One More For JC

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:4)   “Look at the clock!” In my household, that was the universal signal that it was 9:17 PM.  September 17th was my parents’ anniversary and at some point, that became a beautiful tribute to a very special day in the lives of my Dad, Mom, sister, and I.   Unfortunately, after my Dad’s passing in 2006, I haven’t heard those words said again, but I always think about it whenever I happen to catch 9:17 on the clock.  In fact, when I was going back and forth on whether to write this verse app, I came upstairs for a cup of coffee and the clock on the stove just happened to be sitting on 9:17.  I couldn’t help but smile – it was one of those gentle leadings I get from the Lord from time to time, and so I went back downstairs and finally decided to put pen to paper.   Although 9:17 can bring...

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) On June 20, my mother-in-law, Nancy, passed away at the age of 76.  She left this earth as one of the greatest cooks and seamstresses this world has ever known.  Although her food was legendary, I’ll remember her most for the following three stories.   The first was from October 2005.  At the start of that year, Dee and I both felt a strong desire to reunite our parents for what we felt would be the last time.  We prayed and prayed, and ultimately put together an east coast trip for October.  At the tail end of that trip, the six of us were able to spend a couple days together at Hershey Hotel in Pennsylvania and then spent a day in New York City with a Broadway show and visiting some of the main tourist sites.  We made sure we returned to my parents’ home early enough so Nancy could make her incom...

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.     (Ephesians 2:8) My Dad wasn’t the biggest Christmas gift shopper, but one year he received a pair of slippers as a gift.     Although they were better suited for his feet, he was insistent that I take them back to Minnesota as his gift to me.     After I offered some resistance for a bit, “They’re your gift,” “They’re a little too big for me,” – I ultimately thanked him and agreed to take them back to the tundra.   Years later, I’m so glad I did.  Every time I look at those slippers, I get to think of my Dad and that gift time and time again.  Although they are still a little too big for me and now have edges fraying left and right, they will always be perfect in my eyes and will remain with me for the rest of my life.   For years, I never thought of them more than just slippers, but this year I got to thi...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) After 21 years, I started a new job last Wednesday.  For about the past year, I’ve been praying for an opportunity to work with Dee again – and when one opened up in early March, I went for it.  The weeks following my resignation day were even more busy and emotional than expected.  Having 21 years of emails to comb through is a lot, but it’s amazing how quickly you can delete thousands of emails regarding a product that you will never work with again.  Personal emails, on the other hand, took the full month of March to get through.  I read each one word for word – from all the wedding announcements, to birth announcements, to the supportive emails over the death of a loved one, to all the farewell emails on a colleague’s (friend’s) last day.  The “FZ, I’m alive!” email from Septe...

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. (Ephesians 5:25) Over the years, I’ve been known to stop in frequently for a Venti cup of coffee at Starbucks.  I’ve stopped in so often, I typically get on a first name basis with the baristas.  One lady has worked there so long, we’ve moved beyond chats about coffee or the frigid MN weather to various things (good or bad – from health issues or the birth of her grandchildren).      A couple days ago, in an extreme rarity, I stopped in with Dee.  It pleasantly caught this barista off guard, and I said “Today, I decided to bring my better half with me!!!”  The three of us got to talking for a few minutes and it led to me asking how many years she had worked at Starbucks.  I expected just a number (16), but she went on to share with both of us that she had only planned to work there for a short time, but needed to stay on for so long because her h...

Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise -   so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.  (Ephesians 6:2-3) It’s been 12 years since I last celebrated my Dad’s birthday.  As my family nestled into a hospice room to sing happy birthday to him that June 8 th , I knew time was short.  I remember all the fears I had of leaving things unsaid, especially those of a spiritual importance.  In one of our conversations that day, my Dad talked about how quickly life goes and urged Dee and I not to waste any of that time, but to fill it with love.  Later that weekend to my surprise, he asked me to bring the bible.  I went home to get it, rushed back, and prayed for the Lord’s guidance to help me find the most meaningful scriptures to share with my Dad.  After a while, I finally worked up the nerve to ask him if he knew where he was going. As he pointed to the sky, I assured him ...

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11) My aunt just posted a picture from Christmas Eve from a few decades back from my grandparents’ home – it shows a pile of gifts overflowing the tiny living room in their tiny house.  Their home was always way too small and way too hot, but somehow it was always perfect.  What that home lacked in size was more than compensated for by love.  Christmas Eve was always my favorite day of the year – not just for the gifts coming my way – but because it was the one day of the year I could see almost all of my family members.  It was also the day I got to indulge on my grandmother’s cooking (and each pierogi and stuffed cabbage that she hand-crafted for countless hours to perfection). :)  As a young boy, I remember continu...

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:3-4) Dee and I celebrated our 13 th wedding anniversary earlier this week.  It was a good day to reflect on our time together – even all the way back to the very first day of the journey.  We had just finished up a long training day at my place of employment, and I was about to put in motion a brilliant strategy I concocted to ask Dee out to dinner that evening.  Just as the room had cleared and I had finally worked up the courage, one of my colleagues decided to return to the training room for what looked like a painfully extended visit.  Defeated, I began walking out of the room to return to my desk, when for no apparent good reason my colleague picked up and left.  With one hand on the doorway, I turned back around, asked Dee out to dinner, and the rest is blessed history. I never d...

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20) A few nights ago, Dee and I were doing some cleaning and we came across a sealed envelop with just the single name “Frankie” on the outside.  Only a handful of people call me Frankie, so I knew it was likely something from either my parents or sister.  As I opened it up, I found a few pictures from a Christmas about 8 years back.  I started flipping through them and saw one of me smiling from ear to ear as I held up a new Mets sweatshirt.  I flipped to another one and saw me smiling from ear to ear with my new scarlet Rutgers tie.  I thought it was just going to be a collection of me celebrating my misery with all of my beloved losing teams, but soon it would come to mean so much more than that.  Towards the end of the pile, I came to two pictures of me opening gifts with my Dad and I sitting side-by-side.  I thought for sure I’d start to cry, but I didn’t.  Comi...

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.   Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.   Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs 31:26-31) Today my Mom celebrates another birthday.  Unfortunately, I won’t be able to celebrate it with her in person, but I will certainly be with her in spirit.  My Mom is just one of those very special people, who has always put her children (and now her grandchildren) first.  That example of sacrifice has left an indelible mark on me that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.  The Lord has blessed me with so many great things over the year...

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.   For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8) I did some internet surfing the other day on ‘How to Be a Good Godfather’.  One of the best quotes I found was the following:  “The best thing you can do to be a great godfather is to be a mentor for your godchild.  For some men this will mean taking on the traditional role of being a spiritual guide for your godchild.  For other men, it may mean being a mentor in other aspects of the child’s life.  Either way, do your best to provide a good example to your godchild.  The mentoring relationship you have with your godchild will depend a lot on your geographic proximity to each other.  If your godchild lives far away, keep in contact by writing letters, calling them on the phone, or sending an email every now and then.” ...

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20) My first Father’s Day without my Dad in 2007 wasn’t a good one.  I was like a fish without water, without that father to call or thank you card to fill out.  I remember receiving my first Father’s Day marketing email with spite, and questioned the nerve of that company to send me that note with him being gone. Five years later I still receive those emails and there is still no Dad to call, but the feelings of emptiness and bitterness are gone.  The pure fact of the matter is that my Dad will always be with me – his example of dedication, work ethic, and fatherly love is in every fabric of my being (that no cancer cell can ever take away). So with each new Father’s Day that comes along, I no longer cower away from it.  I make sure to take time out for a prayer of thanks to the Lord…to thank Him for all the wonderful years with my Dad, and for providing me an example here on earth...

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise - so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) I’m sure anyone who loves baseball and their Dad had no remorse over shedding a tear at the end of Game 6 of the World Series last night in St. Louis.  As the game winning home-run in an epic comeback was nearing its descent over the wall, Joe Buck took us back 20 years to one of the greatest announcing calls ever made, when his father, Jack Buck proclaimed: “And we’ll see you tomorrow night!” at the end of Game 6 of the 1991 World Series.  Although it’s a tribute he’s done before, the timing and delivery of it last night was just perfect.  If the games didn’t have lasting significance in their own right, now, every time I think of Game 6 of either 1991 or 2011, I’ll think of that special bond between a father and son that ...

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8) A few months ago, I received a ‘Save the Date’ card in the mail from my cousin, Lori, to reserve August 22 nd on my calendar for her wedding.  Later that day, I felt led to lift up a prayer to the Lord that she would ask me to lead the grace on her wedding night, and that He would give me words to share that would have a positive impact on the lives of all those in attendance.  After I said the prayer, sadly, I remember having my doubts.  I moved away from New Jersey almost a decade ago, and Lori and I have only had a chance to see each other maybe once every couple years since.  Those doubts wanted to continue to grow as the days, weeks, and months went by with no call, but I knew if it was the Lord’s will, it eventually was going to happe...

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14) Over the past couple years, Dee and I have both started our own companies.  Over a year ago, I entered the fantasy sports business by creating FantasyPostseason.com with a close friend of mine and his colleague.  Over the past few months, Dee has been feverishly putting the finishing touches on AngelHeartsForJesus.com – in preparation for the launch of her first book:  Angel Hearts for Jesus: The Fashion Show Birthday .  It’s been an extremely busy stretch for both of us, but the Lord has been working overtime in helping us out and opening doors – one after the other.  Watching the master of His craft do His work is certainly a treat to behold – from the selection of an illustrator, to the selection of a publisher, the creation of the website, etc.  I can safely say that the Lord’s hand has guided us through every step of the process, even the delivery date of w...

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) For the first time in 30 years, the family pool remained closed throughout the summer of 2006. It seemed only appropriate that one of the family symbols of joy and celebration would remain silent…especially at a time of such sorrow with the passing of both my Dad and Grandmother. To be honest, deep-down I never wanted that pool to be opened again. In my mind, it just would never be the same without my Dad, who had labored so hard to keep it going for three decades. Despite my internal objections, my sister pressed to have the pool opened last summer and then again this year.  I found the desire to go in it just briefly last summer, but a couple weeks ago, a “quick dip” on a Saturday evening became something much more than that.  As the sun was setting on a perfect night, one bright star began to shine brightly in the cloudless sky.  As I stared at it intently, I could hear the Lo...

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) Unfortunately, far too frequently these days I’m hearing of another person battling cancer.  My heart goes out to each and every one of you (both the patients and the care-givers), especially after all of the trials my family endured a couple years back with my Dad and Grandmother.  At the height of the battle, I remember sitting in a church service during one of my trips to New Jersey and being completely lost in despair.  I had just left my Dad’s hospital room and it was becoming all too clear that the odds of survival were aga...

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. (John 15:10) I went to my niece’s 1-year old birthday party over the weekend in which my sister put together a beautiful collection of pictures set to music.  At the end of the presentation, she included a tribute to the members of the family that we had lost over the years – the most prominent of which being my Dad.  Not too many days go by where I don’t think of him, and all the good times we shared.  I also think back to some of the amazing events that transpired at the end of his life; one of which occurred on the morning of his viewing, just as I was sinking into perhaps the saddest moment of my life.  I remember wondering how I would find the strength to make it through the next couple days, as I happened to turn on the radio.  Remarkably within seconds, a song named “Father’s Love” by Bob Carlisle came on that I had never heard be...

I thank my God every time I remember you. (Philippians 1:3) Every once in awhile a song will come out that really hits home; Bon Jovi’s latest single “ (You Want To) Make A Memory ” is one of those songs.  From the first time I heard it, I couldn’t help but think back to last year, when I spent a lot of time trying to do just that.  A day that really sticks with me was my birthday last April, when my Dad played the keyboard and my family sang me Happy Birthday in both English and Polish (an annual tradition).  When I blew out the candles on that birthday cake, I had a feeling it was going to be the last time I did so with my Dad and Grandmother.  I cherished every moment of that song and that night, and tried to “make a memory” that would last a lifetime. Unfortunately, this April 15 th , the seat at the keyboard was empty and there were two less voices in the chorus.  But thankfully the good Lord Jesus was by my side again that day, and I had the rest ...

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 20:28) August 24th has always been one of the most special days in the calendar year for me, solely because that was the day my Mom was born.  Throughout my life, my Mom has been a shining example of what loving, giving, serving, and sacrificing is all about…especially this year when she faced a husband and mom both dying of cancer at the same time.  For months, her days and nights were spent selflessly attempting to do anything in her power to make life just a little bit easier for both of them until their passing. Although the battle was long and incredibly hard, it helped me appreciate my Mom all the more.  This side of heaven, I've come to realize I probably won't encounter another person like her; someone with such relentless determination to serve others - no matter the personal cost.  But thankfully, one day I know I will again, when I come face to...