A Heart

     I don’t often write in my blogs, but this morning I just feel alone, though I know I am not.  The past few days have tasked my heart to its limit, though God has given more.  I am changed, but unchanged.  I am whole and apart.  I am lost, but I am found.

     I cried only once yesterday, and only for a moment, but today that is all I want to do, but do not be sad for me for the tears that dwell within are not that kind and their is nothing you can do to give me comfort, only the embrace of a Saviour and God can do that.  They do not even loss or loneliness, they just say I am a man.

     Yesterday afternoon, I did something I have not done in a very long time.  I stood in a pulpit and gave a simple message of the life of a little boy, who meant something to many people.  Leo was a part of my life and He made me feel important and alive.  I know those are selfish things, but can not change what  is real and true.

     As I sat at my desk this morning I read the words writing yesterday and feel compelled to leave you with this, a message of Hope and Love.  It is what Jesus would have me to do:

The first step to salvation is to realize that we are all sinners:

Romans 3:10 (KJV) “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

Romans 3:23 (KJV) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Next, you must know that because of sin there must be a price paid:

Romans 6:23 (KJV) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

This price can be paid by you with an eternity in Hell, or you can accept the price that Jesus paid for your sin:

Romans 5:8 (KJV) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. “

To accept Jesus’ payment for your sin simply call on His name and ask Him to forgive your sins and save you:

Romans 10:9-13 (KJV) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you are ready to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, take time right now to pray, confessing your sin and asking Him to save you.

When you accept Jesus, He is faithful to do what He said He would - He forgives you and saves you.  This an eternal life that cannot be lost:

1 John 5:13 (KJV) “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. “

If you have read this and come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are welcomed into the Kingdom of God.  If you want to share, email me at me@agagliardijr.com.

Christmas Eve, 2010

     For all the High Tech toys we may receive tomorrow, remember that on that day a Saviour was given, the beginning of a journey.  Not so high tech, and not so complicated, though we make it complicated.  The simplicity of a single gift to be accepted or rejected.     Remember that you may take the gift, but not use it, just like a child plays with the box.

     I have faced life and death.  I seen evil face to face and know it does exists.  As I think about the Skillet song – Monster, I remember that just under the surface it may still exist within me.  But dig a little deeper and a holy sprit dwells, just let Him out.

     Fear, joy, happiness,anger, and hatred those and more.  The things everyone feels, for I am a man, a human - simply.  Not always understanding life.

     But for all the things we have felt and all the thing we have been though, a Saviour was born.  He stepped from Heaven and lived a life of man, suffering most horribly, not for those things He had done, but for the things we have done.

Christmas Eve, 2010 – In the word of Mr. Spock, Live Long and Prosper.

Reflection of who I want to be when I grow up.

What do I want to be when I grow up.  Some may say you are already grown up and sometime I feel like it.  Many time though I do not feel like it.

You I had a very successful career, but there is always time for more, don’t you think?

Let’s think about this, one year ago I started going back to school for what?  Well to start a new career, work for someone else for a change. On the other hand find a nice cushy Government job again and retire from it, that may be a good idea!

You know I still have that shirt in the picture.  Time to…….

Have a fun evening!

Ipad–yes I bought one!

     Yes it has been a while……

     Well for anyone who knows me I am not a big fan of Apple proprietary hardware, only that they release nothing to no one.  On the other hand, their may be some benefit in it, they control the product – Hardware & Software compatibility, it all works out of the box.

     I read an article from TechRepublic about a discussion Steve Jobs had in regard to the tablet market, smartphone and other things.  He may be right, just read what he said and take your petty – I Love Windows or I am a Linux out of the equation.

     Though Google intended for Android to be open source which by nature is a good thing in this venture it may only be good for the manufactures and carriers.  Android is a fractured OS, with each manufacturer and carrier making demands on the OS, no clear upgrade path.  I am a supporter of Open Source, but when everyone is going in their own direction you wind up with thousands of variations, so we wins?  Only the system manufacturers and carriers.

     Even with Windows at least there is only on controlling manufacturer, I can not just change it, even though many of us would like too.  There are some controls to it, some sort of quality assurance.  Of course we can bring Linux the Unix variations into the discussion.  That may be why we have not seen the complete elimination of Windows, too many products.  When on single variant rises to the top, Ubuntu, maybe then Linux will catch on.

     Something else for us to think about is screen size.  I know size does not matter!  Many of the tablet products being released are of the 7”.  Well I have I 7” slatedroid, Eken E001.  Very nice android tablet from China for $88US.  Check email, web  browsing and all the things you want from a 7” system.  It is?  The answer is with a 7” screen I can do the same things on my 4.3” Droid X screen better.  So Mr. Jobs may have a point about the screen size.

     I have been frequenting the Ipad forums around the internet and they have something the others don’t – contentment.  When you go to a windows or android forum, you get a lot of  - this don’t work or that doesn't work and I would have liked this.  On the other hand on the Apple forums you tend to get a lot of positives.  Even when people are having problems you get about 5 posts helping them and not 5 more posts grumbling about it.

     Here is what I am saying, If you want the Windows 7 tablet than just wait for it.  It might just live up to your expectations.  If you want the 7” Android then buy it.  As a non-Apple person I can tell you the Ipad just plain works.

Who are we and why are We.

      Everyday of my life I have struggled with who I am and where I should be.  Today I feel inadequate as a Husband, Father, Grandfather but more importantly a Man.  I see my father as what I should be, but I have never reached the high of who he is and don’t think I even will.

     I struggle with the consequences of the decisions I have made, not realizing those consequences to others.  The depths of our struggle are never considered in who we are.

     Who am I, just me a person inadequate in what I should be.  The good news is Jesus Love me, no matter.  Save by the Shed blood of the one who knows who I am, from before I become who I am and will know me after I am not.

So!

So I have been in school since November ‘09.  I still like it but it is getting a little more complicated.  I love the Communications classes I have been in, I have learned a lot. 

God, Music & Stuff!

Recently I wrote a post on my facebook page about what music I like.  Mostly Christian and mostly contemporary, mostly rock.  Christian Rock, yes.  Really don’t care what all you old bible thumpers say, you would be wrong on many levels, but the only level that counts would be God’s level.  You can chose not to listen, because you don’t like the sound, but be honest, see the word!  Hear the words.  Some old Christian music may not be the best to listen to either, words!  Just because it has drums, heavy beat!  Wow!  It is the word of God, words!

The post may have took a shot at some of my old pastors, but my intent was only to show how people manipulate the believe in bible principles to their end. Don’t do this don’t do that.  Did we get the jest of salvation – It is not what we do or not do, It is what he did! 

I have on occasion done the same, but as I read, understand and get older I realize what God plan is.  Salvation for everyone!  The last command Jesus gave us was to love one another.  Is that so hard to believe, can your God not save the lost, save the fallen, save even you, My God can, he said so.

The words of the song “Here’s my Life” are significant.  “God I’m crying out tonight “Cause I’ve given You my Life But I’m tired and missing what’s behind So once more here’s my life.”  Wow what a verse.  Isn’t that how we all feel as saved people!

Words!  Words!  Words!  God’s word in song, what every the beat or instrument!

If you remember anything from this post, remember that it is not the length of my hair, what music I listen to…  It is what is in my heart, and remember the only man that can see my heart, is the man – Jesus.  Jesus left us with his last command!  Love one another!

Same guy, same heart!

Vacation!

Who needs a vacation when you are retired and just sit around the house!  Ok that would be no one, you don’t take a vacation you go on a trip!  I get it now.

Jennifer is taking a vacation to New York, I am going along on the trip.  We are leaving Friday and should be in Schenectady by Sunday,  I think we are leaving the following Sunday.

Well I guess I am officially excited! 

Living Life!

Today is just another day in what we call life.  Wow that was deep!  Today is a great day..  well at least so  far it is, but it is early.

I have been sitting here pondering what my life is and who I am.  So what else is new, I do that most days. 

One big difference is I am thinking about Jennifer's and my trip to New York.  On one hand I am looking forward to it, on the other all things have changed.  The years have gone by and is it still my home.  For that is where the pondering come into play.

I haven’t lived there since the mid, dare I say, ‘70’s.  I still remember the place, I have visited over the years, but is it the same.  The answer is….  Well yes it is the same place, but with changes of time!

I was back home in November ‘08.  Dad was in the hospital and really needed to see him, or is that the other way around.  I don’t really know the answer, but it was good under the circumstances anyway.  I should have stayed longer than what I did, but I panicked about my job.  Kind of funny in hind site, what job, where is it now.

I guess I am looking forward to going home.  Who say’s you can never come home again!

Great Day!

Well here I am writing a post for all to see.  From of all places, my back yard.  I have tested both my laptop and netbook in the backyard.  They work great.  So here is my post from way outside.  I love it!

I am now adding my network music to my systems so I can still listen to it!

Fathers day is fast approaching!  This Sunday is the day.  I will write more on that subject later!

Hi!

Jennifer

Done!

I have tested Windows Live Writer on all of my blogs and wow it works!!!!  No problems to report, flawless, until it messes up.

what!

What another test!  Almost done………….

Windows Live Writer Review

WOW A great product from Microsoft.  I know Microsoft!

If you blog, this is for you.  It allows you to integrate you blogs into one place without going to your blog site. 

You can compose your entry and publish it from within live writer.  I can change blogs and post the same entry without cut & paste or retype.  I currently have 7 blogs, use don’t use, from different providers, wordpress, live spaces, blogger….  I have been able to post entries to each with no fuss. 

WOW, who would have thought Microsoft!

test!

WOW a test from Windows live writer1  Work Yes/NO?

This my friends is a party photo gone wrong!

Here is Patches -- Phyco-Dog!

Jennifer Photos

Here are some photos of Jennifer and the boys:

Merry Christmas

Good Morning to all, and a very Merry Christmas!

All day yesterday, Friday 23rd, I felt very uncomfortable. For years now I have thought that it was everyone's imagination that Christmas was being down sized, look in the stores, but for the first time I see what everyone is talking about. No Christmas signs in the windows, just Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings. I am not offended about those greetings, or that we want to include others, but where has Christmas gone? Have we allowed the retailers and "the world view" to completely take over, bigger presents and now include all faiths for bigger bucks. I remember hearing something about 80% of us being "Christians", where are we, In church, lets ask our pastors about that one.

Christmas has never been my favorite Holiday, for me it is Thanksgiving, family, friends & food! For me Christmas has been a sore subject for me, never enough time or money to give or do what the "world" tells you to do. Don't get me wrong, I love to give, but the pressure used to make me just miserable and sometimes even now can make me a little down. My only joy on Christmas Day is to see my children and grandchildren open the gifts. The one thing I don't like and I think most people, don't like is the disappointed looks you might get when you have given all you can.

As Christians if we are going to celebrate the Birth of Christ, why then the rest of the year do we make believe he never existed or at least act that way. For that matter on New Years eve why do we go out and get drunk and party all night long, just one week after we have celebrated His birth? How soon we forget!

I have missed a lot of church recently, not because of any negative things, I really love where I go to church. My real problem is my own laziness, but I never miss a message. Pastor Ron posts them right after the service, which is great because I get to download them to my IPAQ not IPOD, I can do a lot more, and listen to them while I am on the road everyday, sometimes 2 and 3 time during the week. Recently 1 John comes to mind and love. He made his point, and since his premise is biblical it is really one of the things this season is all about. His Love for US, Our Love for Him and equally important is Our Love for Each other. I am not on of those Love, love love people, but Pastor Ron' study sure make me take a hard look at myself and some change is in order.

Well I for one am not going to continue grumbling about Christmas and pray that anyone who reads this blog, will understand, in my heart Jesus dwells and I do not need a holiday to know that, but should show it each and every moment. That the Greatest gift of all, any time of the year -- day or night is the gift of Jesus Christ who died on the cross a Calvary. That concentrating on His Love for us and showing that love to others, is really what the season is all about.

A Merry Christmas to My Family!

-- Anthony & Doris, my parents;

-- Joe, Barb, Mary & my little brother Ed, my brothers & Sisters;

-- Karen, my Wife;

-- Christina, Mindy, Toni Marie, Jennifer, Raina & Tiffany, my daughters and Adam my Son.

-- As well as Shane, AJ, Alexia, Leo, Angelo & Nicole, my grandchildren

Well this is my first post on my BLOG and maybe my last, but at least I have it a try.