Forced Audience

          I've really tried hard to avoid discussing political topics in this blog.  Politics (Poly meaning many, Tics meaning bloodsucking pests) can be very controversial and I don't want to offend any of the few blog readers that I still have.  Good friends can have differing viewpoints but it is often better to just keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself.  But an experience that I have  recently been having has upset me enough that I must share it.

          Now I am learning to try and keep away from watching the news on television.  But some of our friends watch it continually.  We have some who view Fox regularly and get very involved in the conservative approach shown there.  I have never taken time to watch it.

          But for the past several months I have attended Pulmonary Rehab at the Lancaster General Hospital's Health Campus facility.  The rehab is run by the Pulmonary Associates of Lancaster.  For two hours each week I exercise there.  Because of my back problems it is the only exercise that I get anymore and I enjoy it and need it.

          But while we workout they have televisions playing for those of us who are exercising.  They have two large monitors in front of the exercise equipment so we can't help but see and hear what is on.  Now despite concerns that I have shared with them, the televisions are always turned to MSNBC and we are a "captive" audience.

          Before I started attending I had heard stories about how liberal, leftist and prejudiced this channel is.  But since I never watched it before, I never realized how slanted the programming really is.  It certainly is the voice of the Democratic Party.

          In my many weeks of forced observation I have never seen an unbiased approach.  Everything reported is anti-Trump, anti-Republican and anti-conservative.  Now I could take that if there was an equal and fair representation of the opposite sides.  But I have never seen that on this channel.

          The majority of interviews are with Democratic members of Congress, members of the liberal press, former members of the Obama and Clinton administrations and Democratic candidates running for president.  And the moderator of the program always sets these folks up to present their anti-conservative attacks. If a Republican is speaking somewhere or making news, they will usually break in with comments and coverage of  liberals like Pelosi, Schumer or now Biden.
          The push is on to impeach the president and push the liberal agenda.  The coverage of the Kavenaugh hearings was pathetic and so biased.  The day after the signing of the very restrictive abortion law in Alabama they pulled out loads of pro-abortion folks - all democrats - many running for president.  One after another they criticized the new law and pro-abortion supporters.  They didn't interview a single person who was anti-abortion.  Is this fair reporting?  I think not.
          Oh yes, candidate Warren had to condemn Fox News for being biased.  Really?

          Now with the increase of heavy attacks by the left to destroy Trump and his programs, this very biased attack makes me sick and sad. I don't know if there really is "fake" news, but there certainly is very biased and offensive news.  I always thought media sources were for the good of the country and should be neutral.  But I guess I am naive or living in the past!

          I guess I am also disappointed with LGH for allowing this one-sided news to be viewed by its paying patients.  Another participant and I used to successfully lobby to have game shows played instead of the news.  But we had to do that every session and now that she completed the program I appear to be the only one upset with this channel.  Verbal and written suggestions have not had any effect

          I should clarify, Fox may do the same thing from a conservative approach.  I don't know since I don't watch that network.

          Sadly I think the television networks are making the divide in our country even greater as they use their power to sway the country.

          The problem that we are now facing in our elections is not just possible Russian interference, but media interference.

          

(1)    God of our fathers, whose almighty hand

Leads forth in beauty all the starry band

Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies

Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

(2)    Thy love divine hath led us in the past,

In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,

Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,

Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

(3)    From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,

Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;

Thy true religion in our hearts increase,

Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

(4)     Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,

Lead us from night to never ending day;

Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,

And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine

The Challenges of Aging

          I enjoy siting and watching people.  I often do this while my wife is shopping and I am waiting for her in the car.  It is a very interesting "hobby" that has developed since I am now limited in how much walking I can do.

         Recently while waiting at a local grocery store I was sad to see the struggle that a few folks had trying to enter or leave the store.  Several were in worse shape than me.  First, one elderly man slowly crossed the parking lot with his cane.  He was so slow and in obvious pain, but he finally made it.  Then an elderly lady pulled in next to our car.  I couldn't see her and I wondered where she had gotten to.  Finally I realized that she was getting her walker out of the rear seat of her car.  It took almost ten minutes before she emerged and slowly struggled to the store's entrance.  There she exchanged her walker for a shopping cart and entered the store heavily leaning on the cart

          While I was in no shape to help them, I suffered just watching them.  As I related previously in one of my blogs, I wondered if they couldn't find anyone to help them with their shopping.  I should have told them that there were other stores where you could order your groceries online and they would load them in your car or even deliver them right to your home.  But, possibly since both were elderly, they might not have had computers or smart phones or maybe didn't know how to use them.

          It is so hard to get old.  Until recently I never knew how hard it really is.  And it comes at you so very fast - faster than you ever expected.  I used to think that getting old was partially a mental thing.  But when the body no longer works it is more than mental.

         Just a year ago, despite recent surgeries, I was able to do most  of the things around home - inside and outside.  No real problem doing so.  But suddenly I can do almost nothing myself.  It is frustrating and scary.  It is hard to feel helpless and realize there is little hope of improving.  And it is worse when your spouse reaches the same stage of life and becomes limited in what she can do.

         So what do you do when you suddenly reach this stage?  SOLUTION 1 - Well the first thing you try is to hire somebody to help you out.  So far we've been able to hire people to cut grass, shovel our snow, cut some of our trees, do our mulching and some of our trimming.  It is expensive, but it works.  However it is hard to find folks to do some of the work. Who is available and willing to do your weeding, planting of flowers and grass seed, removal of leaves, needed landscaping repairs and regular trimming of shrubs and trees?   We are looking for those that we can also pay to help us with these chores.  But they are hard to find.

          SOLUTION 2 - We are now using online shopping for our groceries.  We go online to Stauffers, place our order once a week, drive to the store at a designated time and they load our car.  That is a major help although we still need to carry them into our house and put them away.

          SOLUTION 3 - We've had a few people tell us that if we need anything we should call them.  Well, while they might mean that, they aren't really expecting to have to come and weed our flower beds or do other grunt work.  They mean things like go to the store for us.  So we don't ask and they don't offer again. It is very hard to ask somebody to help you. It is the same thing that happens after a funeral when well meaning folks disappear.  Folks say if you ever need anything, just call me.  But they soon forget and nothing is ever done.

          And when you've been a "giver" most of your life it is very difficult to suddenly become a "receiver".  But over the years we've had some unexpected provisions.  When my mother died a family from our church showed up unexpectedly and spent hours raking our many leaves.  Once when we lost many large branches in a storm another church family showed up unexpectedly and hauled them away for us.  And we have had a few surprises from neighbors who cleared our snow.  So, PTL, there are some good people who recognize the needs of the elderly and just step up to help them without being asked.  I hope the two folks I watched at the store have some kind folks who will come to help them out.
           Somebody from our church recently asked us why our family doesn't help.  Well they do and they would do anything that we asked them to do.  But our boys have very demanding jobs, long commutes to and from work, their own homes and families to care for and have limited extra time.  And they don't live here in our community.  And because of this probable same question by others we are reluctant to ask others for help.

         SOLUTION $ - Now there is another solution, move to a retirement home.  But that is expensive and very hard to do when you have 50 years of possessions in your present home and your home needs many expensive repairs  And it is something that you should probably have done years before you reach our present stage of life.
         It is also difficult when you have fewer opportunities to minister to others when physical limitations no longer allow you to do the things you have done for many years.  That is harder to deal with that dealing with the many needs around your house.  But we are the Lord's "workmanship" and somehow He can still use us no matter how old and limited we become.

         SOLUTION 6 - You just let things go - weeds overtake your flower beds, leaves collect, shrubs don't get trimmed, repairs don't get done.  But life changes and you learn to adjust, even though at times it is very hard to accept.
          SOLUTION 7 - You just move on, doing the best that you can, trusting the Lord.  You know some things will no longer get done and you must learn to live with that. You ask the Lord for the help that you need and you trust Him to work it out.  And He has promised to take care of all of our needs as we trust Him.  And over nearly 80 years of life He has always done that and we know that somehow He will continue to do so. And He is preparing a better home for us without repairs and upkeep and without personal pain. The Lord is the best and most reliable helper available for the elderly.  He does not forget them even when their bodies wear out and normal life becomes rather challenging.

          Isaiah 46:4 "I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you".

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

Mother's Day

          Tomorrow is Mother's Day and for the past 25 years I  have always thought about my mother on this day.  I still miss her and wish that I could send her flowers, take her out for a meal, spend time talking to her or just be with her.  But those days and opportunities are now gone forever.  If your mother is still alive please don't forget to do something special for her to show her your love and appreciation.  I never thought my chances to do that would end so quickly.  But they unexpectedly did.  It happens!
          During my years of teaching I collected numerous stories to share with my students - some with a lesson to teach and others that were just funny.  One of my favorites concerns Mothers Day so I thought that I would share that with you this year.

         Three sons, Milton, Gerald and Donald, left home and began different occupations.  All three prospered.  One Mother's Day they met and discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother.

         The first said, "I built a big house for our mother."  The second said, "I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."  

         The third smiled and said, "I've got you both beat.  You remember how mom enjoyed reading the Bible and you know that she can't see well anymore.  So I sent her remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible.  It took the elders in church 12 years to teach him.  He's one of a kind.  Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot recites it."

          Soon thereafter, mom sent out her letters of thanks.

          "Milton," she wrote one son, "The house you built is so huge.  I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house."

         "Gerald," she wrote to the second son, "I am too old to travel, I stay most of the time at home so I rarely use the Mercedes.  And the driver is so rude!"

         "Dearest Donald," she wrote to the third son, "You have the good sense to know what your mother likes.  The chicken was delicious!"

          I am reminded of a chorus which we used to use as a prayer chorus whenever we did programs for children.  We do have so much to be thankful for - including our mothers.

For mother's love and father's care,

For food to eat and clothes to wear,

For home and friends and answered prayer,

I thank Thee, Lord.

But most of all my thanks shall be,

That on the cross of Calvary,

The Savior gave His life for me,

I thank you Lord.

Why did the chicken ... (LB)

LOOKING BACK - Repeating a blog that I first published on January 10, 2009.

I need some variety and humor in my blog, so I am sharing something I found this week.   Why did the chicken cross the road?   BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change! The chicken wanted change!   JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.  HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.  GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road or not. The chicken is either against us or for us. There is no middle ground here.  DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?  COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.  BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of chicken?  AL GORE: I invented the chicken.  JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now and will remain against it.  DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken doesn't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems. OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens. NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.  PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.  DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.  BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heartwarming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.  BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken 2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken 2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never crash or need to be rebooted. ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken? COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?  ..... So now you know the truth about the chicken.  Actually I could eat some chicken corn soup about now.