WHO ARE THE REAL HEROES?

     I was hoping to get this blog written before Memorial Day but I've been blessed to be able to work. I am not complaining whatsoever because I realize there are many who are out of work. God has been good to me!

     When I think of the word "Hero" I have realized in my life that my definition of that word has changed as I have aged. When I was a kid, a hero to me was easy. It was a sports celebrity! I have only met a handful of sports celebrities in my lifetime. The first athlete I ever met was Ron Johnson. He was a running back for the New York Giants in the 1970's. During the offseason, the Giants used to play basketball games for charity. That night they played the Chatham, NJ High School faculty (at least I think it was I was 7 or 8 years old). Ron Johnson sat at a table and signed my autograph page. I always liked him as a player, but vaguely remember getting his autograph. I also got to meet Ed Kranepool with my brother, who was signing autograph's at the opening of a local flea market in Smithtown. My memories of Ed Kranepool, who played for the New York Mets will always be my Grandpa Harff yelling at the TV when the Mets played and Ed Kranepool was running the bases "Hey Kranepool! Get the lead out!" When I had a job refinishing hardwood floors after bible college, we were sent on a job in Garden City, NY. My boss said the customers name was "Mr. Debooshay." When I walked into the house, it turned out Mr. Debooshay was none other than former New York Knicks Player Dave DeBusschere who played for them the last time they won a Championship. I didn't get to meet him but always loved watching him play. The last time I ever got an autograph of a major league baseball player was in 1997. I was at the second ever game of the regular season game between the New York Mets and the New York Yankees. Bernard Gilkey signed my program for me. He was an outfielder for the Mets. 

     These athletes are all nice guys and have all had great careers. They know how to play their sport and a few have won championships. Who are the real heroes? Certainly not athletes. The answer is simple. The real heroes are the men and women who have served our country in our military. It could either be the Army Navy, Airforce, Marines or Coast Guard. They all need to be recognized as heroes and we as Americans need to thank them when we see them for their service. We celebrated Memorial Day yesterday giving recognition to the men and women we have lost who served our country. Some have been oversees. Some right here in the States. Our military have made a decision to serve our country and protect us every single day. Let's remember to give them recognition and tell them we appreciate them!  

JUST "CHILLAX!!"

     It was July 2011 and I was in Friend, Nebraska on a mission trip. Our Kids in Missions students and leaders spent a full week there helping a church there run a Vacation Bible School program. I have to say Friend, Nebraska is a very peaceful place! It was definitely hot but very quiet and peaceful. The pastor of the church there, Jerry Gill was a former children's pastor at one of our FCA (Fellowship of Christian Assembly) churches in Seattle. It was great getting to know him since I only knew a handful of children's pastors in our fellowship. After we did our VBS program each morning, we would always reward our team with an afternoon of fun activities. They deserved a break after working so hard. We always met as a team after our VBS to discuss what our plans were for the day. I will never forget a phrase Pastor Jerry used that I had never heard before. If we went to the community pool or spent time at a pig farm (yes, a pig farm) he would always say to our team, "Let's take time to chillax!" Chillax? I liked hearing that. So what does it mean to chillax?

     I am not even sure "chillax" is a real word or if it's been added to the dictionary. It's basically a combination of two words. Chill and relax. We all remember in the 1980"s saying "Chill out!" I remember being in England on a missions trip and during our training a fellow American guy was trying to teach a Korean guy to some English. What phrase was he teaching? "Hey, Chill out!" It was a funny moment. Getting back to "Chillax," There are times in life we need to Chillax. There are also times we should NOT tell people to Chillax. For example, it is inappropriate to tell someone who may have tested positive for Covid-19 or lost a loved one "Hey, just chillax!" I recently heard a story about a Mom who lost her 20+ year old son and who is still grieving hear someone say to her, "Hey, just move on already." You can't say that to someone who lost a child. I can't imagine ever experiencing that and I'm grateful I have not experienced that. Thank God. There are times you can tell people to "Chillax." Working with the general public at Chick Fil-A and Home Depot, I can give you some examples. Trust me when I say people have had enough of this pandemic. They are getting angry and unfortunately take it out on "Essential Workers." At Chick Fil-A, we have a limited menu where sandwiches have no lettuce or tomato. People have called up yelling that their sandwiches have no lettuce or tomato on them even after we explain we don't have those items. We have also had people complain that they have to wait on a long line at the drive thru. "Hey, just Chillax!!" At Home Depot we have been limited on our supplies in the Garden Center where deliveries have been less and less each week due to truck drivers feeling burned out. We have been out of black mulch, pool salt and topsoil. When it comes in, it sells quickly. People have become agitated, angry and rude when these supplies are not in. Although I know I you can't take it personal, you seriously feel like saying "Hey, just chillax!" I am not insinuating that we should ignore this pandemic or become lackadaisical in our lives. What I am saying is let's trust in God and learn to "Chillax" in his presence. Let's learn to rest and remember that He is in control!        

SOMETHING GOOD IS BREWING!!

     Let me begin this blog by saying I am not referring to drinking coffee or making coffee. During this pandemic, I have had a lot of ideas brewing in my head, in this creative brain God has given me. Since I no longer worked as a children's pastor since January 2018 at Christian Church at Holbrook, I have been on a soul searching campaign of myself. What I have discovered is how good God is, how He has always been there for me and how following Him is the best decision I have ever made. Since January 2018, which for the record is the last 27 1/2 months, I've worked at 6 jobs. Chick Fil-A Port Jefferson, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Chick Fil-A Commack, a machine shop, a personal aide to a handicapped college student and most recently Home Depot. During this time I have learned a lot about myself. I've learned a lot about faith, trust and hope. I have also learned who I can and can't trust. The one thing I have held onto is the calling on my life. During my soul searching, I asked God repeatedly "What is the calling on my life, God?" I seriously did very little ministry whatsoever. Maybe a few Christian School Chapels, a few outreaches with other churches was pretty much it. I was truthfully happy for the break but I really missed being in front of kids and families. At one point I had not used my ventriloquist puppet Grandpa Lou for well over 9 months! I was seriously thinking that maybe God had other plans for me besides kids ministry. Maybe ministry to the homeless? Maybe being an Associate Pastor? I realize 100% that my calling is truly ministry to kids and families! It was about a year ago or so I wrote a blog about a ministry God placed on my heart. I would call myself "The Puppet Guy" and travel to other churches. Let me now fast forward to this very moment because I can write and write about what God is doing.

     With this pandemic taking place, I have been truthfully keeping busy working 2 jobs. I am grateful that I am working. As many of you know, I have also been making Kids Church 2020 videos each week and I'm having a blast making them. There are other ideas I have brewing or, as this blog is titled "Something good is brewing." They are writing a book, working on comedy videos and launching a podcast. I'm sure you are all thinking "How in the world is this crazy guy going to do all this?" Well, it's not all at once, but here are my ideas!

WRITING A BOOK

     I'm sure you can tell that I love to write! For the past 5 months, I've been working on an idea for a book. My goal is to have it published by the spring of 2021. What is the book about? Well, you will just have to wait and see friends!! I am excited about working on it!

COMEDY VIDEOS

     One area I have been experimenting with and I would love to try it one day is Stand Up Comedy. It's a lot harder than you think. I have been told I am a funny guy (not funny looking) and want to implement my puppet characters with my comedy. I already posted one video "A Public Service Announcement: Social Distancing with Grandpa Lou." I do have other ideas for videos I will be posting in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned!

A CHILDREN'S MINISTRY PODCAST

     If you know me, you know I love to teach about kids ministry. I used to teach workshops at the New Jersey Christian Ministries Convention every October for well over 13 years, as well as other churches and ministries. My heart and passion has always been to train people to do what I love to do...Ministry to children. Since I am not able to go to churches, the second best thing is to have the churches and children's ministry leaders and workers come to me! What can be better than launching a podcast? I am doing a lot of research on this because I want it to be as professional as possible. My hope is to launch it by late June 2020. Again, stay tuned!

Please keep me in prayer with all this new ideas brewing. I appreciate you all so much!

BE SAFE EVERYONE!!   

     

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM!!!!!

     I am writing this end of the week blog to honor my Mom! Everybody will always argue and say their Mom is the greatest. I disagree because MY Mom is the greatest! Ever since I was a little kid, my Mom has always been there for me. When I was in 4th grade and I had a hard time adjusting from moving from New Jersey to Long Island, my Mom was there for me. When I struggled in school, my Mom was there for me. When I went through physical challenges in 1990 that was later diagnosed as Celiacs disease, my Mom was there. When I was forced resign from my position as a children's pastor and went through a difficult time personally and in my marriage, my Mom was there for me. When my marriage went downhill, my Mom was there for me. And to this very day as I write this, my Mom has been there for me!

     

     Many people may not know this but my Mom and I worked together at our church, Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle. In fact, she was my secretary for my first 7 years. It was a great decision for one good reason. My Mom is the only person who could read my handwriting. This was before the pastors had computers or laptops. Everything we needed typed was handwritten. My Mom was a trooper trying to read my pathetic handwriting. She did enjoy typing my puppet scripts. 

     When my Mom decided to retire and move to Pennsylvania, I had a hard time with it. We have always been close. When I lived with my parents, my Mom and I had many late night talks. She is my biggest fan and I am her biggest fan too. When my Dad died in 1995, my Mom was the anchor that held our family together. I know she was hurting, but I also know she is a woman of faith who allowed God to comfort her and work in her life. This past year, she has lost many of her friends who have gone in to be with the Lord, including her best friend Bob. One piece of advice my Mom has always given me is "Keep the Lord first in your life." My Mom is living proof of this every single day.

     Mom, I'm sorry I can't be with you this year and I'm sorry Mother's Day has to be different than years past when we took you out for dinner. This pandemic is really a bummer! Please know that I love you and I am so proud to call you my Mom. Happy Mother's Day! I appreciate you so much! God bless you!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOM'S!!  

     

CONFIDENCE

   
     Confidence! It does take time! I will have to share that I have had to gain new confidence in myself in the last 7 years. Due to my resignation and a rough season in my life, my confidence level went from a 9 to a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. I had to gain confidence in a few areas. My own personal life, in my ministry to children, as a ventriloquist, as a parent and in day to day activities. Confidence does take time!

     Going back to my childhood, I had many opportunities to gain confidence. The two that come to mind are riding a bicycle and playing baseball. I do remember having training wheels on my bicycle and strolling down North Hillside Avenue in Chatham, New Jersey. It took me quite a while before those training wheels came off. When I was ready and had confidence, my Dad took the training wheels off and for the first time. With my Dad running behind me holding onto my bike, he eventually let go and I was on my own riding my bicycle all by myself. It would be the first of many bike rides in my childhood. Imagine if I tried riding my bike for the first time and bypassing the idea of training wheels? I would probably get many concussions! Yet through it all, I gained confidence. When I was 8 years old, I played for the very first time Little League baseball. The name of my team was the Darts. We wore orange shirts with white numbers on the back. Truthfully I was terrible! My only memory that first year was getting a huge hit when...I closed my eyes before I swung the bat! Let's just say I was not a very confident baseball player. My family and I always joke about my first year baseball experience. In that Little League if you were good, you got promoted to the next level and would play for the Dodgers. I did not play my second year because my family moved to Long Island. There was a kid I played with on the Darts named Barry Gray who saw me in "The Park" thinking I stilled lived in New Jersey. He yelled over to me "Hi Harff, how's the Darts?" I guess he wasn't very observant. It took me some time to gain confidence playing baseball. I loved playing Little League and eventually learned how to play catcher. Now please understand I was never that good of a player to eventually play for the New York Mets! Confidence does take time!

         Confidence would be something I would need to gain throughout my entire life. I would gain it as a young Children's Pastor, as a Team member at Chick Fil-A learning the register. As a new manager at Chick Fil-A. As a salesman at Tru-Green learning how to sell lawn care products. Now lately as an Associate at Home Depot working in the Garden Department. I have realized that becoming confident at any task, learning a trade or playing a sport well does take practice as well as a lot of time. Even though my confidence has been struggling these last few years, I do feel lately that I am truthfully on the road back to being very confident in my life. I have always had a lack of respect for people who are "Over confident" but that's another blog way down the road. I hope that whatever you are striving to do, you are doing it with a lot of confidence!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK FRIENDS!