Priorities

I have been including writings which I have made for my grandchildren.  Here is another one about an event that happened in 1984.

It was a letter from the White House and suddenly our priorities changed!

 

The unexpected letter told us that I had been chosen to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and we were to spend five days in October 1984 in Washington D.C.  I knew I had been nominated for this award 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 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.  This suit and the alterations suddenly became a priority.

 

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 which lasted many years following the week in Washington.

 

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 reach 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 leaves from the lawn.  We were 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 the following Wednesday.

 

But our lessons in priorities weren't done.   

 

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.

 

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 in priorities was still to come.  We received a call that my close friend, Paul Brosious, 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.

 

                                                 

Fall Saturdays (LB)

 LOOKING BACK - Every once in awhile I repeat a blog that appeared here before.  Fall is my favorite season.  I love the cooler temperatures, the beautiful changing leaves and especially football.  On most weekends I expect to be in front of my television watching Penn State play and on most Sundays I hope to be sitting there watching the Eagles play.  I look forward to days like these.  So here is a previous Fall blog about my interest in football..

         Fall weekends have always been one of my favorite times of the year, because of football.  For about 68 years this is how I spent by Fall Saturdays. 

          When I was in high school for seven years I played in the band and we attended and performed at every football game.  Then when I was in college I traveled for four years as chief statistician with a very successful Susquehanna University football team.  Then for 25 years I covered area high school football games for the Lancaster Sunday News.

          But next came one of the most exciting events in my Fall schedule - Penn State football games.  The first couple of years I was able to purchase tickets from some friends.  I also began to advertise for tickets in the local weekly newspaper.  I was often successful in using a Penn State ticket line on my computer.

          However I also learned that many folks have extra tickets and they would offer them for sale the day of the game.  So we made a sign that said simply "We Need Two", placed it in the window of our car and began the drive to State College.

          And that worked!  PSU fans knew what it meant. Usually we were stopped by somebody with tickets to sell before we reached Harrisburg.  One time we stopped at our local Turkey Hill and somebody saw our sign and sold us tickets.  Only once were we not successful.  For the big PSU-Alabama game we were stopped near Lewisburg and were offered tickets at $25 over face value.  We refused, stopped at Lewisburg for a brief visit with my wife's sister, drove home and watched the game on television.

          We never had to pay more than face value and we got to sit in all sorts of locations in the stadium.  That was fun.

          Then we found a gentleman in Columbia who had season tickets and seldom used them. For many years we became a frequent buyer.  Those seats were great and easy to get to.  And they were right near the handicapped parking which we used.  Easy in, easy out.

          Things changed when he died.  They moved the handicapped parking away from the stadium.  They ran shuttles which were easy to use going to the game.  But they would not send the shuttle back after the game until it was full.  That made an early departure to beat the traffic very difficult.

          Later, after we stopped going to the games, they moved the handicapped parking to another part of the town which meant you had to use the shuttle.  It was just too far to walk.

          We miss the tailgating.  That was amazing.  The setups, displays and variety of foods were incredible.  Some folks don't even go to the game, they tailgate, stay at their cars and watch the game on television.

          When we were more able we often walked downtown before the game and shopped in the college stores.  If we were there on the right weekend the Ag Building had a tremendous show featuring flowers and produce.  And there were vendors and displays around and in the Bryce Jordan Center.  So many interesting things to do before the game.

          And I enjoyed the pregame events in the stadium.  The warm-ups, the cheerleaders and the appearance of Joe Pa.  Then came the band and their great sound.  But the highlight was the appearance of the drum major who did his traditional flip at midfield.  And when he landed upright on his feet, the crowd went wild.

          Of course there was the excitement of the game.  The crowd noise and participation was incredible.

          But alas, all good things must come to an end.  Now that we have trouble walking we have been forced to give up this experience.  

          Now instead we trade the experience for a short walk to our living room,  sitting on a recliner instead of being crunched in a small bleacher seat, watching the game on a large television, going to our own bathroom instead of waiting in long lines, getting a snack without paying inflated prices, and avoiding the heavy traffic going home.  And when there is rain, hail, sleet or snow, we are comfortable in our home.

          But I still miss the excitement of being there!

A Day To Remember (LB)

LOOKING BACK – Repeating a blog that I previously shared here.  On this weekend of 9/11 we need to be reminded of that sad day in our history and how we responded at that time.

          September 11 - a day that Americans will never forget. It is one of those days that everyone remembers exactly where they were when they first heard the news of the terror attacks. It was a day that changed our lives forever. 

          As I mentioned in an earlier blog, there are several days that I will always remember where I was when I heard the news ... the end of World War 2 ... the shooting of President Kennedy ... the launching of Sputnik ... the first walk on the moon ... the shooting of President Reagan ... and a few others. 

          But ten years ago I was in my room at school preparing for my next class. For some reason I decided to turn on the television to watch the news before class. Several minutes later I saw the first plane hitting the tower. The remainder of the day my classes of high school juniors watched in stunned silence as the events unfolded before us. There was little that could be said. As I said before, in an instance our lives were changed. 

          During the days that followed, people flocked to churches. It was suddenly politically correct to talk about God and to call on Him for help. There was a spirit felt throughout the nation unlike any we had experienced for years. Security was tightened everywhere and we feel that even today. Wars were fought to try and stop the enemy - many additional lives were lost. But in the years that followed, the wars continued and some security measures affected our freedoms, but for the most part people returned to their previous ways. Religion was no longer important and, in fact, it even become a focal point of attack by many liberals and atheists. How soon we forget. 

          Ten years later we have elaborate services to remember these events, but in New York City, pastors and other religious leaders aren't even allowed to participate. But God is still here and He is in control, no matter what man may do. And I have to believe that the return of the Lord is just on the horizon. We have just gone through a difficult time in this country with earthquakes, wild fires, hurricanes, flooding and unbelievable frustration. This has come at a time when our economy can't afford the billions of dollars involved in these losses. I don't profess to have the answers, but I can't help but wonder if God has withdrawn His hand of blessing and protection from this country. 

          The scriptures remind us that "God is not mocked for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap." Maybe September 11 is a time that each of us should renew our commitment, our love, and our obedience to God the Creator.

Second And Thirds

          Growing up I remember a prayer meeting leader who often said that he was glad that he wasn't the third verse of a hymn.  His reasoning, song leaders often choose to skip the third verse to save time.  And he was right.

          Unfortunately third verses (and often second as well) have powerful messages that are needed.

          Now while I produce my weekly hymn blogs I usually review the entire hymn.  But I've decided to go back through some of the 600+ hymns I've reviewed and look at some of these key verses.  Over the next few months I will devote some of my posts in this blog to many of these verses.

          I hope you will be challenged and encouraged as you review these.

 

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there. 

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest

Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

 **********

  Every day the Lord Himself is near me,

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,

He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"

This the pledge to me He made

**********

  A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, 

He taketh my burden away; 

He holdeth me up, 

and I shall not be moved, 

He giveth me strength as my day.  

He hideth my soul in the 

cleft of the rock that 

shadows a dry, thirsty land; 

He hideth my life with the depths of His love, 

And covers me there with His hand, 

And covers me there with His hand.

 

  With numberless blessings 

each moment He crowns, 

And filled with His fullness divine, 

I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God 

For such a Redeemer as mine!   

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock 

that shadows a dry, thirsty land; 

He hideth my life with the depths of His love, 

And covers me there with His hand, 

And covers me there with His hand.

**********

 Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!

How the heart yearningly turns to its rest!

Often when earth has no balm for my healing,

There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings, my soul shall abide,

Safely abide forever.

**********

Jesus is all the world to me, 

my Friend in trials sore;

I go to Him for blessings,

 and He gives them over and o'er.

He sends the sunshine and the rain, 

He sends the harvest's golden grain;

Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, 

He's my Friend.

**********

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature's night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!
**********

No other friend so keen to help you,

No other friend so quick to hear;

No other place to leave your burden,

No other one to hear your prayer.  
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!

**********

God hath not promised we shall not know

Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;

He hath not told us we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care.

 

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

**********
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.

**********

When, by the gift of His infinite grace,

I am accorded in heaven a place,

Just to be there and to look on His face,

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.