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Ever imagined something one way but it works out a different way? A lot of us have been there.  I once watched a TV program where a young guy climbed a tree and attempted, like Tarzan, to jump to another tree.  Almost as soon as he made his leap, you heard, “Ow, ow, ouch, ouch, that hurt!”

Have you tried painting a few walls like the pros do, or the way people on TV paint?  They paint without getting any paint on themselves. In fact, they don’t even wear gloves, overalls, goggles, or caps.  Last week, I began painting our bathroom. I placed painters’ tape at the bottom of the wall covering the floor tile grout. I had my roller and brush ready. Had the gloves nearby, but who needs that just yet, right? I opted for my mom’s paint roller.  It looked great! After just a few strokes, the roller handle snapped and as it headed towards the floor, I reached for it. My entire hand turned white as did sections of the tiles. I placed the roller on the edge of the paint bucket and it fell right in the paint! I reached in as soon as I could! I guess we can say it was a good thing the tape was there-it spared a few tile-inches from getting fully painted!  Even when I stain wood, using gloves, I still get stain on my hands.

Still recall when, before we married, my wife, only a friend back then, invited my brother Nels, friend Papo, and me to paint her living room. Within a few minutes she was saying, “I didn’t know I called the Three Stooges!  Papo was up on a ladder painting towards the ceiling, and got paint on the side wall-the off-limit wall. I was opposite him also on a ladder painting right to left when, if someone’s head had been there, like the Three Stooges, I would have slapped some paint on his face!  My roller went right off the wall!  My brother had the roller on a broom stick to paint faster…He did! The floors, the wall, himself!  Homeowner, Vivian couldn’t believe her eyes! Of course, we were just testing her!  We made sure to give her more than she bargained for!  I mean, it was a free paint job; might as well throw in some extras, right?!  Overall, we must’ve done a great job…in the end, she did marry me!

 Isn’t life like that; you’re sure things will go like this, but they end up like that. Take King David, he wanted to build a house for God, but God said no. And Peter was ready to go to the grave for Jesus, but ran like a mouse for hidden cheese when the pressure got tough, and, even denied knowing Jesus.

We all have trials, and like the painters, God likes to throw in a few extras, free of charge.  Maybe you’ve planned out your life.  Maybe by 2028, you’ll be all set for the big world out there.  Your significant other is super, and you’re tying the knot.  Might end up with two: a knot in your throat, and a “NOT GONNA HAPPEN as you pictured.

It happens to everyone!  You may never get to walk on water like Peter (Matthew 14:29), or lead a nation like Joseph (Genesis 41:40), but God is in control!

Even when our lives look like a messy-painted floor, not to mention pants, shirts, face, and glasses, God is standing by to clean us up.  He’s the greatest painter! Doesn’t need painters’ tape or drop cloths to daily paint beautiful sunsets or spellbinding sunrises.  He paints a bright future for us better than any artist or professional painter!  And even when we’ve pictured life one way, after all the curve balls, God’s there to see us to His Home, His Way.  And in the end, the Church will be marrying Him!

“For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God.  The skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1 Berean Standard Bible).

God Bless!
Sam

Recommended Song: Song of Love Rebecca St. James 2002

Lonely windswept road.  Where does it lead? Questions. Doubts. Steps to take.  Decisions to make. Shots to call. All alone. You walk the road for miles ahead. Waiting for an opportunity. Waiting for a change. Waiting for a chance.  No one shows up. Time alone. No one but your thoughts. No one but your heartbeat.  About face. Turn back home.

Been here before. Nothing’s changed.  You feel the wind in your hair, you feel the cold in your soul. No blanket to warm you.  You shiver; talk to yourself. Your thoughts answer but you’re not sure.

Road stretches for miles in dark, overcast skies.  Snow seems imminent. Your soul cries out for comfort; to be held, to be warmed.  To be listened to.  You’re waiting to be spoken to on a windswept, lonely road that you’ve walked on many times before.  God has been there watching you, hearing your thoughts and listening to your soul.  He’s been there comforting you. He knows your heartbeats. He’s held you up.

When no one showed, He was there whispering to your heart.  As skies have grown dark, He’s held you near, He’s held your hand.  It’s not your bones or soul that shiver in the cold.  It’s your heart in need of His warmth.

 On a dark lonely road, you tremble. Under threatening and frightening dark skies, God is there speaking to you. It’s time to meet Him. Do not fear.

“And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was” (Exodus 20:21).

About face. Turn back home. Take Him with you. Invite Him to your home and in to your heart; to warm your inner being.  Brew a cup of tea for two. Thaw your cold heart.  Warm your thoughts by the fireplace.  Enjoy the cheese and crackers.  God is your friend.  Feel safe in His presence.  Delight yourself in His company. Glimpse out the window at the road. It is long; stretches for miles. You’ve walked it many times before.  He knows it very well; knows the path you’re on. You have a lot to tell Him. Tell Him your pain, your many lonely miles.  Share with Him how far you’ve been, and the many times you’ve stumbled back. Tell Him you want change.  Tell Him you want a chance at being His child. He’s listening. Here’s there to stay. You’re no longer alone.

Welcome Home,

Sam

I remember listening to Elton John’s Philadelphia Freedom back in ’75-’76. Though not meant to, it was associated with the USA’s Bicentennial. Everyone, the world over, wants freedom. Men and Women have given their lives fighting for freedom. We have freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, freedom of expression, and others (whom to love, where to live), etc.

All the freedom we have is great! We’re allowed certain leeway in life, and are able to accomplish great and astounding things in composition, written works, architecture, etc. But as great as all the freedom in the world is, there’s something it just can’t offer. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day faced the same dilemma millions face today: They felt they were free men.  They thought their freedom afforded them a righteousness that linked them to God as His people. They thought they were “cool” with God and that He smiled upon them.  And so, they told Jesus, “We have never been slaves to anyone” (John 8:33).

But Jesus desired for them to know a truth unheard of; an intangible freedom. One from within, one that was unseen, yet powerful enough to break chains, yokes of oppression, and offer complete deliverance in their lives. What was He saying?

He told them, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” John 8:32).  In a nutshell, Jesus wanted the leaders to know He was the Truth He spoke of.  He offered the freedom that can only come from God and Messiah.  His truth delivers us from inner turmoil everyone experiences.  He came to set humanity free from the bondage of sin.  Sin eats away at everything: age, beauty, life, loved ones; even the earth, nature, creation, etc. Sin destroys everything in its path. It tears apart families, relationships, honesty and more. Ultimately, sin brought forth death.  Even if you live a pleasant life with no regrets, no difficulties and nothing to complain about, sin will kill you like it kills everyone else.  Jesus’ death on the cross, defeated sin and conquered the grave: He conquered death.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

Want real freedom? Want God to break chains in your life? Need deliverance from things holding you back?  Do you want to feel real fireworks in your life? Turn it over to Jesus today. It’ll be the best 4^th of July ever!  As the song, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin goes,

“My chains are gone/I’ve been set free/My God my Savior has ransomed me/And like a flood His mercy reigns/Unending love, amazing grace.                                                                                 

God Bless! Be Free!

Sam

The year was 1969, and this song spoke to two groups of people. In one group, soldiers, mainly young men, were shipping out to the Vietnam war.  Heartbroken and teary-eyed girlfriends, fiancés, and wives were unsure if their loved ones would return.  The song was burning a hole in the airwaves and in the hearts of listeners.  It challenged the day and added to the uncertainty of tomorrow.

Local visits to our Woolworth, was a delight because as my mom shopped, I would listen to the endless sounds of Motown playing through the store’s loudspeakers.  There was an atmosphere of hope and love.  Being twelve years old, the world of songs depicting pain, hope, and a promising future, was new and exciting for me.  The melodies were enchanting.

But countless people’s lives were impacted by a window in time that made their ordeals all the more real.  Leaving home and not knowing if they’d return was like a punch in the gut for many. To this day, there are many who can attest to never welcoming their loved-ones, home.  Many injured, maimed, and suffering men returned with scarred lives. Such heartache, such tragedy.

A second group consisted of those in love. There were couples at crossroads, and some who broke off their engagements and have always wondered what life would be like if they hadn’t. The song glues them to that time and place in their past.  Two lines say: “A long time ago, my, my sweet thing, I made a big mistake, honey (I said) see I said goodbye.” Many regrets. Many unknowns. That was then, but what about today? Are you living in the past or the present?

Getting to the nitty-gritty, have you walked away from God?  Do you recognize your mistake in saying goodbye to Him, or (ever since that day) All I want to do, oh, is cry, cry”?  Hey, God knows the stories behind your tears.  He’s waiting for your return.  No questions asked.

The song’s purpose is to give us hope of someday reuniting with  loved-ones.  Everyone wants to hold that little one on their lap, or hug that teenager ever-so-tightly.  Many would love the chance to hold their dads or moms at least one last time.  It might appear impossible to some, but there’s hope.

Likewise, from eternity to eternity, God’s plan has been to reunite with His beloved creation: you and me.  Before He founded the world, even from everlasting, God’s plan of salvation was already in place, and His promises still hold true.

Just as the song says, “I long for you” King David in his many Psalms talks about a longing for God.  Psalm 42:2 reads: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.”  

You might be hurting over memories of the past.  Maybe your loved one didn’t make it home, or maybe (s)he got away. But we have a hope in Christ that we’ll see them again; if they, and we, are saved.

 The “war” (of good over evil) soon will be over, and God, our Beloved, will be coming home, not confused, unstable, or unrecognizable, but triumphant!  Will he have injuries? YES! He’ll have the piercings as proof He’s the real deal, but alive forevermore!

In Christ, there will be plenty of tears of joy and happiness when we stand in His presence surrounded not only by myriads of angels, but by those who have gone before us. And once that delight hits home, the celebrations begin!  That “Someday,” will have arrived!!  But the tears of sadness will be gone!

Revelation 21:3, 4 NIV tells us: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”

God Bless!

Sam

By Diana Ross and the Supremes

Beginning somewhere around 1982, as our family began growing, we needed to do something to survive. I was the breadwinner while Viv was a stay-at-home mom.  We had two little ones and another would soon follow. I remember my low-paying job and how little we got paid.

I recall the joy on coworkers’ faces when we got our “raise.” I asked Terry and Hector, “Two dollars?” “Yep!” they replied.  “Is that 2 bucks per paycheck?” I asked. “Ha-ha, ha-ha” they laughed. “That’s $2 per year!” they said.  I couldn’t believe it!  “For this they were so excited?” I asked myself.

It was true, they were practically doing a jig; arm around each other and dancing in a circle! Life was good!  They danced some more-Hee-Haw style.  Me? I couldn’t believe we were actually working for peanuts; I mean pennies-a-day.

At home, we discovered a meat warehouse where I’d buy 40 lb. boxes of chicken legs for $.29/lb. or $11.60 per box.  Sometimes I’d get wings at $.9lb. or $3.60 per 40 lb. box!  We also discovered Murray’s on Broadway Ave. (Brooklyn) who sold meatloaf for $4 carton and 100 small patties, good for our tiny tots. A sure winner for us was Big R Supermarket where we’d buy 60 boxes of entrees of varying types to go along with our mashed potatoes, fries, rice, etc.

Hey, being on a tight budget called for extreme measures! One day at my job, I told them we had actually gone out to eat over the weekend!  When they asked where we went, and I said “Church’s Chicken,” they laughed!  Not understanding what was so funny, I was told, “For a guy who eats chicken all the time, you’d think he’d go to eat something different!” It was fine by me!  Would you believe I was earning some $5800 yearly?! I soon left that job during a difficult time for us: my parents were moving to Puerto Rico at the end of October, 1984.  We were left with no job and three kids aged 4, 2, and almost 1.

When March, 1985 rolled around, it was great when, after volunteering at a school, I finally got hired as a paraprofessional earning some $11,200 yearly!  We were rich! We were finally able to throw some $.59 lb. steaks on the table!  We were h-o-w-l-i-n-g and dancing our own jig!  No doubt, God was good!

In February, ’88 I officially began teaching. With a promised yearly salary of just over $21k, we were able to purchase our cabin in the woods!  Through lots of tears, chicken legs, disappointments, chicken wings, bad news, steaks, and good news, we were no longer flying low.  We were scaling new heights!  When I finished my BS degree in ’87, my wife began hers right after. At that point, it was my turn to care for the kids after work for the next three years. Armed with degrees, the skies were the limit.

How’s it going with you? Flying high? Flying low?  Running around like a chicken without its head? Drifting under tough circumstances?  God knows your every doubt as well as your joys.  He knows your every fear and disappointment. He knows mine!  He knows exactly where we stand right now.  “Shed those wings” and invite Him into your heart! He’ll strengthen your “legs” too!  Cast your cares upon Jesus and you’ll soon be flying high-in His will!

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29,30).

Recommended Song: Cast Down Your Cares John Michael Talbot

God Bless!
Sam

A great song of the 60s, took a while to get noticed because Jr. Walker kept getting brushed off by a producer.  After a year, the producer agreed to finally listen to the song.  He loved it!  As one line goes, “What does it take to win your love for me?”  God is saying those very words to you today!  His voice is in all the earth. It covers every square inch announcing His creation and glory and love for you.  But some people don’t listen in on it.  Most miss it.

The story is told about a young Native American guy, who with his American friend visited a large city for the first time.  As they walked amidst the blaring sounds of talkers, music playing, blaring horns, and other sounds, he stopped his American friend when he “heard” something.  “Did you hear that?” he asked. “Hear what?” the American asked. “There’s a bird trapped around here” said the Native American. Though the American thought his friend was losing it, they backtracked and looked into a grate on a sidewalk.  There, below the surface was a tiny bird chirping.  The American asked, “How in the world did you hear it amongst so much noise and sounds?”  The Native replied, “It depends on what you’re listening for (to).”

Are you listening for God’s voice echoing His love for you throughout the earth?  Do you hear it?  Don’t you see it everywhere?  Yet, it’s there!                                                                    “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4a).

The skinny on it: Without saying an audible word, the heavens and all creation speak volumes to our hearts.  They testify that with wisdom and knowledge, an Intelligent Creator, God, made it all.

As the lyrics continue: “I tried, I tried, I tried, I tried in every way I could to make you see how much I love you, Woo, I thought you understood.”

After giving man His written word, sending prophets, and working miracles, God personally came down to tell you He loves you.  And, lest you misunderstood His message, God performed the ultimate act of love: He sacrificed His life on the cross for yours so that you may live eternally with Him.  Now that’s love! Yet, so many fail to see His love for them.

To answer the question: what does it take to win your love for me?  It begins with faith and believe (on our part) in Him, followed by an admittance that we’re sinners in need of a Savior, and then to say, “YES!” to Him, thereby surrendering our lives to Jesus!   If you wonder why He did it, were He to sing this song to you, He’d say, “Ooh, baby, ‘cause I love you so.”

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

God Bless!

Sam

Recommended Song: Listening by Christafari

This is another one of those great songs I’ve used before in my writings.  For all those Walter Mitty-s out there, our imaginations are always running!  This song and others like it, paints a picture of gentle, simpler times in our lives.  Who hasn’t dreamt of being swept away in love or whisked off their feet by the person of their dreams?  In our minds, we can write an entire love story with glorious beginnings, happy endings, and omit all heartaches and obstacles.

Recently listening to this song, I read some attached comments. As with other wonderful songs of the 60s and 70s, many people cry over them due to the strong impacts the songs have (had) on them.  The lyrics are only a fraction of the full experience.  The music also plays such an important part in the impact upon our lives.  Emotions are affected by it, as well as the location where we remember them.  The time of day, the season, the reason, the person we sang it to or had it played for us, all contribute to a full experience. You can hear it now and even smell the aromas present when it first meant so much to you.

“But it was just my imagination running away with me…” the song goes. While it’s great to live in the moment of our thoughts, past experiences, and dreams, we need to awaken from Fantasy (Earth, Wind, and Fire-1974) and face the world.

One day soon, Jesus will return for His beloved bride, that’s a fact!  It won’t be just your imagination kicking in high gear when you see the King of all creation standing before you!  You’ll probably rub your eyes in disbelief as you’ll see trillions upon trillions of angelic beings flying or standing before His throne praising His majesty forever!  You’ll join billions of believers worshipping God for His glorious plan of salvation and riddance of evil.

You’ll stand upon streets of gold clear as crystal in a new and perfect world free of death, pain, and trials, and you’ll fall in adoration at the feet of Him who lives forevermore!

If you don’t personally know Christ yet, then it’s He who sings, “But in reality, she doesn’t even know me…”  Jesus longs to hold you near.  He wants you to know Him!  Don’t let Him sing that to you any longer!  Change your imagination to reality!

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).   “Look, I am coming soon bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds” (Revelation 22:12).

The song of your heart is His Number One Hit!

God Bless!
Sam

Many people are on the road, some, seeking work, others seeking love, and some, seeking answers.  Some, have found their answers, while others have found more questions than answers.  Many are therefore, as the song goes, on the road again.

Are you on the road of life?  Are you parked? Moving?  Finding yourself at a standstill?  Have you no strength to go on? Run out of gas?  Are you, as the Commodores sang, “Searching for that love” (Sweet Love)?

The road you’re on may be like MOST of Puerto Rico’s roads: dilapidated, full of potholes, laden with speedbumps, maybe you’re wanting to get on to a smooth surface (join the crowd!), or maybe, like National Lampoon’s European Vacation Roundabout scene, you’re forever going in circles!

Guess what? God’s on the road too. He’s watching you whether you’re going in circles or are parked, etc. He too is searching, not for love, for He is Love (1John 4:8), but waiting to meet up with you and shower you with His love.  Unlike Chevy Chase, who can’t get to the left lane, God moves about unobstructed.  Nothing hinders His plans. He knows what road you’re on, knows your whereabouts, and can pin-point your exact coordinates to reach you.

Might as well call out to Him now and get Hitchin’ a Ride (Vanity Fare, 1969) home.  Don’t need to wait for drastic encounters like Apostle Paul’s Road to Damascus trip to kill Christians where He was blinded by the LORD and apprehended by God to become a servant of His (Acts 9).

Thumbs Up!

Sam

Everyone knowing the song, loves it. Everyone’s who has ever had “a girl” in their lives, knows how special she can be.  A girl, in the life of a guy can make him change his ways. A guy smitten with love can dream of seeing her without tiring.  He’ll write poetry, songs, cook, bake, build, and do a number of things for his beloved.  The power of love, makes all the difference.  And it’s only appropriate to reciprocate that love.

Have you been smitten by a girl? Do you have a “My Girl” in your life?  If yes, congrats!  If you don’t, someone loves you anyway.  The Temptations may have sung the great song loved by many, but God was already smitten by your beauty! Whether you’re female or male, to God, you’re His special treasure regardless.  He’s thrilled about you either way!

“Talking about My Girl,” she and I will be celebrating our 44^th anniversary today! Through lots of trials and triumphs, God has been central to serving each other in love and togetherness. I continue being smitten by the big brown-eye girl that caught my attention over 44 years ago!

Love ya Hunz,

Sam

Quick, Mom, get it!  Find some loose change! Two nickels, ten pennies, a nickel and five pennies! Or just a dime!!  We were screaming our heads off.  This was serious stuff and I was frantic! The lightly-playing music in the backdrop signaled it was here and could just as quickly vanish to another neighborhood.  We couldn’t allow that to happen!  We had to act fast! Frantically I ran downstairs jumping over, and skipping several steps as I made it to the curb in time to line up behind several other frantic kids. Mr. Softie had arrived, and we had to get our ice cream before he’d leave!  Ten-cents bought us a large cone with great-tasting vanilla or chocolate ice cream. For two more cents, we could add sprinkles-yummy!

Every so often the truck would arrive and if no one was outside, it’d leave within a few minutes.  It was imperative we act quickly.  This was yet, another great thing about the 60s and the early 70s. Dimes weren’t necessarily easy to come by. Getting good treats was special and essential for our survival!

God tells us to seek wisdom the same way, with effort and diligently (Proverbs 4:7). 

Jesus told about the lady searching for a lost coin, how she’d sweep everything in hopes of finding it. In essence, she had a meltdown before finding it. Afterwards, rejoiced when it was found (Luke 15:8-10). Likewise, Jesus turns every nook and cranny searching for His lost children.  Once found, there’s rejoicing in heaven for finding YOU, “the lost coin.”

Nowadays, people have meltdowns for all types of reasons. You can relax if you invite Jesus into your life.  He’ll not leave you or forsake you, but you do have to act fast-Today’s the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).  You may not be around tomorrow.

We know He has no need for your dime or two-cents, yet, you’ll enjoy eternity with Him sweet as ice cream.  Plus, I’m sure in heaven you’ll enjoy your double or triple scoops in every variety, with, or without sprinkles, and no panic attacks or added pounds!

God Bless!
Sam