Pinebrook

        For as long as I can remember, my family would spend a week each summer at our church camp, Mizpah Grove, in Allentown.  There we would live in a tent with a wooden floor and straw filled beds.  We would go a central location for showers and to use the restroom.  We would cook our own meals to save money and most of our days were spent attending services - morning, afternoon and night.  Other than shuffleboard and softball there was really nothing else to do.  I also worked there several summers in the camp store, getting the camp ready and tearing it down.  It wasn't very luxurious, but we loved it and it was a big part of our Christian growth.
         When we were married we continued to go there until the Grove was finally sold and our denomination purchased the old Pinebrook Bible Conference facilities near Stroudsburg.  That camp was actually started in 1933 by evangelist Percy Crawford.  In its early days it was the place to go and top speakers, such as Billy Graham, were part of the program.  Thousands came to know the Lord there and many dedicated their lives to His service.  We continue to meet folks whose lives were changed by the ministry there over the years.
         But upon Percy's sudden death, the camp was closed and put up for sale.  During those years the facilities really deteriorated.  Plumbing and electricity were bad.  Buildings were old and in need of repair.  And so when the Bible Fellowship Church bought it in 1968, it really was in terrible shape.  Over the years many, many improvements have been made but many more are still needed.  But today most of those things are very expensive to do.
         When the BFC took over and began to run programs, we began going there in the summers and have done so ever since.  For about 25 years we provided the children's ministry there for up to three weeks each summer.  We often had 100 or more children, K-6, for two hours twice a day.  Then, for many years, Dianne played the piano or organ for the adult services and I often served as worship leader.  We continue to attend there two weeks each summer, now as part of our vacation.
         In recent years we have led 40 different hymn sings at Pinebrook on Fridays in the Spring and Fall.  Since 2003 it has been our joy to also serve as worship leaders for the week long Senior Saints Retreat each October.  This has become our favorite Pinebrook event and all seniors should join us for a great week.
         Like most Bible conferences today, Pinebrook struggles to keep going.  It is very expensive to staff and run such a program all year. New facilities are terribly expensive. Pinebrook depends on booking retreats throughout the year as well as on contributions from friends and churches.  Unfortunately, the Bible Fellowship churches have not supported the program very well in terms of both finances and attendance.  Part of this poor support is because today folks would rather go to Disney or to the shore than to a Bible conference.  Today people have money and other desires for their family vacations. A Bible conference is not a priority for younger generations.
        Another problem is that the rooms are not Marriott quality.  Many improvements have been made over the years.  But since the majority of the year the rooms are used for youth retreats in particular, it limits what can be done with the rooms.  All rooms do have private baths and AC, but many also include several bunk beds which are needed for the retreats.  And teens are often very tough on the rooms.
        But there are many things which still make Pinebrook a favorite with us.  We have made so many good friends there over the years, especially from Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Connecticut.  We look forward to seeing them year after year.  Having good Christian friends is a real blessing, something you won't get at Disney.
       Our boys are now grown, but it is a tremendous place to bring your children.  There are special programs geared to all ages.  The grounds are safe with much to do.  And what a pleasure to expose them for a week to Biblical teaching and fun.
       Each summer week also offers excellent Bible teaching for adults.  But the program is not so structured that you must attend each service if you wish to visit the many area Pocono attractions or go shopping on your vacation. 
       There are also many social and recreational activities provided for those who wish to participate in them.   In addition to swimming, shuffleboard, basketball, softball, volleyball and pickle ball, there are hikes to the Delaware Gap as well as talent shows and other events.
      And the food is excellent.  Three great meals are provided each day and there is a final banquet.  The only bad thing about the meals is that you are bound to gain weight throughout the week, unless you are very disciplined.  And if you go elsewhere you could easily spend over $900 a week just to feed a family of four for three comparable meals each day.
      Finally, Pinebrook is very economical.  A family of four can attend for a week, with full meals, for about $1,250.  Bible Fellowship Church members  can take their family for less than a $1,000 a week.  I checked some comparable rates ar other well known Bible conferences in New York, Maryland, and New Jersey.  For the same family size their rates are about $2,400, $2,720 and $1,790.   These are significant differences but I guess there are reasons that many folks are willing to pay the differences in charges to attend there.  Sometimes I guess tradition can make a big difference in what one chooses.
      Anyway, we love Pinebrook and enjoy going there.  And as long as the Lord allows us to do so, we hope to continue being involved in this special ministry with its rich heritage for thousands of believers.  We'd love to have you join us!

          

Senior Observations

          Recently I took some time to think about some of the lessons I have been learning in my senior years.  Now I wouldn't call these lessons wisdom, but some might be worth consideration by others.
          1.    Every morning when you get awake thank the Lord for giving you one more day here on earth and ask Him to help you use these hours wisely for Him. No matter how you feel, appreciate this gift to you. Life is short and we don't know if we will have another day to do so.  We don't know what a day may bring.
         2.    If you have a doctor who listens and cares or a friend who listens and cares, you are truly fortunate.  Such folks are few and far between.  Doctors are too busy and true friends are scarce.  Thank the Lord if He has given you one.
          3.    Everybody has problems which they are facing.  Some are very open about them, others are very private and seldom share them with others.   But they exist.   Don't ask someone "how are you doing?" unless you really care and are willing to listen.
          4.    As we get older we do have less energy and physical problems become a handicap.  It becomes easy to back out of things, but that often is not a good idea.  Sometimes you just need to "suck it up" and do your best.  But a few good naps can help.
         5.    Money is important for paying the bills and helping to support the Lord's work.  But the older your get, spending it on yourself begins to lose the luster it once had.
          6.    The longer you live the more examples you have of God's faithfulness to you.  We shouldn't live in the past, but at times it is good to remember how He has led and provided for you over the years.   It helps renew your confidence that He will be faithful and not leave you in the challenges that are still ahead.
          7.   The older I get the more I appreciate and miss the old hymns that speak about heaven.  I guess the closer you get to heaven the more relevant it is to you.  I wish we talked about it and sang about it much more today.
          8.   The older I get the more I become interested in the history of my family.  I develop more and more questions that I wish I had asked my parents and relatives while they were alive.  But as a youngster I took those things for granted and probably wasn't very observant.  And now that I am older and interested there is nobody around any more with the answers.  Sometimes I think we grow interested in our heritage too late in life.
          9.    Watching your grandchildren grow can be both fun and challenging.  In some ways it is harder than raising your own children because you can only be an observer and encourager and they are facing a much different world than you or your children faced.  I believe that you pray more often and even more earnestly than you might have for your own children.  But, on the other hand, Christian grandparents can have a profound influence on their grandchildren by their Christian walk, attitude and encouragement.  Don't ever underestimate the power and importance of that influence.
          10.   Expect change.  Your doctors, repairmen, dentists and others you have depended upon for many years will retire.  Close friends will die.  Your neighborhood will change.  Your grandchildren will grow up.  Your favorite stores will close.  Worship styles and music will change.  Prices will increase.  Nothing stays the same.   Accept it as part of life and move on or grow depressed and bitter.  Accepting is a much better option.
          11.  When young people say their vows when getting married, they really don't understand how profound they are.  They don't realize that they will someday face the "for better or for worse" and "in sickness and in health". Such things seem so far away ... but they come so quickly and unexpectedly.
          12.   Serving the Lord and dedicating all that you have to Him is the most important thing in life.  So many miss the blessings He has for them because they withhold some of their time, their possessions and their finances from Him and that is so sad.  You can never out give the Lord.
          13.   Time flies so fast, especially the older that you get. You will soon reach a point when you wonder where all the years have gone. And the physical challenges of being a senior happen more quickly than you ever could expect.  If you can walk and see and hear and eat whatever you want, don't take it for granted.  But be prepared, it probably won't be that way long.
          14.   If you've reached retirement age, enjoy it.  Be positive. Don't complain. Volunteer.  Keep active.  Enjoy senior discounts.  Take naps.  Thank God for His faithfulness.  And remember, better days are just around the corner.  Then there will be no arthritis, diabetes, hip replacements, taxes, home repairs, medical bills, walkers, canes, hearing aids or politics.  What a wonderful day that will be.

The Good!

      In my last blog I listed a number of things that upset me.  Maybe I gave the wrong impression.  I try not to be a negative person, but I think we all have things which bother us at times.  So to try and balance the scales, I've decided to list a few things which I do appreciate.
       Despite some rude folks, I am impressed with the number of folks who have opened and held doors for me while I was using my walker or my cane.  It is great to see that many still have good manners and consideration for those who have physical limitations.
       Drivers earn my smile and appreciation when they wave to thank me for letting them out at a busy corner or in a parking lot.  It only takes a few seconds to help a person in such a situation and it is great when others recognize that deed with a thank you.
       There are many drivers who actually do slow down when they pass me at my mailbox.  Once in awhile one will even stop to let me safely cross the street to my house.
       Recently we received a very unexpected note of encouragement and appreciation from a couple in our congregation.  We never expected this and we were surprised.  It was very appreciated and meaningful to us.  While some have the gift of encouragement, it is something that we all should practice.
       I appreciate those who really care when they ask "how are you?"   Most times it is just a passing comment without any meaning.  But during these past months of rehabilitation from two major surgeries, it has been nice when somebody stopped to ask that and really wanted to hear how things were going.
       I really appreciate doctors who are on time and I have a few who are.  Mosts doctors ask you to come 15 minutes early and then make you wait another 30 minutes until they see you.  Opps, I guess that is a negative and shouldn't be in this blog.  Now I know doctors can be very busy, especially with emergencies, but I really appreciate those who value my time and try to be on time, yet take the time to listen to me
       I appreciate good salespeople who are there to help you when you need help, but aren't there to "bug" you and pressure you.  Good customer service is a plus in my estimation.
       I really appreciate good music, especially good Gospel music.  I love the old hymns as well as the new choruses when they are doctrinally correct.  I especially love music about heaven.  I love to hear good piano music and solos by cellos and trombones.
       I appreciate it when others follow instructions and make my work easier and lighter by taking time to do things correctly.  When you have a heavy workload, it is great when others go out of their way to help you by doing things correctly.
       I love to see older folks who love the Lord and glow with his radiance after spending years serving Him and growing closer to Him.  They are special people that God brings into your life and I hope that someday others may see that in me.
       I get excited when I see my children and grandchildren doing well in their schooling and jobs while growing in the Lord and serving Him.  That is a very special blessing.
       And finally, I appreciate those who smile.  Somehow we seem to get too busy with work, dealing with problems, and carrying our burdens, that we forget to smile.  If I may paraphrase a saying, A smile is the flag flown from the heart when the King is in residence there.
        So there you are - some of the things that I appreciate and make me smile.  Maybe I'll add some more in a later blog.  We have so many things to appreciate when the Lord is our King and provider.  Great is His faithfulness.
        May you have a very positive day!   Smile, God is good!

It Bothers Me ...

          One of the dangers of growing old is that it is easy to become bitter and nobody enjoys a bitter, complaining person.  And it is often easy to become bitter over the smallest things.  I think sometimes folks don't really realize how negative they've become in their conversations and reactions.  We need to pray that the Lord would keep us from bitterness and allow our words, thoughts and actions to be sprinkled with grace and pleasing to Him.

          But ,as we know, there are many things in life which bother us and the fact is that one can be disappointed about situations, but not bitter.  Recently I began to think about things that disappoint me and bother me, in addition to bitter people.  But they are temporary and I can't really do anything to change these things.  So I accept them as a fact of life.  Here are some of those things which come to my mind.

          It bothers me when I go to a restaurant or a fast food location that I see employees who are on break standing outside, in their uniforms, smoking.  Don't they realize that they carry that smell with them when they return to work?  And, unfortunately, most of the time the employees are female.   I guess one of the results of women's lib is that females have the right to kill themselves by smoking.  I just wish that they weren't the ones preparing or serving my food. 

          It bothers me when I go our to eat and a family near me has a noisy, crying child who needs to be disciplined, but the parents do nothing about it.  My quiet meal time is ruined and I am tempted to put a sock in the child's mouth and warm his rear with my hand - just before I am arrested.  Now I may think that but I'd never do it or even recommend that.  I guess maybe I can't really relate to these parents since when our boys were growing up we couldn't afford to go out to eat.  But times and discipline have changed.

          It bothers me when a driver attempts to make a left hand turn from the right hand side of the road, keeping cars from passing him on the right.  I think they are inconsiderate but then I realize that driver's training is no longer a part of high school programs so maybe they don't know any better.

         I am always bothered by tailgaters when I am driving, especially when they are talking on their cell phones or texting.  Somehow they must think that their reaction time is not affected by doing multiple things at one time.  But they only have to be wrong one time.

          And while talking about cell phone use, I am bothered by those who don't turn them off in church and then they ring and disturb those around them. One summer the leader at Pinebrook joked about declaring a $100 fine for any cell phone that rang during the service.  Even with his warning, several did.  I don't know if he ever collected or not.

          And speaking about church, I admit that I am bothered by those people who are always late and then march down to the front to sit.  And it is the same people each week at about the same time.  You could probably set your watch by their appearance.   But then some people are late for everything.  I wonder if they will be late for their funeral.

          I am bothered by the lack of respect for property shown by the leaving of garbage.  Every few weeks we find beer bottles or fast food items on our lawn, thrown there from cars passing by.  And when I walk in our church on Mondays I am always amazed by the number of water bottles that are left on the chairs and on the floor for the custodian to remove.  Why don't people even have respect for the House of the Lord?

          Back to driving.  It bothers me when it is raining that many drivers don't turn on their lights.  That is the law in Pennsylvania.  I wonder if the police ever prosecute anyone for breaking this law.  It is often hard to see these vehicles, especially if it is raining hard.

         And one more about driving.  Our street doesn't have sidewalks and we must cross it to get to our mailbox.  The speed limit is 25 mph but often drivers pass by at 40 - 50 mph while we are trying to get our mail.  I think they want to see how close they can get to hitting us.  Often I wave at them to try and slow them down, but they just ignore me or are going too fast to see me signal.  And it is worse when it is raining because I think that some want to see how much they can splash me.

          And one more before I close.  Why don't owners train their employees how to give change.  Recently at Pennys I had to break a $20 for a bill of $1.34.  The clerk slapped the change into my hand, with the bills and coins mixed together.  And all the bills were also mixed up, some upside down and others backwards.  Not only didn't she count up when giving it to me, but the mixture was unbelievable.  Of course, since I once worked in a store I have a thing about that, especially having the bills the same way and in proper order.  But maybe with tody's technology clerks don't need to give change very often.

          Well I better quit or you will soon think that I am becoming a bitter old man.  I guess these things are just the result of the age and culture that we live in.  And there is nothing I can do about them but live with them and try to set an example by not doing the same things in return.  They aren't worth getting ulcers over and the only thing they might be worth is providing items for a blog when one can't think of anything else to write about.

          

Keeping Cool

          Oh how spoiled we have become in today's world!  Or at least I have become!
          One of the blessings of living in Lancaster County is the fact that we have four different seasons, each of which has a beauty of its own.  And I love each of them, except for those days when the summer becomes brutally hot and humid.  The humidity here can be very oppressive. When I went to Florida State, it was hot but not humid like it can become here. But air conditioning provides us with a way to get through those tough times.
          On Sunday we came home from church and I sat down at my desk to work on the church financial records.  Suddenly I realized that it was getting warmer than usual.  I went to the AC controls and was shocked to find that the temperature was 78.  I reset the AC and went back to work.  An hour later it was worse and I checked again.  Now it was 80!  So I did some investigating and discovered that while the fan was running, the compressor wasn't and nothing I could do got it to work.  
          We have an annual contract with Lefflers, so I called them.  They said they could send a repairman out within two hours. but since it was a Sunday, we would be charged about $130 for just the diagnosis.  I asked what the charge would be on Monday and was told that there would not be one because of our contract with them.  I quickly decided that for $130 we could "suffer" for 24 hours.
          Now we do have a window unit for our enclosed porch so we spent the evening there in comfort.  When it was time to go to bed we saw that the outside temp had dropped from 87 to 78, so we opened up the windows, turned on the fan, and went to bed. .... just like we used to do before AC.  And we were comfortable and survived.
         As I thought about it I realized that my parents never had AC in their house except for a couple of window units late in their lives.  On very hot days I used to sleep on the living room floor right at the screen door to the side porch.  Sometimes there would be a breeze there ... and, of course, I was 60+ years younger then. But I survived.
         When we were married we purchased window fans which we ran to pull in the cooler air from the outside.  Later we bought a window unit for our bedroom, but the boys had to survive with fans.  We lived that way for the first 30 years of our married life, and we survived.  
          I don't remember when we had our first air-conditioned car.  Growing up, AC was a luxury in cars so most of my life we drove with the windows open to catch a breeze while traveling.  And, again, we survived.
          But living and sleeping at home wasn't the only challenge.  For about 30 years I taught on the third floor of an old building. My office was also there. Above was a flat roof.  I was on the morning sun side.  In September, October, May and June my classroom and office were already in the low 90"s when we began the day and the temperature never dropped.  And there was no cross ventilation at all. I was usually soaked with perspiration by lunch and sometimes had to even change clothing. For years I tried unsuccessfully to get the district to install a large exhaust fan that would provide some moving air.  They always said it was too expensive.  But then they never had to work or study in such conditions since the offices were air conditioned.  They did allow us to purchase a floor fan for each room.   But, I survived (not sure about my students, however).  Oh yes, my last nine years I  had an air conditioned classroom and office.  It was great!
          As I've thought about it I have been reminded of how things have changed and how we've come to depend upon them.  Modern technology, vehicles, appliances, homes   have all changed the way we live.  And we've become dependent upon them.
           So what happened to our AC?  Well the technician came and found that the circuit breaker on the compressor kept clicking off, so he knew there was a short somewhere.  When he opened the unit he found that a little black bug had crawled into one of the contacts and shorted out the entire unit.  He scraped out the bug and showed it to me.  Then he hooked it up again and the unit started.  Now we are back in service once again, but without any charge.  And that's "cool"!   
            It is amazing what a little bug, the size of an ant, could do to a big compressor.  I guess there could be some really good life lessons there.  So often little things create problems in relationships and we lose our victory and joy.  Lord, help us to avoid those little things that can create major problems in our relationships.   May we learn to keep our cool!    

Family Feud

          When there is nothing else on television, if one has cable, they can probably go to the game network and watch reruns of old game shows, such as Family Feud.  It is interesting and sometimes very comical to see the answers that contestants give to questions when they are pressed for time.  Recently somebody sent me a list of some of the bizarre answers that have been given over the years.  Here they are for your enjoyment.

Name something a blind person might use: a sword

Name a song with moon in the title: blue suede moon

Name a bird with a long neck: a penguin

Name an occupation where you need a torch: a burglar

Name a famous brother and sister: Bonnie and Clyde

Name an item of clothing worn by the Three Musketeers: a horse

Name something that floats in the bath: water

Name something you wear on the beach: a deck chair

Name something red: my cardigan

Name a famous cowboy: Buck Rogers

Name a number you have to memorize: 7

Name something you do before going to bed: sleep

Name something you put on walls: roofs

Name something in the garden that's green: a scarecrow

Name something that flies that doesn't have an engine: dishes

Name something you might be allergic to: skiing

Name a famous bridge: the bridge over troubled waters

Name something a cat does: goes to the toilet

Name a continent: Italy

Name something you do in the bathroom: decorate

Name an animal you might see at the zoo: a dog

Name something slippery: a con man

Name a kind of ache: a pancake

Name a food that can be brown or white: potato

Name a potato topping: jam

Name a famous Scotsman: Jock

Another famous Scotsman: Vinnie Jones

Name something with a hole in it: window

Name a non-living object with legs: plant

Name a domestic animal: leopard

Name a part of the body beginning with 'N': knee

Name a way of cooking fish: cod

Name something you clean: your sister

Name something dumb:  this blog

Constantly Abiding

         Father's Day always stirs many memories of the good times I had with my father and with my family.  God blessed me with a godly father and mother who served the Lord and taught me to love and honor Him.  And he blessed me with a great brother and sister as well.
          Recently my memory was stirred when I heard a hymn that I hadn't heard in years, "Constantly Abiding".  I don't think it will be found in hymn books anymore. Since most churches no longer use hymn books it certainly isn't a part of today's praise and chorus music, although, maybe it should be
            I remember it for a special reason - my family sang it several times for special music in our church during those early days when we didn't have too much special music for services. None of us were trained, but we learned to sing hymns as soon as we could sing. We didn't have a car until I was in second grade and, if I recall correctly, we didn't have a radio in our first car. So everywhere we went together, we would sing as we traveled. As a result, I grew up knowing the words of all the verses to hundreds of hymns. 
          But for some reason, the hymn "Constantly Abiding" was the one that we sang several times together in church. Maybe it was the words, maybe it was the back time in the chorus, but whatever it was, we enjoyed it. My mother sang soprano, my sister alto, my dad bass, I sang tenor, and I think my brother either sang melody or else harmonized. 
          I could not find out much about the background of this hymn. It was written by Anne Murphy (1878 - 1942) whose husband ran a pottery business in Ohio. However, she was widowed around 1929. Having lost her wealth, she then moved to California to live with her sister. I don't know what her music background was or even if she wrote other hymns. I can only guess that this hymn was written as a personal testimony to the hard times she had endured after her husband's death. She must have experienced the peace that she writes about that believers can experience in times of trial. She must have experienced the constant abiding of the Holy Spirit in her life. And she knew that some glorious day her Savior would take her to her heavenly home. 
          So I believe this may have been her personal testimony. Is it yours? Concentrate and meditate on the words of this hymn.

(1) There's a peace in my heart that the world never gave,

A peace it cannot take away;

Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud,

I've a peace that has come here to stay!

Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;

Constantly abiding, rapture divine;

He never leaves me lonely, whispers, oh, so kind:

"I will never leave thee"— Jesus is mine.

(2) All the world seemed to sing of a Savior and King,

When peace sweetly came to my heart;

Troubles all fled away and my night turned to day,

Blessed Jesus, how glorious Thou art!

Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;

Constantly abiding, rapture divine;

He never leaves me lonely, whispers, oh, so kind:

"I will never leave thee"— Jesus is mine.

(3) This treasure I have in a temple of clay,

While here on His footstool I roam;

But He's coming to take me some glorious day,

Over there to my heavenly home!

Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;

Constantly abiding, rapture divine;

He never leaves me lonely, whispers, oh, so kind:

"I will never leave thee"— Jesus is mine.

If you don't know it, you can hear it sung here, actually by a family.  I wish I had a recording of my family.  But these folks are probably better musicians than we ever were.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

Cardia Rehab

        When I was checking out of the hospital following my heart surgery, one of the last things they did was give me a list of follow-up visits - with my surgeon, my heart doctor, my family doctor, x-rays, and cardiac rehab.  Cardiac rehab?  What in the world was that.  I pictured several sessions of walking on a treadmill and that wasn't too exciting.
          Well we kept our appointment with cardiac rehab I was stunned when they told me it would be 36 sessions, lasting about three months.  Three months?  That would be a long time to walk on a treadmill.  
          The initial interview was very thorough.  Of course they went over all my meds, my medical history and things about my family's medical experiences.  They weighed me, measured me and talked about our diet.  They discussed my exercise plans. They asked me psychological questions - it is common for heart surgery patients to develop depression.  They went over the rehab plans and then showed me the facilities.
          What I found out was that the first two weeks I would be scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday for an hour seminar and then an hour of exercise.  Following that I would be scheduled for every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for an hour of exercise until my 36 sessions were completed.  At that point it seemed almost overwhelming.
          Now when I reported for an exercise session the first thing I had to do was put on a heart monitor.  They would track my heart rate for the entire hour and if they noticed anything irregular they would stop your exercise and report it to your heart doctor.  In a few cases they would call an ambulance and send you right to the hospital.  You could see your heart waves on big screens hanging from the ceiling.  The nurses could follow you on their ipads and one nurse would take pictures of the waves at various times during the hour.  These would become part of your permanent record.
        As a diabetic, I had to have my blood checked before I began.  If it was too high they would send you home.  If it was too low they would give you food until you reached a proper level.  You were checked again at the end of the session and if you were too low they would hold you there until it improved.  They had big trays of fruit that you could snack on if you felt you were getting a low.  Water coolers were all around the facility and you were told to have a drink every time you completed a particular activity.  Hydration was stressed.
          Every session began with about 5 minutes of group stretching or warm-up exercises.  Then you would be given your clipboard with all your previous exercise session summaries and your instructions for the present session.  At the end of each session each person was to complete a series of cool down exercises before having your blood pressure taken and getting the approval to take off your monitor.  Blood pressures were always also taken at the beginning of the session and sometimes at various times throughout the session.
         Now it turns out that the session was not just using the treadmill.  For me it was generally 11 minutes with speeds increased throughout my months there.  Then there was a machine called the Newstep which exercised your legs and arms.  I spent 14 minutes on that with increasing levels and I actually enjoyed that.  Then there were wall pulleys and I spent 6 minutes with those and again the weights increased as the weeks went on.  Then finally I had strength training which included more exercises, using weights in a variety of ways and strengthening my legs with two special pieces of equipment.  Because of my surgery I wasn't allowed to do this part until a set number of weeks after my surgery.  But I think that was the part that I enjoyed the most.
          There was a big emphasis on cleanliness.  We were told to use hand cleaner after every exercise.  We had to wear gloves and clean our monitors when we took them off.  That was interesting since I read that more people pick up harmful germs in gyms that they do in public bathrooms.
           The nurses were so kind and helpful.  They kept their attention on you throughout the session.  One of them, Carla, was assigned to me throughout the three months.  She checked on my progress and made regular reports to my doctors.
          In my final sessions they had me review my eating, my emotions, and my plans for follow-up.  They strongly suggested that you join a gym and keep up this program and that is good advice.
          When I started I did not look forward to three months of it.  But the time went by so fast and it was so beneficial.  I actually looked forward to each session and was very sad to see the sessions come to end.  It is a great program and the nurses and aids are so professional.  I miss our times together.  I feel so much stronger and healthy after completing the 36 sessions.  Unfortunately, I was hindered a little by my back problems.  And since I never was able to have my physical therapy following my back surgery, that is the next step in recovery.
          Now I would never wish for anyone to have heart surgery.  But the one good thing is there is a great rehab program following your surgery, especially if you go to the LGH Health Campus.

          

No!

          Recently I was reading in Acts and I stopped when I read Acts 16:7, "After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them."  Paul and his companions were on his second missionary journey and they had planned to preach in Bithynia but "the Spirit did not permit them."  Why?  We have no idea.
         I doubt that Paul had any idea either, but he recognized a divine obstacle.  And shortly, in a vision, God revealed a different direction - Macdonia.  God had a better plan for Paul and his companions, just as He always has a better plan for us when He says "no" to our plans.  And yet, how often we question, Why? Sometimes our faith is weak and we think our plans are best. We need to learn to hold our plans lightly and live flexibly as God guides.
           Has God ever said "no" to your plans?  I asked myself that question when I read this passage.  And I can think of numerous times when that has happened.  But there are four major situations in my life that came to my mind when I asked myself this question.
          When our long time pastor retired, I was elected to the search committee.  Twice during that process we had dealings with experienced pastors who led us to believe that they were very interested in filling our pulpit.  We were very excited.  But at the very last moment both decided to stay where they were.  In fact the one even candidated for us and then dropped out just when we were ready to have the congregation vote.  It was very hard to accept that God was saying "no" to our plans.  After all we had invested many hours and much work to reach these points only to have the door closed. As a congregation we claimed Jeremiah 33:3, "Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things that thou knowest not."  And He did.  God had a better plan for us and months later we called the man who was God's choice and He has been our pastor now for over 35 years.
          A second such situation came early in our married life when we felt called to missionary service.  A guest speaker and his wife joined us for lunch after a Sunday service and shared the ministry of their school in the Philippines.  We were challenged and interested but once again the Lord said "no".  Some physical situations and other problems closed the doors.  But God again had something else special planned for us.  First, he made me realize that He had called me to be a missionary in the public schools in this country and for 39 years I had a unique ministry at Penn Manor.  For most of those years I had a large Bible club - on school time.  We also were able to organize an annual Christ-honoring Baccalaureate Service for the seniors.  I had the opportunity to minister to many young people over the years because God said "no" to our plans.
          He also opened the door for a family ministry that spanned 25 years in churches, Bible conferences and at banquets.  Some years we had over 100 programs where we could present the Gospel to families. And He also gave us the opportunity to start and grow an active Awana ministry in our church. All of this came after God has said "no" to our plans.
          A third situation came three times in my teaching career when I was offered jobs.  Two of them were in other school districts, one of which was a very elite district.  The other opportunity was a chance to be a sports publicist for a college.  All of these were very attractive opportunities, but the Lord said "no".   And in turn He provided me with more opportunities to serve Him at Penn Manor and at Millersville University.
          As I approached retirement I thought the Lord would call me to serve Him in some church ministry.  But as I explored these opportunities I found that I couldn't be considered because I didn't have a formal Bible School background or degree.  And I also became disillusioned at the rude ways I often was treated in this process.  In many years of hiring for jobs at Penn Manor, I never even thought about treating candidates the ways I was treated by several ministries.
         But one opportunity did develop and eventually reached a point where I was even told to develop a job description for my abilities.  Then I was called to a meeting with the hiring committee assuming we were to negotiate final details.  But I was stunned when they told me that they no longer wanted me.  They suggested that I begin another ministry on my own which I personally knew was a duplication of existing programs.  I never found out why they said "no" to me at this point, but I realized that it was really God saying "no".
         And God, once again, had something better for me.  Little did I know that in the early morning hours the state legislature, in order to give themselves raises, increased the multiplier for my retirement plan.  If I had taken the job with that church, I would have missed a substantial raise in my annual retirement.  And as a result, I have been able to volunteer and minister in many ways since my retirement without the need to hold a regular job to live.
          So, just like Paul many years ago, I have learned that God's ways are always best.  And when we follow Him sometimes He will close the doors to our plans.  But He always has something better for us.  It's fine to plan as best as you can, but every plan must be submitted to God. "Not My will, but Yours, be done"  (Luke 22:42)  If Christ yielded His plans to God, shouldn't we?

Inexpensive But Lasting

          June is the month for weddings.  I guess every girl dreams of having a beautiful wedding and being treated like a queen.  But, unfortunately, weddings have become terribly expensive. Today the average wedding cost in the United States is $26,444.  Couples typically spend between $19,833 and $33,055.  Couples in our area must be a little more frugal because  in our zip code they only spend between $16,467 and $37,445.  And that also depends on the size of the wedding.  It is reported that a single guest could add between $141 and $173 to the overall cost.  All of this for a one day celebration.
          Oh, by the way, these costs do not include the honeymoon.  And today couples must have an exotic week in the Caribbean or somewhere else overseas. That is expected. The wedding would not be complete without an expensive trip. 
          Now most of my readers would probably call me cheap since I think this extravagance is crazy. If you have that kind of money wouldn't it be better to put it towards a down payment on a house or to pay off the college bills?   Sadly, many marriages today even break up before all the wedding bills are finally paid.
          Now I know times have changed over the years, but today's peer pressure has forced many couples into having elaborate weddings.  They seem to need to top their friends.  But let me share with you a different wedding that took place a number of years ago.
         In this case the bride had a job earning a modest income.  The groom had just completed his junior year in college.  They were in love and had been dating over two years so they decided to get married prior to his senior year.  She already had a car and with her job they could rent a small apartment and make it until he graduated and found a regular job.
          To save money she borrowed a beautiful wedding gown from a cousin. Her mother was able to make the dresses for the girls in the party.  The men decided rather than renting expensive tuxes to wear dark suits.  Actually the groom wore a wool suit which he had purchased even though it was a June wedding.  According to today's prices, they saved over $1,600 by doing this.
          The bride and groom had to purchase their own flowers and decorations and they did purchase some modestly priced flowers for the wedding party and family members.  Today the average cost for wedding flowers is $1,579.
           The groom's previous college roommate was a photographer.  As a wedding present he donated his services and he did a very nice job presenting them with an album of 8x10's.  Today the average wedding spends $2,778 for pictures and videos.
            For the wedding service they used the church where they had been attending and where the groom's grandfather was pastor.   The grandfather was thrilled to do the wedding ceremony for his oldest grandchild.  This added to the special memories the couple still has today.  The entire congregation was invited to attend the service and as a result the church was filled.
           For a reception they rented the local YMCA.  The food was prepared by ladies from the church and included sandwiches, chips, cake and ice cream.  It wasn't elaborate but it was well received and well done.  The average couple locally spends an average of $11,784 on a venue, catering and rentals.  And this approach and location apparently had no effect on the gift giving as the couple was overwhelmed by the many gifts given to them by those who attended.
          Now the couple also didn't take an elaborate honeymoon.  In fact the bride's boss would not even give her time off for a honeymoon.  But she took Monday off anyway and the couple was able to travel to Watkins Glen for Sunday and Monday.  A few years later they were able to take a spectacular summer trip to Florida. There the groom studied computers at Florida State while the family stayed in an apartment complex with families from all over the country who were there on a National Science Foundation grant.
          It was not an extravagant wedding by today's standards, but it was beautiful and meaningful, not only for the bride and groom, but for the many who attended. And the young couple did not begin life together burdened with expensive wedding and honeymoon bills which might have taken years to pay.  For you see, money and expensive things do not always bring happiness.
         And the Lord has continued to bless this couple who have now experienced 54 years of marital bliss. They are more in love now than ever.  And on June 2 this bride and groom, Dianne and I, will celebrate another special anniversary celebration.  God has been good and has provided all that we have needed!

Teaching School

          We are entering one of the three times of the year that I always looked forward to in my 39 years of teaching. The first time was the beginning of the school year, or the beginning of a new semester, when you received a new group of students.  The second was the day before Christmas vacation when I was able to have some fun with my students and also prepare for a nice, needed vacation.  The third was the end of the year when you could look forward to a change of pace for a few weeks.
          And with the end of this school year approaching so quickly I have decided to share with you some interesting comments that were made by Jeff Foxworthy.  Now if you've never been a school teacher, you may not understand these or you may think they are terrible.  In that case I say, get on the gravy train and become a school teacher.  Then you will understand and while you may never say them, you will probably at least think them.  So if you are a school teacher -
          * You believe the playground should be equipped with a Ritalin salt lick.
          * You want to slap the next person who says, "Must be nice to work from 8 to 3:30 and have summers off."
          * It is difficult to name your own child because there's no name you can come up with that doesn't bring high blood pressure as it is uttered.
         *  You can tell it's a full moon or if it's going to rain, snow, hail... anything!!! without ever looking outside.
         * You believe, "shallow gene pool" should have its own box on a report card.
         * You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
          * When out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior.
          * You have no social life between August and June.
          *  You think people should have a government permit before being allowed to reproduce.   
          * You laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the "lounge".
          * You encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling and are willing to donate the U- HAUL boxes should they decide to move out of district.
          * You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
          * You can't imagine how the ACLU could think that covering your students' chairs with Velcro and then requiring uniforms made out of the corresponding Velcro could ever be misunderstood by the public.
          * Meeting a child's parent instantly answers this question, "Why is this kid like this?"
          * You would choose a root canal over a parent conference.
          * You think someone should invent antibacterial pencils and crayons... and desks and chairs for that matter!
          * The words "I have a college debt for this?" has ever come out of your mouth.
          * You know how many days, minutes, and seconds are left in the school year!
Now you say you don't understand these remarks.  Well then that means you've never been a school teacher.  Teachers understand them quite well!

Read Between The Lines

          For many, many years the assignments of pastors in our denomination were done by a committee at annual conference in October.  This meant that every fall a church could suddenly find a new pastor when they arrived for services on Sunday.  And for pastors and their families this was always a time of great stress since they did not know in advance if they would suddenly be changed and have to move.  This was really a time of stress for congregations, pastors and especially their families.  The first five pastors of our church came through this process.
          But then things changed and churches were allowed to fill their pulpits with men of their choosing.  When a pastor resigns or retires the church now can form a search committee and begin looking for their next pastor.  Candidates can be interviewed.  They can be asked to preach.  They can be voted on by the congregation.  And sometimes this process can take months or even years to finally complete.  It too can be a stressful time for a congregation.  We have only had to go through this revised process twice in our church and both times I served on the search committees.
          Now for the candidates, one of their challenges is determining what the search committee really means by their statements.  Sometimes they need to "read between the lines" when they are being interviewed.  Here are some of the statements that might be made and what might really be meant by the committee that makes them.
          What the committee said: "We have a long and distinguished history as a congregation." - What they meant: We haven't done anything worth a hoot in the last decade. 
         "We don't have stereotyped expectations for our pastor's wife." - She doesn't have to play piano for junior church. But naturally, she'll want to head up the women's group. 
         "We want a pastor who's an outstanding preacher, a compassionate counselor, a successful soul-winner, a gifted teacher, a strong motivator, and an efficient administrator." - We have no clue what we want, but we suppose you'll do. 
         "What is your philosophy of ministry?" - What tricks do you have to increase worship attendance? 
         "Our attendance has been declining, but our church has a lot of potential." - You're our last hope before we close the church doors. 
        "We want a pastor who can bring energy and life to worship." - We need someone to get the organist to play the hymns faster. 
         "We plan to repair the parsonage just as soon as we get a new pastor." - We plan to have our new pastor repair the parsonage. 
        "We think many former members will return if we get the right person as pastor." - If you don't get them back, it's your fault. 
         "The chairman of our search committee has opened his home to you for your candidating weekend." - Try to ignore the boa constrictor and nude pin-ups in his son's room. You know how teenagers are. 
        "We'll be happy to pay you for your moving expenses." - Up to the budgeted $375. 
          "Don't worry. We'll be here to help you get acquainted with our church." - We'll watch you like a hawk, because we're scared to death you might do something that will embarrass us. 
         "You'll have two weeks of study leave and four weeks of vacation annually." - And whenever you take any time away, someone will say he wishes HE had such an easy schedule. 
         "How much do you need to live on?" - That'll be your salary for at least five years. 
          "As the church grows, your salary will grow, too." - Fat chance! 
          "You won't have to fight traffic getting to the office every morning." - The parsonage is attached to the back of the sanctuary, and the baptistry doubles as your bathtub. 
         "We're an easy bunch to work with." - We'll take is easy while you do the work. 

(Thanks to James Dyet, David Goetz, Brian Larson, Mark Galli, Richard Doebler and Jim Berkley in Leadership, Vol. 13, no. 4 for these observations.)