‘God will Always Respond to Those with Spiritual Hunger & Thirst’ – Frankly Speaking – 5/11/23

My guest for this episode of, ‘Frankly Speaking’ was Tyler Thomas, who’s an Assistant Pastor at the Christ Temple, which is a Pentecostal church in Tiverton, Rhode Island. This was a Skype interview, which took place on 5/11/23.

I had initially heard Pastor Thomas preach about a month earlier during the Easter service at the Sanctuary Pentecostal Church in Hudson NH. This guy’s message titled, ‘Wake Up – The Answer’, was delivered so passionately and enthusiastically that I just had to try to convince him to be a guest on my show.

After a brief introduction, Tyler who was born and raised in Alabama, was asked about the contrast of the folks in Rhode Island versus those from his Home State regarding their willingness to accept the Gospel message of the Bible. There was a Gallup Poll, several years ago, that ranked all the States in the U.S.A. on ‘How Religious they Are’. After a couple of years of polling this question, the New England states, which includes Rhode Island, indicated that it was one of the ‘least religious States’, while Alabama scored among the top. One individual offered a theory via the local Nashua Telegraph (NH) newspaper, that the reason for this might be because the employment situation is much more plentiful in this part of the country versus Alabama thus, the need to believe in God more if the job situation is few and far between. We definitely talked about that.

The discussion shifted to the Asbury Revival, which was at Asbury University (a Methodist school) in Wilmore Kentucky earlier this year. Apparently, there was quite a bit of Internet debate among Christians on whether or not this event that took place over several weeks actually qualified as a, “Revival”. There was reportedly a considerable amount of: praying, singing, worship, praising, testimonies, and even a couple of “Exorcisms”. But some Christian skeptics contended that “time” would be the best gauge on just how significant this event would be in American Christian history.

One individual cited, the ‘Day of Pentecost’ as a typical Revival, although the Bible states on that day, the Holy Spirit came down from Heaven, people from numerous different countries were present, they experienced hearing a new phenomenon called, ‘Speaking in Tongues’, which turned out to be ‘the wonderful words of God’. The Bible goes on to state in the book of Acts, that about 3000 people were added to the Church that day.

The problem with equating this Asbury Revival with the ‘Day of Pentecost’ is God inserted Supernatural, Miraculous, Phenomenon in the latter event, which He doesn’t seem to do now, in this day and time.

We also discussed if Jesus’s comment in the Bible of that, the works that I did you’ll do these works and even greater works – was that a reference to ‘Speaking in Tongues’, which was something Jesus never did. Also, in a fun discussion, we compared which Christian holiday Jesus might view as his ‘Super Bowl’ between: Christmas, Easter, or Pentecost – or would he probably say, every day has its own significance?

Arguably, one of the biggest obstacles for most Christians to overcome – myself included – is the ability to Forgive others who may have messed them over in life, as in Matthew 6:14-15. It just seems like automatic human response to either get revenge or retaliate against someone who hurts us. I had posted a Meme on a Christian Facebook page basically stating that the gauge for a Christian is not about loving Jesus, it’s rather about loving Judas. Jesus is also quoted in the Bible, referring to Judas, that it probably would’ve been better had he never been born, but Jesus did forgive Judas en route to his crucifixion.

In response to my Meme on the same Facebook forum, somebody posted a Meme equating Forgiveness to Forgetting. I brought up the example of a woman who is constantly being beaten by her boyfriend or husband when he keeps apologizing yet, the physical abuse keeps on coming. We talked about exercising the Word of Wisdom, or Discernment to leave a violent situation like that, but forgiving the abuser so you can move on with your own life.

I also mentioned that I was active with the Internet forum, Yelp.com , which if I ever had a bad experience (or even a good experience) with, for example, a mechanic, lawyer, or restaurant, I’d post a comment about it to perhaps prevent someone else from ever getting ripped off by that same establishment I did.

Then we came to Pastor Thomas’s Easter sermon of, ‘Wake Up – The Answer’ which was a shortened, Cliff Notes type version of what he preached about a month earlier in Hudson NH.

One of the most amazing testimonies he presented was when Tyler had the opportunity to spiritually heal, via prayer, his daughter’s Kindergarten teacher from a medical situation she encountered after falling from a ladder at about 10 feet off the ground (see attached photo). The teacher thought that she’d have to be prayed for at the next Sunday church service. But Tyler believed the Lord was telling him that she needed to be prayed for immediately, which is consistent with, 2 Corinthians 4:4, referring to Satan as, ‘the god of this world’ and further states that, Satan had, ‘blinded the minds of those who believed not’.

In other words, if this prayer for healing hadn’t been done immediately, the teacher may have gotten distracted from attending the next church service and continued having the severe pain. Needless to say, the prayer and subsequent healing were a huge success. Please watch Tyler explain it all in the aforementioned video, on what exactly happened for a much more accurate context.

The rest of the sermon was based on Matthew 8:23-27, which the Disciples were out on the Sea during a Horrific storm, and feared they may lose their boat – all while Jesus was sleeping. The Disciples eventually woke up Jesus, who in turn, immediately calmed the storm proving that people needed to turn to Jesus in the midst of trying to solve everything on their own.

If you wish to contact Pastor Thomas, please log onto the Christ Temple church at:  ctchurch.faith . Local entertainer Sharon DiFronzo of Screamin’ Heart Records sang the Intro & Outro song for this episode, Comin’ and Goin’ .

An open letter to NH State Rep James Spillane regarding HB 387 (proposed elimination of annual vehicle inspection stickers)

Dear Representative Spillane:

I would agree with you that the current laws surrounding annual vehicle inspection stickers in New Hampshire could definitely use some “modifications”, so to speak, I think we do need to have some safety measures in place for the protection of pedestrians and other motorists on our state’s streets and highways.

It’s bad enough that it is NOT a requirement for a NH resident to have insurance on their vehicle(s), I think we definitely need some type of assurances that the vehicle we’re driving alongside, or passing by, have well maintained brakes, tires, lights, windshield wipers, horn, etc.

I do feel, however, that some of these vehicle maintenance facilities that distribute vehicle inspection stickers ought to be seriously investigated and better regulated by government officials, such as yourself. Several years ago, I personally experienced this situation when one of these shyster facilities in Hudson, screwed me over for “supposedly” needing four (4) brand new tires due to the fact that just one of my tires had microscopic cracks in the sidewall. To read more details of my particular situation, log onto this link:

https://onebaddecisionawayfromhomelessness.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/monro-mufflers-hudson-nh-screws-me-regarding-annual-inspection-sticker/

So in the event Mr. Spillane that your fellow legislators don’t support your recent (or current) proposal to completely eliminate the annual vehicle inspection stickers, would you respectfully consider amending (or resubmitting) your Bill to include the following:

1) Right to Appeal a Failure: So if a motorist goes to one of these facilities during their Birthday month, and the vehicle winds up being “Failed” – What options does that motorist have? If they tried to take the maintenance facility to Small Claims Court, you probably won’t get a case scheduled for about 4-5 months down the road (at least in the Nashua area). By that time, your inspection sticker will have long expired and you’ll be driving your vehicle illegally – is that fair? In my particular situation with Monro Muffler, they ONLY told me that they could put four new tires on my car, right then and there, for a mere $600 or so. They NEVER informed me of any right I may have had to appeal its decision to Fail my car. Perhaps New Hampshire should initiate a new Court system specifically to hear appeals on vehicle inspection sticker “failures”.

2) Right to a Second Opinion (or, why is a “Failure” locked into a computer network system?): When I had “failed” on my inspection sticker with Monro Muffler, I discovered it had entered my vehicle into a computer network (or Red Flagged it) stating the reason why they failed it – What authorized these shysters to do that? Why couldn’t I have the opportunity to have another “certified” NH facility to view my car and see if they too would agree that it “required” to get four brand new tires? It just seems like the State Rep who originally designed the legislation governing annual inspection stickers actually owned one of these vehicle maintenance facilities, knowing that they’d pocket a ton of money in the long run.

3) Why can’t the annual inspection sticker fee be just ONE STATEWIDE DOLLAR AMOUNT?: After talking to numerous Granite Staters about how I got ripped-off from Monro Muffler on my inspection sticker several years back, everybody then advised me to stay the heck away from car dealerships, and chain maintenance franchises, like Monro Muffler, which more often than not, seem to offer inspection stickers for like $10 or less – but then these rip-off artists are more inclined to “Fail” you for the most trivial type things and you’ll find yourself owing several hundred, maybe even several thousand, dollars just to get an inspection sticker. So why not put ALL “certified” NH vehicle inspection sticker facilities on the SAME LEVEL PLAYING FIELD when it comes to the price of these things? If nothing else, it’ll help NH resident from being unwittingly lured into a facility offering a lower price but, realistically, setting them up for a royal screwing.

Hey, don’t get me wrong, Rep. Spillane, if you’re successful on your bid to totally eliminate annual NH vehicle inspection stickers, that’ll work just fine for me as well. I’ll personally do anything and everything to keep my own vehicle safe and protective for me and my family, as well as pedestrians and other motorists. And, of course, keep a close eye on other motorists who might be driving on bad brakes or flimsy tail lights.

But if you need to do a little politicking or compromising to get your Bill through, I sure hope you consider some, if not all, of my suggestions here. Good luck, sir, and I’ll be carefully watching how this Bill proceeds through our State legislature.

How do YOU know for sure if a Panhandler is legitimately needy?

(So what exactly do you think about this particular issue?

I think the comments which were posted on NashuaTelegraph.com immediately following this article are much more revealing about this subject than the article itself — see initial comment to this particular Thread. 

On the one hand, you’d love to help out someone who’s genuinely needy. People are losing their jobs, as well as their homes. It’s really tough to pay your regular bills and buy food for your family to survive.

But on the flip-side of that, what about these panhandlers who post their exploits on Facebook with their i-Pads? Or dress up in more expensive clothes than you or I have? Or drive away from their popular begging spots, much of the time in Cadillacs or some other newer and pricey model vehicle? To donate money to folks like that, would make most people feel as if they’ve just been ripped-off.

And lets not forget that panhandlers who stand out and walk around busy intersections can easily cause accidents, hence that’s probably why most communities initiate laws against jay walking.

So do you think communities like, Hudson NH are just ignorant for denying panhandlers the right to get some money to help make ends meet — or do you feel they’re justified on instituting ordinances to prevent these types of practices?)

Beggars Beware: Hudson (NH) officials examine anti-panhandling ordinance

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/1022827-469/beggars-beware-hudson-officials-examine-anti-panhandling-ordinance.html

By BRADFORD RANDALL

Staff Writer

12-3-13

HUDSON – Panhandling has become a new focus of concern for several selectmen who have begun debating the merits of outlawing beggars within town borders.

“We’ve talked to the police department on a number of occasions, and it’s becoming a big problem,” Selectman Ben Nadeau said at the board’s Nov. 26 meeting.

Nadeau said his inspiration for proposing an anti-panhandling ordinance came when he became witness to an accident caused by a motorist giving money to a beggar. Nadeau said the motorist had stopped at a green light to give money to the panhandler when they were rear-ended by another vehicle.

“It’s a big scheme,” Nadeau said. “People are feeding this problem by giving (panhandlers) money.”

Nadeau’s concerns were echoed by Selectman Roger Coutu, who said he hopes that Hudson follows a recent example set by the city of Lowell, which banned panhandling downtown after a controversial vote by the city council earlier this month.

Coutu said he has been in contact with Lowell City Councilor Martin E. Lorrey about crafting a similar ordinance in Hudson.

“The ordinance is well crafted,” Coutu said. “There is one exception that would be for nonprofits.”

Coutu said any anti-panhandling ordinance in Hudson should take nonprofit activities, such as the fire department’s boot drive, into consideration.

Coutu also elaborated on Nadeau’s suggestion that panhandlers in Hudson were operating as part of a “scheme.”

“They’re standing out there … and you can watch them as they leave,” Coutu said. “They go down to their new vehicles.”

Coutu said Nashua is also expressing interest in anti-panhandling measures that would replicate the ones in Lowell.

However, Selectman Chairman Rick Maddox was less than enthusiastic about the suggestion of an anti-panhandling ordinance and said it likely would have little effect.

“I think this is just a case of making an ordinance that isn’t going to do us much good,” Maddox said.

Selectman Nancy Brucker remained silent during the discussion and Selectman Ted Luszey said any ordinance should be geared toward enforcement, should the need arise.

No decision relating to an anti-panhandling ordinance was made at the Nov. 26 meeting but Maddox directed the two main proponents of an ordinance, Nadeau and Coutu, to “continue the search for good stuff about panhandling.”

Maddox said the board likely would revisit the idea of an anti-panhandling ordinance, once more information is gathered, at an upcoming selectmen’s meeting.

Monro Mufflers, Hudson NH, screwed me regarding annual Inspection Sticker

A couple years back, I went into Monro Muffler and Brake Service in Hudson, NH, which is immediately in front of Walmart, to get an annual Inspection Sticker for my car.

About a half an hour or so later, the Monro service rep informed me that my car failed because I had “microscopic cracks” in the sidewall of one of my tires and claimed I needed four (4) new tires on my vehicle. When asked to actually see it, you practically needed a magnifying glass to see what the heck he was talking about – the actual tread on all four tires, incidentally, was excellent.

To remedy the situation, the Monro employee suggested that they could easily replace all my tires for about $400 right then and there. I thought that price was a wee bit ridiculous – just like the claim of having “microscopic cracks” in the sidewalls. Since I had about a month to replace these tires, I told the guy I wanted to “shop around” for a more reasonable deal like at Tire Warehouse, which is just up the street a little ways from Monro’s.

Unfortunately, in the state of New Hampshire, once an establishment “fails” a motorist for an annual inspection sticker, it registers it in a statewide computer system. So to go to a rival service shop assuming they’ll overlook the failure, they instead will notice what previously happened when they plug in your vehicle’s license plate number. In other words, it’s absolutely crucial that you totally avoid shyster establishments like Monro’s when going for an inspection sticker because once they “fail” your vehicle, you’re sort of stuck with them.

Approximately 1-2 weeks later, I went back to Monro’s with my four new tires hoping to now get my inspection sticker. After about 20 minutes or so, while I’m sitting in their customer’s waiting area, they drive my car and park it about 200 feet away in Walmart’s parking lot, despite the fact that there were more than ample parking spaces at the time in front of Monro’s.

The service rep then walked past me and said, without even looking me in the face, “your car’s all set”. Wow, nothing like being a little “pissed-off” about not being able to bilk me for the cost of four new tires – and then actually buying them at a nearby rival establishment about a mile from Monro’s.

In addition to that, at the time, I had a New England Patriots’ chrome license plate frame, which surrounded just the edges of my rear license plate. So rather than putting that back on my license plate after applying the current year inspection sticker, the Monro service rep just simply left my Patriots’ chrome frame on the front passenger’s seat of my car – what a BLEEPIN douche-bag!

Needless to say, I’ve NEVER been back to Monro’s after that rude and ignorant experience, and I would highly suggest anyone reading this do likewise. There are plenty of “reputable” establishments around Hudson NH that offer Mufflers, Brakes, Inspection Stickers and even “reasonably priced tires” – I recommend that you consider somebody other than Monro’s for any of these vehicle services.

UPDATE:   I have since found out that Monro Muffler and Brake Service has purchased Tire Warehouse. When it rains it pours, I guess. Needless to say, I DEFINITELY WOULD NOT recommend anyone purchasing tires or anything else from Tire Warehouse, mainly due to the shysters (Monro’s) who now own that company.

UPDATE #2: This incident had taken place on May 2, 2008. Monro’s Manager was: Randy A. Landue; and the Technician was: Dennis Karhan. One of these two Rocket Scientists — 09LER — wrote on the receipt, under the Mechanic Notes and Measurements section: “rear plate bracket removed”. Next time, why not try saying that to my face!

UPDATE #3: As of 3-23-18, I called the Salem NH Court in reference to the Monro Mechanic here in question, Dennis Karhan (residing in Tyngsboro MA), specifically about his Possession of a Controlled Narcotic Drug arrest on Aug. 2011 in Pelham, NH. I was told by the Court rep that Mr. Karhan still has an Outstanding Warrant against him for $259, and was additionally charged with Operating with a Suspended License in that same calendar year. And Dennis Karhan was 37 (now 44) at the time of his arrest in Pelham on Aug. 2011 — hardly considered still a “kid”. I’m sure glad to see, though, that Monro’s in Hudson NH loves to hire good, wholesome, law-abiding individuals representing their company — NOT! How does that old cliche go? Not all Crooks are Druggies, HOWEVER, about 99.9 percent of all Druggies are Crooks. And oh, by the way, if Karhan was arrested in 2011 for Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License, wouldn’t a Mechanic (like Karhan) driving customer’s vehicles in and out of Monro’s service bays to its parking lot also be considered BLATANTLY ILLEGAL? I do believe it would. So now looking back at my whole “failed” Inspection Sticker experience back in May ’08, it appears that Mr. Karhan was screwing me just to support his own Drug habit. Unbelievable!