Growing up was interesting to say the least. I am half Italian and half Hillbilly, it’s true. It was pretty tough but I didn’t have it as tough as my brother Vinnie Bob. Nothing like spaghetti and ham hocks. I grew up in a religious tradition that emphasized performance and works. I thought God was waiting for me to slip up so he could whack me on the side of my head. Where is the love? I always believed in God and that Jesus was the son of God and that he died for my sins, but that was only in my head and not in my heart. I remember praying at night by myself and reading prayer books when I was a young teenager. I had a hunger for God. When I got my driver’s license, I would drive myself to the early service to the delight of my Italian grandparents. Even though I considered myself a Christian, I certainly did not live a Christ like life. When I was about 18, my older sisters got “saved”, they were “born-again”. These words were somewhat alien to me and when I did hear them it was usually not in a good light. The thing that got me was not their words really, but their actions. Their very look caught my attention. There was a peace about them that I had never seen before. They were really different, changed by the Holy Spirit. I remember them sharing with me from the Bible verses that I had never seen before and they seemed to bring the words to life. Through their lives, the words took on a whole new meaning. They told me that I too needed to be born-again. I remember certain verses from the Book of Revelation and quite frankly, it scared the heck out of me. Not long after their conversion, I too came to that place of decision. They were so new; they really didn’t know how to lead me to Jesus. I recall one night lying in my bed and praying to God with tears in my eyes, and out of my ignorance I just said, “Lord, make me like them, come into my heart”. I was born-again!
Not too long after that, I entered the US Navy as a Religious Program Specialist which is a fancy way of saying Chaplain’s assistant. God really used my time in service to help me grow. God sent the right people to cross my path. One in particular was Chaplain Don denDulk. He really helped me work through a lot junk from my past. Chaplain “D” was and still is one of my heroes of the faith. I had the opportunity to witness to a lot of guys and was fortunate enough to be the vessel that God would use to bring them to the Cross. What a joy!
A couple years removed from the Navy, I married my best friend Lisa. We now have 3 kids, and they all have Bible names, there’s Nathanael, Lydia and our youngest one King James. Just kidding, she is a cool little kid named Chloe and she hates that joke. God has taught me a lot about a father’s love through my kids. I would tell them things like, “its ok, you can jump Daddy will catch you, I would never let you fall”. And, “Daddy is here; don’t be afraid, I will protect you”. God would say, “If you love your kids that much, and take care of them, how much better do you think I can love and take care of you?” So, I’m still learning. I’m learning to be humble and obedient. I’m also learning more and more what it means to be a true man of God, to step up and be responsible, to admit my mistakes and own my flaws. God has a way of keeping one humble, but He gives grace to the humble, so that is good.
I love the Lord, I love to entertain and if He can use me to be a blessing and an instrument, then here am I Lord, send me.