What are your gifts?

In the book of Romans, in chapter 12, Paul talks about how we all have different gifts, according to the grace given to us by God.  As a new Catholic, I became interested and fascinated by the Mass.  What was going on?  Standing, sitting, bowing, kneeling.  How do you know what to do or what to say?  Like anything, it takes practice.  I started going to the 6:30 AM morning Mass, which was even a little different in that some things were added and some were omitted.  When my son wanted to become a server, or alter boy, I asked myself...what about me?  What can I do in and for the church?  It's kind of hard to get kids to serve for the 6:30 Mass so they have adults do it.  I felt like this was something that I could do to help me learn more about the Mass and serve the church.  What a great experience it is!  I just got back from serving in this morning's Mass.  You really feel a part of the Mass and experience it first hand when you are a server.  Setting the alter for communion, bringing the prayer book for the priest to read, and of course, ringing the bells during the prayer of consecration.  I felt so close to God. What about you?  Do you feel close to God?  Why or why not?  What can you do to draw yourself closer to Him?  Read chapter 12 of Romans and pray to God to ask Him what you can do you utilize your gifts from God.  God bless you as you use your gifts to serve The Lord!

Time for another change

It's fitting that I write this post today, November 3rd.  Exactly 6 years ago, I wrote my first blog post.  It was called "Day before the election", which is also where we are today.  Originally, I did write a little about politics.  Thoughts about gas prices, daylight savings time, shopping, facebook, discount stores, fast food, holidays, really a little bit about everything.  That's why I called it Thoughts from Scott.  There was no real theme or purpose.  Over time, I started writing about financial matters, because that's what I do, I'm a financial advisor.  But financial firms don't like people like me writing about things that are not "approved".  Anything that I wrote needed to be approved by the Compliance Department!  What a headache!  That takes all the fun and spontaneity out of it.  So I started writing about motorcycles.  No one has to approve that.  After all, I rode motorcycles and like most people who do, I like to talk about it and share my thoughts on riding and such.

Well, now I've decided to make another change.  Get ready...  I'm going to talk about religion.  Not just any religion, but Catholicism!  Why?  Well, why not?  This past year, in April, April 14th to be exact.  I became a Catholic.  On the Easter Vigil, that is, the evening before Easter, I became a Catholic!  I had already been baptized as a child, so I did not need to be re-baptized, but I was confirmed and accepted into the Holy Catholic Church as a child of God, one of their own.  I took the Holy Eucharist (Communion) for the first time and it was awesome!  I love being Catholic.  So this morning, as I was praying and thinking about my day ahead, I decided that I would make this change to my blog.

Thoughts from Scott will now mainly focus on my life as a new Catholic believer and member of a local parish in St. Louis, Missouri.  I will share my thoughts, struggles, confusion, and joy about my experiences as a Catholic.  Now, I don't want people to think that I know it all, I just want to share my thoughts and if it helps someone else understand what it means to be Catholic or what Catholics believe, then that will be a good thing.  Feel welcome to share your thoughts and ask me questions.  If I don't know the answer, I will do some research, and/or ask my priest for help.  So may God bless you and me as I start this new venture!

Fall Colors

Our days are numbered

Now that we are into October and have changed seasons from summer to fall (or autumn if you prefer), the number of riding days for motorcyclists is starting to diminish.  To be sure, there are some hearty souls who ride their bikes almost every day, no matter the weather, but for the recreational rider who prefers not to venture out in the rain and cold, the days are numbered.  While I will on occasion ride in temperatures as low as 40 degrees, properly dressed, I do prefer to ride when the temps are in the 60's on the low end.  To me, it's just not fun to ride when your teeth are chattering and you are cold.  I know that there are heated gloves and everything else to keep you warm and toasty, but I also don't like being bundled up too much when I ride.  When it rains, I don't ride no matter what the temperature is.  Again, I don't like losing visibility and braking distance on the wet roads.  I guess I am a fair weather rider.  I like dry roads and warm temperatures when I ride.
So I will wait out the storms and cold days ahead, but will keep my bike hooked up to the battery tender so that I can take her out when the next nice day arrives.  Here in the midwest, we can be blessed with 70 degree days in December and January, just as easily as 20 degree days.  So while I might not get out as much in the next few months, I will get out and enjoy some fresh air and wind therapy as often as I can.

Dog Days of Summer?

This summer has been the best, weather wise, that I can ever remember in the midwest and I'm sure much of the good ole USA.  Here in Missouri where we can typically see temperatures in the high 90's and even low 100's in July and August, we have seemed to average more days in the low 80's this year.  Whether it's been caused by El Nino or the Polar Vortex, I'm not sure, but I'm also not complaining.  While I enjoy living in a four season part of the country, suffering through a 98 degree day in late July can be unsettling.  Coupled with the high humidity that usually comes along for the ride, it can be downright uncomfortable for weeks at a time.  So I will enjoy this mild weather as long as it lasts.  As Mark Twain once said, if you don't like Missouri weather, just wait 5 minutes.  Fall will be here before you know it.  Kids will be going back to school next week and football season is right around the corner.  Enjoy the enjoyment as they say!  Get outside and spend some time in the fresh air.  This is great weather for motorcyclists as well, so look twice and share the road!

Route 66 Weird Wild Stuff

Strange Sights on Route 66  from the Weather Channel website.  Enjoy!

Rewind...Best of Thoughts from Scott

(This post was originally written on 9/2/2011)

Driving can be frustrating. There is too much traffic, too many stoplights, and oh those inconsiderate drivers. Most people have been cut off a few times in their life. But have you really watched some of the drivers on the road? I mean, have you observed what they do while they're driving? As a motorcyclist, I have to be much more aware of other cars and trucks than you do. Because motorcycles are not seen as easily as other cars, we have to be much more defensive when we drive on the roads and highways. We are constantly scanning ahead of us to watch out for cars and trucks pulling out into a lane ahead of us, stopping to make a turn without signaling, or coming into our lane without notice. Sure we've all been passed by a sportbike going too fast or maybe even doing a wheelie, but most motorcyclists are very good and considerate drivers. After all, one mistake and it could mean our lives. There has been a lot of press and even new laws about driving and texting, but have you ever considered some of the other things people do while they're driving? Besides searching for a new radio station or putting in a new CD, I have seen people put on makeup, read a book or magazine propped on their steering wheel, and of course how many people eat while they drive? Cell phone use is big, too. When I see a car going slower than the rest of traffic and maybe even wandering in their lane, chances are it's someone on a cell phone driving, not a drunk driver. So now that the weather is getting nicer, roll down the windows and try to imagine yourself riding a motorcycle. Smell the fresh air and try to see things from our perspective. We all share the road and we all want to reach our destination safely.