There are multiple points I’d love to add a couple cents to (I’ll need some time to address them all); but to start, I’m going to address my good buddy Kurts . And just to put you at immediate ease, I was in no way whatsoever offended by any of the questions. In fact, I encourage them and I don’t want you (or anyone else) to hold back on asking anything simply because it may/may not step on my toes.

Could I have wrestled my life “back into shape”… sure. In fact, from a strictly carnal point of view, I didn’t have much to correct. I was a 23 year-old, clean-cut bartender that fought MMA on the side, with a new hottie under my arm every other week. I owned (still do) a 2-story townhouse with a wet-bar, 6-person Jacuzzi, etc. I was living the college dream and if you asked society in general, I was a cool guy to try to emulate. I had cash, tons of friends, two vehicles and a planner full of fun events. Life never got boring. It never became gratifying, either.

Yes, some of my old buddies that were by my side 24/7 during that season are still alive and kicking, and still in debt, and still addicted to the bottle. They are peachy son-of-a-guns on the outside, and they would never have you believe that they are in pain… wanting a way out. Others, yet, have “self-righted” their canoe and lead seemingly normal lives. But, I can’t base my life on the path of others. Alcohol, parties, and a black book thicker than the yellow pages would all be bragging rights of my peers. And they were mine for a season. But, I sought my Savior instead.

See… I knew something deep inside wasn’t right. Money, opulence, friends… you can have all of those, and be rid of all addictions, and STILL be miserable. Why is it that some of the wealthiest, most publicly embraced figures in the world today go to bed crying each night? Not because of what they have… but because of what they don’t. People say money can’t buy happiness, and that’s a fib. I’ve never seen anyone frowning on a Sea Doo, hahaha. BUT, money (and right-standing in life, in general) won’t bring you internal peace. TRUE peace. Knowing where you’re going. Knowing why you’re doing what you’re doing. Our Creator gives us that.

I’ll continue picking on myself, just to illustrate my point. When I align myself with Christ (and by align, I mean pray, serve, etc); I simply have more peace. Life doesn’t necessarily become easier, but I have much more peace about it. Being a Christian is not equated to becoming a weak man that seeks deliverance from all evil… being a Christian IS about seeking Christ to learn more about how to deliver one’s self from the pitfalls of life. It IS about following Christ as a model on how to love others, regardless of their faults, but to hate and rebuke the SIN that consumes them (not the person trapped in the habit). Nothing good comes from the party lifestyle. I know this firsthand. I can impress buddies, but the buddies won’t be the men to answer for my actions on this Earth… I am responsible for MY walk. And at one point, it was utterly fruitless.

These days, I am in church several days a week. I attend a college-age ministry at my church (over 100+ students every Monday night) and I lead one of the groups of guys in that ministry. I pray with them, for them, and offer a shoulder/advice when life is beating them down. I work with the 4th graders on Sunday mornings at 8:30 and I am enthralled with seeing their eagerness and thirst for God. It truly is the highlight of my week and it brings me more joy than anything else. It’s humbling when an eight-year-old can rattle off verse after verse, faster than I can. But Christ has enriched my life. He has replaced the cancerous hobbies I used to immerse myself into… replaced them with meaningful men and women that I feel blessed to minister to on a weekly basis. And for some folks, daily basis as they truly have grown to trust me and they have seen the deliverance. I make that boast in Christ alone. Nothing under my own power, all glory to Him.

So could I “wing it” in life without Christ? I could present a wonderful façade to convince you as much, but the true answer is no. I, John Moorehead, speaking only for myself, can not survive without God’s love and grace. Nor will I ever again try to. Been there, done that, came back yelping with my tail between my legs. If that makes me simple, or weak in your eyes… that’s okay. If there are those that are convinced that they can save themselves, master their own lives and can discard the Man and the Truth which is Jesus, then that is their walk. I will still love and serve them regardless, and live up to the commands I am called to do. Ultimately, it is God, not I, that will pass judgment and how dare I take His role.

I appreciate your candid questions, Kurts. You’re a fine man and I always enjoy hearing from you. I'll explain the cancer testimony momentarily...