1 00:00:08,237 --> 00:00:09,177 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:11,337 --> 00:00:14,097 Speaker 2: Make the holidays memorable when you bring home the new book, 3 00:00:14,217 --> 00:00:19,046 Speaker 2: Christmas Spectacular, starring the Radio City Rockettes. Rooted in the 4 00:00:19,087 --> 00:00:22,267 Speaker 2: wonder of New York City at Christmas, this giftable book 5 00:00:22,346 --> 00:00:25,767 Speaker 2: invites you to create your very own holiday magic with 6 00:00:25,887 --> 00:00:32,117 Speaker 2: crowd-pleasing festive recipes, elegant DIY craft ideas, and behind-the-scenes stories 7 00:00:32,337 --> 00:00:36,337 Speaker 2: and history of the spectacle that is the Radio City Rockettes. 8 00:00:37,127 --> 00:00:40,697 Speaker 2: capture the wonder of the season with Christmas Spectacular starring 9 00:00:40,737 --> 00:00:43,997 Speaker 2: the Radio City Rockettes, available wherever books are sold. 10 00:00:47,476 --> 00:00:51,797 Speaker 3: I'm grateful back in 62 that God looked at two 11 00:00:51,836 --> 00:00:56,257 Speaker 3: school teachers in central Indiana and said, I think this 12 00:00:56,337 --> 00:00:58,597 Speaker 3: is a good thing, because when it's that good, it 13 00:00:58,657 --> 00:01:01,187 Speaker 3: has to be God, and just blessed it. 14 00:01:02,547 --> 00:01:05,557 Speaker 4: Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast. This week we hear 15 00:01:05,597 --> 00:01:09,646 Speaker 4: from legendary husband and wife songwriting team Bill and Gloria Gaither, 16 00:01:10,067 --> 00:01:12,887 Speaker 4: who went from teaching school in a small Indiana town 17 00:01:13,247 --> 00:01:15,747 Speaker 4: to writing some of the most sung hymns and songs 18 00:01:15,867 --> 00:01:19,067 Speaker 4: in the modern church, including Because He Lives and He 19 00:01:19,107 --> 00:01:23,127 Speaker 4: Touched Me. They'll talk about the lessons they've learned about failure, success, 20 00:01:23,567 --> 00:01:25,627 Speaker 4: and how one of their most famous songs came from 21 00:01:25,667 --> 00:01:29,717 Speaker 4: a time when the world around them felt anything but stable. Next, 22 00:01:29,777 --> 00:01:33,037 Speaker 4: we'll hear from The Voice Season 12 winner Chris Blue. 23 00:01:33,527 --> 00:01:36,747 Speaker 4: who initially turned down multiple opportunities to audition for The Voice, 24 00:01:37,167 --> 00:01:40,307 Speaker 4: he'll share how he eventually returned to his family's gospel 25 00:01:40,367 --> 00:01:44,247 Speaker 4: music roots after years of pursuing a different path. Let's 26 00:01:44,287 --> 00:01:45,447 Speaker 4: begin with the Gaithers. 27 00:01:46,837 --> 00:01:57,297 Speaker 5: Hi, I'm Gloria Gaither, and I'm a writer, lyricist. We 28 00:01:57,337 --> 00:02:01,257 Speaker 5: have three children, and we have traveled most of our 29 00:02:01,297 --> 00:02:06,437 Speaker 5: lives together. singing and being a part of groups. I'm 30 00:02:06,457 --> 00:02:10,916 Speaker 5: an old school teacher. Both of us taught English, and 31 00:02:11,177 --> 00:02:14,757 Speaker 5: I taught French as well. So we've continued to teach, 32 00:02:15,127 --> 00:02:16,067 Speaker 5: just different classrooms. 33 00:02:17,827 --> 00:02:20,327 Speaker 3: And I'm Bill Gaither, and I'm married to the lyricist, 34 00:02:20,627 --> 00:02:24,267 Speaker 3: Gloria Gaither. And thank God for that. I'm a whole 35 00:02:24,307 --> 00:02:27,707 Speaker 3: lot more today because of meeting her and falling in 36 00:02:27,747 --> 00:02:30,026 Speaker 3: love and starting a marriage. 37 00:02:33,027 --> 00:02:34,907 Speaker 5: There are times when you don't know what to say 38 00:02:34,927 --> 00:02:37,406 Speaker 5: to God. We think times are bad now, but we've 39 00:02:37,427 --> 00:02:41,627 Speaker 5: been here before. The Vietnam War was a big controversy. 40 00:02:41,717 --> 00:02:44,497 Speaker 5: The soldiers that came home got spat on in the 41 00:02:44,557 --> 00:02:50,157 Speaker 5: street for serving. The whole drug culture was beginning. And 42 00:02:50,237 --> 00:02:53,817 Speaker 5: in that time, we were expecting our third baby. And 43 00:02:53,857 --> 00:02:56,227 Speaker 5: we looked at each other and said during that time, 44 00:02:56,307 --> 00:02:59,107 Speaker 5: who in their right mind would bring another baby into 45 00:02:59,167 --> 00:03:02,587 Speaker 5: this world? What's it going to be like in 17 46 00:03:02,587 --> 00:03:04,776 Speaker 5: or 18 years when he really has to face it? 47 00:03:05,587 --> 00:03:09,227 Speaker 5: But all that changed the day they brought us that 48 00:03:09,467 --> 00:03:12,507 Speaker 5: little boy and laid him in our arms. And it 49 00:03:12,757 --> 00:03:15,657 Speaker 5: was like one of those aha moments when you say, 50 00:03:16,557 --> 00:03:20,757 Speaker 5: we don't have babies and buy houses, move to St. 51 00:03:20,817 --> 00:03:24,517 Speaker 5: Louis or Nashville or stay put. We don't do what 52 00:03:24,577 --> 00:03:28,397 Speaker 5: we do because the world is stable. When has it 53 00:03:28,437 --> 00:03:33,187 Speaker 5: been stable? Jesus himself was born into the most unstable 54 00:03:33,227 --> 00:03:36,477 Speaker 5: of worlds. I mean, there's never been such a wicked 55 00:03:37,317 --> 00:03:42,417 Speaker 5: leadership as the Roman Empire. And so you look at 56 00:03:42,477 --> 00:03:44,657 Speaker 5: the baby and you say, we go on with our 57 00:03:44,737 --> 00:03:49,657 Speaker 5: life because the resurrection is true. It's not just one 58 00:03:49,677 --> 00:03:53,637 Speaker 5: time shot in history. The resurrection is built into every 59 00:03:53,757 --> 00:03:57,747 Speaker 5: fiber of creation. It's everywhere around us and in We 60 00:03:57,807 --> 00:04:02,347 Speaker 5: can believe as we hold this little child that because 61 00:04:02,427 --> 00:04:08,007 Speaker 5: he lives, we can face tomorrow. This child can face 62 00:04:08,087 --> 00:04:13,017 Speaker 5: uncertain days because he lives. And because he lives, I 63 00:04:13,057 --> 00:04:16,996 Speaker 5: can face tomorrow. Because he lives, all fear is gone. 64 00:04:17,637 --> 00:04:21,337 Speaker 5: Because I know he holds the future, then life is 65 00:04:21,397 --> 00:04:23,657 Speaker 5: worth the living just because he lives. 66 00:04:24,676 --> 00:04:41,186 Speaker 6: And because he lives, I can face tomorrow. Because he lives, 67 00:04:41,926 --> 00:04:46,867 Speaker 6: all fear is gone. 68 00:04:47,306 --> 00:04:50,976 Speaker 7: Because I know. 69 00:04:51,436 --> 00:04:56,337 Speaker 5: When we finally... quit teaching to write songs and do 70 00:04:56,356 --> 00:05:00,416 Speaker 5: what we do, travel full time. We just felt like 71 00:05:00,476 --> 00:05:03,916 Speaker 5: that the young artists that came into our lives, we 72 00:05:03,957 --> 00:05:07,897 Speaker 5: had a chance to mentor them. And so we just 73 00:05:07,957 --> 00:05:09,997 Speaker 5: changed classrooms, babies, basically. 74 00:05:11,017 --> 00:05:15,796 Speaker 3: Stewardship is a very important thing in our lives. When 75 00:05:15,916 --> 00:05:18,907 Speaker 3: I think about stewardship, I think about the gifts that 76 00:05:18,936 --> 00:05:22,426 Speaker 3: God has given to us And how we take those 77 00:05:22,527 --> 00:05:27,047 Speaker 3: gifts and how we can see if we can multiply, 78 00:05:27,106 --> 00:05:31,616 Speaker 3: you know. Jesus said we are salt, lye, and yeast. 79 00:05:32,657 --> 00:05:35,976 Speaker 3: So how do we do that on a day-by-day basis? 80 00:05:36,097 --> 00:05:39,256 Speaker 3: The old song was right. This little light of mine, 81 00:05:39,316 --> 00:05:42,037 Speaker 3: I'm going to let it shine. But how do we 82 00:05:42,087 --> 00:05:44,867 Speaker 3: do that when it comes to other human beings? And 83 00:05:44,907 --> 00:05:48,826 Speaker 3: here again, the teaching comes in handy. In our situation, 84 00:05:49,566 --> 00:05:52,707 Speaker 3: I didn't ask for it. But I've been thrown into 85 00:05:52,767 --> 00:05:58,307 Speaker 3: management of some young artists who have great, fantastic voices 86 00:05:59,027 --> 00:06:03,127 Speaker 3: and who are singing some great notes way up above 87 00:06:03,486 --> 00:06:07,416 Speaker 3: in a range that I can only dream of. But 88 00:06:07,436 --> 00:06:09,517 Speaker 3: I don't know how many times I have said, be 89 00:06:10,436 --> 00:06:13,217 Speaker 3: good to that gift that God has given you. 90 00:06:15,017 --> 00:06:18,037 Speaker 1: Bill and I are still teaching. We teach every day. 91 00:06:18,056 --> 00:06:20,737 Speaker 5: People in and out of our house, people that ride 92 00:06:20,787 --> 00:06:24,187 Speaker 5: on our bus, people that sing with us on the weekends. 93 00:06:24,806 --> 00:06:29,766 Speaker 5: We're constantly teaching. And, you know, one of the best 94 00:06:29,986 --> 00:06:35,676 Speaker 5: teachers is probably failure. I think we learn from failure. 95 00:06:35,777 --> 00:06:39,517 Speaker 5: Failure doesn't hurt. And I grew up in a house 96 00:06:39,556 --> 00:06:43,296 Speaker 5: that said, you can't say you can't. If there's something, 97 00:06:43,356 --> 00:06:45,586 Speaker 5: if there's a problem to be solved, there's a way 98 00:06:45,616 --> 00:06:48,886 Speaker 5: to solve it. But I think a lot of kids... 99 00:06:49,387 --> 00:06:53,307 Speaker 5: need to not be so fearful of failing. If you 100 00:06:53,347 --> 00:06:57,046 Speaker 5: learn from failure, it makes you wise. The thing I 101 00:06:57,106 --> 00:07:01,837 Speaker 5: think we have warned people more about is success. Most 102 00:07:01,876 --> 00:07:04,657 Speaker 5: people can handle failure, but they don't handle. 103 00:07:04,397 --> 00:07:05,397 Speaker 1: Success very well. 104 00:07:06,496 --> 00:07:10,177 Speaker 5: One of our favorite poems is by Kipling, and it's 105 00:07:10,237 --> 00:07:13,396 Speaker 5: called If, and I hope everybody listening will look up 106 00:07:13,457 --> 00:07:16,867 Speaker 5: that poem. But one of the lines says, if you 107 00:07:16,947 --> 00:07:22,087 Speaker 5: can meet with triumph and disaster and treat both those 108 00:07:22,227 --> 00:07:27,247 Speaker 5: imposters just the same. And they are imposters. Most of 109 00:07:27,327 --> 00:07:30,287 Speaker 5: life is regular. Most of life is. 110 00:07:31,827 --> 00:07:32,287 Speaker 8: Normal. 111 00:07:32,847 --> 00:07:34,987 Speaker 5: Most of life is getting up and putting on your 112 00:07:35,027 --> 00:07:39,457 Speaker 5: socks and fixing breakfast. Most of life is mowing the 113 00:07:39,497 --> 00:07:42,417 Speaker 5: lawn and hoeing the garden and taking out the trash. 114 00:07:43,257 --> 00:07:45,816 Speaker 5: You have to make your own magic And I think 115 00:07:45,877 --> 00:07:49,617 Speaker 5: that whole attitude to life is most of it's regular. 116 00:07:50,397 --> 00:07:54,316 Speaker 5: But if there is triumph or if there's disaster, treat 117 00:07:54,377 --> 00:07:59,587 Speaker 5: them as exceptions, not the expectation. If you get up 118 00:07:59,627 --> 00:08:03,447 Speaker 5: in the morning with expectations, you are bound to be disappointed. 119 00:08:04,207 --> 00:08:07,727 Speaker 5: But if you get up in the morning with expectancy, saying, 120 00:08:08,147 --> 00:08:10,137 Speaker 5: what is God going to do today? What is going 121 00:08:10,157 --> 00:08:12,177 Speaker 5: to be on my plate today? What is going to 122 00:08:12,277 --> 00:08:17,287 Speaker 5: interrupt my life today? then you're never disappointed and you're 123 00:08:17,367 --> 00:08:20,947 Speaker 5: always in awe of what God does. But it means 124 00:08:20,967 --> 00:08:24,707 Speaker 5: you have to notice the pines are green, the sky 125 00:08:24,767 --> 00:08:29,047 Speaker 5: is blue. It's a riotous circus of color. Now, I 126 00:08:29,087 --> 00:08:32,006 Speaker 5: can either just go about my business and not notice that, 127 00:08:32,107 --> 00:08:36,467 Speaker 5: or I can take that in and realize that God 128 00:08:36,567 --> 00:08:40,347 Speaker 5: is sending us love letters from his heart every minute 129 00:08:40,427 --> 00:08:41,327 Speaker 5: of every day. 130 00:08:42,187 --> 00:08:44,006 Speaker 1: It's up to us whether we read them or not. 131 00:08:45,927 --> 00:08:49,627 Speaker 3: We've been married 63 years. What we say yes to 132 00:08:50,147 --> 00:08:54,227 Speaker 3: and what we say no to will involve our time schedule. 133 00:08:55,417 --> 00:09:02,437 Speaker 3: And when our theology and our philosophy of life intersects 134 00:09:03,217 --> 00:09:06,977 Speaker 3: with our decision-making as to what we say yes to 135 00:09:07,457 --> 00:09:11,047 Speaker 3: and what we say no to is going to determine 136 00:09:11,467 --> 00:09:13,847 Speaker 3: the kind of person that we're going to finally be 137 00:09:14,587 --> 00:09:17,767 Speaker 3: And our family is going to finally be. And our 138 00:09:17,987 --> 00:09:22,687 Speaker 3: age periods were obviously in the last years of a 139 00:09:22,767 --> 00:09:26,827 Speaker 3: wonderful life. And we are extremely grateful for it. But 140 00:09:26,927 --> 00:09:32,157 Speaker 3: we are still confronted every day with the yeses and 141 00:09:32,167 --> 00:09:36,997 Speaker 3: the nos. Jesus Calling is a good example. When this 142 00:09:37,237 --> 00:09:41,117 Speaker 3: interview request came up, we told our people, yes. Yes. 143 00:09:41,767 --> 00:09:44,367 Speaker 3: We know those folks, and that is a good use 144 00:09:44,667 --> 00:09:49,187 Speaker 3: of our time. Time is extremely important. And as you 145 00:09:49,207 --> 00:09:55,937 Speaker 3: get older, it becomes more important. We have this moment 146 00:09:56,457 --> 00:10:00,357 Speaker 3: to hold in our hands and to touch as it 147 00:10:00,457 --> 00:10:06,787 Speaker 3: slips through our fingers like sand. Yesterday's gone. and tomorrow 148 00:10:07,017 --> 00:10:12,617 Speaker 3: may never come, but at least we have this moment today. 149 00:10:13,737 --> 00:10:16,957 Speaker 3: And Jesus said, I've come to bring you life, life 150 00:10:17,057 --> 00:10:21,897 Speaker 3: more abundantly. And that is the abundant life when you 151 00:10:21,937 --> 00:10:26,007 Speaker 3: could use the God-given resources to that he has given 152 00:10:26,027 --> 00:10:29,967 Speaker 3: to you, your mind, and make right choices on how 153 00:10:30,007 --> 00:10:31,167 Speaker 3: you spend your time. 154 00:10:32,367 --> 00:10:37,867 Speaker 5: In our marriage, that is probably the biggest discussions we 155 00:10:37,907 --> 00:10:41,627 Speaker 5: have ever had, is why did you say yes to that? 156 00:10:42,667 --> 00:10:44,067 Speaker 7: Why are we doing it? 157 00:10:44,147 --> 00:10:48,297 Speaker 3: One more time, we want to check, make sure our 158 00:10:48,377 --> 00:10:53,777 Speaker 3: motive is right. And I know that even sometimes good 159 00:10:53,877 --> 00:10:59,197 Speaker 3: ministry can get in the way of a real relationship 160 00:10:59,817 --> 00:11:06,537 Speaker 3: with God. And the relationship with God happens only through 161 00:11:06,557 --> 00:11:11,857 Speaker 3: the revelation of Scripture and what the Lord says about 162 00:11:11,937 --> 00:11:16,717 Speaker 3: this day and what you're trying to do. He speaks 163 00:11:16,737 --> 00:11:20,657 Speaker 3: in that way. And that takes time. And that takes quiet. 164 00:11:21,647 --> 00:11:25,287 Speaker 3: And I think that makes sense at 25 years I 165 00:11:25,307 --> 00:11:29,827 Speaker 3: just had my 90th birthday, and it still makes sense 166 00:11:31,327 --> 00:11:35,397 Speaker 3: at 90 years old. What I say yes to, what 167 00:11:35,437 --> 00:11:39,517 Speaker 3: I say no to. And you can call it prayer time, 168 00:11:39,737 --> 00:11:43,177 Speaker 3: quiet time, whatever you want to call it, but you've 169 00:11:43,197 --> 00:11:45,997 Speaker 3: got to find time for that to happen. 170 00:11:47,677 --> 00:11:51,797 Speaker 5: I want to show you, this is my Jesus calling, 171 00:11:51,877 --> 00:11:53,607 Speaker 5: and I want you to see how beat up it is. 172 00:11:54,367 --> 00:11:57,367 Speaker 1: As the others came out, I got them and I 173 00:11:57,407 --> 00:11:57,807 Speaker 1: read them. 174 00:11:58,847 --> 00:12:01,787 Speaker 5: And one of the joyful things about Jesus Calling is 175 00:12:01,847 --> 00:12:03,906 Speaker 5: not only did Bill and I read those in the 176 00:12:03,967 --> 00:12:07,777 Speaker 5: morning or whenever we got together to ponder the word, 177 00:12:08,437 --> 00:12:12,757 Speaker 5: but my son, who is probably the most not religious 178 00:12:12,817 --> 00:12:14,977 Speaker 5: person you know, but he loves the Lord. 179 00:12:15,017 --> 00:12:16,157 Speaker 1: He has the greatest heart. 180 00:12:16,877 --> 00:12:20,197 Speaker 5: He would read Jesus Calling every morning. So when I 181 00:12:20,277 --> 00:12:22,797 Speaker 5: called him and I'd say, did you read that this morning? 182 00:12:22,917 --> 00:12:24,057 Speaker 1: Benji, did you hear this? 183 00:12:25,177 --> 00:12:30,006 Speaker 5: And so it became something that we shared in the morning. 184 00:12:30,367 --> 00:12:32,567 Speaker 1: And that's just really personal. 185 00:12:37,367 --> 00:12:40,367 Speaker 3: We'd already had a wonderful career. We thought before we 186 00:12:40,447 --> 00:12:44,597 Speaker 3: hang it up, let's do this one video and salute 187 00:12:45,597 --> 00:12:50,127 Speaker 3: artists who have gone before us. and say thank you 188 00:12:50,367 --> 00:12:54,747 Speaker 3: to them because many of them were already forgotten. Sometimes 189 00:12:54,847 --> 00:12:59,667 Speaker 3: artistry can be a pretty painful thing to an older artist. 190 00:12:59,967 --> 00:13:05,697 Speaker 3: We've been blessed. So we got 15, 16, 17, 18 191 00:13:05,697 --> 00:13:09,997 Speaker 3: of the old-timers together and got around a piano and 192 00:13:10,077 --> 00:13:14,577 Speaker 3: started singing songs that turned them on back from the 193 00:13:14,597 --> 00:13:18,197 Speaker 3: 1940s and 50s. I just sat by and wondered, saying, 194 00:13:18,607 --> 00:13:21,677 Speaker 3: How did all of this happen? And was grateful that 195 00:13:21,717 --> 00:13:27,357 Speaker 3: it did happen. So that was in 91. This is 2026. Still, 196 00:13:27,537 --> 00:13:31,337 Speaker 3: about once every two years, we get together. But with 197 00:13:31,377 --> 00:13:34,077 Speaker 3: a whole bunch of new artists who say, we don't 198 00:13:34,097 --> 00:13:37,797 Speaker 3: want to forget our past. So we get together. And 199 00:13:37,867 --> 00:13:42,727 Speaker 3: we did a year ago at the TBN Studios in Nashville. 200 00:13:42,727 --> 00:13:47,007 Speaker 3: 250 artists. And we played a couple, three old stuff. 201 00:13:47,797 --> 00:13:51,517 Speaker 3: old things, old videos, and got to sing. And one 202 00:13:51,557 --> 00:13:53,537 Speaker 3: of the new projects that came out of it was 203 00:13:53,557 --> 00:13:56,617 Speaker 3: I Go to the Rock, which we did not write. 204 00:13:56,957 --> 00:14:01,947 Speaker 3: Donnie Rambo wrote it. The second one we did was 205 00:14:02,307 --> 00:14:07,146 Speaker 3: what we finally ended up calling You Are Loved, which 206 00:14:07,227 --> 00:14:10,427 Speaker 3: is the song that we had written about 70s or 80s, 207 00:14:11,007 --> 00:14:15,187 Speaker 3: telling people that the one who knew them best loves 208 00:14:15,247 --> 00:14:18,526 Speaker 3: them most. I am love. I am loved. I can 209 00:14:18,627 --> 00:14:21,507 Speaker 3: risk loving you. But the one who knows me best 210 00:14:21,627 --> 00:14:25,167 Speaker 3: loves me most. And this was harder for me to do, 211 00:14:25,247 --> 00:14:30,387 Speaker 3: but basically highlighting the big songs that Gloria and I 212 00:14:30,447 --> 00:14:33,347 Speaker 3: have written. So we are excited about both of them. 213 00:14:33,607 --> 00:14:35,867 Speaker 3: And the one is already out. I go to The Rock. 214 00:14:36,727 --> 00:14:40,937 Speaker 3: And this fall, the I Am Loved project will be out. 215 00:14:43,097 --> 00:14:48,047 Speaker 5: I think it's a wonderful gift. That prayer is portable. 216 00:14:48,067 --> 00:14:51,707 Speaker 5: We had a friend that said, prayer before paper. I'm 217 00:14:51,807 --> 00:14:53,567 Speaker 5: not going to read the paper until I have my 218 00:14:53,607 --> 00:14:54,127 Speaker 5: prayer time. 219 00:14:54,367 --> 00:14:55,207 Speaker 1: That's my priority. 220 00:14:56,107 --> 00:14:58,327 Speaker 3: And the Bible was a very important part of that. 221 00:14:58,447 --> 00:15:03,547 Speaker 3: All different translations. And when the Jesus Calling book came out, 222 00:15:04,307 --> 00:15:07,517 Speaker 3: that was a very important part of our lives also. 223 00:15:09,617 --> 00:15:13,817 Speaker 1: July the 17th. Come away with me for a while. 224 00:15:14,787 --> 00:15:17,307 Speaker 5: The world with its nonstop. 225 00:15:16,607 --> 00:15:20,467 Speaker 1: Demands can be put on hold. Most people put me 226 00:15:20,587 --> 00:15:24,167 Speaker 1: on hold, rationalizing that someday. 227 00:15:23,707 --> 00:15:26,777 Speaker 5: They will find time to focus on me. But the 228 00:15:26,837 --> 00:15:29,577 Speaker 5: longer people push me into the background of their lives, 229 00:15:30,017 --> 00:15:33,637 Speaker 5: the harder it is for them to find me. We 230 00:15:33,677 --> 00:15:37,787 Speaker 5: live among people who glorify busyness. They have made time 231 00:15:37,807 --> 00:15:41,497 Speaker 5: a tyrant that controls their lives and Even those who 232 00:15:41,537 --> 00:15:44,337 Speaker 5: know me as Savior tend to march to the temple 233 00:15:44,457 --> 00:15:47,957 Speaker 5: of the world. They have bought into the illusion that 234 00:15:48,487 --> 00:15:54,407 Speaker 5: more is better, more meetings, more programs, more activities. I 235 00:15:54,447 --> 00:15:59,687 Speaker 5: might add more concerts, more whatever. I've called you to 236 00:15:59,767 --> 00:16:04,377 Speaker 5: follow me on a solitary path, making time alone with 237 00:16:04,457 --> 00:16:07,577 Speaker 5: me your highest priority and deepest joy. 238 00:16:08,787 --> 00:16:09,127 Speaker 3: It is a. 239 00:16:09,147 --> 00:16:16,107 Speaker 5: Pathway largely unappreciated and often despised. However, you have chosen 240 00:16:16,167 --> 00:16:21,207 Speaker 5: the better thing, which will never be taken away from you. Moreover, 241 00:16:21,357 --> 00:16:24,437 Speaker 5: as you walk close to me, I can bless others then. 242 00:16:24,457 --> 00:16:25,397 Speaker 1: True. 243 00:16:27,457 --> 00:16:30,577 Speaker 4: To learn more about Bill and Gloria Gaither and their music, videos, 244 00:16:30,657 --> 00:16:36,897 Speaker 4: and podcast, visit Gaither.com. Stay tuned to Chris Blue's story after. 245 00:16:36,697 --> 00:16:37,317 Speaker 1: A brief message. 246 00:16:46,627 --> 00:16:50,107 Speaker 4: Enjoy abundant gratitude this fall as you reflect on God's 247 00:16:50,307 --> 00:16:51,387 Speaker 4: overflowing blessings. 248 00:16:52,047 --> 00:16:54,807 Speaker 1: Jesus Calling, Harvest of Blessings, can. 249 00:16:54,727 --> 00:16:58,647 Speaker 2: Help you focus on your blessings and cultivate a gratitude mindset, 250 00:16:59,067 --> 00:17:02,167 Speaker 2: allowing you to center your mind more on Jesus and 251 00:17:02,227 --> 00:17:07,447 Speaker 2: less on stress and anxiety. This inspirational full-color devotional includes 252 00:17:07,567 --> 00:17:11,967 Speaker 2: stunning autumn seasonal photography, Bible verses, and words of hope 253 00:17:12,047 --> 00:17:15,827 Speaker 2: from God's heart to yours, and 50 Reflections on Gratitude, 254 00:17:16,127 --> 00:17:20,567 Speaker 2: Thankfulness and God's Blessings from Sarah Young's bestselling, Jesus Calling. 255 00:17:21,447 --> 00:17:24,137 Speaker 2: This volume is perfect for families who want to cultivate 256 00:17:24,157 --> 00:17:27,497 Speaker 2: a tradition of counting blessings together, those who are looking 257 00:17:27,517 --> 00:17:30,117 Speaker 2: to deepen their experience of trusting God, and those who 258 00:17:30,157 --> 00:17:33,417 Speaker 2: want to walk closely with Jesus and begin daily habits 259 00:17:33,457 --> 00:17:37,256 Speaker 2: of expressing thankfulness. Be inspired to walk more closely with 260 00:17:37,317 --> 00:17:40,277 Speaker 2: Jesus as you focus on Him and the blessings He 261 00:17:40,317 --> 00:17:43,637 Speaker 2: has put in your life. Find Jesus Calling, Harvest of 262 00:17:43,677 --> 00:17:52,607 Speaker 2: Blessings at your favorite retailer. Chris Blue, winner of The 263 00:17:52,667 --> 00:17:55,647 Speaker 2: Voice Season 12, shares his journey from singing in a 264 00:17:55,687 --> 00:18:00,397 Speaker 2: small-town family gospel group to national stardom. He discusses overcoming 265 00:18:00,457 --> 00:18:05,457 Speaker 2: initial hesitation to audition, navigating post-show fame, and ultimately returning 266 00:18:05,577 --> 00:18:06,517 Speaker 2: to his gospel roots. 267 00:18:07,977 --> 00:18:12,087 Speaker 7: Hello, everyone. My name is Chris Blue. I'm a country boy, man. 268 00:18:12,207 --> 00:18:17,127 Speaker 8: I grew up in central Florida, just outside of Orlando 269 00:18:17,207 --> 00:18:20,567 Speaker 8: in a small town called Winter Haven, Florida. 270 00:18:23,777 --> 00:18:25,157 Speaker 7: I'm the youngest of seven kids. 271 00:18:25,237 --> 00:18:29,237 Speaker 8: So we grew up poor, very, very poor, struggling. But 272 00:18:29,457 --> 00:18:32,377 Speaker 8: you could never tell me I was poor because we 273 00:18:32,417 --> 00:18:35,537 Speaker 8: were all so happy, you know, together. Mom and dad 274 00:18:35,557 --> 00:18:40,347 Speaker 8: did a great job at keeping life light and just keeping, 275 00:18:40,957 --> 00:18:43,767 Speaker 8: you know, the reality of being poor kind of away 276 00:18:43,807 --> 00:18:47,307 Speaker 8: from us. But we were very, very, very poor. Nine 277 00:18:47,387 --> 00:18:50,207 Speaker 8: people living in a two room house. There was a 278 00:18:50,227 --> 00:18:53,206 Speaker 8: kitchen and then there was a separate bedroom. So like 279 00:18:53,267 --> 00:18:56,067 Speaker 8: two bedrooms and then the living room and the kitchen. 280 00:18:56,547 --> 00:18:59,247 Speaker 8: Our bathroom never worked. My mom worked at a salon. 281 00:18:59,267 --> 00:19:02,727 Speaker 8: So anytime we needed to like shower or do anything, 282 00:19:03,267 --> 00:19:06,767 Speaker 8: we would go to the salon to like shower, get 283 00:19:06,817 --> 00:19:11,016 Speaker 8: cleaned up and grew up singing. I've been singing since 284 00:19:11,037 --> 00:19:12,557 Speaker 8: I was three years old. I did my very first 285 00:19:12,597 --> 00:19:18,817 Speaker 8: concert at age four, June 4th, I believe 1994. And 286 00:19:18,837 --> 00:19:22,297 Speaker 8: I led like eight songs, just an incredible experience. And 287 00:19:22,947 --> 00:19:24,637 Speaker 8: I knew that day that's what I wanted to do 288 00:19:24,677 --> 00:19:26,397 Speaker 8: for the rest of my life. I knew that's what 289 00:19:26,417 --> 00:19:27,977 Speaker 8: I was called to do. I knew that's what I 290 00:19:28,017 --> 00:19:31,577 Speaker 8: was supposed to do. Our family band was called the 291 00:19:31,597 --> 00:19:34,477 Speaker 8: Blue Family. We were like the gospel version of the 292 00:19:34,517 --> 00:19:37,987 Speaker 8: Jackson 5. And I was little Michael because at first 293 00:19:38,007 --> 00:19:39,227 Speaker 8: they were singing without me. 294 00:19:39,467 --> 00:19:41,807 Speaker 7: And then I wanted to sing. I wanted to sing. 295 00:19:41,827 --> 00:19:44,927 Speaker 8: Then we transitioned to the Blue 5 and did that 296 00:19:44,987 --> 00:19:45,947 Speaker 8: for about 20 years. 297 00:19:46,027 --> 00:19:47,847 Speaker 7: We sang together. That was awesome. 298 00:19:48,947 --> 00:19:53,167 Speaker 8: I transitioned to being the front man of my family 299 00:19:53,207 --> 00:19:58,607 Speaker 8: band around age four. I was three years old when 300 00:19:58,647 --> 00:20:01,157 Speaker 8: I first sang inside of a church in front of 301 00:20:01,207 --> 00:20:05,497 Speaker 8: people and the place went wild. Like my mom, I'll 302 00:20:05,517 --> 00:20:07,977 Speaker 8: never forget, we were singing this song called Dr. Jesus. 303 00:20:08,537 --> 00:20:09,177 Speaker 5: Dr. 304 00:20:09,257 --> 00:20:14,716 Speaker 7: Jesus said he'll make everything all right. And then at 305 00:20:14,757 --> 00:20:17,777 Speaker 7: the end of that chorus, there's a line where it says, 306 00:20:18,177 --> 00:20:21,037 Speaker 7: for you. 307 00:20:21,377 --> 00:20:23,117 Speaker 8: And that was my line. I was the you who 308 00:20:23,157 --> 00:20:26,277 Speaker 8: who who guy. And I did that like perfectly on pitch. 309 00:20:26,397 --> 00:20:30,667 Speaker 8: And the church just went crazy. Music has always been 310 00:20:31,287 --> 00:20:35,807 Speaker 8: interwoven in every aspect of my life. All of my 311 00:20:35,867 --> 00:20:40,767 Speaker 8: siblings are musically gifted. My grandmother was an usher, but 312 00:20:40,827 --> 00:20:43,966 Speaker 8: she sang in the choir. all of my uncles and 313 00:20:44,147 --> 00:20:47,327 Speaker 8: aunts on my mom's side, they all sang and had 314 00:20:47,387 --> 00:20:48,087 Speaker 8: singing groups. 315 00:20:48,147 --> 00:20:51,047 Speaker 7: And so growing up, we would go and attend. 316 00:20:50,917 --> 00:20:54,957 Speaker 8: Special services to listen to my uncles and my aunts 317 00:20:54,977 --> 00:20:57,996 Speaker 8: and my cousins. Like everyone had a singing group, like 318 00:20:58,157 --> 00:21:01,867 Speaker 8: all of my grandmother's siblings as well. They all sang 319 00:21:02,477 --> 00:21:05,687 Speaker 8: and their children sang and their children's children sang. So 320 00:21:06,007 --> 00:21:08,667 Speaker 8: my second and third cousins, they all have singing groups. 321 00:21:09,587 --> 00:21:13,117 Speaker 8: And to this day, they still sing. So Music and 322 00:21:13,437 --> 00:21:17,457 Speaker 8: singing is literally all I've ever known. I knew God 323 00:21:17,477 --> 00:21:20,607 Speaker 8: had called me to The Voice. I didn't audition because 324 00:21:20,627 --> 00:21:23,607 Speaker 8: I wanted to be famous. I wanted to be recognized. 325 00:21:23,687 --> 00:21:29,417 Speaker 8: In fact, I declined probably five offers to go on 326 00:21:29,447 --> 00:21:32,857 Speaker 8: The Voice. And those offers didn't come from The Voice 327 00:21:33,017 --> 00:21:36,777 Speaker 8: at all. They came from friends, family. And three of 328 00:21:36,817 --> 00:21:39,037 Speaker 8: those offers came from God. God was like, I want 329 00:21:39,057 --> 00:21:41,137 Speaker 8: you to audition for The Voice. And I said to 330 00:21:41,197 --> 00:21:43,617 Speaker 8: God of all people, I was like, no, I'm not 331 00:21:43,657 --> 00:21:47,307 Speaker 8: going to God. I told Jesus, no, what an idiot. 332 00:21:47,457 --> 00:21:50,367 Speaker 8: And so I said that like three times. And on 333 00:21:50,387 --> 00:21:52,007 Speaker 8: the fourth time, I was like, all right, God, if 334 00:21:52,027 --> 00:21:55,946 Speaker 8: this is true to you, then I'll go. And that weekend, 335 00:21:56,547 --> 00:22:00,067 Speaker 8: I received confirmation after confirmation that this is something that 336 00:22:00,227 --> 00:22:01,727 Speaker 8: Jesus had been calling me to. 337 00:22:02,577 --> 00:22:03,047 Speaker 7: And I did it. 338 00:22:03,057 --> 00:22:04,137 Speaker 6: I went out. 339 00:22:04,607 --> 00:22:08,307 Speaker 8: And I trusted God through the entire process. Having national 340 00:22:08,367 --> 00:22:13,667 Speaker 8: exposure on The Voice was such an incredible experience for 341 00:22:13,767 --> 00:22:18,587 Speaker 8: me because I couldn't see like visually, like literally see 342 00:22:18,687 --> 00:22:21,867 Speaker 8: the millions of people watching at home, like over 20 343 00:22:21,867 --> 00:22:24,727 Speaker 8: million people watching you every single week. I couldn't see them. 344 00:22:24,787 --> 00:22:27,847 Speaker 8: All I could see was people in the room. And 345 00:22:27,927 --> 00:22:31,647 Speaker 8: so I just pretended like I was at church. I 346 00:22:31,687 --> 00:22:35,167 Speaker 8: had led worship and been a worship leader for several 347 00:22:35,207 --> 00:22:37,147 Speaker 8: years at that point. And so I just pretended like 348 00:22:37,267 --> 00:22:40,387 Speaker 8: everyone in the room was like the congregation. I'm singing 349 00:22:40,407 --> 00:22:44,767 Speaker 8: to them. I probably gained a lot more knowledge or 350 00:22:44,827 --> 00:22:50,007 Speaker 8: information from watching how everything works. Just watching the producers 351 00:22:50,047 --> 00:22:55,007 Speaker 8: and how they move. The band, the MD, the stagehands. 352 00:22:55,107 --> 00:22:57,887 Speaker 8: Just kind of watching everything and taking notes and just 353 00:22:58,067 --> 00:23:03,217 Speaker 8: studying the room. I'm a studier of rooms and when 354 00:23:03,377 --> 00:23:05,957 Speaker 8: I got on that platform and sang on that platform, 355 00:23:06,057 --> 00:23:09,877 Speaker 8: I studied every second I got from the vocal coach 356 00:23:10,477 --> 00:23:14,777 Speaker 8: to the janitor. Like I wanted to know everything. Honestly, 357 00:23:14,797 --> 00:23:18,417 Speaker 8: I didn't think being on that show, I win it 358 00:23:19,937 --> 00:23:23,677 Speaker 8: because I was the last one selected. Like all the 359 00:23:23,717 --> 00:23:27,517 Speaker 8: slots were filled. The numbers are dwindling down and I'm 360 00:23:27,567 --> 00:23:30,067 Speaker 8: hearing whispers. This person got picked. This person had four chairs. 361 00:23:30,087 --> 00:23:33,367 Speaker 8: This person had three chairs. This person And you're doing 362 00:23:33,387 --> 00:23:35,807 Speaker 8: the math, you're calculating everything in your head because you're like, 363 00:23:36,327 --> 00:23:38,607 Speaker 8: all the numbers are dwindling down and I'm still here 364 00:23:38,667 --> 00:23:41,527 Speaker 8: and I haven't had a chance to sing it. And 365 00:23:41,747 --> 00:23:45,117 Speaker 8: it was definitely a nerve wracking position to be in. 366 00:23:45,937 --> 00:23:49,957 Speaker 8: But when it came down to being selected and being 367 00:23:49,997 --> 00:23:53,157 Speaker 8: the last one, I thought, man, I'm I'm wasting my time. 368 00:23:53,437 --> 00:23:56,527 Speaker 8: Jesus never called me to this. Maybe I heard wrong, 369 00:23:57,667 --> 00:24:00,996 Speaker 8: but I didn't. He was saving me. The first to 370 00:24:01,037 --> 00:24:09,157 Speaker 8: be last and the last to be first. After winning 371 00:24:09,197 --> 00:24:14,147 Speaker 8: The Voice, everybody's in your face and the excitement is 372 00:24:14,217 --> 00:24:16,227 Speaker 8: like through the roof. 373 00:24:16,307 --> 00:24:19,206 Speaker 7: And so I was literally on top of the world. 374 00:24:20,127 --> 00:24:24,047 Speaker 8: Couldn't go anywhere. Couldn't do anything. A life adjustment for sure. 375 00:24:24,787 --> 00:24:27,607 Speaker 8: And then things started to fade. We started to go away. 376 00:24:27,627 --> 00:24:31,206 Speaker 8: And it's just like, ah, okay. So the smoke and 377 00:24:31,247 --> 00:24:35,247 Speaker 8: mirrors phrase is a real thing. I experienced that firsthand. 378 00:24:35,807 --> 00:24:38,327 Speaker 8: For a while, everyone and everything was like up here. 379 00:24:38,967 --> 00:24:41,827 Speaker 8: Then it just kind of started to fade and went away. 380 00:24:42,427 --> 00:24:49,117 Speaker 8: But people still remember, man. It's been almost 10 years. 381 00:24:49,257 --> 00:24:51,477 Speaker 8: Like next year will be the 10 year anniversary since 382 00:24:52,057 --> 00:24:55,017 Speaker 8: I won that show. After you win, you get money, 383 00:24:55,077 --> 00:24:57,677 Speaker 8: you get the accolades, you get the deal, you get 384 00:24:58,197 --> 00:24:59,617 Speaker 8: different opportunities. 385 00:24:59,097 --> 00:25:00,987 Speaker 7: And all that. Then it goes away. 386 00:25:02,227 --> 00:25:05,246 Speaker 8: And that was hard at first because my expectation was 387 00:25:05,367 --> 00:25:07,417 Speaker 8: you win and you just keep climbing. 388 00:25:07,427 --> 00:25:08,797 Speaker 7: You just keep going. You just keep going. 389 00:25:09,317 --> 00:25:11,216 Speaker 8: But that wasn't the reality for me. It's not the 390 00:25:11,237 --> 00:25:14,477 Speaker 8: reality for a lot of contestants that win. You got 391 00:25:14,497 --> 00:25:18,057 Speaker 8: to really work. You got to continue grinding. You got 392 00:25:18,097 --> 00:25:23,557 Speaker 8: to continue pushing as if you never won. After I 393 00:25:23,977 --> 00:25:27,387 Speaker 8: left The Voice, I was singing pop music and secular music, 394 00:25:27,547 --> 00:25:31,417 Speaker 8: and I did that for several years. And then one day, 395 00:25:31,757 --> 00:25:36,817 Speaker 8: Jesus began to call me back into gospel music. I 396 00:25:36,857 --> 00:25:38,957 Speaker 8: didn't want to come back to gospel music. I was 397 00:25:39,037 --> 00:25:42,496 Speaker 8: called back into singing Christian music. I was fine singing 398 00:25:43,117 --> 00:25:45,017 Speaker 8: pop music and R & B and all that. 399 00:25:45,057 --> 00:25:45,956 Speaker 7: I was good over there. 400 00:25:45,997 --> 00:25:46,436 Speaker 3: I was okay. 401 00:25:47,197 --> 00:25:48,917 Speaker 7: But when I was. 402 00:25:48,877 --> 00:25:52,456 Speaker 8: Called back, when Jesus called me to sing Christian music again, 403 00:25:52,847 --> 00:25:56,907 Speaker 8: I knew that I needed to let the world know that, man, 404 00:25:56,987 --> 00:26:01,677 Speaker 8: sometimes you can stray away from your path, but like 405 00:26:01,697 --> 00:26:05,547 Speaker 8: the GPS, it'll always recalculate and get you back on track. 406 00:26:06,327 --> 00:26:12,847 Speaker 8: It's super important to connect with God daily because we 407 00:26:13,127 --> 00:26:17,797 Speaker 8: are flawed human beings. The Bible talks about the washing 408 00:26:17,837 --> 00:26:22,256 Speaker 8: of the word being something that we have to do. 409 00:26:22,337 --> 00:26:25,217 Speaker 7: It's like taking a bath, right? The word of God 410 00:26:25,317 --> 00:26:26,936 Speaker 7: is your soap and your water. 411 00:26:27,937 --> 00:26:30,976 Speaker 8: He cleans you up. We all need to be cleaned 412 00:26:31,317 --> 00:26:35,127 Speaker 8: every single day. Like we can't afford to go two, 413 00:26:35,207 --> 00:26:38,506 Speaker 8: three days, four days a week without a shower. No 414 00:26:38,547 --> 00:26:40,847 Speaker 8: one would want to be around you. Smell awful. You 415 00:26:40,967 --> 00:26:45,567 Speaker 8: probably look awful too. So it's important because it keeps 416 00:26:45,587 --> 00:26:46,047 Speaker 8: you clean. 417 00:26:46,087 --> 00:26:51,157 Speaker 7: It keeps you feeling like yourself, feeling revived and refreshed. 418 00:26:51,897 --> 00:26:54,256 Speaker 8: So I tell people all the time, man, connect with 419 00:26:54,277 --> 00:26:57,557 Speaker 8: God every single day, even if it's just five minutes, like, 420 00:26:58,617 --> 00:27:00,357 Speaker 8: That's better than nothing, trust me. 421 00:27:02,677 --> 00:27:04,887 Speaker 4: To learn more about Chris Blue, you can follow him 422 00:27:04,937 --> 00:27:08,827 Speaker 4: on social media at ChrisBLive. And be sure to check 423 00:27:08,847 --> 00:27:13,027 Speaker 4: out his latest project, a 10-song collection called Foundations, The 424 00:27:13,067 --> 00:27:15,747 Speaker 4: Hymns of My Heart. If you'd like to hear more 425 00:27:15,787 --> 00:27:18,307 Speaker 4: stories about the voice winners who leaned on their faith 426 00:27:18,367 --> 00:27:20,927 Speaker 4: as they pursued their dreams, check out our interview with 427 00:27:20,987 --> 00:27:30,337 Speaker 4: Jordan Smith. Next time on the Jesus Calling podcast, we 428 00:27:30,357 --> 00:27:33,377 Speaker 4: talk with Kelly Rizzo, wife of the late comedian and 429 00:27:33,517 --> 00:27:36,716 Speaker 4: actor Bob Saget, who opens up about grief and the 430 00:27:36,757 --> 00:27:38,236 Speaker 4: experience of losing her husband. 431 00:27:39,557 --> 00:27:41,936 Speaker 2: When I lost him, I was like, of course I'm 432 00:27:41,957 --> 00:27:43,976 Speaker 2: going to keep going. I'm not going to let. 433 00:27:43,857 --> 00:27:47,257 Speaker 9: His memory and his legacy be in vain of, like, 434 00:27:47,357 --> 00:27:50,177 Speaker 9: he keeps going, but what, I'm going to curl up 435 00:27:50,197 --> 00:27:51,477 Speaker 9: in a ball and never get out of bed again? 436 00:27:51,517 --> 00:27:52,517 Speaker 7: Like, I'm just not going to do that. 437 00:27:53,397 --> 00:27:57,767 Speaker 9: So I think it was... Definitely a big part of 438 00:27:58,087 --> 00:28:00,427 Speaker 9: his legacy was helping me then move forward. 439 00:28:04,077 --> 00:28:06,557 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to the Jesus Calling Stories of Faith 440 00:28:06,617 --> 00:28:10,457 Speaker 2: podcast on the Life Audio Network. Every week, we'll bring 441 00:28:10,497 --> 00:28:13,057 Speaker 2: you stories from people who share their journeys of faith 442 00:28:13,497 --> 00:28:17,087 Speaker 2: and how prayer and a relationship with God transformed their lives. 443 00:28:18,007 --> 00:28:21,327 Speaker 2: Be sure to follow us on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or 444 00:28:21,367 --> 00:28:24,647 Speaker 2: wherever you listen to podcasts. and leave us a review 445 00:28:24,707 --> 00:28:28,897 Speaker 2: so others can be inspired weekly by these stories of faith. Finally, 446 00:28:29,217 --> 00:28:32,677 Speaker 2: you can find encouragement, resources, and more on the Jesus 447 00:28:32,717 --> 00:28:34,986 Speaker 2: Calling website at JesusCalling.com.