The All Consuming Holy Fire

Jesus was whipped, beaten, and humiliated. It took 3 hours for his suffering to end. At that very instant a spark that would begin a revolution was started. 3 days later Jesus was resurrected and that fanned the spark in to a holy all consuming fire that burns just as bright now as it did more than 2000 years ago.

I had a calling when I was in first grade. I wanted The Lord to always be forever with me. I remember my First Holy Communion and the pin and bible that came with that day when I was 6 years old. I attended Religious classes at The Good Shepard Church in Rhinebeck, New York under Father Hines. I wanted to learn all I could about The Holy Trinity and The More of Jesus Christ. A man I never met but who had died for me so that I could live in The Kingdom of God. To a six year old, this is amazing. One man's death meant the whole world would be saved. Little did I know then that in four years I would do the unthinkable.

My first true love was killed by a drunk driver when I was ten. My world ended and my life in a living hell started. I always prayed for Kim and thanked The Lord daily for bringing her in to my life. We had been in the same classes since Kindergarten. She was very popular and the other's told her she should dump me.
She would not listen to them. She stood by me and when the others came around and would bait me in to a fight, she would whisper in my ear, don't do this, it is what they want. She would wrap her arm around my waist and lead me away from them. That worked fine till one day in fifth grade when Tim hit Kim on the playground and broke her glasses. I helped Kim up and then I felt pure white hot rage and a demon was released. I punched Tim and then all Hades broke lose on the playground. Everyone was fighting. At one point while I was throwing a punch at someone who tired to help Tim, I saw that the fight between Tim and I had some how turned in to a play ground battle field.

Every Day A Challenge, Every Day A Victory.

Wow it has been 2 years since I have updated my Blog. Lot's of changes to mind and body, but the Holy Spirit remains constant with in me. May 17, 2011 I had my forth back surgery. The big "F". They removed the 3 lower disks in my lumbar spine and put in 2 rods and 6 pins in, three cages and some chemicals to do the fusion process. I prayed that I would be ale to walk so I could continue doing the work I love the most.
Being a Chaplain and being able to marry couples. The pain remains but I am blessed.

I am a Chaplain at the American Legion Post and County Levels. I have a wife who loves me and I love her.
I have two children who love me and do not live in a constant fear of me. I have not lost my child like wonder of the beauty in nature. I still take many photos of God's most intricate designs. The Bees and Hummingbirds for instance.

An old demon has resurfaced, one I know all to well but still so hard to fight. My fear of sleep is back. A side effect of the pain and medication's to fight off the pain. I dream of things and times where I could do nothing to save my friend, in another dream the rain of bullets and death that I faced and walked away from but at a great cost.  Things I kept buried and locked away in the recesses of my mind. The meds broke down the barrier's and let the demon's out.

I sleep alone now for fear of lashing out in what sleep I do get. So long the night's are. I read The Word and I pray. Two years I did this on my own. Now I am in treatment for these things and I am not doing this alone any more. For the first time since 1987 I am back in a Church that is filed with great people and Love that can only come from Jesus. I am fully back in The Lords great graces.  I have found a whole new family at Victory Church in Rotterdam, NY. Pastor Charlie,Pastor Jim,&  Pastor Marty, thy preach from the heart and The Holy Spirit. I feel so warm and blessed when I just enter the doors. I go early so I can hear the AWESOME band warm up. Brother Chris, Brother Jim, Brother Tom sound so great together. Then you have Sister Sara, who sings so beautifully and she has 3 of the most talented back up singers too. I was very happy to learn that Brother Chris is a Teacher at my kids High School in Guilderland. I was asked by Brother Chris if I played any instruments, I told him I was once a lead guitarist for a heavy metal band and still have my electric guitar. I was invited to go to their next rehearsal and play with them!

I had not played in decades and it showed, but they have invited me back anyway! I am so grateful for all of these things and people. I hope to attend membership classes in January and Bible study. I just feel like a great weight has been removed.

Be well,

Rev. Craig

September 11, 2011 Wake Service for John Bacon -RIP

My Post did a wake service for John Bacon tonight. John was very outgoing and LOVED the Yankees.
I will miss seeing him at the Post.

John Wm. Bacon Sr.

 

Bacon, John Wm. Sr. COLONIE John Wm. Bacon Sr., 55, of Colonie, died suddenly on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at Ellis Hospital, with his loving family at his side. John was born in Albany, son of the late John L. and Elizabeth Jasiewicz Bacon. He enlisted in the USMC in 1975 and was Honorably discharged in 1981. John was employed, for over 29 years, at Owens-Corning in Feura Bush. He was proud to be vice president with GMP Local 77; a member of JE Zaloga American Legion Post 1520, Colonie and a member of PACC (Polish American Citizens Club), Albany. John was the most loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Known best by most for his love of the NY Yankees "Let's Go Yankees!!" and Green Bay Packers. He loved camping, fishing on his boat, his HD flatscreen, spending time with his grandchildren and friends at the Post. John is survived by his wife and best friend, Nancy Birdsall Bacon; his children, John W. Bacon Jr and Jennifer Bacon; grandchildren, Ashley, Savannah, John, Jasiah and Linda; two stepchildren, Kyle and Cody Dzintars. His siblings, Regina (John) Guzior, Joanne (Ted) Wilson, Jean (Tony) D'Amico, Christine Rouse, Patricia Starson, Joseph (Lori) Bacon and Mark (Dawn) Bacon. Also survived by aunts, uncles, many nieces, nephews and..."Sugar Mama", Barbara Birdsall. A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Monday, September 12, at 11 a.m. at Community Reformed Church of Colonie, with Rev. Bruce K. Cornwell officiating. Calling hours will be Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union St., (at McClellan St.), Schenectady. Burial with military honors will follow the service at St. Cyril & Method Cemetery, Rotterdam.

September 11 10 years and what have we learned?

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 resulted in 2996 deaths. The wars on Terrorism have resulted  5491 US Troops killed.

September 11th is today. I lost two Army buddies at the Pentagon on September 11,2001.
William R. Ruth, 57, Maryland, Chief Warrant Officer 4th Class, U.S. Army.
Sgt. First Class Jose Calderon, 44, Puerto Rico, U.S. Army.

May they never be forgotten.

One Nation Under God, with Liberty and Justice for all.
Where are all the flags at now? The Yellow Ribbons? Dust to dust ashes to ashes.  Our Troops fight on, some on their 10th or 11th Combat tour over there. I remember as a child when my Uncle came home from Vietnam after 3 combat tours and how much he had changed. How will "Our Boys" be after 10 -11 years of fighting? When do they come home for good? Hussain is dead, Bin Laden is dead. We will not win these peoples hearts and minds, we are infidels and all they know is war. When do we say enough is enough and end these wars? Our great nation is still a young nation but crakes are showing everywhere. Unemployed, Homeless, Earthquakes,fires, Hurricanes, and now floods. God does not seem to be happy with us at the moment......

Finaly feel able to post again!

Surgery on May 17th knocked the stuffing out of me. Doc found I broke some bones in my back that the CAT Scan did not show and now understands what I endured to just keep working. He thought I was wanting not to work. Know he knows what I went through to try to keep my job.Left leg is mostly numb and my right foot is all numb hich is new scince the surgery. Have to use a cane and driving is out. At least the good Lord has allowed me to keep on walking! Mary has to drive me every where but that is ok.

What The Bible says about Worship

Romans 12:1 NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

John 4:23 NIV
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

Faith

Faith is everything for with out faith all becomes lost. Hope with out faith is hopelessness.
The dreamer can not dream great things and make the dreams become realality. Faith is the foundation.
Faith allows us to become better than we once where. More whole. Faith is what makes us go forward.