I’m writing this while waiting for my departing flight out of Haiti. I’m drinking very strong, not-so-good coffee out of a paper-thin cup and the bar is open, though it’s 7am (really – the breakfast of champions?).

This is my fourth trip to this scarred country. Everywhere you turn there is poverty and destruction… and people… lots of people! I was told that unemployment is at 60% here. I don’t have Internet access, so I can’t google-check the truth of it, but I wouldn’t be surprised. This is a broken place.

Haiti’s struggles were present before the massive earthquake hit over 1 year ago. So many systems and services that I have come to assume in my life in Texas are absent here. Conveniences… Like paved roads and dependable sources of water. Electricity is spotty and often absent.

My Haitian friend told me how only 10% of the country pays taxes. This burdened him because he is one of the 10%! The entire country, including it’s government, is deeply dependent upon the charity of others. It’s heartbreaking and seems hopeless.

The quote of my trip came from my friend: “Many believe God has given up on Haiti… But I believe he is the only thing holding us together.”

That leads to my NOTES OF HOPE:
- After four trips here, it’s obvious to me that Christians are the DOMINANT compassion force in this country… Not even close!
- I’m SO GLAD we hand picked the LOVE-REV team based on passion for the mission & giftedness, rather than just opening it up… Great first trip for Keystone. We learned A LOT.
- There is HOPE in the eyes of these orphans. We really can make a difference in their lives.
- I had to physically pull a couple of our VOLS out of the girl’s orphanage at the end of their first visit! Hilarious! ALL HEART.
- We have AMAZING partners in Haiti making sure everything is done with excellence. I’m thankful & proud.

There’s more, but I’m about to board… Pray for the team as I leave early to prepare for the weekend at Keystone! They are in excellent hands!

In this video, I took on the HOT topic of sex.  What is OK in the bedroom?  What is prohibited?  Should married Christians have wild sex or is that reserved for others?  I believe God moved in a powerful way in one of the most talked about talks in Keystone’s young history.

IN-N-OUT of LOVE – Part 3 from Keystone Church on Vimeo.

The destruction and devastation in Haiti are unimaginable. To look at the pictures and watch the videos remind us of Romans 8:19-22… ALL of creation is shredded by sin. The only hope for a world rid of earthquakes and tsunamis, bombs and barbed wire is JESUS.

He is making ALL THINGS NEW (Revelation 21:1-8) and because of Jesus we have hope of a future without these fears and atrocities.

Please take a moment to check out the following messages if you are wrestling with this question: How could a loving God allow such suffering?

“How Can a Loving God Allow Evil and Suffering?”

“Where is God in the storm?”

“Playing through the Pain”

• U2 AWESOME – lots of fun! Great message. There are some PASSIONATE BONO-ITES! Now the traffic home. #

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While ‘This Preacher likes to Dance’ series is in the books, that DOES NOT mean that we should STOP DANCIN’!

I truly loved this series, and I’m particularly proud to expose a theology of celebration that rings throughout the Bible. As I mentioned in the messages, there is certainly a time for fasting and sober reflection… BUT, that has not been a problem for most churches… we MUST reflect the CELEBRATION & FREEDOM found in Christ!

Here is our attempt at a good laugh before we hit a very tough subject of ‘How to love life, when life’s not loving you back!’

Keystone Staff Hoedown Throwdown – Episode 4 (with LIVE performance) from Keystone Church on Vimeo.