Michael W. Smith Pens ‘Simple Blessing’ Book
He can sing—but did you know he could also write? Indeed, multiplatinum recording artist Michael W. Smith is readying to release his 12th book in March 2011.
Dubbed A Simple Blessing; The Extraordinary Power of an Ordinary Prayer, the Grammy- and GMA Dove Award-winning recording artist is working to communicate a key message: God’s blessings are measured more by flourishing character in adversity than the flourishing of possessions.
“The story God wrote has a happy-ever-after ending that promises eternal joy to those who focus on the pure and lovely and adopt true character into their lives,” Smith says. “If we focus our eyes and ears on things that give us glimpses of that happy reality, it will go a long way toward enabling us to receive the blessings God wants to pour into us.”
Smith collaborated with writer Thomas Williams to produce the manuscript. The idea for the book was birthed through stories Smith has heard about those hardest-hit by life-changing devastation, from the impact of the recession to families losing loved ones in natural disasters.
Smith’s stated goal with A Simple Blessing is to encourage and inspire readers to examine their hearts and learn to experience God’s blessing as well as to speak words of blessing to others to draw them nearer to the heart of God.
Smith demonstrates this concept at the end of his concerts, where he prays a blessing over the audience. The book is organized into six chapters, each of which explains the value of the blessings he prays over his audience and offers practical advice on how to receive the blessing.
