tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:/blogs/john-s-journal?p=2
John's Journal
2020-10-21T09:20:59-05:00
John Randolph
false
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/6460348
2020-10-21T09:20:59-05:00
2020-10-21T09:22:34-05:00
Chapter 3 - An Open Letter To Me
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/ef52906dc37c11501ef319478207d271ced365c8/original/unnamed-6.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Another chapter in what I'm now calling my <em><strong>Dear John Letters. </strong></em></p>
<p>Thursday, October 22, 2020 is one of those dates that - if I'm honest about - I never really thought about until recently. </p>
<p>When you're 18, 55 looks SO FAR OFF! </p>
<p>When you're 30, 55 still seems a fair distance away </p>
<p>When you're 40, 55 starts to become a visual on the horizon </p>
<p>When you're 50, 55 now becomes a GOAL!! </p>
<p>The last two days have been full of reflective thoughts on the things I'd tell me if I could turn the clock back in time. Here are #'s 31 to 45... </p>
<p><strong>31. Everyone is carrying something</strong> in their emotional suitcase. Some may hide it better, but that doesn't mean they're better than you. Learn one of the greatest traits you can possess - empathy. As Stephen Covey would say, "seek to understand, then to be understood." </p>
<p><strong>32. 'IT' happens very fast!</strong> You will blink; you will put tasks and duties ahead of priorities - we all have done it. Just know that TIME DOES FLY! Slow down; take it in; live your life with a purpose to be able to look back with joy; not full of should have's. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/a2840c39b846338a0c6ea422329045332b6e598e/original/time.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></p>
<p><strong>33. Worry, shame and regret</strong> are gifts that come from the enemy. You don't have to accept them. </p>
<p><strong>34. Anything that pulls your focus</strong> away from the worship of God is an idol. Anything! Work, money, your kids, your wife, your hobbies, your sexual desires. You WILL serve a master in your life. You get to choose what or who that master is. </p>
<p><strong>35. Pain comes in two forms</strong> - the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. Choose wisely. </p>
<p><strong>36. The voices of the naysayers </strong>and opposition will always seem to be louder than the voices of your fans and cheerleaders. Don't listen. Tune them out! </p>
<p><strong>37. The biggest naysayer and opponent? </strong>He lives in your head! Shut down the negativity by doing one simple thing. See #38 </p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/8dc42a9c446ea94ccca28910b58d05b9113e6ad3/original/img-0617.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />38. Read EVERY DAY. Soak up knowledge</strong>. That naysayer and opponent that lives in your head can be either the laziest or strongest muscle in your body. Train it daily to absorb knowledge; goodness; laughter; wisdom; fantasy, adventure. What you feed it is what it will feed your soul when the silence around you is deafening. </p>
<p><strong>39. Bonds are built with others</strong> by hanging around, breaking bread, laughing, sharing, listening, talking. Be intentional about spending face-to-face time with those you care about. It's amazing what a simple weekly breakfast at McDonald's can do to build a life-long bond with a 6-year-old girl. </p>
<p><strong>40. This too shall pass. </strong>To date, you have survived 100% of your toughest days. Keep pressing on. When you are in the middle of the trial or the test, it may feel hopeless. Remember all that you have endured, all that you have survived and know that THIS TOO SHALL PASS. </p>
<p><strong>41. Learn to dance.</strong> It costs nothing, it lasts a lifetime & it will help you sweep that lady off her feet in the kitchen or living room when times are tough. </p>
<p><strong>42. Start saving for retirement NOW</strong>. It seems a long way off, but it goes by faster than you think (see #32 above). </p>
<p><strong>43. It's never too late to start. </strong>Anything. Saving, dancing, laughing, a new job. The toughest step is that first one. Take it. Risk it. Get going. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/60898036195887059093b6103877a10d0f86dc7d/original/istock-542310332-3.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></p>
<p><strong>44. Find mentors and role models. </strong>There is wisdom that others can speak into your life and keep you grounded as you travel this road. Find people that will keep you grounded and focused, intent on your goals - personally, professionally, financially, spiritually. </p>
<p><strong>45. Learn a skill that can also be a hobby. </strong>Work on cars; do woodwork; build things; garden - something that you can also spend time doing with your kids while passing on a trade/hobby </p>
<p>Tomorrow (10/22) marks the day the calendar flips and another 1-10 gray hairs pop up on my head - or fall out! </p>
<p>Tomorrow will also be the day that I cap the list off with #'s 46-55...and maybe a few extra thoughts. </p>
<p><em><strong>Until then...</strong></em></p>
4:21
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/6459566
2020-10-20T08:17:15-05:00
2020-10-21T09:22:07-05:00
Chapter 2 - An Open Letter To Me
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/0f67d45db8ad10b02de06c5d3b588597567eb3b4/original/letter-to-me.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />October 22 will be the day I celebrate 55 years of soaking up the sun and doing life on this planet.</p>
<p>As I looked back and celebrated the successes - but also shook my head at some of the actions that brought about some tough lessons learned - I began to journal for my daughters and (for now) granddaughters a list of... </p>
<p><em><strong>55 Things I'd Tell My Younger Me. </strong></em></p>
<p>Today, I'll continue with #16. If you want to see the previous post. You can see it <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bit.ly/OpenLetter-1" target="_blank"><strong>HERE</strong></a> on my website's blog page. </p>
<p><strong>16. Words Matter. </strong>Choose words of life - words that lift up. You can say the same thing with words that affirm as you can with words that hurt. Yes, sometimes the truth may hurt, but it doesn't have to all the time. Brutal honesty is not a gift or talent you need to brag about. </p>
<p><strong>17. Choices Have Consequences</strong>. Both good and bad. Seeds you sow today WILL COME UP. A change in life or direction today does not keep the weeds that you planted last year from sprouting. </p>
<p><strong>18. There's no such thing as a STATIC RELATIONSHIP. </strong>Someone is always taking the relationship to a higher place or dragging it to a lower level. What are you doing in your relationships? </p>
<p><strong>19. When you walk in the room</strong>, you're either one of the roaches or your a light. If the negative talk, backbiting, gossiping, complaining, and cursing don't stop, you have your answer. </p>
<p><strong>20. Make Memories! </strong>The dollars that you make will come and go. The memories will last a lifetime. Diamond Rio didn't have a hit song titled One More Dollar. </p>
<p><strong>21. When you're at wits end with your kids</strong>, your spouse, your friends, your employees, your co-workers - those that matter the most to you - just love them. It's so easy to snap, yell, scream, run, hide when sometimes what they really need is someone that does the exact opposite. </p>
<p><strong>22. That last thing you NEED TO SAY</strong> in the heat of the argument...DON'T! Just walk away. More times than not, that "last thing" has nothing of value other <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/64c076ac08a36f1dde9a7ee82eaa3db289cdd53f/original/article-0-15e8f646000005dc-568-1024x615-large.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" />than to make YOU feel good. Shut up. Walk away. </p>
<p><strong>23. Be Intentional. </strong>The seeds you sow in the lives and hearts of others doesn't just happen. Schedule time with your loved ones, pick the phone up, call your mom, dad, kids, friends. Say thank you. How are you doing? You matter to me. </p>
<p><strong>24. In the technologically-advanced </strong>world we live in today, follow these simple rules for communication. </p>
<ul> <li>Good News - Text, email, or phone call. </li> <li>Provide information, transfer of data, give details that are static in nature - Text, email, or phone call </li> <li>Bad News - or information that can be perceived as bad news - PICK UP THE PHONE!!! DO NOT TEXT or EMAIL!! <em><strong>And for God's sake, NOT SOCIAL MEDIA! </strong></em>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>25. Learn to say 5</strong> of the most powerful words in the English language - "I'm sorry. Please forgive me." Our tendency when confronted with something we've done wrong is to justify the actions - or as I call it Defend, Deflect & Justify. DON'T DO IT! Just own it. The offended person really doesn't care WHY you did what you did and all you should care about is that someone has been hurt - perceived or in reality - by your actions. </p>
<p><strong>26. Forgiveness</strong> is vital to your health and those that you love/care about. For growth to occur, you will need to learn to forgive AND forget. Don't hold onto yesterday's hurts. If you can't FORGET, then FORGIVE every time you remember. </p>
<p><strong>27. One act of stupidity</strong> does not define someone's life. Learn to give grace & look at the body of work of those needing that grace. We're all prone to stupidity. It may just be you that needs it tomorrow. </p>
<p><strong>28. Mom & dad </strong>are much wiser than you give them credit for. Listen to them. Ask questions - they love to talk and share! Tomorrow it could all be gone. </p>
<p><strong>29. 98% of all the answers</strong> in life are generic in nature and are found in God's word. Don't wait to act like you're studying for a final exam. Soak it up daily. Your life will be better because of it. When you're faced with those tough "what should I do" moments that will stare you down, the Word you've hidden in your heart will clearly speak an answer into your heart. The other 2% are still found in God's word, they just call for more discernment and wisdom on your part. Oh, and God's word says He'll give you that wisdom (James 1) - you just need to ask for it! </p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/c23594afb3c2263bd8edea69f626a9dcd5a3dad1/original/18960-768x768.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />30. The day you have children</strong> is the day that you consciously - or unconsciously - let go of two words "I want." That doesn't mean your dreams & goals are gone. Hardly! If anything, they probably have more clarity, meaning, and focus. It means that at least for the foreseeable future, in the pecking order of life, you're at best #3 in the process of deciding what your family wants and needs. </p>
<p>The list will continue tomorrow with 31-45. </p>
<p>As mentioned above, if you want to see the first 15, you can do so <a contents="HERE&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bit.ly/OpenLetter-1"><strong>HERE </strong></a>on my website's blog page. </p>
<p><em><strong>Until tomorrow...</strong></em></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/6459412
2020-10-19T22:28:42-05:00
2020-10-19T22:28:42-05:00
An Open Letter To My Younger Self - Chapter 1
<p>In four days, the calendar will flip to October 22, 2020. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/7fe9e4fc7a253b02c68b4a208d88b2e4e624dd24/original/55-plus-candles-320-1.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></p>
<p>On that day, I will have walked, run, biked, flown, crashed, wrecked, and fallen down on this rock for... </p>
<ul> <li>55 Years </li> <li>660 Months </li> <li>2,860 Weeks </li> <li>20,075 Days </li>
</ul>
<p>I've always thought to myself, "hey you, if you could do this thing over again, what would you do differently?" </p>
<p>I'm not talking about regrets - what I call the minors; I'm talking about the Big Rocks; the things that although simple in nature, could and would make a major difference in where you are today. </p>
<p>With that in mind, I will spend the next four days breaking down - in no certain order - the...</p>
<p><strong>55 Things I Would Tell My Younger Me </strong></p>
<ol> <li>
<strong>Run To The Cross </strong>- There's nothing more important in life than your relationship with your creator - Jesus Christ. Everything you do, everything you view, every reaction, every step - EVERYTHING - will hinge on this. It won't make life easier, but it will make life easier to handle. It won't ensure that struggles, loss, hurt won't come, but that relationship will be the harbor in life's storm when they do hit. </li> <li>
<strong>There are no shortcuts in life.</strong> The law of the farm is true in every aspect of life. You must sow seeds; you must fertilize those seeds; you have to pull weeds and rocks from the fields and if you do all of this, there's still no guarantee of a bountiful harvest. Either way, keep your hand to the plow and keep looking forward, just like the farmer does. </li> <li>
<strong>The only thing that is short-sighted and discriminates in life are humans</strong> - hurt, pain, disappointment, loss of health, finances, sickness, death, struggles, etc. all cross the lines of class and race. </li> <li>
<strong>Wake up every morning</strong> and ask yourself, "what can you do to win her heart today?" Your wife's spiritual, physical, and emotional health became your earthly responsibility the day you said: "I do." Do is an ongoing, active verb. It never stops; never ceases. So keep DOING!! </li> <li>
<strong>Nothing</strong> - I mean NOTHING - takes the place of hard work! </li> <li>
<strong>Never stop exercising</strong>. You're physical well being - 2nd only to your spiritual well being - will sustain you when life punches you in the face. </li> <li>
<strong>Bad news</strong> is not like wine, it doesn't get better with age. Be honest, but be kind. </li> <li>
<strong>Family </strong>- there's nothing more important in your life. Sow seeds of love, grace, goodness in their hearts. Be their champion, but also their critic - but never less than a 2:1 ratio. The world will beat them down enough, you need to be their shelter in the storm; their lighthouse in the dark waters of life. </li> <li>
<strong>Wisdom comes in all shapes</strong>, sizes, and ages. Always be looking to learn! Others have blazed paths before you. Learn to walk in their footsteps when you can. </li> <li>
<strong>Listen! And HEAR!</strong> Genuinely take an interest in the lives of others. Caring and empathy don't cost you a dime, but the dividends will last a lifetime </li> <li>
<strong>Life is about giving</strong> - not taking. More than that, it's about giving with no expectation of getting anything back. Whether the receiver has the ability to give back or not - give all you can...then give some more! I've never heard of anyone saying on their death bed, I wish I had given less! </li> <li>
<strong>Make time for God daily.</strong> Ideally at the start of your day (your first fruits), but if not then, JUST DO IT! That being said, nobody - not even your Father - enjoys eating leftovers at every meal. </li> <li>
<strong>You have a choice each day</strong> - VICTOR or VICTIM. The way you view your life will dictate your daily path. </li> <li>
<strong>Eat well daily! </strong>Avoid food that is handed to you through a window. Add color to your plate at every meal...oh, yellow and white ARE NOT COLORS! </li> <li>
<strong>Write down your thoughts,</strong> dreams, goals, wins, losses. If not for you - although you'll be glad you did later - do it for your kids and grandkids. Give them a roadmap to life's pitfalls, valleys, and mountaintops </li>
</ol>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/a728a74a20e65f25393e92714a0f07a9a233c922/original/55.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />If you're interested in seeing the remaining 40, reply TAG ME in the comments below and I'll make sure and tag you in the next three day's posts so you can see what has been mulling around in my head. </p>
<p>On another note, what is the ONE THING that you would tell your younger self that could or would change the course of your life today if done differently?</p>
3:47
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/6327748
2020-05-23T13:26:10-05:00
2020-05-23T13:36:53-05:00
The Main Thing
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/ad45ee5e888de5c97e8cbcb28291c3765f6d80ed/original/keeping-the-main-thing.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" />As I've traveled over the last decade and shared The Gospel through music and stories of life, it still amazes me at some of the questions I get from churches and church leaders. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Serving on staff at four different churches in that time frame, I completely understand the necessity to ensure the person you're putting on the platform aligns doctrinally, scripturally, and from the heart with your church's beliefs. That being said, I'll never understand man's desire to complicate pretty simple things. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Here are some random questions I've had asked: </span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">What bible do you use? We're a King-James-only church. </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Do you speak in tongues? Do you agree with speaking in tongues? </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">What denomination do you most align with? </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Do you believe God still heals today? </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">When you were baptized, were you sprinkled or dunked? </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">How many hymns will you sing vs. those new worship songs? </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">We only allow live music in our church not that pre-recorded stuff. Is that OK with you? </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">What will you wear? </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">Whether we want to admit it or not, it's these "beliefs" that are the roadblocks keeping many people who need to hear the Greatest Story Ever Told away from the church's doors. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The more that I hear these questions - the more that I've walked this road - the more I want my heart and my life to show others the true essence of The Gospel. I want those around me to see the things that are important when it comes to the Christian faith - God's message of love, mercy, and grace and the <em><strong>UNCOMPLICATED</strong></em> and <em><strong>TRANSPARENT</strong></em> reason for the hope that exists within me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">That message is simple - it's Jesus Christ! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">He is the central point of everything that we believe. He is the hub that holds all the spokes in place. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">If my focus is on Him - if my life is velcroed to Christ - then as the storms of life rage around me, as Ray Boltz sang, <em>The Anchor Holds</em>. Sure, life is going to be tough. Life is going to kick, punch, body slam, and wrestle us to the ground. As that is happening, the world is watching to see how we respond. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Nowhere in there are they going to wonder what KJV verse am I clinging too; they're not going to wonder if my hope is found in a Fannie Crosby hymn or a Vertical Worship praise chorus; they aren't going to ask if my perseverance is rooted in some Baptist, Methodist or Pentecostal doctrine. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">When Peter wrote that we should "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you...", he gave us the answer (the defense) at the start of that verse - "In your hearts, set apart Christ as LORD!" </span></p>
<p><em><strong><span class="font_regular">The reason for our hope is Jesus Christ. </span></strong></em></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Call me crazy, but I firmly believe that when those that are seeking Christ answer that call, they answer because of the simple message found in The Gospel - God's light in a dark world; the hope of Christ in a hopeless world; eternal life through the gift of His son Jesus Christ in a dead and dying world. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It is that simple and that straightforward. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Let's do all we can as His Disciples to keep it that clear for those that are seeking.</span></p>
3:51
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/6305380
2020-05-05T09:39:32-05:00
2020-05-05T09:39:32-05:00
Where are you Dwelling?
<p>COVID-9 has caused us to be paralyzed with fear. </p>
<p>It has robbed us of life, joy, freedom and we have been willing participants. </p>
<p>Merriam-Webster defines the word <strong><em>Dwell </em></strong>as:</p>
<p>- To remain for a time; to live as a resident; exist; lie</p>
<p>David wrote in Psalm 4 "In peace I will lie down & sleep, for you alone, God, make me <em><strong>DWELL</strong></em> in safety." In and of itself, that verse alone can provide some comfort. When taken in the context and understanding of when it was written, that verse takes on a much bigger meaning. </p>
<p>While David was writing this, he was hiding in a cave doing all he could to avoid King Saul and the henchmen that were looking to kill him. The noose was getting tighter; the traps were being set and Saul's desire to kill him was burning white-hot. You would think that through all of this, David would have been dealing with gut-wrenching anxiety and fear of the unknown.</p>
<p>He was stuck in place, his freedom to roam was gone and he was separated from those closest to him. Sound familiar? </p>
<p>But in this situation, David knew that he knew that he knew that God - and only God - was where he could DWELL in peace. It was only in the presence of The Almighty that he could rest with no fear. </p>
<p>There is still so much that is unknown about this COVID-19 virus.</p>
<p>Has it hit its peak?</p>
<p>Does a mask keep me safe?</p>
<p>Should I stay inside?</p>
<p>What if I need to run to the store?</p>
<p>What about my job?</p>
<p>Do we have enough money to last a few more days or weeks or months? </p>
<p>Will it come back in the fall? </p>
<p>In Proverbs, Solomon wrote "But whoever listens to me will DWELL safely and will be secure without fear of evil."</p>
<p>We have spent almost two months dwelling in a place of fear. </p>
<p>Our world today is like nothing any of us has seen in our lifetime. There is chaos and unrest around every corner; on every TV channel. We can't escape it. But through it all, as believers, we can choose to <strong>DWELL </strong>in peace, rest and safety because our peace and rest and safety is not dependent on our situations or our circumstance. It is not dependent on a mask or an imposed governmental order to "shelter in place." </p>
<p>I'm not disparaging those that choose this path. There are definite reasons to do this if you are in a high risk or predisposed condition to be a target for the virus. But that percentage of people is small. </p>
<p>Our peace as believers - our rest and safety - is not dependent on us having all the answers. It is simply dependent on our choice to lean on God and to <em><strong>DWELL </strong></em>in His presence. </p>
<p>In Psalm 46:2, the Psalmist wrote "therefore, we SHALL NOT FEAR. Though the earth give way and the mountains fall in the sea..."</p>
<p>And what allowed him to say that? </p>
<p>Psalm 46:1 - "<em><strong>God</strong></em> is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble." </p>
<p>Stand tall today believer. Choose to walk in faith. Trust in His goodness.</p>
<p>And then...<em><strong>DWELL</strong></em> in his safety. </p>
4:42
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/6195290
2020-01-29T09:27:13-06:00
2020-01-29T09:27:13-06:00
Just Because
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/acc8b425b4e11a4e7bd6e5500dbd516ebdf662dd/original/copy-of-inspirational-template-made-with-postermywall.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" />How much of our time do we spend in awe of <em><strong>JUST</strong></em> Jesus versus <em><strong>WHAT</strong></em> he can do or has done for us? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Do we love him simply because of<em><strong> WHO</strong></em> he is or do we love him because of <em><strong>WHAT </strong></em>he has done or can do? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've said many times that some of the most amazing times in my life were spent with my children when they just wanted to crawl up in my lap and sit there simply to love me. They weren't there with the intention of asking for something. They weren't there because they needed anything from me. They were there just because they wanted to feel loved and they wanted to love me simply because I was daddy. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">We are called to love like Christ and his love was then - and still is today - out of complete and total unconditionality. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">God created this world from nothing.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">He created you and me from dirt. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">He fed a nation by having food fall from the sky and water come out of a rock.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">He gave a man his sight by rubbing mud on his eyes.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">He walked out of a tomb after hanging on a cross with spikes through his hands and feet, a sword run through his side and laying dead in that tomb for three days. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">What could he possibly want or need from you and me? <em><strong>NOT - ONE - SINGLE - THING! </strong></em></span></p>
<p>And yet, he loves me and you because of me and you - period. Not because we are good or decent or loving or giving or caring. Not because we're great parents or bad parents; obedient sons or obedient daughters. Nope. <strong><em>He loves me and you - JUST BECAUSE! </em></strong></p>
<p>Lord, teach me to love others the way you love me. </p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/6189740
2020-01-28T08:30:56-06:00
2020-01-28T08:30:56-06:00
How's Your Walk?
<p><span class="font_regular">Years ago as a young Christian, I was blessed to work for a man who was not only a wonderful boss but a man who understood what it meant to be a mentor to other Christian men. While we didn't work in the same geographic location, we spoke often on the phone and would see each other at least once a month. Somewhere in the course of each phone call - or during our monthly meetings - he would simply ask me "how's your walk?" </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">At first, I didn't understand the question. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Was he asking about my health habits?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My workout routine? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">When I would struggle to understand what I needed to do to move business forward, he'd ask "how's your walk lately?"</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">When I was stuck on how to manage my team better or he could hear the frustration and impatience in my voice, he'd ask "how's your walk been?"</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/e6bc65e588b233d59eb0259b2c14d8d0fc4ec4cb/original/walk-with-god-1170x658.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></span></p>
<p>While I've never professed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer, it only took a couple of times for me to finally ask "what do you mean?"</p>
<p>To which he answered, "your quiet time? Your time with your Father? How's your bible study and prayer time?" </p>
<p>The first time we had that conversation, I was quickly frustrated and asked, "what does that have to do with anything?" He quickly responded: </p>
<p>"John, do you think God knows about the challenges you're having with your clients?"</p>
<p>"Do you think he knows about the frustrations your team is causing you?"</p>
<p>"Do you think God will help guide your steps if you let him guide your mind through his word?"</p>
<p>I'm still struck by those simple notions almost 20 years later. And my answer today is the same as it was two decades ago - yes, yes and YES! </p>
<p>Today as I continue my January journey through daily Proverbs study, I'm still amazed at how our walk is affected both positively and negatively by our time with God. Our view of the world - and or reaction to its constant challenges - is in direct correlation to our time with our Father:</p>
<ul> <li>28:5 - Evil men do not understand justice, but those who <em><strong>SEEK</strong></em> the Lord understand it fully</li> <li>28:6 - Better a poor man whose <em><strong>WALK</strong></em> is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse</li> <li>28:18 - He whose <em><strong>WALK</strong></em> is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall</li> <li>28:19 - He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who <em><strong>CHASES</strong></em> fantasies will have his fill of poverty</li> <li>28:26 - He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who <em><strong>WALKS</strong></em> in wisdom is kept safe</li>
</ul>
<p>So today as you struggle with the punches life is throwing your way, I'll ask you the same question my mentor would ask me...</p>
<p>"HOW'S YOUR WALK?"</p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/6135742
2020-01-20T10:12:49-06:00
2020-01-20T10:12:49-06:00
Love Wins!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/cfcdca9c6b4558bd54a49d6f5435678554c72fc8/original/1975f3e1-8805-4d1f-ba55-62649debb676-28120-00000eb20dd66f41.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" />What drives your motives and actions each day? Is it a desire to accomplish? A desire to succeed? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be at the top of your game.</p>
<p>BUT...</p>
<p>Do you do it at the expense of others?</p>
<p>At the expense of values?</p>
<p>Morals?</p>
<p>Beliefs? </p>
<p>Is it a desire to be the best you can be at the cost of things and people around you? </p>
<p>Do you take shortcuts so that you can just get ahead? </p>
<p>We only need to look at the endless amount of 24-hour news cycles and political climate we live in today to see real-life examples of that behavior. </p>
<p>Somehow, someway we have drifted so far from the teachings of Christ - and a man whose life and legacy we celebrate today, Martin Luther King, Jr. - to see how we look at the faults, weaknesses, and failings of others so that we can validate our positions and behaviors.</p>
<p>The talking heads on TV continually tell us why someone else isn't qualified to hold a position. They tell us about the mistakes, perceived lies and misgivings of others to justify their shortcomings. It's almost as if our biggest argument in today's world for our failures is "I may be bad, but THAT GUY is way worse!"</p>
<p>Our calling as Christ-followers is to come at things from a position of love. A position of mercy. A position of grace. </p>
<p>Peter tells us <strong><em>"...above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins," 1 Peter 4:8</em></strong></p>
<p>What would happen if you and I walked in a manner that Christ called us to walk? If you and I approached our daily interactions from a place of love, mercy, and grace?</p>
<p>What if your actions and my actions came from a desire to lift others up, not tear down? What if in our desire to glorify God in all we do, the overflow of God's goodness from my heart and your heart would somehow impact the hearts of those we interact with daily?</p>
<p>What if the surly checkout clerk at Wal-Mart was greeted with a smile and "have a blessed day?"</p>
<p>What if the guy who cut you off in traffic was given a wider birth to get into your lane instead of you speeding up? </p>
<p>What if that person being rude to a waitress today at your favorite restaurant was met with an act of generosity of you buying their meal, and an anonymous note saying "I'm praying for you today. You are loved."</p>
<p>James wrote "mercy triumphs over judgment." Today, my desire is to work from a place of love, mercy and grace. How about you? </p>
3:28
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/6122117
2020-01-17T08:49:22-06:00
2020-01-17T08:52:19-06:00
Only You Can Do It
<p><span class="font_regular">Who are you in Christ? <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/3ed9587655d5e4b61a62b7b68112cd673c66c36a/original/thumbprint.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">God created you to be you - not to be anyone else. He gave you a specific calling. A specific task. A specific word, touch or expression that only you can give to others. I can't do what He's given you to do any more than you can do what He's given me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Your friends can't do it.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Your kids can't do it.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Your pastor can't do it.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">Only you.</span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">You didn't come off a replicating assembly line at some factory. God made you specifically to be you <a contents="(Psalm 139:13-16)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139%3A13-16&version=NASB" target="_blank">(Psalm 139:13-16)</a>. You are not a cookie-cutter Christian <a contents="(Jeremiah 1:5)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jeremiah+1%3A5&version=NASB" target="_blank">(Jeremiah 1:5</a>). </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">You were not designed to look, act or be like anyone else. The only person that God wants you to be like - is Christ! <a contents="(1 John 2:5-6)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A5-6&version=NASB" target="_blank">(1 John 2:5-6)</a></span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">As you step out today, seek to be who He has created you to be. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">Seek to be His hands and feet in a way that only can do. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">Who knows, someone somewhere today may be looking for the cure that only you can provide. </span></span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5811167
2019-07-02T08:27:55-05:00
2019-07-02T13:08:37-05:00
Who Is Your Whosoever?
<p>One of the most famous verses in scripture - and probably the one that most children raised in a Christian home learn from the moment they can speak - is <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/038d072e2fefb5ee14c0f0cd6b826ddd460d0e8d/original/homeless.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" />John 3:16. </p>
<p>"For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten son, that <em><strong>WHOSOEVER </strong></em>believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."</p>
<p>This morning as I read through that verse in my quiet time, it struck me how I have always individualized that word - <em><strong>WHOSOEVER</strong></em> - to mean me, my family, my friends, those that are close to me, the lost person in church, the wayward father, the hurting mother, etc. That simple word has brought peace to me knowing that there is no where too far, too deep, too low that God will not rescue me from and bring me home. All that is required of me is that I call upon His name!</p>
<p>Then it struck me. He struck me!! I may be the only person that some other <em><strong>WHOSOEVER </strong></em>comes in contact with that can be His hands and feet and show them the love of Christ. When that happens, how do I react? </p>
<p>You see, when we love God with the reckless devotion and passion that He calls us to have, He is always going to bring people into our paths that need to see His love through our actions. Some of those people may be nice looking, good smelling, well behaved family members, friends or acquaintances.</p>
<p>But what happens when that <em><strong>WHOSOEVER </strong></em>is someone that I don't necessarily like?</p>
<p>Someone that doesn't necessarily smell good?</p>
<p>Someone that's dirty?</p>
<p>Someone that I don't think is worthy of His love? </p>
<p>If I really believe that John 3:16 means <em><strong>WHOSOEVER</strong></em> - including me - then I should be radically excited when He uses me to further His Kingdom. Whether it be with someone rich or poor; someone nice or mean; someone intellectually amazing or someone that is rather simple minded; someone old and wise or someone young and dumb; someone who bathes one to two times a day or someone that is lucky to bathe once a month; someone in great health or someone on their death bed; someone in a 3,000 square foot home or someone lying on the streets homeless.</p>
<p>I'm thankful today that God counted me in that crowd of <em><strong>WHOSOEVER. </strong></em></p>
<p>The challenge now is will I be the one who without question or hesitation, stops daily for <em><strong>WHOSOEVER</strong></em>? </p>
3:36
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5784568
2019-06-08T09:56:27-05:00
2019-06-08T09:56:27-05:00
God's Math - Less is More
<p>The paradox of The Gospel never ceases to amaze my feeble mind. It's also the thing that I continually struggle with in this world of self-promotion, individual "brand" management and the what-about-me society that we live in today.</p>
<p>Paul wrote - <em>"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."</em> <em>-<strong> Philippians 2:3-4</strong></em></p>
<p>When I look at that, I have to ask myself:</p>
<ul> <li>Do you honestly do <em>all you do</em> with no selfish ambition?</li> <li>Do you place <em>EVERYONE</em> above your own ambitious desires?</li>
</ul>
<p>It's amazing what happens when we do this.</p>
<p>When we make the conscious decision to live each day in the center of God's will, make dying to self a <em>first-thing-in-the-morning priority</em> and empty ourselves of <em>SELF </em>so that we can fill up with God, we become the salt He has called us to be to this world. We become the light that shines in the dark places for those around us. Our ultimate plan that He has for each and every one of us becomes so much clearer when we focus on becoming less so that He can become more. </p>
<p>What a paradox!</p>
<p>What a radical mindset!</p>
<p>What a wonderful calling!</p>
<p>What a daily goal to have - to live so close to the heart of Christ that we can hear his heartbeat and heartache for those around us!</p>
3:47
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5766866
2019-05-24T12:01:08-05:00
2019-05-29T10:44:49-05:00
Perspective Makes All The Difference
<p><span class="font_regular">Where is your perspective when facing all the walls, mountains, challenges and obstacles in your life? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Do you look horizontally and focus on what you see? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Do you look around and only take note of what is within your reach?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Do you look at your bank ledger and wonder how you're going to make it happen?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Or, do you <em><strong>look up</strong></em> and see things from God's perspective? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I was struck this morning when reading the account of Christ feeding the 5,000 in John 6. When Christ asked Philip "where shall we buy bread, that these may eat," the next line jumped out at me when it said 'But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.' </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">You see Philip looked around and saw the people and couldn't see the possibilities of what God could do with five loaves and two fish. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Christ looked to His Father and knew that ANYTHING is possible when God is in it.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Philip was focused on <em><strong>WHAT</strong></em> he knew.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Christ was focused on <em><strong>WHO</strong></em> he knew.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Perspective. It's a life changer - just like God. </span></p>
4:13
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5759277
2019-05-18T10:37:59-05:00
2019-05-18T10:57:13-05:00
What's In Your Emotional Wallet?
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Romans 15:13 </strong></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Capital One has built one of the today's most recognized branding slogans as Samuel L. Jackson speaks to you from your TV and says "What's in your <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/ef1562ca08c025454f4d0dda944ec9b202f0ccdb/original/wooden-signpost-four-arrows-joy-260nw-533585464.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" />wallet?" That simple question is similar to the same question that we should ask ourselves each day as we roll out of bed and begin to interact with others as a follower of The Way - "What's in my emotional wallet? What baggage am I carrying today?"</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">You see, regardless of what you and I think, we are carrying SOMETHING in our hearts each day that we take our first steps. Either consciously - or subconsciously - we make a decision about what we are going to carry in our bag or wallet today. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Are we going to carry love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5:22-23)? Are we going to seek opportunities to breath life into someone who is hurting today? Are we going to show someone the compassion of Christ that we cross path with either in our house, office, in traffic or our local convenience store? Are we going to carry the passion that God calls us to have for His people and deal with each person we contact today - yes, even THAT ONE - in a manner that would make our Father smile? Or, are we going to carry anger, anxiety, worry, resentment, cutting words that steal life and joy from another's heart? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The beautiful thing about the qualities and traits that God fills us with mentioned above in Romans 15:13 is that they are LIMITLESS; UNENDING; the tank will NEVER RUN DRY if we are filling up with Him each day. The word that I love in the text and translation above is <em><strong>OVERFLOW. </strong></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">We have the opportunity each and every day to affect The Kingdom of God for all eternity. As we walk this round ball called earth if we lean into Him each day and fill up with His goodness we become vessels of <em><strong>OVERFLOWING </strong></em>that He uses to change the lives around us. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Our goal and desire should be to purposely seek each day to be the life-giving, hope-giving, joy-giving, love-giving people that Christ has called us to be - regardless of our current state or circumstance. If we travel our roads daily and just go through the motions, we are nothing more than a clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1) to the world around us and more than ever, that world is hurting and looking for an answer. That answer is Christ. </span></p>
3:28
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5565652
2018-12-22T09:15:43-06:00
2018-12-22T09:15:43-06:00
Surrendering All
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>"Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil." - 2 Kings 4:2b<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/598ad032dfdb468f6b89e4bf1b9f94fe7169d94d/original/beautyashesscreen.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></strong></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In this story in 2 Kings, Elisha has encountered a lady whose husband was a faithful servant of God but is now dead. Because of his outstanding debts, his creditors are headed to her house to take her sons as slaves to offset that debt. And just like us, her words are probably filled with anger, bitterness and sarcasm because of this situation and circumstance. In today's verbiage, she probably would have said something like "my husband followed God and look what THAT got him! Now what am I supposed to do?"</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As Christ followers, we have all been close to this point in the past or possibly right in the middle of a similar situation today. It could be a sick child; the sudden loss of a job that has created a financial mountain to appear; maybe a health diagnosis that you never saw coming; possibly like this situation, the sudden and tragic loss of a loved one. Regardless of the circumstance, you have probably felt - or are today feeling - abandoned by the God you serve. And just like this widow, have probably said something like, "where are you now GOD!?!"</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Looking back over many of the miracles that God performed in both the Old and New Testament, those miracles were done because simple people like you and I were willing to let go of the bitterness and anger of their individual situation; or they were willing to let go of what few possessions they were holding on to, and trust God for the outcome. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As I've mentioned several times in the past few months, God has been working in our lives since Friday, July 13, 2018 and has been sanding out rough spots, buffing and shining up places that had started to dull and show us that there is so much more to this walk of faith. It would have been so easy to stay in a place of anger. It would have been so easy to stay focused on the hurt. It's been a journey to walk through the rooms of my heart and have conversations with God that go something like this:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">"I'll take that," God says as he points to the anger in my heart.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">"Really! If I hold onto that, it helps me justify some things," I say.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">"I know. That's why you need to let it go. Give it to me," God continues. "Oh, I need that also," as he points to the pride and humility in the corner of my heart that helps define who we are at times.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">"Wait! I can't give that up! That helps create the veneer and facade that I hide behind at times and lean on to say that everything is going GREAT," I tell Him.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">"I know. You need to lean on me," my Father says. "You need to learn that I am all you need. You need to trust that I know about every one of your needs and I will provide for you." </span></p>
<p>And every time that I've trusted Him with a little more of the corners of my heart, He has shown up through other people that have been His hands and feet. Just like Elisha did for this widow. </p>
<p>I find it interesting that in 2 Kings 4, Elisha did not ask "what can I do to make it better" or "let me go and pay off your debts." Elisha asked this widow, "what do you have in the house?" Her quick, immediate and knee-jerk response was <em><strong>"NOTHING!" </strong></em>After a brief pause and possibly a mental scan through the house, she replied "oh yeah, I have a little oil." Although the scriptures don't say this, there was probably a hint of attitude that put into words would be <em><strong>"but what can we do with a little oil?" </strong></em></p>
<p>It's my belief that God wants each and every one of us - like this widow - to have some skin in the game by giving up some of those things that we hold onto that we feel are valuable to us; those things that help us justify our feelings or those possessions that we think create our worth and value. </p>
<p>As we read through verse 7 in this chapter, we see that God does an amazing miracle when this widow willingly gives her only possession of value to God. God uses this tiny bit of oil to alter the course of her and her son's lives, but she had to be willing to trust God for the outcome. Maybe this is where you are today. Maybe you've had your world turned upside down and you have a death grip on the few pieces of your life that you think have value. </p>
<p>Looking forward instead of behind, God is calling out to you today and saying "Let it go. Give it to me. Surrender that little bit of oil to me that you're holding onto and I will provide for you." Here's what you need to understand - God knows where you are today and what you need today more than you will ever know. Trust Him today and watch as He ultimately fills your jars to overflowing. It may not happen today. It may not happen tomorrow. But He is working behind the scenes to turn Beauty to Ashes in your life. </p>
<p>He did it for this widow; He's doing it for me - And He'll do it for you!</p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5553981
2018-12-14T08:11:47-06:00
2019-05-24T12:28:52-05:00
Focus on Him
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/3f51a5147c2f85927894f7a59d3d0bfe07dcda83/original/img-1342.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em>"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in <strong>ALL CIRCUMSTANCES</strong> for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -</em></span><span class="font_regular"><em>1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)</em></span></p>
<p><em>"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need; and thank him for all he has done." -Philippians 4:6 (NLT)</em></p>
<p>It's been exactly five months since our world was turned 180-degrees in another direction and on this journey, the emotions of this roller coaster ride have run the gamut. There were the days of anger and frustration. There have been days of doubt and unbelief. Still today there are days of fear and concern for the unknown. But, through it all we have worked hard to do the one thing that we know is a non-negotiable - <em><strong>LOOK UP!</strong></em> </p>
<p>So many times in life we encounter situations that come out of the blue and change the course of our lives. It can be a health diagnosis that you were not prepared for; a financial hardship that strains your resources; a child that makes a decision that redirects the course of their life; the sudden loss of a loved one; a job situation that is gone in the blink of an eye. Whatever <em><strong>IT</strong></em> is, our physical nature is to cry out "Why?" which is usually closely followed with "What now?"</p>
<p>I write these things because I know where you are today or where you've been in your past. I've been there and we're still walking that path today. With that in mind, I'd like to offer a thought. </p>
<p><strong>Look Up!</strong></p>
<p>Our human nature is in constant battle with our God-nature. Our human nature wants us to look down; to look inward. When we do this, we focus on ourselves. We focus on what we did wrong; what we didn't do right; what we could have or should have done different. It could even be that the cause of the situation that we're in today is because we did just that - looked inward at <em><strong>MY </strong></em>needs; <em><strong>MY</strong></em> wants; <em><strong>MY</strong></em> desires; <em><strong>MY</strong></em> answers and took our eyes off The Master. </p>
<p>Life is going to have its twists and turns, it's ever-changing circumstances. What doesn't change is God! He is constant. He is steadfast. He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. When we look up, we focus on the goodness of God and over time realize that He has me and you right where He needs us to get our attention; to draw us back to Him. </p>
<p>Years ago when I was learning to ride a mountain bike on tight, twisting trails, I continued to crash and hit large rocks and trees. When my teacher asked what I was looking at when I rode those trails, I let him know that I was looking at the rocks and the trees that I was trying to avoid. As he chuckled, he made a very profound statement that holds true about life - "John," he said "you're bike is only going to go toward what you're looking at. If you're looking at trees and rocks, you're going to hit the trees and rocks! Focus on the path and keep your eyes UP! Don't look down at what's right in front of your bike! Look up the trail and see the beauty of what's ahead of you!"</p>
<p>God has the same advice for you and I <strong>(<a contents="Prov 4:25" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+4%3A25&version=NASB" target="_blank">Prov 4:25</a>)</strong>. He wants us to focus on Him <strong>(<a contents="Matt 6:33" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+6%3A33&version=NASB" target="_blank">Matt 6:33</a>)</strong>.To keep our eyes looking toward Him <strong>(<a contents="Rom 8:5" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8%3A5&version=NASB" target="_blank">Rom 8:5</a>)</strong>. To see that He has a plan and a purpose for you and I <strong>(<a contents="Jer 29:11" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jeremiah+29%3A11&version=NASB" target="_blank">Jer 29:11</a>)</strong>. His plan is much bigger and better than ours <strong>(<a contents="Is 55:8-9" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+55%3A8-9&version=NASB" target="_blank">Is 55:8-9</a>).</strong> Dig into His word today and rest on the assurance that He is walking right beside you and is refining us for a bigger and brighter tomorrow <strong>(<a contents="Prov. 19:20-21" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+19%3A20-21&version=NASB" target="_blank">Prov. 19:20-21</a>)</strong>. He is giving you and I a platform to use in days, weeks and years to come that will glorify Him <strong>(<a contents="Ps 50:15" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+50%3A15&version=NASB" target="_blank">Ps 50:15</a>)</strong>.</p>
<p>If you're like me, you didn't choose to be in this place. But, you can choose how you respond. You can choose to look down/inside, or you can choose to <em><strong>Look Up!</strong></em> As you do this, take to heart Paul's words and "be joyful" while you call upon God and learn to count this as an opportunity to glorify your Father. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
4:09
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5546181
2018-12-09T00:24:53-06:00
2018-12-09T00:47:02-06:00
Seeing Things With God-Vision
<p><em>But He said, "the things which are impossible with men, are possible with God." - Luke 18:27</em></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As I sit here tonight and seek answers for the way around and over these mountains, God continues to refine, chisel and sand down rough spots. Some of those blemishes I knew I still had but didn't want to admit to having, while others He shines a light on are some that I didn't realize were still there. One of those that He's been revealing and sanding on lately is my understanding that His plan and vision for my life is a much bigger plan and vision than I could ever imagine<em><strong> (in other words, my lack of faith). </strong></em></span></p>
<p>God continues to work on me to understand that we limit the opportunities that He has for us because we are not willing to dream B-I-G. We are not willing to trust that He can<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/d151469091b25f7249f3042c05e55b4929475e91/original/nothing-is-impossible-1-orig.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /> and will continue to do what He's always done since the beginning of time - <em><strong>THE IMPOSSIBLE.</strong></em></p>
<ul> <li>Create the universe out of nothing - <em><strong>DONE!</strong></em>
</li> <li>Have a 90-year-old woman (Sarah) and a 100-year-old man (Abraham) give birth to a son - <em><strong>DONE!</strong></em>
</li> <li>Use a young shepherd boy (David), a stone and a sling to kill a giant (Goliath) - <em><strong>DONE!</strong></em>
</li> <li>Part not one, but two bodies of water (Red Sea & Jordan) for the same ungrateful group of people - <em><strong>DONE!</strong></em>
</li> <li>Stop the sun from setting for an entire day (Joshua 10:13-14) - <em><strong>DONE!</strong></em>
</li> <li>Virgin birth - <em><strong>DONE!</strong></em>
</li> <li>Raise a dead person - <em><strong>DONE!</strong></em>
</li> <li>Heal a blind man, a cripple, a leper - <em><strong>DONE! DONE! DONE!</strong></em>
</li> <li>Feed 5,000 folks with a handful of fish and bread and have leftovers - <em><strong>DONE!</strong></em>
</li>
</ul>
<p>God is in the miracle working business. His word reminds us several times that "nothing is impossible with God." One of the places you can find that statement is reading the story of the birth of Christ - Luke chapter one. </p>
<p>I've spent several years dreaming about what the future looked like and each of those dreams was based on my abilities and my goals and my desires. It wasn't until God had enough of my excuses and my plans and me doing it <em>MY WAY</em> that He finally stepped in this summer and altered my course to get my total attention. With that move and a lot of being still these last few months, He has caused me to understand that if my vision for my future can be accomplished by me alone, then it is not the true vision that God has put inside me. It may be the plan and vision that gets me what I want, but it will not ultimately be the plan that glorifies Him. God fills us with visions and plans that are virtually impossible to be accomplished in and of ourselves. He wants us to come to a place that we are utterly dependent on Him and Him alone. When we are empty of ourselves, that's when He can start doing what He does best - <em><strong>The Impossible. </strong></em></p>
<p>In the world we live in today, God continues to show me that what He needs most to accomplish His will - His good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom 12:2) - is simple people like you and me. Simple people who are ready to be recklessly devoted servants; sold-out, surrendered and completely empty vessels that are so committed to God's plan that when He does the impossible, we do all we can to share our "...BUT GOD" stories to anyone and everyone that will listen. God longs for folks like you and me that are ready to grab a hold of His vision and plan for our lives regardless of how impossible it may seem. The deeper the valley, the bigger His miracle will be as He lifts us up to that Mount Everest-like mountain top to shout His praises (Ps 50:15)!</p>
<p>Today, tonight, tomorrow, make time with Him a priority. Spend time talking to your Father about the dreams that He's placed in your heart that you have neglected. Maybe it's a new ministry; maybe it's a new career; maybe it's going back to school; maybe it's making the decision to quit work and give up half your income as a family so that you can be at home with your kids; maybe it's starting a new company - whatever it is, know that His will is a perfect will that has HUGE implications for His Kingdom.</p>
<p>Pray and seek His direction. Ask Him to open your eyes so that you can clearly see the vision He's laid out for your life - a vision that can only be accomplished through the miraculous movement of His hand. Then watch Him do <em><strong>The Impossible!</strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
4:13
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5528385
2018-11-26T16:57:45-06:00
2018-11-26T17:07:29-06:00
Whose Toes Are You Dancing On?
<p><span class="font_regular">There were a lot of things that I loved about being a Daddy to Daughters. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I loved teaching them about what it means to be valued. I loved telling them silly jokes. I loved to hear them laugh. I loved holding them and rocking them to sleep at night. I loved laying next to them in bed at night and telling funny stories as I would eventually get to a point of singing them to sleep. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">One of the things I loved to do as much as anything was dancing with them when they were little. If you're a Dad or you are a Daughter, you know what I'm talking about. Not the dancing you do when they're teenagers as you prepare them for some school dance. I'm talking about the dancing you do when they're little, innocent, trusting young girls. The kind of dancing that starts with them grabbing your hands and then stepping up - one foot after the other - on top of your toes. It is <em><strong>PRICELESS!</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Whether it was being done for fun, laughter and entertainment or it was being done to teach them a few dance <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/00f84a62450ca62f66022b0f22a8dffdd6a55a94/original/daddy-daughter-990x659-d658b069-91e4-4996-a614-37d4dfb3caf5.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" />steps, it always ended up with my girls holding onto my hands as tight as they could possibly grip, their head thrown back and hair flowing in the air as we spun around in endless circles. There was always laughter. If I stepped right, they stepped right. If I stepped left, they stepped left. If I spun, they spun. When you're standing on someone's toes, you can't help but move when they move and be still when they're still.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">During those fun dance episodes, it was as if they didn't have a care in the world. And come to think of it, I didn't have a care in the world at those times either. All I focused on was how trusting they were. How they held fast to the fact that they knew, that they knew, that they knew that there was <em><strong>NO WAY</strong></em> that their Daddy was going to ever let go of them where they could get hurt. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As I walk down this new road that God has had us on these last five months, He's teaching me once again through my experiences as an earthly dad that He wants that same thing from me and for me. My Heavenly Father wants me to walk <em><strong>THAT CLOSE</strong></em> with him each and every day. My Heavenly Father wants me to <em><strong>TRUST HIM</strong></em> just like my girls trusted me. My Heavenly Father wants me to rejoice in the joy that He provides. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In the longest chapter in the bible, the Psalmist who penned Chapter 119, writes:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em>"How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You. Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The answer to many of life's challenges can be found in that passage, Verse 9-11. God wants us so close to Him that it's hard for the world to tell where we end and He starts. He also knows that if we are standing on His toes, we will only move when He moves; we will Be Still when He's still and we will have peace and contentment in each of those scenarios. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">When my girls danced with me in the manner above, we were always in unison. We moved as one. God wants our walk (or dance) with him to be the same way and He tells us how to do it and what the outcome will be:</span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular"><em>"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose myself to him." <strong>- John 14:22</strong></em></span></li> <li><span class="font_regular"><em>"If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat." <strong>- Isaiah 1:19</strong></em></span></li> <li><span class="font_regular"><em>"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." <strong>- Joshua 1:8</strong></em></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm learning to walk (dance) closer to Him each day. I'm also learning that He will always step in at just the right time to rescue His children. Why does He do that? <em><strong>That's What Daddies Do! </strong></em></span></p>
3:28
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5512887
2018-11-14T08:30:25-06:00
2018-11-14T08:36:01-06:00
Your Harvest Is Coming
<p><span class="font_regular">I hate waiting! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There have been many times in my life that I have made choices - probably not the wisest of choices - based on the simple fact of how long I'd have to wait. I've chosen doctors in the past based on how much time I spent in their waiting room. I've made decisions on auto repairs based on how quick they could get my car back to me. <em><strong>I know</strong></em> I'm not the only one that makes restaurant choices based their waiting-list time. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The truth is, I hate to wait on ANYTHING! Even...God.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">We spend countless hours of our walk with God stuck on the simple question of "Why?" </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">That question is typically found running around with one of its first cousins, "When?"</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">During this season of life that I'm in today, one of the things that God has continued to teach me is the difference between living with <em><strong>HEART </strong></em>knowledge vs. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/1c3ef942c1421f407a0a3067c615ebe83d744b02/original/sowing-and-reaping.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><em><strong>HEAD</strong></em> knowledge. Simply put, heart knowledge is all about walking in faith with that dreaded word - patience. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Growing up in South Texas, my dad loved to garden. Each year, my dad would plant a garden that was bigger than the year before. He'd cultivate the ground, he'd rake the rocks out, he'd pull the weeds while preparing to sow his seeds. I remember as a kid running out of the house each morning to see if any sprouts had broken through the ground. And for weeks, the result was the same - nothing. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">What I didn't realize was that there was a process of pressure, heat and moisture (watering) that had to occur for that seed to ultimately break out of the hull that was holding the good stuff inside. Over the hours, days and weeks, I would watch my dad water his garden and all the while the temperature in the ground would create enough heat - and the dirt that was covering that tiny seed would create enough pressure - eventually the process of growth would start. The seed would bust open, tiny roots would begin to form <em><strong>UNDER </strong></em>the dirt giving that plant the foundation it needed to stand firm once it broke through and began to grow <em><strong>ABOVE</strong></em> the dirt for all to see. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">While all this was going on, my dad had faith. He knew, that he knew, that he knew that a harvest was right around the corner. His knowledge of an eventual crop arriving came from a faith <em><strong>(heart knowledge)</strong></em> that he knew when he put in the time to work his garden, that God would do his part and bring the harvest. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">I've come to realize that God works much the same way in our lives. Our heavenly Father loves us so much that He wants us to get better, to grow and become stronger in our walk than we could ever imagine. Our Father has so much in store for us as vessels and tools to further His Kingdom, but he knows that the battle will be hard and the road will be tough. Therefore, in preparing us He has to fashion us with times of intense heat and pressure - just like that tiny seed. And just like my dad, it is our job to do some work to ensure a harvest. We need to water the ground, clean out the rocks and pull the weeds.</span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">Our job is to seek His face each day by spending time in His word; spending time in His presence; talking to Him and listening for His will in our lives. These are the things we do each day to ensure those rocks and weeds are being removed. These are the things we do to ensure there is enough moisture in the ground to help the seeds He's sowing in us begin to sprout and grow roots beneath the surface. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">It never failed that each spring, summer and fall, we had a bumper crop of wonderful vegetables to eat. We had some of the biggest ears of corn; some of the juiciest watermelons; yellow squash that was more golden than the sun; enough green beans to feed an army! And each season, my dad was giving away many of the fruits of his labor. To say my dad's harvest was enough each season would be a significant understatement. But my dad was patient; my dad tended to his garden; my dad had faith that if he did his job, God would show up! </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">We are all at different stages in our walk. Some are reaping a great harvest today because of the faith they've put into their gardens. Some of us are still working our gardens and rather than having envy or question why your neighbor is receiving a bountiful harvest, use that as another building block of faith <em><strong>(heart knowledge)</strong></em> that God will show up in your garden to provide a bountiful harvest at just the right time! In His time! </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">In <a contents="Habakkuk 2:3" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk+2%3A3&version=TLB" target="_blank">Habakkuk 2:3</a>, God tells us that His time does not move quickly - <em>"these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely...If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things wills surely come to pass. Just be patient. They will not be overdue a single day!"</em></span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;">God is telling me - and you - keep tending to your garden. Keep spending time raking the rocks, pulling the weeds and watering the seeds He's sowing. Your harvest is coming.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
4:09
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5487236
2018-10-26T08:41:08-05:00
2018-10-28T23:26:40-05:00
Is God Even There? Living In The Silence...
<p>We live in a world where we expect immediate responses from those we communicate with each day. We have the ability to know if someone has <strong>READ </strong>a text we send and when they read it. If we post something on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. we are constantly looking to see how many comments, likes or other reactions we get to that post and how quickly they arrive.</p>
<p>For some reason though, God didn't get the memo letting him know how <em><strong>WE</strong></em> expect things to run these days! </p>
<p>God's word says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. So why do we expect Him to live, work and react on our timeline? </p>
<p>The bible is full of situations where those seeking God did not hear from him. And in some instances, it was not just minutes or hours, it was days, weeks, months and/or years.</p>
<p>In Psalm 13 David writes: "O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? <br> How long will you look the other way? <br> How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, <br> with sorrow in my heart every day? <br> How long will my enemy have the upper hand?" </p>
<p>In Isaiah 64, we read "You have hidden your face from us."</p>
<p>In Judges 6, we hear Gideon say "If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all His wonders that our fathers told us about...but now the Lord has abandoned us..."</p>
<p>Another Psalmist - Asaph - wrote in Psalm 74:9, "We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be." </p>
<p>You may be walking in that space today where you hear nothing. It's total silence from God. You cry out but there's no response. I get it! I've been there! Very recently!</p>
<p>Here's what God has taught me through this time...</p>
<ul> <li>God wants me to walk by faith, not by sight. And in the dark spots, in the rooms where there is no light and no voice to direct my steps, walking by faith is the only option. It means that I must lean into Him more - not less - for discernment and direction.</li> <li>Paul says to work out our salvation through fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12). I can't think of a better way to do that than walking on a dark road alone. One of the ways that God sanctifies us is by making us humble and in that humility, we have a choice to either hold fast to the cross or be like the old Frank Sinatra song and do it "My Way." </li> <li>Part of His testing in my (our) life is a desire to grind down the rough edges of our hearts. One of the best ways He accomplishes this is by leaving us in the fire a little longer. </li>
</ul>
<p>Through the silence recently, I have been convicted that my time with God each day was spent as if I was putting together His To-Do list for the day. "God, I need this. God, I need that. God, please do this. God, please do that." My Heavenly Father is no different than I am when it comes to my children - He wants my heart's desire to long for His <strong>PRESENCE not just His <em>PRESENTS!</em></strong></p>
<p>God is never far from us and He hears our cries. He is standing back in that Silent Place - just like we do as parents - and hoping that we pass The Test. He is hoping that we will be like David was in the last two verses of Psalm 13 and say with confidence:</p>
<p>"But I trust in your unfailing love. <br> I will rejoice because you have rescued me. <br>I will sing to the Lord <br> because he is good to me."</p>
4:42
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5477143
2018-10-19T13:53:15-05:00
2018-10-19T14:32:27-05:00
Am I Worthy?
<p>That simple question is something that I've been chewing on for a few days. And when I chew, I do the only thing I can do to think through things - I write. </p>
<p>The easy answer to this question is NO!</p>
<p>We are not worthy of His grace. We are not worthy of His mercy. We are not worthy of His love. We are not worthy of His forgiveness.</p>
<p>We were not worthy yesterday. We are not worthy today. We will not be worthy tomorrow.</p>
<p>It seems kind of futile when we look at things from a surface perspective. </p>
<p>Solomon said it this way in Ecclesiastes 1:2 - "Meaningless! Meaningless!" Says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless. Everything is meaningless." It would be so easy to just stop there and throw our hands up and say a frustrating, "why try?!" But here's the wonderful thing about God's word - in my humble opinion - it's similar to a great treasure hunt. Just when we get to a point of not understanding or thinking one particular way, God reveals His beauty; His grace and mercy; His undeniable love for me and you in a way that has always been there, we were just too blind - <em><strong>OR TOO BUSY</strong></em> - to see it!</p>
<p>God knows that we will never be worthy and my worthiness is not a prerequisite for His love.</p>
<p>In God's upside down economy where things are changed from the bottom up and the inside out, what I'm starting to realize for the first time in my half a century of life is that worthiness is the act that comes <em><strong>as a result </strong></em>of my repentance<b><i> because of</i></b> His love, mercy and grace. It's one of God's math equations that we will never truly comprehend in our limited, finite, human minds. I believe that's called <em><strong>FAITH</strong></em>. </p>
<p>In Acts 26:20, Luke writes "...<em><strong>repent</strong></em> and turn to God, performing deeds <em><strong>worthy</strong></em> of repentance." Luke is telling me that my worthiness will be found in my fruits that come out of my repentance and understanding of what God has done for me, in me and will do through me. Repentance isn't just a simple, "I'm sorry God." Repentance as defined by Mr. Webster says that it's sincere regret; remorse; contrition; brokenness; sorrow. Biblical repentance is literally changing your mind; turning from our sinful ways and desiring a life filled with God.</p>
<p>Repentance in it's simplest form is an act of letting go of all the things that have hindered my undying and complete dependence on Jesus Christ (Heb 12:1). It's a sold out, heartfelt and unwavering commitment that God is above everything in my life; He sits on <em><strong>THE</strong></em> throne - not <em><strong>A</strong></em> throne - in my heart! That repentance and the understanding of God's love for us is what then bears fruit in the form of deeds in our lives; those deeds are a reflection of the unbelievable worth of our Father and in all their brokenness, those deeds are worthy! </p>
<p>My worth is ultimately defined by my faith and holding fast to the love and worth of my Lord Jesus Christ. </p>
<p>So today, I pray that my deeds may find me worthy of the calling (Eph. 4:1); worthy of the Kingdom (2 Thes. 1:5); worthy of the Gospel (Phil. 1:27); and worthy of my Lord God (Col 1:10; 1 Thes 2:12). </p>
<p>How do I - or you - do this? The answer is pretty clear when digging for more treasures. By:</p>
<ol> <li>Bearing fruit in every good work (Col. 1:10a)</li> <li>Growing in the knowledge of God (Col 1:10b)</li> <li>Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might (Col 1:11), and</li> <li>Giving thanks to the Father (Col. 1:12)</li>
</ol>
<p>Father God, find me worthy!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
4:06
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5459926
2018-10-08T13:44:11-05:00
2018-10-08T14:02:26-05:00
Grab Hold Of The Keys
<p>A little over two weeks ago, I penned a blog titled <em>Are You Falling for Satan's Great Lie?</em> You can read it <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.johnrandolphmusic.com/home/blog/are-you-falling-for-satan-s-greatest-lies-of-this-century-i-did" target="_blank">H</a><a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.johnrandolphmusic.com/home/blog/are-you-falling-for-satan-s-greatest-lies-of-this-century-i-did" target="_blank">ERE</a>. I ended that post with a "tune in tomorrow for Part 2" and then left you hanging. The reason for the slower-than-expected "answer" is that I've been on a bit of a journey these last few weeks and God continues to dangle things in front of me that have me searching for more answers than ever before.</p>
<p>So what's the answer to this dilemma? Well, here are my thoughts...</p>
<p>In that post, I wrote about how Satan used the deception of technology, time, busyness, etc that we all have in our lives to fool me into thinking that I was spending quality time with God. Time that in our family, we would call <strong><em>Fully Engaged and Fully Present. </em></strong>The reality is that when we move at a breakneck, frenetic pace of life that the world demands of us, our time with our Father is either non-existent or relegated to a "drive-by" devotional read to us by Siri through the speakers of our car or truck. Our time in His word - sitting with a <b>REAL HARD COPY</b> bible opened up in our lap or on the dining room table - is now a thing of the past since YouVersion's Bible app is one of the most downloaded apps of all time reaching over <strong><em>300 MILLION DOWNLOADS </em></strong>in 2017.</p>
<p>Please don't get me wrong, there is a place for YouVersion or any other bible app that we use in our world today. I use it daily to cross-reference versions I don't have on hand; I use it to do some devotionals that supplement things I'm studying at certain times. But a steady diet of it in place of the "real" food of God's word is not the answer. The reality is <strong><em>this is the problem! </em></strong>I'm speaking from 1st-hand knowledge.</p>
<p>Think of your bible-app-of-choice as your favorite fast-food restaurant. Whether it's Whataburger, Chick-Fil-A, McDonalds or Taco Bell, if you decided to eat all your meals from that restaurant while sitting in your car, your health would take a steady decline due to weight gain, clogged arteries, food that is seriously lacking in quality nutrition but overloaded with preservatives and artificial flavorings and colors. Your problem would be exacerbated by the fact that all of your meals were being consumed while "on the run" and sitting in your car. Your exercise or physical activity would be non-existent. It wouldn't be too long before you were spending more time at the doctor's office, consuming medications to regulate your health issues or even worse, possibly dead.</p>
<p>This is what happens to our spiritual lives as we consume all our bread of life from an electronic device while zipping in and out of traffic. It's what happens to our spiritual hearts as we attempt to multi-task all the other life demands we are juggling each day while having Siri read our Verse of the Day. </p>
<p>You may argue that the information contained in your bible app is the same information contained in your bible, so what's the difference/problem?</p>
<p>The issue in my opinion is not the app itself, but the million other things on your device that fight for your divided attention while holding your phone or iPad in your hand. The constant buzzing of text messages, Facebook and Instagram notifications, Twitter updates and Snapchat stories are just another way that The Enemy wedges into your time with your Father. Again, similar to my analogy of two weeks ago - imagine trying to have a romantic meal with your wife, husband or significant other and all the while they're answering all those buzzes, beeps and dings on their phone! That's exactly what we do to God when we rely on that electronic device to be the vehicle we use to transport us into His presence. </p>
<p>So what's the answer? It's really pretty simple. You just have to be willing to make changes before you wake up and find yourself miles away from The Cross.</p>
<ol> <li>You have to commit to winning the battle you fight every morning called <em><strong>Mind Over Mattress! </strong></em>God wants your first fruits - and that's not just your money, but it's your time as well. He wants to be the first thing that pops into your mind when you open your eyes in the morning. He wants to be the first thing you long for when your feet hit the floor. He wants to be the One that you can't wait to spend time with each day. He doesn't want to be relegated to an after-thought that gets your last 10 minutes before you put your head down at night. Roll out of bed 30 minutes to an hour early each day and watch how productive and passionately you pursue life knowing your Father is right there by your side! Pretend your life depends on it because, guess what? It does!!</li> <li>
<b><i>Run - Don't Walk - To The Cross Every Morning!! </i></b>There are two things that I want in life now more than ever - Peace and Rest. There are several ways that those can be accomplished, but the bottom-line common denominator is that they are going to be found by spending time in the presence of Jesus Christ every single morning! Don't take my word for it, take His: <ul> <li>
<strong>Psalm 16:11</strong> - You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy</li> <li>
<strong>Exodus 33:14</strong> - My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest</li> <li>
<strong>Acts 3:19</strong> - ...so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord</li> <li>
<strong>Psalm 119:165</strong> - Great peace have those who love your law</li> <li>
<strong>Is 30:15</strong> - ...in repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength</li> <li>
<strong>Psalm 116:7</strong> - Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you</li> <li>
<strong>Hebrews 4:1</strong> - The promise of His rest still stands</li> <li>
<strong>Jer. 31:25</strong> - I will refresh the weary and satisfy the saint</li> <li>
<strong>Jer 6:16</strong> - Stand by the road and seek the old paths; where the good way is and walk in it and find rest for your souls</li> <li>
<strong>James 4:8 </strong>- Draw near to God and He will draw near to you</li> </ul> </li>
</ol>
<p>My friend and mentor John Randles used to say that at the core most of us know what to do when faced with challenging situations in life. But if we are spending time in God's presence daily and digesting His word, when we are faced with doing what is right or wrong, it's like crawling over broken glass to even consider the wrong choice. The Holy Spirit and the voice of God are so loud and so prevalent when we walk daily with no distractions in God's presence. Satan knows this and <em><strong>HE HATES IT!</strong></em> </p>
<p>There's a pretty simple and basic reason why God tells us to "<b><i>BE STILL </i></b>and know that I am God." It's also fairly interesting that you and I were created as human <em><strong>BE</strong></em>ings! He did not create us as human <em><strong>DO</strong></em>ings; He also didn't tell us to <em><strong>DO STILL </strong></em>and know that I am God. If you can start with that unambiguous clear directive - <em><strong>BE STILL</strong></em> - you'll be amazed at what He will then begin to do in your life.</p>
<p>Trust me on this. I'm speaking as a recovering On-The-Run-Bible-Listening DO-er. </p>
2:16
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5445781
2018-09-27T11:07:59-05:00
2018-09-27T11:07:59-05:00
Simply In Your Presence
<p><em><strong>"You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>-Psalm 27:8 </strong></em></p>
<p>As I rolled out of bed this morning to spend some time with my Father, I quietly brushed my teeth and started mentally putting my prayer list together: </p>
<ul> <li>financial needs </li> <li>pastor's hearts and minds as I call about bookings </li> <li>direction for decisions I need to make today </li> <li>care and protection of my family </li> <li>and on and on and on </li>
</ul>
<p>As I began to take inventory of <em><strong>MY NEEDS</strong></em>, my mind began to drift back to some of my most fond memories of my children - the times they would slowly creep into our room in the morning and slide under the covers between Cindy and I. We had some of the best conversations in those early morning episodes...no pretense; no ulterior motives. Sure there were times it was out of fear from a bad dream; other times it was to wake us early to begin some adventure we'd discussed or been planning. But the times I recalled this morning were the times they would just curl up next to us just because they wanted to be close to mom and dad. </p>
<p>While I smiled on the outside, my heart flooded with sadness as I recalled my list I had made earlier. It occurred to m e that my Heavenly Father wants the same thing from me - a simple desire to just be in His presence with no list of To-Do's or requests for Him. </p>
<p>David understood this fact as he wrote this Psalm. He understood that there is no place more peaceful, more safe, more tranquil...no conversation as filling as those had when just simply crawling up into the lap of God and seeking His face. </p>
<p><em>Forgive me Father when I demean our relationship - and Your love for me - to that of a fortune teller or need-provider. Remind me daily that as a Father, you long for your children to desire nothing more than to be in Your presence. </em></p>
<p><em>Teach me to be more like David and to seek Your face and not just Your hand.</em></p>
4:57
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5434953
2018-09-19T10:26:11-05:00
2018-09-19T10:35:43-05:00
Are You Falling For Satan's Greatest Lies of Our Time? I did!
<p><em><strong>"How's it going?"</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>"Great! Man, I'm BUSY! Works going great. We have more business than we know what to do with and I got that raise at the beginning of the year. It just never seems like enough though!!"</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>"I know what you mean."</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>"How's the wife and kids?</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>"I guess good. The wife and I see each other passing in the hall and I send the kids text messages each day to catch up and everything seems to be good. Work just has me so wrapped up, I can't even see straight. How about you?"</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>"I'm the same. Between work, the kids sports, trying to keep up with chores around the house, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. It seems like when I'm not at the office, I'm at a softball field, a baseball field, a football field, a soccer field or some other kind of field! I can't even tell you the last time we sat down and ate dinner AT THE TABLE!"</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>"I hear that! Most of my meals are handed to me through a drive thru window these days or a quick stop at Chili's. If we're home as a family for a meal, we usually just sit around the TV so we can veg out, catch our breath and not have to think too much."</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>"By the way, how's your time with God? Your bible study time?"</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>"Well, I listen to my audio bible on my drive to work each day and I say my prayers at night when we tuck the kids in. I'm just lucky to have time to breathe right now!!</strong></em>"</p>
<p>Does that conversation sound like anything you've said or heard in your life the last few weeks, months or years? I'm not asking from a point of condemnation or judgement. I'm asking because I've been there.</p>
<p>Since God intervened in my life two months ago to abruptly get me off that merry-go-round that I'd selfishly chosen to be on for the last eight years, I've come to realize that Satan's biggest, scariest and most veiled lie that he has perpetrated on man-kind today - and many of us have bought into lock, stock and barrel - is two-fold:</p>
<ol> <li>The busier you are, the more prosperous you will be and the more people will admire you</li> <li> A devotional app on your phone, an audio bible through your car speakers and a quick drive-by prayer is at best better than nothing or even worse, we actually believe that God is pleased with us doing that!!</li>
</ol>
<p>Let's get a few things straight before you begin to think I'm advocating not working or not being a productive part of society:</p>
<ul> <li>God's word tells us to work - (2 Thes 3:10)</li> <li>God originally designed us to work - (Gen 2:7-9; 15)</li> <li>God wants us to be prosperous and wants to richly bless us - (Psalm 84:11; 2 Cor 8:9)</li> <li>God wants us to honor Him with the success He gives us and to care for those less fortunate - (Prov 3:9-10; Prov 19:17; James 1:27)</li> <li>He is also a jealous God and wants to be your #1 - Period!! - (Ex 20:4-5; Ex 34:14)</li>
</ul>
<p>Satan isn't called Ole Slick for no reason. He is the father of all lies (John 8:44). And the best lies are those that are veiled and covered with a little bit of what we perceive as truths. Over the last three years as I drove 150-miles round-trip each day to Dallas for work, I bought into that lie all the while my Father was sitting and waiting for me to sit down long enough to have a real one-on-one conversation while being <em><strong>FULLY ENGAGED AND FULLY PRESENT</strong></em> - not distracted by the world around me and giving him the crumbs of my life.</p>
<p>Think about it this way. How would you feel if you were sitting with your spouse or kids or business associate or employee or client and the entire time you were talking, they had their iPhone in their hand looking at every text, every email, every Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat notification? At some point you would either stop engaging or throw your hands up and walk away because you know they were not <b><i>FULLY ENGAGED AND FULLY PRESENT</i></b>. We are doing the same thing to God when we scoot down the road at 75 MPH dodging in and out of traffic while listening to today's feel-good YouVersion devo. He feels just like you would in this situation as you sit at your desk in the morning listening to Chris Tomlin's <em>How Great is Our God</em> during your "quiet time" at the office and answer the string of last night's pressing emails.</p>
<p>Again, I was there! I was you! As recently as eight weeks ago!! </p>
<p>While all this was going on, Satan sat back in a corner laughing hysterically as I bought into his lie. He knew that each day that he kept me from being <b><i>FULLY ENGAGED AND FULLY PRESENT </i></b>with my Father, it was one more step he could get me away from the cross. Over time, that one step becomes two steps and before you know it, you look up and it's a year later and you're 300 steps - or <strong><em>900 YARDS AWAY FROM THE CROSS. </em></strong>That's half a mile away from God's arms; His protection; His voice; His guidance; His presence. Over three years - that's 1.53 miles away. With that gap, he can start dangling the temptations of the world in our faces and before we know it, our decisions, discernment and difficult choices don't seem so wrong any longer.</p>
<p>Satan knows if he can get us focused on our wants, needs and desires and wrap it up under the bow of "responsibility" and "progress" or "duty," then he can keep us distracted for L-O-O-O-O-O-N-G time. Muhammad Ali used to call this a rope a dope.</p>
<p>How does God feel about this? Well, He gives us a pretty good idea in Haggai 1:5-6;9...</p>
<p><em>Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! </em></p>
<p><em>“You have sown much, and bring in little; <br>You eat, but do not have enough; <br>You drink, but you are not filled with drink; <br>You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; <br>And he who earns wages, <br>Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” </em></p>
<p><em> “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own hous</em>e."</p>
<p>What's the answer? Tune in tomorrow for Part 2...</p>
4:57
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5423434
2018-09-12T05:55:00-05:00
2018-09-12T08:52:57-05:00
A Glutton For God
<p>Have you ever spent much time around truly HUNGRY or STARVING people? I'm not talking about someone who has missed a meal between breakfast and dinner. I'm talking about a child or adult that hasn't eaten for days. Or, if they have eaten, it's been small morsels of food. Not life-giving, health-sustaining food with substance to it. </p>
<p>For nine straight years, I was blessed enough to go on a mission trip to Juarez, Mexico with our former home church Cross Bend Christian Church in Plano, Tx. We would spend a week in some of the poorest areas of Juarez building the equivilent of a single car garage - four walls and a roof - for a family that currently lived on a dirt floor lean-to whose walls and ceiling were made of pallets and cardboard boxes. There were many days that these families went without food.</p>
<p>As we built the house during the week, our van would be swarmed each day around lunch time by the kids who at times had not eaten for DAYS! These children did not have a look in their eyes that said "hey, if you have something extra, that would be great;" or "if there's some leftovers that you can throw my way, I'd appreciate it;" or "if I get some food that's OK; if I don't, that's OK too." No, these kids had actions and looks that aligned that said "I need food NOW!" The hungriest always found a way to get to the head of the group; the kids who had the biggest desire for food did not understand the word 'NO.' </p>
<p>I've thought a lot about those faces and the longing in their eyes these last few weeks as I reflect on how we drift away from the cross as we're prone to do. As Robert Robinson wrote in the wonderful hymn <b><i>"Come Thou Fount"</i></b></p>
<p><em><strong>O to grace how great a debtor</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Daily I'm constrained to be</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Let thy goodness like a fetter,</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Bind my wandering heart to thee</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Prone to wander, Lord I feel it</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Prone to leave the One I love</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Here's my heart, O take and seal it</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Seal it for thy courts above</strong></em></p>
<p>It breaks God's heart when I admit that there have been times in my life - especially over the last year - that I have lived out those words that Robinson wrote in the late 1700's. While I've let the busyness of life pull me away from His table, I haven't ever missed a regular meal. I might not have had time for His life-giving Word, but I sure had time to feed my face for breakfast, lunch, dinner and probably a snack or two during the day! </p>
<p>Since He put the brakes on my "wandering heart" almost two months ago, I pray constantly that my hunger and need for God be as evident as those children in Mexico's hunger for food! I pray that each day I wake <em><strong>LONGING</strong></em> for His Bread of Life and not have an apathetic "well, if I can fit Him in today I will" type attitude. I pray that my desire to eat from His table far out-measure my desire for the junk food of the world; my desire for eating from His feast supersede my selfish hunger for time-wasting activities that bring no value to my calling to seek His Kingdom first. I want selfishly to be the first in line each day as we run at break-neck speed to His throne! My prayer is that I will be a <em><strong>Glutton For God! </strong></em> </p>
3:47
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5422971
2018-09-10T17:07:13-05:00
2018-09-10T22:39:39-05:00
Spiritual Fast Food Almost Killed Me
<p><span class="font_regular">For the better part of my adult life, I ate what I wanted, when I wanted and never worried about the health ramifications of that diet. If it's passed to you through a drive-thru window, I probably ate it. If the side of the box was taken up by a list of ingredients that looked more like a science experiment than a food product, I consumed it. Sonic chili-cheese coney; double-meat, double-cheese Whataburger; Taco Bell #7 combo with a soft taco and large Dr. Pepper, please!!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I used the excuse of my 150-mile daily round-trip commute to Big D for the last 13 years as the reason for my food choices. It wasn't until 18 months ago that I finally started to see and feel the physical effects of that life. Sure there were other warning signs, but for better or worse, I ignored them.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So many times in our spiritual life, we do the exact same thing. We attempt to survive on Spiritual Junk Food - the equivalent of Dr. Pepper, chocolate chip cookies, Big Mac's and Blue Bell ice cream for every meal. We do drive-by prayers and give God a quick 2-3 minute window of time during the day; we listen to a bible verse or devotional in the car in the middle of our commute and justify it as our "quiet time" with God; we say that we read the bible today and what we really did was scroll through Facebook and read all the "feel good" posts and scriptures our friends posted on their news feeds. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The difference with a bad food diet and a bad spiritual diet, is that our Father loves us so much and longs to "break bread" with us, that He won't let us go for years on a bad spiritual diet. He will do all He can to get our attention!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Why do we do this? Why do we settle for the junk food of life when our Father has set a feast up for us that is fit for a King? Why do we wait until He rattles our cages to get our attention to finally realize how desperately He wants us to feed at His table? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Isaiah 55 says, "Come, all who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and you labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">God's calling to us His children is to give him our first fruits. Too many times, we stop at the money and assume we're giving Him what He wants. What He really longs for is the other thing that we value sometimes more than money - <em><strong>OUR TIME!</strong></em> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">We've grown up in our spoiled, microwave, instant-gratification society with a mindset that we can fix all our problems with <em><strong>MONEY!</strong></em> That includes our spiritual walk and our relationship with God. One of our greatest misconceptions is that we can buy God's favor with our tithes and offerings. I can't speak for God, but as an earthly father who wants nothing more than to spend time with his kids, I have to believe our Heavenly Father wants us to pull up a chair at His table and not just "grab and go" like we're prone to do. He longs for us to sit, dine, visit, share, talk, cry, laugh, listen and JUST BE STILL. The Family Table is one of the best places to fix problems, heal hurts and mend hearts.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">If you find yourself spiritually thirsty, spent, drained, making choices that are not in line with His calling in your life; if your discernment for right and wrong has drifted more into an area of gray than it used to; if that pain in your gut is not from hunger, but from anxiety and fear because of the choices you've been making, your Father has the answer for you. Leave your wallet at home and pull up a seat at His Table. He's inviting you to come and eat and drink from a feast that will never leave you hungry<span class="font_large"> </span>or thirsty again! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Ask me how I know!</span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/5244125
2018-05-19T08:10:46-05:00
2018-05-19T08:24:42-05:00
Impossible? Tell That To God!
<p><span class="font_large">"For with God, nothing shall be impossible."</span></p>
<p><em><strong><span class="font_large">- Luke 1:37 </span></strong></em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">What are you facing today that seems insurmountable? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">What mountains are in front of you that seem impossible to climb? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">What financial, health or emotional battle is looming so large in your life right now that you can’t see past the darkness? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I have <em><strong>GREAT NEWS </strong></em>for you! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Over 2000 years ago, an angel of the Lord stood before Mary and told her that her cousin Elizabeth who was way beyond child-bearing years was pregnant <strong>(V36)</strong>; that she (Mary) was about to conceive a child by the Holy Spirit <strong>(V35a)</strong> and that child was to be the Son of God <strong>(V35b)</strong>! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">How’s that for a list of improbabilities to start your day? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">What I have learned in my life – and in the lives of others around me – is that God loves to shake us up. And one of the ways He does that is by taking what we see as the impossible and making it possible. You and I live in a world that is confined to finite boundaries and earthly possibilities. God is not confined to that finite space or those same earthly boundaries. We believe that if that door can’t be opened in earthly terms, it can’t be opened at all. God shows us time and again just how little we are and how <em><strong>BIG</strong></em> He is! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Our Father loves to mold and shape our hearts by turning the lies we’ve believed into Godly truths! </span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large">I’m not good enough. <em><strong>God says you are! </strong></em></span></li> <li><span class="font_large">You don’t know my past. <em><strong>God does! </strong></em></span></li> <li><span class="font_large">My financial needs are overwhelming. <em><strong>God provides! </strong></em></span></li> <li><span class="font_large">The doctors say it’s incurable. <em><strong>God heals! </strong></em></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_large">Nothing – and He means <em><strong>NOTHING</strong></em> – is impossible with God! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Without Him, you will always see half a person; a half-filled heart; a half-lived life. With Him, as you pour yourself out at His feet and live a life sold out for Christ, He will reshape your heart and take your broken and spilled out vessel and refill you with His Holy Spirit. With your eyes and heart focused on Him, you will no longer focus on the impossibilities of your life, but the possibilities seen through the eyes of God. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Without Him, everything is impossible… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">With Him, nothing is impossible! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Just ask Dewayne James</span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4909054
2017-10-27T14:12:12-05:00
2017-10-27T14:15:39-05:00
A Major Transformation and Change
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." - Romans 12:1</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It only took 52 years for me to realize the benefits of better health. That’s not true! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The truth is that it took 52 years for me to realize that I’m not getting any younger; the side effects of a not-so-healthy lifestyle of burgers, fries, chips, queso and Dr. Pepper will eventually take its toll on your body and when God’s word tells us that our bodies are a temple, He wasn’t thinking about a mega-church the size of Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Campus! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In early 2017, I began each day with more aches and pains in my body than normal and began to chalk it up to <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/d685836d57583b0481cb7e2239ff2662c6282f91/medium/13138767-10206142262063560-4654779293121080101-n.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />getting older. My knees hurt; my feet hurt; my ankles hurt; my back hurt; it hurt to walk; it hurt to run – <em><strong>as if I ran at all!!</strong></em> I went to more chiropractor and doctor appointments from mid-2016 to early-2017 than I had in the previous five years combined. While part of the issue was just the body getting older, I knew the biggest problem was that I wasn’t doing anything to slow down the aging process. I used my daily 70-mile commute to Dallas as an excuse for not having the time to work out; I used my hectic ministry schedule as an excuse not to make the changes necessary for a healthy eating lifestyle and those two things combined put me in the worst physical shape of my life. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Something had to change! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">That’s when God - in March 2017 - brought Robert Selders, Jr., Justin Estes, Mark DeMaio, Chris Green and the team at Crossfit Garland into my life. On March 25th I stepped on the scales to begin their <em><strong>6-Week Transformation Challenge</strong></em> at 3QFitness/Crossfit Garland and saw numbers that I thought I’d never deal with in my life: </span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">264.5 pounds</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">36.9% body fat</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">97.5 Fat Mass (pounds of body weight that is <em><strong>PURE FAT</strong></em>)</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">45-inch pant size/waste</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">It was that day that I realized that something drastic needed to be done! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">After the initial 6-Week Challenge came to an end (picture on right) there were some good gains – or losses: <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/a63876a22ec338e5fda240a2a9550a3ae184cdeb/medium/may-2017.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">255 pounds <em><strong><span style="color:#c0392b;">(9.5 pounds lost)</span></strong></em></span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">35.8% body fat <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em><strong>(1.1% body fat lost)</strong></em></span></span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">91.5 Fat Mass <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em><strong>(6.5 pounds of fat lost)</strong></em></span></span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">43-inch pant size/waste <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em><strong>(2 inches lost)</strong></em></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">During that challenge I spent at least three days a week working out and ate “clean” – no breads, starches, refined sugars, non-vegetable-based carbs, no fast food, nothing handed to me through a window – at least 85-90% of the time. On May 6th when we reconvened as a group at 3Q Fitness for our “graduation” and to evaluate our progress, another participant had stuck 100% to the eating plan for the six weeks while also working out three times per week. His results? <em><strong>He lost over 25 pounds!</strong></em> Being the competitively-wired person that God created me to be, the simple thought of “if he can do it, so can I” immediately entered my mind. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">When leaving the gym that morning, I grabbed my old-school, hard-copy calendar and counted an additional four 6-week cycles – or a total of 30 weeks counting the initial 6-weeks that had just ended – culminating on the day before my birthday on 10/22/17. That gave me 168 more days to make a major change in my life. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The <em><strong>NEW JR Transformation Challenge</strong></em> began that day! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The goals may have seemed ambiguous to some, but to me it was pretty clear – <strong>Get In The Best Shape of Your Life Before You Turn 52. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The process looked like this for the next 24 weeks:</span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">5-Day per week workout schedule (M-Th and Saturday; off Friday/Sunday)</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Increase calorie intake to 2180 calories per day with:</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">225 grams of protein</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">100 grams of carbs max</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">100 grams of fat max</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Sleep at least seven (7) hours per night</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Track every single food item that crossed my lips through myfitnesspal app</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">The guys at 3Q Fitness/Crossfit Garland were there with me every step of the way encouraging me, challenging me, pushing me, lifting me up and keeping me focused on the goal and on the impending date. They adjusted workouts for me when I was doing the WOD at the house vs. The Box. They looked at my diet, my food intake and helped adjust as necessary. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">With the goal date now passed, the numbers are only one part of the story! The bigger part of the story is that I no longer hurt due to <em><strong>NEGATIVE</strong></em> body pain. I use that term because I do hurt, it’s just from the work that I now do in the gym, at the house and in the yard. I have more energy than I’ve had in years. I sleep better than I have in years. My feet don’t hurt; my knees don’t hurt; my back doesn’t hurt; I don’t get out of breath when doing work in the yard or just going up the stairs at the house. It’s the first time since college that I’ve focused both on diet/lifestyle-change and exercise and the journey has been amazing. My only regrets are that I didn’t do it sooner and that I let things get away from me as they did. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My desire to post this and be this open is not a desire to pat myself on the back as much as it is to say to those that may be struggling with weight and health that <span style="color:#e74c3c;"><em><strong>YOU CAN DO MAKE THE CHANGE!</strong></em></span> My issue was not just inactivity, but that my drug of choice for years has been food. Others may have struggled with illegal drugs, alcohol or some other addiction, but I have “struggled” for years with food. Since my college days when others were consuming wasted calories in the form of beers, I was choosing to pass on the alcohol and double-down on the queso or better yet, Ranch Dressing from Jason’s Deli!!! <strong>Now that’s a real ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH right there!</strong> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Some people may munch on chips and salsa while eating at Pappasito’s, I would choose to dunk as many flour tortillas covered in butter and salt into that salsa bowl while waiting on my cheese enchilada plate. I’ve been known to have the manager come to the table and let me know that they were going to have to start charging me for the tortillas if I didn’t SLOW DOWN!! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The changes that I’ve made have been a slow and steady process vs. a quick-fix, fad diet. It’s been a learning process and a change in the way that I view food. I’ve had to stop looking at food as an indulgence and understand that it is a fuel that my body needs to power the internal engine. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/aecd193bcfe4cc997e6957c42d340937ed7ae4f9/medium/unnamed.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />I’ve also been reminded in these last 30 weeks that God wants our best! God deserves our 100% effort in all areas of our lives including the way in which we care for the bodies (read temples) that He has given us. When you study the Old Testament, God was very specific, very clear and very thorough in how any temple was to be built; decorated; adorned and cared for. I believe that He wants the same from you and I when it comes to our Temples. While I can go off on a very big rabbit trail on this topic, I’ll leave that for another blog. Suffice to say, God wants our best and for many years as it pertained to my diet, exercise and temple, I have concluded that my sin of gluttony was no worse of a sin than my neighbors sin of theft, adultery, lying or other sins of the flesh. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So, with all that said, what does a <em><strong>30-Week New You Transformation Challenge</strong></em> look like when completed: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/129264233a3832d541fed009234b922661254528/medium/difference-1.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">- 228 pounds <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em><strong>(36.5 pounds lost) </strong></em></span><br>- 27.7% body fat <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em>(9.2% loss of body fat)</em></span> <br>- 63.0 Fat Mass <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em><strong>(34.5 pounds of fat lost)</strong></em></span> <br>- 36-inch pant size/waste <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em><strong>(9-inches lost) </strong></em></span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I am truly in the best shape of my life and smaller than the day that Cindy and I married almost 21 years ago. It’s been a great journey and it’s only the beginning! I can’t thank my wife and kids enough for their support and the team at 3Q Fitness/Crossfit Garland. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">We now are focused on what I’m calling Part 2 of the change and transformation! Let’s see what we can accomplish before 12/31/17!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4875693
2017-10-03T15:45:39-05:00
2017-10-03T16:49:08-05:00
I Come From A Long Line Of Love - Another Goodbye
<p><span class="font_regular">People deal with the ups and downs of life in different manners. Some people work; some workout. Some eat; some stop eating. Some folks cook; some choose to deal with things by masking the pain with medication, alcohol or drugs. I’m not here to condemn, criticize or complain about how others deal with their life circumstances. I’m just saying all this to explain where this is coming from. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My salve comes in the form of writing. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This year has been a year of peaks, valleys, twists and turns for our family. Sunday evening, Oct 1 at approximately 1:15 a.m., the road took another twist as Cindy’s dad, Ray Epps, took his last breath after a 20+ year battle with cancer that he never, ever backed down from or gave up on. The man that told me to “just call me dad” from Day 1, was a fighter till the end. Some may say that he “lost” his battle with cancer. I choose to believe that God saw a warrior that was battle scarred but still standing, swinging his sword at that ugly demon we know as cancer and said, “son, that’s enough; come home.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/49c21a0c1541a44cd9669ec88c1696a91aab7ee8/medium/1472869-10151834258739639-2019263058-n.jpg?1507057406" class="size_m justify_left border_" />I first met Raymond Riley Epps in October of 1993 after Cindy and I had been dating for almost two months. Whether you’re 18 years old or 28, it’s never easy meeting your girlfriend’s dad for the first time. From that initial meeting, he immediately made me feel like a part of the family. While he was never the tallest man in the room, he absolutely was a bigger-than-life figure. His infectious smile always had a way of welcoming newcomers into the family; his deep baritone voice had a way of bringing things to a standstill if there was something that needed to be heard by all in the room; that same booming voice could turn to a warm soothing tone in a one-on-one conversation as he genuinely inquired about your life, your work, his grandkid's lives, hobbies, etc. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Dad loved life and he lived it to its fullest. Dad was the guy standing at the gates of heaven wringing out every ounce of life that he could before walking onto those streets of gold. When he was originally diagnosed with cancer in 1995, he was told that at-best he had six months to get his affairs in order. He colorfully told the doctor to leave his room or change his attitude because “you’re a quitter!” Dad didn’t just beat cancer; his passion and will to live literally <em><strong>OUT-WILLED</strong></em> cancer. He beat it in his lungs; his gall bladder; his lungs again. He walked out of the hospital less than 72-hours after a stroke just over two years ago with no physical signs of the stroke; he didn’t lose weight during his massive chemo and radiation treatments – <em><strong>HE GAINED WEIGHT!!!</strong></em> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">While the list of things that he loved about life could take pages to chronicle, the things that always stood out to me about dad were his love for: </span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>His Grandkids</strong></em> – while the adults would spend time catching up at family gatherings, you could always find PawPaw sitting and talking with the kids, whether they were two or 22. </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Christmas</strong></em> – from dressing up as Santa; painstakingly decorating the house with lights and making sure there were NO CORDS TO BE SEEN!!! </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>The Law</strong></em> – I loved to sit and ask him about cases and he loved to talk about cases. Old cases; new cases; famous cases; not-so-famous cases; family law or criminal law; his simple misdemeanor cases he defended or his major Capital Murder cases he tried. Dad could talk about them for hours and I could have listened for hours. </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Underdogs</strong></em> – The little guy whether innocent or guilty; the spurned wife whose husband walked out with all the money believing he had her over a barrel since she couldn’t afford a solid family-law attorney – Dad believed everyone deserved a good lawyer and when possible, he would gladly step up and be that lawyer. The State Bar of Texas recognized Dad for his Pro Bono work last year and it was one of the proudest moments in his 51-year legal career. Show dad someone that couldn’t afford legal representation and he’d swoop in to save the day!! </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Old Fashioned Values & Courtesies</strong></em> – things like yes sir, no sir; please and thank you; opening the door for a lady; giving up your seat for someone that needed a place to sit; honoring your wife; being a gentleman</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">These are some of the things that I think about when I think about him. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/1b836d98fa2219faaee043499259568e01b4faeb/medium/disney-trip-109.jpg?1507063104" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t always see eye to eye – what son-in-law and father-in-law ever do? Right, Kaedon Kesterson? But if dad was anything, he was loving; he was consistent; he was direct and if you asked his opinion, you’d better be ready for an answer. I loved that about him and I will miss that about him. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Of all that he loved though, there was one love and passion he had that I immediately saw from our first meeting. Dad loved mom. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Several months ago, I wrote about how my dad (Lloyd Randolph) demonstrated the importance of loving your wife the way he did my mom. As I look back on the last 23 years of my life I realize that while my daddy (Lloyd Randolph) showed me how a husband is to love his wife in my early years, dad (Ray Epps) ingrained that behavior in my heart in the way that he loved mom (Dot Epps). </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In 1987, Michael Martin Murphy recorded a song that would make it to #1 on the Country Billboard charts. I was working at the time as an overnight DJ at KINE in Kingsville, Tx. while attending college at Texas A&I so I heard that song a lot. I thought it was a good song, but it never really got its hooks into me. As I look back now, that song can be a three minute and 19 second testament to how blessed my life has been because of these two dads in my life:</span></p>
<p><strong>V1</strong> </p>
<p>I bought a beautiful diamond ring I offered it to the sweetest thing I know <br>And she said she would take it <br>We started making some wedding plans, She looked at me and she took my hand <br>And said “are you sure we can make it” <br>I said my granddad's still in love with my grandma <br>I said my dad still thinks my mom's the sweetest thing he ever saw </p>
<p><strong>Chorus</strong> <br>I come from a long line of love <br>When the times get hard, we don't give up <br>Forever’s in my heart and in my blood <br>You see I come from a long line of love</p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I will miss dad. I will miss his laughter. I will miss how he sat and watched each child at Christmas open gifts and how he was sometimes more excited than the kids! But here is what I know - my life is richer today because Ray Epps hugged my neck 23 years ago and gave me permission to ask his baby girl to spend the rest of her life with me. I promised him on that cold December afternoon in 1995 that I would love Cindy forever and that I would take care of her. Although he is gone, I intend to keep my promise because just like Lloyd Randolph, Ray Epps showed me that “I come from a long line of love!”</span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4726951
2017-05-30T10:08:54-05:00
2019-04-03T23:01:06-05:00
The Dash Between the Dates - Saying Goodbye To My Dad
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Lloyd Randolph Obituary </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/bbebbd0e886f27e721cd09d9fa084c71830d902d/medium/18738766-10154675735774639-4345176770806803894-o.jpg?1496155871" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Lloyd Randolph, 87, of Kingsville, Texas passed away May 24, 2017. He was born in Kingston, TN on January 9, 1930. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Lloyd graduated from the 3rd Grade and dropped out of school to start working and help his family during The Depression. He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving until his Honorable Discharge in 1950. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">He was married to Matiana Randolph, also of Kingsville, on January 25, 1950. Lloyd worked as a mechanic in Kingsville for Patton’s Automotive for over 30 years. He had a passion for his wife, his kids, playing his guitar and writing music, working outside on their land in Ricardo, woodworking and spoiling his grandkids. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">He is survived by four children – Luis Chapa III (Estela), Randy Randolph (Vickie), Lori Marshall (Gabrielle) and John Randolph (Cindy); nine grandchildren – Vanessa Gibson, Luis Chapa IV, Jennifer Jones, Jason Randolph, Jarrod Randolph, Chandler Marshall, William Marshall, Lacie Kesterson and Alyse Randolph; and 12 Great Grandchildren. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Lloyd Randolph Eulogy </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">January 9, 1930 (DASH) May 24, 2017 </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">On behalf of our family, my mom, my brothers and sister, our spouses, I want to say thank you all for coming to share <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/1571eb7387de77bf1ad0676672b2e2cfc1a7b3ac/medium/18620226-10154675733164639-1810328879362582434-n.jpg?1496155869" class="size_m justify_right border_" />this day of celebration with us. I know many of you here, but for those that I haven’t met, I’m John Randolph, the youngest son – or as he always introduced me – Lloyd’s baby boy. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">When we sat together yesterday and talked about what we wanted today to look like, the one thing that we all agreed on is that Daddy would want today to be a celebration – not a somber, sad occasion. God tells us that there is a time for all things including mourning. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon - the wisest man ever to be on earth wrote - </span></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven— </span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">A time to give birth and a time to die; <br>A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. <br>A time to kill and a time to heal; <br>A time to tear down and a time to build up. <br>A time to weep and a time to laugh; <br>A time to mourn and a time to dance. </span></em></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">If we jump down a little farther in that passage, Solomon wrote: </span></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">A time to be silent and a time to speak. </span></em></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">If you’ll indulge me today, I’m going to speak a little for our family about what Lloyd Randolph’s DASH stood for over the last 87 years. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My dad was a quiet man that didn’t speak loudly, he didn’t command attention and he didn’t long for the spotlight. This world is full of men that seek to lead the charge; men who dream big dreams that come up with the ideas that give us things like space travel, airplane flight or the ability to cure ugly diseases. But those men with their grand dreams, would be nothing without men like my dad. </span></p>
<ul> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Men who show up every day to do their jobs without complaining; </span></em></li> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Men that understand what your word, your bond and your handshake mean.</span></em></li> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Men that believe the words “till death do us part” really mean Till Death Do Us Part </span></em></li> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Men that don’t run or back down from life’s challenges </span></em></li> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Men who know that you can darken the door step of the church every time it’s open, but what really matters is how you live your life between Sundays </span></em></li> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Men that may not be able to quote scripture verse by verse, but live out God’s word in their everyday actions </span></em></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">These traits are the traits that my dad embodied. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Over the last few weeks and months as his health failed, there were many friends and family members that reached out with a message or note to say things about our dad and the consistent words I read from others were things like: </span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">Strong </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Dependable </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Man of character </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Integrity </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Caring </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">But there were a couple of phrases that kept reoccurring – </span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">Some comment about his smile </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Something about his humor and funny stories </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">Daddy had a way of bringing perspective and levity to any situation. Many times, it was through his music or songs he’d sing or write. Songs like: </span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">Chicken ain’t nothing but a bird </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">That fat gal of mine </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">I love to go swimming with bole-legged women </span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Or the title song to what I believe would have been a HUGE COUNTRY HIT!! You’re the hangnail of my life and I can’t bite you off. </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">He also used that music to convey his love for life; his love for our family but more than anything, his love for his wife. This was another way that Daddy modeled God’s word. I’ve read the bible cover to cover a couple of times and when I read about what it calls for me to do as a father – a parent – it says things like: </span></p>
<ul> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Train up a child in the way he should go </span></em></li> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (and he did believe in discipline) </span></em></li> <li><em><span class="font_regular">The rod and reproof give wisdom </span></em></li> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Discipline your son, and he will give you rest, he will delight in your heart </span></em></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">Nowhere in God’s word does it tell us as husbands to love our kids more than life; more than ourselves or more than our wives </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">But when it talks about a husband’s call and his responsibility for his wife, it says: </span></p>
<ul> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church </span></em></li> <li><em><span class="font_regular">Peter wrote “husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. </span></em></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_regular">Our house was not perfect. Their marriage was not perfect. But through it all, the one thing that we always knew as children was that Daddy loved mom and that would never, ever, ever change. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/3910e549dc54350ee9097449b6e5f5e064006252/medium/18766456-10154675735894639-4740516579396528248-o.jpg?1496155875" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />When I was 14-years-old, mom and I got into a fight. I’m not sure what the fight was about but when you’re 14, you really don’t need a reason to fight with your parents. On this day, it was the middle of the summer so mom was at home since school was out and her tag-team partner known as my dad was at work. As mom and I bantered back and forth, she finished her tirade with a “just go to your room” command. To which I responded, “no problem! I have all I need in my room. I have a TV, stereo and phone.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Mom followed me into my room and before I could turn around, she was standing on her tip-toes getting ready to slap me. Being almost 6-feet-tall and mom being her wonderful 4-11 on a GREAT DAY, she was having trouble hitting me as I bobbed and weaved to make her miss. As she faked with a right and was coming with a left, my reflex was to reach up and grab her hand. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">At that point, mom’s eyes began to water and she asked me “are you going to hit me?” I quickly answered her, “no, I’m not going to hit you but please don’t try to hit me again!” I released her arm and she retreated from my room. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Growing up playing baseball, we had a daily ritual during practice days. Mom would drive me 15 miles to town and drop me off at practice and would wait for Daddy to arrive from work. She would bring him dinner, hug and kiss him, get back in her car and return home. Daddy would then sit and eat his dinner on the hood of the car, wait for practice to end and he and I would make the 15-mile trek back to the house. On this night though, mom was waiting to share with him the events of the day. As my mom talked and cried, my larger-than-life dad wrapped his arms around my mom while his gaze was burning a hole over the top of her head and into my chest! I knew my life would soon be ending. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Mom left and my wait for the execution began!! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">When practice ended, Dad and I began the ride home and I felt like a prisoner being escorted down the hallway to his doom! For 15 miles, Daddy and I talked about baseball, about practice, things he saw that I did right, things he saw that I needed to work on, etc. Nowhere on the drive though, did he mention anything about the day’s occurrences. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As we pulled into the driveway, I thought I had made it home free!! As I opened the door, my dad gently squeezed my leg and said "close the door son." A verbal exchange then began that has marked my life more than any father-son talk ever has. : </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">“Your mom told me what happened today.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">“Let me explain Daddy!” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">“Son, I really don’t care about your side of the story. Let me make something crystal clear to you. I love you. I love you more than you will ever comprehend, but make no mistake son – I love your mom more than I will ever love you. She was here before you got here and she’ll be here long after your gone. She has been my world for most of my adult life and will continue to be till the end of time. So, if you ever raise your hand to your mom again, please do me and you a favor – DON’T BE HOME WHEN I GET HERE!” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My dad said more to me about my mortality and about his love for my mom in that brief discussion than any birds-and-bees or “son this is what it means to be a husband” talk ever could have. My dad loved my mom then and he loved her till the very end. In fact, it’s my belief that my dad lived as long as he lived because he was trying to outlive mom to make sure she would be taken care of till the end. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Two weeks before Daddy died, Luis was putting pictures up in their room and the first picture he put up was a picture of mom. Daddy sat up from his reclined position in his easy chair, looked at the picture and said “that’s the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever seen and I love her!” Luis looked at Daddy and said, “I know. I know you do.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">About a week later, Luis and I were talking and he said that he felt the reason Daddy was still holding on was that he was concerned about who was going to take care of mom when he was gone. Two days later Luis had Lori talk to Daddy on the phone to make sure he knew that if anything happened to him that we would love Mom; we would take care of her and he had nothing to be worried about. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The day after Daddy and Lori talked, he sat mom down on the edge of the bed as they were getting ready to go to sleep and he said: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">"Mama, there’s something I need to talk to you about." <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/4698c8b3d45fc79eb4d83eb3d25e3ffb3ebfca4b/medium/18716861-1770973496253265-2034601608-n.jpg?1496155868" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" /><br>She said, "what’s that?"<br>He said, "you need to know something and I want you to hear it from me. I don’t want you to be surprised or hear it from anyone other than me. He said, mama, I’m dying."<br>Those of you that know my mom know that her response was something akin to “Daddy, stop that. Stop talking like that.” <br>He continued to tell her that he loved her; that he had always loved her; that he would still love her and he would be there to watch over her. He let her know that she would be OK. That he had talked to Lori and Luis and that they assured him that she would be taken care of. He told her not to worry; he told her to keep living and that he could not have imagined spending life with anyone else by his side.</span><br> </p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Two days later he went to sleep and for the most part, was that way until he took his last breath on Wednesday morning around 6 a.m. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As I prayed and wondered what my dad would want said about him today as I delivered his eulogy and what his legacy was that he left behind, it was clear to me that Lloyd Randolph wouldn't care if you remembered him as a great mechanic or wonderful father or loving/doting grandfather. He could care less if you remember his guitar playing ability or his songwriting. What he would want you to know is that he loved, adored and would have gladly laid down his life for his bride – Matiana Randolph. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Men, husbands, he would want you to know that any love worth having is worth fighting for <em><strong>DAILY!</strong></em> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">He would tell you stay the course; hug her daily because that’s how he greeted my mom every night that he walked in the door from a long, hot day of working on cars; tell her you love her more than she believes she needs to hear it. If you do this, your dash will not just be a grammatical mark on a stone. It will be a line – <strong>a legacy</strong> – that honors God; that helps family roots grow deeper and will impact the world more than any song or story or anecdote will ever do. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Thank you Daddy for your Dash Between the Dates!</span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4435333
2016-10-24T20:03:42-05:00
2019-04-03T22:59:25-05:00
Trump, Clinton and The Mirror of Our Society
<p><span class="font_large">“Eventually that entire generation died and was buried. Then another generation grew up that didn’t know anything of God or the work he had done for Israel.” <br><em><strong>– Judges 2:10 MSG </strong></em><br> <br>The cry throughout our land the last few weeks has been a consistent <em>“with all the millions of people we have in this country, how did we end up with these two as our only choices?”</em> The answer to this question is a fairly simple one – we “The People” have allowed it to happen. <br> <br>While that answer may be a blinding flash of the obvious when viewed through the lens of the Primary Season, the reality is that we have ended up where we are because of seeds we have sown as a nation over the course of the last five decades: <br> </span></p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen in 1973 when the Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Roe v. Wade </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen when as a nation we have stood by and witnessed in silence the murder of 58 MILLION unborn babies since that 1973 decision </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen in 1962 when the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Engel v. Vitale to remove prayer from public schools </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it in 1963 when the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Abington School District v. Schempp to no longer allow Bible readings in public schools </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen as we’ve belittled and devalued the importance of marriage in our society </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen with the invention of “No-Fault” divorce that now stands as the law of the land in 49 of 50 states </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen as we’ve watched the number of out-of-marriage births skyrocket to almost one in every two births as a nation </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen as the number of fatherless homes in our country in 1960 (approx. 11 million) has grown to over 33% of all homes in our country today </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen when we removed corporal punishment from the schoolhouse and replaced it with counselors and “safe places” for emotional expression in fear of hurting someone’s feelings </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen when we replaced dinner around the table with TV trays and remote controls </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen as we have dumbed-down at least two generations of individuals and turned them into zombies walking with their heads down buried in their iPhone </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen when we placed convenience over sacrifice in the way we live our lives </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen as we went through our days more concerned about the cause of Blake and Miranda’s divorce, than we are about the neighbor down the street that is struggling to put food on their table </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen as we’ve driven our children from ballfield to ballfield on Sundays teaching them that the god of <span style="color:#FF0000;"><em><strong>(feel free to plug in your sport of choice here) </strong></em></span>is more important than the God of the Universe </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen as we’ve been more concerned about preparing our kids for Harvard than we are about preparing our kids for Heaven </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen as we have idolized the gospel of prosperity over the Gospel of Christ; as we’ve allowed our church houses to become concert halls led by rock stars and not hospitals for hurting and injured people seeking a Great Physician. </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen because we have failed to tell our children about Jehovah-Nissi, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Rapha, Jehovah-Rohi and Jehovah-Shalom </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen because we have forgotten our first love (Rev. 2:4) and replaced it with the love of the god of Self </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">We allowed it to happen because even though we have a clear picture of what happens in a Godless society, we have not learned from history and are repeating the immoral behaviors of the nation of Israel during the time of The Judges </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font_large"> <br>Over the last few weeks, I have spent an inordinate amount of time studying the Old Testament and the history of the nation of Israel around the time of The Judges and the eventual Kingship of Saul that the people demanded. Through that study, it amazes me how those times parallel who we are as a nation today. It also amazes me how the leadership of our country has – for the most part – been a reflection of who we are as a country; just like the nation of Israel’s desire to have a king that was a reflection of their country. <br> <br>In Judges we read how there would be peace and prosperity in the land when a righteous and Godly leader was given to the people by God. On the high end, that time may have been as much as 80 years (Ehud) or as little as six years (Jephthah), but after each judge there was a period of time that the nation of Israel <strong><em>“…did what was evil in the sight of the Lord...they forsook the Lord and did not serve him.”</em></strong> This phrase – or some form of this phrase - is mentioned in Judges 2, Judges 3, Judges 4 and Judges 6 and each time I read that phrase, I could not help but think of how our country has done what is evil in the sight of the Lord; we have forsaken the Lord and do not serve Him. <br> <br>Eventually, the nation of Israel wanted a king to rule over them, someone that looked like them and someone that let them look like the nations around them. They wanted someone that would allow them to <em><strong>“be like the nations around us,” </strong></em>1 Sam. 8:20. Even though Samuel tried to show the elders their misguided path, he still took their request to God and again, as I read this I could see God saying the same thing to our country today…<em><strong>“Go ahead and do what they’re asking. They are not rejecting you (Samuel). They’ve rejected me as their King.” </strong></em>– 1 Samuel 8:7 (MSG). <br> <br>As we have rejected God, we have turned into a nation of ego-maniacs that believe that there is only one way to do something – MY WAY! We have no patience for anyone that differs from our opinions; we have no time for someone’s opposing view even though they just might have a better way of accomplishing a goal or task. We’ve become a nation that has dignified and aggrandized sex, drugs, pornography, cussing, alcoholism, lying, cheating, public displays of lewdness, disrespect of authority including law enforcement, clergy and political leaders and all other behaviors that we allow into our living rooms each night when we turn on any cable channel, or turn a book like <em>50 Shades of Grey</em> into a New York Times Bestseller! <br> <br>When we look at all of these behaviors that are mirror images of who we have become as a country over the last half-century, are we still shocked that the two presidential candidates we have to choose from to be our next leader are two people that embody today – or have embodied in their past – many of these characteristics? As my dad used to say, “be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.” <br> <br>In the end our nation is not going to be saved by Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton or anyone else in Washington. The only way that our nation will be saved is the way that every person, tribe and nation has been saved for the last 2000 years – through the blood of Jesus Christ. Radical change is something that must start at an individual heart-level – not at a national level. It starts in my house and your house. We will return to a nation of greatness when our houses once again become houses of prayer; houses that have a mom <em><strong>AND</strong></em> dad present that are more concerned about their children’s eternal destiny than their children’s collegiate destiny. Houses that understand that real “facetime” is when we sit at the dinner table praying, reading God’s word, eating together, sharing stories about our day, teaching life lessons that will stand the test of time. Houses where more time is spent at the table or in the kitchen than in front of the TV or computer watching the latest reality hit show or sporting event. When we turn our houses and neighborhoods back to God, we will then be able to make the changes needed to get our church house back to God. When we do that, we will then make changes that will turn the local schoolhouse and courthouse back to God, the statehouse and eventually the White House. <br> <br>Regardless of who we decide to put on the throne in Washington in two weeks, the real decision that we all must make is who rule on the throne of our hearts today? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. <br> <br>I Choose Now! </span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4398353
2016-09-30T15:14:39-05:00
2017-01-14T15:17:21-06:00
Keep Your Eyes Fixed Forward
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/d7a405ab620d6f62dca8b9e0532f6f908671fb82/medium/binoculars.jpg?1475266164" class="size_m justify_left border_" />“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions...and remembers your sins no more." <br>-- Isaiah 43:18, 25 </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">My life has been filled with stupidity. Decision after decision took me farther and farther from God for almost 35 years of my life. Still today - like a dog returning to its own vomit (Prov. 26:11) - I am prone to letting God down with some of the same mistakes and sins. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The byproduct of this is that I tend to beat myself up and wonder how God can use someone like me for His Kingdom's work. I allow satan to speak to me and use those past sins as leverage to create questions and doubt. And then God shows up in the midst of my self-pity with a passage like this one this morning. As I read this, God used the power of analogies like He does so often for me because He knows they help me see IT and eventually GET IT! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Cars have rear view mirrors not so that we can dwell on the past, but so that we can see the possible pitfalls and dangers that are sneaking up behind us - a speeding car; a reckless driver; a car in our blind spot that could cause a wreck if I don't check it out. But we cannot drive our cars with confidence, purpose and true direction if we are focusing our attention in the rear view mirror. We must keep looking ahead. We must check the mirror to ensure no dangers are lurking, but we must keep our eyes facing forward! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The apostle Paul said it best in Philippians 3:13-14 - "...but one thing I do: FORGETTING what lies behind and REACHING FORWARD to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">God confirmed for me this morning as the sun started rising on our East Texas skyline that He has forgiven my sins - not just the ones from 20 years ago - but yesterday's, last week's, last month's - ALL OF THEM! Just like the light bringing forth a new day for the birds that sing and the trees that sway, it also brings forth a new day for me and for you. A day that let's us focus on living for Him and reaching FORWARD with a desire to seek our Father's face. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thank you Father for your love, mercy, grace and forgiveness. Father bind my wandering heart to Your goodness and replace my sinfulness with desires to walk closer to and live boldly for You. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">O to grace <br>how great a debtor <br>Daily I’m constrained to be! <br>Let Thy goodness, <br>like a fetter, <br>Bind my wandering <br>heart to Thee. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Prone to wander, <br>Lord, I feel it, <br>Prone to leave the God I love; <br>Here’s my heart, <br>O take and seal it, <br>Seal it for Thy courts above.</span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4364217
2016-09-09T07:30:25-05:00
2016-09-09T07:30:25-05:00
Perfect Peace; Perfect Rest
<p>He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" <br>- Psalms 91:1-2 </p>
<p>This morning I'm captivated by the peace that is found at the foot of the cross; peace and rest that only come in the presence of our Heavenly Father. </p>
<p>Satan is the master of unrest, deception, lies, worry; he is the one that causes us to question our worth, our ability to be used by God. He brings about the chaos that exists in our lives and we allow him this control when we question, doubt and/or give others in our life the ability to pull us away from the cross and distract our view. </p>
<p>In Matthew 14 we see Peter stepping out of the boat when Jesus called him - "Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. <br>Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." </p>
<p>At this point Peter knew there was safety in the presence of Christ and had no doubt that he could walk on the water. But in an instant Peter did what I do so often and took his eyes off The Master and focused on the wind and the waves vs. The Lighthouse - "...When he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” </p>
<p>With so much fear and trembling going on in the world today from ISIS to unemployment to border insecurity to church and Christan persecution, to the simple fears of how am I going to provide for my family - why do we worry? As Christians we should be the stabilizing forces - the rocks - that the rest of the world sees and asks "why don't you seem to be worried or afraid?" And when that occurs, we can be the perfect picture of what Peter called us to when he said "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you..." 1 Peter 3:15. Too many times though, I hear Christ say to me "You of little faith, why did you doubt?” </p>
<p>My prayer today is that God will grant me the tunnel vision I need to stay focused on Him when the waves toss and turn around me; to be the beacon He uses to show another the peace that is found in His presence. Then, when questioned about the hope and peace that seems to be present, I pray that He will give me the words to point the inquisitor to the cross! </p>
<p>As the words to a great Fanny Crosby song say... <br>Jesus, keep me near the cross, <br>There a precious fountain <br>Free to all, a healing stream <br>Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain. </p>
<p>In the cross, in the cross, <br>Be my glory ever; <br>Till my raptured soul shall find <br>Rest beyond the river.</p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4347945
2016-08-29T20:27:28-05:00
2017-01-14T15:17:21-06:00
What Are You Focused On Today?
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/153850/5b3ccc9be2286687fa7997fa63381cf13ca93ec5/medium/1225287796-59497-focus-on-the-lord.jpg?1472520331" class="size_m justify_left border_" />What does it mean to serve a Holy God? <br>Less of me; more of thee. <br>I must decrease so He can increase. <br>No idols. <br>The daily and constant removal of the trash in your mind. <br>An every moment reminder of WHOSE you are. <br>Take every thought captive for the cause of Christ. <br>Recommitting yourself daily to your Creator, Counselor and Savior. <br>Being a light, a city on a hill, His hands and feet and letting your actions, demeanor and countenance say to those you come in contact with today that “I am proud to be a child of The King!" <br>Sounds like a lot, huh?<br>Here's the good news...don't worry about doing this tomorrow or the next day or the next. All you need - all I need - is to focus on doing this and being His TODAY. <br>#ichoosenow <br>#whymelord</span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4337500
2016-08-23T04:42:46-05:00
2016-08-23T04:44:55-05:00
Prayer, Love and Praise
<span class="font_large">"I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love you and observe Your commandments." -Nehemliah 1:5<br><br>“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks...” Luke 17:15-16<br><br>Great thought this morning from one of my A.M. readings. Have you spent time telling your Father about your love for Him today??<br><br>Prayer isn’t like fertilizing your lawn, which is indeed helpful to your grass but not absolutely necessary. Prayer is one of your soul’s vital signs. It shows if your faith has a pulse. Just as ungrateful children can get into the habit of just taking, taking, taking from generous parents, our prayer lives can suffer from neglect. We just forget. We put prayer off until later. We view it as a spiritual chore, like cleaning out the gutters, and defer it. We figure it can wait while we take care of important things.<br><br>Moses knew that the Israelites were susceptible to that same spiritual amnesia, forgetting who they were, forgetting how they were able to come so far, forgetting the One who was their very life. Shortly before he died, Moses urged them, “Be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Deuteronomy 6:12).<br><br>Right now would be a great time to spend some time sending some KNEE-mail to your Father to let him know how thankful you are to be called his child.</span>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4334118
2016-08-20T09:19:19-05:00
2016-08-20T09:36:02-05:00
A Heart Check-Up
<p><em><strong><span class="font_large">"The lamp of The Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost parts." <br>- Proverbs 20:27 </span></strong></em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As I woke this morning and spent time in His word, I was quickly reminded that while our words and actions may say one thing on the outside God's main priority and concern is our hearts condition. Look at...<br><em>1 Samuel 16:7<br>The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.<br><br>Jeremiah 17:10<br>I the Lord search the heart...<br><br>Romans 8:27<br>And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit...<br><br>1 Chronicles 28:9<br>...for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thought.</em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Jesus reminded us that our fruits will be evidence of what's in our hearts. How's your heart today? When's the last time you had a REAL heart check up? Mine was this morning and to be honest, the Great Physician's findings weren't all that good.<br><br>My prayer and cry this morning are the same as the Psalmists in Ps 139 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts..." and Ps. 51 - "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Open up your heart this morning for a check up. He's not only The Great Physician, He's the ultimate Healer.</span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4106889
2016-03-26T14:04:31-05:00
2016-03-26T14:04:31-05:00
Salt and Light
<p><span class="font_large">This morning as I read this passage..."Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others," Phil 2:1-4., I was struck with a simple thought - <em><strong>"HOW OFTEN DO WE STEP OUTSIDE OF OUR COMFORT ZONE TO SHOW CHRIST TO OTHERS?" </strong></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Some may call it a "random act of kindness" or "paying it forward," I choose to call it what it is - being a light in a dark world. God has called each of us to be different, to be set apart, to be a city on a hill that cannot be hidden...to be salt and light. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">There are times when those acts of kindness are the thing that someone needs to change their day from gloom to gladness; from lost to found; from a frown to a smile; from no hope to eternal hope! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As you go through the rest of your day today and the week ahead, ask God to reveal to you someone that needs to see His Light through you. Be purposeful about it...look for the guy counting his change at the checkout counter buying his morning cup of coffee; the lady in the line at Walmart whose child is wanting that piece of candy but she can't buy it due to a tight budget; the person sitting in the corner of your local eatery/restaurant that seems lost, alone or struggling; the person who walks in front of you at the Post Office and doesn't seem to be "present" even though they are there. Buy their coffee; that candy; their meal; give them your place in line. Look them in the eye, smile and just simply say "God Bless" or "God loves you" or maybe go out on a limb and ask "Can I pray for you?" </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">There's a wonderful old saying..."Love is the only thing that increases the more you give it away." Christ proved this when He gave His life for us...return that love by being Christ to someone who needs to see Him!</span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4064036
2016-02-27T21:07:27-06:00
2016-02-27T21:07:27-06:00
Are You Wearing The Badge of Busyness
<p><strong><span class="font_large">The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.<br><em>- Exodus 14:14</em></span></strong><br><br><span class="font_large"><strong>But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you...do not be afraid or discouraged...for the Lord is with you!"<br><em>- 2 Chronicles 20:17</em></strong><br><br>Have you ever wondered why God said "be still and know that I am God"? Why in Psalm 27 did the Psalmist say "wait for The Lord. Be strong and take heart and wait on The Lord"? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">When I look around and see the frantic, hurried lifestyles we all lead I believe that one of satan's greatest lies is that a hurried schedule is a badge that should be worn with pride. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Think about your conversations and those around you..."so John how's it going?" "Crazy! We have this and that and the kids are doing this and that and we barely have time to stop and breathe. I can't remember the last time I even sat down to eat." This is a normal conversation when catching up with folks. And the sad thing is we say it with pride as if the more frantic our schedules, the more important or successful we must be. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Wouldn't it be wonderful to set the enemy on his heels the next time we have this exchange and say something like "things are crazy. With all we have going on the only thing that keeps me sane and our family together is God's word and our time we make as a priority to spend in quiet with Him and the sharing we make as a priority at our table. I don't know how anyone can survive without it." But to say this you have to believe it <em><strong>AND LIVE IT!</strong></em> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">God calls us to be different; to be set apart; to be Holy; to be a light into the world; a city on a hill. Take time to "be still" to "wait upon The Lord." It's amazing what it does for daily perspective and for the strength we need each day to live our life for Him and lead others - including our families - to Him.<br><br>(C) 2016 John Randolph Ministries</span><br> </p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/4061723
2016-02-26T10:15:28-06:00
2016-02-26T10:16:52-06:00
Choose Life!
<p><span class="font_large">"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and LIFE."- John 6:63 <br> <br>One of my favorite movies of all-time is Shawshank Redemption. One of my favorite lines in that movie is when Andy is talking to Red about where he would go and what he would do if he got out of prison. Red's response was that Andy needed to stop dreaming because he was where he was (in prison) and that was never going to change. Andy's response was as profound as anything I've ever heard, "I guess it comes down to one thing. Get busy living or get busy dying." <br> <br>That same statement can be used to describe a lot of today's Christians and a lot of today's churches. The church is filled with - and many Christians are surrounded by - people that want to look at things and say "we are where we are and that's never going to change" or "we've always done it like this." They are getting busy dying! <br> <br>These same people are the people that know all the right versus, have memorized all the right scriptures and understand all the right church doctrines. Don't get me wrong, these are important things. But as James 2:14-26 tells us, faith without works is dead. <br> <br>In the book of Genesis as it describes the of life Noah, there are two verses that stick out and paint a picture of what this (faith and works) looks like - 6:26 and 7:5 - paraphrased both say "Noah did everything God commanded him." Noah was getting busy living! AT 600 YEARS OLD NO <br>LESS!! <br> <br>Many times God calls us to get out of our comfort zone. To reach out to that homeless man that's sitting outside of the convenience store you stop at every morning for coffee; to witness to that person that hasn't bathed in a couple weeks; to buy the lunch for the mother of four at the table across the restaurant that has the noisy uncontrollable children; to walk across the street and invite to church this Sunday our neighbor to whom we rarely speak...and probably doesn't even know we are a Christian. <br> <br>What are you doing today - or this week - to get busy living for God? If you are filled with His Spirit, then you should be filled with life. If you are filled with life, what are you doing to share that and breathe life into those around you? <br> <br>God's word describes us as His "children" and the "body" of Christ; the church is also described as the "bride" of Christ. I don't know about you but I do not want my children, my body - or my bride - to get busy dying! And our Father is no different. <br> <br>Spend some time today talking to God and ask him for opportunities to "get busy living." Ask Him to bring people into your life today and this week that you can demonstrate His love; ask Him to create opportunities to stretch your faith and then the discernment, wisdom and faith to act <br>upon those opportunities. <br> <br>I won't spoil the movie for those that have never seen it, but Andy chose to get busy living. What will you choose today?</span></p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3903849
2015-10-22T06:31:58-05:00
2016-02-26T10:15:50-06:00
A New Perspective & A New Pilot After 50 Years
<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large"><em>"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hunger, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." </em>- Philippians 4:12-13<br><br>50 years. Half a century. <br><br>Sometimes it's hard to believe that it's really been that long. I used to always wonder if my dad ever felt "old." He never seemed old to me, but I often wondered what 50 felt like to him. While I can't speak for my dad who turns another year older in a couple months, what I can say is that I feel more alive today than I have in my entire life.</span></div>
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<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large">Now don't get me wrong, feeling alive does not mean that I do not feel oldER on some days. There are definitely days that my body speaks to me a little louder and a little longer than it used to. Joints pop, crackle and grind in a way that a human body should not. But through it all, I feel more alive than I ever have!</span></div>
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<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large">Some may call it perspective, others may call it maturity, I don't know what to call it except ALIVE! I wake up now before the sun rises on most days regardless of what my to do list may look like. "Sleeping in" might get me to <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1497380228" style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:30</span></span> or if I'm real lucky, <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1497380229" style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7 a.m.</span></span> There's an eagerness in my soul that just cannot wait for the day to get going. </span></div>
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<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large">Some people want the clock to slow down as they get older and in some ways, I fall into that category. When it comes to my girls getting older and growing up I not only want the clock to slow down, I'd prefer that it come to a screeching halt on some days. When I think about the fact that I potentially have less days ahead of me to spend with Cindy than we've put behind us, my desire is to smash every clock in the house hoping time would supernaturally stop. But in most cases I walk a little faster and move with a little more purpose. </span></div>
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<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large">If you're hoping that by the time you get to the end of this blog I will have explained why this is, i'll just go ahead and let you know now that's not the case. You see, I don't have a concrete answer. But as I look back on my life the one MAJOR thing that is different about me today as I turn 50 years old is that - to borrow a profound saying from my friend Jon Randles - <em><strong>I know who I am, I know who I serve and I know where I'm going</strong></em>.<br><br>While there is so much simplicity in a statement like that, there is equally as much if not more profoundness. </span></div>
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<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large">The first 30 years of my life were spent trying to please others. The next 10 years of my life were spent living selfishly for me. It wasn't until my early 40s that I started to more consistently spend time with my Father to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling. Over the last decade I've asked Him to create a hole in my heart that is only filled with time in His presence. I've prayed for energy and stamina to be an effective runner in this race. More than anything, I've prayed to be in the center of His will. <br><br>What I can honestly tell you is that He has answered prayer #1 and #2. I think we'll always be working on #3 until He calls me home.</span></div>
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<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large">God has also blessed me by surrounding me with Godly men that have shown me what it looks like to be truly sold out for the cause of Christ. Men like Charlie Heddins, Jim Leach and many others have demonstrated with more actions and less words what that resembled. They have put hands and feet and real-world actions to the knowledge I've sought through His Word. Men like this have shown me that I truly can do "all things through Christ who gives me strength."</span></div>
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<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large">As He's taken me down this road of solo ministry the last five years, I've started to comprehend just a small amount of what Paul felt when he wrote to the church at Phillipi and said "...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."</span></div>
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<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large">I've learned to thank Him each morning for the tightness in my back and the crackling in my knees. It's a reminder that I'm still alive. I thank Him for the time I save by not having to spend so much time brushing, blow drying and styling what's left of my hair. It's 10 more minutes each day that I get to spend in His presence. </span></div>
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<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large">Through the simple head AND heart knowledge of knowing who I am, knowing who I serve and knowing where my final destination will be, I have learned what it means to truly LIVE and not just be alive. </span></div>
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<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="font_large">Sitting on my deck this morning, the chorus of an old gospel song rings over and over in my head... </span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><em><span class="font_large"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have been blessed </span></span></em></div>
<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><em><span class="font_large"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">God's so good to me <br>Precious are His thoughts<br>Of you and me <br>No way I could count them<br>There's not enough time <br>So I'll just thank Him </span></span></em></div>
<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><em><span class="font_large"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For being so kind <br>God has been good </span></span></em></div>
<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><em><span class="font_large"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So good <br>I have been blessed </span></span></em></div>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3791847
2015-07-27T22:01:18-05:00
2015-07-27T22:01:18-05:00
Choose Wisely
<span class="font_large">"Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go."<br>-Joshua 1:7<br> <br>As I read one of my devotional and passages this morning, the only thing that kept running through my mind is how compromise is a funny thing. It appears in veiled ways, never as the ugly, disfigured and unattractive beast that it truly is; it may appear attractive, pleasing to the eye and rather seductive and sometimes - dare I say MANY TIMES - very inconspicuous. But in reality it is an ugly cancer that starts below the surface and grows out of control until it literally destroys its host.<br> <br>Their have been numerous times in my life where the choice to compromise or hold to the truths of scripture were placed before me. I'd love to say that truth and Christ won out more times than not, but I'd be lying. What I've had to learn the hard way is that compromise comes with a very high price tag. As I look back on my life, there's a simple mathematical fact that holds true - Compromise ONLY subtracts; Truth adds AND multiplies...to your life, your legacy, your riches, your walk, your reputation, who you are in Christ and on and on.<br> <br>Each day you step out of bed, you have a decision to make - Live in a world of gray and look to justify your actions and words by using the world's standards and measuring stick; or live for God, sift all you do and say through His word and walk in The Light in all your ways (Matt 5:37).<br> <br>As Joshua says in the closing pages of his book, "..,choose this day whom you will serve...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15<br><br>Choices have consequences. Make your's matter.</span>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3785158
2015-07-20T21:29:47-05:00
2015-07-20T21:37:49-05:00
Whiffle Ball Bats, Stolen Eggs and a Failed Political Strategy
<span class="font_large">It seems like just yesterday. August 1973. I had come home from another miserable day at school where I had been bullied and pushed around by Jon Jon. As we sat at the dinner table and my dad asked me why I was so quiet, I tried to ignore his questions and not talk about what had happened that day on the playground. Seeing right through my pain and fear, my dad continued to press me for the cause for my silence.<br> <br>Digress here for just a minute. Anyone that knows me today, knows that I am very rarely at a loss for words. At eight years old, there was not a lot that was different. I guess I embraced early on in my life a simple mindset – why use only use 100 words to describe your day when 1,000 can paint a much more colorful picture. Now, back to the story…<br> <br>My dad knew that silence and I rarely hung out together, so on this night my silence spoke louder than any words I could say. After a little more nudging I began to describe the afternoon’s events to my dad and how they had happened three times prior since school started earlier that month. <br> <br>Each day at 1:10 p.m. we would head to the playground for 50 minutes of PE. What that typically meant was we would head to the playground so our teacher could get a much-needed 50 minute break from our constant mindless chatter. On this day, it was free day which meant a basket of balls and other assorted play toys were brought to the outdoor basketball court. As was my standard practice, I grabbed the plastic whiffle ball bat. And just like it had happened during every other free playtime since school started, Jon Jon strolled over to where I was playing and demanded I give him the bat or parts of my anatomy would be reconstructed by him and his friends.<br> <br>Another pause in the narrative…I was not always 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds. In third grade I was more like three-feet tall and maybe 50 pounds soaking wet. Jon Jon on the other hand, was a fourth-grader that had been held back a year and was easily 6’6” and 300 pounds. OK, maybe he wasn’t THAT BIG! But in my eyes, he was.<br> <br>I explained to my dad how it started in Week One when he took the basketball from me; in Week Two he took the same whiffle ball bat that he had taken on this particular day; in Week Three he again told me that the bat was “his” bat and what parts of my body he would break if I didn’t hand it over. When dad asked where my teacher was through all of this I told him I wasn’t sure and that it was a free-time play period so no adults were really present.<br> <br>To this day my dad is one of the gentlest men that I’ve ever known in my life. He taught me very early in life that the only man that ever wins a fight is the one that walks away before the first punch is thrown. That being said, he also taught me that if you do need to throw a punch, don’t ever flinch, don’t wait and don’t ever back down. Brad Pitt may have made the movie called <strong><em>Fight Club</em></strong>, but Lloyd Randolph taught me Rule #1 of the “real world” fight club – there is no such thing as a fair fight. Swing hard, swing often, if it’s not nailed down grab it and use it and whatever you do – NEVER, EVER, EVER go backwards. Always move forward until the “enemy” surrenders.<br> <br>As my dad began to describe to me what he expected me to do the next time we had “free play day,” I argued that I couldn’t do that because Jon Jon was much bigger than me. I let him know that Jon Jon had friends and they would probably jump on me if I tried to do anything different. It was at this point that my dad relayed a story to me about his childhood that was probably not true, but I’ve never forgotten. It is <strong><em>THIS</em></strong> story that is a great picture of where we are as a country today and what we must do if we are to change the course that we are on as a passive nation.<br> <br>My dad began to tell me about a night very early in his teen years when someone broke into his family’s East Tennessee barn and stole eggs from their chickens. My dad grew up during The Depression and was the middle son of a share-cropper. Food to them was priceless! The next morning when my Papaw heard the news, he gathered my dad and his brothers to go and hunt down the culprit. The boys being boys, felt this was not as important as playing in the woods or hunting squirrels. So they did nothing.<br> <br>The next night, thieves returned and this time stole the chickens. The next morning the boys were a little more upset and Papaw was adamant that they needed to go and find the egg thieves. All my dad and his brothers could harp on, was that someone had stolen the chickens. Who cares about the eggs!<br> <br>Daddy then described how two nights later a burglar broke into their house and stole all the food right out of the refrigerator and pantry. The next morning with no food in the house and the boys hungry and upset, Papaw once again said that they needed to go and find the egg thief and again, my dad and his brothers thought my Papaw was out of his mind focusing on the egg issue.<br> <br>Papaw then explained to his sons that while they were probably dealing with the same thief on all three instances, there was a chance that they were not. In either case when the boys made the decision to do nothing about the stolen eggs earlier in the week, they sent a very clear message to the thieves and to the other bullies in the community – we will not stand up for ourselves until it REALLY HURTS! The repeat visits by the burglars were a direct cause of him and his brothers doing nothing on that first day they had discovered the stolen eggs.<br> <br>The message that my dad taught me that day was the same message that my Papaw taught him and his brothers - as long as I was not willing to stand up to Jon Jon, I was sending a clear message to him and anyone else that was watching him take that bat from me. That message was that I am an easy target; I will not fight back; I will roll over when pushed and you can take from me whatever you want whenever you want.<br> <br>Now we turn the page to 2015 and the last few years of a failed political strategy to not engage our enemies; to not stand for what is right; to be more concerned about being politically correct than being morally steadfast; to paint things with the broad brush of racism, class warfare and hate but ignore the reality that we are being overrun by an ugly cancer called radical Islam and domestic terrorism. We sit back and watch thousands of innocent men, women and children in the Middle East being murdered by ISIS in the same land that many American soldiers paid the ultimate price of their lives to secure and defend, all while now refusing to stand up for those that have no voice; we will fight for a woman’s “right to choose,” but we will do nothing for a living, breathing child’s right to live as terrorists cut off his head because he will not renounce his faith in Christ. Our President will stand in the Rose Garden and speak words of condolences to the families of three civilians that were killed by law enforcement officers and call into question those police officer’s motives prior to any investigation occurring, but he will not speak out against a radical Islamic terrorist that guns down four unarmed Marines in Chattanooga, TN. A sole deranged gunman enters a South Carolina church and murders nine people and we scream racism and gun control; the same instance happens with an Islamic soldier in Ft. Hood Texas and we call it workplace violence and acquiesce to his demands for religious freedoms while in prison.<br> <br>With our current leadership’s lack of action, we have sent the same message to our enemies – both foreign and domestic – that my father’s family sent to the egg thieves and I sent to Jon Jon and his hooligans - <strong><em>we are an easy target; we will not fight back; we will roll over when pushed and you can take from us whatever you want whenever you want. </em></strong><br> <br>Exactly seven days later from that night at the dinner table, Jon Jon once again strolled across the playground to take the whiffle ball bat from during PE. Exactly seven days and one second later, I recalled the lesson my dad had taught me and decided it was time to deal with the guy that had stolen my eggs. Suffice to say that Jon Jon never attempted to take that bat from me again.<br> <br>Our nation is at a very tender point in its life and we must decide if we are going to go after the guys that have stolen the eggs, chickens and all our food from the refrigerator, or if we’re going to wait until we have the entire house burning down before we say enough is enough.<br> <br>I Choose Now!</span>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3749138
2015-06-20T16:00:41-05:00
2015-06-20T16:00:41-05:00
He Taught Me How To Be The Man I Am Today
I have been blessed to have - and still have - the dad that God knew I needed in my life. Though a man of very few words, when he did speak I listened. <br><br>There are many things that Lloyd Randolph taught me about being a man, a father and a husband that were not in the form of formal talks or lessons, but in the daily living I got to do with my dad. There were countless lessons learned as I struggled to keep pace with his footsteps around his shop where he labored in his vocation as a mechanic; then there were the lessons learned working around the house and on our land; other lessons I learned on the 15 mile drive home each night from baseball practice just the two of us in the car talking about "things." These times were probably some of the most valuable and priceless times of my life.<br> <br>Looking back now, I am awed at his love for me after he gave all he had in the South Texas heat working on some motor, muffler or transmission for 10 hours, then he’d come sit on the hood of his car and watch me take ground ball after ground ball after ground ball sitting on the hood of his ’65 Plymouth eating his dinner that mom would bring for him. He never once complained about other “stuff” that needed to get done at home. He was PRESENT! <br><br>But, some of the best lessons I learned were taught with no words - simple actions. My dad was always one of the calmest, giving and sacrificial men I ever knew. As I look back on the 18 years of my life spent at home, my dad lived his life with four things driving him daily – his love for my mom, my brothers and sister. <br><br>In my eyes he was a larger-than-life man that could kill me with the flick of his finger or could protect me from all the hurt that could come my way as a child. His love for my mom was – and still is - self-less and the picture of an Ephesians 5:25 husband. I believe his greatest gift to me was his wit and humor that can still bring a smile to my face when I get to spend time with him. He always had a way of seeing the funny side of any situation and it usually ended up in the line of a song. "Chicken Ain’t Nothin’ But a Bird"; "That Fat Gal of Mine" and other funny songs were never in short supply when dad had a guitar in his hand. <br><br>As age has brought more wrinkles, less hair and a little slower gate to his walk, he still loves unselfishly and gives all he has for his wife and kids. He is still the man that makes me want to be a better man each day. He has taught me more about life than I could ever begin to chronicle and he has done it with a loving heart, a million-dollar smile and when needed, a tough hand, belt, tree switch, yardstick, shoe, stern look, booming voice that could shake the house or a stare that could burn a hole through a concrete wall. But through it all, he has taught me how to be “The Man I Am Today.” <br><br>Happy Father’s Day Dad. <br><br>In honor of my dad, you can download the song “The Man I Am Today” free this weekend through Monday by clicking the link here <a href="http://www.johnrandolphmusic.com">www.johnrandolphmusic.com</a>. You’ll find it at the top of my website.<br><br>Please feel free to share this with any friend or family member in your life. Share it with your dad; share it on your wall and let's say thanks to all the dad's that have given so much of their lives to make sure that we had all we needed.
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3732460
2015-06-07T21:51:09-05:00
2015-06-07T21:51:09-05:00
A Little Home Maintenance
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">"...We will not neglect the house of God."<br>- Nehemiah 10:39</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When our family first moved out to East Texas, we purchased a 47-year-old farmhouse that had been built by the farmer that had originally purchased the land in the early 1940's. This was the second house Cindy and I had purchased or owned in our short 10 years of marriage.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Our first house was a house that we had built right after we wed in 1996. That house was perfect! It was a house that we built and designed from the ground up. We were on site the day that the first shovel went into the ground to begin to move dirt to pour concrete to lay the foundation. We picked the colors, flooring, the layout of the house all the way down to the window coverings that we had made for each window. The day that we walked into that house, it was perfect.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Our 47-year-old farmhouse that overtime became a 50-year-old farmhouse? Not so much!</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Age, wear and tear and ultimately neglect had taken it's toll on every 2 x 4, piece of sheet rock and even parts of the attic which showed the scars of a fire that had apparently broken out in the house 10 years prior to our purchase.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">This morning as I opened up God's word for the first time in over a week - no, sadly that's not a typo - I started to pick up where I left off in my study of Nehemiah at the beginning of Chapter 11. The only problem is that I never made it past the last line of the last verse of Chapter 10 and I was quickly reminded by my Father about the image of what happens when a house is neglected - especially one that is 50 years old.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">You see our house in Grand Saline started to show a lot of lines of wear and tear. Anytime something started to go wrong, if it was not addressed immediately it never failed that there was always something more that needed to be fixed. On the surface it only looked like one problem, but when you began to peel back the layers there was always something more.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">The bathroom sink is leaking? Don't worry I'll get to it. Six weeks later as I pulled out the sink I realized that the counter itself had rotted from the leak. The back of the house isn't staying cool enough? No problem I'll get to it. Three months later as I crawled into the attic I realized that the back of the house was a late addition add-on by the previous owners and had never been insulated and while air vents existed, no air ducts had ever been run to them so there was no air flowing into that part of the house. It was always something plus something times more divided by even more.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">That is all I could think about this morning as that simple nine word verse stopped me in my tracks.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">"...We will not neglect the house of God."</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">If we are not doing daily maintenance and upkeep, constantly inspecting the areas of our hearts - which is God's house - the neglect and wear and tear will definitely begin to show through. On top of this, much like the repairs on a 50-year-old farmhouse, when you begin to peel back the layers of a 30 or 40 or 50 or 60-year-old heart that has gone days or weeks being neglected and away from the word of God and time with the Ultimate Builder, very rarely is it just the problem that you see on the surface. Many times you end up having to do more reconstruction on some parts that nobody else sees.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">So, if you've been like me - to busy with the chaos of life - and you've been neglecting God's house, maybe this morning is the day that you strap on your tool belt (God's word), grab your level and spend some time doing a whole lot of maintenance and possibly some reconstruction. The beautiful thing is the Architect and the Original Builder can sit with you and clearly articulate what His perfect plan (Romans 12:2) was for this house the day that He created it. No guesswork needed!</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px 0px; display: inline; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Now, let's go get some work done!</p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3732350
2015-06-07T07:49:25-05:00
2015-06-07T07:49:25-05:00
It's Time For A Celerabration
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem…for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.”</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">If you ever needed proof that God loves a party, here’s your “Can I Get A Witness” affirmation!</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">There are many people preparing to fill the pews of churches this morning who are doing nothing more than going through the motions. At best, it’s a check-the-box Sunday routine; at worst, it’s an obligation that they feel they “have to do.”</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The reality is that a life lived in Christ and for Christ should be grounded in a mindset of celebration! It is truly one of the key principles of life with God.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">When you look at the passage above – and really the entire 12th chapter of Nehemiah – it describes how Nehemiah threw “THE” victory party to end all victory parties. The work that he had begun to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem was completed. They had set forth to accomplish a great task in honor of God and by His grace and His hand of protection, they had finished in record time. The Israelites now took the time to stop what they had been doing and gathered at the direction and guidance of the Nehemiah the party organizer, and worshiped God – the one who had blessed their work and their purpose.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">This chapter is a great picture of what our time in church – and for that matter every day of the week – should look like. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that you should climb on top of some large wall or the roof of your church and sing praises to God like these folks did, but what I am suggesting is that we all need a heart check-up regarding the way we approach worship each week.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">What is your motivation to go to God’s house each week? Better yet, do you go to God’s celebration each week or do you place other things as a higher priority? I can hear it now, “you don’t have to go to church to have church.” We’ll deal with that one another time, but for today we’ll just focus on the party and celebration and how our passion each day/week should be to want to be a part of that event.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Your worship should be something that you look forward to each week and it should be a party that others in your community, your neighbors, your co-workers all want to be a part of. It should be the "go-to" event on your calendar each week that you will not miss for anything.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">As Christians today, we gather to celebrate the fact that the wall that separated us from our Father has been torn down; the curtain/veil has been ripped from top to bottom by the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for our sins. And THAT reality should cause us unbelievable celebration!</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px 0px; display: inline; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">So this morning, don’t go to church – GO TO A CELEBRATION!</p>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3711816
2015-05-23T07:54:57-05:00
2015-05-23T07:54:57-05:00
What Do You Want Me To Know?
<span class="font_large">“Be still, and know…”</span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large">Psalm 46:10</span></li>
</ul><span class="font_large"> <br>This morning as I was languishing in bed fighting the daily 4:30-5 a.m. mind-over-mattress battle, these were the words that kept rattling around in my head. While I can’t speak for you, I <em>can</em> speak for me and say that God does not speak in deep theological paragraphs to me – after all He made me and He knows my limited mental bandwidth…especially at 5 a.m.<br> <br>On top of this, He also knows that the simpler He can make things for me the quicker I “get it.” There was a time in my life that I used to get a nudge from Him and I’d spend hours upon hours seeking, searching and knowing that there was some real deep message that He was trying to get me to see. Through time, I have realized that God does not play hide-and-seek or the hot-cold game with our hearts. He’s pretty straight forward. <br> <br>When we examine God’s word, it is full of one clear promise for those that go looking for Him. He does not mince words - “if you look for me, you will find me; I will answer you!”</span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large">“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” – Proverbs 8:17</span></li> <li><span class="font_large">“…the one who seeks finds…” – Matt. 7:8</span></li> <li><span class="font_large">“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13</span></li> <li><span class="font_large">“Call to me and I will answer you…” – Jeremiah 33:3</span></li>
</ul><span class="font_large"> <br>So this morning as I finally gave into the voice that was calling me to my quiet place outside on my deck, I sat back with the question that I never had asked Him about that simple verse – “what is it that You want me to know this morning Father?”<br> <br>And He answered “I want you to know that…<br><em>I love you</em><br><em>I love our time together</em><br><em>I love to hear you laugh</em><br><em>I’ll hold you when you cry</em><br><em>I want you to make me a priority</em><br><em>I want to hear your heart’s desires and fears</em><br><em>I want you to listen</em><br><em>I want you to find your peace in me</em><br><em>I want you to dance </em><br><em>I want you to sing</em><br><em>I’m fighting for you</em><br><em>Nothing – NOTHING – will keep me from loving you</em><br><em>I want you to lay down your life</em><br><em>I want you to seek me with all your heart</em><br><em>I want you to <strong>KNOW </strong>I’m here for you and will never leave you</em><br><em>I formed you</em><br><em>I made you</em><br><em>I will fill you up daily</em><br><em>My love never lets go</em><br><em>I’m in control</em><br><em>I don’t need your help</em><br><em>I want your obedience</em><br><em>I Am”</em><br> <br>As I wrapped up my time this morning, I couldn’t help but smile like my children do to me when I affirm my feelings for them and look to His face and say a simple heart felt “I know.”<br><br>Thank you Father for my nudge this morning.</span>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3710253
2015-05-16T10:09:06-05:00
2015-05-16T10:09:06-05:00
Shining Some Light On The Subject
<span class="font_large">“On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads…They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord…”<br>Neh 9:1-3<br> <br>In my prior life when time was on my side and the chaos of work, wife, kids, ministry and every other distraction that pulls us away from God was not clamoring for my time, I used to love to read murder mystery and crime novels. Fiction was good, but what I truly loved was non-fiction stuff. It was always intriguing to me to read how the perpetrator of the crime seemed to have gotten away with the perfect crime. But inevitably, there was always something that he left behind at the crime scene that was his undoing.<br> <br>Typically if it was a murder scene, after thorough investigation and exhausting all other means of revealing “the truth,” the investigators would introduce a chemical called luminol along with a fluorescent light to the crime scene and viola, there it was for all to see – the blood splattered wall or floor. What typically followed was a confession from the killer as he stared at the overwhelming evidence against him and how his actions had been exposed by the introduction of these two elements.<br> <br>This morning as I read Chapter 9 in Nehemiah, that’s the image I had in my mind. Under the leadership of Nehemiah, the people had returned to the city of Jerusalem and had rebuilt the wall in an almost unheard of timeframe. On this particular day they had gathered together and without going too much in detail (there’s a lot of good STUFF here), they spend SIX HOURS READING GOD’S WORD!! When was the last time you or I spent SIX HOURS READING GOD’S WORD?<br> <br>Here’s the perfect picture though of what typically follows any <strong><em>real</em></strong> time in God’s word – they were convicted of their sin! See God’s word is like spraying luminol all over a crime scene (our hearts). When the Holy Spirit then shines its light, our sin is revealed and we are convicted and have only one real option – confession. When we read this passage we see just that:</span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large">They read God’s word for six hours</span></li> <li><span class="font_large">They confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers</span></li>
</ul><span class="font_large"> <br>Then we see the result of that process – they spent another six hours worshiping the Lord their God.<br> <br>God does not have a plan for us to be defeated and beat down about the sin in our lives. God has created us to be overcomers (Rom. 12:21) but we cannot achieve this while we perpetually live in sin – and the only cure for that is confession; and confession will only come through conviction. In my life, my greatest conviction comes when I spend time in God’s word and allow His Spirit to work on and in my heart – just like luminol on a blood-stained crime scene.<br> <br>David describes how important conviction, brokenness and confession are in Psalm 51 when he says “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”<br> <br>So take the time this morning, this weekend, this week to break open God’s word and seek His direction. As you read, ask Him to show you the areas of your heart that you keep hidden from others – the areas that need some luminol sprayed on them and the Light of the Holy Spirit to shine on them – so that you will follow that conviction with true confession, seek His face, accept His grace and then worship Him with all your heart.<br> <br>Mystery Solved! </span>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3620019
2015-03-24T05:39:40-05:00
2015-03-24T05:39:40-05:00
Peace In His Presence
<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "my refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" </span>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">- Psalms 91:1-2 </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">This morning I'm captivated by the peace that is found at the foot of the cross; peace and rest that only come in the presence of our Heavenly Father. </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Satan is the master of unrest, deception, lies, worry; he is the one that causes us to question our worth, our ability to be used by God. He brings about the chaos that exists in our lives and we allow him this</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">control when we question, doubt and/or give others in our life the ability to pull us away from the cross and distract our view. </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">In Matthew 14 we see Peter stepping out of the boat when Jesus called him - "Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">At this point Peter knew there was safety in the presence of Christ and had no doubt that he could walk on the water. But in an instant Peter did what I do so often and took his eyes off The Master and focused on the wind and the waves vs. The Lighthouse - "...When he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">With so much fear and trembling going on in the world today from ISIS to unemployment to border insecurity to church and Christan persecution, to the fears of how am I going to provide for my family - why do we worry? As Christians we should be the stabilizing forces - the rocks that the rest of the world sees and asks "why don't you seem to be worried or afraid?" And when that occurs, we can be the perfect picture of what Peter called us to when he said "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you..." 1 Peter 3:15. </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Too many times though, I hear Christ say to me "You of little faith, why did you doubt?” </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">My prayer today is that God will grant me the tunnel vision I need to stay focused on Him when the waves toss and turn around me; to be the beacon He uses to show another the peace that is found in His presence. Then, when questioned about the hope and peace that seems to be present, I pray that He will give me the words to point the inquisitor to the cross! </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">As the words to a great Fanny Crosby song say...</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br>Jesus, keep me near the cross,</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">There a precious fountain</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Free to all, a healing stream</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">In the cross, in the cross,</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Be my glory ever;</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Till my raptured soul shall find</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Rest beyond the river.</div>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3582085
2015-03-06T23:58:06-06:00
2015-03-08T23:34:04-05:00
And All God's People Said - WOW!
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4 <br><br>I’ve always believed that sometimes God gives us a glimpse of His favor by giving us WOW moments when we’re in His will. Tonight was one of those nights for me.<br> <br>Almost six months ago, God clearly put on my heart the picture for the Music With A Message – A Night of Family, Faith and Friends Concert Series. Through the process of praying and seeking His will I had a tendency to superimpose MY vision of what this was supposed to look like, how it was supposed to come about and where it was to be held. Each time I tried to move it forward on MY agenda, He would put the brakes on and throw hurdles in my way.<br> <br>Through trial and error, stumbling and fumbling, He guided me to where we ended up tonight at Mabank Café. And the ultimate outcome was truly a WOW moment. It was affirmation that when we seek His will with a desire to do only that – His will – we are ultimately put in a position where our heart’s desire is aligned with His will – His good, pleasing and perfect will. And when this happens – WOW! He gives us the desires of our heart.<br> <br>A packed house. Literally packed house. People praising God and soaking up all He had in store for us tonight. There are not enough words that I can say to express my gratitude to those that came out and supported this and bought into what God has given me to do.<br> <br>Friends in the Cedar Creek Lake area, Mabank, Eustace, Phalba, Canton, Kaufman, Log Cabin, Seven Points, Tool, Kemp, Athens, Prairieville, Malakoff – you all allowed God to use you tonight to minister to me and show me His good, pleasing and perfect will. Chuck Day you were a trooper tonight and as usual the consummate professional. Apparently God had other plans for tonight that you and I just weren’t in tune too until you showed up. Your support was tonight – and always has been – priceless. Victor and Loretta Flores I’ll make this simple – THANK YOU! Tell all your employees that they were outstanding; full of class and their heart for serving is something we all should strive for daily. Faith Caughron, you were a perfect touch to the evening that made the night as fun as it was. I can’t wait to see all you captured tonight with your photography talent.<br> <br>The beauty of all of this is that it doesn’t end. In fact, it only gets better as next month we will - God-willing – pack the house once again as Tommy Brandt and Tommy Brandt II bring their stories and songs to Mabank Café seeking to do His will – His good, pleasing and perfect will.<br> <br>Till then…
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3578767
2015-03-05T21:28:15-06:00
2015-03-05T21:28:15-06:00
SLOOOOOWWWW Time Down
"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him…How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!” - Psalms 127:3-5 <br><br>My heart is full yet heavy this morning as I watch the daddies and daughters have breakfast around me. Where does the time go? All I can think of this morning is where did the time go? <br> <br>There have been times when selfishly I've wanted my time and my space away from my girls but as I look back, I'd do anything for a "do over" and spend a little more time holding, laughing, playing, reading, teaching, hugging and loving them. <br> <br>While I can't stop time or turn the hands back, I can smile and know that for all that I've done wrong I must have done something right...they still call me daddy; they still hold my hand, hug me and kiss me in public; they still say yes when I ask them out on a date and they still run to my arms for safety when life is harsh. They still laugh at my stupidity and tolerate my immaturity in the company of their friends. <br> <br>My girls are a direct reason why I long to walk closer to God each day. Not necessarily FOR them but BECAUSE of them. Their presence in my life is a daily reminder of my Father's love for me; His desire for my time with Him; His longing for my walk to be straight, my heart to be pure and my decisions to be grounded in His teachings. These are all the same feelings - albeit on a smaller scale - that I have for my daughters. <br> <br>My prayer today is similar to that of Joshua's as he faced a battle with the Amorites, "O Sun stand still...So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped..." - Joshua 10:12-13. The passage goes on to say that "there has never been a day like it before or since. A day when The Lord listened to a man. Surely The Lord was fighting for Israel." While I don't necessarily want time to stop, I pray that He will place urgency and purpose into my heart - and the heart of every Dad reading this – to not waste one more single chasing our own endeavors, our own agendas, our own passions. I know that God is fighting for The Family today! I pray that today He just s-l-o-w-s time down.<br> <br>I love you girls!
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3573449
2015-03-03T22:25:17-06:00
2015-03-03T22:42:28-06:00
God's Math Is Always Right
<span class="font_large">"Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go." -Joshua 1:7 <br><br>As I read one of my devotional and passages this morning, the only thing that kept running through my mind is how compromise is a funny thing. It appears in veiled ways, never as the ugly, disfigured and unattractive beast that it truly is; no, it appears attractive, pleasing to the eye and rather seductive and sometimes - dare I say MANY TIMES - very inconspicuous. <br> <br>Their have been numerous times in my life where the choice to compromise or hold to the truths of scripture were placed before me. I'd love to say that truth and Christ won out more times than not, but I'd be lying. What I've had to learn the hard way is that compromise comes with a very high price tag. As I look back on my life, there's a simple mathematical fact that holds true - Compromise ONLY subtracts; Truth adds AND multiplies...to your life, your legacy, your riches, your walk, your reputation, who you are in Christ and on and on.<br> <br>Each day you roll out of bed, you have a decision to make - Live in a world of gray and look to justify your actions and words by using the world's standards and measuring stuck; or live for God, sift all you do and say through His word and walk in The Light in all your ways (Matt 5:37). <br> <br>As Joshua says in the closing pages of his book, "..,choose this day whom you will serve...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” -Joshua 24:15</span><br>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3564875
2015-02-28T11:05:33-06:00
2015-03-03T22:36:15-06:00
Wholehearted
<span class="font_regular">"...let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."<br>- Hebrews 12:1-2 <br> <br>"In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." <br>- Hebrews 12:4<br> <br>It's not easy being honest with yourself - at least for me it's not. For years I've said that I still "struggle" with sin in my life. But reality - or at least Webster - says that to struggle means "to make strenuous or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition; a long effort to do, achieve, or deal with something that is difficult or that causes problems." <br> <br>To say that you (I) are struggling paints a picture of a fighter putting up the proverbial good fight (1 Tim. 6:12). It does not portray someone on the losing side of the battle. But there are many times in my life where I have said I'm "struggling" when in reality what I should have said is I'm actively sinning while trying not too. An even truer statement would be that I've struggled with sin but then I just gave up the fight and gave in to sin.<br> <br>Any person with an addiction will tell you the first step toward healing and overcoming is to admit there's a problem and be honest with yourself. More importantly, be honest with God. <br><br>In honesty I say "forgive me Father, against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight," Psalm 51:4.<br> <br>Here's the great news for you and for me - regardless of how defeated (presently in sin) we may feel, Christ has overcome sin for us and is more powerful than any sin in our lives. The writer of Hebrews also puts us in our place with a challenge here - "in your struggle against sin, you have not resisted to the point of shedding your blood."<br> <br>The bottom line is that as sons, daughters, brothers and sisters of Christ, we must unabashedly love God and vehemently hate sin - not just any sin - OUR SIN! We must desire to be fully submitted to God to resist the temptation, all the while knowing that through that submission and our resisting temptation that satan will flee (James 4:7). Also knowing that God will ALWAYS provide a way out (1 Cor. 10:13).<br> <br>God's perfect plan for you and I is not an ugly repetitive struggle of "try-fail repeat cycle." God has called you and I to be over-comers and to embrace the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians, "...for we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself...we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril...on him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again."<br> <br>Today is the day that you and I must be honest. Today is the day that you and I turn our hearts to God and get rid of the junk that we allow to weigh us down (Hebr. 12:1-2); submit all we have to Him including our darkest secrets, the hidden places of our hearts and mind and take every thought captive for Christ (2 Cor. 10:5) and say "starting today, right now You have my whole heart."</span>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3559973
2015-02-26T12:43:27-06:00
2015-03-03T22:36:45-06:00
Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying
<span class="font_regular">"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life."- John 6:63 <br> <br>One of my favorite movies of all-time is Shawshank Redemption. One of my favorite lines in that movie is when Andy is talking to Red about where he would go and what he would do if he got out of prison. Red's response was that Andy needed to stop dreaming because he was where he was (in prison) and that was never going to change. Andy's response was as profound as anything I've ever heard, "I guess it comes down to one thing. Get busy living or get busy dying."<br> <br>That same statement can be used to describe a lot of today's Christians and a lot of today's churches. The church is filled with - and many Christians are surrounded by - people that want to look at things and say "we are where we are and that's never going to change" or "we've always done it like this." They are getting busy dying!<br> <br>These same people are the people that know all the right versus, have memorized all the right scriptures and understand all the right church doctrines. Don't get me wrong, these are important things. But as James 2:14-26 tells us, faith without works is dead.<br> <br>In the book of Genesis as it describes the of life Noah, there are two verses that stick out and paint a picture of what this (faith and works) looks like - 6:26 and 7:5 - paraphrased both say "Noah did everything God commanded him." Noah was getting busy living! AT 600 YEARS OLD NO<br>LESS!!<br> <br>Many times God calls us to get out of our comfort zone. To reach out to that homeless man that's sitting outside of the convenience store you stop at every morning for coffee; to witness to that person that hasn't bathed in a couple weeks; to buy the lunch for the mother of four at the table across the restaurant that has the noisy uncontrollable children; to walk across the street and invite to church this Sunday our neighbor to whom we rarely speak...and probably doesn't even know we are a Christian.<br> <br>What are you doing today - or this week - to get busy living for God? If you are filled with His Spirit, then you should be filled with life. If you are filled with life, what are you doing to share that and breathe life into those around you? <br> <br>God's word describes us as His "children" and the "body" of Christ; the church is also described as the "bride" of Christ. I don't know about you but I do not want my children, my body - or my bride - to get busy dying! And our Father is no different. <br> <br>Spend some time today talking to God and ask him for opportunities to "get busy living." Ask Him to bring people into your life today and this week that you can demonstrate His love; ask Him to create opportunities to stretch your faith and then the discernment, wisdom and faith to act<br>upon those opportunities.<br> <br>I won't spoil the movie for those that have never seen it, but Andy chose to get busy living. What will you choose today?</span>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3536641
2015-02-17T05:55:55-06:00
2015-03-03T22:38:29-06:00
Just Do It!
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take EVERY THOUGHT captive to obey Christ."-2 Corinthians 10:5 <br> <br>"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 <br> <br>Sometimes in life, we try to reason logically the things of God. We try to make "sense" of it all from an intellectual perspective. Speaking from my perspective, I have found that things usually begin to unravel and fall apart when I try to make logical sense of the things of God in my life. <br> <br>In Matthew, Christ said "Father...You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants." What I've come to realize is that the simple answer to an unconfused life in Christ is to follow the nudging of the Holy Spirit and - as Nike would say - Just Do It! <br> <br>Clarity, simplicity and peace in life come through total, humble obedience to His will. Confusion, unrest and chaos occur when I let my brain get in the way of my heart as it applies to His call and try to reason it out. <br> <br>“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Is 55:8-9. <br> <br>Trust Him today and stop trying to figure Him out. The first thing required of faith is to ACT, not THINK. You can do it...Just Do It!!!<br>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3531734
2015-02-14T23:23:41-06:00
2015-02-14T23:27:09-06:00
50 Shades of Grey or 100 Words of Profanity - You Decide
<span class="font_regular"><em>The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. </em><br><strong><em>– Matthew 6:22</em></strong><br> <br>Tonight we had a little curveball thrown at us for Valentine’s night. Our youngest daughter had a last minute babysitting job cancel on her, so our plans of a nice evening at home that included a long walk, looking at some old pictures, a nice dinner of lobster and steaks was turned into a quick dinner of the same and then a drive to town to see the latest movie release. NO, we didn’t take our 15-year-old to see <strong><em>Fifty Shades of Grey</em>.</strong> What we did see though, is what has me pouring my heart out tonight on this computer.<br> <br>Several weeks ago we saw the previews for the upcoming spy/action thriller titled <strong><em>Kingsman: The Secret Service</em></strong> and I remember saying, “that sounds and looks pretty good.” Let me preface this with a little piece of information – I am a sucker for a good spy/action thriller movie. Whether it’s James Bond, Jason Bourne, Jack Ryan or Ethan Hunt – I love a good spy movie. So tonight, we decided to venture out to our local movie theatre and watch this new release.<br> <br>While my opinion is just that – my opinion – I won’t spoil the movie for those that still wish to see it. What I will say though is that as Christians we are so concerned about the other big opener this weekend regarding 50 shades of some color when in reality, we should be just as appalled and taken aback by this movie.<br> <br>There is a line that is repeated twice in this movie that had me shaking my head at the irony I witnessed – <strong>“Manners maketh man.” </strong>The irony is that when I think of manners here’s what comes to mind:</span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">Chivalry</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Opening a door for a woman</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Saying things like “please,” “thank you,” and “your welcome”</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Giving up your seat for a lady or someone that is older than you</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">Saying “yes ma’am,” “no ma’am,” “yes sir,” and “no sir”</span></li> <li><span class="font_regular">AND never – EVER – <strong><em><u>EVER</u></em></strong> cursing</span></li>
</ul><span class="font_regular">And that’s where this movie completely falls apart. I will admit that I didn’t take my usual view at the review on <a href="http://www.pluggedin.com">www.pluggedin.com</a>. This is one of those times that I wish I would have because I would have seen this simple educational fact:</span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular"><em>“More than 100 f-words and 30 s-words. A wide variety of crudities dodge in and out of that volley, including "a--," "b--ch," "h---," "pr--k," "b-llocks," "ballsy" "bloody." God's name is misused a handful of times, twice with "d--n." Jesus' name is abused once. The n-word is spit out once.”</em></span></li>
</ul><span class="font_regular">If as the movie says “manners maketh man,” then this movie is one of the most UNmanly movies I’ve ever sat through!<br> <br>As we sat and watched this movie with our 15-year-old sitting between us, my heart literally hurt for the world we live in today. We are quick to call out the sin of pornography in a movie like <em>50 Shades of Grey</em> and yell from every mountain top why all us good Christians should not even consider supporting that filth. But God forbid we call out a movie that seems as wholesome and chivalrous as <em>Kingsman: The Secret Service </em>because it only has <strong><em>some</em></strong> foul language.<br> <br>In Ephesians 5, Paul is writing to the church at Ephesus and he says <em>“But among you there must not be <strong><u>EVEN A HINT</u></strong> of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity…because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person…has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” </em>It seems like one movie (<em>50 Shades</em>) is doing a lot of <em>IT, </em>but the other movie (<em>Kingsman</em>) is sure talking a lot about <em>IT</em>! And God’s word is pretty clear – NO OBSCENITY! NO FOOLISH TALK! NO COARSE JOKING!<br> <br>Forgive me Father for failing in my job as the guardian and keeper of my family’s collective eyes, ears and hearts tonight. Forgive me Father for lowering my bar of what is right and wrong and not holding true to your call of <em>NOT EVEN A HINT.</em> Forgive us all Father that we have marginalized what it means to be a Christian in today’s world. In a desire to be loving and accepting, we have been willing to sacrifice Your call on our lives to be different, holy, set apart. Father, show me how to live my life so that others see something different; show me how to be Your hands and feet, but still hold to the calling to be in the world but not of it. Tune my heart to Your heart each day Father – not just on Sundays. Help me live my life like a Week Full of Sundays. </span>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3449244
2015-01-02T07:21:36-06:00
2015-01-02T07:25:41-06:00
Making Time For the One Who's Always Had Time For Me
<strong>"Morning by morning, O Lord, You hear my voice morning by morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation."</strong>
<div><strong><em>- Psalm 5:3</em></strong></div><br>This morning - Friday, January 2, 2015 - I'm preparing to make a quick road trip to Houston to see my parents. Mom and dad will celebrate 65 years of marriage at the end of this month. They are both in their mid 80's now and traveling is not an easy task for them. So today, Cindy and I will make time for two people who have always had timAe in their lives for me. <br><br>It didn't matter how old I was or what the circumstances were - mom and dad have always been there when I needed them.<ul> <li>At eight years old when I was ready to run away from home countless times, mom was there sitting in my room while I packed my bag giving me the wisdom and knowledge of how to "survive" on my own. I'd need to get a job to make money to pay for a place to live and buy food. Her "wisdom" helped me realize that maybe I'd stay around a little longer</li> <li>At 11 years old when I blew out the power to our entire area after attempting to throw a metal dog chain over the power lines and failed. Mom and dad were both there to "demonstrate" their love for me in a very not-so-gentle manner</li> <li>At 12 years old when I hit the season-ending, game-winning home run to capture our league championship mom and dad were there to cheer me on</li> <li>From 13-15 dad was there every spring and summer evening sitting on the hood of his car after a long day's work watching me practice baseball and never complaining about the 25 mile drive home each night</li> <li>In high school mom was there at the kitchen table each school night helping me understand those crazy math problems that I could never understand</li> <li>Every night - regardless of how late - mom was there on her knees lifting me up to my Father's throne and covering me in prayer</li> <li>Even now as a grown man with children of my own, mom and dad have been there to lend an ear or a word of advice regarding some craziness in my life. </li> <li>And even now, I know that mom is still covering me in prayer each and every night</li>
</ul>There is no doubt, that I have been blessed to have two parents who love me, care for me and have always made time for me. So today, I'm making time for them.<br><br>This morning - Friday, January 2, 2015 - I'm also preparing my heart to face the day by doing something that has been a not-so-consistent part of my daily regiment...spending time with my Heavenly Father. <br><br>At so many turns in my life, God has been there waiting to hear from me and waiting to hold me close when all else around me seemed to be falling apart. He has been there to celebrate the good times and "wins" that have come my way, but He has also been there to hold my hand and dry my tears when it seemed like there was no way that I could make it through another day. <ul> <li>At eight years old, He was holding my hand as I fearfully stepped out of the pew and walked the aisle to say "Yes Lord, I hear you calling." </li> <li>At 15 years old, He was standing right beside me on the mound as I pitched the final game of our season championship with a sore shoulder and hurting elbow</li> <li>As a know-it-all 18 year old, He picked me up off the ground as my car was being towed off from what could have been a life-ending car accident</li> <li>As a bulletproof 21 year old, He heard my cry for help as I curled up on my knees in my bathroom in New Mexico lost and alone and needing someone to talk too</li> <li>At 32 years old as I sat in my living room in Plano wondering how I would be the earthly father my daughter would need, I turned to my Heavenly Father and re-dedicated my life to leading them on His path</li> <li>As a 38 year old business owner, He was sitting across my desk from me as I wondered how I would make payroll and be able to pay my own bills while keeping a business afloat</li> <li>As a 45 year old father and husband, He held my hand as I stepped out of the pew and walked the aisle and said "Yes Lord, I hear you calling" and committed to serving Him in ministry. </li>
</ul>There is no doubt that each and every time I've called on my Father that He has been faithful and just to hear my cry and answer. So today, I'm making time for the one who's always had TIME FOR ME. <br><br>It's so easy to get caught up in the I have not's<br>The when's it comings, where's it at's<br>And I ain't got's<br>Lord please have mercy on this fool<br>And forgive my selfish heart<br><br>There's a difference in the things I want<br>And the things I need<br>And I know You know I know<br>You know what's best for me<br>I've gone everywhere I wanna go<br>'Cept for anywhere You are<br><br>Oh I, I've been all about me<br>Paid no mind, to the reason I breathe<br>I was all about the taking<br>Now the only thing worth making I believe<br>Is time for the One who's always had<br>TIME FOR ME<br><br>
John Randolph
tag:johnrandolphmusic.com,2005:Post/3266888
2014-11-04T21:11:43-06:00
2014-11-10T18:30:05-06:00
I Choose Now
<span class="font_large">“Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. <br>As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, even to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish your royal throne as I covenanted with your father David, saying, 'You shall not lack a man to be ruler in Israel.' "<br><strong><em>- 2 Chronicles 7:12-15, 17-18</em></strong><br> <br>Today is a great day in our nation. It's a day where those that proclaim God's name have the opportunity to fall on our knees, cry out to Him, seek His face and begin to turn our country back into the hands of other Godly men and women in leadership.<br> <br>As Christians we have stood by way too long and given ground inch by inch by inch until the country we live in today has no resemblance to the Christian nation that was founded over 200 years ago. God's word is very clear and it tells us to submit to those in governmental authority, it tells us to pray for those in leadership, but it also tells us to stand firm and test and judge against God's word and His commands. In my opinion, it is clear to see that we are being led and governed by those that are telling us to live our lives in direct opposition to God's laws and commands.<br> <br>As Joshua told the nation of Israel, today is the day that you must choose which god you will serve. As Joshua said, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. I choose now!<br> <br>They've taken Christ out of Christmas <br>And God out of schools<br>We laughed and said they're crazy<br>But we were the fools<br> <br>We didn't stand up <br>For what we knew was right<br>But time has now come <br>For God's people to fight<br>So choose now this day<br>Whose side you'll be on<br>The ones left behind<br>Or the ones taken home<br> <br>I choose now!"<br> <br>© 2014 JR Ministries</span>
John Randolph