Legacy

What’s Your Benchmark?

Mark Filippi — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:14:47 +0000

A benchmark is defined as A) a point of reference from which measurements may be made, B) something that serves as a standard by which others may be measured or judged. I personally define a benchmark as an absolute something that doesn’t change.
My day job consists of working with benchmarks on regular basis. I own and operate our family construction company. In our day to day business we refer plans in order to build a road, playground, etc. On each plan there must be a benchmark provided. As the definition states above, it is the reference point by which measurements are made. A benchmark can be a railroad spike in a telephone pole or a fixed object placed in sidewalk or pavement. The benchmark is an absolute that cannot change during the construction of a project because it is referred to on a daily basis. A particular elevation is assigned to a benchmark (usually a number referring to an elevation above sea level) and the elevations of the project are set from using the benchmark elevation.
A benchmark elevation doesn’t only consider the project itself, but it also considers the surrounding areas. It considers erosion possibilities, water runoff, how the project will fit in with surrounding elevations.
Whether we know it or not we all use forms of benchmarks to measure ourselves in how our lives measure up to others. We reference our lives to a great family we know, or the people down the street with the huge house, or someone in the work place with the ideal job. However, these are not proper benchmarks. As I see it a benchmark is an absolute, fixed item. It cannot be changed. The forms of benchmarks I mentioned above are anything but. They are constantly changing.
The only “benchmark” I have found to be absolute and non-changing is God! He has never changed. His word is the same today as it was when it was inspired and written. It is us that are constantly changing because we are trying to “keep up with the Jones’s.” Instead we should be measuring our lives and continually referencing back to the one and only benchmark that never changes and remains true all the time, Jesus.
Our world, Christian or not has a way of trying to change or twist things in order to make life’s circumstances justifiable even though the behavior or action is wrong. This type of living comes from having no absolutes or the so-called absolute is not an absolute at all!
The wise man builds his house upon the rock. Without using God as your benchmark for your life, it’s like building your house upon the sand. It may stand for a while, or maybe even several years but in time it is destined to crumble. You and your household will never know the joy this life can bring without building your life and constantly referring to the true BENCHMARK!

The Power of Music

Mark Filippi — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:35:25 +0000

I was home the other day watching my 15 month old daughter. We had the TV on and a song came on that had a driving beat. As she listened to the music she smiled and started to bounce and move to the rhythm of the beat. Keep in mind she cannot speak a word as of yet. As I observed her I thought what a powerful gift God gave us in music. This child can’t speak but yet she can still feel and be moved by music!
As the music caused my daughter to move her body, I thought “so can the lyrics of a song move a person’s heart.” If a child who cannot even talk can be forced to move her body because of what she is feeling, think of what a song with some meaningful content can cause someone to do.
I have no doubt my daughter’s expression of joy over the music she was listening to was an illustration the Lord provided at that moment to serve as a reminder as to what a great opportunity we have as artists to touch or encourage a heart that is lost, hurting or seeking by what we sing and play.
Music can be influential in either a positive or negative way. I strongly believe in the concept of “garbage in, garbage out or good in, good out.” We can choose to sing and play for a purpose or not. It’s up to us on how to use that “Power of Music.” I choose to sing for a purpose and that is why I am glad to be a part of The Blacksmith Project. What will you choose?

Concert for Hunger

Administrator — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:28:27 +0000

“Wow! the official debut of our group Legacy was a huge success! What a privilege to be a part of the Concert for Hunger. The Blacksmith Project produced an amazing show and we were thrilled to be a part of it. The turnout was awesome, the crowd was very much into the music–we definitely fed off their energy. We performed three songs as Legacy and then sung back up for three other artists during their sets. We’re very anxious to get into the studio and record our music. It will be available soon for download. I just want to thank all of you for supporting our new endeavor. We hope to do you proud!”
Natalie