Stop Trying to Be the Best

We all want to be on the winning team, right? It feels good! We feel strong and powerful. Victorious! Nobody strives to win the silver medal. I believe this can carry over into our faith. We want to be the people who are right—who do things the right way, for the right purposes, to feel like we have special insight into what God wants from us.

Here comes my bold statement of the day: I believe we have a ton of people showing a incomplete understanding of God's love…and it's only building up walls and dividing us from our brothers and sisters. This isn't anything new, either. 2000 years ago, the Pharisees and religious leaders were constantly trying to divide people according to good and bad, right and wrong. Jesus came along and said that we are all bad…and there's nothing you can do about it! But (I imagine him saying) just watch what I'm going to do about it!

We get in a huff when people do things we disagree with. We express sadness or disappointment—at times, vitriol—and then hope they somehow see Jesus in us. We are never going to be able to modify the behavior of the masses in order to make them good enough for heaven. There's no such thing! That's a humbling truth I'm not sure many relgious people understand. Thank God it's not up to us!

I find personal freedom in letting go of trying to change people to be like I think they should be, and continually falling on love as my action of choice toward them. However imperfect I am at that now, I hope to live the rest of my life improving.

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It's Time For Freedom

I heard something amazing in prison this morning that I wanted to share with you. My buddy Steve told me about a friend of his (let's call him Jeff) who has been inside for 30 years—and he's only 47 years old. And while he's been up for parole a couple times before this latest time, each time prior one of his victim's family members was there to speak against his release. But something happened this past week. Something changed. Yes, the victim's sister was still there. But something changed in her. She said that she believed it was time for him to be released. That it was time for her to forgive and to move on. Jeff was sentenced to life in prison for something he did when he was 17. And now, 30 years later he's being recommended to be released from prison on parole. The sister had one condition: that Jeff check in with her once a month and let her know how he's doing. Whoa! This story of forgiveness and redemption cuts straight to the heart of the gospel message. God doesn't want any of us to live in unforgiveness...and most of us need it ourselves, and need to offer it to someone else! Forgiveness doesn't happen when we deserve it. It happens when we don't. I pray that you will, in honor of Jeff, take a moment and offer forgiveness to someone in your life...someone who probably doesn't appear to deserve it, but who desperately needs it. I'd love to hear your story. If you'd like to send me an email, I'd love that.

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Midwest Jaunt in May

I love going to the Midwest...especially because it usually involves seeing great friends, family, and of course...baseball! I'm hoping to make three MLB games this trip - Chicago Cubs (my 2nd trip to Wrigley), the Twins (with my family!), and a new, unexpected, first time trip to catch the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Along the way, I'll be visiting a few radio stations to talk about my brand new single "Pilgrim Man" and somehow convince them that their ratings will increase if they play it. And their children will be better behaved and get scholarships to good schools.

I'm especially thrilled about a few concert opportunities to share my songs & stories with people along the way. Something happens when we come together and take a few moments to be authentic and vulnerable. Hope takes root, and people are encouraged. For that, I'm continually amazed and honored.

Hope to see you sometime along the way...

Don't forget my new music video...and the opportunity to get a free download of the song here.

"Pilgrim Man" Music Video Premiere

For best results, hit PLAY and then pause it, letting the whole video load before starting to watch. You can also watch at different levels of quality, too, if you'd like.

So...what do you think? Please drop me a note in the comments section below, and please share this video with anyone you think could stand a giant dose of hope.

Many thanks to the amazing JR Davis for creating this video. Need video work done? Please contact him via his website or via email.

Additional thanks to Craig Purcell, Suki Neblett, Jesse Walker, and Debra McCowan! And Julie Branhan and Soul Choir (www.soulchoir.com) including, Judith Baker, Tina Caveness, Jennifer Dixon, Tara Oliver, Madonna Williams, Justine Yates. Additionally, Stan Stacey and David Perry. And the awesome Craig Nunn, who makes a brief cameo appearance in one of the shots! And the park ranger lady who tried to shut us down and only made us more passionate about the whole thing.

"Pilgrim Man" track produced by Christopher Davis (www.christopherdavismusic.com) and mixed by Timothy Brown. Music & lyrics by Mark Smeby. Band/Choir charts and soloist accompaniment tracks are available! Just send me an email. Radio servicing being handled by Wendell Gafford of Creative Promotions.

 

Pilgrim Man - live @ Hotel Indigo's writer's night - Nashville