THANKSGIVING A TO Z FROM RUDY!!!

I know that this is the time of the year that most individuals are compiling their lists to inform others of all the stuff that they hope to see under their tree in about a month, but I don’t want to skip over what I think has in the last few years become my favorite day of the year- Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is the gem nestled in the middle of the autumn that has for the most part escaped the fingerprints of commercialism. It is a day that is spent with family and friends and includes lots of feasting and football but most of all for me- it is a time for my faith! It is a chance for me to open up my heart and pour out my gratitude to my heavenly Father for all the good gifts that I know I don’t deserve but I have definitely come to cherish and appreciate! And so in honor of the occasion, and to allow my heart a chance to spout off- here is my 2009 Thanksgiving List from A TO Z!!!

MY 2009 THANKSGIVING LIST: I THANK YOU LORD FOR:

APPLES: I am addicted to this fruit! I probably eat about 4 apples a day!
I love those honey crisp and now I have my own tree outside my house!
BASEBALL: My Amazing Mets fell apart this year, but to me the game is still a
thing of beauty! Baseball has been a very precious gift to me!
CHILDREN: I love my kids… Rudy, Leah, Abbie and Joel and my soon to be
Daughter-in-law Lindsay! I am so proud of them all!
DREAMS: I am one who dreams every night and they give me a chance to see
my Dad again who went to heaven back in 2000… They also give
me glimpses of the miraculous adventures still to come!
EMBRACES: I have come to discover that right next to words of affirmation, touch
is my second most important way to say “I Love You.” I have also
recognized that since life is so short anyway- I want to hug a little
longer those I care about- just because I can!
FACEBOOK: This little online community tool has been an instrument of reunion
with so many wonderful friends and family, classmates and old neighbors who I mourned over losing touch with.
I can’t even put into words how excited I get everyday to see updates and pictures and perhaps another blast from the past person reintroduced into my present! Reunited and it feels so good!
GOD: I am still here because of the love of God and His making it very clear
that He still has a purpose for me no matter who- what or where I am!
I love you Lord and I wouldn’t last a day without You!
HOME: I am a homebody and I am not ashamed to say I love hanging out there!
There is no place like home and I’m very grateful to have one!
INDIANS: Believe it or not, God has given me a heart and an appreciation for
our Native American friends who have suffered so much and yet remain proud and true to their heritage and history!
JESUS: Jesus and me, that’s the way I always want it to be because when I say
forever- He’s the One I’m thinking of… Jesus and me, we’ll be together
for eternity- resting everyday in the fullness of His love!
KEEPSAKES: I am a sentimental romantic who saves more things just because they remind me of special times with special people… I was told a long time ago that if you can’t tell a story about it- you should throw it out… Guess I can tell lots of stories!
LONG AWAITED NEW CHURCH HOME: Check it out on Route 9!
Need I say more? Can’t wait to see what God is going to do there!
MUSIC: Rock, Country, Ballads, Jazz, Classical, Sacred, Oldies but Goodies!
My heart is a juke box and my mind a catalogue of song after song!
Thank you Lord for the music that always plays in me and through me!
NEBRASKA: This year it was so nice to finally return to Omaha and get to spend significant time with my old friends Maygon and her family, Georgette and Sjon and
Isabelle and Rick and Brenda and Dana!
OHIO: I got to reunite with many of my Ohio friends on Facebook this year but I know very soon I will get to see them in person. Don’t give up on me Vickie and Erin!
PICTURES: I finally learned how to use a digital camera that my wife gave me over 3 years ago and I took more photographs than I ever have before! Many memories!
QUIET TIMES: I am not as afraid of silence as I once was… I am a recovering Type A People Pleasing Perfectionist who is seeing the beauty in not having to be in a hurry all the time… Slowing down has saved my life!
RUSSIA: I got to go to Russia for the first time back in March and was able to be reunited with my old friends Diane and Lance and Blythe and Donnie Mason who are now
missionaries there. It has also opened up doors to future ministry there.
SOLD OUT CONCERTS: This year alone I got to see Bruce Springsteen at The Spectrum-
Barry Manilow at the PNC Arts Center- Paul McCartney at Citi Field and Earth Wind and Fire and Chicago in AC!!! Rock on!
T-BALL TEAM: I came out of retirement to coach my son Joel’s baseball team and it was an absolute blast! Those kids were more fun than I bargained for and I loved it and can’t wait to do it again next year!
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: The greatest present anyone can truly be given is to know that they are genuinely loved… When you are loved, there is no one you can’t be, nowhere you can’t go and nothing you can’t do.
The greatest of these is unconditional love.
VINTAGE TELEVISION: I gave up on current programs a long time ago and because of the
magic of DVD’s I was able to enjoy once again such classics as Ben Casey, Father Knows Best, Car 54, Flipper, Daniel Boone, and countless others… And I love my vintage radio shows too! The Shadow- Suspense! Bob and Ray and Jack Benny!
WIFE: What can I say? I love Terri more than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow!
I hit the jackpot because God gave me the perfect woman as my companion and
best friend… We have grown even deeper in love this year! Thank you for putting
up with me!
XCELLENT BOOKS: OK, I might have fudged a little bit here- but I have read more books this year than in any other year of my Xsistence! I really enjoyed the
writings of Wayne Jacobsen, Brennan Manning, Richard Paul Evans and Mitch Albom and that’s just to name a few!
YOU: My congregation- my flock- my readers- my listeners, my friends and my family!
ZEAL: May I never lose the fire or the passion of the childlike wonder! May I always
behave what I believe and do so with all of my heart! And may I never forget
where all of life comes from! Thank You Lord with all my heart!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL- FROM A TO Z FROM RUDY!!!

SOMETIMES WHEN WE TOUCH!

I remember back in the late 70’s, a guy named Dan Hill had a big hit with the pop tune entitled, “Sometimes When we Touch.” It made me start to think about how desperately we all need, if I may quote another pop gem from Rick Springfield, "The Human Touch" more than just "sometimes" in order that we may be healthy and whole individuals. Studies have proved that positive touching eases pain, lessens anxiety, softens the blows of life, generates hope and has the power to heal. In fact, according to most experts, modern psychology and medicine are confirming what mothers across the centuries have always intuitively known-namely, that there is loving power when we touch one another.

I heard recently of a 40-year-old man was hospitalized for treatment of advanced leukemia. While he was receiving massive doses of chemotherapy, he was put in quarantine for fear that even catching a common cold from family or friends could be potentially lethal. During isolation, his family could come no closer than his door, and then had to stand separated from him with masks covering their mouths. The only person allowed to touch the patient was a nurse who has been specially cleared as being in good health.

Here is how the patient described the experience of his isolation:
"This nurse changed my bedding and kept me clean and all that," he says. "But she hated to touch me, or at least it felt that way. Whatever she was doing she did with as little physical contact as possible.

He goes on to say, "I wish I could have told her how important touch was. I so longed for the feeling of flesh on flesh. I craved it! It wasn't a sexual thing--in my condition that was the last thing on my mind. But I really felt I was losing my will to live without that touch. I mean, I still wanted to live, to get better, but the reason to keep struggling was slipping away from me. I needed the feeling of some one's skin on mine to held me find it again."

Isn't it a shame that we because of the craziness of a few who have abused the behavior- we have robbed each other of one of our most basic human needs- the need to be hugged and physically affirmed and tenderly patted and handled with care. I heard of one teacher who no longer can even give her young students "high fives" because of the fear of catching and passing the swine flu! I totally understand the much needed precaution we must take as adults to protect our children from abusers- but have we thrown the baby out with the bath water by actually going too far and eliminating something we humans have been born to desire- the need to be in contact with one another? Are we missing the holy kissing that might just change the nature of how we all behave?

Taking this thought into the light of Christianity- Jesus turned the world upside down because he broke down all of the dividing walls of hostility that separated people from one another. He was especially compassionate toward those in need who were ostracized because they were different. He knocked the walls down. Instead of avoiding them and fearing contamination, he approached them, touched them, and brought healing and the grace of God. And, somehow I believe that we who claim to be followers of the Lord are called to do exactly the same thing.

The words to an old gospel song written by the Gaithers for Elvis also comes to mind. “Shackled by a heavy burden… Neath a load of guilt and shame... Then the hand of Jesus touched me… And now I am no longer the same... He touched me, oh he touched me… And oh the joy that floods my soul... Something happened and now I know… He touched me and made me whole”

Who needs the touch of unconditional love today? Who needs to be gently rocked by a love that is given not because of what somebody may have done for you- but handed out freely just because of who that someone is? Who needs to be reminded by a hug or a held hand that this world would never be the same without them? Reach out and touch someone today but not through the Internet nor by cell phone or text message- but do it via skin on skin.

One simple touch can "speak" volumes and convey your love, acceptance and support. As we fast approach the most wonderful time of the year, let me share one more story. A woman, who had been recently widowed, was overcome with grief at last year's Christmas Eve service following her husband's death. Sitting next to her was a 10-year-old girl, who noticed the woman's tears. "I felt my little neighbor's small hand creep up into my lap," the grieving woman says. "She took my hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. My heart swelled."

Everyone should remember that sometimes when we touch- the honesty is just what the doctored ordered! Hands were designed to do many different tasks. One of the best uses is to convey love, warmth, caring, understanding and acceptance. So, reach out and touch someone--it's healthy!

AFTER SATURDAY- TAKE THAT MASK OFF!

I am writing this article just a few days before Halloween. I know that many even now are trying to decide upon "what they will be" come this Saturday night. I also know that even come Sunday, too many people will still be living dressed in full costume having not been given permission that it is OK to live life without having to have a mask on. Something about that make believe face brings a feigned peace and comfort, but it does nothing more than cover up who they really are underneath the entire facade and the pretend.

Why do we lose our uniqueness along the way and buy into the lie that it is better to play a role in life than allow ourselves to be authentic enough to live with the genuine us on the surface? I believe it is mostly because we have been battered and hurt along the road of life. Some of us get so wounded, that we use all of our energy and begin to fight the wrong battle. And at the root of that war game comes the inner strategy that vows, “I am going to bury myself so deep beneath the surface, you will never hurt me again.” Unfortunately, the whole scheme backfires from the inauguration, because when we don’t live from the strength of our own personality, from the origin of truly being the person that we were created and designed to be, we end up killing ourselves!

Along my journey, many individuals have attached various labels to attempt to define my existence. Over the years, among other things, I have been called,

“Teacher’s Pet,” “Goody, Goody,” “Dreamer Boy,” “Excellent Student,”
“Good Kid,” “Quiet,” “Baseball Fanatic,” “Fresh,” “Awkward,” “Independent,”
“Oldest Son,” “Responsible,” “Leader,” “Loud,” “Nuts,” “Charismatic,” “Christian,”
“Jesus Freak,” “Pastor,” “Emotional Roller Coaster,” “Maverick Boy,”
“Lone Ranger,” “Enthusiastic,” “Passionate,” “Husband,” “Daddy,” “Coach,” “Difficult,” “Intense,” and “Creative.”

Now some of those terms truly define who I really am. Others are perceptions that haven’t been as accurate but if that is what the crowds expect, there is a great temptation to cower and give the people what they want. But I believe the true challenge of life is to not lose your true identity in all of the hoopla. Somewhere beneath all of the definitions and suggestions is the true you and the true me. Knowing who we really are and being whom we were designed and created to be is one of the biggest battles we must determine to win in our lifetimes. There is something very powerful about a man and a woman who knows who he or she is. There is something very freeing about being able to say, “I know who I am and I know why I am here and nothing is going to hold me back from being and doing what I have been destined to accomplish with my years here on earth.”

Here is the truth I want you to tuck away in your mind so it can penetrate to your soul. Nobody can take away the identity God has given you except you choose to throw it away. How do we throw it away? Every time we acquiesce and make the internal decision to play a role or go through the motions rather than attack life by putting our true us, our real us forward! Now you may be saying, “Rudy, I have been hurt way too many times to ever live like that and I have determined to not be hurt again.” But I am here to tell you that the very choice to daily put a mask on and wear a costume causes greater damage than whatever could be done to you from the outside. I am also here to tell you that no matter what the world may say, God likes who you really are because that is the person He designed with His very own hands. I am not talking about the rough edges and the sinful behavior that needs His Hand of salvation to redeem. I am talking about the essence of the architectural plans that when all was said and done created you to be the masterpiece you were intended to be and the worst thing you could ever do is try to cover up the Mona Lisa with a fresh coat of crayon!

Nobody can take away the identity that God has given you, nobody! Oh there will be days that you will be duped into thinking otherwise. Several years ago, when I was returning from Colorado, I somehow lost my drivers license while I was in the Denver airport. Have you tried to get on an airplane these days without picture identification in your possession? I would hardly recommend it. Yet, I had no choice. The plane was boarding for Jersey and I had no written proof I was who I claimed to be. Even though I was treated rather harshly and overly careful, I kept insisting that I was Rudy Sheptock and even said at one point, “It is not the piece of paper that makes me who I am; I’m still me.” Obviously, I was convincing enough because I made it through on the evidence of my personality alone.

While I was on the plane, I heard God speak to my soul with these words,
“Rudy, nobody can steal your name from you. No one can ever take away the identity that I have given you. Do not look to pieces of paper for the proof of who you are. Always look up to Me. And then look inside and trust your heart that I now dwell in. And with a gleam in your eye and with confidence proclaim boldly, I am Rudy Sheptock, Jr., a one of a kind original designed and loved by God.”

Not having my license didn’t stop me from getting home. It could not rob me from being me. Hence, God has already given each and every one of us all that we need to get home. God has already provided you with the necessary equipment to complete the task of you being you! Don’t waste your time or throw away your talent depending on or trusting in anything else. And please, if you still are wearing your mask after this Halloween is over, please- it is time to take it off and never put it on again!

BASEBALL AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!

I love baseball… I always have and I always will… Every day after school growing up, I couldn’t wait to gather with the neighborhood kids and we would meet in somebody’s yard and play baseball until the 5 o’clock whistle blew- meaning that it was time to go home for supper… We didn’t need adult supervision to organize the leagues… We didn’t have our parents there documenting our every move on a camcorder… We just played the game that we love and the memories are forever locked in the scrapbook of my mind…

I love baseball but I am not too crazy about any of the teams currently in the play-offs… As a matter of fact, if it is a Yankees and the Phillies World Series, I may leave the country for a week! But seeing that one of the teams in the ALCS is the LA Angels of Anaheim- I right away thought of a wonderful song written by Bob Bennett years ago.

The tune, “A Song About Baseball” has lyrics that take me back to playing Little League on a team in North Jersey called Gogel Tires… One day I pitched a game and let’s just say it wasn’t close… I was losing 29-0! I wanted to disappear! But when the game was over- my Dad who couldn’t come to every game- but just happened to be at this one- said “Let’s go out for ice cream” and he only talked to me about all the good things that I had done on the field. What a lesson in unconditional love that I learned early in life… He loved me for me- and no matter how I played- I was still his son!

I don’t know what position you may be playing today. I don’t know what the score of the game may be. I don’t know if you have any earthly loved ones in the stands cheering you on. But this much I do know- your Heavenly Father loves you and He wants to take you out for ice cream and be with you so He can encourage you! And His relationship with you doesn’t depend upon how you played the game- it is rooted and grounded and cemented in the fact that He created you and He loves what He makes and He wants to make you something special!!!

Isn’t it something wonderful when you no longer have to live to obtain the love but can live because you are already loved? He loves you- no matter how you played!

“A Song About Baseball” by Bob Bennett

"Saturdays on the baseball – and me afraid of the ball;
Just another kid on Camera Day when the Angels still played in L.A.;
I was smiling in living black and white.
Baseball cards and bubblegum – “I think there’s a hole in my glove.”
3-and-2, life and death; swinging with eyes closed, holding my breath;
I was dying on my way to the bench.
But none of it mattered after the game;
When my father would find me and call out my name.
A soft drink, a snow cone, a candy bar;
A limousine ride in the family car.
He loved me . . . no matter how I played.
None of it mattered after the game;
When my father would find me and call out my name.
Dreaming of glory the next time out;
My father showed me what love was about.
He loved me . . . no matter how I played.
None of it mattered after the game . . .
When my Father would find me and call out my name."

Let me know what ‘s going on in your heart

WARNING LABELS AND LIFE SIGNS

I know we live in a politically correct world where everything we say is open to careful scrutiny. Too many times many good things are not being shared anymore for fear that it might be taken out of context or in the wrong way! And no one is surprised if only moments after making a blunder, you and your act of failure are thrust upon youtube for the entire world to gaze its voyeuristic eyes upon. Also, in too many instances, our world has become just crazy enough that manufacturers of consumer products are forced to be ridiculously liberal with their warning labels for fear that they might be sued. It is getting harder to know whether the company is genuinely being outright stupid or if they're simply targeting the most brain dead dumb of us among the public audience.
Let me give you an example of some very real warning labels on some very real products!

•"Caution: The contents of this bottle should not be fed to fish." – Found on a bottle of shampoo for dogs…
•"For external use only!" – Found on a curling iron…
•"Recycled flush water unsafe for drinking." – Found on a toilet at a public sports facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan…
•"Not intended for highway use." – Found on a 13-inch wheel on a wheelbarrow…
•"Do not use orally." – Found on a toilet bowl cleaning brush…
•"Do not use for drying pets." –Found in the manual for a microwave oven…
•"Remember, objects in the mirror are actually behind you." – Found on a motorcycle helmet-mounted rear-view mirror...
•"For use by trained personnel only." – Found on a can of air freshener…
•"Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly." – Found on a child sized Superman costume…
•"Do not iron clothes on body." – Found on packaging for a Rowenta iron…
•"Warning: May contain nuts." – Found on a package of peanuts….

And the list goes on and on and on… But sometimes I wonder if the bizarre isn’t written there just to see if anybody is really reading the instructions! I have to admit that I would never win any prizes for reading the directions ahead of time. More often than not, I jump right in, toss the training paper aside and learn a little too late that I could have saved lots of time, energy and unnecessary heartburn if I would have just taken the time to heed the call before I jumped in with both feet to a pool that was water-free! Ouch!

What surprises me is how flippant humanity can be when it comes to the directions of what to do with this one life we have been given. I think way too many are making major assumptions with very little information. I have seen individuals take more time to plan for their next vacation than they do in wondering what to do with their soul.

Do you know what God is really asking of you today? How many of us just assume that He probably longs for us to do something that makes us miserable? I mean, if it brings you joy- it can’t truly be holy now- can it? When it comes to God’s directions for us- it has to be boring and lifeless and so not relevant- right? Maybe not- maybe I’m missing the sign of my times! Maybe I am ignoring what has been clearly written for our own good!

Christianity is not so much discovered in what you don’t do- but more in what you do- do! It goes way beyond just going to church every Sunday. It has more depth than just following rules like don’t drink- don’t dance- don’t smoke- don’t breathe! When you get right down to it, Christianity is about loving God and loving one another with everything that is inside of you. Faith means getting your heart involved! It is rooted in a relational connection not just a ritual convention!

As a matter of fact- without love- you’re nothing! The Bible tells us that we are nothing more than an annoying noisemaker if we do good deeds for the wrong reasons! Jesus said so too! That is what is penciled in the instructions! In John 13:35 it is written that Jesus said, "By this all men will surely know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." What are you doing to make love happen around you today? Would God say that you love Him? How does He know? I know that when I love somebody- that person becomes the object of my affection. What have you done lately to tell Him that you love Him and how much you need Him?

This simple note is to challenge you to not be tricked into missing a real treat because you didn’t read memo! God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. What will your response be?
•“No thank you, I’m just looking- in the wrong direction!”
•“Wow, that’s way too easy- could you maker it harder- and then I will join.”
•“I like being unloved!”
•“Wow God- what a gift- I don’t want to ever live without You again.”

Finding God is a whole lot easier than chasing the Great Pumpkin! You just need to make sure you are looking in the right direction! Try glancing upwards! I guarantee the view is a whole lot better and lots more meaningful from there. That’s what the signs say!