← The Bobby Bones Show
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- [00:00]
A
This is an I Heart podcast. Hey, I'm Brooke Taylor. I'm a radio host and a mom and just someone who's trying to live out her faith every single day.
- [00:11]
B
And I'm Marc Evans. I'm a pastor, I'm a dad. And Brooke and I, we have conversations with people who live their life in the spotlight. How do you steward your faith when you're on a pedestal? What does it look like to stay grounded?
- [00:22]
A
Faith fueled conversations for life. This is the upload.
- [00:25]
C
What's up, y'?
- [00:26]
A
All?
- [00:26]
C
I'm Tyler Hubbard. Everybody raise your cold beers and let's sing a worship song. You know, I was just like, whoa, like this Jesus. What would he do today if he were me? Country music artist and a songwriter dad and a husband living in this culture. It felt like the world kind of fell apart overnight. It happened in my backyard. It was a helicopter crash and it was super graphic and I was just shook. And this is the upload.
- [00:50]
A
Tyler Hubbard is on the upload. Welcome.
- [00:53]
C
Hey, thanks for having me. Excited to be here.
- [00:55]
A
I'm excited to chat with you. We on this podcast really just like to have like, faith fueled conversations and not necessarily talk about the accolades and things that are in our lives, but just talk about our faith. And I just want to start with knowing what if a fan came up to you in a meet and greet and they're like, you know, what is. What does faith mean to you? What would you tell them?
- [01:15]
C
Well, I would say that's a fairly loaded question. But ultimately, to simplify it, I mean, I think it's just believing in something that you don't always see, you know what I mean? Or maybe can't always touch. But ultimately for me, it's more relational based. You know, it's more. It's. It's just about relationship, you know what I mean? And relationship with Jesus. And for me, that's what's grown my faith. You do see him, you do hear him. You know, at times you can almost touch him where it feels like, you know, through. Through life experiences and through, you know, different scenarios and prayer and all the things. There's just. He's everywhere. So it's, It's. I've grown a lot in my faith over the last. Definitely the last five years or so. But yeah, faith has always been a part of my life. Growing up, I was really fortunate to have parents that pursued Jesus and, and taught me his ways and, and, you know, showed me, you know, grew up kind of reading the Bible with my parents and going to church and doing those things. So I had a really strong foundation that kind of a faith, you know, that really kind of set the, the stage for the rest of my life. Ultimately.
- [02:19]
A
When you say that within the last five years your faith has grown so much, what was that turning point for you where you're like, this is just different now?
- [02:26]
C
Multiple things, I would say. Having children and getting to experience that kind of love, when you understand that that's how God loves us, I mean, it's just, you know, it really gives you a new perspective. My wife and I have been on a journey lately, I would say, where she's just passionately pursuing her faith and, and pursuing Jesus. And it's been really cool to sort of watch her journey, but along alongside her, just be there with her and, and support her, which has helped me grow in my faith, even down to the practical things. Like, I made a goal this year. I wanted to read the whole Bible, and I've never read the whole Bible. And like I said, I grew up in church and I'm not much of a reader at all, to be honest, so it's always intimidated me a lot.
- [03:04]
A
Oh, yeah.
- [03:05]
C
But at the end of the year last year, it showed up in my closet, the One year Bible. And I said, I'm going to try this for a couple days even before the year starts, just to see. I'm going to test the waters and see how much of a bit this would be. But I did it and I really liked it. And so, yeah, January 1st, I just decided, all right, this year I'm going to read through the whole Bible.
- [03:22]
B
And so.
- [03:23]
C
So ultimately, like, even just sitting down 20 minutes in the morning with my coffee and just reading through the, you know, the way it's divided up day to day, it just gives you probably 20 minutes of being in the Word. And some of it's really just off the wal stuff that you're like, this is, you know, I'm just reading words. I don't even know what this is talking about. Some of it's really, really good fuel, you know, and. But through the process, I've just really, like, got to know Jesus more, you know what I mean? And got to know his ways and ultimately kind of been able to carry those, those readings throughout my day. And it's been, it's been pretty cool.
- [03:56]
A
Yeah. I feel like reading the Bible, you're like going through genealogy and you're reading like 600 names and you're like, all right, who's this person?
- [04:02]
C
Genealogy part. I'm like, okay, I need Another cup of coffee.
- [04:06]
A
It's tough, but when you're reading through the Bible, have there been any moments that have like step like stood out to you? Because I feel like you memorize scripture or like, you know, certain verses or stories, but then when you actually read and like all of the context, I feel like sometimes those stories just change a little bit for everyone.
- [04:21]
C
Yeah, totally. There's a lot of, there's a lot of common, like, I feel like throughout the Bible there's a common theme and, and you know, it depends on what. There's several things for sure, but the one that really been sticking out to me lately especially is how serious God was about having no idols, you know, having no and you know, worshiping him alone. And you know, in our world I'm like, well I'm reading this from 2000 years ago where they built, you know, statues and worshiped, you know, and prayed to certain man made statues and those things. And I'm like, well what's, what's my idols today? You know, and I think for me it's, it's a lot of what we all face, you know, it's, it's, you know, even my material things, it's my comparison, it's the, you know, it's this and that. And I'm just, you know, it's just been a good reminder to. Not that any of those things are bad, I think, but I think just having the perspective of like, what am I worshiping, what am I devoting my time to, my energy? Is it YouTube or is it Jesus? You know what I mean? So sometimes it's really kind of like a wake up call to be like, all right, you know, as simple as it is, is my phone my idol or is, you know, am I, am I worshiping my phone or am I worshiping even my, my children more than Jesus, you know what I mean? And so yeah, it's been, it's been a learning process but ultimately it's, I just been praying for, just ultimately to even get through the Bible. I'm just going to be proud when I get finished with it. But ultimately that he would show me, you know, what he wants me to learn through it. And I think right now that's kind of where I'm at.
- [05:43]
B
Yeah, I love that man so much. The, the word of God, it says, is a double edged sword, sharper than that. It divides between soul and spirit, it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart and the whole idea of idols and anything that you place in importance above God, like in front of God. The application. When you're reading Idols, you're thinking, man, I don't have any stat right, dude, I'm not, I don't have.
- [06:08]
C
I don't walk up nice watches that I might consider Idols, but.
- [06:12]
B
Exactly. But the application of like shifting an asherah pole or an idol that's written as you're reading to like applying the word of God, I think is so, so important. And I think that is a lot of the disconnect when people read. They get stuck on the genealogies, they get stuck on the knowledge versus applying. Like, if it is a double edged sword, it divides it. It is useful to me. A lamp unto my feet, you know, so that I'm not just stumbling through life, you know, wandering, kind of tripping over everything and kind of like getting blindsided. But with the word of God as a lamp, like Idols is one thing that you really feel like, man, God's shone a light on. This applies to me today. What are the other things that you feel like, just specific, even to the music industry. You feel like some of the applications, as you've been reading, like, this has been a real, like, lamp moment that's helped me. Like, not just. Yeah, like, I think life beats you up totally.
- [07:06]
C
I'd say for me, it's been really interesting because I feel like there's been a lot of. I've been praying for direction and discernment a lot because there's just been a lot of. I don't want to say doors closed, but ultimately I've been praying for God to open the doors that he wants me to run through and close the ones he doesn't want me to, you know, and sometimes that's hard. I think the whole. Through the. Through the FGL breakup and through that whole 2020 saga of such a polarizing time and so divisive and confused, you know, and myself included and hurt and, you know, just kind of a time of unknown, I think really helped me lean into that a little bit more and just say, all right, yeah, like, what is going on here? Like, what do you want from me? What are you doing? Please hurry up and show me because where I'm at right now is not much fun, you know, and. But even the very practical stuff, like making sure my, you know, my team is the right team that God wants around me at the time to. To take my career and everything I'm doing to the next level and to glorify him at the same time, you know, and. And right now I'm doing. I'm doing some, some mixing up some mixing up some things in my business and in my career. And so yeah, there's a little bit of like, there's a lot of fear in that, of letting go of some things that you're comfortable with, you know, some people that you're comfortable with and say, man, this has been great, but I think God's calling me to really like explore who else is out there and who else can come alongside me and my journey, which is ultimately hopefully his journey for me, you know. And that's really been my prayer because I've walked, I've walked the path and I've taken an exit off a time or two to see, like, well, maybe this, this is where they tell me I need to go or this is where I'm feeling kind of pulled to. Maybe this is the Holy Spirit and then maybe it's not, you know. And so there has been times where I, where I've kind of took an exit off course a little bit. And I think for me, I just. Now I just really pray that I know the fulfillment and joy is being on course and doing what he's kind of set out for me. And so I just kind of pray that that can be clear, you know.
- [09:01]
B
It's good, man. Yeah.
- [09:01]
A
I think there's so much growth and uncomfortability and it's such a hard place to be in. Especially like you said, the FGL situation where you're like, this is all I've known my whole life. And then all of a sudden, bam, doors close and you're like, hello, right? Can you give me a little something?
- [09:17]
C
Right, yeah. No, I mean, we were all, we were all kind of faced with that, you know, I mean, my, my situation was within a band and, you know, going from playing four shows a week for 10 years to not playing any shows and, you know, not knowing what the future holds. But we all face that during that time and I think probably in life in general, we've all kind of hit that dead end road. We're like, well, what's next? What am I doing? What's, what's, what's God Kind of teeing up, you know, and when you don't see it right away, it can be, it can be a bit challenging for sure.
- [09:45]
A
And what a beautiful thing too, to be able to kind of navigate and answer questions that are just not for a, a group of people, but just for you and your family and what's the best for you. I think that's such a huge blessing in disguise at Least maybe that you don't feel at first, but I feel like being in such a big spotlight, it always kind of like your. Your vision's a little blinded sometimes where you're like, man, I feel like you just. You need to lean into something else. Like Jesus is. Is that lamp unto our feet, like you were just saying. And I feel like in, you know, mainstream country music or just. Just the music industry in general, I feel like living out your faith publicly is such a hard thing to do for some people. Do you feel like there's tension in the industry at all in that way where you feel like living out your faith on a public level is. Is harder to do than not?
- [10:34]
C
You know, I think there's probably aspects of it that are difficult, you know, and. And you might. You're going to face the backlash, or you might. You might become, you know, labeled as a certain thing or, you know, persecution in some capacity. If I think ultimately I've always felt really comfortable in my faith, you know, I think it's. It's a big piece of who I am, and if I want to be authentic and genuine, which I do, then I would be selling everyone short to dismiss that part of who I am, you know? And I think in our genre specifically, it's kind of embedded in our morals and values and country music, and I just feel like it kind of goes hand in hand. So there is that lane, you know what I mean, that you can feel comfortable in without feeling like you're really having to go against the grain. And obviously there, you know, there's a little bit of challenge there. But I think for me, I've always felt really just comfortable and able to be myself. But I will say, to your point, when you're in a band, it's not individualized as much. You know, you kind of become an image or a brand that you may have labeled yourself at one point, or the Internet may have labeled you as, or just the fan base may have labeled you as. And instead of saying, I want to get to know Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelly, they might just say, yeah, I know Florida Georgia line. I know those guys. This is what they are and who and what they do. And maybe it's right, maybe it's wrong, maybe it's false or true, but at the same time, you can pretty casually just throw off, yeah, I don't need to go super deep with my fan base, or I, you know, they know me and bk, and I don't want to overshadow bk or he doesn't want to you know, get super personal with the fans because we're a group, you know, we're. We're a pair, you know, we're together. And so. So, yeah, kind of stepping this solo thing has really not only allowed me to evaluate who I am, you know, and what I want to leave, what kind of legacy I want to leave as a person instead of a band. It's really allowed the audience to step in and get to know me, like on a deeper level and for me to be more genuine and be more authentic and really like showcase who I am and lean into who I am and hopefully connect in a vulnerable, in a cool way with the audience that they don't. They didn't get before.
- [12:41]
A
What do you think is that legacy that you want to leave behind?
- [12:44]
C
I mean, from a 30,000 foot view, I want to be a guy that. That was. That loved Jesus, you know, that loved music, that loved life, was passionate about my wife and my children. You know, I want to have the story that's a little bit untraditional for the guy that, you know, at one point was in the spotlight or, you know, playing stadiums. You know, I want to have something to come home to that's bigger and better than music and, you know, leave something that can really make an impact for the better for people individually and as a community.
- [13:13]
B
And forging a identity as Tyler as an individual, you know, touching on that. You talked about the band factor, but then really forging an identity as an individual. Like, in this, you seem really at peace. Like, just from a spirit perspective, you feel settled, you feel poise is the word. Like there's a. There's a really unique and special poise about your spirit in this journey 2020-2025. The whole, like, things you've walked through, wrestled with for that poise has always been like that. Have you always just been, you know, you said, man, I had a chill morning. I'm like in a good spot. Like I'm reading the Bible in a year. Like, I just feel there's a balance. What's been the process to just, even just find that poise in yourself? Has there been a wrestle with that? Has it been easy? What's.
- [14:04]
C
It depends on the day, you know what I mean? Some days I feel. I love that word. I'll take that any day of the week. Poised, I'll take it so good. But yeah, I would say, you know, from day to day. I mean, some days it's a real battle, you know, some days I want things to happen now and there's Just not. It's just God saying, be patient. Be patient. Be patient. And that's also been a word that's just like, you know, okay, I am, like, how long? You know? And, you know, whether it was the beginning, I mean, I've just. It's been nice to go through some. Some hard times. You know what I mean? Whether it was. I know it sounds silly, but I ruptured my Achilles and broke my ankle and was down and out at the end of September, which was basically the middle of the pandemic in 2020, September 2020. Just had our third baby, or when this happened, we were three weeks away from having our third baby, so we would have had. We had three kids under three years old. You know, BK kind of dropped the bomb on me that he wanted to be a solo artist in the midst of all the unknown already. So it was a. It was a super tough season for me. You know, it happened, like, it all. It felt like the world kind of fell apart overnight for me. And so I think being forced, if you will, to lean on Jesus more and just say, man, I don't. I am so lost right now. Like, I don't know up from down. I don't know what I thought you were. I thought I was in my calling. Am I in my calling? Like, what. What are you doing? You know, and what are you trying to teach me? And so. And honestly, it wasn't, like, a smooth path. Even after that got. You know, after the. I guess the fog kind of settled a little bit, but it was a constant, like, okay, he's got me. I can feel it. I can feel it. It was a little reminder here and there. Little reminder, all right. As I lean into him, he just really. I mean, I know it sounds a bit cliche, but, man, he gives you rest. He gives you peace. He gives you refuge. And sometimes when you have nowhere else to go, it's like, all right, I'm gonna lean in. And when you feel that and you know it's real, you're just like, all right, this is where I'm gonna. This is where I want to live. I want to live in this peace. And when I feel a little off kilter or off balance, I always know where to. Where to go. You know what I'm saying? I think that's, like, a key. Like, I don. Always go there for sure, and I definitely want to try out. You know, Let me. I think today would go better like this. And then it's like, let me, man. Let me go back to what's that.
- [16:10]
A
Lyric in that Thomas R. Song that's like, you make plans and you see God laughing just like, yeah, get ready for this.
- [16:15]
C
Yeah, I can relate, dude.
- [16:16]
B
I love that the Bible says, make every effort to enter my rest. And that's why I asked the question. It's like, it seems like contrary thoughts make every effort to enter my rest. And it's like there's an intentionality, but there's also a wrestle. Like, you know, I just think of as you were sharing that journey and the September Achilles ankle, the stuff going on. Personally, like, Jacob wrestles with God. There was a shift in him that happens in that moment all night. Like, in the midnight hour, it's dark. He's, like, fighting for his life. But what started out as, like, in my own strength, like, let me, like, kind of like, manhandle. I'm going to give this all my gut turns into, like, a limp, a clinging. Like, it's more of a. I'm gonna fight, like. And. And I just have been thinking through this process of, like, God picked a fight with Jacob in our lives. God, out of love and kindness, picks a fight where we've got an opportunity. You know, there's some of the tension things. And you said it's been a gift or what have you said? It's been a. It's been a good thing for me to go through this. And you can see that. You can feel that in you. You know, I've just met you today. But, like, there's. There's like a poise. There it is again. But there is. And I think that comes through a wrestle. And I'm hearing that in what you're saying. And so if anyone listening, it's like, if you're in the middle of a wrestle, if they're in your September 2020, what would you have wanted to hear in the midnight? You don't know. There's no light at the end of the tunnel. You're wrestling. You don't even know who you're wrestling. What am I fighting? Which way's up? Like you said, what would you say? Feeling like, what's the formula for poise?
- [17:51]
C
If there is one man, there's a lot of power and gratitude. You know what I mean? And I feel like I keep seeing that come up where it's like, it's easy for me to look at what's not working right or what I need to fix or what I need to do better or, you know, kind of talk to myself that way. But when there's always something to be grateful for. And I forget the exact quote or the exact thing, but essentially, there can't be a lot of things can't live within gratitude. Anger and certain emotions can't live within gratitude. So if you can just channel gratitude, look around and say, man, even if it's just to be alive today, like, man, I'm grateful, you know, and so there's a lot of power in that.
- [18:30]
A
And.
- [18:30]
C
And there's a lot of verses in the Bible that can back that up. But I've just lean. Tried to lean into that, you know, And God's been so good to me. And even on the worst days, like, I can look around and say, all right, I'm so grateful. So even for the hard days. And so that's gotten me a long ways. And, yeah, I definitely was kind of leaning into that during those seasons.
- [18:49]
A
Yeah, I was just thinking about, you know, as human beings, we all go through so many things, and I feel like being in the spotlight, a lot of people say, like, oh, he's this big country artist, or he's you, whoever. And he's just got it all together. Everything online looks amazing. His family's great. His marriage looks amazing. You know, all the things are happening. But you talking about, you know, like you said, September of 2020, and just, like, one thing after another, you're like, I'm getting hurt. Which, you know, that stinks because of what you do for a living. But also, just on a human level, you're about to be another dad. Like, you're welcoming new life in and then getting this news that you're no longer going to be a group. All these things come crashing down on you. What are some of those tangible ways that you did seek Jesus? Do you remember any of those moments and how they felt?
- [19:34]
C
Yeah, I mean, desperate, you know, I would say at times, you're just desperate. You're just like, all right, like, I want to feel the peace. I want to feel the joy, and I'm not feeling it. So just sort of desperation, you know, I think there's a time where God lets us get to that point. Maybe there's no other way that we'll lean on him, you know? And so I feel like, you know, that was a season. I don't know why I keep going back in my mind to. Even when I was 20 and lost my dad, I had a moment where it was. It was. Was. I was at home. It was very. It happened in my backyard. It was a helicopter crash, and it was super graphic, and I was just shook And I'm just like. I remember instantly, almost like, as I was walking away from that, like, just standing there and talking to God and being like, all right, like, I know how this story plays out. Like, I can get mad at you right now, and I can go down this road, or I can lean on you and trust you. And this is. I feel like that was the moment where I've been almost training for my whole childhood. You know what I mean? Was like, all right, how strong is your faith? Are you gonna. You know? Because this didn't seem fair. You know, dad was 43. I was 20. And it just felt like, man, we were just getting to, like, a cool spot in our relationship. And so to watch him pass away in front of me, you know, in an instant, like, very unexpected, I was just like, all right, I gotta make a choice. And sometimes you just gotta make a choice. And I think it's. For me, like, the second I made that choice, like, I felt the embrace and I felt the peace. And I was like, that makes no sense. I went back to school a few weeks later. Cause I was in college up here at Belm, and a lot of my friends, you know, it kind of shook my whole. My whole circle pretty good. But I had this unexplainable peace that the word talks about and I had prayed for, and I had it, and I was just like, whoa. Like, this is Jesus. This is all. I mean, this is incredible. And things, you know, a lot of times just made sense when it was pretty quick. I mean, it was pretty raw still. And really, you know, there could have been a lot of resentment and anger. And there was. There was definitely days where I was able to have that and let that out. But. But at the same time, like, I chose to trust God. You know what I mean? And chose in that moment, all right, I want to be. I don't want this to end badly.
- [21:39]
B
You know, so the paradox, hearing that, of watching my dad die in front of me and having joy and peace, I feel like that's something that even listening sounds not real. Like, you know, for people that don't know God personally, you know, you talk about a relationship, I. I think it just sounds crazy, bro. Like. But I. But the truth is, if you read. When you read the Bible and you experience these things personally, all the paradoxes of the Bible, the upside down kingdom of the first shall be last. You know, the. A crown of thorns, even like a king born in a manger. There's so many paradoxes. Beautiful. Like James says, consider it pure Joy, when you face trials of many kinds, because do you know what it's doing in you? And I'm hearing scripture, like, come out of your story and mouth so beautifully. And I, I just think, like, you can't underestimate the personal testimony of that piece. Like, people have a choice. Like, it's confronting honestly, it's like, man, is this guy making it up or is this real? And I think that's so cool to hear a testimony like that of like, yeah, it creates a confrontation in me of like, man, I want that experience. I'm going through hard stuff.
- [22:53]
C
Right.
- [22:53]
B
I want that peace, I want that joy. And I think, yeah, the paradox. Let me throw another one at you. Wholly ambitious. This idea of ambition, not being selfish, like, not just pushing things for myself, but like living to serve others. You know, what is that in. In a music industry, which is a lot about my name, my stage, my, you know, my gift, which you have a phenomenal gift. But like, how do you balance the holy ambition paradox?
- [23:24]
C
Yeah, no, that's great question. And I wrestle with that. I wrestled with it for quite a while within fgl. I'll go back to that. Let me just say this quote that keeps coming to mind that I think my friend Judah Smith says. He says, or somewhere I read this where. And I go to this a lot. I mean, we've all heard like, what would Jesus do? You know what I mean? And that's a great mindset to have. But we don't think about what Jesus would do as much. I like the phrase what would Jesus do if he were me living right now.
- [23:54]
A
Yeah.
- [23:55]
C
You know what I mean? Which. And if you study Jesus's life, there's examples where you can be like, okay, what would he do today if he were me? If he were a country music artist living in Nashville, Tennessee, and a songwriter and a dad and a husband and living in this culture. And that's an interesting thought. We could have a whole podcast on that. But I think that's kind of like, that's kind of part of it. You know what I mean for me is how would he approach his conversations? How would he approach his day to day walk? Would he hurry through his day or would he take his time? You know what I mean? What he. And I'm having like a wash of thoughts right now, but I feel like. But leaning into that and then I forget. I forget the second part.
- [24:34]
B
Holy ambition.
- [24:35]
C
But yeah, so also knowing, like, I don't know how this really answers the question, but I just remembered a season where I Felt like music was my calling. I felt like, all right, God, this is the gift that I've been given. He's going to use me in this way. And in my mind, I thought, well, this is going to be in church, because actually, that's where I started. Falling in love with Jesus. And falling in love with music was leading worship and singing worship songs. And that was kind of like what I. How I grew up learning to play guitar and, you know, write songs and obviously love country music as well. But for me personally, it was leading worship. And so I thought, well, this is what I'll do. And, you know, fast forward six years later, I'm, you know, booking myself at all these dirty clubs in the Southeast. And me and BK are going every weekend and playing, playing all the clubs and doing all the stuff and kind of in a dark space, like a dark world. And you're just like, man, I don't. I think I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, but this doesn't feel like I envisioned it, you know what I mean? But still kind of having that ambition to, like, use my gift to serve God and to point to him, but not seeing it at the moment. Right? And then it hit me. It was probably five years later where we're all of a sudden a big act and we're playing these big amphitheaters, and all of a sudden, it kind of hits me that God this whole time had been teeing me up to be in front of a different audience than First Baptist Church, Loganville, you know what I'm saying? And putting me in front of people that needed to hear His Word, but not through the lenses or perspective of a church, you know, and maybe it.
- [26:02]
B
Was like a parable, like Jesus did.
- [26:05]
C
Yeah, exactly. Just. Yeah, exactly. Everybody, everybody ragin cold beers and let's sing a worship song. You know, I mean, it was some of those moments, and I think now it's been fun to see a lot of guys, especially in our genre, and leaning into that and using their, you know, using their gift to glorify God outside of the space, that maybe the traditional mindset would think that you're going to be used.
- [26:25]
B
You know, that's the lampstand, bro. Like, that is literally the destination for the calling. And I love to hear that. Like, God has put you and called all of us to be a light on a lampstand, to give light to the whole room. And often we think the room is the four walls.
- [26:39]
C
Right?
- [26:39]
B
But the church and the calling is to go into the world. And so, you know, I think there's a lot of like, the church wants to make people feel like, oh, like, you know, the feeling of like, oh, that this space and am I supposed to be here? And I thought it was going to be. And I just want to like, I love that it's not so much like that anymore. And I think it. We just need to keep pushing into that because really, God has called us to not. Yeah, like, let's have our Kumbaya moments. Let's get filled up. But then we're called to the lampstand, bro. Like, that's. That is well done, good and faithful servant.
- [27:12]
C
Totally.
- [27:12]
B
That is how we render those words. And it's. It's a beautiful.
- [27:15]
C
I had to get over the fact that I had to get over the shame because I grew up in a church culture that was all based on fear and shame. And so I couldn't walk around with my shirt untucked without somebody saying, ah, you need to tuck your shirt in. And you're just like, for who? For Jesus or for you? You know what I mean? And like a lot of these things, even just like the, the image of being in bars would be like, oh, you know, that's where, you know. And so I had to get over that. It took a while, but I think a lot of that came from my upbringing and, and super, you know, super conservative and super rule based and super. I mean, it was less about relationship and more about dos and don'ts, you know. And so I got to learn that for myself as I. I mean, I moved to Nashville when I was 18, so I'm still figuring out who I am, you know, at that age and figuring out what my relationship really does look like. Where's my convictions instead of my church's convictions, you know, and so that was also an important part of my, my process and, and finding that like, like, okay, like God actually works outside of the Baptist box that I grew up in. And this is pretty awesome.
- [28:17]
A
Well, and I think so many people listening or watching this can relate to the, you know, the, the to do list or the ch. The boxes to check or like, you said that shame and that guilt that you feel sometimes. And like you said, developing your own relationship and how that kind of changes your relationship with God and your relationship with church and literally everything take us through. So if somebody's listening to this and they're like, okay, me too. That's how I felt. What are some of those ways where you kind of steered your own journey or where you, your Faith shifted a little bit, or your relationship with God shifted a little bit and you found that yourself?
- [28:51]
C
Yeah, I mean, I think it's different for everyone. And I think that's the key. You know, I had to fill my personal convictions, you know, I had to understand what's right and what's wrong for me instead of what's right and wrong for my parents or for my church, you know, and what's right? What does Jesus say about this? You know, how would Jesus approach this? You know, And I think that took. Took a little maturity and little growth. And there were times where I was certainly exploring things where I knew, like, this isn't exactly what Jesus has for me, for sure. Like, you know, we partied. We. You know, at one point, I was way off track, probably. But at the same time, like I said before, like, I always knew he was there and I always knew where to come back to, you know, ultimately. And I always felt protected. And looking back, in hindsight, he really had. He really had his protection around me, even in those times. And he was there. There I was learning and growing, even in times that didn't look like, you know, your typical church visual would look. And so I feel like it's about the personal conviction. And for me, like, those convictions got pretty, pretty loose for a while, for sure. I'm just like, figuring out, figuring things out. But the closer that I got to, to God and even through my journey, you know, it is a journey. Some day, it's like any relationship. Some weeks, you're like, man, me and my wife, we're locked in. Like, we're feeling good. I can almost read or mind. And then some months or weeks, you're just like, wow, we need, like, we need a date night bad. You know what I mean?
- [30:11]
A
Like, where are you?
- [30:12]
C
So I feel like it's like that with Jesus, too. Some days and weeks, you're just locked in, maybe months or years. And then some months or years, you might really feel like, we need a date night. You know, we need to get. I need to make some time to hang out with you. And so the closer that I get to him and the more I lean in, the more I study Jesus as a person and how he handled life, the more my convictions also evolve and change and shift, you know, and something that maybe, maybe didn't even speak to me at all two years ago, I'm like, man, this is actually really kind of bothering me. Like, I should address this and figure out where my morals and values stand. Like this year, you know what I Mean with this topic. And so right or wrong, I feel like this kind of been a journey for me.
- [30:53]
B
It's good. The stumbles, like, we talked about the trials, you know, and everything they produce and like having joy through. But there's another verse that says God will permit the righteous to stumble, but he won't let them fall. You talked about always feeling protected. You talked about, man, I had some moments, you know, where I felt like I'm not in the. I'm stumbling, right? But I think the enemy's plan is to make you feel shame, you know, to says he's the accuser. You know, that's one of his name is. He wants to make you feel disconnected, not good enough. But God says he'll permit the righteous to stumble, but he won't let them fall. And I think that's beautiful. Shame, chain, break breaker kind of language. And just seeing that in your. In your journey, it's like, well, if the trials are producing a maturity, completion, lacking nothing, man, surely the stumbles. When I feel not good enough, when I feel. Paul says, I'll boast in my weakness because in that. When I am feeling. When the enemy's trying to say, man, you're this. You're. You're a bad dude, God's saying like, man, my power is made perfect in this moment. It's in. Under grace, in this. The closeness of grace and the relationship of the father's arms at the end of the road as the son comes home. And that was like the tightest hug. And that's like you just, you know, you wake up and the son who stayed home, you know, gets a hug every day. But, man, I tell you, there's something special about the hug at the end of a long road that God not only is like, oh, well, at least you came back. You know, it's like he permits. And I think about. As in. This is an interesting father question. When any of my kids mess up and learn a lesson, my father's heart is like, I'm so, like, more love. But like, I'm so grateful that that stumble happened because of what. I'm so proud of my son. You know, I'm so. I feel closer to him and I just embrace him and I'm like. And he's like, feels bad. I'm like, dude, I just. I love you. Like, this is how. This is par for the course. This is what it looks like to live under grace. So what is that? How's that been? Speak into that a little bit and maybe even just encourage people Like, I feel like you've got so much depth in you to just, like, encourage people in that space of, like, your experience with the living under grace you're experiencing, with the stumbles someone's feeling, like the guilt, the shame, the accusations. What's your encouragement?
- [33:14]
C
I mean. I mean, to put it simply, I would just say there's always a place to go, you know, I mean, I think when I feel. When I'm having my worst days or feeling super down or not myself, like, I'm so grateful that I have that reminder of, like, okay, I know where to go for this. You know, I know where to. I know who to talk to. And I got a lot of great friends, a lot of great therapists and all that. But ultimately, when I talk to Jesus and lean into him, it always helps, man. It really does. You can really genuinely feel. Feel what he talks about and the peace and the joy and. And it's not always easy, and it's not always immediate. And sometimes I fight my own, you know, my own thoughts and my own. Just the world that we live in, you know, it's not easy. So I don't want to take away from that. But I would say anytime I'm going through a hard time or for anyone who is, like, that's the. That's the truth, man. Like, there's a lot of freedom and knowing where to. Where to go home to, you know?
- [34:07]
A
Yeah. I feel like we always love to hear just tangibly, like, things that God's teaching people. Is there something happening in your life right, where God is just. He's showing up and he's teaching you something, that you're just, like, your mind's just blown a little bit.
- [34:21]
C
Well, this is so funny, and it sort of answers your question, but even going back to what you just said about stumbling and let. And God permitting us to stumble at times, like. And the. The connection between us as parents and then Jesus as. As a parent or father figure. And yesterday I just posted it on Instagram, just. I don't post that often, but I thought, this is pretty funny. So, like, I started doing this thing with my boys where they want to run through the house all the time. They just run in. Our house isn't that big, and. And it's. You can hear everything, and it just sounds like a hurricane half the time upstairs. So they want to just run. So yesterday. Or I started doing this a few days ago. I just told my wife. I'm like, all right, they want to run. I'd say, boys, come here. And they'd come down. What's up? I say, get your shoes on. We're going outside. And we'd go. And I'd just run them up and down the driveway, and I'd sit on the back of my truck and just watch them run, watch them run for, like, 20, 30 minutes until they were so tired. And literally yesterday, one of them falls down, and he could. You could tell. He, like, falls on the concrete. He, like, kind of scrapes his elbow up. And he's looking at me like, like, what are you going to. But I could tell he was okay. He wasn't super hurt. And so I just kind of sat there, let him stumble. And then he slow. He got up. And I'm like, you got this, buddy. And then he got up and came. And it was like that moment that you talk about where like, all right, I want to. I want to discipline you guys and make sure that you understand certain things and the importance of doing what I say. And I'm going to allow you to wear yourself out and do something that's not fun and even fall. But, like, you know, that embrace afterwards was that much sweeter. You know what I mean? And they had that much more respect. And, you know, just. There's so many, like, analogies between the way God loves us and even that little silly story from this weekend. But I don't know if that answers your question or not. That's good.
- [36:00]
A
I keep hearing, like, the word fruit, and I just love, like, tangibly the fruit of you teaching your children, you know, lessons and, you know, about Jesus and things like that. I think that's such kind of talking about what we talked about earlier, like a legacy that is so sweet and tangibly seeing that fruit and knowing that, you know, you're passing these things down. Have you had any other encounters where maybe a fan has said, hey, listen, I heard you talk about Jesus one time and I decided to go to church. Or those moments of, like, teaching your kids just, like, tangible fruit that you've seen.
- [36:34]
C
Yeah. I mean, speaking of fruit, you know, like, literally, we homeschool our kids, and they have this song. They sing this. I didn't teach it to them, to be honest. They learned it somewhere else. But it's the Fruits of the Spirit song, so they sing it all the time, and it's pretty. You know, at first I'm like, this is obnoxious. But then you're like, this is actually really great. Like, they know all the fruits of the spirit already. They're like. And we're Talking about them, like, what does that mean? What does that mean? All right. You know, and even, like, currently, like, one fruit of the spirit that doesn't get talked about a lot is self control, you know? And so with them, I can really say, like, hey, guys, I know your body and your mind wants to do this, but you have the spirit in you, which means you have self control, which means you can control yourself.
- [37:16]
B
You know what I mean?
- [37:17]
C
And I'm gonna need you to do that right now. But even for me, like, this week, I'm doing this cleanse with my wife. It's really. Quite honestly, it's fairly extreme, and it's just very limited on what I can eat and this and that. That. And I'm so used to a culture in a world that's, you want it, Here it is. You know you want to. You know you want it now. All right, here it is now. And sometimes, like, a little bit of practice in that self control. Like I told Haley, I'm like, this is so hard for me because I feel pretty good even before we did this cleanse, and I really don't want to do it, but I'm just doing it because I know I'm going to feel even better, and I want to just do it with you and this and that. But the main thing is, like, I'm like, It actually feels good to, like, really practice just, like, real self control, to be like. To really say no. And so I know that's the last of the fruits of the spirit, but to me, it's one of those things that in our world, especially as a parent, self control is. Is something that resonates with me all the time, even with how I'm parenting. I'm like, control yourself. I know you want to go crazy on these kids right now, but, man, my little.
- [38:20]
A
So anyways, that's tough. Self control is one of those. Those. I feel like, that we all. Like. You were talking earlier about, like, convictions and, like, idols, right? Like this right here. Talk about self control. It's the first thing you pick up in the morning, and I'm like, if I would just move it and put my bible next to my bed, would I pick up my bible first, or would I get up and go across the room and pick up my phone first? It's just, like, such a.
- [38:42]
C
It's true.
- [38:44]
A
Wow. Yeah.
- [38:45]
B
Dude, there's a really interesting new study. Huberman. Andrew Huberman, if you know him, he was talking about it, and I was like, dude, that's because I really believe, you know, we keep coming back to the Bible and so we should. But I really believe, like, there's so many things that we were just reading. We're like, yeah, yeah, cool. Like principle. But like the way that it's knit into science and it's tethered into truth, like ultimate truth is, you know, one of the verses it talks about like, you know, obeying my commands. You'll live a long life. Obeying his commands are hard. You know, you're talking about self control, doing things you don't want to do. Like, you know, and like, it feels good, like, because you can feel like what it's doing. But it's. The study basically talks about in, in people who live longer statistically, there's a part of their brain that's larger, you know, than normal people. Like, slightly larger on a consistent basis. So long life tied with this area of the brain which grows by doing things you don't want to do. So people who have a stronger part of their mind in this area physically have a bigger part of their brain, but also have a. Has. Has a longer life. So you take that scripture and you're like, that's not just an idea of like a good thought. That's a literal can prove it study. So, like, to hear you say that, like, that's exactly where I've been. It's like, man, I want to. What can I do that? I don't want to do that. I can practice self control. Practice like that, you know, even if.
- [40:14]
C
It'S a silly thing like the ice bath or whatever it is, like making.
- [40:18]
B
Something hard in your life.
- [40:19]
C
I know something that you don't want to do. All right, I can do it.
- [40:23]
A
That's me in the gym. I'm like, I have to do it three to four times a week. That's. That's something hard. And then it's like 9pm And I'm like, I said I would do it today. So that's where encouragement comes in.
- [40:33]
B
It's like, I'll do it with someone. I. It's harder for me to. Like, you're doing it with your wife. You know, it's like that.
- [40:38]
C
Oh, yeah.
- [40:39]
B
Like, togetherness of like, encouragement. And that's where, like, we need to encourage each other. Just like, yeah, come on, let's do it together. Like, let hard thing. Let's read the Bible together in a year.
- [40:48]
C
Like, I would have had a smash burger yesterday if my wife weren't sitting with me. For sure.
- [40:52]
B
I did have a smash burger. I'm sorry. Oh my goodness.
- [40:57]
C
But it's true. And I think in this community, too, like, as we. As we connect the dots with, like, you know, Nashville and country music and the music community in general, it's really nice when you have. Have a community around you that's working for the same goal, you know what I mean? And can somewhat be, without using a Sunday school like, term, but like an accountability partner, you know what I mean? In a sense, we're like, yo, my homies might not know everything about me, but they. But they know who I am and what I want to reflect, and I need to make sure that I'm, you know, staying on course.
- [41:31]
B
You know, it's the Jesus model. It's like he sent him out to the world like sheep among wolves, two by two for a reason.
- [41:39]
C
All right.
- [41:40]
B
It was like, why did you choose that model? It's like the disciples. He wasn't like, hey, everyone, off on your own. It's like you sent them out. So accountability partner, man, is like, so real and practical and part of the model, the blueprint God's given us. So I love it.
- [41:55]
C
It's having a partner to do life with.
- [41:57]
B
That's what Believers is about in the music industry. It's creating a space for people to not feel alone because you weren't meant to. You know, it was like, Jesus never sent out anyone out alone. Encourage, sharpen, equip, accountability, because it's really hard to do hard things which we know are good on our own.
- [42:15]
C
Yeah, that's right. Amen to that, man.
- [42:17]
A
That's so good. Well, as we wrap up, I. I always like to ask, just personally, in your life right now, how can we be praying for you and your family or your career or what. What are things that you're believing for?
- [42:27]
C
You know, I'm still praying for discernment. You know, I'm making a lot of decisions in the next two months, three months, all the way from creative, you know, my music to more business side of things and the team and infrastructure. So that's what I want more than anything right now on the business side. And then I'm always also praying, and I can always use more prayer for just balance, work, life, balance. Being a present dad, present home, husband. Yeah.
- [42:53]
A
All right, well, I'm going to pray us out, if that's all right.
- [42:55]
C
Love it. Thank you.
- [42:56]
A
Dear heavenly Father, Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for these microphones to allow us to use them to glorify you, God. And we just. We're praying over Tyler today and his family, Lord, as he continues this cleanse. That you would just continue to give him that self control. That you would just give him the discernment that he is yearning towards, Lord, and that you would just speak clearly to him. That the. The noise of the outside world would just continue to be a lift, little bit quieter, Lord, and that your voice would be louder. That you would give him that discernment that he's asking for and that you would help him to continue to find balance in his. His workspace and his personal life, Lord. That you would just bless his family. That you would watch over Haley and his three children, God, that you would just continue to give them, just keep giving them fruit. That you would just give him the discernment he needs not only in his career, but as a father and a husband too, like Lord. And we just. We thank you for this, this podcast and we just thank you for all the people that are behind the scenes and just. We're just coming to you with a grateful spirit today, Lord. In your heavenly name we pray. Amen.
- [44:04]
B
Amen.
- [44:05]
C
Thank you. Yeah.
- [44:06]
A
Of course. This is an I Heart podcast.