THE REAL WORLD

     For 22 years I had the privilege of being a children’s pastor. It was the greatest job in the world. I worked with Christians; I sat in my Christian office in my Christian chair at my Christian desk and would sometimes play Christian music on my IPod. I went to staff meetings with the other pastors and we began our meetings with a time of prayer and discussed Christian topics during the meeting.  During my 22 years I never heard cursing, I never had to deal with coworkers being drunk or on drugs and I knew I was in a safe environment. I also had the privilege of speaking in a school chapel (yes, Smithtown Christian to be exact) once a month during the school year and then after work was completed at 5 p.m. I went to my Christian house.

     In 2008, with money being tight I needed to make some extra money so I got a job driving a limo. It was a small company and the owner attended my church. I didn’t make a ton of money doing it but it did help with our expenses. I had maybe 3 or 4 jobs a week depending on how busy it was and the down side was many of these jobs were at 4 a.m. 95% of them were to and from airports. I will never forget one couple I had to pick up. They lived in Westbury and it was the day after Mother’s Day. I’m going to guess they were probably in their late 70’s. I arrived at their home at 5 a.m., grabbed their luggage and put it in the trunk of the town car. The husband and wife climbed into the back of the town car and then all hell broke loose. The wife said “Oh my, I forgot the camera honey.” The husband turned to her and began screaming at her on the top of his lungs. I think I heard every curse word known to mankind in the span of two minutes. One sentence without the swearing was “How could you be so stupid and forget the camera. Are you for real?” The husband climbed out of the car, slammed the door and went into his house to get the forgotten camera. The wife was in the back seat trembling. I didn’t know what to do. Call the Police? Tell the couple I wouldn’t drive them after that episode? When he returned to the car should I have told him “I’m sorry but you shouldn’t speak to your wife that way sir, not in my Town Car Buster!!” Maybe leave the husband home alone and let the wife have a peaceful vacation without Mr. Hot Head? The husband climbed back into the town car, threw the camera at his wife and let out a big grunt. You would think the ride to JFK International Airport would be silent but it was not. The whole entire ride the husband lectured his wife on her being irresponsible and questioned her intellect as well as her purpose on this earth if you know what I mean. As we pulled up to a busy terminal at JFK I opened the trunk, handed them their luggage and as they walked away you could still hear the husband lecturing his wife.

     This was not an everyday occurrence in the life of a limo driver. It did however show me what the real world is in today’s day and age. After serving at a church for so long I was definitely sheltered from what took place in our world. Don’t get me wrong. Being in a Christian environment is great! I loved being a pastor and doing full time ministry. I’m also very glad my children all experienced attending a Christian school. My two eldest got to graduate! Being away from working in a church office for so many years, you really do get to see the world for what it’s worth. It saddens me the state that our world is in. It’s almost as if there is no shame anymore. People say what they want and do what they want. Even though that episode with that couple was almost 12 years ago, it still shows you how angry people can get and how this man had no shame putting his wife down with a total stranger driving him to the airport who heard every word he said to her.

     

     I believe God is calling every believer to be a light in the darkness. We all run into people like Mr. Hot Head all the time. It’s a shame that the “Real World” doesn’t understand how much joy they can get in knowing Jesus Christ in a personal way. I realized how spoiled I was working in a Christian environment and feeling “protected.” I am also grateful that I get to see the “Real World” every single day. It has given me a burden for the lost and a heart to want to reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also believe the church needs to regain that burden for lost souls and not stay too comfortable in their comfort zone churches. Let’s shine our lights brightly so that the “Real World” will see Jesus in us!

SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!

TIME

     

     Time. It goes by so fast. As I was thinking about what to blog about this week I started thinking about how quickly time flies. I remember the last time it snowed on my birthday. It was a Friday and we had to cancel kid’s ministry activities that night at my church. That was in the year 2000. 20 years ago! Amazing! I was also thinking about how much time we waste each and every day. I admit it! Even though I have 3 alarms to wake me up in the early morning (Alarm clock, cell phone alarm and my trusty “Google Home”), I still manage to waste time climbing out of bed in the morning. I’ll procrastinate, flip through channels, watch the news, see if my teams won or lost and maybe look at some dumb reality show that is off the wall ridiculous. Sometimes I’ll go on Facebook to see what friends are posting. For what reason do I do these things? It really is a waste of time. I have tried to discipline myself by reading my One Year Bible, my devotional book and the real struggle…to spend TIME in prayer. Some days, it doesn’t go as planned.

     I have often heard people say, “I don’t have time for that” or “If I only had the time I could do what I love.” Truthfully, I am not an avid television watcher. I find most shows on ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS to be boring, not funny and lacking entertainment. The only exception is America’s Got Talent. If I do watch anything, it is usually sports, old TV shows from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and maybe HGTV. I like the shows where people look at homes and have to choose what they like. I guess I’m becoming my Dad when he was 56 (except he loved the show “Nova”. I was never a big fan). I do, however believe we do waste a lot of time watching garbage on television. We could truthfully be doing more productive things. The same goes for spending time on our phones or even Facebook. It saddens me when I see a family of 4 sitting in Chick fil-a and instead of talking to each other, they are all on their phones doing who knows what? Twitter? Facebook? Instagram? Texting? Maybe texting each other? It certainly can be a waste of time.

     I have learned in my 56 years that I will never have it “all together” but what is important to me is time spent with family and friends. Not on my phone, not on my laptop but face to face in person. I have also learned that I need to prioritize my time and plan my time better. There are so many distractions around us. I am amazed at what distracted me as a kid in 1975 is much different than what distracts today’s kids in 2020. 45 years ago we didn’t have technology. Computers were what banks used. If you wanted to contact a friend you had to pick up your rotary dial phone and call someone. There was no “Caller ID.” In today’s day and age you now have a gazillion cable channels plus Netflix, plus many streaming networks as well as video games galore and of course the iPhone which not surprising some kids own the newest model.

     Time is short. When you look at the state not only our country is in but what condition our world is in, you can see that Jesus Christ is coming back real soon. We need to take the time and prepare our hearts for the days that lie ahead and make sure we are ready for the Return of Jesus Christ. Are you ready? Do you see yourself wasting precious and valuable time? I pray that all my Facebook friends have experienced the saving power that only comes from Jesus Christ. Time is slipping away! Let’s make it a priority to be better stewards of our time in the coming days! Let’s also make it a priority to get to know Jesus more and more every day! God bless you!!

SEE YOU ALL NEXT “TIME”!!

IT'S TIME TO BE POSITIVE

     Have you ever spent time with someone who is always positive? They are always happy and they always say “Oh, things happen for a reason. It’s all good!” It never seems as though anything fazes them whatsoever they are always positive! But have you also spent time with someone who is always negative? Nothing ever goes right for them. If it’s a nice sunny day they complain about the possibility of getting sunburn. They complain constantly and never see the good in anything.

     About 3 years ago I was a part of a men’s small group in my church. There were maybe 7 of us in the group. There was one gentleman who would constantly hijack our meeting and complained about everything. The church service was too long! He didn’t like any of his coworkers. God never answered his prayers. When he reads the bible it doesn’t make sense to him. He just knows deep down he will never ever be happy…period!

     Lately I have been thinking a lot about this. I realize working in a public setting how many people I run into who are negative. They are only happy when they are complaining. While they are at Chick Fil-A, they don’t like the sandwich they were given. The sauce doesn’t taste right and their fries are always cold (even though you can see steam coming out from the cardboard package). I also realize how easy it is for me to be negative and have a heart that complains constantly. I often wonder what would happen to all of us if we had a hidden camera follow us around for one day. We wouldn’t know about it but from the moment we walked out of our homes, worked a full day, did our usual routine and then just as we went to bed the cameras would shut off. The very next day we could get to watch ourselves on video. I wonder what our reaction would be. Would we be in shock? Would we like what we see? Would the words that come out of our mouths be positive words or would everything we say be negative?

     Please don’t get me wrong. I am NOT endorsing Positive and Negative confession like many tele-evangelists are endorsing. It’s not all about “Name it and Claim it” or Blab it and Grab it.” I don’t expect a Mercedes Benz to be parked in front of my house tomorrow morning if I “claim it.” I would not be able to afford the auto insurance anyway. I am talking about our attitudes and our words not only about others but how we feel about our lives and situations. I have been convicted that I need to have a more positive attitude and not feel glum, defeated and sorry for myself in any way, shape or form. We all need to remember that God is for us not against us. He is not up in Heaven trying to figure out how he can torture His children. He loves His children! Satan, on the other hand would love to see us tortured. His goal is to see us all miserable. My encouragement to all of us is simple. Let’s be positive. Let’s not look at what can go wrong or see bad in all things. Let’s look at the positive. And when things don’t go our way, we need to remember that God has our back no matter what.

So with all that said, have a positive week friends!!    

OUR CONCERNS

 

 

      January was an interesting Month for me. It was a month of stretching and a lot of growth. I celebrated New Years Eve flat on my back with the flu. The following day, New Years Day, I dragged myself to work at Chick Fil-A (which was a mistake) so I could at least have some hours of work. I had missed a few days being sick. I only worked about 5 hours but it felt like 24 hours! That following Monday, my boss at the Machine Shop informed me he had no work (I had already not worked almost a month for him) and he could not afford to pay me. He did say if things picked up that he would call or text me. "Great!" I thought. I was down to one job. Chick Fil-A! My other job being an assistant to a handicapped college student was not starting until January 29^th
"Okay Lord, you need to show me what to do because I am getting concerned. " God was stretching me and I will admit I was getting depressed and felt overwhelmingly sad. I was frustrated! On top of all that I developed a problem with my neck. Last Sunday it was so bad that I woke up with it feeling very stiff. I was not only frustrated but I was very concerned about what many areas in my life between health, finances, a future career and healing between me and family members. So much to be concerned about!

      About a week ago while driving home from work and sitting in New York traffic on the Long Island Distressway (you all know how much I LOVE the traffic here!) I started to look around at other cars and other people. I wondered about the guy next to me in his loud diesel truck. Maybe he was going home and had to tell his wife he was fired (Boy, I can relate). Or how about the car in front of me? Maybe the lady sitting in her 1999 Honda was battling cancer. Or how about the Cadillac a few lanes over? Maybe they just discovered their daughter had a drug overdose? It was then they God showed me I am not the only human on this planet with needs. There were others out there who had growing concerns. It was God’s way of telling me to just trust in Him and stop looking at my circumstances. It was God’s way of reminding me that He’s got this. I need to stop worrying or being concerned about what my future holds!
      We all have concerns. We all carry around fears, doubts, worries and we all express how we feel in different ways. We have also at times become self absorbent in thinking of ourselves only and not the needs of others. I have learned and I have to keep reminding myself that there is a God who loves me, who is concerned about me and who takes care of me. Proverbs 3:5,6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

      So, in this crazy season we live in where society is out of control and we grow concerned about what is next, this is just a friendly reminder for you as well as me to not worry or grow concerned about what we are going through. Let’s remember to trust in God no matter what!!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK TRUSTING MY FRIENDS!!

THE GREAT FEELING WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER

   

     We have all had victories in our lives as well as defeats. I have never met anyone who has said, “My life is perfect. Everything is great!” Instead, I have run into people who are not only facing challenges but they feel defeated. Last Sunday after the Super bowl, one team, the Kansas City Chiefs were victorious and they showed it with their arms raised high hugging each other and kissing the Lombardi Trophy. The other team, The San Francisco Forty Niners, was defeated. They showed it by walking off the field with their heads down. Some player may have sat by their lockers and cried. They were not smiling. They were upset. They lost the game!
   
     I have had both moments in my life. I have felt victorious many times. The days my 4 children were born, when I graduated high school in 1982 and especially Bible College in 1986. The days when I received my license to preach in 1993 and also when I was ordained in 1997. I don’t want to dwell on the defeats as much as the victories because quite frankly, the defeats hurt! No one ever brags on Facebook when they fail a test or when they lose a job. It is, however, a part of life. Many of you know my story, especially these last 6 ½ years but like I said I don’t want to dwell on it because it’s the past and it’s time to move on. Lately, I have felt like an airplane getting ready to land. The Aircraft Controller communicates to the pilot and says “You need to go into a holding pattern.” This terminology means the pilot needs to basically circle around in the air until it is time to land his aircraft. I have felt like this in my past year. I’m in a “holding pattern” where I need to wait. Ugh! Waiting is hard.
     
     Before I get to the “holding pattern”, let me share with you a time in my life where I felt as though it was all coming together for me. Let me take you back to 2004. I had been on staff as Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle for 13 years as the children’s pastor. Being on staff at a church you grew up in was a challenge but that particular year things started to come together. My family and I were living in a condo that the church owned and was on the property. It was very tight for all of us being at that point in our lives we had 3 children and 2 bedrooms…on being very tiny. There was no hope of the church buying us a new home so we knew we had to make the best of it. The ministry I had at the church was thriving and I was getting invitations to share at churches, teach seminars as well as help write curriculum. I felt very proud and very blessed. Then we had a nice surprise. The Youth Pastor was leaving for another position in PA which meant the house he lived in would be available. I was not sure how the church board would handle the housing situation. I had been burned once before and was afraid to get my hopes up. But this time it would all come together for us. We were offered the house on Brooksite Drive, a ranch that had 4 bedrooms! The house was vacant for 3 months which meant we could slowly move in. The day after Christmas 2004 we officially moved in! We were all so happy. I do remember in January 2005 standing in my living room and looking around and saying to myself, “Wow! I have finally made it. The church really does appreciate me! Everything is coming together!” We ended up living in that house for 8 ½ years!
   
     As a go forward in my life and ask God questions about “What is next?” and “What are you trying to show me?” I can see that that very feeling I had in 2005 in my living room can’t be my goal. My goal needs to be to love God and please Him with everything I say and do. I also need to love others even when they are nasty to me or extremely unlovable. I also realize one important thing. I will have that same feeling I had in 2005 one day. When I stand before my Lord one day and he says to me “Well done good and faithful servant.” That will be my final “When it all comes together” moment! In the meantime, I will continue to stay in that “holding pattern” and wait to see what God has planned for me!