Senior Observations

          This week it is back to one of my favorite topics that I actually know something about - growing older.  Now, of course, this is something that we can't avoid.  And today is the oldest you've ever been but it is also the youngest you'll ever be.  So enjoy this day while it lasts.  And get ready to experience the following observations, if you haven't already.
~ Your kids are becoming you but your grandchildren are perfect!
~ Going out is good ... Coming home is better!
~ When people say you look "Great" ...  they add "for your age!"
~ When you needed the discount, you paid full price. Now you get discounts on everything ...  movies, hotels, flights, but you're too tired to use them.
~ You forget names .... but it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
~ The 5 pounds you wanted to lose is now 15 and you have a better chance of losing your keys -- than the 15 pounds.
~ You realize you're never going to be really good at anything  ....  especially golf.
~ Your spouse is counting on you to remember things you don't remember.
~ The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that, you don't care to do them anymore.
~ Your husband sleeps better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than he does in bed. It's called his "pre-sleep."
~ Remember when your mother said, "Wear clean underwear in case you GET in an accident"? Now you bring clean underwear in case you HAVE an accident!
~ You used to say, "I hope my kids GET married ...  Now, "I hope they STAY married!"
~ You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch.
~ When GOOGLE, ipod, e-mail, modem were unheard of, and a mouse was something that made you climb on a table.
~ You tend to use more 4 letter words  ...  "what? "... when? "... ???
~ Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's now not safe to wear it.
~ Your husband has a night out with the guys, but he's home by 9:00 P.M.  Next week it will be 8:30 p.m.
~ You read 100 pages into a book before you realize you've read it.
~ Notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!
~ What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~ Everybody whispers.
~ Now that your husband has retired  ....  you'd give anything if he'd find a job!
~ You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet ... 2 of which you will never wear.
~   Your mail is flooded with invitations to try new hearing aides, to join AARP or their many products or to choose a new Medicare plan.
~  Your address book is filled with names that begin with Dr. and your calendar is filled with appointments to visit them.
~  You get tired of reading lists like this one because you identify with too many of them.  Am I really that old?  Where have the years gone?

Go Ye Into All The World

          "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."   Mark 16:15.
          Now here is an interesting question for believers.  Does this command given by Jesus really mean "all the world" or are their limits on where we are to go?  For example, must it be overseas?  Or must our ministry be limited to just a Christian organization?  Could one share the gospel in a secular place, maybe even in this country?  Should we support those called to share the gospel in a mission field in secular America rather than in the traditional third world countries where folks live in poverty?  Have you ever thought about these questions?  Has this influenced your giving and prayer support?           Now I imagine that most believers would answer that it means all the world, but in practice they feel that it means overseas. Traditionally I think we have just thought of missionaries as those who left this country to minister elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately, to many it certainly doesn't include being a missionary in the United States.  Let me give a few examples to help make my point.
          Early in my teaching career the Lord closed some doors for us when I considered going overseas to teach in a Christian high school.  Instead the Lord called me to be a missionary in the public schools of this country.  And He gave me a 39 year ministry as a teacher and administrator in the Penn Manor School District.  There he allowed me to lead a Bible Club, the Berean Club, for most of those years.  Sometimes we had as many as 70 students attending this club, on school time.
          The Lord also allowed me to develop a community, student-led Baccalaureate Service when the school dropped their program.  After a decade this grew to several hundred folks who attended this annual program with about two-thirds of the graduating class attending and participating.  Since it was not sponsored by the district, we held it in the largest church in our district which gladly gave us their building to use.  I give the Lord all the credit for this as well as for the many opportunities I had to express my faith over the years.
          Now back to my main point.  Over the years I encountered much criticism from believers who felt that I was not in the Lord's will because I was working in a public school and not a Christian school.  Probably if I had gone overseas to teach as a missionary they would have accepted my call.  But many could not accept me as a missionary to one of the biggest and most important mission fields anywhere - our public schools. I have a real burden for young bright Christians who feel called to teach in our public schools.  I know they can have a great influence there, living a godly life in an ungodly environment.
         Here's another example.  I have known several missionaries who have had major problems raising their support if their place of ministry was in the United States.  And that is so difficult because it cost so much more to live and minister in the United States than it does in many countries overseas.  Do people really see the need in what used to be Christian America as being less relevant than the need in other places in the world?  Do our churches see the need to support those who labor in the many places of great need in this country?  Personally, I don't really think that in many cases that they do.  Maybe they do in word but not always in action.
          Ministering in the United States can be much more expensive than ministering in many foreign countries.  Our cost of living is much higher than many, but not all, other countries.  A missionary here has many of the same needs that we have, such as housing, food and transportation, and yet often with much less support provided.  And, unfortunately, the same can be said about the way many churches financially support their pastors.  Too many people expect much, but give little to support them.
          My oldest granddaughter has been called to minister on a college campus with DiscipleMakers.  There aren't too many places that are more in need today than a college campus.  She has already experienced this ministry by serving as an intern for a summer at Penn State.  But she has run into difficulty raising her support and is only at 48% of what is required.  And part of the problem is that many folks don't see this as a real missionary effort, especially since it isn't overseas.  Really?  How narrow minded.  Now I believe that if the Lord wants her serving Him in this way that He will somehow provide her support.  But how much easier it would be if more Christians would see this need and join her team.  But would it be easier to raise the support if she went to the jungles of Africa or to the wilds of South America?  Maybe more would join her team if she would plan to live in a jungle hut rather than in an apartment in a college town.  I don't know, but I suspect that it might.
     So in conclusion, how about evaluating your thoughts and actions concerning missionaries.   Help me pray for sharp Christians to be called to serve in the public schools of this country where they can have a real impact for the Lord.  And help me pray for folks, such as my granddaughter, who are struggling to raise support to serve in vital mission fields, even if their mission field is in this country.
         Remember, "go ye into all the world", and don't forget that the world, believe it or not, includes the United States.  People everywhere need the gospel.

The Fight Is On

          Like many of you, I had a great life growing up.  I didn't fear being bullied, kidnapped or shot.  I was able to safely walk to school, play outside with friends, ride round town on my bicycle, and explore and enjoy my neighborhood.

          For several years we even  lived in downtown Lancaster, just five blocks from the square.  I walked alone to school every day.  We walked to church both night and day.  I loved to explore the stores downtown, all by myself.  I enjoyed the city and never had any fear or reason to worry about my safety.  Decades later I had the opportunity to again explore that neighborhood - during the day - and I admit that I was very uneasy about my safety.  No longer would I do that at night.

          Today we live in a completely different era.  We are threatened by terrorists and now nuclear weapons.  Almost daily there are shootings - many deliberate and even some drive-bys.  We need to be alert in malls, in schools, and even in our churches.  Brutal robberies have become more common.  Dangerous drivers on drugs, alcohol or with distractions like texting and cell phones abound and threaten our safety.  Dangers surround us and we must live with it.

           And everybody seems to have their own solutions for the problems.  Many blame the government for our problems.  And while part of the blame might lie there, politics can't solve problems of morality, especially with the godless morality that we have seen displayed in government circles.

           Now there is a major push, especially by young people, for more gun controls. I do wonder why some of these guns are necessary for anyone, but I think that limiting them by the government sets a dangerous precedent.  What will they limit next - Bibles or churches because they aren't politically correct in today's society? Seems to me that this has happened elsewhere throughout history.  And I think criminals will continue to get guns, by any means, no matter what the government does.

          How about more money spent on mental health?  Sounds good and might be needed, but until we deal with spiritual health it will have little impact on our safety, no matter how much money is poured into it.  And who will determine who is unstable?  Will Christians be labeled as unstable?  What did Hitler do to the Jews?  Think about that.  It's a slippery slope!

          What about greater security in schools?  Good idea, but not a solution.  Most schools now limit public access to buildings.  I still wonder how the shooter in Florida gained easy access to the building.  Where were their security controls?  I did see a spacial on how one school has trained their students and teachers to lock doors, hide out of the view of folks in the hall and even use turned over desks as shields.  That seemed to me to be a good tool, especially for middle and high schools.  Arming teachers?  I would never have wanted to carry a weapon in school when I was teaching and it seems to me that this could cause too many accidents and other problems.

          I did read an interesting article that said that 75% of the shooters came from one parent families, without a father.  And 42% of students today do come from one parent families.  Maybe one of the major causes of this violence is the degeneration of the home.  And what can the government do about this?  With the immorality recently revealed in the lives of government and media leaders, the obvious answer is - nothing.  And what have churches done about this?  Too little.

          In my mind the obvious cause of what is happening today is the attack on the Bible and Christianity.  We condone killing of babies, so of what value is life?  We take down displays of The Ten Commandments, so what rules do people have to guide their lives?  The ACLU fights to eliminate all mentions of Christ and the Bible, so what of eternal value do they have to replace it?  Movies and games feature violence and even parents allow their children to participate but do not encourage them to participate in church or Christian activities such as Awana.

          Satan is alive and well, although it is not politically correct to talk about an actual Satan.  We are in a real spiritual war and right now it appears that evil is winning.  May Christians wake up to this fact and start putting on the Full Armor of God and depending upon the Lord for daily wisdom, guidance and protection.  Satan may win many battles, but Christ wins the final war.

            The hymn "The Fight Is On" by Lelia Morris reminds us of the battle.  The chorus says:

The fight is on, O Christian soldier,

And face to face in stern array,

With armor gleaming, and colors streaming,

The right and wrong engage today!

The fight is on, but be not weary;

Be strong and in His might hold fast;

If God be for us, His banner o'er us,

To Teach Or Not To Teach?

Do you know what this is?

          One of the biggest challenges for educators today is choosing what content is no longer relevant to be taught, especially as technology changes.  And every time that topics are eliminated or de-emphasized, those changes are usually criticized by adults because those topics were part of the curriculum when they went to school, many years ago.
          It often appears that having gone to school makes one an "expert" on what should be taught and how it should be taught, even if that experience happened decades ago.
          Years ago I was often questioned when we greatly reduced emphasis on teaching long division.  We used to spend months teaching that with two, three and sometimes four divisors. It was brutal. My questions for those who complained were, first, what do you actually use it for anymore except maybe for finding averages.  And secondly, when you do division how do you do it?  Generally the reply was, I use a calculator.  And they were correct. Incidentally,today even my car computes my miles per gallon for me.
          I went through the same process decades before that when we used to spend several months in an Algebra class teaching logarithms. Tedious and boring! And what were they used for?  Engineers used them to do calculations involving multiplication, division and powers. Those who really needed to do those calculations carried thick books of log tables to do them. We even sold books of tables to students.  Logs were the foundations of slide rules - pre calculator technology.  But then who even remembers what a slide rule is?  We used to spend time teaching students to use them. Then they were replaced by calculators and computers.  I doubt that today's math teachers even know how to use logs for calculations and most have never used or even seen a slide rule.  Now logs do have important applications in engineering and mathematics, but not as a tool for calculations.
          Another topic that used to be a big one was Roman Numerals.  Now where does anybody use those today, except maybe to read a year on a cornerstone of a building or bridge or on a clock or the number of the current Super Bowl.  So should we spend weeks teaching that?
          Then a big one which is out of my field is the teaching of cursive writing.  I admit that I struggle with the fact that this has generally been eliminated.  But then I ask myself, is it really a skill needed in our future.  Computers can help us sign and read documents.  More things are being done electronically.  So is it necessary to spend months teaching this?  I really am not sure how much should be taught but I think folks should at least know how to write their name properly.  I see how some folks sloppily scribble their names on the checks that I process at church. I do enjoy a beautifully hand written cursive letter.  Does anybody actually write letters today?  I'll leave that decision to the "experts" and hope that they know what they are doing.
          But how about spelling?  That's an interesting question.  They still spend years teaching spelling.  Kids still regularly have spelling quizzes.  Is it necessary?  It certainly is important for crossword puzzles and spelling bees.  But today almost everyone uses a spell checker.  And I guess for some that makes writing so much easier.  But is it good? 

Eye halve a spelling chequer

It came with my pea sea

It plainly marques four my revue

Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.

Eye strike a key and type a word

And weight for it to say

Weather I am wrong or write

It shows me strait a weigh.

As soon as a mist ache is maid

It nose before two long

And eye can put the error rite

It's rarely ever wrong.

Eye have run this poem threw it

Am shore your pleased to no

It's letter perfect all the weigh

My chequer toiled me sew!

          So what do you think?  Maybe spelling is still important.  Cursive?  I don't know.  Logs for computation?  Definitely not.  Although maybe kids today should be made to endure some of the pain that we had to bear in school when we were growing up.  But I guess that is another question for another blog.

Finally Home

At Pinebrook Bible Conference

          This week our world lost one of the great men of this century, Billy Graham.  But heaven gained a man who over the years had led thousands to prepare their hearts to enter that same final home.  He was a gifted evangelist who clearly and simply shared the good news of the Gospel all over the world with common people as well as with world leaders.
          Upon the news of his death I began to reflect upon several things about Graham that touched my heart.  The first was the trip that we made to Times Square in New York City to participate in one of his largest crusades.  We traveled with relatives from their  home in Connecticut and joined the throngs in the city.  Even though we were many blocks from Graham, we could hear the stirring music, his powerful message and his invitation.  It was a day that I will never forget.
          Now I might have seen him in person one more time, but I can no longer confirm it.  When I was in grade school I was visiting my grandparents in Bethlehem, PA.  I went with them one evening to hear a young speaker in the Rose Gardens there.  I think the speaker was Billy Graham, before he became well known.  But my grandparents are now gone and I have no way to be sure that this was the case.
          I was also touched over the years by listening to him on the radio and watching his many crusades around the world on television.   I will never forget being touched as I would see the hundreds leave their seats during his invitation to receive Christ.  The words of "Just As I Am", sung by his crusade choirs will never be forgotten.
          A few years ago we made a trip to Wheaton, Illinois, where we had the opportunity to tour the museum devoted to his life and crusades.  It was exciting to listen to his messages, view films of his crusades and look at the many materials that were displayed there.  But the unexpected highlight came at the end of our visit when we entered a room with a glass balcony surrounded by clouds.  It gave the impression that we were standing in the clouds.  And then the music began to play - the Hallelujah Chorus.  What an inspiring, unforgettable and unexpected experience that I shall never forget.
         But another thing that has inspired me have been some of the books written by Graham.  His last one, "Nearing Home" written when he was 93, is excellent.  One of the many themes in the book is his difficult adjustment to the death of his dear wife, Ruth.  In a section with the title "Living With Grief", he wrote the following.
         "As I write this it has been four years since Ruth went home to be with the Lord.  I feel her loss more keenly now.  Not a day passes that I don't imagine her walking though my study door or us sitting together on our porch as we did so often, holding hands as the sun set over the mountaintops.
       I have asked myself why this is the case; after all, shouldn't our grieving over the loss of a loved one fade as time passes?  Yes it should - and in some ways it has for me.  But in other ways it hasn't, nor do I expect it to. One reason, I think, is because my strongest memory at the time of her death was of her last days - her weakness, her pain, her yearning for Heaven. As much as I longed to have her stay with us, I also knew that for her, death could be a welcome release from the burdens of this life.  But with the passing of time, memories of the happiness we shared over more than sixty-three years of marriage come to mind.  I remember our last years together as my travels lessened and we had more time just to be together.  Those were some of the best years of our lives- almost as if we were falling in love again.  And with those memories has come a deeper sense of loss.
         The other reason I still feel her death so deeply, I think, is because mingled with my grief is a new sense of expectancy - the certain knowledge that someday soon the Lord will come for me also, and before long Ruth and I will be reunited in Heaven.  More than ever, I look forward to that day!"
          And this week that reunion happened.
          And then, in the final section of the book, "Our Final Home", he wrote "I was away so much, sometimes for months at a time.  But no matter how short or long the trip, when I landed in Charlotte or Asheville, I knew I was nearing home.  Home was a place of rest and peace, it also was a place of love and joy and security.  In a far greater way, Heaven is our home - our final home - our ultimate place of complete peace and security and joy forever. ... When we belong to Christ, we know that when we die we finally will be at peace - for we will be home. ... Heaven is our hope, Heaven is our future, and Heaven is our home!  I look forward to being home at last, and I pray you do also."
          And now Billy Graham is finally home.

Listen to a tribute to Billy Graham here.   TRIBUTE

The Spanish Flu

Pastor and Mrs. H.A.Kauffman

          We are living through a very serious and often deadly flu epidemic.   I pray that you and members of your family are not touched by it.  Please take all the precautions that you can.  Be safe. 
          The world has seen many previous influenza epidemics and one of them, a century ago, created a major change for my family and my heritage.
         The 1918 flu pandemic (January 1918 – December 1920) was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic, the first of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus. It infected 500 million people around the world  and resulted in the deaths of 50 to 100 million (three to five percent of the world's population),  making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history.
          To maintain morale, wartime censors minimized early reports of illness and mortality in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. But papers were free to report the epidemic's effects in neutral Spain. This created a false impression of Spain as especially hard hit, thereby giving rise to the pandemic's nickname, Spanish Flu  This pandemic has been described as "the greatest medical holocaust in history" and may have even killed more people than the Black Death
         Even in areas where mortality was low, so many were incapacitated that much of everyday life was hampered. Some communities closed all stores or required customers to leave orders outside. There were reports that healthcare workers could not tend the sick nor could the gravediggers bury the dead because they too were ill. Mass graves were dug by steam shovel and bodies buried without coffins in many places.
          Pastor Horace A. Kauffman, my grandfather, was serving a church in Spring City, PA, during the epidemic.  He insisted on caring for his congregation and continued to visit them and help them.  As a result, he also caught the flu and died.  They could not hold a public funeral for him, so his body was displayed inside a building where folks could pay their respect by looking through a window.
          HAK was married to my grandmother and my dad was only 16 months old when his father died.  She was also pregnant with my aunt who was born several months later.  So they were left without any income.  And they had no place to live since their home had been the church parsonage.  I think that they soon moved in with relatives.
         Sometime later the district superintendent came to my grandmother and told her that she could not live as a widow with two children.  She needed to remarry and he had two names of men for her to consider.  The first man said that he was in love with another woman and could not marry my grandmother.  The second, Pastor Norman Henry Wolf, was a very close friend of Pastor Kauffman.  He said that he would be honored to marry her and raise Horace's children.
          And so they were married and God gave them a fruitful ministry together for many decades.  And two more daughters were born to them.  These daughters carried the name of Wolf, but the stepfather chose to have the other two children carry the name of Kauffman.
         The family did face many challenges in those difficult days.  One of these, which is hard to believe, is that the N H Wolf family was soon assigned back to the Spring City church where H A Kauffman had been ministering.  And they had to return to the same parsonage where he died.  My dad often remarked that when they moved there, as a youngster he didn't understand why he was given the large bedroom and the Wolfs chose a very small room for their bedroom.  Later he learned that his mother could not return to the bedroom that she and her first husband had shared.
          So the Spanish Flu, a century ago, created some real changes in my family.  I often wish that I knew more about my real grandfather.  I do know that I share a few things with him.  He went to college.  For a brief time he was a school teacher before he became a pastor.  He liked to write. And I can imagine that we share a few other things.  I do look forward to meeting him for the first time when I get to heaven.
          But God's provision is always amazing, even when our situations may seem impossible.  God gave me a very special step grandfather and I thank Him for that.  Grandpa Wolf was a major influence in my life.  He is probably the most godly man I have ever known.  Over my life I spent many times in his homes especially during my college days.  For a few years he was my pastor and he married us. I've always called him my grandfather, not my step grandfather, for he was a real grandfather to me.  
          God gave my father two great fathers and they are both part of my special heritage, one of the few positive things that came out of the Spanish Flu, one hundred years ago.  It is amazing how God leads our lives especially when we can't see the future.

A Super Bowl Victory

          I have been a football fan for as long as I can remember.  It is my favorite sport.  For many years I have especially followed and enjoyed college football, and, of course, my favorite team is Penn State.

          To a some what lesser degree I have also enjoyed professional football despite the fact that I feel the players are seriously overpaid.  Years ago I liked the Pittsburgh Steelers when Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw led them to several championships.  But most of my life I have followed the Philadelphia Eagles, even though following them has often been  very frustrating

          But this year has been different.  They had an outstanding young quarterback.  They had an explosive offense.  They overcame many serious injuries and played as a team.  They made the play-offs despite being an underdog in all of their play-off games.  And then they finally won a Super Bowl against what has been, for several years, pro football's top team.  It was a dream season.

          However, I think the main reason that I enjoyed following them this year was that they have an unusual number of players who are open about their Christian faith.  And their testimonies are solid.  They are not bashful about sharing their faith.  At the Super Bowl even their coach gave credit to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The Bowl's most valuable player wants to be a pastor.  The player who scored the winning touchdown says his main goal is to win Disciples for Christ.  They even held a baptism in a hotel pool during one of their trips.  And they regularly have Bible studies which are attended by many of the team members.  I have found all of this amazing and I must admit that while I couldn't bring myself to pray that the Lord would let them win, I did pray that the Lord would give them a bigger platform to share their faith. And He has.

          The reaction of the public to the team's success was incredible.  People sang and displayed "Fly, Eagles, Fly".  Folks wore Eagle gear in all sorts of places.  One of my doctors wore an Eagles jersey when I had my appointment with him.  People produced special food in honor of the Eagles.  Businesses and even some churches displayed signs supporting them.

          So many old-timers shared that they felt they would never see a Super Bowl victory by the Eagles in their lifetime.  Even my eleven year old grandson remarked that he had waited all his life to see this happen.  But his grandfather felt the same and I had several decades of watching them lose.

         Then there was the big victory parade in Philadelphia.  Even WGAL, our local television station, carried the entire event.  And estimates of two million people flocked there to be part of this special celebration.  And nobody destroyed property or attacked the police as so often has happened at such celebrations in other major cities.  It actually was a great event to end a spectacular and unexpected season.  But there were a few things that bothered me.

          The Eagles pro-bowl center stirred up the crowd with his profane language.  He even urged the crowd to call out a profane chant.  In fact WGAL even cut off its coverage of part of remarks several times and apologized for it.  That was such a sad contrast to what many of the Christian teammates have publicly shared during the season.

         One of the players shared that he thought this day and celebration was like heaven.  It made me think that he didn't really have any idea what heaven will be like.  And if this was heaven, then we really have no hope.  Unfortunately, he is the one who probably has no hope.  I pray that he may respond to the testimonies of his teammates

          Then I was also amazed at how many people shared that this was the greatest day of their lives.  A Super Bowl win was really the greatest day of their lives?  Really?  How sad.  What are they living for, just a Super Bowl win?  What sad lives they must have.  And I am reminded again how much people really need the Lord and the real hope that believers have.

         Now I really enjoyed the excitement of the games, the parade, the results and the  celebrations. But I am thankful that I have a real hope for the future - something infinitely greater than a Super Bowl win.  I  have already experienced so many great events that the Lord has provided for me in my life, but I am promised so much more.    And while millions may sing "Fly, Eagles, Fly", I know that my song really is "Fly, Christian, Fly".  And sometime, maybe soon, that will happen.  Then I''ll be part of a much greater celebration than that one in Philadelphia.

A New Hobby

          Maybe it is a new senior hobby.  Lately, because of physical problems, I have often sat in our car while my wife has done our grocery shopping.  And I have learned to enjoy watching people while I am sitting there.  Actually, believe it or not, it is really often fun.  People are interesting and often people watching can be fascinating.
          Recently we were shopping during the late morning.  It must have been senior shopping time because the average age of shoppers appeared to be about 75.  I was envious of some who moved so quickly without any apparent pain or difficulty.  Good for them!  But there were many more who were using canes and walkers and who struggled to get to the store.  Most of them were alone and doing what they had to do to survive.  There should be a way for folks like this to get some help with these necessities.
          I watched a large Cadillac arrive and it appeared that it had no driver.  Had the driverless cars reached our area?  No, not yet.  Out struggled a very short woman driver.  With her cane she maneuvered to the back door where she slowly unloaded her walker and then shuffled to the store to do her shopping.  I couldn't help question how many of these folks could still drive safely.  But then, what are they to do if they have nobody to help them shop for needed groceries.
          Later I sadly watched as another elderly lady came out with her shopping cart and proceeded to one of the parking aisles.  Then I saw her return and go to another aisle.  Soon it was apparent that she couldn't remember where she had parked.  I finally lost sight of her several parking aisles later.  I assumed that she either finally found her car or that she is still wondering around the large lot.  It reminded me of my wife's uncle who once drove downtown and parked in Sunbury.  When he was done shopping he walked home, only to discover the next morning that he didn't know where his car was.  I guess the older I get, the less funny that story becomes.  Most of us may reach that stage of life sooner than we expect.
         A second time I was there I noticed some things about drivers.  Some drove so slowly through the lot, holding up other drivers, while others sped through at unsafe speeds.  It is a wonder that there aren't more accidents or injured pedestrians in parking lots.  Of course, seeing how folks move their shopping carts in the stores I shouldn't have been surprised,  Despite that one television advertisement, I don't think too many folks really enjoy being hit in the back by a shopping cart.
         One more observation about drivers.  At Stauffers in Rohrerstown there is a big area in front of the store adjoining the parking lot which has huge painted yellow stripes.  It also has large STOP signs painted on both sides of this area.  It is to give the right of way to shoppers and to protect the shoppers heading back to their cars.  But my observation is that more drivers disregard the STOP sign.  In fact I observed 17 of 20 drivers not even slowing down at all as they drove through this area.  Fortunately there were no close calls, but it is dangerous and somewhat frightening when so many drivers ignore the regulations.
          But as I observed all of this action I began to wonder how many of these shoppers knew the Lord.  If you could judge from their facial expressions you might say very few.  Few had smiles and few seemed to enjoy this event.  I couldn't help but think of Steve Green's song, "People Need the Lord", and they do.  It led me to begin to pray for these folks even though I didn't know who they were or what their spiritual condition really was.  But the Lord knows each.
         So maybe it isn't so bad of a "hobby" - watching and praying for those who pass by,for people need the Lord.

Everyday they pass me by, I can see it in their eyes. 

Empty people filled with care, Headed who knows where? 

On they go through private pain, Living fear to fear.

Laughter hides their silent cries, Only Jesus hears.  

People need the Lord, people need the Lord. 

At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord. 

When will we realize, people need the Lord?  

We are called to take His light 

To a world where wrong seems right. 

What could be too great a cost For sharing Life with one who's lost?  

Through His love our hearts can feel All the grief they bear. 

They must hear the Words of Life Only we can share.  

People need the Lord, people need the Lord 
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door. 
People need the Lord, people need the Lord. 
When will we realize that we must give our lives, 
For people need the Lord.  People need the Lord.

P.S. - After writing this blog, I had another interesting experience watching people enter and leave another local grocery store as I sat in our car in the first row of the parking lot.  Sadly, I saw an elderly lady shuffling to her car with her walker which had two cloth shopping bags attached to it.  She finally reached her car, slowly got in and drove away.  I wonder how often she must make this difficult trip.
         Then I saw a middle age, rather "chunky" woman, dressed in very short shorts ... in January ... not a pretty picture.  And she was followed by another woman, probably in her late 70's, wearing a bright white coat and with ... bright orange hair.  Not sure if it was funny or gross.  Finally three young people - late teens or early 20's - appeared.  Decades ago I would have said they were hippies but now I would say they looked like they had just come from the hills of West Virginia.  They were in and out of the store in about five minutes and their only purchased item was ... a large bundle of ... toilet paper.  I had to laugh.  Surprisingly, it seemed like the majority of shoppers during that time purchased toilet paper.  Don't know if they had a sale or why there was a sudden need for toilet paper.
          As I said before, watching people can be an interesting and entertaining act.  You should try it sometime.  It can also be very relaxing and is inexpensive.

Discouraged?

          As you probably know, life can be very hard at times.  Even for believers, it is very easy to get discouraged.  And that can sometimes even lead to depression and bitterness, even though our mind tells us to trust in Jesus who cares for us.

         I find it is especially difficult to face the senior years.  You begin to lose your good friends and loved ones and life can get very lonely.  Few care about seniors and real fellowship is hard to find.   You often aren't needed for anything anymore.  You develop new and difficult physical problems and it becomes harder to get around and take care of yourself.  The cost of living sky rockets and your income doesn't.  A few people might ask how you are, but they really don't want an answer and they are too busy to help you anyway.  Been there, experiencing that.  It is often hard to stay positive.

          But we seniors aren't the only ones who face hard times.  Right now we know some younger adults who have suddenly lost their jobs.  Some are also facing difficult physical problems, including cancer.  Some have lost parents or are helping to care for them.  This too can be very discouraging.

         Then there are younger folks who are also experiencing trials.  We have a fourth grade girl in Awana and a 15 year old boy who goes to our church who have both been diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer. They are facing serious treatments and surgeries. We know of some other young people who have other serious physical conditions and some who are going through rebellion.  That too is hard and discouraging. Discouragement isn't limited to one age group.

           Now we know that Jesus is with us in the good and bad times.  I guess at times I wish that He would just talk to me and reassure me.  But He does speak through His word.  And I am not alone when I feel that way, for the Psalmist often lamented that He wondered if the Lord really was there and cared.  But He found that He was. And He always is.

          On a recent day when all the news and events around me seemed to get worse, I was reminded of a hymn which we no longer sing in our church services.  But we can still sing it and claim it in our hearts.

         

1   When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. 

Refrain:

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

2   Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

3   When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

4    So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. [Refrain]

Listen to Guy Penrod sing this.   Count

          Now as you can probably guess, I have often been discouraged in recent months.  Sometimes it seems as though there is no solution to the growing problems, except heaven. And so I thought that I needed to try something different to try and develop a more positive attitude.

         For many years I have kept a journal, adding new entries once or twice a week.  Unfortunately, in recent months as I've recorded events, some of the entries have grown negative.  So I decided to start another journal - a praise journal.  Each day I will try to add a sentence about something positive that I experienced that day. You know, the things you often forget.  It has been interesting.  I've made numerous comments about having a good day breathing or exercising, a good day with my grand kids, safety in travel on ice and snow, problems solved and a variety of blessings I have experienced.  God has been good and I am hopeful that this new activity will help me stay positive as I face the many trials and difficult problems which haven't gone away.

         Are you discouraged?  Remember that you aren't alone.  Jesus promised never to leave us or forsake us and He won't.  Try counting your blessings and be reminded of what God has done.  Maybe a praise journal will help.
          "I will sing to the Lord all my life, I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."    Psalm 104:33

The "Good" Old Fifties

          I am a product of the 50's ...  let me qualify that, despite what you may think, the 1950's, not the 1850's.  Those were great years in my life.
          It was during those years that I gained a sister.  We built a new house.  We moved to Lititz.  I went to elementary school, junior high, senior high and college.  I learned to play the trombone and spent six years in the band. I learned to drive. I had my first jobs.  We started a new church.  I made many new friends.  We got our first television and I actually bought my own, for nine cents.  And I could go on and on - great memories.
          Those years were great years.  We didn't have to worry about terrorism or kidnappers.  It was safe to walk around town and visit friends, even at night.  We didn't need to lock our doors.  We could play pick-up basketball, baseball and football.  Television shows and music were clean and safe to watch and listen to.  Church services played a part in the lives of many people and schools made adjustments for Wednesday night church activities. Stores closed for several hours on Good Friday. Neighbors were friendly and helpful.  It was a different time.
          Recently I received a list of statements that might have been made by folks in those years.  Here are some for you to consider.
     * "If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store."
     * "Who would have thought gas would someday cost 50 cents a gallon."
     * "Pretty soon you won't be able to buy a good 10 cent cigar."
     * "Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the    president."
     * "Do you suppose television will ever reach our part of the country?"
     * "I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now."
     * "It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet."
     * "Did you know the new church in town is allowing women to wear slacks to their service?"
     * "Next thing you know is, the government will start paying us not to grow crops."
     * "There is no sense going to Baltimore or Philadelphia anymore for a weekend. It costs nearly $15 a night to stay in a hotel."
     * "No one can afford to be sick any more, $35 a day in the hospital is too rich for my blood."
     * "If a few idiots want to risk their necks flying across the country that's fine, but nothing will ever replace trains."
     * "I don't know about you, but if they raise the price of coffee to 15 cents, I'll just have to drink mine at home."
     * "If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it. I'll have my wife learn to cut hair."
     * "We won't be going out much any more. Our baby sitter informed us she wants 50 cents an hour. Kids think money grows on trees."
          It is so interesting, and maybe even sad, that times have changed so drastically.  I wonder what similar thoughts people in your generation might have had when they were teens.

Happy New Year 2018

          Now I guess it is a little late to be sharing wishes for the new year, but somebody recently sent me a list of wishes that I would like to share with you.  I've never been into the "resolution" game for a new year, but this list might include some things that we should at least consider trying to do in the months ahead.  I know there are some, especially the last one, that I need to strive for.

          So read, enjoy, and apply what is needed,

          May you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, your cardiologist, your gastroenterologist, your urologist, your proctologist, your podiatrist, your psychiatrist, your plumber and the IRS.

          May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift, your abs and your stocks not fall; and may your blood pressure, your triglycerides, your cholesterol, your white blood count and your mortgage interest not rise.

         May New Year's Eve have found you seated around the table, together with your beloved family and cherished friends. May you have found the food better, the environment quieter, the cost much cheaper, and the pleasure much more fulfilling than anything else you might ordinarily have done that night.

          May what you see in the mirror delight you, and what others see in you delight them. May someone love you enough to forgive your faults, be blind to your blemishes, and tell the world about your virtues.

          May the telemarketers wait to make their sales calls until you finish dinner, may the commercials on TV not be louder than the program you have been watching, and may your check book and your budget balance - and include generous amounts for charity.

         May you remember to say "I love you" at least once a day to your spouse, your child, your parent, your siblings; but not to your secretary, your nurse, your masseuse, your hairdresser or your tennis instructor.

          And may we live in a world at peace and with the awareness of God's love in every sunset, every flower's unfolding petals, every baby's smile, every lover's kiss, and every wonderful, astonishing, miraculous beat of our heart.

         Above all, may you continue to smile, may your life be filled with laughter, and may you never forget the words found in the Book of Proverbs, "A gloomy spirit rots the bones; but a merry heart is like good medicine."

         Wishing your a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2018!

Winter

          The beautiful Christmas music is now gone for another year.  The decorations are put away.  Football will soon be over.  The nights are so long.  The cold weather is here.  So are the ice and snow storms.  We are shoveling and driving in treacherous conditions.  Spring seems so far away.  Cabin fever and depression can easily develop in our lives. Obviously the months of January and February are not my favorite times of the year.
          Recently a friend reminded me of a hymn written by John Newton that is not very well known but almost seems appropriate for this time of the year.  Newton seemed to understand how much the seasons can model the attitudes and moods that we face in our lives.  He knew that there are times that our attitudes "darken and gray" like the season.  Our spirits can become as bitter and cold as the winter days.
         But he also knew that "When I am happy in Him, December's as pleasant as May."   And January can be so as well. We can, with the Lord's help and closeness, endure those times that seem both "tedious" (long and tiresome) and "tasteless" (dull and without proper season).  
          I love some of the illustrations Newton used that many of us can relate to as we compare them to our lives. "And prisons would palaces prove, If Jesus would dwell with me there."  How does a prison cell become a palace?  That's easy, the King shows up.  
         "Why do I languish and pine?"  This question is one that I am sure all of us have asked at some point in our Christian walk, especially after the Lord has brought us through a tough situation.  Why do we worry?  Why do we fret?  Why do we lose hope when we know deep in our hearts that the Lord's promises are true?  
         In case you've never heard this hymn, here are the words.

1     How tedious and tasteless the hours

When Jesus no longer I see!

Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flow'rs,

Have all lost their sweetness to me.

The midsummer sun shines but dim,

The fields strive in vain to look gay;

But when I am happy in Him

December's as pleasant as May.

2     His name yields the richest perfume,

And sweeter than music His voice;

His presence disperses my gloom,

And makes all within me rejoice.

I should, were He always thus nigh,

Have nothing to wish or to fear;

No mortal so happy as I;

My summer would last all the year.

3     Content with beholding His face,

My all to His pleasure resigned;

No changes of season or place,

Would make any change in my mind.

While blessed with a sense of His love,

A palace a toy would appear;

And prisons would palaces prove,

If Jesus would dwell with me there.

4     My Lord, if indeed I am Thine,

If Thou art my sun and my song,

Say, why do I languish and pine?

And why are my winters so long?

Oh, drive these dark clouds from the sky,

Thy soul-cheering presence restore;

Or take me to Thee up on high,

Where winter and clouds are no more.

         While it's now winter outside, is it winter in your life and heart today?  Does life with its cares seem tedious and overbearing?  If so, then remember the words that Newton has penned, "His presence disperses my gloom,  And makes all within me rejoice. I should, were He always thus nigh, have nothing to wish or to fear; No mortal so happy as I; My summer would last all the year."  
         Is it summer in your heart and life today?  If not, it can be.
         If you are interested in hearing Newton's song, here is a choice   LISTEN