This week, we welcome Nashville singer/songwriter Dave Barnes. Growing up in a small Mississippi town before moving to Music City, Dave discovered his love for music through a series of seemingly small but pivotal moments. His breakout hit, “God Gave Me You,” became a life-changing milestone, coming to life after Dave had prayed a simple prayer for encouragement, and ultimately catching the attention of country superstar Blake Shelton, who went on to record it as well.

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Justin Gambino, a singer/songwriter from Houston, Texas. Justin’s story takes him from a troubled youth where he had a brush with the law to finding his place in this world through music and serving his country.

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Matt Forté

Upcoming interview: Kurt Avery

Jesus Listens for Lent & Easter

Dave Barnes

“God Gave Me You”

Blake Shelton

Middle Tennessee State University

Sermon on the Mount

We The Kingdom

Miranda Lambert

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

www.davebarnes.com

Featherbrained Wealth Motel

Justin Gambino

www.justingambino.com

Made New

Interview Quotes:

“A lot of my faith has come from these moments in my life of just seeing God accomplish these crazy things sort of in spite of me.” - Dave Barnes

“God loves honesty, I think because it does away with formalities. It shows intimacy.” - Dave Barnes

“I felt so clearly that God was like, ‘Dave, when you pray for answers, you don't get to qualify the answers I give you. That's not how this works.’ And I was like, ‘Touché Lord. Well played.’” - Dave Barnes

“God has really impressed on me this idea that His intention for me and for His children is to not be alone.” - Dave Barnes

“I think ninety-nine percent of the time when I have a problem with someone, the more I go toward them, the better and easier that problem gets. The further I get from them, almost 100 percent of the time, it gets worse.” - Dave Barnes

“I was completely hopeless, but God stepped in and opened up a door for a different path.” - Justin Gambino

“I get choked up every time I share this part of the story because I look back now and wonder about the feelings and the emotions of my earthly father—what he was feeling when he heard the voice of his prodigal son call home.” - Justin Gambino

“I just remember falling on my knees. I said, ‘Lord, I can't quit this on my own, but I also know that I've never asked You to take it from me. So I'm asking You to take it from me. Take this hurt, this pain, this guilt.’” - Justin Gambino

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