Look At Us...

When I laid my tired aching bones down for slumber last night, a reoccurring thought continued to fill my mind. One that I'm sure everyone has shared at least 100 times in their life.


Who am I, anyway? (BESIDES Blue's boy!)


Pretty deep, eh?


I mean, we ALL have a special purpose, right? (Insert your favorite Steve Martin "Jerk" line now)


Some people teach. Some people become nurses or lawyers (not ALL are dishonest, I promise!). Thank the garbage man next time you see him. What a stinky front yard you would have without his help! In any case, the stark reality hits us all that we should grasp what our “role” in this world is, and try really hard to make the most of it! Trust me; I live this certainty almost daily while I'm slinging Mountain Dew two-liters up on the shelf for you to take right off behind me! EEEGAHD! HMPH!


“Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of ‘the brightest and the best’ among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these ‘nobodies’ to expose the hollow pretensions of the ‘somebodies’? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything we have--right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start--comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That is why we have the saying, ‘If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.’” -Paul



We all have diverse starts in life as Gods kids. And one thing is perfectly clear in all of this – no matter what environment you come from, or what part of the planet you were born into, or what religious affiliation you belong to - we all make the fabric of a worldwide quilt. And what’s more, ponder this...


We ALL can end up with the same eventual conclusion. It's our choice. Free will is awesome!


Now, for even more coolness! With all of our differences of belief, with all of our unlike ways to celebrate God - we ALL live by a common "thread".

Do Unto Others...


So why do we grow apart as a community?


I’ve always been perplexed by the term “Holy Wars”. Maybe I’m showing my simplistic nature, but to me, this statement is such an oxymoron. I mean, by being “holy” do you not want to live as God lives? Saintly, perhaps. Or having a spiritually pure quality about yourself? Then “live and let live”, I always say!


And take this a step further. Why do so many churches feel the need to “recruit” new parishioners? Is this the Army? A Division One basketball program? A job placement service?


Try this one on for size. Do you know folks that regularly “shop” for the right church to belong to? Are they looking for a three bedroom, one and a half bath community?


Sorry, I’m rambling. But I’ll try to come full circle to an opinion of mine that no one has yet to convince me otherwise. Too many churches today have become clubs. Social get togethers for an hour or so, once a week. “I better be on time, because so and so might see that I’m here this week”. Peace be with you.


Over my lifetime, I’ve experienced a number of different religious organizations. From Baptist to Catholic (talk about different ways to celebrate!). And you know, through all of my experiences – through all of the different communities I’ve been a part of, I’ve become more and more aware of essentially the same message. I have faith in the Lord. My Lord, your Lord. One in the same. And I’ve never wavered from my conviction. I believe in OUR God. And I thank Him everyday. I bet if you brought together seven or eight different people from seven or eight different churches, and told them NOT to tell you their religious affiliation…a great many of us would be hard pressed to figure out exactly what church they “belong” to. Where they worship. Whether they meet on Saturday OR Sunday. Or both. Try this sometime. I have. And the results are mind-blowing, I promise!


OK- I’ll digress for today. Blue will be calling soon. Besides, it's time for a cookie and some one-on-one with God anyway. The bottom line in all this hot air that I'm blowing is this...we ALL should be showing, sharing, and experiencing God's love. REAL LOVE. The last time I checked, love is still love. Look it up sometime. The Book hasn't changed. And the message is still as clear as it ever was.


“This time, we know we all can stand together”

"We gotta make ends meet before we get much older"

West Bound and Down

OK. So this morning I wake up and call in to the merchandiser hot line to find out where I'm headed today. My assumptions come true (of course) and I am eagerly awaited by the largest grocers on the west side of Cincinnati (not to mention the "thrilling" escape I get to make to Aurora, Indiana - whoopee!).

So me being the bright, strapping Georgia boy that I am...I'm thinking that I need to switch it up a little. You know, maybe change my route a little...take the road less traveled. See the sights and sounds of the great unknown. Back roads are cool when the skies are their deepest blue and a gentle breeze overcomes you. ADVENTURE, HERE I COME! (Take THAT Mr. Predictability!)

As I veer off I-275 to Kilby Road (the back way into Indiana) I long for the smell of fresh plowed fields and road kill (OK, I'm kidding). First I take a left...then another left...then a right. I'm trying to find ANY road sign saying "Yo, Mr. Cool Breeze...Indiana is THIS way!" None appear. For a long time.

By this point my palms are starting to sweat a little. Just a little. Mind you, I AM a MAN in the purest since, so there will be NO stopping for directions. My gender is just too good for that. At least in OUR own minds. If Blue were with me...well...maybe. Even though it's not too mannish.


I've driven now 45 minutes out of my way. And still I see no hope of finding the Wally World I'm supposed to service. I'm looking for signs of LIFE by this point.

Then...out of the BLUE (You KNEW I'd get at least two or three of these in, right?) it occurs to me that this pick-up truck with Indiana plates has been driving in front of me for several miles. I quickly decide that it's worth the gamble to follow him...what do I have to lose? If he's going home, at least I'll be in the right STATE! If he's not...well, maybe break one of the “man laws” and ask him which way to go.

Sure enough, about a mile down the road I cross the Indiana state line. And about two minutes later, I'm in Aurora. And there's Wally World! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!


When I got home tonight and sat down to collect my thoughts on the day, something occurred to me. The answer I was longing for was always right in front of me. It was there for miles and miles and miles. If I would have just opened up to it. A lot like the way Christ has always been right in front of me. Leading me through the unknown. Through all of my trials and tribs. Like my personal travel agent. Only with cheaper rates!


Thank You Jesus for being my tour guide. Looking back, I didn't mind it so much taking the scenic route.


"There are voices that want to be heard"

Like My Tee Shirt?

Ok. Let's get something straight. I like the way I dress. Blue likes it, so that's good enough for me. I'm TOTALLY into the tee shirt untucked/blue jeans or cargos/flip flops look. I'm comfortable that way. No maintenance, really. I mean...you can ALWAYS REWEAR your jeans, right? (Don't tell me I'm the ONLY one that does this...God's watching, you know!)


So, to further explain my taste in clothing...all of my tee's have dorky sayings on them. You know the ones I'm talking about, I'm sure. Well, I have this ONE shirt that I LOVE. As much as someone could love clothing. I LIVE the saying on it (sometimes WAY too much). It says...

Procrastinators Unite Tomorrow


Amazing!


So I put this shirt on today, and it made me think.


Do we procrastinate too often when it comes to God? Before you answer that...be truthful. I know I do. I'm man enough to admit it. Right here. For the whole world to see.


How often do you read your "sword"? How often do your knees hit the floor? Are you REALLY thankful for what you have? Me? Not nearly enough. And I'm about as broke as broke can be, I promise! LOL


Do you stop yourself from flipping off the guy on I-75 that cut you off? Or how about that man that sits on the side of the road with the hungry sign? What about the time your sibling REALLY needed you to be there, and you thought the football game was more important? The time when you "pretended" to care about what your friend had to say. There are WAY too many instances. Be TRUTHFUL. I'm hitting you right now with the cold hard facts. Right square in the mug. There are WAY too many of us out here that "claim" to walk the walk - but do we?


The Book tells us that it's OK to slip up once in a while. It's BOUND to happen, and usually does. And one of the coolest things about God, He's gonna forgive us. He's always forgiving. You gotta LOVE that, right?


Thank you Jesus! You Da Man! High Five!


Well, I'm saying right now - God, forgive me. Forgive me for slipping up. Forgive me for not holding Your standards higher. I love You. And I PROMISE that I will do better. And I will deliver (I'm a pretty good PIZZA delivery guy!), just like You delivered us! Thank you for waiting for me. Again.


Later this afternoon, after cleaning my apartment, I put on a clean tee-shirt. Boy did I need to do THAT! It says...


"as a matter of fact, the world DOES revolve around me."


And in His eyes, that shirt rings so true.


"If I see you next to never - How can we say forever?"

From Night to Day

I know. It's been a few days. I've been lost in a vast forest of topics to write upon not knowing which direction to go. I've been intimidated by the fact that I want this post to be perfect. What should I write on? Then I decided to follow my words and seek God's guidance and viola!! Here I am. It's still a work in progress, so it may take me a couple of days to put it all together, but I feel He's ready for me to begin.

You all know the story of Bryan and I now. And don't worry, I'm not gonna bore you with anymore about us for the time being. Well, maybe a little toward the end of this post but it won't be mushy. I promise. So please, just bear with me. For the last 2+ years of my life, I dated a man that was a ton of fun to be around. We had so much in common. We both loved sports; watching and participating. We both loved music and going to live concerts. We lived by the pool in the summers. He constantly made me laugh. I entered that relationship with every intention of keeping it focused on God.

He and I met online and I made it clear from the beginning that I wanted a Godly man in my life. He told me what I wanted to hear, won me over, then showed me his true self. But by then it was too late. Despite all the good things, there was a very pessimistic, glass more than half empty side to him. He said he was "jaded". He cussed all the time, had absolutely no patience (especially with my boys) and apparently had an awful way of controling me that I was aware of. He was selfish and was obsessed with anything relating to sex. The longer I stayed in that relationship, the further and further I found myself away from God. I turned my back on things that I knew to be right and instead looked to things that were wrong. I knew for over a year that I needed to be away from him but I just couldn't break free.

During that last year, we broke up probably 5 or 6 times but even during those times, we still did everything together and we always ended up back together. I was afraid of being by myself. I have no family out here in Texas. I have friends through work and softball, but I still feel very alone. I felt "secure" with him. There was a brief time last September, that I went out with someone who loved God with all his heart. I was very encouraged by him but the attraction part of it just wasn't there. The relationship never took hold and once again I ended up with my ex and back to being away from God. I was stressed. I was as low as I think I had ever been and was actually making myself sick. Litterally. I decided that after the holidays, I would begin to SLOWLY move away from him. But God had other plans.

Enter Bryan. Enter the catalyst that I needed to break free. Rather than breaking away slowly, God had me break away within a week. Very early on, Bryan expressed to me that he believed that God had a calling for him. Immediately, I felt an interest peak in my heart. Within a month, Bryan and I realized that the calling was for both of us. God took a cold and hardened heart and within one month, softened it. Filled it with joy and a desire to do His bidding. He brought it back to life. Now that it was no longer being exposed to sinful things, but rather to good and lovely things, it was able to break free of the binds that had held it closed off for far too long. God is so good.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anthing praiseworthy ~ meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8

In searching for the scripture to go along with my story, I found several that were pertinent. Of course. But, along the way, I also confused myself a bit and this is why I said in my first paragraph that this is a work in progress. I'll briefly explain why. God wants us to surround ourselves with all things that are good and pure. He doesn't want us to subject ourselves to things that are sinful and bad. Now the confusing part: He DOES want us to go out amongst the sinners to spread the gospel. My dilema is this: how can we keep ourselves away from the sinners and yet go out and do His work? That, my friends, is the work in progress so keep your eyes posted over the next few days. I've got more studying to do and once God reveals where He's going with this, you'll be the first to know.

Until then ~ Be blessed!

Judi Blue

Buried Treasure

God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.
Matthew 13:44

The most remarkable transformation has happened to me in the last few months. And I know that I can become quite boring with bringing it up again and again...but it has been such a blessing to me.

From being the first guy on the block to have a CD player (circa, 1984), I was always a man of needs. I lived quite comfortably, and I had to have it all. And I wanted it now. Or sooner. I had the coolest car (which might not have been the BEST, but the COOLEST). The newest clothes. The fastest food (and I NEVER would gain weight! YAY ME!) And all of that time, I really thought I was happy. Living in excess was way cool. And I was the coolest. For most of my 40 years.

But what I didn’t recognize is, over time, my world was eroding. I was living in major family crisis. Of course the bill man came calling as well. My children became sick. I lived in constant confusion. You get the picture. My world had crashed so far, seemingly so fast. I even ended up at a point debating whether or not I should continue to live. I had hit the lowest of lows.

Then – seemingly out of the BLUE (you like that? I knew that you would!) An amazing transformation happened to me. And it was SO simple, even a caveman could do it!

I found God.

With all due respect to Joey Lawrence...WOAH!!!

What an astounding man Jesus Christ is! And all that he has done for all of us! Too COOL! WAY COOL!

He directs me everyday. Ask Blue yourself. Everyday, I make it a point to touch three people’s lives. And I NEVER let him down. Nor will I ever let Him down. That's not what I'm about.

So - back to the point. Right now, I'm not where I used to reside financially. But none of that really matters, does it? As long as I awake refreshed everyday, thank the Lord Almighty for the ability to breathe, and set out on my daily quest handed down to me from Him, I'll be just fine. Heck, it's the least I could do.




"Hey there, Mr. Blue! We're so pleased to be with You! Look around see what you do! Everybody smiles at You!"



Bryan

Lord, Bless this blog...

Our Precious Father in Heaven ~

Thank you for bringing Bryan and I together. Thank you for bringing both of us out of the pits that we were in and setting us in the direction that you would have us to go. We pray that you would lead us, Lord. Show us your path. Lay out our way with each baby step that we take. We are babes, God, and need your guidance.

Father, we believe that you have led us to this place. To this blog. We are thankful for the opportunity to do your work here. We give this blog to you and ask that you would bless it. Use this blog as a tool for your bidding. As we type the words, Father, let them not be our own but yours. Help us to always seek you first before we ever post a word. Guide our fingers across the keys as we type the words that you want to be heard.

Be with our readers, Lord. May they find Your blog to be a blessing to their hearts. Open eyes, and ears and hearts, Father, so they might receive what they need to find their way. Let the words speak directly to their hearts at a time when they may need it the most. Bless each one in whatever need they may have today and every day.

Thank you, again, Father God, for all that you have already done in our lives and continue to do. Let us not forget whose we are.

In Jesus' name we pray ~
Bryan and Blue

Mission Statement?

If I make use of the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am like sounding brass, or a loud-tongued bell. And if I have a prophet's power, and have knowledge of all secret things; and if I have all faith, by which mountains may be moved from their place, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I give all my goods to the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it is of no profit to me.

Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride; Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil; It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true; Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things.

Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end.

But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.


-1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 13








Perhaps it's the way she tilts her head when she talks to me. Maybe that's why. Or how she looks through me with eyes as blue as autumn mist.

Maybe it's the way she never asks me to be anyone different than who I am. She lets me be my same dorky self. Opening herself up with a heart as vast as the Texas shoreline.

OK. It HAS to be because she never has to ask how I'm feeling at any given moment. She already knows. It's confusing to me sometimes just how "in touch" with me she is. You know...answering my questions before I have the chance to say anything. Calming me before any storm. And assuring me that it's possible to really love.


You’re what my heart has been looking for – enjoying laughter in the rain again, and feeling like a fool in love! All of my happiness came back so sudden. My tears stopped falling. When I called your name, you walked in to my life and my heart discovered that things would never be the same for me again. You are my destiny! And how much joy we will share together for the rest of our days!


From the first time that I saw you so many years ago, I knew then you were the girl God sent from heaven to me, and I'm so glad He’s placed you before me now, all these years later.


And so now we are united - and together we will show the world all the wonders love can bring! Through strength, love and understanding we will stand as one in a new world that is so open to the both of us. One heart, spreading joy to everyone, and helping to take away all sorrow. Spreading blessings and peace on earth for everyone to share.

Together, we will tear down all the barriers before us, and spread peace, humility, joy and harmony. All this by helping others search their hearts. What an easy thing to do! No more sadness for God’s children!


Blue - you are my angel. My princess.


“Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me got a groovy kind of love?”



Bryan

And so it begins.

Hi! I'm Blue (Judi) and I've been charged with getting this blog up and running. Bryan has said that he was leaving the first post in my capable hands, but I'm having difficulty in deciding just where to start. So I think I'll begin almost 30 years ago.

Wow! Has it really been that long? Are WE really that old? No....it surely doesn't feel it. I just turned 20 didn't I? :) Anyway, 30 years ago this fall, I moved to a new town. I was in 6th grade and excited about making new friends. I made some wonderful, life long friends. One of them, was named was Bryan. We shared all the same friends and hung out in all the same circles all the way through high school. We even sat next to each other in Mr. Twiggs english class. Or was it Mr. Bethea's? We had a ball goofing off together! I always considered Bryan one of my best friends but once we graduated, we went our seperate ways. I ended up in Texas and he ended up in Ohio. Both a million miles away from home. We both, also, ended up divorced with 2 children.

So jump ahead to December of 2006. I had recently started a MySpace page and I kept getting this guy who wanted to join my friends list. I didn't know who he was so I kept denying him. Then out of the blue, Bryan wrote to me through Classmates.com. Turned out the guy trying to join my friends was Bryan!! LOL! So I went back to his site and checked out his pictures just to be safe and sure enough....it was him! After a couple of days posting menial messages, he left me his phone number and said to give him a call if I was ever bored. I called him that night.

(At this point, I'm going to post here, the post I made on my MySpace blog. I think it captures the emotions of the moment pretty well.)

"From the moment he said hello, it was as if not one minute had passed since the last time we had spoken. We spoke for several hours that night, and the next night, and the next night, and the next night, and....well, you get the picture. During that first phone call, Bryan confessed to me that he had had a crush on me all the way through high school but could never muster up the courage to say anything to me about it. Now, at this point in our lives, when we both were no longer married, he felt he had his opportunity and he wasn't going to let it pass by. I thank God that he didn't. We have spoken every day since that first call. Now, we webcam so that we can see each other. He has Pokemon battles with Jonathan at least once a week. He talks and listens to Joshua. He is amazing!

Then, he came to visit this week. He arrived on Sunday and I just took him to the airport a couple of hours ago. He should be landing in St. Louis any minute before flying on to Cincinnati. He arrived with a pretty firm grip on my heart, but he leaves with my heart in tow. Bryan has brought joy back into my life. Over the last few years, I have not been completely myself. For the most part, I was there. I was happy but my joy was gone...if that makes any sense at all. I am a child of God. I had strayed. I always loved God and knew He was there, but I turned my back on Him. Bryan is leading me home. Even though he was leaving this morning, I woke up with a renewed sense of who and whose I am. I sang in the shower for the first time in years. LOL!! I love to sing in the shower, but the music just hasn't been there. It's back!! And it's because God has lead Bryan into my life. And Bryan has lead me back to God. I am filled with so much joy and peace and love that I don't believe I could begin to fully convey what I'm feeling. Just know that the most amazing thing has happened and that his name is Bryan Poindexter!"

So there you go. Our beginning. Bryan and I both know deep in our hearts that God has brought us together. We both fully believe that He has a plan for us. We just don't know what that plan is yet. This blog will hopefully chronicle our relationship together as it grows and also our relationship with God as it grows. Our love is amazing. I have never felt love this deep before. It sounds cliche' but I truly only thought love like this happened in fairy tales. You know, there is even a pretty good chance that you'll think we're crazy and won't believe us. But that's ok. We're expecting that. If you don't like our story, you'll decide to never come back. But maybe, just maybe, it'll strike a chord in your heart and you'll decide to come back again and again. That's what we'll be praying for. Prayerfully, God will use this blog as a way of reaching someone who otherwise may be unreachable. Maybe that person is you.

With that, I'll end for tonight. We hope that you'll join us again real soon!!

God bless you!!

In His Love ~