Its early Friday morning, and we're flying up to New Hampshire to play Inside Out Soul Fest. A ton has been on my mind for quite a while now and I have a really hard time organizing my thoughts into the proper piles that they belong in. One absolute I know about the organization of thoughts is when you travel a lot, especially jumping around time zones, its hard to even organize what day you are on. Thats why I started this note with the fact that I know which day it is. Kudos for me! One thing that I have been pondering a ton lately is forgiveness. With the situation that we as humans are in, being born into this world as sinners, there isn't a whole lot of hope. BUT with God's gift, His love offering of Jesus, hope is at our finger tips. It's amazing the true "bail out" we've been given! No government big or small, voted or vetoed can give us Salvation and certainly can't take it away!
We played a festival called Heaven Fest in the Denver area last week and I became friends with an amazing drummer named Devon Webster. He plays drums for Mary Mary and Eminem. This guy is surrendered and head over heals for Jesus and we were talking about sin and grace and where we lay in the middle. Dev had an amazing point that is still resonating. He said "If we were all born into this world as sinners, covered in sin, then that makes us all equal in our wretchedness. It means that we are all Pornographers, liars, cheaters, all envious, all dead. But being washed by the blood, we are all equally redeemed by our savior, by our only hope." By that, that means your pastor isn't more Godly than you or that the guy walking into the strip club is worse than you, it means that that pastor has a much better understanding of forgiveness and grace and the guy giving into temptation has forgotten what it is to be redeemed by the blood. I don't ever justify my sin and my rebellion against the Lord, but I do draw closer to Him the more I recognize my salvation that He gave me and the grace that covers me daily!
As Kutless is concerned as a Family, we are always pushing each other to make wise decisions that benefit our lives which then in turn benefits the band and it's ministry. We've prayed about it for a while so Im excited to say that we have 2 new songs going out to radio simultaneously, one to CHR format (Like Air1) and one to AC (Like KLove). Our hope is that these songs bring people to worship in there cars or at home just as they would be in church. What Faith Can Do was such an eye opener for us as to how we can help the church and our hope is that these new singles can do the same thing.
We're also putting the finishing touches on our Fall leg of the "It Is Well Tour"! We're really excited to share the stage with Sidewalk Prophets and Above the Golden State. If you haven't heard these artists, I encourage you to check them out on youtube or iTunes and hear what they have to offer, you will love it! If you want to see if we are going to be near you, click the Tour Link on the home page. It's going to be updating constantly so come back often as we finalize shows and routing.
Lastly, I have prayer requests from us if you would be diligent in keeping us in prayer. We get so many amazing people that ask us how they can be praying so we're taking you up on it!!
Please Pray Hard for:
Our Health. Jon Micah just recently found out that he has some food allergies that has drastically changed his diet. Pray for him that he would find healing and patients in his limited diet. It's pretty tough to eat healthy and maintain a personal diet on the road with the amount of people that need to be fed, so quality in food typically goes out the window. For the rest of us, we need our fingers and limbs and voices. Its always tough when you have to have a barf bucket on the side of the stage. :)
Safe Travels. With the amount of time we are in vans, busses, planes, rentals etc, we realize that there are lots of people praying for safe travels. Please don't stop! :)
Our Families. Our wives and kids are our support and they need strength to watch us pull out of the driveway week after week. Pray that the Lord would constantly provide a way for our families to be together on a regular basis even though our schedules are so chaotic. On a personal note, my wife is due with our first baby in November! Pray for my child that He would seek God with all his heart and that his joy would be contagious. Pray for my wife in her pregnancy that she would be secure in the Lord, that she would be confident in labor and that the Lord would cover both her and the baby's health.
Our Ministry. We're constantly humbled at what the Lord has done through this band. Pray that the Lord would make Himself evident in all that goes on in this band, and that we would always be on our faces seeking Him. Pray that the Lord would be glorified in all that we do.
James 1:12-16 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
God Bless you guys,
Jeff