June 16, 2010 Make a Difference   If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 One of the last classes I took at Rider University before graduating in 2008 was a class called Leadership. In that class, the professor taught that the first rule of leadership is to first lead yourself. Then, motivate yourself to make a difference in this world; MAD. You make a difference by helping (serving is also a form of leading) others grow. If there isn't growth, there isn't leadership. As Christians, our strongest testimony for God is a reflection of God's love in our lives. Above all else, we are called to love. In order for us to love in this manner, we must allow Jesus' love to flow through us. Love can do no good if it is kept bottled up; it is meant to be shared and poured out on every area of our life. In the bottle, love grows stale and stagnant. Poured out, it becomes a living, thriving light that draws people to God. Poured out, we will make a difference. There will be setbacks in our attempt to make a difference. There are many things in this life that will distract, frustrate, hurt, and irritate us. To get past these times, spend quiet time with our Savior through his Word, learning to understand His heart and being a vessel of His love. We may be mistreated, but as Jesus Christ said while hanging on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." He was the greatest example of love - can we do any less? God's kind of love must start within our heart and then our home. It can then be carried into our community and congregation by what we do for others; making a difference. He has called us to lead -- to Make a Difference! Dear Heavenly Father: Thank you for loving so much that you sent your son Jesus to die for our sins. He taught us to love and serve our brothers and sisters and how to make a difference. Continue to fill our hearts with love. May it pour out to those we meet and make a difference! In Jesus' name, Amen

February 20, 2010 - Shalom

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:2-6 NIV

Pax vobiscum! Peace be with you! Shalom!

What is the picture of “perfect peace” that comes to your mind? Could it be of a quiet lake with the opposite shore and skyline reflecting tranquilly off the water’s surface?  Perhaps it would be a picture of a quiet moment shared by loved ones.  Or could it be of a bird sitting on a nest behind a water fall? The base of the fall was just a few feet away from her nest.  The pool was frothing from the cascade and the sky was wild with storm clouds.  Maybe not…  The noise and constant dripping off the mist condensing on the rocks overhead seems anything but peaceful.

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace.  Many artists tried.  The King looked at all the pictures, and he chose the picture of the bird sitting on her nest.  There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest...  perfect peace.

Do you know why?  "Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid. John 14:27 (Contemporary English Version)

Let us pray:  Dear Heavenly Father, May we be united by the peace we receive when Jesus is in our heart; patient, caring and calm from your love!  For we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

February 10, 2010 - Double Snow Whammy

The story for the past two weeks has been snow!  I was home last weekend and was able to keep us shoveled out.  However, the bigger snow came these past two days while I have been in Boston.  This meant that Val and Gianna were on double duty to keep up with the snow that fell at a rate of 2" per hour.  Here is a photo taken by Gianna of the back deck and back yard looking toward the bbq grill and bird feeder.  Val said she measured 24" on the deck which was clear before the snow began falling two days ago.  No drifts.

January 30, 2010 - Michael Foster

A friend of mine, Sarg, passed away last week unexpectedly.  He was not feeling well one day, and gone two weeks later.  We met in Christian Motorcyclist Association ministry in 1997.  At the time, he and his brother in Christ (Fred Pope) rode from Toms River to Trenton once a month to meet with our chapter.  We worked events together, went to rallies together, celebrated victories in the Lord and cried some losses together (Roger and Ed most notably).  I watched him grow in CMA through the birth of a new Chapter; Salvation Soldiers where he served in a number of roles.  I am deeply saddened to read the news and feel for his family's loss. My prayers are with them.

AGE: 55 TOMS RIVER
Michael Stephen Foster, 55, of Toms River, died Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, at his home. He was born in Boston, Mass. and spent most of his life in the Toms River, Ocean County area. Mr. Foster was the quality assurance manager for Blonder Tongue Laboratory, Old Bridge for 16 years ago. He was an Army veteran, member of the Christian Motorcycle Association, Toms River Chapter and attended the First Church of the Nazarene, Toms River. Mr. Foster was a devoted Christian and was involved in many different ministries.
He is predeceased by his brothers, Keith and Chris. Surviving are his wife of 16 years, Barbara (Davis); four children, Michael Stephen II, Monique, Marnetta and LaShonda; five grandchildren; his mother, Blanche Foster; his brother, David; and his sister, Angel. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews; and many extended family members.
Visiting will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Road, Toms River. A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 at the First Church of the Nazarene, Route 37W., Toms River. Burial will follow at Bri

January 10, 2010 - Impressive Cold

One of the new projects I've launched during this sailing off-season is the fairing of the keel on the Alradee.  Gianna (a new driver), chauffeured me down to the marina where the Alradee is on the hard so that I could get some measurements from the keel.  We got to the boat, jumped out, took the measurements, and jumped back in the truck.  It must have taken all of 15 minutes.  But we were both chilled to the bone in that time.  The wind blowing at about 10 mph and a temperature of about 28, made it very uncomfortable very quickly.  It has now been 4 hours since that time in the cold, and my legs still ache.

Be careful out there friends. 

January 3, 2010 - A new year

I missed an entry for this week.  However, it was good to bid good riddance to 2009 with Gianna, Sydney, Val and I home together to watch the ball drop. 

December 27, 2009 - Getting Started

Today is the first edition of my weekly blog.  I am not an expert, on these things, but I'll give it  a shot.  This week is my week off.  I intend to spend it with my girls; playing on the Wii, maybe taking a trip to NYC, or maybe heading into Philadelphia.  It should be a lot of fun.

This is the last week of the year.  We have much to be thankful for; mom surviving her cancer, Val recovering well from her total hip replacement, I completed my my first full year with State Street Bank and Trust.  It will be the ongoing theme for the week.  Thank you Lord, for all the blessing you bestowed on my family and me.