Every Beat of My Heart

Where we should get our advice from?

I came across this article that was quite humorous but also interesting.

Marathon, Ellis Island, Reflection

So yesterday I witnessed my friend Jake run the Philadelphia Marathon and rock it out in 3hrs 30 minutes and 43 seconds! Go Jake! The amazing part was that he said that he was in pain on mile 15 and just kept pushing through. I don't know how he could do since the race was 26.2 miles! He definitely inspired me in my quest for better conditioning and health. Now I didn't say I was going to go run a marathon but it got me motivated to train for my 10k down the road.

Other than that, I went to Ellis Island in NYC and was very humbled by the experience. I looked at these immigrants trying to make it in America to have a better life and seek opportunity. Unfortunately many were sent back on a ship or separated from their family forever. There was one quote in which I will paraphrase that said "I waved goodbye to my family for the last time. It was like I was going to their funeral and realized I would never see them again." It made me think of how fortunate and blessed I am to have never gone through this. It is not to sound smug or anything but humbled by it all. There were pictures all around the museum of people waiting in line to hopefully be admitted into the country and in some cases rejected. There were racial signs that were very disturbing that said "No Asians allowed" and just some things I just can't write because they are so filled with hate and evil.

As I saw these signs I don't usually go into this discussion or even talk about the subject but I will. Whether you voted Mccain or for Obama the choice has been made. When seeing these hatred signs in the museum this weekend I saw signs of bigotry, hatred, and racism just to name a few. To tie it for the election I know there were many that did not like the result of November 4th. When you think about all that we have gone through in history, I think we need to give President Elect Obama a chance. I'm not saying that he was the most qualified or that he was most deserving but we have to stop our hatred because the election didn't go in our favor. Now that the decision has been made, let us all join together and pray not only for Obama, his cabinet, Senate, House, etc. but for this country we all know and love. We are suffering terribly and are divided. For we don't know what the future holds but we know who holds all our future tomorrows. In just retrospect we have come so far since the the first settlers with pilgrims and indians, from slavery to abolishing it, etc. Let us come together and pray that God would work in the lives of those now in power to restore this country to what it was meant to be.

Sorry, posting error, here is the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYaTSbCGY50

What if Corporate Sponsors took over Praise and Worship

A friend sent this to me. I found it hilarious. There's another parody by this guy thats also funny about "Things You Shouldn't Say to Your Wife".

Enjoy.

The link

http://www.webmd.com/kidney-stones/extracorporeal-shock-wave-lithotripsy-eswl-for-kidney-stones

Kidney Stones suck!

So as I write this post alot has happened over the last several weeks. Two weeks ago I was watching TV Sunday night when I started to feel this excruciating pain ever on the left side of my stomach. I told my parents that I was feeling this pain where they ran me to the emergency room. Three hours later the doctor told me that they would be taking an X Lab to diagnose where the pain is. Now mind you it took awhile for them to even give me some kind of pain medication to ease some of the pain. Anyway so they do the X-Lab and around 3:00am, the doctor comes in and tells me it looks like a kidney stone but they need to run a few more tests before they discharge me. I knock out eventually until 6:30am where the doctor has confirmed with me that it is indeed a Kidney stone. They told me that this is quite a large kidney stone in which it will require a outpatient procedure to break it down into smaller fragments to pass through my body. Anyway so I get home where I am bedridden while my parents try to make an appointment to see a Urologist. After calling a dozen of them, each of them said their earliest appointment wasn't going to be until late October! Apparently in the whole state of Delaware everyone has kidney stones. (I'm kidding but thats what it seemed like) We eventually found a Urologist that would see me that afternoon. He told me about a procedure that would break the kidney stone into smaller pieces so I could pass the stone naturally. He set the appointment for two weeks which was the earliest they could get a hold of this machine that did the procedure.

Fast forward 2 weeks
During the course of the two weeks waiting I felt alright didn't feel much discomfort where it was almost like I had no pain at all. The day before the procedure I had to take Magnesium Citrate (worse vile stuff in the world that says on the label (will cause bowel movement in 1/2 hr to 6hr, cases may vary) Lets just say it didn't take long for that movement to occur. So Tuesday 10/7 I get to the hospital waiting for my procedure. The doctor tells me I might feel some pain after the procedure because of the many pieces floating in my blood stream. Well I go in where they position me to do the zapping. The machine is called a Mobile Lithostripsy. You can read about how the procedure is done on this link:
The next thing I know is I am in recovery. I am feeling some discomfort but not too much. They discharge me about 2:30pm. About 3:30 I am feeling some more discomfort but nothing to be alarmed about. 5:00pm rolls around and I am in agonizing pain. I can't sit still where I am rolling around on the floor. I ask my mom to call 911 in which she does. Its back to the ER again and this time they get me in a room right away and put me up to an IV. The doctor doesn't come to see me until 1:00am and tells me I'll be okay and gives me some pain meds to lessen the pain.

As of today 10/13, I am not 100% but getting there. Doctors compare this pain to the closest of giving childbirth. I definitely do not envy women giving childbirth. This pain was the worst I have ever experienced. I'd appreciate the prayers as I continue to recover. Oh and at the bottom is a picture of the machine.

Feedback on some questions

As I was wondering what to write, a discussion topic came up that made want to get people's perspectives. So for the people that read my blog, please comment on this topic: What does it mean to be Baptist? You can interpret that however you want. Here's the second question, if someone were to come up to ask you are you a Baptist or are you a Christian? how would you answer them? I'm doing some research so please feel free to answer as freely as you want on these topics. I'll let you know where I'm going with this once I get some feedback.

Distracted

Alright so I have no excuse for not blogging in awhile but to distract your attention I thought I would put up a cute picture of Zachary after taking a bath. Distracted yet? As I was thinking about what to write in this posting, I thought about how fun it is to be an Uncle. I mean I get to play with my nephews, spoil them with gifts, and when they are bad, give them back to mommy or daddy to do the punishing meanwhile Uncle is still the good guy. It was also interesting in a discussion during small group about whether everything is a miracle or if miracles happen every day. (I can't remember the wording but that will have to do.) Anyway I don't claim to be the theologian or anything but I believe miracles do happen every day in when a baby comes into the world. When my sister suprised us with baby #2 was on the way, she had a picture of a sonogram of little Zachary. From the little spec on the black and white picture to what you see above, how can you not deny the existence of a miracle? What do you think? Do you think babies are an example of God's miracle?

4 Types of Christians Devotion

4 Types of Christians
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
04-05-2008

"But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law" (Galatians 5:18).
In his book Anointed for Business, Ed Silvoso provides a thoughtful look at the four types of Christians in the workplace. The following four categories provide an excellent tool for self-assessment:
1. The Christian who is simply trying to survive.
2. The Christian who is living by Christian principles.
3. The Christian who is living by the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. The Christian who is transforming his or her workplaces for Christ.*
Category #1: Christians who are simply trying to survive have no purpose or zeal for integrating their faith at work. They have not seen the power or presence of God in their work lives. Such Christians segment their faith life from their work life. They lack purpose and meaning and they have little direction.

Category #2: The second type of Christian in the workplace includes those who are living by Christian principles. We participate in 12-step programs and read books with guaranteed formulas to help us lose weight or improve our marriages. This programmed teaching can be beneficial to change negative patterns in our lives. However, it is important to recognize that the root of this type of teaching comes largely from a Greek-based system for attaining knowledge, as compared to the early church Hebraic model of experiential learning.

Category #3: Christians who are living by the power of the Holy Spirit understand the importance of developing a heart toward God through prayer, study of the Word of God and obedience. They realize that these are the three core ingredients to experiencing the power of God in their lives.

Category #4: A wonderful byproduct of living by the power of the Holy Spirit is that you can transform your workplace for God. Christians who passionately seek the manifestation of God's kingdom here on earth will be able to realize this transformation in their workplaces. When the kingdom of God is demonstrated on Earth, it can transform the workplace and society.
Start asking God to help you see how to transform your workplace today.
* Ed Silvoso, Anointed for Business (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2002), p.123.

Which category do you fall into?

The Latest

So yes I know it has been forever since I have posted. I have no excuse but to say I'm a slacker and just haven't been in the mood for posting. Travels of course have taken me far and wide, here, there, and everywhere. However I would like to ask you all (the faithful few that are still checking my blog) to pray for me. The travels of my job are getting to me and I would like to find something with less or no travel. Believe it or not travelling is not as glamorous as you would think. I take that back travelling in general is still fun but not for business.

On a personal note, I have been feeling very up and down and am in need of a vacation. The next two weekends are going to be fun. Why you ask? I am going to Sarasota, Florida to see two of my college friends for the weekend. Then the following weekend I get to go whitewater rafting in WV with friends (O:+ Even though they are just weekend trips its nice just to get away for a little while.

My 4th of July weekend was fun where I got to spend time with family. I got to see my two nephews once again. As soon as I figure out how to download my pictures from my new camera I will post them. I guess thats it for now.

My Birthday

On May 19, 1977, 6:00am, Ithaca, NY, Tompkins County Hospital, I came into the world. Today May 19, 2008 I sit here in my hotel room in Barboursville, WV on a business trip. Now is this the place I would like to spend my birthday? No but I am thankful because during my 30th birthday I didn't have a job and right now I do. I am thankful for the friends that called me today to wish me a happy birthday. I thank you all that called me or left me some kind a message. It speaks volume that you guys thought of me today. What I do wonder about is what does God say to us right before we enter the world? Do you think there is a conversation that goes on between Him and us before we enter the world for the first time? I know its a strange question but its just something I just thought about. I also thought about my nephew Zackary who is 5 months old now. He doesn't say much except gibberish. Does God speak gibberish? When Zackary cracks a little smile when he's sleeping, its like I think God is telling him something funny like an inside joke. Perhaps God is telling him that he is loved.

How does God speak to you? Does he do it through music, prayer, scripture, audibly?

The Latest

I know I haven't written in awhile where alot has been going on. Last week travels took me to Hurricane, West Virginia (yes that wasn't a typo I said Hurricane) and well it wasn't fun. First of all I had to leave my house at 4:30am to catch my first leg of my flight that left at 6am. My next connecting flight in DC left at 9 and arrived around 10am in Charleston, WV. Now the not fun came in when Tuesday morning I started feeling cramps in my stomach. I didn't feel like eating and was feeling nauseus. (sp?) Anyway so I took Pepto Bismal and Rolaids which gave no relief whatsover. The only thing I wanted to do was go home and sleep in my own bed. Well the fun continued where on Wednesday my flight from DC was supposed to leave at 10:19pm but landed up not leaving until 12am due to a "maintenance" problem. Now I am thankful that they fixed whatever was wrong with the plane but the annoying part was the ramp agents did not tell us anything or even give us any updates of what was going on and why our plane was not leaving on time. Finally on Friday I got to go to the doctor's where they told me I was extremely dehydrated. Their medical diagnosis was for me to drink lots of fluids. Anyway so if I sound negative I think I can say with confidence that I am burnt out right now. I need a break. So what am I asking of you? Please pray as I am still not feeling 100% even though I am drinking plenty of fluids now. Also well that I would somehow find time to rest or get some kind of break because I am truly running on empty.

Small Reflection on Conference and Recent travels

As I was thinking about what to write, I thought about the challenge that was made to the church at the small group conference I attended this weekend. The title of the conference was Pursuing Community. Two speakers spoke about the pursuance of community and how God intended us to be in community. People long to feel welcome, to belong, and well we (being the church) don't always make strangers feel that way. I'll be the first one to admit that I don't always do that when I meet new people. However it brings me back to thinking of when I first became a believer and well people approached me and made me feel welcome. I think we sometimes put up a big wall where non believers will think that to go to church "have it all together and only perfect people may attend." The truth is we are imperfect people, with problems galore and well thankfully God still welcomes us in His house of worship. It would be nice if we had it all together but we don't. We are all fallen people but because of God's redeemptive loving nature, we can come to Him with all life's problems. He never said this road would be easy but he did promise to go through life's problems with us.

On another note, for those that are wondering I have been lately, travels took me to Ashland, VA this past week which is a small town outside of Richmond. I won't even begin to complain about the crazy traffic that I was in when driving home on Thursday. I left Ashland at 3 and did not get home until 8pm. In retrospect I am so thankful to have a job to go to. I saw that the latest news in the economy stated 80,000 jobs were cut. Thank you Lord that I still have a job and it seems my company is still making money despite the economy downturn.

Ups and Downs, Road Construction, and Something Bigger

Alright I know I haven't posted in awhile but well its definitely been an up and down road for me as of late. Since my last posting about the No Turn Left State work has really been stressful. Not that I don't like my job but have you ever thought that there's something bigger that you can't even put your finger on that God has in stored for you? I mean I enjoy the travel and having to meet different people each week, but on occasion I tend to miss the regular go to work Monday-Friday 9-5 job. Its not to say I am going to quit my job or anything but driving has been really wearing a heavy toll on me.
For example this past week, I was driving to Langhorne, PA and little did I know that lanes were going to be closed on I-95 due construction on some land structure that had a huge crack in it. There were no warning signs until you got closer to the closure but then the signs said "Drivers find alternative route" but my question is what if you don't know what the alternative route is? I mean I'm not a psychic or anything. I landed up arriving at the client's site three hours later then my report time. Then I had to a very difficult project that was beyond my comprehension level. Fortunately I think I figured it sorta out with help of the Holy Spirit and intercession from my friends (O:+ Now going back to something bigger, I've really been praying and thinking about this but I've thought about going into ministry full time. I mean I don't know what the first step would be but I know I don't want to do any more schooling I know that much. So if you think about it, please pray that I would find clarity in direction.
In regards to the funk I was suffering, I'm not saying I'm out of it but its getting better. Thanks for your prayers.

The No Left Turn State

Lately life on the road has been exhausting. I mean don't get me wrong I love my job but lately I have been doing more driving than flying. Take this week for instance. I am in the state of you can't turn left New Jersey. Perhaps I need to rant a little. How stupid is it that you can't make a left turn? I mean you have to go to this stupid UTurn lane miles later after passing your actual destination only to back track your way to get to your actual destination? Oh and did I mention how the five lane highways are just plain insane? I had to leave at 8:00am from my sister's place only to make it on time to the dealership at 9am when the dealership according to Mapquest is only 20 minutes away. Only Mapquest doesn't account the crazy drivers and the rush hour. If you couldn't tell already I am not a big fan of driving in this state. Does anyone feel the same way? Alright I'll get off the rant about New Jersey. Anyway so just about half of last month and this month I have been driving on average 2 1/2 hours to 4 hrs to the client site. However these places are in the most remote places. How our sales team found these places I'll never know. If you tackle on the drive time + the actual work day you are looking at a 13 hour work day. I'm pretty exhausting by the end of the day.

Anyway enough about work stuff, but have you ever felt that life is going really slow for you while others around you is continually going at warped speed? Thats what I have been feeling lately. I don't know what it is but it just feels like life is progressing and I'm stuck in quick sand.

Still Calls Me Son

As I was perusing through Family Christian Store, I heard a song come on the intercom that struck me in some way. I immediately asked the sales associate who the artist was and she pointed out to me that it was John Waller. Usually I do not buy an album unless I know more than one song but for some reason this song really resonated me. When I looked in the book cover for the song it was called "Still Calls Me Son" and it was inspired by the story of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-32. For some reason conviction sank in. Here are the lyrics:

I drug his name through godless places
And I’ve known shame that no child of his should know
I’ve seen pain on broken faces
Beyond all thought of hope
I was just too far from home
Still I always wondered when I closed my eyes

After all I’ve done
Could he run to me?
Would he kiss my face?
Could he even look at me?
After where I’ve been
should he take me back?
I would understand
I’ve disgraced him
But it would be amazing
If he still calls me son

With nothing left for me to bring him
I left my pride and turned my heart toward home
I saw my home on the horizon
And from a distance
I saw my Father
Watching for his own with forgiving eyes

After all I’d done
He just ran to me
Then he kissed my face
He would not let go of me
After where I’d been
He just welcomed me
I don't understand
But he put his robe on me
It was so amazing
That he still called me son

One day as I breathe my last
And I know my days on earth have ended
When every hour is spent
I will close my eyes in amazement
And I’ll hear angels
They’ll be singing

Amazing Grace
Cause he will run to me
And he will kiss my face
He will not let go of me
After where I’ve been
He will welcome me
I won’t understand
How he’ll put his robe on me
It will be amazing
That he’ll still call me son

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
When he calls me son
I once was lost but now I’m found
Cause he calls me Son

After all I've done He (being Christ) just ran to me, then He kissed my face, He will not let go of me. After where I've been He will welcome me I won't understand How he'll put his robe on me It will be amazing that He'll still call me son! Though I can fall very far from Him He still welcomes me with open arms. Are you amazed as I am that no matter how we mess up, He still calls us Sons and Daughters of a Living God!

Travels and "The God of the 2nd Chapter"

I know I have not posted in awhile but nothing has really inspired me recently. The last two weeks I have been going non stop with the travelling. Two weeks ago I was in Tennessee and then last week I was in Western PA once again. This time I was an hour and a half past Pittsburgh. It was in a town called Conneaut Lake. It was actually really pretty with the snow falling and a lake that was completely frozen. I think the best part of the trip was that the client closed at 6pm every day except for two nights. Oh and the people were so friendly and so down to earth. The people in Tennessee were nice as well.
On another note tonight I heard a guest speaker who called God "The God of the 2nd Chapter". It really spoke to me where we might not like how our first chapter was written but God is God of second chances and well He is continually writing our story. How awesome is that! The speaker talked about making the most of every opportunity. For we are called to be "salt and light" and well who knows who we might encounter out there. We might be the closest to Jesus people we will ever see. Lets be the church! Let's shine for all to see the love of Christ to everyone we see. Lets build each other up, encourage one another, love for the sake of the call!

Nephew, Rock Climbing, Saying Good Bye

Alot happened this weekend. First on Friday I went to North Jersey for my brother in law's birthday suprise. His boss' wife invited my sister and him for a special suprise that weekend but due to my sister just having Zackary (picture #1) she was not able to go. So I was the substitute for her. It turned out the suprise was not only dinner but there was a lecture series going on at William Patterson University where Brian Cashman (GM of the Evil Empire NYY) and Theo Epstein (GM of the 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox) had a discussion forum about their success at such a young age. I mean these guys are around my age and to be in those positions just blows my mind. Theo Epstein was 28 when he became GM of the Red Sox. 28! I was entering my first year of grad school at 28. Anyhow the forum was good because they had people in the audience ask questions. One of them was if you could steal one other person from other team's organization who would it be. Brian Cashman said David Ortiz and well Theo Epstein's response was priceless. He said "I would steal the man on my left (which was Brian Cashman by the way) and have him head up my scouting team." What I was suprised most about was how there were a decent amount of Red Sox fans in North Jersey of all places. Who knew?
Anyway the next day after spending time with Zackary in which I will try to post more pictures later I drove home and went indoor rockclimbing with my friend Jake in Bear, Delaware. What a workout! I am still feeling it today! Jake made it look easy but I still enjoyed it. Perhaps I will go again next month to see if I made any improvements. Then this morning I shared my testimony in church and well I hope it encouraged other people.
Then in the afternoon I went to a going away party for my friend Bubemi who is leaving us because her job is transferring her to start an office in Singapore! It was hard to see her go because she brings such a awesome heart for the Lord and sincerity when she prays. Bubemi, you will be missed much, thought of often, and prayed for always! I can't wait to see what God has in stored for you in Singapore. Who knows, maybe I will make a trip out there. Anyhow I am going to truly miss my sister in the faith.
Finally I went to the church service in the evening and who do I see but a person I went to high school with! All I have to say is "Only in Delaware". Off to Tennessee!

Latest Travels took me Local

Alright so I haven't posted in a little while but well no eventful trip has come up as of late. The last two weeks I have been going to Philadelphia, PA, Warminster, PA, and Newark, DE. However this weekend will be fun because 1) today I get to see my new born nephew Zackary Joseph Salzano and Ethan Christopher! 2) I am going rock climbing with two of my good friends from small group! The good news is that my New England Patriots are in the Superbowl once again! Wouldn't it be sweet if they got another title and well Boston would be rejoicing! Anyway I will post pictures of Zackary Joseph later this weekend.