AuthorDino Katsiametis

#41 Crystal Meth, Blackouts, Hospitals and a Young Man’s Struggle – Connor Stephenson

A young man addicted to Crystal Meth and Bath Salts is dealing up to 500 pills of ecstasy at a time and doesn’t know how to break away.  A very bloody blackout and hospital visit finally turns his attention to God.  Listen to Connor Stephenson’s testimony from his really dark descent to his redemption.

 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” – Hebrews 11:6

 

  1. To keep what you have, you must give it away.
  2. Connor believes he was born as an alcoholic.  At age 12 he took his first and felt like he belonged in the world.  He started drinking whenever he could.
  3. By age 15 Connor was hanging with people in organized crime and started dealing ecstacy.  He had 100 to 500 pills on him at all times and loved knowing everyone.
  4. Connor lived with a girl for 4 years in a drug riddled environment and was caught cheating on her.  He was forced to move back to LA with his parents.
  5. Back in LA, he began dealing and found that bath salts could be sold as ecstacy pills.
  6. Soon Connor began doing Crystal Meth and things went badly quickly.  He couldn’t stop, “Idle hands are the devil’s play things.”
  7. Connor’s crash came when he went to a friend’s house and stayed up all night doing meth and cleaning the apartment.  When his friend woke up they went walking and he continued doing drugs, ran from a siren, blacked out and woke up in an alley bleeding.  Thinking he was dead he wandered out of the alley and realized he was at the firehouse.  He immediately asked them to take him to the hospital.
  8. In the ambulance he made a deal with God and said “there was no life with drugs that was worth living. Help me stop”.  Later that day he called his mom and asked her to put him into a rehab program.
  9. Connor is now 8 months sober and driving for Uber, Lift & sidecar giving safe rides to those who need them.
  10. Biggest Weakness – He needs to find a church and stick with it.
  11. Biggest Strength – A certainty of God’s willingness to be in his life.
  12. GMOI – Be humble with all that you have and have faith in Salvation and Jesus.
  13. 760-846-8840 connormstephenson@gmail.com

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#39 “Stuck on Stupid” Without God – Tony Alessandra

Pride makes it very difficult to be a great leader as a husband, father, business owner and Christian, but it is always there.  The enemy wants us to be prideful and put ourselves before God.  On this episode, Dino’s guest Tony Alessandra professes that he must always remember that God is in charge and he must lead his community by the example of service not words.  Take a listen to Tony’s very personal and inspirational walk with God.

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” – Proverbs 3:5

 

  1. Tony needs reminders that God is there and on his side.  He feels “stuck on stupid” when he walks alone, so he now creates a very personal walk with God.
  2. Biggest Weakness – There are times when he backslides and thinks only of himself.  In those moments he has to remind himself that God’s in charge.  Pride and ego build when things are going well and then you crash.
  3. Biggest Strength – Leading by example.  Tony tries very hard to let his walk speak louder than his words.
  4. There is no need to judge anyone.  Only God is perfect.
  5. Dark Time – When Tony went to college he forgot that God was there for him and spent those years focusing on himself and what he wanted.
  6. At age 27 his friend moved in and they began doing bible study in the morning.
  7. A-ha moment – When Tony began asking God to help him find his wife she appeared and they married 3 months after beginning their relationship.  He then knew he had to re-commit to God.  They’ve been married for 22 years.
  8. Advice – Don’t put your ego first.  Serve the person you’re with as well as the relationship.
  9. Transition from Catholicism to Christianity was ego because he went from a rigid to fluid relationship with God.
  10. Be bold and ask God into your life.  Also, become part of a great church that suits you.
  11. God’s Men of Influence – Be a man of God in the workplace so that you may lead.
  12. Tony is a member of Capo Beach Church.
  13. Tony was baptized as a baby and again at age 31.
  14. The closer Tony gets to God, the more he realizes he’s still far away.
  15. Best advice given – Rick Warren “Choose to Grow from it instead of Go from it”.  Leaders don’t run.
  16. Recommended Book – “Jesus Calling” – Sarah Young
  17. Favorite Charity – Boystown
  18. tony@ins-solutions.com

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#38 Pastor’s Opinion on Marriage and Other Christian Hot Topics – Dr. Roger Tirabassi

Age is not a criteria for maturity says Dino’s guest Christian couples counselor Dr. Roger Tirabassi.  In this episode Dr. Tirabassi discusses marriage, Tithing, Tattoos and Free Will.  Take a listen to this in depth look at a Pastor’s beliefs on issues that affect us all.

 

“A noble man makes noble plans and by noble deeds he stands” – Isaiah 32:8

 

  1. Marrying Young – Age is not a good criteria for maturity, so that is the more important thing.  There is a higher divorce rate for couple who marry younger.  The male brain isn’t even fully developed until 25 years old.
  2. Premarital Program – A good program should decrease the risk of divorce by 35%.
  3. What Makes A Good Husband – Have an older more experienced mentor.  Pride has to go.  Go to a marriage conference every year.  Pray together every day.
  4. When in marriage give affirmation, kisses, apology and time out process process.
  5. When a spouse changes – When children get our attention, the marriage will suffer if we are not attending to it.
  6. Enduring problems and preserving are what keeps a marriage together.
  7. Tithing – God wants us to have a responsive heart to what we were given.
  8. God’s plan or Free Will? – God tries to show us what to do, but gives us the free-will to do what we will.
  9. We have a just God who would never send someone to hell in an unjust way.

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#37 How an Atheist became a Christian Pastor – Dr. Roger Tirabassi

God works miracles and this one is especially amazing.  In this episode, Dino’s guest Dr. Roger Tirabassi tells the story of how he grew up to be a committed Atheist until, after a night of counseling himself over a failed marriage he heard the voice of God.

 

“A noble man makes noble plans and by noble deeds he stands” – Isaiah 32:8

 

  1. Biggest Weakness – Pride & Greed.  Roger battles with his own ego and the world we live in.
  2. Biggest Strength – God has given him the drive and ability to be part of a team.
  3. Dark Time – 2 weeks after his wife said she wanted a divorce Roger went to a psychiatrist who gave him medications and wanted more.  He then went to a psychologist who told him to start dating.  He was never more depressed.
  4. A-ha moment – Roger counseled himself that night and as he started feeling better he heard God’s voice.  The next day he went to church.
  5. Roger went back to school for his master’s and doctorate to become a counselor.
  6. Inspirational Person – Marvel was a secretary working with Roger.  She kept quietly suggesting that there was more to life.  Eventually Roger realized she was talking about God.
  7. Roger and Becky married and have been for 37 years.  You must live the life of a Christian, it’s not enough to just say you are a Christian, you must be intentional.
  8. Best Advice – Don’t do it alone.  Live your life with others and be part of a church.
  9. God doesn’t just call us to be saved, he calls us to be used.  When you do what God means for you to do, you will be happy and fulfilled.
  10. God’s Men of Influence – Create disciples and know your gifts so that you can use them in service.
  11. Roger is a pastor at Viewpoint Church.
  12. Roger was baptized at 27
  13. Best advice given – stay humble
  14. Recommended Book – “Practicing the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence
  15. Favorite Charity – Orange County Missions, FCA, Young Life
  16. roger@viewpointchurch.org

For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out atwww.godsmenofinfluence.org

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