We celebrate this weekend because we are prepared for victory when Christ will invade this world a second and final time (Revelation 19:11-16). Thanks for taking the time to read this. I won’t take more of your time or pretend to be able to convince you of any of this. Feel free to contact me if you’re interested in hearing more. Enjoy “The Invasion” song/video by Trip Lee below!

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’ve lost 33 pounds (hopefully on my way to losing at least 20 more), and have been feeling alright most of the time. Three days at rehab, and three days exercising while not there each week (walking for 40 minutes just a bit ago). Shaved, showered, and sat down for dinner with Marla and the girls. Felt really tired at 7:00pm, so I took my remaining fruit/water up to bed. Instead of resting, a war took place upstairs while the rest of the family finished eating. A war that had my mind wandering and tears streaming down my face for 20 minutes. Crying out to God like I haven’t since my grandmother passed back in September of 2005. This didn’t feel like another moment of anxiety, but it sure showed up without me knowing it was coming.

If there were reporters taking notes during this 20 minute war, this is what they would have seen…..

Some of the statements I made while in tears:

• Thanks God, for allowing me to survive the heart attack. For allowing me to take my health and my faith much more seriously.
• I know you are in full control of my life, but it sure has been a mess.
• It was obvious you had me leave my job a week ago, and I know you hold my future.
• I hate not being the husband, father, and friend I was before, but apparently you wanted me to change.
• This world is not my home, and it’s becoming a crazier place to live every day. I believe you’re going to change all of that soon.

Some of the questions I had while in tears:

• Am I doing what you want me to be doing? (will blog more about this in a day or two)
• You’ve already given me lots of work to do after leaving my job, but will you give me the strength to do it?
• People must really go crazy when they go through all of this stuff and don’t have you to talk to and rely on?
• The doctor said to give it a year until it felt like I didn’t have a heart attack. What will that feel like?
• Please let me love my family as much as they deserve, even when they see me weak or confused sometimes?
• Will you let me have a fun date with my six-year-old next Wednesday without anxiety or tears?
• We were making good progress to get out of debt, how are you going to allow that to happen now?

Thanks God, for I know when I am weak you are strong (2 Corinthians 9-10). My future is yours, which is why I wrote this. As much as I don’t want to share the darkest moments of my life, I know that you are asking me to. Use these words somehow, and thanks for listening to mine.

I’ve been in Cambodia now (with my wife and three daughters) for over a week, and we’re getting ready to celebrate Christmas here. This post doesn’t really have much to do with Santa at all, but more about what God (the giver of the true meaning of Christmas – in His Son, Jesus Christ) has given us.

We’ve snapped over 2,000 photos this past week, but more importantly, we’ve been soaking up what that same God is doing in the lives of people here. Just yesterday we had the privilege of experiencing joy (park of large inflatables) in the lives of over 40 at risk (sex trafficking) young boys and a great staff that leads them.

I jumped into the fun by climbing to the top, following the lead of a young boy that has HIV. A young boy whose grandmother now takes care of him, and has to deal with him being beaten up at school. Thankfully, God has brought a great leader into his life who is on a mission to provide genuine care for him at the boy’s center. The grandmother agreed that he could come yesterday – a miracle! The smile I followed up to the top of the play area was priceless, and I was deeply inspired by the simple love and care that little people like him needs.

We’ve seen lots of Christmas decorations here in the 70+ degree weather in Phnom Penh. Colored Christmas trees, lights hanging around spirit houses and palm trees, inflatable Santas, etc. It’s sad that they not only mimic some of the American culture when it comes to music and other things, but now they are being misled during this season. Thankfully God is working so greatly in the lives of some awesome adults here, who know where these young children will truly find joy. They’ve accepted the challenge of not allowing the many pedophiles to find joy in stealing these children’s humanity within the world of trafficking. It’s impossible to stop it all, but they’re doing all they can!

I thank God for the gifts He is giving me this Christmas, by allowing my family to appreciate the love He has for the world. Thanks to a friend for posting a photo of the disturbing billboard she saw (Santa gives more to rich kids than poor kids), reminding me just how much children don’t need Santa Claus. The difficult challenge is that we’re tasked with sharing the joy with them that they really need. Might seem like such a complex issue, until you see just how simply God can break it!

I’ll try to keep this as short as I can – since I’m trying to rest, eat better, start my 4 minute walk exercises, etc, etc, etc.

Every day of life we get is borrowed time that the God who created us has given. Thankfully I know just how much He loved me and sent His Son to die for me. Without that understanding, I’m not sure I would have dealt well at all with the anxiety or stress that an event like this could bring with it.

The plans and path that I am going to follow are going to continue to be whatever God desires. What I want or what you want doesn’t really matter. God chases after us and never leaves us, including during the worst moments like I lived through this weekend.

I can’t describe that to you – that’s impossible. I woke up today and wore the shirt that you see in the picture, a shirt my bro got for me while on tour last month with a bunch of awesome rap artists. I’ve also included 30 seconds from the Signed Up To Die song (buy on iTunes here) that goes along with the shirt (Christian rap artist – Thi’sl) for you to listen to below. He’s a man of God that has stared death in the face while living the gangster life in St. Louis, and reminds me that even death doesn’t have a hold on us since Christ died to give us life that is eternal.

Thank you to all of our friends and family (online and IRL). God sure used Facebook to circle some prayers around me, that was an amazing encouragement. My church family knows what true love means, and I thank God so much for the example they are to me of His Son, Jesus Christ.

It’s my prayer that some friends and family actually come to know Christ through this. There’s nothing more I desire from life but that.

So excited to live another day for my heavenly Father! Worrying is not something He encourages at all, so I pray that you’re able to live this journey with confidence along with me!

Thanks Trip, for letting me hang with you. I praise God for what He’s doing through your life. I’m very thankful for the lessons of humility and faith that I continue to learn through the words God has given to Trip. For those visiting this “People of Faith” installment, please be sure to purchase Trip’s music (songs “The Invasion” and “Brag on My Lord” featured in the interview).

After putting lots of time and thought behind this, all I ask of you – regardless of your faith or lack there of, is to take a few minutes and listen to the audio interview while also enjoying the photos. Let me know your thoughts? Better yet, let Stanley know your thoughts by commenting below the photos. I’ll be sure to share this with him – I’m sure he’ll get a kick out of reading them. Be looking for the next interview in the coming weeks – thank you for stopping by!

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Sometimes it’s just about being genuine. Living out your faith in a way that can’t help but be seen clearly. When we make daily choices to follow God, either for the first time or more closely, He will be glorified and will be evident in our lives. If He’s not yet in yours, maybe you really haven’t decided?

It’s clear in the video below that some people have decided. Great stuff, Elevation Church (Charlotte, NC)!

Click here to view the embedded video.