FEAR

     Fear! We have all experienced it. Maybe as a child, teen or adult one time or another we had a huge fear. Maybe it's the fear of spiders, elevators, clowns, the dark or maybe rejection. Each of us have had one time or another "phobia.' As a child for me, there were many things I was afraid of just like any kid. They were all bizarre. I remember having a fear of my grandparents basement. They lived in Secaucus, NJ and my grandfather was a wedding photographer. In his basement, he had a curtain draped across the back part of his basement. As a kid, I was always afraid to look behind that curtain because I thought...The Statue of Liberty would attack me. Yes, I had quite the imagination. He also had a dark room in his basement where he developed film. I always thought there was a villain who lived there who wore a black cape who might want to scare me. I discovered years later as an adult that both of these things were my imagination and the Statue of Liberty was still facing New York City and never came to life, and no one wearing a black cape shared my grandparents basement. Living in New Jersey I was afraid of "The Blob" and also thought the Boogieman lived in our basement. I remember running up my stairs real fast to avoid the Boogieman. My parents would ask me why I was running so fast. I would say "Oh, no reason." Again, I discovered years later the Boogieman was all in my head and it was my imagination. And the Blob was only a movie made to scare people in the late 1950's.

     I also remember in college a fear I had that bothered me a lot. I had a fear of talking in front of people. Being a shy kid, I was petrified to speak in front of people. Just a few weeks before I left for Bible College, my church asked me to speak on a Wednesday night. I thought it was going to be a piece of cake. I prepared and felt ready. To keep my mind off the message, I went water skiing that day. I remember putting on my suit, feeling somewhat nervous but confident. Pastor Forseth introduced me and as I turned to face the audience I went into a huge panic. I don't remember one word I said that Wednesday night and thought my ministry career, although very short was over. If it wasn't for a brother in the Lord who told me I was awesome, I don't think I would have had my parents drive me to Northeastern Bible College. I was concerned about this fear for a long time. I even met with one of my Pastors, Pastor Arntsen and asked him what I could do to overcome this fear. He said something to me that I will never forget. He said, "David, if you are NOT nervous before you speak, then there is something wrong with you. We all get nervous. In fact, before I speak to the congregation, I'm scared to death." I always remember that! My way of overcoming that fear was to get up in front of people and just share. Just be yourself. Let God work through you. It helped me tremendously!

     As an adult, my fears were not imaginary things like people hiding in my basement or the Blob, but issues we all face. Paying bills, meeting deadlines, making sure your boss is happy with your job performance or wondering what the future holds for you. The bible clearly tells is in 2 Timothy 1:7 - God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and of a sound mind. We have no reason to be in fear. To use a "street term", God has our backs! He will never let us down. He wants what's best for us! We have no need to have any fear. I am always comforted when I reflect on this scripture. I am so glad that I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I have o reason to fear whatsoever. I pray this encourages you all today!

GOD BLESS YOU!! 

KEEP OFF THE ROCKS!!!

     Last Saturday after a busy day at work, I decided around 6:00 p.m. to go to Sunken Meadow State Park for a walk along the boardwalk. I set a goal in 2019 to try my best to get exercise, whether it be going to the gym, going for a walk or using my Simply Fit board. I have great memories at Sunken Meadow State Park. I worked there during the summers of 1982-1984. I had a very glorious job. I was a garbage man! There was one fringe benefit! Working outside, I got an amazing tan (although it was a truck driver tan but I didn't care).  

 

     Like I said I have so many great memories from my three summers at Sunken Meadow. While walking down the boardwalk last Saturday, my mind drifted back to something that took place in1984. It was a situation that the park management had trouble controlling. I'll call it the Jetty problem. There was a constant problem where people would climb out onto the jetty and either go fishing or just hang out. One of our workers went over to that area and yelled "Hey, get off the jetty!" If I remember correctly, I think one person yelled back "What's a Jetty?" He then yelled "Then get off the rocks!" He was totally ignored. There was a sign posted that said "Keep off the Jetty" that was also ignored. The Park management then posted a sign underneath the other sign that read "Keep off the rocks!" Understanding that there were many Spanish speaking people using the park, they even posted a sign in Spanish that said "Keep off the rocks." All three of these signs posted were ignored. Around 1993, I spoke at the Smithtown Christian School Elementary Chapel and did a message on following the rules. I brought my 35mm camera to Sunken Meadow and with slide film in the camera I took pictures of the jetty. Sure enough, there were people out on the rocks fishing. Again, the sign was ignored. Now fast forward 26 years later to last Saturday. While walking down the boardwalk, I saw a group of about six men carrying buckets and fishing gear to the beach. Sure enough, they were headed to the jetty and, you guessed it, they all went out on the jetty, ignoring the sign.

 

     In my 55 years on this planet, I can't believe how many people ignore the rules that are put in place. I have seen it at the workplace, at school and certainly on the highways and byways. People ignore the rules or "signs" right in front of them because of entitlement or honestly, they don't feel any rules apply to them. How many times have you seen someone weaving in and out of traffic going maybe 70 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. Last week trying to make a left at exit 53 onto the Long Island Expressway (or as I call it the "Distressway) while I was the 3rd in line waiting for the green arrow, a nimrod decided to pass all of us, cut in front of the car ahead of my lane and made a left while the light was red. Where were the Police?

 

     I am certainly not saying I am perfect. We have all broken the rules one time or another in our lifetime. We have all climbed out onto the jetty hoping to catch fish and have ignored the sign that says "Keep off the rocks." I hope and pray that no one has ever gotten hurt on that jetty. I do know that the State of New York's Parks Department did put that sign out in case someone may have had an accident and wanted to sue the state. This reminds me of the Bible and the 10 Commandments. Notice they are NOT the 10 Suggestions. These are 10 things God commands us to follow. Back in the Old Testament, there were so many instances when man decided he didn't need God so he created his own idol or image. He decided he wanted to make up his own rules. In the end, he failed and, of course, in the end only His rules mattered.

 

     Can you imagine if for one day, let's say we could make it July 1st, that for that entire day we followed the rules! We could have an alarm go off in our cars when we drove one mile past the speed limit. Or we would all wear bracelets that had alarms and any time during the day we ignored a sign or broke a rule at our workplace, an alarm would go off. In my opinion, you would hear many alarms in a 24 hour span.

 

     It amazes me today how many millenials I have worked with who try so hard to "beat the system" instead of following the rules. Truthfully, it's not just the millenials but everyone. My challenge to all of us is simple. Let's read the "signs" and follow the rules. It would certainly make this world a better place for sure!

 

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!               

PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSPIRED ME: MY DAD

     Next Sunday is in fact Father's Day. I wanted to honor my Father this week because he did in fact inspire me in many ways. It saddens me that the Lord took him home on June 18, 1995 on...Father's Day. I wish he could have seen all his grandchildren grow up. I wish he could have seen the impact he had on my life as well as my brother and sister. The Lord had other plans and I know he is in a better place no longer suffering in pain. To honor him, I would love to share with you how he did inspire me.

     My Dad, Peter Harff was born on January 9, 1934 and he was an only child. He lived in Secaucus, NJ and his parents could not have been anymore opposite. His Mom was quiet and his Dad LOVED to talk. His Mom was sweet and his Dad....well Grandpa Harff was Grandpa Harff. Enough said. Both my Mom's parents and Dad's parents had summer homes in Erskine Lake in Northern New Jersey. That's where they met. They got married in August 1958 and took residence in Jersey City, NJ. My parents very first home they purchased was in Chatham, NJ. My family lived there until June 1973 and then moved to Smithtown, NY.

      My Dad was a very intelligent man and worked as a mechanical engineer. He worked for RCA in Harrison, NJ where he made tubes for televisions. He was also very handy and could repair a lot of things in the house. He loved woodworking and made two of our kitchen tables amongst many other things. As a kid I used to love watching him build. I will never forget him sticking a screw in a bar of soap and, with his tongue sticking out, screwing the screw into wood. My Dad also knew how to repair cars. My family still laughs at the fact that he bought a car, a 1969 Ford Falcon Station wagon brand new when I was in kindergarten. He took such good care of the car that it lasted until 1983 and yes...I had the privilege (well..sort of) to drive the beast (or should I call the car the name we all gave it. The Sherman Tank). If there was one thing my Father taught me, it was how to take care of things and make them last.

     As a child, I have many amazing memories with my Dad. Pictured above is My Dad, my brother Mike and I (I'm guessing either 1971 or 1972) getting ready for an Indian Guides meeting. The Indian Guides was a program run by the YMCA. In order for a boy to be in the program, his Father had to participate. My Dad never complained and went with my brother and I on our "Campouts." Our tribe were the Huron's and Our Indian "names" were Big Fish (Dad), Little Fish (Me) and Little Minnow (Mike). Being very handy, I will never forget my Dad literally building me a 5 speed bicycle after he found the frame. It was purple. He went to the bike shop, bought every piece needed and went to work. He also built for my brother and I a go cart the we dubbed "The W Cart" (I have no idea why we called it that). My brother and I still talk about the ride down the hill at the park across the street that we survived. That's a whole other blog story!

     My Dad and I could not have been any more different but we did have similarities. Let me explain. My Dad was very organized and was very systematic in his thinking (being that he was an engineer). His room, closet, car, storage room and workshop were always immaculate. Although I am very organized, growing up my room, closet, car and everything else was a mess. You never knew what color my carpeting was. I did learn later in life however how to develop that inner O.C.D.! I did get my sense of humor from my Dad and we both shared a love for the New York Football Giants. Something that helped us bond. We also both liked spending time alone. The only difference there is that I did like being in crowds and around people. My Dad was not a big fan of being around a crowd of people. We also share a love for music. My Dad had an amazing record collection which featured pretty much every music style with the exception of Rap, Hip Hop and 70's classic rock. He loved playing his records! My brother and I used to call him "Pistol Pete."

     When I was about 12 years old, my Dad came home and told my Mom he was just laid off from his job. My Mom thought it was an April Fools Day joke but it was true. Being young, I just thought my Dad would run out and get another job quickly but that was not the case. Our family fell on hard times and being young, I did not realize the pain my Dad was in. He did get a job later that year in NJ and we were planning on moving back to NJ but God had other plans. He was very unhappy at is job at Fedders and was able to get a job on Long Island at a company called Frequency Electronics where he made atomic clocks. Although he tried to explain what he did at work at this job, we still had no clue what an atomic clock did or what it's purpose was. Fast forward 40 years later and they are very common today. I never understood fully the pain my Dad was in when he was laid off from his job and the financial stress he felt until I went through my struggles 6 years ago. It must have hurt him a lot!

     The one thing I did admire about my Dad was that he never brought his work problems home and he also never argued with my Mom in front of his kids. I also admired his hard work. He loved his vegetable garden and his lawn. He put in a lot of time watering it. He was also an amazing cook and made the most amazing pickles. He had many talents. He took pride in his work and not only did he provide for his family, he knew how to save money. My Dad tried to give me advice before I left for college that I took the wrong way. He knew I wanted to go into full time ministry and he told me "Dave, find something to fall back on. Learn a trade." I did take it the wrong way and thought he was saying to me "This ministry thing may never work so learn a trade or you'll be sorry." His advice was what I needed and I did not listen immediately. I knew I would be in full time ministry. After graduating Bible college I did learn a trade. I refinished hardwood floors for over 4 years. it was hard work! I did this job until I was hired at Smithtown Gospel. The only negative is that I can't do it now because of a bad back.

     I mentioned before how different Dad and I were. I'm very creative where he was not. He liked everything in order where although I do like order I also enjoy "flying by the seat of my pants." My Dad had an amazing perspective on things and, being young, I never appreciated it. I guess you can say there were times I wanted to prove him wrong but I never could. He was spot on with his perspective of the church and some bad choices I made. I always knew he loved me and I knew he was proud of me.

     I honestly cannot say I remember my Dad being home from work sick. Maybe once or twice. In 1992, a month after I got married our lives would all change. On Memorial Day weekend, my Dad drove home from work in excruciating pain (he called it a dull ache) and was rushed to the ER. The first doctor misdiagnosed him and said he had diverticulitis. It turned out to be false. My Dad had peritonitis. He was in fact being diagnosed with colon cancer. I will never forget driving into the church parking lot when we lived at the condos. My neighbor told me I had to rush to the hospital immediately. It was my Dad! Dad? At a hospital? It was true and for over 3 years, our entire family walked through my Dad's cancer and his chemotherapy. During that time, my Dad was able to experience the birth of his first four grandchildren....Joshua, Jordan, Kaylee and Seth. He was also able to attend my brother Mike's wedding in November 1993. My Dad never complained! His company let him come into work when he was feeling up to it. In January 1994, my Mom threw my Dad a 60th birthday party but for us it was a celebration of his life. The Lord took my Father home on Father's Day...June 18, 1995. At his funeral we saw so many family members, church friends and his employees come and pay their last respects to him. Pastor Forseth did the service and was able to share the gospel with everyone there. I also had the privilege of sharing as well.

     There isn't a day that goes by that think of my Dad. My family and I often think of "Peteisms", things my Dad would have said that were funny like "Lets have a pity party" or "Nasty break, David" and also how he used to try to dance. You have certainly heard about WWJD (What would Jesus do?). I thought a lot about WWPHD? (What would Pete Harff do?).

     So on this Father's Day this weekend, I honor my Dad and say "Thanks for being you. You are certainly missed."

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY       

A REAL FATHER AT THE '92 OLYMPICS

     Father's Day will be in 2 weeks and I do plan on writing about my Dad but not until next week. I did want to write about an amazing event that took place at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. The athlete I will be writing about did not win any medals, although he was favored  to win his event. I am referring to Derek Redmond. Derek Redmond was not a household name before these Olympics Games began. What took place in his life in August 1992 not only touched many hearts, it made A LOT of people cry.

     Derek was a track and field athlete who represented Great Britain. His specialty race was the 400 meter sprint. He won many world championships but he had one goal in mind in 1992. He wanted desperately to win a gold medal at the Olympics. During each qualifying round, he ran extremely well. On August 3, 1992 his life would change forever. It was the day he ran in the semifinals for the 400 meters. The race began very well for Derek and he was building up amazing momentum. Then it happened! About 250 meters short of the finish line, Derek felt a pop in his leg. He tore his hamstring. While all the other runners continued, Derek fell to the track in excruciating pain. Medics ran out to the track with a stretcher to help Derek to the sidelines. Derek refused! He wanted to finish the race! As Derek hobbled along to try to finish the race, a man with a white hat ran next to him. It was his Father! Derek's Father ran past security guards for one reason. To be there for his son.
With Derek's arm wrapped around his father, together they crossed the finish line. They finished the race! The crowd honestly could care less who won that race. Their eyes were glued on Derek and his Dad. As they both crossed the finish line, they received a standing ovation. According to Olympic records, Derek Redmond was credited with a "DNF" for that race. Did Not Finish. We all know that is not true. He certainly finished that race with the help of his loving Father.

     I have preached messages about this story twice. Once at a Royal Rangers Father's Day dinner and once at a Christian school chapel. Every time I think about this story, I can't help but think about my Heavenly Father. There have been so many times in life I was trying to run the race of life. Many times I fell. Many times I was injured. There were also many times I didn't want to finish. Each time my Heavenly Father picked me up and helped me cross the finish line. He guided me along the way each step along the way. He never ever gave up on me. There is certainly life application with the Derek Redmond story, that's for sure. Hebrews 12 tells us to "run the race that is set before us and fix our eyes on Jesus." He is there to run with us every single day!

SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK!