15 YEARS - REMEMBERING

          September 3, 2008 – 15 years ago I entered the world of blogging.  That's 15 years of sharing stupid stories and personal experiences of little interest to anyone, but maybe me.  I've almost quit several times and probably should have. But as part of my 15 year anniversary, here is the very first blog that I posted here. 

 

          Not all gifts turn out the way they were intended.  This is not my story, but one that was sent to me.   Enjoy!  

          "For my birthday this year my wife purchased me a week of private lessons at the local health club. Though still in great shape from when I was on the varsity chess team in high school, I decided it was a good idea to go ahead and try it. 

          I called and made reservations with someone named Tanya, who said she is a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and athletic clothing model. My wife seemed very pleased with how enthusiastic I was to get started. They suggested I keep an "exercise diary" to chart my progress ....
          Day 1. Started the morning at 6:00 AM. Tough to get up, but worth it when I arrived at the health club and Tanya was waiting for me. She's something of a goddess, with blond hair and a dazzling white smile. She showed me the machines and took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. She seemed a little alarmed that it was so high, but I think just standing next to her in that outfit of hers added about ten points. Enjoyed watching the aerobics class. Tanya was very encouraging as I did my sit ups, though my gut was already aching a little from holding it in the whole time I was talking to her. This is going to be GREAT ....  

          Day 2. Took a whole pot of coffee to get me out the door, but I made it. Tanya had me lie on my back and push this heavy iron bar up into the air. Then she put weights on it, for heaven's sake! Legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made it the full mile. Her smile made it all worthwhile. Muscles ALL feel GREAT .... 

          Day 3. The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the tooth brush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I am certain that I have developed a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer. I parked on top of a Volkswagen. Tanya was a little impatient with me and said my screaming was bothering the other club members. The treadmill hurt my chest so I did the stair "monster." Why would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by the invention of elevators? Tanya told me regular exercise would make me live longer. I can't imagine anything worse .... 

          Day 4. Tanya was waiting for me with her vampire teeth in a full snarl. I can't help it if I was half an hour late, it took me that long just to tie my shoes. She wanted me to lift dumbbells. Not a chance, Tanya. The word "dumb" must be in there for a reason. I hid in the men's room until she sent Lars looking for me. As punishment she made me try the rowing machine. It sank .... 

          Day 5. I hate Tanya more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. If there was any part of my body not in extreme pain, I would hit her with it. She thought it would be a good idea to work on my triceps. Well I have news for you Tanya - I don't have triceps. And if you don't want dents in the floor don't hand me any barbells. I refuse to accept responsibility for the damage, YOU went to sadist school, YOU are to blame. The treadmill flung me back into a science teacher, which hurt like crazy. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like a music teacher, or social studies? ....
           Day 6. Got Tanya's message on my answering machine, wondering where I am. I lacked the strength to use the TV remote so I watched eleven straight hours of the weather channel .... 

           Day 7. Well, that's the week. Thank goodness that's over. Maybe next time my wife will give me something a little more fun, like a gift certificate for a root canal."   

          Now have a great day and be careful what you give for presents!

Was It Fraud?

          I guess it pays to be honest, even if it takes time you don't have and is hard on your nerves.

          Recently I received an Explanation of Benefits from my secondary health insurance carrier.  It was ten pages long and contained the information of all the medical expenses we had in the past two months.  As usual I read through it carefully to check on its accuracy.

          This time I found four entries for Medical Home Care during January, February, March and April.  These amounted to $5,356.28 paid to Medicare and $1,366.40 to my secondary insurance.  Fortunately, the patient responsibility was zero.  However, we had no records of any such expenditures, then or ever.

          So, despite not owing anything I wanted an explanation on what these bills were actually for.  I decided to call my secondary insurance which sent me the report.  Their reaction was that they had no information but that they paid the bill because Medicare had approved it.  If I wanted answers I would need to contact Medicare directly.  Did I really want to do that?  No …. but.

           Now I became involved in the vast Medicare system talking to various clerks and spending large amounts of time on hold.  Finally, I was told that I had to go to the fraud division.  I agreed and they switched me to that office.  And then, after about 90 minutes of searching for an answer, I was cut off.  Completely gone with no call backs.  Frustration!
           I wasn't about to let them win so the next morning I began the process again.  This time I was successful until they finally said I would need to be switched to their fraud department.  I told them of my previous experience with this switch attempt.  This clerk was very understanding and this time the switch was successful.

          But the frustration was not yet over.  Again, I had to go through all the details.  They agreed it could be fraud and they would investigate.  But I would not be told the results.  What a reward for an attempt to save our government money.

          Will they actually do anything?  Will they find the problem and get the money back?  Apparently, we will never know.  It will be another government secret.

          A few weeks later an article "The $80 Million Health Care Fraud" appeared in the AARP monthly magazine.  I found it interesting since I think it backs up my appraisal of this situation. The U.S.Attorney General Merrick Garland advises looking at your explanation of benefits every time you get a statement to check for any inaccuracies.  It might be a mistake or it could be fraud.  That's what I did and what I will continue to do.

          Unfortunately, there are crooks everywhere that money is involved.          

Does Anybody Care?

          I think one of the greatest challenges to our faith comes when we have to ask "why", when God allows certain actions which we can't understand or explain.
          Covid was a wicked event that caused the death of thousands.  Many of those who died were believers, some of whom were in ministry.  Why would God take their lives?  Dozens of them were my friends whom I miss deeply.  Why were they taken?

          Then there is the Ukraine War.  Puten and his forces murdered thousands of innocent people including many helpless children.  Where was God?  Why didn't he intervene and stop this murder?  Of course, where was God when Hitler and others did the same thing.
          As I write this, I remember a close friend who was a minister but God just called him home.  And I have four other friends active in ministry who are presently facing very serious illnesses.  Why?  And why did my brother die early and why did my mother die in an auto accident?  Does Jesus care?

          Recently we were with a believer who admitted to us that as she views events in the world she is really beginning to wonder if Jesus does care.  Our faith is tested.
            Frank E. Graeff was a Methodist pastor who served several churches around Philadelphia.  It is said that he was a special friend to children and an encouragement to everyone who knew him. Graeff was known by many as the "sunshine minister".  

          But the sunshine minister also went through some severe testing experiences and resulting periods of despondency. It was while passing through one of these tests that he became very despondent, full of doubt and full of physical agony. Turning to the scriptures for solace and strength he found that I Peter 5:7 spoke to his need. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." This was the inspiration that led him to pen the words of the great hymn "Does Jesus Care?" Each one of the verses of Graeff's hymn asks some intensely personal and important questions, and the answer is always "Oh yes, He cares." 
          Are you troubled today with the questions "why?" or "does He care?"  Remember all the good things our faithful God has done for you and then trust that He does care and is in control

 

(1)     Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress

And the way grows weary and long?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

 

(2)     Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

 

(3)     Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief,

Though my tears flow all the night long?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

 

(4)     Does Jesus care when I've said "goodbye"

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

 

Listen to it here.   CARE

Your Eyes

         We never know what a day will bring. Often, we are faced with new challenges and we don't know what to do.
          We may face a financial challenge, a sickchild or a sick spouse, a family disagreement, a conflict at work, or a vocational decision.  And we sometimes have to admit, "I don't have an answer."  So, what should we do when this happens?
          Well these challenges aren't new.  Man has always faced such situations, although the circumstances may have been different.  For example, King Jehoshaphat of Judah found himself facing a massive alliance of three armies (2 Corinthians 20:1-30). So, what did he do?
          First, he proclaimed a fast to seek help from the Lord. Then he prayed, recounting God's past counts of faithfulness to His people. And beseeching God to judge their enemies, He concluded his prayer with these words, "Nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." He didn't know what to do but he did the only thing he could do, put his eyes on God.

          God immediately told the king what to do and Judah was delivered from its enemies.

          There should be a lesson for us in this true story.  When the challenge seems impossible, we should turn our eyes on our Heavenly Father.  Now if you are like me, you know this truth, but it isn't always the response we make.  Instead, we try to solve our impossible challenges in our own strength and wisdom.  And that often fails.  Sometimes I am just a slow learner.
          One of my favorite songs reminds us of the need and value of turning our eyes on Jesus.  Now, I must just do it each time.

 

(1)    O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There's a light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant, and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

 

(2)    Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

Over us sin no more hath dominion—

For more than conquerors we are!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace

 

(3)    His Word shall not fail you — He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace

 

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

                        

Hope You Don't Need A Doctor

          A week ago I saw an eye specialist about a continuing problem with mucous in my left eye.  He suggested that I needed surgery to install a stent above my eye and open some blocked tear ducts.  It could be done in his office with a series of shots around the eye and then I could watch what he was doing.

          The alternative was to go to the surgery center where they would put me out and when I would wake up the repair would be completed.  This could be done as soon as September 7.  I said this is my choice, surprised that it could be done this soon.

          Then on Tuesday of this week I received a call from my family practice informing me that I was required to have a pre-op visit before the surgery.  But they only had two appointments open - that evening or September 5.  Neither were with my doctor.  I had to make a choice and, of course, pay for the visit.

          I argued that I see my family doctor monthly, including two weeks ago.  And I have another appointment with him in just two weeks.  I also saw my heart doctor just two weeks ago.  Now what is this doctor who has never seen me going to find in this 10 minute visit?  And I will probably end up waiting 30 or more minutes just to see her.

          I remember, as a child, that when we needed to see a doctor, he would either come to our house or we would sit in his waiting room waiting our turn.  Those were not great memories, but at least you were able to be seen when needed.

          Then, for decades things improved.  Doctors began making and keeping appointments.  And, if needed, they would work overtime to see you.  This worked well. The patient was first, not the money.

          But then big business stepped in and everything changed.  Doctors were bought out by hospitals and corporations.  They were no longer given choices to serve their patients first.  They were forced to see more patients in smaller intervals. Forced by corporations, money became the goal. Doctors are limited in how many appointments they may schedule so it becomes much harder to get appointments, especially with a doctor you want.

          As a result, many doctors, especially mothers, are leaving these practices and forming concierge practices where they control their schedules and make their own decisions.  The patient becomes the doctor's boss.  And the doctor limits the number of patients.  But it cost several thousand dollars a year to join such a practice so few can afford them. Three excellent female doctors have left our "family corporation" and are doing well on their own.  They've not been replaced by the corporation.

          Will things ever improve?  I doubt it.  We better get used to being forced to make appointments months in advance, short visits, and being sent to specialists who are also booked far in advance.  The only alternatives are busy emergency rooms and urgent care facilities.

          There are some things about the "old days" which were good.