At the Right Time

        All scripture is given by inspiration of God.  It is God breathed.  It is direct from God through chosen men who wrote it down for us.   And the Holy Spirit often brings parts of it back to our minds just at the time we need it.  I am thankful that growing up I memorized so many verses that help me today, even if they were in the old King James version.  Memorization is much more difficult today than it was a half century ago.
           Now I don't like to use the word inspiration when talking about hymn writers since there is a major difference. Hymns are not God breathed and without errors.  However, over the years, the Lord has allowed men and women, often as a result of their life experiences, to pen words which encourage us when we hear them.  And I believe that the Holy Spirit, just as He does with scripture, can also bring those words to our minds in times of particular needs.
          Now, as you may know, I also write a weekly hymn blog. (HYMNS).  Over the years I have featured about 350 different songs and hymns.  My problem is, because I try not to repeat them, some of those which have meant the most to me have been written about months or years ago.  And I don't know how to share new, fresh experiences concerning them without doing repeats.  So I am thinking that maybe I can do that here once in awhile for my couple dozen of faithful readers of this blog.
          One of my favorites for many years has been "Day By Day".   And I recall two special times that the Lord has brought these words to my  mind at a time when I really needed some encouragement.  
          The first happened about 20 years ago.  In those days I  used to get up early in the morning to walk before going to school. I would take my portable radio and listen to the music on the local Christian radio station as I walked. One of my paths took me past the local water tower which was about to be made higher.  The night before I had received some very discouraging news that was about to eliminate or change something that I really valued in my life.  To me the news was overwhelming.  I prayed as I walked that day and then I was surprised to see that the construction of the water tower had begun and it was being built differently than I had expected.  Not only was I taken back by that, but I suddenly realized that God often does major things in our lives in ways that we had never expected.  And He was doing that with my situation.  At that very moment, on the radio came the words of the hymn "Day By Day" ... "help me then in every tribulation, so to trust Thy promises, O Lord ... trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or for fear ... Every day the Lord Himself is near me with a special mercy for each hour."  Wow, what a timely and needed reminder.
          Then, much more recently, I was scheduled to undergo a procedure which could not only be painful but could alter my hopes and plans for the future.  I had difficulty sleeping that night and decided to get up very early and go to our church to walk before the procedure. When I walk I use my ipod on which I've stored about 160 of my favorite Gospel songs and hymns.  And guess which one was the first one that played when I turned it on that morning?  You got it, "Day By Day".  And that was just the encouragement I needed for that day. And now as I face serious surgery in a few days, this hymn remains an encouragement to me.
          I don't know if you know this hymn, but maybe you too might need to be encouraged by its words today.  Here they are for you.

(1)      Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

(2)     Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.

(3)     Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

I've also shared this today because of more challenges that I will be facing in the next week.  The words of this song will be in my mind as I go through the coming weeks.  The Lord is my hope and I put my trust in Him.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

Red Seas

          One of the things I enjoy doing when I study Bible stories is to stop and think what I would have done or how I would have reacted if I had been there when it happened.  I think we often forget that the folks in these stories were human, just like us.  They had no idea how the situation would work out.  When we judge their reactions we have the advantage, unlike them, of knowing the conclusion.
         Recently I was reading about the Israelites leaving Egypt.  Their departure was sudden.  They left not knowing where they were really going or what they would face on their journey.  As much as they were probably relieved and excited to leave the Egyptians, there must have been that fear of the unknown.
          Then they encountered the Red Sea.  Suddenly they found themselves hemmed in by the sea and by the desert.   And then they saw the Egyptian army pursuing them from behind.  They were trapped with no apparent way to escape.  And out of fear they began to complain.  They were terrified.  They blamed Moses and asked him why he had brought them out of Egypt to die in this place.  They told him it would have been better to stay and serve the Egyptians.  Would we have done the same thing?  Probably, at least I think I would have.
          But as we look back we can easily be critical of them.  They had seen the amazing plagues and the miracle of the Passover before they left.  They had seen the leading of the Lord with the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day.  They had experienced all of these miracles as well as many more.  We can ask why then didn't they have any faith that the Lord would provide ... in His time.  And, as we know, He did .... in His miraculous way ... in His time.
          But centuries later we too often face Red Seas in our lives.  And they often happen suddenly, without any warning.  And often we react like the Israelites.  We complain and wonder why the Lord has left this happen to us.  We often think He doesn't even hear us.  We wonder where He is.  And sometimes we may even blame Him for our circumstances.  And, like the Israelites, we tend to forget His faithfulness to us over the years.  We forget how He rescued us from difficult and seemingly impossible situations before.  We forget that He knows all of our ways, even thought we don't.  Maybe our reactions would be different if we knew the outcome as we do when we think of the Israelites impossible Red Sea experience.
          Recently several of our friends have faced Red Sea experiences.  Two were involved in accidents that left them paralyzed.  Another faced an unexpected suicide in his family.  Several others have faced other unexpected physical challenges.  We too have been facing a Red Sea experience and I admit that at times I have found myself wondering if God is really listening and why He has allowed this to happen. Where is He? As I've cried out to Him I wish that He would reveal how the Sea will eventually divide revealing a dry path. But He hasn't.  But then my mind is drawn to His promises such as "I will never leave you or forsake you."  And He hasn't.  I know He has said we should cast all of our care on Him and I am trying to do that.  I recall the many times He has faithfully parted the seas for us ... in His time.  And I know that He has never forsaken me. I remember His faithfulness.  And I know that while He might be silent now, He is there and He knows and He cares and He has a plan and a purpose that includes the Sea.
          We need to apply Moses' exhortation to the Israelites in our Red Sea situations.  "Do not be afraid.  Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD ...  The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your faith."  (Exodus 14:13 - 14).
          Someone has said, "Trust is not a passive state of mind.  It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold on the promises of God, and cling to them despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelm us."
         "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you."  (Isaiah 43:2)
          God delights in carrying us through the darkest of times.  He is at work in our situation.  Trust in Him, and allow this truth to strengthen your spirit today.  Remember this when you hit your Red Sea, for you most likely will.

Yogi-isms

         A few days ago, one of baseball's greatest players, Yogi Berra, passed away.   While he was well known for his skills on the baseball field with the New York Yankees, he was also known for the unusual comments which he made over the years.  People have called then "Yogi Berra-isms".   Recently I found a list of 50 of these and thought you might enjoy reading them.  So here goes.

1.  When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
2.  You can observe a lot by just watching.
3.  It ain't over till it's over.
4.  It's like déjà vu all over again.
5.  No one goes there nowadays, it's too crowded.
6.  Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical.
7.  A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.
8.  Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours.
9.  We made too many wrong mistakes.
10. Congratulations. I knew the record would stand until it was broken.
11. You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six.
12. You wouldn't have won if we'd beaten you.
13. I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four.
14. Never answer an anonymous letter.
15. Slump? I ain't in no slump… I just ain't hitting.
16. How can you think and hit at the same time?
17. The future ain't what it used to be.
18. I tell the kids, somebody's gotta win, somebody's gotta lose. Just don't fight about it. Just try to get better.
19. It gets late early out here.
20. If the people don't want to come out to the ballpark, nobody's going to stop them.
21. We have deep depth.
22. Pair up in threes.
23. Why buy good luggage, you only use it when you travel.
24. You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there.
25. All pitchers are liars or crybabies.
26. Even Napoleon had his Watergate.
27. Bill Dickey is learning me his experience.
28. He hits from both sides of the plate. He's amphibious.
29. It was impossible to get a conversation going, everybody was talking too much.
30. I can see how he (Sandy Koufax) won twenty-five games. What I don't understand is how he lost five.
31. I don't know (if they were men or women fans running naked across the field). They had bags over their heads.
32. I'm a lucky guy and I'm happy to be with the Yankees. And I want to thank everyone for making this night necessary.
33. I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did.
34. In baseball, you don't know nothing.
35. I never blame myself when I'm not hitting. I just blame the bat and if it keeps up, I change bats. After all, if I know it isn't my fault that I'm not hitting, how can I get mad at myself?
36. I never said most of the things I said.
37. It ain't the heat, it's the humility.
38. If you ask me anything I don't know, I'm not going to answer.
39. I wish everybody had the drive he (Joe DiMaggio) had. He never did anything wrong on the field. I'd never seen him dive for a ball, everything was a chest-high catch, and he never walked off the field.
40. So I'm ugly. I never saw anyone hit with his face.
41. Take it with a grin of salt.
42. (On the 1973 Mets) We were overwhelming underdogs.
43. The towels were so thick there I could hardly close my suitcase.
44. Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.
45. Mickey Mantle was a very good golfer, but we weren't allowed to play golf during the season; only at spring training.
46. You don't have to swing hard to hit a home run. If you got the timing, it'll go.
47. I'm lucky. Usually you're dead to get your own museum, but I'm still alive to see mine.
48. If I didn't make it in baseball, I won't have made it workin'. I didn't like to work.
49. If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be.
50. A lot of guys go, 'Hey, Yog, say a Yogi-ism.' I tell 'em, 'I don't know any.' They want me to make one up. I don't make 'em up. I don't even know when I say it. They're the truth. And it is the truth. I don't know.

We Survived

          This was recently sent to me:  TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930s, '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s!! 

          First, many survived being born to mothers who may have smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then, after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright bright colored lead-based paints and slats on the side. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets. And, when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps, not helmets, on our heads. 
          As infants and children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes. Riding in the back of a pick-up truck on a warm day was always a special treat. 
          We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this.  We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter, and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And we weren't overweight. 
          WHY?  Because we were always outside playing ... that's why!   We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were OKAY. 
          We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.   We did not have Play Stations, Nintendos and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVDs, no surround-sound or CDs, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms. WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them! 
          We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits from those accidents. We would get spankings with wooden spoons, switches, ping-pong paddles, or just a bare hand, and no one would call child services to report abuse. We ate worms, and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever. We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, 22 rifles for our 12th, rode horses, made up games with sticks and tennis balls, and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them. 
          Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!  The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! 
          These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, and inventors ever. The past 50 to 85 years have seen an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all. 
          If YOU are one of those born between 1925-1970, CONGRATULATIONS!   You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.  While you are at it, share this your kids, so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were and how much fun they missed. 
          Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it ? 

Sage Sayings

            I've often thought about writing a blog about some of the lessons that I've learned from others in life and maybe one of these days I will still do that.  However, recently somebody sent me a list of lessons they've learned and while they certainly aren't all mine, they are thoughts worth remembering.  Hopefully, you'll come away with an enlightened perspective since most of the subjects covered affect us all on a daily basis. 

Over my life I've learned:
*   That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
*    That when you're in love, it shows.
*    That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.
*    That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
*    That being kind is more important than being right.
*    That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
*    That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way. 

*    That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. 

*    That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand. 

*    That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult. 

*    That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. 

*    That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for. 

*    That money doesn't buy class. 

*    That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular. 

*    That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved. 

*    That to ignore the facts does not change the facts. 

*    That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you. 

*    That love, not time, heals all wounds. 

*    That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am. 

*    That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. 

*    That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. 

*    That life is tough, but I'm tougher. 

*    That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss. 

*    That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere. 

*    That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away. 

*     That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them. 

*    That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 

*    That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life. 

*    That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it. 

*    That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done. 

Let me add a few more words of wisdom from the only Father who is all wise.
*     The very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.   (Matthew 10:30 - 31)
*      He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.   (Philippians 1:6)
*      From everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear Him.    (Psalm 103:17)
*      The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer. (1 Peter 3:12)
*      You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.    (Isaiah 26:3)
*      The joy of the LORD is your strength.   (Nehemiah 8:10)

No Longer A Kid!

Here are some signs that make you realize that you are no longer a kid.

~ Just one peanut butter and jelly sandwich doesn't do it any more.
~ Driving a car doesn't always sound like fun.
~ Being bad is no longer cool.
~ You have friends who have kids.
~ Saturday mornings are for sleeping.
~ You are taller than the slide at the McDonald's playland.
~ Your parents' jokes are now funny.
~ You would rather wear your dirty clothes again, 'cause mom is not there to do your laundry anymore.
~ Naps are good.
~ When you only have two weeks of vacation.
~ When you can't stay at home to play when it snows.
~ Hitting girls is no longer considered flirting.
~ When things go wrong, you can't just yell, "Do-over!"
~ The only thing in your cereal box is ... cereal.
~ You actually buy scarves, gloves, and sunscreen.
~ Your idea of fun parties now include chips 'n' salsa and Snapple.
~ You leave concerts and ballgames early to beat the crowd.
~ You WANT clothes for Christmas.
~ You don't want a Camaro because of the insurance premiums.
~ You look in the surveillance camera monitor at the convenience store, wonder who that guy is standing at the counter with the bald spot, and then realize it is a shot of you from behind.

What a Country!

         Comedian Jeff Foxworthy has amazing comments regarding Obama that are pricelessly true, equally frightening, and certainly makes one ponder how Obama was elected for a second term.  I'm sharing his comments for your consideration.

By Jeff Foxworthy

            If you can get arrested for hunting or fishing without a license, but not for entering and remaining in the country illegally — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

         If  you have to get your parents' permission to go on a field trip or to take an aspirin in school, but not to get an abortion — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

          If you MUST show your identification to board an airplane, cash a check, buy liquor, or check out a library book and rent a video, but not to vote for who runs the government — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

          If the government wants to prevent stable, law-abiding citizens from owning gun  magazines that hold more than ten rounds, but gives twenty F-16 fighter jets to the crazy new leaders in Egypt — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

          If, in the nation's largest city, you can buy two 16-ounce sodas, but not one 24-ounce soda, because 24-ounces of a sugary drink might make you fat — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by  idiots.

          If an  80-year-old woman or a three-year-old girl who is confined to a wheelchair can be strip-searched by the TSA at the airport, but a woman in a burka or a hijab is only subject to having her neck and head searched — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by  idiots.

          If your  government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of  debt is to spend trillions more — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

          If a  seven-year-old boy can be thrown out of school for saying his teacher is  "cute," but hosting a sexual exploration or diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

          If hard  work and success are met with higher taxes and more government regulation and intrusion, while not working is rewarded with Food Stamps, WIC checks,  Medicaid benefits, subsidized housing, and free cell phones — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

          If the  government's plan for getting people back to work is to provide incentives  for not working, by granting 99 weeks of unemployment checks, without any  requirement to prove that gainful employment was diligently sought, but couldn't be found — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

          If you pay your mortgage faithfully, denying yourself the newest big-screen TV, while your neighbor buys iPhones, time shares, a wall-sized do-it-all plasma  screen TV and new cars, and the government forgives his debt when he defaults on his mortgage — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

          If being stripped of your Constitutional right to defend yourself makes you more  "safe" according to the government — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

          What  a  country!  Thank you, Jeff - well said.

          And let me add one of my own.  If defending your Biblical beliefs makes you labeled intolerant or, even worse, a criminal - you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but it is run by idiots.

Amazing and Sad!

           I've been thinking about dropping our subscription to the Lancaster Newspapers even though I have read it daily almost all of my life.  But recently they have cut down its size, reduced the news content, added more ads and introduced a number of new "features" that I feel are a waste of time.  But the final straw might be the fact that they are now printing the newspaper out of the area so their deadlines are now very early in the evening.  This means that many sports scores and news are no longer included.  If the Phillies, and probably the Eagles as well, play any late games, stories will need to appear two days later.  So if you want current sports information you now need to go to the internet.
           Now what will I miss if I end my subscription?   Well I might miss all the news about the corruption and disarray of Pennsylvania politics.  We have an attorney general who is being taken to court accused of lying and releasing confidential grand jury information.  She claims she is being attacked because she discovered porn e-mails being sent and shared by the state officials who are now out to get her.  She has refused to do her job to follow the law and defend PA's marriage protection law.  She has refused, as required by the law, to fire  her driver who apparently has been charged and arrested for helping her gather secret grand jury information. This is the same attorney general  who I feel was elected not based on her record, but because of her promises to investigate and charge the previous governor for his part in the Sandusky mess.  Penn State folks around the state then voted for her because of this promise. Incidentally, after being elected, she found nothing wrong and did not bring any charges. You just can't make this stuff up. The next tv reality show might be "Amazing Adventures of the Attorney General".
          Then there is the battle between the legislature and the new governor.  The legislature passed a budget on time but the governor vetoed it because it did not include his priorities which would mean massive tax increases.  And no compromise is in sight.  And now schools and social services are being forced to borrow money to keep operating and these unexpected costs may wipe out any increases they might get if and when a budget is passed.  So rather than compromise, the legislature tried to pass some special provisions to continue former payments to these groups, but the governor threatened to veto what he called illegal provisions and not enough support could be found to override that threat.  And you wonder why people are sick of politicians to the point that many would even support a rude but rich politician like Donald Trump.
          Then there is the college teachers union which is fighting a proposal to make all of its members complete state police checks like all lower level teachers and child workers, even in churches, must now complete by law.  They say that this would be a frivolous way to spend money which they need elsewhere.  They also claim that they don't really come in contact with children.  So they are fighting this.  Now I wonder if the real reason is the fear of what might be found and exposed with the background checks.  Now there are very many great college profs who have nothing to hide.  But I've met and worked with some who, saying it as kindly as possible, were "strange" with weird lifestyles.  I would never accuse them of anything illegal in dealing with students, but I just can't help but wonder what police checks might actually show.
          Oh yes, some of these college teachers from local colleges have sent  a letter to Governor Tom Wolf to have him back Obama and cut carbon pollution at coal-fired plants.  Incidentally, the majority of them are on the staff of Franklin and Marshall which is known for its liberalism.  Maybe they should have joined the president in his recent "vacation", or should I say trip, at tax payer expense, to Alaska to personally view the results of climate change.  We'd love to go to Alaska but can't affford it. But my taxes can be used to send the president there on a publicity stunt.
          Of course if I gave up the newspaper I might miss other unbelievable stories.  I might have missed the story of the local father who was arrested after he chased his stepson with a machete.  The reason?  The stepson said he wasn't returning to college for the upcoming semester.  The 20 year-old escaped when his girlfriend picked him up in a car.
         Or what about the area man who was found drunk in a neighbor's pig pen?  The last thing I heard was that he was considering a suit against some of the media for ruining his reputation.
          Then there was the area burglar who was on drugs when he broke into a house to rob it.  Police found him in the bathroom sound asleep on the toilet.  As I've said, you can't make this stuff up.
         Finally, my favorite news story came following a truck accident in which a few swine had to be euthanized.  One of the 80 full grown pigs actually escaped and was found at the bottom of a hill.  He had to be put down because of his injuries.  Now that part of the story is sad.  But PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, didn't let us down.  They have requested the right to erect a 5-foot tombstone at the scene of the accident in memory of the pigs who were killed.  According to PETA's president, "PETA hopes to encourage motorists to help make roads safer for everyone by choosing healthy vegan foods and eliminating this dangerous and frightening trip entirely."   Amazing.  There goes our Easter ham!   
         How can I give up reading these great stories and I don't even read the two full pages of comics.  But who needs the comics when we have human nature to amaze us?

          

Chloe and Nxaha

            Do the names Cleo and Nxaha mean anything to you?   If not, here are some clues.  They both lived in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park.  They both wore tracking collars.  They were both recently involved in killings.  They are both Lions.
          Now I imagine that you recognized Cleo.  She became famous because she was recently killed by a trophy hunter from the United States.  The media picked this up and it spread like wildfire.  It was in the newspapers for days, with big headlines.  The internet and Facebook were filled with stories condemning the hunter.  TV personalities expressed their hate for the hunter.  Bob Barker of the Price Is Right said the dentist hunter should be stalked just like he said Cleo was.  Jimmy Kimmel cried over Cleo's death.   The media promoted out cries from all over the country for various punishments of the hunter who was even forced to close his dental practice and put many of his employees out of work.  The corrupt government of Zimbabwe called for his extradition so that he could be punished by the kangaroo courts in their crooked country where money and bribes do all the speaking.  The media promoted this story and the public responded with hate.  Unfortunately, even some of my good friends on Facebook cried for his punishment and the elimination of hunting.  Several airlines said that they would stop shipping products of hunts. This gentle, pet-like lion, Cleo, quickly became an international star.
          Unfortunately the dentist was judged guilty by the public before all the facts in the case were even known.  And we still don't know all the facts.  However, hunters must depend upon their guides to take care of all the legal procedures and lead them on legal hunts.  It would be assumed that his experienced guide did all that.  And it now appears that they did not set a snare for Cleo as reported.  Apparently the lion was drawn there by another animal which had died.  And, assuming he had all the legal papers, the dentist would not be a poacher but would have been approved to make the kill to help control the population of one of that country's most vicious killers.  Trophy hunting is essential to the very weak economy of that country and to the preservation and control of the animals there.
          But the purpose of this blog is not to defend the hunter or big game hunters. I don't really know if he did something illegal or not and neither do any of you readers. My purpose is to share the hypocrisy of the media and its many gullible followers.
         Now who is Nxaha?   He was a lion with a tracking collar in the same area where Cleo lived.  A few days ago he attacked and killed a 40 year old safari guide who was on a walking - not hunting - safari with six foreign guests.  Unfortunately such events are rather common in that area.  Cleo and Nxaha were not pets but vicious killers who attack villages and their inhabitants regularly.  They are feared killers.
          But, you say, I have not read or heard anything about Nxaha.  No you probably haven't. It's not something the media will share.  I read two paragraphs about it under "In brief" in our local newspaper.  I have not seen it on any network news program or on the internet or even on Facebook.  I've seen no comment from Bob Barker and I have not heard of Jimmy Kimmel crying over the sad death of this human guide.  And there have been no comments from animal rights activists either.  And most likely you won't hear anything.
           It just goes to show you that the media controls what we hear and molds public opinion.  And the life of a vicious lion is more important and newsworthy than that of a human life and certainly of the lives of thousands of babies who are killed daily.  What a sad situation.

Two Weeks

         My favorite season of the year is almost here.  I love the cooler temperatures that come with it.  I love to see the leaves change colors and become such beautiful displays of God's creation.  I love freshly picked apples.  I love the smell of fireplaces being used.  And it reminds me of the words from the great hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" - "summer and winter, springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love".
          But I also love that the season brings the return of my favorite sport, football.  I look forward to watching the Eagles, the Steelers and the Ravens.  But in a little less than two weeks I get to watch my favorite college football team, the Penn State Nittany Lions. Watching them becomes a Saturday priority and I seldom miss a game.
          Many folks think that I must have graduated from Penn State since I have followed them so closely for many years.  I did attend one class there, but that is all.  However, while attending Susquehanna University, I traveled with the football team as the school's NCAA statistician for four years.  That was when they had great teams and I have many great memories of those years.  Then for 25 years I covered high school football games for area newspapers and that was an exciting job.
          I guess I always had an interest in Penn State football but it wasn't until I attended my first game at Beaver Stadium that I became hooked on the excitement of following their teams.  When I learned more about how to get there, where to park, and the seating arrangements, attending games became something I looked forward to.
          And after attending a few games with me, my wife began to enjoy the atmosphere as well.  There is something special about the fun of tailgating, smelling the food, watching folks prepare for the game and then seeing the band march to the stadium.  When our health was better we also used to enjoy walking downtown and getting caught up in all the excitement there.  Then there is the pregame festivities with the teams warming up, the band arriving and performing, the drum major appearing and making his flip to the cheers of thousands, and then the teams entering.  And of course the games are usually very exciting with sometimes more than 100,000 fans cheering on the teams.  All of this made a special day that we both enjoyed.
          But getting good tickets and finding good parking was a major issue.  When we first started going we would put a sign on our car "We Need 2" and then begin the trip to Happy Valley.  Sometimes we would be stopped by someone even before we got out of Lancaster County.  And almost always we made our purchase before even crossing the Susquehanna River above Harrisburg.  And I never paid more than face value.  And we were always successful, except once, and that was for the Alabama game.  But even for that big game we were stopped and offered tickets but at twice the face value.  I said no and at Lewistown we decided to head home and watch that game on television.
          The best years were the ten years when an elderly gentleman from Columbia used to sell me most of his tickets for the season.  They were good seats and during those years the handicapped parking was at the north end of the stadium, very near these seats.  We were able to get in and out very quickly and that was great.  But things changed.  He passed away and his son sold the seats to others or used them himself.
          Then they moved the handicapped parking to a different location, farther from the stadium.  And as we got older we also became more selective of seating locations.  We still were able to get some good tickets from some sources that I found, but we found that the handicapped shuttles would only run when they were full.  So that meant to beat the crowds at the end of the game we often had to run/walk a considerable distance to get to our car.  And as we got older this became more of a problem.
         The best experience was the year my oldest son was able to get a suite from one of his customers.  Outstanding view and accommodations.  Plenty of food and parking right next to the stadium.  A once in a lifetime experience for us.
         But the end of our trips unexpectedly came two years ago when they again moved the handicapped parking area, this time away from the stadium to an area hotel lot.  This meant not being part of the main tailgating and being forced to depend upon the shuttles which only run when they have a full load.  Too far to walk and too inconvenient. So now we spend our Saturdays in front of a television and while we can see the game very well, we miss all the excitement of being there which television can't provide.
          Will I ever go back again?  Yes, I would love to, if I could get good tickets with seats that are easy to get to, as well as reserved parking in one of the reserved lots close to the stadium.  But unless you know the right people, those are impossible or very expensive to get.  And I don't know the right people and I don't have a fortune to spend.
          Now what type of season will they have this year?  I have no idea.  They are rebounding well from the Sandusky scandal and the NCAA sanctions.  And that is a story for another blog.  Franklin has been a very successful recruiter but he hasn't yet proven that he is a good game coach.  And they are now playing in what might be the toughest conference in football with Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State.   But win or lose, I'll be watching and cheering them on!  Now less than two weeks to the first kick-off!

Safe and Quiet?

        If you ask a person what they think about Lancaster County, their answer will probably depend upon where they live.  If they haven't been here in recent years they will probably respond with things like it is a peaceful place filled with Amish and Mennonites.  It is filled with beautiful farms and houses with beautiful window boxes.  Horses and buggies are everywhere.  It is a quiet, safe area untouched by the problems of the world.
          Now there would be some truth to such replies.  We are blessed with some of the best farmland in the world.  There are areas of the county which have Amish and Mennonites and spectacular farms.  We have good schools, many churches, plenty of shopping areas, fine restaurants and good entertainment sources.  But things are changing and we are no longer untouched by the problems of today's society.  And safety and security are growing concerns.
           We now have only one daily newspaper and it is a shadow of what we used to have with two competing daily papers.  It is loaded with ads and many useless features and news articles are short and limited.  But last Thursday's issue highlights some of the changes we are facing in this county.
          On the front page was an article about an incident in Columbia involving the Confederate Flag.  A man, his daughter, her friend, and his girlfriend where recently attacked by a group at Walmart.  He was chased and followed by ten to 15 people carrying knives and yelling racist terms and making threats.  His truck was keyed and dented by fists.

          All of this action was apparently related to "rebel runs", the practice of flying a Confederate flag in the back of your truck and then driving through town.  These runs are organized informally.  250 trucks recently participated in a run in Ephrata and 50 took part in the one in Columbia.  They have also happened in other local towns.  Good old quiet Lancaster County!
          A second article talked about an Ephrata Township man who was charged with aggravated assault and making terroristic threats.  He is said to have punched and kicked a woman in a Walmart parking lot.  He reportedly confronted the woman because she had cut him off on the WalMart access road.  He pulled her unto the ground by her hair and punched and kicked her "numerous " times, injuring her.  Good old safe, quiet Lancaster County.
         A third article, hidden on page three,  told about bullets which struck the home of a military recruiter in Mountville.  Several shots were fired in a drive-by shooting.  Two rounds pierced the front window and entered the living room.  Fortunately the U.S. marine recruiter who lives there was not injured.  Good old safe Lancaster County.
          Now the good news is what was not in Thursday's publication.  The usual police report was not included, possibly because there was not enough space in this limited newspaper.  There were no reports of anyone actually getting shot - there is an average of one shooting per week in Lancaster City.  No news of drug busts.  No Turkey Hills or minute marts robbed. No bank robberies.  No pedestrians hit by a hit and run driver.  No prostitution arrests.  No homes broken into.  Actually, unless LNP just had no room to include them, this was an unusually quiet day in Lancaster County.
          Now I have lived here most of my life.  It has been a good area in which to raise my children and I doubt that there are too many places left that are safe and quiet.  Sinful man has been successful in ruining many of the things that humans long for.  And, unfortunately, it will only get worse.  And I am not being a pessimist, just a realist.
          But, as folks often say, I have read the end of the book and I know how life as we know it now will end.  There is a day when Christ will return and rule the world.  Only then will we who are His children experience true peace and the lives that we long for.  And that is the hope that we live with as things all around us get worse and worse. 
        Marantha!

A Question To Be Asked

          Recently I downloaded a small booklet from the Awana website with the title "The Question Nobody Asks About Our Children".  It was written by one of my favorite writers and speakers, Larry Fowler, who is Awana's executive director of global networking.  It shared similar concerns that I have had over the years with our Awana program, as well as serious trends I have seen in Christian families.
          Larry began by stating that the number one question that is asked by church leaders is "how many do we have?".  This question often drives programs, approaches and strategies.  Seminars and conferences share how ministries can increase attendances.  And Fowler says it is a good question - if we are serious about pursuing the Great Commission.  But if we only ask that question, ministry will be inadequate.
          Fowler says that the second question that must be asked, but seldom is asked,  is "how often do they come?'  He says that question will "challenge our approach to curriculum, cause us to reassess our organization, and pour fuel on the fire of parental involvement."
           Now to back up his premise, he consulted with several different churches and when they analyzed their attendance patterns they found the following.  One found that their children attended an average of 1.4 times a month.  Another found that the average child in their church attended just once a month.  Another found that 80% of their children attended less than 50% of the time.  The vast majority of their children attended approximately 15-18 hours per year.  Another reported that out of 154 unique check-ins, one had 100% attendance, 16 75% to 99%, 31 50% to 74%, 31 25% to 49%, and 75 less than 25%. A fifth church reported that of 1,231 individual children, only 52, or 4%, attended at least three times a month.  He also quoted similar statistics from other churches.
           Now church leaders, do you think figures at your church are really much different?  How do you really know?  And parents, what about the attendance of your children?
        Now Fowler talks about a fictional child named Zac.  Zac doesn't come often enough to build friendships.  When he reaches 12 or 13 and being with friends is his highest priority, he will begin to resist going to church with his parents.  He enjoys the energy and excitement of children's ministry but doesn't come enough to connect Bible stories and applications.  He will be in school 60 times as much as he will be in church.  Church is simply a minor part of his life.  And he will spend as much time with media consumption in just two days as he spends in church in a whole year.  He has no close friends at church, learns just a little and has no relationship with a spiritual mentor.  And, according to Fowler, "Here's the kicker: Zac's parents are relying on this pattern for the spiritual growth of their son. ... Zac's parents are less likely to do any spiritual training at home." His real spiritual input is about 15 hours a year.
          Now what is the answer?  Fowler says first, Zac's parents need to become committed to regular attendance.  Sports, vacations, sleeping often prevent this.  I thank the Lord for parents who were there whenever the church had services and they made sure I was with them. That choice was key in my christian growth.  Second, his parents need to serve in a children's ministry so they will bring Zac on a regular basis.  He needs to develop kid-to-kid relationships in church.  He needs to be connected to an adult leader who really cares about him and his regular attendance.  This is an area where I feel that we have really failed over the years in Awana.  Clubbers stop coming and/or drop out, and few leaders ever write or call or follow-up.  They just go missing and nobody seems to care.  And that is sad.  Finally, Fowler believes that the ministry needs to provide some incentives for regular attendance.
          In the booklet Fowler lists specific recommendations for the church, for the children's ministry, and for parents.  While they are too lengthy to fully discuss here, there were a few which stood out to me.  Churches need to redevelop an adult Sunday School program, develop intentional weekday ministries for kids, and promote regular attendance and participation.  He says that pastors in particular must promote this regularly.
         Children's ministries need to track their numbers, inform parents of attendance patterns, structure for relationships, and reinstate appropriate incentives for attending.
         And finally. parents must recognize their own attendance pattern.  Their being absent sets their kids up for spiritual failure and problems later in life.  If regular attendance isn't a priority for parents, it will never be for their children as they grow older.  If the church has multiple services, the parents need to choose one and stick with that one.  And finally, parents need to create opportunities for church friendships.  The number one factor in a child wanting to go to church is friendship - with other kids.
          Fowler concludes be saying, "If we only ask how many do we have and Zac stops coming, there will be a Tommy who comes.  There is no permanent empty chair that shouts Zac's absence.  Tommy will sit in it.  And the "how many did we have?" number doesn't change.  No one will even notice that Zac isn't there any more."  Sad, but  so true.  Unfortunately, not only true about children but adults as well.  If you miss church does anybody miss you?  Does anybody care?
         Is anybody really asking "How often do they come?"

         

The Joys Of Needing A Cane

          My parents always taught me to be considerate of and kind to those who were handicapped and to folks who were older than I was.  Any my Christian values have reinforced those lessons.  I have always tried to open doors for those who have needs, to give them room to move safely, to help them carry their things if needed and to be a help to them however I can.  And I have tried to do the same for elderly people who can't move too quickly anymore.
          But such actions appear to be decreasing in our society today.  I doubt that many teens and children are being taught manners, especially manners in helping those in need.  Much of that blame can be placed on parents who don't accept this responsibility and don't know what their children are actually doing. And many parents are just as bad and thoughtless and set a poor example.
          Now I guess by expressing such thoughts I am showing my age.  Some parents, adults, teens and children are courteous and considerate.  Some still have good manners.  And that is an encouragement to me.  But they appear to me to be a minority in an age where individual rights seem to trump common sense and good manners.  For many the attitude is "me first".
          Six months ago some physical problems forced me to start using a cane.  This has been an eye-opening experience.  I am slowly getting used to having folks rush ahead of me to get in a door at the mall or at stores.  I am getting used to those who let the doors close in front of me. I am getting used to being bumped and cut off.  I am getting used to motorists who don't slow down when I am trying to cross a street or go to my mailbox along our street.  In fact, sometimes I feel that some motorists actually speed up while I am at our mailbox and they see how close they can get to me.  I wonder how many points one gets for hitting an old man with a cane or at least making him almost stumble and fall.  And I haven't even mentioned being sprayed with water by speeding cars from puddles when it rains.
          But I guess my biggest disappointments have come in the way folks from so called Christian homes have acted around me and my cane.  Between our services at church we have a time of coffee and conversation.   Almost every Sunday I am almost run over by young kids who are running to get some food while I am trying to maneuver the opposite direction with my cane and my cup of coffee.  There are times that I have even spilled some coffee when hit by a youngster.  And never have I heard an "excuse me" or "I am sorry" in response. After all, I am in their way. Maybe I should spill the coffee on them or hit them with my cane, but such retaliation would prove nothing and would just get me in trouble with their parents.  And, by the way, where are their parents when this is happening? And I am not the only senior, with or without a cane, who must dodge these children each week.  Maybe this is a topic that should be addressed in our Awana program since it appears that it is not being addressed by parents.
           This summer we have spent two different weeks at a family Bible conference.  Since I am not able to stand for a long period of time and usually need my cane, we made it a practice to get to the dining hall early, sitting on a bench outside the entrance, to be near the front of the line.  That way, when the door opened I could get to the food line and get my meal without having to stand in line and balance my cane and meal.  But what usually happened was that just before the door would open, loads of children and teens would rush to the front.  And when the door opened they would push ahead of me and almost knock me over to get in. Food was more important than manners. And, unfortunately, some adults did the same.  Being a senior with a cane had no advantage and made no difference.  I was fair game and in their way.  And I ask again, where were the parents?   And  were the offending adults just that hungry?
          Years ago, when I was able, I often used to wait at the entrance door and hold the mob back until all the handicapped had a chance to enter the dining room first. I thought that was only fair and was helpful.  Believe it or not, not everyone, including some adults, thought that this wasn't fair and they said so.  Amazing!
          While I don't consider myself to be severely handicapped since I only need a cane, I have learned many lessons about people these past six months.  Showing good manners and being compassionate are no longer common traits and that is sad.  I have been learning myself to be more compassionate to those with such needs and I guess that is a lesson I always need to be reminded of.  And someday these offending folks will also grow old and experience physical problems.  Maybe then they'll understand what I am saying.
          But, let me sure to add, there are still those who do care.  I have seen that as well and I make sure to say "thank you" when I see such a person in action. I have had people let me go ahead of them and some have held a door open for me.  And there are parents who do teach manners and care about what their children are doing.  And that is a ray of light as I age and deal with new physical demands.