I LOVE THE FALL!!

     My favorite season out of the four seasons is the fall season. The summer gets too hot and the winter gets too cold. I do love snow but I hate shoveling it. I do love walking along the beach in the summer but don't care for the mosquitoes who like to bite you. Spring is okay but truthfully here on Long Island we haven't had much of a spring for many years. The fall is an awesome season. I love the chill in the air but most of all I love when the leaves change color. As a kid, I loved visiting my grandparents in Ringwood, NJ at "The Lake." They lived in a mountainous area that was truthfully an amazing site. The leaves on the trees were so many different colors. Going to Northeastern Bible College also in New Jersey I loved the view there as well. To all of you who think New Jersey is the "armpit of the nation", there are many beautiful places in that state. Not just the factories where the smell is unbearable.

     What I love about the fall season is change. We always know when the leaves change color it means that the weather is changing also. It's no longer 90 degrees outside but more like 50 degrees outside depending on where you live. You can feel that crisp air and you know winter is coming soon. I am not a fan of Halloween simply because I know the history of it. I do know that kids love dressing up and going Trick or Treating. I do love Thanksgiving in November not only because of the great food, but because of the fact that we take that time to thank God for all that we do have and what he has provided for us. As I think about the changes in the weather and the beautiful colors in our landscape, it reminds me of the changes God is doing in our hearts and lives. It says in Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Let's all embrace the change God is doing in our lives and realize he is doing a beautiful work in us!

ENJOY THE FALL SEASON WHEREVER YOU CALL HOME!  

 

   

 

 

I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE!!

      Since the fall of 1984 I have been involved in doing puppet ministry. It all started when I was a student at Northeastern Bible College. Each student had to do something called "Christian Service" in order to receive credit. It was my hope that semester that I would discover what my talent was. I tried for every other ministry except puppet ministry because I was not a big fan of working with kids. God had other plans. Puppet ministry was the only open door for me that semester and I walked through it! Within a month, I became the director with absolutely no knowledge of puppet ministry whatsoever. I also directed that ministry the following semester as well. When I returned home from college, my church heard that I did puppet ministry and again I directed the puppet ministry for years well into the beginning of my pastorate as a children's pastor. I always had interest in doing ventriloquism but never knew where to begin. I had a few characters I used in front of the stage where my lips moved and it proved to be successful. I used two characters, Barney Bagel, a horrible looking puppet I found at the church along with Denny the Donkey, a character I used who came out of an oats sack who was always enthusiastic. In 2001, I decided I needed a new method of reaching children and families so after attending a Children's Pastors Conference in San Diego, CA that featured some prominent ventriloquists, I knew it was time to "take the plunge." One of the ventriloquists handed me a book on ventriloquism and I watched it till I wore it out. I bought my first figure "Grandpa Lou" and I have to admit I was very nervous using this newfound method. I practiced his voice in my car as I was driving for months and set the date for his debut that summer at Vacation Bible School. Boy, was I nervous when I did Grandpa Lou for the first time. It was a huge hit. So huge that my pastor asked me to do Grandpa Lou for the Sunday morning service the Sunday after Vacation Bible School. For many years I have purchased other characters and have developed them in my outreach programs as well as at my previous church. With all that said, I am trying my hand at something new. Something I have never done before. Making my own puppets!

     I have always bought my puppets through companies such as Puppet Productions, One Way Street and Axtell Expressions. They are very costly. That's why you will never ever hear of a store called "Puppets 'R Us" or "Puppet Depot." They are not a high commodity. As I looked at various characters I wanted to develop, I discovered that I was in no position financially to buy them so I had to go with Plan B...building my own puppets. Here is the thing though. I might be creative in my writing and creative in ideas I have developed in my children's ministry. When It comes to being "crafty", let's just say it is not my gift. I even struggle "coloring in the lines!" In the last 36 years, I have made ONE PUPPET! Dennis Ball. I tennis ball I glued eyes and a nose on as well as hair and lips. I cut a hole for his mouth and he is my only claim to fame as a puppet builder. As I'm working on a limited budget, I am now building 3 new characters

Chilly the Snowman - An outdoor Christmas snowman decoration I am making into a puppet character. He is as tall as me and has lights. It's been a lot of fun working on him.

Scotty the Singing Christmas Stocking - A 4 foot tall Christmas stocking I purchased from Oriental Trading company that I plan on putting on a stand and adding eyes, a nose and a mouth. He is going to sing Christmas songs!

Rocky Bambino - A rock puppet that will have similar characteristics as the fictional Rocky Balboa character that will feature a fedora, a band aid on his face and he will help me do rope tricks. 

Puppet building has become a new hobby for me. I enjoy thinking of new ideas.  have discovered one thing about me. I am happiest when I get to be creative!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!! 

  

        

  

UNDERCOVER BOSS

     I am not a huge fan of reality TV. I can't understand how you can find true love on "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette." I have never really watched American Idol and I am not a fan of "Survivor" at all. The only reality show I ever watch truthfully is "Undercover Boss." If you are not familiar with the show, the concept is real cool. A CEO of any major corporation wants to see what is taking place in their company and their workers. He or she wears a disguise and they make believe they are filming a reality show which is usually a contest. The workers have no idea who they are and that they are a "Big Wig" in the company. They travel to various locations their companies have a business and get to see what is going on in their company. Of course they are hoping that no one recognizes them. I always laugh when I see some of the ridiculous disguises they have. At the end of the show, the CEO reveals him or herself to the workers and thanks them by giving them substantial amounts of money to either continue a college education, buy a home or help a loved one. It is a fun show and the CEO will always get new ideas on how to improve things in their company and what changes need to be made so that things would run efficiently. If Home Depot or Chick Fil-A tried to have their CEO's go undercover, I would recognize them. I have met the Founders son of Chick Fil-A twice, Dan Cathy and the CEO of Home Depot, Craig Menear, I see him all the time on the TV screen in our Break Room. 

     Lately I have been thinking about this show but looking at it in a different light. Please know that what I am about to share, I am not trying to be sacrilegious. You all know how much I love Jesus with my heart. I would never disrespect my Lord and Savior. Think about this scenario and just bear with me. What would happen if Jesus came into your workplace wearing a disguise? Yes, the Son of God walked into your place of employment. We all know God sees everything and knows everything. But what would He see? Would He see a bad attitude? Would He hear you using profanity? Would He listen to you gossip about your coworkers? Would He say about me "Wow, Dave is really being a great witness for me!" Will He be happy with how hard I work at my Christian Walk? Obviously, Jesus is not wearing a disguise but we are promised in the Bible that one day He will return. We will hear that trumpet sound. I realize many of you have different views on HIs return and about the Rapture. It is now 11:52 p.m. and I'm not in the mood to argue. All I do want to say in conclusion is we all need to be ready for His return but also we all need to be a godly example in our workplace. I admit I work with some very "dark" people as well as unhappy people at Home Depot. I need to be a light in the darkness. At Chick Fil-A, not every employee is a Christian but they know I'm a pastor and they do watch me when things get tough. I need to be a godly example every time I work. I am certainly not perfect, but I strive to do my best wherever and whenever I am working!! God bless you all!  

         

 

WAITING

     I don't have a whole lot share in this blog. I was originally going to blog about a mean lady I work with but earlier this week she was nice to me so I had to trash that idea. I did want to share on another topic I am thinking about and dealing with and that is waiting. I don't know too many people who like to wait. When I work at Chick Fil-A and have to direct traffic, not very many people like to wait. They always ask "How long is this going to take?" No one wants to wait for their food especially at a drive thru. No one wants to wait in line at a bank or at a supermarket. For myself, I have had to wait. I am waiting on God and asking Him to show me what His will is for my life. I am waiting to see what is next for me. I have ideas about what I would like to do, but in reality I need to wait on God. If I can be brutally honest I hate waiting. I am a very patient guy but deep down I want to see things done yesterday. I also know waiting on God is the best thing I can do. So with all that said, I will wait! My answer may not come tomorrow, next week or next month, but all I know is God is in control and I will wait on Him!!