For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. - Romans 15:4

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. - Proverbs 29:25

Takehold Records, the record label I was running (circa 1998 - 2001) single-handedly with ZERO music or business experience, was in serious financial trouble. Though I later saw success in signing Takehold acts like Underoath - it was God’s divine mercy and intervention when Tooth and Nail Records out of Seattle agreed to acquire the failing company and pull me out of a desperate situation.

This month I had the privilege to travel to LA/Orange County and the UK/Wales. Neither place has hardly a thing in common other than several friends and opportunities I don’t deserve, including stepping foot into (and back out of again) prison courtyards and sharing my story with new brothers and sisters in gorgeous, sheep-filled hills of mid-Wales.

Current culture prizes earthly success far above the Christian’s call to appreciate life abundant in the now, much less treasure eternal later. Looking around; it’s hard to blame modern-day culture for not recognizing our future glory crowns. They’ve doubtfully seen evidence to convince them that we value heavenly inheritance over all the sweet distractions of a fallen world.

Sometimes God allows us to be close to sin so we don't forget where our story started.
I’m not implying His intentions are us jumping back in again.Quite to the contrary, He’s calling us to rise up and stand out like a beacon of beckoning hope.

Most evenings in my home right now involve preparing and eating dinner together as a family, cleaning up, then finding our seats in front of the TV. It’s Olympic season, and we’re all in on Rio 2016. Out of the four of us, I’m probably the least athletic no thanks to the fact I never played a single organized sport growing up. Nor does my body - or mind - seem to have the faculties required to endure pain for seasons unendingly.

Waiting backstage for Brian Head Welch was surreal. One, because seeing the row of busses and trailer trucks took me back to a time where I walked between many a backstage venues. Two, the fact Korn has more than one outspoken follower of Jesus in the band is miraculous and wild beyond anything I would have ever dreamt up.

I first met Mattie back in my transitional phase out of Tooth and Nail into Come&Live!. If there’s one thing that resonated in my heart back then - which still does now - it’s Mattie’s passionate love for Jesus. Few people I know have started and stayed as close to Jesus through-out their musical career as Mattie has. We’re honored to share a little bit about what he’s learned along the way here as a guest blog. Read on and be encouraged!

Until earlier this month my only experience with Brazil had been one night in the Amazon jungle. That night was spent remote, humid, quiet (except for a torrential downpour), and in a tiny village.