For King and Country

For the past six years I have ended every worship service with the same benediction.  It varies a bit each week, but the essences is always the same:

As you go, remember this:

God loves you, Jesus died for you, and how you live your faith matters ... now and forever.

For me those words are the gospel in a nutshell.  In some form, I preach that message each week.  I am amazed by the power the words carry.  No one may ever remember a word I preach, but they know the foundational truths of my messages through this simple benediction.  It also serves as a reminder that church is only a beginning ...After the benediction, we sing a song and people depart. 

Last Sunday after church, we went to the Indiana State Fair with other people from our church to enjoy the day and the music - it was Christian Music Day at the Fair.  As usual the words from the service were swirling in my head.  So when I heard these words coming from the stage, I was immediately drawn in: 

So let my life be the proof of Your love
So let my love look like You and what Your made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
     -For King and Country



My benediction, it seems, now has a theme song (and a music video - see below). 




BTW, gotta love the video - reminds me of Doctor Who and the Cybermen!

Allow me to take a moment and wholeheartedly recommend this rising group - For King and County.  I have now heard them twice in concert - both times they stole the show with their music, their stage presence, and their message.  Rarely does a group come along that has it all - a great sound (drums, xylophone, and a cello!) - great show - great message.  These guys have it all.  Take the time to explore their music and then the opportunity comes - GO and be blessed by their music and ministry!

A Carpenter's Tools

If Jesus was a carpenter, what kind of tools would he have used?

The Roman Era, during which Jesus practiced his craft, was a golden ago of woodworking. Thanks to technological advances and innovations during the relatively peaceful reign of Rome, most of the tools available to nineteenth century carpenters would have been familiar to Jesus.  Why does it matter?

I find it interesting that we so often wonder about the tools used by others to create. We see something beautiful and want to know how it was made?  What tools were used?  Often we respond unimpressed - "I could do that" - why else the popularity of Pinterest?

And yet in our Christian lives we have been given so many tools - worship, study, service, giving - and we debate whether they are important in our lives.  We are given additional tools - love, grace, mercy, compassion, kindness - and we tuck them away.

Jesus provided the perfect life to be used as the measuring tool.  If we are so willing to copy fools and clowns, why wouldn't we seek to copy perfection.

Perhaps in this world gone astray, we need to dig deeper in the tool box.  Perhaps we need to dust off some of the tools.  Perhaps we need to use ALL that we have been given. Instead of worrying about the tools others are using, maybe we should spend more time using the tools we have given.


The LORD said to me, "What do you see, Amos?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, "Behold I am about to put a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel. I will spare them no longer.    Amos 7:8 NAS 

May God find you faithful in using all the gifts and tools He has given you.