Sunday, April 22, 2012


Charles Colson: A Lion of the Faith 

In 1976 I managed a movie theater in the village of Estes Park, Colorado. This allowed me to watch all or part of movies to the point of memorization. I could recite whole sections of Gumball Rally and The Outlaw Josie Wales
In another summer film that year, I also recall most of Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman's dialog in  All the Presidents Men.  This was the first time I heard the name Charles Colson. He was briefly referenced for his toughness and allegiance to President Nixon.

When the real life Charles Colson was indicted for crimes during the Watergate era, he was uncomfortable with the direction his defense was taking. It was possible he would escape conviction due to legal maneuvering, so he pled guilty.  Not the expected strategy of a hardened D.C. attorney and political operative. Here was the 'hatchet man' of Nixon's White House,  an evil genius, as one reporter called him.

But Chuck Colson was truly a new man, born again. Colson had fallen from a premier pinnacle of power, working near the Oval Office, traveling on Air Force One and swimming skillfully in the shark-infested waters of Nixon's White House. 
Imagine the comeback Colson made.  Staring at the ceiling in Federal prison he must have struggled with depression and self-loathing.  Disbarred, disgraced and branded a criminal, this former Marine could could have spiralled into despondency and bitterness.

However, his fall from grace was not the end, but the first step to a startling and public redemption. Yes, his powerful career was over, but his calling in Christ was just starting. In a classic comeback story, Colson incredibly recovered and became an international figure of respect and impact. He did not make a comeback to show his critics who he was, but to reveal who Jesus is.  
Few Federal prisoners go on to write thirty books, win million dollar Templeton awards and receive the highest endorsements for their ministries. Charles Colson did.
And here's a little known fact about his release from prison, taken from Cal Thomas' column,

  Remembering Charles Colson


'Colson was released early from prison because of some problems with his son and because former Minnesota Governor Al Quie offered to serve out the rest of his term for him so he could address those problems. 
Apparently Quie found a precedent in an old law that permitted under certain circumstances, an innocent person to take the place of a guilty person and pay the rest of his penalty. Quie never had to go to prison, but his offer of personal sacrifice remind one of that central Christian message: an innocent man lays down his life for a guilty man.'

Perfect. Mainstream media probably missed the spiritual  analogy of  this fact about his release, but you can be sure that Charles Colson never lost sight of that principle.
So, Colson created Prison Fellowship, Operation Angel Tree, Breakpoint Radio and much more.
Now that is a comeback indeed.

As Charles Colson observed:

"My greatest humiliation- being sent to prison was the start of God's greatest use of my life. He chose the one experience I could not glory in to use for His glory."

Well done. 

Monday, April 9, 2012



From Miami to Montana
From Michigan to New Mexico,
God is moving in America

 The invitation starts now
  
I think Joel Rosenberg is dead on with his analysis of America at the crossroads of either Implosion or another Great Awakening.  The optimist in me looks at the way God is moving and I remember that even a remnant of 10 righteous can restrain judgment. On the other hand, Eastern Europe was recently plunged into totalitarianism due in large part to a slumbering church.
And yet, a cross section of this past weekend reveals a fresh move of the Spirit.  In Miami, Pedro Garcia and company are zeroing in on the heart of Miami. God deals with cities because the population is dense and trends are set here.  With Hurricane Pedro unleashed, look out Miami.
In Montana, the Majestic Rodeo arena again became a sanctuary for a weekend where hundreds responded to the gospel invitation. Remarkable. I am without words to explain what it is like to watch what is happening through Levi & his team.
Friday night alone, Red rocked it and 240 people came forward at the invitation.

As a side note, Sunday, I met a new band, For King and Country, originally from Australia, and made up of family members of Rebecca St. James. The depth and quality of music and ministry was obvious. It was one of the most refreshing presentations I have seen in some time.


Meanwhile in New Mexico, Lobo Stadium again held nearly 20,000 people for the annual sunrise service. 
This is an event I had been part of producing for each of the past 20 years.  Here's a video Daniel produced to introduce Skip's teaching: 


The Ransom Project vol. 1 DEATH
The Ransom Project vol. 1 DEATH
http://vimeo.com/39881971
Password:
RAN1

And what about Michigan? I don't have any specific examples, just hope for my home state. 
And the Lord knows, Detroit needs grace.

This just a small sampling of what is happening across America. 
Easy to go on and on about Steven Furtick and Elevation in Charlotte, Greg Laurie and Harvest in So Cal,  Louie Giglio at Passion City in Atlanta, etc. etc.  This should give us hope.  Dark as America may be in many quarters, thank God that many other churches are going and growing in Miami, Montana, New Mexico and nationwide. 
May the Lord have mercy on our nation, one way or the other, things will not remain the same. 

What's it going to be, Implosion or Awakening? 
That's the real vote we will cast with our lives this year.