So Much To Learn

It's that time of the year when our schools send out another wave of graduates to face the world.  Hopefully they have learned their lessons well.  But so many of the important lessons in life are only learned through experience.  Recently somebody sent me a list of things that are learned with time.  I thought it was so good that I am passing it on to you.  I only wish that I had written it.  Here goes.  (1) I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."  (2)  I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll  miss them when they're gone from your life.  (3)  I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.  (4)  I've learned that people will forget what you said ... people will forget what you did ... but people will never forget how you made them feel.  (5)  I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.  (6)  I've learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.  (7)  I've learned that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.  (8)  I've learned that money doesn't buy class.  (9) I've learned that under someone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.  (10)  I've learned that the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?  (11)  I've learned that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.  (12)  I've learned that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.  (13)  I've learned that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.  (14)  I've learned that one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.  (15)  I've learned that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.  (16)  I've learned that it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.   And finally,  (17)  I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Helicopter Parents

People have often asked me how I thought students changed over the 39 years that I was in education.  That question was always hard to answer because conditions had changed so much over the years.  More students now stay in school.  More opportunities and advanced courses are available.  Technology has changed so much.  Standardized testing and government interference have increased greatly. And parents and home life have changed radically.  Single parent families are now common.  Kids go home to empty houses.  Conditions have changed, but I'm not sure if students have changed that much.  However I do feel that many are now more immature.  And much of this I blame on parents.  In my opinion they have become more involved, demanding, and defensive concerning their children.   Teachers and schools are now blamed for many student problems and shortcomings in parenting.  It wasn't unusual, later in my 39 years in education, for parents to defend their child's lack of effort and failure to meet deadlines.  They often demanded special assignments and extra attention.  Many intervened in situations when the students should have been conferring with the teacher and taking the responsibility for their actions.  For that reason I was not surprised when I recently read an article in the local newspaper with the title "Helicopter parents swoop in on adult children's job hunts, too". The article began by describing a "polished well-dressed woman (who) went booth to booth (at a job fair) passing out resumes, asking about job openings.  Not for herself, however.  For her son. He just graduated.  He has a degree.  He's sharp.  He doesn't know what he wants to do, but I think he'd be good at human resources."  Claudia Buck, the author, says "For baby-boomer parents, who have diligently - some would say obsessively - followed their children from diapers to diplomas, that encounter was perhaps the next logical phase of the so-called "helicopter parenting."  To back up our opinion she shared a 2007 survey of 725 U.S. employers who interview college seniors for jobs.  23 percent of them reported that parents "sometimes" or "very often" get involved.  Here's how:  Attending the interview - 4%; Advocating for promotion/ salary increase - 6%; Negotiating salary/benefits - 9%;  Making interview arrangements - 12%; Complaining if son or daughter isn't hired - 15%; Attending career fair - 17%; Promoting their child to company hiring managers or officials - 26%; Submitting resume on student's behalf - 31%; Obtaining information on company - 40%.  Now I spent nearly 36 years hiring math teachers. Here is my statistic.  Chances of me hiring you if your parents got directly involved - 0%.  I wanted teachers who could speak for themselves and be responsible, not still controlled by their "loving" parents.  I guess some parents will never let their "children" grow up and take responsibility.  It is hard to see your children get rejected, but it is a life lesson that they need to learn.  For that's the way life is.  Well, after reading this article, I realize that my feelings about interfering parents weren't just the result of growing older.  Many others are experiencing the same thing.  Cover them in prayer.  Give them helpful advice.  But let them loose to learn real life lessons and make their way to success or to failure. 

The "C Word"

If we live long enough most of us will have experiences with the "C word".  It may be our friends who are afflicted with this dreaded diagnosis.  Often it may be closer to home such as a beloved family member.  This can be devastating, especially when the disease is discovered with no warning.  We have all heard sad stories of folks who find they have an advanced case and within a few quick weeks they are no longer with us. And we've heard of those who have battled with it for years before losing the battle.  It can be a devastating situation.  We all hope that it will avoid us.  But sometimes it doesn't.  That is the nature of the world that we live in.  A few days ago the "C" word, that is cancer, was used by my doctor in an evening telephone call to me.  He called to tell me that my recent biopsy showed cancer cells.  He said that it is low risk right now, and I guess that is comforting, but it still is cancer - the same type my brother died of just three years ago.  Now I'm not sure yet what the treatment will be and I won't know until we meet with the doctor on June 1.  That is the earliest meeting with him that we could schedule. Having such a meeting is not exactly how I wanted to observe our 50th wedding anniversary, but often such things are out of our control.  I knew this day would eventually come because the statistics were against me with my family history.  And, I do understand mathematics and probability.  I guess I just hoped that it would be sometime in the future, not now.  And this did take me a little off guard since I didn't have the normal symptoms.  But the specialist just wasn't sure, again because of my family history, and he recommended more tests and a biopsy just to be sure.  And his intuition was correct.  Now I have watched many wrestle with cancer.  In particular, I was impressed with the way that my brother handled his 15 year battle and also with the way that my my Aunt Thelma handled her very brief battle.  They were so positive, even when in horrendous pain, and they drew nearer to the Lord as He comforted them in their journey.  And both had the hope of an eternal home with the Lord and being reunited with loved ones.  I don't know what lies ahead in my journey, but I pray that I may also stay positive and be an encouragement and a testimony to others who watch my journey.  There is so much that I would like to see and do before I leave, and maybe God will grant that to me.  But I also must admit that the older I get, the better the alternative - heaven - really looks.  And I have learned that God's ways are always best and right.  God is good, all the time. And He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  So the journey ahead may be long or it may be short, but I know He will lead me now as He has always done in the past. Great is His faithfulness. Hopefully my cancer is really of low risk and treatable.  But if not, the future is still very bright.

An Old Friend

Each Spring I enjoy sitting in my recliner, on our back porch, and watching our beautiful rhododendron as it bursts into bloom.  The plant is actually like an old friend for it has been there for  over 40 years.  It has often been an encouragement to me as it shares so many life lessons.  It has continued to thrive over the years while most of our other plants have gotten diseases and have died or have just disappeared. Gone. As you get older you experience the same thing as close ones are called home to eternity and are no longer here.  All of the men who were in our wedding party are now with the Lord. For some reason the Lord has allowed me to continue. Our beautiful plant has had its share of diseases, too, but with careful care it has continued to grow and bloom.  Annually I have had to prune and cut out limbs which are no longer healthy.  I often wonder if it will continue to thrive after my pruning.  I am reminded of how the Lord also prunes us through problems and sickness and spiritual teaching. And we all experience this pruning and should grow as a result. He does this for us so that we may bloom more beautifully for Him.  And my annual pruning has also changed the physical shape of my dear old friend.  It is no longer as symmetrical as it had been and it has holes were branches have been taken out. But it is still beautiful as it blooms.  And I guess that I no longer look the way I used to - somehow our shapes change as we get older.  Now my old friend continues to survive with regular care.  I do feed it regularly.  It needs its food, just like I need my spiritual food.  But I think there might be another secret to its survival.  It is planted near the main down spout where all the water from the back half of our large ranch style home flows when it rains.  Now the water doesn't run over the trunk or roots which would make them rot.  But, it does soak into the ground so that the plant can pull from it as a needed source of nourishment.  This reminds me so much of the verse in Psalm 1 which says "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."  What a reminder to me that I also need the spiritual nourishment to keep me growing and being fruitful. And every spring, for over 40 years, my old friend has bloomed and produced beautiful fruit or flowers.  And shouldn't that be our desire and goal?  Too often as folks get older they withdraw from ministry and from opportunities to grow spiritually.  They become stagnant and their fruit is no longer bountiful and beautiful.  What a tragic way to live.  Now I don't know how much longer my plant will survive.  Every year I think it might be its last year.  But the same is true of my life.  Our years are numbered and in God's control. We don't know what tomorrow may bring.  So, to my friend, my beautiful plant, keep blooming while you are able.  And thank you for your annual reminders of how to live and bloom.

No Regrets!

If only I could send her flowers.  If only I could send her a meaningful card.  If only I could give her a call. If only I could stop by to visit her.  If only I could take her out to eat.  If only I could give her a kiss.   If only I could tell her that I love her and wish her a happy Mother's Day.  But I can't.  And I haven't been able to do that for 18 years.  She was taken from us so unexpectedly and so quickly in an automobile accident.  In a moment everything changed.  Thankfully I was with her the night before, on her birthday, and I was able to wish her a happy birthday.  In some ways that seems just like yesterday and I still miss her. I will always miss her.  I think there is often a special bond between mothers and their sons.  And I had a special mother who loved and served the Lord.  I was blessed.  I realize now how much she sacrificed for her children.  Somtimes you need to be older until you really understand that. I wish I could say thank you to her once again.  I was blessed.  Now I don't have any regrets except that I can no longer share with her.  I know that she is now with the Lord and that she and dad are reunited.  She no longer has the physical ailments that bothered her here on earth.  And the Lord spared her from the difficult days that so many seniors endure in their latter years.  And I do not wish her back.  But at mother's day there is still a deep hurt that one feels when mother is gone.  Our days here on earth pass so quickly and it is so easy to forget those who we love.  If your mother is alive, make sure that you do something special for her this weekend.  If you are away from home send her flowers and call her and thank her for being your mother.  If you are close by, make sure that you at least visit with her or take her out for dinner.  You may never have the chance to do that again on mother's day.  You don't want to live with that regret.

Maybe This Time

After contacting the PUC and also posting a picture and the problem on UGI's Facebook page, there was a flurry of calls and e-mails from UGI on Friday.  It appears that I have now gotten their attention.  I am told that I will hear from them about their plans by the middle of next week.  No progress yet on when the work will actually be done, but at least I finally stirred things up.  So we'll see what happens next.


WORK WAS FINALLY DONE ON MAY 17!

UGI, clean up your mess - now!

Late in February UGI spent a week installing a gas line down our street.  The process went well until they reached our property and ran into heavy rock.  It took them several days to complete the line in front of our house - on our lawn.  And we weren't even getting gas to our house.  For several days their equipment dug up our lawn and created many deep ruts in the lawn.  The workers assured me that within a few days another crew would come to complete the work and restore our lawn.  Weeks went by and nobody showed up.  We were left with rocky soil, ruts and weeds.  So I tried to call UGI.  Twice, after long delays, I got cut off.  On the third frustrating try I finally reached someone who told me that UGI would be in touch with me the next day.  That never happened.  So I wrote a letter.  A few days later a UGI workman showed up to promise me that a restoration crew was on the way.  If it didn't show up he'd even hire somebody local to fix the problem so that I could cut grass and complete my spring lawn care.  Promises, promises! Weeks passed by again with no response.  Finally I wrote a second letter to the man who had visited us asking him for a date when the work would be done.  He never replied.  Finally I reached him on phone and he said that he would have the restoration crew contact me.  Unbelievably, within an hour I did receive a call from the foreman of the crew.  He told me that the work would be done within a week and definitely by last Friday. They were working in Lititz and would here in a day or two. I guess I wasn't the least bit surprised when that didn't happen.  And we are still waiting.  No work, no response, nothing!  If this is typical of UGI's customer service then they have talked me out of ever dealing with them.  I have been lied to, I have been misled, I have been ignored and I am frustrated and upset.  I don't know who to even contact. I don't trust any of them.  Is this the new American way - promise, lie and ignore? Maybe it is time to go public with my frustration.  So if you deal with UGI, when you pay your next bill tell them to clean up their job at 180 W. Charlotte St., in Millersville.  It's now two months and I am still waiting.  UGI, clean up your mess!   Stay tuned.

Problems of the Handicapped

Have you ever really thought about the problems that even moderately handicapped people face? I doubt that most of us do until we are faced with the problem ourselves. I imagine that probably was true even with me until my wife began using a cane. It has been interesting to see how folks interact with you when you are forced to use something like a cane. Now in all fairness, there are some people who are very considerate. They let you go ahead. They ask if they can help. They hold doors for you. Fortunately there are still some people with manners who are considerate of those with special needs. Now as you might expect, children are the worst problem. They run, they bump into you, they rush ahead, and they cut right in front of you. But they do that even to older folks who aren't handicapped. On a Sunday morning I have often been bumped by running children while I am trying to carry my coffee. At times that can almost be an adventure and even a little dangerous. But teens and young adults usually aren't much better. In the malls they don't get out of your way. You need to move for them. And they rush to beat you in and out of the doors, especially those which open automatically. But many adults act the same. It is common when we walk at Park City to have folks cut right in front of us or stop suddenly right in front of us. And many of them also like to beat you through the automatic doors. Then there are those who park in the striped areas between handicapped parking slots which are designed for vans and room for the handicapped to exit or enter their vehicles. As I said, I guess we just don't think much about those things until we have a handicap or we spend time with somebody who does. Maybe all students should be required to spend a day or two as a "handicapped person" to experience these problems. And we have also become more aware of the problems handicapped have with access to facilities. We have been learning the problems of dealing with steps when ramps and elevators are not available. On our trip to Commanders College last week, we visited the church where Awana really developed sixty years ago. Surprisingly it was not the least bit handicapped accessible. There were steep steps everywhere to get into the building and then again into the sanctuary. No ramps or elevators were provided. At one point my wife had to wait until everybody in our group had passed before she could begin difficult task of using the steps. She had struggled halfway when somebody from the church suddenly appeared and told her to be careful because they didn't have any insurance if she should hurt herself. We weren't sure whether to laugh or cry about his warning. But, unfortunately, that is often the attitude of people who aren't handicapped themselves - at least physically handicapped. And maybe that comment also tells you why this formerly thriving church, with an auditorium that seats about 400, now only averages 30 to 40 each Sunday. I sure hope this guy wasn't the church greeter!

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN

I don't know who to give credit to for the following cartoon but I guess it describes how I feel.  Last Saturday night we celebrated our 30th year of Awana at Faith Bible.  It has been our special joy to have started the program and then led it through these many years.  And in just a month, Lord willing, we will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.  And as I said, time flies when you are having fun.  When we reflect upon the past we can't help wonder where all the years have gone and how fast they have gone.  And please understand, this happens to all of us.  And we can honestly say to the Lord, great is Thy faithfulness.  He has led us in the past and we know He will lead us in the future no matter what our coming days on earth may include.  God is good, all the time.

Source unknown

Saving Money

Today I want to share my plan to reduce the state and national debts.  Let's start by eliminating all primary elections.  Last Tuesday I spent almost all day from 6 am to 9 pm waiting for a few hundred voters to show up and exercise their freedom to vote.  Because it was a primary they could only vote for their party and in most cases there were no real contests.  Not including the cost of all of the equipment, it probably cost at least $1,000 in salaries, rentals, and materials to run our precinct for the 301 voters (16% of eligible voters) who showed up.  And this is not unusual for an annual primary. Now I think there are about 250 precincts in Lancaster County alone.  So there is about $250,000, plus I don't know how much more in costs for all the full-time staff that works for the election bureau.  In addition to handling absentee ballots and registration they must prepare, deliver and pick-up the equipment.  They must also spend weeks verifying the returns from each precinct.  Now multiply that amount by 67 counties and you can begin to see how much is spent, or let me say, wasted on a primary.  Now my suggestion is to eliminate the primary and let each party send out ballots or find another way to select their candidates.  And let those not selected by the party have their names placed on the final ballot by getting a minimum number of signatures on petitions.  Now that change alone would save millions annually for a state that is facing severe financial difficulties.  Then I would also reform national campaigns. I would eliminate super PACs.  One of these PACs plans to raise 240 million to influence campaigns this Fall.  Multiply this by all of these PAC's and use this money instead to support medicare or reduce the national debt.  Limit the amount that a campaign can spend - let's say 60 million dollars for a national campaign.  In his last  campaign our president is said to have spent almost a billion dollars - not million, but billion!  Wouldn't this have been better spent on reducing the national debt?  And a limit on campaign spending might even reduce the negative advertising that floods television.  It might also make it easier for a common person to compete and gain office instead of just the rich and connected as happens today.  And let's limit the campaign to three debates - we don't need more than that, especially if they are handled correctly and hit the main issues.  Maybe by curtailing campaign activities we would have kinder, more civilized campaigns that would be centered on the issues rather than on the negativity that we now experience.  And while we are reforming things, let's also eliminate the recorded telephone messages. I'm sick of them - they give me a negative impression of the candidate especially when I must interrupt a meal or other work to answer them.  And why are these calls exempt from the no-call policy?  Well I know such changes are just a dream.  Nobody will consider them seriously - maybe they make too much sense.  But if we are serious about saving money and reducing state and national debt, here would be a great place to start. As the debt deepens we will continue to spend millions and billions on the election "circus".  But I guess such changes would run counter  to the main goal of most elected officials to get themselves reelected over and over again.  Term limits?  Well that is another issue for another day.

Safe And Secure!

Do I look like a terrorist? Are old guys who are growing bald with a little white hair remaining considered threats? Maybe it was my old inexpensive St. John's pants that fit a profile. I still don't know why I was picked out for special security checks while trying to enter the O'Hare Airport at Chicago. We progressed through the waiting line with no problem. My boarding pass and photo license were fine. I did have some trouble placing my things on the security line because when I took off my belt I almost lost my pants! So I had to hold up my pants while opening my brief case and emptying my pockets. But I made it. Then I came to the body scanner. I was fine until I had to hold my hands over my head. Fortunately, my pants stayed up. Nothing beeped so I assumed that I was fine and I moved ahead. But then I was stopped by security. I was first asked if I had anything in my pockets. I told them only my wallet. I was asked to remove it and hold it in front of me. I was then patted down. Fortunately my pants stayed up. Maybe I shouldn't have lost weight. But I wasn't done. The examiner then took my wallet, held it in front of me, and went through it. I guess it passed. But I still wasn't done. Next he went and got some sort of liquid and spread it over the palms of both of my palms. Then he pressed another piece of something on my palms and took it to some machine to be examined. Finally I received the approval to enter. I made it! Oh yes, I quickly put my belt back on. We were very early for our flight so we stayed about ten minutes and watched other folks come through the check point. A few were stopped and patted down, but I didn't see anybody else receive all the checks that I did. I would have liked to ask why they were checking me so closely, but they didn't seem too friendly and I really didn't want to call any more attention to myself. The only other time that we had a problem with security at an airport was in Florida when one of us set off the alarm. But they got mixed up and checked out the wrong one of us. That mistake didn't make us feel much safer about flying. So I guess I'll never know what they suspected about me in Chicago. However, later I remembered that I did have surgery a few years ago and had a plate and seven screws placed in my right thumb. I was told by the surgeon that this would never cause any security problems. But now I wonder if with the new full body scans that might have set off an alarm. Or maybe the security folks just wanted to see my pants fall down. I guess I'll never know. But at least all the passengers on our plane flew in confidence knowing that I was thoroughly checked and no explosives were found.

CC301

For thirty years we have been involved in the Awana ministry. During those years this ministry has grown and expanded. Today it is international, reaching nearly one million children in other countries and one million in this country. Awana has expanded its outreach to prisons, to children at risk, to fathers, and to numerous other groups, in addition to its main ministry to children. Last week we had the honor of attending Commander College 301 in Chicago. It is an intensive three day program for commanders who have completed CC101 and CC201. We had completed those levels at Hershey and at Pittsburgh. The theme of this final level training was legacy, a topic that has been very dear to my heart in recent years. We were challenged to leave a godly legacy for our Awana club, for our church, and for our family. We were taught by outstanding speakers, we studied scripture, we participated in discussion sessions, and we exchanged ideas with key commanders and missionaries from all over the country. We studied from early morning to late evening - it was intensive. We also had a special chance to renew acquaintances with six great friends from Idaho, New York, and Pennsylvania that we met in CC201. We spent time with new friends from California, Texas, Michigan, Tennessee, Kansas, Illinois, and numerous other states. These folks are special because of their love for the Lord, their passion to serve the Lord, and to share the gospel with children. We had the special honor of meeting Art Rohrheim, the founder of Awana who is now in his nineties and still very active (see the picture). Art has probably had the greatest impact on sharing the gospel with children around the world than any other person in history. We also toured the church where Awana actually grew and expanded about sixty years ago and we saw the old Awana circle which is painted on the floor there. The first Awana Games event was held there. We met many of the folks from the home office and we saw where they work and where all the shipping is done. It was a special experience. The names of all Meritorious and Citation Award winners are displayed at the headquarters and we were able to find my name. So now the Lord has allowed me to complete the highest award that a clubber can earn and the highest training that a commander can receive. I will always have a passion for the work of Awana and sometimes I regret that I'm no longer able to do all that could be done with the Awana ministry. We concluded the conference on Saturday night with a banquet where about 50 of us were presented with diplomas, gold name tags, and gold clocks to signify that we are now official graduates of the Awana Commander College program. It was so hard to leave all of our new friends. We have been challenged and there is so much to do before the Lord returns. But it is encouraging to know that there is an organization like Awana and so many dedicated folks like we met who are sacrificing to reach children around the world with the gospel. Unfortunately there is not a Commanders College 401!

Disappointment But Profitable Anyway

Today we are in Chicago. We completed Awana Commanders College 301 yesterday and tomorrow we fly home. We had planned today to make the trip to Rhinelander, Wisconsin to visit my aunt and uncle. It is a six hour drive each way and we were planning to drive the 12 hours to spend a few hours with them. We were really looking forward to being with them. However, God had other plans for us. The midwest was hit with very dangerous and devastating weather and today's forecast called for severe storms, heavy winds, hail, and possible tornados all along our route during the times we would go and return. So about 5 am we made the difficult decision to cancel our plans and stay here in Chicago. What a major disappointment, but rather safe than sorry. So we decided to go to the early service at Willow Creek. We had been there twice before, years ago. However, that was before they built their 7,200 seat auditorium. It is hard to describe the place if you have never been there but there are all sorts of large worship areas for various age groups. There is a large bookstore, large dining areas, and numerous areas where you can purchase meals of all types. When we were there the last time I had two observations that I haven't forgotten. First, the congregation applauded the pastor when he was done and then much of the crowd ran out to the restaurant in another part of the building. Today there were large staffed areas to greet visitors. CD's and DVD's of the service were available to purchase right after the service concluded. There were banks of computers to locate information about the facilities and programs. And, if you didn't have access to the internet at home, you could use these to sign up for things at the church. No old fashioned sign up lists here. When the doors opened to the auditorium, we were greeted warmly by the church greeters who were all over the auditorium. Unfortunately, that was the last time we were greeted or welcomed by anybody, except a few of our friends from the Awana conference. I guess that is one of the problems with a large church. We came and went and nobody will ever realize that we were there and that we probably won't be back again. The service itself featured excellent use of technology and an upbeat praise team of talented musicians. Actually, while it was a little loud at times for me, the music was very well done and was very worshipful. I especially was touched with the way they led "How Great Is Our God" which is one of my favorites. I don't know who the speaker was. It obviously wasn't the senior pastor who we've missed each time we've been there. He shared Psalm 100 with the theme of using music to praise, thank, and worship God. It was well done and very challenging. All the worship music emphasized and was built on that theme. It was especially interesting to me that the Psalm he chose concluded with "His truth endures to all generations". The theme of our Awana conference was legacy - leaving a legacy for your Awana club, for your church, and for your family. The Psalm was an appropriate exclamation mark for our four days here. Yes, it was a major disappointment to not get to Rhinelander as planned, but I needed to be in a full worship service, something I haven't had the opportunity to do in several months. I guess the Lord knew I needed that. God is good all the time. And, incidentally, while I am writing this, we still haven't had any rain, wind, hail, or storms!

Fore!

When I was younger I really followed most sports closely, but for a variety of reasons that has changed as I've gotten older. Today my interests are basically college football (Penn State in particular), the Phillies, the Eagles and post season pro football, the NCAA basketball championship rounds, some college volleyball matches, and the summer Olympics. That's about it. Tennis matches are too long, soccer is so boring, and I'm still not sure why they call NASCAR a sport. Now there are times that I do enjoy the final holes of a big golf tournament. I did enjoy the end of the Masters last weekend - it was exciting and there were some great shots. But other than that, I'm not into golf. Years ago I did some golfing, but it always made my back problems worse, so I gave it up. Think about how much money I have saved over the decades. But golf is a way of life for many folks. Recently I read a number of interesting quotes about the game. Let me share some of them with you. (1) "The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody would put a flag stick on top."-- Pete Dye (2)"Golf is played by twenty million mature American men whose wives think they are out having fun." - Jim Bishop (3) "It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course."-- Hank Aaron (4) "Golf is a game in which you yell "fore," shoot six, and write down five." -- Paul Harvey (5) "Have you ever noticed what golf spells backwards?" -- Al Boliska (6) "The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course." -- Billy Graham (7) "Go play golf. Go to the golf course. Hit the ball. Find the ball. Repeat until the ball is in the hole. Have fun. The end." -- Chuck Hogan (8) "If you think it's hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball." -- Jack Lemmon (9) "It's good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling."-- Mark Twain (10) "Golf is a game in which one endeavors to control a ball with implements ill adapted for the purpose." -- Woodrow Wilson (11) "They call it "golf" because all the other four-letter words were taken." -- Raymond Floyd.

Enough Is Enough!

During the last three weeks we have participated in activities involving the deaths of eight of our acquaintances and because of physical problems there could even be several more in the weeks ahead. I had commented on this experience in a recent blog, but today I want to share with you some observations and personal opinions that have resulted from these experiences. First, it continues to bother me that folks will come to a visitation just minutes before the service is to begin and expect to still visit the family. It is rude and not fair to the family who must prepare themselves for the emotional service ahead. It isn't fair to those who've come on time and now must sit and wait for the service to begin. How should you deal with such inconsiderate folks? Announce the visitation time to end 15 minutes before the service is to begin and then cut the line off when it reaches the point where folks can no longer get through the line in the allotted time. A related problem is those in line who expect to spend 5 or 10 minutes greeting family members while other stand and wait. Offer your sympathy and quick memories and move on. If you want to say more, visit them or take them out for a meal a few weeks later when everybody forgets them and loneliness really sinks in. And then there are the greetings themselves. Please don't use the Christian "cop out" that "I'm praying for you" - unless you really are. And don't say that "if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know". That sounds so noble but you know you aren't going to be asked for help by the grieving person. Instead, take them out for dinner a few weeks later or drop by their house to do some errands. Take your mouth out of gear and put your legs into motion. And please don't quote Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." This certainly is true, but it hurts and isn't much comfort when a loved one has just been taken away, especially if the grieved are questioning why the death has happened. The knowledge and impact of this truth will come later to those who are grieved. I also get bothered about the hundreds of dollars spent on flowers which are often left to decay after the service. I used to dig graves at a cemetery in Sunbury and would watch beautiful expensive flowers just rot on the closed graves. Instead, give to a memorial fund that the family designates - but as financial secretary of our church I know that few people ever do this. Maybe it just isn't as "showy" as a large basket of flowers. Then there is the funeral service itself. I do think the pastor should build the service around the wishes of the departed or their loved ones - that makes it more memorable. But I personally don't care for an "open mike". I've seen all sorts of things happen with this. Sometimes nobody has anything to say - embarrassing. Sometimes folks folks talk forever - boring. We were at one recently where the comments went on for well over an hour. Sometimes I think participants just want to call attention to themselves and what they did for the departed. And there are times when the speaker gets so emotional that nobody knows what they are trying to save - this also happened at a funeral we attended recently. It is good to hear personal reflections but it would be much better to have the speakers planned ahead of time or to have comments submitted before the service for the pastor to read. Then there are differences in the way funeral directors run things. For example, I think it is terrible when the family must close the casket with mourners watching. That should be a private time. We were at a funeral recently where the funeral director asked the mourners in the sanctuary to be quiet while they waited for the family to be seated. Unfortunately everyone stopped talking, the music stopped, and we could then hear the family crying as they closed the casket behind us. That was uncomfortable and unnecessary. And finally, we attended a viewing of the father-in-law of a friend of ours. When we left we didn't take one of the funeral folders because we didn't really know the man and didn't want or need one. The funeral director apparently thought that was terrible of us and she questioned us at length about who we were and why we were there when we tried to leave without one. That was really none of her business. We finally "escaped", without a folder. When we got to our car I told my wife that we should have told her that we were just visiting funeral homes this week to look at dead people. Now would that have been good funeral etiquette?

The April Fool

As a teacher I was always looking for creative and unusual ways to get a point across to my students. I was always sure that given a chance I could teach a fake lesson and my students would follow along, take notes, nod their heads in agreement, and not challenge what I said. And so I began a tradition of every few years on April 1 teaching the Looflirpa Theorem. And I was generally very successful in pulling it off. One year I was so successful that even though the next day my students were told that it was fake and we reviewed the incorrect steps, I still had a student who tried to apply it on the final exam. Well I thought that if I could pull this off in the classroom I could probably do the same thing to our friends by e-mail. And so about a decade ago I began a new "tradition". After we returned from a trip to Florida I prepared an e-mail which said that we had so much fun there that we were purchasing a home and moving there in a few months. My April Fool's Day e-mail was so very effective - the best one ever - that we had friends calling and tearfully saying how much they would miss us. That one has been hard to beat. But every year since then I have sent out an e-mail presenting a "fake" problem - a new law that was passed, a tax increase on gum and candy, a charge for bulk mailing our prayer chain e-mails, etc. Some have worked, others have not. Last year I shared that Taco Bell was obtaining the naming rights to the Liberty Bell and would rename it the Taco Bell. This really upset a number of folks until they went to my link and realized that it was my annual prank. But each year it has become harder to do one since folks now are expecting it and are on guard. I had decided to "retire" this year and give it up. And I probably should have quit while I was ahead. However, several folks wrote to me or talked to me on Sunday morning and wondered when I was going to send out my annual e-mail. A few years ago even our pastor mentioned this "tradition" in one of his messages. So I thought I'd give it one more shot and late Sunday afternoon I sent one out informing folks that I might have spread a virus that would affect everyone in my address book beginning April 6 (my birthday). I always prepare a web page and send folks to it to reveal that it is an April Fool's Day joke. I provided a link to this page telling them that there they would find the remedy and protection for this virus. But this year I ran into numerous problems. Several reported back that the link wouldn't work for them and wondered what they should do to avoid the virus. I either sent them another link or told them to relax since it was just a joke. When I received numerous "complaints" about the enclosed link I had to send out another bulk e-mail with a new link. Some wanted to make sure that the e-mail really came from me before they clicked on the link and got another virus. One waited to have the tech person at work check her computer. A couple of others called us because they were worried about what we had done to their computer. And a few others ignored it completely or assumed that it was a joke and didn't even try the link. Only a few replied that they were tricked and thought it was funny. One said "you got me once again" and another "hook, line and sinker - we are still laughing about it!" It is interesting, however, that despite the reactions and concerns, my counter on the linked web page shows over 130 hits. Maybe this year I may have gone too far. I probably upset a number of folks and have others who didn't check the link worried about the April 6 virus. Hopefully after April 6 I will be forgiven. So maybe it is really time to "retire" this "tradition". Maybe this year I was really the April Fool!

A Ride Of Contrasts

It was an interesting ride. We needed a runner for our Awana van and we couldn't find anyone to help us out. So I had to fill in. Now that's a job for a younger man, not one who is approaching 71! Climbing in and out of the van at each stop, disciplining some of the riders, and putting up with all the noise was tolerable a few years ago, but at this age ..... Anyway, it is an interesting ride. Our first stop was an inner-city location. It was an extra warm night for March and people were seated outside on their steps. Kids were running and playing. Music was loud. It seemed like a mini United Nations. It was considerably different than neighborhoods than I had ever lived in. It probably is an experience that all of our leaders should have since it gives you a perspective of where some of our clubbers come from. When we left that area we drove through more suburban neighborhoods that more of us could relate to. Then we traveled through an area filled with mansions, including Wheatland, the former home of President James Buchanan. What a contrast. I would love to go through some of these mansions. These folks must have staff to take care of their properties. Next we drove through more commercial type neighborhoods - large stores, shopping plazas, fast food restaurants, and similar establishments, many of which were no longer occupied. Finally, as we approached our church we passed scenic rural areas and even fields of cattle. These farms and pastures are what many folks picture when they think of Lancaster County. It was amazing to me that during a 30 minute drive we could see such contrasts. But I also realized that all of these areas - with the exception of the pastures - are really mission fields filled with people who need to know the Lord. And the Lord has given us this fertile area to reach folks of all cultures, all races, and all social levels. And that might have been a reminder that I needed and it actually made the ride for this 70 year-old a little easier. Thank the Lord for our van drivers who run this route every week and for dedicated leaders who share love and the Gospel with these van riders each Wednesday. However, hopefully I've learned what I needed to be reminded of and in the future, maybe some younger men can take this trip and be reminded as well.

Four All Who Reed And Right

It is amazing how often we who have grown up in the United States murder the English language. Imagine what it would be like if we had to learn English and it wasn't our native tongue. For those of you who think algebra is hard, think about the following "poem" which was recently sent to me.

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes;
but the plural of ox became oxen not oxes.

One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,

yet the plural of moose should never be meese.

You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice;

yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,

why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?

If I spoke of my foot and show you my feet,

and I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?

If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,

why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that,

And three would be those,

yet hat in the plural would never be hose,

and the plural of cat is cats, not cose.

We speak of a brother and also of brethren,

but though we say mother, we never say methren.

Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,

but imagine the feminine, she, shis and shim.

So don't ever let him and shim ever tell you that English is easy.