The LAST I'm Just Sayin'! Column

      "Three Generations of Scaglione Men!"

                    “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

 2012—What a year it’s been!

I can personally say it has shown me the Highest Highs and… the Lowest Lows!
I have never experienced a single year that was just so full of surprises!
Good AND Bad!
I have to reflect on all of it!
And ask myself—what did I learn from my experiences in 2012?
First… let me just mention some of both-- highs AND  lows!
Let’s start with my favorite—the highs!
I finished my first novel “One Unexpected Event”.
I raised $4500 on KickStarter.com in 23 days to get it published.
I didn’t miss a single day of work due to sickness—the first year since my heart attack that I can say that!
I got a part time job—as a reporter interviewing other authors—they pay me each month—and the check cashes!
I wrote my second book—“SummerHouse: A Murder In Savannah!” - a whodunit mystery!
I started my company-- APS Global Enterprises!
I received my first royalty check!
I helped launch a website for my publisher XulonPressblog.com - featuring my 18 author interviews.
I was able to use my royalty check and bless some people.
I was able to pay back all of my contributors to my KickStarter project.
I started my own “Reflections” website to feature my “I’m Just Sayin’!” and “Points2Ponder” weekly columns.
I partnered with my godsons Shane and Chris to start a poetry website called RAKRevolution featuring our God inspired poetry.
I established my own website alanscaglione.com that displays my novels, my columns and directs people to my brother Joe’s music!
I celebrated 35 years of life that could have been ended at 17—had my best friend “Sandy Sawyer” not saved my life! What IF???

But there are the lows-

All of these are under one category—Family!
I spent periods of 2012 estranged from all three of my kids—2 have been repaired, 1 only God can fix—but I know, He can!
And… the surprise death of my brother Joe, who passed away May 12^th, at age 61, after going into the hospital April 6^th for fatigue—that ended up taking his life!
The biggest surprise was—how much I missed and mourned my brother’s passing!
I knew he was in Heaven, reunited with his daughter Nikki; and for that, I was so happy for him.
But I realized too late that he really was the other guy on my see-saw! He balanced me—
He kept me in check, but he also praised and appreciated the gifts we shared.
There are two things that make me tick: My relationship with Christ and my words, whether poetry, songs, short stories, columns, interviews or novels—it’s all words!
And Joe—we shared both!
We could talk about something the Lord did in our lives or allowed us to experience or how He used us to help someone in need.
We also shared songs (mostly him calling me to share a new song) and he encouraged me to make my short story into “One Unexpected Event”—the novel!
He was a writer—actually published in Tampa Tribune and at University of South Florida, where he and I graduated!
And we shared the writer’s heart—we see our world differently; we ask different questions; we require different things from life!
Losing him caused me to mourn: the loss of what I had that I did not fully appreciate and… mourn the loss of what could have been!
I will miss him until I see him again—waiting for me, on the other side!

So…. I ask, what did I learn?

And it comes down to this—
Accept the things I cannot change—and give them to the only one who can—God is the changer of hearts, changer of lives, changer of destinies!
 That’s my 2013 goal—to accept and to hand over!
And to Reflect on how Good God is!

The Word says “Oh Taste and See—That The Lord is Mmm. Mmm. Good!” (Psalm 34:8)
I know… I added the “Mmm  Mmm” but…
God has been so good to me—more than I will ever deserve!!!

What about you?

What are the highs and the lows of your 2012?
What did you learn?
Remember—it’s a lesson as long as you learned something; if you didn’t learn, it’s just a mistake!
Accept the things you cannot change…and hand over those things to the only One who can!
And… this is the last “I’m Just Sayin!” column…
Starting in 2012—it’s all about Reflections -- of Life, Love, Family, Friends…and how God is in the middle of it all!

Put God first—

And there will be nothing routine about 2013!

For the LAST Time--

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

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Share your 2012 lessons and 2013 goals!

 

Special Christmas Edition- I'm Just Sayin'!

          "Jett enjoying one of his 12 Days of Christmas Gifts!"

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

 Everyday’s a Gift—that’s why they call it the Present!

That’s one of my favorite sayings—life really is a gift!
I have had this past week off work—I must say, taking the week off BEFORE Christmas is my new tradition I give to myself.
I’ve always taken the week between the holidays—but then Christmas is over—feels so much nicer with the countdown still in play!
I have gone each night to look at Christmas lights—and I do believe, there are more out this year than last year!
May be a sign that the economy is recovering?
May be a sign that families just want to get in the spirit of Christmas—gift giving—even a string of lights across a house—a gift!
I’ve done some chores, completed my Honey-Doo List before she even asked!
Oh yeh—and I finished my second novel, my murder mystery called “SummerHouse: A Murder In Savannah!” – will be available Summer 2013!
And most importantly, I got to spend some quality time with my nearest and dearest lifelong friend AND sister-in-law… Kay!
We spent the day at St. Armand’s Circle, in Sarasota, Florida; even walked along the shore while she picked some seashells for a project she is working on.
And we ended up at our favorite shopping center—The Shops at Ellenton, Fl. It’s our go-to place every time we want some retail therapy!
I was in one of the shops, Nautica, buying a shirt. Purchase made, teenage boy at register thanked me, and I said “Merry Christmas!”
He looked at his co-worker and said “I love it when people are not afraid to say Merry Christmas—so many just say Happy Holidays!”
I turned to him and said, “I respect Kwanzaa, I respect Chanukuh, I even respect Ramadan, but… I won’t apologize for this being Christmas!”
The co-worker, in her thirties, said, “Why should we? We are celebrating the greatest gift anyone’s ever given me! I’m not ashamed to declare Merry Christmas!”
 The teenage boy looked at her and said, “I’m not either—I’m going to say Merry Christmas from now on—I’m not ashamed and have nothing to apologize for!”
 I just stood back and watched this unfold—I respect all religions and other faiths, but… I have never and will never be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
And that Gospel started with a gift being given—and I will not be someone who does not show appreciation for the gift I’ve received!
My appreciation starts with the acknowledgment that I have been given a gift; then I humbly and graciously accept the gift; then I proudly and excitedly tell others about my gift!
Whether it’s on the phone all day long—Since December 1^st, I have said “Merry Christmas” at least 100 times a day, and NOT ONE PERSON objected or corrected me! Not One!
How about baking a pound cake when you don’t really have the time—just to say “Merry Christmas!” to your husband’s friends—an unexpected gift so appreciated!
Or maybe it’s at the checkout line—never expected the conversation to ensue at Nautica all because—I wasn’t ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
And why should I be? Why are we so timid, so apologetic, so concerned about offending someone? It’s CHRISTMAS PEOPLE—Let’s Celebrate the Gift We’ve been given!
Luke 2 says “For unto you (My Gift to you) is born this day, in the city of David, a savior, Christ the Lord”
The Messiah has come—God sent His son, they called him Jesus!
There’s a Christmas Song I wrote several years ago called The Gift:
On this night, so long ago
A baby born to Mary
Of all those around, only she would know
The burden her boy would carry
For all of us…
  Sitting here…
    Saved by her sweet Son
He was sent to earth
  To give a gift
    That could never be outdone
Chorus
The gift He gave
The gift He brought
From His Father
Looking down on each of us
His gift was wrapped
In swaddling clothes
To someday hang on top a tree
He was born to die
To give the gift of life
So willingly….
He gave His gift
To you and me.

Just says it all—

How can we reject so great a gift?
How can we ignore so great a gift?
How can we take for granted so great a gift?

 How do you feel… when someone rejects, ignores or takes for granted a gift that you give to them?

Don’t make God feel that way—

Honor, Appreciate, Celebrate His Gift Proudly!

 Say it with me… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…
Brother “A”

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I'm Just Sayin'!

         "The Gift He Gave...Oh What Incredible Joy!"

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

What’s the best gift you ever received?

The one that surprised you… you never saw coming?
Remember that sense of joy?
Remember that sense of awe?
The one thing you wanted most… and someone got it for you?
And the one thing you didn’t even know you wanted—until someone got it for you?
I’ve had both of those experiences.
The first had to do with something I talked about for years.
Talked about it because… there was no way I could afford or would dare buy for myself.
But it was that gift, you know… that one!
“Someday, I’m going to have that… and it will be this way and look like this, and I will be sportin’ it on my wrist!”
Yeh… someday!
Well that “someday” came the Christmas of 2002!
All of the kids were home for Christmas.
I like to open my presents last—the family knows that!
I like to watch them open theirs and then… I will open all of mine.
So… that year, all of the kids actually got “Everything” they asked for!
They were elated—took a picture of that!
And it was my turn!
I opened each present, thankful for everything the kids had given me.
Then came the last present—from my Sweet Bella!
I remember seeing her take the camera—you have to know what a sign that is—Bella HATES pictures and never uses a camera!
She said, “Close your eyes and be ready for a big surprise!”
All of the kids lined up in front of me—they didn’t know what was coming, but they knew it was going to be BIG!
I closed my eyes and placed my hand inside the bag—felt like a box.
I pulled out the box—eyes still closed—and threw the bag aside.
On the count of three! 1-2-3! I opened my eyes!
And there it was—the Movado watch I had always wanted! The exact same one I had said “Someday…”
And there it was!
I was speechless—if you know me, you know how rare that is! I was so full of “Wow! You love me this much!”
Needless to say, I had such a sense of joy, elation, appreciation for “the gift!” and love for the gift giver!

Then there’s the other time… I got something I didn’t even know I wanted until… I got it!

It was the year I turned 50—yes, that was only 2 years ago!
Christmas—everyone else opened their presents—I opened mine last!
Nice presents—all done—thanked everyone—start to clean up.
Then my son, the one who isn’t really into gift giving—whips out a wrapped box—did I say wrapped?
Yep! My son had wrapped it himself—that in itself is a present!
 He is more the “I picked this up at the store” with it still in the store bag kind of gift giver!
Not this time—I was taken totally aback—my son standing there, in front of everyone—saying “Here Pops, I got something for ya!”
I took the box—my jaw still open wide from surprise!
He had me sit down and this time… HE took the camera!
What had he gotten me?
I had no idea—but again—I was totally surprised!
Everyone was watching—they all wondered—what had he gotten me?
And I opened the box and… there it was!
My Colts jersey—with 50 on the back and the name on the shoulder blade read “NANO” (means grandfather in Italian)!!!
WOW! Never even knew I wanted it UNTIL I put it on—never EVER felt so proud to wear a jersey!
Never more appreciative of someone who knew what I wanted even when I didn’t!

What’s this have to do with Christmas?

Think about it—one was something you never thought you could have in a million years!
The other—something you didn’t even know you wanted UNTIL you got it—then you realized how much you loved it!
The GIFT HE GAVE to us at Christmas—
We never thought we deserved or would ever possess and some of us may have never thought we even needed—A Savior!
Oh…That incredible joy!
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:10-14

So… take time to appreciate the gift and the gift giver!

And allow yourself to experience that incredible joy—oh what joy- His gift!

Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…
Brother “A”

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What present surprised you the most? Share it!

 

I'm Just Sayin'!

      "Reading the story of the ages- learning it anew!"

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

Anybody ever think what it must have been like… to be Joseph?

Joseph… you know, the guy who had his life interrupted by a Bigger Plan he never signed up for?
Just go with me on this…
I had to fill in for my pastor several years ago, on the Sunday before Christmas.
He was out of town and asked me to take the morning service.
As his Youth Pastor, I had filled in for him before, but… THIS was HUGE!
We all know… that’s usually the 2^nd biggest Sunday in church, next to Easter, tied with Mother’s Day.
And I had the auspicious honor, due to family emergency, to preach the Christmas service. So many would be touched.
I had a story stewing inside me… it grew in my heart and in my head, until it became this sermon.
About life interrupted.
Joseph’s life interrupted!
Did I mention that… it was the year that Tamps, Florida had a terrible storm for Christmas.
The community where the church resided had no power until around 9am Sunday morning.
You guessed it—about 30 people showed up! Not the usual 300!
But still… they came, and I had this message, so we had service.
It was really cold for Florida, around 35 degrees that morning.
The heat wasn’t working in the church. Attendees were freezing, but still… they came.
I talked about this man Joseph, who was a carpenter.
Why was he a carpenter?
 Because his father had been a carpenter, and his father, and his father.
And so would Joseph’s son someday.
Joseph was planning to marry the love of his life—Mary.
He had done everything according to his plan: engagement, prepared for the ceremony.
 Planned to just live his life, like his father had lived his.
Just wake up, get dressed, go to work, come home, eat dinner, play with the kids, go to bed.
Repeat!
His life was all planned out. He could see how it was going to unfold, all the way until he died of old age, surrounded by his carpenter sons!
Kind of like we plan out our life.
Then something unexpected happens!
And it changes the course of your life forever.
Something like:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.   Matthew 1:18-25

Talk about a game changer?

That is NOT what Joseph had planned. Not in the least!
Do you know how bad the talk must have been? She was pregnant! Was it his? If not, why was he marrying her?
He could have had her put away, but instead… He listened.
And people he didn’t know have all benefitted from that fact.
So… you may feel like your life is interrupted by some unexpected circumstance.
But listen… “For I know the plans I have for you, to prosper, says the Lord” Jeremiah 29:11
You have to trust that God has the plan! And you need to listen!
Remember that service that day?
 Had one visitor. He didn’t think church would be open because of the storm.
He was touched by the message. He listened. He surrendered. He went with God’s plan.
Today he is running an orphanage in Tennessee.
Think of the children he has touched—because his life was interrupted by God’s Plan!

Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

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Share how your plan got interrupted for God's plan?

 

I'm Just Sayin'!

                     "Life is all about the children!"

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

You just never know how God is going to teach you a lesson.

You just never know where that lesson will come from.
You just never know ….
I am blessed to have a part time job where I get to interview authors every month.
You can check out my interviews at www.xulonpressblog.com – you will see my picture and the interviews.
These conversations are always interesting and informational… and sometimes—inspirational.
I was interviewing an author named Andrea. She was talking about her life and the providential turns it has taken.
She explained that all of it had to have happened in order for her to get to where she is today.
Andrea then said, “And I have learned, you just can’t see with your eyes, you really have to hear with your heart!”
That sounded profound and yet… huh???
Cant’ “see” with your eyes, you have to “hear” with your heart?
She went on to tell the story of a prostitute who hung around the corner of the Family Crisis Center Andrea founded in Sanford, Florida.
Andrea stated the woman actually scared her—gruff exterior, rough appearance, weathered by life and the twists and turns she had taken in it.
She stated she avoided the woman—made sure to look out the door before going out to ensure no run-ins with that prostitute.
Andrea just didn’t want the confrontation.
Sometimes, God has another plan!
One day, Andrea took some boxes to the dumpster and threw them in!
“Hey, watch where you’re throwing things!” came a voice from the dumpster—from INSIDE the dumpster!
Andrea was startled—she looked in and… there was that prostitute—dumpster diving for food.
Andrea immediately apologized and introduced herself. The prostitute responded.
The prostitute now had a name. Her name was Lisa.
The next time Andrea saw “Lisa”, she greeted her and asked if she wanted something to eat.
Lisa responded yes and accepted the food.
Over the course of weeks, Andrea brought coffee, doughnuts, sandwiches and soda to Lisa, still working the corner in front of the family crisis center.
Andrea realized, during the course of the next few months, that something was changing—in Andrea!
She enjoyed their talks; she enjoyed Lisa’s frank yet honest opinions.
She was getting to know Lisa, and NOT the prostitute she had avoided for months.
Lisa finally made her way into the building; just continuing their conversations.
Then one day, Lisa brought a friend. She had told the friend that they could trust Andrea.
That friend needed help—THAT kind of help.
Andrea was able to help her… and the next friend, and the next friend, and the next friend after that.
Through Lisa, 4 “girls” had made their way into the family crisis center… and 4 babies have been born and given up for adoption.
Apparently, Lisa had put the word on the street that Andrea could be trusted to “help” and not “judge”.
We just never know IF we never find out.
Could be the young pregnant couple asking for a place at your hotel…
May be about to give birth to a king, the Messiah!
Remember that story of prejudgment and assumption?
That guy had it ALL WRONG!
Luke 2:4-7 tells the story…
⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

You just never know when dumpster diving will turn out to be divine appointment!

Until Next Time
I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

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Have you ever prejudged and was surprised? tell me!