Robocalls, Junk Mail And Spam

We're eating our evening meal when suddenly the telephone rings.  We don't like to be interrupted when we are eating our meals but we know it could be something important so we give in and answer the phone.  Most of the time it is a disgusting recorded message offering us a chance to reduce our interest rates on our credit card.  Sometimes it is a call asking Mr. Kauffman, Horace Kauffman that is, to make a donation or collect donations for some charity. My father, Horace, died three years ago and never lived here or used this phone number, but they call here anyway. Sometimes it is a hang up.  But lately it is often a call from some politician telling us how we should vote in the November election.  Well we have now hung up on some very important people such as congressmen and Tom Ridge, Joe Pitts, and even Laura Bush, just to name a few. And unfortunately these political calls will pick up as the November election approaches. Now please tell me, how many folks actually listen to these political messages?  How many folks are really influenced by them?  How dare they interrupt my meal for this useless activity!  We supposedly are on the no-call list, but callers apparently aren't following this list and law anymore.  And, calls involving charities and politics are still allowed.  Today there are 209 million numbers on the list including 84 million with landlines.  The Federal Trade Commission reported that they received about 65,000 complaints about "illegal" calls in 2010 and that has increased to about 212,000 already this year. Of course there is also the junk mail that comes regularly. But at least that doesn't interrupt my meals.  Every week, towards the end of the week, I can expect my letter from Comcast offering my business a "special deal".  What business?  Writing blogs?  Why don't they use the cost of these weekly mailings and reduce my cable rates?  Then there is the weekly letter from Dish offering me spectacular cable service.  And of course there are the regular offers for preapproved credit cards.  And for we who are seniors there are the regular advertisements from retirement villages and, as the end of the year approaches, multiple offers for health care packages to supplement Medicare. Maybe if the post office would charge them first class rates they wouldn't need to run in the red annually. Of course then the delivery folks wouldn't have much to deliver. Can the economy really be as bad as we think it is when all of these groups can afford to send out mass junk mail on a regular basis?  But now they are joined by the numerous pitches from parties and people running for office.  Have you seen the "spectacular" multicolored post cards that candidates are sending out?  They have to be expensive to print and yet they are flooding my mailbox.  And they quickly get filed in my waste basket.  Some how priorities are out of order when candidates can spend loads of money to get elected while folks are unemployed, homeless, and in deep need.  Comparing the robocalls and junk mail to spam, give me the spam.  At least I can quickly ignore and delete that, unless, of course I am looking to be a mystery shopper or a personal assistant or a purchaser of vitamins or other spectacular meds.  But such is life - so much time dealing with junk.  Oh yes, if you need to call me at meal time, let the phone ring two times, then hang up and call again.  That will be our signal that you have something to share that is worth interrupting my meal!  Just make sure it is important or I might hang up on you!

To Facebook Or Not To Facebook? That Is The Question.

Facebook - is it of any value?   Months ago I decided to try Facebook.  I'm not sure why, probably because I was curious.  Over the months I have obtained 72 Facebook "friends".  I don't go looking for new friends but I will generally accept those who ask to be my friend.  And, for a variety of reasons I have not accepted some invitations and have also eliminated some who I had originally accepted.  But my so called friends rarely respond to anything I post.  In fact, of the 72 who are listed as my friends, I think I have only ever seen or received responses from 24.  It can't be my bad breath or deodorant since you can't smell on Facebook - at least not yet. Maybe I am just that dull or over the hill. However, I do enjoy hearing from some of my friends once in awhile, especially those who are my relatives.  But I do often wonder if it is a waste of my time.  As I pondered that question this week I did think of several good things that have happened because I was on Facebook.  Recently a former student of mine and an ex-Awana clubber found me and I have enjoyed catching up with him.  He has completed his doctorate at Michigan and is now teaching at a college in Minnesota.  That was special.  I also found that I could use Facebook to get some action from UGI on the restoration of my lawn. By posting pictures on their homepage I was able to get the original work done.  But when I wasn't satisfied with their work I posted follow up pictures and again got their attention. I am convinced that without my postings on Facebook they would have continued to ignore me.   I also was able to participate in a Facebook contest run by Isaac's Restaurant in which I shared a story and picture of my father.  Several Facebook friends helped vote for my story which came in second.  And for that we received a $100 gift card to use at any of their restaurants.  My fourth positive experience on this social media involves Awana.  I have enjoyed following the postings on their page and I have picked up numerous ideas which were shared by others.  I have also been able to help others with their questions by providing suggestions which have worked for us.  That is one of the real positive uses of Facebook.  So I guess with those four positive experiences I  will continue to participate, at least for a little longer.  But as far as daily sharing and give and take, I guess maybe I am too old for most of my friends.  It appears that most who participate that way are women or young people.  Maybe men are just as private on Facebook as they are in real life.  Well, if you are one of my friends on Facebook, please drop by and at least say "hi".  (If you don't, maybe I'll just defriend you!)

A Modern Company Policy

The economy is terrible.  People are losing jobs.  Companies will need to get more efficient if they are to survive.  That should include revising company policies concerning their employees.  Maybe this is what a new policy should look like.

Dress Code - It is advised that you come to work dressed according to your salary. If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise. If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise. If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.

Sick Days - We will no longer accept a doctor's statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

Personal Days - Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturday & Sunday.

Bereavement Leave - This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead friends, relatives, or coworkers. Every effort should be made to have non-employees attend to the arrangements. In rare cases where employee involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late afternoon. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour and subsequently leave one hour early.

Toilet Use - Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet. There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the "Chronic Offenders" category. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sanctioned under the company's mental health policy.

Lunch Break - Skinny people get thirty minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so that they can look healthy. Normal size people get fifteen minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure. Chubby people get five minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.

          Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation, and input should be directed elsewhere.

Tough Decisions

September means the start of many activities and ministries, including our Awana program on Wednesday nights, for boys and girls in grades K-6.  Our biggest competitor for children is not another church but the many youth programs that are now offered for children.  Kids can now sign up for soccer, cheerleading, football, lacrosse, hockey, karate and who knows what else.  And each evening and on weekends their parents drive them to the practices and games each with the hope that there child will one day become a star or even a professional athlete.  The sad fact is that most of them will one day drop out, quit, or sit on the bench.  Few will become stars and almost none of them will become professionals.  This emphasis on sports at a young age also affects parents who do the driving and coaching and we regularly lose leaders who now use their limited time to support their kids in these activities.  And all face tremendous pressure to participate in these activities.  Everybody else does it.  It is the accepted thing in our society, no matter how young the children might be.  My kids can't be different and they won't be accepted by their classmates if they don't participate.  And I am not going to fault any parents for giving in to this pressure.  It is hard not to.  But there is another side that should be considered.  I remember the nights when my father would show up at the little league baseball field at 6:45 to tell me that I had to leave the game or practice to attend church that night.  That was a hard thing for me to do.  But I realize now that my father knew that I would never be a baseball star and certainly not a professional.  But he knew, that given a grounding in the Word of God, I could be a faithful Christian.  And I know that he was right and I am glad for the choice that he made for me when I was too young and immature to make that choice for myself.  So, unfortunately, parents often do have a very tough decision to make - little league or Awana.  And I won't criticize any who choose the little league, because most do. And that is really between them and the Lord - if they seek His guidance in making their decision. I just hope that those parents are faithfully teaching the Word of God at home to their children and helping them to memorize scripture while their minds are so open.  The Lord can still help their children to become faithful Christians, especially if that is modeled faithfully at home.

A Shocking Conclusion

For more than a year residents around us have been worried about a string of robberies in our neighborhood.  Within a mile or so of our house, over 20 homes have been broken into and money and jewelry have been taken.  The robberies have happened at all hours of the day.  Some have happened while folks were outside of their homes working in their yards.  Some have happened while they were sleeping.  Most happened when they had gone away for a few hours or a few days.  Several times the robber was almost caught, but he had always gotten away.  Many of our neighbors purchased security systems.  Some added new locks.  We generally left lights on as well as the television or stereo when we were gone.  And then one night the robber made a mistake.  Somebody heard glass breaking and they called the police.  The police found the robber but he again escaped when he told them that  there were others in the house.  Fortunately the police had noticed a car parked in the area and apparently had recorded the license number.  And shortly they were able to find the address and take the robber prisoner at his home.  But that wasn't the end of the story.  His home is only about two blocks from ours.  He wasn't an unknown college kid or a teen druggie as many had suspected.  He was a 49 year old resident who was well known by most of the community.  In fact he was a former student of mine and he graduated and played athletics with one of my sons.  He had been a soccer coach at two area high schools and had won Coach of the Year four times.  People knew him as a friendly man who would often carry his three-legged Chihuahua, Buddy, and talk to the neighbors as they passed.  He lived with his mother.  Neighbors had confided in him their fears and asked him to watch their homes when they were aware.  People are shocked and that is putting it mildly.  Police took two truckloads of loot out of his home after finding thousands of items in his basement, bedroom and attic.  These included jewelry, coins, guns and sports memorabilia.  He had sterling silver pieces that had people's initials engraved on them.  He robbed so many houses that he does not remember specifically which ones he robbed.  Now the police did find some heroin and marijuana in his home but  they believe that this was just part of the problem.  He told the police that he was getting a thrill out of it.  He was surprised at how easy it was to get into these homes.  Like all of our neighbors, we are relived that the thief has finally been caught.  But we are shocked that it was somebody we knew. I guess we never know what is really in a person's heart.  I am reminded again that the scripture tells us that the heart is desperately wicked and who can know it.  The answer is that God is the one who knows our heart and our thoughts and our actions.  And we should not be deceived for God is not mocked and whatever a man sows that is what he will reap.  My hope is that somehow Laz will hear and accept the Gospel while he spends his future days in prison.

The Seasons of Life

It's part of God's great plan.  Spring is followed by Summer, Summer is followed by Fall, and Fall is followed by Winter. The seasons continue.  Life is much the same.  We pass through several seasons during our journey here in earth.  And, we pass through them so quickly, maybe too quickly, especially the older we get. But, unless the Lord calls us home earlier, we will all experience the joys and sorrows of each.  Recently a friend sent me the picture shown above.  I have thought much about it quite often and thought it should be shared with you as a thoughtful reminder of the seasons of life.  For many of us the days of childhood bring back wonderful memories. We had few obligations then.  We didn't know about the problems of the world.  Most of us were cared for by our parents.  I often enjoy thinking about those days which passed so quickly.  While we were carefree then, we still learned valuable life lessons at home, school, on the playground and at church.  Then there was the season of courting.  For me those were some of the most exciting and memorable days of my life.  For many those years were troubling with new challenges - what to do with your life and who to date and marry.  Some stumbled through this season but for many of us the Lord directed us and provided special spouses.  Then came the season of young married lives.  They were busy and challenging, especially when children arrived.  At times we weren't sure if we would survive those years, especially when our kids became teens.  But God took care of those challenges and we survived.  Now for many of us those years are just memories.  Maybe they are even years that we wish that we could have stretched out or that we could relive.  They passed too quickly.  But the seasons change.  Then comes the "golden season" which we never thought we'd reach.  Empty nests, retirement, and doctor visits.  New challenges, some much more difficult than in previous seasons.  But God is still there and in control. And there are many good times and great memories.  Then some of us reach the next season - the one which all couples dread - when a spouse is called home by the Lord.  I admit that I fear this season.  I can't think of anything worse in life than losing a loving spouse.  And all that we can do is realize that God won't leave us - He promised not to do that.  And we are His workmanship, His creation, and He has a plan for us.  Recently we have talked to numerous widows and widowers and some of them, understandably, are having very hard times dealing with this season.  Time may help, but it doesn't replace the longing in one's heart.  Then finally the last season is reached - the season that Christians long for when we are in the presence of God and reunited with our loved ones.  Nobody looks forward to going through that final journey, but we all look forward to that destination and the great hope and promise of heaven.  And as we look back through all the seasons of life we can see God's faithfulness throughout each one.  And that helps us remember that we can trust Him, the One who knows our steps and will never leave us.  While the seasons change, He doesn't.  And that is the rock that we can build our lives upon. 

Do you want to feel old?

So you don't think you are getting old?  Well I have news for you.  You probably will feel old after you read this year's Beloit College Mindset List.  This list provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall, like my one grandson.   For this generation of entering college students, born in 1994, Kurt Cobain, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Richard Nixon and John Wayne Gacy have always been dead. (1)  They should keep their eyes open for Justin Bieber or Dakota Fanning at freshman orientation.  (2)  They have always lived in cyberspace, addicted to a new generation of "electronic narcotics."  (3)  The Biblical sources of terms such as "Forbidden Fruit," "The writing on the wall," "Good Samaritan," and "The Promised Land" are unknown to most of them. (4)  Michael Jackson's family, not the Kennedys, constitutes "American Royalty."  (5)  If they miss The Daily Show, they can always get their news on YouTube. (6)  Their lives have been measured in the fundamental particles of life: bits, bytes, and bauds. (7)  Bill Clinton is a senior statesman of whose presidency they have little knowledge.  (8)  They have never seen an airplane "ticket."  (9)  On TV and in films, the ditzy dumb blonde female generally has been replaced by a couple of Dumb and Dumber males. (10)  For most of their lives, maintaining relations between the U.S. and the rest of the world has been a woman's job in the State Department.  (11)  They can't picture people actually carrying luggage through airports rather than rolling it. (12)  There has always been football in Jacksonville but never in Los Angeles.  (13)  Having grown up with MP3s and iPods, they never listen to music on the car radio and really have no use for radio at all. (14)  Since they've been born, the United States has measured progress by a 2 percent jump in unemployment and a 16 cent rise in the price of a first class postage stamp. (15)  Their folks have never gazed with pride on a new set of bound encyclopedias on the bookshelf.  (16)  The Green Bay Packers have always celebrated with the Lambeau Leap.  (17)  Exposed bra straps have always been a fashion statement, not a wardrobe malfunction to be corrected quietly by well-meaning friends. (18)  A significant percentage of them will enter college already displaying some hearing loss.  (19)  Women have always piloted war planes and space shuttles.  (20)  Outdated icons with images of floppy discs for "save," a telephone for "phone," and a snail mail envelope for "mail" have oddly decorated their tablets and smart phone screens.  (21)  Star Wars has always been just a film, not a defense strategy. (22)  They have had to incessantly remind their parents not to refer to their CDs and DVDs as "tapes." (23)  There have always been blue M&Ms, but no tan ones.  These are just some of the items on this year's list.  Maybe you aren't feeling any older after reading this.  If that is the case, you may not want to join me as I go read the newspaper and listen to a few 45 rpm records hoping that my telephone doesn't ring to disturb me.

Miraculous Healings

To My Dear Friend, Pastor Phil Blowhorn:

I sure hope attendance at your church was better'n my church. Mercy, pastorin' ain't always easy, now is it? We had us a bunch of sick folk, and them added to all the shut-ins made for a whole lot of pew cushion to look at from the pulpit. I got to admit, I was feelin' somewhat put out, but I went ahead and preached anyhows. Only thing was, with all them people missin' the echo in the church gave me a hoot of a headache. My wife said I needed to git out and ride a bit 'cause the fresh air would make me feel better. Well, she took to drivin' and I took to ridin' and sure 'nuff, she was right. Not only did my head clear up, but what I saw renewed my faith in the Good Lord. I tell you, Brother, I seen miracle after miracle!  My Sunday School superintendent, Hank Weaselbaum had called to tell me that he was so deathly sick, he wouldn't make it to church. But there he was, drivin' down the road with his favorite fishin' pole stickin' out the window. I tell you, only a miracle coulda' snatched him out'a the jaws of death that way!  Then there was my head deacon, Wilbur Snooch. He had done left a message on my answerin' machine that his back was so jerked out'a line that he thought he might have to have surgery. But I want you to know that when we drove past the golf course, there he was, hittin' golf balls on the drivin' range. Hallelujah, our prayers worked! Edna Brump sent word with her sister that she wouldn't make it 'cause her stomach was all upset and she didn't want to take a chance on havin' a mishap in the church. But glory! There she was, standin' in line at the Feedin' Trough Smorgasbord. Another healin'!  All told, we saw that 20 of our sick folk had takin' a turn for the better and were up and about. Not only that, but I just couldn't help from rejoicin' over all our shut-ins that got themselves healed too. There was Sam Burply, who don't attend church much causin' of him being allergic to crowds, and he was in line to buy a ticket at the ball park. Margaret Guffhunker, who's been feelin' all poor and sickly that she's done missed the last eight Sundays, she was comin' out of the mall with both arms full of packages.  And then there was Horace Dweedle, who ain't been to church in six months cause'a his bum knee; he was playin' basketball down at the park. Seein' all these mighty miracles and healin's got me so worked up, I started singin' the Doxology! Yes, sir, Brother Blowhorn, I'm excited! I just know we'll be havin' us a packed house next Sunday, what with all the sick and shut-ins revived by such a touch from Heaven. I look forward to givin' you right nice report.

Your good friend, 

Pastor William Robert ("Billy-Bob")

Waiting To Be Read!

You say that you no longer get a newspaper delivered to your home?  Well you aren't alone in this day and age as people try to trim their budgets.  But we still get the paper delivered every day and I just wouldn't do without it.  Everyday you get a chance to read about the crazy people who live in this area.  Sometimes it is funny, sometimes sad, and often it is just unbelievable.  For example, did you hear about the problem the Manheim Township School Board had when they were forced to change the date for the 2013 graduation?  Notice, I said 2013 not 2012. It seems that there was a conflict in dates with the facility that was being donated to them so they had to change the date.  But horrors, their change brought a protest from a few of the poor parents of their district because their children had already placed their $500 down payments for their week long graduation celebrations at the beach.  Now how many seniors do you expect can really afford a $500 down payment, plus the week's rental at the beach?  Maybe only in Manheim Township!  I guess, tragically, these poor kids will now need to drive their new Beamers to the beach a week later.  As the editor of the Sunday News often says in his weekly column, you just can't make these things up.  Then there are the continuing letters to the editors from area democrats protesting the new voter ID law.  I am so sick of them talking about all the poor, elderly and minorities who will not get to vote this year.  I would like to ask them several questions.  First, are all the poor, elderly and minorities actually democrats?  Could some be republicans?  Second, how does a person get along today without a valid photo ID?  They are required in so many places - even most doctors today will ask you for one, at least on the first visit.  Third, instead of complaining, what are you doing to help these people get their ID's.  Get off you back end and go out and help them.  Quit your complaining and, actually your campaigning against the republicans, and do something positive.  OK, maybe that is a good reason for not getting a newspaper - you don't need to put up with this garbage.  So instead you probably reply on the internet and maybe the social media for your news.  Then you may have read on the internet the new "Penn Manor Legend" concerning the Penn Manor student who committed suicide because of being bullied online.  Tragic you say.  Yes it would be - if it were true.  The newspaper investigated and found that there was no such death and no such student by that name.  But on the internet the story continues to spread and to spread and to spread.  Can you believe half of what is spread there? There was also a story in the newspaper about the area young man who was arrested for rape and sexual assault in another state.  The story is that a group of young girls - 16 years old if I remember correctly - met these boys and went to their house.  There they drank and carried on.  Later most of the girls left and went home but the one 16 year old stayed with the boys overnight.  They continued to drink and eventually had sex in the bedroom.  Several days later the girl reported it and the boys were arrested.  Now I agree that it was wrong but I can't help but ask, what did the girl expect when she stayed alone with these boys and got drunk?  And where were her parents while she was out all night?  But that is the world we live in.  Oh yes, one final story from the newspaper.  Right now people enjoy writing letters to either support or tear down one of the candidates for president or vice-president.  In my mind things sank to a new low when a writer who was tearing down VP candidate Ryan wondered if since his children were spaced out as to their ages, did the Ryans follow the birth control policies of their church.  The Ryans are Catholic.  Wow, now there is a new requirement for the VP of the United States.  As the editor says, you just can't make these things up.  Actually, often the letters to the editor are better than the comics.

A New Challenge For Teachers

It's that time of the year once again when teachers and students are headed back to school.  As if teachers don't face enough problems in today's classroom, two growing situations are combining to give many of them another major challenge.  The problem was recently highlighted in an article, "Getting Testy", written by John Keilman of the Chicago Tribune.  The first problem is the growing acceptance of cheating in our society.  The author quotes one 16 year old who said "Teachers always give you the whole moral thing, but kids just want to get good grades."  One professor from Ohio State who has studied student cheating notes that while it is hard to nail down statistics on its prevalence, the best estimate is that up to 85 percent of high school students have cheated at least once."  Now that isn't very hard to believe if you look at how cheating is accepted in today's culture, at all levels. But you may argue that, to a degree, cheating has always been there.  Yes, I'm sure that we have all seen answers being passed on notes, straying eyes on tests, cheat sheets, and copying of assignments.  But that is minor league when compared to today's problem which adds technology to the acceptance of cheating.  With cell phones pictures of tests can be quickly taken and passed to others or even posted online. Smart phones can also be used to search for answers on the internet.  By texting, questions and answers can quickly be shared with other test takers.  Term papers can be copied from internet sites where they are readily available for purchase.   Even difficult math problems can be solved using internet sites.  Cheat sheets can be stored in the memory banks of calculators. Homework answers can be posted on blogs or on Facebook. And who knows what else. What can a teacher do?  If you have 30 or more students in a classroom it's not easy to catch them.  Lessons on ethics and morality have little impact on this generation - and probably not on their parent's generation as well.  A teacher could make multiple versions of tests but that would double or triple the teacher's prep time and even then bright students would find a way to get around it.  One teacher mentioned in the article makes all students hand in their cell phones before a test.  I guess that is one possible solution, but what a chore, and it probably won't be long until some parent sues the teacher and the school over this policy.  And as technology advances, a generation that doesn't value honesty will find more ways to use it to cheat.  So maybe the long term result will be that a high school education doesn't mean that you really learned anything except how to use the technology to your benefit.

Keep Looking Up!

My grandfather was one of the most godly persons that I have ever known.  He had a tremendous influence on my life and on the lives of countless others.  He was in the ministry for over 65 years and was actually our pastor for a few of those years in Sunbury. I also had the special privilege of living with the Wolfs for three of the years that I was in college.  On the 65th anniversary of his entering the ministry, a special celebration was held in his honor.  Members from his former congregations came from all over to honor him and grandma Wolf that night.  Recently my cousin prepared a CD of that service.  It was stirring for me to listen to it because so many of the people who shared that night were influential in my life and are now with the Lord.  At the end of the service Grandpa Wolf was given a chance to share a few words.  I have never known any pastor who could share such profound thoughts in such a short time.  He had a special gift to be able to do that so effectively.  That night he shared  a story about a neighborhood boy he learned to know when he served in Bethlehem.  The day after Halloween he discovered that somebody had taken his gate from the fence in the backyard.  He searched around the entire neighborhood for the gate but was unable to locate it.  Finally he saw this young lad in the alley behind the parsonage and he told the lad that his gate had disappeared.  He offered the boy ten cents for an ice cream cone if he could locate it.  That  reward offer gives you an idea of how long ago this happened.  The boy accepted the offer and then pointed up in the air.  As Grandpa looked up he discovered that the gate was hanging on the telephone phone.  He continued by saying that he had looked for it everywhere but up.  He then concluded that this is the way that we often handle situations in life.  We look everywhere but up.  Not only is that a great lesson but it explained to me where my grandfather's favorite expression might have come from.  All of us who were under his ministry know that he continually exhorted us to "keep looking up".  I know that this was meant as a reminder that our strength and wisdom come only from the Lord and we need to continually look to Him for our help.  But I think it was also a reminder that we are to be watching for the return of the Lord.  We don't know when that will happen but we need to live each moment in anticipation that it might be today.  I guess because of the truth of this phrase and probably also in memory of my grandfather, I find that the older I get, the more I am also using that phrase.  So I don't know what your needs are for this moment, but my message to you today is ... keep looking up!

Dr. Bryson

It was 49 years ago this month that we moved to Lancaster County into a house in Silver Springs.  We had looked for a place to rent for several months and finally decided upon this country location even though it was farther from my work than we had wanted.  We were there just a few days when our baby, Craig, became very ill. We weren't there long enough to have even looked for a doctor, but we located a Dr. Richard Bryson who had a general practice in Landisville.  He told us to come to his office as soon as I got home from work and we rushed to his office  He looked at Craig, recognized the symptoms, called a surgeon and sent us directly to the hospital.  Two hours later Craig was in surgery with a very rare intestinal problem,  Thankfully they caught it in time to not only save his life but to repair it without even cutting the intestine.  Craig was four months old.  The condition was so rare that most doctors never ever see it.  Dr. Bryson had only seen one such case before - his own daughter.  And because he recognized the symptoms the surgery could be done in time.  This was definitely a God thing and we continue to thank God for leading us to this doctor.  And obviously Dr. Bryson became our family doctor and our friend.  For about 27 years we saw him regularly.  He delivered our son Ken.  He took care of me when I had kidney stones.  We could call him anytime of the day or night. We even called him a few times when we were out of town.  He provided medicine for us when we needed it. In fact he helped us out with a sick son one Christmas morning.  He was an old fashioned doctor who was always available and willing to help. He probably would have had trouble operating in today's world of regulations and restrictions.  He was an important part of our lives.  Then he developed a heart problem and decided to go into early retirement so that he could have heart surgery.  It was like having a friend die. And we had to begin the search for a new doctor knowing there would never be a Dr. Bryson. And since that time we've only gotten to see him a few times.  A few years ago his wife died and a daughter also passed away.  Those must have been tough times for him.  Then on Thursday morning we opened the newspaper to see that he had passed away.  Even though we've gone through several other family doctors since he had retired, his death still seems to leave a hole in our lives.  He was a good family doctor and a good man.  He was an elder and Sunday School teacher in his church.  He was a friend to so many from many generations.  We were blessed because our paths crossed here on this earth.

Are You Registered?

There are many times that I just don't understand some Christians.  For example, sometimes their letters to the editor are so poorly written and so legalistic that it is embarrassing.  The way some of them sling scripture at unbelievers makes it easy to understand why we are ridiculed as being intolerant and ignorant.  Do we lose our brains when we are born again?  Sometimes it makes you wonder.  Now another area that continues to surprise me is the way some Christians handle elections.  We have one of the most important national elections in our history coming up in November, and many Christians are not even registered.  Some who are say they just won't vote this time.  Others say that they will vote for Ron Paul and that is really a vote for Obama.  Now the problem is that many Christians don't want to vote for a mormon.  It appears that they would rather keep a president who is one of the most liberal in history, one who supports gay marriage and homosexual rights, one who has supported class warfare, one who has supported laws that restrict our religious rights, one who supports socialistic principles, one who is antibusiness, and one who believes that government handouts and expenditures should be expanded.  Now these same folks will condemn those practices and this president but in turn they will not vote or will waste their vote on a man who has no chance of winning.  And that folks is just a vote for the way things currently are.  Now would I prefer an evangelical for president?  Certainly, if he is honest, experienced, moral and has a sound plan to reform this failing country.  But a good evangelical is not running.  In which case I will vote for the candidate who best represents Christian values and principles, even if he is a mormon.  If you are facing serious surgery, who do you want for your surgeon, a Christian or the very best experienced surgeon available?  For me, that is a no-brainer.  I want the best one available.  Unfortunately, I have had many bad experiences dealing with so called  Christian businessmen.  Give me the one who is honest, ethical, experienced and best equipped to handle the problem.  So are you registered?   Do you have your photo ID (unless that law has already been scrapped)?  Are you ready to vote for the candidate who could win and just might best be able to turn things around?  If you can't answer yes to each of these questions, then shame on you.  And just be prepared as your Christian freedoms slowly are taken away.  I think this election is that important.

The Wide World of Sports

Did you enjoy the Olympics?  We certainly did.  I think the track events, team volleyball, and beach volleyball are my favorite parts of the summer Olympics.  I also thoroughly enjoyed the exciting entrance that the Queen made with James Bond.  That was clever and fun to watch.  But I can't say that I really enjoyed NBC's coverage.  I guess because of their huge cost to broadcast the games they had to sell many, many commercials.  And I got tired of watching them as they continually broke in on the taped delayed events.  And then there were all the "human interest" background stories for each individual.  Some were interesting but in general I thought they took away from key events and just stretched out the action.  I wish they had just showed more competition with fewer commercials and interviews.  It seemed to me that four hours each night included less than an hour of actual competition.  But, maybe that really wasn't the case.  It probably just seemed like it. Then there were the announcers who tried to impress the world with their "wisdom" by getting in the way of the competition.  For example, in the women's vault, the announcer kept saying that the U.S. entry was so far superior to everyone else that nobody had a chance to beat her.  After hearing this over and over and over again, she finally performed and made a mistake. She came in second. Then the cameras followed her everywhere.  Of course there were the dumb interviews. "You worked for this for four years and didn't make the finals.  How do you feel about that?" or "You were the defending champ and didn't qualify for the finals.  How do you feel about that?" Duh!  And that leads me to share some dumb things that announcers actually have said, not at the Olympics, but while broadcasting other soccer matches. Here goes.  1.  Well, it's Liverpool two, Ipswich nil, and if the score stays this way, I've got to fancy Liverpool for the win.   2.  He had an eternity to play that ball, but took too long.   3.  And so they have not been able to improve on their 100% record.   4.  With the last kick of the game, he scored with a header.    5.  Well, it's a fabulous kaleidoscope of color: almost all the Brazilians are wearing yellow shirts.   6.  If that had gone on, it would definitely have been a goal.  7.  Their manager, Howard Wilkinson, isn't here today, which strongly suggests that he may be elsewhere.    8.  I am a firm believer that if one team scores a goal, the other needs to score two to win.   9.  If a team scores early on, it often takes an early lead.   10.  You cannot possibly have counted the number of passes made, but there were eight.  Duh once again!  And so much for the wacky world of sports!

Customer Service Tale #4

Stay with me for one more customer service story - this one has a better ending.  We recently received a call from an instrumentalist from our church who needed Dianne to make a background CD for a solo he was scheduled to play the following Sunday.  Dianne has used our Korg M1 keyboard/synthesizer numerous times to do this for him and others.  However, when she turned it on there was a signal that the internal battery needed to be replaced.  This happened five or six years ago and replacing the battery means opening the case to replace the battery. That I could do. But it also means that it is likely that you will lose and need to reload all of your sounds.  That part I can't do. And what good is a keyboard with no sounds?  So we tried calling the man in Wrightsville who had done this work for us previously, but his phone is now disconnected.  Not sure what to do, I consulted a few friends who I hoped might have some contacts who could help us out.  Unfortunately, none of them did.  So we did what we should have done sooner, we prayed.  Then I went to the Korg website to see if they had any certified service centers in the area.  We found that the closest ones were located in Dover and Annville. Next would have been Baltimore.  The one in Dover was easier for us to get to so I sent them an e-mail, using the address provided on their website, asking if they could help.  When I didn't receive an answer I called them only to get their answering machine.  On their recorded message they promised to return our call "quickly".  They never have returned the call.  The day after the Korg was repaired I did receive an e-mail from them asking me to send my e-mail to another member of their staff.  Why didn't they just forward it for me and why did it take four days to answer my e-mail? Great customer service once again.  So then I called Sound Advantage in Annville.  Not only did they answer the phone immediately but they were very courteous and said that they would try to help us out and maybe even have it done in time for us to make the CD for Sunday.  They suggested that we not play it again before they worked on it because if the sounds were still there they might be able to preserve them while replacing the battery.  Otherwise it could be a problem finding the sounds to be reinstalled.  We rushed it to them and left it with the confidence that they would do whatever they could to help us out.  When we got home we had a phone message from them telling us that the sounds were apparently already gone but that they might be able to get them from another source. They wanted to be sure that we understood the possible problem before they worked on it. We told them to go ahead and try. The following day they called to tell us that it was all done and like new.  They were able to replace the battery and to restore all the sounds for us.  And their charge was extremely reasonable and less than we had expected.  We told the technician that he was an answer to prayer, and he was.  They were so kind and understanding and went out of their way to help us.  Need any electronic instrument help?  We highly recommend Sound Advantage in Annville and their technician, Randy.  It is refreshing to find someone who still actually provides good prompt customer service today.

Customer Service Tale #3

Now I could add some stories about poor service at restaurants, such as the recent experience we had at Ruby Tuesday’s on Manor St. in Lancaster.  But I won’t go there since those experiences are far too common and we’ve all had them.  But here’s another customer service story.  There is a company in Lancaster that I have dealt with for about 25 years with both school district and Awana business.  Until a month ago they were hard to get to since they were downtown and had no parking.  They seldom got my orders done in time and seldom contacted me, as promised, when they were done. I learned to expect that and planned accordingly.  So why did I keep dealing with them?  Mainly because they were the only business locally who could provide the services I needed.  And after that many years they knew what I needed.  Well a few months ago they moved to a much more convenient location that includes two parking spots.  So on June 28 I took an order to them which I needed rather quickly. I had hoped to have it within a week. I told them that and the boss replied that it would be a little over a week since she was going on vacation.  I replied that this would still be fine.   Then 15 days later I received a telephone message that they weren’t done yet but would have it ready on day 18.  Based on past experience, I waited until day 19 and stopped by.  Guess what?  The order wasn’t done.  They apologized and said that it would be delivered the next day, day 20.  So I waited.  Another week went by and there was no delivery.  On day 28 I called to find out what the hold up was.  I was told that they were finishing my order and that it would be delivered to me within the hour.  Well three hours later it was delivered.  Mission accomplished and a job that should have taken 7 days at most finally made it in 28 days. How does a company stay in business with customer service like that?  I guess the fact that the family has been in business locally for about  50 years might be part of it.  But I guess the real reason is that there is no competitor and because there is not a large profit margin in this business, nobody will risk trying to provide competition. And the folks that I deal with there are very kind, friendly, apologetic and try to be accommodating. I do enjoy talking to them. So I guess I just continue to overlook the customer service and the disorganized business practices and keep giving them my business. And there is really nothing to be gained in complaining since you just hurt your Christian testimony and you also risk the service getting poorer or even their refusing to  service you.  What else can one do?  However, I still find it very hard to understand why, in times of a very poor economy, merchants don’t give reliable customer service.  Maybe that is one of the reasons our economy has sunk so badly.  

Customer Service Tale #2

It was Saturday morning and I was chewing on a hard pretzel - a dumb thing to do! Suddenly I realized that the entire front side of one of my molars had broken off.  I knew my dentist wasn't in but I wasn't sure what kind of pain would develop over the weekend.  Now I have an excellent dentist who we've gone to for years.  Before his father died I went to his father.  Those two were the only dentists that I have ever gone to and my experience with them spans about 60 years.  Not sure what to expect, I decided to place a call to his office.  As expected, the answering service told me that he would not be in until 9 am on Monday. She took all my information and told me that the office would call me when they opened at 9.  In the meantime, in case that I would have any difficulty, she gave me the information of the dentist who was covering that weekend.  I decided to give him a call.  I also got his answering system and they said they would connect me to him.  After a considerable wait, I was finally patched through to him only to find that he was out of town and wouldn't be available until Sunday afternoon.  So much for somebody on duty for emergencies.  I decided that if I was going to wait that long to get checked that I might as well wait another 20 hours and see my own dentist.  As it turns out, thankfully I had no pain and was comfortable waiting until Monday.  Well Monday came and by 10:30 I still had not heard from my dentist.  So I decided that I would just drop by his office and ask him just to look at it and decide how much time I would need for a future appointment.  I didn't see any need at that point to have it taken care of immediately. And since I knew him and his assistant so well, I didn't feel that there was any problem with doing this.  But then I met his receptionist.  She must have been having a bad day.  Maybe she wasn't feeling well.  And even though we go there every six months, I don't think she really knows us.  She immediately told me that there wasn't anything that could be done that day - the dentist wouldn't even have time to talk with me - they were booked full.  I mentioned that I had been waiting for the call that I had been promised and she informed me that she didn't have time to call me.  I noticed that my chart had been pulled and was on the very bottom of the stack of Monday's patients.  I don't know when she might have ever called.  I kindly insisted that I would at least like to talk to the dentist or his assistant and that I only needed a few minutes of their time.  She didn't know if that was possible.  When I told her that we had driven 30 minutes to get there she said that I could wait if I really wanted to.  I said that I would.  As I said, she must have really been overwhelmed that day because she really didn't want to accommodate me.  A few minutes later, the assistant came out and told me to come over to one of the chairs.  A few minutes later the dentist dropped by and I apologized for taking up his time.  As I expected, he said it was no problem.  He quickly looked at my tooth and asked the assistant how much time they had until the next appointment.  When she said 20 minutes he replied that he could fix it in less than that.  They went right to work and 15 minutes later the tooth was fixed and we were headed home.  As I've said, I guess the receptionist was either having a bad day or just didn't know how to organize things.  If I had not been a regular patient there I would probably have looked for a different dentist because she had not been the least bit accommodating. The actions of a receptionist certainly can affect the entire practice.  And this experience has reminded me again of how important it is to make good first impressions, not only as a receptionist, but in all of life's contacts.  

Customer Service Tale #1

The tale of three recent customer service experiences .... number one.   We seldom shop at a Walmart.  We've had a few troubling situations in the past.  None are very close to us and while there are some bargains, we can often find bargains just as good, if not even better, at other stores.  However, we do get to the one in Ephrata about once a month and load up on several cases of distilled water.  Unfortunately, on my last trip there they didn't have a single bottle of distilled water - but that is a different story.  That store is clean and most of the clerks that we've met there have been friendly.  But a few weeks ago we were at Pinebrook.  While there we celebrated Dianne's birthday and in honor of that we decided that we should treat all of our friends who met each evening to play games.  Two of these folks had celiac disease and could only eat gluten free products.  So I went online to find what area stores might stock gluten free snacks.  On the Walmart website I found that they said that they have a special area with gluten free products.  So even though I never cared for the East Stroudsburg Walmart, we headed there.  After some difficulty parking we grabbed a cart and went looking for the gluten free area.  Twice we went through every aisle in the food area and couldn't find these products.  Twice we stopped and asked clerks only to find out that they were not employees but were just there to stock their products from their trucks.  We found no directory and no employees available to help us.  Finally we finally found somebody working in the bakery and she told us that they didn't stock gluten free products.  But, thankfully, she knew of a competitor which did.  We had picked up eight items - including six gallons of distilled water - so we headed for the check-out line to at least purchase these.  They had two regular lines open but they were backed up with customers with full carts.  They also had five or six lines open for those with "20 or less" items.  Those "quick" check-out lines were also backed up.  And when we finally got in a line we realized that none of the carts we could see really had 20 or fewer items and yet the clerks accepted them. I guess being able to count is not a prerequisite for running a check-out line there.  Then it turned out that the cart in front of us actually had over 60 items.  So after about 10 minutes waiting in line, the clerk found some items that wouldn't scan and she had to call somebody for a price check.  By now I was getting very frustrated and ready to just leave my cart and walk away.  But I noticed that one of the lines was moving very quickly and only had one person to go.  We quickly left our line and headed there before somebody could beat us.  But just as we got there the clerk turned off her sign that indicating that she was now closed.  I think I was rather calm as I told her that I was just  leaving my cart and not purchasing the items because I was not going back into those long lines where the clerks weren't following the rules. I had endured this inconvenience long enough. She apologized and kindly said that I should just stay and she would take care of me. I thanked her for being understanding.  However, the lady who was being checked out turned and gave me grief. I think she might have been a fellow employee.  She loudly told me that I was being rude and inconsiderate.  She chastised me for picking on this clerk.  When I kindly told her that I wasn't picking on the clerk, she told me that I was picking on her because I was making her stay a few extra minutes to take care of me after her long day of work.  Not wanting to make a bigger scene I decided just to leave - I didn't need my order that badly and I was embarrassed about being publicly attacked.  However, the clerk told me to stay and in less than a minute my order was processed and we left.  That was not a good experience.  The lady in the bakery and the clerk, Eddy, were kind and considerate but nothing else about the store would encourage me to ever return to the East Stroudsburg Walmart. And we do get to the Stroudsburg area about once a month. Not only weren't there any employees available to help us when we needed help, but the clerks at the check-out did not enforce the rules at all.  I guess many of their shoppers are tourists and that gives the store a different atmosphere.  And maybe the lady who verbally attacked me was a tired tourist or probably another Walmart clerk who was off duty and giving me her version of customer service.  Fortunately, when we return to Pinebrook, there are many other cleaner, friendlier places to shop.  And they will get my business in the future.  And maybe the manager of East Stroud Walmart needs to hire some folks who can help customers and some clerks who can count beyond 20.  Customer service story #2 coming in a few days.