Anarchy

         Anarchy - the state of disorder due to the absence or nonrecognition of authority.  Now that is something that we might expect and have even seen in some third-world countries.  But anarchy in the United States?  Never.  But wait a minute, maybe we are closer to that happening than we could ever have expected.

          The recent sad events in Ferguson should make one wonder how far we are from anarchy becoming a reality.  What  started as a story of a cop defending himself from someone who attempted to grab his gun and then fatally wounding the teen in the process has turned into a national race issue with violence and destruction.  Because the cop was white and the teen black, the community erupted and shootings, confrontations, looting, and destruction of property resulted.  Those protesting with violence couldn't wait for the facts.  In their mind the police force was wrong and the teen was killed because he was black, not because he had committed a crime.

When some calm was finally restored, the case was taken to a grand jury which had the right to collect all the evidence and even force witnesses to testify.  The grand jury purposely was constructed with the same balance of races as the community so that a fair and correct decision could be made.  But it was quickly obvious that the community and much of the country would only accept a verdict which held the cop as guilty.  Law enforcement was forced to prepare for more violence if that decision was not reached.

         After much study and deliberation, the grand jury announced a verdict that said the cop was not guilty and was just defending himself.  As expected, the liberal media fanned the flames around the country.  For example, CNN reported, "No indictment for Darren Wilcox, the white police officer, who fatally shot Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen."  Why even bring race into it?  Then government officials, including the president, commented, questioning the verdict and suggesting that additional investigations needed to be made. Had they seen the evidence the Grand Jury collected to make their decision?  Certainly not.  But why believe the grand jury which had studied the facts, including information the media and public had not seen?

          And what happened then?  Unfortunately, as expected, more riots, violence and burning of buildings. The lesson? You don't get what you want?   Then protest and destroy property.  Don't accept the facts.  Retaliate.

          But what is even worse, the protests spread around the country flamed by the media and community leaders and pastors.  One pastor here in Lancaster, a thousand miles away, quickly and publicly condemned the verdict, calling it racial.  He had no idea what facts the Grand Jury had studied, but he was sure they were wrong.  To him it was a racial issue, not a matter of law and order. And his comments were followed here by a band of protesters marching down the city streets disrupting traffic.  Similar protests, sit-ins, and acts of civil disobedience have now been seen throughout the country.

           It is a very dangerous step when leaders and pastors encourage their followers not to accept and obey the rule of law and accept the facts.  That is the beginning of creating a lawless society where the mob rules and violence and destruction of property follows.  And that is anarchy which can lead to the death of a great nation.  Can it happen in the United States?  Unfortunately, I believe It already has begun!

Be thankful!

        This season always reminds us to be thankful, an attitude which we should really experience every day of the year.  But I believe there is some value once in awhile to actually take time to write down some of the things that are special to you.  As the old hymn says, "Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done."   So here is my list.

  1.    My spiritual blessings:   I am so thankful for the wondrous gift that Jesus provided for me.  I am thankful that at a very early age I realized my need for Him and claimed Him as my Savior.  I am thankful for the many years I have had to walk with Him, experience His guidance, and see Him answer my prayers.  Life would really be meaningless without this relationship. 

  2.   My wife:  The Lord has blessed me with a special wife who has also become my closest friend.  We have had the joy of spending over a half century together, raising a family and serving the Lord together.  I could never have predicted how He would have brought our lives together, but I am sure that He had this all planned even before we were born.

  3.   My family:  The Lord has provide me with three wonderful sons who love and serve the Lord.  In turn he added to our family three special daughter in laws and seven wonderful grandchildren.  These have all been special blessings and I thank Him for how they have enriched my life.

  4.   My heritage:  I have a godly heritage!  On my father's side my heritage goes back many generations with ancestors who have loved and served the Lord. I could not have asked for better parents. They showed me how to trust the Lord in all situations.  My grandparents on my father's side were godly people who were special examples to me.  My father's family all made major impacts upon my life by their interest in me, their examples to me, and their ministry as true prayer warriors.  And through these relationships I was introduced to many other servants of God who impacted me in so many ways.  For this I am profoundly thankful.

  5.  My career:  There are few people who have been blest to have a job for 39 years that they thoroughly enjoyed.  I loved my work and there were very few days that I didn't enjoy going to work. The Lord blessed me with gifts of teaching, creativity and leadership.  To me the classroom was fun and I do miss it. And the Lord provided me with so many other opportunities and contacts related to my job that were "icing on the cake".  In addition He gave me numerous part-time jobs that were interesting and enabled my wife to serve as a mother and housewife.  What wonderful blessings He provided.

          6.   Ministry Opportunities:  I am so thankful that over the years the Lord has allowed me to serve Him in so many different ways. Before going to college it was teaching children in CEF and Sunday School. For many years it was serving as an elder and Sunday School teacher.  For 25 years it was through a family ministry doing over 100 programs a year.  For 33 years it has been with Awana.  Over the years it has been being able to serve on the boards of various Christian organizations.  In recent years, when I've become "too old" to be needed or really wanted anymore in leadership and teaching positions in church, I have been able to serve, behind the scenes, as financial secretary of our church and as a helper in Awana. And we're still needed to minister about three times a year at Pinebrook.  I thank the Lord for these very special opportunities to serve Him over my lifetime.

          7.   Material Blessings:  I have never had a high paying job - I started teaching at $3,500 per year.  I have never received a bonus or a Christmas gift from an employer.  We have never been able to take great vacations or buy expensive items.  But the Lord has not only met every need that we have had, but he has often provided more than we needed.  We've learned early in life that all we have is really the Lord's and we've tried to honor Him with all He has provided, and He has blessed us.  We have a home, we have cars, we have clothing, we have plenty to eat, and I even have a good pension.  Thank you Lord for being so good to us.

  8.   Health:   Life is not without its challenges.  I have had eight surgeries over my lifetime.  I live with cancer and two other challenging physical conditions.  There are some things that I can no longer do.  But I have had 73 good years.  Most of my good friends have not lived nearly that long and I really miss them.  But God has been good to me and I thank Him daily.  I don't know how many more years He'll give me here, but I pray that I may use the days He provides me to praise Him and serve Him.

  9.   My country:  I have been extremely blessed to have been born in the United States.  I would not want to reside elsewhere.  I thank Him for the years of liberty and the freedom I have experienced and enjoyed here.  And while those liberties are being threatened and we have growing disorder and threats that we've never faced before, there is still no better place on this earth.  Thank you Lord.
          10.   My hope:  For years folks have looked for the return of Christ.  And while it would seem to be close, based on recent world events, it might not happen in my lifetime.  But even if it doesn't happen while I am here, I have His promise that one day I will be with Him in a home He is preparing for me.  And with that knowledge and hope I can face tomorrow.  Thank you Lord for your promises.

  There is much more that I could say.  I have so much to be thankful for. For example, I could thank Him for the beauty of the Fall.  But this list would just go on and on.  Why don't you take time this season to pause and journal things that you are thankful for.  It will encourage your heart.

Establishing Railings

          For about a dozen years we have enjoyed attending and being part of the annual Senior Saints Fall Retreat at Pinebrook Bible Conference in the Poconos.  It is a great relaxing week of good fellowship, good food, excellent programs and outstanding speakers.  One of the speakers for several years has been Dr. Brooke Solberg, from Allentown.

         In one of his lessons this year he shared from Deuteronomy 22,  a rather unusual passage with a number of illustrations that might seem hard to understand in today's society.  However, he summed them up by noting that there are some things that we as believers can not hide from.  We can't hide from those who need the Lord.  We can't hide from those brothers and sisters who have done astray.  And we can't hide from the domestic scene.

         He spent considerable time dealing with verse 8, "When you build a new house, then you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring guilt of bloodshed on your household if anyone falls from it."  The verse talks about establishing a parapet or rails on a roof top.  In Bible times most folks had flat roofs and they would entertain friends by climbing a set of outside stairs to the roof which was their patio.  And it would be the responsibility of the host to have railings around the roof to prevent guests or family members from falling off the roof.

          That seems like a strange message in today's world since we don't normally host our family and friends on our roof.  But, he equated this to four rails that parents need to establish for their home and in turn for their children.

         Rail number one is a home based on the Word of God.  Today there are many things competing for the hearts and minds of our children and parents need to establish the Word of God as the foundation of their home. We need to follow Biblical principles and teach the importance of them to our family.  Nothing can distract from the importance of that in our home.

          The second rail is that of prayer.  We as parents need to continually bring our family members before the Lord.  We need to pray not only for their daily activities but also that they might develop a passion for the Lord and His kingdom.  Unfortunately, sometimes we get too busy to pray, especially for our family.  We must have a passion to do this.

         Rail number three is righteousness.   As parents we need to constantly lead lives ourselves that please the Lord.  Our children soon see if we are just serious about Christianity on Sunday or if it is part of our everyday life.  How do we react to things? Are we honest in our dealings?  How do we treat our family members?  Is following Christ in everything really important to us?

          And the fourth rail is that of love.  Our love for them must be real no matter what they do or how they may fail.  And there are times that this can be very difficult, especially if they have strayed away from the Lord.  We may not condone their choices but we must love them as Christ loved us, even when we were sinners.

          Now if we have all four rails established, then they must step over the rails to fail.  And that may happen. It may be impossible to stop them if they make that choice. Our priority is to pray fervently for them, to stand by God's Word, to  live righteous lives ourselves, and to love them with our whole heart.

          Now my family is grown up and they must establish the four rails for their households.  But I still need to uphold the railings in my home and in my dealings with them.  Our family is the greatest mission field that God gives us and one which is so often neglected.  But it remains our responsibility to establish and maintain these railings.

          Years ago my wife and I established several goals that we had for our home and our family.  These include these four railings.  We have posted them on the wall in our living room as a reminder for us and for them of what we feel is essential in life.  And we pray daily that all of our family members will recognize, understand and attempt to follow these "railings"  That is our prayer.

          Are the four railings established in your home?

A good doctor

One final blog about doctors and medical care.  Good doctors are hard to find and if you have one then great for you!  You are very fortunate.  Just remember that doctors are "practicing" physicians and many of them are still practicing ... on you.  Hopefully they'll get it right soon.  Now somebody told me about his good doctor and he related the following examples:

* If you tell him you want a second opinion, he will gladly go out of the room and then come in again.

* He once treated a woman for yellow jaundice for three years before he realized that she was Chinese.

* Another time he gave a patient six months to live.  At the end of six months the patient hadn''t paid his bill, so the doctor gave him another six months.

*While he was talking to a patient his nurse came in and said "Doctor, there is a man here who thinks he is invisible."  The doctor said, "Tell him I can't see him."

* Another time a man came running into the office and yelled, "Doctor, my son just swallowed a roll of film."  The doctor calmly replied, "Let's just wait and see what develops."

* One patient came in and said, "Doctor, I have a serious memory problem."  The doctor asked, "When did it start?"  The man replied, "When did what start?"

* One time my friend told the doctor that he had a ringing in his ears.  His advice?  "Don't answer it?"

*The doctor has his share of nut cases.  One said to him, "Doctor, I think I'm a bell."  The doctor give him some pills and said, "Here, take these, and if they don't work, give me a ring."

* Another guy told this doctor that he thought he was a deck of cards.  The doctor simply said, "Go sit over there.  I'll deal with you later."

* When a patient told this doctor that he broke his leg in two places, he told the patient to stop going to those places.

* But doctors can also be frustrating.  You wait a month and a half for an appointment.  Then he says, "I wish you had come to me sooner."

So how is your doctor?   I hope better than this one.
        Now enough about doctors and medical care.  Thankfully we have many good doctors and specialists in the Lancaster area.  And we already have more of them than I ever wanted in our address book ... been there ... done that.  But now it's time to move on to other topics in future blogs.

Medical Reports

After writing two blogs about medical insurance and costs, it probably would be good to see how well the medical profession is doing in adjusting to the new Obama Care requirements.  Many doctors are having trouble preparing the required visit summaries since their nurses and secretaries are no longer allowed to do them.  One doctor told me that he wished he had taken typing when in school.  And because they are "practicing physicians", some of their reports could use some work.  Here are some actual reports.

~ The patient refused autopsy.

~ The patient has no previous history of suicides.

~ Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital.

~ Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.

~ On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it disappeared.

~ The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.

~ Discharge status: Alive but without permission.

~ She is numb from her toes down.

~ The skin was moist and dry.

~ Occasional, constant infrequent headaches.

~ Patient was alert and unresponsive.

~ I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy.

~ Skin: somewhat pale but present.

~ Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.

A Possible Alternative

        So what do you do if Obama's Affordable Health Care has wrecked your health coverage, as it has done for thousands?  Well I guess you could purchase a plan with huge deductibles and restrictions.  Many of you are doing that.  Or you could take a chance and go without any coverage at all and pay the fine for not having a plan. Some have chosen to do that. Or you could look for a job where your employer provides some coverage as part of a benefit package.  But those jobs have become few and far between.
Now here is another choice.  Wait patiently and don't get sick until you reach 65 and then go on Medicare, if it still exists then.  Now until the government ruins this and runs it bankrupt, it really is good coverage.  When you go on Social Security you can get Part A free and that covers most costs of being in a hospital, but nothing else.   Then you can also purchase Part B which runs about $105 a month at the moment.  It will pay 80% of your bills for doctors and tests.  And you may choose your own doctors.  You don't need referrals.  And all normal services are covered.

          Most people then also buy a supplemental policy that may cover the costs, with the exception of co-pays, for the 20% not covered by Medicare.  This policy will usually also include Medicare Part D which helps with the cost of prescriptions.  These supplemental policies can be expensive, dependent upon what coverage you want.  Ours is a good one but it costs an additional $500 per month.  

          Now any insurance is a gamble.  If you don't have any illnesses, meds, tests or surgeries, you get nothing in return for these major costs.  If, however, you have a challenging year, as we've had this year, you are thankful for the coverage.  Without it you'd probably be very deep in debt or going without needed medical help.  This year insurance was a great choice for us.

          Now most doctors don't care for Medicare because the government controls what they actually receive, no matter what they normally charge.  And the amounts that they receive can be very small.  For example, my recent neck surgery bills totaled $94,376.  Medicare approved only $62,648 of that bill and covered $57,000 of that amount.  Our supplemental policy took care of $5,594 and our personal cost was just $120.  Dianne's heart surgery bills were $81,239 and only $18,546 of that was approved by Medicare.   They paid $15,330, our insurance $3,140 and our only cost was $75. The rest, $62,693 was written off. So without any insurance, we would have been out $175,615 rather than the $195. That would have amounted to about 24 years of our present annual insurance costs.  Wow, who could afford those surgeries without any insurance?

          Health care has become a major concern for all of us and the so called Affordable Health Care Act has only made it worse for many.  And I haven't even talked about the cost of medicine.  Even with insurance, we have already spent over $5,200 out of pocket this year for our meds. Several of ours are very expensive. And we know of folks who are not taking needed meds because of the cost.  For them it's either eating or taking their meds, and that is so sad.

          Is there a good solution other than not getting sick or taking a gamble with your health?  I don't think so.   But a day is coming soon when believers wll have brand new bodies without any pain or sickness.  I guess that will really be Affordable Health Care. What a day that will be!

Affordable Health Care

         Is the Affordable Health Care, better known as Obama Care, really affordable?  It appears that for many it has been exactly the opposite, especially in Lancaster County.  In 2008 the cost of family health coverage was 17.8% lower than the national average.  Today it is only 5.6% lower than the average.

         The average cost for an individual per month has risen from $359 to $492.  For a family it has grown from $902 to $1,392.  Now if you are fortunate enough to be employed and receive health care as part of your benefit package, on the average such a single pays about $100 a month of the actual cost and a family $407 per month of these costs. If you must buy your own, without any company help, you are much worse off. And not only is it growing much more expensive, but deductibles and co-payments have risen and coverage restrictions have increased.  And often you are forced to change doctors.   Less coverage, higher deductibles, and increased costs - affordable health care?  

          Some of the selling points OF AHC are supposed to be that preexisting conditions are now covered and that "affordable care" is available to all.  But if you don't purchase coverage, there will be fines for you to pay.  But our local newspaper recently reported that there are still thousands in the county who haven't purchased coverage.  And we have heard of one situation where they had to go to court because a pre-existing need wasn't covered after all.

          It is also a fact that numerous employers have been forced to go to court to be excused from some required coverages or items that are in opposition to their religious beliefs.  And this is America where in the past folks have risked their lives to come here just for religious liberty.  But times and values have changed.  The government has taken over.

          And the AHC has also placed many, many new burdens upon busy doctors and medical facilities.  For example, doctors are now required to personally prepare a report for their patient after each visit.  These must now be done by the doctor and not by a nurse or secretary.  And they are required to give you a copy of the report unless you are on their portal.  What a waste of their time and of paper.  Most of our reports have been two to three pages in length with only a sentence or two about the actual visit and recommendation.  Think of how many trees and hours are being wasted to make this happen.  I am also aware of one doctor who left his family practice to go with a medical group because of all the increased costs and requirements of AHC.

         Now I must admit, I do like the new required portals.  They provide a review of all your visits and test results.  They notify you of future appointments.  They list your meds.  They remind you of needed tests and procedures.  We also appreciate the fact that we usually get the results of blood and other tests online long before we are actually notified by the doctor.  In fact, sometimes they have been available within a couple of hours after being done.

         I also like the feature that allows you to correspond with your doctor concerning simple questions and get a response in 24 hours of less.  We have used that feature several times, eliminating additional visits or leaving phone messages.  And our doctors have been excellent in responding quickly to us.

         In a related matter, a few months ago we found that some of our doctors were now giving us follow-up cards which urge us to use their portal to send a message to them in 3 to 5 days telling them how we are doing since our appointment.  Unfortunately, many folks feel better and then just don't respond.  We found out that if the practice doesn't have 5% or more of their patients respond each month, they lose 1% of their federal reimbursements.  And our family practice has had difficulty reaching that mark.  Just one more federal requirement from AHC.

          My only complaint about the portals is that they aren't coordinated.  In our case, the Lancaster General Health does include several of our doctors and their portal is very easy to use.  But we also have portals for PAL, Urological, May-Grant, Parish and LOG.  Our foot doctor may also soon have one.  But some of these can be difficult to use and, unfortunately, your information is not shared among the various portals and doctors. That is sad.

          AHC?  I guess it is here to stay and we, as well as our doctors, will need to adjust to all of it, including all of its negative aspects.  But there is one way to  beat it - don't ever get sick or need a doctor

Three Shows

         I've learned the secret of getting three different shows for the cost of one.  I've learned this recently by attending high school football games.

         Times have certainly changed.  When I was a teen I played in the band for six years and went to every game, home and away.  We used to go to cheer on our football team.  We played football music to stir them and the crowd on.  We helped the cheerleaders with football cheers such as "We want a touchdown!" or "Hold That Line!".  All eyes were on the game.  But that is the way it used to be.

         The first show that you get at a game today is done by the cheerleaders.  Most of the time they have their backs to the game and have no idea what is even happening with the game. They don't even watch their own band perform. Often they are busy stretching and fixing their hair.  They are there to perform and perform means doing cartwheels, dances, build pyramids, and do fancy cheers which few in the crowd know.  They love to shake and dance and do fancy jumps.  It is obvious that they think they are the stars of the night and that people have come to be entertained by them.  And they are often well trained and very good.  But their participation and attention has little to do with the game being played. They practice long and hard. But, they do little or nothing to help the football team.

         My observation?  When schools are having so much trouble meeting budgets, the first line item that I would delete is that of cheerleaders.  There are enough sports for women available today that cheerleaders have no real contribution to make to athletic competitions.  At Penn Manor they now have an independent, very active student cheering section which has taken over what the cheerleaders used to do.  And that doesn't cost the district a cent.

         Then there is show number two.  Here is where I may get myself in trouble. This has become the "sacred cow" of devoted band parents. It is the band show.  Most high school marching bands now exist mainly to participate in competitions.  It appears that football games just give them another opportunity to practice.  Here is a typical night for a high school band today.  They show up early to tune up and to cheer on the other team's band as they do part of their competition program before the game begins. That is good sportsmanship. During the first quarter of the game they might play a number or two.  During the second quarter they leave the stands and spend the entire quarter warming up somewhere behind the endzone for their show.  At half they do their performance.  Then the third quarter is free time to get something to eat and talk to their friends.  Then they usually reassemble in the final quarter to watch the game and maybe play another number or two.

          There are very few what I call "football bands" today.  Marching bands exist for the weekend band competitions. Bands have become very small because of the number of hours required to perfect their show and enter their weekend competitions.  Kids today just don't have the time or aren't willing to devote all their "spare" time to the practice and competitions.  My grandson's band put in over 150 hours of practice - before school even began.  Most bands in Lancaster County now have 40 or fewer instrumentalists.  Few play many or any football march songs.  And so Friday football games become their practice session for Saturday's competition.  And they are cheered on by devoted band parents who follow them and support them everywhere.  If the band wasn't at the game, they wouldn't be there either.

         Oh yes, what is show number three?  Surprise, it's a football game.  While the other two shows are going on, a game is still being played on the field for those who might be interested.  In reality, it is no longer the main event of the night.

          But this is just one of the many changes that have happened over the years.  Give me a good football team which is supported by a 100+ group of musicians who play stirring numbers and by energetic cheerleaders who understand and watch the game and get the crowd involved in supporting their team.  But that is the way it used to be and I guess time changes most things.

         But then why should I complain?  Where else today can you watch three shows for the price of one?

Beware!

          I guess there have always been scams and those who would try to profit by being deceitful.   You can probably even trace such actions back to the times of Cain and Abel  or Jacob and Esau, just to name a few.  But I think modern technology is providing an explosion of new ways to fool folks and steal from them.

In recent weeks we have had numerous such attempts made on us.  One of the biggest is phishing, the attempt to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money) by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.  We have had numerous e-mails telling us that we need to update our accounts at places like banks or credit card companies or ebay or paypal or aol.  They ask us to click on a link to do this and that link would take us to a site where such information would be requested in the name of this company. Sometimes they even come from companies which we don't deal with at all, so those are dead giveaways. But I wonder how many users actually fall for these schemes.

          As I was writing this, I actually received an e-mail from my financial advisor warning of a new phishing scheme involving a company that he uses for our investments.  His warning showed a very professional e-mail that informed me that my account was about to be closed unless I immediately used a link to update my account information.  If you weren't aware of this scheme you could potentially lose all of your investments.

         Another one which has been very common recently on our computers has been e-mails from a delivery service telling us that they couldn't make the delivery to our house.  To get the order we need to click on a link to make new delivery arrangements.  In almost every case we weren't even waiting for a delivery, so it was very easy to spot those attempts.

         Many of the scams come by phone. Some electric suppliers are the worst offenders.  One starts by asking you if you saw the notice in your last bill that there is a way to guarantee your rate won't change for three years.  Well most people don't realize that such notices were not sent out.  The caller claims that they are just following up to enable you to get this suggested service. They show you the bait and then try to trap you by asking you to get your recent electric bill while they switch you to another rep who really is a salesman.  He starts by asking you for your account information from your bill.  Now at that point I refused to go any farther until he answered some questions for me.  It turns out that he was trying, as I anticipated, to switch me to another provider who was actually charging more than I currently pay.  If I had given him the information he probably would have changed me without even needing my consent. And some folks would probably never even know that they were changed. Buyer beware - they are clever and deceitful.

          I have a new line that I use when the caller asks for the person who pays the electric bill.  I tell them I am Amish and we don't use electricity.  One salesman actually apologized and said she didn't realize that before she hung up.  I guess that response wasn't on her script.  At least I had my laugh for the day.

          But the worst scam was a call we received from a "windows" rep about a virus which had infected our computer.  He was offering me a free service to show me what this would do to my computer and then remove it for me.  He wanted me to go to my computer and log in.  I knew what was coming next.  If I had followed his instructions he would have gained access to my computer remotely so that he could steal all my information and passwords.  Knowing this was coming, I mentioned to him that I did not use windows and asked how my computer could then be infected.  He tried to convince me that I was hit by trying to share with me my mailing address.  That was interesting because of his language difference, he couldn't even read my address correctly.  But friends, that is frightening because if I hadn't known better and wasn't computer literate, I might have been scared and he would have been able to get access.  I am sure that he has successfully done this with many worried computer owners.

          Some common sense principles - never give your account and personal information to anyone in response to a call or e-mail request.  Don't use your credit or bank information on the internet when purchasing something unless the url address starts with https, not just http.  That "s" must be there to make it secure. Don't download attachments, especially forwards, unless you are 100% sure they are virus free.  And change your passwords frequently. Use common sense and protect your information because there are very clever and resourceful folks out there trying to steal from you.

A Memorable Week

 

President Reagan and me (with the mustache)

        It is hard to believe that this month is 30 years from one of the most exciting weeks of my life.  My how time flies.  This special week began with an unexpected letter from the White House. The letter told me that I had been chosen to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and we were to spend five days in Washington D.C.  I knew I had been nominated, but I never expected to be chosen as the one to be honored.  This was the second year for the prestigious award given annually to one mathematics teacher from each state.  I had been chosen to represent Pennsylvania.

          Quickly all our plans and priorities changed.  The President had summoned us and nothing was more important.  The calendar was cleared, events rescheduled - we were going to Washington.  I needed a new suit if I was going to appear before President Regan.  I found the one I wanted only to be told that it would take a week for alterations.  However, when I told the salesman why I needed it, he quickly changed his story and said it would be ready tomorrow.  And it was!

         The morning we were to leave for Washington we had car problems.  We took it to a local garage and explained our need.  They discovered the car needed a part which they didn't have but they called a dealer who had the part and agreed to take care of us immediately.  Getting us to Washington became a priority for both garages.

          We left Millersville feeling that we were something special.  The Lancaster Newspapers carried front page stories and pictures.  Even John Herr's Village Market featured me on their sign on Manor Ave.  "Congratulations to Barry Kauffman, Presidential Awardee!"  It seemed that everyone was sharing in this special honor and we could barely contain our excitement of meeting President Regan.   Our time in Washington was very special.  We attended numerous banquets and receptions.  We toured historical buildings.  We visited congressmen.  We had a news conference.  We were given many gifts, including a computer.

          While I was attending a session, Dianne decided to go shopping and for lunch with a group of wives she had met in the hotel lobby.  When she took some time to look at some puppets in one of the stores, the conversation moved to our use of puppets in our family ministry.  Dianne then discovered that the other two women were also born again and active in their churches in New Mexico and Nebraska.  This began a special relationship that lasted many years.

         But not everything was going perfectly.  We were stunned to learn that the President would not be able to see us as planned because of plans to campaign for next month's presidential election.  Instead we were to receive our awards from another government official.  The news was not only disappointing but devastating as well.  We were not his priority at that time.

I suggested that we needed to express our disappointment and I encouraged the awardees to flood the White House switchboard with calls.  We did!  It worked!  The plans were changed to allow the President to meet us on the White House lawn on Friday before he boarded a helicopter to fly to New York for a campaign speech.

          That Friday was a highlight of our lives as we greeted the President.  I got to shake his hand, take his picture and actually talk to him for a few seconds.  Unfortunately, because of the press of the crowd, Dianne couldn't even get her arm out to shake his hand.  But she saw him by looking over my shoulder. Then he was gone and we were left with exciting memories.

          On the way out we collected fall leaves from the lawn.  We were suddenly challenged by the Secret Service, but we had already gathered enough to take home.  We laminated them and gave them out as bookmarks to all our Awana clubbers.

         But we still had some lessons to learn.   When we arrived home we found that we had been replaced on John Herr's Village Market sign with a sale in wild birdseed and ground beef!  The newspapers didn't call and on Monday I had to face my students again with all of us knowing that I really wasn't the best math teacher in the state.  And some of my fellow teachers were jealous and resentful of my award.

          On Monday the President made a campaign visit to Millersville and our students were dismissed to watch him arrive by helicopter.  But I was only an observer, from the parking lot, this time.  Craig actually got closer to the President than I did because he was working with the fire company in providing security.

          The biggest lesson was still to come.  We received a call that my close friend, Paul Brosious (father of Lisa Beamer), had a massive heart attack and was called to his eternal home in heaven.  As we learned more about his death we came to understand that it happened almost at the same minute when I was shaking hands with the President.  So while I was shaking hands with the most powerful leader in the world, Paul was unexpectedly being ushered into the presence of Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.

          Earthly awards are temporal.  They rust.  They fade.  They wear out.  They are forgotten.  But what is done for the Lord is eternal.  That is why the scriptures warn us not to lay up treasures here on earth but to lay up our treasures in heaven.  "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  And all these things shall be added unto you".  Matthew 6:33.  That should be our priority.

The Advice Of Mothers

         Most of us remember things that out mothers told us as we were growing up.  Sometimes they were very serious.  Sometimes they were funny.  Sometimes we listened and obeyed and maybe sometimes we didn't.  But our mothers always wanted what they thought was best for us because they loved us.

          I imagine that the mothers of children who turned out to be famous also wanted the best for their children.  And maybe history would be different if their children had listened and obeyed.  Here are some pieces of advice that mothers could have given their children over the years.

MONA LISA'S MOTHER: "After all that money your father and I spent on braces, that's the biggest smile you can give us?"

COLUMBUS' MOTHER: "I don't care what you've discovered, you still could have written!"

MICHELANGELO'S MOTHER: "Can't you paint on walls like other children? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?"

NAPOLEON'S MOTHER: "All right, if you aren't hiding your report card inside your jacket, take your hand out of there and show me."

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S MOTHER: "Again with the stovepipe hat? Can't you just wear a baseball cap like the other kids?"

MARY'S MOTHER: "I'm not upset that your lamb followed you to school, but I would like to know how he got a better grade than you."

ALBERT EINSTEIN'S MOTHER: "But it's your senior picture. Can't you do something about your hair? Styling gel, mousse, something...?"

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOTHER: "The next time I catch you throwing money across the Potomac, you can kiss your allowance good-bye!"

JONAH'S MOTHER: "That's a nice story. Now tell me where you've really been for the last forty years."

THOMAS EDISON'S MOTHER: "Of course I'm proud that you invented the electric light bulb. Now turn it off and get to bed!"

PAUL REVERE'S MOTHER: "I don't care where you think you have to go, young man, midnight is past your curfew."

Encouragement part 3

          The second way that the Lord regularly encourages me is through Christian music, especially the old hymns of the church.  Growing up my family sang hymns all the time, especially when traveling in the car.  I learned by heart all the verses of many great hymns this way and the Lord continually brings them back to my mind.  In our senior years the Lord has given us the privilege of leading many hymn sings and we find so many folks miss the hymns so deeply.  I also have a weekly hymn blog and about 750 people visit this each week.
          Now I refuse to get drawn into the "church music wars" of hymns vs. praise choruses.  They each have a place in worship.  But my one concern about the praise choruses is that they change every few months.  Seldom do we sing one that we sang a year or two ago.  They appear to come and go and while they do minister to us at the time and enable us to worship, I can't help wonder what the younger generations will have to recall as they grow older.  I am so thankful for all the hymns which the Lord recalls to encourage me in various times of my life.
          For our October hymn sing at Pinebrook I choose the theme "Hymns of Encouragement".  Here are a few portions of some of the hymns that were included.

"Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere?  We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.  Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?  Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer."  What A Friend We Have In Jesus by Joseph Scriven and Charles Converse.

"He giveth more grace as the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength as our labors increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.  His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power has no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus.  He giveth, and giveth and giveth again."  He Giveth More Grace by Annie Flint and Ray Steadman-Allen

"All your anxiety, all your care, bring to the mercy seat, leave it there, Never a burden He cannot bear, never a friend like Jesus."  All Your Anxiety by Edward Joy 1920

"O victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.  He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood."  Victory In Jesus by Eugene Bartlett

          "So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is overall; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.  Count your many blessings, name them one by one ... Count your many blessings, see what God hath done."  Count Your Blessings by Edward Excell.

          "Jesus my Lord will love me forever, from Him no power of evil can sever; He gave His life to ransom my soul, now I belong to Him.  Now I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me.  Not for the years of time alone, but for eternity."  Now I Belong To Jesus by Norman Clayton.

          "No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you; Lean weary one upon His breast, God will take care of you.   God will take care of you, through every day, O'er all the way.  He will take care of you, God will take care of you."  God Will Take Care of You by Stillman Martin.

           "What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms.  I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms.  Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms."  Leaning On The Everlasting Arms by Anthony Showalter.

          "O safe to the Rock that is higher than I, my soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly.  So sinful, so weary, thine, thine would I be.  Thou blest Rock of Ages, I'm hiding in Thee."  Hiding in Thee by Ira Sankey.

         "When all my labors and trials are o'er, and I am safe on that beautiful shore.  Just to be near the dear Lord I adore, will through the ages be glory for me.  O that will be, glory for me, glory for me, glory for me.  When by His grace I shall look on His face.  That will be glory, be glory for me."  Oh, That Will Be Glory by Charles Gabriel.

          "I must tell Jesus!  I must tell Jesus!  I cannot bear my burdens alone.  I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus!  Jesus can help me, Jesus Alone!"  I Must Tell Jesus by Elisha Hoffman.

          "Standing before Him at last, trial and trouble all past, crowns at His feet we will cast, Jesus is coming again!  Coming again, coming again, may be morning, may be noon, may be evening and will be soon.  Coming again, coming again, O what a wonderful day it will be.  Jesus is coming again!"   Jesus Is Coming Again by John Peterson.

          "Sometimes the day seems long, our trials hard to bear.  We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair.  But Christ will soon appear to catch His bride away!  All tears forever over in God's eternal day!  It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.  Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;  One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase.  So bravely run the race till we see Christ."   It Will Be Worth It All by Esther Kerr Rustholi.

           And that is just a quick sampling of some which encourage me.  And I haven't even mentioned ones like Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Day By Day, Stayed Upon Jehovah, I Belong to the King, Standing On The Promises, Blessed Assurance, My Hope Is In The Lord, Face To Face, The Sold Rock, He Hideth My Soul, Shelter In The Time of Storm, and How Great Thou Art.  I could go on and on.  I thank the Lord for hymn writers who composed these meaningful words to encourage thousands.  Discouraged?  Try singing these old hymns.  If you need some help, consult my hymn blog each week.   Be encouraged in the Lord!  He is good, all the time!