stories of individuals.

If you weren't there Sunday night, here's a picture to give you a sense of the place:



The goal of the night was to hear stories from our community of the ways God has been moving over the last 9 months. Through audio, video [the geek in me loved this part... 6 projection areas in the middle... but purposed to not be a distraction :)], live stories and emails, we heard from close to 40 people.

One of the most compelling parts to me was the inclusion of three songs that were inspired through the things we talked about in the series. I've seen an increased passion in our worship recently, and I believe that it is because there are songwriters listening to what God is saying and creating works that help us declare those truths together.

You can hear some of the recordings in this week's podcast...
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=119875638

The rest of the week has been pretty incredible as well. We've gathered every day to focus in on the emotions and experiences of Jesus and the disciples. I have really been amazed at how God has allowed me to see and feel the last week of Jesus' life in a fresh way. Beautiful.

Some amazing people put a lot into this night to make it happen, and God certainly honored those endeavors.
Thanks to:

Jenn Gilanfar (who made the vine animations we used during the night. She did all of this while away competing to become the women's WORLD CHAMPION wake skater... Yes. WORLD CHAMPION).

Sean Curran and Jake Leboeuf who both wrote songs and led us beautifully.

The other musicians, Melissa Mage, Luke Domeck, Nick Torontali, Chris Baker, Kirk Chambers and Josh Jove

Michael Dalton for shooting those video stories.

Melyssa Marshall, Casey Stewart, Jenna Dey and Zack Howes for making the tech stuff happen.

Everyone who was willing to sit at a microphone and finish some phrases about Jesus.

And of course the Status staff who all did a great job speaking:
Josh Loveless, Jenn Janaceiwicz, Tom Gustofson, Kate Lynch

Relevant Magazine Article

Here's an article I did for Relevant Magazine
Click the pic for the link.

Water Ban!!

My friend, Nathen, posted this on facebook. Thought it was great.
Most people don't know anything about what they do politically.
Doing what's responsible isn't easy. It takes hard work, and rarely comes in the form of signing a piece of paper.
One more example of how the solution to the world's problems are far removed from politics.

Thailand

I'm leaving for Thailand in a few hours. I'm not usually one to well up in emotion, but I have had some pretty emotional experiences in the last few days... all of which have been really good. They've come in the midst of learning three things.

1. I'm going to Thailand with about 90 other people who will be doing various things to facilitate a conference for about 500 missionary families from all over Southeast Asia who come together every year for a week long retreat/training. I will be leading worship with several other people. When I was first asked to go on this trip, there was talk about me choosing some of the musicians that would be coming as the band. I thought to myself, "Dang, how rad is that? A free trip to Thailand with some of my friends to play music!" Well, in the end, I didn't get to choose the musicians. The guys who are going are pros and will do an amazing job, but I've found myself a bit sad this week. Honestly, I feel like I'm about to step out alone for the next few weeks. Out of the 90, there really isn't anyone I've found that I naturally just click with. This was my first emotional moment. I was driving in the car, and God just reminds me, "Find beauty in the things in which I find beauty." My emotions were a combination of joy, fear and conviction.

2. As I continued to think about beauty, the phrase, "Thy Kingdom come" really resonated in my heart and mind. The thought that God wants His Kingdom to exist here on earth as it is in heaven is astonishing! A place where there's no more death, no more sickness, no more pain... just the beauty and glory of God... That's what God desires for us here and now.

My friend, Jordan, showed me his tattoo last Saturday. It's a series of images that transition from a sword to a plow : The idea that we should move from destruction to creation. That's the picture of God's Kingdom. We must be a generation, a people, who lay down our guns and swords and are committed to plowing the ground, serving the Kingdom and creating life rather than taking it. As I was having this emotional experience with God's revelation, these words came to me...

We'll march in the army of love
to see Your kingdom come
Where the lion loves the lamb
and we give all we can
and we trade in our rights
and lay down our lives
for the sake of the kingdom of love

These lyrics were a battle cry (literally) for me in the car yesterday. I got to Sean's apartment and had to tell him about this intense moment where God had just intersected my life and heart. It feels like our generation is pregnant with this anthem. We want to see the world healed, and we live in the midst of people who are tearing it apart. We have to press on. We have to lay down our weapons and rights and lives and take up the sacrificial life of the cross. That's the only hope for our world.

3. Both these things revolved around you. Today, again, while driving in the car, I was thinking about this fact: I truly LOVE you : The people I spend my life with who inspire me, challenge me, encourage me and love me. More than ever I value relationship. That has been the root of the previous two experiences I have mentioned. First, I'll miss your life - albeit for only two weeks. Second, I know you have the power to change the world. Third, your involvement in my life is the biggest catalyst for inspiration and action in my life.

As I'm away, I will think of you often (and I've kind of committed to hand-writing some letters while I'm gone... Now that I've written it down, I'm one step closer to actually doing it). If you think of me, I ask that you pray for me. I really want to go beyond petty attractions and truly see beauty the way God sees it. I want to love like He loves and be fulfilled by Him alone. I want to come back and be a better lover of you and the people that surround us. I want to come back with fresh understanding of how we can mobilize the army of His kingdom of love.

Red Leaves

Poetry is meant to be heard, not read.
Check out the May 12 oooff podcast.

you can find it in iTunes by clicking here

Vote For Our Short Film

My friend Michael Dalton and I co-created a film called "Luke." It's part of the Doorpost Film Project - a competition based out of Jacksonville, FL. It'd be amazing if you went and watched it and then took the time to vote for it.

I hope you enjoy.

Watch It Here



Thanks
cole