"EVERYTHING"

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)


I believe when the Bible says "Everything" it means “Every-Thing”


Here is a picture of my 2003 Chevy Silverado along the roadside of the Lee Highway (US Route 11) in Glasgow, Virginia in 2008. She was in pretty good shape in those days and I still have her these 12 years later. She is older now, with lots of rust spots due to 14 winter seasons of road salt to combat the New York snow and ice. A couple of weeks ago my brakes began making terrible crunching and grinding noises, rivaling any coffee grinder I’ve heard. So off to the local automotive repair shop to drop off the truck and have the brakes repaired. I was not ready for the extent of the damage Crabapple Automotive found once my truck was up on the lift and they were able to make a full assessment. Melissa from Crabapple Auto called to let me know that all the years of New York road salt had really taken a toll on my brake lines and that I would also need new pads, calipers, and rotors. What I appreciate about Crabapple Automotive is that they were upfront with me and said it may not be worth it to do all this costly work on my vehicle. I was heartsick at the idea of losing this reliable old Chevy truck. My wife and I discussed our choices, prayed, and weighed all the "Pros & Cons" We decided that the cost of repairs was equal to 2-3 payments for a new vehicle and that we really did not have any car payments hanging over our heads at this time. I called Crabapple Automotive back after a couple of days and asked some questions about what possible impact rust was having on the integrity of the truck's metal frame. I called and spoke with the Owner and Service Manager Grey Aselton. He assured me that he saw no rust issues with the frame. With all other systems operating well, and only 150,000 miles on the odometer, we decided to go ahead with the repairs.
The Old Silverado is running and braking like its brand new days and that makes me happy. Did I mention that I have a killer sound system with a 1000-watt subwoofer? I have to admit, I probably would have missed the sound system more than the truck…but for now, I don’t have to make any parting decisions.
I am thankful to Jesus Christ for answering our prayers and leading us to the right folks to do the repairs. Nothing is too small to bring to our God in prayer or to be thankful for. After all, He did say, “Everything.”

Thursday March 22, 2018 6AM

Hey Folks,

It’s been a while. Thanks for sticking around!
Life has been busy since the big move from Chappaqua, New York to Atlanta, Georgia last August. Saying goodbye to an old and familiar job to take on an entirely new career in Christian ministry has been a tremendous joy and a bit of a personal bumpy road for me to find my place outside my comfort zone, and allow for the expansion of my tent, so to speak.

As April approaches, with it comes to a looming shadow of the Anniversary of my Dad's passing from this life into eternity. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him, or a thought to call him to talk about the upcoming New York Yankees season, or just what's been going on in my new surroundings.
I am so thankful to God for the peace of knowing Dad is with Him.

Please stay tuned, Lord willing there will be more to come.

The Death Of A Saint: We Really Never Say Goodbye, Only See You Later!

I attended a funeral at our church on Wednesday. (8/10/16) One of our Deacons, John, lost his mom to cancer. Maria, a member of Red Mills Baptist Church, was a beautiful Saint who always had a smile on her face, even with a disheartening diagnosis of cancer some months ago.
This was my first "True" Christian Funeral, and I am still overwhelmed by the dignity in mourning, not as the world mourns over the death of a saint.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Pastor James Harrison's Biblical and Gospel-centered remarks and sermon not only honored Maria, but the One True God Who gives, sustains, saves, and ultimately ends the Earthly life of all human beings, for His Glory.

Deacon John spoke with heartfelt emotion and loving eloquence about his mother's very full and well-lived life. He wanted to find a way to say "Goodbye" to his mother. But, when a Saint dies, they may leave us and this Earth, but they are not gone. Those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection will meet again in Heaven. Maria had encountered the true meaning of life, and real joy when she became a Christian several years ago. She found her identity in Jesus Christ through repentance and faith in Him alone.
She saw the change in her son John after he became a follower of Christ sometime before, and she wanted Jesus to save her too. And He did! There is no goodbye, only see you later.

She was baptized by Pastor Harrison in the very same sanctuary where her coffin was positioned for the funeral service. What beautiful imagery, a coffin reposing near the position where the deceased had once entered the waters of Baptism, to publicly proclaim her faith, and identify herself with the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It was simply amazing, like no other funeral I ever attended.
Pastor Harrison became even more profound to me that day. He is someone I truly want to emulate, and follow as he follows Jesus Christ.

"The Gift"

Today, April 25th is Veronika’s Birthday. For the past couple of weeks, we have been trying to figure out what to do to celebrate it properly. We talked about a trip to Quebec City, Canada, but figured we would wait until the weather grew a bit warmer later in the season.

We saw that Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko was fighting on April 25th in New York City, at Madison Square Garden against American Bryant Jennings for the World Heavy Weight Boxing Championship.
Believe me, we are not boxing devotees by any stretch of the imagination, but we feel a certain affinity with Klitschko being from Ukraine, as is my wife. Having been there with her a couple of times, the country of my wife’s birth has become very special to my heart. We tend to love those things which have “given” us our greatest joys. Out of Ukraine, my beloved Veronika came.

So we went online to see how much a ticket for the ‘Big Event’ was going for. $250.00 for the least expensive seats quickly turned our thought to alternatives. Could we purchase Pay-Per-View, Would there be some sports bar around offering a “Dinner & Fight Night Special?” We decided to play it by ear, and make a decision closer to the fight.

Veronika works for a wonderful husband and wife, caring for their little girl of almost 3 years old. They have been such a blessing to Veronika and me, and their daughter is the most precious little girl you will ever see.

When Veronika arrived to work on Thursday morning (April 23rd ) they asked if she had “Big” plans for her birthday weekend. She shared with them our inquiry into the fight and our choice of viewing options. They must have thought we were a bit odd, not being fight fans, and still wanting to experience such an event.
Friday morning I receive a phone call from Veronika at 7:37 AM. That’s odd I thought, as she just arrived at work for a 7:30 shift. After saying hello, she told me that the decision was made to where we would watch the fight. Of course, I’m thinking a sports bar in New York City was recommended, and maybe reservations were made. She then proceeded to tell me that when she arrived at work, her employers had an envelope for her. They told her to open it, she did and found two tickets:

World Championship Boxing
Wladimir Klitschko vs Bryant Jennings

Madison Square Garden
Saturday APR 25, 2015 7:00PM

To say we were floored by their generosity is a great understatement. What a very unnecessary, but most appreciated act of kindness they have lavished upon Veronika and me.
So tonight we will celebrate Veronika’s Birthday by going to the fights,
at the “Mecca of Boxing”, “The World’s Most Famous Arena” Madison Square Garden.

It’s more than just a boxing match. It’s celebrating a God-given heritage. It’s recognizing an accomplishment of someone from an underdog nation becoming a world champion. It’s experiencing the kindness and generosity of God through the events and people He selects to be a blessing to others.
We are very grateful to my wife’s employers, but we know that:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
James 1:17 (NKJV)

"Down She Goes"

Wretched is Moving...Todd Friel just sent a picture entitled “Down She Goes”(excuse me while I pick up that name I just dropped) It is bitter-sweet for me to see them leave this set that has been so comforting, and well, so Wretched for me. I know Todd and the entire Wretched Crew is excited about their new digs...Can't wait to see the new studio, and see what God will do with and through this amazing ministry. Praise God for Todd Friel, Joel Anderson, James Braaten, Tony Verkinnes, Adrian Rink, Won Jang, Blake Ashworth, Joe Wellness, Trish Ramos, Bruce Dorman, and any other Wretches I may have missed. Whether or not you guys know it, you are instruments beautifully played with the Master’s own hands that bring the saving Gospel of our Lord and King Jesus Christ to a world of false converts, and straight-out lost souls. We thank you for all your hard work, labor, and dedication to Jesus. Thank you for the sense of anticipation we get from the very first note of the theme song, or the glimpse of Todd’s tall frame standing in front of the elevator greeting us with a funny quip, or a profound thought just before he hits the button to start the show. Thank you 554 W. Main Street, you have served all very well, but now is the time to move on, the time to say farewell.

The Super Bowl Of Life

So Friends, got any big plans for this weekend? Have you been procrastinating something all week or longer and now you have no choice but to do it this weekend?

You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Boy, Al has really lost it, it’s Super Bowl Sunday, and what could be more important than that?” I know for some it is an extremely significant event. Others (like me) have no dog in the hunt, (Or should I say no dolphin in the tank) as I am a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan.
Even people who are not football fans watch just for the multi-million dollar commercials. Imagine that, we feel compelled to watch the premiere of these commercials that at first or maybe even a few times at best will cause us to laugh, think, or even cry. But inevitably, ad nauseam bombardment of the airwaves will most likely cause us to change the channel at the first flicker of its unmistakable light, the very first syllable of dialogue, or that oh-so-familiar first note of the soundtrack we all (like robots) uncontrollably hum from a remote cubbyhole in our vast and remarkable unconscious mind we forgot even existed.

I hope even with the “Big Game” looming on Sunday, you will take plenty of time for family, and maybe call that old friend you haven’t spoken to in too long a time. Remember that those we have in our lives are divinely there for a precise reason and purpose. Sadly life is as transient as a vapor in the wind, and the world spins more rapidly these days it seems with all life’s demands for our time and attention. In all the hoopla of Super Bowl Sunday make a game plan, don’t punt away the opportunity to reconnect with friends and loved ones. March down the field methodically (one down at a time) towards the goal line that waits ahead. In this life, there are plenty of incomplete passes, and we will find ourselves in many 4th and long situations. Huddle with those that matter, complete the pass, and then go for the extra points. Unlike the outcome of the Super Bowl, when we are connected and engaged in the game, everybody wins, with no penalty flags thrown, for all offenses can be forgiven… but only upon further review.

Autumn

The daylight just doesn’t seem to have that same strength to stretch as far into the summer evenings as it did. In the North East, there is a chill in the morning air, with welcome warmth as we make our way to the midday. Further north, apple pickers are enjoying the beginnings of color changes in foliage along with the landscapes. This is a beautiful season when all the fall colors are on display like a prized handmade quilt for us all to enjoy. I hope where you are, changes are happening around you. Things that help you see the ebb and flow of life, and help you to appreciate the seasons and unique gifts they bring. I encourage you to go out apple picking or grab that pumpkin for a great pie or two. Smell the air, listen to the birds, and hear the children laugh and giggle as they run through the orchard abandoning all fear. But most of all, just feel alive today, feel grateful for all you have, and the ones you love, and somehow love yourself back…Enjoy!

-Al