Symposium Spotlight - Alan Scaglione

                                                       Alan Scaglione
                                                                      Moderator

Preferred Name to be Listed as and State or Country you live in:

ANSWER: Brother “A” from Florida

Age:

ANSWER: 55!

When you accepted Christ as your Savior:

ANSWER: I was saved in a Baptist Church at the age of 11— I got water baptized that day in a pond out back, in November—freezing cold! Although I got angry with God from 17(when my mother died from cancer) to 25—I always kept a relationship—I surrendered completely at age 25, as a husband and father of twin daughters and a newborn son and have never been out of relationship and good standing with God since that day!

Years in and areas of active ministry, past and present:

ANSWER: I was Youth Pastor at 5 different churches over a 20 year period. I have been Men’s Ministry Leader, church board member, Sunday School Teacher, Associate Pastor, Choir Director twice in my life… and for a brief period of time, Senior Pastor. I have managed a singing group and solo artists. I am a licensed minister. I have maintained an international blog for over 5 years, reaching 60+ countries weekly. I have married and buried. I counsel youth and young marrieds, along with those young couples that I officiate their wedding.  I always require that they read “The Five Love Languages!” by Dr. Gary Chapman. You have to know the answer to “I feel loved when…” and your spouse has to show you love in that way you need to feel it—that’s how you have a successful relationship—knowing and giving love in the language that is needed!

Favorite scripture and why?

ANSWER: Proverbs 18:24 “A man who has friends must show himself friendly—and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother!”

I have always tried to be a friend a friend would like to have. I am loyal, I keep confidences, and I offer sage advice when asked.

My relationship with Christ has always been that of Best Friends—my communication with Jesus in constant—whether at work in an elevator, at Wal-Mart or in my backyard—Jesus is always with me! I invite Him into my life every morning and ask Him to lead me and guide me throughout the day!

Your Wake Up Call to your Generation:

ANSWER: To my generation of FiftySomethings-- What mark will you leave on your generation that will say that you were here? How will you affect change in those who know you? What example will you leave those who love you that will change their lives and lead them to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ? To the Fifties who are thinking about retiring…

Retiring from what? Life? NO—Caleb was in his 80’s and he said “just give me permission to go get my mountain!”

Life is NOT something you retire from NOR is it something you wait to do when you are no longer working—

“Life is for the living—don’t waste it on the dead” My mother taught me that!

They say “Youth is wasted on the young!” But I say—everyday is a gift—don’t disrespect the Giver of that Gift by NOT Living it to its fullest!

Three things we’d be surprised to know about you:

ANSWER: I first saw snow in Belgium, on my way to Paris from Amsterdam, by myself, while on a business trip, teaching a class. Of all the roles in my life, and I have had many, the one that has surprised me the most is how much I love being a father! I went to a doctor when I was 18 to get a vasectomy! He said “you’re too young! Come back and see me when you are 25!”  At age 25, I had my twin daughters and my son! I have always been thankful for that doctor! And I have written songs and poems and short stories most of my life—I have two books published and two more on the way! I want to be remembered when I am gone—and my words will speak for me!

Oh yeh—and for some reason—I own over 100 neck ties—and wear them to work each day! Who owns 100 ties? Apparently, I do!

What are your hobbies outside of ministry?

ANSWER: My wife and I are Happy EmptyNesters—we travel each weekend on what I call “One Trip Tankfuls!” throughout the South. Favorite spots are: Savannah, Key West and St. Augustine. We are devoted grandparents of 8, parents of 6…and we travel 100 miles each way each weekend to see our family in Tampa. I love football. I hate basketball. Georgia Bulldogs and Florida State Seminoles in College; Denver Broncos and Mr. Peyton Manning for Pros. I collect old toys from the 50’s like spirographs and little red wagons. I collect blown glass objects—especially in cobalt blue and canary yellow—my two favorite colors!

List some of your past achievements and current projects that you are working on:

ANSWER: My two published books, One Unexpected Event and Aftermath, another book will be published in the Summer of 2015 called “SummerHouse: A Murder in Savannah!”, twice a week columns read internationally called “Reflections” and “Points2Ponder”. Moderator of this Online Symposium. Mentor to 5 young men, my “sons”—the inspiration for this project—teaching them to be godly men their children can look up to and emulate.

Share your experience in marriage, as the head of your home

ANSWER: I was married for 16 and a half years—then I wasn’t. I lost my credentials in my denomination and was no longer allowed to step behind their pulpit. All because I was divorced—even though—she left me! God wasn’t through with me, and His calling upon my life to preach and teach had not been removed just because I was now divorced! I traded my pulpit for a laptop, and God opened the door for me to start teaching/preaching weekly through my online columns/blogs. I have been amazed at the emails and comments that have come back to me from United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, Czech Republic, Canada, England, Italy, France… all being touched and inspired and taught the Word of God that has been revealed to me to share with others! And God loved me enough to send me a godly wife, my sweet Bella, who loves me more than I deserve—and we just celebrated 15 happy, wonderful years of marriage! I learned, I lived—God doesn’t care what denominations think of you—He asks you—will you live for me no matter what? And for me…the answer was Yes, Lord..YES! I take being the priest of my home seriously, and I serve my family as Jesus served His disciples—it is a great responsibility to lead your family in the way of the Lord—do NOT lose yours while saving others! You are called to your home first and foremost—place a priority on being the High Priest of your home! God expects you to be the example behind your four walls that makes HIM proud!

What do you hope to accomplish by participating in this MMofV Symposium

ANSWER: The Lord literally gave me this vision for this Online Symposium while I was praying in the shower—I heard Him say “and the elder will teach the younger!”

God has blessed me with relationships with godly men who are examples I would want my son to follow—and I have invited each of them to participate in our vision of the elder teaching the younger—the Word of God in application, in life, in practice!

What does your relationship with Jesus mean to you?

ANSWER: I can honestly say that Jesus is my BEST friend—I have been angry with HIM but still obeyed; I have disagreed with what He wanted me to do, but still did it; I have doubted what He was doing but still followed HIS lead—Obedience is far better than sacrifice, and I have learned to Trust and Obey!

What area have your struggled with most in your walk with Christ?

ANSWER: I struggle with too much self reliance—I am the typical “Peter” – knucklehead—speak with passion and move with power—but I have learned the hard way that when I move in my own motivation and direction—I wind up in a ditch somewhere asking God to please forgive me for leaving without taking HIM with me! I am someone who has never had a self confidence problem—so, each day, I put on Christ…I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live—yet not I, but Christ lives in me!

The only addiction I can speak to is…I have had a lifelong struggle with being overweight—I love who I am, no matter what size I am—I have dropped 165 pounds in the past—and I have seen 60 of it return—just to lose 40 of that again this past year—so, I understand a food addiction—but I also know how to stop it in its tracks!

What message of hope would you like to share with our reader?  

ANSWER: Life is NOT a spectator sport—you can experience life from the sidelines—you have to get into the game! That applies to your relationship with Christ—you only see HIM twice a week or less? You will not have much of a relationship or rapport built up for when you need HIM to know you and know what you need! You have to cultivate a relationship with Jesus—talk to Him, listen to Him—and sometimes, just sit quietly…and not say a word. The one thing you do NOT want at the end of your life is…regret—it won’t be that you didn’t make enough money—no, the regret will be that you didn’t do enough for Christ and that you sat so long watching others live their life, while you just went through the motions- Live the Life you’ve been given—Make the Most of the Talent you’ve been gifted with—He will ask you at some point “what did you do with what I gave you?”  He wants a return on HIS investment—in YOU!

If you had a theme life motto, what would it be and why?

ANSWER: My life statement is “Everyday’s a gift!” I had a major heart attack at the age of 49, and my doctor told my wife that she should have been a widow that day—so I have honored God every day I wake up with doing as HE directs my life—helping where I can, doing what I can, living the most I can—with a grateful heart that loves the Lord with every fiber of my being—IF it is a surprise to your neighbors and coworkers that you are a christian—be careful—it may also be a surprise to Jesus! Don’t be yelling sports fan and a whispering Jesus follower! Be Bold, Be Strong—the Lord thy God is with thee!