Points2Ponder by Alan P. Scaglione

Well....It's About Time

The Best News--All 3 in Reasonable Range!

I had my nuclear stress test today. It's the big picture to tell how my heart is really recovering from the heart attack almost 2 years ago. I had to have chemicals placed in my IV and for four minutes...WOW! my head felt like it was 3 times its size, like I was a hydrosyphallic; my throat closed up tight; I became lightheaded; I got a little numb; I was suddenly fatigued and hot! The longest 4 minutes of my life! But, it was worth it! Once it was over...within a minute, I was back to my old self...what a ride! almost as good as the roller coasters I can't ride anymore!

Point2Ponder: Why do we dread the work to get to the result we want so much? It may be a 4 minute chemically induced roller coaster ride...just to hear...good news!

I came back an hour later, and spent 12 minutes 50 seconds in an MRI while they took pics of my heart!

Then...I waited...

You know...I have always established a rapport with my nurse and techs...they are the backbone of the medical industry and will give you info if they like you...Paula, the tech, liked me..

She checked the 3 sections of the test and said, "The Doctor will give you the official word, but in the 3 areas that we check for, you are in reasonable range in all three!! It all looks good!"

That 4 minute chemical roller coaster...worth the trip...the pay off was just exceptional!!

Thanks be to God...the healer of my heart!

I'm Just Sayin! By Alan P. Scaglione

                                                          Alan's Kids..His Greatest Joys!

“I’m Just Sayin’”


by Alan P. Scaglione

Disappointments. We’ve all had them. Just live a few years, and something is bound to disappoint you. You have expectations for a certain outcome, you get your hopes up that it will turn out your way, you make plans depending on it unfolding like you want, and BAM! It does NOT! And, you’re disappointed… in the outcome, in the result, in others, in yourself. Just disappointed with life.

It’s not having disappointments that change your life; it’s HOW you handle the disappointments! That’s the game changer!

Some of them are as easy as work situations. Job is not turning out like you hoped? No problem, just find another job! Problem solved. Well, not so much in today’s economy…any job is better than no job, so…you may just need to suck it up and deal with it. We don’t want to lose our jobs.

Then there are the other disappointments. The ones involving our loved ones. They used to say, “you only hurt the ones you love!” That’s because… you expect the most out of the ones you love…and therefore, you are most vulnerable for them to disappoint you. Only they know what you really want, and… sometimes, they are the ones who deprive you of that one thing. Consequently, it leads to disappointment.

But…does disappointment have to lead to disillusionment? That depends totally on you!

How you choose to deal with disappointment will determine what comes next: do you control the situation or does the situation control you?

Consider what you can really do about someone else’s actions? Not much. They choose their actions, just like you choose yours.

And…you choose your RE-action!

And our children can bring us the biggest disappointments along with the greatest joys!

I was recently disappointed in the actions of one of my children. Their actions were not bringing me any joy. I had to make a choice. How would I RE-act?

I remembered this scripture that helped my decision: “For we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God!” Romans 8:28a

And I reset my RE-action with the recognition that…It’s all in God’s hands and…in the end, it will work out for the good! Because I love the Lord!

Think about the things that have disappointed you? Have you reminded yourself that…”all things work together when..you love God!”

See… it’s not the absence of disappointment that indicates a successful life…it’s HOW we deal with the disappointment! That decides success!

Whether it’s a small disappointment or a big one, how you choose to respond…to RE-act…

Your decision will determine if your disappointment leads to disillusion and controls you instead of…you controlling it!

And remember…when we love God…no one promised us a life spared of disappointment, but a God who will love us through the disappointment.

And He will turn it all for Good…because, that’s what He does for those He loves…

I wonder how many times we’ve disappointed Him? And yet, He still loves us.

Guess that’s the great example for us when we get disappointed …we love in spite, we love because… God loves us!



Until next time,

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

                 

Points2Ponder

                                                  Amanda,Alan,Macie and Mykai
                                                                 Points2Ponder
                                                            By Alan P. Scaglione
That Unexpected Visit-- the best times in life!

Grandkids are the BEST ! And when they come for a surprise visit, just priceless! Mykai and Macie and my daughter Manda surprised us with a visit recently.

The doors swung open, both ran out, into Nano's arms! Both said, "Nano, we missed you so much!" talk about music to my ears! Such a joy to have them in my arms.

I don't get to spend as much time with MnM as I do with Jett, so when I do get to see them, it's like a holiday!

Point2Ponder: Why is it the best things in life are the unexpected surprise visits from loved ones? They make your day, remind you of the important things in life and provide unexpected joy to your heart! Maybe YOU should be that surprise visit for a loved one? I know that they would love to see you!
Princess Macie asked me to buckle her in. I leaned in to buckle her up, and she smiled big and said,"You smell gooood! Mama, Nano smells goooood!!" Manda and I both laughed.

Thank you Usher cologne, the first batch, for this unsolicited fashion report from our 4yr old roving fashionista MacieGirl! and just think, being that close, she could have said something just the opposite! LOL!
So home isn't a building, it's a collection of hearts, lives, memories and emotions all tied in a select community uniquely designed by God.

You can't choose family OR home in your heart…it's preset!

Just remember...no matter how far we travel, no matter what we see, we always want to call home and send postcards to share our travels--with them!

Be it ever so humble...you know....no place like home! So…who are YOU gonna visit today???

I'm Just Sayin! By Alan P. Scaglione

                                                       What Do YOU Believe?
“I’m Just Sayin’”


by Alan P. Scaglione

If I only knew then what I know now…what would I do different? Ever ponder this? Ever ask…how would I have changed my life? What decisions would I have made differently? How would I have reacted differently the second time life threw me that curve or that sudden turn in the road? They say the joy of youth is wasted on the young…should be saved until we are older and wiser and know what to do with it! LOL!

I have heard the line that “everything I have lived through has made me what I have become, so I can’t see changing a thing because, it made me Me!” I have NEVER agreed with that statement. I have always been a man of introspection, asking why I did what I did, how I can learn from the lesson (and sometimes, having to learn it again and again) and what would I do differently next time? All in an effort to improve the me I am so that I can become a better, more mature, me in the future; evolving, always learning, always asking….how can I be a better me?

Of all the things I have changed since I was young, from friends to homes to wives, the one that has never changed has been my faith. Since I was eleven years old, I can honestly say that my faith has been the center of my life. There have been seasons that were stronger than others, times when I didn’t understand why things were happening, but even angry, I still chose to trust in the relationship I have with Christ. I live the life I have been called to live, and I can only tell you what works for me; it’s a relationship, not a religion. I have always trusted in that, and I have never been disappointed, never alone, never deserted.

What about your faith? Can you say it’s always been there for you? Can you say your relationship with God is that constant that has always kept you grounded? Can you say that you can trust that relationship?

I am not being “preachy” – I just wanted to share with you the only thing that has never changed in my life—my faith in the relationship that has sustained me through a divorce and a heart attack. It wasn’t just sitting in a pew, week after week. I do believe in regular attendance, but that will never replace a relationship with your Creator! Consider this: Going to a football game does NOT make you part of the team—only the team knows the joy of winning and the pain of losing—it is a relationship that lets you share both!

The old timers used to say...”Is it well with your soul?” That question still cuts to the heart of it… how are you and your Creator? Is it well with your soul?

As we approach Easter, many religions are making sacrifices…I am not asking you to sacrifice a thing—just asking what has been constant in your life? Has it been your faith? Your God, your Savior?

The Word says: “I was once young and am now (almost) old, but I have never seen the righteous forsaken or His seed out begging bread!” Psalm 37:25

He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him—and, if I only knew that back then… well, you know.

Until next time,

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

Points2Ponder by Alan P. Scaglione

Bella and Alan

Organize A Card Sending Campaign to Surprise them with Appreciation

I  just organized a card sending campaign so my wife would have a great 50th birthday! I had our family and friends send her cards of appreciation to her job—

 so she would be surprised by receiving them.

I just wanted her to see...so many people really appreciate her background support of everyone we know-

 as a mom, stepmom, Nana, Aunt, sister-in-law, friend and wife! She never needs to hear thank you...she wants to know that she was able to help!

POINT2PONDER: Why do we overlook those who tirelessly support and encourage us in our life, never stopping to say Thank You and I appreciate your presence in my life!

How about sending a card to someone who supports and encourages you--just to say thank you!

Start your own card sending campaign, organize it with mutual friends for that person who always supports your circle of friends.

We know...there's always that person, The One, who always remembers to call, to check in, to encourage you, to support you, to let you know…

you matter, you are not alone and...
you can do it--they believe in you!!

So pull out your pen, get out your cards, and…start sending to those who always give…to you!

Monday Recipe - Grilled Cheese ....Adult Style

I have thought a good bit about sharing recipes on my blog and just always get side tracked with doing that sooooo here is a truly great one ....sorry I do not have a picture to share but it is easy enough to make just anytime and totally over the top for all us adults that love a really great grilled cheese sammie. Here you go:

2 slices Italian  bread (could use sour dough as well)
Italian dressing  - purchased or homemade
1 slice Mozzarella Cheese
1 slice good cheddar
1 slice Provolone
About 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese mixed with 1/8 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Spread 1 side of each slice of bread with the Italian dressing, add all 3 slices of cheese between the 2 slices of bread. Next put Parmesan cheese/bread crumb mixture on a small plate and press sandwich into the cheese so that it will stick pretty good to both sides of the sammie (the sides with the dressing ). Place on griddle or panni press and grill until golden brown on each side and cheese has melted on the inside. This is a super crunchy sandwich on the out side and wonderful melted cheese on the inside. Sever with tomato soup and enjoy.

Enjoy
Suzann

"I'm Just Sayin" by Alan P.. Scaglione

  “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                                                                                       by Alan P. Scaglione

Willie & Belinda

 Japan! Who can say that name and not go…WOW! The pictures, the tragedy, the overwhelming sadness, the fear—how did it happen? Can it happen here? What can we do to prepare? What can we do to help?

The overwhelming sense of …what’s this world coming to? In the past few years, so many disasters, natural and man-made—death and destruction, on the news every night—filling our hearts with fear! But…What can we do?

We can help where we can, we can give what we can give, we can do what we can do…and then, we can pray for God to provide what we cannot!

Think of your little corner of the world. It may not have been hit by a tsunami or a whirlpool flood, but…isn’t there some way you can help? Isn’t there something you can do?

Something as simple as taking your leftovers into work and giving them to that homeless man outside your office building—just help where you can help!

My cousin is someone I admire—she is an only child, but she has a host of brothers and sisters she has adopted over the years! Whether it’s her liver foundation work or volunteering with cub scouts for her grandson, Belinda always seems to have some charity she is giving to or working with. Even Harley Riders’ “Toys For Tots” for a local children’s home at Christmas time. She inspires me by her giving heart.

Even when she’s taking the leftovers from a company luncheon outside and quietly dropping them off for the homeless man sitting under the bridge. Respecting him, she just leaves the food.  She just does what she can where she can… And, she makes a difference in her world!

Who do you inspire? What difference are you making in your corner of the world?

The Bible says, “When have you fed me, clothed me, loved me? When you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to me!” Matthew 25:35-40

Maybe you can’t travel to Japan to help with the relief effort, but… you can reach out and help someone in your path. Make a difference-- by extending a helping hand to those in need.

I believe we are His Hands Extended here on earth. So reach out and touch somebody’s hand, make this world a better place, where you can! –Remember that song?

It’s your willingness to give, to share, to be THAT person—that’s how we help! And we always remember - tomorrow, it may be one of us in need of that helping hand.

We collectively pray for Japan and for those rebuilding their lives after this horrific natural disaster.

And in our world, we decide that we will no longer scurry past the hungry man under the bridge—we take him our leftovers!

Until next time,

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”