Summer came quickly and we still had no serious inquiries for our house. At the end of 1997, Christy and I, accompanied by our daughters Kaylin, and Tessa went to the Christian Artist Seminar in the Rockies. The event was held in Estes Park, Colorado. It seemed as if all the Christian Music Industry was represented. All the big record labels and artists were there. I had entered four different songwriting categories as well as vocal competition.

The first night there I had found out that three to four of the songs that I had entered had made it to the top twenty of their categories. This was a huge step and the object of being there! (So I Thought.) I didn't know at the time, but this would prove to be a great dismantiling of soulish delusions that were blinding me from my purpose. As I went to the critique sessions, one by one I realized there was no real interest in my music. I went to the vocal competition and performed what I thought was my best...only to be shot down after the first round. Outwardly, I was trying to maintain a pleasant composure, but inside I was shaken by my failures. I wandered around the complex wondering why I was there. I wanted to blame the entire Christian Music Industry for my lack of success! Reluctantly, I decided to go to a workshop called, "How to get started in Christian Music", taught by Babbie Mason. Shortly after I was seated, Babbie Mason began to teach a sermon based upon Samuel anoiting
David to be king. The message was almost verbatim to the word I had heard while watching T.D. Jake's. She went on to blast some of the practices in the Christian Music Industry and called us to build our ministry through our obedience to God. I knew that I had heard from the Lord. I was still disappointed, but I was able to walk it out.