Thankful and Missing You

This time of year is definitely a favorite of mine.  The atmosphere changes in a variety of ways…the air is cooler, the days seem shorter because it gets dark so quickly, people are more festive because of the holidays, parties and family gatherings.  I’m also reminded during this time of year of the billions of people who have someone close to them that is no longer alive on the earth.  I think of the soldier’s family who remembers a hero who used to ride his bike on the sidewalk every day when he was just a child in the neighborhood.   I think of the children who are missing a parent or in some cases both parents and don’t have an active memory of breaking the wishbone of grandma’s turkey.

For me, I think about my brother George, and my sister Tina.  Both represented such strength and presence as I grew up, not because they were saints…no just because they were MY brother and sister.  Tina used me as her guinea pig as she learned to cook.  She got particularly ambitious during the holidays and would try different recipes that I always ended up tasting.  With a family our size, I was always curious as to why she and I were the only ones in the kitchen.  It’s dawned on me since being an adult that noone else was brave enough or perhaps stupid enough to try her experimental cooking.  I’m laughing as I write this because the only thing I remember tasting that had any flavor were some apple spice cakes.  Some of the nastiest stuff I remember having in my mouth and it always provided fuel for stories and laughs with my family.

With George–he was the big brother that every kid wanted. He was good looking, strong, always managed to get his way, and tough as nails.  Of course this worked in my favor when someone was dumb enough to pick on me, but it also worked against me when he decided to instigate an infamous family feud on Fridays’. See my parents would always grocery shop on Fridays’ and with seven kids at home–this was not a small chore, nor an inexpensive one.  We were not rich so it took a lot to feed us and clothe us, but my parents managed to do it without us knowing how tough things really were in those days. Our only job while they were gone was to clean the house particularly our rooms and the kitchen.  A job well done guaranteed candy from the bag that would be in the collection of groceries my dad would be bringing in the house. A failure in this duty would likely mean a spanking, early bed-time and worse–no candy.  Enter George…the INSTIGATOR! He would find a way to convince the younger kids – me, a younger sister, and a younger brother that one of the older siblings had said or done something that would mean no candy for us.  We’d fall for it and immediately want to fight whoever was standing between us and our ability to get a treat. Little did we know that George had made it up…too late–by the time we were done…no clean house, no clean rooms, which meant…no candy.

Funny, those are now some of my most memorable things to think about for both George and Tina.  George passed away over 8 years ago after surviving injuries from a motorcycle wreck 20 years earlier. The wreck left him brain-damaged and confined to bed for those 20 years. Cared for relentlessly by my parents and loved ferociously by all his siblings, wife and two daughters.  Tina passed away from brain cancer after a two year battle. Once again cared for relentlessly by my parents and loved ferociously by all her siblings, her children and grandchildren and she turned out to be a fabulous cook!! I’m Thankful for our time together and will be hugging my family a little bit tighter because I know every day is a gift.  I find little time to waste on people who don’t appreciate what life has to offer or who lose the best of life holding grudges, playing manipulative games and simply neglecting the beauty and pain of just loving other people…flaws included.

George and Tina—I’m Thankful for You and Missing You….see you in heaven…remembering you every day….Love Always…your little brother.

Randy

Why Did I Say That?!!

There’s some questions we ask ourselves at the pivotal moments and sometimes at the seemingly small moments. One that I’ve found from time to time is “Why Did I Say That?”  It’s those words that agree with an emotion that’s contrary to what my faith says, it’s the words that give in to fear, anxiety, worry, and negativity.  Almost as soon as their released we’re reaching with the ….noooooooooooo…..come backkkkkkkkkkkk…Unfortunately the words can’t be retrieved. Now the good news—they can be countered.  Almost as quickly as the wrong words were released–the right words that are full of hope, faith, love and life can be released to counter those other words.  There’s some keys to making the right ones stick:

Key 1 – Repent first for saying the wrong thing.  Even if it was about you and you believe noone else was “hurt”…you’re sabotaging your ability and delaying your God-given purpose.

Key #2 – Speak words that agree with what God has said about you. Need some examples?  Here’s a few to get you started…

• I’m strong in the Lord and the power of His might
• Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world
• If God be for me, who can be against me
• God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes
• If I keep my eyes on God, I won’t trip over my own feet

Key #3 – Be grateful for new mercies each day. The closer you get to realizing what God has called you to–the more likely you’ll find “yourself” occasionally rattled and opposing the very thing that stirs your soul and spirit. It’s a nutty paradigm that we can overcome–in fact–plan to do so daily. Defeat the small thoughts…not from you…from your enemy. Don’t give them an opportunity to rest in your mind–push them out immediately with words, prayers, worship filled with gratefulness to God.

You can do this…!! I know because I’ve tried it and it works.

Blessings,

Randy

 

You Can Make It!

One of the hardest things about life is that moment when a situation goes from bad to worse.  The easiest things to do are 1) throw a pity party, 2) ask the questions that have no answer, but we feel better saying them out loud, and 3) pouting as if the tactics that got us candy or a spanking (depending on the parent) would help us move forward.  I’m convinced after having enough of these moments, that there is another option and while it is certainly not easy—it most certainly is the one thing that will jumpstart the recovery.  The Lord encourages us to “speak to our mountains” based on His words in Mark 11:23-24 and it doesn’t say speak lightly…speak with authority knowing that “those words” are backed by a promise from the ONE TRUE GOD.  So I’ll admit, I’ve had to do the speaking through some tears and frankly sometimes after my anger subsided so I could see straight.

There’s another help in those moments and it’s the abiding presence and power of God’s Holy Spirit.  We all can act sometimes like we have it all together and that nothing rattles us, but then there are the true and deep moments where we haven’t got a clue about what to do or say next.  I’m writing this to encourage you that there is hope, and faith….and love on the worse side…in the midst of…and even after the storms.  Whether your mountains take the shape of unemployment, cancer, relational failure, depression, anxiety, worry, or confusion….I dare you to take a different tact and speak to the mountain and command it to move out of your way.

We don’t always have a choice regarding the things that hit us, but we always have the choice regarding how we respond to them.  Only one of those responses will bring the full force of an Almighty God in the picture with you…so again–I dare you. Start Speaking to that mountain!!!  You can Make it!!!

Blessings,

Randy K. Blue

A New Season

A New Season

Awakened by a drifting dream and wondering my next step

Seeking a clear voice of wisdom, a path away from regret

Finding solace in a savior who knows my every pain

Making no mention of the daily challenge that wars against my soul

I plant in a time of famine and fight with every seed

There’s a voice yelling at me in a whisper–”foolish one, what’s the point?”

I plant and repeat the words my Father said…”the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit thereof”

So I silence the voices– each one….real and those from the shadows

As I tend to the seeds that have been planted, understanding their time will come

There’s a due time for every season—it’s start, duration, and end

My role is not to track the time, but to simply seek His face

The season of harvest has come and the day looks just the same

The difference is that I’m convinced–that there’s hope in Jesus Name

No longer waiting for what can’t be seen, I see what I have spoken

No longer struggling with a dry and barren future–through a heart that has been broken

Triumphantly standing on a field –as far as my eyes can see–so fragrant with fruit that feeds the soul

What I planted in times of famine–not just for me—for others to also be WHOLE.

 

A poem by Randy K. Blue

How Long Do I Wait?

How Long Do I Wait?

How long do I wait for your voice?

I’ve told others that you’re coming through

I’ve convinced them at times to start that conversation

You know the one–”Are you Real?”….”Do You Care About Me?”

Can I admit that I hate the process that makes me see what’s really in my heart?

Don’t push me away when I grow tired of the valley–that’s when I need you most…but you know that…

I didn’t realize that my waiting would make me stronger

I didn’t realize that my waiting would make me fight longer

I’m flying now because the heights don’t scare me

I’m pushing through because the naysayers can’t hold me

I’m waiting on you Lord–because there’s hope in Your name

I’m waiting on you Lord–because my purpose is clear when You speak

I’m waiting on you Lord–because none who wait on you are ever put to shame

I’m waiting on you Lord–because going anywhere without you

is simply  a dead-end street

I’m waiting on you Lord–because you’re worth the wait.

 

Tell Me When Things Will Change

Tell Me When Things Will Change…

When I make a decision to think different?

When I make a move towards another direction?

When I find that what I know is not enough?

When the answers are not in front of me?

When I stop asking questions?

Tell Me When Things Will Change…

Things will change when your decisions line up with my word

Things will change when you walk in the direction I set for you

Things will change when you listen to my wisdom and not your own

Things will change when you trust me beyond what you see and feel

Things will change when you’re okay with not having all the answers

YOU HAVE changed when you let me be God.

 

A poem by Randy K. Blue

Lessons From the Eagle

I was having lunch with a friend today and we were talking about that “point” we all reach when we figure out…”I don’t have all the answers” to life, to love, to what makes the world go around.  It’s really humorous to consider that we question God at those moments like He’s the one who’s lost it.  Truth is…He’s just waiting on us to figure out something that He put instinctively into the Eagle.  Of course the eagle is known for the amazing skills of flight, hunting, eyesight, and riding out the storms.

The instinct that is in the eagle that allows him to rise so high is that he learns early in life that he cannot ascend by flapping his wings.  The continual flapping actually works against the power and extensive wingspan that God blessed him with as a bird.  The flapping completely zaps the eagle of his strength and will absolutely lead to his demise if he continues in futility.  Instead of flapping, the eagle “positions” himself with a huge leap of faith and then spreads out those wings against a bold current and then simply rides the current until it drives him into another level….amazingly–the strongest winds against him are the ones he uses to rise the highest.  OK–ENTER the human parallel…you and I can keep trying to “flap” our way into the next place, level, position and wear ourselves out…eventually finding that we haven’t made the progress we had hoped or attained the levels we’ve dreamed about.

The preference of course is to take the leap of faith and spread our wings of prayer, and trust until we find the lifting of God’s voice and Spirit into the next level, despite the storms that come our way.  I can tell you that everyone has storms and its a fact that those storms will continue throughout our lives, but we don’t have to let those storms exhaust us as we flap our way down to a certain crash.  How about you…you ready to take the leap of faith and soar?  If flapping is working for you and you’ve got the breathe to keep it up…go for it.  I’m flying a different way, flying higher despite the storms and it feels so much better.

Blessings,

Randy K. Blue

 

When I See Jesus

When I See Jesus

A man passed me with a look that spoke like a teeming multitude

His children marked the moment with silent smiles

They never asked the question, but the need was expressed with such humility

“Can you tell me where can I see Jesus?”

We’re hurt, alone, and hungry–life has not been kind

The steps have gotten longer on our journey

We’ve searched in places that had promise–but didn’t contain love

We’ve searched in places where people laughed–but didn’t find grace

We’ve searched in places where food and music were abundant–but didn’t find generosity

The banner of my religion didn’t echo a sign of relief

It was the moment I stopped to reach out my hand–that things turned into something REAL, SOMETHING POWERFUL, SOMETHING WITH PURPOSE

I saw Jesus and fed him today

I saw Jesus in a prison cell and helped him find a way….to hope, to learn, to believe once again

I saw Jesus and laughed with him and told him that everything is going to be alright

I saw Jesus in the hospital and prayed with him and stayed at his side throughout the night

The question echoes clearly and I find a daily repeat

The difference now is that I realize—it’s Jesus they need to see

 

A poem by Randy K. Blue, based on Matthew 25:35-40

 

 

Hearing God

Have you ever wondered why it seems there are times when you hear God’s voice clearly and times when you absolutely don’t hear His voice?  I’ve wondered the same thing and it’s during those times that I’ve either had a major breakthrough or a breakdown.  The “through” or “down” was always dependent on my ability to exercise faith and trust that what God said remained true regardless of how things looked.  I’ve also found that there are a myriad of competing voices that seem to rise during those moments that –if given audience–will drown the faith and any sense of passing through in my heart.  Life has a way of presenting challenges on a variety of levels and it is wise not to judge one person’s experience against another.

One person may lose control with the news of a job loss, another is fine and can move forward. Another person may unravel with the announcement of a bad report from the doctor, while another says, “I’ll believe God’s report”. Whatever the news, report, or circumstance–we all have a limit.  Generally those limits have been determined by what we’ve already endured and also by what we still believe about our lives after we’ve come through those situations. The landscape of this world is full of people who have become disillusioned by the trials of life and emotions that overwhelm the best of faith.  There’s a great passage in the Bible from John 10:27 that says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

On first blush, it may not impress you, but our Lord says so much in those few words.  Enough in fact to help all of us know and experience His love on a greater level than we ever thought possible.

“My sheep hear my voice” – We can never allow the circumstances of life to make us forget who we belong to and who has adopted us into the family.  I can still remember as a young child growing up, there was always something distinct about hearing my natural father’s voice. It always evoked a response from me–when I was afraid–his voice brought me comfort, when I was unsure–his voice brought me confidence, when I was lost–his voice gave me direction. Each of the natural examples has a spiritual parallel to our heavenly Father and His voice carries across time, across the world, across every emotion, and every trial. Another key is the fact that I was “interested” in hearing His voice and not taking that privilege for granted. I could actually distance myself from my natural father and eventually not hear him.  I didn’t have that same ability with my heavenly Father, but I could stop listening. It’s in those moments that we leave ourselves vulnerable to the attacks and schemes of our enemy.  If you’re in that place…move quickly back to a position of hearing your heavenly Father and be real in your interest for His voice.

“I know them” – There’s full assurance from God’s word that He knows us so well that He knows what we are thinking, and what we’ll say and do even before our thoughts are formed.  As a father now of three children, there’s a certainty that I know much about my children.  I understand and know their responses to words, life, laughs, trouble, compliments, and criticism. Because I know them, it doesn’t remove my sense of “allowing them” to see who they are and remove those words, life, laughs, trouble, compliments, and criticism. In fact, it makes me want to enrich the experience by always reminding them that they can deal with anything and make it through anything if they rely on God and never give up.  What I watch the most are those moments when what they say and what they do is moving away from the path that they should be on.  It’s at those anticipated moments when knowing them helps me to nudge them gently, or hook them abruptly. Much like the shepherd who has a sheep heading towards a harmful direction or a certain plunge off the side of a cliff. Let me assure you that God knows you and that means He knows what you need, when you need it.  True intimacy is established when we direct that same interest and desire for knowing in our relationship with God.  Jesus said, “This is eternal life: knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” John 17:3

“They follow me” – So this is perhaps the toughest part of our relationship with God. How many times have you and I heard God’s voice and known His love for us and yet…still walk in a different direction?  It’s happened every time I’ve chosen to do my own thing, ignore God’s direction, wisdom, or His word.  I’m amazed at God’s patience with me because there’s so many times when He could have said, “forget it”…but He didn’t do it.  Instead He gave me new mercies every morning, readily responded to my repentance, moved me beyond my pride and firmly said–”you’re going to keep dealing with this until you surrender and truly follow me.”  Sometimes I think we expect God to not tell us the truth and somehow allow us to keep going in a way that doesn’t please Him.  God loves us too much to condemn us–that’s why He sent Christ.  He loves us too much to leave us the way the are–that’s why He sent His Holy Spirit.

God’s speaking to you right now.  Are you interested in Hearing His Voice? ….Answer wisely.

Blessings,

Randy K. Blue

Not Easy to Trust You

I can hear my own heartbeat amid the song of praise

There’s an echo growing fainter, a movement in my soul

I’m looking for a wonder, a path to set me free

God spoke to me so softly, as a gentle wind passes through the trees

I don’t know how to trust you–what you ask is total surrender…

What if I fall or miss or ignore you….will you still be there for me?

Not everyone knows this journey, the narrow path seems true

The people I pass seem distant, as though they’ve missed you too

How do you carry me forward, when my mind keeps repeating the past?

What do you see that I don’t see, that lets me know this is real?

It’s not easy to trust you, because it will cost me everything…

I want to hold on to some remnant of control…yeah, I’ll keep a portion of my heart

Yet the overflow of your love for me–makes it difficult for me to hold…to reserve…to not surrender

Your presence flows right through me and the rivers are cleansing my soul

It’s NOT EASY TO TRUST YOU Lord…yet I stand amazed at …

Your Grace, Your Strength, Your Majesty, Your Love, Your Vision, Your Power, Your Faithfulness

It’s NOT EASY TO TRUST YOU Lord…yet ……I WILL.

A poem by Randy K. Blue