37 comments

• 

  Tony

  7 months ago

  This is a GREAT article! I know the feeling from all three sides – I wanted to be caught with no response, I've been caught, and I have caught – SO stinkin' cool! Thanks for sharing your skillz with us. You're a blessing.
  reply
• 

  Randy

  7 months ago

  Thank you Tony!
  reply
• 

  editorgal

  7 months ago

  What a story, and what a testimony. Thanks for sharing, and thank you, too, for your continued transparency.
  reply
• 

  Randy

  7 months ago

  You are welcome. Thank you for the encouragement. ;)
  reply
• 

  Gloria

  7 months ago

  "When I watch my friend look at his son's silly antics with absolute delight, I notice that Isaac is oftentimes not even aware of his dad's pleasure. When I see that dynamic at work, I think of how unaware I am of my heavenly Father's countenance. I wonder if He has enjoyed watching me as I walk out my faith."
  
  Thanks, Randy. Reading the end of the article, I was reminded of something in my life many years ago. I was returning to God after being out of fellowship with Him for many years. One day, I "saw" Him as He was the day many years earlier after the traumatic event that eventually led me to denounce Him and move into an entirely different life for many years. While I was whining about where was He, how could He allow this to happen....He was standing with His arms outstretched, wanting me to turn to Him. He would have comforted me and healed me, but I wasn't looking for Him.
  reply
• 

  Randy

  7 months ago

  I can relate to that one too. It's a good thing He doesn't run away isn't it ? Good to see you Gloria.
  reply
• 

  Gloria

  7 months ago

  "When I watch my friend look at his son's silly antics with absolute delight, I notice that Isaac is oftentimes not even aware of his dad's pleasure. When I see that dynamic at work, I think of how unaware I am of my heavenly Father's countenance. I wonder if He has enjoyed watching me as I walk out my faith."
  
  
  Thanks, Randy. Reading the end of the article, I was reminded of something in my life many years ago. I was returning to God after being out of fellowship with Him for many years. One day, I "saw" Him as He was the day many years earlier after the traumatic event that eventually led me to denounce Him and move into an entirely different life for many years. While I was whining about where was He, how could He allow this to happen....He was standing with His arms outstretched, wanting me to turn to Him. He would have comforted me and healed me, but I wasn't looking for Him.
  
  
  reply
• 

  Randy

  7 months ago

  I can relate to that one too. It's a good thing He doesn't run away isn't it ? Good to see you Gloria.
  reply
• 

  editorgal

  7 months ago

  What a story, and what a testimony. Thanks for sharing, and thank you, too, for your continued transparency.
  reply
• 

  Tony

  7 months ago

  This is a GREAT article! I know the feeling from all three sides â€" I wanted to be caught with no response, I've been caught, and I have caught â€" SO stinkin' cool! Thanks for sharing your skillz with us. You're a blessing.
  reply
• 

  RThomasETC (Randy Thomas)

  7 months ago

  Chased, Caught - My New Article On Boundless Webzine for Young Adults http://tinyurl.com/6cfgwq -- about my Bio Dad and our Heavenly Father
  reply
• 

  Randy

  7 months ago

  You are welcome. Thank you for the encouragement. ;)
  reply
• 

  Randy

  7 months ago

  Thank you Tony!
  reply
• 

  Janey

  7 months ago

  Hi there,
  
  I read your testimony actually on Boundless Webzine.
  
  You know, I love how the church have responded to a generation of fatherless children growing up.
  
  But you know... here's what I'm always thinking and what I see as a new dynamic in society given the fact that more and more non-traditional families are increasing.
  
  What about the motherless generation?
  
  What about daughters not knowing their mother? Not having a relationship with their mother? Not knowing what it's like to have a mother?
  
  It's a reality that quite frankly most in the church do not see.
  
  Back in 1980 when my Mother passed away I was raised in a small town just outside of Vancouver, BC.
  
  There were a very high percentage of children growing up in single-parent families with their mother as their primary care-taker. In my grade K class the school had mentioned that perhaps my teacher should skip father's day because most of the kids in my class didn't have a father.
  
  That teacher saw the dynamics of all the children in her class and was moved with compassion. Then she took not of my twin brother and I. And this is what she said, "There is no way I'm going to skip father's day. These two kids are being forced to celebrate a mother they do not even have, and so when a father is all these children have there is no way I'm going to take that away from them." And so, we celebrated father's day. I'm sure it was difficult for the kids without a father but it was difficult for me to grow up without a mother.
  
  I was moved with your testimony and seeing as my father was an alcoholic and abusive I didn't really have a father either. But having a growing relationship with my father and the ability to talk to him and also to listen to my father share with me the challenges from his perspective have greatly closed my "father-wounding" and I can see that there is a blessing that I have to be able to be in a relationship with my dad even though he's not perfect and can be stuck in his ways.
  
  I have the most amazing opportunity to be apart of the leadership team with Living Waters Canada. Last night I shared my testimony in front of all the participants (about 50 of them) in reference to Triggers of Gender Insecurity. As I prepared over the past couple of weeks for the talk and shared last night just how much change I've experienced in my own life, change that many say is impossible... the reality of it has become more of a reality.
  
  Last night after Living Waters I came home and checked out Boundless Webzine and found your testimony there and read it. I think I might appreciate my father a little more then I had before reading your testimony.
  
  God Bless Randy!
  reply
• 

  Randy

  7 months ago

  Janey, thanks for sharing your story and I think you have a good point about a motherless generation. You are the second lady who contacted me today about that topic. You all should blog or write more about that.
  
  Did you know that I am a trained Living Waters Coordinator? I haven't run a group since working for Exodus. I love Living Waters and am glad you got to share your story there.
  
  I am also glad the article impacted you favorably. Thanks for the feedback.
  reply
• 

  Janey

  7 months ago

  Hey Randy...
  
  I can be a technological idiot! But anyhow, I did my best to put a link on my blog to your blog in the only way I knew how because I mentioned your name. And I blogged a little bit of my own experiences and spoke briefly on the merging motherless generation....
  
  But mostly have been sharing my thoughts on something else.
  
  So if you want.... take a look at what I've blogged. The last 2 blogs are on the same subject.
  
  And I blogged through thoughts on other Political issues... and of course, if you disagree with something say something. I view my blog as an "educational tool" more so then anything else.
  reply
• 

  Janey

  7 months ago

  Hi there,
  
  
  I read your testimony actually on Boundless Webzine.
  
  
  
  You know, I love how the church have responded to a generation of fatherless children growing up.
  
  
  
  But you know... here's what I'm always thinking and what I see as a new dynamic in society given the fact that more and more non-traditional families are increasing.
  
  
  
  What about the motherless generation?
  
  
  
  What about daughters not knowing their mother? Not having a relationship with their mother? Not knowing what it's like to have a mother?
  
  
  
  It's a reality that quite frankly most in the church do not see.
  
  
  
  Back in 1980 when my Mother passed away I was raised in a small town just outside of Vancouver, BC.
  
  
  
  There were a very high percentage of children growing up in single-parent families with their mother as their primary care-taker. In my grade K class the school had mentioned that perhaps my teacher should skip father's day because most of the kids in my class didn't have a father.
  
  
  
  That teacher saw the dynamics of all the children in her class and was moved with compassion. Then she took not of my twin brother and I. And this is what she said, "There is no way I'm going to skip father's day. These two kids are being forced to celebrate a mother they do not even have, and so when a father is all these children have there is no way I'm going to take that away from them." And so, we celebrated father's day. I'm sure it was difficult for the kids without a father but it was difficult for me to grow up without a mother.
  
  
  
  I was moved with your testimony and seeing as my father was an alcoholic and abusive I didn't really have a father either. But having a growing relationship with my father and the ability to talk to him and also to listen to my father share with me the challenges from his perspective have greatly closed my "father-wounding" and I can see that there is a blessing that I have to be able to be in a relationship with my dad even though he's not perfect and can be stuck in his ways.
  
  
  
  I have the most amazing opportunity to be apart of the leadership team with Living Waters Canada. Last night I shared my testimony in front of all the participants (about 50 of them) in reference to Triggers of Gender Insecurity. As I prepared over the past couple of weeks for the talk and shared last night just how much change I've experienced in my own life, change that many say is impossible... the reality of it has become more of a reality.
  
  
  
  Last night after Living Waters I came home and checked out Boundless Webzine and found your testimony there and read it. I think I might appreciate my father a little more then I had before reading your testimony.
  
  
  
  God Bless Randy!
  
  
  reply
• 

  Randy

  7 months ago

  Janey, thanks for sharing your story and I think you have a good point about a motherless generation. You are the second lady who contacted me today about that topic. You all should blog or write more about that.
  
  
  Did you know that I am a trained Living Waters Coordinator? I haven't run a group since working for Exodus. I love Living Waters and am glad you got to share your story there.
  
  
  
  I am also glad the article impacted you favorably. Thanks for the feedback.
  
  
  reply
• 

  Pianomankugie

  7 months ago

  Thank you for sharing this part of your story. Good stuff. God at work, making Himself known. I love it. Reminded me of the history of disconnect between me and my Dad, and an example of it: he didn't invite me to go on deer hunting trips with him because he knew I wouldn't like it, and I didn't ask him to go along because avoiding deer hunting and guns was more important to me than spending time with him (sigh). But what a bonding we had the last month of his life when he was in a hospice bed in his living room. Dad was my biggest fan as far as piano music goes, even though I was "that way" he still loved me. Even though he would send me away when I wanted to look over his shoulder at whatever project he was working on (and when he wasn't watching football games or napping he was always doing something), because he said I made him nervous, now I realize that says as much about his ability to be made nervous as my ability to make him nervous. But I echo your thoughts, God Dad in Heaven more than makes up for any perceived rejection or lack we've had. Yes Praise Him!
  reply
• 

  Randy

  7 months ago

  Thanks for sharing your story PianoMan. I am glad you got a chance to connect with him before he passed and that he did appreciate your musical gift. I want to hear you sometime. Cheryl is a piano player too :)
  reply
• 

  Cheryl

  7 months ago

  Yeah!!! A fellow ivory tickler. What kind of pianist are you PianoMan? I would also love to hear you play sometime. And, I'm very sorry your earthly Dad is no longer with you but very glad our Heavenly Father has made Himself known to you.
  
  And, Randy, by the way, I read your article too and was moved by it.
  reply
• 

  Pianomankugie

  5 months ago

  Sorry about the late reply, I just discovered a few things about disqus. Anyway, now I only play at church. From 1985 to 2000 I was a community college, university, or seminary accompanist for oratorio/community/chamber choirs (on either piano or organ), a vocal coach for voice students (opera arias, yuck); and a few odd jobs in the music department offices here and there like choral music librarian; performed some choral works of Brahms (Liebeslieder etc.) , Rutter (Gloria, at the organ, Requiem, etc), Bernstein (Chichester, at the organ), Stravinsky (Psalms), California ACDA music reading and conducting workshops and All State Honor Choirs, 24 Italian Songs from Hades, etc., over 20 times rehearsal pianist for musical theatre including 3 different productions of Oklahoma, etc. Fifteen years of piano lessons and two and half years of organ lessons. In 2000 I decided I had enough of working days and nights and weekends and being unemployed every summer, so I got a M-F 8-5 office job with 52 weeks of work and no evenings and no weekends and no 45 mile one way commute. Didn't get to do as much chamber music as I would have liked (piano trios, quartets, quintets, etc) but I'm fine without it. I haven't practiced seriously since 2000. I do have fond memories of playing piano concertos and harpsichord concertos with orchestras and of working with some awesome choral conductors, and even though I hardly play anymore except for only one choir at church, I decided that pianomankugie was as good of blog name as any. But so much of that was people pleasing and isolating by choice and hiding behind the piano, three things I got very tired of doing. I may go back someday, but right now I am enjoying an extended vacation. As for the colleges and universities, there is just too much temptation there for me to want to have to deal with for now, if you know what I mean.
  reply
• 

  Cheryl

  5 months ago

  Well, I'm so glad you replied regardless!!! I'm chuckling because you and I are the same kind of pianist. Except I love opera arias and am considering further education to develop my operatic vocal coaching skills. Don't you just LOVE the Chichester Psalms? I'm currently having a love affair with the lieder of Richard Strauss. :::drool:::
  
  I have observed that the accompanying or singing business is particularly hard on men. There are social pressures and assumptions that men deal with that I have never had to deal with because I'm a woman. I'm so glad you are able to contribute your skill and musicality to your church and have found that a safe place to continue your art.
  
  The classical music scene is very...seedy...and I've also pondered the same difficulties you mention with schedule. It is a brutal business! And kudos to you for being able to adjust to a M-F 8-5.
  
  My experience has been different in the sense that the Lord has pulled me out of church music ministry and given me a ministry within the classical music scene. There's been lots of opportunities to share Him and I've been pleasantly surprised by the openess to Him so far. I fully expect to get slaughtered for my faith one of these days. But, they are an unreached people group and that is where the Lord has planted me. So, if you are inclined, I would sure covet your prayers. You know what it is like to live in that environment and the toll such a rollercoaster schedule has on a person.
  
  May the Lord richly bless you as you play for Him and may others be drawn to Him through His glory revealed in you.
  reply
• 

  Pianomankugie

  5 months ago

  1. Yes, when I learned that Strauss was only 18 when he wrote that song that ends "wie einst im Mai" I was utterly jealous and shocked, because of the depth of the song and the youth of the composer. But I got over that. 2. Praise God there is openness to Him. Maybe that's because the people see that you're open to them :) 3. Yes the Performing Arts are of course emotionally charged by definition because there's nothing "purely intellectual" or "purely mental" about them (even for Music Historians and Theoricians). But here's a laugh: one of my friends told me they heard a professor say in class there was no unifying theme to Handel's Messiah. (Perhaps the professor missed the texts/lyrics and was only considering the music)......
  reply
• 

  Cheryl

  5 months ago

  You're kidding!!!!!!! LOL! The music is unified by compositional elements rather than one or two melodic themes. The whole thing is a complex structure of key relationships and,not to mention, an incredible INCREDIBLE skill and art in word painting. And well the text... That professor must of meant there was no unifying thematic melody.
  reply
• 

  Cheryl

  5 months ago

  Oh and the Strauss piece you are talking about is 'Allerseelen'. I had to look it up. Playing that one and 'Morgen' and 'Zueignung' in a recital the end of March. Stunning music. I'm so glad to 'meet' you!
  reply
• 

  Janey

  7 months ago

  I didn't know that you were a trained Living Waters Coordinater but since I found out about Living Waters through Exodus I thought that perhaps you'd know something about that ministry. :)
  
  And yes, that's a good point and I think I will start blogging on that.
  
  Thanks, :)
  reply
• 

  PianoManKugie

  7 months ago

  Thank you for sharing this part of your story. Good stuff. God at work, making Himself known. I love it. Reminded me of the history of disconnect between me and my Dad, and an example of it: he didn't invite me to go on deer hunting trips with him because he knew I wouldn't like it, and I didn't ask him to go along because avoiding deer hunting and guns was more important to me than spending time with him (sigh). But what a bonding we had the last month of his life when he was in a hospice bed in his living room. Dad was my biggest fan as far as piano music goes, even though I was "that way" he still loved me. Even though he would send me away when I wanted to look over his shoulder at whatever project he was working on (and when he wasn't watching football games or napping he was always doing something), because he said I made him nervous, now I realize that says as much about his ability to be made nervous as my ability to make him nervous. But I echo your thoughts, God Dad in Heaven more than makes up for any perceived rejection or lack we've had. Yes Praise Him!
  reply
• 

  Janey

  7 months ago

  I didn't know that you were a trained Living Waters Coordinater but since I found out about Living Waters through Exodus I thought that perhaps you'd know something about that ministry. :)
  
  
  And yes, that's a good point and I think I will start blogging on that.
  
  
  
  Thanks, :)
  
  
  reply
• 

  Janey

  7 months ago

  Hey Randy...
  
  
  I can be a technological idiot! But anyhow, I did my best to put a link on my blog to your blog in the only way I knew how because I mentioned your name. And I blogged a little bit of my own experiences and spoke briefly on the merging motherless generation....
  
  
  
  But mostly have been sharing my thoughts on something else.
  
  
  
  So if you want.... take a look at what I've blogged. The last 2 blogs are on the same subject.
  
  
  
  And I blogged through thoughts on other Political issues... and of course, if you disagree with something say something. I view my blog as an "educational tool" more so then anything else.
  
  
  reply
• 

  Randy

  7 months ago

  Thanks for sharing your story PianoMan. I am glad you got a chance to connect with him before he passed and that he did appreciate your musical gift. I want to hear you sometime. Cheryl is a piano player too :)
  reply
• 

  Cheryl

  7 months ago

  Yeah!!! A fellow ivory tickler. What kind of pianist are you PianoMan? I would also love to hear you play sometime. And, I'm very sorry your earthly Dad is no longer with you but very glad our Heavenly Father has made Himself known to you.
  
  
  And, Randy, by the way, I read your article too and was moved by it.
  
  
  reply
• 

  Pianomankugie

  5 months ago

  Sorry about the late reply, I just discovered a few things about disqus. Anyway, now I only play at church. From 1985 to 2000 I was a community college, university, or seminary accompanist for oratorio/community/chamber choirs (on either piano or organ), a vocal coach for voice students (opera arias, yuck); and a few odd jobs in the music department offices here and there like choral music librarian; performed some choral works of Brahms (Liebeslieder etc.) , Rutter (Gloria, at the organ, Requiem, etc), Bernstein (Chichester, at the organ), Stravinsky (Psalms), California ACDA music reading and conducting workshops and All State Honor Choirs, 24 Italian Songs from Hades, etc., over 20 times rehearsal pianist for musical theatre including 3 different productions of Oklahoma, etc. Fifteen years of piano lessons and two and half years of organ lessons. In 2000 I decided I had enough of working days and nights and weekends and being unemployed every summer, so I got a M-F 8-5 office job with 52 weeks of work and no evenings and no weekends and no 45 mile one way commute. Didn't get to do as much chamber music as I would have liked (piano trios, quartets, quintets, etc) but I'm fine without it. I haven't practiced seriously since 2000. I do have fond memories of playing piano concertos and harpsichord concertos with orchestras and of working with some awesome choral conductors, and even though I hardly play anymore except for only one choir at church, I decided that pianomankugie was as good of blog name as any. But so much of that was people pleasing and isolating by choice and hiding behind the piano, three things I got very tired of doing. I may go back someday, but right now I am enjoying an extended vacation. As for the colleges and universities, there is just too much temptation there for me to want to have to deal with for now, if you know what I mean.
  reply
• 

  Cheryl

  5 months ago

  Well, I'm so glad you replied regardless!!! I'm chuckling because you and I are the same kind of pianist. Except I love opera arias and am considering further education to develop my operatic vocal coaching skills. Don't you just LOVE the Chichester Psalms? I'm currently having a love affair with the lieder of Richard Strauss. :::drool:::
  
  
  I can relate to a lot of what you are saying. I have observed that the accompanying or singing business is particularly hard on men. There are social pressures and assumptions that men deal with that I have never had to deal with because I'm a woman. I'm so glad you are able to contribute your skill and musicality to your church and have found that a safe place to continue your art.
  
  
  
  The classical music scene is very...seedy...and I've also pondered the same difficulties you mention with schedule. It is a brutal business! And kudos to you for being able to adjust to a M-F 8-5.
  
  
  
  My experience has been different in the sense that the Lord has pulled me out of church music ministry and given me a ministry within the classical music scene. There's been lots of opportunities to share Him and I've been pleasantly surprised by the openess to Him so far. I fully expect to get slaughtered for my faith one of these days. But, they are an unreached people group and that is where the Lord has planted me. So, if you are inclined, I would sure covet your prayers. You know what it is like to live in that environment and the toll such a rollercoaster schedule has on a person.
  
  
  
  May the Lord richly bless you as you play for Him and may others be drawn to Him through His glory revealed in you.
  
  
  reply
• 

  Pianomankugie

  5 months ago

  1. Yes, when I learned that Strauss was only 18 when he wrote that song that ends "wie einst im Mai" I was utterly jealous and shocked, because of the depth of the song and the youth of the composer. But I got over that. 2. Praise God there is openness to Him. Maybe that's because the people see that you're open to them :) 3. Yes the Performing Arts are of course emotionally charged by definition because there's nothing "purely intellectual" or "purely mental" about them (even for Music Historians and Theoricians). But here's a laugh: one of my friends told me they heard a professor say in class there was no unifying theme to Handel's Messiah. (Perhaps the professor missed the texts/lyrics and was only considering the music)......
  reply
• 

  Cheryl

  5 months ago

  You're kidding!!!!!!! LOL! The music is unified by compositional elements rather than one or two melodic themes. The whole thing is a complex structure of key relationships and,not to mention, an incredible INCREDIBLE skill and art in word painting. And well the text... That professor must of meant there was no unifying thematic melody.
  reply
• 

  Cheryl

  5 months ago

  Oh and the Strauss piece you are talking about is 'Allerseelen'. I had to look it up. Playing that one and 'Morgen' and 'Zueignung' in a recital the end of March. Stunning music. I'm so glad to 'meet' you!
  reply