Day 43 - Never Lose Faith!

Happy Saturday everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather God has given us today. Let's make sure we thank Him today! Last night was fantastic. Kim and I went to the Tropicana in Atlantic City and got there around 6:00. We decided to check in and then walk to the outlet malls for some shopping. Great conversation and a beautiful night for a walk. We bought a couple necessities then went back to the casino to meet Brian & Jennifer for a 9:00 o'clock meal. We met them downstairs and walked over to the restatraunt and was seated right away. We had an amazing dinner and there was never a break in the conversation. We all had a really good time. 2 hours for dinner but that's because we all don't eat our food rare like Brian! After dinner they left to go home and Kim and I hit the sheets for bed. In the past, Kim would go to the room and I would drink and gamble all night. But it's different now, we really enjoyed being together, being with friends, and not leaving each other.
This morning we departed around 8am to get home because we have some friends coming over for a barbeque and some games. It should be a lot of fun.
The real reason for this post today is to share a story of my clients, John and Susan Dugan who have been with me for many years and only over the past 3-4 years have John and I become close. We would golf in the annual member guest tournament but would really never talk about life.
You see, I knew from meeting with them during tax season that they were having trouble conceiving a baby for many years. They are both similar in age to me and Kim. They have had many bouts of miscarriages during the past few years. And they have tried IBF numerous times and it didn't take. But John and Susan were always very positive everytime I met with them. John and I went to Catholic high school together and we knew each other but not good enough to be best friends. This past year we had a heart to heart in our tax appointment and they let me know everything that has been happening. John and Susan believe in God. We never talked about it much before. Actually, we never talked about it until I started this post that they follow.
Every day I get a text from John saying that my posts really put things into perspective in their lives and how they print them out and put them in their prayer book. Amazing! They are now trying the adoption route and we all know that could be a long process. I pray for them everyday, even if he doesn't ask for it. You see, John and Susan hold down great jobs, they live a modest life and they save and live for the moment they could be parents. I can honestly say that John and Susan would be the best parents in the world. For everything they have been through, how can they not show a child so much uncondinional love? The Dugan's are amazing people and I truly believe John is a man of God and Susan is a women of God. But I often wonder if they blame God? If they questions God? How could you not????? Why me, why us....these are thoughts that would go through most peoples mind. But I had a conversation with John not to long ago and explained that this might not be God's plan for them. A couple biblical quotes and stories came to mind when praying for the Dugan's:

Psalm 55:22

²² Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you;.

 

Sarah's Story, the wife of Abraham         

Sarah is married to Abraham. She is unable to conceive, although married for many years. Eventually she is not only unable to conceive but beyond childbearing years. (ie she is old as well...)
Ironically she is married to Abraham who has been promised descendants that will number like the stars in the sky and the sand on a beach. A great promise and yet for Abraham and Sarah, the fulfilment seems beyond all reach.
It is at this point that The Lord comes to Abraham once more.
"Then the LORD said, I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son. Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought,
After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?'
14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.
And the result??? Not long after this Sarah and Abraham's son Isaac is born, one of the great patriarchs of the Jewish people.
"For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37)

 

What does the story of Sarah teach us? God is faithful to his promises. What he promised to Abraham and Sarah he was faithful in fulfilling. God does not make this exact same promise to each of us but we do learn something else from Sarah's story:
God is the giver of life and he can bring about miracles. We do not know what God may be doing in our lives - even when it seems like he is not doing anything at all. God can surprise us!

Acts 7:21                     
And when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son.

Psalm 27:10                    

For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

I believe if John and Susan believe in miracles and believe that the Lord Jesus Christ can do anything he wants, then she will bear a child. And I believe that If we all pray for this to happen together, it will happen. And if God doesn't want it to happen, then it will not happen! Maybe his plan was for them to take a child out of a rough family life, an unfortunate life, a life of sin. And if this is God's plan, then adoption will happen. Just like Pharaoh's daughter adopted a son.
And if this child's farther or mother has forsake this child, then the Dugan's will take him in and bring him to Christ. And this child will be THEIR child. It will be God's child. And I truly believe that any child they receive will be the most blessed child on the face of this earth and will become a world changer.

After John read my blog last night he sent me this following text:
Just got out & its official vaca time. Leaving tomorrow morn & can't wait. Todays blog was great but that story even greater. I'm looking forward to vaca w/ susan, the  pups & rest of my family. Just relaxing & taking in the scenery.  I promise u this pal, I'll do my best to reflect on the beauty God surrounds us with & say a few prayers along the way. Giving thanks! Amen! Thank u for opening up my eyes to how truly great our God is. We r all very blessed. God puts us through tough times so we can get through them by having faith. Its been a long hard road these past few years but the payoff will be so worth it. Ill see ya when we return...love ya bro!

Now, If that isn't faith and a man of God then I don't know what is? AMEN? Let's all take some time out tonight to pray for the Dugan's! It would mean the world to me!

I love you John and Susan and we are here for you whenever you call! Have a great vacation. Love you bro.

Song of the day: What It Means to be Loved - Mark Schultz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrXmHaBP-A4

Bible Verse of the day: Genesis 30:22
²² Then God remembered Rachel. God answered her prayer and made it possible for her to have children. ²³ So she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Then she said, “God has taken away my disgrace.” ²⁴ She named him Joseph [May He Give Another] and said, “May the Lord give me another son.”

Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!
Scott

Day 42 - Time for Testimony!

Happy Friday Everyone. Tonight is date night for Kim and me and that's always excited. We are going to Atlantic City to walk the boardwalk then to meet Pastor Brian and his wife for a nice dinner, then Kim and I are staying overnight and heading to Smithville in the morning. Kim and I started this date night tradition during the past 30 days. Her parents agreed to take the kids once a week so we can have our time together, alone. This has been very key in our relationship building. 

Today was a great day at work. I am re-evaluating my business and trying to work less hours so I have more time to do the things I enjoy. I am thinking of hiring a couple of people to help me with my workload and take away alot of stress. I was bummed the other day when I couldn't volunteer my time at the Lakewood High School football spaghetti dinner and heard I missed a great time. So yesterday I showed up at their first football game to let them know I was there for support. And I saw others from my church doing the same thing. Just supporting each other! Fellowship is also a very important thing in a man's life.

Last night I made two dumb bets with my Joe Defalco and Greg Elias. I took the jets straight up over the Patriots and now I have to wash Joey's car and buy Greg a small prize. But this morning Joey texted me and said don't worry about the car pal. How nice was that? But I said a bet it a bet and I will wash the car. Or at least my kids will do it! LOL

It is great to have this new fellowship with other men of God. Same mission, some morals, same values and great friendships. 

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Romans 12:10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Today I was blessed at work with a variety of new business that I didn't think would materialize. This has been happening alot lately. So I had a new client in to get their taxes done today, they heard I was an expert in Hurricane Damage and was referred by another client. They lived in Pt Pleasant, were a young couple, and have two small kids. They bought their dream home on the beach 3 years ago and have been doing upgrades all the way up to Sept of last year. They were then hit by Hurricane Sandy and lost the whole house! I mean demolished. After the run around from Fema and the insurance companies, they walked away with about 150k in insurance reimbursements. Not bad? They house and all the improvements and all their possessions were just shy of 850k. They were devastated. They are now living with his sister until they can figure out what to do. They asked what I would do....so I pointed to my other desk and read:
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Now they looked at me and said, that's your answer? I said, no.....that's YOUR answer. Go home and pray about what to do. And they agreed.
I took all the information and completed the tax return. I already knew the results. So I asked them what they were hoping for. They agreed if they got 5-10k as a refund they would be very happy. I said well get ready to be ecstatic.
Romans 13:7 
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. 

He looked at me and said 15k? I shook my head. She said 20k? I shook my head. I could already see both their eyes watering up anticipating the result. I said, "I know this is hard to believe, and I can assure you these numbers are correct......so you will be receiving $72,000.00 in Federal and State Refunds." They paused and looked at me like a deer caught in headlights. The waterworks started to flow from both the husband and the wife. She came around my desk and hugged me and he extended his hand and said thank you, thank you, Praise God. 

It was an amazing feeling. I told them I needed to step out to make copies but really I was wiping my eyes from the tears and collated the return. Because of the complexity of the return, my bill spit out being $325.00. I came back into the room and showed them were to sign and handed them their copy. I showed them my bill and they didn't blink and he was about to write a check until I ripped the bill up in front of them saying, "you've been through enough, you don't need to pay me!" They tried to get me to change my mind and I said, "Consider it a gift from God, just when you think you are falling, He is there to catch you! Your money is no good here, your story is payment enough. Do you mind if I share this with my friends?" They agreed and still tried to pay me on the way out the door. Amazing. 

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Hebrews 10:24

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

Moral of the story today kids?????? PAY IT FORWARD!!!!!! 
Here is a family that lost everything but has held it together by faith and prayer. And they are now reaping the rewards when they thought they were at their lowest point. Our God is an amazing God. 
If you see someone in need and can help, then help. If you feel someone is in need of prayer, pray. If you are afraid to mention the word "God" to someone because you might offend someone......then all I can say is that you are offending yourself! God shouldn't be hidden. His stories should be spread around all over so that non believers can witness God's grace. So that believers can share testimonies and renew their faith in Jesus!!!!! AMEN???

Song of the day: "Our God" by Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkljgA5SQc8

Bible Verse of the day:Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” 

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!!!
Scott

Day 41 - Why does God Allow Disasters????????

Good afternoon everyone. If you haven't heard, the Seaside Park Boardwalk is on fire. There are about 18 buildings and counting as well as the boardwalk that has fallen due to this disaster. They are still trying to get it under control. I consider this a disaster after what this community has already been through. Many of them are questioning God's will right now. Who wouldn't? How could he let this happen? Does he let this happen? It's only fitting to talk about this today:

Why does God allow earthquakes, tornado's, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, fires, and other natural disasters? Tragedies cause many people to question God’s goodness. It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed “acts of God” while no “credit” is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peaceful weather. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornado's are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are the result of the earth’s plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.

The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians 1:16-17). Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely! Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, as we see in Deuteronomy 11:17 and James 5:17. Numbers 16:30-34 shows us that God sometimes causes natural disasters as a judgment against sin. The book of Revelation describes many events which could definitely be described as natural disasters (Revelation chapters 6, 8, and 16). Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not.

In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation. Romans 8:19-21 tells us, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the world we inhabit. Everything in creation is subject to “frustration” and “decay.” Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters just as it is the cause of death, disease, and suffering.

We can understand why natural disasters occur. What we do not understand is why God allows them to occur. Why did God allow the tsunami to kill over 225,000 people in Asia? Why did God allow Hurricane Katrina to destroy the homes of thousands of people? For one thing, such events shake our confidence in this life and force us to think about eternity. Churches are usually filled after disasters as people realize how tenuous their lives really are and how life can be taken away in an instant. What we do know is this: God is good! Many amazing miracles occurred during the course of natural disasters that prevented even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to reevaluate their priorities in life. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is sent to help the people who are suffering. Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead people to saving faith in Christ! God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28).
-Erwin Lutzer

In an economy so bad, this disaster will create hundreds if not thousands of jobs. Most of the buildings have fire insurance unlike flood insurance and no help from Fema. These places will be rebuilt bigger, better and of course will take more time. But when people are out of work, begging for any type of job, this will create tons of opportunities. Maybe the restaurants were dealing with old equipment and couldn't afford new equipment after the hurricane. The first insurance will give these business owners another shot at another 100 years on the boardwalk when maybe they wouldn't have had that opportunity before. Always look at the bright side. No one is dead. The season is almost over. And many jobs will be created. If anything the shore will be stronger: First the hurricane, then the fire, and we still survived, stronger than ever.

Let's all take some time tonight and pray for the community, the business owners, the fire fighters, police, EMT's and everyone involved today.

Bible Verse of the day:2 Corinthians 5:1                    
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Song of the day: (Burn for you) TobyMac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxj70lNsxn4 

Hebrews 12:29                    
For our God is a consuming fire.

Thanks for listening as always. Let me know your thoughts.
Scott

Day 40 - A Walk In The Desert?

Day 40 - Good evening everyone. Sorry for the late post. For the past 3 days I have had a minor headache and yesterday turned into a migraine. So I thought! Turns out it is a tension headache from either stress or anxiety. So I went to work this morning and was feeling better. By midday the headache was back so I went to my favorite massage place in the world....Hand and Stone. Told them my issues and sure enough they have a massage for that. So when I thought I would down and out for the night again, I feel much better.
I was excited this morning because it's day 40! Just sounds like a big number to me. And the past few weeks God has been amazing to me and my family. I couldn't help but think why now? I'm living the life I'm supposed to live, acting the way I'm supposed to act, reading the bible, going to prayer, helping others......so why me? Why now? I had to miss prayer. I had to miss serving the Lakewood Football team a spaghetti dinner. I haven't missed anything in the past few weeks and started to questions God this morning. Do you not want me to work? Do you want me to lay in bed useless? Don't you want me to pray and praise You? I just didn't get it. Fact of the matter is some days you just feel like garbage. It's life. It happens. But why the worst on day 40 when I was looking forward to this day for a long time? Then I started my research. Here's what I got:

The rains (in Noah's day) fell for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:4).

Israel ate Manna for 40 years (Exodus 16:35).

Moses was with God in the mount, 40 days and nights (Exodus 24:18).

Moses was again with God 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 34:28).

Moses led Israel from Egypt at age 80 (2 times 40), and after 40 years in the wilderness, died at 120 (3 times 40; Deuteronomy 34:7).

The spies searched the land of Canaan for 40 days (Numbers 13:25).

Therefore, God made Israel wander for 40 years (Numbers 14:33-34).

40 stripes was the maximum whipping penalty (Deuteronomy 25:3).

God allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 3:11).

God again allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 5:31).

God again allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 8:28).

Abdon (a judge in Israel) had 40 sons (Judges 12:14).

Israel did evil; God gave them to an enemy for 40 years (Judges 13:1).

Eli judged Israel for 40 years (1 Samuel 4:18).

Goliath presented himself to Israel for 40 days (1 Samuel 17:16).

Saul reigned for 40 years (Acts 13:21).

Ishbosheth (Saul's son) was 40 when he began reign (2 Samuel 2:10).

David reigned over Israel for 40 years (2 Samuel 5:4, 1 Kings 2:11).

The holy place of the temple was 40 cubits long (1 Kings 6:17).

40 baths (measurement) was size of lavers in Temple (1 Kings 7:38).

The sockets of silver are in groups of 40 (Exodus 26:19 & 21).

Solomon reigned same length as his father; 40 years (1 Kings 11:42).

Elijah had one meal that gave him strength 40 days (1 Kings 19:8).

Ezekiel bore the iniquity of the house of Judah for 40 days (Ezekiel 4:6).

Jehoash (Joash) reigned 40 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:1).

Egypt to be laid desolate for 40 years (Ezekiel 29:11-12).

Ezekiel's (symbolic) temple is 40 cubits long (Ezekiel 41:2).

The courts in Ezekiel's temple were 40 cubits long (Ezra 46:22).

God gave Nineveh 40 days to repent (Jonah 3:4).

Jesus fasted 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:2).

Jesus was tempted 40 days (Luke 4:2, Mark 1:13).

Jesus remained on earth 40 days after resurrection (Acts 1:3).

Women are pregnant for 40 weeks (time of testing).

So what does all this mean? The number forty is used by God to represent a period of testing or judgment. I truly believe that God was testing me to see how I would handle myself over a rough period of 3 days. Even though I missed prayer night, people there were praying for me. Even though I missed volunteering at Lakewood, people understood. Our health is important to God. He always wants the best for us. He doesn't want us to harm our bodies by smoking, drinking, doing drugs and so forth.
I prayed to God a couple days ago and asked for the strength and courage to give up smoking just like I gave up all the other evil things in my life. I believe this was his test. Because yesterday I was in so much pain I laid in bed all day and night without once thinking of smoking. I asked and through a migraine headache, he provided. Now, I would rather not have the headache and hoped to just have the strength to do it on my own. But then again, can we do anything on our own? So when you least expect it, God answers if you truly believe. Amen?
Even though I missed two important things I really wanted to do, I still prayed. I still worshiped and still read the bible with my head pounding. God first, no matter what!
So does God really test us? Does he test our faith or is it the Devil temping us. I do believe that we are tested by God from what I read in the bible as well as believe the Devil tempts us everyday.

Sometimes God does test our faith, just as He tested the faith of the ancient Israelites by allowing them to go through hard times in the wilderness, "in order to know what was in your heart" (Deuteronomy 8:2). If our faith is weak, it may not be obvious when life is going smoothly and we aren't challenged in any way. But when hard times come, a weak faith will be revealed for what it really is: shallow and unable to help us through life's difficulties. It may be anything: an unexpected headache, the death of a loved one, the loss of our job, or even a friend who turns against us. But when hard times happen, the true nature of our faith will be revealed.
But God doesn't test us because He doesn't know how strong we are.
Instead, He tests us because we don't know how strong we are -- and we'll only realize it when times of testing come. The psalmist prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts" (Psalm 139:23).
None of us likes to go through hard times (and God isn't necessarily behind them, even if He does allow them). But God can use them to show us our weaknesses. And when that happens, we need to ask God to help our faith grow. Testing should make us spiritually stronger -- and it will as we turn it over to God. The Bible says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials ... so that you may be mature and complete" (James 1:2, 4).

Moral of the story......When we are weak, we are strong.

Best I could do today guys, hopefully tomorrow will be better!
Song of the night: When I am Afraid: Laura Hackett
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbvgOJl8H2c

Bible Verse of the day: 2 Corinthians 12:10
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Thanks for listening today, but if you're having hard times, today might have helped. Hoping.....Praying.......
Scott

PS: even though the website isn't done yet, some pages are up to date so check out my church Alive Again! http://aliveagainalliance.wordpress.com/
To Go!  Anywhere, Anytime, to Anybody.



  

Day 39 - How Great Is Our God?

Good morning everyone. Today feels like a Monday to me because I was out of the office yesterday playing golf with a client but it's all good because that means tonight is prayer night! So I thought I'd switch it up this morning. I think I'm going to pray. I say I think because whenever I write one sentence another thought pops into my head.
I had an amazing weekend with my family. Everywhere we went, everyone we talked to, anytime of the day I felt God was with me. And isn't that the case? When you are so fixated on something, you think about it all the time. I can't even imagine living any other life than the one I am living right now. God is working miracles in our lives and I owe him some praise!
So if something is getting you down this morning, or someone is sick, or something just doesn't feel right in your life, know that I am here to pray for you! Know that God is there for you, he's all around you, just waiting for you to love him back.
I finished up my bible study on Joshua last night and felt really good. What an amazing man he was. An ordinary man who was was commanded by God to walk 40 years in the desert. And when Moses died in the desert, God commissions Joshua to take over the promised land for the people of Israel. To go into an unknown place, and defeat armies and take their land......to be a leader. And throughout the book, miracles begin to happen for Joshua. We witnessed God raises the waters of the Jordan for all to cross. This is just a reminder of how great our God really is......he can take us out of our world and bring us into His promises.
The book of Joshua was an amazing glimpse into the life of an ordinary man who put his life in God's hands, and everything that God promised, came true. Just goes to show that when you trust our God, he won't let you fall? Will you trust him? Are you falling?
So I am feeling right now that some people are in need of prayer. So I am going to pray:
Lord, I want to thank you for everything you are doing in my life. I want to thank you for all that you have given me, for all that you have withdrawn from me, all that you have permitted and all that you have prevented. Lord I want to thank you for forgiving me and I now know that you are now preparing me. God I pray this morning for the youth as they go back to school. Lord, fill their bodies with your love and let them shine in everything they do and to everyone that they meet knowing that you are their strength, their light, their world and that everyone who looks at them can see and know that there is something different about them. Lord let them be an example to other children and lead the way so that You God can be brought back into our schools. God I pray that you continue to lead me into the lives of others, believers and non believers, knowing that I will try and bring them closer to you, through my mouth, my hands, my feet and my actions Lord so that they will know you, like I do. Lord I also pray this morning for my church Alive Again so that all it's family, and everyone we encounter know our mission, To Go: Anywhere, Anytime to Anybody!  Lastly, Lord I pray for all my friends and family as they might not understand right now the decisions that I am making, but just to accept the amazing work that you are doing in my life right now. God please keep me focused on the final prize, to continue to walk in your footsteps until my final days when I can truly say I lived the life you planned for me! And Lord I pray that others will see this happening and follow in my footsteps and lead them to the promised land just like Joshua. Lord, I pray that all the lost people in this world can take off their blinders and seek your face for they will find Salvation in you Lord. I ask this in Jesus name.......Amen!!!!!!

OK....as you can tell, I am not a master at praying....but who is? Isn't it just a conversation with God? Does it have to be said out loud or in biblical phrases??? No.....Just have a conversation with God!

Song of the day: "All of Me" by Matt Hammitt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50ygAc2qP5A

Bible Verse of the day:  1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Once again, thanks for reading this blog about my Journey through Christ. It started as a text message in the morning to some friends then into this blog. Now it's reaching hundreds of people every day. Who would've thought my life was so interesting? LOL......40 days ago it wasn't!!!!!! Have a blessed day!
Scott

Day 38 - Is God a Priority?

Good Afternoon everyone. No I did not oversleep....I had to leave by 6:30 this morning for a golf outing with one of my clients. So I apologize for the late post! Doesn't it stink when life gets in the way???? Here we go:
I used to belong to the Battleground Country Club Golf course and this was my second home in the summertime. I would leave work early, get home late, and do it all over again the next day. I thought it was because I loved golf so much. You would think? But I am now realizing that it was the lifestyle that I loved. I hung out with a close knit bunch of about 30-40 guys. We would drink, smoke, curse and occasionally play some golf. The amount of drugs passed around, drunk guys at all times of the day and closely guarded friendships were to much to tell. But I was one of them. I loved the lifestyle. I quit the battleground 38 days ago mainly due to my good friend Brian's advice. I couldn't see it at the time but this place was hell on earth. I told everyone I was leaving and 38 days later I only hear from 1 of the guys who follows this post and texts me everyday that I consider my friend. Meanwhile I would get texts everyday from 10-20 guys saying, "what time are you coming?" Now.....nothing. Goes to show who your real friends are I guess!
I've played golf 2 or 3 times since I left at different courses and just wasn't having a great time. I would get frustrated, forget to pray, forget to praise and think I could do it on my own. Now, 38 days later, I have realized my true priorities. 1st Christ, 2nd my wife, 3rd my kids and my wants and needs last. I used to look around and wonder where God was in my life. Now he is my priority in life.
As I approached the golf course today, I looked at it in a different light. I wonder who I can lead to God today? How should I do it? Should I do it? Well, I quickly realized that outings are very much for drinking and playing golf. That's not me anymore. On every golf ball I used an orange sharpie and wrote: Isaiah 41:10 on both sides. I did this on about a dozen balls. Everytime I would hit a bad shot or one in the rough I would tell my partner, "just leave it, I have plenty!" You see, most golfers will spend 30 minutes looking for a ball and will walk just about anywhere. I figured since I had to play with the same foursome all day, that maybe someone would pick up my ball and think, "hey, this looks familiar, let me google it!" Sometimes we all need a reminder.....Amen?
I used to have to search for God. I thought that I could only find him at church on Sunday. Or that he would show up if I needed him. I never thought to praise him in good times, and used to curse him in bad times. Even when someone sneezed I used to say "Bless You"! I simply forgot about God. Maybe because my second home was hell and the devil wouldn't allow me to seek him? Or maybe my so called friends would make fun of me if I said the word God???? But one of those so called friends who made it to the finals of a big tournament came up to me and asked me to pray for him! What a double standard. That place was my hell.
Through my journey my priorities have changed. I can find God anywhere. In my wife, my kids, my house, my car, in a song, in my office, but mainly because He is in myself. Amen?
In the past 38 days my priorities have changed. I found God again, and welcomed him into my house, into our lives and he has blessed us everyday because of it. God wants us to love him, to worship him, to act like him and I believe I have been doing a great job walking in the footsteps of Christ. Priorities!!!! Starting will daily praying and praise, Sunday service, Tuesday prayer and volunteering for those in need. Once I let God back into my life, he made me understand what was important. He made me understand that I am important if I follow his plan. And I truly believe I am now following the plan that God laid out for me thousands of years ago before I was even born. I feel Alive....Alive Again!!!
And when there is a moment that I am feeling let down or something is not going right I am reminded by the new friends I have made in the past 38 days that things will be ok. I know get daily messages from these friends I have made at Alive Again church asking if everything is ok. I get phone calls in the morning from friends asking if there is anything I need them to pray for. Just another reminder that God is everywhere. I can honestly say that the friends I have made over the past few weeks are the most valued, most honest, most loving friendships I have ever had in my life. How can this be true? Because they are men of God who are always moving forward, always caring and always walking in the footsteps of Christ. And their priorities, are now my priorities. Lew, Billy, Greg, Brian, and Pastor Bill, thanks for always being there. I know I can always count on you for anything and I hope you feel the same about me! I look forward to building our relationships with each other, God and our church! Amen?
I was upset a while ago about something that went wrong in my day. I took a walk through the Reservoir like I normally do to have my one on one conversations with God and starting writing notes. I thought I was writing about one thing but quickly realized it was about something else. My past life! My fake friends! The hell I lived in everyday! I was writing so fast and things were rhyming so I think it may have turned into a song. Not sure what it is, but I'm going to share anyway:

I am no longer defined, by the past I left behind.

Why can't they see that in me, I'm not the man I used to be.

Others see the changes in my life, my children my new friends and my wife.

When judgment and blame is in the past, They are quick to bring up the past so fast.

Most days I'm on a boat lost our in the sea, as they sail on by and don't hear my

Cry for help, cry for hope,

They just fly on by instead of throwing me a rope.

Why do I care? Why all the cries?

When I'm the only one who tries.

I look at them and I don't blame, They look at me still the same.

My actions say I'm committed to Christ, But they are all just trying to Heist

My

Hopes, dreams & Reality,

If your not following then stay the heck away from me!

They knocked me down on the floor, then step over me to get out the door.

They hid behind their alcohol, Then apologize as they'd crawl,

Further from me, away from the truth,

far from me and far from the youth,

That long for us, that long for God, but as they speak all they'd get was a nod,

cuz they're not listening, it's like they're blind, All trying to find,

Purpose, meaning, one true friend,

A man of God, from beginning to the end!

I'm right here, but they can't see, That I'm not the man I used to be.

HE cares for me, He forgave my past,

All my sins are forgiven at last.

I aim to please for them no more, As Jesus is the one I now live for.

And maybe one day all of them will see,

That a true friend, with new priority

Was willing to die for them, like Jesus did for me!

 

Ok, those were my notes. Remember, I am an accountant and financial advisor, not a rapper or song writer by any means. LOL

God loves us, will you love him? Will you change your life for him? I did! And it's amazing.....just sayin'!

As always, thanks for listening and reading.

God bless,

Scott

Day 37 - Lead Me !

Good Morning Everyone. I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Today at 10:00 we have our Sunday Service at Alive Again Church and I can't wait. Church always gets me reeved up for the upcoming week. I hope it does the same for you. Today's post should be short! Two or three topics this morning I really want to hit.
Yesterday the whole family went to Great Adventure for Lucas's Birthday. He also bought along two friends who like going but are afraid of the big rides. But yesterday was different. Lucas wasn't afraid of any rides. When I asked him later why, he responded because when I was afraid I just asked Jesus to sit next to me on the ride! Amen? But what's even better is that the two other boys who were stricken with fear followed Lucas onto those rides. Now I had to talk to them about facing their fears and how God is always with us and won't let us fall. They listened and with fear in their hearts they stepped onto every ride knowing that they are facing their fears and God will protect them! Amen?

Psalm 36:7-9

⁷ How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ They feast on the abundance of your house,
    and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
⁹ For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light do we see light.

 

 

 

Key word in this Psalm is Steadfast! What is the definition of steadfast? 1: resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. But what are the synonyms for steadfast? Loyal, Faithful, Committed, Devoted, Dependable, Reliable, Steady, True, Constant, Solid! Wow. Psalm 36 on my 36th day God showed his face through Lucas and to his friends. He showed his friends that he is a loyal, committed, steady, true friend not only to these two other boys but to God as well. Walking in the footsteps of Christ, leading by example! Amen?

 

Yesterday was very bitter sweet for me. I had an amazing day with the family. I was fully committed to the day and where there mentally and physically. It was awesome. Until I realized when I got home how many of these days I really missed in the past 2-3 years.

 

So as I looked for the song of the day I really hope everyone clicks on this link and watches the video. It's a great song with a great slide show that I did almost three years ago! I means a lot to me and shows how steadfast my love was and always will be for my family. And now that we are 

re-committed to the Lord, whom shall we fear? Through Christ all things are possible! 

This song is called: Lead Me by Sanctus Real

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUs7S3-752s
 

 If this link doesn't work for some people, go to youtube and search "the newsholme family"! It will be the first one that shows up!
 

Happy Sunday Everyone! First football Sunday of the season. Who will choose to watch the game instead of going to church today? It's ok. Remember, we are the church! If you can't make it, call me....I'll give you church!

Love you all.

Scott