I just received this crazy invitation to go with my friend Jon Pritikin to SRI LANKA in a couple weeks! We leave October 1 and come home around the 7th. Sri Lanka is an island just south of INDIA.


I’m totally stoked and looking forward to the adventure, and I’m auctioning off my old, beloved Echolac suitcase in order to provide an opportunity for you to be a part! Other than my airfare, no finances have been provided yet for this trip, so I thought this would be a fun way to get people involved…

I have a new suitcase now but this one has seen a LOT of miles. It was one of my first suitcases, traveling as far as Costa Rica and Brazil…an essential part of my touring gear. The bright yellow color has always made it easy to spot coming down the baggage chute! There’s great memories attached to it too, like burning it accidentally on a cabin heater, dragging it through a snowdrift, and meeting my wife at Mandalay Bay for my birthday. It’s hauled tons of CDs, cables, pedals, and even a Ukulele! It measures about
28” high and 22” across. The outer plastic shell is nice and hard, wheels role smoothly, and the seals are all still good. Even though the front handle/lock area is broken, it still closes and functions perfectly. Inside sleeve and zipper pocket is in good condition, too. It’s a great functioning suitcase and a piece of ROCK AND ROLL HISTORY! …maybe a fun idea for a musician just starting out, or someone who likes a little more depth and meaning to their stuff…or maybe just something for you or your church group to store stuff in!

It’s up for auction right now (until Monday night, Sept. 24) on EBAY. Every penny goes directly to this trip and mission ahead… THANKS FOR BEING A PART!

CDs FOR SRI LANKA:

I would LOVE to be able to GIVE AWAY CDs while I’m there. Would you consider helping me do that, by donating $5 per CD to be given away? Just click to this donation link HERE. Write in your donation amount, say something about “CDs for Sri Lanka” and we’ll make it happen! Thank you!!!

Ok, so here’s the pieces of the puzzle: My long time buddy; Tim lives in an amazing tudor mansion near Seattle. It’s like an estate where you write poetry, sip tea, and watch the falling rain. I have 5 concerts up here this week, so I’m staying with him. My brand new friend; Brandon Bee just happens to be a world-class record producer living 3 streets away… So, put it all together… and it worked out perfect to be working on the new songs with Brandon and getting ready to record the RECORD OF OUR LIVES! I am SO thankful for these two friends and their generous contribution to my life, music, and ministry. Thanks guys!!!

Here’s our gracious host, and music aficionado; Tim:

The first day today went amazing! So, here’s a picture of Brandon, playing my guitar
as we worked on some tunes:

Yep, that’s a REAL DEER head in there! We’re hangin’ in the Trophy Room. We
turned “In My Weakness”, “Again we come to You”, “Psalm 23″, and “When the
World Closes In” into ridiculously cool, bluesy, rockin’ super-arranged
songs that are so much stronger (and more fun, I think!).

Here’s what these sessions kind of sound like:

One funny story:
As we were playing, something smelled funky in there! For several hours we each
silently thought the other was having some issues like stinky feet or
passing gas or something, and then, as we were getting up to leave we
finally noticed the big pile of dog poop on the carpet!

Ahhh, nothing like the wilderness of the Northwest…

It’s getting close, gang!!! This is the cover, so far. We are finalizing the Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound mixes and some bonus features. Please bear with us… I’ll keep you posted at every turn RIGHT HERE!

This trip was AMAZING!!! The weather was great, the traveling was smooth, and the ministry events were rewarding and fruitful! On our off-days we toured London and took a ferry across the English Channel to France and then drove to Brugge, Belgium (the home of CHOCOLATE!!!). My friend, Jon Pritikin, broke the WORLD’S RECORD for the tightest rolled frying pan, and I broke the RECORD for…uhhh…having people imitate me saying “dude” the most times…

This last shot was taken during one of our biggest events, and it is the invitation for the audience to put their trust in Jesus — LOOK AT ALL THE HANDS!!!

So, since I’ll be gone for a couple weeks, I thought I’d leave you with a few more new songs to ruminate on. Continuing from my last “Message song” post, here are my other three tunes with lyrics almost entirely put together from scripture. Make yourself a spot of tea, sit back and listen in….Cheerio!

“Perfect Getaway” (Psalm 27)

“Psalm 23″

“Tremble” (Amos 4)

My writing journeys have intersected a few times with The Message Bible translation, and it’s been a fun combination! I have three other tunes like this one, written using almost 100% Bible scripture from The Message. I had the chance to meet Eugene Peterson recently and personally thank him. He’s an amazing man! I want to grow old like THAT GUY! I love the freedom of the language used. Eugene said he wrote The Message for regular, average people, right off the street…I relate to that. So, here’s the first one - a hillbilly romp nicked from Psalm 57….

The idea I’m singing about is that God can meet us ANYWHERE and take to a place in our hearts closer to Him. We don’t need the perfect sunny day, the best waves, and everything perfect to find REAL paradise. The best “soul vacation” around is right in front of us; the God of the Universe who wants to spend time with US, to hear our prayers and thoughts, to guide, love, and direct us, and maybe accompany us on a nice long walk…that’s what it’s all about!

Here’s a CRAZY STORY!!!

Last night, I had a dream where Pete Shambrook and I were leading worship together at some event, and I was hanging out backstage, right after sound check, and vamping on this chorus I was writing to lead out of “Lord, I Give You My Heart”. Anyway, I woke up and had the song still in my head! I got up (4 a.m.) and scribbled it down…chords and everything….from the DREAM!

Here’s how it came out in real life…

Something UPBEAT, finally! …sorry for the dreary streak…

OK, another simple one that I just can’t seem to shake… I’ve had this around for several years. I just wrote the second verse while I was recording the demo, right on the spot, and I’m pretty stoked about it! Here ya go: