WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM THE TRADER JOE'S COMPANY

 

     When I first heard they were opening a Trader Joe's in Columbia, SC, I was very excited. It is located directly across the street from where I was working at Chick Fil-A on Harbison Blvd. I will admit I was hesitant about applying for a job. I applied 3 times in New York; I was interviewed twice and rejected all three times. I never understood why but accepted the fact that it was not God's plan for my life at that time. In front of this new Trader Joe's in South Carolina was a QR code so you could apply for a job. I decided to give it a shot. Within a few days I was asked to call to set up and interview. I interviewed with two "mates" and then with the General Manager. The very next day I received a phone call congratulating me that I was hired. My first day was December 9, 2025, and as of March 16th it is now my one and only job.

     All I can say about this company is they do things right. This blog is not intended to blast any of my previous jobs, but just to simply say that The Trader Joe's company is very impressive in how they handle business. When I hear about workers being there 15-20 years and still enjoying their job, you know things must be amazing. In fact, one of the "Mates" at our location has worked at Trader Joe's since he was attending college and decided to make it a career because of how he was treated. Some of the fringe benefits are amazing also. You get a discount for working there at any Trader Joe's in the country and if you ever decide to move or relocate, you can transfer to any Trader Joe's anywhere!

     So, what makes this company so amazing?  Here are some areas:

TRAINING:

At our orientation, you are trained in every area of the store. How to bag and work the register, how to open and close boxes, how to enter "Shares" in the computer (Trader Joe's shares food items to local food banks), how to clean the floor with a Zamboni like machine, how to "face" the store, where items need to go once you've stocked the shelves, how to do maintenance and how to search for expired food. 

ENCOURAGEMENT:

The leaders are referred to as "Mates" and the Leader running the shift is a Cruise Director just like on a ship. They are all extremely encouraging. They don't yell and scream at you and they are not standing over you ready to correct you. When they do correct, they do it in private in a gentle way. They even tell you that if you have a problem with a customer while on register, ring the bell three times and they will handle it. Not once have I ever heard of someone raising their voice to a Mate. They are all very encouraging and you know they are your biggest cheerleaders. They want you to succeed!

WHAT NEEDS TO GET DONE:

Right in the front of the store where the mates work from, they have attached a clipboard that lists all the workers names. It tells you where you are working for your entire shift. You never have to ask, "Where do you need me" because it's listed in black and white. I have worked other jibs where you need to hunt down a leader to find out where you need to be. Not at Trader Joe's!

FUN ACTIVITIES FOR CUSTOMERS & THEIR KIDS:

Trader Joe's has activities for families. They recently had an "Earth Day" celebration where they had crafts for kids and Corn Hole Games set up outside. They love drawing families in!

THE CUSTOMERS ARE RESPECTFUL:

Unlike other companies I gave worked for, I have never had any run ins with any customers. Our Mates have told us that is their job to deal with difficult people, not mine. I appreciate that a whole lot!

HUDDLES:

At the end of our closing shift, everyone on our team gathers for what we call a "Huddle." Everything that needs to be communicated to us takes place at our huddle. We are told of things we need to watch for, how we can improve at our job and if any special events are happening. I find it very encouraging. I wish this did happen at other jobs I was at. Many times, I had to "guess" what needed to get done or even how to make a particular drink. The communication was not there. It was frustrating.

     I am not saying Trader Joe's is perfect in everything they do. They are not. I have never ever had a perfect job. I do appreciate the approach they take in making my job easier. I do not feel stressed or anxious working there. I have learned a lot, and I know I am still learning! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!!

THE SLUMP

 

     Athletes go through it. It happens to everyone. I have seen it in baseball. I have seen it at work and yes, I have seen it with Christians. I remember in the 1980's when Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez was in a miserable batting slump. He couldn't buy a hit. After one game he called his dad and said, "Dad, what am I doing wrong?" His dad told him he noticed that whenever Keith swung his bat at a pitch during that particular game, he could see the word "Mets" across his uniform chest. When he was hitting well, you didn't see the teams name on his uniform. His dad told him to hold his bat higher and swing higher. In making that adjustment, Keith was out of his slump and actually started a long hitting streak. His slump was over!

     I hate it whenever I get into any kind of slump in life. It really irritates me, but I also know it is a part of life. We all go through it at various points in our life. I remember frustrations while in elementary school, junior high school and high school. Even as a Bible college student I went into a slump or as some people call it a "rut". I found myself going for long walks just trying to "clear my head." I even remember one time thinking about taking a break or a "sabbatical" from college just because I needed a break from my studies. I soon discovered that is what the Christmas and summer breaks were for! I'm glad I never did that.

     In the last month I have found myself in somewhat of a "Spiritual slump." No, I am not walking away from my relationship with our Lord. I will admit I have had a lot of what I would call "strong conversations" with God. There are things happening that I am scratching my head over. I left Chick Fil-A last month hoping to get more hours at Trader Joe's. Because we are a new store I have been getting less hours along with other workers, so I know it's not just me. In the last 4 months I have had three episodes with kidney stones. I was hoping those episodes would be over with. I realize many others go through much worst when it comes to life situations. Sometimes you just want everything in life to go easy and not be complicated. I was frustrated, angry, fearful, anxious and worrisome during this slumpy season. It was not fun. There had to be a way out of this! 

     So how do we get out of this slump? I wish I could give you a "This will never fail for you" formula that works for everyone. Since we are all different and all go through our "stuff," all I can say is what has helped me. I have learned it is a battle, but I also know from scripture in 2 Chronicles 20:15 that the battle is not ours but the Lord's! I realize that my best option when I struggle in my life is to always put God first, leave it in His hands, rebuke the devil and invite God's presence into my life. The Christian life is not easy. We all go through trials, and we all have faced that dreaded "slump." The good news is we always get out of it. Not because of what we do, but because of who Jesus is. He is the one who gets us out of that slump and back on track.

     I hope this blog encourages you as much as it encouraged me writing it. We all need accountability in our lives. I pray you all have a blessed week! Thanks for reading!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!  

PRAYER WALKING

 

     I don't consider myself to be a "Super Christian" or someone who knows it all, I am just a regular guy who loves Jesus and who wants to do the right thing. There is, however, something I have been doing lately that I feel God is leading me to do here in South Carolina....Prayer Walking!

     I started "Prayer Walking" in New York right after I joined the staff of Lift Jesus Higher Fellowship in Rocky Point, NY in 2022. Our church met in a VFW hall in the center of town. Before our Tuesday Bible study, I used to take time to walk through the town and pray for the people of Rocky Point, the local businesses and for God to move on the hearts of his people. I also prayed for members of our church. Very rarely did I ever have someone join me which was okay. I was not looking for accolades or a "pat on the back" from the Pastor, I just wanted to be obedient. I used to pray "radical prayers" as I walked past one particular bar and pray that it would shut down and one day become a new church plant. I did have one answer to prayer. I walked past a New Age store that sold their paraphernalia and after some time that store closed its doors. Praise God! I prayer walked in Rocky Point for over two and a half years up until I moved. 

     Fast forward to 2026. I now life in a middle-class neighborhood. There is a great mix of people with various nationalities, colors and creeds. Let me be honest. I only know one of my neighbors and that is not on purpose. Life is different in 2026. When I was a kid growing up in New Jersey and New York, I knew who my neighbors were. Granted I was young but still, I knew who lived in my neighborhood. I only know my one neighbor who I call "The Neighborhood Mayor." He seems to know everyone and has told me stories about each neighbor. Everyone is busy. Most people work crazy hours...maybe even 2 jobs to make ends meet. Honestly, the weather gets so hot in the summertime it is better if you stay indoors in the air conditioning then sit outside in the extreme heat. You rarely see kids playing outside. It's not like the 1970's or 1980's.  

     I have always had a heart for people. I guess that is why God called me to be a Pastor. After meeting my neighbor and praying about where God was leading me to do, I sensed God was calling me to prayer walk around my neighborhood. I'm sure many of you reading this are probably wondering, "Why do you care so much about people you don't know?" The reason is very simple. There are people in this world who are going to hell if they don't have a personal relationship with Jesus. I can't literally walk up to every door and have a discussion with every neighbor. I just don't have that kind of time and truthfully the energy. What I can do is pray for them!

     So, what is prayer walking? The definition is simple. It's "Praying with a purpose." I walk around my block twice praying for my neighbors as well as other personal requests. It is approximately 1.80 miles. I try to get up early in the morning. As I walk past a home I pray for the people who live in that particular house. I also walk past an elementary school and pray for that school. I try to prayer walk 3 times a week weather permitting. Not only do I have the benefit of praying for people, but I also get a lot of much needed exercise!  Let me just share that this is very hard. It's hard to get up early after you work 8 hours helping to close a grocery store. Most mornings, I do ask my Google home alarm, "Hey Google, snooze my alarm for 15 minutes!" As you do prayer walking, you do get attacked by the enemy. Do you really think the devil is happy you are praying for your neighbors? I have battled illness, I have felt sad and lonely and I have at times had no energy whatsoever. But to be honest, when you are praying for others and believing that God will move in their lives, it is worth it!

     I don't know what prayer walking my neighborhood will lead to. I have had thoughts of down the road inviting my neighbors to a Bible study at Lake Murray. I am praying about that. All I do know is that if I can touch even one person, it is worth it. My neighbor across the street has asked me to do a Bible study alone with him. I told him absolutely! My main prayer is that God would move on the hearts of my neighbors and show himself to each one. In my humble opinion, prayer will always be the key to success in life. I wish more churches took the time to prayer walk around their neighborhoods instead of just expecting people to show up at their church. I know prayer can also be very boring. I admit as I sit and pray, my mind wanders. While I'm walking, it helps me focus more. I am looking forward to seeing the fruit of this amazing adventure. I don't know what it is going to lead to. I am expecting God to do great things not because of me, but because of who He is! Jesus is coming back real soon. We need to make sure people know how much He loves them. If it means praying for them while walking is a way to push start this, then I want to continue! I just want to be obedient. I hope this blog will encourage you in your walk with the Lord! We need to always be obedient! But more than anything, we need to be praying!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK FRIENDS!    

     

I JUST DON'T GET IT

 

     An NBA (National Basketball Association) player is caught breaking the league's substance abuse policy by selling and using cocaine. He is suspended 30 games and is able to play after his suspension is completed. Another NBA player is involved in a domestic dispute with his wife. He is arrested, serves time in jail and is also given a 30-game suspension. He is also reinstated and even though he was arrested he basically only gets a slap on the wrist. Just in the last 10 days or so, an NBA player named Jaden Ivey expresses his opinion on Pride month stating he is strongly opposed to the NBA's promotion of Pride Month saying that we are celebrating "unrighteousness." He made the point that God did not intend a man to be with another man and a woman is not intended to be with another woman and neither together have the ability to bear a child. He also stated that we should all have the freedom to "speak righteousness" and went on to say that championship rings would not matter on judgement day. He expressed his opinion. That is all he did. The team he played for, the Chicago Bulls immediately released him from the team saying, "his conduct was detrimental to the team." He didn't break the law. He didn't sell drugs or beat his wife. He expressed his opinion and now he is no longer on the team. His teammates and others have spoken out saying, "He is mentally ill and needs help." Others have said, "He is anti-gay and hates all involved in the LGBTQ community." Sorry, I just don't get it.   

     As a kid I was a huge NBA fan, in fact my bedroom was decorated with NBA curtains and a bedspread with logos of every team. I even had an NBA bank that was a plastic basketball that I put loose change into. I have great memories of watching my favorite team, the New York Knicks on WOR channel 9 on Friday or Saturday nights. They were always away games. I loved players like Walt Frazier, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Bill Bradley and Dave DeBusschere. I remember in 1973, one month before I moved from NJ to NY watching with my sister Paula the Knicks winning the NBA Championship. Unfortunately, that was the last time the Knicks won the championship. I was nine years old! Although I loved the NBA, I always wanted to be a great basketball player, but I truthfully was awful at it. Growing up I continued to watch the Knicks, listen to games on the radio and pray that with Patrick Ewing on their team they would win another championship. Unfortunately, they ran into some guy who played for the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan who dominated the game in the 1990's. My interest in the NBA has been decreasing each year. To be honest, after this incident with Jaden Ivey, my interest is now zero. I am boycotting watching games and don't care if the Harlem Globetrotters or the Alaska Snowbirds win the championship.

     So why is it that in this crazy world we live in. we cannot express our opinions. It's almost as if Rule #1 is: YOU MUST AGREE WITH OUR OPINIONS. Rule #2 is: IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH OUR OPINIONS, SEE RULE #1! Jaden Ivey never said, "I hate gays and the LGBTQ community." He simply stated his beliefs and now he is no longer playing basketball for the Chicago Bulls. Like I said before, other players have been drug addicts, they have beat their wives and put in jail and guess what, they were given a slap on the wrist and are allowed back in the league. I just don't get it!

     If a player was Muslim and expressed his displeasure of Pride Month, would he be released from his team? If he was a Buddhist and said what Jaden Ivey said in their own words, would he be asked to leave the team? How come the NBA is celebrating Pride Month and not Easter? They made it a point in 2020 to recognize the BLM movement as that was printed on NBA courts all across the league. How come a "cross symbol" wasn't on NBA courts on Easter? Or a picture of baby Jesus on Christmas? Why was that ignored? Why do we now have politics in sports? When I was a kid, I never heard Wilt Chamberlain share his political views or Julius Erving telling us who we should vote for during the Presidential election. They played basketball. Basketball teams had promotion nights with giveaways like hats, pennants and wristbands. We didn't celebrate lifestyles and how people live their lives, we watched basketball and rooted for our team. 

     Please understand I am not writing this blog because I hate the gay community. I don't. I might not agree with their lifestyle, but I don't hate anyone. I am just upset that we no longer have freedom of speech in America and we can no longer express how we feel about something. We need to agree or we pay a price. Jaden Ivey is no longer playing basketball. Not because he is an awful player or he got arrested or was addicted to cocaine, he is not playing because he shared his Christian beliefs and his opinion on Pride Month.  Does that sound fair? 

     In my own personal life, I wonder if the company I work for, Trader Joe's, would ever force their employees to wear rainbow colored Trader Joe's shirts to promote Pride Month? Imagine if they told me "If you don't wear this shirt, you will get fired. I would certainly stand up for what I believe in and tell them, "Sorry, I can't promote this. I guess you will need to dismiss me." That seems so unfair for Trader Joe's to do that, but I believe we are coming into an age where we are going to be forced to agree on topics...OR ELSE! I think about the story in the Bible in the book of Daniel chapter 3 about three young men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were told, "If you don't bow down to this idol, you will be thrown into the fiery furnace!" They refused to bow to this idol and were thrown into the fiery furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the furnace temperature be turned up seven times hotter. These three young men survived the furnace and those who threw them into the furnace discovered there was a fourth man in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They described this fourth man as "a son of God," Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived and this caused the people to turn to God and turn away from any idol. 

     So, what about us? Would we stand up for what we believe in? Would we feel comfortable expressing our opinion without fear of being reprimanded? Do we do what everyone else is doing? Would we take a stand like Jaden Ivey did? I might never understand a lot of things that go on in this world, but I do know Jesus warned us of one thing, He said in Matthew 5:10 - "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 

It also says in 2 Timothy 3:12 - Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. We will face persecution when we take a stand, but our reward for this is in heaven. When we live a godly lifestyle, persecution will come our way. It's expected. No one wants to hear the truth about Jesus. I know persecution is not fun, but in reality, whose side are you on? The worlds? God's? This is "food for thought" for all of us. There are things happening in our world today that I will never understand. I just want to continue living my life putting God first no matter what. How about you?

THANKS FOR READING AND I HOPE YOU "GET THIS!" 

     

IT'S RESURRECTION SUNDAY...NOT EASTER!!

 

     Ever since my Bible College days, I have always had an issue with people saying "Happy Easter" on what I call Resurrection Sunday. Just like Christmas, "Easter" had a double meaning for me as a kid. You went to Catholic Mass on Good Friday. On Saturday we all colored our "Easter Eggs." and I can still smell that vinegar that we mixed with the color tablets. On Sunday, we all got dressed in our Sunday best and went to Easter Mass as we celebrated Jesus' death and resurrection. Before Mass, we got up early and hoped the "Easter Bunny" came delivering the eggs we colored the day before along with "Easter Baskets" and a few gifts. We had to search around our house to find the eggs since the "Easter Bunny" was so good at hiding them The Easter Bunny's names were Pete & Rae in our house). After church, during the years we lived in New Jersey, we went to my Grandparents house in Secaucus, NJ and sometimes at my dad's aunt & uncles house...Aunt Gladys and Uncle Frank who also lived in Secaucus, NJ. I remember being very young and we had a huge snowstorm! We all had a nice dinner to celebrate, and the best part was we had a week off from school! That was it! But what exactly was it we were celebrating? Jesus dying on the cross for our sins or Peter Cottontail hopping down the bunny trail delivering eggs and chocolate bunnies to kids all across the world?

     The word Easter, according to the dictionary is a celebration of Jesus' resurrection. But the word "Easter" never appears in the Bible. Just like Christmas, the retail world "back in the day" decided we could make money on this holiday. Even though the "Easter Bunny" was created in 1678 in German folklore to reward good behavior in children, it has certainly taken away the real meaning of this holiday. The retail world has made thousands of dollars selling chocolate bunnies, egg coloring kits and jellybeans across the globe. I often wonder if you asked people, "What is the meaning of Easter?' What would be their response? Would they say, "It's about celebrating the spring season and the newness of life." Or how about, "The Easter Bunny brings eggs, chocolate bunnies, jellybeans and colored eggs to all the boys and girls who are well behaved".

     Why is it that whenever you mention the name Jesus to people, they get offended. When you mention Buddha, Ghandi or Mohhamed they just think you are weird. The name JESUS has always made people feel uncomfortable. Why is it that we have to create an alternative to the Christmas and Easter holidays, but when it comes to the month of June, we celebrate 30 days of "Pride: with no alternative. We have to accept it all. Jesus gets two days and others get a whole month. Why is it that we brush over one of the greatest events in the history of mankind, Jesus dying on the cross and rising again on the third day but because we don't want people "offended," we focus on a bunny, tell kids he is visiting each home and enjoy your candy and goodies! Why is it that if I yell out at my job at Trader Joe's, "Easter is all about the death and resurrection of Jesus", that is offensive to people, and I could get fired doing that. Yet, a Drag Queen is allowed to go into a library and read a book to kids about Drag Queens and openly sharing their lifestyle with these kids. No one is taking offense to that, and it is encouraged in America. Sorry, but I don't get it! Even this past week, an NBA basketball player shared his opinion of Pride Day, and everyone is saying he is mentally ill. WOW!

     I certainly hope one day people we will all wake up as a country and realize what Easter, I mean Resurrection Sunday is really all about. The movie "A Passion for the Christ" was extremely graphic in depicting the crucifixion of Jesus. In my honest opinion, I don't think it was merely half as bad as to what Jesus really went through when he was crucified on the cross of Calvary. The whippings, beatings and punishment Jesus took for us was for our benefit. He took our place on that old, rugged cross for your sins and mine so that we could inherit eternal life through Him. Our debt was paid for us as the Roman soldiers nailed his hands and feet to the cross. They slapped him, spit on him, mocked him and beat him. They even struck a spear in his side. He didn't fight back because he knew he needed to show everyone he was and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This will always be the greatest event in the history of mankind! When I became a Born-Again Christian, everything changed for me. I looked forward to going to church and celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus! What an amazing demonstration of love!

     So, to conclude, thanks but no thanks Mr. Easter Bunny. All that stuff is fun and the kids love it. I used to do an Easter Egg Hunt at my church for preschoolers to get families to attend church. It was fun but it's not what Easter is about. Chocolate bunnies, jellybeans and colored eggs will never compare to what took place on Mt. Calvary as Jesus was crucified, died, his body was placed in a tomb, and he rose again on that third day. That is why we celebrate Resurrection Sunday every spring! Let's never forget about this great celebration. It should be something we celebrate every single day. I pray you have a blessed Resurrection Sunday, and I pray you accept Jesus Christ into your heart. Always remember how much he loves you! His free gift of eternal life is for all who accept and receive Him. Don't let a day go by without knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior!     

HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY EVERYONE!! 

DEALING WITH THE LOSS OF A DEAR FRIEND

 

                                                  

JASON LUNDGREN 1964-2026

      

I had just got home in between my jobs. I will never forget sitting on my porch as my phone vibrated and the message I received said, "Jason Lundgren has passed away this morning." Those are words you never want to read, especially about someone you have known the majority of your life! Jason was 61 years of age and he will be missed. I have never ever had to deal with seeing a dear friend pass away. It is very weird. I know Jason is no longer suffering and is worshipping his savior in heaven. I wanted this blog to celebrate Jason's life but also to talk about how we deal with a close friend passing away.

     I can't pinpoint when I exactly met Jason. It was either at Couriers Camp, Sunday School or Youth Group around 1979 in New York. I was always at church as a teen. At church, a group of us all became good friends including Buddy, Walter, Rich, Jeff, my brother Mike, Jason and myself. None of us drank or partied. To this day I still don't know what to do if I walked into a bar. I was never a part of that scene. It was always our desire to be close to the Lord, to grow in Him and to be faithful at church. We all loved Christian Rock music but most of all we always laughed and had a great time. I have fond memories of hanging out after church at the Villager Diner but also laughing and hanging out in the church parking lot right by Jason's truck after a Wednesday night service. As I got involved in ministry to kids at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle, Jason joined our Puppet Ministry and also helped me out at our Sunday night Super Church program and our Wednesday night summer King's Kids Club.

     To describe Jason in a few words it would have to be "A funny guy who made you laugh but was also a true friend to all." He used to come out with some very funny comments through the years. I still laugh when I think about them. I think he broke a Guiness Book of World Records for being an usher in the most weddings.  He was in my wedding party along with my brother Mike's wedding and so many others. I have fond memories of us all going to the movies, going bowling but also playing Trivial Pursuit at either his house or my house. I also have memories going on trips with him, Walter, Mike and Buddy first visiting Buddy in Nashville, TN and also all going to Disney World in Orlando, FL, my first time there! We all also went on our TNT (Twenties and Thirties) retreats at Tuscarora Inn in Pennsylvania as well as going to Action Park and Great Adventure. Jason also had several nicknames including J.C., Guido and Ricky!

     As time marched on, we all got older, got married and had many responsibilities. After my wedding I was focused on my marriage, my ministry and having a child 11 months after my wedding date. I did not see Jason a whole lot except after church every once in a while. Life changes and those days of all of us going out after church, going to the movies and going on trips were no longer a thing. Since you have responsibilities, you have to focus on your family, your career and you need to pace yourself. I wish we had Facebook back in 1992 when I got married but the internet was not invented yet. If it was, I would have access to my high school and college friends. Unfortunately, you lose touch with people. I think looking back, I do feel bad that I did lose touch with Jason. It was not on purpose it's just life.  

     Jason never got to experience marriage, but he was able to save up money and purchase a co-op. He loved his Cadillac and he worked several jobs including one as a Security Guard, When I was driving a limo getting ready to pick up a client, I pulled up to his Security Guard booth at Computer Associates and surprised him. As always, he had a big smile on his face happy to see me. He had a heart of gold and was compassionate towards everyone. I will never forget when his friend Ron's father died, he asked me to officiate at the funeral and burial. He was extremely kind to Ron's family offering to drive his mom and sisters to the burial. I will never forget Ron's mom saying, "There is no one else in the world like Jason." What a great example of demonstrating God's love to a hurting family! 

     Dealing with Jason's death has been hard. I could not be there at his funeral being that I live 16 plus hours away. That is tough. My heart breaks for his brothers Dean, Robbie and sister Laura. They have all experienced death losing both their parents in the last 7 years or so. I don't know how people deal with death without knowing Jesus as their savior. I often think of myself and when it is time for me to go home to heaven. I know, just like Jason has now, there is a promise for all of us and for me that my reward is in heaven. It is not something I earned or deserve. It is a promise from God when I accepted Jesus into my heart. It makes me happy to know that Jason is no longer suffering. Jason had a dreaded sickness called Huntington's disease that affected his neurological system. He called barely walk and because he could not drive, he would walk to church. When church members offered to drive him, he would decline and it was hard to watch him struggle. He was determined to get to church on his own. The last time I saw Jason before I moved was at a Mexican restaurant in Smithtown. While we were enjoying our meal, I saw a man struggling to walk into the restaurant. I wasn't sure if it was Jason. It's a small restaurant on Maple Ave directly across the street from Jason's home. Before we left, I went over to him to say "Hello" and told him I was moving to Columbia, SC in about a month. He was happy to see me and always had a huge smile on his face. My heart broke to see him struggle even to eat his food. He got up to hug me and I told him, "You don't have to get up" but he insisted. I didn't realize then it would be my last time being face to face with him.

     I want to conclude by simply saying we should always be in touch with friends and family and tell them we love them. If you are married, tell your spouse you love them every time you leave the house or before you go to sleep. It might be your last time ever! Life is too short. I want to tell all my friends, family and loved ones "I LOVE YOU" and I certainly miss you all who are in New York as well as my PA family. I love my kids and miss them. Like any of you, I have tried my best to keep in touch with old friends on Facebook and, as you all know, I love to send jokes and play around. There are several things in life that are guaranteed and one of them is death. We don't know when the Good Lord wants to call us home. I know I still have more work to do here on earth but until then, as they say in the movie "Toy Story," "You've got a friend in me." Rest in Peace, Jason! One day we will all be in heaven together laughing and enjoying the presence of God! It won't be at the Villager Diner or by your truck, but it will be at a very amazing place, Heaven! 

          

HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!!

GIVE 100%

                         

      It was the fall of 1977. I had this crazy idea to join our Junior High Football team. I was 13 years old believing that I could be a great athlete. Boy did I have a wakeup call. I was a tall skinny kid and looked nothing like a football player. I admit it. I was too nice and too polite to be playing football. I thought maybe just maybe I could be the starting quarterback. That never happened. I played "Left Bench." I warmed the bench up for the "real players". I barely played! I recorded 2 tackles all season as I played Safety in a few games and, should I admit this? They couldn't find a helmet to fit my head. I had to share it with another player. That would never happen today! I always thought, "Wow! It would be so cool to wear our team jersey in the school hallways before a game. My classmates might think I'm a cool guy! We did it before our first game and after we won, our coach told us we had to wear a SHIRT & TIE! WHAT? So much for young girls being impressed with me. During one practice, the coach asked me to field punts. In a nutshell, I was being used as a "tackling dummy." It was not a great season of my life and let's just say I never played football at school again. Should I be shocked I was never asked to play in high school? On the bright side, our team went 6-0. An undefeated season. I had nothing to do with that. I guess I was there to cheer on my teammates. I can't believe that was 48 1/2 years ago!

     The coach was Mr. Snyder, who had a lot of success as a Junior High School football coach. During one practice he told our team "When you run with that football, your goal is to reach that end zone. Don't stop moving your legs. Keep running." We did several drills and Mr. Snyder made sure we were in good shape. Coach always emphasized, "Give 100%." I always held onto that. In my brief and pathetic football career, I learned I had to give 100% in playing the game. Although football was not my gift, there were other gifts I later discovered in life. What I did learn is in everything you do, give 100%!

     I admit that I struggled in school as a student. I tried my best and I am proud to say, after a rough high school academically I later did receive a college degree. I gave it my best shot and worked hard for that degree. I got hired as a pastor not because of my grades or degrees. It was because of my heart and my abilities. I always gave it 100%. The church leaders and my Senior Pastor, Pastor Forseth saw in me someone who had a gift in doing children's ministry. I always made a vow that as I was doing ministry, I would always give it 100%! 

     I did not first learn to give 100% from a football coach. That lesson came directly from my parents. Even as a child I was taught to "always give it my all" It didn't matter if it was playing in a Little League game, going to school or just living life, my mom and dad taught me that "in everything you do, always give it 100%". Great advice. I was a very active kid. I loved playing sports, especially street hockey. I was also very competitive. When I played, I played hard. It didn't matter if it was in the streets, in our driveway, in gym class or at my college gym, I gave it my best. What strikes me funny is that in high school and well into college, I was a very lazy kid. I loved staying up late at night watching TV and I was impossible to wake up in the morning, just ask my mom! 

     When God called me to work in children's ministry, my desire to give 100% continued and never died. My goal was to one day become a children's pastor. I worked hard towards that goal by creating ministries for kids, traveling doing puppet shows and being a graduate of the "School of Hard Knocks." My goal was accomplished in 1991 when I was offered a position as a Children's Pastor at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle.

     To conclude, I hope in everything you do whether it is work, family, relationships, playing sports or even doing yard work, I hope you always give 100% in all you do. Here is a scripture verse:

    Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working 

for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

       Let's give 100% in everything we do! It's worth it and the end result is always worth it! Even better, when you do it as unto the Lord ... Look out!!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK, FRIENDS!! 

A LESSON WE CAN LEARN FROM JOHN STEPHEN AKHWARI

 

     John Stephen Akhwari has an amazing story and it's something we can certainly learn from in life. So, who is this man and what is his story? John Stephen Akhwari is a marathon runner from the African country of Tanzania. He competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics. He was born in 1938 and is very well known in the continent of Africa for his running skills. He finished first in the African Marathon Championships before he went to the 1968 Summer Olympics which was in Mexico City. What happened to him and how he reacted is what this blog is about.

     John Stephen Akhwari represented his country of Tanzania during the 1968 Summer Olympics. I'm sure he was very excited to participate and represent his country. He trained in Tanzania for several years and I'm sure he hoped he would get a medal in the marathon. During the race in Mexico City, tragedy struck. Akhwari fell! He badly hurt his shoulder and dislocated his knee. Medics came and bandaged his knee thinking they would take Akhwari to the hospital. WRONG! Akhwari insisted that he continue running the race! Why would he want to do that? He had no chance to get a medal and it would take an eternity for him to finish the race. Akhwari never gave up. He ran, he walked, he stumbled all on a dislocated knee and with an injured shoulder. The marathon came to an end and the winner Mamo Wolde finished with a time of 3:25:27. Akhwari finished a little more than an hour after the winner. He came in last place as 57 other competitors finished ahead of him. 

     Getting back to the race, as the sun was setting and there were maybe a thousand people still in the Olympic stadium, Akhwari stumbled into the stadium trying desperately to have enough strength to cross the finish line. At the same exact time, medals were being distributed to the Olympic marathon winners, Gold, silver and bronze, at a different location. When word reached those at the medal ceremony that Akhwari entered the Olympic stadium, the television network who was producing the Summer Olympics immediately sent reporters and a camera crew to the Olympic Stadium to interview Akhwari. A reporter asked him, "Why didn't you give up when you knew you had no chance of winning the race?"Akhwari, in obvious pain responded, "My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race." He also said, "I never thought about stopping."

     Friends, this is an amazing story I recently read about all about never quitting. I'm sure there have times in your life where you have quit either a job, volunteering somewhere or maybe with a relationship? Nobody ever remembers the names of people who quit. In my several jobs, I can't remember the names of people I have worked with who quit after one day. They are usually forgotten. You never see the names of people who quit in the middle of running the New York City marathon. I'm sure there are thousands of names throughout the years. We should never give up and quit. There is that old saying "Quitters never win, and winners never quit!"  I often think about Jesus. He never quit on us. Imagine if he quit and said, "I can't die on the cross. This is too much for me." Life would be different for us. I'm so glad Jesus never quit and I'm glad to this day he never quits on us. He is there for us 24/7. He never quit. What a great example to us. We should never quit.

To conclude, Akhwari never ever had a thought of quitting that marathon. It was not even a thought. Because of his actions, he was recognized in his country as a hero. In spite of a difficult situation, Akhwari never quit. With a dislocated knee and a injured shoulder, he pressed on and eventually finished his race...even if he came in last place! I still can't believe he ran on a dislocated knee!The Bible tells us in Philippians 3:14, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." The word "Quit" should never be a part of our vocabulary. Let's follow the example of John Stephen Akhwari, even though this incident occurred almost 58 years ago. Don't quit! Press on! Our prize is waiting for us in heaven! Keep pressing on, friends!  

Here's a video of John Stephen Akhwari!!     

       

DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD

 

     DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD, AND HE WILL 

GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART - PSALM 37:4. 

     I have read that verse several times and I have certainly tried my best to live by it. I look at it as a reminder of how important delighting yourself in the Lord is. The word "Delight" means "a high degree of gratification or pleasure." I'm sure for yourself there are several things that give you pleasure. I think of members of my own family. My grandfather, my Dad's Dad found pleasure whenever he went fishing. He had an assortment of fishing supplies in his basement and garage. My Dad found pleasure when he was in the basement doing woodwork. He built several pieces of furniture. My sister has a kitchen table he made. His workshop had had several power tools, and he had cigar boxes in his cabinet filled with nails and screws. He loved doing woodworking. He also loved his vegetable garden. It gave him pleasure when he walked into the house with fresh tomatoes, zucchini, squash and string beans. Unfortunately, some of us find pleasure with things that are not good for you. Alcohol and illegal drugs are abused every day bringing temporary pleasure to so many. Abusing these things cause major addiction and so many lives being destroyed. I thank God I have never had this problem. I hear from sources that the effects of drugs will give pleasure to you personally. However, it is short lived and like I said before, it does result in major problems that affect your life and the lives of others, including your family.

     The above verse from Psalm 37:4 has always been misquoted. So many people look at the second part of that verse and ignore the first part. "The Bible says God will give me the desires of my heart, bless God!", many say. Unfortunately, this is where we get that ugly "Name it and claim it" or the "Blab it and grab it" theology that, in my opinion is not biblical. You hear, "God doesn't want you to be poor, He doesn't want you to struggle financially. He will give you the desires of your heart." Or how about "You deserve a Cadillac or a Mercedes Benz. It will be in your driveway if you claim it, brother!" I do agree that God does give you the best, but does his "best" have to be a brand-new sports car or a lot of money in your bank account? Whatever happened to reflecting on the first part of Psalm 37:4?  "Delight yourself in the Lord...    

     "Delighting yourself in the Lord" is where it is at. I have learned I need to stop treating God like my "Magical Genie", but to treat him like "My Savior." He is NOT this great big Santa Claus up in the sky who will give me whatever I want. He will give "meet my needs according to his riches in glory." (Philippians 4:19). I have also learned that "Delight" does not come from what I do for the Lord in ministry, but from my heart. I must must must do what Psalm 37:4 says first. Delighting myself in Him! I need to take delight in Him and put my focus on pleasing Him in every way. I have to stop being a spoiled child complaining that "I never get what I want." Instead, I need to find pleasure in my savior. I need to thank Him for what I do have and stop complaining about what I don't have. If God said yes to every one of my prayer wants, I'm sure I would probably go nuts and end up in a room at Pilgrim State (which is a Psych Ward in New York). I take delight in my savior, Jesus Christ. I know He knows what's best for me. When I do that, THEN "he will give me the desires of my heart." This life is not a sprint, but a marathon. I am still learning, even at 62! 😀

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK AND THANKS FOR READING MY BLOG!

DON'T BE STALE!

 

     

     Imagine going into a nice Italian Restaurant for a great meal. You enter with your loved one and you are seated at a nice table in a quiet corner by a Hostess. After you get seated and handed a menu, one of the restaurant employees brings you a basket of hot, fresh Italian Bread! Yum! You grab a piece of bread, put some butter on it and as your mouth is watering, you take a bite. Yuck! It's as hard as a rock and ... it's stale! Your loved one figures, "Maybe it's just that one piece?" They do the same thing and guess what? The whole breadbasket is stale! Your waitress walks up to your table asking, "Are you ready to order?" You tell her the breadbasket you were given has all stale bread. "Would you please give us some fresh Italian bread?" She says, "Oh, I am so sorry. Let me take that away and get you both a fresh batch of hot, Italian bread in a basket." She returns with a new basket and the problem is solved. Fresh, new Italian bread! 

     No, this blog is not about bread or food. I do work two jobs that have to deal with food so I'm around it all the time. It is very rare working at Chick Fil-A where I have heard a guest walk up and say, "The bread on this sandwich is stale!" Maybe 2 times in working there over ten years. This blog is about our lives and how we are living in the moment. Are we stale around others? Do we seem very enthusiastic around other people?

     Have you ever looked around and said to yourself, "Am I really making a difference in this world? When people look at me on a daily basis, what do they see?" Recently, while I was on a register at Trader Joe's, it was very slow. We were about to close in about an hour. I started thinking to myself, "What do people see when they see me? Do they see an enthusiastic guy? Do they see an old, tired guy who is working hard? Do I come across as stale?" And the important question. "Do they see Jesus in me?" Let me be transparent! I am working very hard on not being stale. Not a whole lot of people know about my ministry background here in South Carolina. I am not called Pastor Dave. I am Dave! People don't care what I have accomplished, nor do they ask and that's okay. In New York, when I was Pastoring, I would be introduced by people and that person would share all my accomplishments. It would be embarrassing many times, but it did feel good. I'm sure that person would look at me thinking, "Wow, that guy is really on fire for God." I have realized that regardless of my title in a church and the jobs I have, I don't want people to look at me as being a stale person. I want them to see Jesus in me whether I am taking orders outside at Chick Fil-A, opening boxes of frozen food at Trader Joe's or walking into a Walmart to buy food. 

     Maybe you don't attend church and don't understand what it means "Putting Jesus first in your life." How about doing "random acts of kindness" for others? How about just sharing a smile with someone? Trust me when I say I see a lot of unhappy, miserable people ordering food or purchasing food. It makes me sad to see this. I don't want to be that person who will make their day even worse. I certainly do not know what they are going through or what is making them unhappy. I don't want to be stale when I interact with them. I want to be that person who puts a smile on their face (even if it's a forced smile) 😁. 

     So, to conclude, let us never appear to others as a stale person or stale personality. Going back to that Italian bread, it was recognized almost right away how stale it was. It was certainly not something favorable or enticing. There needed to be a change. I have made my own personal vow in 2026 and beyond that even if I am tired, cranky or feeling down, I still want to come across to others as a positive, friendly person. Certainly not stale. People want friendly and positive. Stale is a "turn off." I hope you all feel the same way!

THANK YOU FOR READING! HAVE A GREAT WEEK!    

VALENTINE'S DAY

 

     Valentine's Day has always been a day where you celebrate love! It could be your spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend and your kids. The local flower shops and 1-800 FLOWERS do very well financially to sell flowers and of course. most men do it last minute. At your local Dollar Tree, you will always see people looking for just the right Valentine's Day card and other stores sell candy with delicious heart shaped boxes of chocolate. There have been several proposals on Valentine's Day and, if the weather will cooperate in New York, some beautiful weddings. Hopefully not during a snowstorm. Many of you may not know but Valentine's Day was not just thought up one day and made up by men who were bored. There was a real Valentine. It was actually St. Valentine. Let's explore!

     There are several myths to how Valentine's Day came about. The first myth goes back to third century Rome. A local priest absolutely despised Emperor Claudius the Second. This Priest would secretly perform wedding ceremonies for soldiers even though it was against the law.  Since they were legally married, they would not have to go fight in a war. When Claudius found out about this, he had that Priest arrested and beheaded for going against his orders and laws. At the same time of this Priests arrest, the second myth is about a Catholic Bishop named Saint Valentine of Terni. He was also arrested and beheaded by Claudius for officiating wedding ceremonies which was against the law. The third myth is about a man named Valentine. He was arrested and put in jail for helping Christian prisoners in the Roman jails. This Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter and he wrote her messages from jail. The last one he wrote her said, "From your Valentine." Valentine's Day started out as a "Religious Holiday" and that would change years later. By the 1840, Valentine cards were being sent to loved ones because they believe Valentine's death was on February 14th! To this very day, we celebrate Valentine's Day to celebrate love for those we care about and love.

     As I reflect on Valentine's Day, of course I think about those who love me very much, but I also think a lot about how much God loves me. To think that He sent His one and only son to this earth to die on the cross for my sins just blows me away. That my friend's is true love! Of course it is important to give your loved one's flowers, a Valentine's Day card and maybe even a box of chocolates (yum) 😋! They certainly need to know you love them and care about them and, in my opinion, they need to be told this every single day. 

     When I sit back and reflect on Valentine's Day, I am grateful for those who love me. I know there are several people out there who have lost a loved one or maybe never found that right relationship where they would feel loved by someone special. I hope you realize more than anything you have a God who loves you so much. John 3:16, the most memorized verse in the Bible tells us, "For God so loved the world, that he gave His one and only Son; that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life." True love! A God who loves us! That's what it's all about!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!!

MY HEART BREAKS FOR THE HOMELESS!!

 

     It was 1991. Our church was hosting a Christmas Dinner for the homeless. I had just started as a Pastor, and I was curious about this event our church hosted for the first time. Our church, Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle, had just started supporting a local ministry called "Hope for the Future" whose director was Diane Dunne. She had a warehouse in Farmingdale, NY filled with food and supplies, and she would go into New York City and feed the homeless and needy twice a week. Six years later, I would later join her as a Board Member, and I also wrote articles for her newsletter. 

     Being a young Pastor and being curious, I wanted to know what they did at this event. I walked into the gym and many of our church members and the homeless were having relay races. All I could say as I walked into the gym was, "Wow, the smell is horrible!" 💩 When you don't shower, you smell. I was not very sympathetic. 😞As I entered the courtyard by the church offices, Diane Dunne, who I barely knew at the time walked over to me and asked me if I saw a gentleman named Freddie. She described to me what he looks like and boy, was she in a panic. I couldn't understand why until she told me he was a pyromaniac. WHAT? I didn't stay to volunteer, but I drove home with a bad attitude and thinking to myself, "Why can't these people just go out and get a job. Why are they so lazy? Just get a job at McDonald's flipping burgers!" Little did I know back then God wanted to do a work in my heart and give me a heart for those in need. Here's my brief story! My Readers Digest version.

     After starting as a Children's Pastor and looking for opportunities to minister, I was invited to come to NY City and join one of the Hope for the Future Ministries outreaches. I will never forget my first one. It was August 1994. I brought a group of adults with me, and we did a program in a park using puppets, clown skits and music. At the end of the program, I became very sick and could barely stand up. On the ride home I laid in the back of the van moaning. The whole ceiling was spinning around. I had the flu big time!

     Diane Dunne was very impressed with my ministry. When I formed Kids in Missions in 1996, I would bring the kids to her warehouse to help her out by making sandwiches and stocking food. I also brought kids into the city to do ministry at Thompkins Square Park. That Christmas Dinner for the homeless dinner I first attended? Well, I became the Keynote Speaker for several years. I will never forget after one Homeless Dinner event, a member from our church, Ron Kennedy told me he drove the homeless "home" after the dinner in the church bus. He told me how his heart broke when he pulled up to a park in Manhattan. He opened the bus door and watch everyone pile out into the cold night. They were not going home. They were back out on the streets. His heart broke, and yes, so did mine! God gave me a heart for the homeless and needy.

     After one event, Diane asked me if I would become a Board Member of Hope for the Future Ministries. I have to confess that after sharing at the Annual Christmas Dinner and going into the city to do ministry, I started having a bigger heart for the homeless and those in need. I actually told several people that if I ever got tired of doing kids ministry, my second and third choices would be ministry to the homeless and kids ministry. 

     Today as I now reside in South Carolina, I see the homeless every day. They walk up and down the busy street I work both jobs at on Harbison Blvd. While driving through shopping centers I see them laying down on benches in the extreme heat trying to get rest at our local Walmart. Many times, when I walk to my car after my Chick Fil-A shift, they will walk up to me and ask me for money. They come into Chick Fil-A asking for drinks, food and cups of ice. There are a few who are banned from coming onto our restaurant property because they have caused several disturbances. We have had to call the Police on them unfortunately. It is heartbreaking. 

     So, to conclude, I pray you all see the needs of others and begin to get a heart not only for the needy, but for people. It doesn't matter if you are in New York City, Columbia, South Carolina, Miami, Florida or Bismark, North Dakota. There are needy people and needs everywhere you go. We live in a society that says, "It's all about you. No one else matters. Do what feels best for you. Don't worry about everyone else." But Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 - "When you do it to the least of these, you have done it unto me." I pray all get a heart for those in need and for the "least of these. Every day I think God for what I do have. I don't want to be selfish. I want to have a heart that pleases God. That is important to me. I hope you want to please him also!         

HAVE WE REACHED OUR FULL POTENTIAL YET???

 

     

          Have you reached your full potential? Maybe you are like me. I went to Bible College to become a missionary, and I came out as a Children's Pastor. I changed my major a few times. I wasn't settled on it, even as a 19-year-old kid. I have met several people who have amazing potential, but they never reach that full potential. Some were amazing athletes. Some were amazing in ministry. Some had the potential to be great leaders. For whatever reason they lost their drive and desire to reach their goals due to circumstances and bad decisions. Unfortunately, they never reached their full potential. 

     This coming Sunday is Super Bowl number 60. The New England Patriots play the Seattle Seahawks. The 2 starting quarterbacks are Drake Maye and Sam Darnold. Both these players have always had the goal in life to play in the Super Bowl. I'm sure when they were in high school or college, they daydreamed about being the starting quarterback in the big Super Bowl game. I'm sure the other players on their team dreamed the same dream. Their goal as a professional athlete is not only to reach the Super Bowl, but to win the game. 

     In life, do we feel as though we have reached our full potential? In our job? As a parent? In a relationship? I have had a good life. I can't deny that! I have always given every employer 100%. I will confess that at a young age I was very lazy. It took some motivation from people for me to rise above that and to get motivated. Beginning at age 24, I became very motivated to reach my potential in everything I did. Sometimes I succeeded and sometimes I failed. I was trying to find my "niche," and I did when I started in children's ministry and I eventually became a Children's Pastor. 

     Lately, I have been thinking a lot about what it means as an almost 62-year-old what reaching your full potential looks like. I know I have accomplished a lot in ministry, and I am certainly not bragging. I give all the glory to God. With changes happening and my involvement with children's ministry being less and less, I have put my focus more on writing and blogging. I realize I am not going to be Max Lucado or Stephen King and that's okay. I'll just be David Harff. I will reach my full potential by doing one thing. Just writing. Sitting behind my laptop and doing it. Giving it my all. 

     We all can reach our full potential by one simple step. Giving it our all. We all have special gifts and talents. I will never be known as a great chef or financial genius. Just ask my family about how my father laughed uncontrollably when he heard the Friendly's restaurant hired me to operate the kitchen grill. That job only lasted 6 weeks! 

     Reaching our full potential takes determination, drive and others to "cheer you on." The worst thing you could ever tell someone is "You can't do it" or "You are wasting your time." Could you imagine if Babe Ruth's mom told him, "Stop playing with that baseball" or Michael Jordan's parents told him "You are wasting your time shooting baskets. Now go practice that cello!" Or if Tom Hanks family told him, "Acting school? You will never make it. Learn carpentry. You will do better financially." Our world would be a different place and those people I mentioned would be miserable. They would never reach their full potential in life. 

     I have done plenty of "soul searching since I've moved to South Carolina. I know I have blogged before about making changes as I get older (and wiser) 😁, My full potential can be accomplished only by me and no one else. I have to have the drive and motivation. Nobody will do it for me. After soul searching for quite a while, I do feel good about where I am at and where I am headed. I just want to put Jesus first in my life and keep my focus on Him! Until the day He calls me home, I will strive to reach my full potential in my work, writing, ministry and relationships. I am not perfect whatsoever. I just want to do my best.

THANKS FOR READING AND I HOPE YOU REACH YOUR FULL POTENTIAL ALSO!

COMPLAINING

 

     Complaining. It's something we all do. Some more than others. Some complain about work and church. Some about their family or their neighbors. Some, well, they just can't help it but all they do is complain. "It's hot out. My boss is annoying me. I can't believe I have to spend Thanksgiving with my brother-in-law. My car keeps breaking down. I wish my company would give me a raise." You all know what I mean. We have all been there! 

     While serving as a Chick Fil-A manager, I heard several complaints from guests. One guest, while I was collecting money at the drive thru window called corporate on me because I wouldn't give him 37 sauces. He ordered 2 meals. 37 sauces is very excessive. Would you agree? Another guest wanted to challenge me to a fight because he decided to change his order last minute to a large meal after I already took his money. I kindly made a suggestion to him that the next time he orders, just make sure you say, "I want a large meal." He didn't like that and asked if I would meet him out back after work. Apparently, he was "on the spectrum" and no, he was not in the parking lot when I left work that day. I also heard several people complain their orders were wrong and my all-time favorite was always, "Excuse me, I didn't get fries with my Chick Fil-A sandwich entree."  Exactly! 

     I am not writing about others complaining. I am writing about us. Yes! That person you see when you look in the mirror. Have you ever been around someone who constantly complains? Have you ever found yourself doing the same thing and joining in? As a young pastor who didn't know any better, I made the mistake of meeting with a board member and sharing with him my "frustrations." I did not agree with how things were going and I thought it would make a difference. Maybe just maybe changes would be made. They weren't. I was about 29 years old, and I regret ever meeting with this board member. My "complaining" got me nowhere. To this very day, I have learned to stop myself whenever I complain. I have a select few people I do confide in whenever I do need to vent. Complaining gets us nowhere. So, what is complaining? Mr. Google says its, "The expression of dissatisfaction or annoyance about something." We are all human. We all complain. Trust me when I say there are several times in my life when I was dissatisfied with a job, a church or a family situation. Being very young, I would complain excessively hoping at least my complaining would make a difference. As an almost 62-year-old man, I will let you know from experience that COMPLAINING GETS YOU NOWHERE! Sure, you might feel better venting, but it will not change the situation.

     The bible does talk about complaining. In fact, God encourages us to complain to him. Psalm 142:1, 2 says, "I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble." So, to wrap up this blog, I want to encourage you all to take a break from complaining Do you have a complaint? Talk to God about it! Psalm 142 tells us to "pour out our complaint and tell him our troubles." God wants to hear our "complaints" even if they might seem very petty. I have had several times in my car and during my quiet time when I have let God know my complaints and frustrations, especially when it comes to finances. I have always felt better when my rant was over. I'm so glad God never turns a deaf ear to us! Thank goodness he doesn't say, "Wow! I really wish he would stop his nonsense and grow up!" Thank you, God, for loving us in spite of our complaining!

     I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A BLESSED WEEK! THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!   

IS IT REAL??

 

     Yes, I realize I posted a picture of the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Christmas was 25 days ago, and Easter is on April 5th. This is a blog about belief and knowing what is real. Speaking on that, I will never forget where I was when I found out Santa Claus was not real. I was in 4th grade, and I was talking to 2 other kids about Christmas. I was probably the only kid who believed Santa was real even at 10 years of age. We were talking about Christmas and I blurted out, "I wish Christmas was every single day!" One of the kids said, "If that was true your parents would be broke." I said, "What do you mean? Santa comes to our house!" Well, let's just say that comment caused me to get made fun of by several classmates, which was very embarrassing, especially since I was such a mature 4th grader ... NOT! I was humiliated but I learned that the fat chubby guy with a white beard and red suit was all made up. It was all in good fun. "Santa isn't real! How could you believe that, Harff?" That's when I found out Santa was a fake and my mom later confirmed it. I then figured out the tooth fairy was also fake. I always wondered why he or she had to use the small Dixey cups from our bathroom to put change in when he couldn't supply his own cups. It was left under my bed when I was asleep. Then lastly, it was the Easter Bunnies turn to learn of his history. I always envisioned him as some guy in a bunny costume and not a real bunny. I knew he didn't come down our chimney, so I guess he had a key for our house. He was not real. It was time for me to grow up. Just ask my mom, I did not want to grow up. Working as a children's pastor and talking to puppets is living proof I haven't grown up! 

     I often wonder how kids today view God. If they are fooled into believing in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, do they believe God is real? When you teach them about Jesus, do they think he is going to bring them presents and leave money under their pillow? Do they think he only shows up once a year? Does he make all your dreams come true? We know God loves us, but like Santa is he making a list, checking it twice trying to figure out if you are naughty or nice? Do kids believe he is just another fairy tale? My mom shared with me several years ago about how when she was young, they would recite a prayer in school every day before classes began. Today, you are not allowed to pray in schools. God is not taught in schools anymore. It breaks my heart to hear that the New York City Mayor took his oath to office with his hand on a Koran, not a Bible. 

     In spite of what the world and schools tell our kids that God is not real and there are other paths to happiness, I know for a fact God is real. I have heard his still small voice. I have seen him work in my life and I have sensed his presence through good times and bad. When I read the bible, he speaks to me, I have read the bible several times and I will confess I learn something new each time I read it. I don't claim to be a bible scholar. I am just a regular guy who loves Jesus, I love His word and just want to be close to him. It saddens me to hear how schools would rather teach children about meditation, New Age Theology and Astrology. The very thought of teaching them about God "goes against the laws of church and state." How sad! In the last several years, after school Satan programs have also been formed starting in Florida. Their premise is "Let's make the devil fun for kids!" Fun? Seriously? I realize Bible Clubs are allowed also but many of them go through such grief to get started. So sad!

     I pray that God is real in your life. Put him first! He will never let you down! I always laugh when people say, "You are very religious" or "I guess religion works for you." The definition of "religion" is "belief in a supernatural power." Religion is man-made! All "religions" were ideas created by men looking for answers to life. In fact, all of these so called "god's" these people worship and believe in are all dead. Buddha, Muhammed, Hare Krishna, all Hindu god's ... all buried in the ground. But Jesus is alive. His tomb is empty! Forget about them! I am talking more about a RELATIONSHIP with God. That's where the "rubber meets the road" friends! That's what has made a difference in my life. I pray you take the same road and have a personal relationship with Jesus! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!!

LIFE CHANGES

 

     This blog has a double meaning. We go through life changes, as life changes. In other words, changes take place in our lives after 60 years, but we all need to make that decision to make changes on our own when it comes to life. Okay, I know this sounds like an old Abbott and Costello routine like "Who's on first?" I have discovered a lot about myself in the last few years. I have done a lot of soul searching. I need to make changes in me as I go forward in life. Maybe you do as well?

     Last summer at my church I was playing frisbee with two brothers who were waiting for their mom to finish a class. One of the brothers threw the frisbee high in the air. I went running as fast as I could to catch that frisbee. The two brothers were laughing so hard at me and one of them said really loud, "I have never seen you run before! That was funny." I answered, "I'm not too old to run!" Honestly, I can't remember the last time I ran before that frisbee run. Maybe it was the last time I went for a long jog in my neighborhood, probably in 2018. 

     While taking orders outside at Chick Fil-A here in South Carolina, a man probably 10 years older than me looked at me and jokingly said, "I was hoping to see a nice-looking young lady to take my order, not an old guy like you!" Thanks a lot, sir! Whenever I go outside to take orders with a fellow team member Donnie who is 57 years old, we are dubbed "The Old Guys" and make jokes with our guests and try to give them a good laugh. Sometimes we pretend we can't hear and hold onto our backs like we are in pain. We have fun! Donnie and I tell each other "Dad jokes." 

     At my new job at Trader Joe's, I have been asked to help close the store with several other workers. I looked around the store after we closed and realized I was the oldest one there. My bosses are the same age as my kids! I was the only worker there with gray hair. The next day, I was happy to see a lady with gray hair closing but, of course, I did not ask her how old she was! 😃

     Back at Chick Fil-A, this time in Commack, NY, a group of young girls are talking about their favorite singers and songs. I have no clue what they were talking about so, being the jokester that I am I turned to another team member who is close to my age and said out loud, "Hey, have you heard the latest 8-track from the Bay City Rollers? Wasn't it far out?" You should have seen the looks I got from those young ladies. Blank stares! 😀 

     Next month I am turning 62. I have to admit my body feels like it's going to be 62 every morning. I wake up with the same back and shoulder pain. I sometimes make "my father's noise" when I get out of bed. I realize I can't do the things I did when I was 15. Back then I loved playing sports ... football, baseball, street hockey, tennis ...I stunk at playing basketball! I do admit one thing. My body says it will be 62, but many times my brain tells me I am turning 22. I don't come home from work and grab a basketball and shoot baskets like I did after school as a kid. Many times, I sit on my couch so I can catch my breath. I do like to go to the gym, and I realize I am not going there to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, but to try to improve on Dave Harff's health. Life changes!

     So, life does change. We grow old. We need to adjust with those changes, and, in a sense, we need to make life changes. There are things I cannot do that I did 25-30 years ago. I need to make adjustments. Yes, I admit, it's time to slow down. Did I just write that? I love staying active, but I also realize I need to make those necessary life changes. I learned this past year that my days as a children's pastor are probably over. I'm sure a local church would rather have a young guy or girl leading their kid's ministry instead of a gray-haired guy. I know I have the experience, but I also know it's time to "turn the page" and move on to other things. It doesn't mean I plan on stopping with Grandpa Lou and company. My goal is to go into libraries with a program to encourage kids in their lives but most of all to be a "light in the darkness." I have developed a character I call "Inspector Chili Beanie" who will bring the kids on a "super sleuth" adventure at my proposed library program. I also see myself getting involved in a local ministry more so than a church. Possibly with the needy. There are needs everywhere so by the end of this year, after my sabbatical, my prayer is to be involved somewhere. Please keep me in prayer about this.  

     I would like to end by quoting a line from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. "Life moves pretty fast! If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Life does move fast! I just want to enjoy every second the Good Lord has me here. I want to make a difference in our world. It could be from my writing, doing a library program or doing whatever he is calling me to do. I just want to enjoy my life changes as we enter the second half of this decade. Who knows how much more time I have here? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God." I have clearly learned to be thankful during the good, the bad and the ugly things in life. As long as I am breathing here on earth I just want to give and do my best! How about you?

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND HAVE A GREAT LIFE, FRIENDS!!