Author Archive: Randall Daluz

I Am Just A Man

Author: April 19, 2016

https://unsplash.com/photos/xz4KUoOElToActs 23:11-12  But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”  And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

Dearly Beloved,
May the peace, love, joy and grace of our Lord be ever upon you.  Times have been rough for me spiritually and emotionally lately.  I have been struggling with doubt – not of God, but of man.  Those of you who have been following my situation have heard that I have been wrongfully convicted of horrific and tragic crimes.  Race was injected into my trial.  I was stereotyped and mislabeled.  The prosecutors and police tampered with evidence and witnesses.  I filed for a mistrial and the courts stalled me for over a year.  Now, all of a sudden, they are rushing my appeal.  To my knowledge, they only rush an appeal when they intend to deny it.  Such usually happens when a person or persons with great political power pulls strings.  Now, I’m no martyr; nor am I seeking sympathy by claiming to be a victim.  The facts are the facts.  What took place during my trial was nothing short of a modern day lynching.  Questions like, what color the people are where I am from, had no relevance whatsoever.  They were posed solely to prejudice the jury.  The suggestion, that a white man wouldn’t need to carry a gun because he is white and around white people, is also clearly and undeniably racist and meant to prejudice the jury.  Yet, I was denied a motion for a mistrial and by the looks of it, I may be on the fast track to being railroaded on my appeal.  Notice I said, “by the looks of it.”  The truth is, I have no way of knowing what the outcome may be.  My fears, though based on experience, are not necessarily valid.

Now, you would think that after all that God has done for me, after the miracles I witnessed and prayers He has answered, that my faith would be bulletproof.  Paul actually witnessed and spoke to Christ, yet he continued to question the Lord.  Why, he doubted whether or not he would even live moment to moment.  The Lord constantly had to remind Paul that He was with him, that Paul had a purpose to fulfill and his time to die had not yet come.   (more…)

Homepage, Journal

, ,

Just One

Author: April 14, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/church-cathedral-religion-prayer-7302/Dear beloved brothers and sisters,
I went to church services for the very first time at the new facility I am in last night.  It was a very warm and welcoming place. It is ornate and built to be acoustical.  For the first time in nearly four years, I felt a nostalgic connection to a place of worship.  I got the warm and fuzzies as I reconnected with memories from my childhood.  I instantly felt at home.  Church is my very favorite place to be.  There is nothing more pleasant or uplifting than communing with others in the name of the Lord.  As always, the Spirit moved me and I was compelled to speak at the end of service.  You see, I had surveyed the room and found some sad faces and heavy hearts about.  Those looks inspired the kindling of spiritual fire inside of me.  I said, “I know times seem bleak right now, my brothers, but this is not the end for you.  This is only the beginning of a miraculous transformation.  Your incarceration does not have to be negative.  To the contrary, God can use your situation to uplift and inspire others.  That is, if you let Him.”  I saw a glimmer of hope begin to shine in some of their eyes.  I could tell that what I was saying registered in some way with some of them. (more…)

Homepage, Journal

We All Have Ups And Downs

Author: April 7, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/roller-coaster-ride-66143/Dear beloved brothers and sisters,  May God’s peace, mercy, blessings, glory and love be ever upon you.  Have you ever heard the saying “What goes up, must come down”?  For every high there is a low and vice-versa.  Nowhere in the Bible does it promise us heaven on earth.
Read Luke 3:16 – John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
We all, as Christians, must be baptized with fire.  The lows we face are like that fire.  It is only our faith which prevents us from being consumed by the flames.  True faith can stand up to anything this world throws at us.  Just look at our brothers and sisters in France and Belgium who continue to remain steadfast in their faith in spite of the evil carnage inflicted upon them by ignorant and savage minions of the devil.  The terrorists who seek to inflict fear only strengthen true believers.  May we all learn from those who endure such, for it is proof of God’s everlasting glory.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that it is easy to be a Christian.  In fact, it tells us repeatedly that ours is a narrow path teaming with persecution, strife and pain.  I dare any of you to show me where it says that life on earth will be easy for a Christian.  I promise you that it never does.  Read it for yourselves.  Jesus said that we must forsake all and follow Him. (more…)

Homepage, Journal

,

Remember Him, Serve Him, Love Him

Author: March 25, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/war-chess-59197/John 3:16-18  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Dear Beloved Friends,
Greetings, love, peace, joy and blessings to you.  Today is Good Friday (or so they say).  We truly don’t know exactly when Jesus died.  The dates we celebrate Easter on are actually pagan dates.  The reasons why we have an Easter bunny and eggs with color is because these are pagan tradition having to do with fertility.  I make mention of this every year as a reminder because I want you to realize how important it is to give all glory to Jesus and not to fairy tales.  I want you to make sure you are worshiping God and not false pagan idols.  I meditate on what the Lord has done for us every day and I thank Him daily.  We must constantly be aware of His sacrifice for us.  Thank you, Jesus!  Praise your name, Lord!  Amen and Amen!

I am adapting well to my new surroundings.  I am doing my best to spread the Gospel.  I have a new Bible study partner named Nick.  He is such a broken man – just the kind the Lord loves to grab hold of and transform.  We sat down to play a game of chess with one another and I knew right away that the Lord sent him to me.  Now, I’m no grand-master by any means, but I can play a decent game.  Nick and I chatted about his history.  He told me that he wants to change his life, but he doesn’t know how.   (more…)

Homepage, Journal

Take Jesus With You Everywhere You Go

Author: March 14, 2016

etsy_hand-lettered-vintage-globe-matthewMatthew 28:19-20  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Dear Friends,  May God’s peace, love and joy be ever upon you.  I have been moved to Massachusetts.  I already miss my brothers and sisters in Christ from Maine.  My work for the Lord in Maine is done for now.  The Lord achieved victory there and now I must move on to do His work wherever He calls me.  It is very strange to be in new surroundings.  After 3+ years in Maine, it is a bit of a culture shock.  I am finally out of segregation.  Though solitary confinement wore on me some, it also gave me a chance to draw nearer to the Lord.  I learned to trust in Him with all of my heart and soul.  It was Jesus who sustained me through it all.  He strengthened me and taught me never to give up.  He gave me peace and prepared me to face the upcoming battles ahead.  Right now, I am in a classification prison, but I will soon be sent to a prison which is three times the size of Maine State Prison.  After seven and a half months of solitary, it is very strange to be out of my cell and around so many people.  The cell block I am in houses 50 men.  It is not easy to adjust.  In many ways, I am still in solitude as I have found it more comforting to be alone presently.  There is a church service tonight and I am looking forward to communing with other Christians.  Unlike the persecution I faced at M.S.P., here in Massachusetts, church is a sacred institution and is a mandatory part of all prisons.  They would never have banned my pastor from seeing me, nor would they have punished me for writing about Jesus on this site.  I am sure, though, that I will surely face other forms of persecution.  I fear not – for the Lord is with me.  He has plans for me that no one can stop – for who can defeat the Lord?  When I entered the transport van that brought me here, the radio was on and as we exited through the gates of Maine State Prison, the song “We Are The Champions” was playing.  I could not help but smile.  It was so fitting.  I pointed my shackled hands toward the sky and said, “Yes, we are the champions, Lord, by your grace alone Father, by your grace alone.”  Jesus once again reminded me that He is with me and that I am doing His will. (more…)

Homepage, Journal

,

Victory In The Name Of Jesus

Author: March 4, 2016

SONY DSCMatthew 10:24-34  “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.  “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”

Dear Friends,
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!  Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!  In the name of the Almighty God, the King of kings and the Lord of lords; In the name of His Majesty, His Excellency, the undisputed heavy weight champion of not only the world, but the entirety of all creation; In the name of the undefeated, most holy, most high, most exalted, the purest and truest Light that ever has or ever will exist – JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD – I claim victory.  Hallelujah!  Praise His Name!  Amen!  By the power of Christ the King, we have defeated the M.D.O.C., the crooked A.G.’s office, all the haters out there and, most importantly, satan.  Hallelujah!  GLORY TO GOD!

My dearest and beloved brothers and sisters, it is truly my honor to report to you, that due to the power of Jesus Christ and the strength that He gave us to endure and persevere, the crooked A.G.’s office of the State of Maine and equally crooked M.D.O.C. accepted defeat and changed their unjust, unholy and unconstitutional rules which banned prisoners from posting online, publishing under a byline or acting as a reporter.  I promised you back in June that no matter what they did to me, I would defend Christ and continue writing.  It has been such a long battle.  I have now spent over seven months in solitary confinement.   (more…)

Homepage, Journal

Friends Don’t Let Friends Behave Badly

Author: February 28, 2016

https://static.pexels.com/photos/5362/restaurant-hands-people-coffee.jpgProverbs 27:5-6  Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Dear Friends,  Peace, love, grace and the joy of Christ be upon you.  I want to ask you all to please pray for my dear brother, pastor, friend and mentor, Tom Shuford.  Tom has been in and out of the hospital lately.  Both Tom and those of us who love him so dearly could really use your prayers as this is very hard on all of us.  The above passage is very, very deep and as I have been sitting and praying for Tom, I realize how much it relates to he and I.  You see, Tom has always rebuked me, but it has always been non-judgmental and out of love.  And, only when I truly needed it.  I am so grateful for that.  You see, my old group of so-called friends rarely did that.  The ones who truly loved me did and my family did, but people that I associated with that were criminals never did, nor did my frienemies.  You know, the ones pretend to love you, but really hate you and want to see you fail.  Those types encouraged my poor choices.  Most used me for their own personal gain and discarded me when I had no more value to them.  Not a single one has ever written me or showed any love; Nor am I complaining.  You know the old adage: “With friends like that, who needs enemies?”  Only the ones who truly love me have been here for me.  Chief among them is Jesus.  He has never left or forsaken me.   (more…)

Homepage, Journal

,

Man Up!

Author: February 21, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-people-bar-men-4417/1st Corinthians 13:11  “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Dear Friends,  May God’s strength, power and light flow within you and guide you.  Amen!  It is always my intention to deliver the message to everyone.  And though I hope there is something to be gained by all in this one, I had a particular group in mind while writing this.  No offense ladies, but I am speaking directly to the men in this one.  Though, I do hope all the ladies learn from this as well.

Let us start by asking ourselves, “What makes a man?”  My earthly father always told me that men are built, not born.  You see, anyone can be born a male, but not every male becomes a man.  A man must be forged and wrought.  A man cannot be measured by physical strength or by his job or wealth.  In fact, I would be willing to wager that some of the wealthiest males on this planet are not truly men.  A man cannot be measured by how many women he slept with or how far he’s traveled; Nor can he be measured by his intelligence or worldly achievements.   (more…)

Homepage, Journal

,

Got Flavor?

Author: February 16, 2016

https://static.pexels.com/photos/6401/food-kitchen-cooking-spices.jpgMatthew 5:13-16  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,  May God’s spices, herbs and seasoning be ever upon you.  Amen!  I want to talk to you about flavor.  I want to talk to you about being savory, delectable and of good taste.  Right now, I can imagine you saying, “What’s this guy saying?  Has he lost his mind?  Does he think I am a chicken dinner?”  Let me be clear, I am not calling you chicken – I assure you.  But, in a manner of speaking, all Christians are a dish meant to be served to the starving unsaved souls around them.  That means we need to be zesty and tangy, but not too tart; spicy and warm, but not too hot; inviting and friendly, but not too sweet.  We need to be flavorful, my brothers and sisters, but not overbearing.  How many of you remember the story of Goldie-Locks and the Three Bears?  We need to be like that last bit of porridge – “Just right!”  Mmmm Hmmm!  Yes, sir!  You see, salvation is free.  Thus, we must not act like salesmen.  Are you with me, folks?  How many of you like fried chicken?  I like the home cooked kind, but every now and again I used to buy K.F.C. [Kentucky Fried Chicken].  Of course, my own chicken is much better. LOL!  But, I do on occasion enjoy the flavor of the colonel’s secret blend of herbs and spices.  The Bible is God’s own blend of herbs and spices – 66 to be exact.  And, unlike the colonel’s recipe, it’s no secret at all.  God wants you to have it.  He wants you to feast on it until it is coming out of your pores.  He wants you to be bathed in it and most importantly, He wants you to feed it to others.  (more…)

Homepage, Journal

,

What Is Liberty?

Author: February 6, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/sunset-man-person-silhouette-6945/II Peter 2:19-21  “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”
Dearly Beloved,  May the power and glory of the Lord forever surround you and flow through you.
I want to talk to you about liberty, or freedom, if you will.  When I was stuck in the mire of sin, I was under the illusion that I was free.  I had “worldly freedom”.  That there is not freedom at all.  It’s a lie, a trap, a pitfall and snare set for us by the devil.  I am imprisoned with all manner of men who believe they are free even in here.  It was once said that to experience true freedom, one will inevitably commit criminal acts.  You see, there are many in this world who look at law and order as nothing more than a restraint, a chain, if you will.  They crave anarchy.  Even in the deepest depths of my sin, there were lines and boundaries that I would not ever cross.  But, some folks have no boundaries and they think that makes them free.  Nonsense! (more…)

Homepage, Journal

,

Learn to Love Yourself By Learning To Love God

Author: January 29, 2016

maninmirrorMark 12:30-31  ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Dear Friends,  May God’s grace, peace, joy and especially love be upon you.  Let me start by telling you that I love you.  More importantly, God loves you.  But, do you love yourself?  Now, I want you to really think about that.  Above you are Jesus’ greatest commandments… His only commandments, in fact.  Read verse 31 – “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  That’s not going to work unless you truly love yourself.  I am not speaking in terms of vanity nor self-centeredness.  No, sir!  I’m talking about realizing that you are a child of God.  I’m talking about caring about what happens.  We all need love.  But, in order to give love, we must learn to love God and come to the realization that we are a part of God and He is a part of us.  Therefore, when we love Him, we love ourselves.  For we were created in His image and should we choose to, we will inherit His mighty Kingdom.  Wow!  I love how God works.  You see, if we truly love God, we will automatically love ourselves and each other.  Amazing, isn’t it? (more…)

Homepage, Journal

Believe In The Power Of Prayer

Author: January 13, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/lights-party-dancing-music-2143/Dear Readers,
Joy, love and blessings to you, my beautiful brothers and sisters.  May the peace of Jesus Christ fill and surround you and may His grace be ever upon you.  Amen!  Let me start by giving you an update on my dearly beloved pastor, friend and brother, Tom Shuford.  As many of you know, Tom went for surgery on 12/30/15 to put a dialysis port into his abdomen.  Tom is suffering from kidney failure and a host of other ailments.  Tom has defied death [only by the grace of God, of course] for over 30 years now.  I am happy to report that once again God has stepped in and spared Tom’s life.  Hallelujah!  Praise Jesus!  The Bible says that “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” – Luke 18:27.  The Lord does not lie.  Tom is proof of that.  He is a living testament to both the power of God and the power of prayer.  Make no mistake about it folks, our prayers have helped Tom tremendously and continue to do so.  It was the faith of all of us, including Tom, that helped Tom make it through this and live to fight for the Lord another day.  Praise God!  SHOUT HALLELUJAH!  THANK YOU, JESUS!  WE BELIEVE IN YOUR POWER, ALMIGHTY GOD!  Yes, we do.  I thank all of you around the world who have kept our brother in your prayers.  GOD BLESS YOU ALL!  Tom is not totally out of the woods yet.  He faces a lengthy recovery.  So, please continue to pray for brother Tom, knowing that those prayers shall be heard. (more…)

Homepage, Journal

, ,