Was kind of confused what to title this post, a VERY RARE written blog post from me! I prefer to be posting a photo each day, but I just thought I’d share a few thoughts while in Cambodia.

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!

Life has changed. I had a heart attack on Saturday evening (Marla shared all of the details better than I could over on her blog).

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.

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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!

I’ve challenged myself to start blogging unfiltered. Enough of the worrying about offending people, even friends. Welcome to the first attempt.

I believe we’re past the point of trying to make the cross “presentable to our culture”. My talented friends that also happen to have a faith in Jesus Christ need to start saying that they’re trying to catch up with Hollywood or the elite creatives in culture. I can’t recall a time (even when the church deserved it) when any friends or family of mine that live outside of the walls of Christianity blasted the church for sucking at creating media and creativity. Are ideas like Church Marketing Sucks really just an attempt for people to complain for not getting recognized? What’s the point of saying “we suck” if “you don’t” suck?

Where I think the problem resides is when the artists that have accepted what Christ did for them on the cross sell out and JUST create media. Sort of like some bands crossing over and removing Christ out of their songs in order to sell albums, right? I know, I know…….I hear the “God didn’t command us to just create churchy things” arguments all of the time. I would disagree with that and, believe it or not, the Bible would side with me there.

This is where I am in life, and have had some honest discussion with artists I respect about this recently. I see myself (and of course others) shooting photos of pointless things. Creating websites sometimes that just feel shallow. Why? Obviously that’s where the money’s at. Isn’t that why all people crossover from living and breathing their faith to the cross being their life support……there’s no life in you, but someone else is keeping you around for some reason.

I’m sick of it. I’m making it a point (started recently) to be on a journey of purposely connecting with clients where it’s almost certain I won’t get a penny for my work, but more importantly, the finished products are guaranteed to point people to the cross. Asking myself if it’s really possible to sacrifice and suffer a bit (or a lot) through the work I do.

Have you found yourself taking on work just to bring in money? Is it safe to do some high quality work to pay the bills and let God get only 10% of our work like He often gets from our wallet? I’d also love to hear how some of you might have overcome this and sacrificed your time as well. Or maybe you hate my God? I’d love to hear from you as well.

Was sitting at work today and saw a YouTube video of the story behind the song “I Refuse” by Josh Wilson come through for the radio station’s website. With all of the natural disasters taking place, it excites me to see the church (the people) start walking their faith out in service. I’ve included a bit of the lyrics below (click here for all) and the video. Song definitely challenges us to stop sending up empty prayers and recognize when it’s time to get out of our seats / pews and do what God has called us to do ourselves. The world’s not going to just change while we watch, that’s for sure!

This world needs God
But it’s easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong

But I refuse
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care
I don’t want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

My father-in-law mentioned this man (Herman Cain) last week in a chat we had at his place. I had never heard of him before, but I think that (now that he has officially announced running for President) is about to change. Race won’t be an advantage (how it should be), but it appears a faith in God sure will re-enter center stage. This is about to get good, don’t you think?