Author: admin

Growing up, if Mr. Softie drove by and you had your dime, you could ask for a scoop or two into your cone/cup. Additionally, scoop had a different meaning.  It was common to hear people ask for the scoop of a story because it was part of the days’ jargon in newspapers and on TV.  It referred to the latest events, or how stories and events unfolded.

I recently came across a poster on Pinterest.  I’m not sure if it was created to draw readers in, or if it’s a sincere question, since I didn’t delve into it.  In a nutshell, someone is asking if it’s true that kids in the late 60s and the 70s would be ousted from their homes early in the morning and not expected back until the lamppost lights went on.  Let me give you the scoop.

   Of course, it’s true! It’s hard to believe now because we’re living in a different world. In this aspect, technology has messed things up for today’s growing kids. Think back to a time with no cell phones or beepers, no satellites, no computers, no bottled water, few, if any, abductions, kidnappings, etc.

As a kid, if you had a bike, a foot-powered scooter, skates, or two good feet, you’d travel about to have fun and discover the world around you.  It didn’t matter if you discovered it a few days prior; there was always something new to look for. Magnifying glasses, binoculars, periscopes, rubber balls, bats, gloves, soda caps, jump ropes, etc. enhanced a kid’s imagination.  Sometimes we played right on our block stickball, stoopball, three-flights up, handball, Chinese handball, Skellies (Skullies), two-hand touch, etc. and other times we headed out to explore our surroundings.

For the most part, unfinished games due to dusk lights coming on, were continued next day. Everyone in a group didn’t necessarily see things eye to eye, but we settled things. Mommy wasn’t around to save us. Parents were busy doing home things. Whether we pouted, cried, or accepted the decide-upon terms, we learned to adapt to established protocol. We grew up and learned to deal with matters ourselves. Parents didn’t beat each other up.                                                                                  

     Mind you, most everyone was in the same age group. We sometimes pooled our meager resources to buy a soda drink and a few 5-cent bags of chips.  I remember when Kid Stuff came out! It was a small, plumpy plastic container with a watered-down juice in varying flavors of probably 4 ounces each. They cost $1.00 for 20 bottles!  They became oases in our deserts!

That was a different world then, and we have a different one today. Each world-experience molds us into the people we are or will become. Jesus has promised a New World for the church and for those who’ll enter into His rest. What exactly it’ll be like, we don’t know.  But it’s the ”important” things that matter, like whether there’ll be Original Ring-Dings (large sized), Yodel’s, Yankee-doodle chocolate cakes, Drake’s Devil Dogs (those might have to get renamed!), TREAT potato chips, Cocoa Marsh, Great Shakes, Almond Joys, Mound Bars, Clark bars, Sussie Q’s, or the original rectangular-shaped Crunch bars, we don’t know (let’s petition them NOW!), but I’m sure there’ll be double, triple, even quadruple ice cream scoops (I’ve already petitioned those in chocolate)!                                                                 

I can’t believe that even towards the end of the 70s I used to go to the ACME baking factory near the Rheingold Brewery, by Central and Evergreen Ave. and buy a dozen large, powdered jelly donuts for $2.10!  Someone put in a petition for those!

     The new world will feature wholeness; no sicknesses, no troubles, in short, nothing evil, only clean fun in adoration and fellowship with God, His creation, and with others. I look forward to seeing you there!  You can check out Aaron’s 3-speed burgundy and black Sting-ray bike, or Chicky’s bright green 5-speed with sissy-bar and banana seat.  I’ll show you my baseball card collection, The Green Hornet cards, Dinosaur cards and Superheroes too!

One thing’s for sure: you won’t have to go home when the dusk lights go on; there will be none!  No night there!!  We’ll end each game on the same day. Forget sipping water from the Johnny pump! Fountains of Living Water will flow galore!  When done playing, we’ll head out for super-thick milkshakes or our multi-scooped ice cream cups/cones-and never get sick.  “Tomorrow” we’ll be out again. Got the scoop?

God Bless!
Sam

Still pics courtesy of Maria L.

AI video clip of author and daughter, Sarai

“I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!!!” you might be saying as you jump up and down on your bed, the couch, or on your head. Go on, celebrate!  But it’ll be short-lived!

We all know God’s Omnipotent: All-Powerful. Can’t be defeated by anyone, anything or at any time. He’s Omniscient: All-knowing.  Everything there is to know, He’s known it from eternity.  He’s also Omnipresent: Everywhere at once and at all times in every nook and cranny. He fills the heavens, the vast universe, the oceans and beyond.  In fact, He’s so big, the heavens can’t contain Him (1Kings 8:27).  So, what can’t he do?

1. He’s so faithful, if we deny knowing Him, He remains faithful; He can’t deny Himself.  He can’t change even when we do.

2. Given a situation, we can lie to save our skins, but God can’t lie. God is truth (Hebrews 6:18).

3. We can trick, scam, or mock others, but we can’t trick God. “God cannot be mocked; for whatever we sow, we’ll reap” (Galatians 6:7).  In other words, People will get out of life what they put in.  Thieves will reap their rewards as will liars, cheats, murderers, etc. They might get away with it here, but not when they stand before God.  He’s got a spotlight on us 24/7.  And that’s when it counts.  Here, we can repent or change our minds about our actions, but when we come face to face with Him, it’ll be too late.  The lot is cast.

4. Ray Charles sang I Can’t Stop Loving You (I’ve made up my mind).  And that applies to God as well.  He cannot stop loving you either.  Even if you think, “That’s because He doesn’t know me.”  WRONG! He’s known you before you were born!  Even knowing all your ways, He still loves you.

So, now that you probably have a headache from jumping on your head or banging it against a wall in celebration, cheer up, jump up and down in celebration; but even if you’re hard-headed, use a pillow this time. It’s a good thing that God cannot deny Himself, can’t lie, be mocked, and can’t stop loving you.  Else, where would you be?

God Bless!

Sam

Recommended Song: I’ve Always Loved You byThird Day

When King Harvest sang this song in 1972, it became pretty popular. Contrary to the opinions and interpretations out there concerning its meaning, it has always been a song of clean-dancing, joy and celebration of life.

For those unfamiliar with it, song author Sherman Kelly and his girlfriend spent a night on a beach in 1969 where they were the first to be brutally attacked by a gang, who eventually murdered 8 American tourist, in St. Croix.  He was left for dead and she was raped. Out of the horrors they experienced, he decided to write a song about the complete opposite of what they endured and what life should be like. “Everybody’s dancing in the moonlight/everybody’s feeling warm and bright/it’s such a fine and natural sight/everybody’s dancing in the moonlight.”

It isn’t easy to get over horrific attacks, and even more difficult to see a brighter side to it, yet that’s what he did.

Millions of people the world-over can relate to hardships, tortures, brutality, trafficking, and worse things, and people often spend their lives trying to get over their ordeals.  King Harvest painted that picture for us in the midst of evil.

King Jesus, the Lord of the harvest (Matthew 9:38), painted a similar picture for Israel saying, “Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre. Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;” (Psalm 81:1-3).

They were called to celebrate life and to rejoice before His presence. Likewise, He shows us the horrors of real evil in our lives as well. The “harvest” referred to in scripture is the world which is ready to be reaped/gathered unto God for salvation, though many refuse to be gathered unto Him.

Jesus has written songs for us as well-songs that depict life in the coming New World (Revelation 21:5; Isaiah 65:17).  Through the help of the Holy Spirit, He wants us to experience forgiveness, restoration, therapeutic healing, and New Life in Jesus.  Are you ready to forgive your accusers, your mockers, and those who may have left you for dead?  It’s not easy at all. But will you MAKE the choice to do so?  Jesus knows your tears and fears.  He knows when you’ve wished life was over.  He also knows the end from the start- the end of your life.  He knows that you can triumph over everything by placing your faith in Him. 

It’s time to sing praises anew to God and to dare to dance under the moonlight or sunlight for Him!  He will not leave you for dead; instead, He’ll infuse you with life for a glorious experience!

God Bless!
Sam

Dancing In the Moonlight King Harvest, 1972

Do You Want to Dance? Bobby Freeman, 1958

As a teacher, almost daily we had to walk our classes down the hallways to another classroom or an event.  Usually there was a class leader or line monitor who listened to my instructions. I sometimes told them, “Count three doors, and stop when you pass the third one.”  Or, “Stop just before the water fountain.”

For the most part, my monitors would be on key especially since the kids behind them would be attentive to see if it was done correctly.  But there were times when a monitor would just continue walking on and on.  Sometimes, the group would blindly follow the leader. There were times when the leader walked on alone!  The rest were waiting where they should have stopped.

Just a few weeks ago, as has happened in the past, people were deceived. A prophet said Jesus had appeared in a dream and given him the date of His return.  As often happens, blind followers, gave/sold belongings, and some may have quit jobs (I didn’t read it all).

“Then how are we to know when He really comes?” you might be asking.  It’s simple: You won’t.  We’re not suppose to. Whether you consider/call yourself a prophet or not, you need to know what the Scriptures say.  Jesus said, “But of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels” (Matthew 24:36).

We do know that God reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7), but that refers to common events. For the Rapture, it’ll be as much a surprise to every believer as it will to the rest of the world.  In short, NO ONE knows when He’s coming!  What we do know is the signs are everywhere.  God is NOT going to tell any ONE person the date of His return.

We can’t be blind followers. Let the ones who aren’t listening walk on ahead. But you, listen to the Teacher, stay the course, don’t give up!  Know the facts and where you’re going!  Lines in the song, Stuck on You say: “I’m stuck on you/I’ve got this feeling down deep in my soul that I just can’t lose/Guess, I’m on my way…”                                                                                    Are you stuck on Jesus?  If you’re on your way, that’s good, but not good enough!  You must be there NOW!  Because He knows for a fact He’s coming!  He says, “And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Revelation   22:12,13).

God Bless!                        Sam           *Stuck on You Lionel Richie, 1983

Recommended Song, Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) Casting Crowns, 2009

                                                                                                                   

Man has always tried to prove he knows more than God. Let’s visit an event happening right in front of Jesus. Crowds are everywhere.  The Master is around. People have both seen and heard of His fame!  Some, hang out just to be entertained, I mean, after all, TV recently broke, no game to watch anyways, so might as well hang out.

Out of commotion, some religious leaders just happened to grab a woman in the act of adultery. They must’ve been spying on her to know what was going on.  They let the man go but dragged her to Jesus. Let’s watch what happens…Will Jesus condemn her like the religious leaders hope?

Weeping, the woman finds herself at Jesus’ feet facing a wall.  She awaits His command to be stoned. Eager men stand waiting to launch their rocks at her. Racing through her mind is every sinful act she’s committed. “I’ve gone too far this time” she probably thinks to herself.  “If this man is a prophet as people say, I’m dead, my life’s over,” she thinks.

Jesus, though, stoops to write on the ground. Silence falls on everyone holding a stone. “Hey, can you see what he’s writing?” I ask you. “I can’t quite make it out” you answer. Suddenly, each man begins dropping his stone and quietly walks away. Whatever Jesus wrote, no one really knows but there’s a good chance we might have a clue.

We know that Jesus could have known everything about everyone there, and since these people loved displaying their “righteousness” and justifying their ways, why not put them on the spot?  It is quite possible, that Jesus made reference to Jeremiah 17:13 where it reads, “LORD. You are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water.”

Jesus may have been showing them where they stood before God at that moment by writing their names and sins on the dust (ground).  

Wanting judgment can happen to us at any moment. We suddenly want to be on God’s side as far as it’s concerned. We want to call down fire upon others and if Jesus doesn’t do it quickly enough, we’ll gladly do it with the snap of a finger. We want to be His pets.  But we forget God can do the same to us and then, suddenly, we want to suck up. “Jesus, buddy, Son of God, El Shaddai, Jehovah Nissi, let’s hold our horses, ya know…It’s me, your homeboy…” Instead of pets we become pests.

If their names and sins were written on the ground, it’s possible they realized they weren’t as buddy-buddy with God as they thought. Suddenly, they realized only God could know such personal things.  Yet, their hearts were hardened.

As the song goes, “It’s A Shame (The Spinners, 1970) when you mess around with the man…when you hurt me…”

Where do you stand today?  Still messing around with the Man, Jesus-God? Still throwing stones at others?  What we do to others, we do to God; good or bad (Matthew 25:31-46).  Still hurting Him? Are you looking forward to getting “stoned” today? 

Put yourself in that woman’s place, hear the whispers? Feel their rudeness? Fear their ruthlessness?  Jesus, who told the woman, “Neither do I condemn you; go sin no more” tells you the same thing.  He was the only One, the Righteous One who could condemn her but gave her a second chance. Drop your stone, kneel before the ROCK, Jesus. NOW!

God Bless!

Sam

Recommended songs: No Stones to Throw-Sierra

Go and Sin No More-Rebecca St. James

Most everyone at some point in their lives has been involved in a game of tug-of-war. Two groups, equal in number and in strength, standing on opposite sides of a line, pull when instructed. People shout, scream, frown, strain, fall, and do whatever necessary to pull the opposing team across the line.  Sometimes, people think if they fall, it’s easier to pull. Others think that if they face in the opposite direction, they’ll pull better.

I’ve seen members fall on the ground get dragged across the field! The correct way to play is to have one foot forward, one hand behind the other and pull. Try taking a step back. If each member takes a step back, they’ll pull their opponents.

Nevertheless, after the event, people are usually aching and their hands hurt.  Some, may even have rope burns on their hands, scraped knees, and muddied legs from the torturous event.  Winners are elated, even if they were originally dragged!  Losers, aren’t happy.

People have tug-of-wars with God on a daily basis. Some pull like little goats tied to a post trying to break free.  Others turn their backs to Him hoping to win on their terms. Still, some scream, shout, frown, strain, fall, and do whatever they deem necessary to break free from His grip.  Many don’t realize God’s always on the winning side!  In fact, God alone, is the majority!

When people yank to break free from Him, He sometimes allows them to “run free” knowing exactly where they’ll end up at.  See, He knows our every step as well as what’s on the horizon.  He tries to protect us, but oftentimes allows us to get dragged through the mud and rain and scrape our knees before we realize His intentions are to pull us to the winning side to join His team! 

Tired of eating mud, of scraping your knees?  Tired of rope-burnt hands and a bruised ego?  When God pulls at your heart, don’t resist, give in!  He plays fair and has the best players! 

When dealing with Israel, it seems that after some time, they forgot God was behind their trials and victories while also guiding them and healing them as well.  He said, “I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love” (Hosea 11:4).  Is He tugging at the ropes of your heart?  Want to trade your heart of stone for one of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26)?  Wait no more! Get up, dust yourself, dry those eyes, allow yourself to cross the line and join His team!  As the song lyrics *go, “Hold me close, let your love surround me. Bring me near, draw me to your side.”

God Bless!
Sam

Recommended Song: The Power of Your Love (By Khool Praize, from Rock the Flock) on YouTube

Picture, courtesy of former high school classmate, Maria Lugo, whose birthday is 1 day and 1 year apart from mine!  Though we communicate via email, we haven’t seen each other in 50 years.

My wife and I have always been the type that are last in catching up with advancements made through technology as well as keeping up with movies, etc.  I once saw an ad for a movie sequel #9 and we had only seen #1!  By the time we acquire an item, it’s already been obsolete, and people have moved on to more advanced ones.

In 1994, my wife won a raffle to Miami.  Got on a ferry ride through the waterways to see how the rich and famous lived.  While tourists around me had their fancy cameras with top-notch lenses, ours was a small rectangular one with a latchet that you had to swipe left to right and back again.  Remember those?? You have one too?! One guy had what seemed like a 7’ extended lens! He didn’t even leave his seat to take pics.  He was able to lay the lens on the other end of the ferry and photograph bits and pieces of a fish as it was being eaten and gulped down by a bear in the next state!  Meanwhile, when a whale came up three feet away to show off its talents, I ran to the side of the boat climbed down a few inches with my “modern” camera, and with my wife clutching the seat of my pants screaming, “Don’t fall overboard Hunzy, you can’t afford another pleather belt” I managed to get my camera in position.  By the time I swiped the small, delicate lever to the left and then to right to snap a picture, I got a nice clean shot of clear waters.  The whale was gone! But at least I kept my belt!

My nephew just sent me some pics enhanced by an AI program. It’s new to us but probably half the world uses it daily. Really makes pics come to life, which got me thinking. Hypothetically, it’s something the Anti-Christ might use when he appears on the earth.  This isn’t scriptural but it can happen.  Picture it. Revelation 13:3 paints it like this:
“One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.  And they worshipped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” And check this out: “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Revelation 13:15).

My take: Since the heads represent leaders from countries to be used by Satan, someone mortally wounded will suddenly reappear healed and receive the attention of a world seeking power and unique leadership. After all, it’ll be amazing to see this person (beast wounded by a sword verse 14) restored!  It’s possible that the healing may not be actual.  It does say he had power to give life to the image… What if it’s AI impersonating the leader, bringing him back to life? What if it’s a hologram?

Moving on to a warning, listen to what Jesus said: “Therefore, if they shall say unto you, ‘Behold, He is in the desert!’ go not forth; or ‘Behold, He is in the secret chambers!’ believe it not. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:26,27).

What it’s saying here and further on, is don’t be tricked believing Jesus will only be seen in isolated places caused by trickery. Read: “And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and glory” (Matthew 24:30).

Don’t fall for any imitations, whether AI, holograms, or impersonators; demonic or otherwise, because every eye will see Him worldwide at the same time!  How?! Internet will feature Him from all angles!  Warning: don’t be fooled by man’s scams!  Know Jesus today!   “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matt.26:41).

Inventions, inventions!  Seems we’re finally catching up with society.  I just bought a “New” reel- to-r eel deck; don’t be fooled by those saying 8-tracks will replace them!  What’s next, Cassettes, CDs?

God Bless!

Sam

Every now and then people will find a missed call on their phones. I rarely get them since I don’t like making calls, I don’t get many.  The few I’ve gotten are usually SPAM-initiated.  When we see a missed call, if we don’t recognize the number, we either call back or wait for the caller to call again, 

Recently I thought of the so many great artists out there singing, painting, performing, acting, or entertaining for a living.  Some might be famous while others barely known.  But each received a call. Some, answered it, while others missed it.  The calls were not SPAM, but legit. Phones would not have shown where they originated from, hence the number unrecognizable.

But for certain, the calls came from God. He has gifted people for His glory and honor with some type of talent to spread to others. Millions of such talented people choose to ignore his call focusing instead on themselves. The talents are received and viewed as personal and self-achieved. God gets no glory.

Thousands die as either famous, or almost famous artists, musicians, etc. maybe reaching millions, but never fulfilling His purposes.  His call will not be on the screen of your phone, but on your heart. His tug is there and it’s up to us to take it or reject it.  Didn’t recognize it?  Waiting for Him to call again? Be ready and alert! Don’t miss His call. It’s on your life!  As Steely Dan sang in 1974, “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,” don’t lose the number to God’s heart!  Jeremiah 33:3 reads, “Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

Need help? As Jim Croce sang, “Operator, “won’t you help me make that call?” Call on God and the Holy Spirit will draw you near to God. He’s got a great message for you.

“For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).  Translation: God doesn’t change His mind once He’s gifted you with a calling; He doesn’t take it back even if we fail Him. So, go ahead, lift up your voice and sing these lyrics to Him:

“I called, You answered And You came to my rescue And I wanna be where You are” Came To My Rescue (Be Lifted Up) Hillsong 2006

God Bless!
Sam

Closets have undergone transformations in recent years.  From tiny to medium, to mega-sized, to walk-ins, they’ve really expanded as per people’s tastes and needs. Closets have been the talk of the town in recent decades. No longer just for clothing, they store and hold a variety of things such as bikes, gear, foods (pantries), mini offices, and more.  

In New York, teachers were sometimes placed in rooms the size of closets; particularly, those heading specialty programs like ESL and Bilingual Ed.  As we know, closets can quickly become overcrowded.  Which reminds me of the scene of The Marx Brothers in A Night At The Opera aboard the ship where while they’re waiting for all the food to arrive (with a ton of “And two-hardboiled eggs”), the plumber, the maid, the maintenance man, etc. all show up one after the other. Once food arrives, however, pandemonium sets in! When the door is opened, everyone rolls out! 

Our son’s closet was like that!  When checking out his room, everything seemed neatly organized as he’d stand in front of his closet hoping we didn’t open it!  He’d just toss everything in and quickly shut the door!  But once you’d open it…yikes!  Our oldest daughter once made her young sister disappear right in her room!  When asked where she was, she said her sister could practically sleep anywhere.  She proceeded to open the closet door, pull out the bottom drawer of a dresser in there, and therein, lying very still, was her sister!              

 Yep, closets can be special.  In recent years, skeletons in closets have been exposed, and while people can go into closets, some have actually “come out of closets.”

 Well, with all this talk on closets, might as well see what God has to say about them!  Check it out: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6).

In our prayer closets, away from distractions, alone in His presence, we commune with Him.  We pour out our hearts to Him. As He indwells us, He wants our skeletons out in the open. He wants everything that we’ve hidden; everything that may bring us shame, confusion, hurt, loneliness, etc. brought out to Him.  He calls us to walk out of our closets, not to a lifestyle that dishonors Him, but to one that brings Him glory. All we need do is step out in faith in Him and He’ll do the rest.

As you shut the door behind you in prayer and with confidence in God, He’ll answer you publicly.  Meaning, your life will be a testimony to others of the transformation He’s wrought in you.  “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).  How does that look? God’s transforming power in your life will be like that movie scene: As others open the door to your life, all God’s blessings within you will pour out and your ship will continue to sail; with, or without two hard-boiled eggs!

God Bless!
Sam

Recommended Movie: WAR ROOM

It’s been over a month of computer and WINDOWS issues!

What a pain!  But I’m back for now.

                                 ON THE LOOKOUT!

Early one morning two days ago, as my wife and I were getting ready to walk, I noticed as she put on her sneakers, a small hole in one of her socks and pointed it out.  She knew it and responded with a “Yeah, yeah.”  The day went on and half a million things transpired.  Some ten hours later, as I was getting ready to shower, I removed one sneaker, and Lo, and behold, my big right toe was poking through my sock!! We looked at each other, high-fived, and laughed!

I said, “WOW, this morning I noticed the small hole on your socks, and now there’s an even larger one on my sock!”  Reminded us of God’s word: (Matthew 7:3,5) “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

God’s telling us to first check our own standings, our own issues and sins before pointing out others’ problems.  As scripture goes on, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

We’re living in a world where people tend to attack others for any reason and then justify it.  One important point we were taught in our high school writing/debate class was, “To be a good speaker, one must first be a good listener.”  In other words, before debating a person, first listen to their viewpoints, to better defend your own and to know exactly where they stand.

Obviously, not today’s standards where people disrespect others and even attack others for having differing viewpoints.  Now, I wasn’t criticizing my wife’s socks, but it became a teachable moment for us both!  Lesson? Check your socks before speaking? Nah! Self-examine ourselves before pointing fingers. Thereby avoiding hypocrisy.  By the way, that’s one of the purposes of the Lord’s Supper; examining ourselves keeps God from disciplining us.

God Bless!
Sam