The Kings Men

Ever so slowly the throne is taking form. The desire for the prize shows as students either loose interest in the monotony of the work, or they rush and cut corners to finish. Every move they make reflected in the throne they are building in their hearts. It takes consistent encouragement and reminders that hard work well done is always better than giving up or rushing. They are turning into Knights in service of the King and I am impressed with their response to the call. Tonight they will choose the first of three character qualities that they want to define their service of the King, and together they will fight to make them part of who they are!

The Kings Character

Tonight a few new guys tried their hand at wood burning while a couple got a lesson on the table saw. They are learning to learn! It's seems one of the first character qualities instilled in us is pride, and from then on it makes humbling ourselves to learn difficult. Even when we don't know how to do something we often don't like other to know we don't know how to do something. But I am starting to see humility! A desire to actually "know" rather then just "seem to know". The physical project is merging in unique ways with the spiritual project. What we do with our hands requires the same kinds of commitment as what we do with our hearts. Effort, intentionality, persistence, growth, wisdom! They are necessary. It is as beautiful as the birth of a baby, these young men are being reborn!!! God is equipping His knights for battle!

The Kings Covenant

Progress is being made on the physical throne and it seems that as the project takes shape the guys are becoming more and more connected to it. I am seeking the same results for the throne each guys is constructing in their own heart, but it's tough to say at this point what is going on in there.
Tonight we talked about The Kings Covenant. Each guy wrote out a covenant, but not one they would attempt to keep but the promises an covenants that the King has made with them. Like the covenant of salvation, or the covenant of joy and peace, or the covenant of grace. I asked them to post them on the wall so that we could see how each of us understands Gods role in our lives and then be able to encourage each other in digging deeper or in living according to the kings promises to us.
There was some decorative wood burning, turning, framing, and teamwork. It's an awesome time of fellowship that I hope they won't soon forget!
The throne is a symbol of the effort it takes to build a worthy place for the King in our hearts. It's wood, glue and screws, but it is also a gift to our King and each guy has commited that just as in our hearts the only one who sits on the throne is the King so no one shall sit on this throne but the King!

The Project!

It's a project of the heart and hands! The guys are doing well, experiencing new skills in craftsmanship and new skills in christlikeness! Each guy keeps a journal and has participated in the project heavily. Lots of great things to come!