Trust can be a very scary word.  It’s one of the few words in the English language that can fully define a relationship.

In my walk, I’ve had a pretty tough time deciding who to trust.  I used to quickly trust (or what I thought was trust) without really believing it in my heart.  Older and wiser now.

I’m blessed with a circle of family and friends who I trust.  The bottom line is that all of the trust I have for others can be directly linked back to Jesus because He is the only real, perfect trust that has ever existed.  He teaches me about trust by being everything to me.  How can I repay this?  I can’t.  There’s nothing I can do, no human deed that could possibly match up to the “thank you” that He deserves.

I can, however, believe and trust Him completely… and I do.

Blessings,

JF

Talking to Ally this evening about something I heard from a radio conference that was hosted by four highly respected Christian scholars / ministers.  The discussion surrounded how today’s media empire tries with all its might to keep God out of the mainstream.  This is echoed by left-wing empty souls who are more concerned about political correctness than moral and spiritual wholesomeness.   In most cases to further their own agenda.

These four men discussed how a couple of years back, there was a massive left-wing push around Christmas to keep God out of the equation.  They wanted to remove God from anything that has to do with Christmas because it wold insult non-believers.  It would make others feel uncomfortable.  The enemy was working VERY hard through these empty souls.

You might then make the link to what happened across 1/2 of the globe one day after Christ’s birthday.  A tsunami obliterated 300,000 people.

I believe God has feelings.  He created US in His likeness.  It’s all over the Bible.  So, why wouldn’t He feel hurt.  So many of those He created and yes, loved, turned against Him on the birthday of His son.

Looks like He gave these people what they wanted.  He removed Himself from Christmas that year.

He’s REAL.  He’s THERE always.  He’s READY and waiting for you whenever you are.

“In your walk, you’re claiming victory… but behind closed doors, tragedy.
There’s a peace you’ll never know, if you deny His grace.  And all it takes, is time and place.”

JF

Pretty simple.

Define work, not how the world views it, but rather how God views it.

Try to surround your work with questions like “how does my work please God; does my work serve God and His message?”

Remember, provision ultimately comes from Him… Your employment can be a channel for this but if it becomes your main focus, then you can rest assure that this is not what He intends for you.

Do His work.

JF

If every Sunday is going to be like this, we’re gonna need a bigger church.

Sean, Earl and I played with ICCC Worship Team this weekend under the leadership of Lester Estelle, Sr., who has just been announced as the ICCC Worship Director. When a congregation can be visibly moved and praise overflows like it did on Sunday, you know the Lord is at work through the hands and voices of His people.

Sean was completely in the pocket and made things real interesting with a lot of well-placed accents that fit perfectly into the styles we were playing (which included stuff from driving rock, to reggae.

Earl broke out his 150lb Les Paul and basically sent some screaming solos across the place. It was a sound and a sight that got everyone pumped up.

The tunes were much fun for me as well, playing bass. Lots of room to throw down a bunch of 1/4 measure runs (and a couple of 1/2 measure runs that had Tim Richards (acoustic guitar) shooting me looks!

Doug and Shawn in the horn section made things fit just right with a bunch of very cool hits while Mike Hudson went nuts on the keys. (footnote, we gave thanks that Mike and Dave did NOT, in fact, get abducted by aliens at the end of the second service. It was simply a case of too much of Terry Robins’ coffee.)

Needless to say, Lester brought his unique style on the guitar that in many cases is indescribable. You basically have to hear it to understand it. It’s that good.

In all, His praises rang out and I speak for all of us when I state it was, and is, a privilege to be able to contribute to this ministry.

JF

Warren Jurgens, a good friend and fantastic musician / engineer asked me to put down a bass track for an acoustic song by Jeremy Davis called, “Tonight.”

 We soent about three hours, first walking through some of the stuff that TripleShift is doing, then working out the right feel for this song.  We’re confident we hit the right feel and are looking forward to this release.

TripleShift will be recording their first CD in Warren’s studio shortly.

Joe

Well, Sunday was pretty much as hot as a church service (albeit a progressive Christian church) could get.  Like I said, Lester Estelle, Jr. and Joey Avalos were there at Indian Creek playing drums and guitar and I was on bass.  Man, Joey was just keeping it real simple, real laid back but his vibe was making the tunes a whole next level.  Tuga was, as usual, playing drums as he always does… perfect time, fantastic accents and this thing that he does with the sticks.. kind of lets go mid way through a roll and it sort of floats there, waiting to be grabbed again, only to join the other one in time.

Tuga’s dad, Lester Sr. was leading the worship and was visibly moved by the Holy Spirit.   First service,he kept things close to the vest and second service, he let it all out.  Calling out to his son for a drum solo, (and visibly proud), then calling me out for a bass solo, then down the line to Daniel Gray on his trublu strat (Daniel, I never thought you had those licks in ya!), over to Cinco, etc.

Man, the congregation is diverse in ages.  Truth, we had the church elders on their feet!

For all my life, I have searched for a vibe in my music that was just never there… until I started playing for Jesus.  Great thing is, He’s just getting started with me and the boys.

So thankfully,

Joe

Hey y’all, just getting the site up and running.  Been a little crazy with a lot of things going on at home, at work, at rehearsal, etc.

We’ve been having a lot of fun putting the songs together and the greatest thing is that we really have a fantastic chemistry which allows us to work off of each others creativity to come up with a finished product that we’re sure you’ll like.  Our goal is “through the ears right to the heart” and I’m confident these first 5 or so tracks will not disappoint.

Awesome opportunity this weekend for me personally.  I’ll be playing bass with the Indian Creek Worship Team in Olathe this Sunday and will be joined by  Lester Estelle Jr. and Joey Avalos, both from the band Pillar.  Not a long set by any means but these guys know how to put it together and it’s gonna be great.  (I work regularly with Tuga’s (Lester Jr.’s) dad and have been hounding him to tell his son to get back in town.)   Tuga and Joey have been working on a satellite project at Culture House Studios so luckily they’re in town.

Peace.

Joe

Thanks for hanging with us.  This is the place to read what’s happening with the band members.. their lives, families and music.

Remember to bookmark tripleshift.com for the latest updates on what’s happening in the studio and at live shows.

God bless.