Dear Friends of Three Cord Wonder:

The same book of the Bible where we derived our name has this verse:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CEV)
"Everything on earth has its own time and its own season."

The rest of the chapter goes on to talk about how there are different times for opposite things... time for war, time for peace, time for birth, time for death.  Verse six of the same chapter has a line along the words of "a time to keep, and a time throw away."  The Word of God is very comforting.  One of the central themes of that passage is that there is a time to start and a time to end.

It's time for Three Cord Wonder to end. 

And so with a bittersweet sentiment, we publicly announce that Three Cord Wonder is done.  Bitter because we had a great time as Three Cord Wonder and we'll miss the ministry and our time with you.  Sweet because of the peace of God we feel over this decision.

Why peace?  We really believe it is confirmed over and over again that we are obeying God by putting this down.  Jesus said in John 14:15 (NLT) "If you love me, you will obey what I command."  God says in 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT) "Listen!  Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams."

From the beginning of time, God has always had some kind of system in place to forgive us when we disobey him.  In the old days, it was animal sacrifice.  Since Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, forgiveness has become as simple as asking for it.  But even though God has provided a way for us to be forgiven no matter how many times we sin against Him, His preference will always be that we learn to obey Him completely and totally.  In letting go of the band, we are obeying Him - evidence that we love Him.  And since the greatest command (Matthew 22:37) is to "Love God," we can know we're doing the right thing.

And that's the most important lesson we could ever share, on the stage or off the stage, in a song or in a testimony.  Love God always.  Obey God in everything.

In closing, I will try to anticipate some questions you might have and offer some immediate answers:

"Wait a minute... why are you (Joe) answering all the questions?  What about the other guys?"

Well, uh... I was always the guy that did most of the talking anyway.  So, it's pretty natural that I answer.  The other guys have had a chance to read, comment, and request changes to this text.  I've been honored with the level of trust they've given me and have done my best never to abuse that trust.  So, I should be the one answering.

"I heard a rumor that Joe developed something called "vocal nodules."  Is that a factor in this decision?"

Yes it's true and it's probably the biggest factor.  I developed vocal nodules (which are, for lack of a better comparison, like calluses on my vocal chords, but not fatal or anything like that) over the course of our performances this fall.  The problem with nodules is that some can be healed and some cannot.  It can also take a very long time and lots of therapy to heal.  Another big problem is that in order to keep performing, I have to either heavily reduce or completely stop interacting with people before and after shows.  In other words, I have to play "rockstar" and sit in the private room and not talk to anybody.  That's totally lame!  And not what I am about.  I will be about ministry and I contend that the most important ministry happens off the stage, never on the stage!  Taking other factors into account and the needs of our families, it seems very clear that God has told us to stop.  The peace we feel over the decision is confirmation we're doing the right thing.

"I heard another rumor that Joe's wife is pregnant with their second child.  Is that a factor in this decision?"

Yes she is pregnant but it's not as big of a factor as you might think.  It does make it easier for me to let go, because for as much as I like all of you, I like my family even more and now I have one more reason to stay home!  Please pray for a safe and healthy delivery for both mom and baby.

 "So, what are you all going to be doing instead?"

Probably a combination of getting jobs that pay money (the band never really did that) and going back to school to finish degrees.  It depends on who you talk to.  But as far as pursuing music careers, Iain is the only one considering it.  So if you're looking for a sound guy, look him up!  The rest of us are too old to be trying something like this again.  Especially me!

"Are you all still friends?"

Yes, of course!  Obviously we won't be seeing each other as often (we all live in different areas, go to different churches, etc.), but you don't do something like this and not form lifelong bonds.  Josh and I are already scheduling a time for our families to get together in part so that my wife can test drive his Nintendo Wii.  Maybe I can convince her to let me get one for Christmas!

"So, what happens to all your music?"

Well, the music that we own we'll put up for free download.  We've made arrangements with our webhost, Blaze Ministries, to put up as much music as possible and to keep it available for as long as possible.  The music is life-changing and has a legacy of ministry all its own.  We hope that you will use it as you minister to others. 

The music that our label owns from "The Jesus Rock Show" remains in their possession and we have no authority or influence over that.  It is our understanding that they will continue to make it available for sale and we encourage you to order a copy if you haven't already.

"So, when is your last show?"

Ah... the big question...

We've participated in a number of other groups' last shows.  In all the last shows we've done, we saw the same thing... no matter how badly the group tried to make their last show about God, their fans always made it about them.  It was a funeral/memorial service of sorts where the focus was on what the band had done, rather than on what God had done.  Even ending in worship, it's still the same deal.  It usually wasn't the band's fault.  It's just how we're wired as humans.

From day one of the band, I have always known that I wouldn't know what our last show was until AFTER we played it.  It is with that attitude that I have tried to play EVERY show like it was my last.  We would talk about that on a lot of car rides home.  We knew that we could be killed in a car accident, killed by a disease, killed by a tornado, killed by a mugger, killed by aliens... or on the extreme positive side, that Jesus could come back at any moment.  Trying to keep that at the forefront of our minds, we tried to play every show like it was the last one.  We weren't always successful, but we tried.

The only way for us to maintain that integrity is to do what we knew we would do from the beginning.  When God said we were done, that was it... we would walk away... right away.  No last tour, no last show, no big fanfare, no celebration, no memorial, no party... just a letter like this and the gratitude of our hearts for the great memories.

It was never about us in the beginning.  And it still isn't about us here at the end. 

So, simple answer... no last show.

Here's a good closing thought and verse to go with it.  It's from a parable Jesus told about various servants who were given various talents and what they did with them.  For one of the servants who did his best with what his master had given him, this was the reply from the master:

Matthew 25:21  (NIV)
'Well done, good and faithful servant! ...Come and share your master's happiness!'

As we retire the band, I get that sense from God!  That He is pleased and that part of the peace we feel is us beginning to share in His Happiness!  That's the only thing that matters to any of us!  And we hope you will live the same way.

Make sure you've made the decision to follow God by dedicating your life to Jesus Christ and putting your trust in Him.  Jesus died for us, Jesus came back to life on the third day, and He is God!  Put your faith in Him alone.  And you will have hope forever!

We love you and we hope to see you all again, if not here, then in the life to come.

Job 1:21 (CEV)
"We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death.
The LORD alone gives and takes.  Praise the name of the LORD!"

And one of my personal favorites that sums up our view of it:

Luke 17:9-10 (NLT)
And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not.  In the same way, when you obey me you should say, 'We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.'"

That we are.

From Him And Through Him And To Him (Romans 11:36 [NIV]),

Joe, Ben, Josh, Adam, Iain
Three Cord Wonder

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