Test For Seniors

          When I used to lead the sessions at the annual Senior Saints Retreat in Pinebrook I used to start the first session with some sort of quiz to determine if the folks who were there really "qualified" as seniors.  It was always a fun activity and the majority of those in attendance "qualified" without much trouble.

          One of those activities was a quiz to see if you were "older than dirt". So let's see how you would do.  The objective of the quiz is to determine how many of the following you remember.  Here goes - keep your own count.

1.     Blackjack chewing gum.

2.     Wax coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water.

3.     Candy cigarettes.

4.     Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles.

5.     Coffee shops or diners with table-side jukeboxes.

6.     Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers.

7.     Party lines on the telephone.

8.     Newsreels before the movie.

9.     P.F. Flyers.

10.   Butch wax.

11.   TV test patterns that came on at night after the last show and were there until TV shows started again in the morning.

12.   Peashooters.

13.   Howdy Doody.

14.   45 RPM records.

15.   S&H green stamps.

16.   Hi-fi's.

17.   Metal ice trays with levers.

18.   Mimeograph machines.

19.   Poodle skirts.

20.   Letter sweaters.

21.    Five and Dimes stores

22.   Archie Bunker

23.   Mr. Potato Head

24.   Fortran

          Well, how did you do?   Do you qualify as officially being a senior?  If you can, I hope that the following hymn is your testimony.

1.    Of Jesus' love that sought me, when I was lost in sin;

Of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again;

Of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea,

And higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,

Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter,

Sweeter as the years go by.

2.    He trod in old Judea life's pathway long ago;

The people thronged about Him, His saving grace to know;

He healed the broken hearted, and caused the blind to see;

And still His great heart yearneth in love for even me.

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,

Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter,

Sweeter as the years go by.

3.    'Twas wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss,

To bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross;

With saints redeemed in glory, let us our voices raise,

Till Heav'n and earth reecho with our Redeemer's praise.

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,

Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter,

Sweeter as the years go by.

Pray, pray, pray

          Prayer is an essential part of Christian living.  Among other things the Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, ask and you shall receive, the prayer of the upright pleases Him,  the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  There is no question that believers are told to pray.

          But do we?  Since prayer is such a personal thing there is no real way to answer that question.  Saying that we pray is an easy response, but is it the correct response?  Telling somebody we are praying for them is a great response, but are we?

          Corporate prayer is another matter to consider.  What has happened to all the church prayer meetings.  We used to meet together to pray two evenings a week but now we don't meet for prayer at all.  Prayer from the pulpit on Sunday is often now limited and formal.  Many times those prayers are read and their flowing style might even tickle our ears, but is it really from the heart?

          We have days of national prayer but do we ever hear of days of fasting and prayer?  Do we ever hear of long nights of folks bringing needs before the Lord?  I'm not saying these don't exist or are not effective, I just don't seem to recall hearing about them or seeing results like I read about in earlier years.

          Back in the 1970's we had friends from Ohio visiting with us at Pinebrook.  Sitting around the swimming pool they shared about the prayer chains being run in their church.  We were impressed by what we heard and the Lord led us to start the same thing in our church.  We did and have directed them, in various forms, for over 50 years since then.

          Our chains began using the telephone.  Folks were asked to relay the message to the next person on the list.  If somebody didn't answer they were required to try the next person until the message was relayed.  Each person was required to write down the message and then repeat it to the caller.  The last person was to call us so we could verify that the message was relayed correctly.  It was the best thing that we could do under the circumstances but there were a few who would often add to or modify the request.  And sometimes the chain was broken.

           And as we grew we added more chains.  Once we had three chains with up to ten folks on each.  One of the challenges was to try to set up the chains so that nobody had to make a toll call.

          A few decades later the computer took the place of the telephone.  As more folks purchased computers we changed to e-mail prayer chains, the practice we still use today.  Unfortunately we have some folks who still do not have or use a computer.  Those are asked to find someone on the chain who will call them personally with the requests.

          And we have several rules that we insist upon.  For example, we will only post a request if the person being prayed for gives permission.  No notes from social media.  We also reserve the right to edit them.  My years of doing rewrites for area newspapers gave me some skills which are useful here.  We also limit some types of requests.

          Now this type of chain has been very useful  Requests vary.  In the last few weeks we have prayed for folks having surgery, folks going to the ER or the hospital, folks being treated for cancer, those who are grieving the deaths of family or friends, those who have important decisions to make, those who have unspoken needs and a variety of other needs.  As of this date we have processed 33 requests in the past 18 days.

          We presently have 103 addresses on our chain so with families involved we may have twice that number involved.  Are they all praying?  Possibly not, but that is beyond our control.  That is between them and the  Lord.  Unfortunately there are always some folks who just want to know what is happening.

          I am also aware that there are probably few real "prayer warriors" today.  For that reason I tend to share my personal requests with a small group of friends who I know will pray faithfully.  Over the years I have had several folks who took prayer seriously but  many of them have passed on.

          The Lord provides the challenge to us to pray.  We need to obey and seek the provision which He has promised.

1.   I have a Savior, He's pleading in glory,

A dear, loving Savior, tho' earth-friends be few;

And now He is watching in tenderness o'er me:

And O that my Savior were your Savior too!

Refrain:

For you I am praying, for you I am praying,

For you I am praying, I'm praying for you.

2.   I have a Father: to me He has given

A hope for eternity, blessed and true;

And soon He will call me to meet Him in heaven,

But O may He lead you to go with me too!

3.   I have a robe: 'tis resplendent in whiteness,

Awaiting in glory my wondering view;

O when I receive it all shining in brightness,

Dear friend, could I see you receiving one too!

4.   I have a peace: it is calm as a river,

A peace that the friends of this world never knew;

My Savior alone is its Author and Giver,

And O could I know it was given to you!

5.   When Jesus has found you, tell others the story,

That my loving Savior is your Savior too;

Then pray that your Savior may bring them to glory,

And prayer will be answered, 'twas answered for you! 

Give A Call

          Yesterday I was talking to my wife's physical therapist during her weekly in-home treatment.  We got on the topic of differences in skilled nursing homes and how they varied so much.

          He mentioned that the day before he was doing an in-home treatment with a client when his client got a phone call from his wife who was in an area skilled nursing home.  His wife was sobbing and begging for him to come and get her out.  She had been ringing for help for over 40 minutes and nobody was responding to help her.  So sad!  We recognized the name off the home and it was one that we hope we'd never have to use.

           It made me remember stories my mother used to tell about another nursing home where she worked for years as a volunteer.  Many times she would find patients who desperately needed help and were ringing for help without any response.  The staff was too busy - often they were in the hall talking to each other and ignoring the call.  Often my mother would go ahead and help the patient and then get in trouble herself for doing things that weren't her responsibility.  But at least the patients were helped by somebody.

          Sometimes nurses really are too busy and overwhelmed to respond immediately to every call.  And some patients are too demanding. There are often good reasons for delays.  But there is no reason for a patient to call for help and then wait over 40 minutes without any response.

          My wife was very fortunate.  While she was a patient at LGH and then at the Quarryville  Presbyterian Home skilled nursing unit, most of her nurses were very responsive and helpful.  When a call was made, they responded.

          We are thankful that the Lord provided a room for my wife at Quarryville.   When we were told that she had to be taken to a nursing home the two that we suggested had no beds available.  LGH then provided us with a list of eight facilities that had a bed available.  Two were close to our home but we had seen and heard problems with them and I wouldn't let my wife go there.  The list we were given also gave numerical evaluations for each of the eight.  Then the administrator also shared with us the two that she would be willing to send her mother to if she had to.

          We finally chose Quarryville, which was highly rated and recommended, even though it was a 30 minute drive from home.  It was an excellent choice.  We found a modern single room, kind staff, good food and excellent care.  We had no complaints at all.

          But calling for help without any response is a growing problem in our society.   Some doctor offices now will no longer answer your call directly but will ask you to record your request or question with a promise to get back to you.  Usually they do, but sometimes after you wait many hours for a reply.

           Some businesses do the same.  After having to listen to a lengthy recorded menu you are finally asked to leave a message.  That can be very frustrating.

          Yesterday I had some questions for my wife's in-home care coordinator.  I called the number given to us only to find it went to an answering service.  I shared what I wanted and who I wanted to talk to.  I was told that they would get back to me.  Two hours later the wrong person returned my call.  And I never did hear from the case manager as I had requested.

          Calling someone and getting an answer is not always easy, especially if you are in a hurry.

          These experiences have made me remember one of the first Bible verses that I memorized as a youngster - Jeremiah 33:3.  "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

          First, we are invited to call upon Him whenever we want.  Second, He will hear and answer us.  He is never too busy.  Third, not only will He answer us but He will show us more than we ever expected.

          What a tremendous promise that He always keeps.  I have claimed this promise  throughout my life and have been amazed by the results.

           This is one call which will never go unanswered.

Joy

          Usually my two weekly blogs are not related to each other, but this week I came upon something that I felt I needed to share in both.  Most of what you read here will also be in my Hymn Blog this Sunday.  But I know not all of you read both blogs each week so I have decided that this is too good to miss.

          Like a few of you, we have become big fans of the Collingsworth Family and each Sunday we have been watching their streaming videos as part of our Sunday in-home worship.  We are blessed by their music and their harmony and their presentations.

          However, we are most impressed by the piano arrangements of Kim Collingsworth.  She is exceptional and amazing,

          In the video which we saw last Sunday she shared some of their reaction to the pandemic.  This included the thought that while things all around have been canceled, joy has not been.   And with this thought she wrote a song on this theme.  I felt that it was encouraging enough to share with all of you.

Joy is not canceled 

It still remains 

Gods' goodness, kindness 

His grace isn't running low 

And He has not changed" 

His power is still abundant 

His mercies are still new 

God's plans have not been canceled 

He's fully in control 

And everything that matter still remains. 

When life is put on hold  

All our plans have canceled  

Things have changed  

Nothing feels the same  

Disappointments fear and doubt  

Go hand in hand  

and waves of worry threaten me 

Everywhere uncertainty  

But in the midst of chaos  

In the midst of fear  

There is something to remember  

There is something we all need to hear  

Joy is not canceled  

Peace still remains  

God's goodness kindness  

His grace isn't running low  

And He has not changed  

His power is still abundant  

His mercies are still new 

God's plans have not been canceled  

He's still in control   

And everything that matters still remains 

So when the trials and tests they come 

Darkness only hides the sun  

And You can't seem to find Your way  

No light of day 

There are some things we know for sure  

They never change they will endure  

No matter what things look like  

All around us  

So in the midst of chaos  

In the midst of all the fear  

There is something you should remember  

Yes there is something we all need to hear  

Joy is not canceled  

He still remains  

God's goodness and kindness  

His grace isn't running low  

And He, He has not changed  

His power is still abundant  

His promises they're all still true  

God's plans have not been canceled  

He's fully in control   

And everything that matters still remains  

Yes everything that matters still remains 

Psalms 30 : 5, "For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime: Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy `cometh' in the morning.    Philippians 4 : 4  "Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice."

          Now here is a clip where Kim reviews the circumstances behind this song and then sings the song which she wrote.      JOY

Memorial Day 2021

          Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. 

          I believe that beside Christmas, Good Friday and Easter, for American Christians Memorial Day should be the most important holiday of the year.  It is a day that we should remember and honor those who made the major sacrifices to preserve our important freedoms, especially our freedom of religion.

          But for most folks the day just kicks off the summer season.  Most celebrate by taking trips to the ocean or to the mountains or having picnics and family gatherings.  A few will participate in small parades and patriotic services in cemeteries.  In high school, each year I did the same with the Warwick High School band.

          While I never had any relatives who died in the wars, several of my uncles proudly served.  On my father's side, Uncle Marlin Derck and Uncle John Derck served during World War II.  Uncle John served at Normandy and compiled a very lengthy and interesting handwritten diary of his experiences during WWII.  We were with him twice on the anniversary of Normandy and he was quite affected by his memories.  He could relate to us hour by hour what had happened that day.  My Aunt Ellen told us that this was the first time that he had ever shared with anyone those experiences.

          Later we led a hymn sing at Pinebrook on Veterans Day and we had another participant of WWII speak on his experiences. We invited other vets to attend and share.  Many admitted that this was the first time that they had ever talked about these traumatic memories.

          On my mother's side, three of her brothers served.  Uncle Bud Wise and Uncle Sam Wise served in WWII while Uncle Richard Wise served in the Korean War.  I remember the excitement when Richard returned but I never heard any of their stories, if they even shared them with anyone.

          My father did not officially serve but he was chosen to teach the air force cadets at Susquehanna University during the early days of WWII.  Then he was hired to work on the famous Manhattan Project in Delaware during the war.  I now wish that I  had pushed him to share more details of that experience but I imagine that he was sworn to secrecy about that.

          Personally I don't have too many memories of the wars.  I do remember about living through the blackouts during WWII.  As a youngster they were rather scary times.  I do remember my father taking me into Wilmington for the celebration the night that WWII came to an end.  I didn't understand then all that it meant, but the actual celebration is still part of my memory.

          Growing up I can remember the drills that we had in school, ducking under our desks to practice for an enemy invasion.  Not sure what good those drills would have done in case of a real invasion, but we practiced.

          While I was doing graduate work at Bucknell I remember sitting in my car listening to the radio as we entered the war in Vietnam.  Many of my friends, relatives and classmates were called to serve there.  It was a scary time not knowing what the future held.

          I remember similar feelings the night that we invaded Iraq.  We were serving in Awana that evening and one of our workers was the wife of one of the soldiers who was part of the invasion.  Fortunately he was safe.

          And so, on Monday, we will pause to remember and thank the thousands who have served and even given their lives.  May we never forget them.  And may we never forget those who are serving today.  Thank you Lord.  God bless America!

Break, Enjoy, Laugh

          We all can use a laugh, especially during a difficult pandemic.  So let's take a break this week and enjoy some items which I have collected.  

          First, here are some signs that will be misread for certain.

          *   TOILET OUT OF ORDER., PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW.

          *   In a Laundromat:  AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT.

          *   In a London department store:  BARGAIN BASEMENT ON 2ND. FLOOR...

          *   In an office:   WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN.

          *   In another office:  AFTER TEA BREAK, STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD.

          *   Outside a secondhand shop:  WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

          *   Notice in health food shop window:   CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS...

          *   Spotted in a safari park :   ELEPHANTS - PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR.

          *   Seen during a conference:  FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR.

          *   Notice in a farmer's field:   THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.

          *   Message on a leaflet:   IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS.

          *   On a repair shop door:   WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - AS THE BELL DOESN'T WORK.)

          Then there are some interesting headlines in newspapers.

     *   Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife And Daughter:

     *   Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says:

     *   Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers:

     *   Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over:

     *   Miners Refuse to Work after Death:

     *   Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant:

     *   War Dims Hope for Peace:

     *   If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile:

     *   Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures:

     *   Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide:

     *   Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges:

     *   Man Struck By Lightning, Faces Battery Charge:

     *   New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group:

     *   Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft:

     *   Kids Make Nutritious Snacks

     *   Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

     *   Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors

And the winner is...

     *   Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

I hope these crazy thoughts have helped a little to brighten your day.  We all need to laugh a little to relieve the stress of daily living.

My Anchor Holds

          We all face storms throughout our lives.  We don't know when they will come or how bad they will be.  But we do know that they will come and nobody is exempt from them.  They can seem devastating and at times we can feel like we are drowning.  Will our anchor hold?

          During the past two weeks I have been facing one of these storms and it has been very difficult.  My wife lost her balance and fell just one step but she landed on her side on some soda bottles as we were getting ready for bed.  I couldn't get her up and had to call my son and grandson to come and help her up.  She then seemed fine and actually went to bed and slept about five hours.

          However the next morning she began to have very painful spasms around her chest.  I finally had to call the ambulance and she was taken to the ER.  After x-rays and tests they decided that she should be sent to the hospital for observation.  They finally were able to find a room for her.

           After two nights there it was decided that she should go to a skilled nursing facility for rehab.  It was very difficult but they finally found a couple of places with a bed available.  I had to transport her to the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Home, about 30 minutes away, where she is still a patient.  As I write this she continues to be in serious pain whenever she moves.  It is so hard to watch.

          The Home is very nice, highly rated and the help has been very kind.  But because of covid restrictions I am very limited in visitation and that is hard.  Sometimes it feels like she is a prisoner and I can't be with her all the time.  In a few weeks hopefully we will celebrate our 59th anniversary and we have always been together during these years.  We miss each other.  But I remember the vows we took, "in sickness and in health".  Now she has pain and is very weak.

          As you can tell, I am finding this very hard.  On Sunday, for the first time I had to watch our streaming worship service without her.   But the Lord had something special in mind for me.  After watching our local service we usually watch the streaming service from Chuck Swindoll's Stonebriar Community Church in Texas.  It is always encouraging with great music and great preaching.  The service streamed is always from the previous Sunday.

          This week the service had exerpts from their children's musical that was to be that evening.  So after the service I found the concert, "My Anchor Holds".  It was outstanding and a wonderful reminder of the storms we all face and the anchor that we have in the midst of these storms.  All the music was appropriate with an encouraging message.  If you have a chance to watch it, please do so.

           And I was reminded of my Anchor that firmly holds in the roughest of storms.  I don't know what the coming days will hold for my wife and I pray for the best for her.  But I am reminded that God is in control of all the storms and somehow He will provide the comfort, direction, peace and companionship which I need.  "Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love."

          Maybe you need this reminder as well, so meditate on the words of this old hymn.  If you aren't going through a storm right now, then be ready.  One will come your way.  Do you have the Anchor to see you through?

          

1.     Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

  We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

  Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.

2     It is safely moored, 'twill the storm withstand,

For 'tis well secured by the Savior's hand;

And the cables passed from His heart to mine,

Can defy the blast, through strength divine.

3     It will firmly hold in the straits of fear,

When the breakers have told the reef is near;

Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,

Not an angry wave shall our bark o'erflow.

4      It will surely hold in the floods of death,

When the waters cold chill our latest breath;

On the rising tide it can never fail,

While our hopes abide within the veil.

You can listen to it here.    ANCHOR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTfypuXwrMA

Mother's Day

          Many lessons are learned late in life, often when it is too late to make any necessary changes.

           Growing up we never made much of a fuss about many special days such as Mother's Day.  About all that we did was go to church that Sunday where mother's usually received a special gift - usually a flower.  I guess later in life we did give her a card and sometimes a flower.

           Now, when it is too late, I wish that I could do much more to honor and thank her.  But 28 years ago God suddenly called her home in an automobile accident.  And I still miss her greatly today.  I wish that I could take her out to dinner, buy her something special and above all else, just talk to her once again.

           God gave me a very special mother.   She loved and served the Lord.  She knew how to work hard especially in very difficult times.  She had a heart of gold and a special gift for caring and encouraging others.  She touched many lives.  And she loved her children and her grandchildren and had a memorable impact upon their lives.  Unfortunately she never got to know most of her great-grandchildren - but she will someday in a better place.

          My parents were married in the early days of World War 2 and jobs were scarce.  As a college grad my father's first job was teaching in Doylestown, PA.  His salary - $1,200 a year.  That wasn't enough to care for a wife and eventually a child so for a year we were forced to live with his parents while he commuted to work each week.

           Then he got a temporary job teaching Air Force cadets at Susquehanna University.  Then it was a brief stint as a high school math teacher in New Cumberland.  Then off to work on the secret Manhattan Project in Wilmington, Delaware.  Then it was back to New Cumberland H.S. where he also coached football.  Next it was Elizabethtown College where He had a temporary teaching job.  Finally it was a permanent job in Lancaster at RCA.  One final move took us to Lititz in the first home that they owned.  And it was in Elizabethtown, despite all these moves, that they finally were able to buy their first car.

          I never heard mother complain about all of these moves - nine of them until I was in fourth grade.  But this had to be very hard on her.  In addition she cared for us as dad was often gone working extra jobs such as with the railroad.  Times were tough but she helped us survive those stressful years.

         The moves never disrupted our faithfulness in attending church every Sunday and often on Wednesdays.  And mother was faithful in teaching us the scriptures at home.

          Finally, in Lancaster dad took the lead in establishing our church in 1950.  Then mother was able to use her gifts of hospitality by housing Bible School students who helped our church in summer tent meetings.  Over the years she also became the host for visiting speakers and missionaries, again providing housing and meals.  This had a real impact on our lives and introduced us directly in our home to many servants of God.

          When we moved to Lititz mother got involved with Child Evangelism Fellowship and she hosted a Good News Club in our basement for neighborhood children.  This is where I got my start in ministering to children as I became her assistant each week for many years.  She also taught Sunday School for many years and later became a listener in Awana.  We learned much about her impact upon lives after her death.

          Following her death we received numerours messages from adults who had attended her Good News Clubs over the years.  They shared how much they had been impacted by her and her teaching.  Many city kids who she had helped in Awana were in tears when they realized she wouldn't be there anymore.  She was like a mother to many of them.

          Mother also had a major impact upon church members and neighbors because of her loving, caring actions.  She also worked for years as a volunteer at the Lancaster County Home where she helped the aged and informed.  She was honored by the county commissioners for her work after her death.

          There is so much more that I can share about mother.  Her impact upon the lives of so many was a quiet but tremendous ministry.  She supported my father in his many ministries in our church, in our denomination and in the community.  

          But maybe the biggest impact that she had was on her family and especially on me.  And my heart is filled with thanksgiving.  I could not have had a better mother - she modeled Jesus to me.  I miss her.

          Several times I have shared in my blogs her favorite hymn.  As I do I can picture her walking and talking with the Lord - and probably with my father and brother as well.

(1) I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

(2) He speaks, and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

(3) I'd stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

Spring in Fall

An Old Spring Friend

             Spring in the Fall.   An unusual thought.  But for many of us it is a real life situation.

          Now there is something very special about the Spring season.  It is exciting to see new life explode from the dreary days of winter.  I love to see the trees, bushes and grass begin to display their beautiful green foliage once again.  We have a crabapple tree that has been ours for decades and is filled with spectacular blossoms.

          I love to see our flowers grow and begin to bloom once again.  Crocuses, daffodils, and tulips are among the first, displaying their rainbow of colors.   They can bring cheer to our life and our attitude.

          Then the azaleas burst into bloom.  Unfortunately the blooms don't last very long but they are beautiful while in bloom.  We have several of them in various shades and we love them.

         Next come the rhododendrons and their amazing blooms.  We have one huge purple one that has also been part of our family, probably for about 50 years.  It continues to thrive and provide us with a beautiful, although very short, spring spectacle.

          And I shouldn't forget to mention the many birds that return in the Spring.  The robins are usually first but many beautiful ones also return to fight the squirrels at our feeders.

          Spring is a beautiful time and it can give a real boost to your spirits, especially after winter and even now even more so, after the long isolation of the pandemic.

          But how does Fall enter into this picture?  Spring in the Fall?

          Well the different periods of our lives can also be described as seasons.  This year both my wife and I have now reached eight decades of life and realistically we know that we are in the Fall season of life.  And many things change during this season.  There are now so many things that we could do for ourselves even a year ago that we can no longer do today.   The body quickly wears out.  That can be very difficult and even discouraging at times.  We wonder how we got this old this fast.

           Now instead of doing things yourself, one must consider moving to a new facility where these things are done for you.  But this is not only expensive and much work, but it is difficult to leave a home where you have lived for six decades.

          The other choice is to pray about it and look for others who can help you with these chores around your house.   But it is hard to admit that you now need help and it is often hard to find those who can help.  And sometimes help also gets expensive.  And so our Spring in the Fall of our lives is a new challenge for us as it must be for other seniors.  Getting old is not easy.

          One of the big Spring needs is the cutting of our grass.  That takes 45-60 minutes using our riding mower.  Thankfully our oldest grandson has been available and faithful in doing that for us each week.  Spring in the Fall.

          We have also been able to hire a lawn service which fertilizes our grass, sprays our trees, and mulches our many flower beds.  They do a great job, but they are very expensive.   Spring in the Fall.

          Then there are the flower beds which at least twice a year need extensive weeding.  Thankfully the Lord has provided a neighbor who does this as a supplemental job.  She and a friend have helped us out twice a season at a very reasonable price.  Spring in the Fall.

           Bushes need regular trimming if they are to bloom and grow properly and look nice.  Last year the Lord led us to another person who does this work on the side.  He did an excellent job for us at a very reasonable price.  He even came back this week to dispose of a huge pile of tree limbs that have fallen over the winter.  There was a time not long ago that we were able to do that ourselves, but no longer.  Spring in the Fall.

          We still have some needs with planting some flowers and with some minor outside repairs.  Hopefully the Lord has somebody He is preparing to do that for us.  Then we need major work on our many huge trees.  We will need to hire somebody for that large and expensive job.  But we are trusting the Lord for that.   Spring in the Fall.

          And so we are enjoying the Spring.  We can see the Lord working with our numerous medical challenges as well as the many challenges we have as senior homeowners.  And as we enjoy many of our trees, bushes and flowers that have been with us for decades, we rejoice in the knowledge that not only is God good, but that He continues to provide just what we need.  Even during the Spring while we experience the Fall season of our lives.

1.     Walk boldly to stand in His presence

Lay claim on the promise He made

Your soul can be cleansed

Beneath the flow of His fountain

His Blood washes guilt all away

Chorus

Just bring all your needs to the altar

Bring all your needs to the Lord

He is so willing and able to help you

Bring all your needs to the Lord

2.    He watches the fall of the sparrow

Concerned with the lilies so fair

How much more He cares

For the sheep of his pasture

So bring Him the burdens you bear

Chorus

Bring all your needs to the altar

Bring all your needs to the Lord

He is so willing and able to help you

Bring all your needs to the Lord

Bring all your needs to the Lord