Lessons From Dad

   Fortunate is the man who has a godly Father who shows him how to live.  I was very fortunate to have a father who did just that, not always with his words but certainly with his actions and example.  This had a profound impact on my life.  As we approach Father's Day I wish that I could thank him again for all he meant to me and all he taught me about living.  In addition, on June 21, dad would have been 97 if the Lord wouldn't have graciously taken him home over five years ago.

     So as I approach these two dates my mind has been going back to some of the lessons that I learned from him.  This list certainly isn't complete but it does include several things that quickly come to my mind.

     (1)   There is no question that the most important lesson he taught me was that there is nothing in life more important than knowing the Lord and serving Him.  He demonstrated this daily in the way he led our family and how he served the Lord.

     (2)   All that we have belongs to the Lord and should be used for Him.  Our home was always open for hospitality and ministry.  Our car was used weekly to take others to church.  As I learned later in life, dad sacrificed financially to keep our young church afloat when church bills couldn't be met.  He realized that anything he had came from the Lord and really belonged to the Lord.

     (3)    He showed us that it is vital to exercise the spiritual gifts that we have been given.  It didn't matter how old you were physically, there was no retirement option in serving the Lord.  He showed this by working to the very last hours of his life completing conference finances and reports.

     (4)    He demonstrated that it is critical to provide for your family even if it meant having to work several parttime jobs to do this.  He worked hard so that mother could be a mother and a housewife and care at home for us.  He knew how to work very hard and how to work to represent and serve the Lord.

     (5)    He showed us how to trust the Lord when disappointments came along.  He grew up in the depression and then had to scrape for jobs following World War II.  And then, later in life he suddenly and unexpectedly lost his job to downsizing.  But he never complained and the Lord continued to provide jobs each day for him until he finally retired.  He knew God would provide.

      (6)  He taught us to live and work with integrity, to be reliable, responsible and honest.  He taught us how to be organized, a lesson that I saw in practice when I served as executor of his estate.  He taught us how to live on a budget and keep detailed records of our expenses, a lesson that has helped us survive adequately in years when teaching salaries were minimal and my wife served as a stay at home mother and housewife as my mother did.

     (7)   He showed us how to take time to help and encourage others who were in need.  Both of my parents gave up many of their things and time to help those who were in need.

     (8)   From him we learned by example that one needs to be faithful in your church attendance, your ministry, your work and your responsibilities as a father and head of the home.

     (9)  He taught me how to speak correct English.  I admit that at times I didn't appreciate being corrected, but he knew how important proper English would be throughout life.

     (10)   He taught us to honor, respect and encourage our pastors.  Maybe it was because he saw how some members treated his stepfather who raised him as a pastor's son.  It was always wrong to criticize and undermine the pastor.  As an elder he worked very hard to see that the pastor was taken care of, especially financially.

      (11)  And a lesson that I've tried to pass on to my sons, treat your wife/mother with full respect.  Don't allow your children to raise their voices, criticize or disobey their mother. Doing so was a major offense. He would never, never allow that and neither have I.  

     (12)   Family is important.  No matter how busy dad was with work and church responsibilities, he always had time for family.  And most importantly, he was a true prayer warrior for everyone, but especially for his family.  He maintained a prayer list and family members were always at the top of the list.  That is a great gift.

     Now some of you may say, Barry that is great, but God didn't give me a godly father.  That may be true, but that gives you even a greater responsibility today to start to be a godly man or a godly woman.  Put Christ first in all of your life and begin a Christian heritage for those who follow you.  Dianne and I have complied a list of things we've wanted to pass on to our family and we've posted that list on our living room wall where we are reminded regularly of our responsibility to them.  There is nothing more important that you can do than modeling godliness to your family.  If you haven't, get started today.

An Unexpected Meeting

          I don't even remember being in the recovery room but I guess I was.  The first thing that I remember, following my recent surgery, was trying to get awake in my hospital room.  My wife says that I told her that I was sleepy and that she told me that everything went fine and that she would be back shortly.  I vaguely remember that discussion.

          As I began to wake up I discovered something that really disappointed me.  I did not have a private room as I did during my last hospital stay.  I would need to share my couple of days there with another person who I didn't know.  The curtain was drawn around my bed so I didn't know anything about him, but I could hear that somebody was there.  He did have a few visitors but they actually didn't bother me.

          The curtain remained around my bed all day and all night so we didn't get to see or meet each other that first day.  I didn't sleep much the first night but I could tell that he did.  He apparently had something that he could use to control his pain medicine and so he slept.  With doctors and nurses in and out all night I heard that he had lower back surgery with another surgeon.  He was fitted with a back brace to wear when he would finally be left out of bed.

          When morning came, the curtain was still drawn. Even though I am generally very reserved, I felt that I should at least try to introduce myself and so, I finally shared my name with my new roommate, Paul.  When the curtain was finally pushed back I found that Paul was an afro-american, probably in his late 50's.  He was a tank truck driver who had hurt his back in an accident.  He was very concerned about being able to drive truck once again.  And as we talked it soon became evident that we were brothers in the Lord and that was a special blessing.  He didn't have any more visitors during our stay except for his niece who was an employee of the hospital and would drop in once in awhile.  His wife was unable to drive.

          Paul had been in the military for years and had lived all over the country.  But when he retired from the service, about 12 years previously, he and his wife moved to New York.  Then his wife's sister died leaving their mother to raise three children here in Lancaster.  When her mother also died, the children had no where to go, so Paul and his wife moved to Lancaster and adopted the three children. They never had any children of their own. During that time he and his wife were saved through the ministry of an area church and now his desire was to raise these three children to serve the Lord.  Ironically, the youngest actually had once attended our Awana program for a year when they lived at Woods Edge.   He had nothing but good things to say about Awana and I wouldn't be completely surprised to see his youngest nephew return next Fall.  I shared with him the special blessing that God has given him by giving him this special mission field in his own home.  He said he had never thought of it this way before and appreciated that view point.  Two of the three seem to be serving the Lord, but the middle one, who works at the hospital, appears to not have much time for the Lord.

          It has been hard for Paul to find regular work in this area but he does have an offer to drive tankers out of North Dakota.  That would mean four weeks away from home and then two weeks home.  He realizes that this would be hard on his family and his wife is opposed to it.  But he sees it as an opportunity to make some big money for a year or two.  We discussed the pros and cons of this and the need to keep the employment issue before the Lord.  I had a chance to share some of the Lord's leadings and opened and closed doors in my life.  Paul appeared to really appreciate these discussions and later thanked me for them.  He said that I had been a real help and encouragement to him.  Maybe that was one of the reasons that the Lord allowed me to go through this unexpected surgery at this time.

            Paul also had a chance to meet two of my sons and he really enjoyed talking to them, especially my youngest.  They had much in common, especially with their interest in athletics.  They, too, were an encouragement to him.

         On our final day we both were waiting to get discharged and while he was released by physical therapy before me, my official discharge actually came before him.  Before they wheeled me out to the car, I went back to Paul and prayed for him.  He indeed was a brother in the Lord and while we may never meet again here on earth, I am sure that we will meet again in heaven some day.  So, as he often does, the Lord provided me with a special blessing in a difficult time.  Certainly He knows our every step.

A Half Century

          I continually find it so very difficult to understand that I am now actually in my seventh decade of life.  So much has changed over those years, especially in the last half century.  Unless you have lived that long you probably have no appreciation of the many breakthroughs that have happened during that period of time.  Here are a few of the  changes just in scientific and technological advances during those years that have transformed the world.
         How about the tv remote control - now even with voice recognition.  How would we survive without the remote - we'd have to actually get out of our comfortable seat to change the cable station.  Incidentally, cable service didn't even exist 50 years ago.? Then of course there is the microwave oven.  How did previous generations get along without that kitchen fixture?  There is the commercial jet airliner.  The first one made its debut in 1958 and carried 181 passengers at 600 mph for up to 5280 miles on a full tank.  The first one took off from New york and landed in Paris.
         Then there was the introduction of cordless tools - what handyman or carpenter could survive without these handy devices today?   Along with that was the development of an industrial robot first installed on a General Motors assembly line in New Jersey.  And what about the development of communications satellites?  Certainly they have revolutionized communications around the world.  Then there was the development of LED's which provided a simple and inexpensive way for computers to convey information.  And unmanned aerial vehicles soon followed ... and now we have drones.
        Now the first general-purpose computer, the nearly 30-ton ENIAC was actually introduced more than 50 years ago in 1947 (that's still in my lifetime).  It had 18,000 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors and 10,000 capacitors.  But in 1977 the Apple II, Commodore Pet and Radio Shack's TRS-80 were introduced, four years before the "PC", or the Personal Computer, was introduced by IBM.  In 1989 the "hypertext markup language" (HTML) was developed and this was the foundation of today's World Wife Web.  And oh how all of these computer developments have changed all of our lives.
      We could mention things like digital music, video games, waffle-sole running shoes, and the ATM, all products of these years.  And then, in 1973 the first cellphone was introduced followed six years later by the Sony Walkman.  And life changed radically and today folks can't be separated from their cell phones and Smart phones and their family plans.  And how about things like the electric ignition, the MRI, the GPS, MP3, Pacemakers, Super Glue, Laser Beams, texting, hybrid cars, air conditioning, graphing calculators, Hi-def, ipads and DNA.  Fifty years ago these terms meant nothing to any of us.
        Now I have been thinking primarily about scientific and technological changes, but there is so much more that has changed during these years.  We could talk about politics, entertainment, laws, culture, religion, education, geography, morality, transportation, terrorism and so much more.  This world is obviously much different than it was 50 years ago.
         Personally there are many things that have really changed about me over those years. I've had a 39 year career in education and many years in ministry.  Of course I am now retired. I have a wonderful family of three boys, three daughter-in-laws and seven grandchildren.  Those are wonderful changes that I would not change for anything.  And June 2 is our 52nd wedding anniversary and my love for my wife has grown continually over these years.  She is my best friend and confidant and there is nobody I'd rather be with.
         During these years my love for the Lord has also changed - it has grown deeper and our relationship has grown closer.  I realize more than ever how dependent I am on Him.  Each day is a gift from Him and His grace is sufficient.  But one thing that hasn't changed is His faithfulness - morning by morning new mercies I see.  All I have needed His hand hath provided.  And while life will continue to change, I depend upon His promise that He will never leave me nor forsake me and that He is now preparing a home for me in heaven.  And on that my hope and life is built as I face tomorrow.  Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever.

Recovery

        I think any surgery may have four parts to it.  The first is the surprise, or maybe the disappointment, when one finds that an operation is necessary.  Nobody ever wants to have to go through such experiences and often it is even stunning when you are given this verdict.

         The second aspect is the preparation and anxiety.  Often there are additional tests that must be done.  Pages of instructions are usually provided and then there are the dear friends who share all their experiences, at least the bad ones, about their past surgeries. Many folks will say "I am praying" or "if I can do anything, please let me know."  If only all of these were true.  And then time usually begins to slow down as you count the days remaining until the surgery begins. You just want it to get there so you can get it over.  And, fortunately, for the Child of God, this is where His special peace begins to take hold in your life.

         Then, of course there is the surgery itself.  The good part is that you are suddenly asleep and miss most of the action.  Finally you may hear them calling your name and you begin to wake up.  Then the "fun" begins - the time usually called recovery.  It's the time that you realize how well you were feeling the last time you were talking to someone and how miserable you now feel.  You also know that you may not feel much better for hours, or days, or weeks or maybe even months.

          This thing called recovery happens in many ways.  For my gall bladder surgery I was quickly out of the hospital and was back to normal very quickly. Nice! For my cataract surgeries, no pain, but a period of adjustment until I finally got my new glasses.  I recovered very quickly from my thumb/wrist surgery except for the huge cast I had to wear for months.  My surgery for my torn patella and quads was much different.  They rushed to dismiss me from the surgery center and I got very ill from the anesthesia that night.  Then I had to keep my leg in a straight cast for six weeks - no bends allowed.  Then it was months of physical therapy.  While those first six weeks went slowly, except for not being very mobile,  I was able to still do many of the normal things that I enjoyed, with the help of my wife.

     But my latest surgery, on my cervical spine, appears to be a different animal.  I am still taking pain pills every four hours and don't see an end to that at this point. And the pills are also causing new problems for me with my diabetes and constipation. But the pain and the fusion are putting a real strain on things that I love to do.  For example, it is almost impossible to keep up with my computer work.  Since I have two blogs and a webpage this has been very difficult.  PTL I did write many entries well in advance.  I have had trouble maintaining our church prayer chain and especially doing the church financial work.  I am keeping individual gift records for 41 of our folks who are going on mission trips and have already prepared and sent about 175 receipts to their supporters.  Now I am almost two weeks behind in doing this and not sure when I can begin again.  That is frustrating.

          One of the side effects of my surgery is the sore throat and voice issues that accompany it.  And while I am not a telephone person, this limits my ability to communicate with folks.  And, very unfortunately, the neck limitations prevent me from working on my puzzles and that is a hardship for me.  This is all in addition to not being able to drive, not being able to read, cut grass, pay bills, etc.  I can watch TV, but have you looked lately at what is being broadcast?  How many times can you watch the news, Law and Order, Judge Shows, reruns of Castle, or, ... even worse ... the Phillies? And the more naps one takes, the less one sleeps at night ... I'm still in my La-Z-Boy. I do have a wonderful nurse to care for me. But I feel so guilty leaving her with everything to do and I long for the days when I can back to doing my share once again. I have learned to relax, a little, by listening to WDAC all night until morning breakfast.  And I am enjoying Comcast's Easy Lightening Music throughout much of the days.  But even that has its limits.  And, even worse, I'm beginning to use a word that I told my boys never to use ... BORING!   But it is!    And it is only ten days since surgery!

          But as I attempt to "recover"  I do have much to thank the Lord for.  He has been good and has brought me through this major surgery with the prospect that someday I may feel better.  And, of course, there will be a day when all of us will be completed healed - no more recovery periods then.

Why?

There are so many things in this life that make us wonder and ask ourselves why?  I imagine we've all had that experience numerous times in our lives.  Actually, in today's mixed up world, many things are just beyond explanation.  I've listed some of these and it will be interesting to see if any of these have puzzled you over the years.  For example ...
Why do supermarkets make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front? 

Why do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke? 

Why do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters?

Why do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in our driveways and put our useless junk in the garage?

Why does the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?

Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed? 

Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'? 

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?

Why is it that doctors and attorneys call what they do 'practice'? 

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavoring, and dish washing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? 

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour? 

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes? 

Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?

You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?? 

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains? 

Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together? 

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

And finally, why would you ever take your time wondering about these unimportant things.  Or better yet, why would a sane person write these things in a blog.  (Maybe the word 'sane' gives a clue to the answer to this question.) 

God's Timing

          One of the lessons that I've learned throughout my life is that the Lord's timing is always right.  And while I admit that I sometimes forget it, our lives and schedules are under His control and He knows our present as well as our future.  I could give many examples of times in my life where this was so obvious.
          For example, for over 25 years we were involved in a family ministry where we had a very full schedule of over 100 programs each year.  And we never had to cancel a program because unplanned events developed.  They always seemed to happen when we had openings in our schedule.  There were two times that we were sick and probably should have canceled.  But we didn't.  Even family emergencies and funerals came when our ministry schedule was open.  We never could have planned for that, but God was in control.
          Last year we decided to give up our jobs as Judge of Elections and Majority Inspector in our local voting precinct.  The May 20 primary will be the first that we haven't had to prepare for and conduct in almost 12 years.  These elections always involved many days and hours of work for me.  And we would have been very busy next week with those responsibilities if we hadn't "retired".
          This past winter we were surprised to learn that we weren't needed to lead Pinebrook hymn sings in April, May and June of this year.  For the last 12 years we have led many of the sings during those months.  I admit that when learning this my feelings fluctuated from disappointment to relief.  And it did unexpectedly open our schedule during these months.
         I also have the early stages of prostate cancer and need an annual biopsy.  I was scheduled to have my third biopsy towards the end of May.  But at my three-month checkup the specialist said that this year we could postpone it for another three months.  That also opened our schedule for this time of the year.  And once again I began to sense that God had some special plans for us during these months.
        Then, about a month ago, I went to the emergency room thinking that I might be having a heart attack.  They decided to admit me to the hospital and began to do a series of tests.  About midnight they ruled out heart and sent me for mri's of my brain and spine.  These were done about 2:30 in the morning.  Then, on Saturday morning, they informed me that I had cervical spine problems that probably were causing my symptoms and maybe also the headaches that I have endured for about 12 years.  They recommended that I contact a neurosurgeon as soon as possible.
         I knew that the surgeon that I wanted because he is highly recommended usually was booked for two to three months in advance. Expecting this to be the case, on Monday I called his office.  The nurse immediately viewed my mri on the computer and said that I should be seen as soon as possible.  About a week later I saw the surgeon and he set up more tests, including a myelogram and more cat scans.  It did take almost two weeks to get these done, but as soon as he read the test reports they quickly set up another appointment.  When we met he showed me how serious and risky my neck problems really were and we immediately set up a date for surgery.  This all happened so very quickly ... and my schedule was open.
        Now I had often said that I would never have neck or back surgery, especially the type where they go through the front of your neck.  I guess I've now learned never to say never.  So on May 19, at 7:45 am, I will have cervical spine surgery that may take four to five hours. I just pray that he can safely solve the possible complications that he said he will face dealing with my problems. I will probably be hospitalized about three days and then very limited for quite some time.  For example, I will not be allowed to drive nor lift for four to six weeks, and I will probably need a neck brace.  What an inconvenience that will be.
         But the amazing thing is that once again our schedule is "open" during these times - no election, no hymn sings, no biopsy, and Awana is over for the season.  And God also performed a miracle in allowing me to go to the emergency ward where the problem was finally found and then by allowing me to be taken care of by an outstanding surgeon, without months of waiting.  God's timing is always perfect.  And it is with the knowledge that he knows and controls our paths, that I can move ahead with the surgery knowing He is in control and the results are in His hands.
          “In His time, in His time, He makes all things beautiful in His time.  Lord, pleaase show me everyday as you’re teaching me your way, and I’ll do just what you say, in your time.”

Three Special Mothers

           As we celebrate another Mother's Day I am reminded of three of my mothers who had a profound impact on my life in various days.  There were a number of things that all three had in common.  First, they loved and served the Lord faithfully.  Second, they went through very difficult times, including the depression.  Third, they trusted the Lord and He took care of them in both the good and tough times.  Fourth, they were caring and loving and resourceful.  And fifth, they loved and cared for me and prayed for me regularly.
         The first one of the three was my mother.  When she was married, jobs were scarce and we moved numerous times.  In fact, until I was in fourth grade we had moved nine times. Mother cared for us and supported dad as he worked numerous part time jobs to support us. She never complained. My parents couldn't even afford a car until I was in first grade.  But somehow we managed to get to church each week, sometimes by bus or by train or with a friend.  I learned how important it was to be in the house of the Lord regularly. She also learned how to care for us without much money. Once in awhile she would have an extra quarter and she would send me to the store to purchase a bottle of soda for us to enjoy.  That was a special treat!  As I grew older, mother was very active in Christian service.  She taught a Good News Club in our basement for many years.  There I learned how to teach and reach kids for the Lord.  She was active in church as a Sunday School teacher and in the Women's Missionary Society.  She had the gift of hospitality and we were always hosting visiting missionaries and pastors.  The Lord was first in all that happened in our home and family life. And she always had time to help us and care for her children and grandchildren.  She was a faithful volunteer at the county home where she helped many helpless folks.  As I grew older she was my supporter and encourager.  She was always ready to listen.  And today I really miss that.  I often wish that I could still drop by to chat with her or call her on the phone to tell her what is happening.  But over 20 years ago the Lord saw fit to take her home as a result of an auto crash.  Her life ended too soon, but she is so much better off where she is now.  Thank you Lord for a special mother.
          The second special mother was my grandmother, Esther Wolf.  She faced much tragedy in her life.  When she was a young girl her father, a pastor, died and the children were raised by different people.  When she was married and had my father and was pregnant with his sister, her husband, Rev. H. A. Kauffman, died unexpectedly of the Spanish flu.  The presiding elder arranged a second marriage to Rev. Norman H. Wolf.  And for many decades they served together successfully in numerous churches.  She was a tremendous supporter of his ministry.  They, too, never had much in the way of material goods living on a pastor's salary, but they showed a profound faith in the Lord and He provided all that they needed.  As their first grandchild I had the privilege of spending many times with them. In fact, during the early days of my life, my mother and I lived with them because, as a beginning teacher, my father's salary wasn't enough to provide a home. He had to work out of the area and come home on weekends. And I guess they, as well as my aunts, spoiled me and got attached to me. Growing up, almost every summer I would visit my grandparents for at least a week. I looked forward to that.  I used to love the evenings when we would go for a picnic at Monacacy Park in Bethlehem.  After eating, grandpa would go visit members of his congregation and grandma and I would play games until he returned. Those days provided such special memories. But maybe the biggest impact on me came during my college days when for three years I spent each Friday through Sunday with them.  They would often host missionaries and pastors in their home and I would get to listen and share. She taught me to like salads - how could you refuse your grandmother.  At other times I would get to talk to grandma and I gained so much from her wisdom.  Later I remember how much she enjoyed seeing our three boys.  Her final days of suffering with cancer and then her funeral are still vivid in my mind.  I was blest to be her grandson.  Thank you Lord for such a special grandmother.
         The third special mother was my mother-in-law, Mary Bickle.  Now many folks make jokes about mother-in-laws, but I could never do that about mine.  She, too, was a very special godly mother.  She also had a very difficult life and they also moved numerous times until they purchased the Tulpehocken Water Company and settled outside of Sunbury.  In those days she worked many hours to help make the business go and to provide the necessities for her family.  But her hard work and her sincere faith in the Lord pulled her through those difficult times.  She, too, learned how to make much out of little.  She found time to be active in various ways in the Lord's work, teaching, leading and serving.  And she raised two godly daughters for which I am eternally grateful.  And she loved me and accepted me.  For my final year of college she opened their home to us when we couldn't afford to rent an apartment.  And then for three summers, while I did my master's work at  Bucknell, she again welcomed us into their home for six weeks each summer.  I didn't realize until later in life how much extra work that required of her.  But she lovingly took care of us and always welcomed us.  She, too, was a special mother who challenged me with her faith in the Lord and her special concern for others.  Lord, thank you for a special mother-in-law.
            As some of you may know, the Lord has given me a very special heritage of family members who have served the Lord faithfully.  Three of my aunts have also been great influences on me - Thelma Smock, Beatrice Derck and Ellen Derck.  All three cared for me when I was a baby and lived in their home and their care extended throughout all of our lives.  Today Aunt Ellen is still one of the few people I know who prays for me daily.  And that is a very special blessing.  Thank you Lord for my special heritage.

Noah

          Recently many folks flocked to see the film "Noah". It raised millions. Unfortunately, the movie was not true to the scriptural account.  In fact, as I understand, among other fallacies, the movie emphasized man's misuse of the environment.  It just would not be politically correct today to speak of man's sin as the cause for God's judgment.  And if Noah had to build the ark today, his story may have gone something like this:
          And the Lord spoke to Noah and said, "In one year, I am going to make it rain, and the rain shall not stop until it submerges the entire earth and all living flesh is destroyed. Because of this, I want you to save the righteous people and two of every living species on earth. Therefore, I am commanding you to build an Ark."  In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications for an Ark. Daunted by this task, but respectful of God's wishes, Noah took the plans and agreed to build the Ark. "Remember," said the Lord, "you must complete and fill the Ark in one year's time."
          Exactly one year later, fierce storm clouds covered the earth and all the seas of the earth went into turmoil. The Lord saw that Noah was sitting in his front yard weeping.  "Noah!" He shouted. "Where is the Ark?"  "Lord, please forgive me, " cried Noah. "I did my best, but there were big problems."
          "First I had to get a permit for construction, and your plans did not meet the building codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw the plans. Then I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark needed a sprinkler system and approved floatation devices. Then my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinances by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission."
          "Then I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark because there was a ban on cutting trees to protect the Spotted Owl. I finally convinced the U.S. Forest Service that I really needed the wood to save the owls. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service won't let me take the two owls. The carpenters formed a union and went on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board before anyone would pick up a saw or hammer. Now I have 16 carpenters on the Ark but still no owls."
          "When I started rounding up the other animals, an animal rights group sued me. They objected to me taking only two of each kind aboard. This suit is pending. Meanwhile, the EPA notified me that I could not complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood. They didn't take very kindly to the idea. Then the Army Corps of Engineers demanded a map of the proposed flood plain. I sent them a globe. Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing discrimination by not taking atheists aboard."
          "The IRS has seized my assets, claiming that I'm building the Ark in preparation to flee the country to avoid paying the state some kind of user tax that I owe them and that I failed to register the Ark as a 'recreational water craft.' And finally, the ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding the Earth, it's a religious event, and therefore unconstitutional. I really don't think I can finish the Ark for another five or six years." 
           Noah waited.The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine, and the seas began to calm. A rainbow arced across the sky.  Noah looked up hopefully. "You mean you're not going to destroy the earth, Lord?"
          "No," He said sadly. "I don't have to. The government already has."

Teachers

How much do you owe to your former teachers?  That is an interesting question because teachers have the opportunity to impact your life for good or for bad.  Today you hear so many folks talk about all the bad teachers and that bothers me because I really don't think there are really that many.  But the bad get all the headlines.  For over 30 years I was involved in hiring and evaluating math teachers and during the last 20 or so the folks we hired were very qualified and excellent teachers.  In all of those years I only dealt with three who I thought were poor and we were able to remove them.
         But having said that, as a student I only had a few teachers who were influential in my life.  I did have some poor ones and many average ones.  But in those days salaries were so poor and teaching conditions often so inadequate that good teachers had a difficult time staying in education.  I felt led by the Lord to go into teaching and I managed on a starting salary of $3,500 a year by working many extra jobs.  Others in my graduating class took jobs with much, much higher starting pay. I had four interviews resulting in four offers. When I was first involved in hiring I had to actually go out and recruit folks just to apply for our openings.  Times were much different then.
          Now, as a student, I did have a few good teachers.  When we moved to Lititz my fifth grade teacher, I think her name was Charlotte Mathers, made me feel so much involved and appreciated.  This was my fourth school in five years and I was an outsider, until she welcomed me.  The one thing I really remember learning that year were the names and spellings of the capitals of all the states.  But I know I must have learned much more than that.  it was definitely my best year of any of my elementary years.  She motivated me to do my best.
The best teacher I ever had K-12 was my seventh and eighth grade English teacher, Miss Marjorie Enck.  She was tough but fair.  We had to record her daily notes off the board and memorize them.  She would call on you to recite and if you failed you would get one of her "pills" which meant your name went on the blackboard, for all classes to see, and you would need to come in after school for make-up work.  I never received any of her pills.  I was always prepared.  And in those two years I learned all the grammar and writing skills I would ever learn from any teacher.  And these skills have carried me through my entire life.  I owe much to her.  Incidentally, later she married and became Mrs. Kauffman, but no relation to me.
I never had an outstanding math or science teacher until I entered Susquehanna University.  There I met Dr. Fred Grosse, a physics prof who came there the same year that I did.  As a physics major I had him for every physics course I took.  But what made him special was the interest he took in each of us individually, even going as far as inviting us to his home for dinner.  Incidentally, after over 50 years there, he just retired a few years ago.  In fact he showed up at our 50th Reunion last Fall and spent time with many of us.  A few years ago we decided to visit SU to see the new science building.  Dr. Grosse was there and he remembered me immediately.  I found that amazing.
Two college math profs had impacts on my life.  At SU, as a math major, I had Dr. Robison for most of my math classes.  He was very elderly and rumors were that he had worked with Einstein.  One day I was assigned to teach a lesson on Kepler's Laws in his Vector Analysis class.  After I was done he commended me and suggested that I should consider going into teaching.  That was very influential in me changing my career focus and path.
Then, in my graduate work at Bucknell, I encountered Dr. Emil Polack.  He was tough and made us stand and recite, usually in an 8 am class - sometimes even on Saturday mornings.  We all dreaded that we would be called upon and we prepared.  And if you couldn't answer correctly, he would take you back to some point in your math background and, through a series of questions, bring you back to a point where you could answer correctly.  He had an incredible ability to do this and while you "sweated this out", you learned.  He was also a stickler for precise definitions and every test began with "define".  Now I could never put students on the spot like he did, but I learned so much about teaching techniques which I tried to put in place in my 39 years in the classroom.
Unfortunately, the teachers who stood out to me come down to these five.  The rest were average and a few were poor (maybe I should blog about the poor ones). But I have a feeling that I may have learned much about what not to do from the dozens of others that I have had over the years.  And, as a student, I certainly learned how to deal with a variety of personalities and styles and this has helped me adjust to a variety of bosses over the years.  Sometimes these are the most valuable lessons that you can 
Now my one regret is that, with the exception of Dr. Grosse, I never took time to share my appreciation with them. I wish that I had. All except him are no longer alive.  As a former teacher you'd love to know if you've had an impact on lives.  Fortunately, I have kept numerous notes and letters that I have received and every once in awhile I hear, usually second or third hand, that somebody appreciated being in my math class.  Now if you've had a teacher who influenced you in a positive way and he/she is still alive, take time to share that with them.  Return the impact - old teachers will appreciate it.

The Whiz And Wheeze Kids

 

Shibe Park
Home of the Whiz Kids

        I guess I have been a Phillies fan most of my life, both in their very  few good years and even in their many, many lean years.  I can recall listening to them on the radio before the time that broadcasts were live.  Instead of the noise of the crowd, you'd hear the noise of the teletype running in the background.  A local announcer would do the "play-by-play" by reading what was on the teletype.  In those days it was all that you had.

          Now while I have enjoyed their great success in a few recent years, my favorite team was the 1950 team whose nickname was The Whiz Kids.  In sharp contrast to the present Wheeze Kids, their average age was only 26.4 years of age.  It was a team built on bonus babies and they were exciting to listen to.  And they won the National League pennant during that season.

          I had all of their baseball cards and their yearbook and many of their autographed pictures. It's too bad that I don't still have them today.  My favorite players were Robin Roberts, Del Ennis, Curt Simmons, Richie Ashburn and Willie Jones.  But I also loved Granny Hamner, Eddie Waitkus, Andy Seminick, Stan Lopata, Jim Konstanty, and Dick Sisler.  Some of these were among the best ever to play for the Phillies.

          Unfortunately, all sorts of problems came their way late in the 1950 season and the league championship came down to the final series against the defending champion Brooklyn Dodgers.  The final game pitted the Opening Day starting pitchers, right-handers Robin Roberts and Don Newcombe, against one another. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers in extra innings in the final game on a three-run home run by Dick Sisler in the top of the tenth inning.  But going into the World Series, their first since 1915, the Whiz Kids were hurting and missing several key players.  Pitcher Bob Miller, who injured his back slipping on wet stairs, outfielder Bill Nicholson who was diagnosed with diabetes and out for the remainder of the season,  rookie pitcher Bubba Church, who had been hit in the eye with a line drive,and star pitcher Curt Simmons, who was activated into military service on September 10.  They were so short of pitching that they had to use reliever Jim Konstanty to start the first game. And, with typical Phillie luck, the Whiz Kids were swept by the New York Yankees who won the second of five consecutive World Series championships. 

          With such young players, most thought that a new dynasty had begun. But the team finished with a 73–81 record in 1951, and, except for second place tie in 1964, did not finish higher than third place again until 1975.  I didn't realize the following until a few days ago, but their failure has been attributed to multiple theories, the most prominent of which is owner Carpenter's unwillingness to integrate his team after winning a pennant with an all-white team.  The Phillies did not integrate until 1957, a decade after Jackie Robinson's entry.  And maybe this is why the Phillies have generally been mediocre at best.  So sad.

          Now that brings us to 2014, most likely another mediocre season.  Instead of being young, they are loaded with older veterans in the final years of their careers. Most are past their peaks and are declining in performance. They are burdened with many high salaries and have ruined their farm system over the past few years attempting to win one more championship.  And so, unless there is a miracle, the Wheeze Kids are probably destined to trying to stay out of last place for the next decade.

         Will I still be a fan?   Probably.  We have gotten used to it and we still hope for miracles.  And after decades, it is hard to change your allegiance.  I guess some of us are just slow learners.  But I do miss the Whiz Kids!

Easter Memories

        "He is risen, He is risen indeed!"  And this is the vital, life changing message of Easter Day, the most important day in the life of a Christian.  I hope that today you've taken time to worship and celebrate the risen Lord.

          On Good Friday I was reading some messages on a special Facebook website which highlights the history of Lititz, my hometown.  Reading these messages brought back many of my interesting memories of the Easter season in Lititz.  It also made me realize how society has changed and how politically incorrect it has become to even talk about or celebrate the true meaning of this holiday.  For many it has been replaced by Spring Holidays with bunnies and candy as the focus.

          The discussion began with memories of days when elementary students were taken to local churches for special services on Good Friday.  I remember those days when we marched across the street from Lititz Elementary to participate in a service at the Evangelical Congregational Church.  Others remembered going down the street to the local Lutheran Church.  I don't recall ever being given an option, it was just part of our schedule and we attended.

          And during those years all the stores closed from noon to 3 pm so that employees could attend services.  At least that was the case in Lititz as well as in Sunbury where my wife lived.  In fact, during those hours her employer, a local bank, actually held a required service in the bank for its employees.  All were expected to attend.  As I said, times have changed.

          For us, Easter day itself was a very full day of both worship and time with our family.  We would generally attend special morning services in our church in Lancaster.  Our kids usually participated by saying pieces. Then we would drive to Lititz where the entire family would gather for a special Easter dinner prepared by my mother.  I don't know how she was able to pull all of this off, but somehow mothers do.  

           In the afternoon we usually had an Easter egg hunt for the kids in the backyard.  How well we remember the Easter that my brother-in-law cut his chin while trying to hide an egg on top of a pole.  He needed several stitches.When the weather was nice I would always love to take an afternoon walk around Lititz.  It is an amazing town to walk in and I really miss being able to do this.  

          Then we would have a quick evening meal which always included mother's delicious macaroni salad.  Since her death, nobody has ever been able to recreate this special treat that we all loved.  Many have tried, but all have failed.  Then we would rush back to church in Lancaster for our annual Easter cantata that most of us were involved in.  And that would wrap up an exciting but very busy day.

          But most things change.  Mother and dad and my brother now enjoy Easter in heaven.  We don't do cantatas or have evening services anymore.  I don't take my afternoon walk in Lititz.  Now we usually have our children and grandchildren at our house for dinner. My wife has replaced mother. We have an egg hunt.  Then everyone heads home.  And mother's macaroni salad is just a memory.

          But one thing does stay the same - the power of the Resurrection!

Hurry Up And Wait - ER #2

In my last blog I shared my recent experience in the ER.  I've had another interesting one several years ago.  Here is what happened that time. 
"I think my throat is closing!"  These were the words that I mumbled to Dianne at about 7 a.m.  We were in a Reading motel room, and I had been having trouble getting saliva and swallowing since about 3:30 a.m.  And, it seemed like my problem was getting worse.   Jim Herrold, my former college roommate, was getting remarried that morning in a nearby town at 11 a.m.  I was to be the best man and we needed to leave by 10 a.m. to get to the wedding in time.  We had come for practice the night before and after a practice dinner we had returned to the motel to avoid the trip home.  Aware of my concern and discomfort, Dianne helped me quickly pack our belongings.  We decided to dress for the wedding, check out and head to the closest emergency room.

  We arrived at the emergency room before 8 a.m. and shared not only my physical problem but also our need to leave by 10 a.m. to drive to the wedding. While I was having difficulty talking at that point they seemed to understand and appreciate my situation.  They assured me that getting help in time would not be a problem since it was early Saturday morning and only one person was ahead of me.  So we waited … and we waited … and 45 minutes later I was taken to an observation room where two ladies began to ask me a battery of questions.  They took all sorts of tests, but never even looked at my throat.  I had hoped that one was a doctor but it turned out that they were both nurses. They kept assuring me, however, that I would be out in time to participate in the wedding.

  After this battery of questions they decided I needed an EKG and I had to take off my wedding clothing to have this done.  With this accomplished, they then put me into a wheelchair and wheeled me to another observation room where a doctor was supposed to finally see me.  By then it was already 9:30 and we had just 30 minutes before we had to leave.   Finally another young lady appeared in the new room and again went over my history and problem.  She never looked at my throat either, but she informed me that it was probably mucous caught behind my tonsils.  She said this often happens.  She seemed surprised when I told her that this would be unusual since my tonsils were removed years ago.  She then told me that a doctor would soon be in to see me … she wasn't a doctor either.  I told her that I only had 30 minutes until I had to leave and asked her if I'd get to see a doctor in that time.  Her reply?  "Probably not, and if you really have to leave just let me know."

  Incidentally, that was the last time I saw her.  And, 30 minutes later I went out to the desk and told them I had to leave.  At first they thought I'd have to sign a form but then they decided that since I hadn't seen a doctor I could just leave.  They suggested that I come back after the wedding.  We had waited there for two hours and had seen three nurses, but nobody had even looked at my throat.  They had to be kidding!   Why would I ever return there?   Someone volunteered to show us how to get out and we left – hopefully never to return.   Incidentally, the longer we were out of the motel room, the better my throat became.  I really believe that it was either something in the room or the air conditioning or something I ate the night before.

  On Monday I tried to make an appointment with my throat specialist at home.  I told her receptionist that I had been to the emergency room and needed a follow up visit.  The first appointment they could give me was three weeks later.  So I guess the Lord knew I had to learn the lesson "hurry up and wait"!   Do you find it hard to wait?  I do.  We all want instant answers and instant help.  But sometimes the Lord requires that we wait until He is ready, in His perfect timing, to answer and direct us.  So at times we must learn in our spiritual walk to wait and to trust Him fully.  And, He never will leave us down.   The Psalmist must have realized this when he penned the words of Psalm 27:13,14.  "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:  wait, I say, on the Lord."  And waiting on Him is always the best choice.

  Oh yes, we arrived at the wedding on time and we had a wonderful experience at a Christ honoring ceremony.  I was fully able to participate and to even enjoy the great food at the reception.   And one final observation. … the hospital never took my address or my insurance information.  So while I don't know the results of my EKG and other tests, they didn't know how or where to bill me and they never did.   It was an "interesting" way to spend a morning!

An Unexpected Visit

It was not an experience that I looked forward to or would ever want to repeat.  It began early Friday afternoon when symptoms of a heart attack began.  I tried to ignore them, especially since we had tickets for my granddaughter's play that evening.  Then my blood pressure began to go up much higher than usual.  Late in the afternoon I finally told my wife that we needed to make the trip to the ER.  I assumed that at supper time the ER would not be very full.  Wrong, very wrong!
         When we arrived there was only one parking space left in the ER parking lot.  Then we found out that there was standing room only in the large waiting room.  When we signed in they gave me a wheelchair but Dianne had to stand.  It was a terrible place to be. Several folks were vomiting.  Many were moaning.  Babies were crying.  You had the bad feeling that you might leave being more ill than when you arrived.  The staff seemed efficient and positive, but definitely overwhelmed.  One told us that when the rain ended everyone suddenly appeared.
          I did have an EKG in about 20 minutes and within an hour later I also had blood work and a chest x-ray done.  But then we waited and waited and waited. About three hours after arriving I was finally taken back and placed in a hall because no rooms were available in the ER.  Thirty minutes later I finally saw a doctor who quickly told me that because I was diabetic they would probably keep me overnight for observation.  Almost an hour later a physician's assistant finally confirmed this decision and I was taken to a room.
          My two nurses, Kara and Crystal, and other staff members in 6W were excellent and made me feel comfortable and at ease. By that time I was feeling normal once again. Two hours later I had another EKG and more blood work.  Then at 2:30 in the morning I was taken for an MRI of my brain and cervical spine.  A planned echocardiogram was canceled.  That was the end of the testing except for regular blood pressure and blood tests.
          About 7:30 in the morning nurse Kara told me that she expected I would be released as soon as the doctor came to see me.  I never saw a doctor but about 9:30 a physician's assistant appeared and explained that they felt my heart was fine, PTL, but that there were problems with my spine.  I knew that but I guess they must have gotten worse.  She said I would be discharged as soon as she met with the doctor.  Fortunately I made one good choice and I ordered lunch, even though I thought I wouldn't be there to eat it.  But I was, and the lunch, like breakfast, was excellent.  Discharge finally came about 1 in the afternoon ending a 20 hour experience.
          There were several good things about the experience.  The staff members were all so friendly and kind.  The food and my room were excellent.  But there were some disappointing things like the conditions in the ER waiting room and the amount of time it took to be seen.  But, in all fairness, they were overloaded.  I would have liked to have talked to a regular doctor. Did they really give attention to my situation or did they just pass me off to stay overnight so they could deal with others? And everybody kept saying that I had chest pain, which I never did.  And despite correcting each of them, that still appeared on my discharge report.  And there was a mistake concerning my medicine on my discharge report.  But I have learned to take care of myself and keep my own records.  It is easy to become just a number in today's healthcare system. I just hope that in the future I can avoid needing the ER.  It's not a fun experience.  Actually, if you have a choice, you are much better off going in the ambulance and avoiding the waiting rooms.
           Now I have already followed up and seen a neurosurgeon who has ordered more tests. So the journey is not over and it will probably lead to surgery.  But God is good, all the time and our ways are in His hands.