Gone For Another Year

          And now it is ending!  I'm talking about the beautiful Christmas music that we have enjoyed the last few weeks.  I love this time of the year and I love the beautiful - at least some of it - Christmas music.  But most radio stations stop playing it on December 26.  A few others do begin to decrease it over the next few days. But basically it is done for another year.

         Music has been an important part of my life since I was a youngster.  Over the years I have sung in choirs, played in bands and ensembles, led singing and just enjoyed singing anytime I could.

         One of my favorite memories is how our brass ensemble used to tour the halls in high school playing Christmas carols.  Actually the very same thing used to happen when I began to teach.  But soon "political correctness" took over and these special traditions had to stop.  Now they are just memories of the good days.

         Now good music can calm the soul.  Even a baby can be calmed during a fussy spell by gentle singing.  

         Music helped King Saul when he was distraught.  David playing on a harp soothed Saul's heart when nothing else would.  I Samuel 16:23, "And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand.  Then Saul would become refreshed, and the distressing spirit would depart from him."

          I especially enjoy relaxing in my recliner while listening to music such as gospel, orchestral or hymn  arrangements played by my wife on her digital piano.  The Lord blessed me with a wife who is an exceptional musician and who loves to just sit down at various times throughout the day and play beautiful renditions.  That is relaxing and soothing to my soul.

         Now that I've been in the hospital overnight on numerous occasions I've learned how to beat all the hallway noise during the night.  I take my radio and with my headphones l listen all night to our local Christian radio station.  And I am usually able to relax and nap to the music throughout the long hours of the night.  In fact these experiences have led me to now keep my radio on throughout the night ay home enjoying the Christian programming.

           Well the end of Christmas music for another year should not be an excuse for not singing and enjoying uplifting and relaxing music.  Join me in making good music a part of your life.  But make your music a testimony of God's gifts to you.  Use music to praise and thank Him for what He hopefully means to you.  Use the following scriptures to guide yur thoughts ..... Psalm 9:2 " I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High." ..... Psalm 18:49  "Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name."     Psalm 59:17  "Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy." ..... Psalm 68:32 "Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:" ..... Psalm 89:1 "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations." .....  Psalm 95  "1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." ..... Psalm 100:2 "Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing." .....  Psalm 146:2  "While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being." . ....  Ephesians 5:19  "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" .....     Colossians 3:16  "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Christmas Cookies (LB)

LOOKING BACK - Repeating and revising a blog that I first published on December 19, 2009.

          Now what is Christmas without cookies? But some of us worry about too much sugar and too many calories. Now I can put your mind at ease. Here are the rules for Christmas cookies. 

          1.  If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and thus calorie free. 

         2.  If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories. 

         3. If a friend comes over while you're making your Christmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend's first cookie is calorie free, (rule #1) yours is also. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone and, being the friend that you are, that makes your cookie calorie free.

         4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass. 

         5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue. 

         6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have three and green ones have five - one calorie for each letter. Make more red ones! 

        7. Cookies eaten while watching "Miracle on 34th Street" have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel. 

        8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking causes calorie leakage. 

        9. Any cookies consumed from someone else's plate have no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to CLING! 

        10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories. It's a rule! 

        And remember, these rules are valid - they have to be since you read them here. So, go out and enjoy those Christmas Cookies - we only get them this time of year! Just don't get near the scales.

         By the way my favorite cookies are chocolate chip and raisin filled.   Just saying.

Your Church Needs You To Sing

        In recent years there has been much controversy over music in church.  Many changes have been made and some like them and some don't.  But I recently came upon an article with a different slant on church music and I thought it was worth sharing with my readers.  The title of the article is "Your Church Needs You to Sing", by Nick Autenkamp, a pastor in Saine Paul, Minnesota.  Give it some thought.

          Your brothers and sisters in your local church need you. They need you to show up. They need you to be engaged. And, perhaps more than many of us realize, they need you to sing.

          Congregational singing can be polarizing. For some people, singing is their favorite part of the church's gathering. Others prefer to arrive on Sunday mornings just as the worship team is wrapping up and the sermon is about to begin. For those in the latter category, perhaps you're highly self-conscious about your lack of ability to carry a tune, or maybe you don't jibe with the style of music your church's hipster music director tends to choose.   Whatever the reason, I want you to hear that your church suffers when your voice is silent.

         The Bible is full of singing and songs. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if God's divine speech, by which he spoke the world into existence, sounded more like a song than a seminar. Adam's first words to Eve are beautifully poetic (Genesis 2:23). The largest book in the Bible is a collection of songs. At least once, if not more often, the apostle Paul quotes or crafts what seems to be an early Christian hymn (Colossians 1:15–20). And Jesus himself sang (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26).

         And for good reason: singing uniquely engages our heads and our hearts, our intellect and our affections. That's basically what Paul says in Colossians 3:16, where he connects "the word of Christ dwell[ing] in you richly" with "singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Good songs take the truths hovering in our heads and sink them down for our hearts to dwell on.  When life is falling apart, your singing becomes a forceful testimony to the faithfulness of God.

         We experience the power of singing in songs like Horatio Spafford's famous "It Is Well with My Soul." As we sing the third verse, we cannot help but feel the solemnity of the line, "My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought - my sin not in part but the whole . . ." Yet suddenly the minors of the first half of the verse give way to the bright major chords of the second half, and we confidently declare, ". . . is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more: praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!" And as we sing, we feel the major lift of the music raise our hearts to soar in proportion with the glory of that truth.

         Sure, we could speak the lyrics, and the truth in them should still move us to worship. But the elements of rhythm and melody arrest our affections in transformative ways not typical of speech alone.

         But congregational singing isn't only about you and engaging your emotions. It is that, but there is more. In Colossians 3:16, Paul also instructs the church to continue "teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom," and he implies that congregational singing is one of the means of doing so. In Ephesians 5:19, Paul makes the implication of Colossians 3:16 explicit, telling the church to "[address] one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs."

         Singing is vital to the edification of the church. And it's not enough that just a few people sing -  Paul is telling you to sing for the benefit of your brothers and sisters. But how does your voice benefit your church - especially if your singing voice sounds like a dog's howl?

        The power of your participation in congregational singing is not in the quality of your tone but in your voice's testimony to God's faithfulness. Your participation in singing signifies to all those around you that you love Jesus and trust his gospel. By heartily singing, "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!" you are exhorting those around you to lay hold of that precious truth. By singing of your sin and salvation, you are instructing your church, spouse, children, friends, and neighbors in gospel truth.

         What about when you don't feel like singing, though? When your soul is downcast, and your faith is diminished? These are the times when your church needs your voice the most.  Good songs take the truths hovering in our heads and sink them down for our hearts to dwell on.

         The gospel is on full display in our weakness. When all is going well for you, and life is sailing smoothly along, you should sing - but it's less surprising when you do. When all is going well, it is surprising when you don't sing.  But when life is falling apart, and trials threaten your security, that is when your singing becomes a forceful testimony to the faithfulness of God.

        In your church, the most prominent leaders of congregational song may be up front on a platform. But the most prominent leaders aren't always the most powerful leaders. In fact, in my years as a worship pastor, I have found that the most powerful leaders of congregational worship are almost always found in the pews:

        The expecting mother who suffered a devastating miscarriage the day before, but through the tears sings out, "In Christ alone my hope is found; he is my light, my strength, my song."

        The young professional who, because of his Christian convictions on sexuality, was fired from his dream job on Friday, but who arrives on Sunday and belts out, "How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word."

        The divorced woman, battling loneliness and depression, who declares, "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him — how I've proved him over and over."

         The 76-year-old husband and wife who recently buried their youngest daughter and two granddaughters, but still sit in the second row on Sunday morning - as they have for the past forty years - and cry out, "He will hold me fast. He will hold me fast. For my Savior loves me so. He will hold me fast."

        These are the folks whose singing can spur on my faith as much as any sermon. Their act of declaring the faithfulness of God through their participation in the church's songs makes me love the truth we are singing with affections that I could never muster if I were singing on my own. The songs of suffering saints speak life to my soul.

          So, when the music starts this weekend, don't underestimate what happens as you sing. You are engaging your heart, teaching those around you (and receiving teaching), and declaring God's faithfulness. The simple act of lifting your voice in song may well be the most significant way you serve your church this Sunday.

1.     The trusting heart to Jesus clings,

Nor any ill forebodes,

But at the cross of Calv'ry, sings,

Praise God for lifted loads!

Singing I go along life's road,

Praising the Lord, praising the Lord,

Singing I go along life's road,

For Jesus has lifted my load.

2.     The passing days bring many cares,

"Fear not," I hear Him say,

And when my fears are turned to prayers,

The burdens slip away.

Singing I go along life's road,

Praising the Lord, praising the Lord,

Singing I go along life's road,

For Jesus has lifted my load.

3.     He tells me of my Father's love,

And never slumb'ring eye,

My everlasting King above

Will all my needs supply.

Singing I go along life's road,

Praising the Lord, praising the Lord,

Singing I go along life's road,

For Jesus has lifted my load.

4.     When to the throne of grace I flee,

I find the promise true,

The mighty arms upholding me

Will bear my burdens too.

Singing I go along life's road,

Praising the Lord, praising the Lord,

Singing I go along life's road,

For Jesus has lifted my load.

The Leaking Bucket

          Do you have a bucket list - a list of things that you have not done yet but want to do before dying?  It seems now to be the fashionable thing to do, making this list as one grows older.  Well I never made one and now my physical problems would prevent me from doing most of the things I might want to put on such a.

          So instead you might call my list a "leaking bucket" list of things that now are really impossible to do.  But at least I can dream about doing them.

         My list would include long trips to Alaska, Switzerland and Germany - all beautiful destinations.  I might want to take them with a Christian organization to enjoy both the scenery and the fellowship.  And to that list I would add a train trip across Canada and the Rocky Mountains.

          Then there would be return trips to many cities we have visited over the years.  San Diego and its zoo and Wild Animal Park would be high on the list.  We loved the time we spent there at the Park.  It was like taking an actual safari in Africa and was much better than the wild animal safari at Disney.

          I would love to return to Boston to again see and hear the Boston Pops, especially on the Fourth of July.  We enjoyed them when we attended a national math convention there and it was a great experience.  

         Of course I would also like to return to Orlando, especially to see Epcot.  I never tired of visiting the parks there but my favorite is Epcot.  It's like taking a trip around the world.

         I would also like to return to Ocean City, Maryland, and our favorite hotel there, just to watch the ocean.  We used to visit there a few times each year until physical challenges caught up with us.

          I have great memories of riding the Staten Island ferry as a teenager while visiting my aunt and uncle.  That, too, is something I'd like to do once again although I imagine it would be much different now than the good memories I have.  Time really changes things.

          I've never attended a professional football game and have never been to Citizens Bank Park for a baseball game.  But I'm not sure that they are very high on my list anymore.  However I've always thought it would be fun to attend a Penn State football game at Wisconsin or Nebraska.  In fact I would enjoy going to see any Penn State football game once again and maybe even a game at Notre Dame could be fun.

          I'd love to once again visit the many homes that I lived in growing up - Selinsgove, two in New Cumberland, Wilmington, Delaware, Elizabethtown (house is no longer there however), Lancaster, Tallahassee, the one that I grew up in in Lititz and the three that we lived in after being married - Plum Creek,  Silver Springs and Millersville.  It would be interesting to see how my memories match up with what is there now.

          And along the same line It would be fun to visit the old church in Sunbury where Dianne and I met, attended and were married.  Great memories, but we'd probably be disappointed.

         Oh yes, I always wanted to go for a ride in a hot air balloon.  But the older I get, the more I fear heights.  So I'll just let that drip out of my leaking bucket.

          Well that's enough for now.  Good memories and exciting thoughts.  But let me urge you, as you grow older, do those things that you've always wanted to do.  Old age and physical problems come faster than you think and suddenly a bucket list can become a leaking bucket list.

(1)    Often my soul has been lifted above

Lost in the ocean of God's mighty love

Higher and higher, but once still I say

I'm going higher someday

I'm going higher, yes higher someday

I'm going higher, yes higher to stay

Over the mountain, beyond the blue sky

Going where none ever sicken or die

Loved ones will meet in that sweet by and by

I'm going higher someday

(2)    Soon will the Savior appear, bless His name

And in a moment, we all will be changed

Then when he calls for his bright come away

We're going higher someday

I'm going higher, yes higher someday

I'm going higher, yes higher to stay

Over the mountain, beyond the blue sky

Going where none ever sicken or die

Loved ones will meet in that sweet by and by

I'm going higher and higher and higher

          

Not Forgotten

          Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect upon your life and possibly redevelop a spirit of gratitude and thanks for what you have.

          Now in reflection we have had a very challenging year health wise.  The year has included several surgeries, over 320 visits to doctors, cardio and pulmonary rehabs, physical therapy, and medical tests of all sorts.  We've never had medical bills like we have had this year. It has been a long year. 

          At cardiac rehab each week they would ask my wife how our social life has been and what vacations we have taken.  The weekly answer was that our social life was just going to doctors and to church.  How true!  Not even any breakfast visits with friends.  And we've only been able to take one short vacation all year - no trips to the ocean at all this year.

          And recent medical tests show us that the coming year could even be worse with more serious problems to deal with.  I just received word of that possibility from a doctor right before Thanksgiving.  Dianne may also get the same type of news from test results taken yesterday. Both of us are scheduled for more tests.

          And as I write this blog, the day before Thanksgiving, I find it is so easy to be discouraged and concerned.  It is easy to have a pity-party. It is so easy to forget the many promises that God has given us.  It is so easy to forget His presence.  It is so easy to forget what He has done for us in the past and what He has promised to do for us the future.  How short sighted we can be.

          Am I the only one who has ever felt this way?  Have you?  Well there are many others, including David who went through times of severe doubting and discouragement. He had to avoid Saul and flee for his life.  And his psalms are filled with his discouragement but also his recognition of God's leading and blessing upon his life

          "How long, O Lord?  Will You forget me forever?  How long will You hide Your face from me?  How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?  How long will my enemy be exalted over me, O Lord my God ... But I have trusted in Your mercy, My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.   I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me."   Psalm 13: 1-2 ... 5-6.

          At times David felt that God didn't even hear him or didn't care about his needs.  He felt alone.  Have you ever felt that way?  I know that I have.  But I also know that He has always been there and as His child He does care for me.  Maybe it would be easier if I could just talk to Him face to face.  Someday I will be able to do that.  But now I can talk to Him at any moment or at any time of the day or the night.  And believe me, I have spent much time doing that, especially during the long hours of the night.

          Now as I sit here the Lord is reminding me of the many good things He has provided for me.  I am now nearly eight decades old and have lived most of those years without any major physical problems.  Many of my close friends never had that opportunity or blessing. And the surgeries I have had in the last few years have generally been successful.  God has provided me with excellent surgeons and therapists.  I am blessed.

         Dianne is also reaching the eight decade mark. Although she has lived with a serious condition for many years, she didn't need surgeries until recently.  Her last one was a miracle. After many tests she finally qualified for the new TAVR surgery to replace her aortic heart valve. It was an amazing surgery with a quick recovery.  Of course we both still also battle with arthritis and kidney stones - ouch!

           And God has blessed us in so many other ways - a great marriage, a wonderful family that is serving the Lord, a great job for 39 years, a family ministry for 25 years, serving in Awana for 38 years, a comfortable home, plenty of food, friends, a great heritage and so much more.  He has been so good to us. Why should I worry or fret?

          Now I realize that life can't always be filled with sunshine and roses, but I also know that God will be there in the dreary and stormy days.  Do I really want to go through these stormy days?  Not really, although I hope that I will learn from them.  But I also know that He has a plan for me and that plan includes carrying me through the tough times and eventually taking me to the home He is preparing for me.  And at this Thanksgiving I thank Him for that and rest in this truth.  God is so good - all the time!

(1)    Jesus will walk with me down thru the valley,

Jesus will walk with me over the plain;

When in the shadow or when in the sunshine,

If He goes with me I shall not complain.

Jesus will walk with me,

He will talk with me;

He will walk with me;

In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,

I know He will walk with me.

(2)   Jesus will walk with me when I am tempted,

Giving me strength as my need may demand;

When in affliction His presence is near me,

I am upheld by His almighty hand.

Jesus will walk with me,

He will talk with me;

He will walk with me;

In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,

I know He will walk with me.

(3)   Jesus will walk with me, guarding me ever,

Giving me victory thru storm and thru strife;

He is my Comforter, Counselor, Leader,

Over the uneven journey of life.

Jesus will walk with me,

He will talk with me;

He will walk with me;

In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,

I know He will walk with me.

(4)    Jesus will walk with me in life's fair morning,

And when the shadows of evening must come;

Living or dying, He will not forsake me.

Jesus will walk with me all the way home.

Jesus will walk with me,

He will talk with me;

He will walk with me;

In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,

I know He will walk with me.

A Challenging Forward (LB)

LOOKING BACK - Repeating and editing a blog that I first published on December 30, 2009.

          I really don't want to upset anybody, but please don't put me on a list to regularly receive e-mail forwards from you. If the forwards include attachments or downloads, I will delete them immediately. I don't want to catch any virus that could be part of such a forward. And most of the time I delete plain forwards, too, unless I have a good idea what it is. 

         I find that many of these are full of big pictures that tie up my computer for several minutes while they load. My time is too valuable for that type of entertainment. Or they often include hoaxes that have circulated through e-space for years. Some are attacks on Obama and I already know more about him than I want to know. The Bible tells me to pray for him, even if I disagree with him. 

         Others are cute poems or prayers that I am asked to pass on to others. But doing so with my e-mail address makes me more available to spammers who love to get such lists of e-mail addresses. So, my delete button gets plenty of action daily. 

          Now having said that, once in awhile (maybe 5% of the time) there are some that are worthwhile. Recently I received one that many of us seniors can relate to. I've saved that one to share with other seniors as we end 2019. So here it is. 

         Who would have thought... 

(1)    that when you wished your kids didn't need you so much, you would someday wish that they did? 

(2)    that when there wasn't enough time in the day, you might someday wonder how to fill your free time? 

(3)    that when you couldn't wait to get your driver's license, you would someday try to decide when to give it up? 

(4)    that you would finally have more than enough stuff? 

(5)    that grandchildren grow even faster than children? (So very true!) 

(6)    that when people told you to enjoy your (time, education, job, kids, friends, health, spouse, etc.), you would someday realize why? 

(7)    that some people are grateful no matter what, and some are ungrateful no matter what? 

(8)    that when you struggled to make ends meet, they finally would? 

(9)    that each day can be a blessing and a chance to be a blessing to others? 

(10)    that a smile, a touch and a listening ear are worth more than expensive presents? 

(11)    that there's always something new to learn? 

(12)    that you would never get tired of watching a sunset, a rainbow, or a baby's first steps? 

(13)    that the best things in life ARE free? 

Maybe I could add two more of my own … 

(14)    that life goes faster the older you get? 

(15)    that 2019 would already be over? 

Have a great and safe New Year's Day and enjoy each new day that the Lord grants you.

1.    The sands of time are sinking,

The dawn of heaven breaks;

The summer morn I've sighed for -

The fair, sweet morn awakes:

Dark, dark had been the midnight

But dayspring is at hand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel's land.

2.    O Christ, He is the fountain,

The deep, sweet well of love!

The streams on earth I've tasted

More deep I'll drink above:

There to an ocean fullness

His mercy doth expand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel's land.

3.    The bride eyes not her garment,

But her dear Bridegroom's face;

I will not gaze at glory

But on my King of grace.

Not at the crown He giveth

But on His pierced hand;

The Lamb is all the glory

Of Emmanuel's land.

4.    O I am my Beloved's

And my Beloved is mine!

He brings a poor vile sinner

Into His house of wine

I stand upon His merit -

I know no other stand,

Not e'en where glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel's land.

What Are You Saying?

LOOKING BACK - Repeating and editing a blog that I first published on April 30, 2010

         You hear them everyday  ...  At the end of the day  ... I personally  ...  At this moment in time  ...  with all due respect  ...  24/7  ...  it's not rocket science ...  your call is very important to us  ...  no offense, but  ...  in order to serve you better  ...  no problem  ...  cool  ...  listen carefully as our menu options have changed  ...  our computers are slow today. These are just some of the many phrases that have become part of our vocabulary today and I am getting tired of "modern day phrase speak" (although I guess I do it at times myself!). 

         But there is one phrase which really drives me crazy - "thinking outside the box".  Today I have already heard it used two times, it was also in a book I am reading, and there is a guy running for governor of Pennsylvania who uses it constantly in his television campaign advertisements.  I shudder every time I see him waddle across the TV screen sharing how it is time to "think outside the box" to solve the state's many problems. Actually I think he should "think outside the box" to come up with better commercials (and to lose some weight). 

         Maybe that is the problem with today's society, everyone is "thinking outside the box" and neglecting all the common sense and moral values that have been "inside the box" for years.  Now I really wonder, if everybody is really "thinking outside the box". isn't all this thinking and behavior really "inside a new box"?  What's the difference - maybe it just depends on what the box is (whatever that means). Maybe this candidate should say that he "thinks outside the box"  but he really is "inside the new box of modern thinking". 

         At the end of the day, with all due respect, I personally think, at this moment in time, this might be more appropriate.  In order to serve us better, thinking outside the box, 24/7, might be better, even if the menu has changed. But, no problem if you feel otherwise, because it's not rocket science. And that folks is my "outside the box" blog for today. Think about it, either inside or outside the box.  And that's cool!

Speak, Lord, in the stillness,

  While I wait on Thee;

Hushed my heart to listen,

  In expectancy.

Speak, O blessed Master,

  In this quiet hour;

Let me see Thy face, Lord,

  Feel Thy touch of power.

For the words Thou speakest,

  They are life indeed;

Living bread from heaven,

  Now my spirit feed!

All to Thee is yielded,

  I am not my own;

Blissful, glad surrender,

  I am Thine alone.

Speak, Thy servant heareth,

  Be not silent, Lord;

Waits my soul upon Thee

  For the quickening word.

Fill me with the knowledge

  Of Thy glorious will;

All Thine own good pleasure

  In Thy child fulfill.

Like a watered garden,

  Full of fragrance rare,

Lingering in Thy presence,

  Let my life appear.

Help!

        I recently read an interesting story with an interesting application that we all could use.  Read, think and apply.

         A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.  "What food might this contain?" the mouse  wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

         Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed this warning: "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

         The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

         The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"  The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."

        The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"   The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."

        So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap ... alone.

        That very night a sound was heard throughout the house - the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it - a venomous snake whose tail was caught in the trap. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. 

         When she returned home she still had a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup.  So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

         But his wife's sickness continued.  Friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.  But, alas, the farmer's wife did not get well. She died.

         So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them for the funeral luncheon.

         And the mouse looked upon it all, from his crack in the wall, with great sadness.

         So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem, and you think it doesn't concern you, remember ... When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.  Remember - each of us is a vital thread in another person's tapestry. Our lives are woven together for a reason. One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend. 

         Is there somebody who today needs your help?  Maybe we need to take action to help them out.

1     Look all around you, find someone in need,

Help somebody today!

Tho' it be little--a neighborly deed--

Help somebody today! 

Chorus:

Help somebody today,

Somebody along life's way;

Let sorrow be ended, the friendless befriended,

Oh, help somebody today! 

2    Many are 'waiting a kind, loving word,

Help somebody today!

You have a message, O let it be heard,

Help somebody today!

Chorus:

Help somebody today,

Somebody along life's way;

Let sorrow be ended, the friendless befriended,

Oh, help somebody today! 

3    Many have burdens too heavy to bear,

Help somebody today!

Grief is the portion of some everywhere,

Help somebody today! 

Chorus:

Help somebody today,

Somebody along life's way;

Let sorrow be ended, the friendless befriended,

Oh, help somebody today! 

4    Some are discouraged and weary in heart,

Help somebody today!

Someone the journey to heaven should start,

Help somebody today!

Chorus:

Help somebody today,

Somebody along life's way;

Let sorrow be ended, the friendless befriended,

Oh, help somebody today! 

Gravity Situation

          Here is a recent report about how gravity, which is a non-renewable resource, is gradually diminishing.
         "With the present rate of consumption, the earth's supply of gravity will be exhausted before the 22nd century," say several prominent physicists. "There is a direct link between the vanishing of the ozone layer and the decrease in the earth's gravity supply. 
         We're already seeing the effects of the disappearance of the ozone layer, but we're not likely to feel the effects of vanishing gravity during our lifetimes. However, our children will probably have to deal with the issue."
          It is interesting to think of some of the results science has yet to consider. The obvious impact will be on engineering, like keeping bridges and buildings weighted down. 
        But what about sports? Breaking records for the high jump will become easier. Football kicks will grow longer and a 92-yard field goal will not be unheard of.
          Until scientists discover a cheaper alternative, we need to help.  We can conserve Gravity by just following these simple suggestions:

1)  Walk with a light step. Carry helium balloons if possible.
(2)  Use tape, magnets or glue instead of paperweights.
(3)   Give up skiing and skydiving for more horizontal sports like snorkeling.
(4)   Avoid showers  ...  take baths instead.
(5) Don't hang all your clothes in the closet, keep them in one big pile.
(6) Stop flipping pancakes.

          This is most assuredly not a joke. What could be more serious? After all, gravity is the opposite of comedy. You may be laughing now, but just picture your great-grandchildren wearing safety tethers and tied to concrete posts, unable to play outdoorsfor fear of floating away on a windy day.

          Please be gravity conscious, while we still have some.

(NOTE - I wanted to use this report on April 1, but I forgot to do so.  I think my copy became attached to my helium balloons while I was walking with light steps!) 

(1)   I sing the mighty power of God,

that made the mountains rise,

that spread the flowing seas abroad,

and built the lofty skies.

I sing the wisdom that ordained

the sun to rule the day;

The moon shines full at God's command,

and all the stars obey.

(2)     I sing the goodness of the Lord,

who filled the earth with food,

Who formed the creatures through the Word,

and then pronounced them good.

Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,

wherever I turn my eye,

If I survey the ground I tread,

or gaze upon the sky.

(3)      There's not a plant or flower below,

but makes Thy glories known,

And clouds arise, and tempests blow,

by order from Thy throne;

While all that borrows life from Thee

is ever in Thy care;

And everywhere that man can be,

Thou, God art present there.

Gardening Tips

        While growing up my parents always had a vegetable garden.  For many years they had to travel to reach their plot. That was difficult but it saved them money when money was tight.  But when they moved to Lititz they had a plot right on their property.  Later when we bought our house they also planted things in the farmland behind out house.  Growing up during the depression they learned the value of growing vegetables and canning them.  And they regularly did that.

          After we moved into our first house we also planted a garden behind our place.  Then at our second place we really didn't have room for one.  But after moving to our present location we had plenty of land behind us and we annually had big gardens – often larger than we could even take care of.

          But over the years our vegetable gardens shrank until all that we planted were tomatos.  But a couple of years ago we even gave up on that because we could buy better ones at local markets.  We did buy corn most years at the Corn Wagon and we would freeze it.  But this year with Dianne's heart surgery even that was too much for us.

         We' ve also tried to maintain our flower gardens but that too is getting more difficult for us to do.

          But while we can't do the physical gardening anymore, there is the garden of our life that we can still care for.  Recently I found the following instructions for properly caring for that garden.

GARDENING FOR GOOD RESULTS

Plant three rows of peas:

  Peace of mind

  Peace of heart

  peace of soul

Plant four rows of squash:

  Squash gossip

  Squash indifference

  Squash grumbling

  Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of lettuce:

  Lettuce be faithful

  Lettuce be kind

  Lettuce be patient

  Lettuce really love one another

Plant three rows of turnips:

  Turnip for meetings

  Turnip for service

  Turnip to help one another

Water freely with patience

  Cultivate with love

  There is much fruit in your garden

  Because you reap what you sow.

To conclude our garden...we must have thyme

  Thyme for each other

  Thyme for family

  Thyme for friends and especially

  Thyme for GOD

Thy Word is like a garden, Lord, with flowers bright and fair;

And every one who seeks may pluck a lovely cluster there.

Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine; and jewels rich and rare

Are hidden in its mighty depths for every searcher there.

Thy Word is like a starry host: a thousand rays of light

Are seen to guide the traveler and make his pathway bright.

Thy Word is like an armory, where soldiers may repair;

And find, for life's long battle day, all needful weapons there.

O may I love Thy precious Word, may I explore the mine,

May I its fragrant flowers glean, may light upon me shine!

O may I find my armor there! Thy Word my trusty sword,

I'll learn to fight with every foe the battle of the Lord.