I suspect most of you have heard of the new grass roots movement called the "tea party". The hope of these people is to bring the country back to fiscal sanity and constitutional boundaries. You may or may not have a political affinity with that movement, but I want you to know about another reformation movement that I believe many of you would want to encourage and perhaps know a little more about. It is not about moving political parties left or right, but rather moving the hand of God to bring revival and restoration to our nation.

As many of you know I have the privilege of being a part of a national conference call and movement called "Remnant". Its mission is basically to restore integrity and character back to the nation's pulpits and through that begin to see revival fires burn in the hearts of people and our nation. I don't have to take much space reminding you that both are in sad disarray. This week I listened to a report from our leader, Pastor Larry Stockstill concerning a great meeting of pastors he was with in Ohio. Along with him was the well known presidential candidate and Fox news commentator, Mike Huckabee. Huckabee spoke on the criticalness of the hour we are living in and what needs to begin to happen in order for our nation to find it's way back to the place of blessing and stability. I want to synopsize those points as they were shared with me:

1. The answer is not coming from the White House or Congress. It must start in the pulpits and churches of America where truth can once again be delivered and lives can be transformed at the deepest level.

2. Ninety percent of most state's budgets are to "educate, medicate, and incarcerate" the populace. People are lacking self-control. It takes 60-80 thousand dollars a year to incarcerate a juvenile and that would more than cover room and board at a notable college. Our financial problems are really spiritual problems that unless they addressed quickly will cause our nation to bankrupt.

3. Pastors are the key component in the turning around of our nation. They must return to declaring the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth if we expect to see people radically changed and challenged.

Of course, we all know how well truth goes over these days.

That is why we must intercede for boldness in America's pulpits and receptivity in the pews of the churches. We don't have time to be cute and cuddly. Our very civilization is crumbling around us and the hour glass is running short.

As dire a picture as we seem to see at times there is hope!

1. God is still all-powerful and He can take the impossible and turn it into the possible.
2. God had and still has a plan for America if we will commit to prayer and intercession to see it manifest.
3. There are pastors all over America right now mobilizing to be salt and light for that end.
4. There is a hunger in America for the "real deal" church and Christian community.

Personally, I am glad I do not have to wait until the next election to see real transformation take place. I believe we have come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Join with me in recommitting your life in the things that really matter and will last for eternity. I am excited about what God is doing behind the scenes. You get excited too!

Planting a Cross

Pastor