WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF??

     Recently I had a discussion with someone that I never had before. We discussed a strange topic: "What would you say to your younger self?" It was apparent to both of us that it's impossible to go back in time. There is a YouTube video that someone posted that claims it is possible. They showed a lady in 1990 videotaping a Mike Tyson boxing match with a Flip Camera. They also showed a lady in the 1930's walking and talking on a cell phone. That would be impossible since there are no cell phone towers in the 1930's! We can't go back in time but I'm sure we would all agree we would love to go back in time and grab our younger self and shake them maybe saying, "No! Don't do that!" Let me preface this before I write in saying that I'm glad my younger self decided what he decided. The mistakes I have made as well as the victories has made me a better and stronger person. Here we go!!

     Pictured above is the house I grew up in. It's in Chatham, New Jersey where I lived from birth to age 9 until 1973.

    1982 - Hey younger self Dave, you will be going to Willowbrook Mall in New Jersey with some college friends. You are a freshman at Northeastern Bible College. You see in front of Sears a table where they are giving away "I Love NJ" coffee mugs. You all decide to sign up for a Sears credit card so you can get a free mug. Bad decision! You will end up buying stuff you really don't need and will get lazy paying off this card. They will eventually hound you and call you at your job 4 years later! Do the smart thing younger self Dave! Have one credit card for emergency purposes only!! You will end up being in debt! Just some food for thought, younger self Dave!

1976 - Hey younger self Dave, you are in Junior High School and just starting 7th grade. I know you are very shy and insecure. I also know there are some kids who are teasing you and making fun of you because you are quiet and shy. Stand up for yourself and don't let people intimidate you. It's okay to defend yourself and talk back to these bullies. They are only people and they are bullies because they are insecure. You are a good kid! Be strong and don't let people push you around! 

1984 - Hey younger self Dave, at this point in your life you are 20 years old. You just bought your first car and you are learning how to manage your money. Learn to take advice from people about how to manage your money and while we are at it, save your money! You will need it more later in life than when you are 20 years old. Be a sponge and learn from the adults around you! They have a lot more life experience than you do younger self Dave!

1988 - Hey younger self Dave, you are a very trusting guy. You seem to trust everyone and believe everyone is good and is looking out for your best interests. Yes, there are people in this world who are good but there are others who are "rough around the edges" so to speak. When you are going through a tough time, don't share it with everyone. Learn to find a select few you can trust!

1981 - Hey younger self Dave, you seem to believe that you always need to have a girlfriend and be dating someone. It's okay to be friends with girls and to get to know them. One day, someone will sweep you off your feet but in the meantime, learn to have fun with your friends and enjoy life! There is no need to be uptight about this!

Well I'm not so sure if I did go back in time if Younger self Dave would have listened to 55 year old Dave but it was fun thinking about it!

Thanks for reading and Happy May everyone!! 

3 NAILS! 3 DAYS! 1 WAY TO GOD!



     During this past week I have been reflecting a lot on Easter Sunday, or as I like to call it Resurrection Sunday. The phrase "3 nails, 3 days, one way to God" keeps coming to my mind. I first heard this phrase from a Christian Rock group named Undercover. I have always loved Christian Rock and will confess I still listen to it. Undercover is a band that was around for over 25 years based out of California. They had a punk sound to them with very simple lyrics. One of their songs was called "3 Nails."

 

3 NAILS - I think a lot about those 3 nails that pierced the body of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 of them went into his hands and one in his feet. I think about what Jesus went through before that. He did miracles and was criticized. He gave sight to the blind and was rebuked. He delivered many who were demon possessed and was ridiculed. Lastly, he was treated like a criminal but did not commit a crime. Instead, Pontius Pilate had the crowds decide his fate vs. the fate of a real criminal...Barabbas. The crowd chose to release Barabbas and wanted Jesus to be crucified. Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 disciples betrayed Jesus, with a kiss, and brought the leaders to Jesus to have him arrested. Again, Jesus did not commit a  crime and was brought to Golgotha, Mt. Calvary to be crucified along with 2 others, who were true criminals.

3 DAYS - To think of the punishment Jesus experiences is mind blowing. He was whipped, spit on, pierced with a sword and they placed a crown of thorns on his head. I'm sure there were more horrible things done to him. As He was nailed to the cross on that Good Friday, Jesus suffered, he bled and then he died. But the story doesn't end there. As His body was taken down off the cross, they placed His body in a tomb, they sealed the tomb and placed two guards in front of it. I'm sure they believed that someone would try to steal his body, but there was no need to seal the tomb or put guards there. JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD! HE IS ALIVE! HE IS ALIVE INDEED!!

ONE WAY TO GOD - Why did Jesus die? He took our place for our sins and took our punishment. A punishment we deserved. We don't deserve eternal life. We don't deserve to be forgiven but John 3:16 says it perfectly that God so loved the world that He gave us his one and only son. That whosoever believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life - John 3:16. Wow! There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts, and ask Him to forgive us of our sins, we will receive his free gift of eternal life. If you have not accepted him, you are missing out on something so awesome. I made this decision on December 6, 1977 as a shy 13 year old kid. I have never regretted it! I know I am going to heaven not because I'm a nice guy, I'm a pastor or I do nice things for people. I am going because I accepted Jesus into my heart!

3 NAILS! 3 DAYS! ONE WAY TO GOD!

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY EVERYONE!       

LIVING WITH CELIACS DISEASE

     If you knew me in my younger years such as Elementary school through college, you knew I was always a very skinny guy. I could never gain weight! It didn't matter what I did. I always had a huge appetite. I truthfully ate like a horse! Being half Italian, I always loved food and have fond memories of having a 10 course meal at my Grandma Cricco's house. Boy, she was an amazing cook. So is my Mom!

I do remember being very young and always having stomach problems. As a kid I will admit I was always very nervous. The doctors even told my parents that my problems stemmed from being a nervous kid. Whenever a new school year started, I hardly slept the night before. I was not a big fan of change. Moving from New Jersey to Long Island at age nine did not help me! What I did not know is that I was suffering from a disease and I honestly had no clue that I had it. I wasn't until 1991 that I would discover it. I did not know why I had stomach issues as a young kid and why I could not gain weight.

     While I was in college in my at the beginning of year number four, I had a major fair up. I stared losing more weight like crazy and had to leave school in September and return home. It was frustrating but the start of my physical challenges. I believe God allowed me to come home to not only restore me but to show me His will for my life. I was able to take my final class and get my Associates Degree. After coming home and seeing the doctor, he had no answers for me. I got a job at a medical supply company testing Mammography machines. A far cry from being a Bible College student. It was a job and a paycheck.

     It wasn't until 6 years later I would discover what my issues were. In the Spring of 1990, I had a very bad stomach virus, so I thought. I started losing more weight! Weight I didn't have! In the span of 3 weeks I lost over 15 lbs. YES! I went to a Gastroenterologist hoping to help me. I am sorry for the one a chose. He misdiagnosed me and told me I had Colitis. He had me drink Metamucil which contains wheat. I didn't get better, I got sicker. I spent over 6 months hoping to get better. I never did. I remember that fall my sister got married and at her wedding in the family pictures I looked like a skeleton or maybe Frankenstein's brother. I wasn't getting any better and realized I had to find another doctor.

     I was able to find a doctor who helped me tremendously, Dr. Harris. He gave me every test under the sun. Upper and Lower GI, colonoscopy, an absorption test among other tests. I will never forget sitting in his office in early 1991. He looked at me and said "You have Celiacs disease, Dave." He then proceeded to tell me I could no longer eat wheat, barley or oats. I would have to watch my diet. My reaction was "So Doctor, will I be on this diet for what...a week? A month?" He looked at me very sternly and said "How about try for the rest of your life!" WHAT? No bread? No spaghetti? No Cheerios for breakfast? No more Chips Ahoy's, pound cake or Bagels? No pizza? What am I supposed to eat. Let me just say that when I was diagnosed, the choices for bread, pizza and cookies were horrible. They have certainly come a long way in 28 years!

     I had to learn the hard way how to stick to this new diet. My doctor told me that if I ever decided to eat anything containing wheat, barley or oats and lots of it, I could develop a tumor in my stomach. Because I lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time, I panicked and tried eating a lot. Because of that bad eating habit I did something I never thought possible in my lifetime. I gained weight!!

Looking back over these last 28 years since I was diagnosed, I am grateful that the Good Lord has protected me and used Dr. Harris to diagnose me. I am happy to be alive and not suffering with stomach issues. I praise God for life and being able to serve Him wholeheartedly. Staying on this diet has been rough. Hearing people say "Oh, you cant eat that" was always a huge pain in the neck. But I am grateful that I can eat healthy and continue to serve Him!            



WHAT HAS BEEN EATING AT ME ABOUT THE LOCAL CHURCH!

     As a disclaimer, let me start off by saying I am not looking to start a heated argument or discussion with anyone about the topic I wanted to share. This is just simply my opinion! I realize we all attend various churches with various denominations. This blog is referring to Christian churches not catholic just so you know where I stand on this. Okay...disclaimer over!

     Since I left Smithtown Gospel 6 years ago, I have attended various churches. I did sort of serve at one church for 8 months but have attended about 6 churches in 6 years. If there is one thing that has been eating at me it is one thing I noticed in 3 of these 6 churches. They worship in the dark! You walk into the service and as the worship begins, the lights go off, the worship band begins to play and there are flashing lights everywhere like you are at a concert. Please don't get me wrong! The guy writing this blog was a Christian rocker in the 1980's and I will confess I still listen to it on my IPod when I can. I have been to Christian Rock concerts! My favorite was a Petra concert in Albany, NY in 1984! I just don't understand why as Christians we have decided to turn the lights off, flash strobe lights everywhere and call it worship. Call me old fashioned! I grew up in a church where as a teen the Pastor wore a 3 piece suit, we had a piano and organ and our lights shone bright in our sanctuary as we all entered the presence of the Lord. Today, I have noticed some Pastors wear ripped jeans and a t-shirt with Nike's, some wear a baseball cap backwards all to try to entice a younger generation to come to church and see the cool Pastor. And many walls of these churches are painted black as if you are at a concert. I also realize some of these churches meet in a former warehouse where there are no windows but I have a simple question about that. Why in the darkness? Why not turning on the lights so we can all see each other and worship together in one accord!

     I'm sorry to sound so old fashioned but I want to be able to worship God where I can see my hands being raised and not feel like I'm at a rock concert. I want to go to church so I can get closer to God and learn more about Him. I am not discrediting the heart of any Pastor and the vision he has for his church. I realize that each church is different and you want to reach the young people especially those ages 18-29. However, the bible does say in 1 John 1:5 - "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." God is light and in my humble opinion, we need to worship Him together NOT in total darkness, but in the light. Thank you for allowing me to get this off my chest!

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!        

IT'S A FUNNY DAY @ CHICK FIL-A!!

     Well it's April Fools Day 2019! If you know me well, you very well know that I love to joke around. If you read my two posts today, you very well know that Chick Fil-a is NOT coming out with a steak fil a sandwich or a Chick Fil-A sauce shake. You also know I have been a Chick Fil-A employee since October 2015. Dealing with the general public can be a challenge and it's a miracle I am not bald from pulling my hair out from our "guests." I did think being that April Fool's Day is a fun day, it would be fun to blog today about some of the funny things I have seen and experienced at Chick Fil-A both at Port Jefferson and Commack. As a disclaimer, let me first say this is all in good fun and I am NOT mentioning guests by name simply because I do not know their names and I do respect our guests and appreciate their patronage.

Here we go

• While I was on headset at the drive thru, a lady pulled up in her car, I did my introduction "It's a great day at Chick Fil-A....." and she says (I still can't believe it) "Hi! I would like to order take out." Huh???? 
• At drive thru, a lady ordered a Hot Chocolate. We don't offer hot chocolate. She then asked if we could heat up our chocolate milk for her!
• A man ordered a grilled sandwich with no salad on top!
• I asked a guest if they were dining in or carrying out. They said "I'm dining out." So...which is it?
• A lady ordered a chocolate shake. At the end of her order I offered her a straw. She said "No! I want a chocolate shake not a strawberry. I looked at her and said "Ma'am, all I wanted to do was offer you a straw."
• In one weeks time, I was asked if we had coleslaw, onion rings, a baked potato and if they could have extra onions on their sandwich. All these things we do not carry.
• We sell a 4 count mini. I had a guest ask for a 4 count minute. Another guest ordered an 8 count nut. I thought they were nuggets?
• I said to a guest, "Sir, you ordered a Chick Fil-A sandwich meal with a lemonade?" "No, I ordered a number one with a lemonade!" "Sir, that IS a Chick Fil-A sandwich meal!!"
• A man asked for a medium coffee. I told him we only have large and small so he says "Okay, give me a medium!"
• We had one lady always order a number 7 burger. I told her we don't have burgers and she insisted on me giving her a number 7 burger. I referred to her as the "Number 7 Burger lady" and later saw her at a VBS I did at a church!!    

Let's talk about the sauces we offer!

Chick Fil-A sauce has been called: Chick a fill, Chick fy la, Chick flick sauce,

Polynesian sauce has been called: Pomeranian, Polyester, Pomegranate, Hawaiian,

Sriracha sauce has been called: La Cucaracha sauce, Srirachy sauce, Mariachi sauce

     I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my crazy Chick Fil_A world. Dealing with these funny scenarios helps me keep my sanity!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME FRIENDS!!